Airbag devices and vehicle safety systems
By incorporating the airbag strap assembly and release device into the airbag device, the airbag adapts to the occupant's body shape and seat distance under different configurations, solving the problem of unstable contact in the prior art and providing comfortable and reliable two-level protection.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ZF ASIA PACIFIC AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS (SHANGHAI) CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-11
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-30
AI Technical Summary
Existing airbag devices cannot stably maintain the contact position and shape between the airbag front panel and the vehicle occupants during the first inflation configuration, leading to potential physical injury. At the same time, they cannot adapt to different occupant body shapes and seat distances, resulting in unsuitable protection.
Design an airbag device that combines an airbag strap assembly with a release device to provide a uniform force distribution in the first inflation configuration of the airbag, and allows the airbag to expand to a second configuration after the release device is activated, increasing its volume and thickness to match the body size and seat distance of different occupants.
It provides two levels of ergonomic safety protection, offering both comfortable protection at close range or for passengers with small body sizes, and reliable protection at long range or for passengers with large body sizes, meeting the needs of different usage scenarios.
Smart Images

Figure CN224427348U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of vehicles, and more specifically to an airbag device and a vehicle safety system including the airbag device. Background Technology
[0002] In current vehicle airbag systems, the airbag has an inflatable airbag chamber. The release device is typically located outside the airbag. The airbag front panel is connected to the release device via one or two airbag straps. When a vehicle collision occurs, the airbag is activated, the airbag chamber fills with gas, and the airbag straps tighten the airbag front panel, at which point the airbag is in its first inflation configuration. When the release device is also activated, its built-in propellant is ignited, severing the connection between the airbag straps and the release device, thereby releasing the airbag front panel to allow the airbag to continue inflating, at which point the airbag is in its second inflation configuration. Thus, the airbag system provides two levels of safety protection to vehicle occupants. However, when the airbag is in its first inflation configuration, because one or two airbag straps are connected to the airbag front panel, the position and shape of the contact area between the airbag front panel and the occupant's body cannot be stably maintained, potentially causing injury. Therefore, there is a need for an airbag device that can provide safety and comfort protection for vehicle occupants even when the airbag is in its first inflation configuration.
[0003] Furthermore, given a fixed panel diameter, the airbag thickness after inflation is constant. This constant airbag thickness is suitable for situations where the distance between the vehicle occupant and the airbag remains constant before a collision. However, in actual vehicle use, the distance between occupants and the airbag varies due to differences in body shape and seat positioning habits. Therefore, current technology cannot meet the safety needs of different vehicle occupants in a collision. Accordingly, this invention relates to an airbag device with variable volume and thickness suitable for different usage scenarios, to provide appropriate protection for vehicle occupants. Utility Model Content
[0004] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this disclosure provides an airbag device and a vehicle safety system.
[0005] In a first aspect, this disclosure provides an airbag device. The airbag device includes an airbag, a release device, and an airbag strap assembly. The airbag includes an airbag front panel and an inflatable airbag cavity. The release device is located outside the airbag cavity. The airbag strap assembly is fixed to the airbag front panel at a fastening end and within the airbag cavity, and attached to the release device at a retaining end. When a vehicle collision occurs, if the airbag is activated but the release device is not activated, the airbag cavity is filled with gas and inflates, and the airbag strap assembly pulls the airbag front panel, causing the airbag to be in a first inflation configuration having a first volume and a first thickness. If the airbag is activated and the release device is also activated, the attachment between the airbag strap assembly and the release device is disengaged, allowing the airbag to continue inflating, causing the airbag to be in a second inflation configuration having a second volume and a second thickness. The second volume is greater than the first volume, and the second thickness is greater than the first thickness. When the airbag is in the first inflation configuration, the airbag front panel provides a concave, uniformly stressed portion.
[0006] Therefore, when the airbag is in its first inflation configuration, the evenly distributed force provides vehicle occupants with ergonomically designed, safe, and comfortable protection. Furthermore, the airbag system offers comfortable and reliable two-stage safety protection.
[0007] In one or more embodiments, when the airbag is in a first inflation configuration, the position and shape of the uniformly stressed portion are configured to match the chest of the vehicle occupant.
[0008] Therefore, the uniformly stressed part not only provides relatively uniform pressure to the chest of the vehicle occupants, but also matches the ergonomic shape of the chest of the vehicle occupants to provide comfortable and effective safety protection.
[0009] In one or more embodiments, the uniformly stressed portion is formed by at least a three-point fixed connection between the airbag strap assembly and the airbag front panel.
[0010] Therefore, at least a three-point fixed connection defines a relatively stable contact surface to provide comfortable and effective safety protection.
[0011] In one or more embodiments, the airbag strap assembly includes a tether and at least three straps. First ends of the at least three straps are respectively secured to the front panel of the airbag to form the at least three-point securing connection. Second ends of the at least three straps are all connected to the first ends of the tether. The second ends of the tether are releasably attached to the release device.
[0012] Therefore, the airbag strap assembly can be easily connected between the airbag front panel and the release device in a simple structure and implementation.
[0013] In one or more embodiments, the at least three pull straps include a first pull strap, a second pull strap, and a third pull strap. The third pull strap is configured to be shorter than both the first and second pull straps.
[0014] In one or more embodiments, the third strap is configured to be positioned between three o'clock and six o'clock relative to the chest of the vehicle occupant when the airbag is in the first inflation configuration.
[0015] In one or more embodiments, when the airbag is in the first inflation configuration, the third strap is positioned at the six o'clock position relative to the chest of the vehicle occupant, and the first and second straps are arranged symmetrically about the third strap.
[0016] Therefore, the length and / or position settings of the first, second, and third pull straps can provide a more ergonomic contact orientation for safer and more reliable protection.
[0017] In one or more embodiments, the airbag is sized such that the first volume and first thickness of the first inflation configuration are smaller than the volumes and thicknesses required by the current industry for providing protection when vehicle occupants are close to the airbag; and the second volume and second thickness of the second inflation configuration are comparable to the volumes and thicknesses required by the current industry for providing protection when vehicle occupants are at a normal distance from the airbag.
[0018] Therefore, airbag devices designed in this way are suitable for first-use scenarios where the distance between the vehicle occupant and the airbag is closer than usual or where the vehicle occupant is small in size.
[0019] In one or more embodiments, the airbag is sized such that the first volume and first thickness of the first inflation configuration are comparable to those required by the current industry for providing protection when the vehicle occupant is at a normal distance from the airbag; and the second volume and second thickness of the second inflation configuration are greater than those required by the current industry for providing protection when the vehicle occupant is at a long distance from the airbag.
[0020] Therefore, airbag devices designed in this way are suitable for secondary use scenarios where the distance between the vehicle occupant and the airbag is greater than the conventional distance or where the vehicle occupant is larger in size.
[0021] In one or more embodiments, the release device has a releasably connected two-section structure, either section of which contains gunpowder and a gunpowder generator.
[0022] In one or more embodiments, the two-section structure includes a first section and a second section connected by a snap-fit construction. The second end of the tether has a loop fitted between the first and second sections. The pressure released after the gunpowder is ignited causes the first and second sections to disengage, thereby releasing the second end of the tether.
[0023] Thus, the release device is constructed in a simple manner to facilitate the release of the airbag strap assembly.
[0024] In a second aspect, this disclosure provides an airbag device. The airbag device includes an airbag, a release device, and an airbag strap assembly. The airbag includes an airbag front panel and an inflatable airbag cavity. The release device is located outside the airbag cavity. The airbag strap assembly is fixed to the airbag front panel at a fastening end and within the airbag cavity, and attached to the release device at a retaining end. When a vehicle collision occurs, if the airbag is activated but the release device is not activated, the airbag cavity is filled with gas and inflates, and the airbag strap assembly pulls the airbag front panel, causing the airbag to be in a first inflation configuration having a first volume and a first thickness. If the airbag is activated and the release device is also activated, the attachment between the airbag strap assembly and the release device is disengaged, allowing the airbag to continue inflating, causing the airbag to be in a second inflation configuration having a second volume and a second thickness. The second volume is greater than the first volume, and the second thickness is greater than the first thickness. The airbag is sized such that the first volume and first thickness of the first inflation configuration are smaller than the current industry requirements for volume and thickness, in order to provide protection when vehicle occupants are close to the airbag; and the second volume and second thickness of the second inflation configuration are comparable to the current industry requirements for volume and thickness, in order to provide protection when vehicle occupants are at a normal distance from the airbag.
