Curtain airbag for a vehicle

Abstract

Curtain airbag for a vehicle, comprising: a curtain airbag cushion (101) deployable between a door window and an occupant; an inflation chamber (103) disposed between a front end portion of the curtain airbag cushion (101) and an A-pillar (301) of the vehicle, the inflation chamber (103) being thicker than the curtain airbag cushion (101) and filling a space between an end portion of a front airbag (303), the end portion being adjacent to the door window and the A-pillar (301) when the inflation chamber (103) is deployed; a first ventilation opening (107) formed in a portion of the inflation chamber (103), the portion adjacent to the door window; and a first belt (201) connected between the first ventilation opening (107) and a portion of an inner surface (105) of the first inflation chamber (103), wherein the first belt (201) is loosened and therefore the first ventilation opening (107) is adapted to be opened when an external force is applied to a portion of the inflation chamber (103), the portion being connected to the first belt (201).

Description

Background of the inventionField of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a curtain airbag, and more particularly to a curtain airbag for preventing a driver's body from directly colliding with a vehicle interior surface and preventing injury to the driver due to head twisting. Description of the state of the art

[0002] With the increasing need for vehicle safety and the growing interest in various vehicle functions and comfort, safety devices for protecting occupants in the event of a vehicle collision are becoming increasingly important. Among safety devices, an airbag system is one of the most important protective devices, protecting occupants by distributing the impact in the event of a vehicle collision.

[0003] In addition to front airbags installed in front of the driver and passenger seats, there are many types of airbags, including a side-impact airbag or "curtain airbag," which covers the side windows when deployed in the event of a side collision. Side-impact airbag systems are categorized into curtain airbags, which primarily protect the occupant's head, and side-impact airbags, which primarily protect the occupant's body.

[0004] A curtain airbag typically extends along the side edge of the roof lining. This means that the curtain airbag extends longitudinally of the vehicle. When air or gas is introduced into a curtain airbag via an airbag inflator, the curtain airbag deploys between the door windows and the occupants to protect the heads of the occupants in the front and rear seats.

[0005] However, conventional two-dimensional flat curtain airbags cannot provide 100% protection to occupants in the event of an oblique impact, which has the disadvantage that an occupant's body may directly hit the A-pillar or may not prevent the occupant's head from sliding along the surface of a front airbag that inflates at the time of collision, resulting in an occupant injury due to head twisting.

[0006] From DE 11 2014 004 246 T5 a curtain airbag for a vehicle is known, comprising: a curtain airbag cushion which is deployable between a door window and an occupant; an inflation chamber which is arranged between a front end portion of the curtain airbag cushion and an A-pillar of the vehicle, wherein the inflation chamber is thicker than the curtain airbag cushion and fills a space between an end portion of a front airbag, wherein the end portion is adjacent to the door window and the A-pillar when the inflation chamber is deployed; and a first ventilation opening which is formed in a portion of the inflation chamber, wherein the portion is adjacent to the door window.

[0007] GB 2 532 976 A further discloses a curtain airbag for a vehicle having a main body comprising at least two chambers and an additional part or flap comprising a further tertiary chamber. The flap is located on the main body, connected to it, and folds back onto it. The flap is located within the main body and connected to it to receive a gas supply via a vent opening during deployment.Preferably, the flap is attached near the upper and lower edges of the free end of the main body, which comprises a primary chamber and a secondary chamber forming a single serpentine, sinusoidal, or W-shaped gas space; the flap overlies at least partially the front part of the secondary chamber when stowed and deployed; the tertiary chamber cooperates with and supports a driver airbag or a passenger airbag when the curtain airbag and either the driver airbag or the passenger airbag are deployed.

[0008] The information disclosed in this background section of the specification is provided for the sole purpose of facilitating a better understanding of the general background of the invention and may contain information that is not prior art and is already known to a person skilled in the art. Brief overview

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a curtain airbag which can prevent the head of an occupant from sliding through a gap between a curtain airbag and a front airbag and hitting an A-pillar in the event of an oblique impact, thus preventing injury to the occupant due to head twisting.

[0010] The object is achieved by a curtain airbag having the features of claims 1, 4, or 7. Advantageous further developments can be found in the subclaims.

[0011] According to one aspect, there is provided a curtain airbag for a vehicle, comprising: a curtain airbag cushion deployable between a door window and an occupant; an inflation chamber disposed between a front end portion of the curtain airbag cushion and an A-pillar of a vehicle, the inflation chamber being thicker than the curtain airbag cushion and filling a space between an end portion of a front airbag, the end portion being proximate to the door window and the A-pillar when the inflation chamber is deployed; and a first vent opening formed in a portion of the inflation chamber, the portion being proximate to the door window.The curtain airbag further comprises a first strap connected between the first vent opening and a portion of an inner surface of the first inflation chamber, wherein the first strap is loosened and therefore the first vent opening is configured to be opened when an external force is applied to a portion of the inflation chamber, the portion being connected to the first strap.

[0012] The first belt may be a band-shaped belt and may be attached to extend in a vertical direction in the vehicle.

[0013] The ventilation opening may be formed in the inflation chamber, in a position close to the door window and not coming into contact with the A-pillar.

[0014] According to another aspect, there is provided a curtain airbag for a vehicle, comprising: a curtain airbag cushion deployable between a door window and an occupant; an inflation chamber disposed between a front end portion of the curtain airbag cushion and an A-pillar of the vehicle, the inflation chamber being thicker than the curtain airbag cushion and filling a space between an end portion of a front airbag, the end portion being adjacent to the door window and the A-pillar when the inflation chamber is deployed; a first vent opening formed in a portion of the inflation chamber, the portion being adjacent to the door window; a second vent opening through which the curtain airbag cushion and the inflation chamber communicate with each other; first belt cutting means; a cover for opening or closing the second vent opening;and a second belt connected between the cover and the first belt cutting device, wherein the second ventilation opening remains open for a first predetermined time and is then closed by the cover when the second belt is cut by the first belt cutting device;

[0015] The second ventilation opening can be an active ventilation opening which is opened or closed under a control.

[0016] The curtain airbag for a vehicle may further comprise a third belt connected between a central portion of the first belt and a portion of the inner surface of the inflation chamber, wherein an angle between parts of the first belt located on both sides of a position at which the first belt and the third belt are connected to each other is an obtuse angle, and wherein an angle between a portion of the first belt, the portion being near the first vent opening, and the third belt is an obtuse angle.

[0017] According to another aspect, there is provided a curtain airbag for a vehicle, comprising: a curtain airbag cushion deployable between a door window and an occupant; an inflation chamber disposed between a front end portion of the curtain airbag cushion and an A-pillar of a vehicle, the inflation chamber being thicker than the curtain airbag cushion and filling a space between an end portion of a front airbag, the end portion being proximate to the door window and the A-pillar when the inflation chamber is deployed; and a first vent opening formed in a portion of the inflation chamber, the portion being proximate to the door window.The curtain airbag further comprises a fourth strap; and a fifth strap passing through the fourth strap and having a first end portion connected to a portion of the inner surface of the inflation chamber and a second end portion connected to a portion of the inner surface of the inflation chamber, wherein the connected portion of the second end portion is in the rear part of the connected portion of the first end portion, and wherein the fourth and fifth straps are loosenable and therefore the first vent opening is opened when an external force is applied to a portion of the inflation chamber, the portion being connected to the fifth strap.

[0018] The portion of the inner surface of the inflation chamber connected to the first strap, the third strap, or the fifth strap may be disposed in a rear portion of the inflation chamber in an anteroposterior direction.

[0019] The curtain airbag for a vehicle may further comprise a sixth belt arranged to pass through the second vent opening, connected between the cover and the first vent opening, and longer than a straight line distance between the first vent opening and the second vent opening, wherein the second vent opening is closed and the first vent opening is opened when the second belt is cut by the first belt cutting means.

[0020] The curtain airbag for a vehicle may further comprise: a second belt cutting device; and a seventh belt arranged to pass through the second vent opening and connected between the second belt cutting device and the first vent opening, wherein the second vent opening remains open for a first time and is then closed by the cover when the second belt is cut by the first belt cutting device, and wherein the first vent opening is opened when the seventh belt is cut by the second belt cutting device.

[0021] The curtain airbag for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention prevents an occupant's head from directly impacting a vehicle frame in the event of an oblique impact, and also prevents an occupant's head from rolling and sliding along the surface of a front airbag, thereby reducing injury to an occupant.

