Airbag engaging pivotable trim panel

A vehicle body structure includes a roof structure, a pillar structure extending below the roof structure, and an airbag mounted to and extending along the roof structure. The airbag is deployable from a stowed orientation to a deployed orientation. A trim panel is mounted to and extends along the pillar structure. The trim panel is disposed beneath the airbag when the airbag is in the stowed orientation, and the airbag overlays the trim panel when the airbag is in the deployed orientation. A trim deployment structure is connected to the pillar structure and is configured to pivot a trim panel about a pivot structure after deployment of the airbag to the deployed orientation such that the trim panel engages the deployed airbag to move the deployed airbag in an inboard direction.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a vehicle body structure including a trim panel configured to engage a deployed airbag. More specifically, the present invention relates to a trim deployment structure configured to pivot a trim panel about a pivot structure to engage a deployed airbag.

2. Background Information

Passenger vehicles with windows are required to have airbags that deploy in response to an impact event. Accordingly, a need exists for inboard movement of a deployed airbag to provide earlier occupant contact.

SUMMARY

In view of the state of the known technology, one aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle body structure including a roof structure, a pillar structure extending below the roof structure, and an airbag mounted to and extending along the roof structure. The airbag is deployable from a stowed orientation to a deployed orientation. A trim panel is mounted to and extends along the pillar structure. The trim panel is disposed beneath the airbag when the airbag is in the stowed orientation, and the airbag overlays the trim panel when the airbag is in the deployed orientation. A trim deployment structure is connected to the pillar structure and is configured to pivot a trim panel about a pivot structure after deployment of the airbag to the deployed orientation such that the trim panel engages the deployed airbag to move the deployed airbag in an inboard direction

Another aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle body structure including a roof structure, a pillar structure extending below the roof structure, and an airbag mounted to and extending along the roof structure. The airbag is deployable from a stowed orientation to a deployed orientation. A trim panel is mounted to and extends along the pillar structure. The trim panel is disposed beneath the airbag when the airbag is in the stowed orientation, and the airbag overlays the trim panel when the airbag is in the deployed orientation. A pivot structure pivotally secures the trim panel to the pillar structure. The pivot structure is positioned between an upper portion of the trim panel and a lower portion of the trim panel. A trim deployment structure is connected to the pillar structure and is disposed below the pivot structure. The trim deployment structure is configured to pivot the trim panel about the pivot structure after deployment of the airbag to the deployed orientation such that the bottom portion of the trim panel moves in an inboard direction and engages the deployed airbag to move the deployed airbag in the inboard direction.

Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a method of deploying a vehicle airbag assembly. An airbag is deployed from a stowed orientation in which the airbag is positioned adjacent a roof structure and above a pillar structure to a deployed orientation in which the airbag overlays a pillar trim panel. The deployed airbag is engaged with the pillar trim panel by pivoting the pillar trim panel with respect to the pillar structure to move the deployed airbag in an inboard direction of a vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially toFIG. 1, a vehicle10including a plurality of airbags11is illustrated in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment. A description of the airbags11is provided following a description of the vehicle10. In the depicted exemplary embodiment, the vehicle10is a commercial van configured to carry a plurality of passengers. However, it should be understood from the drawings and the description herein that the vehicle10can be any of a variety of vehicles that carry at least one passenger. More specifically, an airbag11can be provided in any location adjacent to a passenger seat, as described in greater detail below.

The vehicle10has a body structure12including, among other features, a plurality of pillar structures13,14,15and16, roof rail structures17and18, side panels19and20, a sliding door21, a roof structure22and a floor structure23.

The pillar structures13,14,15and16all extend in an upright or vertical direction relative to the vehicle10. The pillar structures13and15are B-pillars and the pillar structures14and16are C-pillars in the depicted exemplary embodiment. However, as will be understood from the description below of the airbag11, the pillar structure13can be any one of the pillar structures within the vehicle10, such as an A-pillar, one of the B-pillars, one of the C-pillars or a D-pillar.

The roof rail structures17and18extend in a vehicle longitudinal direction V, as labeled inFIGS. 1-3. More specifically, the roof rail structure17extends along a passenger's side of the vehicle10supporting the roof structure22above the pillar structures13and15. Further, the pillar structures13and15are rigidly fixed by, for example, welding techniques to the roof rail structure17. Similarly, the roof rail structure18extends along a driver's side of the vehicle10supporting the roof structure22above the pillar structures14and16. Further, the pillar structures14and16are rigidly fixed by, for example, welding techniques to the roof rail structure18. The roof structure22is rigidly fixed to the roof rail structures17and18, by, for example, welding techniques. Because pillar structures, roof rail structures and roof structures are conventional vehicle features, further description is omitted for the sake of brevity.

The side panels19and20are fixed to respective ones of the pillar structures13,14,15and16, and the roof rail structures17and18in a conventional manner, such as welding techniques. Because side panels are conventional vehicle features, further description is omitted for the sake of brevity.

The sliding door21is supported to the pillar structures13and15, the roof rail structure17and the side panel19in a conventional manner for movement between an open position (FIG. 1) and a closed position (FIG. 2).

The floor structure23supports and is fixedly attached to the pillar structures13,14,15and16in a conventional manner. The floor structure23also supports a plurality of seats24.

The sliding door21includes a window opening25with window glass26supported therein. Further, the side panels19and20further include window openings27,28and29with window glass26supported therein. For example, the window opening27is located rearward of the pillar structure14. The window opening28is located between the pillar structures15and16, and the window opening29is located rearward of the pillar structure16, in a conventional manner. The window glass26in the sliding door21is located between the pillar structures13and14with the sliding door21in the closed position.

There are a plurality of airbags11within the vehicle10. Preferably, there is at least one airbag11located above each of the window openings and a corresponding trim panel30pivotally connected to the corresponding pillar structure13,14,15or16. The trim panel30is preferably unitarily formed as a single member, as shown inFIG. 4. Alternatively, as shown inFIG. 16, the trim panel61is a two-piece member having a second part63pivotable with respect to a first part62. For example, one of the airbags11is located above the sliding door21and hence above the window opening25. The corresponding pivotable trim panel30is located along the pillar structure13. Similarly, another one of the airbags11is located above the window opening27. The corresponding pivotable trim panel30is located along the pillar structure14. Yet another one of the airbags11is located above the window opening28and the corresponding pivotable trim panel30is located along the pillar structure15. Still another one of the airbags11is located above the window opening29and the corresponding pivotable trim panel30is located along the pillar structure16. It should be understood from the drawings and the description herein that at least one of the airbags11and corresponding pivotable trim panel30is installed adjacent to a window opening such that upon deployment the airbag11covers at least a portion of or all of the adjacent window opening and window glass disposed therein.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as shown inFIG. 4, includes a pivotable trim panel30disposed beneath an airbag11, which is fixed to the roof structure22above the window opening25. The airbag11is shown inFIG. 4in a stowed orientation. The airbag11is deployed in response to an impact event such that the airbag11inflates and moves to a deployed orientation as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, and described in greater detail below.

As shown inFIGS. 4-6, the airbag11includes a mounting structure31and a deployment apparatus32(FIG. 3). The mounting structure31fixedly attaches the airbag11to the roof rail structure17by, for example, mechanical fasteners in a conventional manner. The roof rail structure17includes a first elongated body structure that extends in a first direction (the vehicle longitudinal direction V). The airbag11extends along the roof rail structure17(the first elongated body structure), such that when the airbag11inflates and moves to the deployed orientation, the airbag11extends downward covering the window opening25.

The airbag11can be rolled or folded accordion-style in a conventional manner when in the stowed orientation, as shown inFIG. 4. A series of retaining bands (not shown) retain the airbag11in the stowed orientation. The retaining bands (not shown) are frangible such that upon deployment, the airbag11can rapidly move to the deployed orientation shown inFIGS. 5 and 6. The deployment apparatus32is a conventional airbag inflation device that is connected to a sensor (not shown) that triggers the deployment apparatus32to rapidly inflate the airbag11in response to detection of an impact event.

