Seat airbag device for vehicle

Abstract

A seat airbag device for a vehicle is disclosed. A side pad is deployed so as to protrude forward from a seat back to protect the lateral sides of an occupant, and a front pad is deployed so as to protrude from the side pad to the front of the occupant to protect the front side of the occupant. The deployment of the side pad and the front pad is restricted by an upper double surface tether structure formed by an upper side surface tether and an upper front surface tether, and a lower double surface tether structure formed by a lower side surface tether and a lower front surface tether, whereby the force restricting the movement of the occupant is increased, thereby further enhancing the occupant protection effect.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The disclosure relates to a seat airbag device for a vehicle, and more particularly, to a seat airbag device for a vehicle. BACKGROUND

[0002] The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present invention and can not constitute prior art.

[0003] An autonomous vehicle is an intelligent vehicle that adopts an autonomous driving technology by which the vehicle itself can automatically travel to a set destination without a driver manipulating a steering wheel, an accelerator, a brake, etc. At present, such autonomous vehicles are rapidly developing.

[0004] When the autonomous driving technology is commercialized, a driver will be able to select a relaxation mode to rest in the vehicle while traveling instead of directly driving the vehicle, and in the relaxation mode, a passenger will be able to freely move or rotate a seat, or change a posture of the seat in various ways as needed.

[0005] However, it has been found that a conventional seat airbag device for a vehicle cannot effectively limit the movement of a passenger in different seating postures in the autonomous driving case in the event of an accident.

[0006] The information disclosed in this BACKGROUND section is only for the purpose of enhancing the understanding of the background of the present disclosure and should not be regarded as acknowledging that it forms the related art known to those skilled in the art or any form of suggestion. SUMMARY

[0007] The disclosure provides a seat airbag device for an autonomous vehicle, which can effectively limit the movement of a passenger in a lateral direction, a forward direction, and a tilting direction using a side pad and a front pad, thereby effectively protecting the passenger, wherein the side pad is configured to be deployed forward from a seat back, and the front pad is configured to be deployed from the side pad to a front of the passenger.

[0008] In addition, the disclosure limits the deployment of the side pad and the front pad using an upper double-surface tether structure and a lower double-surface tether structure, thereby further increasing the force of limiting the movement of the passenger, and thus reducing the risk of injury to the passenger.

[0009] According to the present disclosure, the above and other objects can be achieved by providing a seat airbag apparatus for a vehicle, including a side cushion configured to deploy so as to protrude forward from a seat back, and a front cushion configured to deploy so as to protrude forward of a passenger from the side cushion, the seat airbag apparatus further including an upper side surface tether connecting the side cushion to an upper end of the seat back, the upper side surface tether configured to deploy in a planar shape when the side cushion deploys so as to limit deployment of the side cushion, and an upper front surface tether connecting the front cushion to the upper end of the seat back, the upper front surface tether configured to deploy in a planar shape when the front cushion deploys so as to limit deployment of the front cushion.

[0010] The seat airbag apparatus can further include a lower side surface tether connecting the side cushion to a lower end of the seat back, the lower side surface tether configured to deploy in a planar shape when the side cushion deploys so as to limit deployment of the side cushion and prevent the side cushion from lifting, and a lower front surface tether connecting the front cushion to the lower end of the seat back, the lower front surface tether configured to deploy in a planar shape when the front cushion deploys so as to limit deployment of the front cushion and prevent the front cushion from lifting.

[0011] Each of the side cushion, the front cushion, the upper side surface tether, the upper front surface tether, the lower side surface tether, and the lower front surface tether can be formed to be left-right symmetrical.

[0012] The upper side surface tether and the upper front surface tether can be configured to deploy above the passenger's shoulders to avoid injuring the passenger's neck.

[0013] The upper side surface tether can be formed to deploy in a triangular shape. Any vertex of the upper side surface tether can be fixedly engaged with the upper end of the seat back, and one edge of the upper side surface tether can be sewn to an upper end of an inner surface of the side cushion.

[0014] The upper side surface tether can include two upper side surface tethers disposed left-right symmetrically, and the vertices of the two upper side surface tethers can be fixedly engaged with the upper end of the seat back at the same engagement point within an engagement area of a headrest.

[0015] The upper side surface tether can include two upper side surface tethers disposed left-right symmetrically, and the vertices of the two upper side surface tethers can be fixedly engaged with the upper end of the seat back at different engagement points within an engagement area of a headrest, such that the two upper side surface tethers cross in an X shape.

