Vehicle airbag with active ventilation

Abstract

The facility includes the following: a main body (200") that essentially encloses an internal volume (201"), wherein the main body (200") can be elastically expanded to an inflated design; a vent opening (212") in the main body (200"); and a vent cover (214") which at least partially overlaps the vent opening (212"), wherein the vent opening (212") and the vent cover (214") define a passage (216") from the inner volume (201") to the exterior of the main body (200"), characterized in that, in the inflated configuration of the main body (200") and within a pressure threshold of the internal volume (201"), the vent cover (214") narrows the passage (216") proportionally to a pressure increase in the internal volume (201") of the main body (200"), and the vent cover (214") comprises corrugations (222"), the main body (200") comprises corrugations (224", 226") which are adjacent to at least part of the vent opening (212"), and the corrugations (222", 224", 226") of the vent cover (214") and the main body (200") are offset, wherein the vent opening (212") and the vent cover (214") are configured such that that the venting does not occur in a vertical direction starting from the main body (200").

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] Vehicles such as motor vehicles may incorporate equipment to protect occupants from impact during collisions, such as seat belts, airbags, and energy absorption mechanisms. However, it is currently difficult to incorporate all of these equipment into the design of mass-market passenger vehicles to accommodate differences in specific collision conditions, such as the magnitude and direction of a force applied to an airbag, which varies due to the size of occupants and / or the vehicle's speed. For example, typical current airbags are designed to inflate to a set pressure that is defined in relation to a preferred absorption performance at a relatively high test speed, thereby providing only a single stiffness for all collisions. Therefore, the stiffness cannot be optimized for impact events involving comparatively smaller forces, e.g.Impact events at comparatively low speeds. Furthermore, current mechanisms for actively adjusting the deployment of equipment such as airbags, for example, to provide variable stiffness performance under different conditions, have disadvantages such as their complexity and cost.

[0002] DE 10 2013 224 418 A1 discloses a device according to the preamble of claim 1, an airbag module according to the preamble of claim 9, and a device according to the preamble of claim 17. DE 196 33 883 A1 discloses a gas bag for an airbag module. DE 10 2015 108 674 A1 discloses an inflatable airbag assembly.

[0003] The object of the present invention is to improve the known devices and the known airbag module, in particular by avoiding the aforementioned disadvantages. To this end, a device according to claim 1, an airbag module according to claim 9, and a device according to claim 17 are proposed. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims and the following description. DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of an exemplary vehicle. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary airbag bladder according to the principles of the present disclosure. Fig. 3A is an exemplary cutaway top view of an active airbag vent according to the principles of the present disclosure in a first position. Fig. Figure 3B is an exemplary cutaway top view of the vent of Fig. 3A in a second position. Fig. 3C is an example top view of the venting of Fig. 3A-B. Fig. 4A is an exemplary cutaway top view of another active airbag vent according to the principles of the present disclosure in a first position. Fig. Figure 4B is an exemplary cutaway top view of the vent of Fig. 4A in a second position. Fig. 4C is an example top view of the vent of Fig. 4A-B. Fig. 5A is an exemplary cutaway top view of another active airbag vent according to the principles of the present disclosure in a first position. Fig. Figure 5B is an exemplary cutaway top view of the vent of Fig. 5A in a second position. Fig. 5C is an exemplary top view of the vent in the second position of Fig. 5B. Fig. 6 is a graph illustrating the inversely proportional relationship between the size of an active vent according to the principles of the present disclosure and the pressure exerted on an airbag having such a vent. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0004] An active airbag vent according to the principles of the present disclosure operates inversely proportional to the pressure acting on the airbag. That is, unlike typical elastically deformable airbags with vents that expand with an increase in pressure on the airbag, an active airbag vent according to the principles of the present disclosure constricts or closes with an increase in pressure on the airbag. Therefore, an airbag with an active vent according to this disclosure can have variable stiffness performance according to the magnitude of a force applied to the airbag. For example, an airbag with a greater stiffness is typically preferred to absorb an impact at a relatively high speed and / or involving an object with a relatively large mass.With the inversely proportional adjustment of the active venting of the present disclosure, when a force is applied to an inflated airbag, the vent constricts from an initial inflated position, and the airbag operates with a comparatively increased stiffness in accordance with the comparatively high impact force. In another example, a lower stiffness may be desired for a comparatively smaller object or an object with an unexpected direction of movement. With the active venting of the present disclosure, such a comparatively lower, acceptable stiffness may be provided by the initial position of the vent and may be maintained or substantially maintained in response to such a force. Upon removal of a force applied to the airbag, the vent opens, releasing the constriction caused by the applied force.Additionally, active venting during inflation of an airbag with active venting according to this disclosure, i.e., prior to an expected impact with the airbag, can comparatively reduce the inflation pressure. Therefore, an airbag with active venting according to the principles of this disclosure exerts comparatively low forces during inflation both on the vehicle's support structures and in the airbag's inflation path. Lower forces on the vehicle's support structures can increase the durability or enhance the durability and robustness of these structures. Lower forces in the inflation path can provide more desirable characteristics in the event of an out-of-position occupant, i.e., an occupant unexpectedly located in the inflation path during airbag inflation.

