Airbag device for vehicle

Abstract

An air bag device for a vehicle, wherein in the event of a collision accident, a side tether is disconnected or a front tether is disconnected depending on whether the occupant seated in the passenger seat is in a normal seating position or in a relaxed seating position, so that a deployed air bag cushion can effectively protect not only the occupant seated in the passenger seat in the normal seating position but also the occupant seated in the relaxed seating position.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0154717, filed on November 11, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to an airbag apparatus for a vehicle, and more particularly to a technology related to an airbag apparatus for a vehicle that can effectively protect not only an occupant normally seated in a passenger seat but also an occupant relaxed in the passenger seat. Background Art

[0004] Autonomous vehicles are intelligent vehicles that use autonomous driving technology, allowing them to reach their destination without the driver directly manipulating the steering wheel, accelerator, or brake pedals. Recently, autonomous vehicles are being actively developed.

[0005] In the case of widespread implementation of autonomous driving, the driver can select a relaxation mode in which the driver can rest without directly driving the vehicle while the vehicle is in motion. In relaxation mode, the movement, rotation and posture of the seat can be varied to suit the requirements of the occupant.

[0006] That is, the passenger seated in the passenger seat can select a general normal seating posture and a relaxed seating posture in which the passenger can travel while resting comfortably in an autonomous driving situation.

[0007] The normal seating state and the relaxed seating state can be defined based on the angle of the seat back. Typically, the normal seating state can be defined as a state in which the seat back is rotated rearward within a range of 20 to 25 degrees from a state in which the seat back is upright at 90 degrees. The relaxed seating state can be defined as a state in which the seat back is rotated rearward 40 degrees or more.

[0008] In a case where the seating position of an occupant in a passenger seat can be changed between a normal seating position and a relaxed seating position, the airbag cushion of an airbag device provided in a vehicle in the related art does not extend forward to an insufficient extent in the event of an accident, making it difficult to effectively protect the occupant in the relaxed seating position. As a result, the degree of injury to the occupant in the relaxed seating position increases.

[0009] The foregoing content as background explanation is only intended to help understanding the background of the present invention and is not intended to mean that the present invention falls within the scope of the relevant technologies known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The present invention has been proposed to address these issues and is intended to provide an airbag apparatus for a vehicle in which the operation of deploying the airbag cushion in the event of an accident varies depending on whether the occupant seated in the passenger seat is in a normal seating position or in a relaxed seating position, thereby effectively protecting not only the normally seated occupant but also the relaxed occupant. Therefore, the present invention is intended to further improve the function of protecting the occupant.

[0011] An embodiment of the present invention provides an airbag device for a vehicle, the airbag device including: an airbag cushion configured to deploy toward an occupant by receiving airbag gas generated by an inflator; a tether release device secured to an airbag housing and configured to operate in response to an electrical signal; a front tether configured to connect a front portion of the airbag cushion with the tether release device and configured to be disconnected when the tether release device operates; and side tethers configured to connect two opposite side portions of the airbag cushion with the tether release device and configured to be disconnected when the tether release device operates.

[0012] The airbag housing may be positioned opposite the front portion of the airbag cushion, and the inflator and the tether release device may be fixedly mounted in the airbag housing.

[0013] The inflator and the tether release device may operate in response to an electrical signal from an airbag controller configured to receive a signal from a collision sensor and a signal from a seat back angle sensor.

[0014] The tether release device may hold the front tether and the side tethers to maintain the shape of a deployed airbag cushion when the tether release device is not operated, and may disconnect any one of the front tether and the side tethers when the tether release device is operated in response to an electrical signal from an airbag controller.

[0015] The tether release device may include: a first working part, which is connected to the front tether and is configured to work to disconnect the front tether; and a second working part, which is connected to the side tether and is configured to work to disconnect the side tether, and the first working part and the second working part can work independently in response to an electrical signal from an airbag controller.

[0016] The lateral tether may be connected to the tether release device, extend toward the front portion of the airbag cushion, and then split into two lines such that ends of the two lines are respectively coupled to left and right portions of the airbag cushion by sewing.

[0017] The length of the side tether may be set so that left and right portions of the airbag cushion are pulled by the side tether in a direction in which the airbag cushion is deployed, and the side tether connects the tether release device and the two opposite side portions of the airbag cushion.

[0018] When a collision occurs in a state where an occupant seated in the passenger seat is in a normal seating state, the airbag cushion may be deployed, the side tethers may be disconnected by operation of the tether release device, and a state in which the front tether connects the tether release device and the front portion of the airbag cushion may be maintained.

