Ramp apparatus for curtain airbag for vehicle

• US 8,172,258 B2
• Filed: 04/26/2010
• Issued: 05/08/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated), Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated), Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Inventors: Kim, Eung Seo, Kwak, Dae Young, Yoo, Jae Haeng, Kim, Seung Man, Lee, Dong Jun, Kim, Do Hun
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rocca, Joseph
• Application Number:
  US12/767,539
• Publication Number:
  US 20110101656A1
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.2, 280/730.2, 403/13, 403/14, 244/57, 244/58, 241/91, 241/71, 248/95, 248/166, 248/909, 248/301, 248/304, 248/305, 248/306, 248/308, 248/220.31, 248/220.41, 248/225.21, 248/300
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/161 characterised by additional means for controlling deployment trajectory
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/055 Padded or energy-absorbing fittings , e.g. seat belt anchors sun visors B60J3/00; head rests B60N2/80
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars

Abstract

A ramp apparatus for a curtain airbag for a vehicle, positioned between a headliner and a vehicular body panel such that the curtain airbag is deployed through a matching part formed between the headliner and a pillar trim, may include a support ramp fastened to the vehicular body panel and receiving a lower portion of the folded curtain airbag, and a deployment ramp extending from a first end of the support ramp to enclose a portion of the curtain airbag therein and deploying towards the interior of the vehicle to seal a gap between the vehicular body panel and the pillar trim by expansive pressure of the curtain airbag in the event of a vehicle collision.

Claims

1. A ramp apparatus for a curtain airbag for a vehicle, positioned between a headliner and a vehicular body panel such that the curtain airbag is deployed through a matching part formed between the headliner and a pillar trim, the ramp apparatus comprising:

a support ramp fastened to the vehicular body panel and receiving a lower portion of the folded curtain airbag; and

a deployment ramp extending from a first end of the support ramp to enclose a portion of the curtain airbag therein and deploying towards the interior of the vehicle to fill a gap between the vehicular body panel and the pillar trim by expansive pressure of the curtain airbag in the event of a vehicle collision;

wherein the support ramp includes;

a plate coupled to the vehicular body panel; and

a bent part, a first end thereof extending from a lower end of the plate in a shape of a hook and a second end thereof being connected to the deployment ramp, thus surrounding the portion of the folded curtain airbag;

wherein at least a support piece protrudes from the bent part and is supported by the vehicular body panel; and

wherein the at least a support piece protrudes from the bent part in a tangential direction of the bent part towards the vehicular body panel.

2. The ramp apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the support ramp is thicker than the deployment ramp.

3. The ramp apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the support ramp and the deployment ramp are monolithically integrated into a single structure.

4. The ramp apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the support ramp is more rigid than the deployment ramp.

5. The ramp apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein the support ramp and the deployment ramp are monolithically integrated into a single structure.

6. The ramp apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein a sum of perimeters of the bent part and the deployment ramp is equal to or larger than a distance between the pillar trim and the vehicular body panel.

7. The ramp apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the plate includes a hole so that an end of a fastening member is inserted thereinto and secures the plate to the vehicular body panel.

8. The ramp apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein a reinforcing piece having a hole is disposed onto the plate so that an end of the fastening piece passes through the holes of the plate and the reinforcing piece and secures the reinforcing piece and the plate to the vehicular body panel.

9. The ramp apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the fastening member includes a fastening piece protruding from the vehicular body panel and passing a slot formed in the plate so that an end of the fastening piece is bent to secure the plate to the vehicular body panel.

10. The ramp apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein a reinforcing piece having a slot is disposed onto the plate so that an end of the fastening piece passes through the slots of the plate and the reinforcing piece and is bent to secure the reinforcing piece and the plate to the vehicular body panel.