[0025] Therefore, airbag devices designed in this way are suitable for providing two levels of safety protection in first-use scenarios where the distance between the vehicle occupant and the airbag is closer than usual or where the vehicle occupant is small.
[0026] In a third aspect, this disclosure provides an airbag device. The airbag device includes an airbag, a release device, and an airbag strap assembly. The airbag includes an airbag front panel and an inflatable airbag cavity. The release device is located outside the airbag cavity. The airbag strap assembly is fixed to the airbag front panel at a fastening end and within the airbag cavity, and attached to the release device at a retaining end. When a vehicle collision occurs, if the airbag is activated but the release device is not activated, the airbag cavity is filled with gas and inflates, and the airbag strap assembly pulls the airbag front panel, causing the airbag to be in a first inflation configuration having a first volume and a first thickness. If the airbag is activated and the release device is also activated, the attachment between the airbag strap assembly and the release device is disengaged, allowing the airbag to continue inflating, causing the airbag to be in a second inflation configuration having a second volume and a second thickness. The second volume is greater than the first volume, and the second thickness is greater than the first thickness. The airbag is sized such that the first volume and first thickness of the first inflation configuration are comparable to the current industry requirements for providing protection when the vehicle occupant is at a normal distance from the airbag; and the second volume and second thickness of the second inflation configuration are greater than the current industry requirements for providing protection when the vehicle occupant is at a long distance from the airbag.
[0027] Therefore, airbag devices designed in this way are suitable for providing two levels of safety protection in secondary use scenarios where the distance between the vehicle occupant and the airbag is greater than the normal distance or where the vehicle occupant is large.
[0028] In a third aspect, this disclosure provides a vehicle safety system. The vehicle safety system includes at least an airbag device according to this disclosure, a control device, and a gas generator. The control device is configured to control the activation of the gas generator to activate the airbag and to control the activation of the release device.
[0029] Therefore, the vehicle safety system according to this disclosure provides two levels of ergonomic safety protection with a simple construction, and can be adapted to different application scenarios by designing the size of the airbag, easily meeting customer customization needs. Attached Figure Description
[0030] This disclosure will be more readily understood through the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals denote the same elements. The drawings are schematic and not restrictive. Elements in the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale; for example, elements may be enlarged for illustrative purposes or may be scaled down to keep the drawings clear and easy to understand.
[0031] In the attached diagram:
[0032] Figure 1A schematic diagram of a vehicle safety system according to the present disclosure is shown, wherein the airbag device of the vehicle safety system is in a first inflation configuration;
[0033] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an airbag device according to the present disclosure is shown, wherein the airbag device is in a second inflation configuration;
[0034] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 An enlarged view of the portion marked with A, showing the airbag strap assembly attached to the release device; and
[0035] Figure 4 It shows Figure 2 Enlarged view of the portion marked B, showing the airbag strap assembly detached from the release device. Detailed Implementation
[0036] The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate several embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure can be presented in many different ways and is not limited to the embodiments described below. The embodiments described below are intended to make the disclosure more complete and to fully illustrate the scope of protection of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. It should be understood that in all the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same elements.
[0037] Unless otherwise defined, all 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 belongs. For the sake of brevity and / or clarity, well-known functions or structures may not be described in detail. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of this disclosure. The terms “comprising” and “having”, and any derivatives thereof, in the specification and claims of this disclosure are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.
[0038] In the description of the embodiments of this disclosure, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used only to distinguish different objects and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number, specific order, or primary and secondary relationship of the indicated technical features. Furthermore, the term "first component" does not necessarily imply the existence of a "second component," and the term "second component" does not necessarily imply the existence of a "first component."
[0039] In the description of the embodiments disclosed herein, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise expressly defined.
[0040] In this document, the term "embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this disclosure. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.
[0041] In the description of the embodiments of this disclosure, the term "and / or" is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent these three cases: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone.
