Side airbag
By adjusting the number and position of the pleats in the side airbags to spread them when inflated, the problem that the airbags in the prior art is difficult to fully contact the occupant trunk, achieving better protection and smaller impact force.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202380070185.0
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-10-24
- Filing Date
- 2023-09-29
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-13
AI Technical Summary
Existing side airbags have difficulty in fully contacting the occupant's trunk during collision, resulting in large forces at the arms, shoulders, or ribs, which may cause damage.
By changing the number and position of the pleats in the airbag, so that they are deployed when inflated, the volume of the airbag increases and completely fills the space on the occupant side, thereby achieving a more inner positioning and better protection.
This design allows the airbag to more effectively spread around the occupant's trunk, reducing the impact on the arms, shoulders and ribs, thus providing better protection and reducing the risk of damage.
Smart Images
Figure CN119998178A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a side airbag for a motor vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a side airbag for protecting an occupant of a vehicle in the event of a collision. Background Art
[0002] Side airbags are safety devices installed in vehicles for protecting the occupants of the vehicle in the event of a collision. In the event of a side collision of the vehicle, side airbags are particularly useful for protecting the occupants of the vehicle.
[0003] In the attached figure Figure 1 A conventional side airbag 1 is shown in an inflated configuration after having been deployed. The inflated airbag 1 is positioned between a door 2 of a vehicle and an occupant 3 of the vehicle. The airbag 1 acts as a cushion to limit the movement of the occupant 3 relative to the door 2. The airbag 1 dissipates the kinetic energy of the occupant 3 to minimize the risk of the occupant 3 striking the door 2 during a crash situation.
[0004] Such as Figure 1 A problem with side airbags, such as the airbag 1 shown in , is that the airbag generally does not adequately contact the torso of the occupant 3. This can result in large forces being applied by the inflated airbag to the arm 4 and the shoulder of the occupant 3, which in turn can result in injuries to the arm 4, the shoulder of the occupant 3, or the ribs.
[0005] There is a need for an improved side airbag that alleviates at least some of the problems outlined herein. Summary of the invention
[0006] The invention provides a side airbag according to claim 1 and a side airbag module according to claim 7. The invention also provides preferred embodiments according to the dependent claims.
[0007] Some example airbags of the present disclosure completely fill the space between a vehicle door and the torso of a vehicle occupant, thereby stabilizing and minimizing movement of the vehicle occupant during a crash event.
[0008] The airbags of some examples of the present disclosure rotate the occupant's arms during deployment, which results in a further inboard positioning of the inflated airbag relative to conventional side airbags. This further inboard positioning further enhances the protection of the vehicle occupant compared to conventional side airbags.
[0009] By varying the number of pleats and / or the location of the pleats in the airbag, the airbags of some examples of the present disclosure can be easily configured to inflate in a manner desired for a particular vehicle type. Such flexibility is not possible with standard conventional side airbags that are not folded with pleats.
[0010] Some examples of the present disclosure provide an airbag with at least one pleat that deploys when the airbag is inflated to increase the volume of the airbag and completely fill the space on the occupant side of the vehicle. This avoids the need to add additional chambers to increase the volume of the airbag, which would otherwise increase the weight and packaging size of the airbag.
