Unidirectional valve for multi-chamber airbags

Abstract

An airbag can have a first cushion section, which defines a first inflatable chamber, and a second cushion section, which is connected to the first cushion section and defines a second inflatable chamber. The first inflatable chamber can receive inflation gas from a gas generator to inflate the first cushion section, and the second cushion section can receive inflation gas from the first inflatable chamber to inflate the second cushion section. A unidirectional valve allows inflation gas to flow from the first inflatable chamber to the second inflatable chamber and restricts backflow of inflation gas from the second inflatable chamber to the first inflatable chamber.

Description

background

[0001] Inflatable airbags can be installed in a vehicle and deploy during a collision. The deployed airbag can shield an occupant and prevent adverse impacts with other vehicle structures. Some airbags suffer from one or more disadvantages, or they may perform less than optimally in one or more respects. Certain embodiments disclosed herein can address one or more of these problems. Document JP 2010-143528 A relates to an airbag device in which an auxiliary air chamber is connected to a main air chamber to properly dampen a pressure spike in the main air chamber while maintaining gas pressure in the main air chamber by dampening a gas flow rate in the main air chamber formed in the airbag, even if the head of an occupant or pedestrian impacts the main air chamber.Document EP 2 213 526 A1 relates to an airbag comprising a first airbag and a second airbag, which are attached to one another in such a way that a slot in the first airbag is in fluid communication with an opening in the second airbag. A locking element is provided, which covers at least part of the slot and lies over and seals against a region of a surface of either the first or the second airbag, in order to essentially prevent gas from flowing from the second airbag through the slot into the first airbag. The locking element is configured to deform in order to expose at least part of the slot and break the seal, allowing gas from the first airbag to flow through the slot to the second airbag.Document EP 3 134 297 B1 relates to an airbag with a first cushion section, which defines a first inflatable chamber, and a second cushion section, which is connected to the first cushion section and defines a second inflatable chamber. The first inflatable chamber can receive inflation gas from an inflation device to expand the first cushion section, and the second cushion section can receive inflation gas from the first inflatable chamber to expand the second cushion section. A unidirectional valve is provided, which allows inflation gas to flow from the first inflatable chamber to the second inflatable chamber and limits the backflow of inflation gas from the second inflatable chamber to the first inflatable chamber.Document US 2015 / 0158452 A1 relates to an airbag with a first cushion section, which defines a first inflatable chamber, and a second cushion section, which is connected to the first cushion section and defines a second inflatable chamber. The first inflatable chamber can receive inflation gas from an inflation device to expand the first cushion section, and the second cushion section can receive inflation gas from the first inflatable chamber to expand the second cushion section. A temporary restraint can hold the second cushion section in a compact state during the expansion of the first cushion section.Document US 2015 / 0217716 A1 relates to an airbag comprising at least one plate defining an interior space of the airbag, a partition arranged within the interior space to divide the interior space into an upper chamber and a lower chamber, and at least one retention strap mechanism arranged within the lower chamber. The at least one retention mechanism is structured and attached to the at least one plate in such a way as to restrict the movement of a portion of the at least one plate during airbag inflation, so that a first recess is formed along an outer surface of the airbag when the airbag is inflated. Document US 7,475,904 B2 relates to a side-impact restraint device for protecting an occupant seated in a vehicle seat within a motor vehicle, comprising a gasbag. The gasbag deploys between a side structure of the vehicle and the occupant.The gasbag has an exhaust opening located in the area of ​​the gasbag facing the occupant. The vertical position of the exhaust opening is chosen so that it is not obstructed by the upper body of a small occupant. Summary

[0002] The present invention is based on the objective of improving the control function of the gas flow in an airbag arrangement. This objective is achieved by an airbag arrangement according to claim 1, while the dependent claims relate to advantageous embodiments of the present invention. Brief description of the drawings

[0003] The written disclosure herein describes illustrative examples of embodiments, which are neither limiting nor exhaustive. Reference is made to these specific illustrative examples, which are depicted in the figures. The Fig. Figure 1A is a side view of an airbag arrangement according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in a packaged state in a vehicle. The Fig. 1B is a side view of the airbag arrangement of the Fig. Figure 1A shows the airbag in a deployed state in a vehicle. The airbag assembly comprises a multi-chamber airbag with an additional cushion attached to a primary cushion. The vehicle occupant is depicted moving in the direction of the deployed airbag assembly in one direction of travel of the vehicle. The Fig. Figure 2A is a perspective exploded view of a multi-chamber airbag assembly with a primary and an additional airbag, both shown in an inflated state. A vent with a valve provides a unidirectional flow of gas between the pair of inflatable chambers. The Fig. 2B is a perspective view of the multi-chamber airbag in its assembled state, which is shown in the Fig. Figure 2A shows the primary cushion and the additional cushion in an extended state. The Fig. Figure 3A is an enlarged perspective view of a unidirectional valve during a manufacturing process according to an embodiment before joining a first valve layer to a side wall of an inflatable chamber. The Fig. 3B shows the valve of the Fig. 3A in a different stage of the manufacturing process, where the vent opening and the valve opening are aligned. The Fig. 3C shows the unidirectional valve of the Fig. 3A in a different stage of the manufacturing process, in which the first valve layer is attached to the chamber side wall. The Fig. 3D shows the unidirectional valve of the Fig. 3A in a different stage of the manufacturing process, in which the second valve layer is attached to the first valve layer. The Fig. 4A shows the unidirectional valve of the Fig. 3A to 3D in an open configuration. The Fig. 4B shows the unidirectional valve of the Fig. 3A to 3D in a closed configuration. The Fig. Figure 5 shows a unidirectional valve according to a further embodiment. The Fig. Figure 6 shows a unidirectional valve according to a further embodiment. The Fig. Figure 7 shows a unidirectional valve according to a further embodiment. The Fig. Figure 8 shows an angled, unidirectional valve according to a further embodiment. The Fig. Figure 9 is an embodiment of an inflatable curtain airbag arrangement installed in a vehicle in an deployed configuration. The arrangement comprises an inflatable curtain airbag having multiple chambers and a unidirectional valve according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which is arranged in a receiving inflatable chamber to monitor the flow of gas in one direction from a first inflatable chamber to the receiving inflatable chamber. The Fig. 10 is an inflatable curtain airbag with a first chamber, a second chamber and a unidirectional valve according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The Fig. Figure 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the inflatable curtain airbag of the Fig. 10. The Fig. 12 is an airbag arrangement according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure in an unfolded and inflated configuration to receive a vehicle occupant during the event of a collision. Detailed description

[0004] It is readily apparent that the components of the exemplary embodiments, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, can be arranged and designed in a multitude of different configurations. Therefore, the following detailed description of the various exemplary embodiments as depicted in the figures is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure, but merely serves to illustrate the different embodiments. While various aspects of the exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the drawings, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0005] The terms "connected" and "coupled" are used in their usual senses, and these are broad enough to refer to any suitable coupling or other form of interaction between two or more units, including mechanical and fluid interactions. Two components can be coupled even though they are not in direct contact with each other. The terms "attached to" or "directly attached to" refer to an interaction between two or more units that are in direct contact with each other and / or that are separated only by a fastener of any suitable type (for example, a fastener or an adhesive).The term "fluid connection" is used in its ordinary sense and is broad enough to refer to arrangements in which a fluid (for example, a gas or a liquid) can flow from one component to another when the components are in a fluid connection to each other.

[0006] Inflatable airbag systems are widely used to reduce or minimize injuries to occupants during a collision. Airbag modules are installed in various locations within a vehicle, including but not limited to the steering wheel, dashboard and / or instrument panel, side doors or side seats, adjacent to a roof rail of the vehicle, in an overhead position, or at the knee or leg. In the following disclosure, the term "airbag" generally refers to an inflatable front airbag, such as a passenger airbag, which is typically housed within an instrument panel, although the principles discussed are also applicable to other types of airbags (for example, driver airbags, knee airbags, and side airbags).

[0007] Front airbags are frequently installed in a vehicle's dashboard or instrument panel. As used herein, the terms "dashboard" and "instrument panel" refer to a projecting area of ​​a vehicle facing a vehicle occupant, often including a glove compartment in a passenger-facing section, and potentially containing instruments (for example, a radio and / or climate controls) in a central area, although such instruments are not required. During installation, the airbags are typically contained within a housing in a packaged state (for example, rolled, folded, and / or otherwise compressed) and may be held in this packaged state behind a cover.During a collision, a gas generator is triggered, rapidly inflating the airbag with an inflation gas. The airbag can quickly transition from its packed state to an expanded or deployed state. For example, the expanding airbag may rupture an airbag cover (e.g., by breaking a tear seam or opening a door-like structure) to escape the housing. The gas generator can be triggered by any suitable device or system, and the deployment may be in response to, and / or influenced by, one or more vehicle sensors.

[0008] Certain embodiments of the airbag arrangements disclosed herein are particularly well suited for use as passenger airbags and can be installed in an instrument panel. In some embodiments, an airbag arrangement comprises an airbag with multiple parts (for example, cushions, chambers, areas, sections, or pieces) configured to shield an occupant during a collision. A first or primary cushion area may be configured to act primarily in the direction of a specific position of the vehicle occupant (for example, the position typically occupied by a passenger). This primary cushion area may be configured to contain the torso and / or head of a passenger in the event of a frontal impact.A second or additional cushion area can be designed to primarily act in a different direction, such as inwards. For example, the additional cushion area can be designed to primarily act in a direction that is lateral, transverse, or perpendicular to the direction in which the first cushion area acts. The additional cushion area can be particularly suitable for shielding the head of a vehicle occupant when the occupant is moving at an angle relative to the vehicle's direction of travel.

