Apparatus and method for airbag cushion modularization
First Claim
1. An inflatable curtain module for protecting one or more occupants of a vehicle from lateral impact, the inflatable curtain module comprising:
- a first cushion having a protection zone;
a second cushion having a protection zone; and
a tension coupling having a first end attachable to the first cushion by a first attachment mechanism and a second end attachable to the second cushion by a second attachment mechanism, wherein the tension coupling is configured to transmit tension between the first cushion and the second cushion to keep the protection zones of the first and second cushions in a position suitable for protecting one or more occupants of the vehicle.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for enhancing the interchangeability, cost effectiveness, and protective capacity of side impact, inflatable curtains is disclosed. An inflatable curtain module may have multiple cushions attached together by a separately manufactured inflatable tension coupling. The tension coupling may be attached to the cushions prior to folding of the cushions by, for example, sewing one end of the tension coupling to each cushion. The tension coupling may also be attached to the cushions after the cushions have been folded. The cushions may each have one or more tabs positioned to extend inward toward the tension coupling; the tabs may protrude from the folded cushions so that the tension coupling can be attached to the tabs after the cushions have been folded. The tension coupling may have a plurality of expanses configured to be attached between the cushions parallel to each other, and a flexible central portion connecting a pair of expanses to provide a barrier against occupant excursion while still permitting compaction of the tension coupling. Several combinations of compaction methods may be used to compact the cushions and the tension coupling. The tension coupling may alternatively have an array of holes at each end configured to be aligned with an array of holes on each cushion, so that one or more attachment mechanisms such as laces can be inserted through the holes to provide attachment.
19 Citations
48 Claims
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1. An inflatable curtain module for protecting one or more occupants of a vehicle from lateral impact, the inflatable curtain module comprising:
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a first cushion having a protection zone;
a second cushion having a protection zone; and
a tension coupling having a first end attachable to the first cushion by a first attachment mechanism and a second end attachable to the second cushion by a second attachment mechanism, wherein the tension coupling is configured to transmit tension between the first cushion and the second cushion to keep the protection zones of the first and second cushions in a position suitable for protecting one or more occupants of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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16. A cushion for an inflatable curtain module for protecting one or more occupants of a vehicle from lateral impact, the cushion comprising:
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a top edge configured to be attached to the vehicle;
a bottom edge configured to be drawn toward the top edge by a compaction process selected from the group consisting of rolling and accordion style folding;
a protection zone between the top edge and the bottom edge, the protection zone being configured to contain a pressurized gas;
a longitudinal edge extending between the top edge and the bottom edge; and
a first tab attached to the longitudinal edge to protrude away from the protection zone such that the first tab will be exposed after compaction of the cushion, wherein the first tab is configured to be connectable to a tension coupling to transmit tension to and from the protection zone.
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22. A cushion for an inflatable curtain module for protecting one or more occupants of a vehicle from lateral impact, the cushion comprising:
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a top edge configured to be attached to the vehicle;
a bottom edge configured to be drawn toward the top edge by a compaction process selected from the group consisting of rolling and accordion style folding;
a protection zone between the top edge and the bottom edge, the protection zone being configured to contain a pressurized gas; and
a longitudinal edge extending between the top edge and the bottom edge, the longitudinal edge having a plurality of cushion holes arrayed along a length of the longitudinal edge, wherein the holes are spaced apart to align with a plurality of coupling holes of a tension coupling such that an attachment mechanism can be inserted through the holes of the cushion and the tension coupling. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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25. A tension coupling having a first end configured to be attached to a longitudinal edge of a first cushion and a second end configured to be attached to a longitudinal edge of a second cushion to transmit tension between the first and second cushions, the tension coupling comprising:
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a first expanse extending from the first end to the second end, wherein the first expanse is configured to be attached to a first position in relation to the longitudinal edge of the first cushion and to a second position in relation to the longitudinal edge of the second cushion;
a second expanse offset from the first expanse, the second expanse extending from the first end to the second end, wherein the second expanse is configured to be attached to a third position in relation to the longitudinal edge of the first cushion and to a fourth position in relation to the longitudinal edge of the second cushion; and
a flexible central portion connecting the first and second expanses to permit the first and second expanses to move compactly toward each other so that the tension coupling can be connected to the first and second cushions after the first and second cushions are compacted.
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32. A method for manufacturing an inflatable curtain module for protecting one or more occupants of a vehicle from lateral impact, the method comprising:
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providing a first cushion and a second cushion;
providing a tension coupling having a first end and a second end;
providing a first attachment mechanism and a second attachment mechanism;
affixing the first end to the first cushion using the first attachment mechanism; and
affixing the second end to the second cushion using the second attachment mechanism, such that the tension coupling is configured to transmit tension between the first cushion and the second cushion to keep the protection zones of the first and second cushions in a position suitable for protecting one or more occupants of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A method of manufacturing an inflatable curtain module for protecting one or more occupants of a vehicle from lateral impact, the method comprising:
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providing a first cushion and a second cushion;
providing a tension coupling having a first end and a second end;
compacting the first cushion and the second cushion such that the first and second cushions are each disposed in a compacted configuration;
affixing the first end of the tension coupling to the first cushion after the first cushion has been compacted; and
affixing the second end of the tension coupling to the second cushion after the second cushion has been compacted. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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Specification