Curtain airbag with seat engaging feature

A curtain airbag assembly for a vehicle has an airbag with a receiving portion shaped to clamp onto or around a portion of a seat of the vehicle when the airbag is deployed to assist in securing the airbag in place. The receiving portion is formed by supplementary material adjacent to a seam between inner and outer panels of the airbag, the supplementary material forming a clamping pocket which grips an outboard portion of the seat upon inflation of the airbag. Alternatively, the receiving portion is formed by first and second overlapping portions of the airbag which overlap one another when the airbag is deflated, the overlapping portions forming a clamping pocket configured to grip the outboard portion of the seat upon inflation of the airbag.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims foreign priority benefits under 35 U.S.C. §119(a)-(d) to GB 1319156.4 filed Oct. 30, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a curtain airbag assembly and in particular to an improved curtain airbag assembly for a motor vehicle.

BACKGROUND

It is known to provide a motor vehicle with a curtain airbag to protect an occupant of a motor vehicle from contact with a side of the motor vehicle during an accident and to prevent a body part of an occupant from passing through a window aperture during a roll-over event.

It is further known to provide two airbags arranged in a side by side relationship each of the airbags having a straight edge that, when the airbags are deployed, forms a vertical edge that abuts the corresponding vertical edge of the adjacent airbag. The location of the join between the two airbags is normally located in front of a vertical window frame member, such as a B-post or C-post, and the join is often held together by tethers.

In such curtain airbag arrangements it is possible that, when forces are applied to the two airbags by the impact of one or more occupants, the two vertical edges may separate unless there are many tethers holding the two airbags in place, and the tethers hold the two airbags tightly together which is technically difficult to achieve. Any such airbag separation risks exposure of the underlying structural member which is clearly not desirable. It is further possible with such an arrangement that, if the forces applied to one airbag are considerably larger than those applied to the other airbag, the other airbag can be dragged across potentially causing the one airbag to move into an unstable position thereby reducing its effectiveness particularly in respect of extrusion of the airbag through an adjacent window aperture.

The present disclosure seeks to address these issues.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a curtain airbag assembly for a vehicle, such as a motor vehicle, the curtain airbag assembly having one or more airbags, wherein the airbags comprise one or more shaped portions that are shaped to complement, e.g. engage, at least an engaging portion of a seat of the vehicle when the airbag is deployed, e.g. inflated. The shaped portions may be configured such that when the airbag is deployed the shaped portions engage the engaging portion of the seat to assist in securing the airbag in place.

The shaped portions may form a receiving portion when the airbag is deployed. The receiving portion may be configured to receive the seat engaging portion.

The shaped portions may form an opening in a surface of the airbag. The opening may be configured to engage the engaging portion of the seat when the airbag is deployed. The opening may extend from a first side of the airbag to a second side of the airbag. The opening may extend partially from a first side of the airbag to a second side of the airbag. The opening may have one or more sidewalls to ensure that the airbag remains substantially airtight.

The shaped portions may be shaped in a pre-deployed state. The airbags may comprise one or more panels. The panels may be shaped so as to form the one or more shaped portions.

The shaped portions may be configured to engage a hook portion provided on the seat, e.g. on the seat back. The curtain airbag assembly may comprise the engaging portion of the seat. The curtain airbag assembly may comprise the hook portion.

One or more of the airbags may comprise supplementary material in at least a region of the airbag that may be adjacent to the seat when the airbag is deployed. One or more layers of the airbags may comprise the supplementary material. The supplementary material may be configured such that the supplementary material may clamp the seat when the airbag is deployed.

One or more of the airbags may comprise overlapping portions that overlap when the airbag is deflated. The overlapping portions may form the shaped portions. The overlapping portions may be configured to clamp the seat when the airbag is deployed. The shaped portions may be configured to engage a back of the seat.

The shaped portions may be provided at or towards a bottom end of the airbag when deployed.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure there is provided an engaging portion for a seat of a vehicle, the engaging portion being configured to complement one or more shaped portions of an airbag when the airbag is deployed, the engaging portion being configured such that when the airbag is deployed the engaging portion engages the shaped portions to assist in securing the airbag in place. A seat for a vehicle may comprise the engaging portion configured to complement one or more shaped portions of an airbag. The engaging portion may comprise a hook portion configured to engage an opening formed by the one or more shaped portions. The engaging portion may be configured to engage the above-mentioned curtain airbag assembly.

A vehicle may comprise the above-mentioned curtain airbag assembly. A vehicle may comprise the above-mentioned engaging portion.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a method of deploying a curtain airbag assembly for a vehicle, the curtain airbag assembly having one or more airbags, wherein the airbags comprise one or more shaped portions that are shaped to complement at least an engaging portion of a seat of the vehicle when the airbag is deployed, the method comprising deploying the airbag and engaging the engaging portion of the seat with the shaped portions to assist in securing the airbag in place.

For a better understanding of the present disclosure, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference toFIGS. 1A and 1B, the present disclosure relates to a curtain airbag assembly10for a vehicle, such as a motor vehicle. The curtain airbag assembly10has one or more airbags20. As such, the one or more airbags20may form a side air curtain, which is provided between a seat2and a side trim4of the vehicle.FIG. 1Ashows the curtain airbag assembly10in a pre-deployed state with the airbags concealed (deflated and stowed) in a compartment8. The compartment8may be provided at an upper end of the trim4, e.g. adjacent to an upper sill above a window6. By contrast,FIG. 1Bshows the curtain airbag assembly10in a deployed state with the airbags inflated and extending downward to substantially overlie the window6, thereby protecting occupants from side impact and preventing egress through the window. The airbag20may be activated and expelled, e.g. inflated, from the compartment8in a conventional manner.

The airbags20comprise one or more shaped portions22that are shaped to complement, e.g. engage, at least an engaging portion40of the seat2when the airbag is deployed. The shaped portions22may be configured such that when the airbag20is deployed the shaped portions22engage the engaging portion40of the seat2to assist in securing the airbag in place.

There may be one airbag20per seat2. Each airbag20may comprise one or more shaped portions22for engaging with the engaging portion40. Alternatively, a single airbag20may be provided for a plurality of seats2, e.g. where the seats are arranged one behind the other. In the case of a single airbag being provided for a plurality of seats, the airbag may be provided with a plurality of shaped portions22, with at least one shaped portion for each seat. In either case, the airbags20may extend across one or more windows6.

As depicted inFIG. 1B, the shaped portions22may form a receiving portion when the airbag20is deployed. The receiving portion may be configured to receive the seat engaging portion40. By way of example, the engaging portion40may be in the form of a hook42and the airbag shaped portions22may be shaped to conform to the engaging portion hook42. The shaped portions22of the airbag may comprise an upward extending portion23when the airbag is deployed. The hook42may be received between the upward extending portion23and the remainder of the airbag20. Similarly, the upward extending portion23may be received in a recess44defined by the hook42. The shaped portions22and engaging portion40may interlock when the airbag is deployed so that the airbag is held in place over the window6and egress of an occupant through the window is prevented.

The shaped portions22may be provided at or towards a bottom end of the airbag20when deployed. Similarly, the shaped portions22may be provided on an inboard-facing side of the airbag, e.g. a side of the airbag that faces away from the window6and towards the seat2, when the airbag is deployed.

The curtain airbag assembly10or the seat2may comprise the engaging portion40. The engaging portion40may be provided at or towards the top of a back rest2′ of the seat2. (The seat2may also comprise a head rest2″.) The engaging portion40may be provided at a location above a sill6′ associated with the window6. The engaging portion40may extend from one side of the seat2, in particular on a side of the seat facing the adjacent window6. Accordingly, the engaging portion40may extend in the direction of the window6. The engaging portion40may also extend in a direction with a component in the upwards direction.

The engaging portion40may be mounted on a seat belt guide associated with the seat2. The engaging portion40may be integral with the seat belt guide.

It will be appreciated that the shaped portions22in the deployed state may be enabled by the shape of the airbag20in the pre-deployed state. For example, the material forming the airbag may be shaped in the pre-deployed state so as to form the shaped portions22when deployed. In particular, the airbags20may comprise one or more panels or layers of material. The panels may be shaped so as to form the one or more shaped portions22. The panels of material may be joined together, e.g. by one or more seams. The location of the joins may assist in forming the shaped portions in the deployed state.

When the airbag20is deployed, the airbag may unfurl along the window6and a lower end of the airbag may be guided by the trim4, e.g. the window sill6′, towards the engaging portion40. In other words, the airbag20may unwrap along the window6and trim4so as to deliver the shaped portion22to the engaging portion40. The trim4may be shaped to aid the unfurling of the airbag20towards the engaging portion40. The shaped portions22may then engage the engaging portion40to assist in securing the airbag20in place.

With reference toFIGS. 2A and 2B, the one or more shaped portions22may form an opening24in a surface of the airbag and the opening24may be configured to engage the engaging portion40when the airbag20is deployed. As depicted inFIG. 2A, in a first example of the present disclosure, the opening24may extend partially from a first side26aof the airbag to a second side26bof the airbag. In other words, the opening24may not extend completely through the airbag to the second side26b. The opening24may or may not extend across the full width of the airbag, e.g. in the fore-aft direction.

However, as depicted inFIG. 2B, in a second example of the present disclosure, the opening24may extend from the first side26aof the airbag to the second side26bof the airbag, e.g. completely through the thickness of the airbag. In either the first or second example, the opening24may have one or more sidewalls25to ensure that the airbag20remains substantially airtight.

