FOLD OVER DESIGN FOR SMALL OVERLAP
First Claim
1. An airbag assembly for disposition proximate a roof of a vehicle to shield a vehicle occupant from impacting at least one lateral surface of the vehicle, the airbag assembly comprising:
- an inflatable curtain airbag having a stowed configuration proximate the roof of the vehicle and a deployed configuration into which the inflatable curtain airbag deploys downward between the vehicle occupant and the at least one lateral surface of the vehicle, the inflatable curtain airbag comprising;
a first protection zone comprising a first interior chamber; and
a second protection zone comprising a second interior chamber in fluid communication with the first interior chamber;
wherein, in the stowed configuration, the inflatable curtain airbag is folded at a stowed fold line such that the second protection zone lies alongside a portion of the first protection zone;
wherein, during deployment, the inflatable curtain airbag unfolds such that the second protection zone moves forward to be positioned forward of the first protection zone in the deployed configuration;
wherein, in the deployed configuration, the second protection zone extends to a height proximate the roof of the vehicle.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An airbag assembly may include an inflatable curtain airbag with a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration. The inflatable curtain may have a first protection zone and a second protection zone that inflates forward of the first protection zone to provide enhanced protection. The second protection zone may be folded against the first protection zone so that, during deployment, the second protection zone pivots to unfold relative to the first protection zone. The airbag assembly may have a forward tether that provides longitudinal tension on the inflatable curtain airbag. The forward tether may be secured to the A-pillar of the vehicle and to a divider between the first and second protection zones so that deformation of the A-pillar may relieve the tension to allow the second protection zone to pivot inboard to provide protection from injuries that may be sustained in a small overlap or oblique collision.
18 Citations
22 Claims
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1. An airbag assembly for disposition proximate a roof of a vehicle to shield a vehicle occupant from impacting at least one lateral surface of the vehicle, the airbag assembly comprising:
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an inflatable curtain airbag having a stowed configuration proximate the roof of the vehicle and a deployed configuration into which the inflatable curtain airbag deploys downward between the vehicle occupant and the at least one lateral surface of the vehicle, the inflatable curtain airbag comprising; a first protection zone comprising a first interior chamber; and a second protection zone comprising a second interior chamber in fluid communication with the first interior chamber; wherein, in the stowed configuration, the inflatable curtain airbag is folded at a stowed fold line such that the second protection zone lies alongside a portion of the first protection zone; wherein, during deployment, the inflatable curtain airbag unfolds such that the second protection zone moves forward to be positioned forward of the first protection zone in the deployed configuration; wherein, in the deployed configuration, the second protection zone extends to a height proximate the roof of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for stowing an airbag assembly proximate a roof of a vehicle having a lateral surface for protecting a vehicle occupant in the vehicle, the method comprising:
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providing an inflatable curtain airbag comprising a first protection zone comprising a first interior chamber and a second protection zone comprising a second interior chamber in fluid communication with the first interior chamber; folding the inflatable curtain airbag at a stowed fold line such that the second protection zone overlies at least a portion of the first protection zone; compacting the inflatable curtain airbag into a generally elongated shape; and securing the inflatable curtain airbag proximate the roof of the vehicle such that, in response to introduction of inflation gas into the inflatable curtain airbag, the first protection zone expands downward to be positioned between the vehicle occupant and the lateral surface of the vehicle and the second protection zone unfolds forward of the first protection zone; wherein the inflatable curtain airbag comprises a deployed fold line comprising a divider that defines the first interior chamber as distinct from the second interior chamber; wherein unfolding the second protection zone forward of the first protection zone comprises maintaining the second protection zone unfolded at the deployed fold line to define an angle less than 180°
relative to the first protection zone. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An airbag assembly, comprising:
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an inflatable curtain airbag stowed proximate a roof of a vehicle, the inflatable curtain airbag comprising a first protection zone and a second protection zone folded against the first protection zone such that the second protection zone overlies at least a portion of the first protection zone; an inflator in fluid communication with a first chamber within the first protection zone and a second chamber within the second protection zone; a plurality of mounting assemblies that secure the first protection zone to the vehicle; and a forward tether comprising a first end secured to the inflatable curtain airbag and a second end secured to an A-pillar of the vehicle; wherein, in response to production of gas by the inflator, the inflatable curtain airbag expands downward such that the first protection zone is positioned between an occupant zone that would ordinarily be occupied by a vehicle occupant'"'"'s head and a lateral surface of the vehicle; wherein, in response to production of the gas, the second protection zone pivots forward of the first protection zone such that the second protection zone is positioned between an occupant zone that would ordinarily be occupied by the vehicle occupant'"'"'s head and at least one of an A-pillar of the vehicle and a portion of an instrument panel of the vehicle; wherein all of the plurality of mounting assemblies are positioned rearward of the A-pillar so that the second end of the forward tether is the only feature of the airbag assembly that is secured to the A-pillar. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. An airbag assembly for disposition proximate a roof and an A-pillar of a vehicle to shield a vehicle occupant from impacting at least one lateral surface of the vehicle, the airbag assembly comprising:
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an inflatable curtain airbag having a stowed configuration extending along and proximate the roof and the A-pillar of the vehicle and a deployed configuration into which the inflatable curtain airbag deploys downward between the vehicle occupant and the at least one lateral surface of the vehicle, the inflatable curtain airbag comprising; a first protection zone comprising a first interior chamber; and a second protection zone comprising a second interior chamber in fluid communication with the first interior chamber; and a forward tether comprising a first end secured to the inflatable curtain airbag and a second end securable to the A-pillar of the vehicle, the first end of the forward tether is secured to a non-inflating region of the inflatable curtain airbag located proximate a chamber divider that defines the first interior chamber as distinct from the second interior chamber. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification