Curtain airbag device
First Claim
1. A curtain airbag device for deployment in a passenger compartment of a vehicle, the curtain airbag device comprising:
- a curtain airbag for being deployed in a generally downward direction in the vehicle;
a guide for guiding the deployment of the curtain airbag in the downward direction;
a follower for traveling along the guide during airbag deployment;
a connector arranged and configured to extend between the airbag and the follower so that downward airbag deployment forces pull the follower down along the guide for smooth airbag deployment;
a garnish that generally covers the guide and the connector so that the guide and the connector are behind the garnish prior to airbag deployment; and
an overhang member above the garnish for directing the airbag over the garnish and guiding the connector from behind the garnish, over the garnish and down in front of the garnish during airbag deployment.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A curtain airbag device is provided that allows for smooth downward deployment of a curtain airbag. In one form, a C-pillar has a guide rod attached thereto for guiding a rear portion of a curtain airbag when the curtain airbag is being inflated downward. The rear portion of the curtain airbag has a link strap attached thereto. A front end of the link strap is provided with a loop which is loosely wound around the guide rod. For guiding downward movement of the link strap, a linear member extends between a lower portion of the curtain airbag and the link strap. The linear member extends through guide components. During a downward deployment process of the curtain airbag, the linear member pulls the loop of the link strap downward. Thus, the link strap moves downward smoothly along the guide rod for smooth deployment of the curtain airbag.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A curtain airbag device for deployment in a passenger compartment of a vehicle, the curtain airbag device comprising:
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a curtain airbag for being deployed in a generally downward direction in the vehicle; a guide for guiding the deployment of the curtain airbag in the downward direction; a follower for traveling along the guide during airbag deployment; a connector arranged and configured to extend between the airbag and the follower so that downward airbag deployment forces pull the follower down along the guide for smooth airbag deployment; a garnish that generally covers the guide and the connector so that the guide and the connector are behind the garnish prior to airbag deployment; and an overhang member above the garnish for directing the airbag over the garnish and guiding the connector from behind the garnish, over the garnish and down in front of the garnish during airbag deployment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A curtain airbag device for deployment within a cabin of a vehicle, the curtain airbag device comprising:
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a curtain airbag that extends lengthwise in a fore-and-aft direction at an upper position in the vehicle cabin prior to deployment for being deployed in a generally downward and inward, lateral direction into the vehicle cabin; an airbag guide for guiding the deployment of the curtain airbag in the vehicle with the airbag guide being secured to a pillar of the vehicle; a garnish for generally covering the airbag guide and vehicle pillar so that the airbag guide and vehicle pillar are behind the garnish; a follower for traveling along the airbag guide during airbag deployment; a connector extending between the airbag and the follower so that downward airbag deployment forces pull the follower down along the airbag guide; at least one connector guide for guiding a predetermined portion of the connector from behind the garnish around the garnish during airbag deployment; and a link member of the connector connected between the airbag and the follower so that the link member extends from behind the garnish transversely thereto in the inward, lateral direction into the vehicle cabin past the garnish transverse to the fore-and-aft direction during deployment of the airbag to limit travel of the airbag in the inward, lateral direction away from the pillar of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification