A passenger protection method based on a sub-instrument panel surface airbag and an application device thereof

Abstract

The present application relates to a kind of passenger protection method based on sub-instrument panel surface air bag and its application device, application device, including the 2 air bag body fixed on center console, it is three-chamber structure, inflation pipeline one end is connected with air pump, the other end is inserted into air bag body;Three air bag chambers can be sequentially filled in order, and the filling order is consistent with the position order of the upper torso of human body adhering center console, always ensure that there is flexible protection between human body and center console.The present application is laid by having the safety air bag with the adhesion of center console surface, and the safety air bag is unfolded in the process, by one-way inflation channel, will preferentially unfold the side related to passenger contact, after one side is completely filled, the other side is subsequently unfolded, ensure that before passenger and center console contact, key position air bag has been completely unfolded.When passenger and center console contact, as far as possible to reduce the rib compression amount of passenger chest and abdomen, ensure the safety of passenger.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of vehicle technology, specifically relating to an occupant protection method and its application device based on a sub-dashboard surface airbag. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of technology, road conditions are becoming increasingly complex, leading to a rise in the types of accidents and placing higher demands on occupant protection. When a vehicle experiences a side impact, the occupants move laterally in the y-direction. Since seatbelts primarily restrain occupants in the x-direction, they may not provide sufficient restraint during y-direction lateral movement, easily causing the occupant's torso to encroach on the space of the occupant on the other side. This movement often results in upper torso collisions between occupants, causing secondary injuries, and severe compression of the occupant's abdomen against the dashboard, leading to significant deformation of the lower ribs and upper ribs.

[0003] Currently, the conventional solution is to place a center airbag between the driver and front passenger, which can effectively prevent head impacts between them. However, conventional center airbags lack a support structure, making their posture unstable and resulting in inconsistent protection for front-seat occupants. In the event of such an accident with only one driver, it is difficult to effectively protect the occupant from the impact area with the dashboard. Even slight movement of the center airbag can lead to direct contact between the occupant and the dashboard, causing serious injury.

[0004] Existing technology discloses an airbag device installed behind the sub-dashboard on the center console. This device, installed behind the sub-dashboard, can be adjusted vertically along a track. Upon deployment, it creates a large airbag that extends horizontally in front of the rear occupants, providing cushioning protection for all rear passengers. An airbag also deploys between the driver and front passenger to prevent secondary injuries from collisions between occupants on either side. However, this device does not consider the significant injuries that could result from direct contact between the driver and the dashboard when there is only one driver present.

[0005] Existing technology also discloses an airbag device installed on the secondary instrument panel of the center console. This device is located above the glove compartment of the center console. When fully deployed, the airbag splits into two halves, filling the space between the driver and front passenger, effectively restraining the occupants from lateral tilting and preventing mutual impact. Although the two-airbag design provides stronger restraint, it still cannot guarantee that the occupants will not come into contact with the secondary instrument panel, and therefore cannot guarantee that the rib compression in the occupants' chest and abdomen will meet requirements in a collision environment.

[0006] Existing technology also discloses a safety airbag installed on the side of the front seat. This airbag includes hip and abdominal chambers, and when fully deployed, it fills the space between the driver and front passenger, protecting the occupant's head and abdomen. However, this airbag only has the mounting point of the front seat airbag, which is too small compared to a fully deployed airbag. This may lead to instability in the airbag's shape after deployment, and even with the existence of hip and abdominal airbag chambers, it cannot provide effective protection for the occupant's hips and abdomen.

[0007] Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop an occupant protection method based on the sub-instrument panel surface airbag to effectively solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to provide an occupant protection method based on the sub-dashboard surface airbag, and to provide an application device for the above-mentioned occupant protection method based on the sub-dashboard surface airbag, so as to solve the problem that the airbag in the critical part has already fully deployed before the occupant comes into contact with the center console, thereby minimizing the amount of rib compression in the occupant's chest and abdomen and ensuring the safety of the occupant.

