Automobile pillar air bag device

• US 20040094938A1
• Filed: 06/20/2003
• Published: 05/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kia Motors Corporation (Kia Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Kia Motors Corporation (Kia Corp.)
• Inventors: Ryu, Seung-Soo
• Granted Patent: US 6,863,300 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01211 Expansion of air bags
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/013 including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/216 comprising tether means for limitation of cover motion during deployment

Abstract

An automobile pillar air bag device provided along the roof side rail protects a passenger from impact during a broadside collision. The automobile pillar air bag device includes: a bag, a sensor, and a gas supply section for injecting gas into an air bag. Further included is a pillar trim deviation-prevention mechanism that includes a strap. Both ends of the strap being connected with the front pillar and the pillar trim by screws. The strap connects the front pillar and an upper portion of the pillar trim. Also, a connection member is bound with the screws. Additionally, the connection member arranged at the front pillar side of the strap is formed integrally with a fixing boss for the front pillar and is coupled to a supporting piece cut out and separated from the fixing boss when the bag is expanded.

Claims

1. An automobile pillar airbag device, comprising:

a sensor installed in a chassis, for sensing a broadside collision;

a gas supply section installed in the chassis so as to inject a gas depending on a signal from the sensor;

a bag received and extending from a front pillar of the chassis to a roof side rail, and expanded in a curtain shape in the downward direction from the roof side rail of the interior of the automobile by a gas supplied from the gas supply section following a signal to said gas supply section from said sensor;

a pillar trim provided in an inner side of the front pillar and covering the bag received in the front pillar; and

a pillar trim deviation-prevention mechanism comprising;

a strap having ends connected with the front pillar and the pillar trim, respectively, and

screws for coupling each end of said strap to the front pillar and said pillar trim respectively.

2. The automobile pillar airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the strap is installed so as to connect the front pillar and an upper portion of the pillar trim.

3. The automobile pillar airbag device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the strap and the screws are connected by connection members through which the screws penetrate, and wherein the connection members define fixing holes to which ends of the strap are inserted and bound.

4. The automobile pillar airbag device according to claim 3, wherein the connection member, arranged at the front pillar side of the strap, is formed integrally with a fixing boss for the front pillar of the pillar trim and is coupled to a supporting piece broken and separated from the fixing boss when the bag is expanded.

5. A pillar air bag device, comprising:

a front pillar housing an air bag gas supply;

a side trim coupling to an interior side of said front pillar;

a curtain air bag housed between said side trim and said front pillar wherein said curtain air bag is configured to be deployed by the air bag gas supply housed within said front pillar;

at least one fixation protrusion extending from said side trim and coupled to said front pillar wherein said fixation protrusion is configured to break when a force is applied by the curtain air bag during deployment of the air bag such that an opening is created between said side trim and said front pillar for protrusion of the air bag; and

a strap coupling said side trim to said front pillar.

6. The device of claim 5, further comprising a temporary fixation coupling said side trim to said front pillar.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein said strap engages during deployment of said curtain air bag such that said side trim becomes controllably displaced during deployment of said curtain air bag.