Airbag for a vehicle and vehicle seat

Abstract

The present application relates to an airbag for a vehicle and to a vehicle seat provided with the airbag. The airbag (10) comprises a gas bag (1) having an adjoining first gas bag section (11) and a second gas bag section (12), a first chamber inflatable at least predominantly formed by the first gas bag section, a second chamber inflatable at least predominantly formed by the second gas bag section, a hard cover (2) having an opening (15), the gas bag in a folded state being accommodated in the hard cover with the first gas bag section and extending beyond the hard cover with the second gas bag section through the opening, the hard cover having a predetermined breaking line (7) which can be broken upon inflation of the first chamber to enable the first gas bag section to be ejected from the hard cover. The airbag can be particularly advantageously applied in a vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to an airbag for a vehicle and a vehicle seat equipped with such an airbag. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, with the continuous updates and upgrades to safety regulations, mainstream automakers are placing increasing emphasis on airbags, a crucial component of passive safety restraint systems, when developing new models. In recent years, remote airbags have become increasingly widely used in motor vehicles, with some models featuring them as standard equipment, and even including remote airbags for the second or third rows of seats. Typically, a remote airbag functions between the driver's and front passenger's seats in a motor vehicle. In the event of a collision, the remote airbag deploys rapidly after being triggered, forming a buffer barrier between the driver's and front passenger's seats to protect their heads and chests from mutual impact. Studies have shown that nearly half of the injuries in side-impact collisions originate from such remote impacts. In vehicles equipped with remote airbags, especially when used in conjunction with other airbags, the risk of personal injury can be significantly reduced.

[0003] In practice, some distal airbags are known, which include an airbag encased in a soft fabric in a folded state. Such distal airbags place stringent requirements on lateral space arrangement; therefore, the side wing surfaces of the vehicle seat that mate with the distal airbag need to have sufficient foam to constrain it and ensure the overall appearance of the vehicle seat. However, with the development of automotive technology, there is a growing demand for at least one of the following design goals: maximizing the space for the driver and front passenger seats; eliminating the center console; maximizing the aisle between the driver and front passenger seats; and adding a center armrest to the side of the seats. Conventional soft-pack distal airbags struggle to meet these design goals. Utility Model Content

[0004] The objective of this application is to provide a vehicle airbag that remains regular in a portion of its extended dimension, making it particularly advantageous for use in vehicles. Specifically, when this airbag is installed as a distal airbag in a vehicle seat, it does not require a sufficient amount of foam to restrain the distal airbag as is required with padded distal airbags.

[0005] The task is addressed by an airbag for a vehicle, the airbag comprising an airbag having adjacent first and second airbag sections, an inflatable first chamber formed at least primarily by the first airbag section, and an inflatable second chamber formed at least primarily by the second airbag section. The airbag also includes a rigid shell having an opening, the airbag being housed in the rigid shell in a folded state with the first airbag section within the rigid shell and the second airbag section extending beyond the rigid shell through the opening. The rigid shell has a predetermined break line capable of breaking upon inflation of the first chamber, allowing the first airbag section to eject from the rigid shell.

[0006] Such airbags have a regular shape in some of their extended dimensions, especially in the main extended dimensions, which makes them widely adaptable to a wide variety of installation environments in vehicles.

[0007] In some embodiments, the rigid housing includes two relatively movable shell members to open and close the rigid housing.

[0008] In some embodiments, the two housings are connected to each other at their first edges and are rotatable relative to each other about the first edges to open and close the rigid housing, and the two housings have locking mechanisms at their second edges opposite to the first edges for locking the rigid housing in a closed state.

[0009] In some embodiments, the two housings are connected to each other by hinges at their first edges.

[0010] In some embodiments, the rigid housing extends elongatedly.

[0011] In some embodiments, the first edge and the second edge are respectively the longitudinal edges of the corresponding shell members, and the opening is disposed in a longitudinal end section of the rigid shell.

[0012] In some embodiments, the predetermined break line extends along the periphery of one of the two shells.

[0013] In some embodiments, the rigid housing is made of plastic, such as TPO material.

[0014] In some implementations, the airbag may be fitted to a vehicle seat, particularly to a driver's seat.

[0015] In some embodiments, the first airbag section forms a chest chamber as a first chamber and is configured to protect the occupant's chest; the second airbag section forms a head chamber as a second chamber and is configured to protect the occupant's head.

[0016] In some implementations, the airbag is a distal airbag configured to be positioned inside the vehicle seat.

[0017] In some embodiments, the rigid cover is configured to be held on the side plate of the backrest frame of the vehicle seat, and the second airbag section is configured to be held on the upper crossbeam of the backrest frame of the vehicle seat.

[0018] In some embodiments, the airbag further includes a gas generator housed in a rigid housing and configured to inflate the first chamber.

[0019] In some embodiments, the gas generator has a pair of threaded pins spaced apart from each other and extending radially outward from the tubular housing of the gas generator. The pair of threaded pins pass through a pair of mounting holes in a rigid housing and are fastened to the side plate of the backrest frame with matching nuts.

[0020] In some embodiments, the second airbag section is secured to the upper crossbeam of the backrest frame by a pair of spaced-apart lugs.

[0021] The task is also solved by a vehicle seat equipped with a vehicle airbag according to any embodiment of this application.

[0022] The vehicle seat may have the advantages provided by the airbag.

[0023] The technical features mentioned above, those to be mentioned below, and those shown individually in the accompanying drawings can be combined arbitrarily, provided that the combined technical features are not contradictory. All feasible combinations of features are the technical content explicitly described herein. Any one of the multiple sub-features contained in the same statement can be applied independently, without necessarily being applied together with other sub-features. Attached Figure Description

[0024] The following description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrates exemplary embodiments of the present invention to further explain its characteristics, features, advantages, and implementation methods. The drawings are as follows:

[0025] Figure 1 This is a partial perspective view of a vehicle seat according to one embodiment of this application.

[0026] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of a vehicle airbag according to one embodiment of this application.

[0027] Figure 3 Is according to Figure 2 A perspective view of the rigid casing of an airbag in the deployed state.

[0028] Figure 4 Is according to Figure 2 A diagram showing the airbag in its inflated state. Detailed Implementation

[0029] Several exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that elements not essential for understanding the invention may be omitted from the drawings for ease of illustration and understanding. In the drawings, the same reference numerals may denote the same parts or parts that function identically. Numerous specific details, such as examples of specific parts, devices, and methods, are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that not all of these specific details are necessarily required. The exemplary embodiments should not be construed as limiting.

[0030] Figure 1 A vehicle seat 100, such as a driver's seat, is shown in a partial perspective view. Typically, the vehicle seat 100 may include a seat cushion and a backrest. Regarding the vehicle seat 100, in... Figure 1 The description only partially depicts a portion of the backrest frame 20 of the vehicle seat 100. Figure 1 A side panel 21 and an upper crossbeam 22 are visible in the backrest frame 20. This side panel 21 is located on the inner or distal side of the vehicle seat 100, i.e., the side of the vehicle seat 100 away from the door. In the case of a driver's seat, the inner side is the side of the driver's seat facing the passenger seat. Here, the airbag 10 is installed on the backrest frame 20 as a distal airbag. Besides being a distal airbag, the airbag 10 can also be an airbag installed on the outer side of the vehicle seat 100 (or, the side facing the door), or it can be an airbag installed on the vehicle body.

[0031] like Figure 2As shown, the airbag 10 includes an airbag 1 having adjacent first airbag section 11 and second airbag section 12. An inflatable first chamber is formed primarily of the first airbag section 11, and an inflatable second chamber is formed primarily of the second airbag section 12. In the current embodiment, the airbag 10 is a distal airbag, wherein the first airbag section 11 forms a chest chamber serving as a first chamber and is configured to protect the occupant's chest; and the second airbag section 12 forms a head chamber serving as a second chamber and is configured to protect the occupant's head.

