Patent Application
20060113757
This invention relates to devices for protecting vehicle occupants and more particularly (but not exclusively) to restraint systems utilizing vehicle headliners.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,231,072 to Pywell, et al., whose contents are incorporated herein in their entirety by this reference, discloses a restraint assembly including a vehicle headliner. As noted in the Pywell patent, the assembly also includes an air bag positioned between the headliner and roof (and frame) of a vehicle. As the air bag inflates, it causes the headliner to extend downward toward the head and upper torso of a passenger.
In the assemblies of the Pywell patent, the air bag performs a conventional role, acting effectively as an air “mattress” for the vehicle occupant. To do so, it must be positioned so as to intercept an occupant as he or she travels toward an injurious surface (such as the frame or roof of the vehicle). Accordingly, the air bag must be positioned directly behind the headliner, between the head of the occupant and the roof and frame of the vehicle. Although the Pywell patent refers to the headliner as forming “a reactionary surface,” it performs essentially no restraint function in favor of the air bag doing so.
The present invention provides alternative restraints to those described in the Pywell patent. Although present systems too utilize vehicle headliners as parts thereof, the headliners function differently than as intended in the Pywell patent. Indeed, rather than merely acting as “reactionary surface[s]” for conventionally-performing air bags, headliners of the present invention themselves help restrain passengers of a vehicle.
Presently preferred embodiments of the invention employ an inflatable structure attached, typically indirectly via a fabric piece, to the headliner. Such inflatable structure need not be positioned intermediate the headliner and the vehicle roof or act as a “mattress,” however. Instead, the inflatable structure beneficially is located below the headliner and functions to tension it, so that the headliner may provide restraint. Or, stated differently, whereas the air bag and headliner apparatus of the Pywell patent requires that the air bag absorb energy by dissipating applied pressure forces, the fabric and headliner of the present invention use tension to reflect the energy away from harmful surfaces.
At least one version of the invention includes an inflatable structure anchored at or near the lower edge of a vehicle window. The structure preferably is tubular when inflated and braided as described in, for example, commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,322 to Bark, et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 6,124,194 to Yaniv, et al. (the contents of both of which patents are incorporated herein in their entireties by this reference). It need not necessarily be so shaped and configured, however. Indeed, in some embodiments, the structure may be knit, for example, rather than braided.
The inflatable structure is adapted to be inflated by any appropriate type of inflation mechanism. A section of (typically non-inflatable) fabric or similar material attaches the inflatable structure to the outboard edge of a vehicle headliner. Thus, when the structure inflates, the tension it generates pulls the headliner down toward the lower edge of the window, creating a protective surface utilizing the membrane tension of the headliner and fabric material.
Systems of the present invention provide numerous advantages over conventional approaches. For example, “closing” of the headliner around an unbelted occupant reduces the area within the vehicle passenger compartment in which the occupant may roam uncontrolled during vehicle rollover. This closure of the passenger compartment by the headliner as well may improve kinematics during side impacts, as the closing headliner operates to decelerate travel of the occupant earlier in time than do traditional head-protection systems.
Systems of the present invention additionally may reduce possibility of occupants being ejected from vehicles during rollover events, regardless of vehicle window sizes. They further may limit exposure of occupants to roof intrusion into the passenger compartment during rollovers. These systems thus advantageously may provide rollover and primary and secondary impact protection with less additional material and less inflated volume than conventional apparatus.
It thus is an optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide restraint systems for occupants of vehicles.
It is another optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide restraint systems involving vehicle headliners.
It is an additional optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide restraint systems in which inflatable components are employed together with the headliners, with the inflatable components not being located between the headliners and roofs of vehicles.
It is also an optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide restraint systems in which the inflatable components are located below the headliners and function, when inflated, to apply tension to the headliners.
It is, moreover, an optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide restraint systems in which an inflatable structure is anchored at or near the lower edge of a vehicle window and which forms, when inflated, a braided tube.
It is a further optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide restraint systems in which fabric or similar material connects the inflatable component with the headliner so that, when the component inflates, it generates tension that pulls the headliner down toward the lower edge of the window.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant field with reference to the remaining text and the drawings of this application.
Illustrated in
The version of system 10 depicted in
Illustrated somewhat schematically in
Material 34 is connected to headliner 26, typically along edge 42 positioned at or near the roof rail of automobile 12. Material 34 likewise is connected to inflatable structure 38. As noted earlier, structure 38 may comprise a braided or knit component that, when inflated, increases in diameter and decreases in length.
Structure 38 preferably is anchored to pillars A and C of automobile 12 near lower edge 46 of windows W. When not inflated, it may extend from its anchor points along the pillars A and C and the intermediate roof rail. Material 34 likewise may be stowed either along the roof rail or, instead, between headliner 26 and roof R adjacent the roof rail (as shown in
System 10 additionally may include any mechanism suitable for inflating structure 38 and an initiator for commencing such inflation upon command. Typically the initiator will include a sensor designed to recognize that automobile 12 is being impacted from the side or at an oblique angle. Upon actuation, the inflator inflates structure 38, whose configuration causes it to travel downward toward lower edge 46 and form a taut, semi-rigid structural member across the lower edge 46.
This downward travel of structure 38 pulls connected material 34 downward too, so that material 34 covers at least portions of windows W and, perhaps, pillar B. Material 34, in turn, pulls edge 42 of headliner 26 downward. Because structure 38 is anchored and semi-rigid and headliner 26 is anchored elsewhere along the roof R, inflating structure 38 tensions material 34 and headliner 26 in an area between occupant H and frame F.
Material 34 may be connected to headliner 26 and structure 38 in any appropriate manners.
Although capable of use with conventional headliners 26, operation of system 10 may benefit in some instances from modification to such conventional headliners 26. For example, headliners 26 could be modified so as to bend along selected longitudinal lines (as shown at point L of
The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing exemplary embodiments and certain benefits of the present invention. Modifications and adaptations to the illustrated and described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.