[0042] In the description of the embodiments of this disclosure, the terms "front," "rear," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of this disclosure and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be configured and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation on the embodiments of this disclosure.
[0043] In the description of the embodiments of this disclosure, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "attachment," "connection," and "fixation," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this disclosure according to the specific circumstances.
[0044] Airbags are part of a vehicle's safety system. Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a vehicle safety system according to this disclosure is shown. The vehicle safety system 100 typically includes an airbag device S, a gas generator 30, and a control device 60. The control device 60 is configured to control the activation of the gas generator 30 to activate the airbag device based on signals sent from relevant position sensors, and to control the activation of the release device 40 based on signals sent from relevant position sensors. The basic operating principle of the vehicle safety system can be found in the prior art and will not be described in detail herein.
[0045] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The airbag device S according to this disclosure may include an airbag 10, an airbag strap assembly 20, and a release device 40. As is known, the airbag strap assembly 20 can prevent the airbag 10 from deploying too far in a particular direction during inflation.
[0046] The release device 40 is typically located outside the airbag 10. The release device 40 can be secured to the vicinity of the steering wheel 50 by a suitable securing device. For example, the release device 40 can be mounted to a panel with a latch-like structure, which is then secured to the vicinity of the steering wheel 50.
[0047] The airbag 10 includes a front panel 12, a rear panel 14, and an airbag wall 16 connecting the front and rear panels, thereby forming an inflatable airbag cavity 18 between them. In this document, the panel of the airbag closer to the steering wheel 50 is referred to as the rear panel 14, and the panel of the airbag farther from the steering wheel is referred to as the front panel 12. A gas generator 30 is generally connected to the airbag cavity 18, allowing gas generated by the gas generator 30 to flow into the airbag cavity 18, causing the airbag 10 to deploy in the main deployment direction M.
[0048] In this embodiment, the airbag 10 is disposed in the steering wheel 50 of the motor vehicle. Of course, the airbag 10 can be any airbag and can be attached to any element of the motor vehicle's dashboard or steering column. The airbag device S according to this disclosure will now be described using a front airbag providing protection in the event of a frontal collision as an example.
[0049] Usually, such as Figure 1 As shown, when a vehicle collision occurs, the control device 60 activates the gas generator 30 based on signals sent by relevant position sensors. Gas from the gas generator enters the airbag cavity 18 to inflate the airbag 10, thereby deploying it in the main deployment direction M. At this time, the airbag cavity 18 is filled with gas and inflated, and the airbag strap assembly 20 tightens the airbag front panel 12. The airbag 10 is configured in a first inflation configuration with a first volume and a first thickness, and the airbag 10 has a first concave contour within the airbag front panel 12. Figure 2 As shown, when the airbag 10 is activated and the release device 40 is also activated by the control device, the attachment between the airbag strap assembly 20 and the release device 40 disengages, allowing the airbag 10 to continue inflating. The airbag 10 is configured in a second inflated configuration with a second volume and a second thickness different from the first volume and the first thickness. At this time, the airbag 10 has a second profile that bulges outward from the airbag front panel 12. In the example shown, the second volume is larger than the first volume, and the second thickness is larger than the first thickness. Thus, the airbag device according to this disclosure can provide two levels of safety protection through the first inflation configuration and the second inflated configuration.
[0050] like Figure 1As shown, when the airbag 10 is in its first inflation configuration, the airbag front panel 12 provides a concave, uniformly pressure-bearing portion F. The position of the uniformly pressure-bearing portion F approximately corresponds to the chest of the vehicle occupant. The uniformly pressure-bearing portion F may have an appropriate concave curvature. The position and shape of the uniformly pressure-bearing portion F are configured to match the chest of the vehicle occupant to fit the ergonomic shape of the vehicle occupant's chest, so as to apply uniform and moderate pressure to the chest of the vehicle occupant during the inflation of the airbag 10, thereby avoiding chest injury.
