Head protection airbag system

• US 6,705,636 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2002
• Issued: 03/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Takahara, Isamu
• Primary Examiner(s): English, Peter C.
• Application Number:
  US10/084,482
• Publication Number:
  US 20020140211A1
• Time in Patent Office: 747 Days
• Field of Search: 280/729, 280/730.2, 280/730.1, 280/728.2, 280/736, 280/740
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0442 associated with the roof panel
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/161 characterised by additional means for controlling deployment trajectory
• 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 21/04 Padded linings for the vehicle interior ; Energy absorbing structures associated with padded or non-padded linings
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/26 characterised by the inflation fluid source or means to control inflation fluid flow arrangement or mounting thereof to the vehicle B60R21/20; blasting cartridges for producing gas under pressure in general F42B3/04; initiators or igniters therefor F42B3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/261 with means other than bag structure to diffuse or guide inflation fluid

Abstract

A head protection airbag system for a vehicle with a roof side rail includes an airbag stored in the vehicle along the roof side rail, and an inflator mounted to the roof side rail. The inflator is operable to supply a gas that inflates the airbag so that the airbag deploys into a curtain-like shape along a side wall of a passenger compartment. A bracket, which is formed of an energy absorbing material, is interposed between the roof side rail and the inflator for mounting the inflator to the roof side rail such that the inflator is movable over a predetermined distance, whereby an external force applied to the inflator is mitigated by the bracket.

Claims

1. A head protection airbag system for a vehicle including a roof side rail, the system comprising:

an airbag stored in the vehicle along the roof side rail;

an inflator mounted to the roof side rail and operable to supply a gas that inflates the airbag so that the airbag deploys into a curtain shape along a side wall of a vehicle compartment of the vehicle; and

a bracket formed of an energy absorbing material interposed between the roof side rail and the inflator, the inflator mounted to the roof side rail by the bracket such that the inflator is movable over a predetermined distance, and the bracket is attached to the roof side rail at a location between the inflator and the airbag, and whereby an external force applied to the inflator is mitigated by the bracket.

2. The head protection airbag system according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle further includes a roof headlining disposed on a side of the inflator closer to the vehicle compartment so as to cover the inflator, the head protection airbag system further comprising:

an energy absorbing member mounted on a portion of the roof headlining that faces the inflator.

3. The head protection airbag system according to claim 2, wherein the energy absorbing member comprises an energy absorbing pad.

4. The head protection airbag system according to claim 1, further comprising a diffuser pipe gas-tightly coupled to a gas outlet of the inflator and a gas inlet of the airbag so as to connect the inflator with the airbag.

5. The head protection airbag system according to claim 4, wherein the diffuser pipe includes a distal end portion exposed to a gas passage formed in the airbag in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the distal end portion of the diffuser pipe having a plurality of holes through which the gas is ejected.

6. The head protection airbag system according to claim 4, wherein the airbag includes a front-seat inflatable portion that protects a front-seated occupant, and a rear-seat inflatable portion that protects a rear-seated occupant, and wherein the gas inlet of the airbag is located between the front-seat inflatable portion and the rear-seat inflatable portion.

7. The head protection airbag system according to claim 1, wherein the airbag includes a front-seat inflatable portion that protects a front-seated occupant, and a rear-seat inflatable portion that protects a rear-seated occupant, and wherein at least a part of the inflator is disposed between the front-seat inflatable portion and the rear-seat inflatable portion.

8. The head protection airbag system according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle further includes a B-pillar garnish disposed below the airbag, the B-pillar garnish having a protrusion formed on a back surface thereof so as to prevent the airbag, upon deployment thereof, from entering a region of the vehicle located behind the B-pillar garnish.

9. The head protection airbag system according to claim 8, wherein the protrusion includes an inclined surface that guides the airbag during deployment of the airbag to prevent the airbag from being caught by the B-pillar garnish.