CURTAIN AIRBAG WITH DIFFUSER FOR ONE VEHICLE

Abstract

Curtain airbag for a vehicle, featuring: a main chamber (200) installed between a roof liner (H) and a vehicle body (C) and designed to unfold downwards into an interior space of the vehicle; a diffuser (100) provided at an inlet section of the main chamber (200) connected to a gas generator and configured with a first outlet (120) and a second outlet (140) receiving gas from the gas generator, the diffuser (100) including a connected section (130) configured to partially or completely close the first outlet, and the diffuser (100) configured to increase the amount of gas supplied to the main chamber (200) when the connected section (130) is opened by an internal pressure of the diffuser (100); and an additional chamber (300) connected to the second outlet (140) of the diffuser (100) to receive gas from the diffuser (100), wherein the additional chamber (300) is configured to be inflated between the headliner (H) and the vehicle body (C) and to separate the headliner (H) from the vehicle body (C), wherein a one-way outlet section (150) is provided at the second outlet (140) of the diffuser (100); a feed opening (155) of the additional chamber (300) is formed on the one-way outlet opening section (150); and a closure band (157) is formed along an edge of the supply opening (155) of the additional chamber (300) so that the closure band (157) is pulled to close the one-way outflow opening section (150).

Description

AREA

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a curtain airbag for a vehicle for protecting the side of a passenger in an airbag sector of the vehicle.

[0002] The information in this section provides only background information regarding the present disclosure and may not represent the state of the art.

[0003] Traditionally, in the airbag sector, a curtain airbag in a vehicle is usually installed between a headliner and a vehicle body.

[0004] A curtain airbag is generally installed along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and unfolds into the interior of the vehicle between the headliner and the vehicle body to protect the side of the passenger when gas flows into the curtain airbag through an inflation device or gas generator.

[0005] However, it was found that a problem exists when the curtain airbag deploys between the headliner and the vehicle body, namely that there is an interference between the curtain airbag and a trim panel, so that the curtain airbag does not deploy correctly or the trim panel is damaged.

[0006] Therefore, it is desirable that the curtain airbag protects the side of the passenger by preventing interference with a panel when deploying.

[0007] From the forthcoming DE 10 2016 008 241 A1, a curtain airbag for a vehicle is known, comprising a main chamber installed between a headliner and a vehicle body and designed to deploy downwards into an interior space of the vehicle, a diffuser provided at an inlet section of the main chamber connected to a gas generator and designed with a first outlet and a second outlet receiving gas from the gas generator, the diffuser including a connected section configured to partially or completely close the first outlet, and the diffuser configured to increase the amount of gas supplied to the main chamber when the connected section is opened by internal pressure of the diffuser, and an additional chamber connected to the second outlet of the diffuser.to absorb gas from the diffuser, with the additional chamber configured to be inflated between the headliner and the vehicle body, separating the headliner from the vehicle body.

[0008] German patent DE 11 2017 000 630 T5 discloses a safety airbag comprising an airbag with a side window airbag and a front airbag; a gas guide bag that directs gas generated by a gas generator into the airbag; and a backflow prevention assembly connected to the gas guide bag that prevents the gas in the front airbag from flowing back into the side window airbag when the front airbag is inflated. The safety airbag can protect an occupant's head and effectively reduce the impact on the occupant's head or neck.

[0009] US Patent 2015 / 0014973A1 discloses an airbag module comprising an inflatable cushion, an inflation device configured to supply inflation gas for inflating the cushion, and a diffuser for directing the inflation gas from the inflation device into the airbag. The diffuser is tubular and has a first opening at one end for connection to the inflation device. The diffuser includes a second and a third opening at the other end, so that the inflation gas is distributed into the inflatable cushion in two different directions.

[0010] US Patent 2016 / 0107600A1 describes a curtain airbag device that prevents an occupant's head from moving forward. To this end, in the curtain airbag device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an auxiliary airbag is attached to an outer surface of a curtain airbag to prevent the occupant's head from moving forward.

[0011] US Patent 2002 / 0 180 190 A1 provides an airbag cushion that can be deployed from a point along the roof rail portion of a vehicle frame, essentially curtain-like, over the side of the vehicle interior over an extended area near an occupant to be protected. The airbag cushion has a partially segmented construction with a main body portion that deploys downward away from the roof rail and an expandable upper portion that extends between the head of the roof rail and the head of a nearby vehicle occupant. The main body and the inflatable upper portion of the airbag cushion can be attached to the roof rail's common mounting line. The inflatable upper portion and the main body portion of the airbag cushion can be inflated by a common gas source, thus requiring the use of a single common inflation device.

[0012] The foregoing is intended only to help in understanding the background of the present revelation and does not imply that the present revelation lies within the scope of related technology already known to someone with technical skills. OVERVIEW

[0013] Consequently, the present disclosure was made taking into account the aforementioned problems that arise in the related technology. It is therefore the object of the present disclosure to provide a curtain airbag for a vehicle that deploys into the interior of the vehicle between a headliner and a vehicle body without interference from any trim, in order to protect the side of a passenger in an airbag sector of the vehicle. This object is achieved by a curtain airbag having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are found in the dependent claims.

[0014] A curtain airbag for a vehicle according to the present disclosure may, to fulfill the above task, comprise the following: a main chamber installed between a roof liner and a vehicle body and designed to deploy downwards into the interior of the vehicle; a diffuser provided at an inlet section of the main chamber connected to a gas generator and configured with a first outlet and a second outlet receiving and expelling gas from the gas generator, the diffuser comprising an associated section configured to partially or completely close the first outlet, and the diffuser configured to increase the quantity of gas supplied to the main chamber when the associated section is opened by internal pressure of the diffuser;and an additional chamber connected to the second outlet of the diffuser to receive gas from the diffuser, the additional chamber being configured to inflate between the headliner and the vehicle body and to separate the headliner from the vehicle body. A one-way outlet section is provided at the second outlet of the diffuser, an inlet opening to the additional chamber is formed at the one-way outlet section, and a closure band is formed along an edge of the inlet opening to the additional chamber such that pulling on the closure band closes the one-way outlet section.

[0015] The second outlet of the diffuser can be located at a higher point than the first outlet in relation to the vehicle's vertical direction.

[0016] The first outlet of the diffuser can be designed to point in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle; and the second outlet can be designed to point upwards towards the vehicle.

[0017] The joined section of the diffuser can be a sewn section, and the joined section can be torn if the internal pressure of the diffuser is equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure.

[0018] The volume of the additional chamber, when fully deployed, is set to be equal to the volume of the space between the headliner and the vehicle body.

[0019] The connected section can be torn apart after the additional chamber is fully deployed first through the second outlet of the diffuser, and the main chamber can be expanded through the first outlet when the gas generator is activated.

[0020] The additional chamber may be formed from a shape or form branched off from the main chamber; and an inlet of the additional chamber may be closed by the diffuser and connected to the inside of the diffuser by the second outlet of the diffuser.

[0021] A one-way outlet section can be provided at the second outlet of the diffuser; an inlet opening of the additional chamber can be formed at the one-way outlet section; and a closure band can be formed along the edge of the inlet opening of the additional chamber such that pulling on the closure band closes the one-way outlet section.

[0022] The connected section of the diffuser can be formed with a feed opening of the main chamber within it and can be formed from a sack shape, which is a double layer produced by folding an end section; the feed opening of the additional chamber and the feed opening of the main chamber can be connected to each other by a tightening retaining cord; and the double layer of the connected section can be unfolded to be opened when the internal pressure of the diffuser is equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure, so that the one-way outlet section is closed when the tightening retaining cord pulls on the closure band.

[0023] According to the curtain airbag for the vehicle of the present disclosure, it unfolds into the interior of the vehicle between the headliner and the vehicle body, while avoiding interference with the pillar trim in order to protect the side of the passenger.

[0024] In particular, the present disclosure has the advantage that there is no interference with the column cladding without the installation of a separate anti-interference element.

[0025] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be clear that the description and specific examples are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. DRAWINGS

[0026] In order for the revelation to be properly understood, various forms of it will now be described, which are listed as examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a drawing showing a curtain airbag for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 2 is a drawing showing a structure of the curtain airbag for the vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 3 is a drawing showing a state in which a one-way discharge opening section in the process airbag for the vehicle is open and does not belong to the invention; Fig. 4 is a drawing showing a state in which a one-way discharge opening section in the curtain airbag for the vehicle is closed and does not belong to the invention; Fig. 5 is a drawing showing a state in which a one-way discharge opening section in the curtain airbag for the vehicle is open according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and Fig. 6 is a drawing showing a state in which a one-way discharge opening section in the curtain airbag for the vehicle is closed according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are in no way intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The following description is purely exemplary and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be clear that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numbers indicate similar or corresponding parts and features.