[0011] The airbags of some examples of the present disclosure do not require a tether to be secured to the airbag to achieve a curved shape when the airbag is inflated. This means that the airbag can be packaged into a smaller housing than conventional airbags that incorporate additional components such as tethers, baffles, or plates. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] In order that the present disclosure may be more readily understood, preferred embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0013] Figure 1 is a diagrammatic top view of a conventional side airbag inflated within a vehicle;
[0014] Figure 2 is a diagrammatic side view of an example airbag of the present disclosure;
[0015] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Another diagrammatic side view of an airbag;
[0016] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 Another diagrammatic side view of an airbag;
[0017] Figure 5 is in deflated configuration Figure 2 A diagrammatic top cross-sectional view of an airbag;
[0018] Figure 6 yes Figure 2 A diagrammatic side view of an airbag at an intermediate stage of manufacture;
[0019] Figure 7 yes Figure 2 a diagrammatic top cross-sectional view of an airbag after the airbag has been inflated;
[0020] Figure 8 yes Figure 2 A diagrammatic top view of an airbag after it has been inflated in a vehicle;
[0021] Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic side view of another example airbag of the present disclosure;
[0022] Fig.10 yes Fig. 9 Another diagrammatic side view of an airbag;
[0023] Fig.11 yes Fig. 9 Another diagrammatic side view of an airbag;
[0024] Fig.12 yes Fig.11 an enlarged view of a portion of;
[0025] Fig.13 is in deflated configuration Fig. 9 A diagrammatic top cross-sectional view of an airbag;
[0026] Fig.14 yes Fig. 9 A diagrammatic side view of an airbag at an intermediate stage of manufacture;
[0027] Fig.15 yes Fig. 9 a diagrammatic top cross-sectional view of an airbag after the airbag has been inflated;
[0028] Fig.16 yes Fig. 9 A front view of an airbag when inflated in a vehicle;
[0029] Fig.17 yes Fig. 9 A top view of an airbag being inflated in a vehicle;
[0030] Fig.18 is a diagrammatic side view of another example airbag of the present disclosure;
[0031] Fig.19 yes Fig.18 Another diagrammatic side view of an airbag;
[0032] Fig. 20 is in deflated configuration Fig.18 A diagrammatic top cross-sectional view of an airbag;
[0033] Fig.21 yes Fig.18 A diagrammatic side view of an airbag at an intermediate stage of manufacture;
[0034] Fig. 22 yes Fig.18 a diagrammatic top cross-sectional view of an airbag after the airbag has been inflated;
[0035] Fig.23 yes Fig.18 A diagrammatic side view of an airbag after the airbag has been inflated;
[0036] Fig.24 yes Fig.18 Another diagrammatic side view of the airbag after the airbag has been inflated;
[0037] Fig.25 yes Fig.18 A diagrammatic top view of an airbag after the airbag has been inflated;
[0038] Fig.26 is a diagrammatic top cross-sectional view of another example airbag of the present disclosure;
[0039] Fig. 27 is a diagrammatic top cross-sectional view of another example airbag of the present disclosure;
[0040] Fig.28 is a diagrammatic top cross-sectional view of another example airbag of the present disclosure;
[0041] Fig.29 is a diagrammatic side view of another example airbag of the present disclosure;
[0042] Fig.30 yes Fig.29 A front view of an airbag partially inflated in a vehicle;
[0043] Fig.31 yes Fig.29 a front view of the fully inflated airbag in the vehicle; and
[0044] Fig.32 is a diagrammatic top view of some examples of a distal airbag of the present disclosure after it has been inflated within a vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0045] Now refer to the accompanying drawings Figures 2 to 6 , the side airbag of an example of the present disclosure includes an elongated first fabric layer 6 and an elongated second fabric layer 7. In this example, the first fabric layer 6 and the second fabric layer 7 are integrally formed with each other and folded along a folding line 8 so that the fabric layers 6, 7 overlap each other. However, in other examples, the first fabric layer 6 and the second fabric layer 7 are initially separate but joined to each other during the manufacturing process.
[0046] The first and second fabric layers 6 , 7 are elongated in the sense that they have a length extending between a first end 9 and a second end 10 of the first fabric layer 6 or between a first end 11 and a second end 12 of the second fabric layer 7 .
[0047] It will be appreciated that the first ends 9 , 11 are located at the top of the air-bag 5 and the second ends 10 , 12 are located at the bottom of the air-bag 5 when the air-bag is inflated within the vehicle.
[0048] Now refer to the accompanying drawings Figure 5 , the second fabric layer 7 is superimposed on the first fabric layer 6 to form a chamber 13 between the section 14 of the first fabric layer 6 and the section 15 of the second fabric layer 7. In this example, the sections 14, 15 of the first fabric layer 6 and the second fabric layer 7 are the central sections of the first fabric layer 6 and the second fabric layer 7.
