Airbag device

Abstract

The present invention relates to an airbag device for a motor vehicle, the airbag device comprising: an airbag (1) having a first buffer layer (1.1) and a second buffer layer (1.2) opposite to the first buffer layer (1.1); and at least one tethering device (2) connected to the airbag (1) and capable of being connected to the motor vehicle outside the airbag (1) via one end.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an airbag device for a motor vehicle, and to a vehicle seat device for a motor vehicle including such an airbag device. Background Technology

[0002] The airbag device includes an airbag having a first buffer layer and a second buffer layer. The first buffer layer preferably faces the occupant when the airbag is deployed, and the second buffer layer is opposite the first buffer layer and preferably faces away from the occupant when the airbag is deployed. The airbag device also includes at least one tethering device connected to the airbag and capable of being connected to the vehicle externally via one end of the airbag. The vehicle seat device includes a backrest and a seat cushion, in which an airbag module, including an inflator and an airbag, is arranged. The airbag is shaped such that, in the deployed state, the front section of the airbag is positioned directly in front of the central axis of the backrest, and the tethering device is connected to the backrest via one end. This type of vehicle seat device is also referred to as a seat center restraint system, in which seat belt devices may also be integrated into the vehicle seat.

[0003] For example, US2017 / 0259774 A1 discloses a vehicle seat assembly in which airbag modules are arranged on both sides of the backrest such that, in the deployed state, the airbags are laterally positioned beside the occupant on both sides. The airbag assembly's tethers (stretchable fabric) are arranged along the outer surface of the airbag, guiding the airbag's deployment and holding it in a predetermined position when the occupant impacts the airbag in an accident. In this case, the tethers are connected to the airbag at a location far from the point of impact. Therefore, in the event of an accident, the airbag may deflect more than expected due to the distance between these two locations. Other airbag assemblies are disclosed in KR10-2019-0126213A, US10336283, and US2019 / 0248322. Furthermore, according to these airbag assemblies, the tethers are connected to the airbag at a location far from the point of impact, which may cause undesirable deflection of the airbag. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the object of the present invention is to provide an airbag device by which the deflection of the deployed airbag from a predetermined position can be minimized.

[0005] This objective is achieved by an airbag device for a motor vehicle having the features of the independent claim. Further embodiments of the airbag device and the vehicle seat device are described in the dependent claims and the specification, wherein individual features of the preferred embodiments can be combined with each other in a technically meaningful manner.

[0006] Specifically, this objective is achieved by the airbag device described above, wherein the tethering device extends from the outside of the airbag through the first buffer layer to the second buffer layer inside the airbag.

[0007] This arrangement of the tethering device allows it to be connected to an airbag closer to where the occupant impacts the airbag, thus minimizing airbag deflection during an accident. Furthermore, it is possible that, in the deployed state of the airbag, the first buffer layer can move relative to the tethering device, allowing the occupant to deform the first buffer layer during an accident, while forces from the second layer are transmitted to the vehicle via the tethering device.

[0008] The first buffer layer is preferably the layer of the airbag facing the occupant in the deployed state, while the second buffer layer is the layer of the airbag facing away from the occupant in the deployed state. The first and second buffer layers can be two separate layers (airbag fabric) joined together, for example, at their peripheral edges (i.e., through seams). However, the first and second buffer layers can also be implemented from a single airbag fabric, which is folded and connected to itself to form an airbag.

[0009] The tethering device is made of at least one stretchable element, such as fabric or rope, capable of transmitting tensile force. In its installed state within a motor vehicle, one end of the tethering device is directly or indirectly connected to a part of the vehicle, such as a vehicle seat or chassis. Another part of the tethering device is connected to the airbag. Specifically, this end of the tethering device is fixed to a second buffer layer (which cannot move relative to it). Thus, the tethering device extends from the outside of the airbag through the first buffer layer to the inside of the airbag. This extension through the first buffer layer is understood to allow the tensile force applied to the tethering device at the second buffer layer to be transmitted to the section of the tethering device disposed outside the airbag. The tethering device can be made of exactly one tether (i.e., rope, fabric) or multiple tethers.

[0010] In one embodiment, the tethering device includes a first tether outside the airbag and at least one second tether inside the airbag. One end of the first tether is connectable to the vehicle. The first tether and the at least one second tether are connected to each other to transfer (tensile) force from a second buffer layer to the first tether via the at least one second tether. Such multiple tethers allow at least one second tether to be securely connected to the second buffer layer during a first production step of the airbag, while the first tether can be connected to the airbag at different production times. The first tether and the at least one second tether can be connected to each other directly or indirectly. For example, multiple (two or more) second tethers can be arranged inside the airbag, while all second tethers are interconnected with a first tether primarily arranged outside the airbag.

[0011] The tethering device can extend through the first buffer layer inside the airbag, in which case the airbag can also be arranged to be flexible relative to the first buffer layer when the airbag is deployed.

[0012] In this regard, it is preferable that the first tether and at least one second tether are connected to each other within the airbag body, in which case the airbag body, the first tether and at least one second tether can be connected together through at least one seam, thereby minimizing the workload for manufacturing the airbag device.

[0013] To transfer force from a larger section of the second layer, the tethering device widens towards the second buffer layer inside the airbag. Therefore, the tethering device has a first (smaller) width near the first buffer layer (in the deployed state) and a (larger) second width at its attachment point to the second buffer layer. The second width can be at least twice the first width.

[0014] The airbag body may be made of one or more fabric elements connected to a first buffer layer on a first side and to a tethering device on an opposite side, such that when the airbag is inflated, the connection between the tethering device and the airbag body is flexible (movable) relative to the first buffer layer. For example, the airbag body may be connected to the first buffer layer at or near an opening through which the tethering device, and specifically a first tether, extends through the first buffer layer. The airbag body may be configured such that it surrounds the device, specifically close to the opening.

[0015] Preferably, the airbag of the airbag system is positioned on the lateral side of the vehicle seat backrest. In this case, the airbag may include a lateral section and a front section, wherein in the deployed state, the lateral section is positioned laterally beside the occupant and the front section is positioned in front of the occupant, with a tethering device extending through a first buffer layer of the front section. Further preferably, the tethering device outside the airbag extends from the deployed airbag on the upper side of the backrest to the rear side of the backrest, wherein the tethering device is connected to the backrest.

[0016] The airbag may include an extension located in a front section opposite the lateral section, the extension extending rearward from the front section toward the back of the vehicle seat, wherein a sail (i.e., made of fabric material) extends along the front section from the extension to the lateral section, such that the sail is positioned between the occupant and the front section when the airbag is deployed.

[0017] The present invention also relates to a vehicle seat assembly for a motor vehicle, the vehicle seat assembly including a backrest, a seat cushion, and preferably a seat belt assembly, wherein the airbag assembly of the present invention is arranged in the backrest, wherein the airbag is shaped such that, in the deployed state, the front section of the airbag is positioned directly in front of the central axis of the backrest, and wherein a tethering device is connected to the backrest via one end. It is also suggested that the tethering device may be connected to the rear side of the backrest via a pretensioner, a load limiter, and / or a tether retractor. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The invention and technical background will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings schematically illustrate...

[0019] Figure 1 Top view of the airbag system in its deployed state.

[0020] Figure 2 A perspective view of a partial cross-section of another embodiment of the airbag device.

[0021] Figure 3 : A cross-sectional view through the airbag unit, and

[0022] Figure 4 Another implementation scheme for the airbag device, and

[0023] Figure 5 : The extension of the tethering device that passes through the first buffer layer of the airbag inside the airbag. Detailed Implementation

[0024] Figure 1A first embodiment of the airbag device is shown in top view. The airbag device includes an airbag 1, which, when inflated, has a lateral section 1l, a front section 1f, and an extension 1e. In the deployed state, the lateral section 1l is arranged laterally beside the occupant 5, while the front section 1f is arranged in front of the occupant 5. The extension 1e extends rearward from the front section 1f parallel to the lateral section 1l.

[0025] The airbag 1 has a first buffer layer 1.1 facing the occupant 5 in the deployed state and a second buffer layer 1.2 facing away from the occupant 5 in the deployed state.

[0026] The airbag system also includes a tethering device 2, which consists of a first tethering 2.1 disposed outside the airbag 1 and a second tethering 2.2 disposed inside the airbag 1. The second tethering 2.2 is fixedly connected to the second buffer layer 1.2, such that the tethering device 2 extends from the second buffer layer 1.2 through the first buffer layer 1.1 to the end of the first tethering 2.1 that connects to the vehicle seat. Therefore, the tensile force applied to the second buffer layer 1.2 of the airbag 1 can be transmitted toward the vehicle through the tethering device 2.