[0029] Below, a curtain airbag for a vehicle will be described according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawing.

[0030] Fig. Figure 1 is a drawing showing a curtain airbag for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. Figure 2 is a drawing showing the structure of the curtain airbag for the vehicle; Fig. 3 is a drawing showing a state in which a one-way discharge opening section in the process airbag is open and which does not belong to the invention; Fig. Figure 4 is a drawing showing a state in which a one-way discharge opening section in the curtain airbag is closed and which does not belong to the invention; Fig. Figure 5 is a drawing showing a state in which a one-way discharge opening section in the curtain airbag for the vehicle is open; and Fig. Figure 6 is a drawing showing a state in which a one-way vent section in the curtain airbag for the vehicle is closed.

[0031] As in the Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, a curtain airbag for a vehicle according to the present disclosure can comprise: a main chamber 200, which is installed between a headliner H and a vehicle body C and is designed to unfold downwards into the interior of the vehicle; a diffuser 100, which is provided at an inlet section of the main chamber 200, which is connected to a gas generator I and is designed with a first outlet 120 and a second outlet 140, which receive and expel gas from the gas generator I; and an additional chamber 300, which is connected to the second outlet 140 of the diffuser 100 and is linked to receive gas from the diffuser 100, and is extended between the headliner H and the vehicle body C to separate the headliner H from the vehicle body C.Furthermore, the diffuser includes an associated section 130 that partially or completely closes the first outlet 120 and initiates or increases the gas supply to the main chamber 200 when the associated section 130 is opened by an internal gas pressure of the diffuser.

[0032] When the curtain airbag is deployed between the headliner H and the vehicle body C, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, there is interference between the curtain airbag and a trim panel T, so that the curtain airbag cannot deploy correctly or the trim panel T is damaged. To address this problem, the present disclosure may include an additional chamber 300 that separates the headliner H from the vehicle body C, so that the main chamber 200 can deploy fully without interference with the trim panel T. However, in a case where the additional chamber 300 is deployed simultaneously with the main chamber 200, and if the additional chamber 300 does not deploy fully, interference between the main chamber 200 and the trim panel T may occur.However, if the additional chamber 300 is fully unfolded first by the diffuser 100, the main chamber 200 can be fully unfolded with the trim T without interference, since the headliner H is separated from the vehicle body C by the fully unfolded additional chamber 300.

[0033] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the second outlet 140 of the diffuser 100 can, on the other hand, be located at a higher section than the first outlet 120 with respect to the vehicle's vertical direction. In particular, the first outlet 120 of the diffuser 100 can be configured to point longitudinally along the vehicle, and the second outlet 140 can be configured to point upwards along the vehicle. That is, in order for the additional chamber 300 to reliably separate the headliner H from the vehicle body C, the second outlet 140 can be located at a higher section than the first outlet 120 and expel the gas upwards, allowing the additional chamber 300 to unfold upwards.

[0034] As in the Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the connected section 130 of the diffuser 100 can, according to the present disclosure, be a sewn section 132, and the connected section 130 can be torn when the internal pressure of the diffuser 100 is equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure. The connected section 130 can be sewn to cause the entire portion of the first outlet 120 to be closed, or only a portion of the first outlet 120 to be closed and the other portion of the first outlet 120 to be open. The exemplary embodiment shown demonstrates that the connected section 130 closes a portion of the first outlet 120. When the connected section 130 closes the entire portion of the first outlet 120, the gas flow through the first outlet 120 begins when the connected section 130 is torn.If the connected section 130 closes off part of the first outlet 120, a small amount of gas is supplied through the first outlet 120, and if the connected section 130 is torn apart, the entire part of the first outlet 120 is opened, so that a large amount of gas is expanded and supplied into the main chamber 200.

[0035] As in the and not belonging to the invention Fig. As shown in Figure 3, if the internal pressure of the diffuser 100 is equal to or less than a predetermined pressure, the internal gas of the diffuser 100 is blocked by the sewing section 132, so that only a small amount of gas passes through the first outlet 120 (path “A2” of the Fig. 3) can be supplied and the largest proportion of the gas that has flowed into the inside of the diffuser 100 from the gas generator I primarily through the second outlet 140 (path “A1” of the Fig. 3) is ejected into the additional chamber 300.

[0036] Then, when the additional chamber 300 is unfolded to increase the internal pressure of the diffuser 100, the sewing section 132 is torn out, thereby fully opening the first outlet 120 and widening or enlarging the gas outlet area (path “A4” of the Fig. 4) As a result, it can be ensured that the main chamber 200 is fully unfolded after the additional chamber 300 has been unfolded.

