Variable trajectory side curtain airbags
First Claim
1. A side curtain airbag assembly, comprising:
- a folded curtain having one or more interior chambers configured to be in fluid communication with an inflator, wherein the curtain comprises at least a first and second portion, the first portion having a first folded pattern and the second portion having a second folded pattern distinct from the first folded pattern,the first folded pattern having a rolled portion and only one top fold, the top fold transitioning to the rolled portion at a first crease, the top fold extending from the first crease and terminating at a top edge of the folded curtain, a first distance being defined between the first crease and the top edge,the second folded pattern having a rolled portion and only one top fold, the top fold transitioning to the rolled portion at a second crease, the top fold extending from the second crease and terminating at the top edge of the folded curtain, a second distance being defined between the second crease and the top edge, andthe first distance being different than the second distance.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Side curtain airbag assemblies for use inside motor vehicles and methods of preparing airbag assemblies are described herein that allow for the deployment of a curtain with varying trajectory. The curtain may be attached to an inflator that is configured to rapidly inflate the curtain from a folded condition to a deployed condition upon signals generated from an activation event, such as a collision or vehicle roll-over. The trajectory of the curtain can be defined as the direction of the curtain being inflated in relation to other components of a vehicle. Different portions of the curtain may have different fold configurations, allowing for tuning of the trajectory upon deployment of each distinct portion of the curtain.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A side curtain airbag assembly, comprising:
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a folded curtain having one or more interior chambers configured to be in fluid communication with an inflator, wherein the curtain comprises at least a first and second portion, the first portion having a first folded pattern and the second portion having a second folded pattern distinct from the first folded pattern, the first folded pattern having a rolled portion and only one top fold, the top fold transitioning to the rolled portion at a first crease, the top fold extending from the first crease and terminating at a top edge of the folded curtain, a first distance being defined between the first crease and the top edge, the second folded pattern having a rolled portion and only one top fold, the top fold transitioning to the rolled portion at a second crease, the top fold extending from the second crease and terminating at the top edge of the folded curtain, a second distance being defined between the second crease and the top edge, and the first distance being different than the second distance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A side curtain airbag assembly, comprising:
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an inflator comprising a body configured to retain compressed gas, mounting structure configured to attach the inflator to one or more vehicle components, and two gas outlet nozzles projecting in substantially opposite directions; a folded curtain having one or more interior chambers in fluid communication with the inflator, wherein the curtain comprises at least a first and second portion, the first portion having a first folded pattern and the second portion having a second folded pattern distinct from the first folded pattern; and a plurality of anchors configured to retain a portion of the curtain to one or more vehicle components, the first folded pattern having a rolled portion and only one top fold, the top fold transitioning to the rolled portion at a first crease, the top fold extending from the first crease and terminating at a top edge of the folded curtain, a first distance being defined between the first crease and the top edge, the second folded pattern having a rolled portion and only one top fold, the top fold transitioning to the rolled portion at a second crease, the top fold extending from the second crease and terminating at the top edge of the folded curtain, a second distance being defined between the second crease and the top edge, and the first distance being different than the second distance. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification