Airbag

Abstract

An airbag (1). The airbag (1) is configured to be mounted to the top of a vehicle, and comprises: an air bag (10), which has an inflated state and a stowed state; and a gas generator configured to inflate the air bag (10) to enable the air bag (10) to expand into the inflated state. The air bag (10) comprises a top panel (111). The top panel (111) is located at the top of the vehicle in the inflated state. The air bag (10) further comprises a pull strap (13) located on an inner side thereof, wherein the pull strap (13) and the top panel (111) abut against each other, a first pressure relief opening (113) is provided on the top panel (111), and a second pressure relief opening (121) is provided on the pull strap (13). In a first time period of the inflating process of the air bag (10), the first pressure relief opening (113) and the second pressure relief opening (121) are aligned with each other, and in a second time period of the inflating process of the air bag (10), the first pressure relief opening (113) and the second pressure relief opening (121) are staggered with each other by means of a telescopic portion (111a) arranged on the top panel (111), wherein the second time period is later than the first time period.

Description

airbags Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to safety devices in vehicles, and in particular to airbags. Background Art

[0002] Airbags are widely used in vehicles as safety devices to protect passengers. Existing automotive airbags include, for example, those located in the steering wheel, those located in the instrument panel, and, to more effectively utilize the limited space within the vehicle, overhead airbags, which are located on the roof of the vehicle. When a vehicle collides or is impacted, the inflator of the overhead airbag receives a signal transmitted via a wiring harness connected to the inflator, triggering an explosion. The resulting gas rapidly inflates the folded airbag of the overhead airbag. The inflated airbag expands and then extends from the roof of the vehicle to a predetermined position in front of the occupant, protecting the occupant from injury.

[0003] In the initial stage of the airbag deployment process, if the airbag deployment speed is too fast, it will cause a strong impact on the components in the vehicle (such as the windshield and the instrument panel). Therefore, it is expected that the airbag can be deployed at a lower initial speed.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an air bag capable of deploying the air bag at a low initial deployment speed.

[0006] The present invention provides an airbag for installation on the roof of a vehicle, comprising:

[0007] an air bag having a deployed state and a stowed state; and

[0008] a gas generator for inflating the airbag to expand the airbag into a deployed state;

[0009] in,

[0010] The air bag includes a top panel, which is positioned on the roof of the vehicle in a deployed state, and a drawstring located on an inner side of the air bag, the drawstring and the top panel being in contact with each other.

[0011] A first pressure relief port is provided on the top panel, and a second pressure relief port is provided on the drawstring. During a first time period of the deployment of the air bag, the first pressure relief port and the second pressure relief port are aligned with each other. During a second time period of the deployment of the air bag, the first pressure relief port and the second pressure relief port are staggered with each other via the telescopic portion provided on the top panel, wherein the second time period is later than the first time period.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the telescopic portion is configured as a folded portion, which is formed by folding a section of the top panel and which stretches into a flat section as the airbag is gradually deployed.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the folding portion is provided at the end portion of the top panel, and one end of the drawstring is fixed to the first end of the folding portion. As the airbag gradually unfolds, the first end of the folding portion moves to increase the length of the top panel, and the drawstring is pulled to move along with the first end toward the end portion of the top panel until the first pressure relief port and the second pressure relief port are staggered.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the airbag includes a first chamber and a second chamber that are fluidically connected to each other. When the airbag is deployed, the first chamber is deployed along the top of the vehicle, the second chamber is positioned at the dashboard of the vehicle, and the gas generator is arranged at the first chamber.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a closing portion is further included, which is provided on the inner side surface of a partial section of the top panel and is spaced a predetermined distance from the first pressure relief port, and when the second pressure relief port and the first pressure relief port are staggered, the closing portion covers the second pressure relief port.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the folding portion is formed by folding a section of the top panel into a multi-layer structure, and the folding portion includes a fixing member for fixing the folded structure thereof.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the folded portion is formed by folding a section of the top panel into a three-layer structure.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fixing element is configured as a suture.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the drawstring includes a wide end and a narrow end, and the first pressure relief port is arranged at a position of the top panel closer to the wide end of the drawstring, and when the second pressure relief port and the first pressure relief port are staggered, the wide end of the drawstring covers the first pressure relief port.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first pressure relief opening and / or the second pressure relief opening is configured as a hole or a slot. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The features, advantages and technical effects of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the same symbols indicate the same elements, wherein:

[0022] FIG. 1( a ) and FIG. 1 ( b ) respectively illustrate an airbag in a first time period during deployment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 2( a ) and FIG. 2 ( b ) respectively illustrate an airbag in a second time period during deployment according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The following describes specific embodiments of the airbag according to the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The following detailed description and accompanying drawings are intended to illustrate the principles of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described herein. The various embodiments described herein may be used individually or in any combination. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the claims.

[0025] In addition, spatially relative terms (such as "upper," "lower," "left," and "right") are used to describe the relative positional relationship of an element shown in the drawings to another element. Therefore, the spatially relative terms can be applied to orientations different from those shown in the drawings when used. Obviously, although all of these spatially relative terms refer to the orientations shown in the drawings for ease of description, those skilled in the art will understand that orientations different from those shown in the drawings can be used.

[0026] Figures 1(a) and 1(b) illustrate an airbag according to an embodiment of the present invention during a first time period of deployment. Figures 2(a) and 2(b) illustrate an airbag according to an embodiment of the present invention during a second time period of deployment. The following describes an airbag according to an embodiment of the present invention with reference to Figures 1(a), 1(b), 2(a), and 2(b).

[0027] As shown in Figures 1(a), 1(b), 2(a), and 2(b), an airbag 1 according to the present invention includes an airbag 10, which has a deployed state and a stowed state. The airbag 1 also includes a gas generator (not shown) for inflating the airbag 10 so that the airbag 10 expands and enters the deployed state. To clearly illustrate the structure of the airbag 10, the airbag 10 is shown in the deployed state. When the airbag 10 is in the stowed state, it is stowed at a predetermined position on the roof of the vehicle. The structure of the airbag 10 will be described in detail below.

[0028] As shown in the figure, in an embodiment of the present invention, the airbag 10 includes a first chamber 11 and a second chamber 12 in fluid communication with each other. When the airbag 10 is deployed, the first chamber 11 is deployed along the roof of the vehicle. In the orientation of the airbag 10 shown in the figure, the right end of the first chamber 11 is closer to the vehicle's windshield than the left end. When the airbag 10 is deployed, the second chamber 12 is positioned on the vehicle's dashboard. Furthermore, in the orientation of the airbag 10 shown in the figure, the right end of the second chamber 12 is positioned on the dashboard to stably support the entire airbag 10. The left end of the second chamber 12 is used to restrain the passenger's head. Furthermore, the downwardly convex portion of the lower end of the second chamber 12 is used to restrain the passenger's chest, protecting the passenger from injury, such as in the event of a collision. As an example, the inflator can be located in the first chamber 11 (e.g., at the left end of the chamber 11).

[0029] As shown in Figures 1(a) and 2(a), the airbag 10 includes a top panel 111, which serves as a panel of the first chamber 11 and is used to define the inner space of the first chamber 11. In the deployed state, the top panel 111 is positioned on the top of the vehicle and extends substantially tightly against the top of the vehicle.

[0030] As shown in Figures 1(b) and 2(b), the airbag 10 also includes a drawstring 13 located on its inner side. In order to show the internal structure of the airbag 10, a portion of the top panel 111 of the airbag 10 is removed in Figures 1(b) and 2(b) to clearly show the drawstring 13 and its connection and fixing method. The drawstring 13 is arranged to be in contact with the top panel 111. A first pressure relief port 113 is provided on the top panel 111, and a second pressure relief port 121 is provided on the drawstring 13. The first pressure relief port 113 and the second pressure relief port 121 can be aligned with each other in the initial stage of the airbag 10 deployment process, so that the gas inside the airbag 10 can be discharged through the first pressure relief port 113 and the second pressure relief port 121. In this way, the gas inside the airbag 10 does not increase too quickly, and the pressure inside the airbag 10 does not increase too quickly. Therefore, the airbag 10 can reduce the strong force applied to vehicle components (such as the windshield and instrument panel) during the initial stage of the deployment process, thereby reducing the possibility of vehicle components being damaged by the airbag 10. The above-mentioned airbag deployment process is described in detail below.

[0031] Figures 1(a) and 1(b) schematically illustrate an airbag during the initial stage of deployment (e.g., the first 10 ms of deployment). For ease of description, this initial stage is defined as the first time period during deployment, during which the first pressure relief vent 113 and the second pressure relief vent 121 are aligned, as shown in Figures 1(a) and 1(b). Furthermore, during the second time period during deployment (e.g., after the first 10 ms of deployment have passed), the first pressure relief vent 113 and the second pressure relief vent 121 are offset from each other, as shown in Figures 2(a) and 2(b). The second time period is later than the first time period. That is, during the second and subsequent time periods of deployment, the gas in the airbag can no longer be discharged through the first and second pressure relief vents 113, 121. Consequently, the gas in the airbag 10 rapidly increases, allowing the airbag 10 to quickly enter a fully deployed state to protect the occupants.

[0032] In the present invention, in order to achieve the transition of the first pressure relief port 113 and the second pressure relief port 121 from an aligned relative position to a staggered relative position, a telescopic portion 111A is provided on the top panel 111. As an example, the telescopic portion 111A is configured as a folding portion, and the folding portion is formed by folding a section of the top panel 111 and then stretching into a flat section as the airbag gradually deploys. In the airbag 10 shown in the figure, the section at the right end of the top panel 111 is folded to form the folding portion. Therefore, the folding portion will be hidden inside the airbag 10, specifically inside the first chamber 11, as shown in Figures 1(a) and 1(b). Furthermore, as the airbag 10 gradually unfolds, the first end of the folded portion hidden inside the first chamber 11 (i.e., the left end of the folded portion in FIG1(b) ) moves from its inner position to the outer position of the airbag 10 until it returns to a position aligned with the rest of the top panel 111, thereby increasing the length of the top panel 111, as shown in FIG2(a) and FIG2(b) . As one embodiment of the present invention, the folded portion can be formed by folding a section in the top panel into a multi-layer structure, for example, a three-layer structure, and a fixing member for fixing the folded structure, such as a suture, can be provided on the folded portion to maintain the folded structure of the folded portion. When subjected to a sufficiently large force, the fixing member is broken, thereby causing the folded portion to unfold into a flat section.

[0033] As shown in Figures 1(b) and 2(b), one end of the drawstring 13 is fixed to the first end of the folding portion (i.e., the left end of the folding portion in Figure 1(b)). When the first end of the folding portion moves from its inner position to the outer position of the airbag 10, the folding portion will pull the drawstring 13 along with the first end of the folding portion to move toward the right end of the top panel 111, as shown in Figure 2(b), until the first pressure relief port 112 and the second pressure relief port 121 are offset.

[0034] Advantageously, the drawstring 13 includes a wide end 132 and a narrow end 131, and the first pressure relief port 113 of the top panel 111 is disposed on the top panel 111 closer to the wide end 132 of the drawstring 13. When the second pressure relief port 121 and the first pressure relief port 113 are offset, the wide end 132 of the drawstring 13 can cover the first pressure relief port 121. It will be appreciated that, as shown in FIG2( b ), the wide end 132 of the drawstring 13 is large enough to completely cover the first pressure relief port 113 from the inside of the top panel 111, thereby cutting off the flow of gas from the inside of the airbag 10 to the outside via the first pressure relief port 121.

[0035] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the airbag 10 further includes a closure portion 14, which is disposed on the inner side surface of a portion of the top panel 111, for example, secured to the inner side surface of the top panel 111 via stitching, and the closure portion 14 is disposed a predetermined distance from the first pressure relief port 113. When the second pressure relief port 121 and the first pressure relief port 113 are offset, the closure portion 14 can cover the second pressure relief port 121. It will be appreciated that, as shown in FIG2( b ), the size of the closure portion 14 is sufficient to allow the upper side of the drawstring 13 to completely cover the second pressure relief port 121, thereby cutting off the flow of gas from the inside of the airbag 10 to the outside through the second pressure relief port 121.

[0036] As an example, as shown in FIG2( b ), the edge of the closure portion 14 near the wide end 132 of the draw tape 13 is shaped complementary to the edge of the wide end 132, thereby severing the fluid communication path between the first pressure relief port 113 and the second pressure relief port 121. Specifically, the right edge of the wide end 131 of the draw tape 13 is trapezoidal in shape, while the left edge of the closure portion 14 is an inverted trapezoidal in shape. The trapezoidal and inverted trapezoidal shapes complement each other, thereby forming a complete, gapless intermediate piece between the first pressure relief port 113 and the second pressure relief port 121, thereby severing the fluid communication path therebetween.