[0027] according to Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, two second tethers 2.2a and 2.2b are arranged inside the front section 1f of the airbag 1. These two tethers 2.2a and 2.2b widen from the first buffer layer 1.1 toward the second buffer layer 1.2 (the second buffer layer 1.2 is located in...). Figure 2 (Not shown in the image).

[0028] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the deployed airbag 1 is shown. It can be seen that the first tether 2.1 extends over the shoulder of the occupant 5 and over the top of the seat back 6. It can also be seen that the tether device 2 extends through the first buffer layer 1.1 and is arranged close to the head of the occupant 5 to form contact with the first buffer layer 1.1.

[0029] exist Figure 4 The illustration shows an implementation scheme for an airbag device that is similar to... Figure 1 The implementation scheme is as follows. In this implementation scheme, the sail 4 extends from the extension 1e of the airbag 1 along the front section 1f toward the lateral section 1l of the airbag, such that the sail 4 is arranged between the occupant 5 and the front section 1f of the deployed airbag 1.

[0030] Figure 5The diagram shows a tethering device 2, including a first tether 2.1 and a second tether 2.2, extending through a first buffer layer 1.1. In this section, the airbag 1 includes a body 3 made of fabric material, which is attached to the first buffer layer 1.1 and surrounds the tethering device 2. The first tether 2.1, the second tether 2.2, and the body 3 are interconnected via a seam 7. The body 3 may be part of an exhaust valve. With this arrangement, when the airbag 1 inflates, the tethers 2.1 and 2.2 are at least partially movable (flexible) relative to the first buffer layer 1.1.

[0031] Reference List

[0032] 1. Airbag

[0033] 1.1 First Buffer Layer

[0034] 1.2 Second Buffer Layer

[0035] 1f Front Section

[0036] 1L Lateral Section

[0037] 1e Extension

[0038] 2. Rope-tying device

[0039] 2.1 First Tether

[0040] 2.2 Second Tether

[0041] 3. Cyst

[0042] 4 sails

[0043] 5 crew members

[0044] 6 Backrest

[0045] 7. Seams.

Claims

1. An airbag device for a motor vehicle, the airbag device comprising: - Airbag (1), including: Lateral section (1l); and The front section (1f) has a first buffer layer (1.1) and a second buffer layer (1.2) opposite to the first buffer layer (1.1). In the unfolded state, the lateral section (1l) is arranged laterally next to the occupant (5) and the front section (1f) is arranged in front of the occupant (5). and - At least one tethering device (2), said tethering device (2) being connected to said airbag (1) and being able to be connected to said motor vehicle outside said airbag (1) via one end, The feature is that the tethering device (2) extends from the outside of the airbag (1) through the first buffer layer (1.1) of the front section (1f) to the second buffer layer (1.2).

2. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the tethering device (2) includes a first tether (2.1) outside the airbag (1) and at least one second tether (2.2) inside the airbag (1), one end of the first tether (2.1) being connectable to the motor vehicle, the first tether (2.1) and the at least one second tether (2.2) being connected to each other to transmit force from the second buffer layer (1.2) to the first tether (2.1) via the at least one second tether (2.2).

3. The airbag device according to claim 2, wherein the connection between the first tether (2.1) and the at least one second tether (2.1) is within the body (3) of the airbag (1).

4. The airbag device according to claim 3, wherein in the deployed state, the airbag body (3) is flexible relative to the first buffer layer (1.1).

5. The airbag device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the airbag body (3), the first tether (2.1) and the at least one second tether (2.2) are connected together by at least one seam (7).

6. The airbag device according to claim 2, wherein the second tether (2.2) of the tethering device (2) inside the airbag widens toward the second buffer layer (1.2).

7. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the airbag (1) includes an extension (1e) located at the front section (1f) opposite to the lateral section (1l), the extension (1e) extending rearward from the front section (1f), wherein a sail (4) extends along the front section (1f) from the extension (1e) to the lateral section (1l), such that the sail (4) is arranged between the occupant (5) and the front section (1f) in the deployed state.

8. A vehicle seat assembly for a motor vehicle, the vehicle seat assembly having -Backrest (6), -seat cushion and - An airbag device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an airbag module of the airbag (1) arranged in the backrest (6), wherein the airbag (1) is shaped such that, in the deployed state, the front section (1f) of the airbag (1) is arranged directly in front of the central axis of the backrest (6), and wherein the tethering device (2) is connected to the backrest (6) through the one end.

9. The vehicle seat assembly according to claim 8, wherein the tethering device (2) is connected to the rear side of the backrest (6) via a pretensioner, a load limiter and / or a tether retractor.

Images