Guide unit for guiding curtain airbag and curtain airbag device

• US 7,273,228 B2
• Filed: 12/16/2004
• Issued: 09/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Takata Corporation (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Takata Corporation (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Noguchi, Atsushi, Mitsuo, Tetsu, Yamanaka, Toshihiko
• Primary Examiner(s): Culbreth; Eric
• Assistant Examiner(s): BECK, KAREN JANE AMORES
• Application Number:
  US11/012,135
• Publication Number:
  US 20050134027A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,013 Days
• Field of Search: 280/730.1, 280/730.2, 280/743.1, 280/743.2, 280/749
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/161 characterised by additional means for controlling deployment trajectory
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23386 External tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23388 having ends which are movable or detachable during deployment
• 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 21/2338 Tethers

Abstract

A curtain airbag device and a guide unit allow for quick deployment of a curtain airbag by smoothly guiding a link strap that connects a curtain airbag and a guide element into the space between a side edge of a pillar garnish and a vehicle member at the early stage of the deployment of the curtain airbag. When an inflator is activated, a curtain airbag is deployed downward along the cabin-side of a pillar garnish. During the deployment, the rear portion of the curtain airbag is guided by a guide rod via a link strap. The link strap starts moving downward along the guide rod when the curtain airbag begins to be deployed. At this moment the link strap is guided into the space between the pillar garnish and a weather strip by a guide member.

Claims

1. A guide unit for guiding a curtain airbag, comprising:

a guide element attached to a pillar of a vehicle and extending in the vertical direction for guiding the ends of a curtain airbag that is capable of being deployed downward along the inner side surface of the vehicle cabin;

a strap protruding from the curtain airbag and engaging with the guide element; and

a guide member for guiding the strap into the space between a side edge of a pillar garnish and a vehicle member when the strap moves downward with the deployment of the curtain airbag, wherein the guide member is disposed on the pillar garnish.

5. The guide unit according to claim 1, wherein a side edge of the pillar garnish is connected to a side edge of the guide member, forming a consecutive, substantially smooth plane.

9. The guide unit according to claim 1, wherein the guide member extends from above the top edge of the pillar garnish, and from the anterior position of the top edge adjacent to the front vehicle body or from the posterior position of the top edge adjacent to the rear vehicle body towards the inner side of the pillar garnish.

2. A guide unit for guiding a curtain airbag, comprising:

a guide element attached to a pillar of a vehicle and extending in the vertical direction for guiding the ends of a curtain airbag that is capable of being deployed downward along the inner side surface of the vehicle cabin;

a strap protruding from the curtain airbag and engaging with the guide element; and

a guide member for guiding the strap into the space between a side edge of a pillar garnish and a vehicle member when the strap moves downward with the deployment of the curtain airbag, wherein the guide member is disposed along the vehicle member, and

wherein the strap is disposed between the guide member and the vehicle member.

3. The guide unit according to claim 2, wherein

the guide member comprises a first guide plate adjacent to the vehicle body and a second guide plate adjacent to the interior of the vehicle cabin;

and

the strap is disposed between the guide plates.

4. The guide unit according to claim 2, further comprising:

a curtain-guide member for guiding the curtain airbag towards the interior of the vehicle cabin away from the pillar garnish at the beginning of deployment of the curtain airbag; and

a supporting member disposed on the curtain-guide member for supporting the pillar garnish.

6. The guide unit according to claim 2, wherein the guide member is disposed on the pillar or a roof-side member.

7. The guide unit according to claim 2, wherein the guide member is disposed on the guide element.

8. The guide unit according to claim 2, further comprising:

a curtain-guide member for guiding the curtain airbag towards the interior of the vehicle cabin away from the pillar garnish at the beginning of deployment of the curtain airbag, wherein the curtain-guide member is provided with the guide member.

10. A curtain airbag device, comprising:

a curtain airbag that is capable of being deployed downward along an inner side surface of a vehicle cabin; and

a guide unit comprising;

a guide element attached to a pillar of a vehicle and extending in the vertical direction for guiding the ends of the curtain airbag that is capable of being deployed downward along the inner side surface of the vehicle cabin;

a strap protruding from the curtain airbag and engaging with the guide element; and

a guide member for guiding the strap into the space between a side edge of a pillar garnish and a vehicle member when the strap moves downward with the deployment of the curtain airbag, wherein the guide member is disposed on the pillar garnish.

13. The curtain airbag device according to claim 10, further comprising:

a curtain-guide member for guiding the curtain airbag towards the interior of the vehicle cabin away from the pillar garnish at the beginning of deployment of the curtain airbag; and

a supporting member disposed on the curtain-guide member for supporting the pillar garnish.

14. The curtain airbag device according to claim 10, wherein a side edge of the pillar garnish is connected to a side edge of the guide member, forming a consecutive, substantially smooth plane.

18. The curtain airbag device according to claim 10, wherein the guide member extends from above the top edge of the pillar garnish, and from the anterior position of the top edge adjacent to the front vehicle body or from the posterior position of the top edge adjacent to the rear vehicle body towards the inner side of the pillar garnish.

11. A curtain airbag device, comprising:

a curtain airbag that is capable of being deployed downward along an inner side surface of a vehicle cabin; and

a guide unit comprising;

a guide element attached to a pillar of a vehicle and extending in the vertical direction for guiding the ends of the curtain airbag that is capable of being deployed downward along the inner side surface of the vehicle cabin;

a strap protruding from the curtain airbag and engaging with the guide element; and

a guide member for guiding the strap into the space between a side edge of a pillar garnish and a vehicle member when the strap moves downward with the deployment of the curtain airbag, wherein the guide member is disposed along the vehicle member, and

wherein the strap is disposed between the guide member and the vehicle member.

12. The curtain airbag device according to claim 11, wherein

the guide member comprises a first guide plate adjacent to the vehicle body and a second guide plate adjacent to the interior of the vehicle cabin;

and

the strap is disposed between the guide plates.

15. The curtain airbag device according to claim 11, wherein the guide member is disposed on the pillar or a roof-side member.

16. The curtain airbag device according to claim 11, wherein the guide member is disposed on the guide element.

17. The curtain airbag device according to claim 11, further comprising:

a curtain-guide member for guiding the curtain airbag towards the interior of the vehicle cabin away from the pillar garnish at the beginning of deployment of the curtain airbag, wherein the curtain-guide member is provided with the guide member.