Airbag apparatus

An airbag apparatus including: a first chamber connected to an inflator; a second chamber connected to the rear of the first chamber and supported by the first chamber, supporting the head of a passenger in case of an oblique collision of a vehicle, and having a first passage through which gas of the first chamber is introduced; a third chamber connected to the rear of the first chamber and supported by the first chamber, disposed at one side of the second chamber, and supporting the head of the passenger in a head-on collision of the vehicle; a connection tether connecting the second and third chambers to limit separation between the second and third chambers; and a shut-off valve closing the first passage to block gas of the second chamber from being discharged to the first chamber through the first passage, when the first chamber is completely deployed.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0054405, filed on Apr. 27, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

Field

Exemplary embodiments relate to an airbag apparatus, and more particularly, to an airbag apparatus capable of protecting the head of a passenger in case of an oblique collision or head-on collision of a vehicle.

Discussion of the Background

In general, a vehicle has an airbag installed to protect a passenger. The airbag is disposed at various positions depending on a passenger's body parts which need to be protected. A steering wheel includes a driver airbag to protect the head of a driver, and a passenger airbag is installed at the front of the vehicle so as to protect the head of a passenger seated beside the driver.

In case of an oblique collision or head-on collision, an electronic control module decides whether to explode a detonator of an inflator. When gas is generated from the inflator, an airbag cushion is expanded by the generated gas.

As the vehicle regulations for passenger protection are tightened, the size of the airbag cushion is increased. Furthermore, in order to rapidly deploy the airbag cushion of which the size is increased, two inflators are connected to the airbag cushion.

However, when the size of the airbag cushion is increased, the expansion time of the airbag cushion increased. Therefore, in case of an oblique collision of the vehicle, a time required for holding the head is delayed. When the time required for the airbag cushion to hold the head is delayed, the head or neck may be injured while the head is turned.

Furthermore, when the size of the airbag cushion and the installation number of inflators are increased, the manufacturing cost of the vehicle inevitably rises.

Therefore, there is a demand for a structure capable of solving the problem.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide an airbag apparatus capable of protecting the head of a passenger in case of an oblique collision or head-on collision of a vehicle.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention discloses an airbag apparatus may including: a first chamber connected to an inflator; a second chamber connected to the rear of the first chamber so as to be supported by the first chamber, supporting the head of a passenger in case of an oblique collision of a vehicle, and having a first passage through which gas of the first chamber is introduced; a third chamber connected to the rear of the first chamber so as to be supported by the first chamber, disposed at one side of the second chamber, and supporting the head of the passenger in case of a head-on collision of the vehicle; a connection tether connecting the second and third chambers to limit a separation between the second and third chambers; and a shut-off valve configured to close the first passage to block gas of the second chamber from being discharged to the first chamber through the first passage, when the first chamber is completely deployed.

Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention discloses the shut-off valve may including: a valve tether fixed to the first chamber, and passing through the first passage; and a valve cover connected to the valve tether, and pulled by the valve tether so as to close the first passage when the first chamber is completely deployed.

When the first chamber is completely deployed, the valve tether may be disposed in parallel to the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle in the first passage.

A part of the edge of the valve cover may be fixed to the circumference of the first passage by a valve sewing part.

The third chamber may have a larger widthwise length than the second chamber.

The third chamber may be formed to the same height as the second chamber.

The connection tether may be disposed at the rear of the second chamber and the rear of the third chamber.

The connection tether may include a surface tether which covers a part of one surface of the second chamber at the rear thereof and a part of one surface of the third chamber at the rear thereof.

One side of the surface tether may be connected to the second chamber by a first sewed part, and the other side of the surface tether may be connected to the third chamber by a second sewed part. The first sewed part may be positioned eccentrically toward the third chamber based on the center of the second chamber, and the second sewed part may be positioned eccentrically away from the second chamber based on the center of the third chamber.

The connection tether may include one or more linear tethers for connecting the second chamber and the third chamber.

One side of the linear tether may be connected to the second chamber by a first sewed part, and the other side of the linear tether may be connected to the third chamber by a second sewed part. The first sewed part may be positioned eccentrically eccentrically toward the third chamber based on the center of the second chamber, and the second sewed part may be positioned eccentrically away from the second chamber based on the center of the third chamber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

Unless defined otherwise, it is to be understood that all the terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the specification has the same meaning as those that are understood by those who skilled in the art. Further, the terms defined by the dictionary generally used should not be ideally or excessively formally defined unless clearly defined specifically. It will be understood that for purposes of this disclosure, “at least one of X, Y, and Z” can be construed as X only, Y only, Z only, or any combination of two or more items X, Y, and Z (e.g., XYZ, XYY, YZ, ZZ). Unless particularly described to the contrary, the term “comprise”, “configure”, “have”, or the like, which are described herein, will be understood to imply the inclusion of the stated components, and therefore should be construed as including other components, and not the exclusion of any other elements.