[0016] The upper side surface tethers can include two upper side surface tethers disposed symmetrically left and right, and apices of the two upper side surface tethers can be fixedly joined to the upper end of the seat back at joint points laterally spaced apart from each other within the joint area of the headrest, such that the two upper side surface tethers are arranged in a V-shape.

[0017] The upper front surface tether can be formed to be developed in the shape of a triangle. Any one of the apices of the upper front surface tether can be fixedly joined to the upper end of the seat back, and one edge of the upper front surface tether can be stitched to the upper surface of the front pad.

[0018] The upper front surface tether can include two upper front surface tethers disposed symmetrically left and right, and apices of the two upper front surface tethers can be fixedly joined to the upper end of the seat back at different joint points outside the joint area of the headrest.

[0019] The lower side surface tether can be formed to be developed in the shape of a triangle. Any one of the apices of the lower side surface tether can be fixedly joined to a central portion of the lower end portion of the seat back, and one edge of the lower side surface tether can be stitched to the lower end portion of the inner surface of the side pad.

[0020] The lower front surface tether can be formed to be developed in the shape of a triangle. Any one of the apices of the lower front surface tether can be fixedly joined to a side portion of the lower end portion of the seat back, and one edge of the lower front surface tether can be stitched to the bottom surface of the front pad.

[0021] The lower side surface tether can be deformed so as to bend toward the passenger upon development due to interference with the passenger, and the side pad and the front pad can be drawn toward the laterally both sides and the front of the passenger, respectively, by the deformation of the lower side surface tether, thereby increasing a force that restricts movement of the passenger.

[0022] An upper partition and a lower partition, in which air holes are formed, can be installed so as to be vertically spaced apart from each other in the side pad. The upper partition, the upper side surface tether, and the stitching line of the upper side surface tether are aligned with each other in a lateral direction, and the lower partition, the lower side surface tether, and the stitching line of the lower side surface tether are aligned with each other in the lateral direction.

[0023] The upper side surface tether can include two upper side surface tethers disposed symmetrically left and right, and the two upper side surface tethers can be connected to each other by a first connection tether so as to restrict outward expansion thereof upon development of the two upper side surface tethers.

[0024] The upper front surface tether can include two upper front surface tethers disposed symmetrically left and right, and the two upper front surface tethers can be connected to each other by a second connection tether so as to restrict outward expansion thereof upon development of the two upper front surface tethers.

[0025] The second connection tether can be positioned more forward than the first connection tether so as to be adjacent to a rear portion of the passenger's neck.

[0026] The upper side surface tethers can include two upper side surface tethers disposed left and right symmetrically, and the two upper side surface tethers can be directly connected to each other in a stitched joint manner such that a stitched joint point therebetween is located rearward of the passenger's head when deployed so as to limit outward stretching of the two upper side surface tethers when deployed.

[0027] The upper front surface tethers can include two upper front surface tethers disposed left and right symmetrically, and the two upper front surface tethers can be directly connected to each other in a stitched joint manner such that a stitched joint point therebetween is located rearward of the passenger's head when deployed so as to limit outward stretching of the two upper front surface tethers when deployed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0028] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a deployed state of a seat airbag device for a vehicle according to one form of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 2 is Figure 1 is a plan view of FIG. 1 showing an upper dual surface tether structure formed by upper side surface tethers and upper front surface tethers according to one form of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 3 is Figure 1 is a bottom view of FIG. 1 showing a lower dual surface tether structure formed by lower side surface tethers and lower front surface tethers according to one form of the present disclosure;

[0032] Figure 4 and Figure 5 is a view showing another form of a coupling structure of an upper side surface tether according to certain forms of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 6 is a view showing a deployed state of a lower side surface tether when a side pad is deployed according to one form of the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 7 is a view showing a structure in which upper side surface tethers and lower side surface tethers are connected to an outer surface of a side pad through upper and lower partitions according to one form of the present disclosure;

[0035] Figure 8is a view showing a structure in which two upper side surface tethers are connected to each other by a first connecting tether and a structure in which two upper front surface tethers are connected to each other by a second connecting tether, according to one form of the present disclosure; and

[0036] Figure 9 is a view showing a structure in which two upper side surface tethers are directly connected to each other in a stitched engagement and a structure in which two upper front surface tethers are directly connected to each other in a stitched engagement, according to another form of the present disclosure.

