Mounting structure of curtain airbag in vehicle

• US 20070132216A1
• Filed: 12/08/2005
• Published: 06/14/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group), Kia Motors Corporation (Kia Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group), Kia Motors Corporation (Kia Corp.)
• Inventors: Choi, Hyeong-Ho
• Granted Patent: US 7,410,189 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 21/215 characterised by the covers for the inflatable member B60R21/2176 takes precedence
• 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

Abstract

A mounting structure of a curtain airbag in a vehicle is disclosed. The structure is adapted to easily form an inflation passage between a pillar trim and pillar by using a head liner; therefore, the overall portions of the curtain airbag can smoothly expand during the deployment. Such mounting structure may be performed with the head liner, pillar trim, and force transmission means.

Claims

1. A mounting structure of a curtain airbag for a vehicle, comprising:

a head liner that forms a space with a roof side rail for storing a curtain airbag;

a pillar trim located adjacent to said head liner and forming a space with a pillar for storing said curtain airbag; and

force transmission means that is in close proximity to said head liner and pillar trim and extends from an interior of said head liner to an interior of said pillar trim for transmitting a force of said head liner, which tends to move down into a passenger compartment when said curtain airbag inflates, to said pillar trim.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said force transmission means includes:

an extension plate that contacts at one end thereof with an inner surface of said head liner while the other end extends to an interior of said pillar trim; and

coupling means that couples said pillar trim to said extension plate.

3. The structure as defined in claim 2, wherein said coupling means includes:

a boss protruding inward at said pillar trim;

a coupling screw penetrating from said boss to said extension plate;

a supporter integrally formed with said extension plate for maintaining an end of said coupling screw at a distance from said pillar and for locating said pillar trim apart from said pillar; and

a cover concealing said boss.

4. The structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said force transmission means includes:

a liner extension integrally extending from one end (adjacent to said pillar trim) of said head liner to an interior of said pillar trim; and

coupling means that couples said pillar trim to said liner extension.

5. The structure as defined in claim 4, wherein said coupling means includes:

a boss that protrudes inward at said pillar trim;

a fastener rotatably installed in relation to said boss and screwing to said liner extension;

a supporter fixed to said liner extension for maintaining an end of said fastener at a distance from said pillar and for locating said pillar trim apart from said pillar; and

a cover concealing said boss.

6. The structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said force transmission means includes an elastic plate that is fixed at one surface thereof to an inner side of said head liner while the other surface thereof closely attaches to an inner side of said pillar trim.

7. The structure as defined in claim 6, wherein said elastic plate includes:

a flat planar portion that is fixed in said head liner; and

an arc sectional portion that extends from said flat planar portion and closely attaches to an interior of said pillar trim by bypassing a contiguous region of said head liner and pillar trim.