VEHICLE SIDE AIR CURTAIN WITH CONTROLLED PRESSURE CHAMBER
First Claim
1. A vehicle side air curtain for a motor vehicle, the side air curtain having an inflator, a main inflatable chamber, and an integral separate, self-contained controlled pressure chamber in limited fluid communication with the main inflatable chamber of the side air curtain and disposed laterally in line with and sized to laterally restrain the head and upper thoracic region of a vehicle occupant, wherein the main inflatable chamber of the side air curtain is inflated to an initial pressure within an initial impact time period immediately following actuation of the inflator and a second lower stabilized pressure thereafter to extend the duration of the pressurization of the main inflatable chamber of the side air curtain beyond the initial impact time period, and the controlled pressure chamber of the side air curtain is inflated to an initial pressure substantially lower than the initial pressure of the main inflatable chamber of the side air curtain and a second higher stabilized pressure beyond the initial impact time period, the initial pressure in the controlled pressure chamber being favorable to side impact occupant protection substantially immediately following actuation of the inflator and wherein the head and/or upper thoracic region of the vehicle occupant contacts the controlled pressure chamber when deployed.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle side air curtain has an inflator, a main inflatable chamber, and an integral separate, self-contained controlled pressure chamber in limited fluid communication with the main inflatable chamber of the side air curtain and disposed for impact by the head and upper thoracic region of a vehicle occupant. The main inflatable chamber is inflated to an initial pressure within an initial impact time period immediately following actuation of the inflator and a second lower stabilized pressure thereafter to extend the duration of the pressurization of the main inflatable chamber of the side air curtain beyond the initial impact time period. The controlled pressure chamber of the side air curtain is inflated to an initial pressure substantially lower than the first pressure of the main inflatable chamber and favorable to side impact occupant protection immediately following actuation of the inflator pressure.
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Citations
20 Claims
- 1. A vehicle side air curtain for a motor vehicle, the side air curtain having an inflator, a main inflatable chamber, and an integral separate, self-contained controlled pressure chamber in limited fluid communication with the main inflatable chamber of the side air curtain and disposed laterally in line with and sized to laterally restrain the head and upper thoracic region of a vehicle occupant, wherein the main inflatable chamber of the side air curtain is inflated to an initial pressure within an initial impact time period immediately following actuation of the inflator and a second lower stabilized pressure thereafter to extend the duration of the pressurization of the main inflatable chamber of the side air curtain beyond the initial impact time period, and the controlled pressure chamber of the side air curtain is inflated to an initial pressure substantially lower than the initial pressure of the main inflatable chamber of the side air curtain and a second higher stabilized pressure beyond the initial impact time period, the initial pressure in the controlled pressure chamber being favorable to side impact occupant protection substantially immediately following actuation of the inflator and wherein the head and/or upper thoracic region of the vehicle occupant contacts the controlled pressure chamber when deployed.
- 13. A vehicle side air curtain comprising an inflator, a main chamber, and an impact chamber in limited fluid communication with the main chamber, wherein the main chamber comprises a plurality of interconnected cavities in fluid communication one to the other about their peripheries that form a substantially flat side panel to prevent occupant ejection and is inflated to a first pressure immediately after actuation of the inflator and a second pressure thereafter, and the impact chamber is disposed proximate one of the plurality of the cavities laterally in line with and sized to laterally restrain the head and upper thoracic region of a vehicle occupant when deployed and is inflated to a first pressure substantially lower than the first pressure of the main chamber immediately after actuation of the inflator, and wherein the head and/or upper thoracic region of the vehicle occupant contacts the impact chamber when deployed.
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14. (canceled)
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18. A method of mitigating occupant ejection and occupant injury, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a vehicle side air curtain having an inflator, a main inflatable chamber, and an integral separate, self-contained controlled pressure chamber in limited fluid communication with the main inflatable chamber of the side air curtain and disposed for impact by the head and upper thoracic region of a vehicle occupant; inflating the main inflatable chamber of the side air curtain in response to a side impact or rollover event to an initial pressure substantially within an initial impact time period immediately following actuation of the inflator and a second lower stabilized pressure thereafter to extend the duration of the pressurization of the main inflatable chamber of the side air curtain beyond the initial impact time period; inflating the controlled pressure chamber of the side air curtain to an initial pressure favorable to side impact occupant protection and substantially lower than the initial pressure of the main inflatable chamber of the side air curtain substantially immediately following actuation of the inflator; and equalizing the pressure differential between the main inflatable chamber of the side air curtain and the controlled pressure chamber after the initial impact time period to the second lower stabilized pressure of the main inflatable chamber, such that the pressure of each of the controlled pressure chamber and the main inflatable chamber of the side air curtain remain at elevated levels to mitigate occupant ejection. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification