Add-on inflatable curtain deployment ramp to center pillar trim

• US 7,578,521 B2
• Filed: 09/20/2007
• Issued: 08/25/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America Incorporated (Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Jaramillo, Jamison, Downey, Brian, Elliott-Rumberger, Kristi
• Primary Examiner(s): Dayoan; D. Glenn
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sliteris; Joselynn Y.
• Application Number:
  US11/858,555
• Publication Number:
  US 20080007034A1
• Time in Patent Office: 705 Days
• Field of Search: 280/730.2, 280/728.3, 280/728.2
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/025 Pillars; Roof rails
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2013/0287 integrating other functions or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars

Abstract

A pillar trim component can include a main body member and a separately formed airbag support member having an integrally formed inflatable curtain deployment trajectory ramp surface, and complementary interconnecting shaped portions formed on the main body member and the airbag support member for interlocking assembly of a subassembly of the airbag support member to the main body member prior to installation in a motor vehicle. The complementary interconnecting shaped portions, when assembled, prevent unintended disassembly of the subassembly. An airbag positioning portion can be defined by at least a portion of an upwardly extending wall of the airbag support member angled inboard toward the main body member. A headliner retaining portion can be defined by a recess formed between the deployment surface and the main body member.

Claims

1. A pillar trim component assembly for covering at least a portion of a pillar structure of a motor vehicle having an inflatable side curtain airbag comprising:

an elongate, main body member for covering at least a portion of the pillar structure, and including first complementary shaped portions formed on the main body member; and

a separately formed airbag support member having an integrally formed inflatable curtain deployment trajectory ramp surface, and including second complementary shaped portions formed on the airbag support member, wherein the first and second complementary shaped portions are configured and arranged for complementary interconnection into an interlocking subassembly of the airbag support member to the main body member prior to installation of the subassembly into a motor vehicle, the first and second complementary shaped portions further configured and arranged to prevent unintended disassembly of the subassembly;

each of the main body member and airbag support member having at least one fastener-receiving aperture formed therein to be coaxially aligned with respect to one another when the airbag support member is assembled to the main body member; and

a fastener that extends through the fastener-receiving apertures of the main body member and the airbag support member and is engageable with the pillar structure of the motor vehicle for attaching an assembled subassembly of the main body member and the airbag support member to the motor vehicle.

2. The pillar trim component assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

an airbag positioning surface defined by at least a portion of a wall of the airbag support member extending angled inboard toward the ramp surface formed on the airbag support member.

3. The pillar trim component assembly of claim 1, wherein the airbag support member is to be assembled to an upper portion of the main body member with the ramp surface located above and extending toward the main body member.

4. The pillar trim component assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

a reinforcement section of the airbag support member having at least one energy absorbing rib.

5. The pillar trim component assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second complementary shaped portions further comprise:

at least one trim fastening clip restraining the airbag support member against longitudinal movement relative to the elongate main body member.

6. The pillar trim component assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one coaxially aligned fastener-receiving aperture of the airbag support member is located below an upper surface of the main body member.

7. The pillar trim component assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

at least one flange formed on one of the main body member and the airbag support member to create an interference fit for resisting inboard/outboard movement relative to one another.

8. The pillar trim component assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

a bridge formed on the main body member defining an aperture for retaining the airbag support member.

9. A pillar trim component assembly for covering at least a portion of a pillar structure of a motor vehicle having an inflatable side curtain airbag comprising:

an elongate, main body member for covering at least a portion of a pillar structure, and including first complementary shaped portions formed on the main body member;

a separately formed airbag support member having an integrally formed inflatable curtain deployment trajectory ramp surface, and including second complementary shaped portions formed on the airbag support member, wherein the first and second complementary shaped portions are configured and arranged for complementary interconnection into an interlocking subassembly of the airbag support member to the main body member prior to installation of the subassembly into a motor vehicle, the first and second complementary shaped portions further configured and arranged to prevent unintended disassembly of the subassembly; and

the first and second complementary shaped portions having at least one trim fastening clip located on one of the main body member and the airbag support member, the at least one trim fastening clip having a tab located on an outer end for capturing a corresponding complementary wall portion of the other of the main body member and the airbag support member.

