Roof rail airbag system
By designing a roof longitudinal beam airbag system, combined with side buffers and roof buffer airbags, and utilizing a shared inflator and Y-type valve, multi-level protection for occupants in rollover incidents is achieved, solving the problem of insufficient protection in existing technologies and improving safety.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-09
AI Technical Summary
Existing vehicles do not provide adequate protection for occupants in rollover incidents, especially for the head, neck, and upper torso.
A roof longitudinal beam airbag system was designed, including side buffer airbags and roof buffer airbags, which are connected by a common inflator and a Y-type valve to provide different inflation rates and expansion modes to provide additional protection in rollover events.
In rollover incidents, side airbags provide traditional side-impact protection, while roof airbags provide additional head and neck protection, enhancing occupant safety.
Smart Images
Figure CN122166032A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This topic relates to vehicles, and in particular to vehicle airbag systems. Background Technology
[0002] Vehicles utilize airbag systems to enhance the safety of vehicle occupants in the event of a collision. These may include, but are not limited to, front airbag systems, seat airbag systems, and roof rail airbag systems. In particular, the roof rail airbag system is installed in the roof portion of the vehicle body and includes side buffer airbags configured to protect the passenger's head, neck, and upper torso from injury.
[0003] With the increasing popularity of vehicles, especially those with fixed semi-transparent or glass roofs, there is a desire to expand occupant protection in the event of a rollover. Summary of the Invention
[0004] In one exemplary embodiment, the vehicle's roof longitudinal beam airbag system includes a side buffer airbag, a roof buffer airbag, and an inflator operatively connected to both the side buffer airbag and the roof buffer airbag and configured to inflate both the side buffer airbag and the roof buffer airbag.
[0005] In addition to one or more features described herein, the Y-valve connects the inflator to the side airbags and the roof airbag.
[0006] In addition to one or more features described herein, the side airbags, roof airbags, and Y-valve are formed together as a single integral component.
[0007] In addition to one or more features described herein, the first inflation rate of the roof airbag differs from the second inflation rate of the side airbag.
[0008] In addition to one or more features described herein, the roof airbag is configured to extend across the roof of the vehicle between the roof panel and the roof liner when inflated.
[0009] In addition to one or more features described herein, the roof airbag is configured to extend across the roof panel between 25% and 75% of the width of the roof panel when inflated.
[0010] In addition to one or more features described herein, the side airbag is configured to extend across the side windows of the vehicle’s passenger compartment when inflated.
[0011] In addition to one or more features described herein, the roof longitudinal beam airbag system is configured to be fixed to the roof longitudinal beams of the vehicle.
[0012] In another exemplary embodiment, the vehicle includes a body defining a passenger compartment and a roof longitudinal beam airbag system fixed to the body within the passenger compartment. The roof longitudinal beam airbag system includes side buffer airbags, a roof buffer airbag, and an inflator operatively connected to and configured to inflate both the side buffer airbags and the roof buffer airbag.
[0013] In addition to one or more features described herein, the Y-valve connects the inflator to the side airbags and the roof airbag.
[0014] In addition to one or more features described herein, the side airbags, roof airbags, and Y-valve are formed together as a single integral component.
[0015] In addition to one or more features described herein, the first inflation rate of the roof airbag differs from the second inflation rate of the side airbag.
[0016] In addition to one or more features described herein, the roof airbag is configured to extend across the roof of the vehicle between the roof panel and the roof liner when inflated.
[0017] In addition to one or more features described herein, the roof airbag is configured to extend across the roof panel between 25% and 75% of the width of the roof panel when inflated.
[0018] In addition to one or more features described herein, the side airbag is configured to extend across the side windows of the vehicle’s passenger compartment when inflated.
[0019] In addition to one or more features described herein, the roof longitudinal beam airbag system is fixed to the roof longitudinal beams of the vehicle.
[0020] In yet another exemplary embodiment, a method of operating a roof longitudinal beam airbag system of a vehicle includes: inflating a side buffer airbag of the roof longitudinal beam airbag system via an inflator operatively connected to a side buffer airbag of the roof longitudinal beam airbag system; and inflating a roof buffer airbag of the roof longitudinal beam airbag system via the same inflator. The roof buffer airbag is configured to extend across the roof of the vehicle between the roof panel and the headliner of the vehicle upon inflation, and the side buffer airbag is configured to extend across the side windows of the passenger compartment of the vehicle upon inflation.
