Airbag cushion and airbag apparatus

Abstract

An airbag cushion and air apparatus are provided, the airbag apparatus includes a first airbag unit, a connecting airbag unit spaced from the first airbag unit and air communicating with the first airbag unit, a plurality of second airbag units spaced from the first airbag unit and the connecting airbag unit; the first airbag unit includes an air vent and attaches to a first valve, allowing air flow into and out of an interior of the airbag apparatus through the air vent, the first airbag unit communicates with the connecting airbag unit through a first air channel, and a plurality of second air channels connecting the connecting airbag unit and at least one of the plurality of the second airbag units and interconnecting each second airbag unit, a cross-sectional size of at least one of the second air channels is larger than that of the first air channel.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to Chinese Patent Application Number 202422953179.4 filed on Nov. 29, 2024, in the China National Intellectual Property Administration. The entire contents of the above-identified application are hereby incorporated by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of airbags, and in particular, to an airbag cushion.BACKGROUND

[0003] Recently, many people use airbag cushions which are filled with air, instead of traditional cushions, because airbag cushions are more comfortable for users. When the users squeeze on the airbag cushions, air in the airbag cushions can provide a buffering effect. However, when the airbag cushion is inflated without correct tools, air in the airbag cushion will be quickly flow out to an external environment, thereby affecting inflation efficiency of the airbag cushion.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0004] In order to illustrate the technical solution in embodiments of the present invention more clearly, the following briefly introduces accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the accompanying drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art can obtain other accompanying drawings from these accompanying drawings without any creative efforts.

[0005] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a top of an airbag cushion according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0006] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the airbag cushion along a I-I direction shown in FIG. 1.

[0007] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an air valve of the airbag cushion shown in FIG. 2.

[0008] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the air valve of the airbag cushion shown in FIG. 2, viewed from another view direction.

[0009] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the air valve of the airbag cushion shown in FIG. 3.

[0010] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the air valve of the airbag cushion shown in FIG. 5, viewed from another view direction.

[0011] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the air valve of the airbag cushion in a closed state.

[0012] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the air valve of the airbag cushion in a first usage state.

[0013] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the air valve in a locking state.

[0014] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the air valve of the airbag cushion.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred implementation. To the contrary, the described embodiments are intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure and as defined by the appended claims.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, an airbag apparatus 1000, such as an airbag cushion, includes a main body 100, for example, a pad, configured for providing a buffer function of the airbag cushion 1000 and two inflating and deflating members 800 are attached to the main body 100 for inflating and deflating the main body 100.

[0017] The main body 100 includes a first pad 101 and a second pad 102 overlapping on the first pad 101. A plurality of airbag units 110 which are connected with each other are formed by a cooperation of the first pad 101 and the second pad 102. Specially, the second pad 102 may be a flat structure which may be placed on a support surface. In this embodiment, the first pad 101 is made of a thermoplastic polyurethane urethane material mixed with a lycra material, and the second pad 102 is made of the thermoplastic polyurethane urethane material mixed with a high elastic fabric material.

[0018] The first pad 101 is a non-flat structure, which includes a plurality of bulging portions and a plurality of connecting portions connecting with the bulging portions. The bulging portion bulges towards a direction away from the second pad 102, and the plurality of connecting portions are configured to fix to second pad 102.

[0019] In this embodiment, the plurality of connecting portions and the second pad 102 are interconnected by a high-frequency welding machine, and the plurality of connecting portions undergo compression and deformation due to an action of high frequency current, so the thickness of the plurality of connecting portions will be correspondingly reduced when the high-frequency welding machine is working.

[0020] Each airbag unit 110 is defined by the first pad 101 and one of the bulging portions, a plurality of air channels 120 are formed in the connecting portion for air communicating two adjacent airbag units 110. Each bulging portion is deformable, so as to define a receiving space in each airbag unit 110, and the receiving space is in air communication with the plurality of air channels 120.

