AIRBAG DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

Airbag device for a vehicle, wherein the airbag device comprises the following: an airbag cushion (10) with: a main wall (11); a main section (14) with a first seam part (12a) connected to the main wall (11) and a first chamber part (13a), wherein the main section (14) is arranged laterally to an occupant when the airbag cushion (10) is inflated by gas injected into the first seam part (12a); and an auxiliary section (15) with a second seaming section and a second chamber section (13b), wherein the auxiliary section (15) is arranged in front of the occupant when the airbag cushion (10) is inflated by gas injected into the second seaming section; and a connecting element (20) having a first end connected to the main section (14) of the airbag cushion (10) and a second end fixed to the second sewn part of the auxiliary section (15), wherein the connecting element (20) is configured to guide the airbag cushion (10) such that it inflates into a shape surrounding the occupant when the airbag cushion (10) inflates characterized by the fact that the connecting element (20) has the following features: an auxiliary wall (21) extending such that it crosses the second chamber part (13b) of the auxiliary section (15) of the airbag cushion (10) in a vertical direction and is fixed to an upper and lower end of the second sewn part of the auxiliary section (15) of the airbag cushion (10); and a connecting retaining strap (22) with a first end connected to the main section (14) of the airbag cushion (10) and a second end connected to the auxiliary wall (21) arranged in the auxiliary section (15) of the airbag cushion (10).

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] Exemplary implementations of the invention generally relate to an airbag device for a vehicle and in particular an airbag device designed to absorb an impact acting on an occupant and to restrain the occupant in order to minimize injury to an occupant in the event of a road traffic collision. BACKGROUND DISCUSSION

[0002] Technologies have been developed for vehicles to ensure the safety of occupants as well as driving performance, comfort, and functionality. In particular, among the various safety devices used in vehicles, an airbag is the most effective means of protecting an occupant from an impact.

[0003] An airbag is a means of protecting a driver and passengers of a vehicle in the event of a road collision. It consists of a collision sensor that detects a collision, a control unit that deploys the airbag based on the sensor's reading, and an airbag module that activates the airbag according to a signal from the control unit. Airbags are categorized into driver airbags, passenger airbags, side airbags, roof airbags, etc., and are used based on their installation position and the intended purpose of protection.

[0004] Particularly in a side collision in road traffic, the upper bodies of the driver and the passenger in the front passenger seat move, resulting in a collision between the driver and the passenger or their injury by bumping into an armrest, a seat, etc.

[0005] If the occupant is not wearing a seatbelt, their body will be moved excessively forward, and even if a front airbag inflates, the occupant will impact the vehicle forcefully or be seriously injured. Even if the occupant is wearing a seatbelt, their body will still be rotated due to inertia, resulting in a secondary injury.

[0006] Accordingly, one part of the airbag is reshaped, and the inflated portion is held in place by a retaining strap to protect and restrain the occupant. In this case, gas escapes through a seam where the retaining strap is sewn to the inflating section of the airbag. In other words, if gas escapes through the seam of the airbag's retaining strap, the airbag's internal pressure cannot be maintained, so the impact is not absorbed efficiently, and the occupant is not effectively restrained.

[0007] The foregoing information disclosed in the “Background” section is provided solely for the purpose of understanding the background of the invention concepts and may therefore contain information that does not constitute the prior art. Documents of the relevant state of the art JP 2007 - 84 014 A

[0008] US 7 997 615 B2 discloses an airbag device for a vehicle with the features of the preamble of claim 1. DE 10 2018 120 159 A1 and US 2006 / 0 131 847 A1 disclose further airbag devices. OVERVIEW

[0009] The applicant has determined that a typical airbag may not adequately protect an occupant from injury in a road traffic collision.

[0010] Airbag devices for a vehicle, designed according to the principles and exemplary implementations, can protect an occupant from impact in the event of a road traffic collision, restrain the occupant to minimize injury to the occupant, and prevent gas leakage through a sewn section of an airbag cushion in order to maintain a desired internal pressure of the airbag cushion.

[0011] Airbag devices for a vehicle, designed according to the principles and exemplary implementations, can prevent gas leakage through a seam in order to maintain a desired internal pressure of the airbag cushion, so that the occupant is efficiently protected according to an initial setting of the airbag device by a connecting element to guide the inflation of the airbag cushion, which is connected to the airbag cushion, while avoiding an area through which gas circulates in the airbag cushion.

[0012] Additional features of the invention concepts are set out in the following description and are partly evident from the description or can be learned through practical application of the invention concepts.