[0009] The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0010] An occupant protection method based on a sub-dashboard surface airbag includes the following steps:

[0011] A. When the vehicle is hit from the side, the vehicle moves laterally, the ACU is ignited, and the occupants move laterally and crash into the center console.

[0012] B. After the ACU is ignited, the air pump generates gas and begins to fill the airbag chamber a7. At the same time, in the disposable one-way valve 4, the elastic ball 5 blocks the valve port pipe under the action of air pressure, ensuring that the airbag chamber a7 is filled first.

[0013] C. When the airbag chamber a7 is fully inflated, the air pressure increases, which increases the force on the elastic ball 5 in the disposable one-way valve 4. The elastic ball 5 and the valve port pipe are deformed under the force. The elastic ball 5 is squeezed out of the pipe, and the airbag chamber b8 begins to inflate. This process continues until the airbag chambers a7, b8, and c9 are all full.

[0014] D. The airbag is laid flat and folded in the center console storage compartment cover. After being fully inflated, it expands from the placement position and tears the weakening line.

[0015] E. Airbag chamber a7 is attached to the side of the center console, airbag chamber b8 is attached to the corner of the side of the center console, and airbag chamber c9 is attached to the upper surface of the center console.

[0016] Further, in step D, the thickness of the airbag after full inflation is approximately 5 cm.

[0017] An application device for an occupant protection method based on a sub-dashboard surface airbag includes two airbag bodies 1; the two airbag bodies 1 are respectively fixed on the left and right sides of the center console, and both are three-chamber structures, including three independent airbag chambers connected together; one end of the inflation pipe 2 is connected to an air pump 3, and the other end is inserted into the airbag body 1.

[0018] The three airbag chambers can be inflated sequentially, and the inflation order is consistent with the position order of the human torso against the center console. That is, the occupant's chest and abdomen first adhere to the side of the center console, then the torso contacts the corner of the center console, and then, with the corner of the center console as the center, it deflects and contacts the upper surface of the center console, ensuring that there is always flexible protection between the human body and the center console.

[0019] Furthermore, the airbag body 1 includes airbag chamber a7, airbag chamber b8 and airbag chamber c9 connected in sequence, and a disposable one-way valve 4 is provided between airbag chamber a7 and airbag chamber b8, and between airbag chamber b8 and airbag chamber c9.

[0020] Furthermore, the elastic ball 5 is disposed inside the disposable one-way valve 4, which can block the valve port pipe under air pressure.

[0021] Furthermore, the air pump 3 is connected to the airbag chamber a7 and can inflate the airbag chamber a7.

[0022] Furthermore, the airbag chamber a7 is attached to the side of the center console and can protect the occupant's chest when filled with gas; the airbag chamber b8 is attached to the corner of the center console and can protect the occupant's torso when filled with gas; and the airbag chamber c9 is attached to the upper surface of the center console.

[0023] Furthermore, the thickness of the airbag body 1 after full inflation is approximately 5 cm.

[0024] Furthermore, the airbag body 1 is provided with 1-2 vent holes 6.

[0025] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0026] This invention utilizes a conformal airbag installed on the surface of the center console. During deployment, the airbag, via a single, one-way inflation channel, prioritizes the side most likely to contact the occupant. Once one side is fully inflated, the other side deploys subsequently, ensuring that critical areas of the airbag are fully deployed before the occupant makes contact with the center console. When the occupant does come into contact with the center console, this minimizes rib compression in the chest and abdomen, thus ensuring occupant safety. Attached Figure Description

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of the present invention and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0028] Figure 1 This is the front view of the airbag unit on the surface of the sub-dashboard.

[0029] Figure 2 This is a side view of the airbag unit on the surface of the sub-dashboard.

[0030] Figure 3 This is a top view of the airbag unit on the surface of the sub-dashboard.

[0031] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the compartmentalization of the airbag.