[0032] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the airbag 10 also includes a rigid housing 2 having an opening 15. In its folded state, the airbag 1 is housed within the rigid housing 2 as a first airbag section 11 and extends outside the rigid housing 2 through the opening 15 as a second airbag section 12. The rigid housing 2 may extend elongatedly. Figure 3 As shown, the rigid housing 2 may include two housing members 5 connected to each other at their first edge, or first longitudinal edge, and capable of rotating relative to each other about the first edge to open and close the rigid housing 2. For this purpose, for example, the two housing members 5 may be connected to each other at their first edge by means of a hinge 8. The two housing members 5 may have a locking mechanism 9 on their second edge, or second longitudinal edge, opposite to the first edge, for locking the rigid housing 2 in a closed state.

[0033] The rigid housing 2 can be made of plastic. For example, the material of the rigid housing 2 can be polypropylene (PP), which has good overall performance; or it can be a PVC / ABS thermoforming composite material, which combines the strength of ABS and the flexibility of PVC; or it can be a soft elastomer TPO, which has excellent properties such as resistance to high and low temperature impacts and aging resistance, ensuring that the airbag 10 can work normally under different high and low temperature conditions. Preferably, the rigid housing 2 is made of TPO material.

[0034] As in Figure 3 Indicated schematically by dashed lines, particularly on one of the two shell members 5 facing away from the side plate 21, the rigid casing 2 may have a predetermined break line 7 that is capable of breaking upon inflation of the first chamber, allowing the first airbag segment 11 to eject from the rigid casing 2. Typically, the predetermined break line 7 may extend approximately along the periphery of the shell member 5, excluding the first longitudinal edge. The predetermined break line 7 may be formed by reducing the material thickness of the shell member 5.

[0035] The airbag 10 may also include a gas generator 3, which may be housed in a rigid housing 2 and configured to inflate the first chamber. The gas generator 3 may have a pair of threaded pins 13 spaced apart from each other and extending radially outward from the tubular housing of the gas generator 3. The pair of threaded pins 13 pass through a pair of mounting holes 6 in one of the two housing parts 5 of the rigid housing 2 toward the side plate 21 and are fastened to the side plate 21 with a matching nut, thus securing the rigid housing 2 to the side plate 21.

[0036] In the first type, the first and second chambers, or the thoracic and head chambers, are interconnected through at least one, and in particular multiple (e.g., three) connecting holes, allowing both chambers to be inflated by the same gas generator 3. In the second type, the first and second chambers are interconnected via a gas diffuser. Here, both chambers can also be inflated by the same gas generator 3. In the third type, each chamber can have its own separate gas generator and can be inflated independently by its own gas generator.

[0037] In addition, by Figure 2 As can be seen, the second airbag section 12 of the airbag 1 in the folded state can be constrained by at least one restraint 4. The second airbag section 12 can be fixed to the upper crossbeam 22 of the backrest frame 20 by means of a pair of spaced-apart lugs 14 and mating fasteners (e.g., a pair of rivets).

[0038] In the illustrated embodiment, since the second airbag section 12 extends outside the rigid housing 2, the rigid housing 2 can be shaped solely according to the first airbag section 11. Compared to conventional soft-pack airbags, the airbag 10 according to this invention can have a significantly reduced airbag volume. In exemplary applications, the thickness of the airbag module 10 can be reduced by approximately 20%. Such an airbag 10, especially when used as a distal airbag, can have a wider range of applicability compared to conventional distal airbags, for example, it can be used in vehicles without a center console, vehicles with a center armrest between the driver's seat and the front passenger seat, etc.; such an airbag 10 does not require a sufficient amount of foam inside the vehicle seat 100 to restrain the airbag.

[0039] It should be noted that the terminology used herein is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the disclosure. The singular forms “a” and “the one” as used herein should include the plural forms unless the context explicitly states otherwise. It is understood that the terms “comprising” and “including,” and other similar terms, when used in the application documents, specifically describe the presence of the stated operation, element, and / or component, without excluding the presence or addition of one or more other operations, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof. The term “and / or” as used herein includes all arbitrary combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. In the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals always denote similar elements.

