Compact tethering system and method for an inflatabe curtain

• US 20040212185A1
• Filed: 04/24/2003
• Published: 10/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Murakami, Atsushi, Kottke, Kurt, Daines, Michael, Gammil, Kurt, Hess, Travis
• Granted Patent: US 7,004,498 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/743.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0006 Lateral collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0083 Pick-up trucks; Light trucks; Sport utility vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/161 characterised by additional means for controlling deployment trajectory
• 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

The present invention provides a system and method for tethering that may be used to keep a cushion properly positioned for side impact protection, particularly in vehicles with limited space rearward of the cushion. A tethering assembly provides tension to keep the cushion in place. The tethering assembly may include a tether with first and second ends attached together such that the tether forms a loop. The first and/or second ends may also be attached to a lower portion of the cushion. Upper and lower anchors may be attached to a vehicle surface near the cushion to slidably retain the tether. When the cushion inflates, the first and second ends move downward. The lower anchor may be a locking mechanism that restricts withdrawal of the first end. During deployment and impact of a vehicle occupant with the cushion, the tensioning assembly exerts tension to keep the cushion in place.

Claims

1. An inflatable curtain module configured to provide side impact protection for an occupant of a vehicle, the inflatable curtain module comprising:

a cushion configured to inflate in an inflation direction inward of a lateral surface of the vehicle;

a tether attached to a lower portion of the cushion, the tether having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion between the first and second ends, wherein the first and second ends are attached together to form a loop; and

a lower anchor attachable to a vehicle surface proximate a deployed position of the lower portion of the cushion, wherein the lower tether anchor is configured to slidably retain the intermediate portion to exert tension on the lower portion of the cushion when the cushion is inflated.

2. The inflatable curtain module of claim 1, wherein the intermediate portion is slidably retained proximate an upper portion of the cushion.

3. The inflatable curtain module of claim 2, further comprising an upper anchor attachable to the vehicle surface proximate the upper portion to slidably retain the intermediate portion.

4. The inflatable curtain module of claim 3, wherein the upper anchor is disposed at a position selected such that the lower and upper anchors are disposed substantially on a single vertical line.

5. The inflatable curtain module of claim 2, wherein the cushion comprises a hole through the upper portion, the intermediate portion passing through the hole such that the hole slidably retains the intermediate portion.

6. The inflatable curtain module of claim 1, wherein the tether is substantially inelastic.

7. The inflatable curtain module of claim 1, further comprising a tensioning ring positioned to encircle a portion of the loop to draw opposing portions of the loop toward each other, thereby increasing tension exerted on the cushion in the deployed position.

8. The inflatable curtain module of claim 1, wherein the first and second ends are sewn together, and wherein the first end is sewn to the lower portion.

9. The inflatable curtain module of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism configured to prevent motion of the first end away from the lower anchor when the cushion is in the deployed position.

10. The inflatable curtain module of claim 9, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a rotatable cam and a bracket, wherein the rotatable cam rotates to grip the intermediate portion in response to tension tending to pull the first end away from the lower anchor.

11. The inflatable curtain module of claim 1, wherein the lower anchor is positioned rearward of the cushion to exert tension on the cushion in a rearward direction for a vehicle having an abrupt rear surface rearward of the inflatable curtain module.

12. The inflatable curtain module of claim 1, wherein the lower anchor is positioned rearward of the cushion to exert tension on the cushion in a rearward direction, the inflatable curtain module further comprising a front tether attached to the cushion to exert tension on the cushion in a forward direction so that the lower portion is drawn taut.

13. An inflatable curtain module configured to provide side impact protection for an occupant of a vehicle, the inflatable curtain module comprising:

a cushion configured to inflate in an inflation direction inward of a lateral surface of the vehicle;

a tether having a first end attached to a lower portion of the cushion, a second end attached to at least one of the cushion and the first end, and an intermediate portion between the first and second ends, wherein the tether is substantially inelastic; and

a lower anchor attachable to a vehicle surface proximate a deployed position of the lower portion of the cushion, wherein the lower tether anchor is configured to slidably retain the intermediate portion to exert tension on the lower portion of the cushion when the cushion is inflated.

