Abstract
An extruded side curtain airbag ramp including a tear-resistant material forming at least one attachment feature and method for manufacturing said extruded side curtain airbag ramp. The airbag ramp according to the present invention incorporates a plurality of extruded materials and provides an easier manufactured product and attachment.
Claims
1. An extruded airbag ramp adapted for a vehicle, comprising: a plurality of materials that are co-extruded, wherein at least one of the materials has predetermined stiffness adapted for a structural portion of the airbag ramp to operably adjoin less stiff materials, and at least one of another of the materials is a tear-resistant material providing at least one attachment portion adapted to operably attach said extruded airbag ramp to a predetermined part of the vehicle; wherein one of said plurality of materials is a softer material forming an arched ramp portion and a base portion of said extruded airbag ramp and adjoining both ends of said structural portion and adjoining each side of said at least one attachment portion, wherein said arched ramp portion, base portion, and structural portion form a channel and the structural portion is adapted to provide stiffness that allows elimination of an expanse of material within said channel.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
(2) FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of an airbag ramp, in accordance with the present invention;
(3) FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of an airbag ramp, in accordance with the present invention;
(4) FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of an airbag ramp with a stiffening feature;
(5) FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of an airbag ramp illustrating features of the present invention operable for eliminating the stiffening feature, in accordance with the present invention; and
(6) FIG. 5 is a schematic of a system for manufacturing an airbag ramp.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
(7) The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.
(8) Referring to FIGS. 1-5 generally, and more particularly to FIGS. 1-2, in accordance with the present invention there is provided an extruded airbag ramp shown generally at 10. The airbag ramp 10 is preferably a side curtain airbag ramp. The airbag ramp 10 has many significant advantages, including, that the airbag ramp 10 is operable for easier manufacturing and for connecting to an airbag easier, e.g., sewing or clipping to a part, e.g., sewing to a headliner. The airbag ramp 10 includes a plurality of predetermined materials, wherein at least one of the materials is a hard material and at least one of the materials is a material that is softer than the hard material. Preferably, at least one other of the materials is a tear-resistant material.
(9) A first portion of the airbag ramp, shown generally at 12, is formed of a first material. The first material is preferably the hardest of all the other materials of the ramp 10. The first material is a preferably a polypropylene. Typically, the first material portion has a durometer of about 50 D, however, greater or lesser durometers are contemplated depending on the application without departure from the scope of the present invention. The first portion 12 has a predetermined shape and dimensions (e.g., profile(s), shape(s), contour(s), thickness(s), length(s), width(s), height(s), etc) depending on the particular application. FIG. 1 depicts the first portion 12 with an exemplary generally horizontal section 13a and a generally vertical section 13b with a generally curved section indicated generally at 13c. Preferably, the sections 13a-13c are integrally formed in the same extruder, e.g., a first extruder, as will be described further below. FIG. 2 depicts the first portion 12 of the first material with an exemplary predetermined profile that does not include the generally horizontal section 13a of FIG. 1. It is understood that the exemplary sections in the Figures are adaptable to any application and can be any predetermined configuration depending on the particular application without departure from the scope of the present invention.
(10) A second portion of the airbag ramp, shown generally at 14, is formed of a second material. The second material is softer than the first material. The second material is preferably a thermoplastic olefin (TPO). Typically, the second material portion has a durometer of about 50 B, however, greater or lesser durometers are contemplated depending on the application without departure from the scope of the present invention. The second portion 14 has a predetermined shape and dimensions (e.g., profile(s), shape(s), contour(s), thickness(s), length(s), width(s), height(s), etc) depending on the application. FIG. 1 depicts the second portion 14 with an exemplary generally horizontal first section 15a. The second portion 14 further includes another portion 15c (FIGS. 1-2) or ramp section formed of the second material, e.g., extruded or co-extruded. The portion 15c adjoins the structural section 12 at one end. The first portion 15a adjoins the structural section 12, preferably, the generally horizontal first section 13a of the structural portion 12 at the other end. FIG. 2 depicts the second portion 14 with an exemplary generally horizontal first section 15a including a further extending generally horizontal second section 15b adjoining to the first portion 12/13b. The second portion 14 further includes a third portion 15c (FIGS. 1-2) or ramp section formed of the second material, e.g., extruded or co-extruded. The third portion 15c adjoins the structural section 12. A channel 23 is formed by the cooperating sections 12 and 14 to receive a predetermined suitable component. The channel 23 generally runs the length of the assembly 10. It is understood that the exemplary sections in the Figures are adaptable for suitability in any application and can be any predetermined configuration depending on the particular application without departure from the scope of the present invention. It is understood that the assembly 10 is any predetermined length depending on the application without departure from the scope of the present invention.