[0040] The thickness of the elements in the accompanying drawings may be exaggerated for clarity. It is also understood that if an element is described as being on, coupled to, or connected to another element, then the element may be directly formed on, coupled to, or connected to the other element, or there may be one or more intermediate elements between them. Conversely, if the expressions "directly on," "directly coupled to," and "directly connected to" are used herein, it indicates that there is no intermediate element. Other terms used to describe relationships between elements should be interpreted similarly, such as "between" and "directly between," "attached" and "directly attached," "adjacent" and "directly adjacent," etc.

[0041] Terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below,” “over,” “under,” etc., are used to describe the relationship of one element, layer, or region relative to another element, layer, or region, as shown in the accompanying drawings. It is understood that these terms should also encompass other orientations of the device in addition to those described in the accompanying drawings.

[0042] It is understood that although the terms "first," "second," etc., may be used herein to describe different elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are merely used to distinguish one element from another. Therefore, a first element may be referred to as a second element without departing from the teachings of this inventive concept.

[0043] It can also be considered that all the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein can be arbitrarily combined with each other. Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to understand the present invention and do not constitute a limitation on the protection scope of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, modifications can be made based on the above embodiments, and these modifications do not depart from the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An airbag for a vehicle, the airbag (10) comprising an airbag (1), characterized in that, The airbag has adjacent first airbag section (11) and second airbag section (12), an inflatable first chamber is formed at least primarily by the first airbag section, and an inflatable second chamber is formed at least primarily by the second airbag section. The airbag also includes a rigid shell (2) having an opening (15). In a folded state, the airbag is contained within the rigid shell with the first airbag section and extends outside the rigid shell with the second airbag section through the opening. The rigid shell has a predetermined break line (7) that is capable of breaking when the first chamber is inflated, so that the first airbag section can be ejected from the rigid shell.

2. The airbag for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rigid housing includes two shell members (5) connected to each other at their first edges and capable of rotating relative to each other about the first edges to open and close the rigid housing (2). The two shell members have locking mechanisms (9) on their second edges opposite to the first edges for locking the rigid housing (2) in a closed state.

3. The airbag for a vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that, The rigid shell (2) extends elongatedly, with the first edge and the second edge being the longitudinal edges of the corresponding shell (5), and the opening (15) being disposed in a longitudinal end section of the rigid shell.

4. The airbag for a vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that, The predetermined break line (7) extends along the periphery of one of the two shells (5).

5. The airbag for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The rigid casing (2) is made of plastic.

6. The airbag for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The first airbag section (11) forms a chest chamber as a first chamber and is configured to protect the occupant's chest; the second airbag section (12) forms a head chamber as a second chamber and is configured to protect the occupant's head.

7. The airbag for a vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that, The airbag is a distal airbag configured to be positioned inside the vehicle seat (100).

8. The airbag for a vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that, The rigid cover (2) is configured to be held on the side plate (21) of the backrest frame (20) of the vehicle seat (100), and the second airbag section (12) is configured to be held on the upper crossbeam (22) of the backrest frame of the vehicle seat.

9. The airbag for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The airbag also includes a gas generator (3), which is housed in a rigid housing (2) and configured to inflate the first chamber.

10. The airbag for a vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that, The airbag also includes a gas generator (3) housed in a rigid housing (2) and configured to inflate the first chamber. The gas generator has a pair of threaded pins spaced apart from each other and extending radially outward from the tubular housing of the gas generator. These threaded pins pass through a pair of mounting holes in the rigid housing and are fastened to the side plate (21) of the backrest frame (20) with matching nuts; and / or The second airbag section (12) is fixed to the upper crossbeam (22) of the backrest frame by a pair of spaced-apart lugs (14).

11. A vehicle seat, characterized in that, The vehicle seat (100) is equipped with a vehicle airbag according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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