[0051] Specifically, refer to Figure 1 The airbag strap assembly 20 and the airbag front panel 12 are fixedly connected at least three points to form a uniformly stressed portion F. This at least three-point connection creates a relatively stable contact surface on the airbag front panel 12, providing relatively uniform pressure to the vehicle occupant's chest. Of course, a connection with more than three points can provide an even more stable uniformly stressed portion F. In one example, the airbag strap assembly 20 may include at least three straps, the first ends of which may be fixed to the airbag front panel 12 to form the at least three-point connection. In the example shown, the at least three straps may include a first strap 21, a second strap 22, and a third strap 23. The first end 211 of the first strap 21, the first end 221 of the second strap 22, and the first end 231 of the third strap 23 are fixed to the airbag front panel 12 at different locations to define a relatively stable contact surface through three fixed points when the airbag 10 is in its first inflation configuration, thereby matching the ergonomic shape of the vehicle occupant's chest to provide effective protection.
[0052] The airbag strap assembly 20 may also include a tether 24. The second ends of at least three straps are connected to the first end 241 of the tether 24. In the example shown, the second ends 212 of the first strap 21, 222 of the second strap 22, and 232 of the third strap 23 are all connected to the first end 241 of the tether 24. The second end 242 of the tether 24 is releasably attached to the release device 40. Thus, the airbag strap assembly 20 can be easily connected between the airbag front panel and the release device in a simple structure and implementation. The second end 242 of the tether 24 is provided with a loop 243, which is fitted onto the release device 40, achieving releasable attachment in a simple connection manner. In the example shown, the fastening end of the airbag strap assembly may include the first end 211 of the first strap 21, the first end 221 of the second strap 22, and the first end 231 of the third strap 23. The retaining end of the airbag strap assembly may include the second end 242 of the tether 24.
[0053] like Figure 1As shown, the first pull strap 21, the second pull strap 22, and the third pull strap 23 can have the same or different lengths. In one example, the third pull strap 23 is shorter than both the first pull strap 21 and the second pull strap 22. The third pull strap 23 can be configured to be located between three and six o'clock relative to the vehicle occupant's chest when the airbag is in the first inflation configuration. For example, the third pull strap 23 is designed to be located at the six o'clock position and is 10-60 mm shorter than both the first pull strap 21 and the second pull strap 22 to reduce the pressure on the vehicle occupant's chest during the inflation of the airbag 10, thereby reducing the risk of injury to the chest. When the third pull strap 23 is designed to be located at the six o'clock position, the first pull strap 21 and the second pull strap 22 can be arranged symmetrically about the third pull strap 23 when the airbag is in the first inflation configuration to make more ergonomic contact with the vehicle occupant's body parts. Thus, the length and / or position settings of the first, second, and third pull straps can provide a more ergonomic contact orientation for safer and more reliable protection. Of course, the first pull strap 21, the second pull strap 22 and the third pull strap 23 being arranged with different lengths and positions to provide a uniformly stressed portion F is also within the scope of this disclosure.
[0054] like Figure 1 As shown, the first strap 21, second strap 22, and third strap 23 of the airbag strap assembly 20 are placed inside the airbag cavity 18. A portion of the tether 24 is located inside the airbag cavity 18, while another portion extends through the rear panel 14 of the airbag and is releasably attached to the release device 40. Thus, in the first inflation configuration of the airbag, the airbag strap assembly 20 forms a concave, uniformly stressed portion F on the front panel 12 of the airbag through the pull of the tether and the three straps, so as to ergonomically contact the body parts of the vehicle occupants, thereby providing a closer and more comfortable first-level safety protection. In the second inflation configuration of the airbag, the tether 24 is detached from the release device 40, and the first strap 21, second strap 22, and third strap 23 loosen. The uniformly stressed portion F bulges outward under the action of gas expansion to form a convex arc-shaped portion F', thereby increasing the volume and thickness of the airbag, so as to provide reliable second-level safety protection for vehicle occupants at a greater distance from the steering wheel.
[0055] In practice, there are first-use scenarios where the distance between vehicle occupants and airbags is closer than usual, or where vehicle occupants are relatively small. For these first-use scenarios, it is desirable to provide two-tiered safety protection for vehicle occupants. Therefore, the dimensions of the airbag device can be designed such that the first volume and first thickness of the first inflation configuration are smaller than the volumes and thicknesses currently required by the industry, to provide protection when vehicle occupants are at close range relative to the airbag; and the second volume and second thickness of the second inflation configuration can be comparable to (e.g., the same as) the volumes and thicknesses currently required by the industry, to provide protection when vehicle occupants are at a normal distance relative to the airbag. As stated herein, "volumes and thicknesses currently required by the industry" have different dimensional specifications for different vehicle models, each with its own corresponding volume and thickness; therefore, this document does not provide specific dimensions, but only describes relative dimensions.