14. The inflatable curtain module of claim 13, wherein the intermediate portion is slidably retained proximate an upper portion of the cushion.

15. The inflatable curtain module of claim 14, further comprising an upper anchor attachable to the vehicle surface proximate the upper portion to slidably retain the intermediate portion.

16. The inflatable curtain module of claim 15, wherein the upper anchor is disposed at a position selected such that the lower and upper anchors are disposed substantially on a single vertical line.

17. The inflatable curtain module of claim 14, wherein the cushion comprises a hole through the upper portion, the intermediate portion passing through the hole such that the hole slidably retains the intermediate portion.

18. The inflatable curtain module of claim 13, wherein the second end is attached to the first end such that the tether forms a loop.

19. The inflatable curtain module of claim 18, further comprising a tensioning ring positioned to encircle a portion of the loop to draw opposing portions of the loop toward each other, thereby increasing tension exerted on the cushion in the deployed position.

20. The inflatable curtain module of claim 13, wherein the intermediate portion is formed of a fabric webbing material.

21. The inflatable curtain module of claim 13, further comprising a locking mechanism configured to prevent motion of the first end away from the lower anchor when the cushion is in the deployed position.

22. The inflatable curtain module of claim 21, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a rotatable cam and a bracket, wherein the rotatable cam rotates to grip the intermediate portion in response to tension tending to pull the first end away from the lower anchor.

23. The inflatable curtain module of claim 13, wherein the lower anchor is positioned rearward of the cushion to exert tension on the cushion in a rearward direction for a vehicle having an abrupt rear surface rearward of the inflatable curtain module.

24. The inflatable curtain module of claim 13, wherein the lower anchor is positioned rearward of the cushion to exert tension on the cushion in a rearward direction, the inflatable curtain module further comprising a front tether attached to the cushion to exert tension on the cushion in a forward direction so that the lower portion is drawn taut.

25. An inflatable curtain module configured to provide side impact protection for an occupant of a vehicle, the inflatable curtain module comprising:

a cushion configured to inflate in an inflation direction inward of a lateral surface of the vehicle, the cushion having a hole positioned toward an upper portion of the cushion; and

a tethering assembly configured to exert tension on a lower portion of the cushion when the cushion is inflated, the tethering assembly comprising a lower anchor attachable to a vehicle surface proximate a deployed position of a lower portion of the cushion, and a tether attached to a lower portion of the cushion, the tether having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion between the first and second ends, wherein the first and second ends are attached together so that the tether forms a loop;

wherein the intermediate portion extends through the hole and is slidably retained by the lower anchor.

26. The inflatable curtain module of claim 25, wherein the first end of the tether is attached to the lower portion.

27. The inflatable curtain module of claim 25, wherein the tethering assembly further comprises a grommet positioned to engage the hole to facilitate sliding motion of the intermediate portion through the hole.

28. A tethering assembly for exerting tension on a cushion of an inflatable curtain module configured to provide side impact protection for an occupant of a vehicle, the tethering assembly comprising:

a tether attached to the cushion, the tether having a first end and a second end attached to the first end such that the tether forms a loop;

a lower anchor attachable to a vehicle surface proximate a deployed position of a lower portion of the cushion to slidably retain the tether; and

a tensioning ring positioned to encircle a portion of the loop to draw opposing portions of the loop toward each other, thereby increasing tension exerted on the cushion in the deployed position.

29. The tethering assembly of claim 28, wherein the tensioning ring is attached to the first end.

30. The tethering assembly of claim 28, further comprising an upper anchor attachable to the vehicle surface proximate an upper portion of the cushion to slidably retain the tether.

31. The tethering assembly of claim 28, wherein the cushion comprises a hole positioned toward an upper portion of the cushion, wherein the tether extends through and is slidably retained by the hole.