[0021] In addition to one or more features described herein, the first inflation rate of the roof airbag differs from the second inflation rate of the side airbag.
[0022] In addition to one or more features described herein, the inflator is operably connected to the side airbags and roof airbags via a Y-type valve.
[0023] In addition to one or more features described herein, the side airbags, roof airbags, and Y-valve are formed together as a single integral component.
[0024] The above-described features and advantages of this disclosure, as well as other features and advantages, will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description
[0025] Other features, advantages, and details appear by way of example only in the following detailed description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a vehicle embodiment;
[0027] Figure 2 This is a partial sectional view of an embodiment of the vehicle's passenger compartment;
[0028] Figure 3 This is a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a roof longitudinal beam airbag system installed in a vehicle; and
[0029] Figure 4 This is a plan view of an embodiment of the roof longitudinal beam airbag system. Detailed Implementation
[0030] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit this disclosure, its application, or its use. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals denote similar or corresponding parts and features.
[0031] According to an exemplary embodiment, and according to a non-limiting embodiment, the vehicle generally in Figure 1 The vehicle 10 includes a body 12 supported on a plurality of wheels 16. In a non-limiting example, two of the plurality of wheels 16 are steerable. The body 12 partially defines an occupant compartment 14 having a seat 22 located behind an instrument panel 26. A steering controller 30 is disposed between the seat 22 and the instrument panel 26. The steering controller 30 is operated to control the orientation of the steerable wheels 16.
[0032] Now for reference Figure 2 The image shows a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the passenger compartment 14. The passenger compartment 14 includes one or more inflatable protective devices, also known as airbags, which include one or more roof rail airbag (RRAB) systems 46 extending at least partially along the roof rails 48 of the vehicle body 12.
[0033] Figure 3A cross-sectional view of the RRAB system 46 mounted on the roof longitudinal beam 48 is shown. The RRAB system 46 is mounted on the roof longitudinal beam 48 and positioned between the roof longitudinal beam 48 and the roof liner 50 of the vehicle 10. The RRAB system 46 includes... Figure 2 and Figure 3 The side airbag 52 is shown in its uninflated state. The side airbag 52 is configured to extend at least partially downward across the side window 56 of the vehicle 10 in the side inflation direction 54 (e.g., ...). Figure 2 (As shown), to provide lateral protection to the head, neck, and upper torso of vehicle occupants. The RRAB system 46 also includes... Figure 2 and Figure 3 The roof airbag 58 is shown in its uninflated state. The roof airbag 58 is configured to inflate in a roof inflation direction 60, different from the side inflation direction 54. When inflated, the roof airbag 58 extends at least partially across the roof panel 62 of the vehicle 10 between the roof liner 50 and the roof panel 62, which in some embodiments is a fixed glass roof panel 62. In some embodiments, the roof airbag 58 extends across 25% to 85% of the roof panel 62 in the width direction.
[0034] Side airbags 52 are held on roof longitudinal beams 48 or other body panels 12 by multiple side airbag brackets 64, while roof airbags 58 are similarly held on roof longitudinal beams 48 or other body panels 12 by multiple roof airbag brackets 66. See again Figure 2 The roof airbag bracket 66 is spaced along the length of the roof airbag 58, and the side airbag bracket 64 is similarly spaced along the length of the side airbag 52. The roof airbag bracket 66 and the side airbag bracket 64 are connected to the roof longitudinal beam 48 by means of, for example, clips 68, pushers, bolts, etc.
[0035] The roof buffer airbag 58 and the side buffer airbag 52 are operatively connected to and inflated by a common inflator 70 to inflate the side buffer airbag 52 and the roof buffer airbag 58 at their respective selected inflation rates. In some embodiments, a first inflation rate of the roof buffer airbag 58 differs from a second inflation rate of the side buffer airbag 52. For example, in some embodiments, the RRAB system 46 is configured such that the second inflation rate of the side buffer airbag 52 is greater than the first inflation rate of the roof buffer airbag 58.
