Side curtain device and vehicle

Abstract

This application relates to a side curtain airbag device for providing side impact protection for vehicle occupants. The side curtain airbag device includes: a primary curtain airbag configured to inflate to provide side impact protection for a seated occupant; and a secondary curtain airbag configured to inflate to provide side impact protection for a reclining occupant; wherein the primary curtain airbag and the secondary curtain airbag are arranged adjacent to each other side-by-side along the width direction of the vehicle. This application also relates to a vehicle including the side curtain airbag device described above.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application generally relates to the field of vehicle engineering, and more specifically, to a side curtain airbag device and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Vehicle side-impact protection relies at least in part on side curtain airbags installed in the vehicle's roof. When sensors detect lateral acceleration or a collision signal exceeding a certain threshold, a gas generator is triggered, causing the curtains to deploy and inflate within a very short time (milliseconds). The design goal is to rapidly create a buffer zone between the occupant's head and the hard door trim panel, B-pillar, or intruder when the occupant moves towards the door due to a lateral impact, absorbing impact energy and dispersing the collision load, thereby significantly reducing the risk of serious injury. Traditional side curtain airbags are primarily optimized based on the occupant's standard driving or sitting posture (torso roughly vertical). Their deployment and inflation shape and position are relatively fixed, relying on the overlap between the occupant and the airbag's inflation space at a preset position to achieve effective protection.

[0003] With the continuous development of automotive seat technology, especially the advancement of advanced autonomous driving (L3 / L4) concepts and the increasing demand for comfort from consumers, the functions and adjustment range of vehicle seats have significantly expanded. Modern seats offer tilt angle adjustments far exceeding those of traditional seats, allowing occupants to adopt a more relaxed posture closer to lying down during driving (such as "zero gravity" mode or large-angle reclining). This diversification of occupant postures places new and stringent demands on side curtain air systems. In non-standard sitting postures (especially large-angle reclining or near-lying postures), the occupant's body position, posture, and relative spatial relationship with the door trim panels undergo fundamental changes. The deployment and inflation direction, inflation shape, coverage area, and protection target of traditional side curtain air systems, based on the standard sitting posture, may not be effectively matched to the key body parts of occupants in a reclining position (such as the head position may be significantly lowered and rearward). This results in the inflated air curtain failing to provide sufficient support and cushioning in the correct position, and may even reduce the protective effect or cause secondary risks due to obstructed inflation path or unexpected contact with the occupant's body. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop side curtain airbag technology that can adapt to the diverse postures of occupants (especially reclining positions) to ensure reliable and optimized side impact protection performance in various seating positions. Utility Model Content

[0004] One object of this application is to provide a side curtain airbag device and a vehicle that can adapt to diverse occupant postures to ensure reliable and optimized side impact protection performance in various seating positions.

[0005] According to a first aspect of this application, a side curtain airbag is provided for providing side impact protection for vehicle occupants, the side curtain airbag comprising:

[0006] Primary curtain airbags, configured to inflate to provide side-impact protection for seated occupants; and

[0007] Secondary curtain airbags, the primary curtain airbags being configured to inflate to provide side-impact protection for occupants in a reclining position;

[0008] The primary air curtain and the secondary air curtain are arranged side by side adjacent to each other along the width direction of the vehicle.

[0009] By employing a dual arrangement of primary and secondary airbags, targeted and effective side-impact protection can be provided for occupants in sitting and reclining positions, respectively, reducing the risk of airbag failure. The side-by-side arrangement of the primary and secondary airbags along the width provides a simple and convenient structural solution, requiring no major modifications compared to existing side curtain airbag systems.

[0010] In some embodiments of the side curtain airbag device, the primary curtain airbag includes a primary curtain airbag main body, and the secondary curtain airbag includes a secondary curtain airbag main body and a secondary curtain airbag auxiliary body. The primary curtain airbag main body and the secondary curtain airbag main body are arranged side by side adjacent to each other along the width direction of the vehicle, and the secondary curtain airbag auxiliary body is located below the primary curtain airbag main body and the secondary curtain airbag main body along the height direction of the vehicle.

[0011] In some embodiments of the side curtain air device, the side curtain air device further includes a generator connected to the primary air curtain and the secondary air curtain and configured to inflate one of the primary air curtain and the secondary air curtain.

[0012] In some embodiments of the side curtain air device, the generator includes a front igniter, a front vent, and a front inflation channel connected to the primary air curtain and configured to inflate the primary air curtain, and a rear igniter, a rear vent, and a rear inflation channel connected to the secondary air curtain and configured to inflate the secondary air curtain.

[0013] This setup allows for the use of a single generator to inflate both the primary air curtain and the secondary air curtain, simplifying the structure and saving space.

[0014] In some embodiments of the side curtain airbag device, the side curtain airbag device further includes a sensor configured to detect the tilt angle of the seat associated with the primary airbag and the secondary airbag, and the generator actuates according to the tilt angle of the seat detected by the sensor to inflate the primary airbag or the secondary airbag.

[0015] In some embodiments of the side curtain airbag system, the primary curtain airbag includes a first primary curtain airbag and a second primary curtain airbag arranged along the length of the vehicle, and / or the secondary curtain airbag includes a first primary curtain airbag and a second primary curtain airbag arranged along the length of the vehicle.

[0016] In some embodiments of the side curtain air device, the side curtain air device further includes:

[0017] A first generator, connected to the first primary air curtain and the first stage air curtain and configured to inflate one of the first primary air curtain and the first stage air curtain; and

[0018] A second generator is connected to the second primary air curtain and the second secondary air curtain and is configured to inflate one of the second primary air curtain and the second secondary air curtain.

[0019] In some embodiments of the side curtain air device, the side curtain air device further includes:

[0020] A first sensor, configured to detect the tilt angle of a first seat associated with the first primary curtain airbag and the first secondary curtain airbag, to determine the posture of an occupant in the first seat; and

[0021] A second sensor is configured to detect the tilt angle of a second seat associated with the second primary air curtain and the second secondary air curtain in order to determine the posture of the occupant in the second seat.

[0022] In some embodiments of the side curtain air device

[0023] The first generator is configured to inflate the first primary air curtain when the first sensor determines that the occupant of the first seat is in a sitting position, and to inflate the first secondary air curtain when the first sensor determines that the occupant of the first seat is in a reclining position; and

[0024] The second generator is configured to inflate the second primary air curtain when the second sensor determines that the occupant in the second seat is in a sitting position, and to inflate the second secondary air curtain when the second sensor determines that the occupant in the second seat is in a reclining position.

[0025] According to a second aspect of this application, a vehicle is provided that includes a side curtain air device according to any one of the claims to any one of the claims.

[0026] By employing primary and secondary curtain airbags arranged side-by-side, the side curtain airbag device according to this application can activate the appropriate curtain airbags based on the occupant's posture, thereby providing efficient and targeted side collision protection. Attached Figure Description

[0027] A better understanding of various aspects of this application will be achieved by reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] Figure 1A and Figure 1B The diagrams show the occupants in sitting and lying positions, respectively.

[0029] Figure 2A , Figure 2B , Figure 2C and Figure 2D The diagrams show occupants in sitting and reclining positions on the two rows of seats, respectively.

[0030] Figure 3A , Figure 3B , Figure 3C and Figure 3D The diagrams show how a single curtain airbag provides side-impact protection for occupants in sitting and reclining positions, respectively.

[0031] Figure 4A , Figure 4B and Figure 4C Schematic diagrams of the side curtain air device according to some embodiments of this application in the deployed state and the inflated state are shown respectively;

[0032] Figure 5A and Figure 5B Schematic diagrams are shown respectively illustrating the side curtain air device according to some embodiments of the present application providing side impact protection for occupants in a sitting and lying position;

[0033] Figure 6A and Figure 6B Schematic diagrams of the generator and air curtain in combination according to some embodiments of this application are shown respectively;

[0034] Figure 7A and Figure 7B Schematic diagrams are shown respectively illustrating the side curtain air device according to some embodiments of the present application providing side impact protection for occupants in a sitting and lying position;

[0035] Figure 8A and Figure 8B Schematic diagrams of the generator and air curtain in combination according to some embodiments of this application are shown respectively;

[0036] Figure 9A and Figure 9B Schematic diagrams are shown of side curtain airbag devices according to some embodiments of the present application providing side impact protection for occupants in a seated position;

[0037] Figure 10A and Figure 10BSchematic diagrams are shown respectively illustrating the side curtain air device according to some embodiments of the present application providing side impact protection for occupants in a sitting and lying position;

[0038] Figure 11A and Figure 11B Schematic diagrams illustrating side-impact protection provided by side curtain airbags according to some embodiments of this application for occupants in sitting and reclining positions are shown respectively; and

[0039] Figure 12A and Figure 12B Schematic diagrams are shown of side curtain airbag devices according to some embodiments of this application providing side impact protection for occupants in a reclining position.

[0040] List of reference numerals

[0041] Side curtain air device 100;

[0042] Primary air curtain 3; First primary air curtain 13; Second primary air curtain 23; Primary air curtain main body 32; First primary air curtain main body 132; Second primary air curtain main body 232;

[0043] Secondary air curtain 4; Primary air curtain 14; Secondary air curtain 24; Main body of secondary air curtain 42; Auxiliary part of secondary air curtain 44; Main body of primary air curtain 142; Main body of secondary air curtain 242; Auxiliary part of primary air curtain 144; Auxiliary part of secondary air curtain 244;

[0044] Generator 5; First generator 15; Second generator 25; Front igniter 51; Front vent 53; Front charging channel 55; Rear igniter 52; Rear vent 54; Rear charging channel 56; First front igniter 151; First front vent 153; First front charging channel 155; First rear igniter 152; First rear vent 154; First rear charging channel 156; Second front igniter 251; Second front vent 253; Second front charging channel 255; Second rear igniter 252; Second rear vent 254; Second rear charging channel 256;

[0045] 60 passengers; 160 passengers in the first crew; 260 passengers in the second crew;

[0046] Seat 62; First seat 162; Second seat 262;

[0047] Side of the vehicle body 64; First side of the vehicle body 164; Second side of the vehicle body 264;

[0048] Sensor 66; First sensor 166; Second sensor 266. Detailed Implementation

[0049] The present application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate several embodiments of the present application. However, it should be understood that the present application can be presented in many different ways and is not limited to the embodiments described below; in fact, the embodiments described below are intended to make the disclosure of the present application more complete and to fully illustrate the scope of protection of the present application to those skilled in the art. It should also be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in various ways to provide more additional embodiments.

[0050] It should be understood that the same reference numerals denote the same elements in all the accompanying drawings. For clarity, the dimensions of certain features may be modified in the drawings.

[0051] It should be understood that the terminology used in this specification is for describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to limit this application. All terms used in this specification (including technical and scientific terms) have the meanings commonly understood by those skilled in the art, unless otherwise defined. For the sake of brevity and / or clarity, well-known functions or structures may not be described in detail.

[0052] Unless otherwise specified, the singular forms “a,” “the,” and “the” used in this specification include the plural forms. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “containing” used in this specification indicate the presence of the claimed feature but do not exclude the presence of one or more other features. The term “and / or” used in this specification includes any and all combinations of one or more of the related listed items. The terms “between X and Y” and “between approximately X and Y” used in this specification should be interpreted as including both X and Y. The term “between approximately X and Y” used in this specification means “between approximately X and approximately Y,” and the term “from approximately X to Y” used in this specification means “from approximately X to approximately Y.”

[0053] In the specification, when an element is described as being "on," "attached," "connected," "coupled," or "in contact" with another element, the element can be directly located on, attached to, connected to, coupled to, or in contact with the other element, or there may be intermediate elements present. Conversely, when an element is described as being "directly" located on, directly attached to, directly connected to, directly coupled to, or directly in contact with another element, no intermediate elements are present. In the specification, the description of a feature being arranged "adjacent" to another feature can mean that a feature has a portion overlapping with the adjacent feature or a portion located above or below the adjacent feature.

[0054] In the specification, spatial relation terms such as "up," "down," "left," "right," "front," "back," "high," and "low" describe the relationship between one feature and another in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that spatial relation terms include not only the orientation shown in the drawings but also the different orientations of the device during use or operation. For example, when the device in the drawings is inverted, a feature previously described as "below" other features can now be described as "above" other features. The device can also be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), in which case the relative spatial relationships will be explained accordingly.

[0055] Vehicle side-impact protection relies at least in part on side curtain airbags installed in the vehicle's roof. When sensors detect lateral acceleration or a collision signal exceeding a certain threshold, a gas generator is triggered, causing the curtains to deploy and inflate within a very short time (milliseconds). The design goal is to rapidly create a buffer zone between the occupant's head and the hard door trim panel, B-pillar, or intruder when the occupant moves towards the door due to a lateral impact, absorbing impact energy and dispersing the collision load, thereby significantly reducing the risk of serious injury. Traditional side curtain airbags are primarily optimized based on the occupant's standard driving or sitting posture (torso roughly vertical). Their deployment and inflation shape and position are relatively fixed, relying on the overlap between the occupant and the airbag's inflation space at a preset position to achieve effective protection.

[0056] With the continuous development of automotive seat technology, especially the advancement of advanced autonomous driving (L3 / L4) concepts and the increasing demand for comfort from consumers, the functions and adjustment range of vehicle seats have significantly expanded. Modern seats offer tilt angle adjustments far exceeding those of traditional seats, allowing occupants to adopt a more relaxed posture closer to lying down during driving (such as "zero gravity" mode or large-angle reclining). This diversification of occupant postures places new and stringent demands on side curtain air systems. In non-standard sitting postures (especially large-angle reclining or near-lying postures), the occupant's body position, posture, and relative spatial relationship with the door trim panels undergo fundamental changes. The deployment and inflation direction, inflation shape, coverage area, and protection target of traditional side curtain air systems, based on the standard sitting posture, may not be effectively matched to the key body parts of occupants in a reclining position (such as the head position may be significantly lowered and rearward). This results in the inflated air curtain failing to provide sufficient support and cushioning in the correct position, and may even reduce the protective effect or cause secondary risks due to obstructed inflation path or unexpected contact with the occupant's body.

[0057] In this document, for the sake of convenience and clarity, the length direction, width direction, and height direction of a vehicle are defined as conventional vehicle directions in the art, namely, the front-to-back direction of the vehicle is the length direction, the left-to-right direction of the vehicle is the width direction, and the vertical direction is the height direction of the vehicle.

[0058] Figure 1A and Figure 1B The diagram shows occupants sitting in vehicle seats, illustrating both sitting and reclining positions.

[0059] The term "sitting posture" as used in this article refers to the posture of an occupant sitting in a seat with a backrest angle of less than or equal to 25 degrees, where the backrest angle is the angle of the seat back relative to the vertical direction (height direction), also known as the seat tilt angle. The term "reclining posture" as used in this article refers to the posture of an occupant sitting in a seat with a backrest angle greater than 25 degrees, where the occupant's posture when the backrest angle is between 25 and 40 degrees can also be referred to as a "transitional posture" or "semi-reclining posture," but in this article, it can be collectively referred to as "reclining posture."

[0060] During driving, occupant 60 typically sits in vehicle seat 62. The vehicle may include a side body 64, such as a door or window on one side of the vehicle. The side curtain airbag 100 is typically fixed to the vehicle's roof, for example, and is normally folded. In the event of a collision, the side curtain airbag 100 can deploy and inflate, with the deployed and inflated side curtain airbag positioned between the side body 64 and occupant 60 and seat 62 to provide side impact protection for occupant 60, such as protecting occupant 60's head. A sensor 66, such as an angle sensor, may be installed on the seat back of seat 62 to sense the backrest angle and determine whether occupant 60 is in a sitting or reclining position.

[0061] like Figure 1A As shown, occupant 60 is in a seated position, where the backrest angle of the seat occupant 60 is less than or equal to 25 degrees. Figure 1B As shown, occupant 60 is in a reclining position, and the backrest angle of the seat where occupant 60 is located is greater than 25 degrees.

[0062] Figures 2A to 2D The diagram illustrates occupants seated in a vehicle with two rows of seats, showing front and rear occupants in sitting and reclining positions, respectively. There are four possible positions for the occupants in each row.

[0063] Figure 2AThe image shows a first passenger 160 sitting in the front row, with the backrest angle of the first seat 162 being less than or equal to 25 degrees. A second passenger 260 sitting in the back row is also shown in a seated position, with the backrest angle of the second seat 262 being less than or equal to 25 degrees. Figure 2B The diagram shows the first passenger 160 in the front row in a seated position, with the backrest angle of the first seat 162 being less than or equal to 25 degrees, and the second passenger 260 in the back row in a reclining position, with the backrest angle of the second seat 262 being greater than 25 degrees. Figure 2C The diagram shows the first passenger 160 in the front row in a reclining position, with the backrest angle of the first seat 162 being greater than 25 degrees, and the second passenger 260 in the back row in a sitting position, with the backrest angle of the second seat 262 being less than or equal to 25 degrees. Figure 2D The image shows the first passenger 160 in the front row in a reclining position, with the backrest angle of the first seat 162 being greater than 25 degrees, and the second passenger 260 in the back row in a reclining position, with the backrest angle of the second seat 262 being greater than 25 degrees.

[0064] The side curtain airbag for protecting the first occupant 160 can be mounted on the side of the first vehicle body 164. Normally folded, it deploys and inflates in the event of a collision. The inflated side curtain airbag is positioned between the side of the first vehicle body 164 and the first occupant 160 and the first seat 162 to provide side impact protection for the first occupant 160. A first sensor 166, such as an angle sensor, can be mounted on the backrest of the first seat 162 to sense the backrest angle and determine whether the first occupant 160 is in a sitting or reclining position. Similarly, the side curtain airbag for protecting the second occupant 260 can be mounted on the side of the second vehicle body 264. Normally folded, it deploys and inflates in the event of a collision. The inflated side curtain airbag is positioned between the side of the second vehicle body 264 and the second occupant 260 and the second seat 262 to provide side impact protection for the second occupant 260. A second sensor 266, such as an angle sensor, can be installed on the backrest of the second seat 262 to sense the backrest angle and determine whether the second occupant 260 sitting in the second seat 262 is in a sitting or reclining position.

[0065] When occupants can be in a sitting or reclining position, the side curtain airbag 100 needs to be designed to meet the side impact protection requirements of occupants in different postures as much as possible. However, because the angle and height of occupants differ when they are in a sitting or reclining position, a single side curtain airbag may not be able to meet the requirements of simultaneously protecting occupants in both sitting and reclining positions. For example, if the side curtain airbag is designed to protect occupants in a sitting position, it may not provide side impact protection for occupants in a reclining position. On the other hand, if the deployment area of ​​the side curtain airbag is increased to protect occupants in a reclining position, the side curtain airbag may get stuck between the side of the vehicle body and the seat when the occupant is in a sitting position, resulting in insufficient inflation and failing to provide side impact protection for occupants in a sitting position.

[0066] like Figures 3A to 3D As shown, it illustrates the protection provided by different side curtain airbags 100 to occupants in sitting and lying positions.

[0067] When the side curtain airbag 100 is designed to protect occupants in a seated position, the protective operation is as follows: Figure 3A and Figure 3B As shown. When the occupants are in a seated position, for example, when the first occupant 160 and the second occupant 260 are in a seated position, the side curtain airbag 100 can smoothly deploy and inflate between the occupants and the seat and the side of the vehicle body to provide side impact protection for the occupants (e.g., head), such as... Figure 3A As shown. When the occupants are in a reclining position, for example, when the first occupant 160 and the second occupant 260 are in a reclining position, the side curtain airbag 100 can deploy and inflate smoothly. However, due to the reduced height of the occupants, the side curtain airbag 100 cannot provide effective side impact protection for the occupants (e.g., their heads). Figure 3B As shown.

[0068] When the side curtain airbag 100 is designed to protect occupants in a reclining position, for example with... Figure 3A and Figure 3B Compared to the side curtain air device 100 shown for a seated position, the side curtain air device 100 extends further downward in the height direction, increasing its deployment area. In this case, the protective operation is as follows: Figure 3C and Figure 3D As shown. When the occupants are in a reclining position, for example, when the first occupant 160 and the second occupant 260 are in a reclining position, the side curtain airbag 100 can smoothly deploy and inflate between the occupants and the seat and the side of the vehicle body to provide side impact protection for the occupants (e.g., head). Figure 3C As shown. However, when the occupants are in a seated position, for example, when the first occupant 160 and the second occupant 260 are in a seated position, due to the increased downward extension of the side curtain airbag 100, the side curtain airbag 100 may become stuck between the side of the vehicle and the seat, failing to inflate fully and thus failing to provide effective side impact protection for the occupants (e.g., head). Figure 3D As shown.

[0069] The side curtain airbag device 100 according to this application employs two types of airbags to provide corresponding side impact protection for occupants in sitting and lying positions, respectively. The side curtain airbag device 100 according to some embodiments of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0070] According to some embodiments of this application, a side curtain airbag device 100 is provided for providing side impact protection for vehicle occupants. The side curtain airbag device 100 may include: a primary curtain airbag 3 configured to inflate to provide side impact protection for occupants in a seated position; and a secondary curtain airbag 4 configured to inflate to provide side impact protection for occupants in a reclining position; wherein the primary curtain airbag 3 and the secondary curtain airbag 4 are arranged side by side adjacent to each other along the width direction of the vehicle.

[0071] like Figure 4A The diagram illustrates a side curtain airbag system 100. The side curtain airbag system 100 according to this application may include a primary curtain airbag 3 and a secondary curtain airbag 4. The primary curtain airbag 3 has a smaller deployment area and is configured to inflate to provide side impact protection for a seated occupant (e.g., head), while the secondary curtain airbag 4 has a larger deployment area and is configured to inflate to provide side impact protection for a reclining occupant (e.g., head). Under normal conditions, when the side curtain airbag system 100 is not activated, the primary curtain airbag 3 and secondary curtain airbag 4 are typically folded and fixed to, for example, the vehicle roof and are not visible from the outside. However, in the illustrated embodiments of this application, for clarity, each airbag is shown and described in either an deployed or inflated state to accurately describe the structure of each part of the side curtain airbag system 100.

[0072] The upper part of the primary curtain airbag 3 can be fixed to the vehicle roof. In the event of a collision, the primary curtain airbag 3 deploys downwards along the height direction. Similarly, the upper part of the secondary curtain airbag 4 can be fixed to the vehicle roof. In the event of a collision, the secondary curtain airbag 4 deploys downwards along the height direction. The downward deployment dimension of the primary curtain airbag 3 is smaller than that of the secondary curtain airbag 4; that is, the secondary curtain airbag 4 extends further downwards along the height direction. Figure 4A As shown.