[0049] The airbag 5 is provided with a gas inlet hole 16, which in this example is positioned at the fold line 8 between the first fabric layer 6 and the second fabric layer 7. In this example, the airbag 5 is provided with a mounting hole 17 near the gas inlet hole 16 to receive a mounting element for mounting the gas generator to the airbag 5. However, in other examples, the mounting hole 17 is omitted.
[0050] The second fabric layer 7 is wider than the first fabric layer 6 in a transverse direction, which extends transversely to the length of the first fabric layer 6 and the second fabric layer 7. The transverse direction is generally defined by Figure 2 and Figure 3 In this example, the transverse direction 18 is perpendicular or generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis extending between the first end 9 and the second end 10 of the first fabric layer and / or between the first end 11 and the second end 12 of the second fabric layer 7.
[0051] The second fabric layer 7 is folded with at least one elongated pleat 19. In this example, the pleat 19 is formed by a first fold 19a and a second fold 19b, which together form a Z-shaped fold in the second fabric layer 7. However, it should be understood that other examples of airbags of the present disclosure include at least one pleat having a different fold shape.
[0052] At least one elongated gather 19 reduces the overall width of the second fabric layer 7 so that the second fabric layer 7 has the same or similar width to the first fabric layer 6, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 Thus, even though the second fabric layer has a greater width than the first fabric layer 6, when the second fabric layer 7 is superimposed on the first fabric layer 6, the at least one gather allows the second fabric layer to sit substantially flat.
[0053] During manufacture of the airbag 5, the first and second fabric layers 6, 7 are superimposed on one another and the first and second fabric layers 6, 7 are sewn together along a seam 20 that extends at least partially around the periphery of the first and second fabric layers 6, 7. The seam 20 provides an airtight or substantially airtight seal that minimizes or prevents gas from leaking out of the airbag 5 when inflated.
[0054] In this example, the pleat 19 has a first end 21 and a second end 22. The first end 21 of the pleat 19 is positioned at the first end 11 of the second fabric layer 7. The second end 22 of the pleat 19 is spaced apart from the second end 12 of the second fabric layer 7 and is positioned at the section 15 of the second fabric layer. That is, the second end 22 of the pleat 19 is spaced apart from the seam 20 at the second end 12 of the second fabric layer 7 and is located at the section 15 of the second fabric layer that moves to separate from the first fabric layer 6 when the airbag 5 is inflated.
[0055] In this example, the pleats 19 are V-shaped or substantially V-shaped. The V-shape is achieved by folding the second fabric layer 7 at a first end 21 of the pleats 19 by a greater distance than at a second end 22 of the pleats 19. The V-shape controls the shape of the airbag 5 when inflated, so that the upper end of the airbag 5 at the first ends 9, 11 of the first and second fabric layers 6, 7 has a wider cross-section than the lower end of the airbag 5 at the second ends 10, 12 of the first and second fabric layers 6, 7.
[0056] It should be understood that the shape of the pleats 19 of this example is one type of shape and that other examples of the present disclosure include pleats of different shapes.Examples of airbags of the present disclosure having pleats of different shapes and / or different numbers of pleats are described below.
[0057] Now refer to the accompanying drawings Figure 7 and Figure 8 When gas is introduced into chamber 13 to inflate airbag 5, the force exerted by the gas on first fabric layer 6 and second fabric layer 7 causes section 14 of first fabric layer 6 to move apart from section 15 of second fabric layer 7. The force exerted by the gas on first fabric layer 6 and second fabric layer 7 also unfolds the or each pleat 19 so that the inflated airbag 5 assumes a curved shape to fit around a portion of an occupant 23 of a motor vehicle, such as Figure 8 As shown. Figure 7 As shown, the curved shape of the airbag 5 is achieved by making the width W2 of the second fabric layer 7 greater than the width W1 of the first fabric layer 6 .