[0021] When no gas, such as air gas, is filled, the bulging portions are close to the second pad 102, so that the plurality of airbag units 110 do not bulge. When a certain amount of the gas is injected in the plurality of airbag units 110, the plurality of airbag units 110 bulge away from the second pad 102, especially, the airbag units 110 may pop up.

[0022] The plurality of airbag units 110 include a first airbag unit 111, a plurality of second airbag units 112, a third airbag unit 113, a plurality of fourth airbag units 114, and a plurality of fifth airbag units 115. The inflating and deflating members 800 of the airbag apparatus 1000 are attached to the first airbag unit 111 and the third airbag unit 113. The first airbag unit 111 and the third airbag unit 113 may be spaced by at least one of a portion of the second airbag units 112, and a portion of the fourth airbag units 114. The plurality of second airbag units 112 may be arranged side by side and interconnected together by the plurality of air channels 120. Each second airbag unit 112 may be include at least three openings connecting to at least three airbag units 111,112,113, or 114 to input the air into the second airbag unit 112 or output the air out of the second airbag unit 112. The plurality of second airbag units 112 form a first airbag group 112a corresponding to a first buffering area A. The first buffering area A may be a center area of the airbag apparatus 1000. The fourth airbag units 114 are arranged between the first and second airbag units 111 and 112 along a line. Each fourth airbag unit 114 has two openings connecting to two adjacent airbag units to input the air and output the air to the adjacent airbag units. The fourth airbag units 114 form a second airbag group, such as a string, corresponding to a second buffering area B. The second buffering area B may be located at a side area of the airbag apparatus 1000. Each fifth airbag unit 115 has two openings connecting to two adjacent airbag units to input the air and output the air to the adjacent airbag units. The fifth airbag units 115 form a third airbag group, such as a string, corresponding to a third buffering area C. The third buffering area C may be located at another side area of the airbag apparatus 1000 which is opposite to the second buffering area B. The fifth airbag units 115 are communicated to the first and third airbag units 111, 113 through the plurality of second airbag units 112. In this embodiment, a cross-sectional area of the main body 100 has a quadrilateral shape, and the first airbag unit 111 is disposed at a corner of the main body 100, the third airbag 113 is disposed at an adjacent corner of the main body 100. At least one second airbag unit 112 of the second airbag group 112a is adjacent to the first airbag 111 and in air communication with the first airbag unit 111 without through another airbag unit of the plurality of second airbag units 112. At least another one second airbag unit 112 of the second airbag group 112a is adjacent to the third airbag unit 113 and in air communication with the third airbag unit 113 without through another airbag unit of the plurality of second airbag units 112. The first airbag 111 and the third airbag 113 connect to the ones of the plurality of second airbag units 112 through the air channel 120, respectively.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 2, shapes and sizes of the each second airbag unit 112, the fourth airbag unit 114 and the fifth airbag unit 115 may be the same. The sizes of the first airbag unit 111 and / or the third airbag unit 113 may be bigger than that of the second airbag unit 112, the fourth airbag unit 114 or the fifth airbag unit 115. In some embodiments, a height (h1) of the first airbag unit 11 is equal to a height (h2) of the second, fourth, fifth airbag unit 112, 114, or 115 and a height of the third airbag 113 (h3).

[0024] In this embodiment, the inflating and deflating members 800 include a first auxiliary member attached to the first airbag unit 111 and configured for inflating the plurality of airbag units 110 by hand pressure operations. The inflating and deflating members 800 further includes a second auxiliary member, such as a first valve 500, attached to the third airbag unit 113 and configured for inflating the airbag units by using an air intake tool. In this embodiment, the air intake tool is an air pump 700. The first auxiliary member has a slower inflation speed than the second auxiliary member 500. Plus, the first auxiliary member has a slower deflation speed than the second auxiliary member 500. In other words, when a rapid inflation of the main body 100 is required, the air pump 700 is attached to the first valve 500, and the rapid inflation of the main body 100 can be achieved by pushing and pulling a push rod of the air pump 700. When the air inside the pad 100 needs to be rapidly discharged to the external environment, the first valve 500 is opened, allowing the air to quickly flow out of the main body 100 to the external environment.

[0025] When it is not possible to inflate with the air pump 700 or it is necessary to adjust the amount of the air inside the main body 100, the first auxiliary member can be used.

[0026] The first valve 500 includes a housing 510 and a mounting cover 530 attached to the housing 510. The housing 510 includes a first portion inserted in the third airbag unit 113 and a second portion connected to the first portion and protruding out of a bottom of the second pad 102. The mounting cover 530 is connected to the second portion. An air vent 510a is defined at in the first portion and the second portion. The air enters the third airbag unit 113 through the air vent 510a.

[0027] During inflating the airbag apparatus 1000 using the air pump 700, the air vent 510a is opened, the air pump 700 is inserted into the housing 510. The air flows into the third airbag unit 113, and then flows into the second airbag units 112, the fourth airbag units 114, the fifth airbag units 115 and the first airbag unit 111. When the air has filled the entire airbag units 110, the cover covers the air vent 510a. When a rapid deflation is required, the air vent 510a is opened again, the air in the airbag units 110 flows out of the main body 100 through the air vent 510a.

[0028] The plurality of air channels 120 include at least a first air channel 121 which is connected to the first airbag unit 111 and a plurality of second air channels 122 which are not connected the first airbag unit 111, wherein a cross-sectional size of each first air channel 121 is smaller than a cross-sectional size of the second air channel 122. Specifically, a height H1 of the first air channel 121 is smaller than that H2 of the second air channel 122, perfectly the H2 is more than two times of the H1. In this embodiment, a ratio of the height of the first air channel 121 to the height of the second air channel 122 is in a range from 1:4 to 1:7. In other words, the first air channel 121 comprises a first raised structure bulging upward from a base layer, and each second air channel 122 comprises a second raised structure bulging upward from the same base layer, and a height H1 of the first raised structure being less than a height H2 of the second raised structure. In this embodiment, the base layer may be the first pad 101. In this embodiment, a width W1 of the first air channel 121 is smaller than the width W2 of the second air channel 122, and the height H1 of the first air channel 121 is also smaller than the height H2 of the second air channel 122, and each second air channel 122 may have a same width and / or height. In some alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, the first air channel 121 and the second air channel 122 may have the same width, with only the height H1 of the first air channel 121 being smaller than the height H2 of the second air channel 122. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, only the width W1 of the first air channel 121 is smaller than the width W2 of the second air channel 122, while the height H1 of the first air channel 121 is equal to the height H2 of the second air channel 122.

[0029] Therefore, it is more difficult for the air to pass through the first air channel 121 than through the second air channel 122. The heights H1 and H2 and widths W1 and W2 are not changeable during the inflation and the deflation. The first air channel 121 and the second air channels 122 are directly formed by folding the first pad 101 in channel shapes without inserting a tubule between the first pad 101 and the second pad 102. Opposite ends of the first air channel 121 are connected to the first airbag unit 111 and one second airbag unit 112 or the fourth air bag unit 114, respectively. The ends of the second air channel 122 are connected to the adjacent airbag units such as, the first airbag unit 111, another second airbag unit 112, the third airbag unit 113, the fourth airbag unit 114 and the fifth airbag unit 115. In this embodiment, the at least a first air channel 121 includes a third air channel connected to the first airbag unit 111 and a second airbag unit 112, and a fourth air channel connected to the first airbag unit 111 and one fourth airbag unit 114, a cross-sectional size of the third air channel and the fourth air channel may be the same or different, but both are smaller than that of each second air channel 122.

[0030] In a same or another embodiment, the volume of the first air channel 121 is greater than that of each second air channel 122, so that the same volume air takes longer time to pass through the first air channel 121 than through each second air channel 122. Especially, a length (L1) of the first air channel 121 is not less than that (L2) of the second air channel 122, each second air channel 122 has a same length. It can be understood that the lengths of the plurality of second air channels 122 may be different. In this embodiment, the length (L1) of the first air channel 121 is equal to the length (L2) of each second air channel 122, so that the plurality of airbag units 110 are arranged regularly.

