Guide unit for guiding curtain airbag and curtain airbag device

• US 20050134030A1
• Filed: 12/17/2004
• Published: 06/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Japan K.K.
• Original Assignee: Takata Corporation (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Noguchi, Atsushi, Mitsuo, Tetsu
• Granted Patent: US 7,338,071 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/730.200
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/217 Inflation fluid source retainers, e.g. reaction canisters; Connection of bags, covers, diffusers or inflation fluid sources therewith or together
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge

Abstract

A curtain airbag device and a guide unit for facilitating assembly of a curtain-guide member and a guide element to a vehicle body. When an inflator is activated, a curtain airbag is led by a protruding piece of a curtain-guide member to be deployed along the cabin-side of a pillar garnish. During the deployment, the rear portion of the curtain airbag is guided by a guide rod via a link strap. The link strap starts moving downward along the guide rod when the curtain airbag begins to be deployed. The guide rod and the curtain-guide member are temporarily fixed to each other by a bolt in advance.

Claims

1. A guide unit for guiding a curtain airbag, comprising:

a guide element attached to a pillar of a vehicle and extending in the vertical direction for guiding the end of a curtain airbag that is capable of being deployed downward along the inner side surface of the vehicle cabin; and

a curtain-guide member for guiding the curtain airbag towards the interior of the vehicle cabin away from a pillar garnish at the beginning of deployment of the curtain airbag, wherein the curtain-guide member and the guide element are combined or engaged with each other.

2. The guide unit according to claim 1, further comprising:

a strap protruding from the curtain airbag and engaging with the guide element.

3. The guide unit according to claim 2, wherein the curtain-guide member is configured to prevent the strap from detaching from the guide element.

4. The guide unit according to claim 1, wherein the curtain-guide member and the guide element are connected to each other by a bolt.

5. The guide unit according to claim 1, wherein the curtain-guide member and the guide element are fixed to each other.

6. The guide unit according to claim 5, wherein the curtain-guide member and guide element are welded or riveted together.

7. The guide unit according to claim 5, wherein the curtain-guide member and the guide element are rigidly connected together.

8. The guide unit according to claim 1, wherein

at least either one of the curtain-guide member and the guide element has an engaging portion for engaging the other;

and

the curtain-guide member and the guide element are engaged with each other via the engaging portion.

9. The guide unit according to claim 8, wherein the curtain-guide member and guide element are temporarily fixed to each other.

10. A curtain airbag device, comprising:

a curtain airbag that is capable of being deployed downward along an inner side surface of a vehicle cabin; and

a guide unit for guiding the end of the curtain airbag, the guide unit comprising;

a guide element attached to a pillar of a vehicle and extending in the vertical direction for guiding the end of the curtain airbag; and

a curtain-guide member for guiding the curtain airbag towards the interior of the vehicle cabin away from a pillar garnish at the beginning of deployment of the curtain airbag, wherein the curtain-guide member and the guide element are combined or engaged with each other.

11. The curtain airbag device according to claim 10, further comprising:

a strap protruding from the curtain airbag and engaging with the guide element.

12. The curtain airbag device according to claim 11, wherein the curtain-guide member is configured to prevent the strap from detaching from the guide element.

13. The curtain airbag device according to claim 10, wherein the curtain-guide member and the guide element are connected to each other by a bolt.

14. The curtain airbag device according to claim 10, wherein the curtain-guide member and the guide element are fixed to each other.

15. The curtain airbag device according to claim 14, wherein the curtain-guide member and the guide element are welded or riveted together.

16. The curtain airbag device according to claim 14, wherein the curtain-guide member and the guide element are rigidly connected together.

17. The curtain airbag device according to claim 10, wherein

at least either one of the curtain-guide member and the guide element has an engaging portion for engaging the other;

and

the curtain-guide member and the guide element are engaged with each other via the engaging portion.

18. The curtain airbag device according to claim 17, wherein the curtain-guide member and guide unit are temporarily fixed to each other.