[0019] Based on a deployment state of the airbag cushion, the length of the airbag cushion in the left-right direction when the side tethers are disconnected may be longer than when the side tethers are not disconnected, so that the width of the airbag cushion in the left-right direction is increased.

[0020] When a collision occurs in a state in which an occupant seated in the passenger seat is in a relaxed seating state, the airbag cushion may be deployed, the front tether may be disconnected by operation of the tether release device, and a state in which the side tethers connect the tether release device and the two opposite side portions of the airbag cushion may be maintained.

[0021] Based on a deployment state of the airbag cushion, a length of the airbag cushion in the front-rear direction when the front tether is disconnected may be longer than a length of the airbag cushion in the front-rear direction when the front tether is not disconnected.

[0022] According to an airbag apparatus for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, when a collision occurs while an occupant is normally seated in a passenger seat, the lateral tethers connecting the left and right portions of the airbag cushion are disconnected, thereby increasing the width of the airbag cushion in the left-right direction. Consequently, the volume of the airbag cushion can be optimally maintained, thereby effectively protecting the occupant seated in the passenger seat in the normal seating position.

[0023] Furthermore, according to the airbag apparatus for a vehicle of the present invention, when a collision occurs while an occupant is seated in a relaxed seating position, the front tether connecting the front portion of the airbag cushion is disconnected, making it possible to increase the length of the airbag cushion in the front-to-rear direction. Consequently, the upper body of the occupant seated in the relaxed seating position in the passenger seat can be restrained at an early stage, thereby more effectively protecting the occupant seated in the relaxed seating position in the passenger seat. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 is a view illustrating a state in which the passenger-seat airbag apparatus according to the present invention is deployed.

[0025] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Top view of the floor plan.

[0026] Figure 3 It is an enlarged view for explaining the configuration of the airbag apparatus according to the present invention.

[0027] Figure 4 It is a view for explaining a state in which the airbag cushion according to the present invention is deployed in the event of a collision accident in a state in which the passenger is seated in the passenger seat in a normal seating posture.

[0028] Figure 5A and Figure 5B Is used for explanation Figure 4 A view of the state, where Figure 5A is a view illustrating a state where the lateral tether is not disconnected, and Figure 5B is a view illustrating a state in which the lateral tether is disconnected.

[0029] Figure 6 It is a view for explaining a state in which the airbag cushion according to the present invention is deployed in the event of a collision accident in a state in which the occupant seated in the passenger seat is in a relaxed seating posture.

[0030] Figure 7A and Figure 7B Is used for explanation Figure 6 A view of the state, where Figure 7A is a view illustrating a state where the front tether is not disconnected, and Figure 7B is a view illustrating a state in which the front tether is disconnected. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The specific structural or functional descriptions of the embodiments of the present invention disclosed in this specification or this application are merely for the purpose of illustrating the embodiments according to the present invention. The embodiments according to the present invention can be implemented in various different forms and should not be interpreted as limiting the present invention to the embodiments described in this specification or this application.

[0032] Because the embodiments according to the present invention can be varied in various ways and can have various forms, specific embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in this specification or this application. However, the description of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the embodiments according to the concept of the present invention to the specific embodiments, but it should be understood that the present invention covers all modifications, equivalents and alternatives that fall within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0033] Terms such as "first" and / or "second" may be used to describe various different constituent elements, but these constituent elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one constituent element from other constituent elements. For example, without departing from the scope of the concept according to the present invention, a first constituent element may be referred to as a second constituent element, and similarly, a second constituent element may be referred to as a first constituent element.

[0034] When a constituent element is described as being “coupled” or “connected” to another constituent element, it should be understood that the constituent element may be directly coupled or connected to the other constituent element, and intervening constituent elements may also exist between these constituent elements. When a constituent element is described as being “directly coupled to” or “directly connected to” another constituent element, it should be understood that no intervening constituent elements exist between these constituent elements. Other expressions used to explain the relationship between constituent elements, namely, “between” and “just between” or “adjacent to” and “directly adjacent to”, should be interpreted in a similar manner.

[0035] The terms used in this specification are only used to describe the purpose of specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. Unless clearly described as different meanings in the context, singular expressions include plural expressions. In this specification, it should be understood that the terms "comprise", "include", "contain", "have", "have", "have", "with" or other variations thereof are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, quantities, steps, operations, elements, parts or combinations thereof, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, quantities, steps, operations, elements, parts or combinations thereof.

[0036] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the relevant technology and should not be interpreted as an ideal or overly formal meaning unless otherwise clearly defined in this specification.