[0031] In this embodiment, the plurality of airbag units 110-115, the first air channel 121, and the second air channel 122 bulge toward the direction away from the second pad 102, and the heights of the first air channel 121 and the second air channel 122 are both smaller than the heights of the second airbag units 112.

[0032] The present disclose sets a comparative example and compares an inflation situation of this embodiment with that of the comparative example. In the comparative example, the first airbag 111 connects to the second airbag unit 112 through an air channel which has a same width or height as that of the second air channel 122. Experimental tests have shown that under the same inflation time and with the air fully filling the pad 100 (with the maximum air pressure not increasing as the standard), the airbag apparatus 1000 of this embodiment exhibits a higher maximum internal pressure. According to a pressure formula, the pressure of the air is proportional to its density. Therefore, the air density inside the airbag apparatus 1000 of this embodiment is greater than the comparative example. And since the air volume inside the airbag apparatus 1000 of this embodiment is substantially identical to that of the comparative example, the total air amount inside the airbag cushion 1000 of this embodiment is larger.

[0033] In other words, the first airbag unit 111 connects to the second airbag unit 112 via the first air channel 121, the inflation effect of the airbag cushion 1000 is better than that of the comparative example. Analysis reveals that, according to the pressure formula, pressure is inversely proportional to cross-sectional area. When pressure is constant, the airbag cushion 1000 of this embodiment uses the first air channel 121 with a smaller cross-sectional area, this configuration results in higher backflow pressure from the second airbag unit 112 to the first airbag unit 111, thereby reducing the returned air volume.

[0034] In this embodiment, the height (H1) of the first air channel 121 is set to be much smaller than the height (H2) of the second air channel 122, with a height ratio of H1: H2 is in a range from 1:4 to 1:7. When the height ratio of H1:H2 is lower than 1:7, an intake pressure of the airbag cushion is relatively high, requiring greater external force.

[0035] The first auxiliary member attaches to the first airbag unit 111 and configured to control an opening or closing of an airway to the plurality of airbag units. The first auxiliary member includes an elastic member 200 and an air valve 300. The elastic member 200 is accommodated in the receiving space of the first airbag unit 111. In this embodiment, the elastic member 200 fills a lower portion of the receiving space of the first airbag unit 111. A top air gap is located between a top wall of the first airbag unit 111 and a top of the elastic member 200 when the first airbag unit 111 is inflated. A side air gap is located between a lateral wall of the first airbag unit 111 and a lateral wall of the elastic member 200 when the first airbag unit 111 is inflated. The air valve 300 is disposed on the second pad 102 corresponding to the first airbag unit 111, so that an inside environment of the airbag apparatus 1000 is air in communication with the external environment via the air valve 300.

[0036] The elastic member 200 may be a sponge body, plastic body, spring, rubber, or silicone. In this embodiment, the elastic member 200 includes a first elastic pad and a second elastic pad separately formed and disposed on the first elastic pad. A through hole penetrates the first elastic pad for receiving a portion of the valve 300. The second elastic pad is located on the side of the first elastic pad away from the air valve 300 and covers the through hole. The second elastic pad cooperates with the first elastic pad to support the height of the first airbag unit 111. The elastic member 200 has low hardness. Therefore, when the first airbag unit 111 is pressed, the elastic member 200 received in the first airbag unit 111 can quickly rebound, thereby accelerating the inflation speed of the first airbag unit 111. It can be understood that if only a very slow inflation speed is required, the elastic member 200 may not be provided in the first airbag unit 111.

[0037] Refer to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the air valve 300 includes a housing 310, a valve core 330, a spring 340, and a cover 320. The air valve 300 opens or closes the airway from the external environment into the airbag units.

[0038] The housing 310 has a cylindrical shape, and an accommodating space 310e is defined in the housing 310. The housing 310 includes a first portion 311 and a second portion 312 opposite to the first portion 311. The first portion 311 defines an opening 310a, the opening 310a is in air communication with the accommodating space 310e and the external environment. The second portion 312 includes a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, the first end is disposed close to the first portion 311, and the first portion 311 is exposed out of the airbag cushion 1000, while the first end and the second end passes through the second pad 102 and is received in the receiving space of the first airbag units 111.