10. The pillar trim assembly of claim 9, wherein the at least one trim fastening clip further comprises:

at least one inboard trim fastening clip located on an inboard side of the airbag support member for capturing a corresponding wall portion formed on an outboard side of the main body member;

at least one outboard trim fastening clip located on an outboard side of the airbag support member for capturing a corresponding wall portion formed on an inboard side of the main body member; and

at least one fore/aft trim fastening clip located on a fore/aft side of the airbag support member for capturing a corresponding wall portion formed on a corresponding aft/fore side of the main body member.

11. A pillar structure for a motor vehicle having a side curtain airbag, comprising:

a pillar panel having at least one fastener receiving-aperture;

a pillar trim component subassembly comprising;

an elongate, main body member for covering at least a portion of the pillar panel,

a separately formed, airbag support member interconnected in a subassembly to an upper portion of the main body member, the airbag support member having an integrally formed inflatable curtain deployment trajectory ramp surface, and

each of the main body member and the airbag support member having at least one fastener-receiving aperture, such that at least one of the fastener-receiving apertures in each of the main body member and the airbag support member coaxially align with one another when interconnected in the subassembly; and

a fastener that extends through the at least one fastener-receiving apertures of the pillar panel, the main body member, and the airbag support member to connect the pillar trim component subassembly to the pillar panel.

12. The pillar structure of claim 11, wherein the at least one coaxially aligned fastener-receiving aperture of the airbag support member is located below an upper surface of the main body member.

13. The pillar structure of claim 11, wherein the airbag support member includes an airbag positioning portion extending in a direction inboard away from the pillar panel.

14. The pillar structure of claim 13, wherein the airbag positioning portion is defined by at least a portion of a wall of the airbag support member extending angled inboard toward the ramp surface.

15. The pillar structure of claim 11, wherein the airbag support member is to be assembled in a subassembly to an upper portion of the main body member prior to assembly to the pillar panel, the assembled airbag support member having the ramp surface located above and extending toward the main body member.

16. The pillar structure of claim 11 further comprising:

a reinforcement section of the airbag support member having at least one energy absorbing rib.

17. The pillar structure of claim 11 further comprising:

complementary interconnecting shaped portions formed on the main body member and the airbag support member for interlocking assembly into a subassembly of the airbag support member and the main body member.

18. The pillar structure of claim 17, wherein the complementary interconnecting shaped portions further comprise:

at least one trim fastening clip restraining the airbag support member against longitudinal movement relative to the elongate main body member.

19. The pillar structure of claim 17 further comprising:

at least one flange formed on one of the main body member and the airbag support member to create an interference fit for resisting inboard/outboard movement relative to one another.

20. The pillar structure of claim 11 further comprising:

a bridge formed on the main body member defining an aperture for retaining the airbag support member.

21. A pillar structure for a motor vehicle having a side curtain airbag, comprising:

a pillar panel; and

a pillar trim component subassembly comprising;

an elongate, main body member for covering at least a portion of the pillar panel;

a separately formed, airbag support member interconnected in a subassembly to an upper portion of the main body member, the airbag support member having an integrally formed inflatable curtain deployment trajectory ramp surface;

each of the main body member and the airbag support member having at least one fastener-receiving aperture, such that at least one of the fastener-receiving apertures in each of the main body member and the airbag support member coaxially align with one another when interconnected in the subassembly for receiving a fastener for assembling the subassembly to the pillar panel;

complementary interconnecting shaped portions formed on the main body member and the airbag support member for interlocking assembly into a subassembly of the airbag support member and the main body member; and

the complementary interconnecting shaped portions having at least one trim fastening clip located on one of the main body member and the airbag support member, the at least one trim fastening clip having a tab located on an outer end for capturing a corresponding complementary wall portion of the other of the main body member and the airbag support member.

22. The pillar structure of claim 21, wherein the at least one trim fastening clip further comprises:

at least one inboard trim fastening clip located on an inboard side of the airbag support member for capturing a corresponding wall portion formed on an outboard side of the main body member;

at least one outboard trim fastening clip located on an outboard side of the airbag support member for capturing a corresponding wall portion formed on an inboard side of the main body member; and

at least one fore/aft trim fastening clip located on a fore/aft side of the airbag support member for capturing a corresponding wall portion formed on a corresponding all/fore side of the main body member.