Patent Application
20070132221
The present invention relates generally to vehicles, and more particularly to an energy-absorbing fill tube for a side air curtain system for a vehicle.
Side air curtain systems for vehicles substantially enhance passenger safety in side-impact collisions and vehicle roll-overs. The typical side air curtain system includes a crash sensor, an inflation mechanism, an air curtain, and a rigid non-deformable fill tube in connection between the inflation mechanism and the air curtain. The fill tube typically is sufficiently rigid that it remains generally undeformed in a side impact collision. This strong construction is beneficial for maintaining a conduit for directing air from the inflation mechanism to the air curtain. However, it will be appreciated that the rigid non-deformable fill tube does not absorb crash energy in a collision.
Existing vehicles have a roof rail structure with a side air curtain system and a countermeasure therein. The countermeasure absorbs crash energy in a side impact collision, e.g. with an occupant's head or torso impacted thereon. The typical countermeasure has a generally small mass comprised of a foam, paper, metal composite, or plastic material. However, it is understood that countermeasure nonetheless provides additional weight to the vehicle and thus diminishes the fuel economy and overall performance. Also, installation of the countermeasure can increase the manufacturing cycle time for the vehicle, as well as the costs associated therewith.
It would therefore be desirable to provide a fill tube for a side air curtain system for a vehicle that quickly deploys an air curtain in a vehicle collision and also absorbs crash energy.
One advantageous embodiment of the claimed invention is an energy-absorbing fill tube for a side air curtain system for a vehicle. The fill tube is a hollow tube having a longitudinal axis and a series of waistband wrinkles along the longitudinal axis. The hollow tube is integrated within the vehicle and defines a conduit for directing air into an air curtain for the side air curtain system. The waistband wrinkles deforms under a predetermined load and is sufficiently rigid for maintaining the conduit and directing air into the air curtain under the predetermined load.
One advantage of the present invention is that an energy-absorbing fill tube is provided that absorbs crash energy in a vehicle collision and thus improves passenger safety.
Another advantage of the present invention is that an energy-absorbing fill tube is provided that quickly deploys a side air curtain and assists in providing peak pressure and steady-state pressure valves for cushioning a passenger in a vehicle collision.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is that an energy-absorbing fill tube is provided that can eliminate the need for countermeasures in a vehicle and therefore decrease vehicle weight, enhance fuel economy and otherwise improve overall vehicle performance.
Still another advantage of the present invention is that an energy-absorbing fill tube is provided that decreases the overall weight and minimizes the cost of manufacturing the vehicle.
Other advantages of the present invention will become apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description of the invention in conjunction with the attached drawings and appended claims.
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:
In the following figures, the same reference numerals are used to identify the same components in the various views. Furthermore, the illustrated embodiments described herein employ features where the context permits. Specifically, the embodiments described herein implement an energy-absorbing fill tube for a side air curtain system for a vehicle. However, it is contemplated that the fill tube can instead be utilized for a variety of other suitable systems and/or in stationary structures as desired. In this regard, other embodiments are contemplated lacking one or more of the described features, having features other than those described herein, or having different combinations of those features. It is therefore appreciated that the invention can be carried out in a variety of suitable modes.
Referring to
With attention now to
The fill tube 14 has a longitudinal axis 26 and a series of waistband wrinkles 28 along the longitudinal axis 26 that are sufficiently deformable for absorbing crash energy. The waistband wrinkles 28 are also sufficiently rigid for maintaining the conduit 24 and directing air into the air curtain 18 under a predetermined load. Accordingly, the fill tube 14 sufficiently passes air therethrough and deploys the air curtain 18 while also absorbing crash energy in a vehicle collision. The waistband wrinkles 28 are beneficial for enhancing passenger safety and eliminating the need for countermeasures within the roof structure 16. However, it is contemplated that the roof structure 16 can have one or more countermeasures 30 therein as desired.
In particular, in this embodiment, the fill tube 14 has at least one portion 32 with a constant diameter and each waistband wrinkle 28 comprising a decreased diameter portion of the fill tube 14, along a substantially short length of the fill tube 14. Accordingly, each waistband wrinkle 28 provides a stress riser in the fill tube 14. Also, in this embodiment, the fill tube 14 has at least two clusters 34 of adjacent waistband wrinkles 28 along the longitudinal axis 26 of the tube 14. It will be appreciated that the fill tube 14 can instead have only one cluster of waistband wrinkles 28 that are spaced apart an equal distance or otherwise as desired.
While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, numerous variations and alternate embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only in terms of the appended claims.
