Curtain airbag assembly including rigid bars for mounting inflatable curtain airbags and vehicle equipped therewith

Abstract

This invention provides an improved curtain airbag assembly that enables faster installation inside vehicles while simultaneously reducing the manufacturing cost and time of the airbag itself. [Solution] The curtain airbag assembly includes an inflator, an inflatable curtain airbag, and a rigid bar. The inflatable curtain airbag includes a pocket portion and a body portion extending from the pocket portion. The pocket portion defines one or more pockets and a plurality of notches spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle of the pocket portion. The body portion inflates when it receives gas from the inflator during activation. The rigid bar extends through one or more pockets and is received in a plurality of receiving members attached to the vehicle body members, thereby securing the curtain airbag assembly to the vehicle body members.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification generally relates to a curtain airbag for a vehicle, and more particularly to a vehicle including a curtain airbag that facilitates quicker and easier installation to the vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] A curtain airbag, also known as a side curtain airbag, is designed to protect a passenger's head during a side impact or rollover. A curtain airbag assembly including a folded airbag and an inflator is typically mounted inside the roof structure of a vehicle along the edge of a roof frame above a door and a window. During a side impact or rollover, the airbag deploys downward to cover the side window and protect the passenger from impacts by the window, a side structure, or an external object.

[0003] During installation of the curtain airbag assembly, the inflator is positioned along the roof frame based on positioning features or markers and fixed to the roof frame. Then, a plurality of fastening members (attachment members) extending from the airbag are fastened one by one to vehicle body members such as a roof frame or a pillar of the vehicle, for example, by bolts or screws. This can be a time-consuming process that requires individually fixing each fastening member to the vehicle. Further, since the fastening members need to be individually attached, it may increase the manufacturing cost and time of the airbag.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for an improved curtain airbag assembly that allows for quicker installation into a vehicle while also reducing the manufacturing cost and time of the airbag itself.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] In one embodiment, the curtain airbag assembly includes an inflator, an inflatable curtain airbag which includes a pocket portion defining one or more pockets and a plurality of notches spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle of the pocket portion, and a body portion extending from the pocket portion which receives gas from the inflator and inflates when activated, and a rigid bar extending through one or more pockets.

[0006] In another embodiment, the curtain airbag assembly includes an inflator; an inflatable curtain airbag comprising a mounting portion defining a plurality of mounting holes spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle of the mounting portion; and a body portion extending from the mounting portion, which receives gas from the inflator and inflates when activated; and a rigid bar defining a plurality of receiving holes spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle at positions corresponding to the plurality of mounting holes.

[0007] In yet another embodiment, the vehicle includes a body member, a plurality of receiving members attached to a frame spaced apart from each other, a curtain airbag assembly comprising an inflator, an inflatable curtain airbag comprising a pocket portion defining one or more pockets and a plurality of notches spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and a body portion extending from the pocket portion which receives gas from the inflator and inflates when activated, and a rigid bar extending through one or more pockets, wherein each of the plurality of receiving members engages with the rigid bar to secure the inflatable curtain airbag to the frame.

[0008] These and additional features provided by the embodiments described herein will be better understood in conjunction with the drawings and the following detailed description. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] The embodiments shown in the drawings are illustrative and exemplary in nature and are not intended to limit the subject matter defined by the claims. The following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments can be understood in conjunction with the following drawings, in which similar structures are shown by similar reference numerals. [Figure 1] A schematic partial cross-sectional side view of a vehicle is shown, including an embodiment of a curtain airbag assembly attached to a vehicle body member, according to one or more embodiments illustrated and described herein. [Figure 2] A schematic partial side view of the curtain airbag assembly of Figure 1, which defines a plurality of notches and engages with a receiving member, according to one or more embodiments illustrated and described herein. [Figure 3] A schematic cross-sectional view along line 3-3 in Figure 2 shows a curtain airbag assembly of Figure 1 engaged with a receiving member, according to one or more embodiments illustrated and described herein. [Figure 4] A schematic partial front view of another embodiment of a curtain airbag assembly, including a pre-assembled folding tab, according to one or more embodiments illustrated and described herein. [Figure 5] A schematic partial front view of Figure 4 shows a curtain airbag assembly with a folded tab in an assembled state, according to one or more embodiments illustrated and described herein. [Figure 6] A schematic partial front view of another embodiment of a curtain airbag assembly defining multiple slots, according to one or more embodiments illustrated and described herein, is shown. [Figure 7] A schematic partial front view shows another embodiment of a curtain airbag assembly, including a rigid bar defining a plurality of holes, according to one or more embodiments illustrated and described herein. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments described herein relate to curtain airbag assemblies including rigid bars for mounting inflatable curtain airbags to the frame of a vehicle. A curtain airbag assembly includes an inflator, an inflatable curtain airbag, and rigid bars. The inflatable curtain airbag includes a pocket portion and a body portion extending from the pocket portion. The pocket portion defines one or more pockets and a plurality of notches spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The body portion inflates and deploys upon receiving (allowing into) gas from the inflator during activation. The rigid bars extend through one or more pockets and are received in a plurality of receiving members attached to the vehicle body members, thereby quickly and easily securing the curtain airbag assembly to the vehicle. Various embodiments of the curtain airbag assembly and the operation of the curtain airbag assembly are described in more detail herein. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts.

