IP Library Granted Patent US 8,651,680
Granted Patent B2
US 8,651,680 · App. 12/883,101 · Granted Feb 18, 2014

Occupant protection device for a vehicle

Inventor: Ulrich Rick (Braunweiler, DE)
Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,651,680
App. No.
12/883,101
Granted
Feb 18, 2014
Kind
B2
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 (29)

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.

Assignments (4)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034287/0159 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 10, 2011
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 025780/0482 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 27, 2011
From: RICK, ULRICH
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 025708/0448 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 8, 2010
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 025324/0658 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2009 041 710 · Sep 16, 2009 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20110116251A1 · May 19, 2011