[0005] Fig. 1 is an exemplary schematic representation of a vehicle 100 having a front end 110 and a rear end 120. The vehicle 100 includes a frame assembly 130 and a passenger compartment 140. The frame assembly 130 includes an instrument panel support 150 extending in a lateral direction through the vehicle 100. The instrument panel support 150 is located longitudinally forward of and adjacent to the passenger compartment 140. The instrument panel support 150 supports at least one airbag module 160. The airbag module 160 includes an airbag bladder 162 and an inflator 164.

[0006] The vehicle 100 operates the one or more airbag modules 160 under certain conditions, e.g., during a collision of a certain magnitude with the front end 110 of the vehicle 100. For example, the vehicle 100 may include a vehicle computer (not shown) in communication with the airbag module 160, the vehicle computer generally including a processor and memory, wherein the memory comprises one or more forms of computer-readable media and stores instructions executable by the processor for performing various operations. Further, the computer may include more than one computing device, e.g., controllers for various vehicle components, e.g., an engine control unit (ECU), a transmission control unit (TCU), etc. The computer may send messages to and / or receive messages from various devices within a vehicle, e.g.,Controls, actuators, sensors, etc., including the airbag module 160.

[0007] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the airbag bladder 162. The bladder 162 includes a main body 200 formed from an elastically deformable material. In some implementations, the main body 200 comprises plastic material. The main body 200 substantially encloses an interior volume 201 ( Fig. 3A-3C). The gas generator 164 is in fluid communication with the interior volume 201, and the main body 200 is elastically expandable to an inflated configuration.

[0008] The bladder 162 may have various configurations depending on the specific application and location of the airbag module 160. The bladder 162 may include protrusions 202 for coupling to specific structures of the vehicle 100. In one exemplary implementation, the bladder 162 may be used in an active glove box application, and the protrusions 202 may correspond to and / or be attached to respective structural features of the glove box. It should be understood that an airbag bladder in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure may be used in various vehicle applications and locations, such as, by way of non-limiting example, on the steering column, in the seats or seatbacks, on relatively rigid portions of the vehicle trim, etc.

[0009] The bladder 162 includes an active vent 210. The vent 210 is defined by an opening portion 212 and a cover portion 214. As described herein, the cover portion 214 at least partially overlaps the opening portion 212 and is configured to cooperate with the opening portion 212 to constrict a passage 216 from the interior volume 201 to a region 220 exterior of the bladder 162 in proportion to a change in pressure within the bladder 162 while it is being inflated, as long as the pressure is below a maximum pressure threshold. Through this variable venting, the inflated bladder 162 provides variable stiffness performance based on the magnitude of a force applied to the bladder 162 while it is being inflated. Upon removal of the force, the active vent 210 can reopen to the initial position at least as long as the bladder 162 remains inflated.Therefore, the bladder 162 adapts to various conditions that vary with the severity of an impact with an airbag, including the size, speed, and direction of the impacting object.

[0010] The cover part 214 may have the same material composition as the main body 200 and may be integrally molded with the main body 200.

[0011] The bubble 162 is shown in the exemplary illustration of Fig. 2 with a vent 210. It should be understood that an airbag bladder according to the principles of the present disclosure may include multiple active vents.

[0012] Referring to Fig. 3A-3C, the vent 210 is designed in an implementation with the opening part 212 extending partially outside the cover part 214. In particular, a first and a second open area 230, 232 are formed in the opening part 212 on opposite sides of the cover part 214. In particular, Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B, the cover portion 214 can variably project away from the adjacent portions of the main body 200 to adjust the size of the passageway 216 inversely proportional to the pressure of the internal volume 201, that is, inversely proportional to the set inflation pressure and the pressure resulting from impact with the bladder 162. At or above a maximum pressure threshold, the bladder 162 stretches the cover portion 214 to be substantially coplanar with the adjacent portions of the main body 200, and the passageway 216 is constricted to a minimum size defined by the first and second open areas 230, 232.