[0013] According to one aspect of the invention, an airbag device for a vehicle comprises: an airbag cushion with: a main wall; a main section with a first seam part connected to the main wall and a first chamber part, wherein the main section is arranged laterally to the occupant when the airbag cushion is inflated by gas injected into the first seam part; and an auxiliary section with a second seam part and a second chamber part, wherein the auxiliary section is arranged in front of the occupant when the airbag cushion is inflated by gas injected into the second seam part; and a connecting element with a first end connected to the main section of the airbag cushion and a second end fixed to the second seam part of the auxiliary section, wherein the connecting element is configured to guide the airbag cushion in such a way that it inflates into a shape surrounding the occupant when the airbag cushion inflates.

[0014] When the airbag cushion is inflated, the main section can be positioned to the side of the occupant and extend in a vertical direction from the head to the lower body of the occupant, and the auxiliary section can extend forward from the main section to surround the upper body of the occupant.

[0015] The airbag cushion can have multiple airbag cushions on opposite sides of a seat back, and the auxiliary sections of the multiple airbag cushions can be bent in a direction towards each other and touch each other when the airbag cushion is inflated.

[0016] According to the invention, the connecting element comprises: an auxiliary wall extending such that it crosses the second chamber part of the auxiliary section of the airbag cushion in a vertical direction and is fixed at an upper and lower end of the second sewn part of the auxiliary section of the airbag cushion; and a connecting retaining strap with a first end connected to the main section of the airbag cushion and a second end connected to the auxiliary wall arranged in the auxiliary section of the airbag cushion.

[0017] The auxiliary section of the airbag cushion can extend in such a way that it is inclined upwards from the main section, and the connecting retaining strap can extend in such a way that it is inclined downwards from the main section towards the auxiliary section, since a connection point of the first end of the connecting retaining strap, which is connected to the main section, is positioned higher than a connection point of the second end of the connecting retaining strap, which is connected to the auxiliary section.

[0018] The auxiliary wall may have a guide wall with an opening through which the connecting retaining strap passes, and the first end of the connecting retaining strap may be connected to the main section of the airbag cushion, and the second end of the connecting retaining strap may pass through the guide wall of the auxiliary wall to be connected to one end of the second sewn part of the auxiliary section.

[0019] The auxiliary wall can be spaced from one end of the auxiliary section of the airbag cushion and can be arranged in a central section of the auxiliary section.

[0020] The airbag cushion may have a fixing wall that extends in such a way that it crosses the first chamber part of the main section and is fixed to the first seam part of the main section, and the connecting element may be connected to the main section via the fixing wall by connecting the first end of the connecting element to the fixing wall.

[0021] The first chamber part of the main section may have a closed part through which no gas circulates due to a connection with the main wall, and since the first end of the connecting element is connected to the closed part, the connecting element may be connected to the main section through the closed part.

[0022] Since the connecting element can move from its first end to its second end, the width of the connecting element gradually increases, so that the first end of the connecting element is connected to the main section and the second end of the connecting element is connected to an upper end and a lower end of the second sewing part of the auxiliary section.

[0023] The connecting element may have the following: a first fixing retaining band with a first end connected to an upper end of the first sewing part of the main section, and a second end connected to an upper end of the second sewing part of the auxiliary section; and a second fixing retaining band with a first end connected to a lower end of the first sewing part of the main section, and a second end connected to a lower end of the second sewing part of the auxiliary section.

[0024] The connecting element may have the following: a first cross-retaining band with a first end connected to an upper end of the first sewing part of the main section and a second end connected to a lower end of the second sewing part of the auxiliary section; and a second cross-retaining band with a first end connected to a lower end of the first sewing part of the main section and a second end connected to an upper end of the second sewing part of the auxiliary section, wherein the first cross-retaining band and the second cross-retaining band are arranged such that they cross each other.

[0025] It should be understood that both the preceding general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and serve to further explain the invention in the claimed form. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The accompanying drawings, which are included for further understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and form part of this specification, show exemplary embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the invention concepts. Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows views of an embodiment of an airbag device for a vehicle, constructed according to the principles of the invention. Fig. Figure 3 shows a view of a first embodiment of the airbag device for the vehicle made of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 and Fig. Figure 5 shows views of a second embodiment of the airbag device for the vehicle from Fig. 1. Fig. Figure 6 shows a view of a third embodiment of the airbag device for the vehicle made of Fig. 1. Fig. Figure 7 shows a view of a fourth embodiment of the airbag device for the vehicle made of Fig. 1. Fig. Figure 8 shows a view of a fifth embodiment of the airbag device for the vehicle made of Fig. 1. Fig. Figure 9 shows a view of a sixth embodiment of the airbag device for the vehicle made of Fig. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] For illustrative purposes, numerous specific details are provided in the following description to offer a comprehensive understanding of various embodiments or implementations of the invention. The terms "embodiments" and "implementations" used herein are synonymous and are non-limiting examples or methods that employ one or more of the invention concepts disclosed herein. It is evident, however, that various embodiments are practically feasible without these specific details or with one or more equivalent arrangements. In other cases, known structures and devices are presented in block diagram form to avoid unnecessary ambiguity regarding different embodiments. Furthermore, different embodiments may differ but need not be mutually exclusive.For example, specific shapes, configurations and properties of one embodiment can be used or implemented in another embodiment without deviating from the invention concepts.

