AIRBAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM

• US 20180056917A1
• Filed: 08/24/2016
• Published: 03/01/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Patel, Deepak, Deng, Zhibing, Shahidi, Behrooz
• Granted Patent: US 9,969,346 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23107 the bag being integrated in a multi-bag system
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23332 using independent bags, one within the other
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23382 Internal tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2615 for diverting the gas into a plurality of bags
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/231 characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/233 comprising a plurality of individual compartments; comprising two or more bag-like members, one within the other B60R21/232 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2338 Tethers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/239 characterised by their venting means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/261 with means other than bag structure to diffuse or guide inflation fluid

Abstract

A restraint system includes a curtain airbag having an outboard layer and an inboard layer, an extension layer fixed to the inboard layer, and an inflator. The outboard and inboard layers define a first inflation chamber therebetween. The extension layer defines a second inflation chamber between the extension layer and the inboard layer. The inflator is in communication with the first and second inflation chambers. The first and second inflation chambers are fluidly isolated from each other.

Claims

1. A restraint system comprising:

a curtain airbag having an outboard layer and an inboard layer defining a first inflation chamber therebetween;

an extension layer fixed to the inboard layer and defining a second inflation chamber between the extension layer and the inboard layer; and

an inflator in communication with the first and second inflation chambers;

wherein the first and second inflation chambers are fluidly isolated from each other and are inflatable to an inflated position; and

when the second inflation chamber is in an inflated position, the extension layer includes a depression and a raised area completely surrounding the depression, the depression being closer to the inboard layer than the raised area is to the inboard layer.

2. The restraint system of claim 1, further comprising a first conduit from the inflator to the first inflation chamber, and a second conduit from the inflator to the second inflation chamber.

3. The restraint system of claim 2, wherein the inflator includes a first charge combustible to provide inflation medium to the first conduit, and a second charge separate from the first charge and combustible to provide inflation medium to the second conduit.

4. The restraint system of claim 3, wherein the first charge is larger than the second charge.

5. The restraint system of claim 2, further comprising a diffuser between the inflator and the first and second conduits and positioned to distribute inflation medium to the first conduit and to the second conduit.

6. The restraint system of claim 5, wherein the diffuser is positioned to distribute more inflation medium to the first conduit than to the second conduit.

7. The restraint system of claim 1, wherein the extension layer includes a vent configured to vent the second inflation chamber external to the first and second inflation chambers.

8. The restraint system of claim 1, wherein the extension layer is uncoated.

9. The restraint system of claim 8, wherein the outboard and inboard layers are coated.

10. The restraint system of claim 1, wherein the first inflation chamber extends farther from the inflator in a direction along the inboard layer than the second inflation chamber extends in the direction along the inboard layer when the inflation chambers are in inflated positions.

11. The restraint system of claim 1, further comprising a tether extending inside the second inflation chamber from the inboard layer to the extension layer.

12. The restraint system of claim 1, further comprising a panel extending inside the second inflation chamber from the inboard layer to the extension layer and dividing the second inflation chamber into a forward chamber and a rear chamber.

13. The restraint system of claim 12, wherein the panel includes vents.

15. The restraint system of claim 1, further comprising a second extension layer spaced from the extension layer and defining a third inflation chamber between the second extension layer and the inboard layer.

21. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the tether is attached to the depression.

14. (canceled)

16. A vehicle comprising:

a window;

a roof rail extending along the window; and

an airbag having first and second inflation chambers and inflatable from an uninflated position disposed along the roof rail to an inflated position with the first inflation chamber adjacent the window;

wherein the first and second inflation chambers share a common panel and are fluidly isolated from each other;

the second inflation chamber is defined by the common panel and an extension layer; and

when the second inflation chamber is in the inflated position, the extension layer includes a depression and a raised area completely surrounding the depression, the depression being closer to the common panel than the raised area is to the inboard layer.

17. The vehicle of claim 16, further comprising an inflator fixed relative to the roof rail, a first conduit from the inflator to the first inflation chamber, and a second conduit from the inflator to the second inflation chamber, wherein the inflator includes a first charge combustible to provide inflation medium to the first conduit and a second charge separate from the first charge and combustible to provide inflation medium to the second conduit.

18. The vehicle of claim 16, further comprising an inflator fixed relative to the roof rail, a first conduit from the inflator to the first inflation chamber, a second conduit from the inflator to the second inflation chamber, and a diffuser between the inflator and the first and second conduits and positioned to distribute inflation medium to the first conduit and to the second conduit.

19. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein the second inflation chamber includes a vent configured to vent the second inflation chamber external to the first and second inflation chambers.

20. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein the first inflation chamber includes only panels with a coating, and the second inflation chamber includes at least one uncoated panel.