Abstract:
A curtain airbag system for an automotive vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a curtain module substantially embedded in the roof rail in its normal, non-inflated state. The module includes an inflatable curtain attached to an inflator. The inflatable curtain has a forward portion. An elongated and inflatable extension is attached to the forward portion of the curtain. When the curtain is inflated in an impact event the elongated and inflatable extension extends from the curtain and at least partially overlaps the A-pillar and at least part of the grab handle. The elongated and inflatable extension is a first extension and extends from the forward portion of said curtain. The inflatable curtain may include a second, triangular-shaped extension extendable from the forward portion of the curtain when the curtain is inflated.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The disclosed inventive concept relates generally to side curtain airbags for vehicles. More particularly, the disclosed inventive concept relates to a side curtain for a vehicle having an elongated and inflatable extension that extends along the A-pillar towards the A-pillar mounted grab handle. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Curtain airbag systems for automotive vehicles are commonly employed to reduce occupant injury during an impact event. Known curtain airbag systems, also sometimes called side impact or rollover curtain airbags, are directed to providing a cushioning layer between the interior of the vehicle and the occupant when the curtain inflates during the impact event. 
         [0003]    Known curtain airbags generally deploy downwardly from the roof rail in an accident event. Today&#39;s curtain airbags inflate to a point at the bottom or below the A-pillar-mounted grab handle when provided. When the curtain inflates it provides coverage below the A-pillar trim but normally does not cover either the A-pillar trim itself or the grab handle. 
         [0004]    Given the area adjacent to the occupant that is protected by today&#39;s curtain airbags in an accident event the occupant tends to travel towards the vehicle A-pillar due to the angular and lateral motion of the vehicle at impact. In some vehicles the head may contact the A-pillar and may slide forward along the pillar. 
         [0005]    If a vehicle has a grab handle on the A-pillar, the head of the occupant may slide forward and contact the grab handle. At this point the forward motion of the head may be impeded relative to the body. 
         [0006]    As in so many areas of vehicle technology there is always room for improvement related to the use and operation of curtain airbag systems for automotive vehicles. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The disclosed inventive concept provides an improvement to known curtain airbag systems by providing protection for the occupant from injury caused by a grab handle in an impact event. Particularly the disclosed inventive concept includes a curtain airbag system for a vehicle in which the vehicle has a passenger compartment and further includes a roof rail, A-pillar connected to the roof rail, and a grab handle attached to the A-pillar. 
         [0008]    The disclosed inventive concept includes a curtain module substantially embedded in the roof rail in its normal, non-inflated state. The curtain module includes an inflatable curtain attached to an inflator. The inflatable curtain has an arcuate forward portion. A elongated and inflatable extension is attached to the forward portion of the curtain. When the curtain is inflated in an impact event the elongated and inflatable extension inflates and extends from the curtain and at least partially overlaps at least the grab handle. 
         [0009]    The elongated and inflatable extension is a first extension and extends from the forward portion of said curtain. The inflatable curtain further includes a second extension or sail that may extend from the forward portion of the curtain and substantially below the inflatable extension when the curtain is inflated. The second extension or sail has a triangular shape. A portion of the triangle also extends at least over the grab handle when the second extension is, extended. 
         [0010]    In an impact event the inflatable curtain is inflated by the inflator. As it is fluidly connected to the inflatable curtain the elongated and inflatable extension is inflated simultaneously. Upon inflation, the elongated and inflatable extension extends in the direction of and possibly over at least a portion of the grab handle to protect the occupant&#39;s head from impacting the the roof rail, the A-column, or its associated grab handle by way of lateral movement in the event of vehicle-forward or sideways movement by the occupant. Instead, the disclosed inventive concept reduces or substantially eliminates the possibility that the occupants head will move laterally but instead directs the head to travel forward and slide along the elongated and inflatable extension. 
         [0011]    The above advantages and other advantages and features will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference should now be made to the embodiments illustrated in greater detail in the accompanying drawings and described below by way of examples of the invention wherein: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates the passenger side of the vehicle interior when viewed from the driver&#39;s side having a curtain airbag system prior to deployment according to the prior art prior; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  illustrates the passenger side of the vehicle interior having a curtain airbag system of  FIG. 1  following deployment according to the prior art; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  illustrates the passenger side of a vehicle having a curtain airbag system according to the disclosed inventive concept viewed at an angle from the driver&#39;s side following deployment with a medium-length inflatable extension having been inflated; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side view the vehicle curtain airbag shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a view similar to  FIG. 4  but illustrating an alternate embodiment of the disclosed inventive concept having a full-length inflatable extension; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is also a view similar to that of  FIG. 4  but illustrating an additional embodiment of the disclosed inventive concept having a relatively short inflatable extension. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0019]    In the following figures, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same components. In the following description, various operating parameters and components are described for different constructed embodiments. These specific parameters and components are included as examples and are not meant to be limiting. 
