Cushion mount with slide device

• US 20040070183A1
• Filed: 10/11/2002
• Published: 04/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Takata Restraint Systems Incorporated (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Takata Restraint Systems Incorporated (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Nakamura, Kenji, Scavnicky, Michael J.
• Granted Patent: US 6,902,188 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/195 with means to tension the belt in an emergency, e.g. means of the through-anchor or splitted reel typeelectrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements B60R21/01
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/11 Tripping mechanism

Abstract

A restraint apparatus for protecting a vehicle occupant in a side impact or rollover event. The restraint apparatus includes a deployment guide that includes a housing having a channel with a substantially smoothed interior and longitudinal slot. A guide member is slidably retained in the channel and has an extension protruding from the slotted side of the channel. The extension is attachable to a restraint device deployable laterally of a vehicle occupant. An actuator is provided and is operable to drive the guide member from a first end of the channel toward a second end. A driving of the guide member facilitates deployment of the restraint device and supplies at least a longitudinal tensioning force to the restraint device to provide lateral support thereto.

Claims

1. A deployment guide for a vehicle occupant restraint device comprising:

a housing having a channel with a slotted side, said channel having a first end and a second end, and a first linear wall;

a guide member slidably retained in said channel and attachable to a restraint device deployable laterally of a vehicle occupant;

an actuator operable to drive said guide member from said first end of said channel toward said second end, wherein said guide member traverses said first linear wall;

wherein driving said guide member provides a tensioning force to said restraint device.

2. A guide according to claim 1 wherein said actuator is operable to supply gas to drive said guide member.

3. A guide according to claim 2 wherein said actuator is a pyrotechnic gas actuator.

4. A guide according to claim 1 wherein said actuator comprises a spring having a first end engaging said guide member and a second end secured proximate a second end of said channel.

5. A guide according to claim 4 further comprising a hinged trigger proximate said upper end of said channel, said guide member engageable with said trigger;

said trigger operable to disengage said guide member upon deployment of said restraint device.

6. A guide according to claim 1 further comprising a flexible tether integral with said restraint device, said flexible tether connecting said restraint device to said guide member.

7. A side impact restraint apparatus for protecting a vehicle occupant, the restraint apparatus mounted to a vehicle body having a side door, said apparatus comprising:

an inflatable restraint cushion mounted inside the vehicle adjacent the side door;

a guide track fixed in the vehicle and having a longitudinal slot;

a guide member constrained within said guide track, said guide member connected with said inflatable restraint cushion;

a gas source operable to fluidly communicate with said guide member, fluid communication of said gas source with said guide member driving said guide member through said guide track, thereby applying a tensioning force to said cushion.

8. The restraint apparatus of claim 7 wherein said gas source is a source of compressed gas.

9. The restraint apparatus of claim 7 wherein said gas source is a pyrotechnic gas generator.

10. The restraint apparatus of claim 7 wherein said gas source is fluidly connectable with said inflatable restraint cushion, and operable to supply gas for inflation thereof.

11. A side impact restraint apparatus mounted in a vehicle for protecting an occupant during a collision, said apparatus comprising:

an inflatable restraint cushion mounted inside the vehicle adjacent a side door;

a housing;

a partially closed guide track fixed to said housing;

a guide member movably mounted in said guide track, said guide member connected with said inflatable restraint cushion;

a spring actuator coupled to said guide member and expansible to an energized state, said spring actuator releasable from said energized state to drive said guide member through said guide track, thereby tensioning said cushion.

12. The restraint apparatus of claim 11 wherein said spring actuator is a helical spring positioned in said guide track.

13. The restraint apparatus of claim 11 wherein said spring actuator is releasable from said energized state by actuating a trigger with pressurized gas from an airbag inflator.

14. A restraint apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

an inflatable restraint device deployable laterally of a vehicle occupant;

a housing having a partially enclosed channel with a longitudinal slot;

a slidable member retained in said channel and attachable to said restraint device;

an actuator operable to drive said slidable member toward said second end of said channel;

a catch for retaining said slidable member at said second end of said channel, said catch comprising a boss on said slidable member and a substantially complementary receptacle defined by said housing, said boss engageable with said receptacle to prevent dislodging of said slidable member when engaged therewith.

15. The restraint apparatus of claim 14, wherein said boss is a flared extension from an underside of said slidable member, said boss snap-fittable with said receptacle.