Method and system for improving curtain air bag deployment using an actuator attached to a headliner
First Claim
1. An air bag deployment system comprising:
- a roof rail;
a headliner overlapping the roof rail;
a curtain air bag located adjacent to the headliner and the roof rail;
an actuator that is in direct contact with the headliner; and
a heating device configured to heat the actuator when the heating device is activated, the heat causing the actuator to bend or contract, which moves and bends the headliner to reduce an overlap between the headliner and the roof rail.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is a method and system for improving curtain air bag deployment using an actuator attached to a headliner. The present invention can include an automobile having a roof, a headliner, an actuator, a curtain air bag, a door, a sensor, and/or a processor. The roof can also include a roof rail. The roof rail and the headliner enclose the curtain air bag. The actuator is attached to the headliner. The sensor is located within the door and detects collision data. The processor analyzes the collision data to determine when to deploy the curtain airbag. In deploying the curtain airbag, the processor activates the actuator, which reduces the overlap between the headliner and the roof rail. The curtain airbags deploys by either pushing through the reduced overlap between the headliner and the roof rail or by easily forming through a gap between the headliner and the roof rail.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An air bag deployment system comprising:
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a roof rail; a headliner overlapping the roof rail; a curtain air bag located adjacent to the headliner and the roof rail; an actuator that is in direct contact with the headliner; and a heating device configured to heat the actuator when the heating device is activated, the heat causing the actuator to bend or contract, which moves and bends the headliner to reduce an overlap between the headliner and the roof rail. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An automobile comprising:
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a roof rail; a headliner overlapping the roof rail; a curtain air bag located adjacent to the headliner and the roof rail; an actuator in direct contact with the headliner and including a shape memory alloy strip and an outer metallic plate; a heating device configured to heat the actuator when the heating device is activated, the heat causing the actuator to bend or contract, which moves and bends the headliner to reduce an overlap between the headliner and the roof rail; and a processor connected to the heating device and configured to activate the heating device prior to or during the deployment of the curtain air bag. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for deploying a curtain airbag comprising:
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determining, using a sensor positioned within a side door and coupled with a processor, a collision to the side door; activating, using the processor, a heating device; applying heat, using the heating device, to an actuator in direct contact with a headliner to decrease an overlap between a roof rail and the headliner; and deploying the curtain airbag. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification