Dynamic ramp apparatus for curtain airbag in automobile

• US 7,641,227 B2
• Filed: 12/29/2006
• Issued: 01/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Inventors: Choi, Jae Ho
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson; Paul N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Freedman; Laura
• Application Number:
  US11/648,889
• Publication Number:
  US 20080106082A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,103 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.3, 280/730.2, 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 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge

Abstract

An expansion guiding apparatus of an airbag includes a connector connected to the airbag and to a pillar trim. When the airbag expands, it pulls the connector, which folds the pillar trim. The connector may include direction-change pins and a wire extending from the airbag to the direction-change pins to the pillar trim, sequentially, and attached to the airbag and the pillar trim. The wire may include a hook with a notch, attaching the wire to the pillar trim. Alternatively, the connector may include a rotating bar, rotatable about a hinge on the inner panel, and a wire extending from the airbag to the rotating bar to the pillar trim, sequentially, and attached to the airbag and the pillar trim. The wire may include a hook with a notch, attaching the wire to the rotating bar. The pillar trim may include a hinge, a notch, or a soft material part.

Claims

1. An expansion guiding apparatus of an airbag, comprising:

a pillar trim; and

a connector comprising a first side configured to be connected to the airbag and a second side configured to be connected to the pillar trim;

wherein when the airbag expands, the airbag pulls the connector, which folds the pillar trim, and

wherein the connector comprises at least one direction-change pin mounted on an inner panel, and a wire extending from the airbag around the at least one direction-change pin to the pillar trim sequentially so that the airbag and the pillar trim are attached by the connector.

2. The expansion guiding apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wire comprises a hook-shaped fixing member comprising a notch, attaching the wire to the pillar trim.

3. The expansion guiding apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pillar trim comprises a hinge.

4. The expansion guiding apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pillar trim comprises a notch.

5. The expansion guiding apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pillar trim comprises a soft material part.

6. An expansion guiding apparatus of an airbag, comprising:

a pillar trim; and

a connector comprising a first side configured to be connected to the airbag and a second side configured to be connected to the pillar trim;

wherein when the airbag expands, the airbag pulls the connector, which folds the pillar trim, and

wherein the connector comprises a rotating bar, rotatable about a hinge mounted on an inner panel, and a wire extending from the airbag to the rotating bar to the pillar trim, sequentially so that the airbag and the pillar trim are attached by the connector.

7. The expansion guiding apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the wire comprises a hook-shaped fixing member comprising a notch, attaching the wire to rotating bar.

8. The expansion guiding apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the pillar trim comprises a hinge.

9. The expansion guiding apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the pillar trim comprises a notch.

10. The expansion guiding apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the pillar trim comprises a soft material part.