[0009] Airbags with multiple cushion sections (multi-chamber airbags) can offer increased passenger protection compared to certain airbags with only a single inflatable section. For example, in some embodiments, the first (e.g., primary) cushion section may be designed to restrain a vehicle occupant in the event of a frontal collision that causes the occupant to move primarily directly forward, as previously mentioned, and / or primarily in one direction of travel. The second (e.g., secondary) cushion section may be designed to stabilize the first cushion section relative to the dashboard and / or to restrain the passenger if the vehicle is involved in a collision that causes the occupant to move both forward and inward (e.g., at an angle to the direction of travel).

[0010] For example, in some cases a single-chamber airbag may be too narrow to provide effective coverage for a vehicle occupant with a forward-inward motion trajectory (also known as an angled or oblique motion trajectory). In some cases, a vehicle occupant with a forward-inward motion trajectory may slide out of the single-chamber airbag cushion during inflation, or the occupant may fail to engage the cushion at all. An inward (for example, lateral) occupant motion trajectory can occur in frontal impact collisions where the impacts are not evenly distributed across the frontal plane of the vehicle.Such collisions can be, for example, oblique vehicle-to-vehicle collisions, such as those in which, immediately before impact, the occupant's vehicle is moving in a direction that is not substantially parallel to the direction of travel of the other vehicle; they can be collinear vehicle-to-vehicle collisions, such as those in which, immediately before impact, both vehicles are traveling in substantially parallel directions; or they can be collisions with a stationary object. These collisions can result in oblique movement of the occupant, which may cause the occupant's head to slip or fall off the primary cushion.

[0011] As the head falls out of the primary cushion, this can lead to a twisting of the head, which can cause a serious angular velocity of the vehicle occupant's head. Reducing the angular velocity of the head can also decrease the risk of head and / or brain injury. A secondary cushion area can help reduce the angular velocity of the head. To shield the head, a secondary cushion area can be designed to create a larger contact area of ​​the cushion surface around the occupant's head. The secondary cushion area can protrude beyond the contact area of ​​the primary cushion.

[0012] Some embodiments disclosed herein may provide improved positioning, shielding, and / or safety for occupants involved in certain types of collisions. For example, some embodiments may be particularly well suited to shielding front-seat passengers seated adjacent to the passenger doors. Examples of collision types in which certain embodiments may prove advantageous include one or more of: (1) collisions in which the struck object fails to capture the structural longitudinal members and / or the engine block of the occupant's vehicle; (2) collisions in which the impact forces act primarily outside of either the left longitudinal member or the right longitudinal member of the occupant's vehicle; (3) collisions in whichwhich are classified as FLEE or FREE under the collision deformation classification scheme, (4) frontal impact collisions in which the occupant's vehicle impacts no more than 25% of the vehicle's width, (5) collisions as specified by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for small overlap frontal impact tests, or (6) collisions as specified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for left oblique impact tests. The conditions for the IIHS small overlap frontal impact tests and the NHTSA left oblique impact tests are specified by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in: Small Overlap Frontal Crashworthiness Evaluation Crash Test Protocol (Version II) (December 2012) and Saunders, J., Craig,M., and Parent, D., Moving Deformable Barrier Test Procedure for Evaluating Small Overlap / Oblique Crashes, SAE Int. J. Commer. Veh. 5(1):172-195 (2012).,

[0013] In some embodiments, the first airbag section is designed to inflate before the second airbag section inflates. For example, during a deployment event, a gas generator can fill a first airbag section with gas until the pressure within the airbag acts on a temporary connecting element to release the second airbag section for deployment. In some embodiments, a first airbag section can inflate or begin to inflate before the second airbag section begins to inflate. The second airbag section can be designed to receive the gas via a vent that fluidly couples the first and second airbag sections.The vent can be unidirectional and can be adaptively closable to restrict the flow of air from the second inflatable chamber to the first inflatable chamber when the pressure in the second inflatable chamber equals the pressure in the first inflatable chamber. The advantages of the various embodiments will become apparent from this disclosure.

[0014] The Fig. Figure 1A is a side view of an instrument panel 70 and an airbag assembly 100 according to an exemplary embodiment in a compact state, which are arranged in a vehicle 50. Fig. Figure 1B shows the airbag arrangement 100 from the Fig. 1A in an unfolded and inflated configuration. In many vehicles, a central area of ​​the instrument panel 70 may contain a stack of various buttons, controls, and / or user interfaces. For example, the central area of ​​the instrument panel 70 may contain the center console or anti-intrusion panel, one or more of the following components: a screen, a radio control, another media control, or a climate control. A vehicle occupant 60 is shown sitting in a front passenger seat 54 of the vehicle 50. When in a packed state, the airbag assembly 100 may be located in the instrument panel 70. As shown in the Fig. 1A and Fig. As shown in Figure 1B, an occupant restraint system may include the airbag arrangement 100 and any other suitable restraint devices such as a seat belt 56.

[0015] It will be generally and collectively referred to as: Fig. 1A and Fig. With reference to 1B, the airbag assembly 100 can comprise an airbag cushion 110 (which can also be referred to as airbag 110), a gas generator 112, and an airbag housing 114. The airbag housing 114 can be of any suitable type and can have a cover (not shown) behind which the airbag cushion 110 is located. The cover can be of any suitable type and can have a tear seam or break seam through which the airbag cushion 110 can be deployed. The housing 114 can be mounted and attached to the instrument panel 70 in any suitable manner.

[0016] The Airbag 110 can be manufactured in any suitable way, such as by one-piece weaving, "cut and sew" techniques, or a combination of these and / or other methods. In some embodiments, separate panels can be joined together by sealed or unsealed seams, the seams being formed by a variety of suitable techniques. For example, the seams can be formed by sewing, adhesive bonding, tape bonding, high-frequency welding, heat bonding, and / or any other suitable technique or combination of suitable techniques.

[0017] Reference is made to the Fig. As shown in Figure 1B, the airbag 110 has a primary cushion area 120 (which can also be referred to as the primary cushion 120) which is connected to a secondary cushion area 130 (which can also be referred to as the secondary cushion 130 or the additional cushion). The primary cushion 120 can be of any suitable shape and can have any suitable passenger airbag configuration. In some embodiments, the primary cushion 120 can be formed by any suitable arrangement of plates. For example, the plates can be joined by an adhesive or other suitable joining mechanism, or configured in some other way. In other embodiments, the plates can be formed from a single, continuous, one-piece piece of material.The primary cushion 120 can have a side plate facing outwards towards the side door of the vehicle 50, a side plate opposite the first side plate facing inwards towards the interior of the vehicle 50, and one or more additional plates, each of which can connect the side plates together to at least substantially enclose them or to define a first inflatable chamber 122.

[0018] As can be seen, the secondary cushion 130 can have any suitable shape or configuration. For example, the secondary cushion 130 can be formed from a plurality of separate plates 132 joined together along their edges to form the second inflatable chamber. Alternatively, the secondary cushion 130 can be formed from a single, one-piece material configured to form the plates and / or sides of the secondary cushion 130. Furthermore, the plates of the second cushion area 130 can at least substantially define and / or enclose a second inflatable chamber 132 with a predetermined volume, the volume of which may be less than the volume of the first inflatable chamber 122.Additionally, the second inflatable chamber 132 can be designed to be in fluid connection with the first inflatable chamber 122 via a valve 134, which is arranged in a side wall that separates the first inflatable chamber 122 and the second inflatable chamber 132.

[0019] The secondary cushion 130 can be connected to the primary cushion 120 by any suitable means, such as one or more seams, an adhesive, high-frequency welding, or heat bonding. In some embodiments, a seam connecting one side plate of the primary cushion 120 to another plate of the primary cushion 120 can also connect the primary cushion 120 to the secondary cushion 130. For example, a perimeter of the secondary cushion 130 can be attached to a side wall of the primary cushion 120 by seams inside the primary cushion 120. In other embodiments, the two cushions 120, 130 can be formed individually or together from a single, one-piece piece of material.

[0020] As in the Fig. As shown in Figure 1B, the size of the secondary cushion 130 can be smaller than the size of the primary cushion 120. In other embodiments, the secondary cushion 130 and / or the second inflatable chamber 132 can be of different sizes or shapes. For example, the secondary cushion 130 can be the same size as the primary cushion 120 and / or it can extend further towards the vehicle occupant 60 than the primary cushion 120. In still other embodiments, the secondary cushion 130 can be larger than the primary cushion 120 and / or it can have a greater lateral distance from the interior of the vehicle 50. Other sizes and / or shapes of the secondary cushion 130 may be included if these sizes and / or shapes may be suitable to reduce or minimize injuries to the vehicle occupant 60 during a collision.