Various exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to sectional illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized exemplary embodiments and/or intermediate structures. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, exemplary embodiments disclosed herein should not be construed as limited to the particular illustrated shapes of regions, but are to include deviations in shapes that result from, for instance, manufacturing. The regions illustrated in the drawings are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the actual shape of a region of a device and are not intended to be limiting.

FIG. 1is a plan view illustrating an airbag apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 2is a rear view illustrating an example of a connection tether in the airbag apparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, the airbag apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention may include a first chamber20, a second chamber30, a third chamber40, a connection tether50and a shut-off valve60.

The first chamber20may be connected to an inflator10. When the first chamber20is completely deployed, the first chamber20may have a rectangular box shape. The first chamber20is supported by an instrument panel (not illustrated) at the front of the inside of a vehicle.

The second chamber30may be connected to the rear of the first chamber20so as to be supported by the first chamber20, and support the head H of a passenger (refer toFIG. 5) in case of an oblique collision of the vehicle. The second chamber30may have a first passage35through which gas of the first chamber20is introduced. When the second chamber30is completely expanded, the second chamber30may have a rectangular box shape.

The third chamber40may be connected to the rear of the first chamber20so as to be supported by the first chamber20, and disposed at one side of the second chamber30. In case of a head-on collision of the vehicle, the third chamber40may support the head H of the passenger. The third chamber40may have a second passage45through which the gas of the first chamber20is introduced. The third chamber40may be disposed in parallel to the second chamber30at the rear of the first chamber20. When the third chamber40is completely expanded, the third chamber40may have a rectangular box shape.

The airbag apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention is formed in such a manner that the first to third chambers20to40are distinguished from each other, and deploy the first to third chambers20to40using one inflator10. Therefore, the size of the airbag apparatus and the installation number of the inflator10can be reduced, which makes it possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the vehicle.

The connection tether50may connect the second and third chambers30and40in order to restrict a separation of the second chamber30from the third chamber40. When the second and third chambers30and40are deployed, the connection tether50may limit the distance between the second and third chambers30and40.

Therefore, in case of an oblique collision of the vehicle, the connection tether50, the second chamber30and the first chamber20may be transformed in a stepwise manner while absorbing the load of the head H. At this time, since the head H is inserted and held between the third and third chambers30and40, a turn of the head H can be prevented by the holding forces of the second and third chambers30and40, and a time required for holding the head H can be shortened. Since a turn of the head H is prevented in case of an oblique collision of the vehicle, an injury of the head H or neck can be prevented. Furthermore, when the head H is moved obliquely in the direction of the oblique collision of the vehicle, the connection tether50may pull the second chamber30toward the third chamber40using a support force (reaction force) of the third chamber40. Therefore, the connection tether50can prevent the head H from being away from the second chamber30. Thus, although the sizes of the first to third chambers20to40are not increased, the head H can be protected.

When the head H applies a load to the connection tether50and the third chamber40in case of a head-on collision of the vehicle, the connection tether50, the third chamber40and the first chamber20may absorb the shock of the head H in a stepwise manner. At this time, when the third chamber40is contracted forward by the load of the head H, the reaction forces of the second and third chambers30and40may pull the connection tether50from both sides. Therefore, the load of the head H may be buffered by the tensile force of the connection tether50, the reaction force of the second chamber30and the reaction force of the third chamber40.

The widthwise length L2of the third chamber40may be larger than the widthwise length L1of the second chamber30. At this time, the widthwise length L1of the second chamber30may be larger than a half of the widthwise length L2of the third chamber40. The widthwise lengths L1and L2of the second and third chambers30and40can be appropriately changed in consideration of the size of the vehicle and the widthwise length of the airbag apparatus.

Since the third chamber40is disposed in front of the head H of the passenger, the head H may pressurize the third chamber40while being moved toward the front of the vehicle, in case of a head-on collision of the vehicle. Therefore, the head H may be prevented from being stuck between the second and third chambers30and40in case of a head-on collision of the vehicle.

The third chamber40may be formed at the same height as the second chamber30. Since the second and third chambers30and40are formed at the same height, the reaction forces of the second and third chambers30and40may act to pull the connection tether50from both sides, even though the head H pressurizes any one of the second and third chambers30and40. Therefore, the load of the head H may be primarily absorbed by the tensile force of the connection tether50, secondarily absorbed by the second chamber30or the third chamber40, and finally absorbed by the first chamber20.

