Inflatable curtain

摘要

Apparatus ( 10 ) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle ( 12 ) that has a side structure ( 16 ) and a roof ( 18 ) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( 14 ). The inflatable device ( 14 ) is inflatable away from the vehicle roof ( 18 ) into a position between the side structure ( 16 ) of the vehicle ( 12 ) and a vehicle occupant ( 74 ). The inflatable device ( 14 ) includes overlying panels ( 40 and 42 ) that are interconnected along at least a portion of a perimeter ( 48 ) of the inflatable device to define an inflatable volume of the inflatable device. The inflatable device ( 14 ) when inflated has a predetermined thickness measured between overlying points on the overlying panels ( 40 and 42 ) at a location where the head of an occupant may contact the inflatable device. An inflation fluid source ( 24 ) provides inflation fluid to the inflatable device ( 14 ) for inflating the inflatable device. The inflation fluid in the inflatable device ( 14 ) is pressurized to a predetermined pressure when the inflatable device is inflated. The predetermined pressure is determined as a function of the predetermined thickness of the inflatable device ( 14 ).