[0073] According to an embodiment of this application, the primary curtain airbag 3 and the secondary curtain airbag 4 can be arranged side-by-side adjacent to each other along the width direction of the vehicle. In the folded state, the primary curtain airbag 3 and the secondary curtain airbag 4 can be arranged side-by-side adjacent to each other, so that in the unfolded state, the primary curtain airbag 3 and the secondary curtain airbag 4 can be arranged side-by-side adjacent to each other along the width direction between the vehicle side 64 and the occupant 60 and seat 62. At this time, the upper part of the primary curtain airbag 3 can be flush with the upper part of the secondary curtain airbag 4, and the lower part of the primary curtain airbag 3 is located above the lower part of the secondary curtain airbag 4 along the height direction. This allows the primary curtain airbag 3 to provide side impact protection for the occupant 60 in a seated position, while the secondary curtain airbag 4 can provide side impact protection for the occupant 60 in a reclining position.

[0074] Reference Figure 5A and Figure 5B The diagram illustrates how primary curtain airbag 3 and secondary curtain airbag 4 provide side-impact protection for occupants in sitting and lying positions, respectively. In the event of a collision, one of the primary curtain airbag 3 and secondary curtain airbag 4 deploys and inflates to provide side-impact protection. For example, when sensor 66 determines that occupant 60 is in a sitting position, primary curtain airbag 3 deploys and inflates, while secondary curtain airbag 4 may remain inactive or only deploy without inflating. Figure 4B and Figure 5A As shown. When sensor 66 determines that occupant 60 is in a reclining position, the secondary curtain airbag 4 deploys and inflates, while the primary curtain airbag 3 may not operate or may only deploy without inflating, as shown. Figure 4C and Figure 5B As shown. Therefore, appropriate curtain airbags can be used to provide side collision protection when the occupant 60 is in different postures.

[0075] By employing a dual arrangement of primary and secondary airbags, targeted and effective side-impact protection can be provided for occupants in sitting and reclining positions, respectively, reducing the risk of airbag failure. The side-by-side arrangement of the primary and secondary airbags along the width provides a simple and convenient structural solution, requiring no major modifications compared to existing side curtain airbag systems.

[0076] According to some embodiments of this application, the primary air curtain 3 may include a primary air curtain main body 32, and the secondary air curtain 4 may include a secondary air curtain main body 42 and a secondary air curtain auxiliary body 44. The primary air curtain main body 32 and the secondary air curtain main body 42 are arranged side by side adjacent to each other along the width direction of the vehicle, and the secondary air curtain auxiliary body 44 may be located below the primary air curtain main body 32 and the secondary air curtain main body 42 along the height direction of the vehicle.

[0077] like Figures 4A to 5BAs shown, the primary air curtain 3 may include a primary air curtain main body 32, which can be configured to form an inflation chamber upon deployment. This inflation chamber is inflated, for example by filling it with air or other suitable fluid, causing it to expand. Thus, the primary air curtain 3 is in an inflated state, providing side-impact protection. The secondary air curtain 4 may include a secondary air curtain main body 42 and a secondary air curtain auxiliary body 44. The secondary air curtain main body 42 and the secondary air curtain auxiliary body 44 can jointly form an inflation chamber upon deployment. This inflation chamber is inflated, for example by filling it with air or other suitable fluid, causing it to expand. Thus, the secondary air curtain 4 is in an inflated state, providing side-impact protection. In some embodiments, the secondary air curtain main body 42 and the secondary air curtain auxiliary body 44 may also be configured to form independent inflation chambers, which can be inflated simultaneously.

[0078] As shown in the figure, the primary curtain airbag main body 32 and the secondary curtain airbag main body 42 are arranged side by side adjacent to each other along the width direction of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the primary curtain airbag main body 32 and the secondary curtain airbag main body 42 may have the same or similar deployment dimensions along the height direction of the vehicle. The secondary curtain airbag auxiliary part 44 may be located below the primary curtain airbag main body 32 and the secondary curtain airbag main body 42 along the height direction, and the secondary curtain airbag auxiliary part 44 extends downward from the secondary curtain airbag main body 42 along the height direction. When the primary curtain airbag main body 32 and the secondary curtain airbag main body 42 may have the same or similar deployment dimensions along the height direction of the vehicle, the secondary curtain airbag auxiliary part 44 is the portion of the secondary curtain airbag 4 that extends downward along the height direction beyond the primary curtain airbag 3.

[0079] When the occupant is in a reclining position, their head is usually close to the headrest of the seat. In some embodiments, the secondary curtain air assist portion 44 may not extend downwards from the entire lower part of the secondary curtain air main portion 42, but only from a portion of the secondary curtain air main portion 42, such as... Figure 5B As shown, this configuration also provides effective protection for occupants in a reclining position.

[0080] According to some embodiments of this application, the side curtain air device 100 may further include a generator 5, which may be connected to the primary curtain air 3 and the secondary curtain air 4 and is configured to inflate one of the primary curtain air 3 and the secondary curtain air 4.

[0081] like Figure 6A and Figure 6BThe diagram illustrates the interaction between generator 5 and primary curtain airbag 3 and secondary curtain airbag 4. Generator 5 is a device for inflating the curtain airbags. Its function is to generate a large amount of gas in the very short time following a vehicle collision, rapidly inflating the curtain airbags to form a buffer protective layer between the occupants and hard objects inside the vehicle. Generator 5 can be connected to primary curtain airbag 3 and secondary curtain airbag 4 and configured to inflate either primary curtain airbag 3 or secondary curtain airbag 4. In some embodiments, generator 5 can be a bipolar generator, i.e., a single generator can be ignited at both ends, so that primary curtain airbag 3 and secondary curtain airbag 4 can share a single generator 5, with the two ends of generator 5 connected to primary curtain airbag 3 and secondary curtain airbag 4 respectively. In other embodiments, both primary curtain airbag 3 and secondary curtain airbag 4 can be equipped with generator 5, with each generator 5 serving its corresponding primary curtain airbag 3 and secondary curtain airbag 4.

[0082] According to some embodiments of this application, the generator 5 may include a front igniter 51, a front vent 53, and a front inflation channel 55 connected to the primary air curtain 3 and configured to inflate the primary air curtain 3, and a rear igniter 52, a rear vent 54, and a rear inflation channel 56 connected to the secondary air curtain 4 and configured to inflate the secondary air curtain 4.