[0032] Figure 5 It is a one-time check valve structure for airbags.

[0033] In the diagram, 1. Airbag body 2. Inflation pipe 3. Air pump 4. Disposable one-way valve 5. Elastic ball 6. Vent hole 7. Airbag chamber a 8. Airbag chamber b 9. Airbag chamber c. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The present invention will be further described below with reference to embodiments:

[0035] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and not intended to limit it. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, the accompanying drawings show only the parts relevant to the present invention, and not all of the structures.

[0036] It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters in the following figures indicate similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures. Furthermore, in the description of this invention, terms such as "first," "second," etc., are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0037] When a vehicle experiences a side impact, it moves laterally, causing the occupants to move as well. The driver's side occupant's upper torso intrudes into the passenger side space. If there are two occupants in the front seats, they may collide with each other, causing secondary injuries. If only the driver is present, a violent impact between the driver and the center console can result in significant injury. With a conventional center airbag, theoretically, a fully deployed airbag would create a buffer between the occupants and between the occupants and the center console. However, considering the uncertainty of airbag deployment time and shape, as well as lateral movement of the occupants, it's possible that the occupant may have already made contact with the center console before the airbag fully deploys.

[0038] This invention utilizes a conformal airbag installed on the surface of the center console. During deployment, the airbag, via a single, one-way inflation channel, prioritizes the side most likely to contact the occupant. Once one side is fully inflated, the other side deploys subsequently, ensuring that critical areas of the airbag are fully deployed before the occupant makes contact with the center console. When the occupant does come into contact with the center console, this minimizes rib compression in the chest and abdomen, thus ensuring occupant safety.

[0039] This invention relates to an occupant protection method based on a sub-dashboard surface airbag, comprising the following steps:

[0040] A. When the vehicle is hit from the side, the vehicle moves laterally, the ACU is ignited, and the occupants move laterally and crash into the center console.

[0041] B. After the ACU is ignited, the air pump generates gas and begins to fill the airbag chamber a7. At the same time, in the disposable one-way valve 4, the elastic ball 5 blocks the valve port pipe under the action of air pressure, ensuring that the airbag chamber a7 is filled first.

[0042] C. When the airbag chamber a7 is fully inflated, the air pressure increases, which increases the force on the elastic ball 5 in the disposable one-way valve 4. The elastic ball 5 and the valve port pipe are deformed under the force. The elastic ball 5 is squeezed out of the pipe, and the airbag chamber b8 begins to inflate. This process continues until the airbag chambers a7, b8, and c9 are all full.

[0043] D. The airbag is laid flat and folded in the center console storage compartment cover. After being fully inflated, it expands from its placement position, tearing the weakening line; the thickness of the airbag after full inflation is approximately 5cm.

[0044] E. Airbag chamber a7 is attached to the side of the center console, airbag chamber b8 is attached to the corner of the side of the center console, and airbag chamber c9 is attached to the upper surface of the center console.

[0045] An application device for an occupant protection method based on a sub-dashboard surface airbag includes two airbag bodies 1; the two airbag bodies 1 are respectively fixed on the left and right sides of the center console, and the airbag body 1 has a three-chamber structure, including three independent airbag chambers connected together; one end of the inflation pipe 2 is connected to an air pump 3, and the other end is inserted into the airbag body 1.

[0046] The three airbag chambers can be inflated sequentially, and the inflation order is consistent with the position order of the human torso against the center console. That is, the occupant's chest and abdomen first adhere to the side of the center console, then the torso contacts the corner of the center console, and then, with the corner of the center console as the center, it deflects and contacts the upper surface of the center console, ensuring that there is always flexible protection between the human body and the center console.