FIGS. 5 and 6show alternative movements of the pivotable trim panel30after or simultaneous with deployment of the airbag11from the stowed position to the deployed position to move the deployed airbag in an inboard direction. As shown inFIG. 5, a first or lower end33of the trim panel30is pivoted in the inboard direction about a pivot structure35to move a first or lower end36of the airbag11in the inboard direction. As shown inFIG. 6, a second or upper end34of the pivotable trim panel30is pivoted in the inboard direction about the pivot structure35to move a second or upper end37of the airbag11in the inboard direction. Preferably, the end of the trim panel30that is not pivoted in the inboard direction is pivoted in the outboard direction, as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6. The inboard movement of the trim panel30moves the deployed airbag11in the inboard direction, thereby providing an inboard reaction surface to mitigate occupant ejection.

As described in more detail below, a trim deployment structure is connected to the pillar structure and is configured to pivot the trim panel30about the pivot structure35after deployment of the airbag11. The trim deployment structure preferably includes at least one of a push mechanism38and a pull mechanism39. The push mechanism38, such as a gas generator, is configured to move one end of the trim panel30in the inboard direction. The pull mechanism39, such as a spring member, is configured to move an opposite end of the trim panel30in the outboard direction.

In an exemplary embodiment shown inFIGS. 7 and 8, the push mechanism is a gas generator40disposed in a chamber41between the pillar structure13and the trim panel30. The chamber41includes a first chamber42adjacent the pillar structure13and a second chamber43adjacent the trim panel30. The first chamber42can be integrally formed with or connected to the pillar structure13. The second chamber43can be integrally formed with or connected to the trim panel30, and is preferably disposed within the first chamber42as shown inFIG. 7prior to activation of the gas generator40. The second chamber43is in fluid communication with the first chamber42. The gas generator40is activated in any suitable manner, such as by connection to a deployment apparatus similar to deployment apparatus32. A delay can be accommodated in the connection such that the gas generator40is activated after the deployment apparatus32deploys the airbag11. Alternatively, the gas generator40and the deployment apparatus32can be connected to such that the gas generator40and the deployment apparatus32are activated substantially simultaneously. The gas generator40can be any suitable gas generator, such as, but not limited to, a pyrotechnic gas generator, such as a micro gas generator.

When the gas generator40is activated, as shown inFIG. 8, gas is emitted from the gas generator40into the second chamber43, thereby moving the second chamber43with respect to the first chamber42. As shown inFIGS. 7 and 8, the pivot structure includes a first pivot member44connected to the pillar structure13and a second pivot member45connected to the trim panel30. The first pivot member44is rigidly connected to the pillar structure13in any suitable manner, such as with a fastener46. The second pivot member45is rigidly connected to or integrally formed with the trim panel30and is pivotably connected to the first pivot member44, such that the trim panel30pivots about the pivot structure35when the gas generator40is activated.

A locking structure47includes a first locking member48connected to the pillar structure13and a second locking member49connected to the trim panel30. Prior to activation of the gas generator40, the second locking member49is received by the first locking member48, thereby further securing the trim panel30to the pillar structure.

Upon activation of the gas generator40, as shown inFIG. 8, gas is emitted into the second chamber43, thereby moving the trim panel30in an inboard direction. The pivotal connection between the trim panel30and the pillar structure13causes the trim panel30to pivot with respect to the pillar structure13about the pivot structure35when the emitted gas moves the first end33of the trim panel in the inboard direction. The first and second chambers42and43can be contoured or have any suitable shape to facilitate accommodating the pivotal movement of the trim panel30with respect to the pillar structure13.

The first locking member48preferably includes a pair of flexible arms50and the second locking member49preferably includes a pair of locking arms51, as shown inFIGS. 9-11. The flexible arms50have a flat surface52extending outwardly from the pillar structure13and a ramped surface53extending outwardly from an end of the flat surface. The locking arms51are preferably substantially L-shaped and include a first part54extending outwardly from the trim panel30and a second part55extending substantially perpendicularly to the first part. Prior to activation of the gas generator40, as shown inFIG. 9, the second parts55of the locking arms51are disposed on the flat surfaces52of the flexible arms50, such that the ramped surfaces53prevent inboard movement of the locking arms51. When the gas generator40is activated, the pressure exerted in the second chamber43by the emitted gas causes the second parts55of the locking arms51to slide along the ramped surfaces53, thereby flexing the flexible arms50toward each other as shown inFIG. 10. As shown inFIG. 11, the locking arms51are released from the flexible arms50such that the trim panel30can pivot about the pivot structure35with respect to the pillar structure13. The flexible arms50return to an unflexed condition, such that the second parts55of the locking arms51abut the free ends56of the flexible arms50, thereby preventing outboard movement of the trim panel30due to engagement with the deployed airbag11.