[0037] The control unit (controller) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be implemented by a non-volatile memory (not shown) and a processor (not shown). The non-volatile memory is configured to store data related to algorithms for controlling the operation of various components in the vehicle or software commands for executing the algorithms; the processor is configured to perform the following operations by using the data stored in the corresponding memory. In this case, the memory and the processor can be implemented as separate chips. Alternatively, the memory and the processor can be implemented as a single chip in which the memory and the processor are integrated. The processor can be configured in the form of one or more processors.

[0038] Hereinafter, an airbag apparatus for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0039] An airbag device for a vehicle according to the present invention is a passenger seat airbag device that can be installed in an instrument panel (instrument panel) of a vehicle and operates to protect an occupant seated in the passenger seat. Specifically, the airbag device is configured to effectively protect an occupant seated in the passenger seat in both a normal seating position and a relaxed seating position.

[0040] That is, Figure 1 7 , an airbag apparatus for a vehicle according to the present invention includes an inflator 10 configured to operate to generate airbag gas; an airbag cushion 20 configured to deploy toward an occupant seated in a passenger seat by receiving the airbag gas generated by the inflator; a tether release device 40 fixed to an airbag housing 30 and configured to operate in response to an electrical signal; a front tether 50 configured to connect a front portion 21 of the airbag cushion 20 and the tether release device 40, the front tether 50 configured to be disconnected when the tether release device 40 operates; and side tethers 60 configured to connect two opposite side portions 22 of the airbag cushion 20 and the tether release device 40, the side tethers 60 configured to be disconnected when the tether release device 40 operates.

[0041] The airbag housing 30 is fixedly mounted on the instrument panel and is provided at a position opposite to the front portion 21 of the airbag cushion 20. The inflator 10 and the tether release device 40 are fixedly mounted in the airbag housing 30.

[0042] The inflator 10 and the tether release device 40 operate in response to electrical signals from an air bag controller (ACU) 90 configured to receive signals from a collision sensor 70 mounted in the vehicle and a seat back angle sensor 80 mounted in the vehicle seat.

[0043] The normal seating state and the relaxed seating state of an occupant seated in the passenger seat are determined based on the angle of the seatback. Typically, the normal seating state may be a state in which the seatback is rotated rearward within a range of 20 to 25 degrees from a state in which the seatback is upright at 90 degrees. The relaxed seating state may be defined as a state in which the seatback is rotated rearward 40 degrees or more.

[0044] The angle of the seat back of the passenger seat is detected by a seat back angle sensor 80, and a signal of the seat back angle sensor 80 is transmitted to an airbag controller 90. The airbag controller 90 receives the signal of the seat back angle sensor 80 and the signal of the collision sensor 70, and controls the operation of the inflator 10 and the operation of the tether release device 40.

[0045] The tether release device 40 according to the present invention operates in response to an electrical signal from the airbag controller 90. When the tether release device 40 is not operated, the tether release device 40 holds the front tether 50 and the lateral tethers 60 to maintain the shape of the deployed airbag cushion 20. When the tether release device 40 is operated, the tether release device 40 disconnects either the front tether 50 or the lateral tethers 60.

[0046] The tether release device 40 may be configured as an explosive burst device (such as an inflator) or a cutting device capable of easily cutting the tether, such that the tether release device 40 may disconnect the front tether 50 or the lateral tether 60 .

[0047] The tether release device 40 according to the present invention includes a first operating portion 41 connected to the front tether 50 and configured to operate to disconnect the front tether 50, and a second operating portion 42 connected to the lateral tether 60 and configured to operate to disconnect the lateral tether 60. The first operating portion 41 and the second operating portion 42 operate independently in response to an electrical signal from the airbag controller 90.

[0048] The rear end of the front tether 50 according to the present invention is connected to the first working portion 41 of the tether release device 40 , and the front end of the front tether 50 is installed and coupled to the front portion 21 of the airbag cushion 20 by sewing.

[0049] The rear end of the lateral tether 60 according to the present invention is connected to the second working portion 42 of the tether release device 40, extends toward the front portion 21 of the airbag cushion 20, and then splits into two lines so that the ends of the two lines are respectively coupled to the left portion 22 and the right portion 22 of the airbag cushion 20 by sewing.

[0050] Furthermore, in a state where the airbag cushion 20 is deployed and the side tethers 60 connect the tether release device 40 and the two opposite side portions 22 of the airbag cushion 20, that is, in a state where the side tethers 60 are not disconnected, the lengths of the side tethers 60 can be set to lengths that allow the left and right portions 22 of the airbag cushion 20 to be pulled by the side tethers 60. Therefore, the deployed state of the airbag cushion 20 can be maintained.

