Integrated overhead side airbag module

• US 20070152431A1
• Filed: 01/05/2006
• Published: 07/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Rust, John, Warnez, Michael, Williams, Shawn, Lemmon, Joseph, Kuhr, Robert, Famili, Babak
• Granted Patent: US 7,744,120 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/730.200
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars

Abstract

An overhead trim system for a motor vehicle has a mounting bracket coupled to an overhead area of the motor vehicle and an integrally formed trim member. The integrally formed trim member is configured to extend along a selected length of a perimeter of the overhead area and defines a hinge. The integrally formed trim member is coupled to the mounting bracket to define a cavity configured for receipt of an airbag module. The hinge in a first position is capable of retaining the airbag module within the cavity and in a second position is capable of enabling the airbag module to expand.

Claims

1. An overhead trim system for a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle including an overhead area and a passenger compartment, the overhead trim system comprising:

at least one mounting bracket adapted to be coupled to the overhead area of the motor vehicle; and

at least one integrally formed trim member, the at least one integrally formed trim member coupled to the at least one mounting bracket to define a cavity capable of receiving an airbag module, the at least one integrally formed trim member configured to extend along a selected length of a perimeter of the overhead area of the motor vehicle and defining at least one hinge,

wherein the at least one hinge in a first position is capable of retaining an airbag module within the cavity and the at least one hinge in a second position is capable of enabling an airbag module to expand into the passenger compartment upon the receipt of the input.

2. The overhead trim system of claim 1, wherein the motor vehicle further includes a frame, and the mounting bracket is adapted to be coupled to the frame.

3. The overhead trim system of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one second mounting bracket coupled to the at least one first mounting bracket, the at least one second mounting bracket disposed in the cavity and adapted to be coupled to an airbag module inflator.

4. The overhead trim system of claim 1, further comprising:

a headliner coupled to the at least one integrally formed trim member.

5. The overhead trim system of claim 1, wherein at least one headliner is integrally formed with the at least one integrally formed trim member.

6. The overhead trim system of claim 1, wherein the at least one integrally formed trim member includes at least one of a molded in feature for at least one wire and an air duct.

7. The overhead trim system of claim 5, wherein the at least one integrally formed trim member is formed by blow-molding.

8. The overhead trim system of claim 4, wherein the at least one integrally formed trim member is formed by injection-molding.

9. A motor vehicle comprising:

a frame defining a passenger area and an overhead area above the passenger area;

a first mounting bracket coupled to the frame;

a first trim member, the first trim member coupled to the first mounting bracket to define a cavity, the first trim member configured to extend a selected length of the overhead area of the frame and defining at least one hinge;

a second mounting bracket coupled to the first mounting bracket, the second mounting bracket disposed in the cavity;

a first inflator coupled to the second mounting bracket, the first inflator responsive to an input; and

a first airbag configured to be received in the cavity, the first airbag responsive to the first inflator to expand based on the input,

wherein the at least one hinge is responsive in a first position to retain the first airbag within the cavity and the at least one hinge is responsive in a second position to enable the first airbag to expand into the passenger area upon the receipt of the input.

10. The motor vehicle of claim 9, further comprising:

a third mounting bracket coupled to the frame;

a second trim member, the second trim member coupled to the third mounting bracket to define a cavity, the second trim member configured to extend a selected length of a perimeter of the overhead area of the frame, the second trim member defining a hinge;

a fourth mounting bracket coupled to the third mounting bracket, the fourth mounting bracket disposed in the cavity;

a second inflator coupled to the fourth mounting bracket, the second inflator responsive to an input; and

a second airbag configured to be received in the cavity, the second airbag responsive to the second inflator to expand based on the input,

wherein the hinge is responsive in a first position to retain the second airbag within the cavity and the hinge is responsive in a second position to enable the second airbag to expand into the passenger area upon the receipt of the input.

11. The motor vehicle of claim 10, further comprising:

a headliner coupled to the first trim member and the second trim member.

12. The motor vehicle of claim 10, further comprising:

a headliner integrally formed with the first trim member and the second trim member,

wherein the first trim member and the second trim member each define at least one feature operable to couple the first trim member to the second trim member.

13. The motor vehicle of claim 10, wherein the first trim member and the second trim member include at least one of a molded in feature for at least one wire and an air duct.

14. The motor vehicle of claim 10, wherein the first trim member and the second trim member are formed by blow-molding.

15. The motor vehicle of claim 10, wherein the first trim member and the second trim member are formed by injection-molding.