[0013] Referring to Fig. 4A-4C, another active vent 210' is illustrated in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. It should be understood that the description of the vehicle 100, the airbag module 160, and the airbag bladder 162 provided herein with respect to the vent 210 similarly applies to the vent 210' and, therefore, will not be repeated here.

[0014] The vent 210' includes an opening portion 212' and a cover portion 214'. The cover portion 214' is larger than the opening portion 212' over at least one of the lengths of the opening portion 212'. That is, at least the size d2 of the cover portion 214' between the edges of the opening portion 212' is larger than the size d1 of the corresponding area bounded by the edges of the opening portion 212'. In some implementations, such as in particular in Fig. 4C, the cover portion 214' is larger than the opening portion 212' in several directions and has a surface that completely overlaps the opening portion 212'.

[0015] The cover portion 214' bends or bulges away from the opening portion 212' to define the passage 216'. As the pressure in the interior volume 201' increases, the passage 216' narrows. Since d2 is greater than d1 in at least one direction, a minimum size for the passage 216' is maintained at the maximum pressure threshold, including in implementations in which the cover portion 214' completely overlaps the opening portion 212' ( Fig. 4C).

[0016] Referring to Fig. 5A-5C, another active vent 210" is illustrated in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. It should be understood that the description of the vehicle 100, the airbag module 160, and the airbag bladder 162 provided herein with respect to the vent 210 similarly applies to the vent 210" and, therefore, will not be repeated here.

[0017] The cover portion 214" of the vent 210" is at least partially corrugated, i.e., includes corrugated corrugations 222". The corrugations 222" are in an offset alignment with at least one set of corrugations 224" on the main body 200" adjacent to the opening portion 212". In some implementations, another set of corrugations 226", also in an offset alignment with respect to the corrugations 222" of the vent cover 214", is on an opposite portion of the vent opening 212" relative to the corrugations 224" on the main body 200". Therefore, the offset corrugations of the cover portions 214" and the main body 200" bend or bulge away from the opening portion 212" to together define the passageway 216". As the pressure in the interior volume 201" increases, the vent 210" constricts the Spacing of the corrugations and thus the passage 216" up to a minimum size at the maximum pressure threshold.

[0018] Referring to Fig. 6, both the reduced inflation pressure and the inverse relationship between a force applied to an inflated airbag and the vent size are graphically depicted. An active vent according to the principles of the present disclosure is at its maximum size in the deflated state of the airbag. As the vent constricts upon inflation, the inflation pressure is comparatively lower than in a typical design for an elastically deformable airbag, in which a vent would initially be at its smallest. At a minimum operating pressure, the active vent of this disclosure has a size V1. The active vent of this disclosure can constrict to a minimum size V2 based on the magnitude of a force applied to the inflated airbag, thereby providing a range of stiffness performance.In contrast, typical current elastically deformable airbags are only calibrated to a single stiffness, which is given in . Fig. 6 is shown at V.

[0019] An airbag module including an airbag bladder with active venting according to the present disclosure may further vary in numerous ways according to the present disclosure. For example, the various components may be arranged in various configurations. In another example, an airbag module and its components according to the present disclosure may comprise different materials.

