MOTOR VEHICLE HAVING HEAD AIRBAG

• US 20100156073A1
• Filed: 12/14/2009
• Published: 06/24/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: RICK, Ulrich
• Granted Patent: US 8,585,077 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/730.200
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0048 Head
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2173 the module or part thereof being movably mounted on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26058 using a combination of inflators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/217 Inflation fluid source retainers, e.g. reaction canisters; Connection of bags, covers, diffusers or inflation fluid sources therewith or together
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge

Abstract

A motor vehicle, in particular a passenger automobile, is provided with a vehicle body, at least one head airbag and one gas generator for filling the head airbag. The gas generator being fastened to an element of the vehicle body that extends essentially in the vehicle transverse direction.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle, comprising:

a vehicle body comprising an element that essentially extends in a vehicle transverse direction;

a head airbag; and

a gas generator adapted to fill the head airbag and fastened on the element of the vehicle body that essentially extends in the vehicle transverse direction.

2. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the element is a windshield crossbeam.

3. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the element is a bulkhead.

4. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the gas generator is at least partially fastened in a depression of the element.

5. The motor vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the depression is in a vertical side of the element.

6. The motor vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the depression is in a cover side of the element.

7. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the gas generator is removably fastened on the element.

8. The motor vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the gas generator is screwed onto the element.

9. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the gas generator is positively fastened on the element.

10. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the gas generator comprises a retention device adapted to fasten the gas generator on the element.

11. The motor vehicle according to claim 10, wherein the retention device is integrally implemented with the gas generator.

12. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the gas generator and the head airbag are coupled by a filling tube.

13. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the gas generator is essentially cylindrical and has a longitudinal axis running essentially parallel to a transverse axis of the motor vehicle.

14. A method for installing a head airbag in a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of:

fastening the head airbag on an element of a vehicle body that essentially extends in a transverse direction of the motor vehicle; and

fastening a gas generator on the element that is adapted to fill the head airbag.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of connecting the head airbag to the gas generator.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the step of fastening the gas generator on the element that is adapted to fill the head airbag is executed before completing an interior equipping of the motor vehicle.

17. The method according to claim 14, wherein the step of fastening the gas generator on the element that is adapted to fill the head airbag comprises the step of at least partially fastening the gas generator in a depression of the element.

18. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of coupling the gas generator and the head airbag with a filling tube.