[0028] Unless otherwise stated, the illustrated embodiments are to be understood as providing exemplary features with varying levels of detail representing some possibilities for implementing the invention concepts in practice. Therefore, unless otherwise stated, the features, components, modules, layers, films, plates, areas and / or aspects, etc. (hereinafter referred to individually or collectively as "element" or "elements") of the various embodiments can be combined, separated, exchanged and / or rearranged differently without deviating from the invention concepts.

[0029] The use of cross-hatching and / or shading in the accompanying drawings generally serves to clarify boundaries between adjacent elements. As such, neither the presence nor the absence of cross-hatching or shading conveys or indicates any preference or requirement for specific materials, material properties, dimensions, proportions, commonalities between depicted elements, and / or any other characteristic, attribute, property, etc., of the element, unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, the size and relative dimensions of elements may be exaggerated in the accompanying drawings for clarity and / or descriptive purposes. If an embodiment can be implemented differently, a specific process sequence may be performed differently from the sequence described.For example, two processes described sequentially can be carried out essentially simultaneously, or in an order reversed to the one described. Furthermore, identical reference symbols denote identical elements.

[0030] When an element, such as a layer, is described as "on," "connected to," or "coupled with" another element or layer, it may be located directly on top of, connected to, or coupled with that other element or layer, or there may be interposed elements or layers. However, when an element or layer is described as "directly on," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled with" another element or layer, there are no interposed elements or layers. Furthermore, the term "connected" can refer to physical, electrical, and / or fluidic connections with or without interposed elements. Additionally, the D1, D2, and D3 axes are not limited to three axes of a rectangular coordinate system, such as the X, Y, and Z axes, and can be interpreted more broadly.For example, the D1 axis, the D2 axis, and the D3 axis may be perpendicular to each other or may represent different directions that are not perpendicular to each other. For the purposes of this disclosure, “at least one of X, Y, and Z” and “at least one chosen from the group formed by X, Y, and Z” may be interpreted as only X, only Y, only Z, or any combination of two or more of X, Y, and Z, such as XYZ, XYY, YZ, and ZZ. The expression “and / or” used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the elements mentioned.

[0031] While the terms "first," "second," etc., may be used here to describe different types of elements, these elements should not be restricted by these terms. These terms serve to distinguish one element from another. Thus, a first element discussed below may be referred to as a second element without departing from the framework of the doctrine of the present revelation.

[0032] Spatial reference words such as "below," "under," "deeper," "above," "upper," "over," "higher," "lateral" (e.g., as in "side wall") and the like can be used here for descriptive purposes and thus serve to describe the relationship of an element to one or more other elements as depicted in the drawings. In addition to the orientations shown in the drawings, spatial reference words should encompass different orientations of a device in use, operation, and / or manufacture. For example, if the device is upside down in the drawings, elements described as being "below" or "under" other elements or devices would then be oriented "above" the other elements or devices. Thus, the exemplary term "below" can encompass both an orientation above and below an element or device.Furthermore, the device may also be oriented differently (for example, rotated by 90 degrees or have a different orientation) and thus the spatial reference descriptors used here must be interpreted accordingly.

[0033] The terminology used herein serves to describe certain embodiments and is not to be understood as restrictive. The singular forms "a" and "the" are used herein to also include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, the terms "possess," "possessing," "comprise," and / or "comprehensive," when used in this specification, indicate the presence of specified features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof, without excluding the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.It should also be noted that the terms “essentially” and “approximately” or other similar expressions, when used herein, are used as expressions of approximation and not as expressions of degree, and as such are used to take account of inherent variations in measured, calculated and / or provided values ​​which would be recognized by a person skilled in the field.

[0034] Various embodiments are described herein with reference to sectional and / or exploded views, which are schematic representations of idealized embodiments and / or intermediate structures. As such, deviations from the shapes shown in the figures due to, for example, manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances are to be expected. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed herein should not necessarily be interpreted as being limited to the specific shapes of areas shown, but rather should include, for example, deviations in shape caused by the manufacturing process. In this way, the areas shown in the drawings are schematic in nature, and the shapes of these areas cannot represent the actual shapes of areas of a device and should not necessarily be considered limiting.

[0035] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning they would have for an average person skilled in the field to which this disclosure relates. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries are to be interpreted in a manner consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant field and are not to be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly stated herein.

[0036] The following describes an airbag device for a vehicle according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows views of an embodiment of an airbag device for a vehicle, constructed according to the principles of the invention. Fig. Figure 3 shows a view of a first embodiment of the airbag device for the vehicle made of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 and Fig. Figure 5 shows views of a second embodiment of the airbag device for the vehicle from Fig. 1. Fig. Figure 6 shows a view of a third embodiment of the airbag device for the vehicle made of Fig. 1. Fig. Figure 7 shows a view of a fourth embodiment of the airbag device for the vehicle made of Fig. 1. Fig. Figure 8 shows a view of a fifth embodiment of the airbag device for the vehicle made of Fig. 1. Fig. Figure 9 shows a view of a sixth embodiment of the airbag device for the vehicle made of Fig. 1.

[0038] According to the as in the Fig. 1 and Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the airbag device for a vehicle comprises the following: an airbag cushion 10 configured to include a seamed section 12 to which a main wall 11 is connected or attached, a chamber section 13 which inflates when gas is injected into the seamed section 12, a main section 14 which is positioned laterally to an occupant when the airbag cushion 10 is inflated by the seamed section 12 and the chamber section 13, and an auxiliary section 15 which extends forward from the main section 14 and is positioned in front of the occupant; and a connecting element 20 having a first end which is connected to the main section 14 of the airbag cushion 10 and a second end which is fixed to an auxiliary section side seamed section 12b (e.g. a second seamed section of the auxiliary section 15).For example, the connecting element 20 can guide the airbag cushion 10 in such a way that it is unfolded in a shape surrounding the occupant when the airbag cushion 10 is inflated.

[0039] As described above, the airbag cushion 10 inflates upon injection of gas, and the connecting element 20 guides the deployment shape of the airbag cushion 10. In the case of the airbag cushion 10, the airbag cushion 10 is designed to inflate by being sewn to the main wall 11 and has the seam section 12 (e.g., a first seam section 12a of the main section 14) to which the main wall 11 is connected or attached, as well as the chamber section 13, which inflates upon injection of gas into the seam section 12. In other words, the airbag cushion 10 has the seam section 12, which forms a selvedge of the main wall 11 along a boundary of the airbag cushion 10 and is not inflated, and the chamber section 13, which is designed to be inflatable inwards from the seam section 12. Gas is supplied by an inflator to inflate chamber part 13, and the inflator is frequently used in the airbag area.The description of the inflator is omitted for the sake of simplicity.

[0040] In particular, when the airbag cushion 10 is inflated by the seam section 12 and the chamber section 13, the airbag cushion 10 is designed such that the main section 14 is positioned laterally to the occupant and the auxiliary section 15 extends forward from the main section 14 to be positioned in front of the occupant. The main section 14 and the auxiliary section 15 are connected to each other via the connecting element 20, and when the airbag cushion 10 deploys in situations involving road traffic collisions, the auxiliary section 15 is pulled by the connecting section 20 and reshaped to surround the occupant.

[0041] More precisely, when the airbag cushion 10 is inflated, the main section 14 can be positioned laterally to the occupant and extend in a vertical direction from the head to the lower body of the occupant, and the auxiliary section 15 can extend forward from the main section 14 to surround the upper body of the occupant.

[0042] In road traffic collisions, the main section 14 of the airbag cushion 10 is positioned laterally to the occupant, protecting the occupant from head to lower body in the event of an impact and restraining them due to limited lateral movement. Since the auxiliary section 15 of the airbag cushion 10 surrounds the occupant's upper body, the area in front of the occupant is protected from a frontal impact and cannot be injured by body contact caused by lifting the occupant's lower body or lowering the occupant's upper body.

[0043] Here, the airbag cushion 10 is provided on each of the opposite side sections of a seat backrest S, and the auxiliary section 15 of the airbag cushion 10 on one side section of the seat backrest S can be bent in a forward direction to come into contact with the auxiliary section of another airbag cushion on another side section of the seat backrest S when the airbag cushion 10 is inflated. In other words, since the auxiliary section 15 of the airbag cushion 10 is connected to the main section 14 via the connecting element 20, the auxiliary section 15, when the airbag cushion 10 is inflated, is limited in such a way that it unfolds forward and is bent in a direction surrounding the occupant. The auxiliary section 15 of each airbag cushion 10 extends in such a way that it is brought into contact with the other auxiliary section 15 while being bent in the direction facing it, so that the restraining force for the occupant is increased.

[0044] As described above, the airbag cushion 10 has the main section 14 and the auxiliary section 15 and is inflated by the connecting element 20, which connects the main section 14 to the auxiliary section 15, into a shape in which the auxiliary section 15 surrounds the occupant.