[0083] like Figure 6A As shown, generator 5 is a bipolar generator, with both ends capable of generating gas to inflate the air curtain. The front igniter 51, front vent 53, and front inflation channel 55 of generator 5 are connected to the primary air curtain 3. When a vehicle collision occurs and the primary air curtain 3 needs to be inflated, the front igniter 51 ignites to generate a large amount of gas. This gas enters the front inflation channel 55 through the front vent 53. The front inflation channel 55 extends into the primary air curtain 3, thereby inflating the primary air curtain 3. Similarly, the rear igniter 52, rear exhaust port 54, and rear inflation channel 56 of generator 5 are connected to the secondary curtain airbag 4. When a vehicle collision occurs and the secondary curtain airbag 4 needs to be inflated, the rear igniter 52 is ignited to generate a large amount of gas. This gas enters the rear inflation channel 56 through the rear exhaust port 54. The inflation channel 56 extends into the secondary curtain airbag 4, thereby inflating the secondary curtain airbag 4 by filling it with gas through the rear inflation channel 56.

[0084] This setup allows for the use of a single generator to inflate both the primary air curtain and the secondary air curtain, simplifying the structure and saving space.

[0085] According to some embodiments of this application, the side curtain air device 100 may further include a sensor 66, which may be configured to detect the tilt angle of the seat 62 associated with the primary curtain air 3 and the secondary curtain air 4, and the generator 5 may be actuated according to the tilt angle of the seat 62 detected by the sensor 66 to inflate the primary curtain air 3 or the secondary curtain air 4.

[0086] As described above, sensor 66 can be installed on the seat back of seat 62 to detect the backrest angle (the tilt angle of seat 62) to determine whether the occupant 60 sitting on seat 62 is in a sitting or reclining position. When sensor 66 detects that the backrest angle is less than or equal to 25 degrees, it determines that the occupant 60 sitting on seat 62 is in a sitting position, and accordingly, actuator 5 inflates the primary air curtain 3. That is, the front igniter 51 of actuator 5 generates gas, which is then injected into the primary air curtain 3 through the front vent 53 and the front inflation channel 55. When sensor 66 detects that the backrest angle is greater than 25 degrees, it determines that the occupant 60 sitting on seat 62 is in a reclining position, and accordingly, actuator 5 inflates the secondary air curtain 4. That is, the rear igniter 52 of actuator 5 generates gas, which is then injected into the secondary air curtain 4 through the rear vent 54 and the rear inflation channel 56.

[0087] According to some embodiments of this application, the primary air curtain 3 may include a first primary air curtain 13 and a second primary air curtain 23 arranged along the length direction of the vehicle, and / or the secondary air curtain 4 may include a first primary air curtain 14 and a second primary air curtain 24 arranged along the length direction of the vehicle.

[0088] In some embodiments, a vehicle may have two or more rows of seats, and the side curtain air device 100 according to this application can also be applied to vehicles with multiple rows of seats. The following description uses two rows of seats as an example to illustrate the side curtain air device 100, but those skilled in the art will understand that the following description is also applicable to the case of multiple rows of seats.

[0089] like Figure 7A and Figure 7B As shown, it illustrates a schematic diagram of the side curtain air device 100 according to the present application applied to two rows of seats, wherein the side curtain air device 100 extends along the length of the vehicle alongside the two rows of seats.

[0090] like Figure 7A As shown, the primary curtain airbag 3 may include a first primary curtain airbag 13 and a second primary curtain airbag 23 arranged along the length of the vehicle. The first primary curtain airbag 13 is disposed between the first vehicle side 164 and the first seat 162, providing side impact protection for a first occupant 160 in a seated position on the first seat 162. The second primary curtain airbag 23 is disposed between the second vehicle side 264 and the second seat 262, providing side impact protection for a second occupant 260 in a seated position on the second seat 162. The first primary curtain airbag 13 may include a first primary curtain airbag body portion 132, and the second primary curtain airbag 23 may include a second primary curtain airbag body portion 232. The first primary curtain airbag 13 and the second primary curtain airbag 23 may be arranged front-to-back along the length direction and may have approximately the same deployment size in the height direction.

[0091] like Figure 7B As shown, the secondary curtain airbag 4 may include a primary curtain airbag 14 and a secondary curtain airbag 24 arranged along the length of the vehicle. The primary curtain airbag 14 is disposed between the first vehicle side 164 and the first seat 162, providing side impact protection for a first occupant 160 in a reclining position on the first seat 162. The secondary curtain airbag 24 is disposed between the second vehicle side 264 and the second seat 262, providing side impact protection for a second occupant 260 in a reclining position on the second seat 162. The primary curtain airbag 14 may include a primary curtain airbag main body 142 and a primary curtain airbag auxiliary body 144, and the secondary curtain airbag 24 may include a secondary curtain airbag main body 242 and a secondary curtain airbag auxiliary body 244. The primary curtain airbag 14 and the secondary curtain airbag 24 may be arranged front-to-back along the length direction and may have approximately the same deployment size in the height direction.

[0092] According to some embodiments of this application, the side curtain air device 100 may further include: a first generator 15 connected to a first primary air curtain 13 and a first-stage air curtain 14 and configured to inflate one of the first primary air curtain 13 and the first-stage air curtain 14; and a second generator 25 connected to a second primary air curtain 23 and a second-stage air curtain 24 and configured to inflate one of the second primary air curtain 23 and the second-stage air curtain 24.

[0093] like Figure 8A and Figure 8B The diagram illustrates a schematic representation of the interaction between a first generator 15 and a second generator 25 with a first primary air curtain 13 and a second primary air curtain 23, as well as a first-stage air curtain 14 and a second-stage air curtain 24. The first generator 15 is connected to the first primary air curtain 13 and the first-stage air curtain 14 and is configured to inflate one of them. Similarly, the second generator 25 is connected to the second primary air curtain 23 and the second-stage air curtain 24 and is configured to inflate one of them. In some embodiments, the first generator 15 and the second generator 25 may be bipolar generators.

