Variable trajectory side curtain airbags

• US 9,409,543 B2
• Filed: 07/10/2014
• Issued: 08/09/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Incorporated (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Steinbrecher, Robert C., Lang, Todd P., Ludwig, Adam
• Primary Examiner(s): FRISBY, KEITH J
• Application Number:
  US14/327,654
• Publication Number:
  US 20160009245A1
• Time in Patent Office: 761 Days
• Field of Search: 280/730.2, 280/729
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/161 characterised by additional means for controlling deployment trajectory
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/233 comprising a plurality of individual compartments; comprising two or more bag-like members, one within the other B60R21/232 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/237 characterised by the way they are folded

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.

Claims

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, and

the first distance being different than the second distance.

2. The side curtain airbag assembly of claim 1, wherein the inflator comprises a container body that is one of a stored gas type, pyrotechnic type, and a combination of stored gas and pyrotechnic type.

3. The side curtain airbag assembly of claim 1, wherein the inflator comprises two outlet nozzles configured to introduce air into the curtain.

4. The side curtain airbag assembly of claim 3, wherein the two outlet nozzles project outward from the inflator in substantially opposite directions.

5. The side curtain airbag assembly of claim 4, wherein the curtain further comprises two inlet portions configured to receive at least a portion of the outlet nozzles of the inflator.

6. The side curtain airbag assembly of claim 4, wherein the inflator separates the first and second portions of the folded curtain.

7. The side curtain airbag assembly of claim 6, wherein the curtain further comprises at least one cutout separating the first and second portions of the curtain.

8. A side curtain airbag assembly, comprising:

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.

9. The side curtain airbag assembly of claim 8, wherein the first distance is less than the second distance.

10. The side curtain airbag assembly of claim 8, wherein the curtain further includes two inlet portions configured to receive at least a portion of the outlet nozzle.

11. The side curtain airbag assembly of claim 10, further comprising retaining straps configured to tighten around the inlet portions and outlet nozzles.

12. The side curtain airbag assembly of claim 8, wherein the first and second portions of the curtain are separated by the inflator and one or more cutouts defined in the curtain.