FIELD OF INVENTION:
[001] The present subject matter described herein, relates to a ramp bracket to hold roof side airbag in a vehicle. More particular, to the ramp bracket to effectively hold the roof side airbag in the vehicle during airbag deployment.
BACKGROUND:
[002] In general, roof side airbags are provided in the vehicles to reduce the degree of injury to the passengers when a car crash occurs. Referring to Figure 1 illustrating an arrangement of roof side airbag 100 in the vehicle body 102. Mounting of the roof side airbag 100 on side panel of a vehicle body 102 is done through different brackets 103a, 103b. Generally, a lug is provided in the airbag 100 for better holding of the airbag 100 near B-pillar or C-pillar of vehicle during deployment. A lug hanger is provided in the bracket to hold the lug of the cushion 101 of the airbag 100 during deployment. During deployment of the airbag 100 due to car crash, the airbag 100 imparts huge force on the lug hanger. Generally, the lug hanger is integrated with the ramp bracket provided near the B-pillar or the C-pillar. The lug hanger provides support to the lug of airbag cushion 101 during deployment and prevents lug from coming out of the lug hanger.
[003] Referring to Figure 2, illustrating a ramp bracket according to the existing art. The ramp bracket 200 comprises a fixing portion 201, a base portion 202 and a lug hanger 203. The fixing portion 201 has flanges 204a, 204b provided on both ends. These flanges 204a, 204b has mounting means, such as holes 205a, 205b, to facilitate mounting of the ramp bracket 200 on the vehicle body 102. The base portion 202 is provided on the ramp bracket 200 to provide resting surface to the un-deployed airbag 100. The lug hanger 203 is in the form of a flange extending from the fixing portion 201. The lug hanger 203 holds the lug of the cushion 101 during airbag deployment. A bead 206 is provided in the lug hanger 203 to restrict the motion of the lug and prevent it from getting dislodged during deployment.
[004] However, during deployment of the airbag 100, the cushion 101 imparts huge force on the lug hanger 203 in downward direction. Due to this force, the lug hanger 203 tends to get deformed. This deformation increases gap between the vehicle body 102 and the lug hanger 203 resulting in the lug getting dislodged from the lug hanger 203 during deployment of the airbag 100. The dislodging of the airbag lug from the lug hanger 203, at the time of deployment reduces the effectiveness of the airbag 100. This may result in increased chance of passenger getting injured during a car crash.
[005] Japanese Patent Application JP2019104314A discloses a vehicular airbag installation structure in which an airbag cushion and an inflator bracket are connected with a simple configuration. The vehicular airbag installation structure has a cushion in a storage form, an inflator having one end inserted into the cushion, an inflator bracket holding the inflator to be arranged side by side over the cushion, and a holding belt extending upward from the cushion in a storage form. The inflator bracket includes a base part going along a side wall, a grip part continuing to a lower edge of the base part to grip the inflator, fixing parts, and a hook part projecting from the base part to hook the holding belt. The holding belt passes through between the base part and the side wall to be hooked on the hook part.
[006] Chinese Patent Application CN105313823A discloses an oval folded safety air curtain assembly. The assembly comprises an air bag, a metal guide plate for connecting the air bag with a car body as well as wrapping assemblies which are used for coating the air bag and connected with the metal guide plate. The metal guide plate comprises a mounting surface and a slope surface extending downwards obliquely from the mounting surface, the mounting surface is used for mounting of the air bag, the slope surface is used for guiding unfolding of the air bag, mounting holes are formed in the mounting surface, and the wrapping assemblies penetrate through the mounting holes to be connected with the metal guide plate. The safety air curtain assembly is provided with the metal guide plate integrally connected with the air bag, and the mounting holes in the metal guide plate are connected with the air bag through the wrapping assemblies.
[007] Therefore, there is need in the art to provide a ramp bracket which eliminates the possibility of lug of the cushion getting dislodged from the lug hanger during deployment of the airbag in event of a vehicle crash.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[008] It is therefore an object of the present subject matter to overcome the aforementioned and other drawbacks in existing ramp brackets.
[009] The principal objective of the present subject matter is to provide a ramp bracket which eliminates possibility of lug provided in the cushion getting dislodged from the lug hanger during deployment of the airbag in event of a vehicle crash.
[0010] Another object of the present subject matter is to provide a ramp bracket with a flange having an upper extension and a lower extension to restrict the movement of the lug provided in the cushion during airbag deployment.
[0011] Another object of the present subject matter is to provide a ramp bracket having a lug hanger which does not require beads or bolts to hold the lug of the cushion.
