DACHRAHMEN-AIRBAG-SYSTEM

Abstract

A vehicle's roof-frame airbag system comprises a side airbag, a roof airbag, and an inflation device functionally connected to both the side airbag and the roof airbag and configured to inflate both. A method for operating a vehicle's roof-frame airbag system includes inflating a side airbag of the roof-frame airbag system via a functionally connected inflation device and inflating a roof airbag of the roof-frame airbag system via the same inflation device. The roof airbag is configured so that, when inflated, it extends over the roof of the vehicle between a roof panel and the vehicle's headliner; the side airbag is configured so that, when inflated, it extends over a side window of a passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Description

[0001] The subject of the disclosure concerns vehicles and, in particular, vehicle airbag systems.

[0002] Vehicles use airbag systems to improve the safety of vehicle occupants in the event of a collision. These can include, among others, front airbag systems, seat airbag systems, and roof-mounted airbag systems. Roof-mounted airbag systems are specifically installed in the roof section of the vehicle body and include a side airbag that protects the occupant's head, neck, and upper torso from injury.

[0003] Given the increasing popularity of vehicles with fixed, translucent, or glass roof configurations, it is desirable to improve the protection of occupants in the event of a rollover. SUMMARY

[0004] In an exemplary embodiment, a roof frame airbag system of a vehicle comprises a side cushion airbag, a roof cushion airbag and an inflation device which is functionally connected to both the side cushion airbag and the roof cushion airbag and is configured to inflate both the side cushion airbag and the roof cushion airbag.

[0005] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, a Y-valve connects the inflation device to the side cushion airbag and the roof cushion airbag.

[0006] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the side airbag, the roof airbag and the Y-valve are formed as a single, unified component.

[0007] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the first inflation rate of the roof cushion airbag differs from the second inflation rate of the side cushion airbag.

[0008] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the roof cushion airbag is configured so that, when inflated, it extends over the roof of the vehicle between a roof panel and the vehicle's headliner.

[0009] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the roof cushion airbag is configured so that, when inflated, it extends across the roof panel by between 25% and 75% of the width of the roof panel.

[0010] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the side airbag is configured to extend over a side window of a passenger compartment of the vehicle when inflated.

[0011] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the roof frame airbag system is configured to be attached to a roof frame of the vehicle.

[0012] In another exemplary embodiment, a vehicle comprises a vehicle body defining an occupant compartment and a roof-frame airbag system attached to the vehicle body within the occupant compartment. A roof-frame airbag system comprises a side-cushion airbag, a roof-cushion airbag, and an inflation device functionally connected to both the side-cushion airbag and the roof-cushion airbag and configured to inflate both.

[0013] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, a Y-valve connects the inflation device to the side cushion airbag and the roof cushion airbag.

[0014] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the side airbag, the roof airbag and the Y-valve are formed as a single, unified component.

[0015] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the first inflation rate of the roof cushion airbag differs from the second inflation rate of the side cushion airbag.

[0016] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the roof cushion airbag is configured so that, when inflated, it extends over the roof of the vehicle between a roof panel and the vehicle's headliner.

[0017] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the roof cushion airbag is configured so that, when inflated, it extends across the roof panel by between 25% and 75% of the width of the roof panel.

[0018] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the side airbag is configured to extend over a side window of a passenger compartment of the vehicle when inflated.

[0019] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the roof frame airbag system is attached to a roof frame of the vehicle.

[0020] In a further exemplary embodiment, a method for operating a roof-frame airbag system of a vehicle comprises inflating a side-cushion airbag of the roof-frame airbag system via a functionally associated inflation device and inflating a roof-cushion airbag of the roof-frame airbag system via the same inflation device. The roof-cushion airbag is configured such that, when inflated, it extends over the roof of the vehicle between a roof panel and the vehicle's headliner; the side-cushion airbag is configured such that, when inflated, it extends over a side window of a passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0021] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the first inflation rate of the roof cushion airbag differs from the second inflation rate of the side cushion airbag.