[0047] The airbag body 1 includes airbag chambers a7, b8, and c9 connected in sequence. A disposable one-way valve 4 is provided between airbag chambers a7 and b8, and between airbag chambers b8 and c9. An elastic ball 5 is disposed within the disposable one-way valve 4 and can block the valve port under air pressure. An air pump 3 is connected to airbag chamber a7 and can inflate it. Airbag chamber a7 is fitted to the side of the center console and, when inflated, protects the occupant's chest. Airbag chamber b8 is fitted to the corner of the center console and, when inflated, protects the occupant's torso. Airbag chamber c9 is fitted to the upper surface of the center console. The airbag body 1 has 1-2 vent holes 6 for releasing the inflated gas; the number of vent holes 6 is determined according to the required airbag firmness.

[0048] Example 1

[0049] An application device for occupant protection based on a sub-dashboard surface airbag comprises an airbag body 1, an inflation pipe 2, an air pump 3, a disposable one-way valve 4, an elastic ball 5, a vent 6, an airbag chamber a7, an airbag chamber b8, and an airbag chamber c9.

[0050] There are two airbag bodies 1, which are respectively located on the left and right sides of the center console. One side of each airbag body 1 is glued and fixed to the center console. The center console has a liftable cover, and the airbag body 1 is installed on the upper surface of the cover. The airbag body 1 is laid flat and folded in the center console storage compartment cover.

[0051] In the event of a side collision, for example, if the impact occurs at the driver's position, the driver will tilt towards the center console. During the tilting process, the driver will hit the center console, and their ribs will collide with the edge of the center console, causing rib fractures and resulting in serious injury to the human body.

[0052] In this embodiment, the airbag body 1 has a three-chamber structure, including airbag chamber a7, airbag chamber b8, and airbag chamber c9 connected in sequence. A disposable one-way valve 4 is provided between airbag chamber a7 and airbag chamber b8, and between airbag chamber b8 and airbag chamber c9. One end of the inflation pipe 2 is connected to an air pump 3, and the other end is inserted into the airbag body 1. The air pump 3 is connected to airbag chamber a7 and can inflate air into airbag chamber a7. The elastic ball 5 is disposed within the disposable one-way valve 4 and can block the valve port pipe under air pressure. The thickness of the airbag body 1 after full inflation is 5 cm. The airbag body 1 has a vent 6. Airbag chamber a7 is fitted to the side of the center console and can protect the occupant's chest after being filled with gas; airbag chamber b8 is fitted to the corner of the center console and can protect the occupant's torso after being filled with gas; and airbag chamber c9 is fitted to the upper surface of the center console. When a collision occurs, the airbag body 1 is already inflated, resulting in a flexible impact between the driver and the center console.

[0053] Example 2

[0054] An occupant protection method based on a sub-dashboard surface airbag includes the following steps:

[0055] 1. When the vehicle is hit from the side, the vehicle moves laterally, the ACU is ignited, and the occupants move laterally and hit the center console.

[0056] 2. After the ACU is ignited, the air pump generates gas and begins to fill the airbag chamber a7. At the same time, the elastic ball 5 in the disposable one-way valve 4 blocks the valve port pipe under the action of air pressure, ensuring that the airbag chamber a7 is filled first.

[0057] 3. When the airbag chamber a7 is fully inflated, the air pressure increases, which increases the force on the elastic ball 5 in the disposable one-way valve 4. The elastic ball 5 and the valve port pipe are deformed under the force. The elastic ball 5 is squeezed out of the pipe, and the airbag chamber b8 begins to inflate. This process continues until the airbag chambers a7, b8, and c9 are all full.

[0058] 4. The airbag is laid flat and folded in the center console storage compartment cover. After being fully inflated, it expands from the placement position, tearing the weakening line. The thickness of the airbag after full inflation is about 5cm.

[0059] 5. Airbag chamber a7 is attached to the side of the center console, airbag chamber b8 is attached to the corner of the side of the center console, and airbag chamber c9 is attached to the upper surface of the center console.

