Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.

Adam Ludwig

Jeff Charles Hills

Jim Scheerhorn

Ralph A Spooner

Robert Charles Steinbrecher

Donald Federico

Todd P Lang

Stephen Bie Khoe

Side curtain airbag assemblies for use inside motor vehicles and methods of preparing airbag assemblies are described herein that allow for the deployment of a curtain with varying trajectory. The curtain may be attached to an inflator that is configured to rapidly inflate the curtain from a folded condition to a deployed condition upon signals generated from an activation event, such as a collision or vehicle roll-over. The trajectory of the curtain can be defined as the direction of the curtain being inflated in relation to other components of a vehicle. Different portions of the curtain may have different fold configurations, allowing for tuning of the trajectory upon deployment of each distinct portion of the curtain.

Variable trajectory side curtain airbags

The present invention provides an automotive interior lamp assembly mounted to an automotive headliner further including a curtain side airbag mounted about the headliner. As the curtain side airbag quickly deploys and forces through the vehicle headliner, the lamp assembly can be forcibly detached from the headliner at a high rate of speed. The present invention provides an improved retainer to better attach the light assembly to the headliner thereby preventing detachment of the lamp assembly from the headliner. The lamp assembly includes a lamp housing having a lamp receiving configured to accept a lamp. The housing further includes a retainer receiving side configured to accept a retainer. The retainer attached to the housing by means of a plurality of attachment members provided on the retainer, and at least one snap member also provided on the retainer. The housing has a plurality of attachment member receiving cavities and at least one snap member receiving cavity. The retainer configured to slidably connect to the lamp housing. The retainer comprised of a generally U-shaped mid-section and at least one extended member sufficiently extending over the headliner as to prevent accidental dislodgment of the lamp assembly. As the curtain side airbag deploys, the extended side members of the retainer prevent dislodgment of the lamp assembly from the headliner.

Lamp retainer for curtain side airbag deployment

An air duct system which mates an air duct attached to the roof of an automotive vehicle and an air duct attached to a nonexposed surface of a headliner is provided. The air duct system is attached to an air supply which delivers directed air and is disposed between an inner surface of the roof and the nonexposed surface of the headliner. The headliner includes an opening into the passenger compartment of the automotive vehicle. The air duct system includes a first air duct and a second air duct. The first air duct is attached to the inner surface of the roof, and the second air duct is attached to the nonexposed surface of the headliner. Upon installation of the headliner to the roof a portal on the first air duct registers with a portal on the second air duct so as to provide an air flow passage between said first air duct and said second air duct.

Air duct system mating roof air ducts with headliner air ducts

A headliner assembly for covering an inner surface of an automotive vehicle roof having an opening is provided. The headliner assembly includes a dimensionally stable substrate having an upper surface facing the inner surface of the roof, and an opposite lower surface. The substrate is secured to the opening of the roof at an attachment point. A reinforcement member having a top surface and an opposite bottom surface fixedly secured to the top surface of the substrate. The reinforcement member is disposed adjacent the attachment point to provide additional rigidity to a region of the substrate surrounding the attachment point.

Headliner assembly having a reinforcement member and subcomponent routing aid

The present invention provides a lighting assembly wherein a trim ring, containing a lighting assembly, is mounted on a vehicle headliner. The lighting assembly contains a lighting element having a light engine. The light engine having a housing and a light source mounted within the housing. The housing optionally containing a circuit board adapted to control light emitting from the light source. The light source contained within the housing may either be an LED or a traditional light bulb. The light source may optionally be colored, or textured, to provide unique ambient mood light options. The assembly further provides a light pipe having at least one light pipe aperture. The lighting element positioned adjacent, or connected to, the light pipe aperture. The light source in the lighting element directs light down the light pipe thereby creating a uniform output of light along the light pipe. Light from the light pipe is directed into the vehicle interior, mainly onto the vehicle headliner, thereby creating ambient mood lighting within the automotive interior.

Ambient mood light in a sunroof opening trim ring

A moon roof assembly for a vehicle includes an actuator-driven panel having an open position and a closed position. A moon roof trim ring at least partially surrounds the panel. The moon roof trim ring includes a control housing for supporting a control system. A control system is located in the control housing. The control system includes a control member that is exposed through an opening in the moon roof trim ring for actuating the control member and moving the panel between the open position and the closed position.

Roof assemblies for vehicles including moon roof assemblies

An energy absorbent and stiffening assembly for an automotive headliner. The assembly includes at least one energy absorbent cone and at least one stiffening rib joined with and extending outwardly from the energy absorbent cone which stiffens the headliner.

Growing community of inventors

Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Adam Ludwig