[0039] The second portion 312 further includes a plurality of mounting ribs 313. each mounting rib 313 is fixed to an inner sidewall of the accommodating space 310e, and ends of the mounting ribs 313 away from the inner sidewall are connected to each other and cooperate to define a mounting space 313a for mounting the valve core 330.

[0040] Refer to FIG. 5, an insertion groove 310c is defined in a sidewall of the mounting rib 313 away from the inner sidewall of the accommodating space 310e. The insertion groove 310c is a non-circular shape and is in air communication with the mounting space 313a. In this embodiment, the insertion groove 310c is defined in each of the two opposite mounting ribs 313, respectively.

[0041] The mounting ribs 313 and the inner sidewall of the accommodating space 310e cooperatively define a plurality of air passages 310b, which allow air to flow through the valve core 330 between the inside of the airbag apparatus 1000 and the outside of the airbag apparatus 1000.

[0042] The valve core 330 is attached to the housing 310, and includes an one end switchable between a closed state in which the one end covers all air passages 310b to isolate the external environment from the air inside the first airbag unit 111 and an open state in which the one end is moved away from at least one air passage 310b to open the airway between the external environment and inside the first airbag unit 111.

[0043] A cover 320 is connected to the housing 310 for sealing the air in the airbag apparatus 1000.

[0044] The valve core 330 is ratably received in the housing 310. The valve core 330 passes through the mounting space 313a and is ratably received the accommodating space 310e. The valve core 330 comprises a button 331, a connecting rod 332, and an elastic piece 333. The button 331 is located opposite to the opening 310a and pressable and rotatable when being operated by the user. The elastic piece 333 is positioned at the second end of the second portion 312 and configured to cover the air passages 310b. The connecting rod 332 is elongated shape, and has two ends, one end of the connecting rod 332 is connected to the button 331, another end of the connecting rod 332 is extended toward the second end of the second portion 312, passes through the mounting space 313a and connects to the elastic piece 333.

[0045] Refer to FIG. 6 to FIG. 9, two protrusions 332t are extended and protruded from two opposite sides of the connecting rod 332, and the two protrusions 332t correspond to the two insertion grooves 310c. Therefore, the protrusions 332t are capable of being received in the insertion grooves 310c of the mounting rod 313 or abutting against a bottom surface of the mounting rod 313. In detail, when the connecting rod 332 is aligned with the insertion grooves 310c, the protrusions 332t are received in the insertion grooves 310c, and the elastic piece 333 covers the air passages 310b. If the button 331 is pressed, and is rotated to a certain angle, the connecting rod 332 is misaligned with the insertion grooves 310c, and the protrusions 332t moves out of the insertion grooves 310c, protrude beyond the air passages 310b and abut against the bottom surface of the mounting rod 313, thereby causing the elastic sheet 333 to be spaced a certain distance from the air passages 310b.

[0046] In this embodiment, a cross-sectional area of the connecting rod 332 is smaller than that of the button 331 and the elastic piece 333.

[0047] The elastic piece 333 has a circular structure, a center of the elastic piece t 333 fixedly connects to the connecting rod 32, and a periphery of the elastic piece 333 covers the air passages 310b and an opening of the accommodating space 310e. The elastic piece 333 is deformable and may be a thin sheet made of a soft material so that the periphery of the elastic sheet 333 is capable of being lifting off the at least one air passage 310b under air pressure, such that the air inside the airbag cushion 1000 can flow to the external environment through the at least one air passage 310b. When the first airbag units 111-115 are filled with air, close the cover 320. When it is needed to deflate, press on the plurality of airbag units 112 and force air to flow through the plurality of second air channels 122 and the first air channel 121 into the first airbag unit 111, and a portion of the periphery of the elastic piece 333 is lifting off the at least one air passage 310b under air pressure, the air inside the airbag apparatus 1000 flows from the at least one air passage 310b to the external environment.

