Side airbag assembly

Abstract

The utility model relates to an improved side airbag assembly, which can prevent the free movement of a tether during deployment of an airbag. The side airbag assembly includes: an airbag that is built into a seat of a vehicle and deploys outward from the seat; a tether that is disposed on an outer surface of the airbag and is configured to control the free movement of the airbag when the airbag deploys; and a guide patch that is disposed on the outer surface of the airbag and is coupled to the tether, and the guide patch allows the tether to pass through the guide patch at least twice.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority and benefit to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0180399, filed on December 6, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] This utility model relates to a side airbag assembly. Background Technology

[0004] Side airbag assemblies for use in vehicles can inflate or expand and deploy forward from the side of the seat to protect the driver or occupant's side, extending from the chest to the hip, from the vehicle's door structure. A side airbag assembly may include an airbag and a tether. The airbag is embedded in the seat and deploys from within the seat by passing through it. The tether is attached to the airbag and guides its shape during deployment to achieve a curved shape. The airbag may be connected to an inflator to inflate or expand using gas produced by the inflator.

[0005] The tether is positioned on the outer surface of the airbag and arranged to surround it. Therefore, the tether can guide the shape of the airbag as it moves along the inflated or expanded airbag. However, because the side airbag assembly in related technologies lacks a separate device for securing the tether, the tether can move freely when the airbag inflates or expands. This increases the difficulty of achieving a curved shape in the airbag, and may result in the airbag not bending towards the side of the occupant's body. Furthermore, the free movement of the tether may cause the inflated or expanded airbag to not be positioned corresponding to the side of the occupant's body or to deploy towards the rear of the seat back.

[0006] Therefore, the need for structures that can prevent the tethers from moving freely when the airbag deploys is increasing. Utility Model Content

[0007] This invention relates to providing an improved side airbag assembly that prevents the tether from moving freely when the airbag is deployed.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, a side airbag assembly is provided, the side airbag assembly comprising: an airbag embedded in a seat of a vehicle and deploying outward from the seat; a tether disposed on an outer surface of the airbag and configured to control free movement of the airbag when the airbag deploys; and a guide patch disposed on the outer surface of the airbag and connected to the tether, wherein the guide patch allows the tether to pass through the guide patch at least twice.

[0009] The guide patch may include a first slit and a second slit that allow the tether to enter and exit, and the first slit and the second slit may be arranged in a direction perpendicular to the direction along which the tether is arranged.

[0010] The guide patch may include: a body and a fixing portion, wherein the first slit and the second slit are disposed on the body; the fixing portion fixes the body to the airbag, and the first slit and the second slit may be disposed inside the fixing portion.

[0011] With the tether having passed through the first and second slits of the guide patch, the tether is able to move inside the fixed portion.

[0012] The airbag may include a first panel and a second panel, the first panel having an outer surface as a contact surface and the second panel having an outer surface as a non-contact surface, and the tether may include: a first region disposed on the first panel; a second region bent once from the end of the first region and disposed on the second panel; and a third region bent once from the end of the second region disposed on the second panel and disposed on the first panel.

[0013] The guide patch may include: a first patch that guides the arrangement direction of the first region of the tether; a second patch that guides the arrangement direction of the second region of the tether; and a third patch that guides the arrangement direction of the third region of the tether.

[0014] The first and third patches of the guide patch can be disposed on the outer surface of the first facet, and the second patch of the guide patch can be disposed on the outer surface of the second facet.

[0015] Furthermore, according to another aspect of the present invention, a side airbag assembly is provided, the side airbag assembly comprising: an airbag embedded in a vehicle seat, and including a first panel and a second panel, the first panel having an outer surface as a contact surface and the second panel having an outer surface as a non-contact surface; a tether disposed on the outer surface of the airbag and configured to control the free movement of the airbag when the airbag deploys; and a guide patch disposed on the outer surface of the airbag and configured to guide the direction along which the tether is disposed, wherein at least one guide patch is disposed on each of the first panel and the second panel.

[0016] The guide patch may include a first slit and a second slit that allow the tether to enter and exit, and the first slit and the second slit may be arranged in a direction perpendicular to the direction along which the tether is arranged.

[0017] The guide patch may include a body and a fixing portion, wherein the first slit and the second slit are formed on the body; the fixing portion fixes the body to the airbag, and the first slit and the second slit may be arranged inside the fixing portion. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] Figure 1 This is a view showing a side airbag assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a view showing the tethers being positioned on the airbag;

[0021] Figure 3 This is an enlarged view showing the state of the tether connected to the guide patch; and

[0022] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the tether connected to the guide patch. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Because this invention can be modified and implemented in various ways, specific embodiments of the invention will be illustrated and described in the accompanying drawings. However, this does not mean that the invention is limited to the specific embodiments, and it should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions included within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0024] Although ordinal terms such as "first" and "second" may be used to describe various elements, these elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another. For example, without departing from the scope of this invention, a second element may be referred to as a first element, and similarly, a first element may be referred to as a second element. The term "and / or" includes a combination of multiple related listed items or any one of multiple related listed items.

[0025] It should be understood that when a component is referred to as "connected" or "attached" to another component, the component may be directly connected or attached to the other component, or there may be an intermediary component. In contrast, it is understood that when a component is referred to as "directly connected" or "directly attached" to another component, there is no intermediary component.

[0026] In the description of the embodiments, when an element is described as being formed "on" or "below" another element, "on" and "below" include two cases: the two elements are in direct contact with each other, and at least one additional element is formed as (indirectly) arranged between the two elements. Furthermore, when expressed as "on" or "below," the expression may be based on the fact that an element includes not only the meaning of an upward direction but also the meaning of a downward direction.

[0027] The terminology used in this application is provided only for describing particular embodiments and is not intended to limit the invention. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well. It should be understood in this application that the terms "comprising," "having," etc., are intended to specify the presence of features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof stated in the specification, but do not preclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

[0028] Unless otherwise specified, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, shall have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Terms, such as those defined in common dictionaries, shall be interpreted as having the meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and shall not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so specified herein.

[0029] The side airbag assembly will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, regardless of the drawing number, the same or corresponding parts will be indicated by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions of them will be omitted.

[0030] Figure 1 This is a view showing a side airbag assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] refer to Figure 1 According to one embodiment of the present invention, a side airbag assembly 1 can protect occupants sitting in a vehicle seat from a vehicle collision. This side airbag assembly 1 may include an airbag 100, a tether 200, and a guide patch 300.

[0032] Figure 2 This is a view showing the tethers being positioned on the airbag.

[0033] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The airbag 100 is built into the vehicle seat (not shown) and can deploy outward from the seat. The airbag 100 may include a body 120 and a protrusion 140.

[0034] The main body 120 (hereinafter referred to as "first body 120") can form the exterior of the airbag 100. The first body 120 can have a shape formed by connecting two panels (first panel 100a and second panel 100b), the two panels having mutually symmetrical shapes (see...). Figure 4 Here, the first panel 100a may include a contact surface having an outer surface that contacts the occupant's body, and the second panel 100b may include a non-contact surface having an outer surface that does not contact the occupant's body.

[0035] The first body 120 may have a shape in which the first panel 100a and the second panel 100b are fixed to each other by stitching while in contact with each other, such that their edges are joined together. Therefore, a movable portion 160 may be formed inside the first body 120, in which gas discharged from the inflator (not shown) is contained.

[0036] The protrusion 140 may be disposed near the edge of the first body 120. The protrusion 140 may have a shape that protrudes outward from the edge of the first body 120. The protrusion 140 may be disposed along the path through which the tether 200 passes. A hole through which the tether 200 may pass may be formed in the protrusion 140. The protrusion 140 may be a non-inflatable or non-expandable portion, as the inlet for gas moving from the first body 120 is blocked.

[0037] Furthermore, a non-movable portion 180 may be formed inside the movable portion 160, which is inside the stitching area of ​​the first body 120. This non-movable portion 180 can guide the movement of gas moving within the movable portion 160 and assist in forming the area of ​​the first body 120 that comes into contact with the occupant's body. Additionally, a hole through which the tether 200 can pass may be formed in this non-movable portion 180.

[0038] In addition, the airbag 100 may include a first fixing portion 192 and a second fixing portion 194. The first fixing portion 192 and the second fixing portion 194 may be connected to one end and the other end of the tether 200 disposed on the outer surface of the airbag 100 to secure the tether 200 to the airbag 100.

[0039] Refer again Figure 1 and Figure 2 The tether 200 can be arranged on the outer surface of the airbag 100, and the tether 200 can control the free movement of the airbag 100 during deployment. The tether 200 can have one end fixed to the outer surface of the first panel 100a of the airbag 100, and the tether 200 can pass through the airbag 100 at least twice while the one end is fixed to the outer surface of the first panel 100a, so that the other end can be fixed to the outer surface of the first panel 100a again.

[0040] More specifically, with one end of the tether fixed to the first fixing portion 192 of the airbag 100, the tether 200 can pass through a hole formed in the protrusion 140 of the airbag 100 along the outer surface of the first panel 100a of the airbag 100, and then the tether 200 can be arranged on the outer surface of the second panel 100b of the airbag 100. Furthermore, the tether 200, while arranged on the outer surface of the second panel 100b of the airbag 100, can pass through a hole formed in the inactive portion 180 of the airbag 100, and then the tether 200 can be rearranged on the outer surface of the first panel 100a of the airbag 100. By fixing the other end of the tether 200 to the second fixing portion 194 of the airbag 100, the tether 200, rearranged on the outer surface of the first panel 100a of the airbag 100, can achieve a fully arranged state on the airbag 100.

[0041] Here, the tether 200 may include: a first region 220 disposed between the first fixing portion 192 of the first panel 100a of the airbag 100 and the protrusion 140 of the airbag 100; a second region 240 disposed on the second panel 100b by bending once from the end of the first region 220; and a third region 260 disposed on the first panel 100a by bending once from the end of the second region 240 disposed on the second panel 100b.

[0042] Here, the third region 260 can be positioned between the hole formed in the inactive portion 180 of the airbag 100 and the second fixed portion 194 of the airbag 100. In this way, the tether 200, arranged to surround the outer surface of the airbag 100, can guide the placement and curvature of the airbag 100 during inflation or expansion, thereby allowing the airbag 100 to be accurately positioned corresponding to the side of the occupant's body.

[0043] Figure 3 It is an enlarged view showing the state of the tether connected to the guide patch; and Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the tether connected to the guide patch.

[0044] refer to Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 The guide patch 300 can be disposed on the outer surface of the airbag 100 and connected to the tether 200. The guide patch 300 may include a body 320, a fixing portion 340, a first slit 360, and a second slit 380. Here, for convenience, Figure 4 The first patch 300a of the guide patch 300 is shown, which is arranged on the first panel 100a of the airbag 100.

[0045] The main body 320 (hereinafter referred to as "second main body 320") may have a configuration in which the first slit 360 and the second slit 380 are arranged. Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the second body 320 can be set to a circular shape, but is not limited to this.

[0046] A fixing portion 340 (hereinafter referred to as "third fixing portion 340") secures the second body 320 to the airbag 100. This second fixing portion 194 can be formed by stitching. The third fixing portion 340 can be formed inside the edge of the second body 320 and is disposed on each outer surface of the first panel 100a and the second panel 100b of the airbag 100. That is, the third fixing portion 340 can be a component disposed together with the second body 320. The third fixing portion 340 can have a circular shape. Here, the inner side of the third fixing portion 340 of the second body 320 can form a space for accommodating the tether 200 together with the outer surface of the first panel 100a or the outer surface of the second panel 100b of the airbag 100.

[0047] The first slit 360 and the second slit 380 allow the tether 200 to enter and exit. Here, based on Figure 3 The first slit 360 can be located at the lower portion of the third body, and the second slit 380 can be located at the upper portion of the third body and the upper portion of the first slit 360. Furthermore, the first slit 360 can serve as an inlet for introducing the tether 200 into the guide patch 300, and the second slit 380 can serve as an outlet for discharging the tether 200 introduced into the guide patch 300. Additionally, the first slit 360 and the second slit 380 can be arranged in a direction perpendicular to the direction along which the tether 200 is arranged.

[0048] The first slit 360 and the second slit 380 can be arranged inside the third fixing portion 340 formed in the second body 320 of the guide patch 300. This arrangement of the first slit 360 and the second slit 380 prevents them from being damaged, for example, by being torn by the tether 200. Therefore, the free movement of the tether 200 connected to the guide patch 300 is reduced, thereby maintaining the deployment stability of the airbag 100.

[0049] Through the first slit 360 and the second slit 380, the tether 200 can move within the fixed portion while having passed through the first slit 360 and the second slit 380. This restricts the range of free movement of the tether 200, thereby allowing for a structure to reduce movement or jitter of the tether 200. Therefore, the problem that the deployed airbag 100 cannot achieve its occupant-oriented bend due to tether movement during airbag deployment can be prevented. Furthermore, since the free movement of the tether 200 is reduced through the first slit 360 and the second slit 380, the deployed airbag 100 can be stably positioned at a location corresponding to the side of the occupant. Therefore, the occupant impact absorption performance of the airbag 100 can be maintained.