[0037] Furthermore, the volume of the additional chamber 300, when fully deployed, can be set to be equal to the volume of the space between the headliner H and the vehicle body C. If the volume of the additional chamber 300 is too small, the separation between the headliner H and the vehicle body C is insufficient, making the deployment of the main chamber 200 problematic. If the volume of the additional chamber 300 is too large, the deployment time of the main chamber 200 is much slower, requiring an increase in the capacity of the gas generator I to ensure sufficient chamber capacity. Therefore, it is desirable that the volume of the additional chamber 300, when fully deployed, lies within the space between the headliner H and the vehicle body C and is designed to be large enough to completely separate the headliner H from the vehicle body C.

[0038] As in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the connected section 130 is further torn apart after the additional chamber 300 is fully deployed first through the second outlet 140 of the diffuser 100 when the gas generator I is actuated in the present disclosure, so that the main chamber 200 can be extended through the first outlet 120. In this way, since the main chamber 200 is inflated to be deployed after the vehicle body C and the roof lining H are fully separated from each other by the additional chamber 300, which is deployed first, the main chamber 200 can be deployed into the interior of the vehicle without interfering with the trim C, in order to protect the side of the passenger.

[0039] As in the Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the additional chamber 300 of the present disclosure can, on the other hand, be formed from a shape branched off from the main chamber 200, and the inlet of the additional chamber 300 can be closed by the diffuser 100 and connected to the inside of the diffuser 100 by the second outlet 140 of the diffuser 100. With such a configuration, the additional chamber 300 and the main chamber 200 can be formed from the same material but have a spatially separated configuration by the diffuser 100. Since the main chamber 200 is supplied with only small quantities and the gas is first completely fed to the additional chamber 300 when the gas flow begins, the expansion of the main chamber 200 can also be ensured, with the roof H remaining sufficiently open.

[0040] Even if the additional chamber 300 is expanded to move the diffuser 100, the first outlet 120 is therefore always arranged at the inlet of the main chamber 200 to prevent the main chamber 200 from not being unfolded, since the main chamber 200 moves together or simultaneously.

[0041] As in the cases not pertaining to the invention Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in Figure 4, on the other hand, a one-way outlet section 150 can be provided at the second outlet 140 of the diffuser 100 according to the present disclosure, and the one-way outlet section 150 can allow the movement of the gas from the diffuser 100 to the additional chamber 300, but prevent the movement of the gas from the additional chamber 300 to the diffuser 100. That is, the movement of the gas is prevented along path “A1” in Fig. 3 allows, but the movement of the gas is restricted along path “A3” in Fig. 4 blocked.

[0042] The second outlet 140 of the diffuser 100 can further be designed in the form of a through-hole, the one-way outlet section 150 can have a larger area than the second outlet 140 and be a cover that covers the second outlet 140, and only a part of the edge of the one-way outlet section 150 can be coupled to the diffuser 100 in order to supply the additional chamber 300 with gas through the remaining part of the edge that is not coupled to the diffuser 100. In particular, the one-way outlet section 150 can be coupled to an outer surface of the diffuser 100 that faces the inside of the additional chamber 300, so that the one-way outlet section 150 covers and closes the second outlet 140 when the additional chamber 300 has a higher internal pressure than a predetermined pressure, thereby preventing a reverse gas outflow from the additional chamber 300 to the diffuser 100.That is, if gas flows along path “A1” in the area not belonging to the invention. Fig. When the additional chamber 300 is moved, the gas flows into the additional chamber 300, while it pushes a section that is not coupled to the diffuser in the one-way outlet section 150. However, if the internal pressure in the additional chamber 300 is higher than a predetermined pressure after the additional chamber 300 is unfolded, the one-way outlet section 150 covers the second outlet 140 in such a way that the gas does not flow along path “A3” in the non-inventive Fig. 4 can move.

