GUIDING PILLAR TRIM FOR A SIDE-CURTAIN AIRBAG SYSTEM

• US 20060061069A1
• Filed: 09/22/2004
• Published: 03/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Automotive Components Group North America (Lear Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: McKimson, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,445,233 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/728.300
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/025 Pillars; Roof rails
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2013/0287 integrating other functions or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2013/0293 Connection or positioning of adjacent panels
• 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

Abstract

A guiding pillar trim (14) for a side-curtain airbag system (12) of a vehicle (10) is provided. The guiding pillar trim (14) includes a panel (44) for covering a vehicle body structure (10). This panel (44) has a guide member (54) coupled thereto that is movable between a trim configuration and a ramp configuration. In the ramp configuration, the guide member (54) directs the deployment of a side-curtain airbag (34) in a predetermined direction.

Claims

1. A guiding pillar trim for a side-curtain airbag system of a vehicle, comprising:

a panel for covering a vehicle body structure; and

a guide member coupled said panel and being movable between a trim configuration and a ramp configuration;

wherein said guide member in said ramp configuration directs the deployment of a side-curtain airbag in a predetermined direction.

2. The guiding pillar trim recited in claim 1 wherein said guide member has at least one releasable anchor extending therefrom.

3. The guiding pillar trim recited in claim 2 wherein said panel has at least one aperture formed therein for receiving said at least one releasable anchor and securing said guide member in said trim configuration.

4. The guiding pillar trim recited in claim 1 wherein said guide member has at least one aperture formed therein.

5. The guiding pillar trim recited in claim 4 wherein said panel has at least one releasable anchor for inserting into said at least one aperture of said panel and securing said guide member in said trim configuration.

6. The guiding pillar trim recited in claim 1 wherein said guide member has at least one tether member extending therefrom for attaching to said panel and securing said guide member in said ramp configuration.

7. The guiding pillar trim recited in claim 6 wherein said panel has at least one hole formed therein for receiving said tether member.

8. The guiding pillar trim recited in claim 1 wherein said panel has at least one tether member extending therefrom for attaching to said panel and securing said guide member in said ramp configuration.

9. The guiding pillar trim recited in claim 8 wherein said panel has at least one hole formed therein for receiving said tether member.

10. The guiding pillar trim recited in claim 1 wherein said guide member in said ramp configuration directs the deployment of said side-curtain airbag generally away from a seatbelt mechanism.

11. The guiding pillar trim recited in claim 10 wherein said guide member is coupled to a top end portion of said panel, said seatbelt mechanism being generally disposed adjacent at least one of a middle portion and a bottom end portion of said panel.

12. The guiding pillar trim recited in claim 1 wherein said guide member has a deflecting surface and said guide member has a routing surface, said deflecting surface and said routing surface for directing the deployment of said side-curtain airbag in said predetermined direction when said guide member is in said ramp configuration.

13. The guiding pillar trim recited in claim 12 wherein said deflecting surface and said routing surface are generally aligned when said guide member is disposed in said ramp configuration.

14. The guiding pillar trim recited in claim 1 wherein said guide member has a cosmetic surface and said panel has an inboard surface, said cosmetic surface and said inboard surface being generally aligned when said guide member is disposed in said trim configuration.

15. The guiding pillar trim recited in claim 1 wherein said guide member has a load-receiving portion for receiving a load from said side-curtain airbag and moving said guide member to said ramp configuration.

16. A guiding pillar trim for a side-curtain airbag system of a vehicle, comprising:

a panel for covering a vehicle body structure;

a guide member coupled said panel and being movable between a trim configuration and a ramp configuration; and

a biasing member coupled between said guide member and said panel, said biasing member for biasing said guide member in said trim configuration;

wherein said guide member in said ramp configuration directs the deployment of a side-curtain airbag in a predetermined direction.

17. A side-curtain airbag system for a vehicle comprising:

a crash sensor for detecting a vehicle crash;

an inflator device coupled to and actuated by said crash sensor;

a side-curtain airbag coupled to and inflated by said inflator device; and

a guiding pillar trim that is movable between a trim configuration and a ramp configuration, said guiding pillar trim in said ramp configuration for directing said side-curtain airbag in a predetermined direction;

wherein said guiding pillar trim includes a panel for covering a vehicle body structure and a guide member coupled said panel, said guide member being movable between said trim configuration and said ramp configuration;

wherein said guiding pillar trim includes at least one tether member coupled between said panel a said guide member for securing said guide member in said ramp configuration.

18. The side-curtain airbag system recited in claim 17 further comprising:

a biasing member coupled between said guide member and said panel, said biasing member for biasing said guide member in said trim configuration.

19. The side-curtain airbag system recited in claim 17 wherein said panel has at least one aperture formed therein for receiving at least one releasable anchor extending from said guide member so as to secure said guide member in said trim configuration.

20. The guiding pillar trim recited in claim 17 wherein said guide member has at least one aperture formed therein for receiving at least one releasable anchor extending from said panel so as to secure said guide member in said trim configuration.