[0011] As used herein, the term “vehicle longitudinal direction” refers to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (i.e., the + / - vehicle Y direction as shown in Figure 1). The term “vehicle lateral direction” refers to the vehicle width direction (i.e., the + / - vehicle X direction as shown in Figure 1), which is transverse to the vehicle longitudinal direction. The term “vehicle vertical direction” refers to the vehicle up and down direction (i.e., the + / - vehicle Z direction as shown in Figure 1). As used herein, “up” and “upward” are defined as the positive Z direction on the coordinate axes shown in the drawings. “Down” and “downward” are defined as the negative Z direction on the coordinate axes shown in the drawings. As used herein, the terms “inside” and “outside” may be used herein to refer to relative orientations in the lateral direction. For example, “outside” refers to a relative position that is closer to or faces the side of the vehicle than the longitudinal center of the vehicle. Conversely, “inside” refers to a relative position that is closer to or faces the longitudinal center of the vehicle than the side of the vehicle.

[0012] Referring here to Figure 1, a vehicle 100 according to one or more embodiments described herein is partially shown. The vehicle 100 includes a frame 102 defining an occupant compartment 104. The frame 102 has a roof rail 106 and a plurality of pillars extending from the roof rail 106 at their upper ends. The pillars may include A-pillars 108, B-pillars 110, and C-pillars 112. A plurality of receiving members 114 are provided on a body member extending along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The frame 102, roof rail 106, A-pillars 108, B-pillars 110, and C-pillars 112 are all non-limiting examples of body members to which a curtain airbag assembly 116 can be secured.

[0013] The curtain airbag assembly 116 is fixed to a vehicle body member via a receiving member 114. The curtain airbag assembly 116 includes an inflator 118, a rigid bar 120, and an inflatable curtain airbag 122. The inflatable curtain airbag 122 receives gas from the inflator 118. The curtain airbag assembly 116 also includes sensors and a control system (not shown) that detect when a collision / rollover has occurred or is likely to occur and transmit an activation signal to the inflator 118. In Figure 1, the inflator 118 is shown to be located in front of the curtain airbag assembly 116, but the position of the inflator 118 is not limited thereto. The inflator 118 may be one of several types of inflators, such as a gunpowder inflator, a stored gas inflator, or a composite inflator, and may be a single-stage inflator or a multi-stage inflator. The inflator 118 can be stored in any suitable position relative to the inflatable curtain airbag 122. The inflator 118 can be positioned at any suitable location along the curtain airbag assembly 116, including the central portion, the rear portion, or any intermediate position between the front and rear portions of the curtain airbag assembly 116. If the inflator 118 is a gunpowder-type inflator, it may contain a propellant that ignites in response to the reception of an activation signal to rapidly generate expansion gas. The inflatable curtain airbag 122 extends along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle from the A-pillar 108 to the C-pillar 112 in both the stowed state (as shown in Figure 1) and the deployed state before receiving gas from the inflator 118.

[0014] If a collision has actually occurred or is likely to occur (collision predicted), the inflatable curtain airbag 122 may inflate downward in the vehicle-vertical direction along the side of the vehicle 100 between one or more occupants of the vehicle 100 and one or more sides of the vehicle 100, such as the side windows 124 and pillars 108, 110, 112 of the vehicle 100.

[0015] The inflatable curtain airbag 122 may normally be in a retracted state, in which case it is hidden behind the interior trim of the vehicle 100, such as the side headliner trim. Before being installed in the vehicle 100, the inflatable curtain airbag 122 may be compressed into a retracted state by rolling, folding, or a combination thereof, such that it becomes an elongated shape extending along a path having a length much greater than the height or width of its cross-sectional shape.

[0016] The inflatable curtain airbag 122, after being compressed to its stowed state, can be held in its stowed state by conventional use such as packaging and fasteners to facilitate transport and installation. As will be described in more detail herein, the inflatable curtain airbag 122 can be fixed to the vehicle 100 by engaging the inflatable curtain airbag 122 with receiving members 114 attached to the frame 102 of the vehicle 100. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, as will be described in more detail herein, the receiving members 114 are positioned in each of the notches or recesses of the inflatable curtain airbag 122 and engage with the rigid bar 120.

[0017] The inflatable curtain airbag 122 may be formed from two layers of flexible material, such as woven or nonwoven fabric, and may include an inner fabric layer on the inside of the inflatable curtain airbag 122 and an outer fabric layer on the outside of the inflatable curtain airbag 122. For example, the inflatable curtain airbag 122 is generally made of nylon woven fabric, but other fabrics or flexible materials may be used. The inner fabric layer and the outer fabric layer may be fastened to each other at their periphery, for example, by sewing their periphery together. Alternatively, the inner fabric layer and the outer fabric layer may be fastened to each other by mechanical fastening, adhesive, integral weaving, sewing, radio frequency (RF) welding, ultrasonic welding, or any other suitable method known in the art.

