Passenger protection apparatus for a motor vehicle

Details Passenger protection apparatus for a motor vehicle Passenger protection apparatus for a motor vehicle

2000-05-01

2001-08-21

Dickson, Paul N. (Department: 3618)

Land vehicles

Wheeled

Attachment

C280S752000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06276713

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a passenger protection apparatus for a motor vehicle and, more particularly, a passenger protection apparatus which includes an inflatable restraint.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Passenger collision protection devices are known in which an inflatable restraint apparatus is disposed within an instrument panel assembly. Upon airbag deployment, the instrument panel often permanently deforms necessitating replacement of the instrument panel in addition to the inflatable restraint apparatus. Replacement of the instrument panel, in addition to the inflatable restraint apparatus, is time consuming and expensive.
In addition to providing an inflatable restraint apparatus, instrument panel assemblies also may include a separate energy absorbing structure designed to absorb energy in response to the impact of a vehicle occupant's knee. Separate energy absorbing structures for the protection of a vehicle occupant's knees have been required as vehicle occupant's knees generally fall outside the range of the airbag used to protect the torso. In addition, these knee impact structures provide the occupant with an continual level of protection (i.e. in all vehicle frontal collisions), not only those in which the airbag is deployed. However, similar to an inflatable restraint, in response to a vehicle collision in which they permanently deform, the knee impact structures must be removed and replaced.
What is needed is a structure which includes an inflatable restraint apparatus which is easily replaceable in a motor vehicle without having to remove the instrument panel. Additionally, what is needed is a structure which provides an inflatable restraint apparatus and a knee impact structure integrated into a single structure for easy replacement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A passenger protection apparatus for a motor vehicle is provided comprising a first interior trim member and a second interior trim member. The first interior trim member, preferably an instrument panel, is attached to the motor vehicle and the second interior trim member attached to the first interior trim member. The second trim member is attached to the first trim member such that the second interior trim member is removable from the first interior trim member without detaching the first interior trim member from the motor vehicle. The second interior trim member is located in the knee impact region of the motor vehicle and comprises a first energy management device in the form of an inflatable restraint apparatus having an airbag. In this manner, the passenger protection apparatus provides a structure which includes an inflatable restraint apparatus which is easily replaceable in a motor vehicle without having to remove the instrument panel.
The second trim member may comprise a second energy management device, preferably a polyurethane foam, configured to be impacted by a knee of a vehicle occupant. In this manner, the passenger protection apparatus provides an inflatable restraint apparatus and a knee impact structure integrated into a single structure for easy replacement.
Preferably, the second trim member comprises a cover such as a steering column cover, a knee bolster, or a glove compartment cover. Where the second trim member is a glove compartment cover, preferably the cover is disposed adjacent a glove compartment.
Preferably, the second trim member also comprises an outer shell overlying both the first energy management device and the second energy management device. The outer shell preferably forms an aperture through which an airbag may deploy.


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