[0037] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Various example forms will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings in which some example forms are simply illustrated. The specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are representative for purposes of describing example forms only. The present disclosure, however, can be embodied in many alternative forms and should not be construed as limited to the example forms set forth herein.

[0039] Thus, although the example forms of the present disclosure are capable of various modifications and alternative forms, the forms are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the present disclosure to the particular example forms disclosed. On the contrary, example forms are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0040] It will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. can be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example forms of the present disclosure.

[0041] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements can be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in the same way (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.).

[0042] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular forms only and is not intended to limit exemplary forms of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," and / or "including," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

[0043] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. Terms such as those defined in generally used dictionaries are to be interpreted as having a meaning that is the same as in the context of the relevant art, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined in this application.

[0044] The control unit (controller) according to exemplary forms of the present disclosure can be implemented by a processor (not shown) configured to perform the operations to be described below using a non-volatile memory (not shown) configured to store an algorithm for controlling the operation of various components of the vehicle or data related to software commands for executing the algorithm, and data stored in the corresponding memory. Here, the memory and the processor can be implemented as separate chips. Alternatively, the memory and the processor can be implemented as a single integrated chip. The processor can alternatively take the form of one or more processors.

[0045] Hereinafter, a seat airbag device for a vehicle according to exemplary forms of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0046] As Figures 1 to 7 shown, a seat airbag device for a vehicle according to some forms of the present disclosure includes a side cushion 100 configured to deploy to protrude forward from a seat back 10 constituting a seat of a vehicle so as to cover and protect lateral sides of an occupant 20, and a front cushion 200 configured to deploy to protrude from the side cushion 100 to a front of the occupant 20 so as to cover and protect a front side of the occupant 20.

[0047] Each of the side cushion 100 and the front cushion 200 is formed to be left-right symmetrical with respect to the seat back 10. In other words, the side cushion 100 is composed of a right side cushion 110 and a left side cushion 120, and the front cushion 200 is composed of a right front cushion 210 and a left front cushion 220.

[0048] Further, the seat airbag device further includes: an upper side surface tether 300 connecting the side cushion 100 to an upper end of the seat back 10 and configured to deploy in a planar shape having a predetermined size when the side cushion 100 deploys so as to limit deployment of the side cushion 100; an upper front surface tether 400 connecting the front cushion 200 to the upper end of the seat back 10 and configured to deploy in a planar shape having a predetermined size when the front cushion 200 deploys so as to limit deployment of the front cushion 200; a lower side surface tether 500 connecting the side cushion 100 to a lower end of the seat back 10 and configured to deploy in a planar shape having a predetermined size when the side cushion 100 deploys so as to limit deployment of the side cushion 100 and suppress lifting of the side cushion 100; and a lower front surface tether 600 connecting the front cushion 200 to the lower end of the seat back 10 and configured to deploy in a planar shape having a predetermined size when the front cushion 200 deploys so as to limit deployment of the front cushion 200 and suppress lifting of the front cushion 200.

[0049] Each of the upper side surface tether 300, the upper front surface tether 400, the lower side surface tether 500, and the lower front surface tether 600 is formed to be left-right symmetrical with respect to the seat back 10.

[0050] In one form, the upper side surface tether 300 is composed of a right upper side surface tether 310 and a left upper side surface tether 320. The upper front surface tether 400 is composed of a right upper front surface tether 410 and a left upper front surface tether 420. The lower side surface tether 500 is composed of a right lower side surface tether 510 and a left lower side surface tether 520. The lower front surface tether 600 is composed of a right lower front surface tether 610 and a left lower front surface tether 620.

[0051] The airbag device according to the present disclosure is configured to deploy the side cushion 100 first so as to protrude from the seat back 10, and then deploy the front cushion 200 so as to extend from the side cushion 100. With this configuration, the airbag device allows movement or rotation of the seat, and is thus advantageously applicable to an autonomous vehicle in which passengers take various seating postures.

[0052] Further, according to a form of the present disclosure, the tether for limiting the deployment of the side cushion 100 and the front cushion 200 is a surface tether having a predetermined area, rather than a general linear tether. In particular, by the upper double surface tether structure formed by the upper side surface tether 300 and the upper front surface tether 400 and the lower double surface tether structure formed by the lower side surface tether 500 and the lower front surface tether 600, sufficient force for limiting the deployment of the side cushion 100 and the front cushion 200 is secured, thereby effectively limiting the movement of the passenger in the lateral, forward, and inclined directions and further enhancing the passenger protection effect, thereby reducing the risk of injury to the passenger in the event of an accident.

