Curtain airbag device

• US 7,357,413 B2
• Filed: 06/16/2005
• Issued: 04/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Japan K.K.
• Original Assignee: Takata Corporation (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Noguchi, Atsushi, Mitsuo, Tetsu
• Primary Examiner(s): CULBRETH, ERIC D
• Application Number:
  US11/153,434
• Publication Number:
  US 20050285378A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,034 Days
• Field of Search: 280/730.2, 280/749, 280/743.1, 280/743.2
• 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 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 guiding element that achieve a simplified installation process for attaching a curtain airbag to a vehicle body, and that allow the curtain airbag to be deployed smoothly. When an inflator is activated, a curtain airbag may be deployed downward. A rear portion of the deploying curtain airbag may be guided along a guide rod via a link strap. The curtain airbag may be folded in a zigzag manner along folding lines extending in a horizontal direction. The link strap may protrude from a bottom corner area of the curtain airbag and have a base end which is disposed at a side of the folded curtain airbag proximate a vehicle body.

Claims

1. A curtain airbag device for a vehicle, comprising:

a curtain airbag folded so as to extend longitudinally in a front-rear direction of a vehicle, wherein the curtain airbag is arranged to deploy downward along an inner side surface of the vehicle, wherein the folded curtain airbag comprises two sheets combined together;

a gas generator for supplying the curtain airbag with gas in order to inflate the curtain airbag;

a guiding element extending in a vertical direction and mounted on an interior of the vehicle, the guiding element guiding the curtain airbag when the curtain airbag is being deployed downward; and

a linking member which protrudes from a lower edge of the curtain airbag, wherein the linking member is attached to an exterior of the guiding element so that the linking member is guided along the exterior of the guiding element, wherein the linking member extends in an elongated manner and is a segment of the combined sheets of the airbag; and

wherein a base end of the linking member is disposed at a side of the folded curtain airbag proximate to a vehicle body.

2. The curtain airbag device of claim 1, wherein the guiding element is mounted on a pillar in the interior of the vehicle.

3. The curtain airbag device of claim 2, wherein the guiding element is a vertical rod.

4. The curtain airbag device of claim 1, wherein the linking member is tied to the guiding element.

5. The curtain airbag device of claim 1, wherein the linking member includes a ring at an end of the linking member, and wherein the guiding element passes through the ring and attaches the linking member to the guiding element.

6. A curtain airbag device for a vehicle, comprising:

a curtain airbag folded so as to extend longitudinally in a front-rear direction of a vehicle, wherein the curtain airbag is arranged to deploy downward along an inner side surface of a vehicle cabin, wherein the folded curtain airbag comprises two sheets combined together;

a gas generator for supplying the curtain airbag with gas in order to inflate the curtain airbag;

a guiding element extending in a vertical direction and mounted on an interior of the vehicle, the guiding element guiding the curtain airbag when the curtain airbag is being deployed downward; and

a linking member which protrudes from a lower edge of the curtain airbag, wherein the linking member is attached to an exterior of the guiding element so that the linking member is guided along the exterior of the guiding element, wherein the linking member extends in an elongated manner and is a segment of the combined sheets of the airbag; and

wherein a base end of the linking member is disposed at a side of the folded curtain airbag proximate to an inside of a vehicle cabin, and wherein the linking member extends from the side of the folded curtain airbag proximate to the inside of the vehicle cabin and around a lower side of the folded curtain airbag toward a vehicle body.

7. The curtain airbag device of claim 6, wherein the guiding element is mounted on a pillar in the interior of the vehicle.

8. The curtain airbag device of claim 7, wherein the guiding element is a vertical rod.

9. The curtain airbag device of claim 6, wherein the linking member is tied to the guiding element.

10. The curtain airbag device of claim 6, wherein the linking member includes a ring at an end of the linking member, and wherein the guiding element passes through the ring and attaches the linking member to the guiding element.

11. A curtain airbag device for a vehicle, comprising:

a curtain airbag that deploys downward along an inner side surface of the vehicles, wherein the folded curtain airbag comprises two sheets combined together;

a gas generator for supplying the curtain airbag with gas in order to inflate the curtain airbag;

a guiding element extending in a vertical direction and mounted on an interior of the vehicle, the guiding element guiding the curtain airbag when the curtain airbag is being deployed downward; and

a linking member which protrudes from a lower edge of the curtain airbag, wherein the linking member is attached to an exterior of the guiding element so that the linking member is guided along the exterior of the guiding element, and wherein the linking member extends in an elongated manner and is a segment of the combined sheets of the airbag.