Curtain Air Bag Assembly

Abstract

An airbag assembly (10) for a motor vehicle (14) includes an inflatable airbag (24), a tether (28), and at least one guide member (44). The tether (28) controls deployment of the inflatable airbag (24). The tether (28) has a fixed length between a first end (28A) and a second end (28B). The at least one guide member (44) slidably receives the tether (28) such that the tether (28) has a first adjustable length portion between the first end (28A) and the at least one guide member (44) and such that the tether has a second adjustable length portion between the second end (28B) and the at least one guide member (44).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 580,549, filed September 24, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to inflatable restraints for motor vehicle safety systems. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to curtain airbags for motor vehicles and methods of protecting occupants of motor vehicles using curtain airbags. [Background technology]

[0003] This section provides background information related to the present disclosure that is not necessarily prior art.

[0004] Inflatable safety restraint devices, or airbags, are commonly provided in automobiles. In the event of an accident, sensors within the vehicle measure abnormal deceleration and trigger the ignition of an explosive charge contained within an inflator. Inflation gas from the explosive charge travels through conduits, filling and instantly inflating the airbag to protect passengers within the vehicle from harmful impact with the vehicle's interior. Typically, airbags are hidden within the vehicle trim where they are not visible during normal vehicle operation.

[0005] Conventional airbag systems include curtain airbag systems for protecting vehicle occupants from side impacts and vehicle rollovers. Inflatable curtain airbags are typically stored along corners where the vehicle roof meets the side windows and pillars. These inflatable curtain airbags may also be stored behind the headliner trim at the edge of the headliner.

[0006] In various airbag systems, a tether is used to control the positioning of the airbag within the passenger compartment of the vehicle. For example, one end of the tether may be attached to the vehicle and the other end of the tether may be attached to the airbag. The tension generated by the tether depends on the difference in tether length between the stowed and deployed positions of the airbag. For example, if the tether is stowed in the headliner along a long continuous curved shape and the tether is straight upon deployment, the amount of tether tension upon deployment can be reduced.

[0007] While known curtain airbag assemblies have been shown to be suitable for their intended uses, there remains a continuing need for improvements in the related art. For example, in certain airbag applications, it may be desirable to increase tether tension during deployment to more ideally position the deployed airbag. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure and is not an exhaustive disclosure of its entire scope or all of its functionality.

[0009] According to one particular aspect, the present teachings provide an airbag assembly for a motor vehicle including an inflatable airbag, a tether, and at least one tether guide member. The tether and guide member cooperate to control the positioning of the inflatable airbag during deployment. The tether has a fixed length between a first end and a second end. The at least one guide member slidably receives the tether such that the tether has a first adjustable length portion between the first end and the at least one guide member, and the tether has a second adjustable length portion between the second end and the at least one guide member.

[0010] According to another aspect, the present teachings provide a curtain airbag assembly for a motor vehicle, the assembly including an inflatable airbag, a tether, and at least one guide member. The inflatable airbag has a longitudinal length, a vertical height, and a vertical depth. A first end of the tether is attached to the inflatable airbag. The at least one guide member is attached to the inflatable airbag and slidably receives the tether such that the tether has a first adjustable length between the first end and the at least one guide member and a second adjustable length between the second end and the at least one guide member. The first adjustable length of the tether is at a non-zero angle relative to the second adjustable length of the tether in a plane defined by the longitudinal and vertical directions. The tether and the at least one guide member cooperate to control the positioning of the inflatable airbag during deployment.

[0011] According to yet another specific aspect, the present teachings provide a method of deploying a curtain airbag that includes inflating an inflatable airbag to increase a depth of the inflatable airbag and decrease a distance between a first end and a second end of a tether both in a height direction of the inflatable airbag and in a length direction of the inflatable airbag.

[0012] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] The drawings described herein are intended to illustrate only selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0014] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a side view of a curtain airbag assembly in accordance with the present teachings, the curtain airbag assembly being shown in a stowed configuration within an exemplary automobile;

[0015] [Diagram 2] 2 is a side view of a portion of the airbag of FIG. 1 shown in an unfolded, pre-inflated state.

[0016] [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a side view of the curtain airbag assembly of FIG. 1, with the inflatable curtain airbag shown in a deployed configuration.

[0017] [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a top view of the curtain airbag assembly of FIG. 1, with the inflatable curtain airbag again shown in a deployed configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] The exemplary embodiments are provided so that the disclosure is thorough and fully conveys the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are described, such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, in order to thoroughly understand the embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, and the exemplary embodiments should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. Well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail herein.