[0018] Although the curtain airbag assembly 116 is shown in Figure 1 as being installed on the passenger side of the vehicle 100, it should be understood that this disclosure is equally applicable to curtain airbags installed at other locations on the vehicle 100, such as on the driver's side of the vehicle 100. Curtain airbags installed on the driver's side are intended to protect the driver or operator from collisions with various front surfaces of the vehicle 100, such as the steering wheel or instrument panel.

[0019] Referring here to Figure 2, a curtain airbag assembly 116 is shown, which includes an inflatable curtain airbag 122 and a rigid bar 120. As described herein, the inflatable curtain airbag 122 can be formed in any suitable way to include one or more layers of flexible material. In some embodiments, the inflatable curtain airbag 122 is formed by a single weave such that the inflatable curtain airbag 122 is a single monolithic structure including both an inflatable portion and a non-inflatable portion. The inflatable curtain airbag 122 includes a pocket portion 126 having an upper edge 128 and an opposite lower edge 130, and a body portion 132 having an upper edge 134 and an opposite lower edge 136. It should be understood that at least a portion of the body portion 132 is inflatable when it receives gas from an inflator 118 (Figure 1).

[0020] In some embodiments, a lower woven line 138, formed of yarn or any other suitable sewing material, is provided to define the lower edge 130 of the pocket portion 126 and the upper edge 134 of the body portion 132. Thus, the body portion 132 extends from the lower edge 130 of the pocket portion 126. In some embodiments, an upper woven line 140, formed of yarn or any other suitable sewing material, is provided below the upper edge 128 of the pocket portion 126.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, by removing the individual spaced sections of the pocket portion 126 or, in some embodiments, by forming discontinuous pockets 148 within the pocket portion 126, a plurality of cutouts 142 are formed within the pocket portion 126. Each cutout 142 is defined by a lower cutout edge 144 and a pair of side cutout edges 146. As shown, the lower cutout edge 144 is spaced from the lower webbing 138 so as not to intersect the body portion 132 of the inflatable curtain airbag 122. The pair of side cutout edges 146 extend to the upper edge 128 of the pocket portion 126 so as to open at the upper edge 128. The height of the pair of side cutout edges 146 defines the height of the cutout 142 extending in the vehicle vertical direction, and the distance between the pair of side cutout edges 146 defines the length of the cutout 142 extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Although three cutouts 142 are shown, it should be understood that the inflatable curtain airbag 122 may have any number of cutouts 142 extending along the vehicle longitudinal length of the inflatable curtain airbag 122.

[0022] As described above, the curtain airbag assembly 116 includes a rigid bar 120 extending through the inflatable curtain airbag 122. Specifically, the rigid bar 120 extends through a plurality of pockets 148 defined within the pocket portion 126, above the lower weave line 138 and below the upper weave line 140, if provided. The rigid bar 120 can be formed from any suitable material, such as metal or plastic. More specifically, the rigid bar 120 may be formed from stainless steel, aluminum, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), etc. In some embodiments, the rigid bar 120 is a continuous, monolithic member. In other embodiments, the rigid bar 120 is formed from a plurality of interconnected rigid bar segments that allow the rigid bar 120 to be bent or folded for the purpose of reducing its size for packaging and transport. In some embodiments, the rigid bar 120 is formed from a rigid material having greater rigidity than the material forming the inflatable curtain airbag 122, specifically the material forming the pocket portion 126 and the main body portion 132. As shown in the figure, the rigid bar 120 has a circular cross-sectional shape. However, it should be understood that the rigid bar 120 may have any suitable cross-sectional shape, such as a square or rectangular cross-sectional shape, such that the inner and outer surfaces of the rigid bar 120 are flat rather than curved as shown in Figure 3.

[0023] In some embodiments, a limiting woven line 150, formed of yarn or any other suitable sewing material, is provided above the lower woven line 138. The limiting woven line 150 reduces the vehicle vertical height of the pocket 148. Thus, the reduction in the height of the pocket 148 restricts the vehicle vertical movement of the rigid bar 120 that is received within the pocket 148.

[0024] With the rigid bar 120 inserted into the pocket 148 of the pocket portion 126 of the inflatable curtain airbag 122, a gap 152 is provided between the rigid bar 120 and the lower notch edge 144 of the inflatable curtain airbag 122. The gap 152 has a height defined by the lower surface of the rigid bar 120 and the lower notch edge 144. As described above, the restraining woven wire 150 restricts the vertical movement of the rigid bar 120 in the vehicle vertical direction, thereby maintaining the height of the gap 152. Therefore, the restraining woven wire 150 is provided above the lower notch edge 144. As will be described in more detail herein, if the restraining woven wire 150 is not provided on the inflatable curtain airbag 122, the height of the gap 152 may become lower, and then it may be more difficult to install the inflatable curtain airbag 122 on the frame 102 (FIG. 1) of the vehicle 100.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the receiving member 114 extends through the notch 142 and engages with the rigid bar 120, whereby the inflatable curtain airbag 122 is fixed to the receiving member 114 attached to the frame 102 of the vehicle 100 as shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, only a single receiving member 114 within one of the notches 142 is shown, but it should be understood that the receiving members 114 may be disposed within their respective notches 142 and received within the gap 152 defined by the rigid bar 120 and the lower notch edge 144 of their respective notches 142.