[0022] The methods and apparatus of the present invention have additional features and advantages that will become more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description, which together serve to explain certain principles of the present invention. Short description of the drawings Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B are schematic diagrams showing a curtain airbag for a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention; Fig. 2A, Fig. 2B and Fig. 2C are schematic diagrams showing a curtain airbag for a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention; Fig. 3A, Fig. 3B and Fig. 3C are schematic diagrams showing a curtain airbag for a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention; Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B are schematic diagrams showing a curtain airbag for a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention; Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B are schematic diagrams showing a curtain airbag for a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention; and Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an eighth belt according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] It should be understood that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily to scale, but present a somewhat simplified representation of various features in view of the basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of the present invention as disclosed herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes, will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment.

[0024] In the figures, like reference numerals refer to like or equivalent parts of the present invention. Detailed description

[0025] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention(s), examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. While the invention(s) will be explained in connection with exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the present description is not intended to limit the invention(s) to these exemplary embodiments. Rather, the invention(s) are intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and other embodiments which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0026] In the following, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B are schematic diagrams showing a curtain airbag for a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention; Fig. 2A, Fig. 2B and Fig. 2C are schematic diagrams showing a curtain airbag for a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention; Fig. 3A, Fig. 3B and Fig. 3C are schematic diagrams showing a curtain airbag for a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention; Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B are schematic diagrams showing a curtain airbag for a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention; Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B are schematic diagrams showing a curtain airbag for a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention; and Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an eighth belt according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] According to embodiments of the present invention, a curtain airbag for a vehicle includes: a curtain airbag cushion 101 that deploys in a space between a door window and an occupant; an inflation chamber 103 disposed between a front end portion of the curtain airbag cushion 101 and an A-pillar 301 of a vehicle, the inflation chamber being thicker than the curtain airbag cushion 101 and fixed to fill a gap between an end portion (door-side end portion) of a front airbag 303 and a door window or the A-pillar 301; and a first vent opening 107 formed in a portion of the inflation chamber 103, the portion being close to the door window.

[0029] To simplify the description of the embodiments of the present invention, the following description will be given with reference to a relationship between the front airbag 303 mounted in front of a driver's seat and the curtain airbag cushion 101, however, the same structure and function may apply to a relationship between the front airbag 303 mounted in front of a passenger's seat and the curtain airbag cushion 101.

[0030] Curtain airbags typically extend lengthwise across a vehicle, along a side edge portion of a roof panel. A curtain airbag inflates for deployment between a door window and a driver (or passenger), protecting the driver's (or passenger's) head and preventing the driver (or passenger) from being ejected from the vehicle through a door window in the event of a vehicle collision.

[0031] Typically, in the event of a frontal collision or a side impact of a vehicle, a conventional curtain airbag and a front airbag 303 together protect the driver. However, in the event of an oblique collision, the conventional curtain airbag and front airbag may not be able to properly protect the driver because the driver's body is thrown around.

[0032] In particular, it may happen that the driver's head H slides between the front airbag 303 and the curtain airbag and thus strikes the A-pillar 301, or that the driver's head H twists by being hit by the front airbag due to the inflation pressure of the front airbag 303 during inflation of the front airbag 303, resulting in a head or neck injury to the driver.

[0033] Accordingly, according to a Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B, the inflation chamber 103 is fixed to the front end portion of the curtain airbag cushion 101. The inflation chamber 103 is formed thicker than the front end portion of the curtain airbag cushion 101 to fill a gap between the front end portion of the front airbag and the curtain airbag, through which the driver's head H may pass when the gap exists. Therefore, due to the presence of the inflation chamber 103, the driver's head cannot pass between the front end portion of the front airbag and the curtain airbag, so that the driver's head H cannot hit the A-pillar 301.

[0034] On the other hand, inflation of the inflation chamber 103, which has a relatively large volume, requires a high inflation pressure. Therefore, the rider's head H may be impacted by the inflation chamber 103 due to the high inflation pressure during inflation of the inflation chamber 103, resulting in head or neck injury to the rider.

[0035] To solve this problem, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as described in Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B, the first vent 107 is opened to reduce the pressure of the inflation chamber 103 when the driver's head H hits the inflation chamber 103, so that head or neck injury to the driver can be prevented.