[0048] The spring 340 is sleeved on an outer circumference of the connecting rod 332. The spring 340 has two ends, one end of the spring 340 abuts against a bottom surface of the button 331 facing the elastic piece 333, another end of the spring 340 abuts against a top surface of the mounting rods 313 facing the air passages 310b.

[0049] In some other embodiments, the spring 340 may also be other components which have an elasticity.

[0050] Refer to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the spring 340 has two motion states, including a first motion state and a second motion state. In the first motion state, the opening 310a is covered by the cover 320, the spring 340 is in its original state, each protrusion 332t is received in corresponding insertion groove 310c, and the elastic piece 333 covers the air passages 310b. The air inside the airbag apparatus 1000 is isolated from the external environment, such that the airbag apparatus 1000 can maintain in the inflated state. In the second motion state, the cover 320 is detached away the opening 310a for allowing the opening 310a air communicating with the external environment. The button 310 is pressed by a finger of the user, and the spring 340 is compressed. Then the button 310 is rotated in an angel until the protrusions 332t abutting against the bottom surface of the mounting rod 313 and locking the button 310 at this position. At this position, the elastic piece 333 is spaced away from the second portion 312 and keeps a certain distance therebetween so as to open the air passages 310b, the receiving space inside the first airbag unit 111 is in air communication with the air passages 310b and the external environment. Air is capable of entering the first airbag air unit 111 through the air passages 310b.

[0051] When the airbag apparatus 1000 needs to be inflated by manual or adjusting the inflation volume, the first valve 500 can be used. To improve the inflation speed, the user can use the air pump 700 to rapidly inflate through the first valve 500, and when the inflation approaches a demand amount, the user can switch to the valve 300 for slight adjustment. If the inflation volume is higher than the demand, the deflation will be carried out through valve 300. If the inflation amount is lower than the demand, the inflation will be carried out through valve 300.

[0052] When the inflation using the air valve 300 is needed, firstly, the cover 320 is opened, and the opening 310a is in air communication with the external environment. The elastic member 200 supports the first airbag unit 111 to bulge, the inside of the first airbag unit 111 may be filled with some air. The protrusions 332t of the connecting rod 332 are received in the insertion grooves 310c, and the elastic piece 333 covers the air passages 310b. Then, a palm of the user presses on the first pad 101 of the first airbag 111, and the air pressure inside the first airbag unit 111 is greater than that of the external environment and the other airbag units 112. Since the air in an area with higher air pressure will flow to an area with lower air pressure, the elastic piece 333 closely adheres on the second end of the second portion 312 and covers all the air passages 310b under a drive of the air pressure difference. The air inside the first airbag unit 111 enters the near airbag units through the first air channel 121. Next, the external press on the first airbag unit 111 is removed, and the first airbag unit 111 is released, the elastic member 200 elastically returns to its original position and supports the first airbag unit 111 to return to its original state. And the air pressure inside the first airbag unit 111 is lower than that of the external environment. Under the effect of the air pressure difference, the air flows from the external environment into the first airbag unit 111, causing the elastic piece 333 to lift off the air passages 310b. Thus, the air in the external environment flows into the first airbag unit 111 through the air passages 310b. Simultaneously, the air filled in the plurality of the second airbags unit 112 flows back towards the first airbag unit 111 until the first airbag unit 111 is refilled with air. The amount of the air refilled in the first airbag unit 111 from the other airbag units in the inflation process is reduced by a size different between the first air channel 121 and the plurality of second air channels 122. In this way, by repeatedly pressing and releasing the first airbag unit 111, the inflation of the airbag apparatus 1000 can be achieved. After the airbag apparatus 1000 is inflated to the demand, the cover 320 of the air valve 300 close the opening 310a so as to prevent air leakage.