The connection tether50may be disposed at the rears of the second and third chambers30and40such that the head H comes in contact with the connection tether50. Therefore, when the head H collides with the second or third chamber30or40, the connection tether50can primarily buffer the load of the head H.

The connection tether50may include a surface tether51which covers a part of one surface of the second chamber30at the rear thereof and a part of one surface of the third chamber40at the rear thereof. The surface tether51may have a width ranging from ⅓ to ⅔ of the height of the second or third chamber30or40. The surface tether51may indicate a rectangular or elliptical tether of which the width is smaller than the length. When the connection tether50is the surface tether51, a contact area between a collision part of the head H and the surface tether51may be widened, which makes it possible to prevent a concentration of pressure on a specific part of the head H. Therefore, the airbag apparatus can prevent the head H from being injured by the connection tether50.

One side of the surface tether51may be connected to the second chamber30by a first sewed part51a, and the other side of the surface tether51may be connected to the third chamber40by a second sewed part51b. The first sewed part51amay be positioned eccentrically toward the third chamber40based on the center of the second chamber30, and the second sewed part51bmay be positioned eccentrically away from the second chamber30based on the center of the third chamber40. Since the other side of the surface tether51is positioned eccentrically away from the second chamber30based on the center of the third chamber40, the support force of the third chamber40to support the surface tether51can be increased when the second or third chamber30or40is pressurized by the head H.

FIG. 3is a rear view illustrating another example of the connection tether in the airbag apparatus in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 3, the connection tether50may include one or more linear tethers52connecting the second and third chambers30and40to each other. The linear tether52may indicate a string-type or band-type tether formed in an elongated shape. The number of linear tethers52may be appropriately designed depending on the height of the second and third chambers30and40or the size of the vehicle.

One side of the linear tether52may be connected to the second chamber30by a first sewed part52a, and the other side of the linear tether52may be connected to the third chamber40by a second sewed part52b. The first sewed part52aof the linear tether52may be positioned eccentrically toward the third chamber40based on the center of the second chamber30, and the second sewed part52bof the linear tether52may be positioned eccentrically away from the second chamber30based on the center of the third chamber40. Since the other side of the linear tether52is eccentrically positioned away from the second chamber30based on the center of the third chamber40, the support force of the third chamber40to support the linear tether52can be increased when the second or third chamber30or40is pressurized by the head H.

FIG. 4is a perspective view illustrating a shut-off valve in the airbag apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 4, when the first chamber20is completely deployed, the shut-off valve60may close the first passage35to block gas of the second chamber30from being discharged to the first chamber20through the first passage35. Since the shut-off valve60closes the first passage35of the second chamber30when the first chamber20is completely deployed, the shut-off valve60can prevent the gas of the second chamber30from being discharged to the first chamber20. Therefore, since a reduction in expansion force (supporting force) of the second chamber30can be prevented, it is possible to increase the supporting force of the second chamber30for the head in case of an oblique collision of the vehicle.

The shut-off valve60may include a valve tether61and a valve cover62.

The valve tether61may be fixed to the first chamber20, and installed through the first passage35. One side of the valve tether61may be connected to the front of the first chamber20, and the other side of the valve tether61may be connected to the valve cover62disposed around the first passage35. The length of the valve tether61may be slightly shorter than the maximum deployment height of the first chamber20. Therefore, when the first chamber20is completely deployed, the valve tether61may apply a tensile force to the valve cover62.

The valve cover62may be connected to the valve tether61. When the first chamber20is completely deployed, the valve cover62may be pulled by the valve tether61, and close the first passage35. The valve cover62may be formed in various shapes as long as the valve cover62can close the first passage35. Since the valve cover62is pulled by the valve tether61and closes the first passage35when the first chamber20is completely deployed, the valve cover62can prevent a discharge of gas from the second chamber30.

When the first chamber20is completely deployed, the valve tether61may be disposed in parallel to the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle in the first passage35. Therefore, since the valve cover62is pressed against the entire circumference of the first passage35, the gas blocking performance of the valve cover62can be improved.

A part of the circumference of the valve cover62may be fixed to the circumference of the first passage35by a valve sewing part65. For example, the left and right sides of the valve cover62may be fixed to the circumference of the first passage35by the valve sewing part65, and the top and bottom sides of the valve cover62may not be fixed to the circumference of the first passage35. Since the valve cover62is partially fixed by the valve sewing part65, the valve cover62can be prevented from being separated from the first passage35, even though the valve cover62is pulled by the valve tether61. Then, gas may be introduced into the second chamber30through portions where the valve sewing part65is not formed at the circumference of the valve tether61.

The operation of the airbag apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention will be described. Hereafter, the operations of the airbag apparatus in case of an oblique collision and head-on collision of the vehicle will be sequentially described.

