Airbag guide mechanism and airbag device

Abstract

The present application provides a kind of airbag guide mechanism for knee protection and airbag device.The airbag guide mechanism provided by the present application provides gas generated by gas generator to airbag, the airbag guide mechanism is sewn by flexible fabric, the airbag guide mechanism has the gas guide port that is communicated with the gas generator and the airbag, the gas guide port is close to the middle side of the airbag and is disposed with the exhaust hole of the gas generator staggered.In the airbag deployment, the gas generated by generator will first enter the airbag guide mechanism and then flow out from the preset gas guide port, which can solve the problem of airbag deployment deflection caused by the airbag device due to the air outlet position of the gas generator being biased to one side.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automotive passive safety device technology, specifically to an airbag air delivery mechanism and airbag device for knee protection. Background Technology

[0002] like Figure 1 As shown, the knee airbag device 1 is generally installed in the lower part of the car's dashboard, in front of the occupant's knee 5 and lower leg 4. When inflated, the airbag 2 needs to fully cover the lower part 3 of the car's dashboard to meet the protection requirements of the occupant's lower leg 4 and knee 5. Figure 2 As shown, the gas generator 6 is generally installed at the base of the airbag 2, inflating the airbag during expansion. The outlet 7 of the gas generator adapted for knee airbags is located at the tail end of the generator. During inflation, the side of the airbag closer to the generator outlet inflates rapidly, while the other side requires gas to travel a longer path, resulting in a significant difference in inflation rates between the left and right ends of the airbag. This phenomenon causes significant deflection of the airbag during deployment, and the longer the generator and the higher the output, the more pronounced the deflection during deployment. In traditional designs, to prevent high-temperature, high-speed gas from directly impacting the airbag, heat-insulating steel sheets and reinforcing plates for the airbag are installed at the deflation outlet, increasing the weight of the airbag assembly, complicating the manufacturing process, and increasing costs. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, in order to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, the present invention provides an airbag air delivery mechanism and an airbag device for knee protection.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides an airbag gas guiding mechanism that supplies gas generated by a gas generator to the airbag. The airbag gas guiding mechanism is made of flexible fabric and has a gas guiding port that connects the gas generator and the airbag. The gas guiding port is located near the middle of the airbag and is offset from the exhaust port of the gas generator.

[0005] In one embodiment, the air guiding mechanism is formed by folding an air guiding piece along the central mark and then sewing together a portion of the surrounding area.

[0006] In one embodiment, the air vent is located on one side of the two folded layers of fabric, facing the direction of the airbag.

[0007] In one embodiment, the gas guiding mechanism further has a wire harness connector for exposing the wire harness connector terminals of the gas generator, the connector being formed by an unstitched area.

[0008] In one embodiment, the air inlet is formed by a non-sutured area.

[0009] In one embodiment, the airbag air delivery mechanism further includes a heat insulation sheet that protects the seams of the air delivery piece, the heat insulation sheet being sewn between two layers of fabric.

[0010] In one embodiment, the gas guiding mechanism further has a stud mounting hole for mounting the gas generator.

[0011] In one embodiment, the air guiding mechanism is an air guiding piece, which is laid flat and sewn onto the two sides of the bladder fabric located in the root region inside the airbag, and the unsewn area forms a wire harness connector for exposing the wire harness connector terminals of the gas generator.

[0012] In one embodiment, the flexible fabric is a high-strength fabric with a coating.

[0013] The present invention also provides an airbag device, comprising: an airbag; a housing for accommodating the airbag in a folded state; a gas generator for generating gas to fill the airbag; and a gas guiding mechanism for supplying the gas generated by the gas generator to the airbag, wherein the gas guiding mechanism is the airbag gas guiding mechanism described above.

[0014] Compared with existing technologies, the advantages of this invention are as follows: the airbag gas guiding mechanism is sewn from flexible fabric, and its size matches the length and diameter of the gas generator used. When the airbag deploys, the gas generated by the generator first enters the airbag gas guiding mechanism and then flows out through the preset gas outlet. This solves the problem of airbag deflection during deployment caused by the gas generator outlet being positioned to one side in conventional knee airbag devices. Furthermore, since the high-temperature gas generated by the generator first contacts the airbag gas guiding mechanism, the temperature of the gas contacting the airbag body is significantly reduced after being conducted through the airbag gas guiding mechanism. It also effectively blocks residue ejected from the generator, preventing high-temperature, high-speed gas from directly impacting the airbag. Therefore, this airbag gas guiding mechanism can replace the original heat insulation layer design in the airbag, greatly simplifying the airbag structure of the knee safety device and improving sewing and manufacturing efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating how the knee airbag protects the occupant after deployment.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the inflation of an existing knee airbag;

[0017] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the airbag device in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 4This is an unfolded view of the air guide plate of the first embodiment of the airbag air guide mechanism in the present invention;

[0019] Figure 5 This is a sewing finished product diagram of the first embodiment of the airbag air delivery mechanism in the present invention;

[0020] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of section AB of the first embodiment of the airbag ventilation mechanism in the present invention;

[0021] Figure 7 This is a sectional view of section BC of the first embodiment of the airbag ventilation mechanism in the present invention;

[0022] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the knee airbag inflation in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 9 This is an unfolded view of the air guide plate of the second embodiment of the airbag air guide mechanism in the present invention;

[0024] Figure 10 This is a sewn product diagram of the second embodiment of the airbag air delivery mechanism in the present invention;

[0025] Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the airbag ventilation mechanism in the present invention;

[0026] Figure 12 This is an unfolded view of the air guide plate of the third embodiment of the airbag air guide mechanism in the present invention;

[0027] Figure 13 This is a sewn product drawing of the third embodiment of the airbag air delivery mechanism in the present invention;

[0028] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly of the third embodiment of the airbag air delivery mechanism in the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0029] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings.

[0030] In one embodiment, such as Figure 3As shown, the airbag device provided by this invention is used for knee safety protection. The airbag device consists of an airbag 2, an airbag gas delivery mechanism 8, a gas generator 6, a housing 13, and a cover 14. The housing 13 houses the folded airbag 2 and the gas generator 6. A mounting bracket 15 is provided at the bottom of the housing 13, which can be used to fix the knee airbag device to the corresponding design position on the vehicle body. The gas generator 6 is used to generate gas to fill the airbag. The airbag gas delivery mechanism 8 is used to supply the gas generated by the gas generator 6 to the folded airbag 2.

[0031] The airbag inflator 8 is made of flexible fabric, which can be a coated high-strength fabric. The high-strength fabric can be polyester fiber fabric. The coating makes the fabric airtight. The coating can be a common polymer coating, such as an AC adhesive coating (acrylic coating). The airbag inflator 8 has an air inlet 9 connecting the gas generator and the airbag. The air inlet 9 is located near the middle of the airbag 2 and is offset from the exhaust port of the gas generator 6.

[0032] like Figure 4 As shown, the airbag air guiding mechanism 8 includes an air guiding piece 10, which has an air guiding port 9 and a central marking 19. The position of the air guiding port 9 is adjusted according to the arrangement of the knee airbag device to ensure that the airflow position is balanced from left to right.

[0033] In one embodiment, the air guiding mechanism is formed by folding an air guiding piece along the central mark and then sewing it to the surrounding area. For example... Figure 5 As shown, Figure 4 The air guide piece 10 is folded along the central mark 19 and then circumferentially sewn. The air guide port 9 is located on one side of the two layers of fabric after folding, facing the airbag direction. The air guide piece 10 also has a wire harness connector 11, which is formed by the non-sewn area. The wire harness connector 11 is used to expose the wire harness connector terminal of the gas generator, so as to facilitate the connection of the wire harness during the final assembly of the vehicle. The opening radius R of the wire harness connector 11 is 3 to 5 mm smaller than the diameter of the wire harness connector terminal, which can prevent a large amount of gas from not flowing out from the air guide port during ignition, so as to prevent the airbag air guide mechanism from losing its original function. Among them, the AB sewing edge is close to the wire harness connector opening 11. When sewing, it is necessary to consider that the sewing thread 17 and the sewing edge will not affect the wire harness connection and installation. The sewing edge needs to be turned inward. The sewing thread 17 is located inside the airbag air guide mechanism 8. The sewing cross section is as follows. Figure 6 As shown. Edge BC is the outer edge seam of the airbag inflator mechanism, which will bear enormous internal pressure when the airbag is inflated.