[0094] like Figure 8AAs shown, the first front igniter 151, the first front vent 153, and the first front inflation channel 155 of the first generator 15 are connected to the first primary curtain airbag 13. When a vehicle collision occurs and the first primary curtain airbag 13 needs to be inflated, the first front igniter 151 is ignited to generate a large amount of gas. This gas enters the first front inflation channel 155 through the first front vent 153. The first front inflation channel 155 extends into the first primary curtain airbag 13, thereby inflating the first primary curtain airbag 13 by filling it with gas through the first front inflation channel 155. Similarly, the first rear igniter 152, the first rear vent 154, and the first rear inflation channel 156 of the first generator 15 are connected to the first primary curtain airbag 14. When a vehicle collision occurs and the first primary curtain airbag 14 needs to be inflated, the first rear igniter 152 is ignited to generate a large amount of gas. This gas enters the first rear inflation channel 156 through the first rear vent 154. The first inflation channel 156 extends into the first primary curtain airbag 14, thereby inflating the first primary curtain airbag 14 by filling it with gas through the first rear inflation channel 156.

[0095] like Figure 8A As shown, the second front igniter 251, the second front vent 253, and the second front inflation channel 255 of the second generator 25 are connected to the second primary curtain airbag 23. When a vehicle collision occurs and the second primary curtain airbag 23 needs to be inflated, the second front igniter 251 is ignited to generate a large amount of gas. This gas enters the second front inflation channel 255 through the second front vent 253. The second front inflation channel 255 extends into the second primary curtain airbag 23, thereby inflating the second primary curtain airbag 23 by filling it with gas. Similarly, the second rear igniter 252, the second rear exhaust port 254, and the second rear inflation channel 256 of the second generator 25 are connected to the second-stage curtain airbag 24. When a vehicle collision occurs and the second-stage curtain airbag 24 needs to be inflated, the second rear igniter 252 is ignited to generate a large amount of gas. This gas enters the second rear inflation channel 256 through the second rear exhaust port 254. The second inflation channel 256 extends into the second-stage curtain airbag 24, thereby inflating the second-stage curtain airbag 24 by filling it with gas.

[0096] According to some embodiments of this application, the side curtain air device 100 may further include: a first sensor 166 configured to detect the tilt angle of a first seat 162 associated with a first primary curtain air 13 and a first secondary curtain air 14 to determine the posture of an occupant on the first seat 162; and a second sensor 266 configured to detect the tilt angle of a second seat 262 associated with a second primary curtain air 23 and a second secondary curtain air 24 to determine the posture of an occupant on the second seat 262.

[0097] As described above, the first sensor 166 can be disposed on the backrest of the first seat 162 to detect the backrest angle (the tilt angle of the first seat 162) to determine whether the first occupant 160 sitting on the first seat 162 is in a sitting or reclining position. When the first sensor 166 detects that the backrest angle is less than or equal to 25 degrees, it determines that the first occupant 160 sitting on the first seat 162 is in a sitting position. When the first sensor 166 detects that the backrest angle is greater than 25 degrees, it determines that the first occupant 160 sitting on the first seat 162 is in a reclining position.

[0098] Similarly, a second sensor 266 can be mounted on the backrest of the second seat 262 to detect the backrest angle (the tilt angle of the second seat 262) to determine whether the second occupant 260 sitting on the second seat 262 is in a sitting or reclining position. When the second sensor 266 detects that the backrest angle is less than or equal to 25 degrees, it determines that the second occupant 260 sitting on the second seat 262 is in a sitting position. When the second sensor 266 detects that the backrest angle is greater than 25 degrees, it determines that the second occupant 260 sitting on the second seat 262 is in a reclining position.

[0099] According to some embodiments of this application, the first generator 15 may be configured to inflate the first primary air curtain 13 when the first sensor 166 determines that the occupant on the first seat 162 is in a sitting position, and to inflate the first primary air curtain 14 when the first sensor 166 determines that the occupant on the first seat 162 is in a reclining position; and the second generator 25 may be configured to inflate the second primary air curtain 23 when the second sensor 266 determines that the occupant on the second seat 262 is in a sitting position, and to inflate the second primary air curtain 24 when the second sensor 266 determines that the occupant on the second seat 262 is in a reclining position.

[0100] like Figures 9A to 12B As shown, it illustrates how the side curtain airbag 100 operates when occupants in the two rows of seats are in different postures.

[0101] like Figure 9A and Figure 9BAs shown, the first occupant 160 on the first seat 162 is in a seated position, and the second occupant 260 on the second seat 262 is also in a seated position. At this time, it can be determined that the first primary air curtain 13 and the second primary air curtain 23 need to be inflated, while the first primary air curtain 14 and the second primary air curtain 24 do not need to be inflated. In this situation, the first front igniter 151 of the first generator 15 ignites to generate a large amount of gas. This gas enters the first front inflation channel 155 through the first front vent 153 and ultimately inflates the first primary air curtain 13. Similarly, the second front igniter 251 of the second generator 25 ignites to generate a large amount of gas. This gas enters the second front inflation channel 255 through the second front vent 253 and ultimately inflates the second primary air curtain 23.

[0102] like Figure 10A and Figure 10B As shown, the first occupant 160 on the first seat 162 is in a sitting position, and the second occupant 260 on the second seat 262 is in a reclining position. At this time, it can be determined that the first primary air curtain 13 and the second primary air curtain 24 need to be inflated, while the first primary air curtain 14 and the second primary air curtain 23 do not need to be inflated. In this situation, the first front igniter 151 of the first generator 15 ignites to generate a large amount of gas. This gas enters the first front inflation channel 155 through the first front vent 153 and ultimately inflates the first primary air curtain 13. Similarly, the second rear igniter 252 of the second generator 25 ignites to generate a large amount of gas. This gas enters the second rear inflation channel 256 through the second rear vent 254 and ultimately inflates the second primary air curtain 24.

