Rocker trim packaged side impact airbag system

• US 7,472,922 B2
• Filed: 11/04/2005
• Issued: 01/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Chai, Li, Wu, Fubang, Saha, Nripen
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleming; Faye M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Freedman; Laura
• Application Number:
  US11/163,949
• Publication Number:
  US 20070102906A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,159 Days
• Field of Search: 280/730.2, 280/743.1, 280/743.2
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23386 External tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/23184 Tubular air bags connected to the vehicle at their two extremities
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2338 Tethers

Abstract

A side impact airbag system is disclosed that is stored behind cover panels provided on the A-hinge pillar, rocker, and C-body lock pillar. The airbag is stored in a receptacle until it is inflated by an inflator. The inflator inflates the airbag that is connected between fore-and-aft spaced anchoring points. When the airbag is in a deployed position, it is located between a seat and door of the vehicle. The deployment height of the airbag is controlled by tethering side shield panels that are secured between the airbag and the vehicle. The tethering side shield panels are not inflated by the inflator but are pulled to a taut condition as a result of the deployment of the airbag.

Claims

1. A side impact airbag system for a vehicle having a rocker panel area, a front hinge pillar, a rear body lock pillar, and a beltline, the air bag system comprising:

an elongated airbag defined by a tubular textile member;

an inflator that selectively emits a gaseous medium into the airbag to inflate the airbag in the event of a collision;

the airbag being stored in a compartment in the rocker panel area, the front hinge pillar, and the rear body lock pillar;

at least one tether connecting the airbag to the compartment that limits the upward movement of the airbag, wherein the tether is at least one web of textile material that is drawn to a taut condition as the airbag is moved toward the beltline of the vehicle to provide a buffer below the airbag that is not inflated by the inflator; and

wherein the airbag is deployed by being filled with the gaseous medium and moving in an upward direction to a position adjacent the beltline of the vehicle.

2. The side impact airbag system of claim 1 further comprising cover panels disposed over the compartment that are opened by the force of the airbag as the gaseous medium inflates the airbag.

3. The side impact airbag system of claim 1 wherein the elongated airbag is gathered into a compressed tubular state when stored in the compartment.

4. The side impact airbag system of claim 1 wherein the airbag moves to a position at the level of a shoulder of an occupant of a vehicle seat.

5. A side impact airbag system and a vehicle in combination, comprising:

the vehicle having a door, a seat, a rocker, a front hinge pillar, and a rear body lock pillar,

an air bag being formed as a tubular textile member that is contained in a receptacle;

an inflator that selectively emits a gaseous medium into the airbag to inflate the airbag in the event of a collision;

at least one tether connecting the airbag to the receptacle that limits the upward movement of the airbag, wherein the tether is a web textile material that is drawn to a taut condition as the airbag is moved toward the beltline of the vehicle to provide a buffer below the airbag that is not inflated by the inflator;

the airbag being stored in the receptacle in the rocker, the front hinge pillar, and the rear body lock pillar; and

wherein the airbag is inflated by the gaseous medium and moves to a position between the door and the seat of the vehicle.

6. The side impact airbag system of claim 5 further comprising cover panels disposed over the receptacle that are opened by the force of the airbag as the gaseous medium inflates the airbag.

7. The side impact airbag system of claim 5 wherein the elongated airbag is gathered into a compressed state when stored in the receptacle.

8. The side impact airbag system of claim 5 wherein the airbag moves to a position at the level of a shoulder of an occupant of a vehicle seat.

9. An airbag system for a vehicle having a passenger compartment, the passenger compartment having a receptacle that extends across the front door and rear door of the vehicle, the receptacle having a trim plate, the air bag system comprising:

an elongated airbag that has a stored position in the receptacle and a deployed position in which the airbag extends between fore-and-aft spaced connection points in the passenger compartment that are vertically spaced from the receptacle;

an inflator is operatively assembled to the airbag to selectively provide a gaseous medium that flows into the airbag when triggered by a collision; and

at least one tethering side shield panel connecting the airbag to the receptacle that limits the upward movement of the airbag, wherein the tethering side shield is a web of textile material that is drawn to a taut condition as the airbag is moved toward the deployed position to provide a buffer below the airbag that is not inflated by the inflator.

10. The airbag system of claim 9 wherein the airbag when deployed is positioned between a door of the vehicle and a seat that is located adjacent the door.

11. The airbag system of claim 9 wherein the receptacle is covered by the trim plate when the airbag is in the stored position.

12. The airbag system of claim 11 wherein the trim plate breaks away from the receptacle to permit the airbag to move from the stored position to the deployed position.

13. The airbag system of claim 9 wherein the airbag is gathered into a compressed condition when stored in the receptacle.

14. The airbag system of claim 9 wherein the airbag moves to a position at the level of a shoulder of an occupant of a vehicle seat.