Airbag for vehicle restraint system, airbag module and vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an airbag (10) for a vehicle restraint system, having an adaptively adjustable longitudinal extension (A), comprising a first face (12) and a second face (14), which are arranged opposite at least in the inflated state of the airbag (10), the first face (12) being provided with a deflector (16), through which a restraint strap (18) is loosely passed, and the second face (14) being provided with a second face (16), through which the restraint strap (18) is loosely passed. And the first end (20) and the second end (22) of the limiting belt (18) are fixed on the second surface (14) in a length-adjustable manner, so that adaptive adjustment of the longitudinal extension (A) is realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vehicle safety technology, and more specifically to airbags, airbag modules, and vehicles used in vehicle restraint systems. Background Technology

[0002] Airbag modules are well-known components in the prior art. They are part of an automotive safety system and mitigate the kinetic energy affecting vehicle occupants in the event of an accident. Therefore, an airbag module mainly includes a module bracket for mounting the module on an interior component of the vehicle, an airbag, and one or more gas generators for inflating the airbag.

[0003] In addition, the vehicle's autonomous driving mode allows passengers to operate the vehicle without intervention. During this mode, the seats can be adjusted to a reclining position, with the seat further away from the steering wheel and the seat back tilted at a relatively horizontal angle. Besides autonomous driving mode, the seats can also be adjusted to a position that facilitates safe driving for passengers.

[0004] To address this, airbags of this type already exist, whose longitudinal extension (i.e., along the vehicle's longitudinal axis) can be adaptively adjusted or switched in depth to safely connect occupants regardless of the vehicle's current operating mode. Therefore, the airbag's receiving surface always maintains an optimal distance from the vehicle's passengers' bodies.

[0005] For example, an airbag conforming to this type can be understood from patent text DE102019129912A1. This document describes a depth-adaptive airbag having multiple restraint bands, namely multiple shorter restraint bands and multiple longer restraint bands, for performing depth adaptation. The shorter or longer restraint bands act on the length extension of the airbag according to the desired depth adaptation.

[0006] The system is relatively complex and costly due to the use of multiple constraints to achieve deep adaptation. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Therefore, the purpose of this invention is to provide an airbag of this type that has low manufacturing cost and is simple to prepare.

[0008] This objective is achieved by the airbag according to claim 1, the airbag module according to claim 8, and the vehicle equipped with such an airbag module according to claim 10, with the corresponding dependent claims constituting advantageous embodiments.

[0009] According to the invention, the airbag is adaptively adjustable in its longitudinal extension direction and includes a first surface and a second surface, which are arranged opposite each other at least when the airbag is inflated, wherein the first surface is provided with a deflector through which a restraining band loosely passes, and the second surface is length-adjustably fixed at the first and second ends of the restraining band to achieve adaptive shear adjustment of the longitudinal extension.

[0010] In this case, adjustable longitudinal extension means that the airbag can adjust its extension length along the vehicle's longitudinal axis. That is, when the vehicle seat position is adjusted to a certain extent (such as a reclining position compared to the driver's position), the longitudinal extension of the airbag needs to be adjusted to achieve optimal connection between the vehicle passenger and the airbag's receiving area.

[0011] The airbag is preferably pillow-shaped, and the first and second sides are preferably formed when the airbag is inflated. In this embodiment, the first side may be the side facing the vehicle passengers, and the second side may be the side facing away from the vehicle passengers. Alternatively, the first and second sides may be used in reverse, i.e., the second side has a deflector, and the first side has a fastener for the restraint strap.

[0012] Because the restraint strap passes loosely through the deflector, it can be moved on one surface of the deflector. This is necessary to allow adjustment of the restraint strap's length to accommodate the required longitudinal extension of the airbag.

[0013] Based on the above design, the airbag has greater adaptability. Compared with the existing technology, it only requires one restraint band to achieve the adjustment function, thus reducing cost and failure rate.

[0014] Another advantageous implementation is that the first end of the limiting band is fixed to the second surface, and the second end is fixed to the second surface multiple times at different length intervals.

[0015] Therefore, both ends of the restraint strap are fixed to the same side of the airbag, while the deflector of the restraint strap is located on the opposite side.

[0016] By repeatedly securing the second end while maintaining the length spacing between them, the longitudinal extension required for the airbag can be adjusted according to the vehicle's seat position. Therefore, one securing point of the second end can be released, thereby changing the distance of the restraint band from the first to the second side, and in particular, extending that distance.

