Supplemental inflatable restraint mounting system

Abstract

A supplemental inflatable restraint mounting system for a roof rail airbag in a vehicle. A supplemental restraint system for a vehicle includes two mounts connected to the vehicle. The inflatable bag includes a retainer, and a rod extends between the two mounts. A rod extends through the retainer to secure the inflatable bag to the vehicle with a minimum number of fastening points.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technical field generally relates to supplemental inflatable restraint systems in vehicles and their installation systems, and more specifically to roof longitudinal beams or curtain airbags comprising structural members configured to install airbags in vehicles with a minimal number of fasteners. Background Technology

[0002] Supplemental inflatable restraint systems, including those known as curtain airbags or side curtain airbags, are features in vehicles designed to deploy and restrain occupants under certain conditions. Unlike supplemental inflatable restraints that deploy from the steering wheel or dashboard, roof rail airbags deploy from above or around the side windows, such as from under the roof, and may cover the window area like a curtain when deployed.

[0003] In certain situations, sensors in the vehicle detect a condition and trigger the deployment of the roof longitudinal airbags. The airbags inflate rapidly, forming a barrier along the side windows and pillars. The inflated airbags can cover interior surfaces such as side windows and / or pillars. The roof longitudinal airbags can extend from the front to the rear of the vehicle along any part of the side of the passenger compartment, covering the side window area.

[0004] To hold the airbag in its desired position, multiple attachment points can be used along the roof longitudinal beams and / or pillars of the vehicle body. Installation may require a significant amount of tightening operations to provide the desired retention. Therefore, there is a persistent desire for a system that simplifies assembly operations and provides the desired function of the roof longitudinal beam airbag. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of this disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing introduction. Summary of the Invention

[0005] A supplemental inflatable restraint system for a vehicle is provided. In several embodiments, the supplemental restraint system for a vehicle includes a pair of fasteners attached to the vehicle. An inflatable bag has a ring. A rod extends between the fasteners and is connected to the fasteners. The rod extends through the ring and holds the inflatable bag to the vehicle.

[0006] In an additional embodiment, the rod has a sliding fit within the retainer.

[0007] In an additional embodiment, the rod conforms to the contours of the vehicle.

[0008] In an additional embodiment, the vehicle includes a body with roof longitudinal beams, and inflatable bags are secured to the roof longitudinal beams by mounting brackets and rods.

[0009] In an additional embodiment, the airbag and retainer are made of the same material.

[0010] In an additional embodiment, the retainer has a sleeve through which a rod extends. The sleeve extends substantially entirely between the mounting members.

[0011] In an additional embodiment, each mounting member has a structure having a cylindrical section and a strip section, and a rod extends through the cylindrical section of the mounting member.

[0012] In an additional embodiment, each mount has a structure comprising a cylindrical section and a belt section. A rod extends through the cylindrical section of each mount, and the belt section of each mount is secured to the vehicle.

[0013] In an additional embodiment, the retainer completely surrounds the rod.

[0014] In an additional embodiment, the rod is fixed to the mounting component in a fixed position.

[0015] In several additional embodiments, the supplemental restraint system for a vehicle includes a pair of mounts secured to the vehicle and includes an inflatable bag. A retainer is connected to the inflatable bag, and a rod extends between and is connected to the mounts. The rod extends through the retainer to secure the inflatable bag to the vehicle.

[0016] In an additional embodiment, the retainer operates to slide along the rod while remaining secured to the rod during the deployment of the inflatable bag.

[0017] In an additional embodiment, the rod conforms to the contours of the vehicle during the installation of the inflatable bag in the vehicle.

[0018] In an additional embodiment, the vehicle includes a body having roof longitudinal beams and A-pillars, and inflatable bags are secured to the roof longitudinal beams and A-pillars.

[0019] In an additional embodiment, the airbag and retainer are made of a common woven material.

[0020] In an additional embodiment, the retainer has a sleeve through which a rod extends, and the sleeve extends substantially entirely between the mounting members, wherein there is a gap in the sleeve at one mounting member.

[0021] In an additional embodiment, each mounting member has a structure having a cylindrical section and a strip section integral with the cylindrical section, and a rod extending through the cylindrical section of each mounting member.

[0022] In an additional embodiment, each mount has a structure comprising a cylindrical section and a belt section integral with the cylindrical section. A rod extends through the cylindrical section of each mount. The belt section of each mount is secured to the vehicle by fasteners.

[0023] In an additional embodiment, the rod extends from a mounting on both sides, and an inflatable bag is connected to the rod on both sides.

