Attachment device

• US 8,439,393 B2
• Filed: 04/07/2011
• Issued: 05/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Glaser, Carsten
• Primary Examiner(s): ROCCA, JOSEPH M
• Application Number:
  US13/082,069
• Publication Number:
  US 20110248480A1
• Time in Patent Office: 768 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.2, 280/730.2, 280/730.1, 296/1.08, 296/39.1, 296/193.06, 411/508, 411/999, 242/97, 244/53, 244/57, 244/58, 244/64, 245/32, 245/31, 245/45, 246/02, 245/730.9, 244/65, 244/66, 244/68, 244/78, 247/129, 244/60, 244/61, 244/62, 24/305.R, 24/67.R, 24/677, 248/74.1, 248/74.4
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/0206 Arrangements of fasteners and clips specially adapted for attaching inner vehicle liners or mouldings devices for fastening or securing F16B
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/025 Pillars; Roof rails
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/215 characterised by the covers for the inflatable member B60R21/2176 takes precedence

Abstract

An attachment device is provided for securing a cladding element covering an airbag to a motor vehicle body. The airbag is designed to deploy during and/or after activation of the airbag, predominantly in a main direction of force exertion, encompassing a mount that is attachable or attached to the motor vehicle body in an assembly direction, and an insert that is attachable or attached to the cladding element. The insert is connectable or connected with the mount by means of a first connection device and the attachment device is designed to open in an opening direction during and/or after activation of the airbag by releasing the first connection device. The opening direction coincides with and/or mirrors the main direction of force exertion.

Claims

1. An attachment device for securing a cladding element covering an airbag to a motor vehicle body, the airbag configured to deploy predominantly in a main direction of a force exertion, comprising:

a mount that is configured to attach to the motor vehicle body in an assembly direction;

an insert that is configured to attach to the cladding element; and

a first connection device configured to connect the insert with the mount;

wherein the attachment device is configured to open in an opening direction by releasing the first connection device;

wherein the opening direction coincides with a main direction of force exertion; and

wherein the insert is attached to the cladding element; and

wherein the connection between the insert and cladding is configured to cause the force from airbag deployment to be conveyed from the cladding element to the first connection device via the insert, releasing the first connection device predominantly in the opening direction.

2. The attachment device according to claim 1, wherein the airbag is a side airbag.

3. The attachment device according to claim 1, wherein the airbag is a head airbag.

4. The attachment device according to claim 1, wherein the opening direction is directed at a closed angle at least approximately 45 degrees relative to the assembly direction.

5. The attachment device according to claim 1, wherein the opening direction is directed at a closed angle at least approximately 75 degrees relative to the assembly direction.

6. The attachment device according to claim 1, wherein the opening direction is directed at a closed angle at least approximately 90 degrees relative to the assembly direction.

7. The attachment device according to claim 1, wherein the main direction of force exertion is directed at an included angle of at least approximately 45 degrees relative to the assembly direction.

8. The attachment device according to claim 1, wherein the main direction of force exertion is directed at an included angle of at least approximately 75 degrees relative to the assembly direction.

9. The attachment device according to claim 1, wherein the main direction of force exertion is directed at an included angle of at least approximately 90 degrees relative to the assembly direction.

10. The attachment device according to claim 1,

wherein the mount is rectangular in a sectional view perpendicular to a longitudinal extension of the airbag in a non-activated state, and

wherein the insert has an angular shape in the sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the airbag in the non-activated state.

11. The attachment device according to claim 1, wherein the insert is configured to be pushed into a groove arranged on the cladding element.

12. The attachment device according to claim 1, wherein the first connection device is designed to removably join the insert with the mount.

13. The attachment device according to claim 1, wherein the first connection device is a detachable clip.

14. The attachment device according to claim 1, wherein the first connection device is a snap connection.

15. An attachment device for securing a cladding element covering an airbag to a motor vehicle body, the airbag configured to deploy predominantly in a main direction of a force exertion, comprising:

a mount that is configured to attach to the motor vehicle body in an assembly direction;

an insert that is configured to attach to the cladding element; and

a first connection device configured to connect the insert with the mount;

wherein the attachment device is configured to open in an opening direction by releasing the first connection device, and

wherein the opening direction coincides with a main direction of force exertion;

wherein the first connection device is configured to detach via a compressive force conveyed from the cladding element to the insert; and

wherein the compressive force is generated by a gas generator and acts on the cladding element when the airbag impacts.

16. The attachment device according to claim 15, wherein the insert is joined with the mount with a second connection device.

17. The attachment device according to claim 16, wherein the second connection device firmly bonds the mount with the insert.

18. The attachment device according to claim 16, wherein the second connection device is a flexible strap.

19. The attachment device according to claim 16, wherein the second connection device is a clamping strap.