[0017] Another highly advantageous embodiment of the invention is that the length spacing should be chosen to achieve the desired longitudinal extension. Therefore, the length spacing depends on the possible range of adjustment of the vehicle seat between two extreme positions. For example, from a reclining position to a normal driving position, where the seat should be adjusted to a position where the vehicle passengers can safely drive the vehicle manually.

[0018] Furthermore, it is advantageous to arrange the deflecting and fixing elements at the first and second ends of the limiting band relatively centrally at the center of the second surface. In particular, they are positioned at the center of their respective surfaces.

[0019] The above structure allows for the creation of an airbag with a symmetrical and uniform shape in its inflated state. This means that a receiving surface is formed on the airbag, preferentially located at the center, thereby enabling the vehicle occupants to be engaged in the optimal position in the event of an accident.

[0020] Another advantageous design is that the deflection area on the side where the deflector is located is reinforced, especially with fiber or sheet metal reinforcement.

[0021] The reinforcement prevents unnecessary material weakening in the deflector area and, in particular, prevents the deflector from detaching from or loosening from the airbag surface.

[0022] The reinforcement can be optionally formed from a single layer of airbag substrate, and in particular, reinforcement is achieved through another layer of substrate, with the airbag wall having a multi-layered structure in the deflection region.

[0023] This design allows for relatively low-cost reinforcement because the materials used are the same as those used to manufacture airbags and their cut panels.

[0024] In addition, it is advisable to prioritize designing the deflector as an annular, especially circular, shape, and to provide an opening within the area formed by the fixing element for the passage of the restraining band.

[0025] This design is both technologically efficient and structurally advantageous because it enables a very stable deflection connection.

[0026] Furthermore, the airbag according to the invention can be integrated into an airbag module, which is equipped with a gas generator and a module bracket. The airbag module is a component, manufactured and sold by a parts supplier due to its advantageous system integration, and installed in the intended location in a vehicle or vehicle seat.

[0027] The airbag module is preferably equipped with a control unit configured to apply force to the fastener at the second end of the restraint belt according to the vehicle seat position, so as to adjust the longitudinal extension according to the vehicle seat position.

[0028] The control unit can influence the fasteners at the second end of the restraint straps based on the specific seat position, thereby optimizing the longitudinal extension of the airbag. To this end, sensors are installed on the seat to detect its position. These sensors are connected to the control unit via signal transmission, which calculates which fasteners at the second end of the restraint straps need to be released to achieve optimal longitudinal extension of the airbag in this application.

[0029] The control unit preferentially operates through one or more actuators based on the calculation result, which will release the corresponding fasteners at the second end of the restraint belt.

[0030] Therefore, the airbag module or airbag according to the present invention can be integrated into a vehicle or vehicle seat and equipped with sensors that can detect the position of the vehicle seat relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and / or the angular position of the seat back, and transmit the information to a control unit to calculate the required longitudinal extension distance of the airbag.

[0031] As a result, an action is applied to the corresponding fixing point on the second end of the restraint band, causing it to loosen or release, thereby achieving the desired longitudinal extension of the airbag through the restraint band. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the inflatable airbag designed according to the present invention in its first state;

[0033] Figure 2 according to Figure 1 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the airbag in the second state.

[0034] In the diagram, 10 is the airbag; 12 is the first side; 14 is the second side; 16 is the deflector; 18 is the restraint belt; 20 is the first end; 22 is the second end; 24 is the reinforcing member; 30 is the fixing member; 32 is the fixing member; 34 is the fixing member; 36 is the fixing member; A is the longitudinal extension; B is the length spacing. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The technical solutions provided by the various embodiments of this application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0036] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the adaptively adjustable airbag 10 for a vehicle restraint system is shown in a first state, which differs from the second state (see...). Figure 2 ), limiting the shortening of the belt 18 and its fasteners 30, 32, and 34 (e.g. Figure 1 (as shown) and extended state (as shown) Figure 2 (As shown). Therefore, the limiting band 18 can be selectively kept shortened or extended.

[0037] It can be seen that the airbag 10 is basically composed of two layers of material, which are stacked together and fixed to each other in the circumferential direction, in particular by being sewn together. These two layers of material form the first surface 12 and the second surface 14, and the circumferential fixing can be seen from the conical portions or tips on the left and right sides.

[0038] In its inflated state, the airbag 10 is inflated. In particular, when a vehicle equipped with the airbag 10 of the present invention is involved in an accident (collision) or an imminent accident (pre-collision), a cavity is formed inside the airbag 10, in which a restraining band 18 that can adaptively adjust the longitudinal extension A of the airbag 10 is installed.