[0024] In several other embodiments, the supplemental restraint system for a vehicle includes a vehicle body with roof longitudinal beams. A pair of mounts are secured to the roof longitudinal beams. An inflatable bag is included. A retainer is connected to the inflatable bag and has a structure surrounding a rod. This structure includes ends, each end of which is secured to the inflatable bag. The rod extends between and connects to the mounts. The rod extends through the retainer to secure the inflatable bag to the vehicle. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in conjunction with the following figures, wherein the same numerals denote the same elements, and wherein:

[0026] Figure 1 This is a functional block diagram of a vehicle according to various embodiments, the vehicle including a supplemental inflatable restraint system for roof longitudinal beam airbags;

[0027] Figure 2 It is installed according to various embodiments to Figure 1 An internal view of the roof airbags on the roof longitudinal beams of a vehicle.

[0028] Figure 3 According to various embodiments Figure 2 A perspective view of a portion of the roof airbag;

[0029] Figure 4 According to various embodiments Figure 2 and Figure 3 A view of the attachment area of ​​the roof airbag; and

[0030] Figure 5 It is based on the general outline of various embodiments. Figure 4 The sectional view taken from line 5-5 in the figure. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit application and use. Furthermore, it is not intended to be bound by any express or implied theory presented in the foregoing introduction or the following detailed description.

[0032] Figure 1 A vehicle 10 according to an embodiment is shown. In some examples, vehicle 10 includes an automobile. Vehicle 10 may include various restraint systems, such as a roof airbag system with curtain or roof longitudinal airbags, for restraining the occupants of vehicle 10 in certain triggered events. The roof longitudinal airbag may include one or more features configured to facilitate proper installation and operation of the roof longitudinal airbag, including simplifying the type of rod-like structural member for mounting the airbag system into vehicle 10.

[0033] In various examples, vehicle 10 can be any of a variety of different types of automobiles, such as sedans, vans, trucks, or sports utility vehicles (SUVs), and in some examples it can be two-wheel drive (2WD) (i.e., rear-wheel drive or front-wheel drive), four-wheel drive (4WD), or all-wheel drive (AWD) and / or various other types of vehicles or mobile platforms.

[0034] like Figure 1 As depicted, the exemplary vehicle 10 typically includes a chassis 12, a body 14, front wheels 16, and rear wheels 18. The body 14 is disposed on the chassis 12 and substantially surrounds the components of the vehicle 10. The body 14 and the chassis 12 may together form a body 15. Figure 2 Wheels 16-18 are each rotatably coupled to the chassis 12 near the corresponding angle of the main body 14.

[0035] Vehicle 10 further includes a propulsion system 20, a transmission system 22, a sensor system 28, an actuator system 30, at least one data storage device 32, at least one controller 34, and a supplemental inflatable restraint system 36 including one or more airbags 35 or associated with them. The airbags 35 may be side curtain airbags and / or roof rail airbags or other types. The propulsion system 20 includes an engine and / or motor 21, such as an internal combustion engine (e.g., a gasoline or diesel fuel-powered internal combustion engine), an electric motor (e.g., a three-phase AC motor), or a hybrid system including more than one type of engine and / or motor. The transmission system 22 is configured to transmit power from the propulsion system 20 to the wheels 16, 18 according to a selectable speed ratio. According to various examples, the transmission system 22 may include a multi-ratio automatic transmission, a continuously variable transmission (CVT), or other suitable transmission. A steering system 24 affects the position of the wheels 16, 18.

[0036] Sensor system 28 includes one or more sensing devices 40a-40n that sense observable conditions of the external environment, internal environment, and / or the state or conditions of corresponding components of vehicle 10, and provide such conditions and / or states to other systems of vehicle 10, such as controller 34. It should be understood that vehicle 10 may include any number of sensing devices 40a-40n. Sensing devices 40a-40n may include, but are not limited to, current sensors, voltage sensors, temperature sensors, motor speed sensors, position sensors, radar, lidar, global positioning systems, optical cameras, thermal cameras, ultrasonic sensors, inertial measurement units, pressure sensors, position sensors, speed sensors, and / or other sensors. One or more of the sensing devices 40a-40n may operate individually or in combination to indicate to controller 34 that vehicle 10 has been or will be in a collision or rollover event.

[0037] The actuator system 30 includes one or more actuator devices 42a-42n that control one or more vehicle features, such as, but not limited to, the propulsion system 20, the transmission system 22, and / or a supplemental inflatable restraint system 36 including the roof longitudinal beam airbag 35. One or more of the actuator devices 42a-42n can operate individually or in combination to activate the deployment of the airbag 35 in response to predetermined conditions, such as detecting that the vehicle 10 is in or will be in an airbag inflation trigger event.