[0103] like Figure 11A and Figure 11B As shown, the first occupant 160 on the first seat 162 is in a reclining position, and the second occupant 260 on the second seat 262 is in a sitting position. At this time, it can be determined that the first primary air curtain 14 and the second primary air curtain 23 need to be inflated, while the first primary air curtain 13 and the second primary air curtain 24 do not need to be inflated. In this situation, the first rear igniter 152 of the first generator 15 ignites to generate a large amount of gas. This gas enters the first rear inflation channel 156 through the first rear vent 154 and ultimately inflates the first primary air curtain 14. Similarly, the second front igniter 251 of the second generator 25 ignites to generate a large amount of gas. This gas enters the second front inflation channel 255 through the second front vent 253 and ultimately inflates the second primary air curtain 23.

[0104] like Figure 12A and Figure 12BAs shown, the first occupant 160 on the first seat 162 is in a reclining position, and the second occupant 260 on the second seat 262 is also in a reclining position. At this time, it can be determined that the first-stage air curtain 14 and the second-stage air curtain 24 need to be inflated, while the first primary air curtain 13 and the second primary air curtain 23 do not need to be inflated. In this situation, the first rear igniter 152 of the first generator 15 ignites to generate a large amount of gas. This gas enters the first rear inflation channel 156 through the first rear vent 154 and ultimately inflates the first-stage air curtain 14. Similarly, the second rear igniter 252 of the second generator 25 ignites to generate a large amount of gas. This gas enters the second rear inflation channel 256 through the second rear vent 254 and ultimately inflates the second-stage air curtain 24.

[0105] According to some embodiments of this application, a vehicle is also provided, which may include the side curtain air device 100 as described above.

[0106] By employing primary and secondary curtain airbags arranged side-by-side, the side curtain airbag device according to this application can activate the appropriate curtain airbags based on the occupant's posture, thereby providing efficient and targeted side collision protection.

[0107] While exemplary embodiments of this application have been described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes and modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiments of this application without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Therefore, all changes and modifications are included within the scope of protection of this application as defined by the claims. This application is defined by the appended claims, and equivalents of those claims are also included.

Claims

1. A side curtain airbag device for providing side collision protection to an occupant of a vehicle, characterized by, The side curtain air device includes: Primary curtain airbag (3), the primary curtain airbag (3) being configured to inflate to provide side impact protection for occupants in a seated position; and Secondary curtain air (4), which is configured to inflate to provide side impact protection for occupants in a reclining position; The primary air curtain (3) and the secondary air curtain (4) are arranged side by side adjacent to each other along the width direction of the vehicle.

2. The side curtain device according to claim 1, characterized by The primary air curtain (3) includes a primary air curtain main body (32), and the secondary air curtain (4) includes a secondary air curtain main body (42) and a secondary air curtain auxiliary body (44). The primary air curtain main body (32) and the secondary air curtain main body (42) are arranged side by side adjacent to each other along the width direction of the vehicle, and the secondary air curtain auxiliary body (44) is located below the primary air curtain main body (32) and the secondary air curtain main body (42) along the height direction of the vehicle.

3. The side curtain device according to claim 1, characterized by The side curtain device also includes a generator (5) connected to the primary curtain (3) and the secondary curtain (4) and configured to inflate one of the primary curtain (3) and the secondary curtain (4).

4. The side curtain air bag apparatus according to claim 3, characterized by The generator (5) includes a front igniter (51), a front vent (53) and a front inflation channel (55) connected to the primary air curtain (3) and configured to inflate the primary air curtain (3), and a rear igniter (52), a rear vent (54) and a rear inflation channel (56) connected to the secondary air curtain (4) and configured to inflate the secondary air curtain (4).

5. The side curtain device according to claim 3, wherein The side curtain air device also includes a sensor (66) configured to detect the tilt angle of the seat (62) associated with the primary curtain (3) and the secondary curtain (4), and the generator (5) actuates according to the tilt angle of the seat (62) detected by the sensor (66) to inflate the primary curtain (3) or the secondary curtain (4).

6. The side curtain device of claim 1, wherein The primary air curtain (3) includes a first primary air curtain (13) and a second primary air curtain (23) arranged along the length of the vehicle, and / or the secondary air curtain (4) includes a first primary air curtain (14) and a second primary air curtain (24) arranged along the length of the vehicle.

7. The side curtain device according to claim 6, characterized by The side curtain air device also includes: A first generator (15) is connected to the first primary air curtain (13) and the first stage air curtain (14) and is configured to inflate one of the first primary air curtain (13) and the first stage air curtain (14); and A second generator (25) is connected to the second primary air curtain (23) and the second secondary air curtain (24) and is configured to inflate one of the second primary air curtain (23) and the second secondary air curtain (24).

8. The side curtain air bag apparatus according to claim 7, characterized by The side curtain air device also includes: A first sensor (166) is configured to detect the tilt angle of a first seat (162) associated with the first primary curtain airbag (13) and the first secondary curtain airbag (14) to determine the posture of an occupant on the first seat (162); and The second sensor (266) is configured to detect the tilt angle of the second seat (262) associated with the second primary air curtain (23) and the second secondary air curtain (24) to determine the posture of the occupant on the second seat (262).

9. The side curtain air device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first generator (15) is configured to inflate the first primary air curtain (13) when the first sensor (166) determines that the occupant on the first seat (162) is in a sitting position, and to inflate the first secondary air curtain (14) when the first sensor (166) determines that the occupant on the first seat (162) is in a reclining position; and The second generator (25) is configured to inflate the second primary air curtain (23) when the second sensor (266) determines that the occupant on the second seat (262) is in a sitting position, and to inflate the second secondary air curtain (24) when the second sensor (266) determines that the occupant on the second seat (262) is in a reclining position.

10. A vehicle characterized by comprising: The vehicle includes a side curtain air device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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