[0045] The first end of the connecting element 20 is connected to the main section 14 of the airbag cushion 10, and the second end of the connecting element 20 is fixed to the auxiliary section side seam 12b. Specifically, the second end of the connecting element 20 is connected to the main section side seam 12b, which is an inflation section of the airbag cushion 10, while avoiding the chamber section 13.

[0046] However, if the second end of the connecting element 20 is connected to the chamber part 13 of the auxiliary section 15, gas will escape through a seam at a sewn section. Since the auxiliary section 15 of the airbag cushion 10 is limited in its deployment by the connecting element 20 in front of the main section 14, the auxiliary section 15 and the connecting element 20 of the airbag cushion 10 should also be firmly fixed together. However, if the connecting element 20 is sewn to the chamber part 13 of the auxiliary section 15, the chamber part 13 can be damaged by tearing.

[0047] In this embodiment, the second end of the connecting element 20 is connected to the sewing part 12 of the auxiliary section 15. Accordingly, during sewing, the escape of gas is prevented by avoiding the chamber part 13 of the auxiliary section 15, and the connecting element 20 and the auxiliary section 15 of the airbag cushion 10 are firmly fixed together, thus ensuring the durability and inflation capacity of the airbag cushion 10.

[0048] Various embodiments of the connecting element 20 are described below. First, an embodiment is described in which the second end of the connecting element 20 is firmly fixed to the sewing part 12, avoiding the chamber part 13.

[0049] According to the invention, the connecting element 20 comprises: an auxiliary wall 21 extending such that it crosses an auxiliary section side chamber part 13b (e.g., a second chamber part 13b of the auxiliary section 15) of the airbag cushion 10 in a vertical direction and is fixed to an upper end of a lower end of the auxiliary section side seam part 12b; and a connecting retaining strap 22 with a first end connected to the main section 14 of the airbag cushion 10 and a second end connected to the auxiliary wall 21 provided in the auxiliary section 15 of the airbag cushion 10.

[0050] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the connecting element 20 can include the auxiliary wall 21 and the connecting retaining strap 22. Since the auxiliary wall 221 is connected to the upper and lower ends of the auxiliary section side seam part 12b, the auxiliary wall 21 is fixed without interfering with the auxiliary section side chamber part 13b. Since the second end of the connecting retaining strap 22 is connected to the auxiliary section 15 of the airbag cushion 10 via the auxiliary wall 21, the connecting retaining strap 22 avoids a seam of the chamber part 13.

[0051] In the event of a road collision, a main section side chamber part 13a (e.g., a first chamber part 13a of the main section 14) and the auxiliary section side chamber part 13b (e.g., a second chamber part 13b of the auxiliary section 15) are inflated, and simultaneously the connecting element 20, which is connected to the main section 14, pulls the auxiliary section side chamber part 13b together with the auxiliary wall 21. Thus, the auxiliary section 15 of the airbag cushion can be formed into a curved shape to surround the occupant. The auxiliary wall 21 is designed such that it has a section with a predetermined area / dimensions, allowing the auxiliary wall 21 to be firmly fixed to the auxiliary section side seam 12b, since a fixed section can be enlarged.Furthermore, the connecting retaining band 22 is designed such that it has a section with a predetermined area / dimension, so that a fixed section between the main section 14 and the auxiliary wall 21 can be enlarged.

[0052] Furthermore, the auxiliary wall 21 can be spaced apart from one end of the auxiliary section 15 of the airbag cushion 10 and is arranged in a central section of the auxiliary section 15. Accordingly, the auxiliary wall 21 can be fixedly fixed to the upper and lower ends of the auxiliary section side seam 12b and can allow the auxiliary section 15 with the auxiliary wall 21 to bend to an optimal height when the airbag cushion 10 inflates.

[0053] For example, the auxiliary wall 21 shows in the Fig. 4 and Fig. In the second embodiment shown in Figure 5, a guide wall 23 has an opening through which the connecting retaining strap 22 runs. In the second embodiment, the first end of the connecting retaining strap 22 is connected to the main section 14 of the airbag cushion 10, and the second end of the connecting retaining strap 22 runs through the guide wall 23 of the auxiliary wall 21 to be connected to one end of the auxiliary section side seam 12b.

[0054] As described above, the connecting retaining strap 22 is designed to connect its first end to the main section 14 and its second end to the auxiliary section side seam 12b. Since the connecting retaining strap 22 is connected to the auxiliary section side seam 12b while avoiding the auxiliary section side chamber part 13b, gas leakage is prevented, and the auxiliary section 15 can be deformed in such a way that it bends when the airbag cushion 10 inflates. Furthermore, the connecting retaining strap 22 extends such that it passes through the guide wall 23 provided on the auxiliary wall 21, so that the connecting retaining strap 22 is not lifted between the main section 14 and the auxiliary section 15 of the airbag cushion 10, and twisting of the connecting retaining strap 22 is prevented.

[0055] In this process, the connecting retaining strap 22 pulls the auxiliary section 15 of the airbag cushion 10 when the airbag cushion 10 is inflated, but pulls the end of the auxiliary section 15 in such a way that the extent of the curvature of the auxiliary section 15 is increased and the binding force for restraining the occupant is increased.

[0056] For example, the connecting element 20 can prevent gas from escaping from the main section 14, since the first end of the connecting element 20 is fixed, while the main section side chamber part 13a is avoided.

[0057] At a Fig. In the third embodiment shown in Figure 6, the airbag cushion 10 has a fixing wall 16 that extends such that it crosses the main section side chamber part 13a and is fixed to the main section side seam part 12a. The connecting element 20 can be connected to the main section 14 via the fixing wall 16 by connecting the first end of the connecting element 20 to the fixing wall 16.

[0058] As described above, the fixing wall 16 is fixed, avoiding the main section side chamber part 13a, by being connected to an upper and lower end of the main section side seam part 12a. Since the first end of the connecting retaining strap 22 is connected to the main section 14 of the airbag cushion 10 via the fixing wall 16, the connecting retaining strap 22 is prevented from being sewn to the chamber part 13. As described above, because the connecting element 20 is fixed to the fixing wall 16 of the main section 14 in a sewn manner, gas leakage from the main section 14 can be prevented in principle or substantially, and the first end of the connecting element 20 and the main section 14 can be firmly fixed to each other via the fixing wall 16.

[0059] Referring to Fig. 3 The main section side chamber part 13a has a closed part 17 through which no gas circulates due to a connection with the main wall 11. The connecting element 20 can be connected to the main section 14 via the closed part 17 by connecting the first end of the connecting element 20 to the closed part 17.

[0060] The closed section 17 is a dead zone formed by connecting or attaching it to the main wall 11, and provides a flow path for gas passing through the main section side chamber section 13a. In other words, the gas supplied to the airbag cushion 10 flows in a vertical direction due to the closed section 17 extending vertically into the main section side chamber section 13a. Consequently, the main section side chamber section 13a can inflate rapidly, and excessive lateral inflation is limited.

[0061] In particular, since the first end of the connecting element 20 is connected to the closed part 17, the connecting element 20 is fixed without interfering with the main section side chamber part 13a. As described above, because the connecting element 20 is fixed to the closed part 17 of the main section 14 in a sewn manner, gas leakage from the main section 14 can be prevented in principle or substantially, and the first end of the connecting element 20 and the main section 14 can be firmly fixed to each other via the closed part 17.

[0062] In another embodiment, the connecting element 20 can be designed as a single-piece body, so that the main section 14 and the auxiliary section 15 of the airbag cushion 10 can be connected to each other. For example, with reference to Fig. 7. The width of the connecting element 20 increases gradually as the connecting element 20 moves from its first end to its second end. Thus, the first end of the connecting element 20 can be connected to the main section 14, and the second end of the connecting element 20 can be connected to the upper and lower ends of the auxiliary section side seam piece 12b.

[0063] Accordingly, the connecting element 20 can be triangular or trapezoidal. Since the first end of the connecting element 20 is connected to the main section 14 and the second end of the connecting element 20 is connected to the upper and lower ends of the auxiliary section side seam part 12b, the second end of the connecting element 20 can be fixed securely, avoiding the auxiliary section side chamber part 13b. The first end of the connecting element 20 can also be fixed, avoiding the main section side chamber part 13a, by connecting the first end of the connecting element 20 to the fixing wall 16 or the closed part 17, as described above.

[0064] As described above, the connecting element 20 has a shape in which the width of the connecting element 20 generally increases as the connecting element 20 moves from its first end to its second end. Thus, the stiffness of the connecting element 20 can be ensured and guaranteed, and the connecting element 20 can be connected to the sewing part 12 in the main section 14 and the auxiliary section 15, avoiding the chamber part 13.

[0065] In another embodiment, the connecting element 20 can have several connecting elements to connect the main section 14 to the auxiliary section 15 of the airbag cushion 10. For example, the connecting element 20 can be configured with reference to Fig. 8 having a first fixing retaining band 24 with a first end connected to the upper end of the main section side sewing part 12a and a second end connected to the upper end of the auxiliary section side sewing part 12b, and having a second fixing retaining band 25 with a first end connected to the lower end of the main section side sewing part 12a and a second end connected to the lower end of the auxiliary section side sewing part 12b.

