Airbag system within impact countermeasures

• US 6,217,061 B1
• Filed: 02/18/2000
• Issued: 04/17/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Corporation (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Rogers, Dennis R, Harland, Charles E, Maertens, Paul G, Kasprowicz, Matthew H
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Application Number:
  US09/507,200
• Time in Patent Office: 424 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.2, 280/728.1, 280/730.1, 280/730.2, 280/751, 280/752, 296/35.2
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0414 using energy absorbing ribs
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0435 associated with the side or roof pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/04 Padded linings for the vehicle interior ; Energy absorbing structures associated with padded or non-padded linings
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars

Abstract

An air bag system that includes impact countermeasures is provided. The apparatus includes an air bag that is attached to a vehicle body via a base plate. The base plate includes a plurality of ribs extending therefrom disposed in a manner such that the plurality of ribs can be transitioned to allow a path for deployment the airbag. Deployment of the air bag protects occupants during certain types of collision and the impact countermeasures, the plurality of ribs, absorbs energy during certain types of impacts with the apparatus.

Claims

1. An air bag assembly comprising:

an air bag;

a base plate attached to a vehicle body and adapted to position said air bag relative to the vehicle body, said base plate includes a support section and a rib portion on one side thereof, said rib portion includes a plurality of ribs adapted to absorb energy during an impact with said air bag assembly, said rib portion being attached to said support section by a tear seam, said tear seam adapted to dissociate said rib portion from said support section during air bag deployment.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a cover section and wherein said rib portion includes a base member and said plurality of ribs extending therefrom, said plurality of ribs include a top connector rib having a first and second opposing end, said first end being attached to said base member and said cover section and said second end contacting said tear seam.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said plurality of ribs extend from said base member towards said vehicle body.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said connecting rib of said rib portion, said support section of said base plate, and said air bag form a substantially triangular area therebetween.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said air bag is disposed on the opposite side of said substantially triangular area of said tear seam.

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said support section of said base plate and said connecting rib form an acute angle therebetween.

7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said tear seam is comprised of a region of diminished material thickness that extends longitudinally along said base plate.

8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said support section includes a locating pin formed integrally therewith and an aperture formed therein.

9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein said cover section includes a mounting flange having a bore formed therein and at least one clip adapted to cooperate with said aperture of said support section, said cover section, support section, and said connector rib cooperating to laterally circumscribe said air bag.

10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein said bore of said cover section and said aperture of said support section are adapted to receive a bolt therethrough for attaching said base plate to the vehicle body.

11. An apparatus comprising:

a motor vehicle having a vehicle body and a window defining the exterior thereof;

an air bag disposed longitudinally above the window;

a base plate attached to the vehicle body and adapted to position said air bag relative to the vehicle body, said base plate includes a support section, a cover section, and a rib portion on one side thereof, said rib portion includes a plurality of ribs, at least one of said plurality of ribs having a free end, said rib portion being attached to said support section by a tear seam, said tear seam adapted to dissociate said rib portion from said support section during air bag deployment, said support section includes an aperture formed therein, said cover section includes a mounting flange with a bore formed therein and at least one clip projecting therefrom adapted to cooperate with said aperture of said support section to couple said support section and said cover section, said support section, cover section, and rib portion cooperate to laterally circumscribe said air bag.