[0053] The side cushion 100 according to the present disclosure covers and protects the head 21, the shoulder, the chest, the abdomen, and the pelvis of the passenger 20 from the lateral direction of the passenger 20 upon deployment. In addition, the front cushion 200 covers and protects the body part from the shoulder to the abdomen of the passenger 20 from the forward direction of the passenger 20 upon deployment.

[0054] Since the side cushion 100 and the front cushion 200 cover and protect the shoulder, which has relatively high rigidity among the body parts of the passenger 20, injury to the passenger can be mitigated in the event of an accident.

[0055] In particular, since the side cushion 100 and the front cushion 200 strongly limit the movement of the passenger 20 using the upper double surface tether structure formed by the upper side surface tether 300 and the upper front surface tether 400 and the lower double surface tether structure formed by the lower side surface tether 500 and the lower front surface tether 600, the passenger 20 can be better protected.

[0056] An inflator configured to inject a safety airbag gas is fixedly coupled to a seat back frame constituting the seat back 10. The safety airbag gas generated when the inflator is inflated is sequentially supplied to the side cushion 100 and the front cushion 200. Accordingly, the side cushion 100 is first deployed by the pressure of the safety airbag gas, and then the front cushion 200 is deployed.

[0057] A plurality of partitions are installed in the side cushion 100 so as to set the deployment thickness of the side cushion 100 and partition the internal space in the side cushion 100. As shown in Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 7, an upper partition 710 and a lower partition 720 can be installed in the side cushion 100 so as to be spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction. A plurality of ventilation holes 711 and 721 are formed in the upper partition 710 and the lower partition 720, respectively, so as to control the flow of the safety airbag gas.

[0058] A partition having ventilation holes formed therein can also be installed in a portion where the side cushion 100 and the front cushion 200 are connected to each other.

[0059] As described above, the side cushion 100 is first deployed and the front cushion 200 is subsequently deployed as the inflator inflates. To this end, it is necessary to supply a large amount of airbag gas to the side cushion 100 in a concentrated manner.

[0060] If the front cushion 200 inflates and deploys before the side cushion 100 deploys, the front cushion 200 can get caught between the passenger 20 and the door or between the passenger 20 and the center console, and thus can not deploy properly due to interference. In one form, the side cushion 100 can be deployed first and the front cushion 200 deployed subsequently.

[0061] The upper side surface tethers 300 and the upper front surface tethers 400 are configured to deploy above the shoulders of the passenger 20 to an area that prevents injury to the neck of the passenger 20, thereby avoiding an area where the tethers can injure the neck of the passenger 20.

[0062] The upper side surface tethers 300 according to the present disclosure are formed to deploy in a triangular shape with either vertex of the upper side surface tethers 300 fixedly engaged with the upper end of the seat back 10 and one edge of the upper side surface tethers 300 stitched to the upper end of the inner surface of the side cushion 100. Reference numeral 330 denotes a stitching line formed by stitching one edge of the upper side surface tethers 300 to the inner surface of the side cushion 100.

[0063] The upper front surface tethers 400 are formed to deploy in a triangular shape with either vertex of the upper front surface tethers 400 fixedly engaged with the upper end of the seat back 10 and one edge of the upper front surface tethers 400 stitched to the top surface of the front cushion 200. Reference numeral 430 denotes a stitching line formed by stitching one edge of the upper front surface tethers 400 to the top surface of the front cushion 200.

[0064] To protect the passenger 20, it is advantageous for the right side cushion 110 and the left side cushion 120 to be pulled tightly toward the passenger 20 as they deploy. In one form, the engagement point at which the vertex of the upper side surface tethers 300 engages with the upper end of the seat back 10 is closer to the center of the passenger 20 than the engagement point at which the vertex of the upper front surface tethers 400 engages with the upper end of the seat back 10.

[0065] In Figure 2 , reference numeral P1 denotes the engagement point at which both the vertex of the right upper side surface tether 310 and the vertex of the left upper side surface tether 320 are fixedly engaged with the upper end of the seat back 10 within the engagement area M1 of the headrest 30, reference numeral P2 denotes the engagement point at which the vertex of the right upper front surface tether 410 is fixedly engaged with the upper end of the seat back 10, and reference numeral P3 denotes the engagement point at which the vertex of the left upper front surface tether 420 is fixedly engaged with the upper end of the seat back 10. The engagement points P2 and P3 are located outside the engagement area M1 of the headrest 30.

