Pneumatically reinforced vehicle body structure

• US 7,441,832 B2
• Filed: 12/04/2006
• Issued: 10/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Ratajski, Daniel James, Blackbird, William Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pedder; Dennis H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HERNANDEZ, MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US11/566,329
• Publication Number:
  US 20080129025A1
• Time in Patent Office: 694 Days
• Field of Search: 296/187.06, 296/212, 293/110, 293/107
• US Class Current: 296/212
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/013 including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/13 Roll-over protection electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements B60R21/01
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 21/15 having impact absorbing means, e.g. a frame designed to permanently or temporarily change shape or dimension upon impact with another body bumpers B60R19/02; shock absorbers in general F16F
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/06 Fixed roofs non-fixed roofs or like shelters B60J7/00; roof liners B60R13/02; insulating elements B60R13/08

Abstract

A pneumatic reinforcement system (14) (“system”) for a body structure (12) of a vehicle (10) includes an air bladder (28), an inflator device (30), a sensor (32), and one or more mounting members (34a, 34b, 34c). The sensor (32) detects a crash condition and actuates the inflator device (30) to inflate the air bladder (28). The air bladder (28) is attached to the body structure (12) by mounting members (34a, 34b, 34c), with the inflated air bladder (28) and mounting member (34a, 34b, 34c) strengthening the body structure (12) during a crash condition.

Claims

1. A roof for a vehicle, comprising:

a pair of opposing side rails;

a series of cross members extending between said pair of opposing side rails;

an outer roof panel attached to said opposing side rails and said cross members;

an inner liner panel attached to said opposing side rails and said cross members;

said outer roof panel and said inner liner panel defining a cavity with a predetermined height;

a pneumatic reinforcement system, comprising;

an air bladder;

an inflator device inflating said air bladder;

at least one sensor detecting a crash condition and actuating said inflator device; and

a rigid mounting member attached to at least one of said series of cross members and housing said air bladder;

said mounting member and said inflated air bladder strengthening the body structure;

said air bladder sized for inflating within said cavity up to said predetermined height of said cavity;

said mounting member and said air bladder strengthening at least one of said outer roof panel, said opposing side rails, and said cross members;

said inner liner panel separating said cavity from a passenger cabin of the vehicle.

2. The pneumatic reinforcement system recited in claim 1 wherein said air bladder is formed from a neoprene material reinforced with an aramid material.

3. The pneumatic reinforcement system recited in claim 1 wherein said mounting member has at least one housing portion.

4. The roof recited in claim 1 wherein said mounting member attaches said air bladder to at least one of said opposing side rails and said cross members.

5. The roof recited in claim 1 wherein said air bladder is adjacent to at least one of said opposing side rails and said cross members.

6. The roof recited in claim 5 wherein said air bladder extends around a center portion of said outer roof panel defined by said opposing side rails and an adjacent pair of said cross members.

7. A roof for a vehicle, comprising:

a pair of opposing side rails;

a series of cross members extending between said pair of opposing side rails;

an outer roof panel attached to said opposing side rails and said cross members;

an inner liner panel attached to said opposing side rails and said cross members;

said outer roof panel and said inner liner panel defining a cavity with a predetermined height;

a pneumatic reinforcement system, comprising;

comprising;

an air bladder;

an inflator device inflating said air bladder;

at least one sensor detecting a crash condition and actuating said inflator device; and

a rigid mounting member attached to at least one of said series of cross members and housing said air bladder;

said mounting member including a first housing portion and a second housing portion;

said first housing portion and said second housing portion defining at least one chamber containing said air bladder;

said air bladder sized for inflating within said cavity up to said predetermined height of said cavity;

said mounting member and said air bladder strengthening at least one of said outer roof panel, said opposing side rails, and said cross members;

said inner liner panel separating said cavity from a passenger cabin of the vehicle;

said at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of an angular rate sensor and an accelerometer.

8. The pneumatic reinforcement system recited in claim 7 wherein said air bladder is formed from a neoprene material reinforced with an aramid material.

9. The roof recited in claim 7 wherein said first housing portion is attached directly to at least one of said outer roof panel, said opposing side rails, and said cross members.

10. The roof recited in claim 7 wherein said second housing portion is attached directly to said first housing portion.