Inflatable curtain support device

• US 20030132624A1
• Filed: 01/16/2002
• Published: 07/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated), GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Sedlarik, Keri, Ronne, Jeffrey W., Hall, Michael, Pijaszek, Lori, Emig, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 6,945,558 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/743.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23316 Inner seams, e.g. creating separate compartments or used as tethering means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23386 External tether means
• 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

Abstract

An inflatable curtain having an inflatable portion and a non-inflatable portion is disclosed. First and second stiffening elements are positioned along the upper edge of the inflatable curtain. The inflatable curtain is adapted to be stored within an interior portion of a vehicle prior to inflation. The vehicle has a roof at its highest point, and a housing within the vehicle and close to the roof defines an internal recess that accommodates the inflatable curtain. A side impact of a magnitude greater than a predetermined threshold value is sensed by a sensor mechanism within the vehicle, which then provides an electrical signal to an inflator which is in fluid communication with the inflatable portion of the inflatable curtain. The electrical signal causes the inflator to be actuated in a known manner. The inflator discharges fluid under pressure into the inflatable portion of the inflatable curtain. Shortly after the inflator discharges, the housing opens and the inflatable curtain inflates away from the roof. The first and second stiffening elements provide column support to the inflatable curtain during inflation and reduce the amount of time it takes for the inflatable curtain to become fully inflated.

Claims

1. An inflatable curtain for protecting the occupants of an automobile, comprising:

a peripheral region;

an inflatable portion;

a first stiffening element positioned along at least a portion of the peripheral region, wherein during deployment of the inflatable curtain the first stiffening element reduces the inflation time of the inflatable portion.

2. The inflatable curtain of claim 1, wherein the inflatable portion further comprises an inflation inlet for communication with an inflator.

3. The inflatable curtain of claim 1, wherein the stiffening element is substantially planar.

4. The inflatable curtain of claim 1, wherein the first stiffening element remains substantially stationary with respect to the length of the inflatable curtain when the inflatable portion is inflated.

5. The inflatable curtain of claim 1, further comprising a second stiffening element positioned along at least a portion of the peripheral region.

6. The inflatable curtain of claim 1, wherein the first stiffening element has a length greater than its width, the inflatable curtain has a length greater than its width, and the length of the first stiffening element is oriented substantially parallel to the length of the inflatable curtain.

7. The inflatable curtain of claim 1, wherein the peripheral region comprises an upper part, and the first stiffening element is positioned along the upper part.

8. The inflatable curtain of claim 1, wherein the stiffening element is formed as an integral portion of the inflatable curtain.

9. The inflatable curtain of claim 1, wherein the stiffening element is securely fastened to the inflatable curtain.

10. The inflatable curtain of claim 9, wherein the stiffening element is a plastic stay.

11. The inflatable curtain of claim 9, wherein the first stiffening element is stitched to the peripheral region.

12. The inflatable curtain of claim 1, wherein the inflatable curtain is tetherless.

13. The inflatable curtain of claim 1, further comprising a tether.

14. The inflatable curtain of claim 1, wherein the peripheral region comprises an upper part, and further comprising a connector located along the upper part to secure the inflatable curtain to the automobile.

15. An inflatable curtain for protecting the occupants of an automobile, comprising:

a peripheral region;

an inflatable portion comprising an inflation inlet for communication with an inflator; and

a first substantially planar stiffening element positioned along at least a portion of the peripheral region, wherein the first stiffening element remains substantially stationary with respect to the length of the inflatable curtain when the inflatable portion is inflated, and wherein during deployment of the inflatable curtain the first stiffening element reduces the inflation time of the inflatable portion.

16. The inflatable curtain of claim 15, further comprising a second stiffening element positioned along at least a portion of the peripheral region.

17. The inflatable curtain of claim 15, wherein the first stiffening element has a length greater than its width, the inflatable curtain has a length greater than its width, and the length of the first stiffening element is oriented substantially parallel to the length of the inflatable curtain.

18. The inflatable curtain of claim 15, wherein the peripheral region comprises an upper part, and the first stiffening element is positioned along the upper part.

19. The inflatable curtain of claim 15, wherein the stiffening element is formed as an integral portion of the inflatable curtain.

20. The inflatable curtain of claim 15, wherein the stiffening element is securely fastened to the inflatable curtain.

21. The inflatable curtain of claim 20, wherein the stiffening element is a plastic stay.

22. The inflatable curtain of claim 20, wherein the first stiffening element is stitched to the peripheral region.

23. The inflatable curtain of claim 15, wherein the inflatable curtain is tetherless.

24. The inflatable curtain of claim 15, further comprising a tether.

25. The inflatable curtain of claim 15, wherein the peripheral region comprises an upper part, and further comprising a connector located along the upper part to secure the inflatable curtain to the automobile.

26. An inflatable curtain for protecting the occupants of an automobile, the inflatable curtain comprising:

a length and a width, the length being greater than the width;

a peripheral region having an upper part;

an inflatable portion comprising an inflation inlet for communication with an inflator;

a connector located on the upper part to secure the inflatable curtain to the automobile; and

a first substantially planar stiffening element having a length greater than its width, the first stiffening element being positioned along at least a portion of the upper part, wherein the length of the first stiffening element is oriented substantially parallel to the length of the inflatable curtain, wherein the first stiffening element remains substantially stationary with respect to the length of the inflatable curtain when the inflatable portion is inflated, and wherein the first stiffening element reduces the inflation time of the inflatable portion.

27. The inflatable curtain of claim 26, further comprising a second stiffening element positioned along at least a portion of the peripheral region.

28. The inflatable curtain of claim 26, wherein the stiffening element is formed as an integral portion of the inflatable curtain.

29. The inflatable curtain of claim 26, wherein the stiffening element is securely fastened to the inflatable curtain.

30. The inflatable curtain of claim 29, wherein the stiffening element is a plastic stay.

31. The inflatable curtain of claim 29, wherein the first stiffening element is stitched to the peripheral region.

32. The inflatable curtain of claim 26, wherein the inflatable curtain is tetherless.

33. The inflatable curtain of claim 26, further comprising a tether.