Tensioning device for side restraint

• US 20020070537A1
• Filed: 11/19/2001
• Published: 06/13/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Anderson, Gregg G., Weston, Douglas Stephen, Welch, Jeffrey Allen, Webber, James Lloyd
• Application Number:
  US09/992,342
• Publication Number:
  US 20020070537A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23386 External tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2612 Gas guiding means, e.g. ducts
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2617 Curtain bag nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2338 Tethers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/26 characterised by the inflation fluid source or means to control inflation fluid flow arrangement or mounting thereof to the vehicle B60R21/20; blasting cartridges for producing gas under pressure in general F42B3/04; initiators or igniters therefor F42B3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/1955 Linear actuators

Abstract

A tensioning system which provides continuous tensioning to an inflatable curtain air bag during deployment of the curtain air bag. A dynamic tethering element is utilized which travels in conjunction with the downward deployment of the inflatable curtain air bag so as to both tension the curtain air bag while at the same time providing a guiding action so as to bring the curtain air bag into the proper position at which it is thereafter maintained.

Claims

1. A tensioning assembly for applying tension across an inflatable curtain air bag within a transportation vehicle during downward deployment of the inflatable curtain air bag from an elevated storage position in covering relation to portions of the vehicle below said elevated storage position, the tensioning assembly comprising:

at least one elongate tether element operatively connected to the inflatable curtain air bag, the tether element including a tethering segment extending away from the inflatable curtain air bag; and

a dynamic tensioning device operatively connected to said tethering segment at a location removed from the inflatable curtain air bag, the dynamic tensioning device comprising a displaceable sliding carrier engaging said tethering segment such that upon displacement of the sliding carrier, a portion of the tethering segment is displaced in a substantially downward direction relative to the elevated storage position of the inflatable curtain air bag.

2. A tensioning assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the sliding carrier comprises a gas transmitting cylinder defining a gas transmission path between a gas generating inflator and a gas inlet opening within the inflatable curtain air bag such that upon the development of inflation pressure within the inflatable curtain air bag, the gas transmitting cylinder is biased away from the gas inlet opening.

3. A tensioning assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the gas transmitting cylinder is substantially straight.

4. A tensioning assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein the gas transmitting cylinder slides along a path angled away from the portions of the vehicle covered by the inflatable curtain air bag such that progressive movement along said path increases horizontal tension within the inflatable curtain air bag.

5. A tensioning assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the gas transmitting cylinder is substantially “

U”

shaped.

6. A tensioning assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein the gas transmitting cylinder slides along a path angled away from the portions of the vehicle covered by the inflatable curtain air bag such that progressive movement along said path increases horizontal tension within the inflatable curtain air bag.

7. A tensioning assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the sliding carrier comprises a displaceable piston element moveable in response to pressure from gas emitted from a gas generating inflator.

8. A tensioning assembly as recited in claim 7, wherein the gas generating inflator is in common fluid communication with both the displaceable piston element and with the inflatable curtain air bag such that the gas generating inflator defines a common source of gas for inflating the inflatable curtain air bag and for moving the displaceable piston element.

9. A tensioning assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein the displaceable piston element is disposed upstream of the inflatable curtain air bag.

10. A tensioning assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein the displaceable piston element is disposed downstream of the inflatable curtain air bag.

11. A tensioning assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein the displaceable piston element is operable in conjunction with a locking element to obstruct retreat of the displaceable piston element following pressure activated movement.

13. A tensioning assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein the displaceable carrier comprises an elongate piston element.

14. A tensioning assembly as recited in claim 13, wherein the elongate piston element is moveable in response to pressure from a gas entering the housing.

15. A tensioning assembly as recited in claim 14, wherein a common a gas generating inflator provides inflation gas for inflating the inflatable curtain air bag and for moving the elongate piston element within the housing.

16. A tensioning assembly as recited in claim 14, wherein a discrete gas generating element is disposed in fluid communication with the housing.

17. A tensioning assembly as recited in claim 16, wherein the discrete gas generating element is selectively activatable substantially independent of inflation of the inflatable curtain air bag.

18. A tensioning assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein the dynamic tensioning device further includes a retaining element adapted to engage and hold the displaceable carrier in place following pressure activated movement of the displaceable carrier.

19. A tensioning assembly as recited in claim 18, wherein the displaceable carrier comprises an elongate piston element of plastic material including a nipple portion projecting in the direction of movement of the displaceable carrier and wherein the retaining element comprises an annular disk having an interior opening adapted to accept the nipple portion of the elongate piston element therethrough, the annular disk including a plurality of inwardly projecting resilient teeth extending into the interior opening such that said resilient teeth are displaced in spreading relation around the nipple portion upon insertion through the interior opening.