[0038] In some examples, airbag 35 may include multiple airbags strategically placed throughout the passenger compartment of vehicle 10, including front, side, and roof rail airbags, to provide comprehensive protection. If an airbag inflation trigger event occurs, one or more of the sensing devices 40a-40n detect, for example, rapid deceleration of vehicle 10 and send a signal to controller 34. In response to these sensed events, controller 34 triggers the deployment of one or more airbags (such as airbag 35), such as via inflator 38.

[0039] refer to Figure 2 Continue to refer to Figure 1 An exemplary installation of the airbag 35 with the supplemental inflatable restraint system 36 is presented. It should be understood that the airbag 35 will be covered / hidden by interior trim components (not shown) of the vehicle 10, which are omitted for visibility. The airbag 35 may be secured to the roof longitudinal beam 39 of the body 15 of the vehicle 10, which extends along, for example, the top of the A-pillar 17 of the body 15. The airbag 35 may also be secured to the A-pillar 17. In some embodiments, the airbag 35 may extend above the B-pillar 19 and toward, across, and / or along the C-pillar (not shown) and / or the D-pillar (not shown). Figure 2 A portion of the vehicle 10 is shown, including a supplemental inflatable restraint system 36 for an airbag 35, which is secured to and extends along the A-pillar 17 on a roof longitudinal beam 39 and across the B-pillar 19. In this embodiment, the airbag 35 is secured to the body 15 using the supplemental inflatable restraint system 36.

[0040] refer to Figure 3 as well as Figure 1 and Figure 2The airbag 35 includes a deployable, inflatable body configured to automatically deploy via an inflator 38 in response to a detected airbag inflation trigger event (e.g., sensed by sensor system 28, detected by controller 34, and actuated by actuator system 30) to cover a portion of the interior of vehicle 10 upon deployment. The airbag 35 may be made of a semi-flexible material (e.g., fabric) and may include reinforcements and / or other components at selected locations. When in the shown undeployed state, the airbag 35 is packaged, such as by rolling or folding. At least two mounting members 23 connect the airbag 35 to the body 15 of vehicle 10 via rods 50 (or more rods), such as at roof longitudinal beams 39 and / or A-pillars 17.

[0041] A rod 50 extends between at least two of the mounting members 23, and more than two mounting members 23 may be used to attach the rod (together with the airbag 35) to the body 15 if desired. The rod 50 may be made of a solid structure, may be hollow, or may be made of a variety of materials. In embodiments, multiple rods 50 may be used, each attached to the body 15 via at least two mounting members 23. The rod 50 may have a circular cross-section or another shape and be made of a material that provides sufficient rigidity to hold the airbag 35 to withstand kinetic forces during deployment. For example, the rod 50 may be made of a metal (such as steel), a composite material (such as carbon (or other) fiber-reinforced polymer), or other materials. The rod 50 may be pre-formed with a bend or may be conformable during installation to follow the contours of the body 15 to which it is attached. For example, the rod 50 may have sufficient deformability or flexibility to aid in mounting to the contours during installation, while having sufficient rigidity to hold the airbag 35 to the vehicle 10.

[0042] The airbag 35 includes retainers 52 or more, made of a material into which the rod 50 can be inserted or disposed. In the present embodiment, the retainer 52 is a sleeve made of a material attached to or formed as part of the airbag 35, and the rod 50 extends through the sleeve. In embodiments, the retainer 52 may be made of the same or different material as the airbag 35, and in any case may be coupled to or formed with the airbag 35 by means such as stitching, fastening, weaving, bonding, or otherwise. In embodiments, the retainer 52 may be a strip, hoop, hook, hanger, braided strand, band, tab, ring, loop, sleeve, pocket, tube, or other configuration that may (at least partially) surround the rod 50 and serve to attach the airbag 35 to the rod 50. Typically, the rod 50 slides within the retainer 52, which may be provided as part of the airbag 35. Slide fit means that the rod 50 can be inserted through the retainer 52 without resistance or with negligible resistance. One or more retainers 52 may be present between each pair of adjacent mounting pieces 23. During assembly, a rod 50 is inserted through the retainer 52, and the rod 50 is connected to the roof longitudinal beam 39 by the mounting pieces 23 that secure the airbag 35 to the body 15. Including the rod 50 reduces the number of mounting pieces 23 that would otherwise be needed and simplifies assembly. The retainer 52 may be looped on the rod 50 and may include looped ends, each end being secured to an inflatable portion of the airbag 35. The airbag 35 may include reinforcement at and / or around the retainer 52.

