Airbag system for a motor vehicle

• US 8,534,700 B2
• Filed: 08/10/2011
• Issued: 09/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2010
• 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: Rick, Ulrich
• Primary Examiner(s): ROCCA, JOSEPH M
• Application Number:
  US13/207,087
• Publication Number:
  US 20120038134A1
• Time in Patent Office: 769 Days
• Field of Search: 280/729, 280/730.1, 280/730.2, 280/743.1
• US Class Current: 280/730.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23153 specially adapted for rear seat passengers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23308 the individual compartments defining the external shape of the bag
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge
• 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

Abstract

An airbag system is provided for a motor vehicle with a first and second inflatable protective chamber, which when inflated form an angle with each other. The first and second protective chambers are linked to each other and/or to a gas feed along one side; and/or that a third inflatable protective chamber is provided, which when inflated forms an angle with the first and second protective chambers.

Claims

1. An airbag system for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a first inflatable protective chamber;

a second inflatable protective chamber that when inflated forms a first angle with the first inflatable protective chamber;

a gas feed linking the first inflatable protective chamber and the second inflatable protective chamber along one side; and

a third inflatable protective chamber that when inflated forms a second angle with the first inflatable protective chamber and forms a third angle with the second inflatable protective chamber, and that when inflated does not extend past a centerline of a vehicle seat.

2. The airbag system according to claim 1, wherein the third inflatable protective chamber is configured to at least partially cover a roof area of the motor vehicle when inflated.

3. The airbag system according to claim 1, wherein the first inflatable protective chamber is linked to at least one additional protective chamber so as to at least partially cover an area of the motor vehicle when inflated.

4. The airbag system according to claim 1, wherein the second inflatable protective chamber is linked to at least one additional protective chamber so as to at least partially cover an area of the motor vehicle when inflated.

5. The airbag system according to claim 1, wherein the gas feed is configured to selectively inflate the first inflatable protective chamber.

6. The airbag system according to claim 5, wherein the gas feed is configured to selectively respond to a rear impact.

7. The airbag system according to claim 1, further comprising a fourth inflatable protective chamber that when inflated forms a fourth angle with the first inflatable protective chamber and forms a fifth angle with the second inflatable protective chamber.

8. A motor vehicle, comprising:

an airbag system, comprising;

a first inflatable protective chamber;

a second inflatable protective chamber that when inflated forms a first angle with the first inflatable protective chamber;

a gas feed linking the first inflatable protective chamber and the second inflatable protective chamber along one side; and

a third inflatable protective chamber that when inflated forms a second angle with the first inflatable protective chamber and forms a third angle with the second inflatable protective chamber, and that when inflated does not extend past a centerline of a vehicle seat; and

a column;

wherein the first inflatable protective chamber and the second inflatable protective chamber are linked together and are linked to the gas feed along the one side, wherein the one side is at least essentially arranged parallel to the column of the motor vehicle,

wherein the airbag system is configured to at least partially cover a rear, upper corner of a passenger compartment when inflated.

9. The motor vehicle according to claim 8, wherein the gas feed is arranged at least partially on the column of the motor vehicle.

10. The motor vehicle according to claim 8, wherein the first inflatable protective chamber is arranged at least partially on the column of the motor vehicle.

11. The motor vehicle according to claim 8, wherein the second inflatable protective chamber is arranged at least partially on the column of the motor vehicle.