[0060] When a vehicle experiences a side impact, the occupant's upper torso will move laterally and intrude along the y-axis. At this moment, the ACU ignites, and the air pump generates gas, initially inflating airbag chamber a7. This ensures that the airbag, which is against the side of the center console, inflates fully first. Even if the occupant's upper torso intrudes quickly, a flexible impact protection layer is formed before contact with the center console. Airbag chambers b8 and c9 inflate sequentially, following the order in which the occupant's upper torso contacts the center console. That is, the occupant's chest and abdomen first contact the side of the center console, then the torso contacts the corner of the center console, and then, using the corner as a center, deflects and contacts the upper surface of the center console. Throughout this process, a flexible protection layer is maintained between the occupant and the center console. Furthermore, the airbag is fully fixed to the center console, preventing any issues with airbag deployment.

[0061] Note that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and the technical principles employed. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, and various obvious changes, readjustments, and substitutions can be made without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, although the present invention has been described in detail through the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and may include many other equivalent embodiments without departing from the concept of the present invention, the scope of which is determined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An occupant protection method based on a sub-instrument panel surface airbag, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: A. When the vehicle is hit from the side, the vehicle moves laterally, the ACU is ignited, and the occupants move laterally and crash into the center console. B. After the ACU is ignited, the air pump generates gas and begins to fill the airbag chamber a (7). At the same time, in the disposable one-way valve (4), the elastic ball (5) blocks the valve port pipe under the action of air pressure, ensuring that the airbag chamber a (7) is filled first. C. When the airbag chamber a (7) is fully filled, the air pressure increases, and the force on the elastic ball (5) in the disposable one-way valve (4) increases. The elastic ball (5) and the valve port pipe are deformed under the force. The elastic ball (5) is squeezed out of the pipe, and the airbag chamber b (8) begins to fill. This continues until the airbag chamber a (7), airbag chamber b (8), and airbag chamber c (9) are all filled. D. The airbag is laid flat and folded in the storage compartment cover of the center console. After being fully inflated, it expands from the placement position and tears the weakening line. The thickness of the airbag after full inflation is 5cm. It includes two airbag bodies (1). The two airbag bodies (1) are fixed on the left and right sides of the center console respectively. They are all three-chamber structures, including three independent airbag chambers connected together. One end of the inflation pipe (2) is connected to the air pump (3), and the other end is inserted into the airbag body (1). The three airbag chambers can be inflated in sequence. The inflation sequence is consistent with the position sequence of the upper torso of the human body against the center console. That is, the occupant's chest and abdomen first adhere to the side of the center console, then the torso contacts the corner of the center console, and then the torso deflects with the corner of the center console as the center and contacts the upper surface of the center console. At all times, there is flexible protection between the human body and the center console. The airbag body (1) includes airbag chamber a (7), airbag chamber b (8) and airbag chamber c (9) connected in sequence. A disposable one-way valve (4) is provided between airbag chamber a (7) and airbag chamber b (8), and between airbag chamber b (8) and airbag chamber c (9). The elastic ball (5) is set in the disposable one-way valve (4) and can block the valve port pipe under air pressure. The air pump (3) is connected to airbag chamber a (7) and can inflate air into airbag chamber a (7). E. Airbag chamber a (7) is attached to the side of the center console, airbag chamber b (8) is attached to the corner of the side of the center console, and airbag chamber c (9) is attached to the upper surface of the center console.

2. The application device for an occupant protection method based on a sub-instrument panel surface airbag according to claim 1, characterized in that: The airbag chamber a (7) is attached to the side of the center console and can protect the occupant's chest after being filled with gas. The airbag chamber b (8) is attached to the corner of the center console and can protect the occupant's torso after being filled with gas. The airbag chamber c (9) is attached to the upper surface of the center console.

3. The application device for an occupant protection method based on a sub-instrument panel surface airbag according to claim 2, characterized in that: The thickness of the airbag body (1) after full inflation is 5cm.

4. The application device of the occupant protection method based on the sub-instrument panel surface airbag according to claim 2, characterized in that: The airbag body (1) has 1-2 vent holes (6).

Images