[0043] For further reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 Mounting member 23 may be in the form of a P-shaped bracket, and each mounting member includes a hanger 60 and a fastener 62. The hanger 60 includes a cylindrical section 64 and a strip section 66. In the current embodiment, the cylindrical section 64 and strip section 66 are integrally formed of metal. The cylindrical section 64 includes an opening 68 through which the rod 50 extends, and the cylindrical section 64 is shaped to surround the rod 50. The strip section 66 may be flat and extend from the cylindrical section 64. In an embodiment, the strip section 66 may be formed to have a shape that mates with a contoured portion of the body 15, such as the contoured portion of the roof longitudinal beam 39. The fastener 62 connects the strip section 66 to the body 15. In the current embodiment, the fastener 62 includes a screw 72 with a washer 74, wherein the screw 72 extends through the strip section 66 and is screwed into the body 15. In an embodiment, the fastener 62 may be another type of mechanical fastener, or the mounting member 23 may be connected to the body 15 by other means such as welding. The cylindrical section 64 can be fixed to the rod 50 to maintain their relative positions. For example, the two can be fixed by press fitting, spot welding, riveting, adhesive bonding, or other methods. As a result, when installed in the vehicle 10, the rod 50 can be held in a fixed position relative to the body 15.

[0044] like Figure 4 As shown, the airbag 35 includes two retainers 52 with a gap 76 between them at the mounting member 23. The two retainers 52 are configured as a sleeve on the left side (as shown) of the mounting member 23 and a band on the right side (as shown). Figure 5 As shown, the retainer 52 is formed of the same material as the airbag 35 and completely surrounds the rod 50. The retainer 52 is looped around the rod 50, and the looped portion / structure includes ends 56, 58, each end being secured to / formed together with the inflatable portion of the airbag 35. Through the combination of the airbag 35 with the retainer 52, the rod 50, and the mounting members 23, the airbag 35 is securely held to the body 15, and the addition of the rod 50 provides retention in the space between adjacent mounting members 23. The retainer 52 may be continuous between adjacent mounting members 23, or substantially continuous between adjacent mounting members 23, to effectively retain the airbag 35 during deployment.

[0045] The system disclosed herein offers various benefits. For example, the system provides a simplified installation system for airbags such as roof rail airbags, featuring simple design and reduced components. Furthermore, the system maintains the airbag in proper position along its attached body component.

[0046] While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be understood that numerous variations exist. It should also be understood that the exemplary embodiments or multiple exemplary embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of this disclosure in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient roadmap for implementing the exemplary embodiments or multiple exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that various changes can be made to the function and arrangement of the elements without departing from the scope of this disclosure as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. A supplementary restraint system for a vehicle, comprising: The first mounting component is connected to the vehicle; A second mounting component is attached to the vehicle; Inflatable bag with retainer; as well as A rod that extends between and connects to the first and second mounting members, the rod extending through the retainer and configured to secure the inflatable bag to the vehicle.

2. The supplemental inflatable restraint system according to claim 1, wherein, The rod is configured to slide within the retainer.

3. The supplemental inflatable restraint system according to claim 1, wherein, The rod is conformable to the profile of the vehicle.

4. The supplemental inflatable restraint system according to claim 1, wherein, The vehicle includes a main body with roof longitudinal beams, wherein the inflatable bag is secured to the roof longitudinal beams by the mounting brackets and the rods.

5. The supplemental inflatable restraint system according to claim 1, wherein, The airbag and the retainer are made of the same material.

6. The supplemental inflatable restraint system according to claim 1, wherein, The retainer includes a sleeve through which the rod extends, wherein the sleeve extends substantially entirely between the first mounting member and the second mounting member.

7. The supplemental inflatable restraint system according to claim 1, wherein, The first mounting member and the second mounting member each include a structure having a cylindrical section and a strip section, wherein the rod extends through the cylindrical section of the first mounting member and the second mounting member.

8. The supplemental inflatable restraint system according to claim 1, wherein, The first mounting member and the second mounting member each include a structure having a cylindrical section and a belt section, wherein the rod extends through the cylindrical section of each of the first mounting member and the second mounting member, and wherein the belt section of each of the first mounting member and the second mounting member is secured to the vehicle.

9. The supplemental inflatable restraint system according to claim 1, wherein, The retainer completely surrounds the rod.

10. The supplemental inflatable restraint system according to claim 1, wherein, The rod is fixed to the first mounting member and the second mounting member in a fixed position.

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