[0021] When the airbag cushion 110 is fully deployed, the secondary cushion area 130 can extend laterally inwards or towards the interior of the vehicle 50 away from the primary cushion 120. In some embodiments, the secondary cushion 130 can be configured to extend at a distance from the primary cushion 120 and can be positioned between the vehicle occupant 60 and the intrusion protection element of the dashboard 70. In these embodiments, the secondary cushion 130 can prevent the vehicle occupant 60 from coming into contact with the intrusion protection element during a collision.

[0022] The primary cushion area 120 can be configured to receive the inflation gas from the gas generator 112 during the deployment of the airbag 110. When the primary cushion area 120 receives the inflation gas from the gas generator 112, the primary cushion area 120 can burst from the airbag housing 114 and transition from a packed configuration to a deployed and inflated configuration. Similarly, the secondary cushion area 130 can be configured to receive the inflation gas from the unidirectional valve 134 and transition from a packed configuration to a deployed and inflated configuration. Additionally, the primary cushion area 120 of the airbag 110 can be configured to deploy and inflate during a collision before the secondary cushion area 130 deploys and inflates. The primary cushion 120 can be provided in any suitable way in one direction towards the vehicle occupants 60.For example, the primary cushion area 120 can generally deploy as a typical passenger airbag, without an additional chamber that can inflate. Thus, the secondary cushion area 130 can be in a unidirectional fluid connection with the primary cushion area 120, with the second inflatable chamber 132 receiving the inflation gas directly from the first inflatable chamber 122 via the valve 134. Alternatively, the second inflatable chamber 132 can be configured to receive the inflation gas indirectly from the gas generator 112 via the first inflatable chamber 122. The secondary cushion area 130 can thereby inflate and expand to a predetermined state, transitioning from a compact configuration to a deployed configuration.

[0023] In the Fig. Figure 1B shows the airbag assembly 100 in a deployed and inflated configuration, capable of accommodating the vehicle occupant 60 in the event of a collision. The occupant 60 is shown seated in a seat 54 designed to accommodate a single person. The seat 54 may include a well-defined occupant area 57, which may also be referred to herein as an occupant position, in which the occupant 60 is generally positioned while seated in the seat 54. As previously mentioned, the primary airbag area 120 may be configured to deploy directly in front of and / or in the direction of the occupant area 57.Alternatively, the deployment of the primary cushion area 120 can follow a path of movement that is not in a straight line towards the vehicle occupant area 57, such as extending upwards towards a windshield 52 of the vehicle 50 and / or downwards towards the floor of the vehicle 50. However, a general deployment of the primary cushion area 120 can generally be rearward in the direction towards the vehicle occupant area 57.

[0024] The forces occurring during some events of the collision may cause the occupant 60 to move in a direction essentially forward and in the direction of the instrument panel 70 (indicated by arrow 40), in which case the primary cushion area 120 can contain the vehicle occupant 60 in a typical manner. In other cases, the forces of a collision event may cause the occupant 60 to move both in the forward direction 40 and in an inward direction (such as inward or toward the center of the vehicle 50, or toward the driver's side of the vehicle, at an angle to the forward direction 40). The secondary cushion 130 can provide an additional shielding area to contain the occupant 60 in such cases.For example, in some cases, the occupant 60 may miss the primary cushion area 120, but may be absorbed by the secondary cushion area 130. In other or further circumstances, the vehicle occupant 60 may grasp an inner corner of the primary cushion 120, causing the primary cushion 120 to roll in such a way that the vehicle occupant 60 does not fully encompass the primary cushion area 120, and the vehicle occupant 60 may then be absorbed by the secondary cushion area 130. In still other or further circumstances, the secondary cushion area 130 may stabilize the primary cushion area 120 to prevent it from rolling, or otherwise miss the occupant 60 if the occupant 60 is moving in an angled (oblique) forward and inward direction.As the vehicle occupant impacts and causes the primary cushion area 120 to descend, the inflation gas from the first inflatable chamber 122 can be forced into the second inflatable chamber 132. Due to the venting from the primary cushion area 120, the pressure in the second inflatable chamber 132 increases, and a much higher pressure can be achieved in the secondary cushion area 130 compared to the primary cushion area 120.

[0025] The Fig. 2A and Fig. Figure 2B shows another embodiment of an airbag 210, which may be similar in some respects to the airbag 110 described above. Accordingly, the same features are designated by the same reference numerals, with the leading digits increased to "2". The relevant disclosure given above with respect to similarly identified features need not be repeated here. Furthermore, the features of the airbag 210 that are not shown in the drawings or are not designated by a reference numeral may be specifically discussed in the written description that follows. However, such features may be the same, or substantially the same, as those described in relation to the features shown in and / or described in the other embodiments.Accordingly, the corresponding descriptions of such features apply equally to the features of airbag 210. Any suitable combination of the features and variations thereof described in relation to airbag 110 can be used with airbag 210, and vice versa. Similarly, airbag 210 can be used with any suitable airbag arrangement, including airbag arrangement 100 discussed above. This pattern of disclosure also applies to the further embodiments illustrated in the following figures and described below, with the leading numerals being further incremented.

[0026] The Fig. Figure 2A is a perspective exploded view of a multi-chamber airbag 210 of an airbag assembly according to an exemplary embodiment. The multi-chamber airbag 210 has a first cushion area 220, a second cushion area 230 (both shown in an expanded and inflated configuration) and a unidirectional valve 234 which can provide a unidirectional fluid connection between an inflatable chamber 222 of the first cushion area 220 (referred to as the first inflatable chamber 222) and an inflatable chamber 232 of the second cushion area 230 (referred to as the second inflatable chamber 232).

[0027] In the illustrated embodiment of the Fig. In 2A, the first cushion area 220 has a rear plate 221 (which may be a main plate or form part of a main plate), a front plate 224, a first lateral plate 223, and a second lateral plate 225. The first lateral plate 223 is connected to the rear plate 221 at the seam 226, and the second lateral plate 225 is connected to the rear plate 221 at the seam 228. Similarly, the first lateral plate 223 and the second lateral plate 225 may be connected to the front plate 224 by one or more seams. The seams 226 and 228 may be of any suitable type, whether sealed or unsealed, and may be formed by sewing, one or more adhesives, adhesive tape, welding (such as high-frequency welding), heat bonding, or any other suitable method or combination of methods.The plates 221, 223, 224, 225 can form the side walls of the first airbag section 220. The plates 221, 223, 224, 225 can be made of any suitable material. For example, in some embodiments, the plates are made of a nylon fabric. Furthermore, a variety of airbag plate types and configurations can be used in the different embodiments. For example, the size, shape, proportions, number, and connection capability of the plates can vary in different embodiments. Some embodiments can be adapted for use in different vehicles and / or for different locations within a vehicle 50.

[0028] The second cushion section 230 can also have one or more plates 231, which may be integrally formed or otherwise joined to one another at one or more seams to form the second inflatable chamber 232. The one or more plates 231 can form cushion sidewalls of the second cushion section 230. The second cushion section 230 can be attached to the side plate 225 of the first cushion section 220 in any suitable manner. In the illustrated embodiment of the Fig. 2A and Fig. In 2B, the side panel 225 can be used jointly by both the first cushion area 220 and the second cushion area 230. Accordingly, a portion of the side panel 225 can separate the first inflatable chamber 222 from the second inflatable chamber 232 and can also be referred to as a partition. The cushion areas 220 and 230 can be attached by a seam spaced apart from a circumferential seam such that the perimeter of the second cushion area 230 is attached to the side panel 225 of the first cushion area 220 by sewing at a position within the perimeter of the side panel 225 of the first cushion area 220. In other embodiments, at least one portion of the second cushion area 230 can be connected to the first cushion area 220 by a circumferential seam (for example, the seam 228).

[0029] Alternatively, the side panel 225 can be part of the first airbag section 220 of the airbag 210, and the side panel 225 can be shared with the second airbag section 230, so that the side panel 225 of the first airbag section 220 of the airbag 210 can have a surface that is both outside the first inflatable chamber 222 and at least partially inside the second inflatable chamber 232. In other words, the side panel 225 can also be a panel or a section of the second airbag section 230.

[0030] A vent 241 can allow a fluid connection and thus gas to flow between the inflatable chambers 222, 232. The vent 241 can have one vent opening 242 or a plurality of vent openings 242 in the side plate 225 of the first cushion area 220 and through each side plate 231 of the second cushion area 230. The gas flow through the vent opening 242 can be regulated or otherwise restricted to a unidirectional flow by means of the valve 234. The valve 234, which is located in the Fig. 2A and Fig. As shown in Figure 2B, the unidirectional valve 234 is located on the side plate 225 of the first cushion area 220 inside the second inflatable chamber 232 to restrict the gas flow through the vent opening 242 in a single direction from the first inflatable chamber 222 to the second inflatable chamber 232. Specifically, when in an open configuration, the unidirectional valve 234 allows unidirectional venting of the inflation gases from the first inflatable chamber 222 to the second inflatable chamber 232; and when in a closed configuration, the unidirectional valve 234 prevents backflow of the inflation gases from the second inflatable chamber 232 to the first inflatable chamber 222. The valve 234 has a valve opening 252 aligned with the valve opening 242 to receive the inflation gas into the valve 234.A valve recess 238 is arranged within the second inflatable chamber 232 to allow the gas to pass into the second inflatable chamber 232 while preventing the gas from flowing back out of the second inflatable chamber 232 into the valve 234 and to the valve opening 252 and the vent opening 242.

[0031] The inflation gas can flow from the first inflatable chamber 222 into the second inflatable chamber 232 during the deployment of the airbag 210. The second airbag chamber 230 can fill and expand as the corresponding pressure in the second inflatable chamber 232 increases. Eventually, a sufficient amount of inflation gas can flow into the second inflatable chamber 232 to raise the pressure in the second inflatable chamber 232 above the pressure in the first inflatable chamber 222 and cause the valve recess 238 of the unidirectional valve 234 to close. When the valve recess 238 of the unidirectional valve 234 is closed, the inflatable chambers 222 and 232 are no longer in fluid communal contact, and the inflation gases within the second inflatable chamber 232 are isolated (or nearly isolated) from the inflation gases in the first inflatable chamber 222.Accordingly, the impact of an occupant on the second cushion area 230 will not cause a displacement of the inflation gases from the second inflatable chamber 232 into the first inflatable chamber 222. The integrity and / or containment capability of the second cushion area 230 can be maintained independently of a further reduction in pressure in the first inflatable chamber 222 of the first cushion area 220.

[0032] In certain embodiments, the second cushion area 230 of the airbag 210 can be free of external vents, and the second inflatable chamber 232 can be isolated from external gases while the unidirectional valve 234 is closed. In other embodiments, the first cushion area 220 of the airbag 210 can also be free of external vents.

[0033] The first cushion area 220 of the multi-chamber airbag 210, which is located in the Fig. 2A and Fig. The area shown in 2B can unfold in a first direction, which is represented by arrow 42 (for example, in the direction towards an occupant). Fig. Figure 2B illustrates that the second cushion area 230 can unfold in a second direction, indicated by arrow 82, for example, laterally to the first cushion area 220. In certain embodiments, the second direction 82 can be orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the first direction 42. The second direction 82 can be laterally inward along the dashboard of a vehicle 50, for example, to cover a portion of the dashboard that is laterally closer to an inner line and / or a center line of the vehicle 50 from a portion of the dashboard covered by the first cushion area 220.

[0034] In certain embodiments, the second cushion area 230 can unfold in a second direction, which may be directed downwards (for example, like a knee airbag). In other embodiments, the second cushion area 230 can unfold in a second direction, which may be directed laterally outwards towards the outside of the vehicle 50.

[0035] The side panel 225 of the airbag 210 can form a partition or barrier separating the two inflatable chambers 222, 232. In certain embodiments, the side panel 225 can be used jointly by the two inflatable chambers 222, 232, as shown in the Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B is shown. In other embodiments of the airbag 210, the first cushion area 220 does not need to have a side plate 225, but the corresponding side wall can be determined by a plate of the second cushion area 230.

[0036] The pillow side plate 225 can facilitate or otherwise enable the inflation of the two inflatable chambers 222, 232, or it can facilitate the transition of the first pillow area 220 and / or the second pillow area 230 from a packed state to an expanded state by limiting the flow of inflation gas between the inflatable chambers 222, 232. The vent 241 can be arranged at any suitable position in the pillow side plate 225 to allow the inflation gas to flow from the first inflatable chamber 222 into the second inflatable chamber 232.As described above, the vent 241 can have a vent opening 242, which is defined by a first surface of the side plate 225 located within the first inflatable chamber 222, and a second surface of the side plate 225 located directly opposite the first surface and within the second inflatable chamber 232. The cushion side plate 225 can facilitate the control of the flow of inflation gas between the inflatable chambers 222 and 232 by restricting the flow of inflation gas between the two inflatable chambers 222 and 232 to occurring only through the vent opening 242 and thus through the unidirectional valve 234.

[0037] The Fig. Figure 3A is an enlarged perspective view of a unidirectional valve 334 during a stage of a manufacturing process according to an exemplary embodiment, prior to coupling a first valve layer 346 to a side wall 325 of an inflatable chamber. The unidirectional valve 334 can be configured to be located on an inner side of an inflatable chamber (for example, the second inflatable chamber 232 of the second cushion area 230 in the Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B). The valve 334 can have a valve opening 352, a first valve layer 346 or a plate and a second valve layer 348 or a plate.

[0038] The valve opening 352 is arranged in the first valve layer 346 or is otherwise determined by the first valve layer 346. The valve opening 352 is designed to align with the corresponding vent opening 342, as shown in the Fig. Figure 3B is shown and described below with reference to it. The orientation of the openings 342, 352 can facilitate the flow of the inflation gas from the unidirectional valve 334 into the second inflatable chamber. The valve opening 352 can correspond to the vent opening 342 in size, shape, and / or position in the first valve layer 346. For example, the size of the valve opening 352 can be approximately the same as the size of the corresponding vent opening 342. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the size of the valve opening 352 can be larger than the corresponding size of the vent opening 342. The openings 342, 352 can have any suitable shape that facilitates alignment. In the illustrated embodiment of the Fig. In 3A, openings 342 and 352 have a number of holes which form a grid-like circle. In the illustrated embodiment of the Fig. 3A The openings 342, 352 have webs or bars of a fabric that cross or intersect, which can be considered a single vent opening. The webs or bars can prevent the second valve layer 348 from being inserted into the openings 342, 352, which would distort the valve 334 and thus allow leakage between the first valve layer 346 and the second valve layer 348 if back pressure occurs. Four bars are shown, but 3, 5, 6, 7, or 8 bars can also be used. In other embodiments, a different shape for the openings 342, 352, or a different size, number, or arrangement, and the like, from that shown, can be used. Furthermore, the valve opening 352 can be arranged at any suitable point in the first valve layer 346.

[0039] The first valve layer 346 and / or the second valve layer 348 can be formed from a web of material such as a textile, a polymer, or the like. For example, the first valve layer 346 and / or the second valve layer 348 can be formed from a fabric coated with, for example, rubber, silicone, a plastic, or the like. The material can be the same as or similar to the material of the chamber side wall 325. In the illustrated embodiment, the first valve layer 346 and the second valve layer 348 are integrally joined and / or formed from a single piece of material folded over itself to form the two layers 346, 348. In other embodiments, the first valve layer 346 and the second valve layer 348 can be formed from separate and different pieces of material.

[0040] The Fig. Figure 3B shows valve 334 of the Fig. Figure 3A shows a different stage of the manufacturing process in which the vent opening 342 and the valve opening 352 are aligned. The first valve layer 346 or the plate of the unidirectional valve 334 are shown arranged adjacent to each other, and / or aligned in a chamber with a side wall 325 with the openings 352, 342. The openings 342, 352 may be shaped to require a specific orientation of the first valve layer 346 with respect to the chamber side wall 325. In such embodiments, the position of the first valve layer 346 can facilitate the alignment of the openings and the joining of the first valve layer 346 and the chamber side wall 325.

[0041] The first valve layer 346 can have any suitable size or shape. A suitably sized first valve layer 346 can have a sufficient surface area to define the valve opening 352, which corresponds to the vent opening 342 and is to be connected to the chamber side wall 325. Furthermore, the first valve layer 346 can have any suitable shape to provide the aforementioned surface area. For example, the first valve layer 346 can be square, rectangular, trapezoidal, or any suitable polygonal shape.

[0042] The Fig. 3C shows the unidirectional valve 334 of the Fig. 3A in a later stage of manufacturing, in which the first valve layer 346 is attached to the chamber side wall 325. The first valve layer 346 of the illustrated embodiment is connected to the chamber side wall 325 by a seam 344, which is arranged along a circumference of the valve opening 352 and the vent opening 342. More precisely, a first region of the first valve layer 346, which is located next to or around the valve opening 352, can be fixed in a fixed position with respect to the chamber side wall 325, while a second region of the first valve layer 346 can remain free, not attached to the chamber side wall 325 except by coupling the first region of the first valve layer 346.In other words, a region of the first valve layer 346 near the valve opening 352 can be attached to the chamber side wall 325, while a region near the valve opening 338 remains unattached, although it is coupled to the chamber side wall 325 by the region near the valve opening 352. Accordingly, the valve opening 338 can operate freely from the stress and / or forces acting on the chamber side wall 325. Since the chamber side wall 325 expands when a first inflatable chamber and / or a second inflatable chamber is inflated, the chamber side wall 325 can assume an uneven shape, which can pose a challenge to the complete closure of previously available check valves when back pressure occurs.In contrast, in the present embodiments, the two independent valve layers 346, 348 allow the valve 334 to open and close independently of the chamber side wall 325 and all other surrounding chamber side walls.

[0043] The first valve layer 346 can be attached to a surface of the chamber side wall 325 outside the first inflatable chamber and inside a second inflatable chamber. In other words, the unidirectional valve 334 is designed to be located inside a receiving inflatable chamber in which a unidirectional gas flow is to be received.

[0044] Although a region of the first valve layer 346 near the valve recess 338 on the side wall 325 generally remains unfastened, in certain embodiments fastening seams 345 at a position some distance from the opening can prevent the first valve layer 346 from moving towards the valve opening 352 under counter-pressure. These fastening seams 345 restrict the open edge or valve recess 338 of the valve 334 from being pushed into the valve opening 352, which would result in a pressure loss back into the first inflatable chamber. The fastening seams 345 can be a single tack stitch at a position some distance from the valve opening 352, such as at one end of the first valve layer 346 that forms the valve recess 338. In other words, the first valve layer 346 can be sewn to the side wall 325 around the vent opening 352 except for a small basting stitch 345.And as described below, the second valve layer 348 can be arranged to overlap the first valve layer 346, such that the lateral edges of the first and second valve layers 346, 348 can be sewn together, but not sewn to the chamber side wall 325.

[0045] As can be understood, other forms of coupling besides sewing may be possible. For example, the first valve layer 346 of the illustrated embodiment can be joined to the chamber side wall 325 by an adhesive, heat bonding, glue, adhesive tape, high-frequency welding, and / or the like around a circumference of the valve opening 352 and the vent opening 342.

[0046] The Fig. 3D shows the unidirectional valve 334 of the Fig. 3A in a different stage of the manufacturing process. The first valve layer 346 of the unidirectional valve 334 is connected to the chamber side wall 325, and the second valve layer 348 is folded over the first valve layer 346 to overlap and cover both part of the first valve layer 346 and the entire valve opening 352. The second valve layer 348 is attached to the first valve layer 346 or otherwise connected to the first valve layer 346 by a seam 336 arranged along the lateral edges of the second valve layer 348. The seam 336 can be omitted along one or more edges of the second valve layer 348 to form a valve recess 338 between the two valve layers 346, 348. The seam 336 along the lateral edges of the valve layers 346, 348, in combination with the fold 337 between the valve layers 346, 348 (see the Fig. 4A), a pocket or valve chamber 339 which receives the inflation gas through the valve opening 352. In the illustrated valve 334, the valve opening 352 is located deep within the valve chamber 339, closer to the fold 337 and away from the valve recess 338. The unseamed and open lateral edge of the valve layers 346, 348 forms the valve recess 338, which releases the inflation gas from the valve chamber 339 into the receiving inflatable chamber, such as a secondary chamber of a multi-chamber airbag.

[0047] As can be seen, the second valve layer 348 can be joined to the first valve layer 346 along one or more edges of the second valve layer 348 by any suitable means. Some embodiments may include a seam 336, an adhesive, heat sealing, high-frequency welding, or any combination of these and / or other suitable joining means. Similarly, the second valve layer 348 can be formed from a separate piece of material from the first valve layer 346 such that the fold 337 has been replaced by the seam or other means for attaching or joining the lateral edges of the second valve layer 348 to the lateral edges of the first valve layer 346.

[0048] A method for manufacturing a multi-chamber airbag can, according to one embodiment, comprise: forming a first inflatable cushion area with one or more first cushion plates to define a first inflatable chamber; forming a second inflatable cushion area with one or more second cushion plates to define a second inflatable chamber; forming a vent opening in one or more cushion channels arranged between the first inflatable chamber and the second inflatable chamber, wherein the vent opening is configured to release the inflation gas, which is drawn from the first inflatable chamber by a gas generator, to the second inflatable chamber; forming a valve opening in a first valve plate, wherein the valve opening corresponds to the vent opening; and attaching the first valve plate to a cushion plate in the second inflatable chamber.which adjoins the vent opening, wherein the valve opening and the vent opening are aligned, a second valve plate being attached which overlaps the first valve plate including the valve opening, along one edge of the or more edges of the second valve plate, wherein the second valve plate remains unattached to the first valve plate along exactly one edge of the second valve plate to form a valve recess between the first valve plate and the second valve plate, wherein the second valve plate is configured to separate from the first valve plate at the valve recess to allow the inflation gas to flow from the valve outlet through the valve recess, and wherein the second valve plate is configured to collapse against the first valve plate to close the valve recess when a pressure in the second inflatable chamber exceeds a pressure in the first inflatable chamber,to restrict the airflow from the second inflatable chamber into the first inflatable chamber.

[0049] The Fig. 4A shows the unidirectional valve 334 of the Fig. 3A to 3D in an open configuration. The unidirectional valve 334 can be arranged within a receiving inflatable chamber (such as in the second inflatable chamber 232, as above with reference to the Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B) and it may be designed to open to allow the inflation gas to escape from a primary inflatable chamber (such as the first inflatable chamber 222, as described above with reference to the Fig. 2A and Fig. (as described in 2B). If the pressure of the inflation gas entering through valve opening 352 (such as the pressure within the primary inflatable chamber) is higher than the pressure in the inflatable receiving chamber 339, the valve chamber fills with the inflation gas, the two valve layers 346, 348 separate or otherwise divide at the valve recess 338, and the valve 334 is in the open configuration. The valve 334 closes when the pressure in the receiving inflatable chamber exceeds the pressure of the inflation gas entering through valve opening 352 (such as the pressure within the primary inflatable chamber).

[0050] In particular, the unidirectional valve 334 of the Fig. 4A may be contained in a multi-chamber airbag of an airbag assembly. During initial deployment, an airbag assembly transitions from a compact configuration to an unfolded and inflated configuration, and a first inflatable chamber can receive the inflation gas directly from a gas generator and rapidly fill to an inflatable volume. The flow of inflation gas into the first inflatable chamber can cause the pressure in the first inflatable chamber to exceed the pressure in a second inflatable chamber. The pressure difference between the chambers can cause the unidirectional valve 334 to be arranged in the open configuration, as described in the Fig. Figure 4A shows this. More precisely, the increasing volume of the inflation gas in the first inflatable chamber can exert a force on the unidirectional valve 334 through the openings 342, 352. As a result, the valve layers 346, 348 of the unidirectional valve 334 can separate, at least slightly, along the valve recess 338, primarily by extending the second valve layer 348 some distance from the first valve layer 346. When the valve layers 346, 348 have separated, the unidirectional valve 334 is open (i.e., in an open configuration), and the two inflatable chambers can be in fluid communication. In particular, when the unidirectional valve 334 is open, the inflation gas can flow from the valve opening 352 through the valve recess 338 and into the second inflatable chamber, and it can at least partially inflate the second inflatable chamber with the inflation gas.If the volume of inflation gas contained in the second inflatable chamber increases, the corresponding pressure in the second inflatable chamber can also increase.

[0051] As previously described, the second valve layer 348 of the unidirectional valve 334 can be configured to extend some distance away from the first valve layer 346 and into the second inflatable chamber, enabling the unidirectional valve 334 to be open and bringing the two inflatable chambers into fluid communication. The first valve layer 346 and the second valve layer 348 can be configured to separate or divide the valve recess 338 based on a length of material arranged between the seam 336 (or other coupling means that attaches the second valve layer 348 to the first valve layer 346). A suitable amount of loose or slack valve layer material can allow the valve recess 338 of the unidirectional valve 334 to open and permit the gas flow through the vent opening 342 of the vent 341 without resistance.

[0052] In some embodiments, the valve opening 352 and the vent opening 342 can be configured to limit or facilitate the flow rate of the inflation gas from the first inflatable chamber into the second inflatable chamber. In other words, the unidirectional valve 334 can be configured by any suitable means, such as the size of the valve opening 352, to limit or facilitate the flow rate of the inflation gas through the unidirectional valve 334 to a certain predetermined value. This control of the gas flow rate can further facilitate the control of the rate at which the second inflatable chamber fills with the inflation gas and enters an expanded state after the airbag is deployed.

[0053] The Fig. Figure 4B shows the unidirectional valve 334 of the Fig. 4A in a closed configuration. As described, the unidirectional valve 334 is designed to close when a sufficient volume of inflation gas has flowed from the valve opening 352 into the inflatable receiving chamber. After the flow of a sufficient gas volume, the pressure present in the inflatable receiving chamber may exceed the pressure of the inflation gas flowing through the valve opening 352 and / or the pressure present in a primary inflatable chamber. As a result, the pressure of the receiving inflatable chamber may cause the second valve layer 348 to collapse onto the first valve layer 346.

[0054] In the Fig. 4B The unidirectional valve 334 can be part of a multi-chamber airbag of an airbag assembly, which is shown some time after deployment when the pressure of the second inflatable chamber can exceed the pressure of the first inflatable chamber, causing the unidirectional valve 334 to close.

[0055] Causing the valve recess 338 to close, or the unidirectional valve 334 to be in a closed configuration, can restrict and prevent gas flow between the two inflatable chambers. When the unidirectional valve 334 is closed, the contents of the two inflatable chambers can be isolated from each other. The isolation of the chambers created by the closed unidirectional valve 334 allows the respective pressures of the two inflatable chambers to be maintained. Thus, the valve recess 338 can remain in the closed configuration until the pressure in the primary inflatable chamber at least slightly exceeds the pressure in the receiving inflatable chamber.

[0056] The valve recess 338, and in particular the ends of the first valve layer 346 and the second valve layer 348 that form the valve recess 338, can be operated independently of the side wall chamber 325. Accordingly, any influence on the valve 334 that may be caused by stresses in the chamber side wall 325 and / or by forces, movement, or any other factors acting on the chamber side wall 325 is minimized. The ends of the first valve layer 346 and the second valve layer 348 that form the valve recess 338 can easily collapse, and tend to collapse, when the pressure in the inflatable receiving chamber exceeds the pressure of the inflation gas in the vent opening 342.In other words, the second valve layer 348 can easily collapse against the first valve layer 346 to stop a reverse gas flow in the opposite direction through the vent opening 342. The unidirectional valve 334 can transition to the closed configuration to check the gas flow in the reverse direction, and its design is independent of the conditions that may exist with respect to the chamber side wall 325 and that otherwise affect a conventional valve interacting with (or dependent on) the chamber side wall 325.

