Air Bag Deployment Ramp

• US 20070241542A1
• Filed: 04/18/2006
• Published: 10/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Collins & Aikman Holdings SA de CV
• Original Assignee: Collins & Aikman Holdings SA de CV
• Inventors: WALLACE, Mark
• Application Number:
  US11/379,148
• Publication Number:
  US 20070241542A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/730.200
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/02 Internal Trim mouldings ; Internal Ledges; Wall liners for passenger compartments; Roof liners B60R13/01 takes precedence ; padded linings for the vehicle interior B60R21/04; arrangements or adaptations of floor mats or carpets in vehicles B60N3/04; internal lining for trains B61D17/18
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/0243 Doors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/025 Pillars; Roof rails
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/0256 Dashboard liners
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/0275 comprising removable or hinged parts for accessing storage compartments B60R7/04; for airbag deployment B60R21/215
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2013/0287 integrating other functions or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/161 characterised by additional means for controlling deployment trajectory
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/215 characterised by the covers for the inflatable member B60R21/2176 takes precedence

Abstract

A ramp for directing the deployment of an expanding air bag may be formed to extend from a surface of a trim panel. The ramp may comprise one or more projections having a hinge or fold line. After molding of the trim panel, the projection may be folded along the hinge line towards the surface of the panel to form a ramp structure to promote the emergence, direction and/or placement of an expanding air bag. The ramp structure may be formed on any surface of trim panels lying adjacent or over an air bag system.

Claims

1. A ramp structure for guiding an air bag which is deployed adjacent a trim panel having a rear surface in a vehicle, the ramp structure comprising:

one or more integrally molded rib-like projections which extend from a rear surface of the trim panel;

at least one of the one or more rib-like projections having a fold line;

wherein the at least one of said one or more rib-like projections have a fold line that is capable of being folded along said fold line towards the rear surface of the trim panel to form said ramp structure.

2. The ramp structure of claim 1 wherein said projection has a thickness and said fold line comprises an area of reduced thickness.

3. The ramp structure of claim 1 wherein said trim panel at least partially covers said air bag and upon inflation of said air bag, said air bag contacts said ramp structure.

4. The ramp structure of claim 1 wherein said air bag further includes a guide strap and upon inflation of said air bag said guide strap contacts said ramp structure.

5. The ramp structure of claim 1 wherein said one or more projections are integrally formed to extend from an inner surface of said trim panel.

6. The ramp structure of claim 1 wherein said one or more projections are integrally formed to extend from an outer surface said trim panel.

7. An air bag deployment guide for use with an air bag located adjacent a trim panel having a rear surface in a vehicle, the air bag deployment guide comprising:

a ramp structure comprising one or more projections integrally formed to extend from a rear surface of said trim panel;

at least one of said projections including a fold line;

wherein said at least one projection is folded along said fold line towards said rear surface of said trim panel to form said ramp structure;

wherein when installed in said vehicle said deployment guide is positioned to contact said air bag and guide said air bag past said trim panel.

8. The airbag deployment guide of claim 7 wherein said air bag further includes a guide strap and upon inflation of said air bag said guide strap contacts said ramp structure.

9. A method of forming a ramp structure on the surface of a trim panel, the method comprising:

forming a trim panel having an inner and outer surface;

integrally forming one or more projections which extend from one of said inner or outer surfaces, wherein at least one of said projections includes a fold line;

folding said at least one projection along said fold line towards said one of said surfaces; and

attaching said folded projection to said surface of said trim panel or to another of said projections.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said fold line comprises an area of reduced thickness.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein said fold line is a living hinge.

12. A method of guiding the deployment of an inflating air bag, comprising the steps of:

providing an air bag capable of being inflated by gas;

providing a trim panel adjacent said air bag, said trim panel including a ramp structure for guiding at least a portion of said air bag as it inflates, said ramp structure comprising at least one integrally formed projection extending from a surface of said trim panel and folded along a fold line to form a surface for guiding said air bag; and

inflating said air bag and contacting said ramp structure with said air bag.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said air bag further includes a guide strap and upon inflation of said air bag said guide strap contacts said ramp structure.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein said fold line comprises a region of reduced thickness.

15. A side air bag system for a vehicle, comprising:

a roof rail and one or more downward extending pillars which house at least a portion of said air bag system;

one or more trim panels attached to said roof rail and/or downward extending pillars;

an air bag at least partially housed adjacent said one or more trim panels and said roof rail and/or said one or more pillars;

a ramp structure projecting from a rear surface of said trim panel towards said roof rail or said one or more pillars, the ramp structure comprising at least one projection folded along a fold line towards said rear surface of said trim panel.

16. The side airbag system of claim 15, wherein said fold line is an area of reduced thickness.

17. A ramp structure for guiding an air bag which is deployed adjacent a trim panel in a vehicle, the ramp structure comprising:

a rear surface;

one or more projections integrally formed to extend from said rear surface;

at least one of the one or more projections having a fold line;

wherein the at least one projection having a fold line is capable of folding along said fold line towards said surface to form a ramp structure.