[0036] A first belt 201 is mounted in the inflation chamber 103 and connected between the first vent opening 107 and a portion of the inner surface 105 of the inflation chamber 103. Thus, in a case where an external force acts on a portion of the inflation chamber where the first belt 201 is connected to the inner surface 105, when the driver's head hits the inflation chamber 103, the first belt 201 is loosened, and thus the first vent opening 107 is opened.

[0037] The first belt 201 may be a band-shaped belt extending in the vertical direction in a vehicle.

[0038] In this case, even if the heads H of riders of different heights hit different portions of the inflation chamber 103, the first ventilation opening 107 can be easily opened. Furthermore, third to seventh belts described below may also be band-shaped and extend in the vertical direction in a vehicle like the first belt 201.

[0039] In the inflation chamber 103, the first ventilation opening 107 may be formed in a portion that is close to the door window and is unlikely to come into contact with the A-pillar 301.

[0040] This is because the A-pillar 301 may block the first ventilation opening 107 when the first ventilation opening 107 comes into contact with the A-pillar 301, as shown in Fig. 1B. If the first vent 107 is blocked, air or gas cannot be expelled from the inflation chamber 103 through the vent 107. Therefore, the first vent 107 is formed in the portion unlikely to come into contact with the A-pillar 301. In addition, the A-pillar 301 can function as a support when the driver's head H hits the inflation chamber 103. Therefore, when the driver's head exerts pressure on the inflation chamber 103, the air or gas can be expelled from within the inflation chamber 103 while the inflation chamber 103 is pushed toward the A-pillar 301 by the driver's head H.

[0041] The curtain airbag according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include a second ventilation opening 109 through which the curtain airbag cushion 101 and the inflation chamber 103 communicate with each other.

[0042] The second ventilation opening 109 may be an active ventilation opening that can be opened or closed with a control.

[0043] A suitable gas generator may be provided to inflate the inflation chamber 103. However, this increases the cost of an airbag and is cumbersome in terms of installation size. Therefore, both the curtain airbag cushion 101 and the inflation chamber 103 may be inflated via a gas generator.

[0044] Curtain airbags do not release air or gas after a vehicle collision, unlike other airbags installed in a vehicle, but remain inflated to restrain an occupant, preventing the occupant from being ejected from the vehicle through a broken window.

[0045] Therefore, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in order to inflate both the curtain airbag cushion 101 and the inflation chamber 103 with only one gas generator, a second vent opening 109, as shown in Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B. In the present case, the second vent 109 is provided as an active vent to prevent the air pressure in the curtain airbag cushion 101 from being excessively lowered when the first vent 107 of the inflation chamber 103 is opened. Therefore, the second vent 109 is closed when a predetermined period of time has elapsed.

[0046] A method for closing the second ventilation opening 109 will be described below.

[0047] The curtain airbag according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include a first belt cutting device 305, a cover 111 for covering the first ventilation opening 109, and a second belt 203 connected between the cover 111 and the first belt cutting device 305. When the second belt 203 is cut by the first belt cutting device 305 in a state where the second ventilation opening 109 is open, the second ventilation opening 109 is closed by the cover 111.

[0048] The timing at which the second belt 203 is cut by the first belt cutting device 305 may occur when the driver's head H initially strikes the inflation chamber 103 after an oblique impact occurs. However, a specific timing at which the second belt 203 is cut by the first belt cutting device 305 may depend on the vehicle type and must therefore be determined experimentally.

[0049] Although not shown in the drawing, activation of the first belt cutting device 305 and a second belt cutting device 307 described below may be controlled via a controller based on crash-related information provided by various sensors, including an engine control unit (ECU).

[0050] Specific criteria for opening the first vent 107 when the rider's head H hits the inflation chamber 103 are as follows: When the curtain airbag additionally comprises a third strap 205 connected between a central portion of the first strap 201 and a portion of the inner surface 105 of the inflation chamber 103, an angle “a” between two parts of the first strap 201 located on both sides of a position where the first strap 201 and the third strap 205 are connected to each other is an obtuse angle, and an angle “a” between a portion of the first strap that is close to the first vent opening 107 and the third strap 205 is an obtuse angle.

[0051] With reference to Fig. 2A to 2C, the area of a portion of the inner surface 105 connected to the first ventilation opening 107 via the first belt 201 and the third belt 205 is increased. This structure is intended to open the first ventilation opening 107 under various conditions, since the portion of the inflation chamber 103 with which the driver's head H comes into contact varies depending on various factors, including the severity of the impact.