[0034] In one embodiment, the airbag deflector mechanism further includes a heat insulation sheet 16 that protects the seams of the deflector panel. The heat insulation sheet 16 is sewn between two layers of fabric, protecting the integrity of the seams 17 and ensuring the internal integrity of the airbag deflector mechanism. Figure 7 As shown. In this embodiment, the final sewn shape of the airbag inflator 8 resembles a machete.

[0035] Gas generator 6 is housed within airbag inflator 8. In one embodiment, generator 6 must be inserted into airbag inflator 8 via inflator 9, therefore the size of inflator 9 needs to match the external dimensions of the generator. Figure 3 and Figure 8 As shown, the generator 6 is first inserted into the airbag ventilation mechanism 8 through the air inlet 9 on the airbag ventilation mechanism 8. Then, the generator 6, together with the airbag ventilation mechanism 8, is inserted into the airbag through the preset opening at the bottom of the airbag. The generator 6 also includes mounting bolts. At this time, the airbag ventilation mechanism 8 can be provided with bolt mounting holes 12. The airbag 2, the airbag ventilation mechanism 8 and the generator 6 can be fixed together on the housing 13 by the bolts, and the airbag 2 is folded into the housing 13.

[0036] The cover 14 is used to close the opening of the housing 13, and the edge of the cover 14 matches the corresponding opening at the bottom of the vehicle's dashboard.

[0037] When the gas generator 6 is working, the gas flows out through the exhaust port 7 and first fills the entire airbag gas guiding mechanism 8, and then flows out through the preset air guide port 9 into the airbag 2. In this way, the airflow that was originally biased to one side will flow evenly from the center of the airbag to both sides, so that the airbag deployment posture is balanced and stable.

[0038] The aforementioned airbag gas guiding mechanism and airbag device are described above. The airbag gas guiding mechanism is sewn from flexible fabric, and its size matches the length and diameter of the gas generator used. When the airbag deploys, the gas generated by the generator first enters the airbag gas guiding mechanism and then flows out through the preset gas outlet. This solves the problem of airbag deflection during deployment caused by the gas generator outlet being positioned to one side in conventional knee airbag devices. Furthermore, because the high-temperature gas generated by the generator first contacts the airbag gas guiding mechanism, the temperature of the gas contacting the airbag body is significantly reduced after being conducted through the airbag gas guiding mechanism. It also effectively blocks residue ejected from the generator, preventing high-temperature, high-speed gas from directly impacting the airbag. Therefore, this airbag gas guiding mechanism can replace the original heat insulation layer design in the airbag, greatly simplifying the airbag structure of the knee safety device and improving sewing and manufacturing efficiency.

[0039] In another embodiment, the gas generator 6 is disposed within the airbag gas guiding mechanism 8, which includes a gas guiding piece 10. The gas guiding piece 10 is sewn flat onto the two sides of the airbag fabric located in the root region inside the airbag, and the unsewn area forms a wire harness connector 11 for exposing the wire harness connector terminals of the gas generator 6. Figure 9 As shown, the gas guide piece 10 has a wire harness connector 11 and a gas guide port 9 located in the middle of the gas guide piece. The gas guide piece is sewn around the perimeter, and the piece is in a closed state to match the diameter of the generator, preventing a large amount of gas from flowing out of the wire harness connector 11 during detonation, which would render the airbag gas guide mechanism ineffective. The wire harness connector 11 is used to expose the wire harness connector terminal of the gas generator, and the opening radius of the wire harness connector 11 is consistent with the diameter of the wire harness connector terminal. In this embodiment, the airbag gas guide mechanism 8 is pre-sewn inside the airbag 2, and the generator 6 does not need to be inserted into the airbag gas guide mechanism 8 through the gas guide port 9. The size of the gas guide port 9 is set according to the gas output of the gas generator. The gas guide port 9 is located in the middle of the gas guide piece 10.

[0040] like Figure 10 , Figure 11 As shown, the airbag inflator mechanism 8 is sewn to the root of the airbag 2 by the perimeter stitch 17. The generator 6 is inserted through a pre-set opening at the bottom of the airbag, and the generator wiring harness terminal 18 is exposed through the wiring harness connector 11 for wiring harness connection.