[0056] In practice, there are secondary use cases where the distance between vehicle occupants and airbags is greater than the normal distance (e.g., when the occupants are in a supine position during autonomous driving) or where the occupants are large. For these secondary use cases, it is desirable to provide two levels of safety protection for vehicle occupants. To this end, the airbag is designed such that the first volume and first thickness of the first inflation configuration are comparable to (e.g., the same as) current industry requirements, to provide protection when the vehicle occupants are at a normal distance from the airbag; and the second volume and second thickness of the second inflation configuration are greater than current industry requirements, to provide protection when the vehicle occupants are at a greater distance from the airbag.
[0057] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the release device 40 can have a releasable two-section structure. The loop 243 of the tether 24 can be fitted onto the two-section structure (see...). Figure 3 The release device 40 may include a first segment 41 and a second segment 42 connected by a snap-fit construction. Either segment of the two-segment structure (i.e., the first segment 41 or the second segment 42) contains gunpowder and a gunpowder generator, so that the gunpowder is ignited by the gunpowder generator according to an ignition signal from the control device 60. The pressure released after the gunpowder is ignited causes the first segment 41 and the second segment 42 to disengage (see...). Figure 4 This releases the second end 242 of the tether 24, at which point the pull of the airbag strap assembly 20 on the airbag front panel 12 is released, allowing the airbag 10 to continue inflating to the second inflation configuration.
[0058] This disclosure also provides a vehicle safety system. The vehicle safety system 100 includes at least an airbag device S according to this disclosure, a control device 60, and a gas generator 30. The control device 60 is configured to control the activation of the gas generator 30 to activate the airbag 10 and to control the activation of the release device 40.
[0059] Therefore, the airbag device S and vehicle safety system 100 according to this disclosure provide ergonomic two-level safety protection with a simple construction, and can be adapted to different application scenarios by designing the size of the airbag in order to meet customer customization needs.
[0060] It should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and not to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and they should all be covered within the scope of the claims and specification of this application. In particular, as long as there is no structural conflict, the various technical features mentioned in the various embodiments can be combined in any way.
Claims
1. An airbag device characterized by comprising: The airbag device includes: An airbag, the airbag comprising an airbag front panel and an inflatable airbag cavity; Release device, the release device being located outside the airbag cavity; An airbag strap assembly, wherein the airbag strap assembly is fixed to the front panel of the airbag at a fastening end and within the airbag cavity, and is attached to a release device at a retaining end; When a vehicle collision occurs, if the airbag is activated but the release device is not activated, the airbag cavity is filled with gas and inflates, and the airbag strap assembly pulls the airbag front panel, so that the airbag is in a first inflation configuration with a first volume and a first thickness. If the airbag is activated and the release device is also activated, the attachment between the airbag strap assembly and the release device is disconnected, allowing the airbag to continue to inflate, so that the airbag is in a second inflation configuration with a second volume and a second thickness, wherein the second volume is greater than the first volume and the second thickness is greater than the first thickness. When the airbag is in its first inflation configuration, the front panel of the airbag provides a concave, uniformly stressed portion.
2. The airbag device according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the airbag is in its first inflation configuration, the position and shape of the uniformly stressed part are designed to match the chest of the vehicle occupant.
3. The airbag device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The uniformly stressed part is formed by at least three-point fixed connection between the airbag strap assembly and the front panel of the airbag.
4. The airbag device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The airbag strap assembly includes a tether and at least three straps, the first ends of which are respectively fixed to the front panel of the airbag to form the at least three-point fixed connection, the second ends of which are all connected to the first ends of the tether, and the second ends of the tether are releasably attached to the release device.
5. The airbag device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The at least three pull straps include a first pull strap, a second pull strap, and a third pull strap, wherein the third pull strap is configured to be shorter than both the first and second pull straps.