[0057] As can be seen, the second valve layer 348 can have any suitable shape. Suitable shapes of the second valve layer 348 can facilitate the unidirectional control of the inflation gas flow by allowing the second valve layer 348 to completely cover the valve opening 352 and the first valve layer 346 when the unidirectional valve 334 is in a closed configuration. The second valve layer 348 can be further shaped to allow the valve recess 338, which is determined by the shape and size of an unattached rim of the second valve layer 348, to allow a predetermined flow rate of the inflation gas between the two inflatable chambers.

[0058] The Fig. Figure 5 illustrates a unidirectional valve 434 according to another embodiment. The unidirectional valve 434 has a trapezoidal shape. The valve 434 has a first valve layer 446, a second valve layer 448, and a valve opening 452 in the first valve layer 446. The first valve layer 446 can be attached to a cushion side wall 425 by one or more seams along the edge or around the circumference of the valve opening 452. The second valve layer 448 can overlap the first valve layer 446 and the valve opening 452 and be joined to the first valve layer 446 along one or more lateral edges, thereby forming two or more angled valve sides 445.In some embodiments, the first valve layer 446 and the second valve layer 448 can be formed from a single, uniform piece of material folded along a fold 437 at an interface between the two valve layers 446, 448. The fold 437 can first form the valve side 435, which is shorter than an opposite valve side 455, in which a valve recess 438 is arranged. Thus, the unidirectional valve 434 can have a trapezoidal shape formed by the valve recess 438, with the first valve side 435 facing the valve recess 438 and two angled valve sides 445 formed by a circumference of the second valve layer 448, which is attached to the first valve layer 446 by a seam 436.

[0059] As can be seen, in other embodiments the length of the angled valve side 445 can be greater than in the embodiment of the Fig. Figure 5 shows. Furthermore, the angle formed by the angled valve side 445 can be any suitable value, wherein a larger angle corresponds to an increase in the length of the valve recess 438 and wherein a smaller angle corresponds to a decrease in the length of the corresponding valve recess 438. Furthermore, for a given length of the angled valve side 445, the angle can have any suitable value to produce a corresponding length of the valve recess 438.

[0060] The Fig. Figure 6 illustrates a unidirectional valve 534 according to another embodiment, in which it is attached to a chamber wall 525 of a receiving inflatable chamber. The unidirectional valve 534 of the Fig. The unidirectional valve 534 has a rectangular shape and comprises four valve sides defined along the circumference of a first valve layer 546 and a second valve layer 548. The second valve layer 548 is connected to the first valve layer 546. The unidirectional valve 534 can have two lateral valve sides 545, which are parallel to each other and perpendicular to an end valve side 555 at the valve recess 538, or perpendicular to an end valve side 535 opposite the valve recess 538. The lateral valve sides 545 have a length greater than the length of the valve recess 538. The lateral valve sides 545 can be configured to give the unidirectional valve 534 a rectangular shape.

[0061] In some embodiments, the length of the side valve faces 545 can be greater than the length of the end valve faces 535, 555, as shown in the Fig. Figure 6 shows a larger distance between the valve opening 552 and the valve recess 538. In other embodiments, the length of the side valve faces 545 can be shorter than the length of the end valve faces 535, 555, and the distance between the valve opening 552 and the valve recess 538 can be smaller than in the embodiment shown. Fig. 6. Additionally, in some embodiments, the valve opening 552 can be arranged closer to the center of the unidirectional valve 534, which is offset at a certain distance from both the closed end valve side 535 and the valve recess 538.

[0062] The Fig. Figure 7 shows a unidirectional valve 634 according to another embodiment, in which it is attached to a chamber wall 625 within a receiving inflatable chamber. The unidirectional valve 634 has an approximately trapezoidal shape and comprises four valve sides, which are defined along a circumference of a first valve layer 646, and a second valve layer 648. The second valve layer 648 is connected to the first valve layer 646. The unidirectional valve 634 has a first end valve side 635 opposite a valve side 655, on which a valve recess 638 is arranged, and two angled valve sides 645, each forming an acute or converging angle with the first end valve side 635. The angled valve sides 645 approach each other or converge as they approach the valve recess 638, making the length of the valve recess 638 smaller than the length of the first end valve side 635.

[0063] In some embodiments, the length of the angled valve sides 645 can be greater than the length of the valve recess 638 or the first valve side 635. The angle formed by the angled valve side 645 can be any suitable value, wherein a larger angle increases the length of the valve recess 638 relative to the first end valve side 635 and wherein a smaller angle decreases the length of the valve recess 638 relative to the first end valve side 635. Furthermore, the angle can be any suitable value to produce a suitable length of the valve recess 638 for a given angled valve side length, wherein the length of the angled valve sides can be greater or lesser than the length of the angled valve sides 645 in the embodiment described in the Fig. 7 is shown.

[0064] The Fig. Figure 8 shows a unidirectional valve 734 according to another embodiment, which has an angled valve gas channel 739 (for example, also a valve chamber or a pocket). The unidirectional valve 734 of the embodiment has a polygonal shape and is attached to a side wall 725 of a receiving inflatable chamber. The unidirectional valve 734 can have a first valve side 735, an opposite valve side 755 on which a valve recess 738 is arranged, and two angled valve sides 745 that form an angle (for example, an angle of 90 degrees) at or near their central position. The first valve side 735 and the angled valve sides 745 can be determined in any suitable way, as described, for example, in the previous embodiments.

[0065] The length or width of the unidirectional valve 734 may differ from that shown in the embodiment of the Fig. 8 is described. Furthermore, the valve 734 can form a polygonal shape, which differs from the shape of the unidirectional valve 734. For example, in some embodiments, the angle formed between the angled valve sides 745 can be greater than 90 degrees. In other embodiments, the valve can have a valve channel with two valve recesses, which can be arranged opposite each other on the same side of the valve opening 752, or which can instead be arranged on opposite sides of the valve opening 752. In still other embodiments, the gas channel can split at a point along its length, splitting off into two or more separate gas channels, each of which can have a single valve recess.

[0066] The Fig. Figure 9 illustrates an embodiment of an inflatable curtain airbag assembly 800, which is installed in a vehicle 50 and is in an deployed configuration. The assembly 800 can include an inflatable curtain airbag 820, which can be attached to the vehicle 50 in any suitable manner. The inflatable curtain airbag 820 can also be referred to here as a cushion or an airbag. The inflatable curtain airbag 820 has several inflatable chambers 842, 843 and a unidirectional valve 834 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, which is arranged in a receiving inflatable chamber 843 to monitor the gas flow in one direction from a first inflatable chamber 842 to the receiving inflatable chamber 843.

[0067] The arrangement 800 can be attached to the vehicle 50 in any suitable manner. For example, in some embodiments, the arrangement 800 has one or more fastening arrangements 810 configured to attach one or more inflatable curtain airbags 820 to the vehicle 50. The arrangement 800 can be located inside the vehicle 50 adjacent to the roof of the vehicle, such as on a roof rail 58. In the illustrated embodiment, each fastening arrangement 810 has a retaining strap or belt 816 attached to fastening elements such as a loop 812, which is fastened to the roof rail 58 by a fastening element 814, such as a screw. As can be seen, any other suitable fastening arrangement can be provided.

[0068] A front end of the arrangement 800 can have a strap 804 which can be attached to the vehicle 50 in any suitable manner. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the strap 804 is attached to a lower end of an A-pillar 62. As shown in the Fig. As shown in Figure 9, the strap 804 can be attached to a front end 824 of the inflatable curtain airbag 820. An upper end 822 of the inflatable curtain airbag 820 can be attached to the straps 816. In some embodiments, the straps 816 are sewn to the inflatable curtain airbag 820. In other embodiments, the straps 816 can be formed integrally with the inflatable curtain airbag 820 and can extend from one or more panels of the inflatable curtain airbag 820.

[0069] With further reference to the Fig. 9. The arrangement 800 may further include a gas generator 818, which may be arranged in a neck 826 of the inflatable curtain airbag 820. The gas generator 818 may be anchored to the roof rail 58 and may be of any suitable type. In some embodiments, the gas generator 818 comprises either a pyrotechnic device or a stored gas generator. The gas generator 818 may be in electronic communication with vehicle sensors configured to detect vehicle collisions and / or rollovers. Upon detection of predetermined conditions, the sensors may activate the gas generator 818, and the inflatable curtain airbag 820 may be rapidly inflated.

[0070] The inflatable curtain airbag 820 can be configured to cover various structures of the vehicle 50 when it deploys. For example, in some embodiments, at least one portion of the deployed inflatable curtain airbag 820 can cover one or more of the A-pillar 62, a B-pillar 64, and a C-pillar 66, and / or one or more side windows. The illustrated embodiment is configured to cover the B-pillar 64 and each of the front and rear side windows.

[0071] The inflatable curtain airbag 820 can define different areas that provide varying degrees of shielding with respect to the vehicle structures. In particular, the inflatable curtain airbag 820 can have different inflatable chambers 842, 843 configured to be filled with inflation gases to shield a vehicle occupant during a collision. The inflatable curtain airbag 820 can further have segments configured to be deployed in strategic areas where a vehicle occupant can benefit most from the shielding. The illustrated embodiment has a plurality of inflatable cushion segments connected to an inflation gas supply channel 840.