First, the operation of the airbag apparatus in case of an oblique collision of the vehicle will be described.

FIG. 5is a plan view illustrating that the airbag apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention is deployed,FIG. 6is a cross-sectional view illustrating that the shut-off valve is opened in the airbag apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 7is a plan view illustrating that the airbag apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention is completely deployed,FIG. 8is a cross-sectional view illustrating that the shut-off valve closes the first passage in the airbag apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 9is a plan view illustrating that the head of a passenger is buffered by the connection tether and the second chamber in the airbag apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, in case of an oblique collision of a vehicle.

Referring toFIGS. 5 to 9, gas generated from the inflator10may be injected to the first chamber20in case of an oblique collision of the vehicle. The first chamber20may be deployed while being expanded toward the rear of the vehicle. The gas of the first chamber20may be introduced to the second chamber30through the first passage35, and introduced to the third chamber40through the second passage45.

At this time, while the first chamber20is deployed, the rear of the first chamber20and the valve cover62may be moved toward the rear of the vehicle. Before the first chamber20is completely deployed, the valve cover62may be separated from the first passage35by the pressure of gas passing through the first passage35(refer toFIG. 6).

When the first chamber20is completely deployed, the valve cover62may be separated from the front of the first chamber20. Thus, the valve cover62may tightly stretch the valve tether61toward the rear of the vehicle, and the valve tether61may pull the valve cover62to the front of the vehicle using a tensile force. At this time, since the valve cover62is pressed against the circumference of the first passage35and blocks the first passage35, the gas of the second chamber30can be prevented from being discharged to the first chamber20(refer toFIG. 8). Therefore, a reduction in expansion force or supporting force of the second chamber30can be prevented.

When the head H is moved to the front by the oblique collision of the vehicle, the head H may be obliquely moved to the front of the vehicle. As the head H is obliquely moved to the front, the head H may be inserted and held between the second and third chambers30and40. Therefore, the second and third chambers30and40may be pressed against the head H and prevent a turn of the head H, which makes it possible to reduce the time required for holding the head H.

Since a turn of the head H is prevented in case of the oblique collision of the vehicle, an injury of the head H or neck can be prevented. Furthermore, when the head H is moved obliquely in the direction of the oblique collision of the vehicle, the connection tether50may pull the second chamber30toward the third chamber40using a supporting force F12of the third chamber40. Therefore, the connection tether50can prevent the head H from being separated from the second chamber30.

In case of the oblique collision of the vehicle, the load of the head H may be first absorbed by the tensile force F12of the connection tether50, and then absorbed by a buffering force F11of the second chamber30. At this time, the connection tether50may primarily absorb the load of the head H through a pulling force of the third chamber40, and the second chamber30may be transformed by the load of the head H and secondarily absorb the shock of the head H. The load of the head H, transferred to the second chamber30, may be transferred to the first chamber20and thus tertiarily absorbed.

Next, the operation of the airbag apparatus in case of a head-on collision of the vehicle will be described.

FIG. 10is a plan view illustrating that the head of a passenger is buffered by the connection tether and the third chamber in the airbag apparatus in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, in case of a head-on collision of the vehicle.

Referring toFIG. 10, the third chamber40may be disposed in front of the head H because the widthwise length L2of the third chamber40is larger than the widthwise length L1of the second chamber30. Therefore, the head H may be moved to the third chamber40in case of a head-on collision of the vehicle.

As the third chamber40is transformed by the load of the head H, both sides of the connection tether50may be pulled by the second and third chambers30and40. Therefore, the load of the head H may be primarily absorbed by tensile forces F14and F15of the connection tether50, and secondarily absorbed by the buffering force F13of the third chamber40. The pressure applied to the third chamber40may be transferred to the first chamber20and thus tertiarily absorbed.

In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, when the first chamber is completely deployed, the shut-off valve can close the first passage, and thus prevent gas of the second chamber from being discharged to the first chamber through the first passage. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a reduction in supporting force of the second chamber, caused by a reduction in expansion pressure of the second chamber.

Furthermore, since the head of a passenger is inserted and held between the second and third chambers in case of an oblique collision of the vehicle, a turn of the head can be prevented by the holding forces of the second and third chambers, and the time required for holding the head can be reduced, which makes it possible to prevent an injury of the head or neck.

Furthermore, when the head is obliquely moved in the direction of the oblique collision of the vehicle, the connection tether can pull the second changer toward the third chamber using the supporting force of the third chamber, which makes it possible to prevent the head from separating from the second chamber.

Although exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described hereinabove, the present disclosure is not limited to specific exemplary embodiments described above, but may be various modified by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure as disclosed in the accompanying claims. In addition, such modifications should also be understood to fall within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.