RAMP BRACKET FOR CURTAIN AIRBAG OF VEHICLE

• US 20110127754A1
• Filed: 07/08/2010
• Published: 06/02/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2009
• 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: Kim, Tae Woo, Lim, Woo Hyun, Park, Sung Yong, Oh, Chang Jin, An, Hee Sang, Jeong, Gyeong Won, Kwak, Dae Young, Lim, Chang Hyun
• Granted Patent: US 8,220,826 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/055 Padded or energy-absorbing fittings , e.g. seat belt anchors sun visors B60J3/00; head rests B60N2/80
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars

Abstract

A ramp bracket for a curtain airbag cushion of a vehicle may include a cushion storage portion storing the curtain airbag cushion therein, the cushion storage portion having an opening on a first sidewall thereof such that the curtain airbag cushion is deployed through the opening, wherein the first sidewall includes upper and lower surfaces to define the opening, and a shock absorption portion formed under a lower surface of the cushion storage portion and absorbing a shock generated when a passenger collides to the shock absorption portion.

Claims

1. A ramp bracket for a curtain airbag cushion of a vehicle, comprising:

a cushion storage portion storing the curtain airbag cushion therein, the cushion storage portion having an opening on a first sidewall thereof such that the curtain airbag cushion is deployed through the opening, wherein the first sidewall includes upper and lower surfaces to define the opening; and

a shock absorption portion formed under a lower surface of the cushion storage portion and absorbing a shock generated when a passenger collides to the shock absorption portion.

2. The ramp bracket as set forth in claim 1, wherein an inner surface of a second sidewall of the cushion storage portion is rounded and is convex towards the opening of the first sidewall, and junctions between the second sidewall and the upper and lower surfaces of the first sidewall are rounded.

3. The ramp bracket as set forth in claim 1, wherein the shock absorption portion defines a shock absorption space therein to elastically absorb the shock generated when the passenger collides to the shock absorption portion.

4. The ramp bracket as set forth in claim 3, wherein the shock absorption portion comprises:

an extension portion extending downwards from the second sidewall of the cushion storage portion; and

a curved surface, an end of which is coupled to the extension portion and the other end of which extends in a direction and is curved to be fastened to the lower surface of the cushion storage portion such that the shock absorption space is defined by the extension portion and the curved surface.

5. The ramp bracket as set forth in claim 4, wherein the other end of the curved surface is slidably engaged to the lower surface of the cushion storage portion.

6. The ramp bracket as set forth in claim 5, wherein a fastening portion is formed to the extension portion between the lower surface of the cushion storage portion and the end of the curved surface, the fastening portion extending in a predetermined length from the extension portion and the other end of the curved surface is fitted between the lower surface of the cushion storage portion and the fastening portion, wherein a movement allowance space is defined between the lower surface of the cushion storage portion and the fastening portion such that the other end of the curved surface is movable in the movement allowance space when the passenger collides with the shock absorption portion.

7. The ramp bracket as set forth in claim 6, wherein removal prevention protrusions are respectively provided on a distal end of the fastening portion and under the lower surface of the cushion storage portion, the removal prevention protrusions defining an insert slot therebetween and a hook is provided on the other end of the curved surface, the hook having a front edge rounded to facilitate insertion of the hook into the insert slot, with a locking stop formed on a rear end of the hook, the locking stop being locked to the removal prevention protrusions to prevent the hook from being removed from the insert slot after the hook is inserted into the insert slot.

8. The ramp bracket as set forth in claim 7, wherein the length of the movement allowance space is larger than the length of the hook.