[0072] In some embodiments 820, the inflatable curtain airbag may have one or more non-inflatable areas 844, one or more of which may be arranged between adjacent inflatable cushion segments or inside an inflatable chamber 842 (for example, to be enclosed by an inflatable chamber 842).

[0073] In various embodiments, at least one area of ​​one or more of the inflatable chambers 842, 843, the cushion segments, and the non-inflatable areas 844 can be defined by one or more boundary seams 850. The one or more boundary seams 850 can be formed in any suitable manner. For example, in some embodiments, the one or more boundary seams 850 can have one or more stitches, welds (such as high-frequency welds), and / or adhesives. In other or further embodiments, the boundary seams 850 can be woven areas formed by a one-piece weaving technique. In some embodiments, the boundary seams 850 can join two or more pieces of fabric together, such as a front 832 and a back 833.In some embodiments, one or more boundary seams 850 may be substantially airtight in order to retain the inflation gas within a specific inflatable chamber 842.

[0074] The shapes of the inflatable curtain airbag 820 and its various components, such as the inflatable chambers 842 and 843, which are located in the Fig. Figure 9 is not limited to other types of multi-chamber airbags with a unidirectional valve 834 according to the present disclosure. These shapes can be modified to fit differently shaped vehicles.

[0075] The Fig. Figure 10 shows an inflatable curtain airbag 920, which has a first chamber 942, a second chamber 943, and a unidirectional valve 934 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the Fig. In 10, the volume of the first chamber 942 is greater than the volume of the second chamber 943. As described above, other configurations of the first chamber 942 and the second chamber 943 can be considered. The first chamber 942 can have a plurality of inflatable cushion segments 936 that are in fluid communication with the neck segment 927. The second chamber 943 can be configured to receive the inflation gas from the first chamber 942. In some embodiments, the second chamber 943 can assist in controlling or maintaining an internal pressure of the inflatable curtain airbag 920. For example, one or more of the second chambers 943 can assist in maintaining the internal pressure below a predetermined value.In the illustrated embodiment 943, the second chamber is isolated from the inflatable cushion segments 936, the neck segment 927, the neck section 926, and the gas generator 918 by a vent plate 958. Furthermore, the inflatable curtain airbag 920 has a second chamber 943, which is arranged distally within the inflatable curtain airbag 920 with respect to each of the vent plate 958, the first chamber 942, and the neck section 926. The inflatable curtain airbag 920, as illustrated, has a vent plate 958 that extends in a substantially transverse direction with respect to the longitudinal orientation of the inflatable curtain airbag 920.

[0076] In other embodiments, there may be more than one second chamber 943 and / or more than one vent plate 958. In some embodiments, the one or more vent plates 958 may define a boundary of one or more of the inflatable cushion segments 936. The one or more second chambers 943 and / or the vent plates 958 may also be arranged at any suitable position in the inflatable curtain airbag 920. In the illustrated embodiment, the vent plate 958 has a unidirectional valve 934 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0077] The Fig. Figure 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the inflatable curtain airbag 920. Fig. 10 along line 11-11, which represents an embodiment of a venting plate 958 with a unidirectional valve 934. In the Fig. 10 and Fig. In general, the vent plate 958 has a chamber side wall for the first chamber 942 and the second chamber 943. A valve opening 952 allows the inflation gas to pass through the first chamber 942 to the vent opening 938 and into the second chamber 943, while the pressure in the first chamber 942 remains higher than the pressure in the second chamber 943. The unidirectional valve 934 is configured to change from an open configuration to a closed configuration when the pressure of the inflation gas in the second chamber 943 exceeds the pressure of the inflation gas in the first chamber 942.

[0078] The size and / or shape of the unidirectional valve 934 can be configured such that the unidirectional valve 934 can transition from an open configuration to a closed configuration for a specific volume of inflation gas into the first chamber 942 at a predetermined rate. For example, certain embodiments may have a unidirectional valve with larger dimensions to allow the inflation gas to pass from the first chamber to the second chamber at a higher flow rate than would be possible with a unidirectional valve of smaller dimensions. In another embodiment, the predetermined inflation rate at which the gas flows through the unidirectional valve can remain unchanged when a vehicle occupant impacts a deployed inflatable curtain airbag during a collision.

[0079] The Fig. Figure 12 shows an airbag arrangement 1200 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure in a deployed and inflated state to receive the vehicle occupant 60 in the event of a collision. The occupant 60 is shown in a seat 54 configured to receive a single person, as shown in the Fig. Figure 1B shows that the vehicle occupant 60 can occupy a vehicle occupant area 57 defined by the seat. In the event of a collision, the vehicle occupant 60 can move forward 40 onto a primary cushion 1220 of the airbag assembly 1200.

[0080] The force present in a collision can, in other cases, cause the vehicle occupant 60 to move in a substantially different direction. For example, the vehicle occupant 60 may move in a forward and inward direction (for example, an oblique direction). As above with reference to the Fig. As described in 1B, in some cases the primary cushion 1220 may be sufficient to accommodate the vehicle occupant 60; however, the forces during the collision may cause the vehicle occupant 60 to roll off the primary cushion 1220, merely graze it, or even miss it entirely.

[0081] The airbag assembly 1200 has a secondary airbag 1230 which can be deployed together with the primary airbag 1220. If the vehicle occupant 60 does not use the primary airbag 1220, the secondary airbag 1230 can contain the occupant 60. In other embodiments, the secondary airbag 1230 can be arranged to stabilize the primary airbag 1220, making the primary airbag more resistant to the occupant 60 rolling off or even missing the primary airbag.

[0082] In some embodiments, the size of the secondary cushion 1230 can be smaller than the size of the primary cushion 1220. In other embodiments, the size of the secondary cushion 1230 can be equal to or larger than the size of the primary cushion 1220. In the airbag arrangement of the Fig. The secondary cushion 1230 extends rearward over the primary cushion 1220 to better accommodate the vehicle occupant 60 in the event of a collision. The secondary cushion 1230 extends rearward over the primary cushion 1220 in a direction relative to the vehicle. In other words, the secondary cushion 1230 extends rearward toward a vehicle seat beyond where the primary cushion 1220 extends.

[0083] The airbag assembly 1200 has one or more unidirectional valves 1234 to allow the inflation gases to vent in one direction from the primary cushion 1220 to the secondary cushion. In some embodiments, the secondary cushion 1230 may have a single unidirectional valve 1234; in other embodiments, the secondary cushions have a plurality of unidirectional valves 1234, as shown in the Fig. 12 is shown.

[0084] It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that many changes can be made to the details of the embodiments described above without deviating from the underlying principles of the invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is therefore to be defined only by the following claims.