[0058] The airbag 5 is positioned between a door 24 or wall of the vehicle and an occupant 23. The curved shape of the airbag 5 causes the airbag 5 to exert a rotational force on the arm 25 of the occupant 23, which moves the occupant arm 25 upward. The rotation of the occupant's arm 25 enables the airbag 5 to fit around the torso of the occupant 23. Due to the increase in airbag volume caused by the deployment of each pleat during airbag inflation, the airbag 5 completely fills the space between the torso of the occupant 23 and the door 24. This provides improved stability, which minimizes movement of the occupant 23 relative to the door 24 and helps minimize injury to the occupant 23 during a collision situation. In addition, the positioning achieved by the curved airbag 5 minimizes the forces acting on the arms and shoulders of the occupant 23, which otherwise could cause injury to the occupant 23.
[0059] Other example airbags of the present disclosure will now be described. Other example airbags include many of the same elements as the airbag 5 described above, and the same reference numerals are used for equivalent parts in the airbag described below.
[0060] Now refer to the accompanying drawings Figures 9 to 14 , another example of an airbag 26 of the present disclosure includes a second fabric layer 7 folded with an elongated pleat 27. A first end 28 of the pleat 27 is positioned at the first end 11 of the second fabric layer 7, and a second end 29 of the pleat 27 is positioned at the second end 12 of the second fabric layer 7. In this example, the pleat 27 extends substantially across the entire height of the second fabric layer 7 between the seam 20 at the first end 11 of the second fabric layer 7 and the seam 20 at the second end 12.
[0061] The pleats 27 of the airbag 26 are formed by a Z-shaped fold in the second fabric layer 7. The Z-shaped fold is formed by a first fold 27a along a first fold direction and a second fold 27b along a second fold direction. The first fold direction is a direction different from the second fold direction. In this example, the first fold direction is opposite to the second fold direction.
[0062] Now refer to the accompanying drawings Figures 15 to 17 When the airbag 26 is inflated, the sections of the first fabric layer 6 and the second fabric layer 7 move apart from each other and unfold the pleats 27 in the second fabric layer 7 so that the inflated airbag 26 has a curved shape to fit around a portion of an occupant of a motor vehicle, such as Fig.17 This provides a similar effect to the airbag 5 described above in that the arm 25 of the occupant 23 is rotated upward to allow the airbag 26 to fit around a portion of the occupant 23 .
[0063] Now refer to the accompanying drawings Figures 18 to 21Another example of an airbag 30 of the present disclosure includes a second fabric layer 7, which is folded with two elongated pleats 31, 32. The two elongated pleats 31, 32 are folded in opposite directions and are spaced apart from each other. The pleats 31, 32 form an Ω-shaped fold in the second fabric layer 7, such as Fig. 20 shown.
[0064] Now refer to the accompanying drawings Figure 22 to Figure 25 , when the airbag 30 is inflated, the sections 14, 15 of the first fabric layer 6 and the second fabric layer 7 move to separate from each other and unfold each pleat 31, 32 in the second fabric layer 7. As in the above example, the inflated airbag 30 has a curved shape to fit around a portion of an occupant of a motor vehicle. In this example, the spacing between the pleats 31, 32 causes the curvature of the second fabric layer 7 to be different from the curvature of the airbag of the above example when the airbag 30 is inflated.
[0065] Now refer to the accompanying drawings Fig.26 Another example of an airbag 33 of the present disclosure includes a second fabric layer 7 folded with two spaced apart pleats 34, 35. The two spaced apart pleats 34, 35 form an Ω-shaped fold similar to the Ω-shaped fold of the above-described airbag 30. However, in this example, the Ω-shaped fold of the airbag 33 is reversed so that the folded portions of the pleats 34, 35 protrude outward from the plane of the second fabric layer 7.
[0066] Now refer to the accompanying drawings Fig. 27 Another example of an airbag 36 of the present disclosure includes a second fabric layer 7 folded with two spaced apart pleats 37, 38. The pleats 37, 38 are folded in substantially the same direction as each other to form two spaced apart Z-shaped folds in the second fabric layer 7. In this example, the pleats 37, 38 are folded in the same direction as each other, away from the fold line 8 of the airbag 36.
[0067] Now refer to the accompanying drawings Fig.28 The airbag 39 of another example of the present disclosure comprises a second fabric layer 7 provided with two spaced apart pleats 40, 41. The pleats 40, 41 are folded in the same direction as each other and towards the folding line 8 of the airbag 39.