         [0020]    In general, the disclosed invention provides a system and method for allowing the occupant of a vehicle to avoid engagement with either the grab handle or a pillar such as an A-pillar. The disclosed inventive embodiments provide advancements in the art of known curtain airbags according to the prior art illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0021]    Referring to the prior art curtain airbag shown in  FIG. 1 , an environmental view of the passenger side of a vehicle interior of a vehicle  10  is illustrated. The view of the passenger side shown in  FIG. 1  is in an elevated view taken from the driver&#39;s side of the vehicle. 
         [0022]    As is known in the art, the vehicle  10  includes a roof rail  12 . The roof rail  12  includes a forward portion  14  and a rearward portion  16 . An A-pillar  18  extends from the forward portion  14  while a B-pillar  20  extends from a point on the roof rail  12  intermediate the forward portion  14  and the rearward portion  16 . 
         [0023]    A grab handle  22  is fitted to the A-pillar  18  but it is to be understood that the placement on the A-pillar  18  may be other than that shown. Furthermore, the B-pillar  20  may be fitted with a grab handle as well. 
         [0024]    A curtain module  24  is conventionally provided and is substantially embedded within the roof rail  12 . As is known in the art, the curtain module  24  includes an inflator  26  and an inflatable curtain  28  made from a resilient flexible material such as reinforced nylon. The inflatable curtain  28  is shown rolled up as shown. A sail cloth  30  attached to the inflatable curtain  28  and is also rolled up within the A-pillar  20 . 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the inflatable curtain  28  includes a main body  32 . The main body  32  includes a leading edge  36 . Extending from the leading edge  36  of the main body  32  of the inflatable curtain  28  is the sail cloth  30 . 
         [0026]    In an impact event the inflator  26  is signaled by an impact sensing system (not shown) to cause the curtain filling gas to enter and fill the inflatable curtain  28 . The sail cloth  30  either peels through the trim of the A-pillar or the cover of the A-pillar may be hingedly attached, thus allowing at least a portion of the cover to pivot out of the way, thus allowing deployment of the sail cloth  30  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0027]    The inventive concept of the disclosed embodiment provides of elongated and inflatable extensions of different lengths that extend from an inflatable curtain. This concept is illustrated in  FIGS. 3 through 6 . 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , an inflatable curtain assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosed inventive concept is generally illustrated as  50 . The inflatable curtain assembly  50  is shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  in its fully deployed condition. The inflatable curtain assembly  50  includes an inflatable curtain  52  having an inflatable cushion main body  54 . The inflatable cushion main body  54  has a leading edge  56 . 
         [0029]    An elongated and inflatable medium-length extension  58  extends vehicle forward from the inflatable cushion main body  54 . While the shape of the inflatable extension  58  is illustrated as being tubular it is to be understood that the shape of the inflatable extension  58  may be rectangular, triangular or virtually any other shape that may be appropriate for this component. 
         [0030]    The elongated and inflatable medium-length extension  58  includes a trailing edge  60  that is also attached to the inflatable cushion main body  54  at the leading edge  56 . Attachment of the elongated and inflatable extension  58  to the inflatable cushion main body  54  may be made in any known fashion including stitching or riveting provided that a fluid-passing channel is formed between the elongated and inflatable extension  58  and the inflatable cushion main body  54  to allow inflating gas to enter the elongated and inflatable extension  58  from the inflatable cushion main body  54  upon inflation by the inflator  26 . 
         [0031]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the elongated and inflatable medium-length extension  58  partially covers the grab handle  22  when the inflatable curtain assembly  50  is in its illustrated deployed condition. As discussed below and as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the length of the elongated and inflatable extension and thus its position over the grab handle  22  when deployed may be varied by design. Regardless of the length of the elongated and inflatable extension  58 , the objective of minimizing or eliminating the risk of the occupant&#39;s head from impacting any of the roof rail  12 , the A-pillar  18 , or the grab handle  22  is achieved as the occupant&#39;s head is deflected from any of these components in an impact event. 
         [0032]    An optional triangular-shaped extension or sail cloth  62  may be fitted to the inflatable curtain assembly  50 . If so fitted, the triangular-shaped extension or sail cloth  62  may be inflatable or non-inflatable. When provided, the extension or sail cloth  62  extends vehicle forward from the inflatable cushion main body  54 . The triangular-shaped extension or sail cloth  62  preferably includes an upper tether  64  that may or may not be attached to the lower edge of the elongated and inflatable extension  58  and a lower tether  66 . Both the upper tether  64  and the lower tether  66  as well as the extension or sail cloth  62  are attached to the leading edge  56  of the inflatable cushion main body  54 . 
         [0033]    If the extension or sail cloth  62  is inflatable then the attachment to the inflatable cushion main body  54  is made in such a way that that a fluid-passing channel is formed between the inflatable cushion main body  54  and the triangular-shaped extension or sail cloth  62  to allow inflating gas to enter the triangular-shaped extension or sail cloth  62  from the inflatable cushion main body  54  upon inflation. 
         [0034]    As noted above, the length of the elongated and inflatable medium-length extension can be other than that illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Particularly, and with respect to  FIG. 5 , an inflatable curtain assembly according to an alternate embodiment of the disclosed inventive concept is generally illustrated as  70 . The inflatable curtain assembly  70  is shown in its fully deployed condition. The inflatable curtain assembly  70  includes an inflatable curtain  72  having an inflatable cushion main body  74 . The inflatable cushion main body  74  has a leading edge  76 . 