(11) Alternatively, the ramp section 15c is at least partly formed of a third material, typically a soft material, preferably thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV). FIGS. 1-2 illustrate at least the end 15d of the ramp section 15c being TPV, which may be a cut away or otherwise formed end 15d in a mid-line fabrication device, as will be described in greater detail below.
(12) Referring to FIGS. 1-5 generally, and more particularly to FIG. 4 the use of the hard material eliminates the need for additional strengthening features, such as the expanse of material “A” indicated in FIGS. 3 and 4 located generally between the horizontal and ramp segments of an airbag ramp 100.
(13) Referring to FIGS. 1-2 generally, the airbag ramp 10 includes at least one attachment portion 16 formed of a third material. The third material is preferably a predetermined tear-resistant material or anti-tear material. Preferably, there are at least two attachment portions 16 and 16 (see FIGS. 1-2). Most preferably, each attachment portion 16 is operable for sewing the airbag ramp 10 to at least one predetermined vehicle part 21, e.g., vehicular body panel, headliner, both the vehicular body panel and headliner, etc. An exemplary sew line is indicated at 17. Alternatively, or in combination with sewing, adhesive, or any other suitable attachment, at least one fastener 19 is incorporated with the airbag ramp 10 (e.g., at least one retainer, clip, extruded fastener, channel, barb, etc) for attachment to the predetermined vehicle part. Other vehicle components for the airbag ramp to be attached to are contemplated depending on the application without departure from the scope of the present invention. Alternatively, the attachment portion 16 is formed as the same material as the structural portion 13b.
(14) It is understood that the profile and shape and contour and features and etc of the airbag ramp 10 are adaptable for suitable use in any airbag for any vehicle, etc depending on any and all applications without departure from the scope of the present invention.
(15) It is understood that the materials and locations are exemplary. It is understood that the portions and part profiles are exemplary. The airbag ramp part is adaptable for suitability according to any application without departure from the scope of the present invention.
(16) Referring to FIGS. 1-5 generally, and more particularly to FIG. 5, according to an aspect of the present invention, the fabrication of the airbag ramp is preferably an in-line up/down process incorporating at least two extruders shown generally at 200. In accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least a first extruder 202 and at least one second extruder 206 are provided. At least one of the materials (e.g., first material 12, preferably first 12 and second materials 14 and third 16 materials), is extruded (or co-extruded) at the first extruder 202 forming predetermined features/profiles and runs into at least one mid-line fabrication device 204 (e.g., at least one die, bulb die, etc) to cut away or otherwise remove any predetermined material that is not needed in the end product to thereby begin to form or profile the product. The part is then run into the second extruder 206 for extruding at least one of the other materials (e.g., 15d). The process in accordance with the present invention is easier and adds more value to the end product than conventional fabrication of airbag ramps.
(17) While a side curtain airbag ramp is described, it is understood that the present invention is adaptable for any airbag (e.g., front driver, front passenger) without departure from the scope of the present invention and adaptable for any extrusion in in industry (e.g., UTV, ATV, recreational vehicle, offroad vehicles) without departure from the scope of the present invention. It is further understood that the present invention is adaptable depending on the application without departure from the scope of the present invention, e.g., requiring an extrusion attached to a second component, seals, etc.
(18) The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the essence of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.