[0020] The phrases "connected," "coupled," and "in communication" refer to any form of interaction between two or more objects, including mechanical, electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, fluid, and thermal interactions. Two components may be coupled to one another without being in direct contact with one another. The term "abutting" refers to articles that are in direct physical contact with one another, although the articles are not necessarily attached together. The phrase "fluid communication" refers to two features that are connected such that fluid in one feature can pass through the other feature. As used herein, "exemplary" means to serve as a typical or representative example or illustration, and not necessarily meant to be particular or preferred.

[0021] 1-4, an airbag assembly in accordance with the present teachings is illustrated and generally identified by the reference character 10. The airbag assembly 10 is part of an occupant restraint system 12 of a motor vehicle 14. In the embodiment illustrated throughout the drawings, the airbag assembly is a curtain airbag assembly 10. However, certain aspects of the present teachings may be used in connection with other airbags.

[0022] It will be understood that the automobile 14 shown in the drawings is exemplary in nature. The automobile 14 has a longitudinal direction 16 oriented along the length of the automobile 14, a lateral direction 18 oriented from one side of the automobile 14 to the opposing side, and a vertical direction 20 oriented vertically up and down. The terms "inner" and "outer" may be used herein to refer to relative orientations in the lateral direction 18. For example, "outer" refers to a relative position that is closer to or facing the side of the vehicle than the longitudinal center plane of the automobile. Conversely, "inner" refers to a relative position that is closer to or facing the longitudinal center plane of the vehicle than the side of the automobile. "Inner" and "outer" do not require alignment of two objects in the lateral direction 18; rather, these terms simply relate to proximity to a side or intermediate plane as described above.

[0023] The airbag assembly 10 may conventionally include an inflator 21, a tube 22, and an inflatable curtain airbag 24. The inflatable curtain airbag 24 receives gas from the inflator 21 through the tube 22. The airbag assembly 10 also includes a sensor and control system (not shown) that detects a crash / rollover or impending crash / rollover and sends an activation signal to the inflator 21. The inflator 21 may be one of several types, such as a pyrotechnic stored gas, or combination inflator, and may be a single or multi-stage inflator. The inflator 21 may be stored in any suitable location relative to the inflatable curtain airbag 24. If the inflator 21 is a pyrotechnic inflator, the inflator 21 may include a propellant that ignites to rapidly generate inflation gas in response to receiving an activation signal.

[0024] The inflatable curtain airbag 24 may extend along a longitudinal direction 16 within the vehicle 14 in both a stowed condition (shown in FIG. 1 ) and a deployed condition (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 ). The inflatable curtain airbag has a length in the longitudinal direction 16, a height in the vertical direction 20, and a depth in the lateral direction 18. The inflatable curtain airbag 24 may be coupled to or adjacent to a roof rail 26 of the vehicle 14.

[0025] The airbag assembly 10 may also include one or more tethers for controlling and maintaining a desired deployment orientation of the inflatable curtain airbag 24. The present teachings are illustrated in the drawings with reference to a forward tether 28. Rear or other tethers (not shown) may also be incorporated within the scope of the present teachings. As discussed further below, the tether 28 provides tension that helps keep the inflatable curtain airbag 24 in a desired position to protect the occupants of the vehicle 14 upon inflation of the inflatable curtain airbag 24.

[0026] In the event of an actual or impending collision, the inflatable curtain airbag 24 may extend downward in a vertical direction 20 along the side of the vehicle 14 between one or more passengers of the vehicle 14 and one or more sides of the vehicle 14, such as the vehicle's side windows and pillars (the side windows and / or the structure between the windshield and rear window). The pillars may include A-pillars 30, B-pillars 32, and C-pillars 34, all of which may be joined at their respective upper ends to the roof rail 26. In the illustrated embodiment, the inflatable curtain airbag 24 extends from the A-pillar 30 to the C-pillar 34 of the vehicle 14. Inflation of the inflatable curtain airbag 24 increases the depth of the inflatable curtain airbag 24 in the lateral direction 18 and decreases the height and length of the inflatable curtain airbag 24 in the vertical direction 20 and longitudinal direction 16, respectively.

[0027] In addition to the airbag assembly 10, other airbags may be installed within the vehicle. For example, a separate driver's side airbag 36 (see FIG. 4) may be used to protect an occupant (i.e., the driver) from various impacts with the front of the vehicle 14, including the steering wheel 38 and instrument panel 40. With the driver's side airbag 36 and inflatable airbag curtain 24, the airbag assembly 10 may provide supplemental protection not only by cushioning side impacts as described above, but also by cushioning impacts against the outer portions of the A-pillar 30 and / or instrument panel 40 (i.e., outboard of the steering wheel 38).

[0028] The inflatable curtain airbag 24 may typically reside in a stowed configuration, where the inflatable curtain airbag 24 is concealed behind interior trim of the vehicle 14, such as a lateral headliner trim. Prior to installation within the automobile 14, the inflatable curtain airbag 24 may be compressed into the stowed configuration, such as by rolling, folding, or a combination thereof, such that the inflatable curtain airbag 24 assumes an elongated shape extending along a path with a length that is much greater than the height or width of its cross-sectional shape.

[0029] Once compressed into the stowed configuration, the inflatable curtain airbag 24 may be retained in the stowed configuration through the conventional use of packaging, fasteners, etc. for ease of transportation and installation. The inflatable curtain airbag 24 may be secured to the vehicle 14 using a plurality of mounting assemblies 42 distributed along the length of the inflatable curtain airbag 24. Each of the mounting assemblies 42 may conventionally include a tab secured to the inflatable curtain airbag 24, a fastener that secures the tab to the roof rail 26, and a packaging that surrounds the inflatable curtain airbag 24 and holds it in the stowed configuration until deployment.

[0030] Upon activation, the inflator 21 may generate and / or release inflation gas into the tube 22. From the tube 22, the inflation gas may rapidly enter the inflatable curtain airbag 24, thereby causing the inflatable curtain airbag 24 to begin to expand. The inflatable curtain airbag 24 may exit the stowed configuration and assume an expanded shape. Once this deployment is complete, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the inflatable curtain airbag 24 may be said to be in a deployed configuration.

[0031] The inflatable curtain airbag 24 may generally be formed from two layers of flexible material, such as fabric, including an inner fabric layer on the inside of the inflatable curtain airbag 24 and an outer fabric layer on the outside of the inflatable curtain airbag 24. According to one example, the inflatable curtain airbag 24 is generally constructed from a woven nylon fabric, although other fabrics or flexible materials may be used. The inner and outer fabric layers may be secured together at their peripheral edges, for example, via a peripheral stitch. Alternatively, the inner and outer fabric layers may be secured together via mechanical fastening, adhesives, one-piece weaving, RF welding, ultrasonic welding, or any other suitable method known in the art.

[0032] The inner and outer fabric layers of the inflatable curtain airbag 24 are joined to define a plurality of inflatable chambers. A "chamber" may be defined as an internal cavity within the body. It will be understood that the configuration of the inflatable curtain airbag 24 illustrated in the drawings, including the chambers and other features, is primarily exemplary as far as the present teachings are concerned.

[0033] With particular reference to the top view of FIG. 4, the top view shows the airbag assembly 10 with the inflatable curtain airbag 24 in a deployed configuration. Additionally, FIG. 3 shows the passenger zone that is normally occupied by the head of a vehicle occupant, more specifically the driver's head. FIG. 4 identifies a forward trajectory 52, an outboard trajectory 54, and a forward outboard trajectory 56 of the passenger's head relative to the vehicle 14 when the vehicle 14 rapidly decelerates from a crash or rollover. The forward trajectory 52 is a location where the head may move from the passenger zone during a normal (i.e., not a small overlap or oblique) frontal crash. The outboard trajectory 54 is a location where the head may move from the passenger zone during a side impact, such as an impact against the side of the vehicle where the inflatable curtain airbag 24 is inflated, or during a vehicle rollover. The forward outboard trajectory 56 is a location where the head may move from the passenger zone during a small overlap or oblique crash.

[0034] As shown, the forward outboard trajectory 56 may result from a rotation of the vehicle caused by a small overlap or oblique crash, which may tend to move the occupant's head outboard of the steering wheel 38 and toward the outer portion of the A-pillar 30 and / or instrument panel 40. The presence of a forward location of the inflatable curtain airbag 24 may help protect the head from impact with the A-pillar 30 and / or instrument panel 40. Thus, the forward portion of the inflatable curtain airbag 24 may enable the airbag assembly 10 to provide enhanced protection in the event of a rollover or small overlap or oblique crash.

[0035] The forward tether 28 may be used to maintain an optimal position of the deployed inflatable curtain airbag 24 to protect the occupant in the event of a crash. Such optimal positioning may provide protection for the driver's head, for example, as the driver moves along the forward outer track 56, as shown in FIG. 4 . The tether 28 may be attached to the first end 28 of the vehicle. B and the second end 28 A The first end 28 B may be connected to the inflatable curtain airbag 24 and the second end 28 A The second end 28 may be secured to a portion of the vehicle 14, such as a roof rail 26. A The first end 28 may be secured to one of the mounting assemblies 42 and therefore to the roof rail 26, with fasteners being used to secure the tabs of the mounting assembly 42 to the roof rail 26. B The airbag 24 may be secured directly to the inflatable cushion airbag 24. For example, 1 The end 28B may be secured at its non-inflatable portion to the exterior of an outwardly facing panel of the inflatable cushion airbag 24.