         [0035]    An elongated and inflatable full-length extension  78  extends vehicle forward from the inflatable cushion main body  74 . While the shape of the inflatable extension  78  is illustrated as being tubular it is to be understood that the shape of the inflatable extension  78  may be rectangular, triangular or virtually any other shape that may be appropriate for this component. 
         [0036]    The elongated and inflatable full-length extension  78  includes a trailing edge  80  that is also attached to the inflatable cushion main body  74  at the leading edge  76 . Attachment of the elongated and inflatable extension  78  to the inflatable cushion main body  74  may be made in any known fashion including stitching or riveting provided that a fluid-passing channel is formed between the elongated and inflatable extension  78  and the inflatable cushion main body  74  to allow inflating gas to enter the elongated and inflatable extension  78  from the inflatable cushion main body  74  upon inflation by the inflator (not shown). 
         [0037]    The elongated and inflatable full-length extension  78  almost entirely covers the grab handle  22  when the inflatable curtain assembly  70  is in its illustrated deployed condition. An optional triangular-shaped extension or sail cloth  82  may be fitted to the inflatable curtain assembly  70 . If so fitted, the triangular-shaped extension or sail cloth  82  may be inflatable or non-inflatable. When provided, the extension or sail cloth  82  extends vehicle forward from the inflatable cushion main body  74 . The triangular-shaped extension or sail cloth  82  preferably includes an upper tether  84  that may or may not be attached to the lower edge of the elongated and inflatable extension  78  and a lower tether  86 . Both the upper tether  84  and the lower tether  86  as well as the extension or sail cloth  82  are attached to the leading edge  76  of the inflatable cushion main body  74 . 
         [0038]    The length of the elongated and inflatable extension can also be shorter than that illustrated in  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5 . Particularly, and with respect to  FIG. 6 , an inflatable curtain assembly according to an alternate embodiment of the disclosed inventive concept is generally illustrated as  90 . The inflatable curtain assembly  90  is shown in its fully deployed condition. The inflatable curtain assembly  90  includes an inflatable curtain  92  having an inflatable cushion main body  94 . The inflatable cushion main body  94  has a leading edge  96 . 
         [0039]    An elongated and inflatable shorter extension  98  extends vehicle forward from the inflatable cushion main body  94 . While the shape of the inflatable shorter extension  98  is illustrated as being tubular it is to be understood that the shape of the inflatable shorter extension  98  may be rectangular, triangular or virtually any other shape that may be appropriate for this component. 
         [0040]    The elongated and inflatable shorter extension  98  includes a trailing edge  100  that is also attached to the inflatable cushion main body  94  at the leading edge  96 . Attachment of the elongated and inflatable shorter extension  98  to the inflatable cushion main body  94  may be made in any known fashion including stitching or riveting provided that a fluid-passing channel is formed between the elongated and inflatable shorter extension  98  and the inflatable cushion main body  94  to allow inflating gas to enter the elongated and inflatable shorter extension  98  from the inflatable cushion main body  94  upon inflation by the inflator (not shown). 
         [0041]    As illustrated, the elongated and inflatable shorter extension  98  partially covers the grab handle  22  when the inflatable curtain assembly  90  is in its illustrated deployed condition. Optionally the elongated and inflatable shorter extension  98  may not cover the grab handle  22  at all. 
         [0042]    An optional triangular-shaped extension or sail cloth  102  may be fitted to the inflatable curtain assembly  90 . If so fitted, the triangular-shaped extension or sail  102  may be inflatable or non-inflatable. When provided, the extension or sail cloth  102  extends vehicle forward from the inflatable cushion main body  94 . The triangular-shaped extension  102  preferably includes an upper tether  104  that may or may not be attached to the lower edge of the elongated and inflatable extension  98  and a lower tether  106 . Both the upper tether  104  and the lower tether  106  as well as the extension or sail  102  are attached to the leading edge  96  of the inflatable cushion main body  94 . 
         [0043]    The disclosed inventive concept as set forth above overcomes the challenges faced by known curtain airbag arrangements for vehicles which offer limited protection to an occupant of a passenger seat during an impact event. The disclosed inventive concept either eliminates or significantly reduces the possibility of the head of the vehicle passenger seat occupant impacting the grab handle fitted to the vehicle&#39;s A-pillar. 
         [0044]    Of course, while the arrangement of the disclosed inventive concept is shown in relation to the vehicle&#39;s A-pillar, it could easily be positioned as well relative to the pillars, including, for example, the vehicle&#39;s B-pillar. Thus the disclosed inventive concept has broad application to a variety of vehicle pillar arrangements. 
         [0045]    In addition, the width of the elongated and inflatable extension may be varied. Furthermore, the disclosed inventive concepts may find application in vehicles having roof rail and pillar configurations other than that shown and described herein are possible and that the disclosed inventive concept may be adapted to such alternative configurations without deviating from the spirit or scope of the disclosed inventive concept. 
         [0046]    Accordingly, one skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying drawings and claims that various changes, modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the true spirit and fair scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.