Claims

[1] Facility comprising: a main body (200") substantially enclosing an internal volume (201"), wherein the main body (200") is elastically expandable to an inflated configuration; a vent opening (212") in the main body (200"); and a vent cover (214") at least partially overlapping the vent opening (212"), wherein the vent opening (212") and the vent cover (214") define a passage (216") from the interior volume (201") to the exterior of the main body (200"), characterized byin the inflated configuration of the main body (200") and within a pressure threshold of the internal volume (201"), the vent cover (214") constricts the passage (216") proportional to a pressure increase in the internal volume (201") of the main body (200"), and the vent cover (214") comprises corrugations (222"), the main body (200") comprises corrugations (224", 226") adjacent to at least a portion of the vent opening (212"), and the corrugations (222", 224", 226") of the vent cover (214") and the main body (200") are offset, the vent opening (212") and the vent cover (214") being configured such that that the ventilation does not occur in a vertical direction starting from the main body (200"). [2] The device of claim 1, wherein in the inflated configuration of the main body (200") at least a portion of the vent opening (212") extends outside the vent cover (214"). [3] The device of claim 1, wherein the vent cover (214") is larger than the vent opening (212") in at least one direction. [4] The device of claim 1, wherein the main body includes corrugations (224", 226") adjacent to at least two opposing portions of the vent opening (212"), and the corrugations (222") of the vent cover (214") at each of the at least two opposing portions of the vent opening (212") are offset relative to the corrugations (224", 226") of the main body (200"). [5] The device of claim 1, wherein the main body (200") and the vent cover (214") have a single material composition. [6] The device of claim 1, wherein the vent opening (212") and the vent cover (214") maintain a minimum passage size (216") at and above the pressure threshold of the internal volume (201") of the main body (200"). [7] The device of claim 6, wherein the vent cover (214") completely overlaps the vent opening (212"). [8] The device of claim 1, further comprising: multiple vents (212"); corresponding to a plurality of vent covers (214"), each having at least a portion that partially overlaps one of the vent openings (212"), the vent openings (212") and the vent covers (214") each defining a plurality of passages (216") from the interior volume (201") to the exterior of the main body (200"), wherein in the inflated configuration of the main body (200") and within a pressure threshold of the internal volume (201"), the vent covers (214") each constrict the passages (216") proportional to a pressure increase in the internal volume (201") of the main body (200"). [9] Airbag module (160) comprising: a gas generator (164); a main body (200") substantially enclosing an internal volume (201"), wherein the gas generator (164) is in fluid communication with the internal volume (201"), wherein the main body (200") is elastically expandable to an inflated configuration at a first operating pressure of the internal volume (201"), a vent opening (212") in the main body (200"); and a vent cover (214") at least partially overlapping the vent opening (212"), wherein the vent opening (212") and the vent cover (214") define a passage (216") from the interior volume (201") to the exterior of the main body (200"), characterized byin that, in the inflated configuration of the main body (200") and within a pressure increase in the internal volume (201") starting from the first operating pressure, the pressure increase being within a pressure threshold, the vent cover (214") narrows the passage (216") in proportion to the pressure increase, the vent cover (214") comprising corrugations (222"), the main body (200") comprising corrugations (224", 226") adjacent to at least a portion of the vent opening (212"), and the corrugations (222", 224", 226") of the vent cover (214") and the main body (200") are offset, the vent opening (212") and the vent cover (214") being configured such that venting does not occur in a vertical direction starting from the main body (200"). [10] The airbag module (160) of claim 9, wherein in the inflated configuration of the main body (200"), at least a portion of the vent opening (212") extends outside the vent cover (214"). [11] The airbag module (160) of claim 9, wherein the vent cover (214") is larger than the vent opening (212") in at least one direction. [12] The airbag module (160) of claim 9, wherein in the inflated configuration of the main body (200"), the vent cover (214") opens the passage (216") proportional to a pressure decrease in the internal volume (201") of the main body (200"). [13] The airbag module (160) of claim 9, wherein the vent opening (212") and the vent cover (214") maintain a minimum passage size (216") at and above the first operating pressure and the pressure threshold of the internal volume (201") of the main body (200"). [14] The airbag module (160) of claim 9, further comprising: multiple vents (212"); corresponding to a plurality of vent covers (214"), each having at least a portion that partially overlaps one of the vent openings (212"), the vent openings (212") and the vent covers (214") each defining a plurality of passages (216") from the interior volume (201") to the exterior of the main body (200"), wherein in the inflated configuration of the main body (200") and within a pressure threshold of the internal volume (201"), the vent covers (214") each constrict the passages (216") proportional to a pressure increase in the internal volume (201") of the main body (200"). [15] The airbag module (160) of claim 9, wherein the main body (200") and the vent cover (214") have a single material composition. [16] The airbag module (160) of claim 15, wherein the main body (200") and the vent cover (214") are integrally molded. [17] Facility comprising: an airbag bladder (162) substantially enclosing an interior volume (201"), wherein the bladder (162) is configured to be operably connected to a vehicle airbag module (160), the bladder (162) being elastically expandable to an inflated configuration at a first operating pressure of the interior volume (201"); an active vent in the bladder (162) defining a passage (216") from the interior volume (201") to the exterior of the bladder (162), the active vent comprising a vent opening (212") and a vent cover (214") at least partially overlapping the vent opening (212"), characterized byin that, in the inflated configuration of the bladder (162) and upon a pressure increase of the internal volume (201") starting from the first operating pressure, wherein the pressure increase is within a pressure threshold value, the active venting adjusts the passage (216") inversely proportional to a pressure change in the internal volume (201") of the bladder (162), and the vent cover (214") comprises corrugations (222"), the bladder (162) comprises corrugations (224", 226") that are adjacent to at least a portion of the vent opening (212"), and the corrugations (222", 224", 226") of the vent cover (214") and bladder (162) are offset, wherein the vent opening (212") and the vent cover (214") are configured such that venting does not occur in a vertical direction starting from the main body (200"). [18] The device of claim 17, wherein the active venting maintains a minimum passage size (216") at and above the pressure threshold of the internal volume (201") of the bladder (162).

Images