[0022] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the inflation device is functionally connected to the side cushion airbag and the roof cushion airbag via a Y-valve.

[0023] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the side airbag, the roof airbag and the Y-valve are formed as a single, unified component.

[0024] The aforementioned features and advantages, as well as other features and advantages of the disclosure, are readily apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Further features, advantages and details are listed only as examples in the following detailed description, which refers to the drawings, where: Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a vehicle; Fig. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a passenger compartment of a vehicle; Fig. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a roof frame airbag system installed in a vehicle; and Fig. 4 is a top view of an embodiment of a roof frame airbag system; DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The following description is merely exemplary and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application, or use. It should be understood that in the drawings, corresponding reference numerals denote identical or corresponding parts and features.

[0027] According to an exemplary embodiment, a vehicle is, according to a non-restrictive example, in Fig. 1 is generally denoted by 10. The vehicle 10 comprises a body 12 supported on a plurality of wheels 16. In a non-restrictive example, two of the plurality of wheels 16 are steerable. The body 12 partially forms a passenger compartment 14, which has seats 22 positioned behind an instrument panel 26. A steering control 30 is arranged between the seats 22 and the instrument panel 26. The steering control 30 is actuated to control the orientation of the steerable wheel(s) 16.

[0028] With reference to the following Fig. Figure 2 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an occupant compartment 14. The occupant compartment 14 comprises one or more inflatable protective devices, also referred to as airbags, which include one or more roof rail airbag (RRAB) systems 46 extending at least partially along a roof rail 48 of the body 12.

[0029] A cross-sectional view of an RRAB system 46 attached to a roof frame 48 is shown in Fig. Figure 3 illustrates this. The RRAB system 46 is installed on the roof frame 48 and is positioned between the roof frame 48 and a headliner 50 of the vehicle 10. The RRAB system 46 includes a side airbag 52, which is in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 is shown in its uninflated state. The side airbag 52 is configured such that it extends at least partially downwards over a side window 56 of the vehicle 10 in a side inflation direction 54 (shown in Fig. 2) to protect the head, neck, and upper torso of the vehicle occupant from the sides. The RRAB system 46 further includes a roof cushion airbag 58, which is in Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 3 shows the roof cushion airbag 58 in its uninflated state. The roof cushion airbag 58 is configured to inflate in a roof inflation direction 60, which differs from the side inflation direction 54. In its inflated state, the roof cushion airbag 58 extends at least partially over a roof panel 62 of the vehicle 10 between the headliner 50 and the roof panel 62, which in some embodiments is a fixed glass roof panel 62. In some embodiments, the roof cushion airbag 58 extends in the width direction over 25% to 85% of the roof panel 62.

[0030] The side airbag 52 is held by a plurality of side airbag brackets 64 on the roof frame 48 or another body panel 12, while the roof airbag 58 is similarly held by a plurality of roof airbag brackets 66 on the roof frame 48 or another body panel 12. With further reference to Fig. 2. The roof cushion airbag brackets 66 are spaced apart along a length of the roof cushion airbag 58, and the side cushion airbag brackets 64 are similarly spaced apart along a length of the side cushion airbag 52. The roof cushion airbag brackets 66 and the side cushion airbag brackets 64 are connected to the roof frame 48, for example, by clips 68, pins, bolts, or the like.

[0031] The roof cushion airbag 58 and the side cushion airbag 52 are functionally connected to a common inflation device 70 and are inflated by it to inflate both the side cushion airbag 52 and the roof cushion airbag 58 to the respective selected inflation rate. In some embodiments, the first inflation rate of the roof cushion airbag 58 differs from the second inflation rate of the side cushion airbag 52. In some embodiments, for example, the RRAB system 46 is configured such that the second inflation rate of the side cushion airbag 52 is greater than the first inflation rate of the roof cushion airbag 58.