[0066] In other words, the upper side surface tether 300 and the upper front surface tether 400 engage with the upper end of the seat back 10 at a total of three engagement points P1, P2, and P3. In this case, since engagement point P1 is closer to the center of the passenger 20 than engagement points P2 and P3, the side pad 100 is pulled tightly toward the passenger 20 when deployed, thereby increasing the force restricting the movement of the passenger 20 and thus further enhancing the passenger protection effect.

[0067] In another form, such as Figure 4 As shown, the apex of the upper right side surface tie 310 and the apex of the upper left side surface tie 320 are fixedly engaged with the upper end of the seat back 10 at different points within the engagement area M1 of the headrest 30, such that the upper right side surface tie 310 and the upper left side surface tie 320 intersect in an X-shape. Here, reference numeral P11 indicates the engagement point where the apex of the upper right side surface tie 310 engages with the upper end of the seat back 10, reference numeral P12 indicates the engagement point where the apex of the upper left side surface tie 320 engages with the upper end of the seat back 10, reference numeral P13 indicates the engagement point where the apex of the upper right front surface tie 410 engages with the upper end of the seat back 10, and reference numeral P14 indicates the engagement point where the apex of the upper left front surface tie 420 engages with the upper end of the seat back 10. In other words, the upper side surface tether 300 and the upper front surface tether 400 engage with the upper end of the seat back 10 at a total of four engagement points P11, P12, P13 and P14.

[0068] Furthermore, in this case, since the positions of the joint points P11 and P12 are closer to the center of the passenger 20 than the joint points P13 and P14, the side pad 100 is pulled tightly toward the passenger 20 when it is deployed, thereby increasing the force that restricts the movement of the passenger 20 and thus further enhancing the passenger protection effect.

[0069] In another form, such as Figure 5As shown, the apex of the upper right side surface tether 310 and the apex of the upper left side surface tether 320 are fixedly engaged with the upper end of the seat back 10 at positions laterally spaced apart from each other within the joint region Ml of the headrest 30, so that the upper right side surface tether 310 and the upper left side surface tether 320 are arranged in a V-shape. Here, reference sign P21 denotes a joint point at which the apex of the upper right side surface tether 310 is engaged with the upper end of the seat back 10, reference sign P22 denotes a joint point at which the apex of the upper left side surface tether 320 is engaged with the upper end of the seat back 10, reference sign P23 denotes a joint point at which the apex of the upper right front surface tether 410 is engaged with the upper end of the seat back 10, and reference sign P24 denotes a joint point at which the apex of the upper left front surface tether 420 is engaged with the upper end of the seat back 10. In other words, the upper side surface tethers 300 and the upper front surface tethers 400 are engaged with the upper end of the seat back 10 at a total of four joint points P21, P22, P23, and P24.

[0070] Further, in this case, since the positions of the joint points P21 and P22 are more proximate to the center of the passenger 20 than the joint points P23 and P24, the side pad 100 is pulled tightly toward the passenger 20 when deployed, thereby increasing the force that restricts the movement of the passenger 20, and thus further enhancing the passenger protection effect.

[0071] The lower side surface tethers 500 according to the present disclosure are formed to deploy in a triangular shape, any apex of the lower side surface tethers 500 is fixedly engaged with a central portion of the lower end portion of the seat back 10, and one edge of the lower side surface tethers 500 is sewn to the lower end portion of the inner surface of the side pad 100. Reference sign 530 denotes a sewing line formed by sewing one edge of the lower side surface tethers 500 to the inner surface of the side pad 100.

[0072] The lower front surface tethers 600 are formed to deploy in a triangular shape, any apex of the lower front surface tethers 600 is fixedly engaged with a side portion of the lower end portion of the seat back 10, and one edge of the lower front surface tethers 600 is sewn to the bottom surface of the front pad 200. Reference sign 630 denotes a sewing line formed by sewing one edge of the lower front surface tethers 600 to the bottom surface of the front pad 200.

[0073] The lower side surface tethers 500 and the lower front surface tethers 600 can prevent the side pad 100 and the front pad 200 from being lifted upward when deployed, thereby further increasing the force that restricts the movement of the passenger 20.

[0074] The lower side surface tether 500 and the lower front surface tether 600 are surface tethers having predetermined areas, rather than general linear tethers. In particular, by the double surface tether structure formed by the lower side surface tether 500 and the lower front surface tether 600, sufficient force for restricting the deployment of the side pad 100 and the front pad 200 is secured, thereby increasing the force for restricting the movement of the passenger 20, and thus further enhancing the passenger protection effect.