[0012] These and other objects and advantages of the present subject matter will be apparent to a person skilled in the art after consideration of the following detailed description taken into consideration with accompanying drawings in which preferred embodiments of the present subject matter are illustrated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[0013] One or more drawbacks of conventional ramp bracket are overcome, and additional advantages are provided through the ramp bracket as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the technicalities of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered to be a part of the claimed disclosure.
[0014] The present subject matter discloses a ramp bracket to hold roof side airbag in a vehicle. The ramp bracket comprises a fixing portion, a base portion and a lug hanger. The fixing portion is adapted to provide a mountable surface to the ramp bracket. Further, the fixing portion has flanges provided on both ends to facilitate mounting of the ramp bracket on side panel of the vehicle body. The base portion is extended from the fixing portion. The base portion is adapted to provide a resting surface to the un-deployed airbag. The lug hanger is integrally provided with the fixing portion to receive a lug of the cushion of the airbag. The lug hanger comprises a flange, an upper extension and a lower extension. The flange having a first edge and a second edge extends from the fixing portion of the ramp bracket. The upper extension longitudinally extends from the top of the first edge of the flange. The lower extension longitudinally extends from the second edge of the flange. Further, the lower extension is provided below the upper extension and above lower edge of the flange. The upper extension 301b and the lower extension 301c lies on the opposite edges 302a, 302b of the flange 301a.
[0015] In an aspect, the upper extension lies on one of the first edge or the second edge and the lower extension lies on the opposite edge of the edge on which the upper extension lies.
[0016] In an aspect, the combined length of the upper extension and the flange is equivalent to length of cutout provided in the lug of the cushion of the airbag.
[0017] In an aspect, the combined length of the lower extension and the flange is equivalent to length of cutout provided in the lug of the cushion of the airbag.
[0018] In an aspect, a stepped profile is provided on either of the upper extension or the lower extension.
[0019] In an aspect, the stepped profile comprises a first extended portion, a second extended portion and a third extended portion. The first extended portion extends longitudinally either from the upper extension or from the lower extension. The second extended portion extends perpendicularly from the first extended portion either towards the cabin side or towards the outer side of the vehicle. The third extended portion extends longitudinally from the second extended portion. The first extended portion and the third extended portion are parallel to each other.
[0020] In an aspect, the combined length of upper extension with stepped profile and the flange is more than length of cutout provided in the lug of the cushion of the airbag.
[0021] In an aspect, the mounting provisions, such as holes, are provided on the flanges of the fixing portion of the ramp bracket to facilitate mounting of the ramp bracket on the vehicle body.
[0022] It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.
[0023] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system or methods or structure in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0025] Figure 1 illustrates an arrangement of roof side airbag in the vehicle body according to the existing art.
[0026] Figure 2 illustrates a ramp bracket to hold roof side airbag in the vehicle, according to the existing art.
[0027] Figure 3a illustrates isometric view of a ramp bracket to hold roof side airbag in the vehicle, according to one of the embodiments of the present subject matter.
[0028] Figure 3b illustrates isometric view of a ramp bracket to hold roof side airbag in the vehicle, according to another embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0029] Figure 4a illustrates enlarged view of the lug hanger according to one of the embodiments of the present subject matter.
[0030] Figure 4b illustrates enlarged view of the lug hanger according to another embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0031] Figure 5 illustrates exemplary block diagram of airbag cushion having lug according to present subject matter.
[0032] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
[0033] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0034] It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0035] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a", “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes” and/or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
[0036] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
[0037] Unless and otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0038] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail with reference to the following figures. It should be noted that the description merely illustrates the principles of the present subject matter. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its scope.
[0039] The present subject matter describes a ramp bracket to hold roof side airbag 500 (as shown in figure 5) in a vehicle. The ramp bracket can be provided at the C-pillar or the B-pillar of the vehicle to support the un-deployed air bags 500 and to hold a lug 501 of the cushion when the airbag 500 is deployed. The lug 501 defines a cutout having width ‘a’ in horizontal direction along vehicle length.
[0040] Referring to figure 3a illustrating isometric view of a ramp bracket to hold roof side airbag in the vehicle, according to one of the embodiments of the present subject matter. The ramp bracket 300 comprises a fixing portion 201, a base portion 202 and a lug hanger 301. The fixing portion 201 provides a mountable surface to the ramp bracket 300. It is adapted to the curvature of the vehicle body, where the ramp bracket 300 is supposed to be mounted. Flanges 204a, 204b are provided on both ends of the fixing portion 201 to facilitate mounting of ramp bracket 300 along a side panel of a vehicle body 102. Mounting provisions are provided on the flanges 204a, 204b of the fixing portion 201 to facilitate mounting of the ramp bracket 300 along with the side panel of the vehicle body 102. In an aspect, these mounting provision are holes 205a, 205b, provided to accommodate bolts or the likes for mounting the ramp bracket 300 on vehicle body.
