DUAL MODE INFLATABLE CURTAIN CUSHION
First Claim
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1. An inflatable curtain cushion assembly for a vehicle comprising:
- an inflatable curtain cushion comprising opposing sides which define a void, the inflatable curtain cushion inflatably coupled to an inflator, the inflatable curtain cushion comprising;
a first chamber configured to cushion an occupant in a vehicle upon deployment of the cushion, the first chamber configured to retain inflation gas at a pressure higher than an ambient air pressure for a first duration;
a second chamber disposed below the first chamber, configured to cushion an occupant upon deployment and keep the inflatable curtain taut, the second chamber configured to retain inflation gas at a pressure above an ambient air pressure for a second duration, which is greater than the first duration; and
,at least one one-way valve disposed between the inflator and the second chamber, the one-way valve configured to receive inflation gas from the inflator and allow the inflation gas to flow into the second chamber, but not flow from the second chamber back through the one-way valve.
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Abstract
An inflatable curtain cushion assembly for side deployment in a vehicle. The assembly has an inflator and an inflatable curtain cushion with two chambers, wherein the first chamber vents inflation gas more quickly than the second chamber.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. An inflatable curtain cushion assembly for a vehicle comprising:
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an inflatable curtain cushion comprising opposing sides which define a void, the inflatable curtain cushion inflatably coupled to an inflator, the inflatable curtain cushion comprising; a first chamber configured to cushion an occupant in a vehicle upon deployment of the cushion, the first chamber configured to retain inflation gas at a pressure higher than an ambient air pressure for a first duration; a second chamber disposed below the first chamber, configured to cushion an occupant upon deployment and keep the inflatable curtain taut, the second chamber configured to retain inflation gas at a pressure above an ambient air pressure for a second duration, which is greater than the first duration; and
,at least one one-way valve disposed between the inflator and the second chamber, the one-way valve configured to receive inflation gas from the inflator and allow the inflation gas to flow into the second chamber, but not flow from the second chamber back through the one-way valve. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An inflatable curtain cushion assembly for a vehicle comprising:
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an inflator configured to generate inflation gas in response to predetermined conditions, the inflator in electronic communication with at least one vehicle sensor; an inflatable curtain cushion comprising two opposing sides which define a void for receiving the inflation gas, wherein the sides each comprise a woven material, wherein the inflatable curtain cushion is connected to the inflator at a roof-rail proximal surface of the inflatable curtain cushion, the inflatable curtain cushion comprising, a first chamber partially defined by a roof-rail proximal edge of the inflatable curtain cushion, wherein the first chamber is configured to be substantially longitudinally oriented with respect to the vehicle, the first chamber configured to receive inflation gas from the inflator via an at least one gas inlet which integrally extends from the first chamber, wherein the first chamber is configured to vent inflation gas such that inflation gas is retained within the first chamber at a pressure higher than an ambient air pressure for a duration of less than one second, a second chamber comprising the majority of the volume of the inflatable curtain cushion, the second chamber disposed adjacent to the first chamber and in fluid communication with the first chamber, the second chamber configured to retain inflation gas at a pressure above an ambient air pressure for a duration of several seconds, at least one one-way valve disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber, the at least one one-way valve also disposed between the two sides of the inflatable curtain cushion, the at least one one-way valve configured to receive inflation gas from the first chamber and allow the inflation gas to flow into the second chamber, the at least one one-way valve also configured to not allow inflation gas to flow from the second chamber to the first chamber. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An inflatable curtain cushion assembly for a vehicle comprising:
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an inflator configured to generate inflation gas in response to predetermined conditions, the inflator in electronic communication with at least one vehicle sensor; an inflatable curtain cushion comprising two opposing sides which define a void for receiving the inflation gas, wherein the sides each comprise a woven material, wherein the inflatable curtain cushion is connected to the inflator at a roof-rail proximal surface of the cushion, the inflatable curtain cushion comprising, a first chamber configured to be substantially longitudinally oriented with respect to a vehicle, wherein the first chamber is at least partially defined by the roof-rail proximal edge of the inflatable curtain cushion, the first chamber also configured to receive inflation gas from the inflator via an at least one gas inlet, which integrally extends from the first chamber, wherein the first chamber is configured to vent inflation gas such that inflation gas is retained within the first chamber at a pressure higher than an ambient air pressure for a duration of less than one second, a second chamber disposed adjacent to the first chamber, wherein the second chamber comprises the majority of the volume of the inflatable curtain cushion, wherein the second chamber is in fluid communication with the inflator, wherein the second chamber is configured to retain inflation gas at a pressure above an ambient air pressure for a duration of several seconds, a substantially air-tight gas guide configured to allow gas to flow from the inflator to the second chamber, the gas guide forming a continuation of the second chamber such that the gas guide is in fluid communication with the inflator and the second chamber, at least one one-way valve disposed within the gas guide between the inflator and the second chamber, wherein the one-way valve is disposed between the two sides of the inflatable curtain cushion, the one-way valve configured to receive inflation gas from the inflator and allow the inflation gas to flow into the second chamber, the one-way valve also configured to not allow inflation gas to flow from the second chamber to the first chamber. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification