Inflatable airbag deployment guide

• US 20040007857A1
• Filed: 07/11/2002
• Published: 01/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hoeft, Dave, Sonnenberg, Jim, McGee, Bob, Sonnenberg, John
• Granted Patent: US 6,830,262 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/161 characterised by additional means for controlling deployment trajectory
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23316 Inner seams, e.g. creating separate compartments or used as tethering means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge

Abstract

The invention provides a self-contained, compact inflatable airbag deployment guide comprising an inflatable bladder attached to an inflatable airbag module. The inflatable bladder inflates early in the deployment of the airbag, thus filling, bridging, or covering void space located near the airbag cushion. The airbag cushion is then able to deploy properly on its intended route through the headliner trim of the vehicle without being delayed, damaged, or caught.

Claims

1. An airbag deployment guide for use with an airbag cushion, the airbag deployment guide comprising an inflatable bladder having an inflation inlet, wherein when installed in a vehicle, the bladder deploys and blocks a void located in proximity to an airbag cushion, thus guiding the airbag cushion past the void.

2. The airbag deployment guide of claim 1, wherein the inflatable bladder of the airbag deployment guide comprises a chamber of an airbag cushion.

3. The airbag deployment guide of claim 2, wherein the inflatable bladder of the airbag deployment guide is woven into an airbag cushion.

4. The airbag deployment guide of claim 2, wherein the inflatable bladder of the airbag deployment guide is attached to the airbag cushion.

5. The airbag deployment guide of claim 1, wherein the inflation inlet of the airbag deployment guide is configured to be coupled on a first end to an airbag cushion and on a second end to the inflatable bladder of the airbag deployment guide.

6. The airbag deployment guide of claim 1, wherein the inflation inlet of the airbag deployment guide is configured to be coupled on a first end to an inflator and on a second end to the inflatable bladder of the airbag deployment guide.

7. An inflatable airbag comprising:

an airbag cushion; and

an airbag deployment guide having an inflatable bladder and an inflation inlet, wherein when the airbag deployment guide is installed in a vehicle near a void space and attached to a source of inflation gas, the bladder is configured to inflate and block the void space to promote proper deployment of the inflatable curtain.

8. The inflatable airbag of claim 7, wherein the airbag cushion is an inflatable cushion.

9. The inflatable airbag of claim 7, wherein the inflatable bladder of the deployment guide comprises a chamber of the inflatable airbag.

10. The inflatable airbag of claim 8, wherein the inflatable bladder is woven into the inflatable airbag.

11. The inflatable airbag of claim 8, wherein the inflatable bladder is attached to the inflatable airbag by a method selected from a group of sewing, welding, and gluing.

12. The inflatable airbag of claim 7, wherein the inflation inlet of the airbag deployment guide is configured to be coupled on a first end to the inflatable airbag, and on a second end to the inflatable bladder.

13. The inflatable airbag of claim 7, wherein the inflation inlet of the airbag deployment guide is configured to be coupled on a first end to an inflator and on a second end to the inflatable bladder.

14. An airbag module with an inflatable airbag deployment guide comprising:

an airbag cushion;

an inflatable airbag deployment guide having an inflatable bladder and an inflation inlet; and

an inflator for providing inflation gas to the airbag cushion and the inflatable airbag deployment guide.

15. The airbag module of claim 14, wherein the inflatable bladder of the inflatable airbag deployment guide comprises a chamber of the airbag cushion.

16. The airbag module of claim 14, wherein the inflatable bladder of the inflatable airbag deployment guide is woven into the airbag cushion.

17. The airbag module of claim 14, wherein the inflatable bladder of the inflatable airbag deployment guide is attached to the airbag cushion.

18. The airbag module of claim 14, wherein the inflation inlet of the inflatable airbag deployment guide is coupled on a first end to the airbag cushion and on a second end to the inflatable bladder.

19. The airbag deployment guide of claim 14, wherein the inflation inlet of the inflatable airbag deployment guide is coupled on a first end to the inflator and on a second end to the inflatable bladder.

20. An airbag cushion comprising:

a primary impact cushion; and

a guide cushion coupled to the primary impact cushion by an inflation inlet;

wherein the guide cushion is sized and configured to deploy into the path of the airbag curtain.

21. The airbag cushion of claim 20, wherein the primary impact cushion is configured to be an inflatable curtain.

22. The airbag cushion of claim 20, wherein the guide cushion comprises a chamber of the primary impact cushion.

23. A method of guiding the deployment of an airbag cushion comprising the steps of:

inflating an inflatable bladder in a void located near an airbag cushion, wherein the inflatable bladder is installed in a vehicle, wherein the inflatable bladder is configured to bridge the void; and

inflating the airbag cushion, such that when inflated, the airbag deployment guide promotes proper inflation of the airbag cushion.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the bladder and the airbag cushion are inflated at substantially the same time.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the bladder is inflated before the airbag cushion.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the airbag cushion is an inflatable curtain.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein the inflatable bladder is a compartment of the airbag cushion.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the airbag cushion is an inflatable curtain.

29. A method of deploying an airbag cushion comprising the steps of:

temporarily bridging a void located near the airbag cushion by placing an inflatable structure in the void; and

inflating the airbag cushion, such that when inflated, the airbag deployment guide promotes proper inflation of the airbag cushion.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the inflatable structure is placed and the airbag cushion is inflated at approximately the same time.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the step of temporarily bridging a void located near the airbag cushion with a temporary structure comprises inflating an inflatable bladder in the void.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the inflatable bladder is sized to block the void.

33. The method of claim 29, wherein the airbag cushion is an inflatable curtain.

34. The method of claim 29, wherein the inflatable bladder is a compartment of the airbag cushion.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the airbag cushion is an inflatable curtain.