Integrated overhead side airbag module

• US 7,744,120 B2
• Filed: 01/05/2006
• Issued: 06/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Warnez, Michael A, Kuhr, Robert P, Williams, Shawn R, Rust, John C, Lemmon, Joseph G, Famili, Babak R
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson; Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Spisich; George D.
• Application Number:
  US11/325,770
• Publication Number:
  US 20070152431A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,636 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.2, 280/728.3, 280/730.2
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars

Abstract

An overhead trim system for a motor vehicle has a mounting bracket coupled to an overhead area of the motor vehicle and an integrally formed trim member. The integrally formed trim member is configured to extend along a selected length of a perimeter of the overhead area and defines a hinge. The integrally formed trim member is coupled to the mounting bracket to define a cavity configured for receipt of an airbag module. The hinge in a first position is capable of retaining the airbag module within the cavity and in a second position is capable of enabling the airbag module to expand.

Claims

1. An overhead trim system for a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle including an overhead area and a passenger compartment, the overhead trim system comprising:

a first mounting bracket formed to have a mounting portion and adapted to be coupled via the mounting portion to the overhead area of the motor vehicle; and

an integrally formed trim member having a base potion and an arm portion extending away from the base portion, the arm portion directly coupled to and engaging the at first mounting bracket at the mounting portion and cooperating with the base portion to define a cavity capable of receiving an airbag module, the base portion of the integrally formed trim member having a length configured to extend along a selected length of a perimeter of the overhead area of the motor vehicle and defining at least one hinge;

wherein the at least one hinge in a first position is capable of retaining an airbag module within the cavity and the at least one hinge in a second position is capable of enabling an airbag module to expand into the passenger compartment.

2. The overhead trim system of claim 1, wherein the motor vehicle further includes a frame, and the first mounting bracket is adapted to be coupled to the frame.

3. The overhead trim system of claim 1, further comprising:

a second mounting bracket coupled to the first mounting bracket at least at the mounting portion, the second mounting bracket disposed in the cavity and adapted to be coupled to an airbag module inflator.

4. The overhead trim system of claim 1, further comprising:

a headliner coupled to the integrally formed trim member.

5. The overhead trim system of claim 4, wherein the integrally formed trim member is formed by injection-molding.

6. The overhead trim system of claim 1, wherein an end of the base portion extending beyond the arm portion cooperates with an end of the first mounting bracket to define a second cavity adapted to receive a headliner.

7. A motor vehicle comprising:

a frame defining a passenger area and an overhead area above the passenger area;

a headliner;

a first mounting bracket forming a mounting portion and coupled via the mounting portion to the frame at a first coupling location;

a first trim member having a base portion with a first end and a second end and an arm portion extending away from the base portion, the arm portion directly coupled to and engaging the mounting portion of first mounting bracket at the first coupling location such that the arm portion, the base portion and the first mounting bracket define a first cavity, the base portion of the first trim member configured to extend a selected length of the overhead area of the frame and defining at least one hinge, the first end of the base portion extending beyond the arm portion and cooperating with the first end of the mounting bracket to form a second cavity for receiving the headliner;

a second mounting bracket coupled to the first mounting bracket and the arm portion at the first coupling location, the second mounting bracket disposed in the first cavity;

a first inflator coupled to the second mounting bracket, the first inflator responsive to an input; and

a first airbag configured to be received in the first cavity, the first airbag responsive to the first inflator to expand based on the input;

wherein the at least one hinge is responsive in a first position to retain the first airbag within the cavity and the at least one hinge is responsive in a second position to enable the first airbag to expand into the passenger area upon the receipt of the input.

8. The motor vehicle of claim 7;

wherein the arm portion of the first trim member includes a branch portion extending at an angle therefrom, the branch portion being coupled to the first mounting bracket and the second mounting bracket at the first coupling location.

9. The motor vehicle of claim 8, wherein the branch portion, first mounting bracket, second mounting bracket and frame each include an aperture positioned at the first coupling location and configured to receive a fastener, the fastener coupling the first and second mounting brackets and the branch portion to the frame at the first coupling location.

10. The motor vehicle of claim 7, wherein the second mounting bracket includes an integral support member extending at an angle therefrom, the first inflator being coupled to the integral support member.

11. The motor vehicle of claim 7, wherein the first trim member is formed from a polymeric material.

12. The motor vehicle of claim 7, further comprising:

a third mounting bracket coupled to the frame;

a second trim member, the second trim member coupled to the third mounting bracket to define a third cavity, the second trim member configured to extend a selected length of a perimeter of the overhead area of the frame, the second trim member defining a hinge;

a fourth mounting bracket coupled to the third mounting bracket, the fourth mounting bracket disposed in the third cavity;

a second inflator coupled to the fourth mounting bracket, the second inflator responsive to an input; and

a second airbag configured to be received in the third cavity, the second airbag responsive to the second inflator to expand based on the input,

wherein the hinge is responsive in a first position to retain the second airbag within the third cavity and the hinge is responsive in a second position to enable the second airbag to expand into the passenger area upon the receipt of the input.

13. The motor vehicle of claim 12, further comprising:

a headliner coupled to the first trim member and the second trim member.

14. The motor vehicle of claim 12, wherein the first trim member and the second trim member are formed by injection-molding.