[0075] Referring to Figure 3 , the apex of the right lower side surface tether 510 and the apex of the left lower side surface tether 520 are fixedly engaged with a central portion of the lower end portion of the seat back 10 at positions laterally spaced apart from each other. Here, reference numeral P31 denotes an engagement point at which the apex of the right lower side surface tether 510 is engaged with the central portion of the lower end portion of the seat back 10, reference numeral P32 denotes an engagement point at which the apex of the left lower side surface tether 520 is engaged with the central portion of the lower end portion of the seat back 10, reference numeral P33 denotes an engagement point at which the apex of the right lower front surface tether 610 is engaged with a side portion of the lower end portion of the seat back 10, and reference numeral P34 denotes an engagement point at which the apex of the left lower front surface tether 620 is engaged with an opposite side portion of the lower end portion of the seat back 10. In other words, the lower side surface tether 500 and the lower front surface tether 600 are engaged with the lower end portion of the seat back 20 at a total of four engagement points P31, P32, P33, and P34.

[0076] Further, in this case, since the positions of the engagement points P31 and P32 are more proximate to the center of the passenger 20 than the positions of the engagement points P33 and P34, the side pad 100 is tightly pulled toward the passenger 20 upon deployment, thereby increasing the force for restricting the movement of the passenger 20, and thus the passenger protection effect can be further enhanced.

[0077] Further, as shown in Figure 6 , the lower side surface tether 500 is deformed upon deployment due to interference with the passenger 20, thereby bending toward the passenger 20, and a tension is generated as the lower side surface tether 500 is deformed, whereby the side pad 100 and the front pad 200 are pulled toward the lateral sides and the front of the passenger 20, respectively, thereby further increasing the force for restricting the movement of the passenger 20.

[0078] Further, as shown in Figure 7 , the present disclosure is configured such that the upper partition 710 installed in the side pad 100, the upper side surface tether 300, and the stitching line 330 of the upper side surface tether 300 are aligned with each other in the lateral direction, and the lower partition 720 installed in the side pad 100, the lower side surface tether 500, and the stitching line 530 of the lower side surface tether 500 are aligned with each other in the lateral direction.

[0079] Accordingly, when the side pad 100 is deployed, the tension of the upper side surface tethers 300 and the lower side surface tethers 500 is transmitted to the outer surface 101 of the side pad 100 through the upper partition 710 and the lower partition 720. Accordingly, the outer surface 101 of the side pad 100 is pulled in the inward direction toward the passenger 20 (indicated by the arrow M3), whereby the entire side pad 100 is pulled tightly toward the passenger 20 upon deployment, thereby further increasing the force to restrict the movement of the passenger 20.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 1, the upper side surface tethers 300 are configured to be disposed left and right symmetrically about the seat back 10, and are connected to each other by a first connecting tether 810. Figure 8

[0081] Both ends of the first connecting tether 810 are stitched to the right upper side surface tether 310 and the left upper side surface tether 320.

[0082] When the upper side surface tethers 300 are deployed, the first connecting tether 810 generates tension so as to restrict the right upper side surface tether 310 and the left upper side surface tether 320 from spreading outward. Accordingly, the right upper side surface tether 310 and the left upper side surface tether 320 can more effectively protect the passenger with a greater restriction force.

[0083] In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the upper front surface tethers 400 are configured to be disposed left and right symmetrically about the seat back 10, and are connected to each other by a second connecting tether 820. Figure 8

[0084] Both ends of the second connecting tether 820 are stitched to the right upper front surface tether 410 and the left upper front surface tether 420.

[0085] When the upper front surface tethers 400 are deployed, the second connecting tether 820 generates tension so as to restrict the right upper front surface tether 410 and the left upper front surface tether 420 from spreading outward. Accordingly, the right upper front surface tether 410 and the left upper front surface tether 420 can more effectively protect the passenger with a greater restriction force.

[0086] In one form, the second connecting tether 820 is positioned more forward than the first connecting tether 810 so as to be adjacent to the rear of the neck of the passenger 20. Thereby, since the second connecting tether 820 is positioned as far forward as possible while avoiding interference with the passenger 20, the second connecting tether 820 can most restrict the upper front surface tethers 400 from spreading outward.