[0051] Figure 4 It is a view for explaining a state in which the airbag cushion is deployed in the event of a collision accident in a state in which the occupant seated in the passenger seat is in a normal seating state. Figure 5A is a view illustrating a state where the lateral tether is not disconnected, and Figure 5B is a view illustrating a state in which the lateral tether is disconnected.

[0052] As illustrated, when a collision accident occurs in a state where the occupant seated in the passenger seat is in a normal seating state, the inflator 10 operates in response to a control signal of the airbag controller 90 and generates airbag gas, and the airbag cushion 20 is deployed toward the occupant seated in the passenger seat by the airbag gas.

[0053] In addition, the second operating portion 42 of the tether release device 40 operates in response to the control signal of the airbag controller 90 to disconnect the side tether 60, and the first operating portion 41 of the tether release device 40 does not operate. Therefore, the state in which the front tether 50 connects the first operating portion 41 of the tether release device 40 and the front portion 21 of the airbag cushion 20 is continuously maintained.

[0054] As described above, when a collision occurs while the occupant is normally seated in the passenger seat, the side tether 60 is disconnected, and the front tether 50 remains connected to the tether release device 40 and the front portion 21 of the airbag cushion 20. The deployed airbag cushion 20 maintains a short length in the front-to-rear direction, and instead extends and increases in width in the left-to-right direction. Therefore, the airbag cushion 20 maintains an optimal volume, effectively protecting the occupant normally seated in the passenger seat.

[0055] Based on the deployed state of the airbag cushion 20, the length L2 of the airbag cushion 20 in the left-right direction when the side tether 60 is disconnected (eg, Figure 5B ) is greater than the length L1 of the airbag cushion 20 in the left-right direction when the lateral tether 60 is not disconnected (as shown in FIG. Figure 5A Therefore, the width D of the airbag cushion 20 in the left-right direction can be increased so that the airbag cushion 20 can maintain an optimal volume, thereby effectively protecting the occupant seated in the passenger seat in a normal seating state.

[0056] Figure 6 It is a view for explaining a state in which the airbag cushion is deployed in the event of a collision accident in a state in which the occupant seated in the passenger seat is in a relaxed seating state. Figure 7A is a view illustrating a state where the front tether is not disconnected, and Figure 7B is a view illustrating a state in which the front tether is disconnected.

[0057] As illustrated, when a collision occurs in a state where the occupant seated in the passenger seat is in a relaxed seating state, the inflator 10 operates in response to a control signal of the airbag controller 90 and generates airbag gas, and the airbag cushion 20 is deployed toward the occupant seated in the passenger seat by the airbag gas.

[0058] In addition, the first operating portion 41 of the tether release device 40 operates in response to the control signal of the airbag controller 90 to disconnect the front tether 50, and the second operating portion 42 of the tether release device 40 does not operate. Therefore, the state in which the side tethers 60 connect the second operating portion 42 of the tether release device 40 and the two opposite side portions 22 of the airbag cushion 20 is continuously maintained.

[0059] As described above, when a collision occurs while the occupant is in the relaxed seating position, the front tether 50 is disconnected, and the side tethers 60 connecting the tether release device 40 to the side portion 22 of the airbag cushion 20 are maintained. The side tethers 60 restrict the width of the deployed airbag cushion 20 in the left-right direction so that the optimal volume is maintained, while increasing the length of the airbag cushion 20 in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the upper body of the occupant in the relaxed seating position can be restrained at an early stage, thereby more effectively protecting the occupant in the relaxed seating position.

[0060] Based on the deployed state of the airbag cushion 20, the length L4 of the airbag cushion 20 in the front-to-back direction when the front tether 50 is disconnected (e.g., Figure 7B The length L3 of the airbag cushion 20 in the front-rear direction is further extended than the length L3 of the airbag cushion 20 in the front-rear direction when the current tether 50 is not disconnected (as shown in FIG. Figure 7A Therefore, the length of the deployed airbag cushion 20 in the front-rear direction can be increased, so that the upper body of the occupant seated in the passenger seat in the relaxed seating state can be restrained at an early stage, thereby more effectively protecting the occupant seated in the passenger seat in the relaxed seating state.

[0061] As described above, according to the airbag apparatus for a vehicle of the embodiment of the present invention, when a collision occurs with an occupant seated in the passenger seat in the normal seating position, the lateral tether 60 connecting the left and right portions 22 of the airbag cushion 20 is disconnected, making it possible to increase the width of the airbag cushion 20 in the left-right direction. Consequently, the volume of the airbag cushion 20 can be optimally maintained, thereby effectively protecting the occupant seated in the passenger seat in the normal seating position.