[0041] The base portion 202 extends horizontally from the fixing portion 201. The base portion 202 acts as a resting surface for the airbag 101 in un-deployed state. The base portion 202 is adapted to run along with the side panel of the vehicle body 102. Altogether, the fixing portion 201 and the base portion 202 define an L shaped profile.
[0042] The lug hanger 301 is integrally provided within the ramp bracket 300. The lug hanger 301 extends between the flanges 204a, 204b of the fixing portion 201 to receive lug 501 of the cushion of the airbag 500. The lug hanger 301 comprises a flange 301a, an upper extension 301b and a lower extension 301c. The flange 301a defines a first edge 302a and a second edge 302b facing the flanges 204a, 204b in forward and rearward direction, respectively. For example, the forward direction can be considered toward vehicle front end and rearward direction can be considered towards vehicle rear end. The upper extension 301b extends longitudinally from top of the first edge 302a of the flange 301a.
[0043] The lower extension 301c extends longitudinally from the second edge 302b of the flange 301a. The lower extension 301c is provided below the upper extension 301b and above lower edge 303 of the flange 301a to restrict the movement of the lug provided in the cushion during deployment of the airbag.
[0044] The lug hanger 301 is designed in such a way that the combined length ‘a’ of the upper extension 301b and the flange 301a is equivalent to length of cutout provided in the lug 501 of the cushion of the airbag 500. Similarly, the combined length of the lower extension 301c and the flange 301a is equivalent to length of cutout provided in the lug of the cushion of the airbag.
[0045] Referring to figure 3b illustrating isometric view of a ramp bracket 300 to hold roof side airbag in the vehicle, according to another embodiment of the present subject matter. In the another embodiment, the lug hanger 301 comprises a flange 301a, an upper extension 301b and a lower extension 301c. The flange 301a having a first edge 302a and a second edge 302b is extended from the fixing portion 201 of the ramp bracket 300. The upper extension 301b extends longitudinally from top of the second edge 302b of the flange 301a.
[0046] The lower extension 301c extends longitudinally from the first edge 302a of the flange 301a. The lower extension 301c is provided below the upper extension 301b and above lower edge 303 of the flange 301a to restrict the movement of the lug 501 provided in the cushion during deployment of the airbag 500.
[0047] The lug hanger 301 is designed in such a way that the combined length ‘a’ of the upper extension 301b and the flange 301a is equivalent to length ‘a’ of cutout provided in the lug 501 of the cushion of the airbag 500. Similarly, the combined length of the lower extension 301c and the flange 301a is equivalent to length ‘a’ of cutout provided in the lug 501 of the cushion of the airbag 500.
[0048] In an embodiment, the upper extension 301b and the lower extension 301c lies on the opposite edges 302a, 302b of the flange 301a. The upper extension 301b lies on one of these edges, i.e., first edge 302a and the second edge 302b and the lower extension 301c lies on the opposite edge of this edge. For example, when the upper extension 301b extends longitudinally from top of the first edge 302a of the flange 301a, the lower extension 301c extends longitudinally from lower portion of the opposite second edge 302b of the first edge 302a.
[0049] Referring to figure 4a illustrating enlarged view of the lug hanger according to one of the embodiments of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, the upper extension 301b of the lug hanger 301 is provided with a stepped profile to further eliminate the possibility of lug getting dislodged from the lug hanger 301 during deployment of the airbag in event of a car crash.
[0050] The stepped profile of the upper extension 301b has a first extended portion 401 extending longitudinally from the top of the flange 301a. The first extended portion 401 maintains the same plane as that of the flange 301a. Further, the stepped profile has a second extended portion 402 extending perpendicularly from the first extended portion 401. The plane of the second extended portion 402 is preferable perpendicular to the plane of the first extended portion 401. The second extended portion 402 extends either towards the cabin side or towards the outer side of the vehicle. Furthermore, the stepped profile of the upper extension 301b has a third extended portion 403 extending longitudinally from the second extended portion 402. The plane of the third extended portion 403 is parallel to the plane of the first extended portion 401 and perpendicular to the plane of the second extended portion 402. The first extended portion 401, the second extended portion 402 and the third extended portion 403 together forms the upper extension 301b with stepped profile of the lug hanger 301.
[0051] The lug hanger 301, in this embodiment, is designed in such a way that the combined length ‘A’ of upper extension 301b with stepped profile and the flange 301a is more than length ‘a’ of cutout provided in the lug 501 of the cushion of the airbag 500. The combined length ‘a’ of the lower extension 301c and the flange 301a is equivalent to length of cutout provided in the lug of the cushion of the airbag.