[0043] As in the Fig. 5 and Fig. As shown in Figure 6, in the curtain airbag for the vehicle according to the present disclosure, the one-way discharge opening section 150 can be provided with a bag shape at the second outlet 140 of the diffuser 100, and an upper end section of the one-way discharge opening section 150 can be open to form a feed opening 155 of the additional chamber. A closure band 157 can be inserted along the edge of the feed opening 155 of the additional chamber such that the closure band 157 can be pulled to close the one-way discharge opening section 150. In particular, a feed opening 133 of the main chamber can be formed in the connected section 130 of the diffuser 100, which is a bag shape produced by folding an end section to form a double layer. The feed opening 155 of the additional chamber and the feed opening 133 of the main chamber can be connected to each other by a tightening retaining cable 156.When the internal pressure of the diffuser 100 is equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure, the connected section 130 can be opened while the double layer unfolds, so that the tightening retaining cord 156 pulls on the closure band 157 to close the one-way outlet section 150. As in . Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the gas flows along path “B1” and passes through the one-way outlet section 150, the upper end of which is open to flow into the additional chamber 300. When the internal pressure of the additional chamber 300 is equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure, the internal pressure of the diffuser 100 increases to pressurize the connected section 130 at the first outlet 120, causing the connected section 130 to unfold towards the main chamber 200 and gas to enter the main chamber 200 through the inlet opening 133 of the main chamber (path “B4”). Fig.6) flows. In this case, the connected section 130 unfolds to pull on the closure band 157, and the feed opening 155 of the additional chamber closes, while the self-tightening retaining cable 156 connected to the closure band 157 tightens. As a result, the main chamber 200 unfolds after the additional chamber 300 unfolds.

Claims

[1] Curtain airbag for a vehicle, comprising: a main chamber (200) installed between a roof liner (H) and a vehicle body (C) and designed to unfold downwards into an interior space of the vehicle; a diffuser (100) provided at an inlet section of the main chamber (200) connected to a gas generator and configured with a first outlet (120) and a second outlet (140) receiving gas from the gas generator, the diffuser (100) including a connected section (130) configured to partially or completely close the first outlet, and the diffuser (100) configured to increase the amount of gas supplied to the main chamber (200) when the connected section (130) is opened by an internal pressure of the diffuser (100); and an additional chamber (300) connected to the second outlet (140) of the diffuser (100) to receive gas from the diffuser (100), wherein the additional chamber (300) is configured to be inflated between the headliner (H) and the vehicle body (C) and to separate the headliner (H) from the vehicle body (C), wherein a one-way outlet section (150) is provided at the second outlet (140) of the diffuser (100); a feed opening (155) of the additional chamber (300) is formed on the one-way outlet opening section (150); and a closure band (157) is formed along an edge of the supply opening (155) of the additional chamber (300) so that the closure band (157) is pulled to close the one-way outflow opening section (150). [2] Curtain airbag for the vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the second outlet (140) of the diffuser (100) is formed at a higher section than the first outlet (120) with respect to a vertical direction of the vehicle. [3] Curtain airbag for the vehicle according to claim 2, wherein: the first outlet (120) of the diffuser (100) is designed to point in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle; and the second outlet (140) is designed to point in a direction upwards of the vehicle. [4] Curtain airbag for the vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the connected section (130) of the diffuser (100) is a sewn section (132) and the connected section (130) is torn when the internal pressure of the diffuser (100) is equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure. [5] Curtain airbag for the vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a volume of the additional chamber (300), when fully deployed, is specified to be equal to a volume of a space between the headliner (H) and the vehicle body (C). [6] Curtain airbag for the vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: the connected section (130) is torn apart after the additional chamber (300) is first fully unfolded through the second outlet (140) of the diffuser (100), and the main chamber (200) is expanded through the first outlet (120) when the gas generator is actuated. [7] Curtain airbag for the vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: the additional chamber (300) is formed from a shape branched off from the main chamber (200); and an inlet of the additional chamber (300) is closed by the diffuser (100) and is connected to an inside of the diffuser (100) by the second outlet (140) of the diffuser (100). [8] Curtain airbag for the vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: the one-way outlet section (150) is provided at the second outlet (140) of the diffuser (100); and the one-way outlet section (150) is configured to allow movement of the gas from the diffuser (100) to the additional chamber (300) and to block movement of the gas from the additional chamber (300) to the diffuser (100). [9] Curtain airbag for the vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: the connected section (130) of the diffuser (100) is formed with a feed opening (133) of the main chamber (200) in the same and is formed from a bag shape which is a double layer produced by folding an end section; the feed opening (155) of the additional chamber (300) and the feed opening (133) of the main chamber (200) are connected to each other by a tightening retaining cable (156); and the double layer of the connected section (130) unfolds to open when the internal pressure of the diffuser (100) is equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure, so that the one-way outlet section (150) closes when the tightening retaining rope (156) pulls on the closure band (157).

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