[0062] Furthermore, according to the airbag apparatus for a vehicle of the present invention, when a collision accident occurs in a state where the occupant seated in the passenger seat is in a relaxed seating state, the front tether 50 connected to the front portion 21 of the airbag cushion 20 is disconnected, making it possible to increase the length of the airbag cushion 20 in the front-rear direction. Therefore, it is possible to restrain the upper body of the occupant seated in the relaxed seating state in the passenger seat at an early stage, thereby more effectively protecting the occupant seated in the relaxed seating state in the passenger seat.

[0063] While specific embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made therein without departing from the technical spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An airbag device for a vehicle, comprising: an airbag cushion configured to deploy toward an occupant by receiving airbag gas generated by an inflator; a tether release device secured to the airbag housing; a front tether configured to connect a front portion of the airbag cushion to the tether release device and configured to be disconnected when the tether release device is operated; and a side tether configured to connect two opposite side portions of the airbag cushion to the tether release device, and configured to be disconnected when the tether release device is operated; wherein a rear end of the lateral tether is connected to the tether release device, the lateral tether extends toward the front portion of the airbag cushion and is divided into two lines at a middle portion of the airbag cushion, so that ends of the two lines are respectively coupled to a left portion and a right portion of the airbag cushion; When a collision occurs while an occupant seated in the passenger seat is in a normally seated state, the airbag cushion is deployed, the side tethers are disconnected by operation of the tether release device, and the state in which the front tether connects the tether release device and the front portion of the airbag cushion is maintained.

2. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein The airbag housing is positioned at a position opposite to that of the front portion of the airbag cushion, and the inflator and the tether release device are mounted in the airbag housing.

3. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein The inflator and the tether release device operate in response to an electrical signal from an airbag controller configured to receive a signal from a collision sensor and a signal from a seatback angle sensor.

4. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein The tether release device holds the front tether and the side tethers to maintain the shape of the deployed airbag cushion when the tether release device is not operated, and disconnects any one of the front tether and the side tethers when the tether release device is operated in response to an electrical signal from an airbag controller.

5. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein The tether release device comprises: a first working portion connected to the front tether and configured to operate to disconnect the front tether; and a second working portion connected to the lateral tether and configured to operate to disconnect the lateral tether, The first working part and the second working part operate independently in response to an electrical signal from an airbag controller.

6. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein The length of the side tether is set so that the left and right sides of the airbag cushion are pulled by the side tether in the direction in which the airbag cushion is deployed, and the side tether connects the tether release device and the two opposite side portions of the airbag cushion.

7. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein Based on a deployment state of the airbag cushion, a length of the airbag cushion in the front-rear direction is longer when the front tether is disconnected than when the front tether is not disconnected.

8. An airbag device for a vehicle, the airbag device comprising: an airbag cushion configured to deploy toward an occupant by receiving airbag gas generated by an inflator; a tether release device secured to the airbag housing; a front tether configured to connect a front portion of the airbag cushion to the tether release device and configured to be disconnected when the tether release device is operated; and a side tether configured to connect two opposite side portions of the airbag cushion to the tether release device, and configured to be disconnected when the tether release device is operated; wherein a rear end of the lateral tether is connected to the tether release device, the lateral tether extends toward the front portion of the airbag cushion and is divided into two lines at a middle portion of the airbag cushion, so that ends of the two lines are respectively coupled to a left portion and a right portion of the airbag cushion; Wherein, based on the deployment state of the airbag cushion, the length of the airbag cushion in the left-right direction when the side tether is disconnected is longer than the length of the airbag cushion in the left-right direction when the side tether is not disconnected, so that the width of the airbag cushion in the left-right direction is increased.

9. An airbag device for a vehicle, comprising: an airbag cushion configured to deploy toward an occupant by receiving airbag gas generated by an inflator; a tether release device secured to the airbag housing; a front tether configured to connect a front portion of the airbag cushion to the tether release device and configured to be disconnected when the tether release device is operated; and a side tether configured to connect two opposite side portions of the airbag cushion to the tether release device, and configured to be disconnected when the tether release device is operated; wherein a rear end of the lateral tether is connected to the tether release device, the lateral tether extends toward the front portion of the airbag cushion and is divided into two lines at a middle portion of the airbag cushion, so that ends of the two lines are respectively coupled to a left portion and a right portion of the airbag cushion; When a collision occurs while the occupant seated in the passenger seat is in a relaxed seating state, the airbag cushion is deployed, the front tether is disconnected by operation of the tether release device, and the state in which the side tethers connect the tether release device and the two opposite side portions of the airbag cushion is maintained.

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