[0052] When the inflation chamber 103 is fully opened in the state where an angle "α" between two parts of the first belt 201 located on both sides of a position where the first belt 201 and the third belt 205 are connected to each other and an angle "α" between a portion of the first belt near the first vent 107 and the third belt 205 are obtuse angles, the closed state of the first vent 107 is maintained. For this reason, when the driver's head hits any portion of the inflation chamber 103, either the first belt 201 or the third belt 205 is loosened, and therefore the first vent 107 can be opened.

[0053] The curtain airbag according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further comprise: a fourth strap 207 having a first end portion connected to the first vent opening 107 and a second end portion provided with a ring 217; and a fifth strap 209 passing through the ring 217 of the fourth strap 207 and having a first end portion connected to a portion of the inner surfaces 105 of the inflation chamber 103 and a second end portion connected to a portion of the inner surface 105 of the inflation chamber, wherein the connected portion of the second end portion is disposed in the rear part of the connected portion of the first end portion.When an external force acts on a region where a portion of the inner surface 105 of the inflation chamber 103 and the fifth belt 209 are connected to each other, the fourth belt 207 and the fifth belt 209 are loosened, and therefore the first vent 107 can be opened.

[0054] The operating principle of the fourth and fifth belts is basically the same as that of the first and third belts 201 and 205. With reference to Fig. 3A to 3C, the fifth belt 209 is configured to move freely through the ring 217 provided at the second end portion of the fourth belt 207. In addition, when the inflation chamber 103 is fully opened in a state where the angle "α" between the fourth belt 207 and the fifth belt 209 is an obtuse angle, the closed state of the first vent hole 107 is maintained. At this point, when the driver's head H hits the inflation chamber 103, since the lengths of the fifth strap 205 with respect to the ring 217 are unequal, the total length of the strap connected between the first vent 107 and a portion of the inner surface 105 of the inflation chamber 103 becomes longer than the straight-line distance between the inner surface 105 of the inflation chamber 103 and the first vent 107. Therefore, the strap is loosened and thus the first vent 107 is opened.

[0055] The portion of the inner surface 105 of the inflation chamber 103 to which the first belt 201, the third belt 205, or the fifth belt 209 is connected is arranged in a rear portion of the inflation chamber 103 in the anteroposterior direction of the inflation chamber 103.

[0056] The portion of the inner surface 105 of the inflation chamber 103 to which the first belt 201, the third belt 205, or the fifth belt 209 is connected is a portion with which the driver's head H may come into contact in the event of a vehicle collision. That is, the portion serves as a trigger to open the vent 107 when the driver's head H hits the inflation chamber. Considering that the inflation chamber 103 is a member filling a gap between the front airbag 303 and the front pillar 301 or the door window, and considering the positional overlap of the inflation chamber with the front airbag 303, a portion with which the driver's head is most likely to come into contact is set as the trigger.

[0057] The curtain airbag according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include a sixth strap 211 arranged to pass through the second vent opening 109 and connected between the cover 111 and the first vent opening 107, and longer than the linear distance between the first vent opening 107 and the second vent opening 109. When the second strap 211 is cut by the first strap cutting device 305, the second vent opening 109 is closed, but the first vent opening 107 can be opened.

[0058] The curtain airbag cushion 101 maintains its internal pressure even after a vehicle collision to prevent an occupant from being ejected from the vehicle through a window. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when a predetermined period of time elapses after the curtain airbag begins to inflate, the second vent 109 is closed to maintain the internal pressure of the curtain airbag cushion 101. With regard to the inflation chamber 103, the air or gas in the inflation chamber 103 is expelled after a predetermined period of time has elapsed to prevent injury to the driver's head H.

[0059] Here, the timing at which the second vent 109 is closed to maintain the internal pressure of the curtain airbag cushion 111 substantially corresponds to the timing at which the first vent 107 is opened after the driver's head H hits the inflation chamber 103. Accordingly, a time it takes until the driver's head hits the inflation chamber 103 after an oblique collision of a vehicle occurs is estimated, and the second belt 203 is cut by the belt cutter 305 when the estimated time elapses after the oblique collision, so that the second vent 109 can be closed and the first vent 107 can be opened at the desired timing.

