Apparatus and method for inflatable curtain wrap

• US 20020195803A1
• Filed: 06/26/2001
• Published: 12/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: OʼNeill, Daniel T., Terbu, John
• Granted Patent: US 6,626,456 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/20 Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/201 Packaging straps or envelopes for inflatable members
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge

Abstract

A novel airbag device, especially well suited to protect occupants of a vehicle from lateral impact is described. The airbag device includes an inflatable curtain and a wrap having a first edge and a second edge. The edges are configured such that the wrap can be secured about the curtain when the curtain is in a folded state. One edge of the wrap includes a securement portion which may be two-sided tape secured along an edge of the wrap. The securement portion allows the edges of the wrap to be secured to each other. Attachment tabs extend from an edge of the curtain through slots in the wrap to facilitate attachment of the curtain airbag to a vehicle as part of an airbag system. The curtain is folded into a predetermined configuration. The wrap is then secured about the curtain by removing a backing of the two-side tape, cinching the wrap about the curtain, and then securing one edge of the wrap to the second edge about the curtain.

Claims

1. An airbag device, comprising:

an inflatable curtain having a first edge and a second edge; and

a wrap having a first edge and a second edge, the wrap configured to at least partially enclose the inflatable curtain.

2. The airbag device of claim 1, wherein the wrap is substantially as long as the curtain.

3. The airbag device of claim 1, wherein the wrap is attached to the curtain.

4. The airbag device of claim 3, wherein the wrap is attached longitudinally to the curtain near the first edge of the curtain.

5. The airbag device of claim 3, wherein the wrap is attached to the curtain adjacent a centerline portion of the wrap.

6. The airbag device of claim 1, wherein the first edge of the wrap is configured to be attached near the second edge of the wrap about the curtain when the curtain is in a folded state.

7. The airbag device of claim 6, wherein the wrap comprises a securement portion to facilitate attachment of the first edge of the wrap adjacent a second edge of the wrap.

8. The airbag device of claim 7, wherein the securement portion is positioned longitudinally near the first edge of the wrap.

9. The airbag device of claim 7, wherein the securement portion comprises two-sided tape, a first side being secured near the first edge of the wrap, and a second side configured to be secured near the second edge of the wrap.

10. The airbag device of claim 1, wherein the wrap comprises a tear seam running longitudinally along the wrap.

11. The airbag device of claim 10, wherein the tear seam is positioned between the securement portion of the wrap and the first edge of the wrap, and is configured to permit the curtain to burst through the wrap at the tear seam and into a vehicle upon inflation.

12. The airbag device of claim 1, wherein the curtain comprises at least one attachment tab extending from the first edge of the curtain, thereby permitting the airbag device to be attached to a vehicle interior.

13. The airbag device of claim 12, wherein the wrap comprises at least one slot configured to receive the attachment tab therethrough.

14. The airbag device of claim 12, wherein the wrap comprises at least one notch configured to substantially align with the attachment tab when the wrap is secured about the curtain, thereby permitting the attachment to be within the notch.

16. The airbag device of claim 15, wherein the wrap is substantially as long as the curtain.

17. The airbag device of claim 15, wherein the wrap is attached to the curtain longitudinally near a centerline portion of the wrap adjacent the first edge of the curtain.

18. The airbag device of claim 17, wherein the points of attachment of the wrap to the curtain have a tensile strength of at least 500 N.

19. The airbag device of claim 18, wherein the points of attachment of the wrap to the curtain have a tensile strength of about 1400 N.

20. The curtain airbag of claim 15, wherein the first edge of the wrap comprises a securement portion to facilitate attachment of the first edge of the wrap adjacent a second edge of the wrap.

21. The airbag device of claim 20, wherein the securement portion is positioned longitudinally near the first edge of the wrap.

22. The airbag device of claim 20, wherein the securement portion comprises tape having a first side and a second side, the first side being secured near the first edge of the wrap, and the second side configured to be secured near the second edge of the wrap.

23. The airbag device of claim 22, wherein the tape is acrylic based.

24. The airbag device of claim 15, wherein the wrap comprises a tear seam running longitudinally along the wrap.

25. The airbag device of claim 24, wherein the tear seam comprises a tear strength of between about 10 pounds and about 50 pounds under tensile load.

26. The airbag device of claim 25, wherein the tear seam comprises a tear strength of about 30 pounds under tensile load.

27. The airbag device of claim 15, wherein the curtain comprises a plurality of attachment tabs extending from the first edge of the curtain, thereby permitting the curtain airbag to be attached to a vehicle interior.

28. The airbag device of claim 27, wherein the wrap comprises a plurality of slots configured to receive the attachment tabs therethrough.

29. The airbag device of claim 27, wherein the wrap comprises a plurality of notches configured to substantially align with the attachment tab when the wrap is secured about the curtain, thereby permitting the attachment to be within the notch.

15. An airbag device, comprising:

an inflatable curtain having a first edge and a second edge; and

a wrap having a first edge and a second edge, the wrap being attached to the curtain, the first edge of the wrap configured to be attached near the second edge of the wrap about the curtain when the curtain is in a folded state.

30. An inflatable curtain device, comprising:

an inflatable curtain having a first edge and a second edge; and

a wrap comprising a first edge and a second edge, the wrap being longitudinally attached adjacent the first edge of the curtain, the wrap further comprising a securement portion longitudinally positioned near the first edge of the wrap to facilitate attachment of the first edge of the wrap adjacent a second edge of the wrap about the curtain when the curtain is in a folded state, the wrap further comprising a tear seam running longitudinally along the wrap to allow the curtain to burst through the wrap upon inflation.

31. The airbag device of claim 30, wherein the securement portion comprises tape having a first side and a second side, the first side being secured near the first edge of the wrap, and the second side configured to be secured near the second edge of the wrap.

32. The airbag device of claim 31, wherein the tape is acrylic based.

33. A method for using an airbag device comprising a curtain and a wrap configured to at least partially enclose the curtain, the method comprising:

positioning the curtain in a folded state; and

securing the wrap about the curtain.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the positioning step comprises folding a first edge of the curtain to a position adjacent a first side of the curtain to thereby create a fold portion.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the positioning step further comprises rolling a second edge of the curtain toward the first edge of the curtain airbag to thereby create a rolled portion of the air bag opposite the fold portion.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein the wrap comprises a securement portion positioned adjacent the first edge of the wrap.

37. The method of claim 34, wherein the step of securing comprises longitudinally securing the first edge of the wrap about the curtain to the second edge of the wrap at the securement portion.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein the securement portion comprises two-sided tape, a first side of the two-sided tape being secured to the first edge of the wrap and a second side of the two-sided tape being covered with a liner.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the step of securing further comprises removing the liner from the second side of the two-sided tape and adhering a second side to the second edge of the wrap.

40. The method of claim 34, wherein the curtain includes at least one attachment tab.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the securing step further comprises positioning the attachment tab within a corresponding slot in the wrap, thereby permitting the attachment tabs to be accessible after the wrap is secured about the curtain.

42. The method of claim 40, wherein the securing step further comprises aligning the attachment tabs within corresponding notches configured withing the wrap.