[0036] The airbag assembly 10 further includes at least one guide member 44 for slidably receiving the tether 28. In the illustrated embodiment, the at least one guide member includes a single guide member 44 in the form of a loop. It will be understood that the airbag assembly 10 may include additional guide members 44 within the scope of the present teachings. It will also be understood that the guide member 44 may be replaced with any other suitable structure for slidably receiving the tether 28. The guide member 44 may preferably be formed of a low friction material. The guide member 44 may be secured at its non-inflatable portion to the exterior of an outwardly facing panel of the inflatable cushion airbag 24.

[0037] The tether 28 has a first end 28 B and the guide member 44, and the first adjustable length portion 58 between the second end 28 Aand the guide member 44. When the inflatable curtain airbag 24 is deployed, the tether 28 slides through the guide member 44, thereby allowing the lengths of the first and second adjustable length portions 58 and 60 to be adjusted. As shown in FIG. 2, for example, the first adjustable length portion 58 can be at a non-zero angle with respect to the second adjustable length portion 60 in a plane defined by the length direction of the inflatable curtain airbag 24 and the height direction of the inflatable curtain airbag 24. The non-zero angle is preferably at least 15°, and more preferably at least 30°.

[0038] Upon inflation of the inflatable curtain airbag 24, the depth of the inflatable curtain airbag 24 increases for the purpose of protecting the vehicle occupant 50. As a result of this increase in depth, the length and height dimensions of the inflatable curtain airbag 24 are reduced and the distance between the first and second ends of the tether is reduced in both height and length directions. The tether 28 functions to position the shaped end of the inflatable curtain airbag 24 within the vehicle 14 to protect the occupant 50, particularly in the case of a front outboard trajectory 56 of the head.

[0039] Although specific embodiments and applications of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact configuration and components disclosed herein. Various modifications, changes, and variations that will be apparent to those skilled in the art may be made in the arrangement, operation, and details of the methods and systems of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The airbag assembly 10 is shown in use on the driver's side of a vehicle 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle is a right-hand drive automobile 14. A similarly configured (i.e., mirror image or near mirror image) airbag assembly may be used on the passenger side of the automobile 14 in addition to or in place of the airbag assembly 10. For example, it will again be understood that the configuration of the airbag assembly 10 is merely exemplary. Various types and configurations of inflatable curtain airbags may be utilized within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, in alternative embodiments, various sizes, shapes, and proportions of inflatable curtain airbags may be used. Automotive manufacturers may select from such alternative embodiments based on the desired location within the vehicle, the anticipated crash type and severity, the likely habits of the vehicle occupants, and any other criteria recognized by those skilled in the art of automotive safety technology.

Claims

1. An inflatable curtain airbag assembly 10 for a motor vehicle 14, comprising: an inflatable air bag 24; a tether 28 having a fixed length between a rearward first end 28B and a forward second end 28A; A guide member 44 is provided. the guide member 44 slidably receives the tether 28 such that the tether 28 has a first adjustable length portion between the first end 28B and the guide member 44 and a second adjustable length portion between the second end 28A and the guide member 44; the first end 28B of the tether 28 and the guide member 44 are both attached to the inflatable air bag 24; In order to protect an occupant's head moving along a forward outer trajectory resulting from a rotation of the vehicle caused by a small overlap collision or a diagonal collision, a front portion of the airbag is bent inward in the width direction of the vehicle, and a guide member is attached to the front portion of the airbag while a front second end of the tether is fixed to a part of the vehicle, and the tether and the guide member cooperate to configure the second adjustable length portion to extend forward and backward during deployment and the first adjustable length portion to extend diagonally upward and rearward at an angle of at least 30 degrees relative to the second adjustable length portion during deployment, thereby controlling the deployment position of the inflatable airbag during deployment.

2. 2. The inflatable curtain airbag assembly 10 of claim 1, wherein the first end 28B of the tether 28 and the guide member 44 are both attached to a non-inflatable portion of the inflatable airbag 24.

3. the inflatable airbag being an inflatable curtain airbag 24 having a length in a longitudinal direction, a height in a vertical direction, and a depth in a depth direction; the tether 28 has a fixed length between a first end 28B and a second end 28A; The guide member 44 is attached to the inflatable air bag 24.

3. An inflatable curtain airbag assembly 10 according to claim 1 or 2.

4. 4. The inflatable curtain airbag assembly 10 of claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the guide member includes a loop 44.

5. The inflatable curtain airbag assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the guide member (44) is attached to an outer side of an outward facing panel of the inflatable airbag (24).

6. 6. A method of protecting an occupant with a curtain airbag assembly 10 according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the inflatable airbag has a longitudinal length, a vertical height, and a vertical depth, the method comprising: inflating the inflatable airbag to increase the depth of the inflatable airbag (24) and decrease the distance between the first end (28B) and the second end (28A) of the tether (28) in both the height direction of the inflatable airbag (24) and the length direction of the inflatable airbag (24).

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