[0060] With reference to Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B, the second belt 203 is connected between the first belt cutter 305 and the cover 111, the second vent 109 is open, the sixth belt 211 is longer than the linear distance between the first vent 107 and the second vent 109, and the first vent 107 is closed. That is, the length of the sixth belt 211 is longer than the linear distance between the first vent 107 and the second vent 109 by a predetermined length corresponding to a reduced length of the second belt 203, which is reduced to open the second vent 109.

[0061] In the present case, when an oblique impact occurs and the second belt 203 is cut by the first belt cutting device, the cover 111 closes the second vent opening 109 due to the internal pressure of the curtain airbag cushion 101, and the sixth belt 211 is loosened to open the first vent opening 107, thereby reducing the internal pressure of the inflation chamber 103.

[0062] In this way, it is possible to control the closing of the second ventilation opening 109 and the opening of the first ventilation opening 107 in an interdependent manner with only one actuator (i.e., the first belt cutting device 305).

[0063] The curtain airbag according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include a second belt cutting device 307 and a seventh belt 213 arranged to pass through the second vent opening 109 and connected between the second belt cutting device 307 and the first vent opening 107. The second vent opening 109 remains open for a predetermined period of time and is then closed by the cover 111 when the second belt 203 is cut by the first belt cutting device 305. On the other hand, the first vent opening 107 may be opened when the seventh belt 213 is cut by the second belt cutting device 307.

[0064] The operating principle of the present exemplary embodiment basically corresponds to the control for closing the second ventilation opening 109 and opening the first ventilation opening 107 using the second belt 203 and the sixth belt 211. However, according to the present exemplary embodiment, the opening of the first ventilation opening 107 is controlled by using the seventh belt 213 and the second belt cutting device 307, as shown in Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B, to precisely and separately control the timing at which the second vent 109 is closed and the timing at which the first vent 107 is opened. That is, the control is performed such that the second vent 109 is covered by the cover 111 when the second belt 203 is cut by the first belt cutter 305, and such that the first vent 107 is opened when the seventh belt 213 is cut by the second belt cutter 307.

[0065] According to the present exemplary embodiment, it is possible to separately control the discharge of air or gas from the curtain airbag cushion 101 and the inflation chamber 103. Therefore, it is possible to provide a curtain airbag that functions optimally and provides optimal protection for the driver, according to the types of vehicles.

[0066] The curtain airbag according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include the eighth belt 215 which is belt-shaped and is arranged between the door window and the inflation chamber 103 and has a first end portion combined with a connecting portion of the curtain airbag cushion 101 and the inflation chamber 103 and a second end portion combined with the A-pillar 301.

[0067] As mentioned above, the curtain airbag retains its internal pressure after inflation to prevent an occupant from being ejected from the vehicle by a broken door window. On the other hand, to reduce the impact that may be applied to a driver's head H, air or gas is expelled from the inflation chamber 103 so that the internal pressure of the inflation chamber 103 can be reduced when the driver's head impacts the inflation chamber 103. However, this may adversely affect an airbag's function of restraining an occupant, in that the occupant may be ejected from the vehicle.

[0068] Therefore, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Fig.6, the eighth belt 215 is attached in a band shape so as to surround and support a portion of the inflation chamber 103 so that the portion of the inflation chamber 103 can prevent an occupant from being ejected from the vehicle.

[0069] For ease of description and accurate definition in the appended claims, the terms "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer", "top", "bottom", "upward", "downward", "front", "rear", "inside", "outside", "inward", "outward", "forward" and "rearward" are used to describe features of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions of such features as illustrated in the figures.