[0041] In one embodiment, such as Figure 12 , Figure 13 , Figure 14 As shown, the airbag gas guiding mechanism includes a gas guiding piece 10 with folding marks 19. The gas guiding piece is bent according to the folding marks 19 and sewn along its outer edge, partially enclosing the gas generator. The unsewn portion of the gas guiding piece forms a gas guide opening. In this embodiment, both the connector and the gas guide opening are formed by unsewn areas. The gas guiding piece 10 is provided with stud mounting holes 12 for mounting the gas generator.

[0042] In this embodiment, the deployment posture of the airbag does not strictly require the air outlet position of the generator; only the airflow direction needs to be controlled, not the starting position of the airflow. Therefore, the airbag gas guiding mechanism is semi-open, thereby reducing cost and manufacturing difficulty. The gas guiding piece has a gas channel, and the gas channel has a guiding tilt angle θ that is adjustable according to the airbag deployment posture. Figure 12 As shown, after the cut piece 10 is unfolded, it is only provided with stud mounting holes 12 and folding marks 19.

[0043] like Figure 13 As shown, after folding the cut piece 10 along the fold line 19, sew along the outer edge. The air guide tilt angle θ can be adjusted according to the air bag's unfolded posture. Figure 14As shown, generator 6 is installed inside airbag inflator 8, and then generator 6 together with airbag inflator 8 is placed at the base of the airbag. When the airbag inflates, the airflow direction is consistent with the inflator tilt angle θ.

[0044] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention. The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the technical principles of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An airbag device for knee safety protection, characterized in that, The application relates to a safety airbag guide mechanism. The safety airbag guide mechanism comprises: an airbag; a shell for containing the airbag in a folded state; a gas generator for generating gas to fill the airbag; and a gas guide mechanism for providing the gas generated by the gas generator to the airbag; the gas generator and the airbag in the folded state are contained in the shell, the opening of the shell is closed by a cover, the edge of the cover matches the corresponding opening of the lower part of the automobile instrument panel, the safety airbag guide mechanism is sewn from flexible fabric, the safety airbag guide mechanism has a gas guide port communicating with the gas generator and the airbag, the gas guide port is arranged close to one side of the middle part of the airbag and is arranged in a staggered mode with the exhaust hole of the gas generator, the safety airbag guide mechanism is formed by folding the gas guide panel along the central mark line and sewing the partial area around the periphery, the gas guide port is located on one side of the two layers of fabric after folding and is arranged in the direction of the airbag, the safety airbag guide mechanism also has a wire harness connector port for exposing the wire harness connector terminal of the gas generator, the wire harness connector port is formed by a non-sewing area, the wire harness connector port is used for exposing the wire harness connector terminal of the gas generator, so that the wire harness connector terminal is exposed, thereby facilitating the wire harness connector during the whole vehicle assembly; the opening radius R of the wire harness connector port is smaller than the diameter of the wire harness connector terminal by 3-5 mm; the AB sewing edge is close to the wire harness connector port, the AB sewing edge is turned inwards during sewing, and the sewing position is inside the safety airbag guide mechanism; the BC edge is the outer edge of the safety airbag guide mechanism, and the BC edge will bear huge internal pressure when the airbag is inflated, the safety airbag guide mechanism also comprises a heat insulation sheet for protecting the sewing line of the gas guide panel, the heat insulation sheet is folded, the opening is arranged towards the BC edge sewing line which is sewn between the two layers of fabric and is located on the inner side of the corresponding sewing line of the BC edge; the safety airbag guide mechanism also has a bolt mounting hole for mounting the gas generator, the bolt mounting hole is located on the other side of the two layers of fabric after folding, and the airbag, the safety airbag guide mechanism and the gas generator are fixed on the shell through bolts; 2. The airbag device according to claim 1, characterized by when the gas generator works, the gas fills the whole safety airbag guide mechanism, and then flows out into the inside of the airbag through the gas guide port, and the airflow flows uniformly from the central position of the airbag to both sides. The flexible fabric is a high-strength fabric with a coating.

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