Window air bag module for a passenger vehicle

• US 6,189,917 B1
• Filed: 10/27/1999
• Issued: 02/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Tschaeschke, Ulrich
• Primary Examiner(s): Hurley, Kevin
• Assistant Examiner(s): JASMIN, LYNDA C
• Application Number:
  US09/427,688
• Time in Patent Office: 482 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.1, 280/728.2, 280/728.3, 280/730.1, 280/730.2, 280/751
• US Class Current: 280/728.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0435 associated with the side or roof pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/161 characterised by additional means for controlling deployment trajectory
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars

Abstract

The invention relates to an air bag module in a motor vehicle with a folded air bag, in particular a window bag, located in a lengthwise container on a vehicle frame part, particularly a roof frame part, and which is inflated and unfolded in the event of a collision, and with an energy-absorbing element mounted in or on container. According to the invention, energy-absorbing element is designed in several parts. A first part of energy-absorbing element is permanently mounted in or on container or vehicle frame part and serves to guide air bag as it inflates and unfolds. A second part of energy-absorbing element is pivotably mounted in or on container.

Claims

1. Air bag module in a motor vehicle, comprising:

a folded window air bag located in a lengthwise container on a vehicle frame roof part, and which is inflated and unfolded in an event of a collision, and

an energy-absorbing element mounted in or on the container,

wherein the energy-absorbing element is designed in plural parts and has at least a first part which is permanently mounted in or on the container or the vehicle frame part and serves to guide the air bag as it inflates and unfolds, and at least a second part that is pivotably mounted in or on the container.

2. Air bag module according to claim 1, wherein a guide surface with a specific contour is formed on the first part of the energy-absorbing element.

3. Air bag module according to claim 2, wherein the first and the second parts of the energy-absorbing element have the shapes of semicylinders with flat interfaces.

4. Air bag module according to claim 2, wherein the first and second parts of the energy-absorbing element have the shapes of semicylinders with interfaces whose surfaces have complementary curvatures.

5. Air bag module according to claim 2, wherein the energy-absorbing element is in a shape of a cylinder with a flat area that extends over an entire length of the cylinder and covers the container,

wherein the first part of the energy-absorbing element is a segment of a circle in cross section and has an interface with a concave curvature, and

wherein the second part of the energy-absorbing element comprises the total flat area and has a surface with a convex curvature complementary to the curved interface of the first part of the energy-absorbing element.

6. Air bag module according to claim 2, wherein the first and the second part of the energy-absorbing element have the shape of a segment of a circle in cross section with an interface that has a convex curvature, and

wherein the first and second part of the energy-absorbing element are disposed with respect to each other such that a funnel-shaped opening directed toward the folded air bag is formed between the two parts.