Method and apparatus for providing an inflatable cushion for use with a vehicle door

• US 7,413,215 B2
• Filed: 06/09/2004
• Issued: 08/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Autoliv Development AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Steinbach, Mark A., Weston, Douglas Stephen, Welch, Jeffrey Allen
• Primary Examiner(s): Ilan; Ruth
• Application Number:
  US10/864,669
• Publication Number:
  US 20050057024A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,532 Days
• Field of Search: 280/730.2, 280/730.1, 280/728.3, 280/728.2
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/21 in vehicle side panels, e.g. doors pillar mounted arrangements B60R21/213

Abstract

An airbag device for use with a vehicle door having a window, the airbag device comprising: an inflatable cushion having a predetermined shape, the predetermined shape being configured to have a periphery larger than the periphery of the window of the door when the inflatable cushion is inflated; a backing plate for mounting the inflatable cushion in a desired location, the backing plate providing a reaction surface for a portion of the inflatable cushion as it is being inflated; an inflator for providing an inflation output to the inflatable cushion; and a conduit for providing fluid communication between the inflator and the inflatable cushion, the conduit having a diffuser portion disposed within the inflatable cushion, the diffuser portion having a plurality of diffuser openings for allowing the inflation output to be received within the inflatable cushion, wherein inflation of the inflatable cushion by the inflator will cause portions of the inflatable cushion to overlap the periphery of the window opening such that a retentive covering is provided over the window.

Claims

1. A door mounted inflatable device, comprising:

a modular member adapted to be mounted to a vehicle door, said modular member defining a recess and a plurality of tab openings,

an inflatable cushion disposed within the recess;

an inflator for providing an inflation output to inflate said inflatable cushion;

a conduit providing fluid communication between said inflator and said inflatable cushion, said conduit further comprising a diffuser portion disposed within said inflatable cushion, said diffuser portion having a plurality of diffuser openings for dispersement of said inflation output into said inflatable cushion, wherein said inflatable cushion is configured to have an inflated configuration that provides a retention barrier proximate to a surface of the door;

a carrier plate disposed with the recess and configured to provide a reaction surface for the inflatable cushion; and

a deployable door having tabs received in the tab openings and covering the recess.

2. The door mounted inflatable device as in claim 1, wherein said inflator is mounted on said carrier plate proximate to a hinge side of the vehicle door.

3. The door mounted inflatable device as in claim 1, wherein said carrier plate comprises an elongated portion, wherein a portion of said conduit is secured to said elongated portion.