[0066] As described above, the connecting element 20 can have the first fixing retaining strap 24 and the second fixing retaining strap 25. The first fixing retaining strap 24 is connected to the upper end of the main section side seam 12a and the upper end of the auxiliary section side seam 12b, and the second fixing retaining strap 25 is connected to the lower end of the main section side seam 12a and the lower end of the auxiliary section side seam 12b. Thus, the connecting element 20 can be firmly fixed while avoiding the chamber part 13 of the main section 14 and the auxiliary section 15. Since the connecting element 20 is designed as a plurality of connecting elements, the tensile force on the auxiliary section 15 through the connecting element 20 also increases when the airbag cushion 10 inflates. In addition, the degree of bending of the auxiliary section 15 increases, and the binding force of the occupant increases.

[0067] As described above, the connecting element 20 can have the first fixing retaining band 24 and the second fixing retaining band 25. The first fixing retaining band 24 and the second fixing retaining band 25 are connected to the upper ends of the sewing part 12 of the main section 14 and the lower ends of the sewing part 12 of the auxiliary section 15, respectively. Accordingly, gas leakage from the main section 14 and the auxiliary section 15 can be prevented, and the first and second ends of the connecting element 20 can be firmly fixed.

[0068] For example, the connecting element 20 can be used as Fig.Figure 9 shows a first cross-retaining band 26 having a first end connected to the upper end of the main section side-sewing part 12a and a second end connected to the lower end of the auxiliary section side-sewing part 12b, and may have a second cross-retaining band 27 having a first end connected to the lower end of the main section side-sewing part 12a and a second end connected to the upper end of the auxiliary section side-sewing part 12b. The first cross-retaining band 26 and the second cross-retaining band 27 may be arranged to cross each other.

[0069] As described above, the connecting element 20 can have the first cross-retaining band 26 and the second cross-retaining band 27. The first cross-retaining band 26 and the second cross-retaining band 27 intersect each other; the upper end of the main section side-seam 12a is connected to the lower end of the auxiliary section side-seam 12b, and the lower end of the main section side-seam 12a is connected to the upper end of the auxiliary section side-seam 12b. Accordingly, the connecting element 20 can be firmly fixed in the main section 14 and the auxiliary section 15, avoiding the chamber part 13.

[0070] When the airbag cushion 10 inflates, the tensile force of the auxiliary section 15 increases due to the first cross-retaining strap 26 and the second cross-retaining strap 27. As the degree of bending of the auxiliary section 15 increases, the binding force on the occupant is also increased. Furthermore, the first cross-retaining strap 26 and the second cross-retaining strap 27 extend in such a way that they cross each other, thereby supporting the vertical movement of the auxiliary section 15. Thus, the auxiliary section 15 of the airbag cushion 10 is positioned according to the occupant's upper body.

[0071] As described above, the first connecting element 20 can have the first cross-retaining band 26 and the second cross-retaining band 27, each connected to the upper end of the sewn part 12 on the main section 14 and the lower end of the sewn part 12 on the auxiliary section 15. Accordingly, gas escape from the main section 14 and the auxiliary section 15 is prevented, and the first and second ends of the connecting element 20 can be firmly fixed.

[0072] For example, the auxiliary section 15 of the airbag cushion 10 extends such that it is inclined upwards from the main section 14. The connecting retaining strap 22 can extend such that it is inclined downwards from the main section 14 towards the auxiliary section 15, since a connection point of the first end of the connecting retaining strap 22, which is connected to the main section 14, is positioned higher than a connection point of the second end of the connecting retaining strap 22, which is connected to the auxiliary wall 21 of the auxiliary section 15.

[0073] As described above, since the auxiliary section 15 extends in such a way that it is inclined upwards from the main section 14, the airbag cushion 10, when inflated, is shaped in such a way that the auxiliary section 15 surrounds the occupant's upper body from one side to the other. Therefore, when the airbag cushion 10 is inflated, the auxiliary section 15 can firmly support the occupant's upper body. Furthermore, the connecting retaining strap 22 extends in such a way that it is inclined downwards, and thus the auxiliary section 15, which extends in an upward direction, is pulled while being rotated downwards, increasing the binding force exerted on the occupant by the auxiliary section 15 of the airbag cushion 10.

[0074] In the airbag device for a vehicle with the structure described above, the airbag cushion 10 has the main section 14, which is located laterally to the occupant, and the auxiliary section 15, which is located in front of the occupant. The main section 14 and the auxiliary section 15 inflate into a shape surrounding the occupant to protect the occupant from impact and to restrain the occupant's position to prevent further injury. In particular, the connecting element 20 for guiding the inflation of the airbag cushion 10 is connected to the airbag cushion 10 while avoiding the area through which gas circulates within the airbag cushion 10. Gas leakage is prevented by a sewn section to maintain a desired internal pressure of the airbag cushion 10, thus ensuring that the occupant is protected efficiently or safely according to the initial setting of the airbag device.