[0036] Reference Figure 4The airflow from the inflator 70 to each of the roof buffer airbag 58 and side buffer airbags 52 is controlled by a Y-valve 72. The Y-valve 72 includes an inlet 74 to receive airflow from the inflator 70. The Y-valve 72 also includes a first outlet 76 for directing a first airflow portion 78 into the roof buffer airbag 58 and a second outlet 80 for directing a second airflow portion 82 into the side buffer airbag 52. In some embodiments, the first cross-sectional dimension of the first outlet 76 is smaller than the second cross-sectional dimension of the second outlet 80, such that the airflow rate entering the side buffer airbag 52 is greater than the airflow rate entering the roof buffer airbag 58, thereby inflating the side buffer airbag 52 before inflating the roof buffer airbag 58. In one embodiment, as... Figure 4 As shown, the roof airbag 58, side airbags 52, and Y-valve 72 are combined to form a single integral airbag assembly 88. This integral airbag assembly 88 is connected to the inflator 70.
[0037] The RRAB system disclosed herein provides conventional side-impact protection via side airbag 52 and additional protection via roof airbag 58 in the event of a rollover. A Y-valve 72 allows both side airbag 52 and roof airbag 58 to be inflated via a common inflator 70, and in some embodiments, the side airbag 52 and roof airbag 58 can be inflated at different inflation rates.
[0038] The term "a" does not imply a quantity limitation, but rather indicates the presence of at least one referenced item. Unless the context clearly states otherwise, the term "or" means "and / or". Throughout the specification, a reference to "aspect" means that a particular element (e.g., a feature, structure, step, or characteristic) described in association with that aspect is included in at least one aspect described herein and may or may not be present in other aspects. Furthermore, it should be understood that the described elements may be combined in any suitable manner across the aspects.
[0039] Unless otherwise defined, the technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains.
[0040] While the foregoing disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes can be made and that elements can be substituted with equivalents without departing from its scope. Furthermore, numerous modifications can be made to adapt particular situations or materials to the teachings of this disclosure without departing from its essential scope. Therefore, this disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but rather to include all embodiments falling within its scope.
Claims
1. A roof longitudinal beam airbag system for a vehicle, comprising: Side airbags; Roof-mounted airbags; and An inflator operatively connected to the side airbags and the roof airbags and configured to inflate both the side airbags and the roof airbags.
2. The roof longitudinal beam airbag system according to claim 1 further includes a Y-type valve to connect the inflator to the side buffer airbag and the roof buffer airbag.
3. The roof longitudinal beam airbag system according to claim 2, wherein, The side airbag, the roof airbag, and the Y-shaped valve are formed together as a single integral component.
4. The roof longitudinal beam airbag system according to claim 1, wherein, The first inflation rate of the roof airbag is different from the second inflation rate of the side airbag.
5. The roof longitudinal beam airbag system according to claim 1, wherein, The roof-mounted airbag is configured to extend across the roof of the vehicle between the roof panel and the roof liner when inflated.
6. The roof longitudinal beam airbag system according to claim 5, wherein, The roof-mounted airbag is configured to extend across the roof panel between 25% and 75% of its width when inflated.
7. The roof longitudinal beam airbag system according to claim 1, wherein, The side airbags are configured to extend across the side windows of the vehicle's passenger compartment when inflated.
8. The roof longitudinal beam airbag system according to claim 1, wherein, The roof longitudinal beam airbag system is configured to be fixed to the roof longitudinal beam of the vehicle.
9. A method for operating a vehicle roof longitudinal beam airbag system, comprising: The side buffer airbags of the roof longitudinal beam airbag system are inflated by an inflator operably connected to the side buffer airbags of the roof longitudinal beam airbag system. and The roof buffer airbags of the roof longitudinal beam airbag system are inflated using the same inflator; The roof-mounted airbag is configured to extend across the roof of the vehicle between the roof panel and the roof liner when inflated; and The side airbag, when inflated, is configured to extend across the side window of the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first inflation rate of the roof airbag is different from the second inflation rate of the side airbag.