Rear structure of vehicle provided with curtain air bag apparatus
First Claim
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1. A vehicle rear structure of a vehicle body, the vehicle rear structure comprising:
- a side window glass provided between a rear pillar positioned in a rear portion of the vehicle body and a middle pillar positioned immediately to a front of the rear pillar;
a curtain air bag apparatus comprising a curtain air bag in a stored state and fixed to the vehicle body in a vicinity of the side window glass, and an inflator for supplying gas pressure to the curtain air bag, wherein the curtain air bag, when expanded by receiving gas pressure from the inflator, is deployed inside a vehicle cabin so as to cover the side window glass along the side window glass;
a soft roof trim that covers a roof panel from inside the vehicle cabin, an outside edge of the roof trim in a widthwise direction of the vehicle being positioned near the side window glass;
a rear pillar trim that is harder than the roof trim, and covers the rear pillar from inside the vehicle cabin, a predetermined end edge being positioned in an immediate vicinity of the side window glass, the predetermined end edge being an end edge of a front of the rear pillar trim that is outward in the widthwise direction of the vehicle body; and
a middle pillar trim that is harder than the roof trim, and covers the middle pillar from inside the vehicle cabin;
wherein the curtain air bag in a stored state is fixed to the vehicle body along an upper edge and a rear edge of the side window glass, and a portion of the curtain air bag in a stored state along the upper edge of the side window glass is positioned above the roof trim, and a portion of the curtain air bag in a stored state along the rear edge of the side window glass is positioned to the rear of the predetermined end edge,when the curtain air bag in a stored state has been expanded, the curtain air bag is deployed in the vehicle cabin while deforming the roof trim downward and deforming at least an upper portion of the predetermined end edge frontward,when the curtain air bag is in a stored state, a separation distance in the widthwise direction of the vehicle body of the curtain air bag from the side window glass, in the portion along the rear edge of the side window glass, is less than that of the portion of the curtain air bag along the upper edge of the side window glass in a vicinity of the middle pillar trim, andwherein the separation distance in the widthwise direction of the vehicle of the curtain air bag of the portion along the upper edge of the side window glass in a stored state from the side window glass is set to be less for the portion in the vicinity of the rear end than for the portion in the vicinity of the front end.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A middle pillar trim and a rear pillar trim positioned to the front and rear of a side window glass are each harder than a roof trim. A curtain air bag fixed to a rear pillar is deployed in a vehicle cabin while a predetermined end edge of the front of the rear pillar trim in the widthwise direction of a vehicle is deformed toward the front. The separation distance of the curtain air bag in a stored state from the side window glass in the widthwise direction of the vehicle is L1 (L2) in the portion of the curtain air bag along the rear edge of the side window glass, and L4 in the portion of the curtain air bag at the upper edge of the side window glass near the middle pillar trim, and the separation distance L1(L2) is smaller than the separation distance L4.
31 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A vehicle rear structure of a vehicle body, the vehicle rear structure comprising:
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a side window glass provided between a rear pillar positioned in a rear portion of the vehicle body and a middle pillar positioned immediately to a front of the rear pillar; a curtain air bag apparatus comprising a curtain air bag in a stored state and fixed to the vehicle body in a vicinity of the side window glass, and an inflator for supplying gas pressure to the curtain air bag, wherein the curtain air bag, when expanded by receiving gas pressure from the inflator, is deployed inside a vehicle cabin so as to cover the side window glass along the side window glass; a soft roof trim that covers a roof panel from inside the vehicle cabin, an outside edge of the roof trim in a widthwise direction of the vehicle being positioned near the side window glass; a rear pillar trim that is harder than the roof trim, and covers the rear pillar from inside the vehicle cabin, a predetermined end edge being positioned in an immediate vicinity of the side window glass, the predetermined end edge being an end edge of a front of the rear pillar trim that is outward in the widthwise direction of the vehicle body; and a middle pillar trim that is harder than the roof trim, and covers the middle pillar from inside the vehicle cabin; wherein the curtain air bag in a stored state is fixed to the vehicle body along an upper edge and a rear edge of the side window glass, and a portion of the curtain air bag in a stored state along the upper edge of the side window glass is positioned above the roof trim, and a portion of the curtain air bag in a stored state along the rear edge of the side window glass is positioned to the rear of the predetermined end edge, when the curtain air bag in a stored state has been expanded, the curtain air bag is deployed in the vehicle cabin while deforming the roof trim downward and deforming at least an upper portion of the predetermined end edge frontward, when the curtain air bag is in a stored state, a separation distance in the widthwise direction of the vehicle body of the curtain air bag from the side window glass, in the portion along the rear edge of the side window glass, is less than that of the portion of the curtain air bag along the upper edge of the side window glass in a vicinity of the middle pillar trim, and wherein the separation distance in the widthwise direction of the vehicle of the curtain air bag of the portion along the upper edge of the side window glass in a stored state from the side window glass is set to be less for the portion in the vicinity of the rear end than for the portion in the vicinity of the front end. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A vehicle rear structure of a vehicle body, the vehicle rear structure comprising:
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a side window glass provided between a rear pillar positioned in a rear portion of the vehicle body and a middle pillar positioned immediately to a front of the rear pillar; a curtain air bag apparatus comprising a curtain air bag in a stored state and fixed to the vehicle body in a vicinity of the side window glass, and an inflator for supplying gas pressure to the curtain air bag, wherein the curtain air bag, when expanded by receiving gas pressure from the inflator, is deployed inside a vehicle cabin so as to cover the side window glass along the side window glass; a soft roof trim that covers a roof panel from inside the vehicle cabin, an outside edge of the roof trim in a widthwise direction of the vehicle being positioned near the side window glass; a rear pillar trim that is harder than the roof trim, and covers the rear pillar from inside the vehicle cabin, a predetermined end edge being positioned in an immediate vicinity of the side window glass, the predetermined end edge being an end edge of a front of the rear pillar trim that is outward in the widthwise direction of the vehicle body; and a middle pillar trim that is harder than the roof trim, and covers the middle pillar from inside the vehicle cabin; wherein the curtain air bag in a stored state is fixed to the vehicle body along an upper edge and a rear edge of the side window glass, and a portion of the curtain air bag in a stored state along the upper edge of the side window glass is positioned above the roof trim, and a portion of the curtain air bag in a stored state along the rear edge of the side window glass is positioned to the rear of the predetermined end edge, when the curtain air bag in a stored state has been expanded, the curtain air bag is deployed in the vehicle cabin while deforming the roof trim downward and deforming at least an upper portion of the predetermined end edge frontward, when the curtain air bag is in a stored state, a separation distance in the widthwise direction of the vehicle body of the curtain air bag from the side window glass, in the portion along the rear edge of the side window glass, is less than that of the portion of the curtain air bag along the upper edge of the side window glass in a vicinity of the middle pillar trim, and wherein the curtain air bag in a stored state, in the portion along the upper edge of the side window glass, is positioned gradually to the outside in the widthwise direction of the vehicle toward the rear. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. A vehicle rear structure of a vehicle body, the vehicle rear structure comprising:
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a side window glass provided between a rear pillar positioned in a rear portion of the vehicle body and a middle pillar positioned immediately to a front of the rear pillar; a curtain air bag apparatus comprising a curtain air bag in a stored state and fixed to the vehicle body in a vicinity of the side window glass, and an inflator for supplying gas pressure to the curtain air bag, wherein the curtain air bag, when expanded by receiving gas pressure from the inflator, is deployed inside a vehicle cabin so as to cover the side window glass along the side window glass; a soft roof trim that covers a roof panel from inside the vehicle cabin, an outside edge of the roof trim in a widthwise direction of the vehicle being positioned near the side window glass; a rear pillar trim that is harder than the roof trim, and covers the rear pillar from inside the vehicle cabin, a predetermined end edge being positioned in an immediate vicinity of the side window glass, the predetermined end edge being an end edge of a front of the rear pillar trim that is outward in the widthwise direction of the vehicle body; and a middle pillar trim that is harder than the roof trim, and covers the middle pillar from inside the vehicle cabin; wherein the curtain air bag in a stored state is fixed to the vehicle body along an upper edge and a rear edge of the side window glass, and a portion of the curtain air bag in a stored state along the upper edge of the side window glass is positioned above the roof trim, and a portion of the curtain air bag in a stored state along the rear edge of the side window glass is positioned to the rear of the predetermined end edge, when the curtain air bag in a stored state has been expanded, the curtain air bag is deployed in the vehicle cabin while deforming the roof trim downward and deforming at least an upper portion of the predetermined end edge frontward, when the curtain air bag is in a stored state, a separation distance in the widthwise direction of the vehicle body of the curtain air bag from the side window glass, in the portion along the rear edge of the side window glass, is less than that of the portion of the curtain air bag along the upper edge of the side window glass in a vicinity of the middle pillar trim, and wherein an assist grip fixed to the vehicle body is provided in the vicinity of the curtain air bag in a stored state disposed along the upper edge of the side window glass and to the inside in the widthwise direction of the vehicle, and the separation distance in the widthwise direction of the vehicle of the curtain air bag in a stored state from the side window glass is set to be less for the portion positioned to the outside of the assist grip in the widthwise direction of the vehicle than for the portion positioned to the front of the assist grip. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A vehicle rear structure of a vehicle body, the vehicle rear structure comprising:
