20240010158. TETHER ANCHOR ASSEMBLY FOR CURTAIN AIRBAG simplified abstract (ZF Passive Safety Systems US Inc.)

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TETHER ANCHOR ASSEMBLY FOR CURTAIN AIRBAG

Organization Name

ZF Passive Safety Systems US Inc.

Inventor(s)

Songwei Zhang of Troy MI (US)

TETHER ANCHOR ASSEMBLY FOR CURTAIN AIRBAG - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 20240010158 titled 'TETHER ANCHOR ASSEMBLY FOR CURTAIN AIRBAG

Simplified Explanation

The abstract describes an anchor assembly for connecting a curtain airbag to a side structure of a vehicle. The assembly includes an elongated track that is connected to the side structure behind a trim piece, which is visible from within the passenger compartment. The anchor is able to move along the track, which has sidewalls defining an interior channel and a slot. The anchor consists of a shank and a rotatable roller connected to the shank. The roller and a portion of the shank are positioned in the channel and can move along it when the anchor moves along the track. Another portion of the shank extends through the slot and is positioned on the exterior of the track, and it is connected to the curtain airbag. The slot is exposed to a gap between the trim piece and the side structure, allowing the shank to move freely along the slot during curtain airbag deployment.

  • The anchor assembly connects a curtain airbag to a vehicle's side structure.
  • It includes an elongated track connected to the side structure behind a visible trim piece.
  • The anchor can move along the track, which has an interior channel and a slot.
  • The anchor consists of a shank and a rotatable roller connected to it.
  • The roller and a portion of the shank are positioned in the track's channel and can move along it.
  • Another portion of the shank extends through the slot and is connected to the curtain airbag.
  • The slot is exposed to a gap between the trim piece and the side structure, allowing free movement of the shank during airbag deployment.

Potential Applications

  • Automotive industry - The anchor assembly can be used in vehicles to securely connect curtain airbags to the side structure, ensuring effective deployment and protection of passengers.

Problems Solved

  • Secure connection - The anchor assembly provides a reliable and secure connection between the curtain airbag and the side structure, preventing detachment during deployment.
  • Unobstructed movement - The exposed slot allows the shank to move freely along the track, ensuring smooth deployment of the curtain airbag without being inhibited by the trim piece.

Benefits

  • Enhanced safety - The anchor assembly ensures proper deployment of curtain airbags, improving passenger safety in the event of a side impact collision.
  • Easy installation - The assembly can be easily installed behind the trim piece, providing a convenient and efficient solution for connecting curtain airbags in vehicles.


Original Abstract Submitted

an anchor assembly for connecting a curtain airbag to a side structure of a vehicle includes an elongated track configured to be connected to the side structure of the vehicle behind a vehicle trim piece that covers the side structure and forms a surface visible from within a passenger compartment of the vehicle. an anchor is configured to move along the track. the track includes sidewalls that define an interior channel that extends along the length of the track, and a slot that extends along the length of the track. the anchor includes a shank and a roller that is connected to the shank and rotatable relative to the shank. the roller and a portion of the shank to which the roller is connected are positioned in the channel and are movable along the channel when the anchor moves along the track. a portion of the shank extends through the slot, is positioned on an exterior of the track, and is configured to be connected to the curtain airbag. the track is configured so that the slot is at least partially exposed to a gap between trim piece and the side structure so that the portion of the shank that extends through the slot is not inhibited by the trim piece from moving along the slot when the anchor moves along the track in response to curtain airbag deployment.