Motor vehicle occupant protection arrangement

US5842717A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT · DE

Inventors

• Thomas Wohllebe · Braunschweig, DE
• Ruprecht Sinnhuber · Gifhorn, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 28, 1997
• Grant date: Dec 1, 1998
• Expiry date: Apr 28, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60R2021/21537
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An occupant protection arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a folded-together inflatable airbag, a member having an exit opening for the unfolding airbag, and a cover which is releasably held by a cover-retaining arrangement in a position closing the exit opening. In the event of a collision, the cover is moved into a position clearing the exit opening in a controlled manner and without being projected toward a vehicle occupant. To assure a reproducible opening behavior of the cover without the risk of injury to vehicle occupants by a simple arrangement, the cover retainer is released by the action of at least one accelerated inertial mass which is mounted on the cover and/or on the cover retainer.