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a side window glass provided between a rear pillar positioned in a rear portion of the vehicle body and a middle pillar positioned immediately to a front of the rear pillar; a curtain air bag apparatus comprising a curtain air bag in a stored state and fixed to the vehicle body in a vicinity of the side window glass, and an inflator for supplying gas pressure to the curtain air bag, wherein the curtain air bag, when expanded by receiving gas pressure from the inflator, is deployed inside a vehicle cabin so as to cover the side window glass along the side window glass; a soft roof trim that covers a roof panel from inside the vehicle cabin, an outside edge of the roof trim in a widthwise direction of the vehicle being positioned near the side window glass; a rear pillar trim that is harder than the roof trim, and covers the rear pillar from inside the vehicle cabin, a predetermined end edge being positioned in an immediate vicinity of the side window glass, the predetermined end edge being an end edge of a front of the rear pillar trim that is outward in the widthwise direction of the vehicle body; and a middle pillar trim that is harder than the roof trim, and covers the middle pillar from inside the vehicle cabin; wherein the curtain air bag in a stored state is fixed to the vehicle body along an upper edge and a rear edge of the side window glass, and a portion of the curtain air bag in a stored state along the upper edge of the side window glass is positioned above the roof trim, and a portion of the curtain air bag in a stored state along the rear edge of the side window glass is positioned to the rear of the predetermined end edge, when the curtain air bag in a stored state has been expanded, the curtain air bag is deployed in the vehicle cabin while deforming the roof trim downward and deforming at least an upper portion of the predetermined end edge frontward, when the curtain air bag is in a stored state, a separation distance in the widthwise direction of the vehicle body of the curtain air bag from the side window glass, in the portion along the rear edge of the side window glass, is less than that of the portion of the curtain air bag along the upper edge of the side window glass in a vicinity of the middle pillar trim, and wherein in the portion of the curtain air bag in a stored state along the rear edge of the side window glass, a separation distance of the curtain air bag from the side window glass is less for the lower portion of the curtain air bag than for the upper portion. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A vehicle rear structure of a vehicle body, the vehicle rear structure comprising:
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a side window glass provided between a rear pillar positioned in a rear portion of the vehicle body and a middle pillar positioned immediately to a front of the rear pillar; a curtain air bag apparatus comprising a curtain air bag in a stored state and fixed to the vehicle body in a vicinity of the side window glass, and an inflator for supplying gas pressure to the curtain air bag, wherein the curtain air bag, when expanded by receiving gas pressure from the inflator, is deployed inside a vehicle cabin so as to cover the side window glass along the side window glass; a soft roof trim that covers a roof panel from inside the vehicle cabin, an outside edge of the roof trim in a widthwise direction of the vehicle being positioned near the side window glass; a rear pillar trim that is harder than the roof trim, and covers the rear pillar from inside the vehicle cabin, a predetermined end edge being positioned in an immediate vicinity of the side window glass, the predetermined end edge being an end edge of a front of the rear pillar trim that is outward in the widthwise direction of the vehicle body; and a middle pillar trim that is harder than the roof trim, and covers the middle pillar from inside the vehicle cabin; wherein the curtain air bag in a stored state is fixed to the vehicle body along an upper edge and a rear edge of the side window glass, and a portion of the curtain air bag in a stored state along the upper edge of the side window glass is positioned above the roof trim, and a portion of the curtain air bag in a stored state along the rear edge of the side window glass is positioned to the rear of the predetermined end edge, when the curtain air bag in a stored state has been expanded, the curtain air bag is deployed in the vehicle cabin while deforming the roof trim downward and deforming at least an upper portion of the predetermined end edge frontward, when the curtain air bag is in a stored state, a separation distance in the widthwise direction of the vehicle body of the curtain air bag from the side window glass, in the portion along the rear edge of the side window glass, is less than that of the portion of the curtain air bag along the upper edge of the side window glass in a vicinity of the middle pillar trim, wherein the curtain air bag, in a stored state, is provided pointing downward along the rear edge of the side window glass, while curving from the rear end of the upper edge of the side window glass to the upper end of the rear edge of the side window glass, and the curtain air bag is set up such that the position of the lower end of the portion of the curtain air bag along the rear edge of the side window glass is positioned in approximately the middle in the vertical direction of the rear edge of the side window glass.