Claims

[1] Airbag arrangement (100) comprising: a first cushion area (120, 220) which defines a first inflatable chamber (122, 222) which is configured to receive an inflation gas from a gas generator (112) in order to expand the first cushion area (120, 220) from a compact state to an unfolded state, wherein the first cushion area (120, 220) has a cushion side wall (225, 325, 425, 525, 625, 725) which defines a cushion vent opening (242, 342) in order to vent the inflation gas, a second cushion area (130, 230) coupled to the first cushion area (120, 220), wherein the second cushion area (120, 220) defines a second inflatable chamber (132, 232) configured to receive the inflation gas from the cushion vent (242, 342) of the first inflatable chamber (122, 222) in order to expand the second cushion area (130, 230) from a compact state to an unfolded state, and a unidirectional and adaptively lockable valve (134, 234, 334, 434, 534, 634, 734) which allows a flow of inflation gas through the cushion vent opening (242, 342) from the first inflatable chamber (122, 222) to the second inflatable chamber (132, 232) and which limits the flow of inflation gas from the second inflatable chamber (132, 232) to the first inflatable chamber (122, 222), wherein the unidirectional valve (134, 234, 334, 434, 534, 634, 734) comprises: a first valve layer (346, 446, 546, 646, 746) with a valve opening (252, 352, 452, 552, 652, 752) which corresponds to the cushion vent opening (242, 342), wherein the first valve layer (346, 446, 546, 646, 746) is arranged within the second inflatable chamber (132, 232) and is attached to a cushion side wall (225, 325, 425, 525, 625, 725) adjacent to the cushion vent opening (242, 342), wherein the valve opening (252, 352, 452, 552, 652, 752) and the cushion vent opening (242, 342) are aligned, and a second valve layer (348, 448, 548, 648, 748) which overlays the first valve layer (346, 446, 546, 646, 746) over the valve opening (252, 352, 452, 552, 652, 752), wherein the second valve layer (348, 448, 548, 648, 748) is attached to the first valve layer (346, 446, 546, 646, 746) along several edges of the second valve layer (348, 448, 548, 648, 748) and is attached to the first valve layer (346, 446, 546, 646, 746) along exactly one edge of exactly the second valve layer (348, 448, 548, 648, 748) is not attached to form a valve recess (238, 338, 438, 538, 638, 738) between the first valve layer (346, 446, 546, 646, 746) and the second valve layer (348, 448, 548, 648, 748), wherein the first valve layer (346, 446, 546, 646, 746) and the second valve layer (348, 448, 548, 648, 748) separate at the valve recess (238, 338, 438, 538, 638, 738) to allow the inflation gas to flow from the valve opening (252, 352, 452, 552, 652, 752) into the second inflatable chamber (132, 232), and wherein the second valve layer (348, 448, 548, 648, 748) collapses onto the first valve layer (346, 446, 546, 646, 746) to close the valve recess (238, 338, 438, 538, 638, 738) to close when a pressure in the second inflatable chamber (132, 232) exceeds a pressure in the first inflatable chamber (122, 222) in order to restrict the gas flow from the second cushion area (130, 230) to the first cushion area (120, 220). [2] Airbag arrangement according to claim 1, wherein a first region of the first valve layer (346, 446, 546, 646, 746) is attached to the cushion side wall (225, 325, 425, 525, 625, 725) which is adjacent to the cushion vent opening (242, 342), wherein the valve opening (252, 352, 452, 552, 652, 752) and the cushion vent opening (242, 342) are aligned and wherein a second region of the first valve layer (346, 446, 546, 646, 746) is not attached with respect to the cushion side wall (225, 325, 425, 525, 625, 725). [3] Airbag arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the first area of ​​the first valve layer (346, 446, 546, 646, 746) is attached to the cushion side wall (225, 325, 425, 525, 625, 725) by sewing to a circumference of the valve opening (252, 352, 452, 552, 652, 752) and the cushion vent opening (242, 342). [4] Airbag arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the first area of ​​the first valve layer (346, 446, 546, 646, 746) is secured to the cushion side wall (225, 325, 425, 525, 625, 725) by an adhesive on a circumference of the valve opening (252, 352, 452, 552, 652, 752) and the cushion vent opening (242, 342). [5] Airbag arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second valve layer (348, 448, 548, 648, 748) is attached to the first valve layer (346, 446, 546, 646, 746) by sewing along one or more edges of the second valve layer (348, 448, 548, 648, 748). [6] Airbag arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second valve layer (348, 448, 548, 648, 748) is attached to the first valve layer (346, 446, 546, 646, 746) by an adhesive along one or more edges of the second valve layer (348, 448, 548, 648, 748). [7] Airbag arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first valve layer (346, 446, 546, 646, 746) is attached to an inner surface of a cushion side wall (225, 325, 425, 525, 625, 725) of the second cushion area (130, 230). [8] Airbag arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the cushion sidewall (225, 325, 425, 525, 625, 725) is a sidewall of the first cushion area (120, 220) which is divided by the second cushion area (130, 230), and wherein the first valve layer (346, 446, 546, 646, 746) is attached to a surface of the cushion sidewall (225, 325, 425, 525, 625, 725) which is outside the first inflatable chamber (122, 222) and inside the second inflatable chamber (132, 232). [9] Airbag arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the valve opening (252, 352, 452, 552, 652, 752) corresponds in size and / or shape to the cushion vent opening (242, 342). [10] Airbag arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first valve layer (346, 446, 546, 646, 746) is further attached to the cushion side wall (225, 325, 425, 525, 625, 725) at a position at a distance from the valve opening (252, 352, 452, 552, 652, 752) in order to hold the valve recess (238, 338, 438, 538, 638, 738) at a distance from the valve opening (252, 352, 452, 552, 652, 752). [11] Airbag arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the second cushion area (130, 230) extends rearward over the first cushion area (120, 220). [12] Unidirectional valve (134, 234, 334, 434, 534, 634, 734) which allows a flow of air in a single direction from a first inflatable chamber (122, 222) to a second inflatable chamber (132, 232) of an airbag arrangement, wherein the unidirectional valve (134, 234, 334, 434, 534, 634, 734) comprises: a first plate (346, 446, 546, 646, 746) having a valve opening (252, 352, 452, 552, 652, 752) which corresponds to a cushion vent opening (242, 342) in a chamber side wall (225, 325, 425, 525, 625, 725) which separates the first inflatable chamber (122, 222) from the second inflatable chamber (132, 232), wherein the first plate (346, 446, 546, 646, 746) is designed to be attached to the cushion side wall (225, 325, 425, 525, 625, 725) which is adjacent to the cushion vent opening (242, 342). is, wherein the valve opening (252, 352, 452, 552, 652, 752) and the cushion vent opening (242, 342) are aligned, and a second plate (348, 448, 548, 648, 748) which overlaps the first plate (346, 446, 546, 646, 746) over the valve opening (252, 352, 452, 552, 652, 752), wherein the second plate (348, 448, 548, 648, 748) is connected to the first plate (346, 446, 546, 646, 746) along several edges of the second plate (348, 448, 548, 648,748), and wherein it is not attached to the first plate (346, 446, 546, 646, 746) along an edge of the second plate (348, 448, 548, 648, 748) to form a valve recess (238, 338, 438, 538, 638, 738) between the first plate (346, 446, 546, 646, 746) and the second plate (348, 448, 548, 648, 748), wherein the valve opening (252, 352, 452, 552, 652, 752) is configured to receive air from the first inflatable chamber (122, 222), wherein the first plate (346, 446, 546, 646, 746) and the second plate (348, 448, 548, 648, 748) separate at the valve recess (238, 338, 438, 538, 638, 738) to allow an inflation gas to flow from the valve opening (252, 352, 452, 552, 652, 752) into the second inflatable chamber (132, 232), and wherein the second valve layer (348, 448, 548, 648, 748) collapses onto the first valve layer (346, 446, 546, 646, 746) to close the valve recess (238, 338, 438, 538, 638, 738) when a pressure in the second inflatable chamber (132, 232) exceeds a pressure in the first inflatable chamber (122, 222) to restrict a flow of air from the second cushion area (130, 230) to the first cushion area (120, 220). [13] Unidirectional valve (134, 234, 334, 434, 534, 634, 734) according to claim 12, wherein a first region of the first valve plate (346, 446, 546, 646, 746) is configured to be attached to the chamber side wall (225, 325, 425, 525, 625, 725) which is adjacent to the cushion vent opening (242, 342), wherein the valve opening (252, 352, 452, 552, 652, 752) and the cushion vent opening (242, 342) are aligned, and wherein a second region of the first valve layer (346, 446, 546, 646, 746) is configured with respect to the cushion side wall (225, 325, 425, 525, 625, 725) is not attached. [14] Unidirectional valve (134, 234, 334, 434, 534, 634, 734) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the valve opening (252, 352, 452, 552, 652, 752) corresponds in size and / or shape to the cushion vent opening (242, 342). [15] Method for manufacturing a unidirectional valve which has: a forming of a valve opening (252, 352, 452, 552, 652, 752) in a first valve plate (346, 446, 546, 646, 746), wherein the valve opening (252, 352, 452, 552, 652, 752) corresponds to a vent opening (242, 342) in a first chamber (122, 222) through which the unidirectional valve provides a flow of air into a second chamber (132, 232), a second valve plate (348, 448, 548, 648, 748) which overlaps the first valve plate (346, 446, 546, 646, 746) including the valve opening (252, 352, 452, 552, 652, 752) of the first valve plate (346, 446, 546, 646, 746) along several edges of the second valve plate (348, 448, 548, 648, 748), wherein the second valve plate (348, 448, 548, 648, 748) is attached to the first valve plate (346, 446, 546, 646, 746) along an edge of the second valve plate (348, 448, 548, 648, 748) is not attached to form a valve recess (238, 338, 438, 538, 638, 738) between the first valve plate (346, 446, 546, 646, 746) and the second valve plate (348, 448, 548, 648, 748), wherein the second valve plate (348, 448, 548, 648, 748) is configured to separate from the first valve plate at the valve recess (238, 338, 438, 538, 638, 738) to allow an inflation gas to flow from the valve opening (252, 352, 452, 552, 652, 752) through the valve recess (238, 338, 438, 538, 638, 738), and wherein the second valve plate (348, 448, 548, 648, 748) is designed to collapse against the first valve plate (346, 446, 546, 646, 746) to close the valve recess (238, 338, 438, 538, 638, 738) when a pressure in the second chamber (132, 232) exceeds a pressure in the first chamber (122, 222) in order to limit a flow of air from the second chamber (132, 232) into the first chamber (122, 222). [16] The method of claim 15, further comprising: attaching a first region of a first valve layer (346, 446, 546, 646, 746) to a chamber side wall (225, 325, 425, 525, 625, 725) within the second chamber (132, 232) and adjacent to the vent opening (242, 342), wherein the valve opening (252, 352, 452, 552, 652, 752) and the cushion vent opening (242, 342) are aligned, wherein a second region of the first valve layer (346, 446, 546, 646, 746) is not attached with respect to the chamber side wall (225, 325, 425, 525, 625, 725). is. [17] The method of claim 16, which further comprises: attaching a third area of ​​the first valve layer (346, 446, 546, 646, 746) to the chamber side wall (225, 325, 425, 525, 625, 725) in a position at a distance from the valve opening (252, 352, 452, 552, 652, 752) in order to hold the valve recess (238, 338, 438, 538, 638, 738) at a distance from the valve opening (252, 352, 452, 552, 652, 752). [18] Method according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the first area of ​​the first valve layer (346, 446, 546, 646, 746) is attached by sewing at a circumference of the valve opening (252, 352, 452, 552, 652, 752) and the vent opening (242, 342) to the chamber side wall (225, 325, 425, 525, 625, 725).

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