Automobile side airbag guide plate

• US 7,896,389 B2
• Filed: 09/10/2009
• Issued: 03/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Autoliv Development AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv Development AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kim, Jung-han, Choi, Kyun-soon, Yoo, Byong-sun, Lee, Dong-jun, Oh, Eun-hwan, Jang, Myung-ryun, Kim, Tae-woo
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson; Paul N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Coker; Robert A
• Application Number:
  US12/556,684
• Publication Number:
  US 20100025973A1
• Time in Patent Office: 537 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.2, 280/730.2, 280/743.1
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/21518 comprising a lock unlocked during deployment
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/215 characterised by the covers for the inflatable member B60R21/2176 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/217 Inflation fluid source retainers, e.g. reaction canisters; Connection of bags, covers, diffusers or inflation fluid sources therewith or together
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge

Abstract

Provided is an automobile side airbag guide plate including support brackets disposed at both sides of a center pillar, fixed to an inner panel between a roof panel and a head liner, and supporting a lower part of an airbag module, wherein each of the support brackets includes a vertical part fixed to the inner panel between the roof panel and the head liner, and a horizontal support part extending from the vertical part to support the lower part of the airbag module fixed to the inner panel.

Claims

1. An automobile side airbag guide plate comprising an airbag housing having an airbag tube, a door, and a guide plate,

wherein the airbag tube is installed in the airbag housing and disposed at a boundary between a center pillar and a head liner,

the door is opened at one side by the deployed airbag tube,

the guide plate is fixed to an inner panel at its one side using a fixing means, and

the guide plate has a support part bent from a lower end thereof, the support part including a bent part, the bent part being bent in a longitudinal direction thereof away from a lower surface of the airbag housing, the bent part being located within a width-wise extent of the lower surface of the airbag housing prior to discharged of the airbag tube from the airbag housing.

2. The side airbag guide plate according to claim 1, wherein the a bent part bent to form an “

L”

shape.

3. The side airbag guide plate according to claim 2, wherein the bent part has a height such that the door of the airbag housing is disposed at a level higher than or equal to an upper end of the center pillar upon deployment of the airbag tube.

4. The side airbag guide plate according to claim 3, wherein the guide plate has a plurality of elongated holes.

5. The side airbag guide plate according to claim 4, wherein the guide plate has a coating layer formed thereon.

6. The side airbag guide plate according to claim 5, wherein the coating layer is formed of synthetic resin or fabric, and

the coating layer is formed at the support part and the bent part of the guide plate.

7. The side airbag guide plate according to claim 1, wherein the bent part is tilted obliquely relative to the lower surface of the airbag housing.

8. The side airbag guide plate according to claim 7, wherein the bent part has a height such that the door of the airbag housing is disposed at a level higher than or equal to an upper end of the center pillar upon deployment of the airbag tube.

9. The side airbag guide plate according to claim 8, wherein the guide plate has a plurality of elongated holes.

10. The side airbag guide plate according to claim 9, wherein the guide plate has a coating layer formed thereon.

11. The side airbag guide plate according to claim 10, wherein the coating layer is formed of synthetic resin or fabric, and

the coating layer is formed at the support part and the bent part of the guide plate.