Gasbag for a pedestrian protection system and a motor vehicle equipped therewith

• US 9,045,109 B2
• Filed: 11/26/2012
• Issued: 06/02/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• 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): Ilan, Ruth
• Assistant Examiner(s): GOODEN JR, BARRY J
• Application Number:
  US13/685,533
• Publication Number:
  US 20130133971A1
• Time in Patent Office: 918 Days
• Field of Search: 180/271, 180/274, 180/69.21, 280/729, 280/742, 280/743.1, 296/187.04, 296/193.11
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23324 Inner walls crating separate compartments, e.g. communicating with vents
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23509 Fabric
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/233 comprising a plurality of individual compartments; comprising two or more bag-like members, one within the other B60R21/232 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/235 characterised by their material
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/36 using airbags
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/38 using means for lifting bonnets

Abstract

A gasbag for a pedestrian protection system, when in the inflated state encompasses a first, oblong central section and end sections angled away from the ends of the first central section. At least one first and one second membrane with differing permeability values are distributed over the sections in such a way that an average permeability of the end sections is lower than an average permeability of the first central section.

Claims

1. A gasbag for a pedestrian protection system in a motor vehicle, comprising:

a first central section that, when inflated, is oblong and substantially extends a width of the motor vehicle;

a second central section that, when inflated, substantially extends the width of the motor vehicle;

end sections which, when inflated, angle away from ends of the second central section, wherein the first central section is more strongly cushioned than the second central section and the end sections

a plurality of check valves, each of the plurality of check valves being arranged between the first central section and one of the end sections, each of the plurality of check valves comprising;

a mesh sheet arranged between the first central section and each of the end sections, and

an impermeable membrane secured at two opposing ends of each of the mesh sheets.

2. The gasbag according to claim 1, wherein the gasbag exhibits at least one first and one second membrane with differing permeability values, and that different cushioning levels for the first central section and the end sections are realized by distributing the at least one first and one second membranes over the end sections in such a way that an average permeability of the end sections is lower than an average permeability of the first central section.

3. The gasbag according to claim 1, wherein the second central section extends next to the first central section between the end sections.

4. The gasbag according to claim 1, wherein a supply port for a gas generator is provided on the first central section, and at least one of the end sections and the second central section of the gasbag can be supplied with gas via the first central section.

5. The gasbag according to claim 1, further comprising:

a gas generator; and

a distributor configured to supply a port for the gas generator, and ports connected with the first central section and the end sections.

6. The gasbag according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of check valves only allows gas to flow from an upstream to a downstream location.

7. The gasbag according to claim 6, wherein the downstream location exhibits a lower average permeability than the upstream section.

8. The gasbag according to claim 6, wherein the first central section and each of the end sections extend on different sides of at least one partitioning membrane that partitions the gasbag.

9. The gasbag according to claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of check valves is situated at a passageway of one of the at least one partitioning membrane.

10. The gasbag according to claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of check valves is a flap valve.

11. The gasbag according to claim 6, wherein the first central section and each of the end sections border each other along a seam.

12. The gasbag according to claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of check valves is situated in a gap in the seam.

13. The gasbag according to claim 6, further comprising a lip valve situated between the first central section and the second central section.

14. The gasbag according to claim 2, wherein the first and the second membrane exhibit an identical backing fabric and differing impregnations.

17. The gasbag according to claim 1, wherein the first central section is configured to lift a hood of the motor vehicle.

15. A motor vehicle, comprising:

a gasbag, comprising;

a first central section that, when inflated is oblong and substantially extends a width of the motor vehicle;

a second central section that, when inflated, substantially extends the width of the motor vehicle;

end sections which, when inflated, angle away from ends of the second central section; and

a plurality of check valves, each of the plurality of check valves being arranged between the first central section and one of the end sections, the check valve comprising;

a mesh sheet arranged between the first central section and each of the end sections, and

an impermeable membrane secured at two opposing ends of each of the mesh sheets,

wherein the first central section is more strongly cushioned than the second central section and the end sections.

16. A motor vehicle according to claim 15, wherein when the gasbag is in an inflated state, the first central section of the gasbag supports a front opening hood of the motor vehicle, and the end sections cover A-columns of the motor vehicle.