[0075] Although certain embodiments and implementations have been described herein, other embodiments and modifications are apparent from the description. Accordingly, the inventive concepts are not limited to such embodiments, but rather to the broader scope of the accompanying claims and various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements, as would be obvious to an average person skilled in the art in this field.

Claims

[1] Airbag device for a vehicle, wherein the airbag device comprises: an airbag cushion (10) with: a main wall (11); a main section (14) with a first seam part (12a) connected to the main wall (11) and a first chamber part (13a), wherein the main section (14) is arranged laterally to an occupant when the airbag cushion (10) is inflated by gas injected into the first seam part (12a); and an auxiliary section (15) with a second seaming section and a second chamber section (13b), wherein the auxiliary section (15) is arranged in front of the occupant when the airbag cushion (10) is inflated by gas injected into the second seaming section; and a connecting element (20) having a first end connected to the main section (14) of the airbag cushion (10) and a second end fixed to the second sewn part of the auxiliary section (15), wherein the connecting element (20) is configured to guide the airbag cushion (10) such that it inflates into a shape surrounding the occupant when the airbag cushion (10) inflates characterized by , that the connecting element (20) has the following features: an auxiliary wall (21) extending such that it crosses the second chamber part (13b) of the auxiliary section (15) of the airbag cushion (10) in a vertical direction and is fixed to an upper and lower end of the second sewn part of the auxiliary section (15) of the airbag cushion (10); and a connecting retaining strap (22) with a first end connected to the main section (14) of the airbag cushion (10) and a second end connected to the auxiliary wall (21) arranged in the auxiliary section (15) of the airbag cushion (10). [2] Airbag device according to claim 1, wherein when the airbag cushion (10) is inflated, the main section (14) is arranged laterally to the occupant and extends in a vertical direction from the head to the lower body of the occupant, and the auxiliary section (15) extends forward from the main section (14) to surround the upper body of the occupant. [3] Airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the airbag cushion (10) has several airbag cushions on opposite sides of a seat backrest (S) and auxiliary sections (15) of the several airbag cushions are bent in a direction towards each other and touch each other when the airbag cushion (10) is inflated. [4] Airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary section (15) of the airbag cushion (10) extends such that it is inclined upwards from the main section (14), and the connecting retaining strap (22) extends such that it is inclined downwards from the main section (14) to the auxiliary section (15), since a connection point of the first end of the connecting retaining strap (22) which is connected to the main section (14) is positioned higher than a connection point of the second end of the connecting retaining strap (22) which is connected to the auxiliary wall (21). [5] Airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary wall (21) has a guide wall (23) with an opening through which the connecting retaining strap (22) passes, and the first end of the connecting retaining strap (22) is connected to the main section (14) of the airbag cushion (10) and the second end of the connecting retaining strap (22) passes through the guide wall (23) of the auxiliary wall (21) to be connected to an end of the second seam part of the auxiliary section (15). [6] Airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary wall (21) is spaced apart from an end of the auxiliary section (15) of the airbag cushion (10) and is arranged in a central section of the auxiliary section (15). [7] Airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the airbag cushion (10) has a fixing wall (16) extending such that it crosses the first chamber part (13a) of the main section (14) and is fixed to the first seam part (12a) of the main section (14), and the connecting element (20) is connected to the main section (14) via the fixing wall (16) by connecting the first end of the connecting element (20) to the fixing wall (16). [8] Airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the first chamber part (13a) of the main section (14) has a closed part (17) through which no gas circulates due to a connection with the main wall (11), and since the first end of the connecting element (20) is connected to the closed part (17), the connecting element (20) is connected to the main section (14) via the closed part (17). [9] Airbag device according to claim 1, wherein, as the connecting element (20) moves from its first end to its second end, the width of the connecting element (20) gradually increases, such that the first end of the connecting element (20) is connected to the main section (14) and the second end of the connecting element (20) is connected to an upper end and a lower end of the second sewing part of the auxiliary section (15). [10] Airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting element (20) has a first fixing retaining band (24) with a first end that is connected to an upper end of the first sewing part (12a) of the main section (14) and a second end that is connected to an upper end of the second sewing part of the auxiliary section (15), and a second fixing retaining band (25) with a first end that is connected to a lower end of the first sewing part (12a) of the main section (14) and a second end that is connected to a lower end of the second sewing part of the auxiliary section (15). [11] Airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting element (20) has a first cross-retaining strap (26) with a first end connected to an upper end of the first seam part (12a) of the main section (14) and a second end connected to a lower end of the second seam part of the auxiliary section (15), and a second cross-retaining strap (27) with a first end connected to a lower end of the first seam part (12a) of the main section (14) and a second end connected to an upper end of the second seam part of the auxiliary section (15), and wherein the first cross-retaining strap (26) and the second cross-retaining strap (27) are arranged such that they cross each other.

Images