32. A tethering assembly for exerting tension on a cushion of an inflatable curtain module configured to provide side impact protection for an occupant of a vehicle, the tethering assembly comprising:

a tether attached to a lower portion of the cushion, the tether having a first end and a second end attached to the first end such that the tether forms a loop;

a lower anchor attachable to a vehicle surface proximate a deployed position of a lower portion of the cushion to slidably retain the tether; and

an upper anchor configured to be attached to a vehicle surface to slidably retain the tether at a position selected such that the lower and upper anchors are disposed substantially on a single vertical line.

33. The tethering assembly of claim 32, wherein the first end is attached to the lower portion of the cushion.

34. The tethering assembly of claim 32, wherein the lower anchor is positioned rearward of the cushion to exert tension on the cushion in a rearward direction for a vehicle having an abrupt rear surface rearward of the inflatable curtain module.

35. A method for restraining motion of an occupant of a vehicle through the use of an inflatable curtain module comprising a cushion, a tether, and a lower anchor, wherein the cushion is configured to inflate in an inflation direction inward of a lateral surface of the vehicle, the cushion having an upper portion and a lower portion upon inflation, wherein the tether comprises a first end, a second end attached to the first end such that the tether forms a loop, and an intermediate portion between the first and second ends, wherein the tether is attached to the lower portion at a cushion attachment portion of the loop, and wherein the lower anchor is attachable to a vehicle surface proximate the lower portion, the method comprising:

directing pressurized inflation gas into the cushion to inflate the cushion;

drawing the cushion attachment portion downward in response to inflation of the cushion such that the loop slides against the lower anchor; and

transmitting tension from the cushion to the lower anchor via the loop in response to impact of a user against the cushion.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the inflatable curtain module further comprises an upper anchor attachable to a vehicle surface proximate the upper portion, wherein drawing the cushion attachment portion downward further comprises sliding the loop against the upper anchor, the method further comprising transmitting tension from the cushion to the upper anchor via the loop in response to impact of a user against the cushion.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein the cushion comprises a hole positioned toward an upper portion of the cushion, wherein the intermediate portion extends through and is slidably retained by the hole, wherein drawing the cushion attachment portion downward further comprises sliding the loop against the hole, the method further comprising transmitting tension from the lower portion of the cushion to the upper portion of the cushion via the loop in response to impact of a user against the cushion.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein the inflatable curtain module further comprises a tensioning ring positioned to encircle a portion of the loop to draw opposing portions of the loop toward each other, thereby increasing tension exerted on the cushion in the deployed position, the method further comprising drawing the loop downward in response to inflation of the cushion such that the loop slides against a portion of the loop.

39. A method for manufacturing an inflatable curtain module for protecting occupants of a vehicle from lateral impact, the inflatable curtain module comprising a cushion, a tether, an upper anchor and a lower anchor, wherein the cushion is configured to inflate in an inflation direction inward of a lateral surface of the vehicle, the cushion having an upper portion and a lower portion in a deployed position of the cushion, the tether having a first end, a second, and an intermediate portion between the first and second ends, wherein the lower anchor is attachable to a vehicle surface proximate the lower portion and the upper anchor is attachable to a vehicle surface proximate the upper portion, the method comprising:

slidably engaging each of the anchors with the tether;

attaching the first end of the tether to the second end of the tether to form a loop; and

attaching the tether to the lower portion of the cushion.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein each of the anchors comprises an aperture, wherein slidably engaging each of the anchors with the tether comprises inserting the tether through the apertures of the anchors.

41. The method of claim 39, wherein attaching the first end of the tether to the second end of the tether comprises sewing the first and second ends together.

42. The method of claim 39, wherein attaching the tether to the lower portion of the cushion comprises sewing the tether to the lower portion of the cushion.

43. The method of claim 39, wherein the inflatable curtain module further comprises a front tether, the method further comprising attaching the front tether to the lower portion of the cushion, opposite the tether.