[0068] Now refer to the accompanying drawings Fig.29 , another example of an airbag 42 of the present disclosure includes three spaced apart pleats 43 to 45 folded in the second fabric layer 7. In this example, the pleats 43 to 45 are all folded in the same direction toward the fold line 8 of the airbag 42. In this example, the first two pleats 43, 44 are closer to each other than the spacing between the second pleat 44 and the third pleat 45.
[0069] Now refer to the accompanying drawings Fig.30 and Fig.31 When the airbag 42 is inflated, the pleats 43 to 45 unfold so that the airbag 42 is fitted around the torso of the vehicle occupant 23. The three pleats 43 to 45 of the airbag 42 of this example provide an increased degree of curvature of the inflated airbag 42 relative to the above example having less than three pleats in the second fabric layer 7.
[0070] It should be understood that some examples of the airbags of the present disclosure are provided with one or more pleats in the second fabric layer 7 to achieve a desired degree of curvature of the airbag when inflated. The type of folding and the number and spacing of the pleats are selected to achieve a desired degree of curvature of the inflated airbag to provide appropriate restraint for the occupants of the vehicle.
[0071] While the airbags of the above examples are near-side airbags that inflate between a vehicle occupant and a door or sidewall of the vehicle, other examples of the airbags 46 of the present disclosure are far-side airbags that inflate centrally within the vehicle between two seats, such as Fig.32 4. The distal airbag 46 has the same configuration and includes the same elements as the other airbags described above to ensure that the airbag 46 has a curved shape when inflated. In this example, the airbag 46 is fitted around a portion of the occupant 23 and stabilizes the occupant 23 to minimize movement of the occupant 23 during a crash situation. The stability provided by the inflated airbag 46 reduces the risk of injury to the occupant 23 by minimizing or preventing the occupant 23 from moving toward the center of the vehicle and potentially striking an adjacent passenger 47.
[0072] In another example of the present disclosure, an airbag of the type described above includes an insert or gas diffuser coupled to the airbag adjacent the gas inlet opening 16. The insert is configured to be mounted to a gas generator.
[0073] In another example of the present disclosure, a side airbag module includes a housing, a gas generator, and an airbag of one of the above examples. The gas generator is mounted to an insert, the insert is coupled to the airbag, and the airbag is folded and received within the housing. In some examples, the housing is a flexible wrap, but in other examples, the housing is a rigid plastic shell.
[0074] The configuration of an airbag having at least one pleat enables the airbag to be inflated to a larger volume than an airbag without pleats because each pleat deploys when the airbag is inflated. This enables the airbag to completely fill the space between an occupant of the vehicle and a door of the vehicle (in the case of a near-side airbag) or the space between the occupant and the passenger (in the case of a far-side airbag). The at least one pleat enables a larger inflation volume without the need to add additional chambers to the airbag, which would undesirably increase the size and shape of the airbag.
[0075] The configuration of the airbag having at least one pleat reduces the packaging space required for the airbag compared to conventional airbags that incorporate tethers to achieve a curved inflated shape. This helps minimize the overall size of the housing of the airbag module. Additionally, it is easier to manufacture the airbag of the examples of the present disclosure having at least one pleat than other airbags that require additional components (such as tethers, baffles, or plates) to be attached within the airbag to control the shape of the inflated airbag.
[0076] When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. These terms should not be interpreted as excluding the presence of other features, steps or components.
[0077] The present invention may also broadly include parts, elements, steps, examples and / or features that are individually mentioned or indicated in the specification, or parts, elements, steps, examples and / or features that are commonly mentioned or indicated in the specification in any and all combinations of two or more of the parts, elements, steps, examples and / or features. Specifically, one or more features in any embodiment described herein may be combined with one or more features from any other embodiment described herein.
[0078] Protection may be sought for any feature disclosed in any one or more of the publications cited herein in conjunction with the present disclosure.
[0079] Although certain exemplary embodiments of the invention have been described, the scope of the appended claims is not intended to be limited to only these embodiments. The claims should be interpreted literally, objectively, and / or to encompass equivalents.