Another exemplary embodiment shown inFIGS. 12 and 13is substantially similar to the exemplary embodiment shown inFIGS. 7-11, with the exception of an assisting member57disposed between the pillar structure13and the trim panel30. The assisting member57can be any suitable member that facilitates moving the upper end34of the trim panel30in the outboard direction (toward the pillar structure13), such as a compression spring58. A first end59of the compression spring58is connected to the pillar structure13. A second end60of the compression spring58is connected to the trim panel30. As shown inFIG. 12, the compression spring58is disposed in tension between the trim panel30and the pillar structure13. When the trim panel30pivots about the pivot structure35, as shown inFIG. 13, the compression spring58compresses, thereby assisting in pivotal movement of the trim panel30by pulling the upper end34of the trim panel30in the outboard direction. Preferably, the assisting member57moves the upper end34of the trim panel in the outboard direction substantially immediately upon airbag deployment, thereby moving the trim panel out of the way to provide clearance for downward movement of the deployed airbag11. The upper end34of the trim panel30can include a movable or flexible portion, such as an accordion portion91, to accommodate outboard movement of the upper end34of the trim panel30toward the pillar structure13.

Yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown inFIGS. 14 and 15. As shown inFIG. 14, a tether68has a first end69connected to the pillar structure13and a second end70connected to the airbag11. A first end72of a locking bar71is pivotally connected to the pillar structure13and a second end73is disposed adjacent the trim panel30. The locking bar71can be connected to the pillar structure13in any suitable manner, such as with a retaining clip or a frangible member93, to substantially prevent movement thereof with respect to the pillar structure prior to deployment of the airbag11. Alternatively, the locking bar71can be freely disposed between the pillar structure13and the trim panel30prior to airbag deployment.

When the airbag11is deployed, as shown inFIG. 15, the tether68travels with the deployed airbag11, such that the tether68engages the locking bar71and pivots the locking bar downwardly. The tether68continues to push the locking bar71downwardly such that the free end73of the locking bar71engages the trim panel30, as shown inFIG. 15, and pivots the trim panel30about the pivot structure35. The tether68pivots the locking bar71until the locking bar engages a projection74connected to the trim panel30, thereby preventing further movement of the locking bar71. The locking bar71locks the trim panel30in the pivoted position shown inFIG. 15such that the deployed airbag11and contact therewith does not pivot the trim panel outboardly (toward the pillar structure13).

Another exemplary embodiment shown inFIGS. 16 and 17is substantially similar to the exemplary embodiment shown inFIGS. 14 and 15except as described hereinafter. A two-piece trim panel61is pivotally connected to the pillar structure13. The trim panel61includes a stationary part62connected to the pillar structure13in any suitable manner, such as with a fastener64, such that the stationary part does not move relative to the pillar structure13. A movable part63of the trim panel61is movably connected to the stationary part62such that the movable part63is movable relative to the stationary part62. The movable part63is connected to the stationary part in any suitable manner, such as with a hinge65or a living hinge. Side edges66and lower edge67of the movable part63of the trim panel61can be connected to the pillar structure by frangible members95configured to break when the movable part63moves with respect to the stationary part62, as shown inFIG. 16.

Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the present invention facilitate pivoting the trim panel about a pivot structure with respect to the pillar structure, such that an end of the trim panel is pushed in the inboard direction to engage a deployed airbag. An assisting member can be included to further facilitate pushing the trim panel in the inboard direction by pulling an opposite end of the trim panel in the outboard direction. A locking structure can be provided to substantially prevent the pivoted trim panel from moving in the outboard direction.

GENERAL INTERPRETATION OF TERMS