System and method and method for seam profile minimization for an inflatable curtain
US6575496B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 24, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jun 10, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 24, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R2021/2359
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A system and method for reducing the profile of compacted seams in an inflatable curtain modules is disclosed. A cushion of an inflatable curtain module has interior seams configured to separate the cushion into chambers. The interior seams are angled with respect to the direction along which the cushion is compacted to ensure that each interior seam does not simply bunch up at a one single location along the length of the compacted cushion. Preferably, the interior seams are angled so that overlap does not occur along at least half the length of each interior seam. The angle may be further selected to ensure that no overlap occurs, or even that no two portions of any interior seams can interfere to create a combined bulge. The interior seams may be modestly angled, aggressively angled to form a nested configuration, or even angled perpendicular to the compaction direction. The interior seams may also be curved to produce a more even displacement between helical turns of the interior seams after the cushion has been rolled.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.