Inflatable side curtain

• US 6,435,543 B1
• Filed: 03/24/2000
• Issued: 08/20/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: TRW Limited (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: TRW Limited (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Magoteaux, David G., Brannon, Kenneth D., OʼLoughlin, John P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Culbreth, Eric
• Assistant Examiner(s): ROYAL, PAUL
• Application Number:
  US09/535,413
• Time in Patent Office: 879 Days
• Field of Search: 280/730.2, 280/743.1, 280/749
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23316 Inner seams, e.g. creating separate compartments or used as tethering means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23386 External tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2338 Tethers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/195 with means to tension the belt in an emergency, e.g. means of the through-anchor or splitted reel typeelectrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements B60R21/01

Abstract

Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) which has a side structure (16) and a roof (18) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The device (14) is inflatable into a position between the side structure (16) and a vehicle occupant. An inflation fluid source (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The device (14), when inflated, has a perimeter (48) at least partially defined by upper and lower edges (50 and 52) if the device. The device (14) includes overlying panels (40 and 42) interconnected to form a perimeter connection (46) extending along said perimeter (48) and defining an inflatable volume (60), and points of connection (82) defining inflatable chambers (400) of the device. The points of connection (82) include at least one of round connections (84) and line connections (90). The points of connection (82) are arranged such that a line extending vertically from the upper edge (50) to the lower edge (52) at any position along the upper and lower edges intersects at least two of the chambers (400).

Claims

1. Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has a side structure and a roof, said apparatus comprising:

an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device that is inflatable away from the vehicle roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant, said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, when inflated, having a perimeter at least partially defined by upper and lower edges of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device and front and rear edges spaced apart horizontally along said upper and lower edges; and

an inflation fluid source that provides inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device;

said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device comprising overlying panels interconnected to form a perimeter connection extending along said perimeter and defining an inflatable volume bounded by said perimeter connection, and points of connection interconnecting said overlying panels within said inflatable volume and defining inflatable chambers of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said chambers comprising;

first and second adjacent arc-shaped chambers each having a base portion and first and second leg portions that curve downwardly and outwardly away from opposite ends of said base portion, said first leg portions of said first and second arc-shaped chambers having a terminal end adjacent said front edge of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said second leg portions of said first and second arc-shaped chambers having a terminal end spaced away from said front edge of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device;

third and fourth adjacent arc-shaped chambers each having a base portion and first and second leg portions that curve downwardly and outwardly away from opposite ends of said base portion, said first leg portions of said third and fourth arc-shaped chambers having a terminal end adjacent said rear edge of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said second leg portions of said third and fourth arc-shaped chambers having a terminal end spaced away from said rear edge of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said terminal ends of said second leg portions of said first and third arc-shaped chambers being positioned adjacent each other, said terminal ends of said second leg portions of said second and fourth arc-shaped chambers being positioned adjacent each other, said first and third arc-shaped chambers extending adjacent to said upper edge of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device; and

a lower chamber that extends adjacent said lower edge of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said lower chamber having a base portion and first and second leg portions that curve upwardly and outwardly away from opposite ends of said base portion of said lower chamber, said first leg portion of said lower chamber having a terminal end adjacent said front edge of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device and said terminal end of said first leg portion of said second arc-shaped chamber, said second leg portion of said lower chamber having a terminal end adjacent said rear edge of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device and said terminal end of said first leg portion of said fourth arc-shaped chamber,

said points of connection being arranged such that a line extending vertically from said upper edge to said lower edge at any position within said inflatable volume intersects at least two of said chambers.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including a fill tube having a portion located in said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said inflation fluid source being connected in fluid communication with a first end of said fill tube, said inflation fluid source, when actuated, providing inflation fluid to said fill tube, said fill tube directing said inflation fluid into said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device to inflate said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device including a pocket for receiving a second end portion of said fill tube, opposite said first end portion, said pocket surrounding said second end portion of said fill tube and forming a snug fit with said second end portion of said fill tube, said pocket helping to position said fill tube relative to said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said pocket is defined by portions of said overlying panels that are interconnected, said portions comprising:

a first portion defined by a portion of said perimeter connection extending along said upper edge and intersecting said front edge of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device;

a second portion spaced apart from said first portion and extending generally parallel to said first portion and intersecting said front edge of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device; and

an end portion extending between said first and second portions, said end portion being defined by a portion of said perimeter connection extending along said front edge of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein at least a portion of said points of connection help to position said fill tube relative to said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said fill tube is positioned adjacent said upper edge of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising a first flexible elongated member for connecting said front edge of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device to the side structure of the vehicle, and a second flexible elongated member for connecting said rear edge of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device to the side structure of the vehicle.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said first flexible elongated member has a first end connected to a front lower corner of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device and a second end connected to the vehicle side structure at a first location, said second flexible elongated member having a first end connected to a rear lower corner of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device and a second end connected to the vehicle side structure at a second location.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said first location is on an A pillar of the vehicle.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said second location is on a C pillar of the vehicle.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of said arc-shaped chambers when inflated is adapted to extend along an arc-shaped path from a reclined position to a leaned forward position in the vehicle.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein said points of connection define first and second inflatable middle chambers, said first middle chamber being positioned between said second arc-shaped chamber and said lower chamber, said second middle chamber being positioned between said fourth arc-shaped chamber and said lower chamber.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said points of connection define first and second inflatable middle chambers, said first middle chamber being positioned between said second arc-shaped chamber and said lower chamber, said second middle chamber being positioned between said fourth arc-shaped chamber and said lower chamber.

13. Apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said first, second, third, and fourth arc-shaped chambers, said lower chamber, and said first and second middle chambers are in fluid communication with each other.

14. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said points of connection comprise at least one of round connections and line connections, said line connections having opposite end portions, at least one of said end portions being drop-shaped, and a central portion extending between said end portions, said central portion including at least a portion that is curved.

15. Apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein said round connections and said end portions of said line connections are circular.

16. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device when inflated extends along the side structure of the vehicle between an A pillar and a C pillar of the vehicle.

17. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, when inflated, overlies at least a portion of an A pillar, a B pillar and a C pillar of the vehicle.

18. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device is an inflatable curtain having a stored position extending along the side structure adjacent a roof of the vehicle, said inflatable curtain being inflated away from the vehicle roof into said position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant.

19. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said overlying panels are woven together to form said points of connection.

20. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said points of connection comprise stitching securing said panels together.

21. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of said points of connection is adapted to receive means for helping to connect said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device to the vehicle.

22. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a sensor for sensing a vehicle condition for which deployment of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device is desired, said sensor actuating said inflation fluid source to provide inflation fluid to inflate said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device.

23. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said inflation fluid source comprises an inflator that is actuatable to inflate said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device.

24. Apparatus as defined claim 1, wherein said first leg portions of said first and second arc-shaped chambers are positioned adjacent an A pillar of the vehicle.

25. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said first leg portions of said third and fourth arc-shaped chambers are positioned adjacent a C pillar of the vehicle.

26. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said second leg portions of said first, second, third and fourth arc-shaped chambers are positioned adjacent a B pillar of the vehicle.