[0026] Referring now to FIG. 3, a cross-sectional side view along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 is shown, showing the rigid bar 120 that engages with the receiving member 114 and extends through the pocket 148 formed in the inflatable curtain airbag 122. The pocket 148 formed in the pocket portion 126 is defined by an inner fabric layer 154 and an outer fabric layer 156 that can be fixed to each other by mechanical fastening, adhesives, integral weaving, sewing, RF welding, ultrasonic welding, or any other suitable method known in the art.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, the inner fabric layer 154 and the outer fabric layer 156 are joined to each other at one or more locations. Specifically, as described herein, the inner fabric layer 154 and the outer fabric layer 156 may be joined by a lower weave line 138 that distinguishes the pocket portion 126 from the main body portion 132. The inner fabric layer 154 and the outer fabric layer 156 may also be joined by an upper weave line 140 below the upper edge 128 of the pocket portion 126, and, in some embodiments, by a limiting weave line 150 formed between the lower weave line 138 and the upper weave line 140. Thus, the rigid bar 120 extends within the pocket 148 below the upper weave line 140 and above the limiting weave line 150, if provided. Alternatively, if the restricting weave line 150 is not provided, the rigid bar 120 extends within the pocket 148, below the upper weave line 140 and above the lower weave line 138.

[0028] In some embodiments, the receiving member 114 includes any suitable structure for holding a rigid bar 120 extending through a pocket 148 of the inflatable curtain airbag 122. In some embodiments, the receiving member 114 has any suitable geometric shape corresponding to the rigid bar 120 and is formed as a retaining hook for receiving and holding the rigid bar 120 when engaged with the receiving member 114. As shown in Figure 3, the receiving member 114 includes an outer wall 158 having an upper end 160 and an opposite lower end 162, an inner wall 164 having an upper end 166 and an opposite lower end 168, and a connecting wall 170 extending between the lower end 162 of the outer wall 158 and the lower end 168 of the inner wall 164. The receiving member 114 may be formed from any suitable material such as stainless steel, aluminum, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). However, as will be described in more detail herein, in some embodiments, at least the inner wall 164 is formed from a deformable material and / or elastic material such that the inner wall 164 can deflect (bend) or bend away from the outer wall 158.

[0029] When in use, the receiving member 114 is attached to the frame 102 of the vehicle 100 (Figure 1), such as a roof rail 106 (Figure 1), at a predetermined position on the outer wall 158. The outer wall 158 can be attached to the frame 102 by any suitable method, such as mechanical fastening, welding, or any other suitable method known in the art. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 3, a hole 172 is formed in the outer wall 158 so that a fastener can be inserted through the hole 172 to secure the receiving member 114 to the frame 102 of the vehicle 100. The hole 172 may be formed close to the upper end 160 of the outer wall 158 so as not to obstruct the insertion of a fastener through the hole 172 and the securing of the receiving member 114 to the frame 102 of the vehicle 100 by the inner wall 164.

[0030] In some embodiments, the inner wall 164 has a meandering shape corresponding to a rigid bar 120 having a circular cross-sectional shape. Similarly, in some embodiments, the connecting wall 170 corresponds to the rigid bar 120 and has a curved shape to provide a smooth transition from the inner wall 164 to the outer wall 158. More specifically, the inner wall 164 has a first curved portion 174 extending upward in the vehicle vertical direction from the lower end 168 of the inner wall 164, and a second curved portion 176 extending downward in the vehicle vertical direction from the upper end 166 of the inner wall 164 to the first curved portion 174. As the first curved portion 174 extends upward, the first curved portion 174 extends laterally toward the outer wall 158. As the second curved portion 176 extends upward from the first curved portion 174, the second curved portion 176 extends laterally toward the vehicle opposite to the outer wall 158. Thus, the distance between the outer wall 158 and the outermost point of the second curved portion 176 closest to the outer wall 158 is smaller than the distance between the outer wall 158 and the first curved portion 174.

[0031] As shown in Figure 3, the rigid bar 120 has an outer diameter greater than the distance between the second curved portion 176 of the inner wall 164 and the outer wall 158. When in use, the rigid bar 120 is inserted into the receiving member 114 by pushing the rigid bar 120 into the space between the outer wall 158 and the inner wall 164. At this time, the rigid bar 120 comes into contact with the second curved portion 176, applying an inward force that deflects the inner wall 164 away from the outer wall 158, and allows the rigid bar 120 to pass through the second curved portion 176 and be received in the space defined by the first curved portion 174, the connecting wall 170, and the outer wall 158. Thus, the outer wall 158, the connecting wall 170, and the first curved portion 174 define a receiving portion for receiving the rigid bar 120, and the second curved portion 176 defines a retaining portion configured to allow the rigid bar 120 to be received within the receiving portion and to prevent the rigid bar 120 from being removed from the receiving portion. Although this specification describes installing the inflatable curtain airbag 122 by engaging the rigid bar 120 with the receiving member 114, it should be understood that the inflator 118 (Figure 1) may be attached to the vehicle body member either before engaging the rigid bar 120 with the receiving member 114 or after engaging the rigid bar 120 with the receiving member 114. The inflator 118 can be attached to the vehicle body member in any suitable way, such as by using fasteners such as bolts and screws. In other embodiments, the inflatable curtain airbag 122 may be additionally attached to the vehicle body member after engaging the rigid bar 120 with the receiving member 114. For example, the inflatable curtain airbag 122 can be attached to a vehicle body member in any suitable way, such as by using fasteners, such as bolts or screws, that extend through holes 121 formed at at least both ends of the inflatable curtain airbag 122, as shown in Figure 1. In Figure 1, the holes 121 are shown to be formed at both ends of the inflatable curtain airbag 122, but it should be understood that the holes 121 can be formed at any suitable position along the length of the inflatable curtain airbag 122, such as near the middle portion of the inflatable curtain airbag 122 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.Furthermore, since the attachment of the inflatable curtain airbag 122 to the vehicle body member helps to provide support for positioning and attaching the inflatable curtain airbag 122 to the vehicle body member, it should be understood that the attachment of the inflatable curtain airbag 122 by fasteners through the holes 121 helps to securely attach the inflatable curtain airbag 122 to the vehicle body member.

[0032] Referring here to Figures 4 and 5, another embodiment of the curtain airbag assembly 216 is shown. Rather than forming the notch 142 by removing material from pocket portion 126 or by forming a discontinuous pocket 248 in pocket portion 126, as described herein and shown in Figure 2, the curtain airbag assembly 216 includes an inflatable curtain airbag 222 having a plurality of tabs 223 defining each pocket 248. As shown in Figure 4, the inflatable curtain airbag 222 is shown in a partially assembled state, with each free end 225 of the tabs 223 not fixed to the rest of the inflatable curtain airbag 222. As shown in Figure 5, the inflatable curtain airbag 222 is shown in an assembled state, with each free end 225 of the tabs 223 fixed to the rest of the inflatable curtain airbag 222. Since the curtain airbag assembly 216 shown in Figures 4 and 5 is similar to the curtain airbag assembly 116 shown in Figure 2, it should be understood that similar reference numerals may be used to refer to similar parts.

[0033] More specifically, a curtain airbag assembly 216 including an inflatable curtain airbag 222 and a rigid bar 120 is shown. As described herein, the inflatable curtain airbag 222 can be formed in any suitable way to include one or more layers of flexible material. In some embodiments, the inflatable curtain airbag 222 is formed by a single weave such that the inflatable curtain airbag 222 is a single monolithic structure. The inflatable curtain airbag 222 includes a pocket portion 226 having a lower edge 230 and a body portion 232 having an upper edge 234 and an opposite lower edge 236. It should be understood that the body portion 232 is inflatable.

[0034] In some embodiments, an underside woven line 238, formed by thread or any other suitable sewing material, is provided to define the lower edge 230 of the pocket portion 226 and the upper edge 234 of the body portion 232. Thus, the body portion 232 extends from the lower edge 230 of the pocket portion 226.

[0035] As described above, the pocket portion 226 includes a plurality of tabs 223 spaced apart from each other along the vehicle longitudinal length of the pocket portion 226. As described herein, each tab 223 includes a free end 225 which is joined to the pocket portion 226 or the body portion 232 by any suitable method, such as sewing. Because the tabs 223 are spaced apart from each other, the tabs 223 define notches 242 formed in the pocket portion 226, within which each receiving member 114 is positioned to engage with a rigid bar 120 extending through a pocket 248 defined by each of the tabs 223.

[0036] Each notch 242 is defined by a lower notch edge 244 and a pair of lateral notch edges 246 extending along the side edges of adjacent tabs 223. As shown in the figure, the lower notch edge 244 is spaced apart from the lower weave line 238 so as not to intersect with the main body portion 232 of the inflatable curtain airbag 222. When the tabs 223 are folded in the middle during assembly, as shown in Figure 5, the height of the notch 242 extending vertically in the vehicle is substantially half the height of the pair of lateral notch edges 246, and the distance between the pair of lateral notch edges 246 defines the length of the notch 242 extending longitudinally in the vehicle. Although three notches 242 are shown, it should be understood that the inflatable curtain airbag 222 may have any number of notches 242 extending along the longitudinal length of the inflatable curtain airbag 222 in the vehicle.

[0037] As shown in Figure 5, the tabs 223 are shown folded in the middle section, and each free end 225 of the tabs 223 is secured to the main body section 232 below the lower weave line 238. The free end 225 of each tab 223 can be secured by any suitable method, such as sewing, to define each pocket 248. Thus, tab seams 249 for securing the free ends 225 of the tabs 223 to the main body section 232 are shown in Figure 5. However, as described above, each free end 225 of the tabs 223 may be secured to the pocket section 226 by providing tab seams 249 above the lower weave line 238.

[0038] As described above, the curtain airbag assembly 216 includes a rigid bar 120 extending through the inflatable curtain airbag 222. Specifically, the rigid bar 120 extends through a number of pockets 248 defined within the pocket portion 226, above the tab seam 249 and, more specifically, above the lower weave line 238, if provided. With the rigid bar 120 inserted into the pockets 248 of the pocket portion 226 of the inflatable curtain airbag 222, a gap 252 is provided between the rigid bar 120 and the lower notch edge 244 of the inflatable curtain airbag 222. The gap 252 has a height defined by the lower surface of the rigid bar 120 and the lower notch edge 244.

[0039] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the receiving member 114 extends through the notch 242 and engages with the rigid bar 120, thereby securing the inflatable curtain airbag 222 to the receiving member 114, which is mounted on the frame 102 of the vehicle 100, as shown in Figure 1. Although only a single receiving member 114 in one of the notches 242 is shown in Figures 4 and 5, it should be understood that the receiving members 114 may be positioned within each notch 242 and received within a gap 252 defined by the rigid bar 120 and the lower notch edge 244 of each notch 242.

[0040] In other embodiments, the tabs 223 may be attached separately to the body portion 232 of the inflatable curtain airbag 222, rather than being formed as a monolithic structure integrated with the rest of the inflatable curtain airbag 222. Therefore, in such embodiments, in addition to attaching the free ends 225 of the tabs 223 as described herein and shown in Figures 4 and 5, the opposing free ends of the tabs 223 are secured to the respective front and back surfaces of the body portion 232 of the inflatable curtain airbag 222 by any suitable method, such as sewing. It should be understood that attaching the tabs 223 separately requires the additional step of positioning the tabs 223 relative to the body portion 232 of the inflatable curtain airbag 222 and attaching the opposing free ends of each tab 223 individually to the body portion 232. While this may require additional time, it can save overall time and / or cost by eliminating the need to individually form multiple tabs 223 in the pocket portion 226 of the inflatable curtain airbag 222.

[0041] Referring here to Figure 6, another embodiment of the curtain airbag assembly 316 is shown. Rather than forming the notches by removing the material of the inflatable curtain airbag 122 from the upper edge 128 of the pocket portion 126, as described herein and shown in Figure 2, or by fixing the tab 223, as described herein and shown in Figures 4 and 5, multiple notches 342 are formed entirely below the pocket 348 of the curtain airbag assembly 316. In other words, the multiple notches 342 are completely surrounded by the material forming the inflatable curtain airbag 322 of the curtain airbag assembly 316. Since the curtain airbag assembly 316 shown in Figure 6 is similar to the curtain airbag assembly 116 shown in Figure 2, it should be understood that similar reference numerals may be used to refer to similar parts.

[0042] More specifically, a curtain airbag assembly 316 including an inflatable curtain airbag 322 and a rigid bar 120 is shown. As described herein, the inflatable curtain airbag 322 can be formed in any suitable way to include one or more layers of flexible material. In some embodiments, the inflatable curtain airbag 322 is formed by a single weave so that the inflatable curtain airbag 322 is a single monolithic structure. The inflatable curtain airbag 322 includes a pocket portion 326 having an upper edge 328 and an opposite lower edge 330, and a body portion 332 having an upper edge 334 and an opposite lower edge 336. It should be understood that the body portion 332 is inflatable.

[0043] In some embodiments, the pocket portion 326 includes a lower edge 330, and the body portion 332 includes an upper edge 334. Thus, the body portion 332 extends from the lower edge 330 of the pocket portion 326. In some embodiments, an upper woven line 340, formed of thread or any other suitable sewing material, is provided below the upper edge 328 of the pocket portion 326.

[0044] As shown in Figure 6, multiple notches 342 are formed within the pocket portion 326 by removing individual spaced sections of the pocket portion 326. Each notch 342 is defined by a lower notch edge 344, an upper notch edge 345, and a pair of lateral notch edges 346 extending between the lower notch edge 344 and the upper notch edge 345. As shown, the lower notch edge 344 is spaced apart from the main body portion 332 of the inflatable curtain airbag 322. The height of the pair of lateral notch edges 346 defines the height of the notch 342 extending in the vehicle vertical direction, and the distance between the pair of lateral notch edges 346 defines the length of the notch 342 extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction. As shown in Figure 6, the length of each notch 342 is greater than the height of the notch 342. Although three notches 342 are shown, it should be understood that the inflatable curtain airbag 322 may have any number of notches 342 extending along the vehicle longitudinal length of the inflatable curtain airbag 322.

[0045] As described above, the curtain airbag assembly 316 includes a rigid bar 120 extending through the inflatable curtain airbag 322. Specifically, the rigid bar 120 extends through a pocket 348 defined within the pocket portion 326, above the main body portion 332 and below the upper weave line 340, if provided. In contrast to the embodiments of the inflatable curtain airbags 122, 222 (Figures 2-5) described herein, which include multiple spaced pockets 148, 248 defined by notches 142, 242 and / or tabs 223, the inflatable curtain airbag 322 shown in Figure 6 defines a single uninterrupted pocket 348 through which the rigid bar 120 extends.

[0046] In some embodiments, a limiting woven line 350, formed of thread or any other suitable sewing material, is provided above the main body portion 332. The limiting woven line 350 reduces the vehicle vertical height of the pocket 348. Thus, the reduction in the height of the pocket 348 restricts the vehicle vertical movement of the rigid bar 120 received within the pocket 348. As shown in Figure 6, a notch 342 is provided between the main body portion 332 and the limiting woven line 350. Thus, the limiting woven line 350 further restricts the rigid bar 120 from falling into the path of the notch 342 within the pocket 348.

[0047] As shown in Figure 6, the receiving member 114 extends through the notch 342 and engages with the rigid bar 120, thereby securing the inflatable curtain airbag 322 to the receiving member 114, which is mounted on the frame 102 of the vehicle 100, as shown in Figure 1. Although Figure 6 shows only a single receiving member 114 extending through one of the notches 342, it should be understood that the receiving member 114 may extend through each of the notches 342 and engage with the rigid bar 120 at spaced intervals. In other embodiments, the rigid bar 120 may be secured to the rear surface of the inflatable curtain airbag 322 by any suitable method, such as mechanical fastening, adhesive, radio frequency (RF) welding, ultrasonic welding, or any other suitable method known in the art.

[0048] Referring now to Figure 7, another embodiment of the curtain airbag assembly 416 is shown. Rather than removing material as shown in Figures 2, 3, and 6, or attaching tabs 223 as shown in Figures 4 and 5, multiple mounting holes 417 are formed in the inflatable curtain airbag 422, and receiving holes 419 are formed in the rigid bar 420 at positions corresponding to the mounting holes 417 formed in the inflatable curtain airbag 422.

[0049] More specifically, a curtain airbag assembly 416 including an inflatable curtain airbag 422 and a rigid bar 420 is shown. As described herein, the inflatable curtain airbag 422 can be formed in any suitable way to include one or more layers of flexible material. In some embodiments, the inflatable curtain airbag 422 is formed by a single weave such that the inflatable curtain airbag 422 is a single monolithic structure. The inflatable curtain airbag 422 includes a mounting portion 426 having an upper edge 428 and an opposite lower edge 430, and a body portion 432 having an upper edge 434 and an opposite lower edge 436. It should be understood that the body portion 432 is inflatable.

[0050] In some embodiments, a lower woven line 438, formed of yarn or any other suitable sewing material, is provided to define the lower edge 430 of the attachment portion 426 and the upper edge 434 of the main body portion 432. Thus, the main body portion 432 extends from the lower edge 430 of the attachment portion 426. In some embodiments, an upper woven line 440, formed of yarn or any other suitable sewing material, is provided below the upper edge 428 of the attachment portion 426.

[0051] As shown in Figure 7, the mounting portion 426 has multiple mounting holes 417 formed above the lower weave line 438 and below the upper weave line 440, if present. Although three mounting holes 417 are shown in Figure 7, please understand that any number of mounting holes 417 may be formed in the mounting portion 426.

[0052] As described above, the curtain airbag assembly 416 includes a rigid bar 420 located behind the inflatable curtain airbag 422. Therefore, in the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the inflatable curtain airbag 422 does not define a pocket into which the rigid bar 420 extends. Rather, the rigid bar 420 is located entirely outside the inflatable curtain airbag 422. Multiple receiving holes 419 are formed on the surface of the rigid bar 420 at positions corresponding to the mounting holes 417 formed in the mounting portion 426 of the inflatable curtain airbag 422. In some embodiments, the receiving holes 419 of the rigid bar 420 are formed through flat inner and outer surfaces, and the rigid bar 420 has a square or rectangular cross-section so that the rigid bar 420 can seat flush with the frame 102 of the vehicle 100 (Figure 1). In some embodiments, the rigid bar 420 may be fixed to the rear surface of the inflatable curtain airbag 422 by any suitable method, such as mechanical fastening, adhesive, radio frequency (RF) welding, ultrasonic welding, or any other suitable method known in the art.

[0053] During use, the receiving hole 419 formed in the rigid bar 420 is aligned with the corresponding mounting hole 417 formed in the mounting portion 426 of the inflatable curtain airbag 422. The inflatable curtain airbag 422 and the rigid bar 420 are then positioned along the frame 102 of the vehicle 100 (Figure 1), and fasteners such as bolts or screws are inserted into the mounting hole 417 of the inflatable curtain airbag 422 and the receiving hole 419 of the rigid bar 420 to fix the inflatable curtain airbag 422 and the rigid bar 420 to the frame 102. In this embodiment, the receiving member 114 is not used as the inflatable curtain airbag 422, and the receiving member 114 is not used for engagement with the rigid bar 420; the rigid bar 420 is fixed to the frame 102 via fasteners.

[0054] From the above, it should be understood that what is defined herein is a curtain airbag assembly including an inflator, an inflatable curtain airbag, and a rigid bar. In some embodiments, the rigid bar extends through one or more pockets formed in the pocket portion of the inflatable curtain airbag. When installing the curtain airbag assembly to a vehicle, the rigid bar engages with multiple receiving members attached to the frame, eliminating the need for additional fasteners.