20. A tensioning assembly as recited in claim 19, wherein the inwardly projecting resilient teeth include terminal ends angled away from the plane of the annular disk in the direction of movement of the nipple portion such that upon insertion of the nipple portion, the resilient teeth are pushed outwardly in surrounding relation to the nipple portion and such that upon attempted withdrawal of the nipple portion, the resilient teeth bite into the surface of the nipple portion whereby withdrawal is prevented.

21. A tensioning assembly as recited in claim 19, wherein the annular disk is disposed in seated relation at the interior of an end cap structure disposed at an end portion of the housing.

12. A tensioning assembly for applying tension across an inflatable curtain air bag within a transportation vehicle during downward deployment of the inflatable curtain air bag from an elevated storage position in covering relation to portions of the vehicle below said elevated storage position, the tensioning assembly comprising:

at least one elongate tether element operatively connected to the inflatable curtain air bag, the tether element including a tethering segment having a distal end extending away from the inflatable curtain air bag, the distal end being held in place at a tether attachment location outboard of the inflatable curtain air bag; and

a dynamic tensioning device including a housing and a force activated displaceable carrier disposed within the housing, the displaceable carrier being adapted to slidingly engage the tethering segment at a location along the tethering segment between the tether attachment location and the inflatable curtain air bag such that upon movement of the displaceable carrier, a portion of the tethering segment is movable in self adjusting sliding relation relative to the displaceable carrier whereby the tethering segment is maintained in a state of balanced tension across the displaceable carrier between the inflatable curtain air bag and the tether attachment location during downward deployment of the inflatable curtain air bag.

22. A tensioning assembly for applying tension across an inflatable curtain air bag within a transportation vehicle during downward deployment of the inflatable curtain air bag from an elevated storage position in covering relation to portions of the vehicle below said elevated storage position, the tensioning assembly comprising:

at least one elongate tether element operatively connected to the inflatable curtain air bag, the tether element including a tethering segment having a distal end extending away from the inflatable curtain air bag, the distal end being held in place at a tether attachment location outboard of the inflatable curtain air bag; and

a dynamic tensioning device including an elongate housing having at least one pair of substantially opposing elongate slots and a force activated displaceable piston element disposed within the housing, the displaceable piston element moveable in response to pressure from a gas entering the housing, the displaceable piston element including a tether acceptance opening extending therethrough adapted to slidingly engage the tethering segment at a location along the tethering segment between the tether attachment location and the inflatable curtain air bag such that upon movement of the displaceable piston element, a portion of the tethering segment is movable in self adjusting sliding relation through the displaceable piston element whereby the tethering segment is maintained in a state of balanced tension across the displaceable piston element between the inflatable curtain air bag and the tether attachment location during downward deployment of the inflatable curtain air bag.

23. A tensioning assembly as recited in claim 22, wherein a common a gas generating inflator provides inflation gas for inflating the inflatable curtain air bag and for moving the displaceable piston element within the housing.

24. A tensioning assembly as recited in claim 22, wherein a discrete gas generating element is disposed in fluid communication with the housing.

25. A tensioning assembly as recited in claim 24, wherein the discrete gas generating element is selectively activatable substantially independent of inflation of the inflatable curtain air bag.

26. A tensioning assembly as recited in claim 22, wherein the dynamic tensioning device further includes a retaining element adapted to engage and hold the displaceable piston element in place following pressure activated movement of the displaceable piston element.

27. A tensioning assembly as recited in claim 26, wherein the displaceable piston element comprises a plastic structure including a nipple portion projecting in the direction of movement of the displaceable piston element and wherein the retaining element comprises an annular disk of spring steel having an interior opening adapted to accept the nipple portion of the piston element therethrough, the annular disk including a plurality of integral inwardly projecting resilient teeth extending into the interior opening such that said resilient teeth are displaced in spreading relation around the nipple upon insertion through the interior opening and bite into the nipple upon attempted withdrawal of the nipple through the interior opening.

28. A tensioning assembly for applying tension across a gap within a segmented inflatable curtain air bag of split construction during downward deployment of the inflatable curtain air bag from an elevated storage position within a transportation vehicle over portions of the vehicle below said elevated storage position such that a first portion of the inflatable curtain air bag is disposed on one side of a seat belt web guide ring disposed at a structural pillar of the vehicle and a second portion of the inflatable curtain air bag is disposed on an opposing side of the seat belt web guide ring, the tensioning assembly comprising:

at least one elongate tethering element disposed between the first and second portions of the inflatable curtain air bag; and

a dynamic tensioning device including a housing and a force activated displaceable carrier disposed within the housing, the displaceable carrier being adapted to slidingly engage the tethering element between the first and second portions of the inflatable curtain air bag at a position below the seat belt web guide ring such that upon downward movement of the displaceable carrier, the tethering element is movable downwardly away from the seat belt web guide ring in tensioned relation to the displaceable carrier and such that the tethering element is held in self adjusting sliding relation relative to the displaceable carrier whereby the tethering element is maintained in a state of tension between the displaceable carrier and each of the first and second portions of the inflatable curtain air bag.