[0039] In this embodiment, a single restraint band 18 is installed. However, it is foreseeable that if multiple restraint bands 18 are installed, they may be arranged in a circular pattern around the center of the airbag, similar to the airbag of this invention. The single restraint band 18 is positioned relatively centrally to form a receiving surface that is as symmetrical as possible on the surface of the airbag 10.

[0040] Furthermore, it can be seen that the restraining band 18 is secured to the second surface 14 by fasteners 30, 32, and 34. The first end 20 of the restraining band 18 is permanently secured to the second surface 14 by fastener 30, while the second end 22 of the restraining band 18 is detachably secured to the second surface 14 by at least one of fasteners 32 and 34. In practical applications, whether to specifically remove which fastener 32 or 34 to achieve the altered longitudinal extension A depends on the exact position of the corresponding vehicle seat. For this purpose, a control unit is provided, which is connected to one or more sensors via signal transmission to infer the position of the vehicle seat. The control unit calculates the necessary longitudinal extension A distance and selectively releases one of the fasteners 32 or 34, for example, via a corresponding actuator.

[0041] On the first surface 12, the limiting band 18 passes through the opening of the deflector 16, and the limiting band 18 can slide freely within the deflector 16. The deflector 16 allows the fasteners 30, 32, and 34 to be mounted on the same surface, instead of being mounted separately on the first surface 12 and the second surface 14.

[0042] The deflector 16 is formed from a corresponding material in the material layer through its own (additional) substrate layer, which forms a reinforcement 24 to prevent the deflector 16 from accidentally detaching from the first surface 12. The deflector 16 and the fixing member 36 of the first surface 12 are preferably arranged in an arc or circle in the circumferential direction (viewed from the top view).

[0043] Figure 2 The diagram shows the restraint band 18 in an extended state. Here, "extended state" does not mean that the restraint band 18 is actually shorter or longer, but rather that the corresponding fasteners 32 and 34 result in a larger length distance B, thus affecting the longitudinal extension A. Therefore, the restraint band 18 can be kept shortened or extended as needed. The extended state is achieved by loosening the fastener 32, according to... Figure 1The fastener allows for a shorter longitudinal extension A. Therefore, in this state, the restraining band 18 can only be secured to the second surface 14 by fasteners 30 and 34, with the restraining band 18 passing through the deflector 16 between them.

[0044] Half of the length distance B between the two fasteners 32 and 34 is the possible longitudinal extension distance A.

Claims

1. An airbag (10) for a vehicle restraint system having an adaptively adjustable longitudinal extension (A), comprising a first surface (12) and a second surface (14), the first surface (12) and the second surface (14) being arranged opposite each other at least when the airbag (10) is inflated, the first surface (12) being provided with a deflector (16), a restraining band (18) passing loosely through the deflector, and the first end (20) and the second end (22) of the restraining band (18) being length-adjustably fixed on the second surface (14) to achieve adaptive adjustment of the longitudinal extension (A).

2. The airbag (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first end (20) of the limiting band (18) is fixed to the second surface (14), and the second end (22) is fixed to the second surface (14) multiple times at different length intervals (B).

3. The airbag (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The selection of the length spacing (B) corresponds to the required longitudinal extension (A) adjustment distance.

4. The airbag (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The deflector (16) and fixing member (30, 32, 34, 36) of the first end (20) and the second end (22) of the limiting band (18) are located at the center of the first surface (12) and the second surface (14).

5. The airbag (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, On the first surface (12) where the deflector (16) is located, a reinforcing member (24) is provided in the area where the deflector (16) is located.

6. The airbag (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The deflector (16) on the first surface (12) is formed from a layer of airbag substrate.

7. The airbag (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The deflector (16) is fixed in a ring shape, and an opening for passing through the restraint band (18) is provided in the area formed by the fixing member (36).

8. An airbag module, characterized in that, It includes a gas generator, a module support, and an airbag (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The airbag module according to claim 8, characterized in that, The control unit, which acts on the airbag (10), is configured to apply action to the second end (22) of the restraint belt (18) according to the vehicle seat position to achieve adjustment of longitudinal extension (A) according to the vehicle seat position.

10. A vehicle equipped with an airbag module according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, Includes a vehicle seat equipped with an airbag (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a sensor system detects the position of the vehicle seat relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and / or the angular position of the vehicle seat backrest, and transmits this information to a control unit to calculate the required longitudinal extension (A) distance of the airbag (10).

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