Occupant protection device for a vehicle

• US 8,651,680 B2
• Filed: 09/15/2010
• Issued: 02/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2009
• 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: Rick, Ulrich
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen F
• Assistant Examiner(s): CRANSON JR, JAMES W
• Application Number:
  US12/883,101
• Publication Number:
  US 20110116251A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,252 Days
• Field of Search: 362/84, 362/487, 362/488, 362/489, 280/731
• US Class Current: 362/84
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/283 Steering wheels; Gear levers
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/68 using ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/21543 with emblems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2032 the inflator or inflatable member not being rotatable with the steering wheel; Arrangements using the steering column or steering wheel rim for storing, supplying or evacuating the inflation gas or for storing the inflatable member
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/21656 Steering wheel covers or similar cup-shaped covers

Abstract

An occupant protection device is provided for a vehicle that includes, but is not limited to at least one airbag module that is arranged in a hub region of a steering wheel. The airbag module includes, but is not limited to a visual surface facing a vehicle driver and the visual surface is entirely or partially formed of a textile.

Claims

1. An occupant protection device for a vehicle, comprising:

an airbag module arranged in a hub region of a steering wheel, the airbag arranged in a stationary manner such that it is independent of the rotation of the steering wheel; and

a visual surface of the airbag module facing a driver position,

wherein the visual surface is at least partially formed of a textile.

2. The occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein the textile partially comprises electrically conductive fibers.

3. The occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein the textile is attached with an intermediate layer to the airbag module.

4. The occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein the textile is attached with an intermediate layer to an airbag module cover.

5. The occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein the textile comprises a woven fabric.

6. The occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein the textile comprises a knitted fabric.

7. The occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein the textile comprises a yarn.

8. The occupant protection device according to claim 1, further comprising a light source configured to illuminate the visual surface.

9. The occupant protection device according to claim 1, further comprising a light source configured to back-illuminate the visual surface.

10. The occupant protection device according to claim 8, wherein the light source comprises a light-emitting diode.

11. The occupant protection device according to claim 8, wherein the light source comprises a plurality of luminescent elements.

12. The occupant protection device according to claim 8, wherein the light source is configured to illuminate the visual surface entirely in a pattern.

13. The occupant protection device according to claim 8, wherein the light is adapted configured to illuminate the visual surface partially in a specific point.

14. The occupant protection device according to claim 8, wherein the light source is adapted configured to generate a sign.

15. The occupant protection device according to claim 8, wherein the light source is configured to generate a symbol.

16. The occupant protection device according to claim 8, wherein the light source is configured to generate an image.

17. The occupant protection device according to claim 8, wherein the light source is configured to generate a character.

18. The occupant protection device according to claim 8, wherein the light source is configured to generate a pattern.

19. The occupant protection device according to claim 8, wherein the light source is configured to generate an inscription.

20. The occupant protection device according to claim 8, wherein the light source is an information medium.

21. The occupant protection device according to claim 8, wherein the textile comprises a luminescent region as the light source.

22. The occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein the textile comprises a refinement element.

23. The occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein the textile comprises a protective layer.

24. The occupant protection device according to claim 4, wherein the airbag module cover is releasably arranged on the airbag module.

25. The occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein the airbag module comprises an earthed metal component and between the earthed metal component and the textile is an electrically conductive connection.

26. The occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein the steering wheel comprises an earthed metal component and the earthed metal component and the textile is an electrically conductive connection.