[0052] Referring to figure 4b illustrating enlarged view of the lug hanger according to another embodiment of the present subject matter. In this embodiment, the upper extension 301b can be provided at first edge 302a where the upper extension with stepped profile is extending longitudinally toward vehicle front end. The upper extension 301b defines the same structural features as defined by the upper extension 301b of the figure 4a.
ASSEMBLY OF AIRBAG CUSHION AND THE RAMP BRACKET
[0053] While assembling airbag cushion with ramp bracket, lug of the airbag cushion is inserted into flange of lug hanger of the ramp bracket so as to support airbag cushion in un-deployed condition. The lug is first inserted through the upper extension of the lug hanger and is then passed through the lower extension of the lug hanger to mount the lug of airbag cushion in the lug hanger.
TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES
[0054] The proposed ramp bracket eliminates the possibility of lug provided in the cushion getting dislodged from the lug hanger during deployment of the airbag in event of a vehicle crash. Moreover, the lug hanger does not require any kind of bolt or bead to hold the lug provided in the cushion.
[0055] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to”, the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least”, the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to”, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances, where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
[0056] It will be further appreciated that functions or structures of a plurality of components or steps may be combined into a single component or step, or the functions or structures of one-step or component may be split among plural steps or components. The present invention contemplates all of these combinations. Unless stated otherwise, dimensions and geometries of the various structures depicted herein are not intended to be restrictive of the invention, and other dimensions or geometries are possible. In addition, while a feature of the present invention may have been described in the context of only one of the illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of other embodiments, for any given application. It will also be appreciated from the above that the fabrication of the unique structures herein and the operation thereof also constitute methods in accordance with the present invention. The present invention also encompasses intermediate and end products resulting from the practice of the methods herein. The use of “comprising” or “including” also contemplates embodiments that “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the recited feature.
[0057] Although embodiments for the present subject matter have been described in language specific to structural features, it is to be understood that the present subject matter is not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as embodiments for the present subject matter. Numerous modifications and adaptations of the system/component of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and thus it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and adaptations which fall within the scope of the present subject matter.

Claims:

We claim:
1. A ramp bracket (300) to hold roof side airbag (500) in a vehicle, the ramp bracket (300) comprises:
a fixing portion (201) adapted to provide a mountable surface to the ramp bracket (300), wherein the fixing portion (201) has flanges (204a, 204b) provided on both ends to facilitate mounting of the ramp bracket (300) along a side panel of a vehicle body (102); and
a base portion (202) extending horizontally from the fixing portion (201), adapted to provide resting surface to the un-deployed airbag (500),
characterized in that
a lug hanger (301) is integrally provided with the fixing portion (201) to receive lug (501) of the cushion of the airbag (500), the lug hanger (301) comprises:
a flange (301a) defining a first edge (302a) and a second edge (302b), extending from the fixing portion (201) of the ramp bracket (300);
an upper extension (301b) longitudinally extending from top of one of the first edge (302a) and the second edge (302b) of the flange (301a); and
a lower extension (301c) longitudinally extending from one of the first edge (302a) and the second edge (302b) of the flange (301a), the lower extension (301c) provided below the upper extension (301b) and above lower edge (303) of the flange (301a), the upper extension (301b) and the lower extension (301c) lies on the opposite edges (302a, 302b) of the flange (301a).
2. The ramp bracket (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper extension (301b) lies on one of the first edge (302a) and the second edge (302b) and the lower extension (301c) lies on the opposite edge of the edge on which the upper extension (301b) lies.
3. The ramp bracket (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the combined length (a) of the upper extension (301a) and the flange (301a) is equivalent to length (a) of cutout provided in the lug (501) of the cushion of the airbag (500).
4. The ramp bracket (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the combined length (a) of the lower extension (301c) and the flange (301a) is equivalent to length (a) of cutout provided in the lug (501) of the cushion of the airbag (500).
5. The ramp bracket (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a stepped profile is provided on the upper extension (301b).
6. The ramp bracket (300) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the stepped profile comprises:
a first extended portion (401) extending longitudinally from the upper extension (301b);
a second extended portion (402) extending perpendicularly from the first extended portion (401) either towards the cabin side or towards the outer side of the vehicle; and
a third extended portion (403) extending longitudinally from the second extended portion (402),
wherein the first extended portion (401) and the third extended portion (403) are parallel to each other.
7. The ramp bracket (300) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the combined length (A) of the upper extension (301b) with the stepped profile and the flange (301a) is more than length (a) of cutout provided in the lug (501) of the cushion of the airbag (500).
8. The ramp bracket (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting provisions, such as holes (205a, 205b), are provided on the flanges (204a, 204b) of the fixing portion (201) of the ramp bracket (300) to facilitate mounting of the ramp bracket (300) on the vehicle body (102).
9. The ramp bracket (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lug hanger (301) is provided between the flanges (204a, 204b).