[0055] It should be noted that the terms “substantially” and “about” may be used herein to express the degree of inherent uncertainty that may arise from any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other expression. These terms are also used herein to express the extent to which quantitative expressions may deviate from the references given herein without altering the fundamental function of the subject matter.

[0056] While specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be understood that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, although various aspects of the claimed subject matter are described herein, such aspects do not need to be used in combination. Accordingly, the attached claims are intended to encompass all such changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Claims

1. Curtain airbag assembly, Inflator and It is an inflatable curtain airbag, A pocket portion comprising one or more pockets and a plurality of notches spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, A main body portion extending from the aforementioned pocket portion, which receives gas from the inflator and inflates when in operation, Including inflatable curtain airbags, A rigid bar extending through one or more of the aforementioned pockets, A curtain airbag assembly equipped with a curtain airbag.

2. The curtain airbag assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of notches is defined by a lower notch edge and a pair of lateral notch edges, and each of the plurality of notches opens to the upper edge of the pocket portion.

3. The curtain airbag assembly according to claim 2, further comprising a restricting woven line formed in the pocket portion above a lower woven line defining the lower edge of the pocket portion and the upper edge of the main body portion, wherein the restricting woven line restricts the vertical movement of the rigid bar in the vehicle vertical direction within one or more pockets.

4. The curtain airbag assembly according to claim 1, wherein a gap is provided between the rigid bar and the lower notched edge.

5. The curtain airbag assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pocket portion defines a plurality of tabs spaced apart from each other, and each tab of the plurality of tabs defines each of the pockets of the one or more pockets.

6. The curtain airbag assembly according to claim 5, wherein the free end of each of the plurality of tabs is fixed to the main body portion or the pocket portion.

7. The curtain airbag assembly according to claim 6, wherein the free end of each of the plurality of tabs is fixed to the main body portion.

8. The curtain airbag assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of notches is completely surrounded by the material forming the inflatable curtain airbag.

9. The curtain airbag assembly according to claim 8, wherein each notch has a length extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle that is greater than the height of the notch extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

10. The curtain airbag assembly according to claim 1, wherein the inflatable curtain airbag is formed by integral weaving so that the inflatable curtain airbag has a monolithic structure as a single unit.

11. Curtain airbag assembly, Inflator and It is an inflatable curtain airbag, A mounting portion comprising a mounting portion having a plurality of mounting holes spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, A main body portion extending from the aforementioned mounting portion, which receives gas from the inflator and expands during operation, Including inflatable curtain airbags, A rigid bar defines a plurality of receiving holes spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle at positions corresponding to the plurality of mounting holes, A curtain airbag assembly equipped with a curtain airbag.

12. The curtain airbag assembly according to claim 11, wherein the inner surface of the rigid bar in which the plurality of receiving holes are formed is flat.

13. The curtain airbag assembly according to claim 11, wherein the inflatable curtain airbag is formed by integral weaving so that the inflatable curtain airbag has a monolithic structure.

14. The curtain airbag assembly according to claim 11, further comprising a lower woven line defining the lower edge of the mounting portion and the upper edge of the main body portion.

15. The curtain airbag assembly according to claim 14, further comprising an upper woven wire provided below the upper edge of the mounting portion and above the lower woven wire.

16. It is a vehicle, Body components and, Multiple receiving members attached to the vehicle body member at intervals from each other, Curtain airbag assembly, Inflator and It is an inflatable curtain airbag, A pocket portion comprising one or more pockets and a plurality of notches spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, A main body portion extending from the aforementioned pocket portion, which receives gas from the inflator and inflates when in operation, Including inflatable curtain airbags, A rigid bar extending through one or more of the aforementioned pockets, Includes a curtain airbag assembly, Equipped with, Each of the plurality of receiving members engages with the rigid bar to fix the inflatable curtain airbag to the vehicle body member. vehicle.

17. The vehicle according to claim 16, Each of the plurality of receiving members is received within the respective notches of the plurality of notches. Each of the plurality of receiving members includes an outer wall, an inner wall opposite the outer wall, and a connecting wall extending between the lower end of the outer wall and the lower end of the inner wall. The rigid bar is received within the space defined by the outer wall, the inner wall, and the connecting wall. vehicle.

18. The vehicle according to claim 17, wherein the inner wall has a meandering shape for accommodating the rigid bar having a circular cross-sectional shape.

19. The vehicle according to claim 16, A lower woven line defining the lower edge of the pocket portion and the upper edge of the main body portion, A restricting weave wire formed in the pocket portion above the lower weave wire, which restricts the vertical movement of the rigid bar in the vehicle vertical direction within one or more pockets, A vehicle equipped with even more features.

20. The vehicle according to claim 16, Each of the aforementioned multiple notches is completely surrounded by the material forming the inflatable curtain airbag. Each notch has a length extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle that is greater than the height of the notch extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle. vehicle.

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