Protective device for a motor vehicle

• US 9,102,304 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2013
• Issued: 08/11/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2012
• 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): Walters, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRIGGS, JAMES J
• Application Number:
  US13/780,905
• Publication Number:
  US 20130234424A1
• Time in Patent Office: 894 Days
• Field of Search: 280/731, 280/731.1, 280/731.2, 280/732, 280/740, 280/728.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0027 Post collision measures, e.g. notifying emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/165 reusable, e.g. in case of multiple collisions
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23504 characterised by material
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/235 characterised by their material
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/36 using airbags

Abstract

A protective device has a gas generator and a chamber that is limited by a stretchable membrane and is expandable through gas of the gas generator. The membrane is elastic and a stretchability of the membrane is limited at least in a first portion through a reinforcement.

Claims

1. A protective device comprising:

a gas generator; and

a chamber that is limited by a stretchable membrane and expandable through gas of the gas generator,

wherein the membrane is elastic and a stretchability of the membrane is limited at least in a first portion through a reinforcement, and a gas inlet opening of the chamber is formed in the first portion.

2. The protective device according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement is arranged on an outside of the membrane.

3. The protective device according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement is embedded in the membrane.

4. The protective device according to claim 1, wherein a second portion is free of reinforcement.

5. The protective device according to claim 4, further comprising a hard surface in front of which the chamber extends in the expanded state, wherein the second portion is located on a side of the chamber facing the hard surface.

6. The protective device according to claim 4, further comprising a hard surface in front of which the chamber extends in the expanded state, wherein the second portion is located on a side of the chamber facing away from the hard surface.

10. The protective device according to claim 1, wherein the protective device is installed in a motor vehicle.

11. The protective device according to claim 10, wherein a part of an outer skin of the motor vehicle forms a hard surface in front of which the chamber extends in the expanded state, wherein a second portion that is free of reinforcement is located on a side of the chamber facing the hard surface.

12. The protective device according to claim 10, wherein the protective device is installed in order to expand into a passenger cell of the vehicle.

7. A protective device comprising:

a gas generator; and

a chamber that is limited by a stretchable membrane and expandable through gas of the gas generator,

wherein the membrane is elastic and a stretchability of the membrane is limited at least in a first portion through a reinforcement, the reinforcement is arranged on an outside of the membrane, a second portion is free of reinforcement, and the first portion in the state expanded up to a stretch limitation comprises a region which tapers towards the second portion.

8. The protective device according to claim 7, wherein the reinforcement comprises a net structure.

9. The protective device according to claim 7, wherein the reinforcement comprises a textile material.