[0037] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first pressure relief opening and / or the second pressure relief opening are configured as holes or slots. Of course, pressure relief openings having other shapes may also be provided.

[0038] It should be noted that, although the telescopic portion according to the present invention is described by taking the folding portion at the end of the top panel as an example, this is only an example. The telescopic portion of this practicality can adopt any other method that can be stretched and drives the drawstring to move relative to the top panel. In addition, the structure, fixing position and method of the drawstring are not limited to the contents described in the above embodiments. It can have a uniform width, or its wide end can be moved relative to the top panel, or both its wide end and narrow end can be moved relative to the top panel. Similarly, this movement of the drawstring causes the second pressure relief port of the drawstring and the first pressure relief port of the top panel to be converted from a mutually aligned position to a mutually staggered position.

[0039] As mentioned above, although the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to the above specific embodiments, and the scope of protection of the present invention should be defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An airbag (1) for installation on the roof of a vehicle, comprising: An air bag (10) having an expanded state and a stowed state; and a gas generator, used for inflating the airbag (10) so that the airbag (10) expands and enters a deployed state; It is characterized in that The airbag (10) comprises a top panel (111), wherein in an unfolded state, the top panel (111) is positioned on the top of the vehicle, and the airbag (10) further comprises a drawstring (13) located on the inner side thereof, wherein the drawstring (13) and the top panel (111) are in contact with each other. A first pressure relief port (113) is provided on the top panel (111), and a second pressure relief port (121) is provided on the drawstring (13); during a first time period during the deployment of the airbag (10), the first pressure relief port (113) and the second pressure relief port (121) are aligned with each other; during a second time period during the deployment of the airbag (10), the first pressure relief port (113) and the second pressure relief port (121) are staggered with each other via a telescopic portion (111A) provided on the top panel (111), wherein the second time period is later than the first time period.

2. The airbag (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The telescopic portion (111A) is configured as a folded portion, which is formed by folding a section in the top panel (111), and which is stretched into a flat section as the airbag (10) is gradually deployed.

3. The airbag (1) according to claim 2, wherein: The folding portion is arranged at the end of the top panel (111), and one end of the drawstring (13) is fixed to the first end of the folding portion. As the airbag (10) is gradually unfolded, the first end of the folding portion moves to increase the length of the top panel (111), and the drawstring (13) is pulled to move along the first end toward the end of the top panel (111) until the first pressure relief port (113) and the second pressure relief port (121) are offset.

4. The airbag (1) according to claim 3, wherein: The airbag (10) comprises a first chamber (11) and a second chamber (12) which are fluidically connected to each other. When the airbag (10) is deployed, the first chamber (11) is deployed along the top of a vehicle, the second chamber (12) is positioned at a dashboard of the vehicle, and the gas generator is arranged at the first chamber (11).

5. The airbag (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The invention also comprises a closing portion (14), which is arranged on the inner side surface of a partial section of the top panel (111) and is spaced a predetermined distance from the first pressure relief port (113); when the second pressure relief port (121) and the first pressure relief port (113) are offset, the closing portion (14) covers the second pressure relief port (121).

6. The airbag (1) according to claim 2, wherein: The folding portion is formed by folding a section of the top panel (111) into a multi-layer structure, and the folding portion includes a fixing member for fixing the folding structure thereof.

7. The airbag (1) according to claim 6, wherein: The folded portion is formed by folding a section of the top panel (111) into a three-layer structure.

8. The airbag (1) according to claim 6, wherein: The fixing element is designed as a suture.

9. The airbag (1) according to claim 5, wherein: The drawstring (13) includes a wide end (132) and a narrow end (131), and the first pressure relief port (113) is arranged at a position of the top panel (111) closer to the wide end (132) of the drawstring (13); when the second pressure relief port (121) and the first pressure relief port (113) are offset, the wide end (132) of the drawstring (13) covers the first pressure relief port (113).

10. The airbag (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The first pressure relief opening (113) and / or the second pressure relief opening (121) are configured as holes or slots.

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