Arrangement of an inflatable head protection system in a motor vehicle

• US 5,988,673 A
• Filed: 09/28/1998
• Issued: 11/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Original Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Inventors: Stavermann, Joerg
• Primary Examiner(s): English, Peter C.
• Application Number:
  US09/161,222
• Time in Patent Office: 421 Days
• Field of Search: 280/730.2, 280/730.1, 280/728.2, 280/728.3, 280/732, 280/751, 280/752
• US Class Current: 280/730.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars

Abstract

An inflatable head protection system has an air bag which is provided at least partly along a member or a column of the vehicle body in the non-inflated condition following its course. This air bag is held by a separate deformation element which is constructed as a shaped sheet metal part having at least one deformation curvature, in which case the air bag is housed essentially between the deformation element and the member/the column. An optimal protection is therefore ensured in the static as well as in the dynamic case.

Claims

1. Arrangement of an inflatable head protection system in a motor vehicle, comprising an air bag which is provided at least partly along a vehicle body roof member or a vehicle body column in a non-inflated condition following the course of said roof member or column, wherein the air bag is held by a separate deformation element coupled to said roof member or column such that the air bag is disposed between the deformation element and the roof member or column, said deformation element including at least one deformation curve defining a hollow space between said air bag and an interior lining which covers said roof member or column.

2. Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the deformation element has a leg which can be deformed by inflation of the air bag.

3. Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said hollow space is filled with a foam material.

4. Arrangement according to claim 3, wherein said hollow space is open.

5. Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said deformation element is a shaped sheet metal part.

6. Arrangement of an inflatable head protection system in a motor vehicle, comprising an air bag which is provided at least partly along a vehicle body member or a vehicle body column in a non-inflated condition following the course of said member or column, wherein the air bag is held by separate deformation element, wherein the deformation element is a shaped sheet metal part which is screwed to the member or the column and has at least one deformation curvature, and wherein the air bag is housed essentially between the deformation element and the member or the column.

7. Arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the deformation element has a leg which can be deformed by inflation of the air bag.

8. A head protection system in a motor vehicle having a vehicle body roof member or a vehicle body column covered by an interior lining, said system comprising:

a deformation element coupled to said roof member or column; and

an air bag disposed between said deformation element and said roof member or column, said deformation element supporting said air bag,

said deformation element including at least one deformation curve defining a hollow space between said air bag and said interior lining.

9. A head protection system according to claim 8, wherein said hollow space is open in a direction facing said roof member or column.

10. A head protection system according to claim 9, wherein said air bag is arranged adjacent said hollow space.

11. A head protection system according to claim 8, wherein said at least one deformation curve comprises two deformation curves, said two deformation curves being located at mutually opposite sides of said deformation element, said two deformation curves defining two respective hollow spaces.

12. A head protection system according to claim 11, wherein said two hollow spaces are open in a direction facing each other.

13. A head protection system according to claim 11, wherein said deformation element includes a central portion located between said two deformation curves, said central portion being coupled to said roof member or column, said interior lining being engageable with said two deformation curves such that a deformation zone is defined between said interior lining and said central portion.

14. A head protection system according to claim 8, wherein said deformation element is a shaped sheet metal part.

15. A method of making a head protection system in a motor vehicle having a roof member or column covered by an interior lining, said method comprising the acts of:

(a) arranging a deformation element between said roof member or column and said interior lining and coupling said deformation element to said roof member or column; and

(b) arranging an air bag between said deformation element and said roof member or column such that said air bag is supported by said deformation element, said deformation element including at least one deformation curve defining a hollow space between said interior lining and said air bag.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein said deformation element is arranged such that said hollow space is open in a direction facing said roof member or column.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein said air bag is arranged adjacent said hollow space.

18. A method according to claim 15, wherein said at least one deformation curve comprises two deformation curves, said two deformation curves being located at mutually opposite sides of said deformation element, said two deformation curves defining two respective hollow spaces.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein in act (a) said deformation element is configured and arranged to include a central portion located between said two deformation curves, said central portion being coupled to said roof member or column, said interior lining being engageable with said two deformation curves such that a deformation zone is defined between said interior lining and said central portion.

20. A method according to claim 15, wherein said deformation element is a shaped sheet metal part.