[0087] In another form, as shown in FIG. 2, the second connecting tether 820 is positioned more rearward than the first connecting tether 810 so as to be adjacent to the front of the chest of the passenger 20. Figure 9 ​​As shown, the right upper side surface tether 310 and the left upper side surface tether 320 constituting the upper side surface tethers 300 are disposed left and right symmetrically and are directly connected to each other in a stitched joint manner, such that the stitched joint point S1 therebetween is located behind the head of the passenger 20 at the time of deployment thereof, thereby limiting the right and left upper side surface tethers 310 and 320 from stretching outward at the time of deployment.

[0088] Further, the right upper front surface tether 410 and the left upper front surface tether 420 constituting the upper front surface tethers 400 are disposed left and right symmetrically and are directly connected to each other in a stitched joint manner, such that the stitched joint point S2 therebetween is located behind the head of the passenger 20 at the time of deployment thereof, thereby limiting the right and left upper front surface tethers 410 and 420 from stretching outward at the time of deployment.

[0089] As is apparent from the foregoing description, the seat airbag device for a vehicle according to the form of the present disclosure is configured to deploy the side cushion so as to protrude forward from the seat back to protect the lateral sides of the passenger, and to deploy the front cushion so as to protrude from the side cushion to the front of the passenger to protect the front side of the passenger. The seat airbag device is suitable for an autonomous vehicle in which the seat is configured to move or rotate freely and the passenger assumes various seating postures, and is capable of more effectively protecting the passenger, particularly the passenger of the autonomous vehicle.

[0090] In addition, according to the form of the present disclosure, the tethers for limiting the deployment of the side cushion and the front cushion are configured as surface tethers having predetermined areas, and have an upper double surface tether structure formed of the upper side surface tethers and the upper front surface tethers, and a lower double surface tether structure formed of the lower side surface tethers and the lower front surface tethers, so as to ensure sufficient force for limiting the deployment of the side cushion and the front cushion, thereby effectively limiting the movement of the passenger in the lateral direction, the forward direction, and the tilting direction with increased limiting force, and further enhancing the passenger protection effect, thereby reducing the risk of injury to the passenger in the event of an accident.

[0091] While an exemplary form of the present disclosure has been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A seat airbag device for a vehicle, the seat airbag device comprising: a side cushion configured to deploy so as to protrude forward from a seat back; a front cushion configured to deploy so as to protrude forward of a passenger from the side cushion; an upper side surface tether configured to: connect the side cushion to an upper end of the seat back, stretch in a planar shape when the side cushion deploys, and limit deployment of the side cushion; an upper front surface tether configured to: connect the front cushion to the upper end of the seat back, stretch in a planar shape when the front cushion deploys, and limit deployment of the front cushion; and a lower side surface tether configured to: connect the side cushion to a lower end of the seat back, stretch in a planar shape when the side cushion deploys, and limit deployment of the side cushion and prevent the side cushion from lifting, wherein an upper partition and a lower partition formed with a vent hole are installed such that the upper partition and the lower partition are spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction in the side cushion, wherein the upper partition, the upper side surface tether, and a stitching line of the upper side surface tether are aligned with each other in a lateral direction, and wherein the lower partition, the lower side surface tether, and a stitching line of the lower side surface tether are aligned with each other in the lateral direction.

2. The seat airbag device according to claim 1, further comprising: a lower front surface tether configured to: connect the front cushion to the lower end of the seat back, stretch in a planar shape when the front cushion deploys, and limit deployment of the front cushion and prevent the front cushion from lifting.

3. The seat airbag device according to claim 2, wherein Each of the side cushion, the front cushion, the upper side surface tether, the upper front surface tether, the lower side surface tether, and the lower front surface tether is formed to be left-right symmetrical.

4. The seat airbag device according to claim 2, wherein The lower side surface tether is configured to deploy in a triangular shape, and wherein any vertex of the lower side surface tether is fixedly engaged with a central portion of the lower end of the seat back, and one edge of the lower side surface tether is stitched to a lower end of an inner surface of the side cushion.

5. The seat airbag device according to claim 4, wherein The lower side surface tether is deformed due to interference with the passenger when deployed, thereby bending toward the passenger, and wherein the side cushion and the front cushion are pulled toward lateral sides and a front of the passenger, respectively, by the deformation of the lower side surface tether, thereby increasing a force that limits movement of the passenger.

6. The seat airbag device according to claim 2, wherein The lower front surface tether is configured to deploy in a triangular shape, and wherein any vertex of the lower front surface tether is fixedly engaged with a side portion of the lower end of the seat back, and one edge of the lower front surface tether is stitched to a bottom surface of the front cushion.

