Automobile pillar air bag device
Automobile pillar air bag device
US Patènt # 6863300
| Invèntors: | Ryu; Seung-Soo (Gunpo-Shi, KR) |
| Assignee: | Kia Motors Corporation (Seoul, KR) |
| Appl. No.: | 600073 |
| Filed: | June 20, 2003 |
ABSTRACT
An automobile pillar air bag device provided along the roof side rail protects a passenger from impact during a broadside collision. The automobile pillar air bag device includes: a bag, a sensor, and a gas supply section for injecting gas into an air bag. Further included is a pillar trim deviation-prevention mechanism that includes a strap. Both ends of the strap being connected with the front pillar and the pillar trim by screws. The strap connects the front pillar and an upper portion of the pillar trim. Also, a connection member is bound with the screws. Additionally, the connection member arranged at the front pillar side of the strap is formed integrally with a fixing boss for the front pillar and is coupled to a supporting piece cut out and separated from the fixing boss when the bag is expanded.
FIELD OF THE INVÈNTION
Generally, the present invèntion relates to a pillar air bag device for an automobile. More particularly, the pillar air bag device is positioned along the roof side rail of an automobile chassis to protect a passenger from impact during a broadside collision.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVÈNTION
Typically, an air bag is positioned within the chassis of a vehicle such that in a normal state it occupies a small space. Upon activation or deployment, the air bag expands into the passenger compartment to prevent the driver or passenger from impacting components of the vehicle. In the recent years, in order to prevent a driver's or a passenger's head from colliding with the chassis, an air bag device has been installed in a side portion of the interior of the automobile. In such, the bag is accommodated in a space between the front pillar of the chassis and the pillar trim during normal use. During a broadside collision, the air bag expands and pushes the lower portion of the pillar trim away from the pillar of the chassis and is expanded in a curtain shape in the downward direction.
The pillar trim housing a pillar air bag is generally fixed to the front pillar by an insertion member, such as the simple hook. This hook frequently deviates or becomes separated from the pillar during the expansion of the air bag. Following separation, the driver and passengers may be injured by the loose pillar trim.
There thus remains a need in the art for a low cost assembly and efficiently manufactured device for constraining the pillar trim during deployment and expansion of the pillar air bag.
