Roof-lining module

• US 20080073887A1
• Filed: 09/21/2007
• Published: 03/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Takata - Petri AG (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
• Inventors: Leifheit, Markus, Volk, Jurgen, Einsiedel, Heinrich, Baumgartner, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 7,775,549 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/730.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/0225 self supporting head liners
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge

Abstract

The disclosed roof-lining module is used for installation in a motor vehicle. The roof-lining module comprises a roof-lining covering for covering an inside of a motor vehicle roof skin, wherein a side of the roof-lining faces the vehicle floor; and an airbag module secured on the roof-lining covering with at least one gas generator. The gas generator extends longitudinally over at least a partial region of the roof-lining covering.

Claims

1. A roof-lining module for installation in a motor vehicle, comprising:

a roof-lining covering for covering an inside of a motor vehicle roof skin, wherein a side of the roof-lining faces a vehicle floor; and

an airbag module secured on the roof-lining covering, wherein the airbag module includes a gas generator,

wherein the gas generator extends longitudinally over at least a partial region of the roof-lining covering.

2. The roof-lining module according to claim 1, wherein the gas generator extends longitudinally along an edge of the roof-lining covering.

3. The roof-lining module according to claim 2, in an installation state of the roof-lining module, the edge of the roof-lining cover runs essentially parallel to a vehicle longitudinal axis.

4. The roof-lining module according to claim 1, wherein the gas generator is arranged in a gas lance which encases the gas generator, and

wherein the gas lance is designed such that it extends longitudinally along a vehicle longitudinal axis, and is part of the airbag module.

5. The roof-lining module according to claim 4, wherein the airbag module includes a gas bag, and wherein the gas bag is arranged at least partially along the gas lance in a folded state.

6. The roof-lining module according to claim 1, wherein at least one roof grab handle is secured along an edge of the roof-lining covering, and

wherein the airbag module is pre-fixed on the roof grab handle.

7. The roof-lining module according to claim 6, wherein the airbag module is fastened to a roof frame of the motor vehicle by the roof grab handle being fastened to the roof frame.

8. The roof-lining module according to claim 7, wherein the roof grab handle is fastened to at least one fastening region of the roof-lining covering by a first fastening means.

9. The roof-lining module according to claim 8, wherein the airbag module is pre-fixed on the at least one fastening region by at least one retaining element, the first fastening means, or a combination thereof in a pre-installation state of the roof-lining module.

10. The roof-lining module according to claim 9, wherein the gas generator is arranged in a gas lance which encases the gas generator,

wherein the gas lance is designed such that it extends longitudinally along a vehicle longitudinal axis, and is part of the airbag module, and

wherein the at least one retaining element has at least one loop which encircles the gas lance in a circumferential direction of the gas lance.

11. The roof-lining module according to claim 10, wherein the loop or a free end protruding from the loop is fastened to the fastening region, the first fastening means, or a combination thereof.

12. The roof-lining module according to claim 9, wherein the airbag module includes a gas bag arranged at least partially along the gas lance in a folded state, and wherein, in a region adjacent to the gas lance, the gas bag has at least one cutout through which the at least one loop encircling the gas lance in a circumferential direction of the gas lance runs.

13. The roof-lining module according to claim 8, wherein the roof-lining covering is fastened to a roof frame of the motor vehicle in an installation state of the roof-lining module by a second fastening means, and wherein the second fastening means is arranged onto the first fastening means.

14. The roof-lining module according to claim 13, wherein the second fastening means is formed by regions which protrude from the first fastening means, the retaining element, or a combination thereof and is configured to be plugged into recesses of the roof frame in order to form a connection between the roof-lining module and the roof frame.

15. The roof-lining module according to claim 1, wherein the airbag module has at least one module end which protrudes from the roof-lining covering.

16. The roof-lining module according to claim 15, wherein the at least one module end is secured on a body of the motor vehicle in an installation state of the roof-lining module.

17. The roof-lining module according to claim 15, wherein, in a pre-installation state of the roof-lining module, the at least one module end is folded onto the roof-lining covering and is configured to be fixed releasably on the roof-lining covering for transportation of the roof-lining module.

18. The roof-lining module according to claim 15, wherein the roof-lining covering together with a protective covering as part of the roof-lining module forms a casing for receiving the airbag module, and wherein the protective covering is connected to the roof-lining covering.

19. A method for installing an airbag module in a motor vehicle, comprising:

providing a roof-lining covering;

providing an airbag module with a gas generator extending longitudinally as part of the airbag module;

fastening at least one grab handle, along an edge of the roof-lining covering by a first fastening means;

pre-fixing the airbag module on the roof-lining covering so that the weight of the gas generator is distributed essentially uniformly along at least a partial region of the roof-lining covering, wherein the airbag module is pre-fixed on the roof grab handle by at least one retaining element; and

fastening the roof-lining covering to a vehicle body, wherein the roof grab handle is fastened to a roof frame of the motor vehicle by a second fastening means.

20. The method for installing an airbag module in a motor vehicle according to claim 19, wherein a protective covering is fitted on the roof-lining covering so that, during the pre-fixing, the airbag module is arranged at least partially between the roof-lining covering and the protective covering.