6. The airbag device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The third strap is configured to be positioned between three o'clock and six o'clock relative to the chest of the vehicle occupant when the airbag is in the first inflation configuration.
7. The airbag device according to claim 6, characterized in that, When the airbag is in the first inflation configuration, the third strap is located at the six o'clock position relative to the chest of the vehicle occupant, and the first and second straps are arranged symmetrically about the third strap.
8. The airbag device according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The airbag is sized such that the first volume and first thickness of the first inflation configuration are smaller than the current industry requirements for volume and thickness, in order to provide protection when vehicle occupants are close to the airbag; and the second volume and second thickness of the second inflation configuration are comparable to the current industry requirements for volume and thickness, in order to provide protection when vehicle occupants are at a normal distance from the airbag.
9. The airbag device according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The airbag is sized such that the first volume and first thickness of the first inflation configuration are comparable to the current industry requirements for providing protection when the vehicle occupant is at a normal distance from the airbag; and the second volume and second thickness of the second inflation configuration are greater than the current industry requirements for providing protection when the vehicle occupant is at a long distance from the airbag.
10. The airbag device according to any one of claims 3-7, characterized in that, The release device has a releasable two-section structure, and either section of the two-section structure contains gunpowder and a gunpowder generator.
11. The airbag device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The two-section structure includes a first section and a second section connected by a snap-fit mechanism. The second end of the rope is provided with a loop that fits between the first section and the second section. The pressure released after the gunpowder is ignited causes the first section and the second section to detach, thereby releasing the second end of the rope.
12. An airbag device, characterized in that, The airbag device includes: An airbag, the airbag comprising an airbag front panel and an inflatable airbag cavity; Release device, the release device being located outside the airbag cavity; An airbag strap assembly, wherein the airbag strap assembly is fixed to the front panel of the airbag at a fastening end and within the airbag cavity, and is attached to a release device at a retaining end; When a vehicle collision occurs, if the airbag is activated but the release device is not activated, the airbag cavity is filled with gas and inflates, and the airbag strap assembly pulls the airbag front panel, so that the airbag is in a first inflation configuration with a first volume and a first thickness. If the airbag is activated and the release device is also activated, the attachment between the airbag strap assembly and the release device is disconnected, allowing the airbag to continue to inflate, so that the airbag is in a second inflation configuration with a second volume and a second thickness, wherein the second volume is greater than the first volume and the second thickness is greater than the first thickness. The airbag is designed such that the first volume and first thickness of the first inflation configuration are smaller than the current industry requirements for volume and thickness, in order to provide protection when the vehicle occupant is at close range relative to the airbag; and the second volume and second thickness of the second inflation configuration are comparable to the current industry requirements for volume and thickness, in order to provide protection when the vehicle occupant is at a normal distance relative to the airbag.
13. An airbag device, characterized in that, The airbag device includes: An airbag, the airbag comprising an airbag front panel and an inflatable airbag cavity; Release device, the release device being located outside the airbag cavity; An airbag strap assembly, wherein the airbag strap assembly is fixed to the front panel of the airbag at a fastening end and within the airbag cavity, and is attached to a release device at a retaining end; When a vehicle collision occurs, if the airbag is activated but the release device is not activated, the airbag cavity is filled with gas and inflates, and the airbag strap assembly pulls the airbag front panel, so that the airbag is in a first inflation configuration with a first volume and a first thickness. If the airbag is activated and the release device is also activated, the attachment between the airbag strap assembly and the release device is disconnected, allowing the airbag to continue to inflate, so that the airbag is in a second inflation configuration with a second volume and a second thickness, wherein the second volume is greater than the first volume and the second thickness is greater than the first thickness. The airbag is designed such that the first volume and first thickness of the first inflation configuration are comparable to the current industry requirements for volume and thickness, in order to provide protection when the vehicle occupant is at a normal distance from the airbag; and the second volume and second thickness of the second inflation configuration are greater than the current industry requirements for volume and thickness, in order to provide protection when the vehicle occupant is at a long distance from the airbag.
14. A vehicle safety system comprising at least an airbag device, a control device, and a gas generator according to any one of claims 1-13, the control device being configured to control the activation of the gas generator to activate the airbag and to control the activation of the release device.