7. The seat airbag device according to claim 1, wherein The upper side surface tether and the upper front surface tether are configured to deploy above a shoulder of the passenger to avoid injury to a neck of the passenger.

8. The seat airbag device according to claim 1, wherein The upper side surface tether is formed to deploy in a triangular shape, and wherein any vertex of the upper side surface tether is fixedly engaged with the upper end of the seat back, and one edge of the upper side surface tether is stitched to an upper end of an inner surface of the side cushion.

9. The seat airbag device according to claim 8, wherein The upper side surface tether includes two upper side surface tethers disposed symmetrically left and right, and wherein apices of the two upper side surface tethers are fixedly engaged with the upper end of the seat back at the same joint point within the joint area of the headrest.

10. The seat airbag device according to claim 8, wherein The upper side surface tether includes two upper side surface tethers disposed symmetrically left and right, and wherein apices of the two upper side surface tethers are fixedly engaged with the upper end of the seat back at different joint points within the joint area of the headrest.

11. The seat airbag device according to claim 8, wherein The upper side surface tether includes two upper side surface tethers disposed symmetrically left and right, and wherein apices of the two upper side surface tethers are fixedly engaged with the upper end of the seat back at different joint points within the joint area of the headrest, such that the two upper side surface tethers intersect in an X shape.

12. The seat airbag device according to claim 1, wherein The upper side surface tether includes two upper side surface tethers disposed symmetrically left and right, and wherein apices of the two upper side surface tethers are fixedly engaged with the upper end of the seat back at joint points laterally spaced apart from each other within the joint area of the headrest, such that the two upper side surface tethers are arranged in a V shape.

13. The seat airbag device according to claim 12, wherein The upper front surface tether is configured to be deployed in a triangular shape, and wherein either of apices of the upper front surface tether is fixedly engaged with the upper end of the seat back, and one edge of the upper front surface tether is stitched to the top surface of the front pad.

14. The seat airbag device according to claim 1, wherein The upper front surface tether includes two upper front surface tethers disposed symmetrically left and right, and wherein apices of the two upper front surface tethers are fixedly engaged with the upper end of the seat back at different joint points outside the joint area of the headrest.

15. The seat airbag device according to claim 14, wherein The upper side surface tether includes two upper side surface tethers disposed symmetrically left and right, and wherein the two upper side surface tethers are connected to each other by a first connecting tether so as to limit outward stretching of the two upper side surface tethers when deployed.

16. The seat airbag device according to claim 1, wherein The upper front surface tether includes two upper front surface tethers disposed symmetrically left and right, and wherein the two upper front surface tethers are connected to each other by a second connecting tether so as to limit outward stretching of the two upper front surface tethers when deployed.

17. The seat airbag device according to claim 1, wherein The upper side surface tether includes two upper side surface tethers disposed symmetrically left and right, and wherein the two upper side surface tethers are directly connected to each other in a stitched engagement manner such that a stitched joint point therebetween is located rearward of a passenger's head when deployed so as to limit outward stretching of the two upper side surface tethers when deployed. The upper front surface tether includes two upper front surface tethers disposed symmetrically left and right, and wherein the two upper front surface tethers are directly connected to each other in a stitched engagement manner such that a stitched joint point therebetween is located rearward of a passenger's head when deployed so as to limit outward stretching of the two upper front surface tethers when deployed.

18. A seat airbag device for a vehicle, the seat airbag device comprising: a side pad configured to be deployed so as to protrude forward from a seat back; a front pad configured to be deployed so as to protrude from the side pad to a front of a passenger; an upper side surface tether configured to: connect the side pad to an upper end of the seat back, extend in a planar shape when the side pad is deployed, and limit deployment of the side pad; and an upper front surface tether configured to: connect the front pad to the upper end of the seat back, when the front pad is deployed, to extend in a planar shape, and limiting deployment of the front pad, wherein the upper side surface tethers include two upper side surface tethers disposed symmetrically left and right, wherein the two upper side surface tethers are connected to each other by a first connecting tether so as to limit outward extension of the two upper side surface tethers when deployed, wherein the upper front surface tethers include two upper front surface tethers disposed symmetrically left and right, wherein the two upper front surface tethers are connected to each other by a second connecting tether so as to limit outward extension of the two upper front surface tethers when deployed, and wherein the second connecting tether is positioned more forward than the first connecting tether so as to be adjacent to the rear of the passenger's neck.

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