[0053] Similarly, when the deflation using the air valve 300 is needed, firstly, the cover 320 is opened, and the opening 310a is in air communication with the external environment and the receiving space of the first pad 101. Then, the button 331 is pressed inward into the first airbag unit 111 (i.e., along direction F) by the finger. The spring 340 is thus compressed, causing the valve core 330 to move towards the receiving space of the first airbag unit 111. The protrusions 332t of the connecting rod 332 disengage from the insertion grooves 310c into the first airbag unit 111. Then, the button 331 is rotated to a certain angle, and the protrusions 332t abut against the bottom surface of the mounting rod 313. The elastic piece 333 is lifted up by the protrusions 332t and is spaced away from the second portion 312 by a certain distance, so that the air in the external environment is in air communication with the air inside the first airbag unit 111. Then, the plurality of airbag units are pressed by the palm, and the air inside the plurality of airbag units flows to the external environment through the air passages 310b, and the airbag apparatus 1000 is transitioned to the deflated state.

[0054] When the airbag apparatus 1000 needs to be inflated at a fast speed, the mounting cover 530 is opened, the first portion of the housing 510 attaches to the air pump 700. By repeatedly pushing and pulling the rod of the air pump 700, the air enters the third airbag unit 113 from the external environment, and then fills the entire airbag apparatus 1000 through the plurality of the second air channels 122 and the first air channel 121. After inflation, the mounting cover 530 is closed to prevent the air in the airbag apparatus 1000 from flowing out of the external environment.

[0055] Similarly, when the airbag cushion 1000 needs to be deflated at a rapid speed, only to open the mounting cover 530 to allow the air in the airbag apparatus 1000 flowing out to the external environment rapidly.

[0056] It can be understood that the airbag cushion 100 may be provided with only one air valve 300 to achieve both inflation and deflation, further reducing production cost and improving production efficiency.

Claims

1. A airbag apparatus comprising:a first airbag unit including an air vent,a first air valve arranged in the air vent of the first airbag unit, the first air valve having an open state and a closed state, wherein in the open state, the air vent is open at the first air valve, the first airbag unit is configured to discharge air through the air vent, and the first airbag unit is inflatable, by air exterior to the airbag apparatus, via the first air vent; in the closed state, the air vent is closed at the first air valve;a connecting airbag unit spaced from the first airbag unit and air communicating with the first airbag unit,a first air channel directly connecting the first airbag unit and the connecting airbag unit, wherein air flow paths are established between the first airbag unit and the connecting airbag unit through the first air channel; anda plurality of second airbag units spaced from the first airbag unit and the connecting airbag unit; a plurality of second air channels connecting the connecting airbag unit and at least one of the plurality of the second airbag units, the plurality of second air channels further interconnecting the plurality of second airbag units, wherein airflow paths are established among the connecting airbag unit, and the plurality of second airbag units through the plurality of second air channels,wherein a cross-sectional size of at least one of the plurality of second air channels is larger than a cross-sectional size of the first air channel.

2. The airbag apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first air channel comprises a first raised structure bulging upward from a base layer, and each of the plurality of second air channels comprises a second raised structure bulging upward from the same base layer, and a height of the first raised structure is less than a height of the second raised structure.

3. The airbag apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a ratio of the height of the first air channel to the height of the second air channel is in a range from 1:4 to 1:7.

4. The airbag apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a width of the first air channel, measured in a direction perpendicularly extending from the first airbag unit to the connecting airbag unit, is smaller than a width of the second air channel.

5. The airbag apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a width of the first air channel, measured in a direction perpendicularly extending from the first airbag unit to the connecting airbag unit, is smaller than a width of the second air channel.

6. The airbag apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first air valve comprises an elastic piece corresponding to the air vent, and in the open state, when inflating the airbag apparatus by a way of repeatedly manually pressing and releasing on the first airbag unit by a user, the elastic piece is forced to move away from the air vent so as to allow the air flowing between the first airbag unit and the exterior; in the closed state, the air vent is cover by the elastic piece.

7. The airbag apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first air valve further comprises a valve core movable relative to the first airbag unit, the elastic piece is attached to an end of the valve core, the valve core is switchable between a closed state in which the end of the valve core covers the air vent to isolate the exterior from an interior of the first airbag unit and an open state in which the end of the valve core moves away from the air vent to open an airway between the exterior and the interior of the first airbag unit.

8. The airbag apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first air valve further comprises a locking structure configured to lock a relative position between the valve core and the first airbag unit after the valve core is pressed to move toward the first airbag unit.

9. The airbag apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a second valve attached to one of the plurality of second airbag units, wherein the airbag apparatus not only achieves the inflation by the way of repeatedly manually pressing and releasing on the first airbag unit by the user, but also is inflated by a way of connecting an external air source to the second air valve.

10. The airbag apparatus according to claim 9, wherein an inflation speed of the first air valve is slower than an inflation speed of the second air valve, and a deflation speed of the first air valve is slower than a deflation speed of the second air valve.

11. The airbag apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an elastic member received in the first airbag unit, wherein the elastic member is switchable between a compressed state and an original state, when the elastic member is pressed to convert from a compressed state to an original state, the air vent is open and the first airbag unit is inflatable externally via the air vent.

12. The airbag apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the elastic member comprises a first elastic pad and a second elastic pad separately formed and disposed on the first elastic pad, a through-hole is defined in the first elastic pad and is configured for receiving a portion of the air valve; and in the open state, a portion of the air valve presses against the second elastic pad to move toward a top layer of the first airbag unit.

13. The airbag apparatus according to claim 12, wherein a top air gap is defined between the top layer of the first airbag unit and a top of the second elastic pad when the first airbag unit is inflated.

14. An airbag cushion comprising:a first airbag unit including a valve through which the first airbag unit is capable of inputting air from an external environment and outputting air to the external environment and an air passage, the valve further arranged in the air passage of the first airbag unit;at least a connecting airbag unit each of which air communicates with the first airbag unit through a corresponding first air channel; and, a plurality of second airbag units each of which air communicates with the at least one connecting airbag unit through a corresponding second air channel, two adjacent second airbag units of the plurality of second airbag units connected to each other via a second air channel,wherein, a cross-sectional size of the first air channel is smaller than a cross-sectional size of at least one of the second air channels.

15. The airbag cushion according to claim 14, wherein a flow velocity of the air in the first air channel is less than a flow velocity of the air in the second air channel, and a length of the first air channel is substantially same as a length of the second air channel.

16. The airbag cushion according to claim 14, wherein the valve comprises a first state and a second state, in the first state, the valve is pressed and rotated in turn with respect to the first airbag unit under an external force, and the air passage is in air communication with an interior of the first airbag unit and an external environment; and in the second state, the valve remains stationary relative to the first airbag unit, and the air passage is in not air communication with the interior of the first airbag unit and the external environment.

17. The airbag cushion according to claim 16, wherein the valve comprises an elastic sheet at a position corresponding to the air passage,when an interior of the first airbag unit filled with air is pressed by an external force, the elastic sheet covers the air passage; when the external force is removed and the first airbag unit is released, causing air pressure inside the first airbag unit lower than that of the external environment, such that the air flows into the interior of the first airbag unit from the external environment through the air passage and the elastic sheet is forced to open.

18. The airbag cushion according to claim 17, whereinthe valve comprises a main body and a valve core which is movable connected to the main body, the main body is configured to fixed to the first airbag unit, and the air passage is defined on the main body,the elastic sheet is arranged at a bottom end of the valve core, and the elastic sheet is capable of being away from the air passage when the valve core is pressed to move away from the air passage with respect to the main body.

19. The airbag cushion according to claim 18, wherein a groove is defined within the main body, and a protrusion is protruded from the valve core corresponding to the groove, the groove and the protrusion cooperate to open or close the air passage,when the protrusion is received in the groove, the elastic sheet covers the air passage, when the valve core is moved with respect to the main body, the protrusion moves to protrude from the groove, the air passage is in air communication with the external environment and the interior of the first airbag unit.

20. The airbag cushion according to claim 14, further comprising a second valve attached to one of the plurality of second airbag units, wherein the airbag cushion not only achieves the inflation by a way of repeatedly manually pressing and releasing on the first airbag unit by a user, but also is inflated by a way of connecting an external air source to the second air valve.

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