Dr. Ing. H.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft

Autoliv Development Ab

Leo Linder

Bernd Gayer

Peter Tiefenthaler

Horst Eichhorn

Frank Mueller

A motor vehicle includes a body structure that has a lateral structure, a vehicle seat that is mounted on the body structure, and a side impact protection device for a passenger in the vehicle. The side impact protection device includes a head airbag with a first inflation device that can deploy upward in the region of the breastwork of the lateral structure, and a side airbag with a second inflation device that can deploy laterally out of the seat. In order for the side impact protection device to be used for different body structures, the side airbag is designed as a thorax airbag, which, in its ready state, is positioned, together with the second inflation device, inside the seat back of the vehicle seat, and can deploy essentially toward the front out of the side wall of the seat back. When the thorax airbag is in its deployed state, its upper edge comes to rest next to the breastwork of the lateral structure.

Motor vehicle with a body structure and with a side impact protection device

An interior covering part, particularly an instrument panel for motor vehicles, has a member which is covered by a foil and is constructed integrally with a flap covering an opening for passage of an air bag when the air bag is triggered. The flap is also covered by the foil and is marked by a weakening and/or perforation along its edge. On its side facing a vehicle occupant compartment, the interior covering part is provided with a laminated-on decorative layer which is slotted on the side situated opposite a hypothetical folding axis as well as in areas on both adjoining upright sides of the flap. The slotted areas of the decorative layer are covered by a fitted-on strip.

Interior covering part, particularly an instrument panel for motor vehicles

A process is provided for folding an airbag into a stowage shape which is adapted to a trapezoid housing. The airbag is first folded into an elongated shape with parallel sides, and folded again to further reduce its size to a rectangular shape. Points are then formed by first and second diagonal folds, the points being positioned adjacent recesses in airbag housing into which they are then fitted.

Growing community of inventors

Voehringen, Germany

Leo Linder