[0080] Representative features
[0081] Representative features are listed in the following clauses, which stand alone or can be combined in any combination with one or more features disclosed in the text and / or drawings of this specification.
[0082] 1. A side airbag for a motor vehicle, the airbag comprising: an elongated first fabric layer; and an elongated second fabric layer, the second fabric layer being superimposed on the first fabric layer to form a chamber between a section of the first fabric layer and a section of the second fabric layer, wherein: the second fabric layer is wider than the first fabric layer in a transverse direction, the transverse direction extending transverse to the lengths of the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer, and the second fabric layer is folded with at least one elongated pleat, wherein when gas is introduced into the chamber to inflate the airbag, the force exerted by the gas on the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer causes the section of the first fabric layer to move to separate from the section of the second fabric layer, and each pleat in the second fabric layer is unfolded so that the inflated airbag has a curved shape to fit around a portion of an occupant of the motor vehicle.
[0083] 2. The airbag according to clause 1, wherein the second fabric layer is folded with a plurality of elongated pleats, the plurality of elongated pleats being spaced apart from each other.
[0084] 3. An airbag according to clause 1 or clause 2, wherein the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer are formed integrally with each other and folded to superimpose the first fabric layer on the second fabric layer, and wherein the first fabric layer is sewn to the second fabric layer along a seam that extends at least partially around the periphery of the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer.
[0085] 4. An airbag according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the airbag is configured to be installed in a vehicle such that, when inflated, the inflated airbag is positioned between an occupant of the vehicle and a side of the vehicle.
[0086] 5. An airbag according to any of clauses 1 to 3, wherein the airbag is configured to be mounted centrally within a vehicle such that, when inflated, the inflated airbag is positioned between two seats of the vehicle.
[0087] 6. An airbag according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the airbag is provided with a gas inlet hole and an insert coupled to the airbag adjacent the gas inlet hole, the insert being configured to be mounted to a gas generator.
[0088] 7. A side airbag module comprising: a housing; a gas generator; and an airbag according to clause 6, wherein the gas generator is mounted to the insert and the airbag is folded and received within the housing.
Claims
1. A side airbag for a motor vehicle, the airbag comprising: an elongated first fabric layer (6); and an elongated second fabric layer (7) superposed on the first fabric layer (6) to form a chamber (13) between a section (14) of the first fabric layer (6) and a section (15) of the second fabric layer (7), wherein: The second fabric layer (7) is wider than the first fabric layer (6) in a transverse direction, the transverse direction extending transversely to the length of the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer (6, 7), and The second fabric layer (7) is folded with at least one elongated pleat (19) wherein, when gas is introduced into the chamber (13) to inflate the airbag, The force exerted by the gas on the first and second fabric layers (6, 7) causes the section (14) of the first fabric layer (6) to move apart from the section (15) of the second fabric layer (7) and to unfold each pleat (19) in the second fabric layer (7) so that the inflated airbag has a curved shape to fit around a portion of an occupant of the motor vehicle.
2. The airbag according to claim 1, wherein the second fabric layer (7) is folded with a plurality of elongated pleats, the plurality of elongated pleats being spaced apart from each other.
3. An airbag according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first fabric layer (6) and the second fabric layer (7) are formed integrally with each other and folded to superimpose the first fabric layer (6) on the second fabric layer (7), and wherein the first fabric layer (6) is sewn to the second fabric layer (7) along a seam (20), the seam extending at least partially around the periphery of the first fabric layer (6) and the second fabric layer (7).
4. An airbag according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the airbag is configured to be installed in a vehicle such that, when inflated, the inflated airbag is positioned between an occupant of the vehicle and a side of the vehicle.
5. The airbag of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the airbag is configured to be mounted centrally within a vehicle such that when inflated, the inflated airbag is positioned between two seats of the vehicle.
6. An airbag according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the airbag is provided with a gas inlet hole (16) and an insert coupled to the airbag adjacent the gas inlet hole (16), the insert being configured to be mounted to a gas generator.
7. A side airbag module, comprising: shell; Gas generator; as well as The airbag according to claim 6, wherein the gas generator is mounted to the insert, and the airbag is folded and received in the housing.