Claims

[1] Curtain airbag for a vehicle, comprising: a curtain airbag cushion (101) deployable between a door window and an occupant; an inflation chamber (103) disposed between a front end portion of the curtain airbag cushion (101) and an A-pillar (301) of the vehicle, the inflation chamber (103) being thicker than the curtain airbag cushion (101) and filling a space between an end portion of a front airbag (303), the end portion being adjacent to the door window and the A-pillar (301) when the inflation chamber (103) is deployed; a first ventilation opening (107) formed in a portion of the inflation chamber (103), the portion adjacent to the door window; and a first belt (201) connected between the first ventilation opening (107) and a portion of an inner surface (105) of the first inflation chamber (103), wherein the first belt (201) is loosened and therefore the first ventilation opening (107) is adapted to be opened when an external force is applied to a portion of the inflation chamber (103), the portion being connected to the first belt (201). [2] A curtain airbag for the vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the first belt (201) is a band-shaped belt and is attached so as to extend in a vertical direction in the vehicle. [3] A curtain airbag for the vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the ventilation opening is formed in the inflation chamber (103) in a position adjacent to the door window and not in contact with the A-pillar (301). [4] Curtain airbag for a vehicle, comprising: a curtain airbag cushion (101) deployable between a door window and an occupant; an inflation chamber (103) disposed between a front end portion of the curtain airbag cushion (101) and an A-pillar (301) of the vehicle, the inflation chamber (103) being thicker than the curtain airbag cushion (101) and filling a space between an end portion of a front airbag (303), the end portion being adjacent to the door window and the A-pillar (301) when the inflation chamber (103) is deployed; a first ventilation opening (107) formed in a portion of the inflation chamber (103), the portion adjacent to the door window; a second ventilation opening (109) through which the curtain airbag cushion (101) and the inflation chamber (103) communicate with each other; a first belt cutting device (305); a cover (111) for opening or closing the second ventilation opening (109); and a second belt (203) connected between the cover (111) and the first belt cutting device (305), wherein the second ventilation opening (109) remains open for a first predetermined time and is then closed by the cover (111) when the second belt (203) is cut by the first belt cutting device (305). [5] The curtain airbag for the vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the second vent opening (109) is a vent opening adapted to be opened or closed under a control. [6] The curtain airbag for the vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a third belt (205) connected between a central portion of the first belt (201) and a portion of the inner surface (105) of the inflation chamber (103), wherein an angle between parts of the first belt (201) located on a first side and on a second side of a position at which the first belt (201) and the third belt (205) are connected to each other is an obtuse angle, and wherein an angle between a portion of the first belt (201), the portion adjacent to the first vent opening (107), and the third belt (205) is an obtuse angle. [7] Curtain airbag for a vehicle, comprising: a curtain airbag cushion (101) deployable between a door window and an occupant; an inflation chamber (103) disposed between a front end portion of the curtain airbag cushion (101) and an A-pillar (301) of the vehicle, the inflation chamber (103) being thicker than the curtain airbag cushion (101) and filling a space between an end portion of a front airbag (303), the end portion being adjacent to the door window and the A-pillar (301) when the inflation chamber (103) is deployed; a first ventilation opening (107) formed in a portion of the inflation chamber (103), the portion adjacent to the door window; a fourth belt (207); and a fifth belt (209) passing through the fourth belt (207) and having a first end portion connected to a portion of the inner surface (105) of the inflation chamber (103) and a second end portion connected to a portion of the inner surface (105) of the inflation chamber (103), wherein the connected portion of the second end portion is in a rear part of the connected portion of the first end portion, wherein the fourth and fifth straps (209) are loosenable and therefore the first ventilation opening (107) is adapted to be opened when an external force is exerted on a portion of the inflation chamber (103), the portion being connected to the fifth strap (209). [8] A curtain airbag for the vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 6 or 7, wherein the portion of the inner surface (105) of the inflation chamber (103) connected to the first belt (201), the third belt (205) or the fifth belt (209) is arranged in a rear portion of the inflation chamber (103) in an anteroposterior direction. [9] A curtain airbag for the vehicle according to claim 4, further comprising a sixth belt (211) which passes through the second vent opening (109), is connected between the cover (111) and the first vent opening (107), and is longer than a straight line distance between the first vent opening (107) and the second vent opening (109), wherein the second ventilation opening (109) is designed to be closed and the first ventilation opening (107) is designed to be opened when the second belt (203) is cut by the first belt cutting device (305). [10] Curtain airbag for the vehicle according to claim 4, further comprising: a second belt cutting device (307); and a seventh belt (213) passing through the second ventilation opening (109) and connected between the second belt cutting device (307) and the first ventilation opening (107), wherein the second ventilation opening (109) remains open for a first predetermined time and is then closed by the cover (111) when the second belt (203) is cut by the first belt cutting device (305), and wherein the first ventilation opening (107) is configured to be open when the seventh belt (213) is cut by the second belt cutting device (307).

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