[0050] The guide patch 300 may include: a first patch 300a, which guides the arrangement direction of a first region 220 of the tether 200; a second patch 300b, which guides the arrangement direction of a second region 240 of the tether 200; and a third patch 300c, which guides the arrangement direction of a third region 260 of the tether 200. Here, the first patch 300a and the third patch 300c may be arranged on the outer surface of the first patch 100a, and the second patch 300b may be arranged on the outer surface of the second patch 100b. That is, the guide patch 300 guides the arrangement direction of the tether 200 surrounding the airbag 100 to prevent the tether 200 from separating and to ensure the stability of the tether 200, thereby improving the deployment stability of the airbag 100.

[0051] As described above, the side airbag assembly 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention may have a structure in which the guide patch 300 allows the tether 200 to pass through the guide patch 300 at least twice. Therefore, the deployment stability of the airbag 100 can be ensured, and displacement of the airbag 100 can be prevented, thereby preventing additional injury to the occupant caused by the airbag 100.

[0052] According to one embodiment of the present invention, since the guide patch is arranged on the outer surface of the airbag, the tether is accommodated in the guide patch in a movable manner, thereby reducing the free movement of the tether. Therefore, the deployment stability of the airbag can be improved, and the deployment position of the deployed airbag can be stably established.

[0053] Furthermore, by reducing the free movement of the tethers through the guide patch, the bending shape of the airbag caused by the tethers can be stably achieved. Therefore, the time of airbag contact with the occupant can be achieved as intended during the manufacturing process.

[0054] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as claimed below. Furthermore, it should be understood that differences associated with such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A side airbag assembly, characterized in that, The side airbag assembly includes: An airbag is built into the vehicle’s seat and is configured to deploy outward from the seat; A tether, arranged on the outer surface of the airbag and configured to control the free movement of the airbag when it deploys; and A guide patch, which is disposed on the outer surface of the airbag and attached to the tether, The guide patch is configured to allow the tether to pass through it at least twice.

2. The side airbag assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guide patch includes a first slit and a second slit that allow the tether to enter and exit, and The first slit and the second slit are arranged in a first direction, which is perpendicular to the second direction along which the tether is arranged.

3. The side airbag assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The guide patch includes: The body having the first slit and the second slit; and A fixing portion, configured to secure the main body to the airbag. The first slit and the second slit are arranged inside the fixed portion.

4. The side airbag assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that, With the tether having passed through the first and second slits of the guide patch, the tether is able to move inside the fixed portion.

5. The side airbag assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The airbag includes a first panel and a second panel, the first panel having an outer surface that serves as a contact surface, and the second panel having an outer surface that serves as a non-contact surface. The tethering rope includes: The first region is arranged on the first facet; A second region, which bends once from the end of the first region and is arranged on the second facet; and The third region is bent once from the end of the second region and is arranged on the first panel.

6. The side airbag assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that, The guide patch includes: The first patch is configured to guide the arrangement orientation of the first region of the tether; The second patch is configured to guide the arrangement direction of the second region of the tether; and The third patch is configured to guide the arrangement direction of the third region of the tether.

7. The side airbag assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first and third patches of the guide patch are arranged on the outer surface of the first facet, and the second patch of the guide patch is arranged on the outer surface of the second facet.

8. A side airbag assembly, characterized in that, The side airbag assembly includes: An airbag is built into a vehicle seat and includes a first panel and a second panel, the first panel having an outer surface as a contact surface and the second panel having an outer surface as a non-contact surface. A tether, arranged on the outer surface of the airbag and configured to control the free movement of the airbag when it deploys; and A guide patch is disposed on the outer surface of the airbag and configured to guide the direction along which the tether is disposed. At least one guide patch is arranged on each of the first and second facets.

9. The side airbag assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that: The guide patch includes a first slit and a second slit that allow the tether to enter and exit, and The first slit and the second slit are arranged in a first direction, which is perpendicular to the second direction along which the tether is arranged.

10. The side airbag assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that, The guide patch includes: The body having the first slit and the second slit; and A fixing portion, configured to secure the main body to the airbag. The first slit and the second slit are arranged inside the fixed portion.

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