Ramp bracket for curtain airbag

• US 8,590,922 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2011
• Issued: 11/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated), Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group), Kia Motors Corporation (Kia Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated), Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group), Kia Motors Corporation (Kia Corp.)
• Inventors: Kim, Eung Seo, Min, Byung Ho
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Nkeisha
• Application Number:
  US13/169,761
• Publication Number:
  US 20120119048A1
• Time in Patent Office: 883 Days
• Field of Search: 248/225.21, 248/220.21, 248/694, 280/728.2, 280/730.2, 280/730.1, 280/728.1
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars
• 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

Abstract

A ramp bracket for a curtain airbag is constructed so that an open space between a front and a rear is divided into two portions, that is, an upper chamber and a lower chamber by a partition, and the front and the rear are separated from each other at an area defining the lower chamber. Such a ramp bracket allows the airbag to be smoothly deployed between a head liner and a pillar trim, and minimizes the injury to a passenger who collides with the ramp bracket.

Claims

1. A ramp bracket for a curtain airbag, comprising:

a front portion having airbag deployment lines formed in a horizontal direction;

a rear portion placed behind the front portion with a space being formed between the rear portion and the front portion, the space being open at both left and right sides thereof; and

a partition dividing the space into two portions that are an upper chamber and a lower chamber;

wherein a thickness of the partition is not constant so that a portion of the partition adjacent to the front portion is different from a portion of the partition adjacent to the rear portion; and

wherein the rear portion comprises a support part which is bent from a lower end of an area defining the lower chamber and extends towards the front portion, the support part overlapping the front portion in back of the front portion.

2. The ramp bracket as set forth in claim 1, wherein a notch is formed at a portion bent from a lower end of the rear portion so that the support part is easily bent upwards.

3. The ramp bracket as set forth in claim 1, wherein the support part comprises:

a stopper provided on a front end of the support part in such a way as to be positioned between the partition and a skirt, and leaning on the skirt to withstand a force transmitted from the partition.

4. The ramp bracket as set forth in claim 3, wherein the stopper has on a top thereof a flat surface which is in surface contact with the partition.

5. The ramp bracket as set forth in claim 1, wherein the airbag deployment lines are lines which are cut at regular intervals so that a rupture is conducted along the lines.

6. A ramp bracket for a curtain airbag, comprising:

a front portion having airbag deployment lines formed in a horizontal direction;

a rear portion placed behind the front portion with a space being formed between the rear portion and the front portion, the space being open at both left and right sides thereof; and

a partition dividing the space into two portions that are an upper chamber and a lower chamber;

wherein the front portion, rear portion and partition of an area defining the lower chamber are more rigid and thicker than the front of an area defining the upper chamber; and

wherein the rear portion comprises a support part which is bent from a lower end of the area defining the lower chamber and extends towards the front portion, the support part overlapping the front portion in back of the front portion.

7. The ramp bracket as set forth in claim 6, wherein a notch is formed at a portion bent from a lower end of the rear portion so that the support part is easily bent upwards.

8. The ramp bracket as set forth in claim 6, wherein the support part comprises:

a stopper provided on a front end of the support part in such a way as to be positioned between the partition and a skirt, and leaning on the skirt to withstand a force transmitted from the partition.

9. The ramp bracket as set forth in claim 8, wherein the stopper has on a top thereof a flat surface which is in surface contact with the partition.

10. The ramp bracket as set forth in claim 6, wherein the airbag deployment lines are lines which are cut at regular intervals so that a rupture is conducted along the lines.