[0032] With reference to Fig. 4. The airflow from the inflation device 70 to the roof airbag 58 and the side airbag 52 is controlled by a Y-valve 72. The Y-valve 72 includes an inlet opening 74 for receiving the airflow from the inflation device 70. The Y-valve 72 further includes a first outlet 76 to direct a first portion 78 of the airflow into the roof airbag 58, and a second outlet 80 to direct a second portion 82 of the airflow into the side airbag 52. In some embodiments, the first cross-sectional area of ​​the first outlet 76 is smaller than the second cross-sectional area of ​​the second outlet 80, so that a larger airflow is directed into the side airbag 52 than into the roof airbag 58, thus inflating the side airbag 52 before the roof airbag 58. In one embodiment, such as in Fig.As illustrated in Figure 4, the roof cushion airbag 58, the side cushion airbag 52, and the Y-valve 72 are combined to form a single airbag assembly 88. This single airbag assembly 88 is connected to the inflation device 70.

[0033] The RRAB system described herein provides traditional side-impact protection by means of the side airbag 52 and additional protection in the event of a rollover by means of the roof airbag 58. The inclusion of the Y-valve 72 allows both the side airbag 52 and the roof airbag 58 to be inflated via a common inflation device 70 and, in some embodiments, can allow the side airbag 52 and the roof airbag 58 to be inflated at different inflation rates.

[0034] The terms "a / a / r / s" do not imply a quantitative restriction, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the mentioned items. The term "or" means "and / or" unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. When the entire description refers to "an aspect," this means that a particular element (e.g., a feature, a structure, a step, or a property) described in connection with the aspect is encompassed in at least one of the aspects described herein and may or may not be present in other aspects. Furthermore, it is understood that the described elements can be combined in any suitable way across the various aspects.

[0035] Unless otherwise defined, the technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as generally understood by a person skilled in the art in which this disclosure belongs.

[0036] Although the foregoing disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is known to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made and equivalent elements substituted without altering the scope of application. Furthermore, many modifications can be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without deviating from its essential scope. Therefore, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but rather to encompass all embodiments that fall within its scope.

Claims

Roof frame airbag system of a vehicle, comprising: a side cushion airbag; a roof cushion airbag; and an inflation device functionally connected to both the side cushion airbag and the roof cushion airbag and configured to inflate both the side cushion airbag and the roof cushion airbag. Roof frame airbag system according to claim 1, further comprising a Y-valve for connecting the inflation device to the side cushion airbag and the roof cushion airbag. Roof frame airbag system according to claim 2, wherein the side cushion airbag, the roof cushion airbag and the Y-valve are formed together as a single unitary component. Roof frame airbag system according to claim 1, wherein a first inflation rate of the roof cushion airbag differs from a second inflation rate of the side cushion airbag. Roof frame airbag system according to claim 1, wherein the roof cushion airbag is configured such that, when inflated, it extends over a roof of the vehicle between a roof panel and a roof liner of the vehicle. Roof frame airbag system according to claim 5, wherein the roof cushion airbag is configured such that, when inflated, it extends over the roof panel between 25% and 75% of a roof panel width. Roof frame airbag system according to claim 1, wherein the side cushion airbag is configured such that, when inflated, it extends over a side window of a passenger compartment of the vehicle. Roof frame airbag system according to claim 1, wherein the roof frame airbag system is configured to be attached to a roof frame of the vehicle. A method for operating a roof-frame airbag system of a vehicle, comprising: inflating a side-cushion airbag of the roof-frame airbag system via a functionally associated inflation device; and inflating a roof-cushion airbag of the roof-frame airbag system via the same inflation device; wherein the roof-cushion airbag is configured to extend, when inflated, over a roof of the vehicle between a roof panel and a roof liner of the vehicle; and wherein the side-cushion airbag is configured to extend, when inflated, over a side window of an occupant compartment of the vehicle. Method according to claim 9, wherein a first inflation rate of the roof cushion airbag differs from a second inflation rate of the side cushion airbag.

Images