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17. A vehicle rear structure of a vehicle body, the vehicle rear structure comprising:
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a side window glass provided between a rear pillar positioned in a rear portion of the vehicle body and a middle pillar positioned immediately to a front of the rear pillar; a curtain air bag apparatus comprising a curtain air bag in a stored state and fixed to the vehicle body in a vicinity of the side window glass, and an inflator for supplying gas pressure to the curtain air bag, wherein the curtain air bag, when expanded by receiving gas pressure from the inflator, is deployed inside a vehicle cabin so as to cover the side window glass along the side window glass; a soft roof trim that covers a roof panel from inside the vehicle cabin, an outside edge of the roof trim in a widthwise direction of the vehicle being positioned near the side window glass; a rear pillar trim that is harder than the roof trim, and covers the rear pillar from inside the vehicle cabin, a predetermined end edge being positioned in an immediate vicinity of the side window glass, the predetermined end edge being an end edge of a front of the rear pillar trim that is outward in the widthwise direction of the vehicle body; and a middle pillar trim that is harder than the roof trim, and covers the middle pillar from inside the vehicle cabin; wherein the curtain air bag in a stored state is fixed to the vehicle body along an upper edge and a rear edge of the side window glass, and a portion of the curtain air bag in a stored state along the upper edge of the side window glass is positioned above the roof trim, and a portion of the curtain air bag in a stored state along the rear edge of the side window glass is positioned to the rear of the predetermined end edge, when the curtain air bag in a stored state has been expanded, the curtain air bag is deployed in the vehicle cabin while deforming the roof trim downward and deforming at least an upper portion of the predetermined end edge frontward, when the curtain air bag is in a stored state, a separation distance in the widthwise direction of the vehicle body of the curtain air bag from the side window glass, in the portion along the rear edge of the side window glass, is less than that of the portion of the curtain air bag along the upper edge of the side window glass in a vicinity of the middle pillar trim, wherein the curtain air bag in a stored state is set up so that the deployment direction of the curtain air bag changes between the portion along the upper edge of the side window glass and the predetermined end edge; and wherein the deployment direction of the curtain air bag in a stored state is changed by twisting the curtain air bag in a stored state. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A vehicle rear structure of a vehicle body, the vehicle rear structure comprising:
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a side window glass provided between a rear pillar positioned in a rear portion of the vehicle body and a middle pillar positioned immediately to a front of the rear pillar; a curtain air bag apparatus comprising a curtain air bag in a stored state and fixed to the vehicle body in a vicinity of the side window glass, and an inflator for supplying gas pressure to the curtain air bag, wherein the curtain air bag, when expanded by receiving gas pressure from the inflator, is deployed inside a vehicle cabin so as to cover the side window glass along the side window glass; a soft roof trim that covers a roof panel from inside the vehicle cabin, an outside edge of the roof trim in a widthwise direction of the vehicle being positioned near the side window glass; a rear pillar trim that is harder than the roof trim, and covers the rear pillar from inside the vehicle cabin, a predetermined end edge being positioned in an immediate vicinity of the side window glass, the predetermined end edge being an end edge of a front of the rear pillar trim that is outward in the widthwise direction of the vehicle body; and a middle pillar trim that is harder than the roof trim, and covers the middle pillar from inside the vehicle cabin; wherein the curtain air bag in a stored state is fixed to the vehicle body along an upper edge and a rear edge of the side window glass, and a portion of the curtain air bag in a stored state along the upper edge of the side window glass is positioned above the roof trim, and a portion of the curtain air bag in a stored state along the rear edge of the side window glass is positioned to the rear of the predetermined end edge, when the curtain air bag in a stored state has been expanded, the curtain air bag is deployed in the vehicle cabin while deforming the roof trim downward and deforming at least an upper portion of the predetermined end edge frontward, when the curtain air bag is in a stored state, a separation distance in the widthwise direction of the vehicle body of the curtain air bag from the side window glass, in the portion along the rear edge of the side window glass, is less than that of the portion of the curtain air bag along the upper edge of the side window glass in a vicinity of the middle pillar trim, wherein an opening for a vehicle body interior part is formed in the rear pillar trim at a position separated from the upper portion of the predetermined end edge wherein the rear pillar trim includes a wide front face extending in the widthwise direction of the vehicle, and the end edge of the front face in the widthwise direction of the vehicle is used as the predetermined end edge, a speaker is provided within the rear pillar trim as the vehicle body interior part, the speaker being set up at a position such that the speaker emits sound toward the front, and the speaker being disposed in the lower portion of the front face, and the opening for the speaker is formed in the lower portion of the front face corresponding to the position of the speaker. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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Specification
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Current AssigneeMazda Motor Corporation
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Original AssigneeMazda Motor Corporation
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InventorsWatanabe, Tsutomu, Nakao, Hiroaki, Hidaka, Shouichirou, Hirata, Motoharu, Yamagiwa, Tsuyoshi, Umeki, Tetsuya, Saiki, Hideharu
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Primary Examiner(s)Dickson; Paul N
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Assistant Examiner(s)Freedman; Laura
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Application NumberUS11/714,907Publication NumberTime in Patent Office1,266 DaysField of Search280/728.2, 280/730.1, 280/730.2, 296/1.08, 296/214US Class Current280/730.2CPC Class CodesB60R 2013/0287 integrating other functions...B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or p...B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploy...