As is shown inFIG. 2B, the opening24may be provided in a substantially tubular portion30of the airbag20. The airbag20may comprise one or more head protection chambers28. The tubular portion30may surround the head protection chambers28. Reinforcements, such as reinforcing stitching32, may be provided around the opening24to ensure the structural integrity of the opening24and/or to ensure that the airbag20remains substantially airtight.

With reference toFIGS. 4 and 5, in a third example of the present disclosure, the one or more airbags20may comprise supplementary material50in at least a region of the airbag adjacent to the seat2when the airbag is deployed. The supplementary material50may be configured such that the supplementary material may clamp onto or around a portion of the seat2when the airbag20is deployed. The supplementary material50may form the one or more shaped portions22.

FIG. 3shows a previously proposed airbag arrangement120and this is contrasted byFIG. 4, which shows an airbag arrangement according to the third example of the present disclosure with the supplementary material50. (FIGS. 3A and 3Bshow the previously-proposed curtain airbag arrangement120in a pre-deployed and deployed state respectively andFIGS. 4Aand4B show the airbag arrangement according to the third example of the present disclosure in the pre-deployed and deployed states respectively.)

The supplementary material50may be provided in a region of the airbag that is adjacent to the seat2when deployed. The supplementary material50may be provided adjacent to a join52in the airbag20. The join52may be between first and second layers54,56forming the airbag20. The join52may be provided between neighboring chambers58a,58bconfigured for receiving gas during deployment of the airbag. The join52may be elongate and may be orientated in a direction that substantially follows an edge of the seat back2′ when the airbag is deployed. The join52between the first and second layers54,56is an area, line, or zone of reduced thickness between and relative to the two portions or chambers or either side of the join, and may be formed by weaving, stitching, cross-tethering or any other joining technique.

The supplementary material50may be continuous with the surrounding material of the airbag, e.g. the supplementary material and the surrounding material may be unitary. One or both layers54,56of the airbags may comprise the supplementary material50. However, the layer54adjacent to the seat2may be provided with the supplementary material50. The layer56adjacent to the trim4may also be provided with the supplementary material50. The supplementary material50may also be provided either side of the join52, e.g. fore or aft of the join in the deployed state. However, as depicted the supplementary material50may be provided on both sides of the join52. As depicted inFIG. 4B, the supplementary material50forms a clamping pocket which grips or clamps onto and around a portion of the seat back2′ when the airbag20is inflated. By contrast, as shown inFIG. 3B, the lack of any supplementary material with the previously-proposed airbag arrangement does not permit the seat to be clamped by the airbag120.

FIGS. 5A-5Cshow further views of the airbag20according to the third example in a deployed state. As is depicted, the supplementary material50increases the space in which the airbag20expands into and permits the airbag clamping pocket to clamp around the seat back2′. It will be appreciated that the supplementary material50may form the shaped portions22of the airbag. Furthermore, the engaging portion40which is gripped by the clamping pocket may be a portion of the seat2, e.g. a portion of the seat back2′.

As shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B, the airbag20may comprise a web or sail60. The sail60may comprise a layer of material that is not inflatable. The sail60may be provided between and/or below chambers58a,58b. The sail60may help to retain the structure of the airbag20when deployed.

With reference toFIGS. 6A-6D, in a fourth example of the present disclosure, the one or more airbags20may comprise overlapping portions34that overlap with one another when the airbag is deflated.FIGS. 6A and 6Bshow side and bottom views respectively of the airbag in the unfolded (substantially flat) but pre-inflated state, whereasFIGS. 6C and 6Dshow side and bottom views respectively of the airbag20in the inflated state.

As depicted inFIGS. 6A and 6B, the overlapping portions34may overlap one another when the airbag is substantially flat but not yet inflated. The overlapping portions34are formed by airbag portions38, which are wider (as measured along the lengthwise or fore-aft axis of the vehicle) at the bottom end of the airbag20so as to overlap one another. The airbag portions38may be separate airbags or they may be portions of the same airbag.

As shown inFIGS. 6C and 6D, the overlapping portions34may engage, e.g. clamp onto or around, either side of the seat back2′ when the airbag is inflated. It will be appreciated that the overlapping portions34may form the shaped portions22of the airbag. Furthermore, as for the third example, the engaging portion40may be a portion of the seat2, e.g. a portion of the seat back2′.

The overlapping portions34may be formed by slits36in or between one or more panels making up the airbag20. One or more slits36may extend from a lower end of the airbag20(when the airbag is deployed). A plurality of slits36may be provided in a single airbag20. Supplementary material50may form the overlaps that define the overlapping portions34. The airbag20may be positioned in the vehicle such that the slits36line up with the seat backs2′ of two adjacent seating rows (a front/first row and a second row, for example) when the airbag is deployed.

When the overlapping portions34are inflated, the airbag20will want to occupy the space between the overlaps. This tendency serves to clamp the airbag20around the seat back2′ and thus hold the airbag20in place.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that although the invention has been described by way of example with reference to one or more examples, it is not limited to the disclosed examples and that alternative examples could be constructed without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.