Patent ID: 12240402

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Specific structural or functional descriptions made in connection with the embodiments of the present disclosure disclosed in this specification or application are merely illustrative for the purpose of describing embodiments according to the present disclosure. Further, the present disclosure may be implemented in various forms, and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described in this specification or application.

Since the embodiments according to the present disclosure may be variously modified and may have various forms, specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in this specification or application. However, it should be understood that the embodiments according to the concept of the present disclosure are not intended to be limited to the specific disclosed forms, and include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes that fall within the spirit and technical scope of the present disclosure.

Meanwhile, in the present disclosure, terms such as “first” and/or “second” may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from other components. For example, a first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, a second component may also be referred to as a first component without departing from the scope of rights according to the concept of the present disclosure.

When one component is referred to as being “connected” or “joined” to another component, the one component may be directly connected or joined to the other component, but it should be understood that other components may be present therebetween. On the other hand, when the one component is referred to as being “directly connected to” or “directly in contact with” the other component, it should be understood that no other components are present therebetween. Other expressions for the description of relationships between components, such as “between” and “directly between” or “adjacent to” and “directly adjacent to”, should be interpreted in the same manner.

The terms used in the specification are only used to describe specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. In this specification, an expression in a singular form also includes the plural sense, unless clearly specified otherwise in context. It should be understood that expressions such as “comprise” and “have” in this specification are intended to designate the presence of indicated features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

It is understood that the term “vehicle” or “vehicular” or other similar term as used herein is inclusive of motor vehicles in general such as passenger automobiles including sports utility vehicles (SUV), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles, watercraft including a variety of boats and ships, aircraft, and the like, and includes hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g. fuels derived from resources other than petroleum). As referred to herein, a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that has two or more sources of power, for example both gasoline-powered and electric-powered vehicles.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. These terms are merely intended to distinguish one component from another component, and the terms do not limit the nature, sequence or order of the constituent components. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Throughout the specification, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word “comprise” and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements. In addition, the terms “unit”, “-er”, “-or”, and “module” described in the specification mean units for processing at least one function and operation, and can be implemented by hardware components or software components and combinations thereof.

Although exemplary embodiment is described as using a plurality of units to perform the exemplary process, it is understood that the exemplary processes may also be performed by one or plurality of modules. Additionally, it is understood that the term controller/control unit refers to a hardware device that includes a memory and a processor and is specifically programmed to execute the processes described herein. The memory is configured to store the modules and the processor is specifically configured to execute said modules to perform one or more processes which are described further below.

Further, the control logic of the present disclosure may be embodied as non-transitory computer readable media on a computer readable medium containing executable program instructions executed by a processor, controller or the like. Examples of computer readable media include, but are not limited to, ROM, RAM, compact disc (CD)-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, flash drives, smart cards and optical data storage devices. The computer readable medium can also be distributed in network coupled computer systems so that the computer readable media is stored and executed in a distributed fashion, e.g., by a telematics server or a Controller Area Network (CAN).

Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical and scientific terms, have the same meanings as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having meanings consistent with their meanings in the context of the related technology. Further, unless explicitly defined in this specification, the terms should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense.

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in detail by describing preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG.2is a view showing a shape of a first embodiment of a roof-mounted airbag according to the present disclosure,FIG.3is a view showing a deployed state of the roof-mounted airbag according to the present disclosure, andFIG.4is a view showing the state in which a passenger is placed on a cushion100inFIG.3.

Referring to the drawings, the roof-mounted airbag of the present disclosure includes the cushion100, formed in a cylindrical shape and deployed downwards between passengers facing each other while left and right upper ends thereof are fixed to a roof part300, and an inflator200configured to provide gas to the inside of the cushion100.

Specifically, the roof-mounted airbag of the present disclosure may be suitably applied to a seat structure in which a front seat and a rear seat face each other. Here, in the roof-mounted airbag, an airbag module including the cushion100is embedded in the center portion of the roof part300positioned between the front seat and the rear seat.

Particularly, the left and right upper ends of the cushion100may be respectively fixed to the roof part300.

Further, in the event of vehicle collision, the cushion100of the airbag embedded in the roof part300is deployed downwards into a space between the front seat and the rear seat.

In this manner, the cushion100may be deployed in a3D cylindrical shape, the bottom surface of which is blocked and the circumference thereof is surrounded.

Therefore, in the event of vehicle collision, the head of a passenger may be placed on the cushion100. However, since the cushion100is formed in a cylindrical shape and the left and right upper ends thereof are respectively fixed to the roof part300, it is possible to minimize the movement of the cushion100toward the opposite passenger and to stably restrain the body of the passenger placed on the cushion100, thereby reducing the risk of injury to the passenger.

Further, in the present disclosure, the left and right upper ends of the cushion100may be fixed to the front and rear sides of the roof part300, respectively.

For example, the cushion100and the roof part300may be connected to each other using a mounting tab112made of a fabric material, and the mounting tabs112may be respectively connected to the front and rear ends on the left and right sides of the cushion100.

That is, the lower end of each mounting tab112may be fixed to the upper end of the cushion100, and the upper end of each mounting tab112is fixed to a module housing bracket330coupled to the roof part300.

Therefore, when the passenger is placed on the cushion100, it is possible to reliably prevent the cushion100from moving toward the opposite passenger or from swinging, thereby more stably restraining the body of the passenger placed on the cushion100.

In addition, as shown inFIGS.2to4, in the present disclosure, each of the upper ends of side support parts110, respectively forming the left and right sides of the cushion100, may be formed of a fill chamber b filled with gas.

For example, the side support parts110may be respectively formed on the left and right sides of the cushion100formed in a cylindrical shape, and the upper ends of the side support parts110are deployed with a structure having the fill chamber b in the forward-and-rearward longitudinal direction.

Therefore, the upper ends of the side support parts110may be fixed to the front and rear sides of the roof part300, respectively, and as such, support rigidity is provided in the forward-and-rearward longitudinal direction by gas filling the upper ends of the side support parts110, thereby restricting swing movement of the cushion100when the passenger is placed on the cushion100. Accordingly, it is possible to more stably restrain the body of the passenger.

FIG.5is a view showing an unfolded structure in which a passenger support part130inFIG.2is formed in a panel shape.

Referring to the drawing, in the present disclosure, an inactive zone a, which is not filled with gas, may be formed in each of the central portions of the side support parts110respectively forming the left and right sides of the cushion100. Further, a fill chamber b, which is filled with gas, may be formed along the edge portion surrounding the inactive zone a.

That is, in the case of the side support part110, the inactive zone a may be located in the center portion, and a structure of the fill chamber b filled with gas is located along the edge portion of the inactive zone a, thereby securing the support rigidity of the side surface of the cushion100.

In addition, according to the present disclosure, the front and rear ends of a bottom support part120, forming the bottom of the cushion100, may be formed of the fill chamber b filled with gas, the front and rear ends of the bottom support part120facing the passengers, respectively.

For example, the bottom support part120may be formed on the bottom surface of the cushion100formed in a cylindrical shape, and the front and rear ends of the bottom support part120are deployed with the structure of the fill chamber b in the left-and-right longitudinal direction.

Accordingly, the support rigidity may be provided in the left-and-right longitudinal direction by gas filling the front and rear ends of the bottom support part120, and as such, a chest portion of the passenger is supported by the cushion100and collision energy is absorbed, thereby safely protecting the passenger.

Further, according to the present disclosure, in the bottom support part120forming the bottom of the cushion100, the inactive zone a, in which gas is not filled, may be formed at the center portion, and the fill chamber b, in which gas is filled, may be formed along the edge portion surrounding the inactive zone a.

That is, the bottom support part120may implement the inactive zone a at the center portion thereof and the structure of the fill chamber b having gas filled along the edge portion surrounding the inactive zone a, thereby securing the support rigidity of the bottom surface of the cushion100.

Meanwhile, referring toFIG.5, in the present disclosure, the passenger support parts130, respectively forming the front and rear sides of the cushion100, may be formed in a panel structure made of a fabric material.

That is, the passenger support part130may be a part directly supporting the body of the passenger, and may be separately provided in the form of a panel made of a material of the cushion100to restrain the body of the passenger.

In the case of such a structure, the side support parts110, respectively forming the left and right sides of the cushion100, and the bottom support part120, forming the bottom of the cushion100, may be formed to be integrated with each other. Further, each of the lower ends of the passenger support parts130may be connected to a corresponding one of the front and rear sides of the bottom support part120. Additionally, each of the left and right sides of the passenger support parts130may be connected to a corresponding one of the front and rear sides of the side support parts110.

Specifically, the side support part110and the bottom support part120may be formed to be integrated with each other, and a boundary portion between the side support part110and the bottom support part120may be folded while sharing the structure of the fill chamber b.

Further, each of the lower ends of the passenger support parts130may be connected to a corresponding one of the front and rear sides of the bottom support part120by a sewing method, and each of the left and right sides of the passenger support parts130may be connected to a corresponding one of the front and rear sides of the side support parts110by a sewing method. In this manner, the cushion100may be implemented in a cylindrical shape with an open top.

Additionally, as shown inFIG.5, in the present disclosure, since an inflator200is connected to the side support part110, gas may be first supplied to the side support part110, and then the gas may be supplied to the bottom support part120.

Specifically, each of the inflators200may be connected to a corresponding one of the upper ends of the side support parts110located on the left and right sides, thereby supplying gas to the inside of each of the side support parts110.

Accordingly, the gas provided from the inflator200may flow forwards and rearwards at the upper end of the side support part110to expand the side support part110. Next, the gas, flowing forwards and rearwards in the side support part110, may flow along the edge portion of the bottom support part120to expand the bottom support part120. Here, the side support part110may be formed in a trapezoidal shape to implement a cylindrical structure.

For reference,FIG.7is a view showing a shape of a second embodiment of the airbag according to the present disclosure, andFIG.8is a view showing an unfolded structure in which the passenger support part130inFIG.7is formed of a panel. Here, the side support part110may be formed in a hemispherical shape to implement a cylindrical structure. In this structure as well, the passenger support part130may be implemented as a panel structure made of a fabric material.

FIG.10is view showing a shape of a third embodiment of the airbag according to the present disclosure, andFIG.11is a view showing an unfolded structure in which the passenger support part130inFIG.10is formed of a panel. Here, the side support part110may be formed in a quadrangular shape, preferably a rectangular shape to implement a cylindrical structure. In this structure as well, the passenger support part130may be implemented as a panel structure made of a fabric material.

Meanwhile,FIG.6is a view showing an unfolded structure in which the passenger support part130inFIG.2is formed in the shape of the fill chamber b.

Referring to the drawing, in the present disclosure, the passenger support parts130, respectively forming the front and rear sides of the cushion100, may be formed of the fill chamber b filled with gas.

That is, the passenger support part130may be a part directly supporting the body of the passenger. Further, the passenger support part130may be integrally formed in the form of the fill chamber b filled with gas to restrain the body of the passenger.

In the case of such a structure, the side support parts110, respectively forming the left and right sides of the cushion100, the bottom support part120, forming the bottom of the cushion100, and the passenger support parts130may be formed to be integrated with each other. Accordingly, each of the left and right sides of the passenger support parts130may be connected to a corresponding one of the front and rear sides of the side support parts110.

Specifically, since the side support part110and the bottom support part120are formed to be integrated with each other, a boundary portion between the side support part110and the bottom support part120may be folded while sharing the structure of the fill chamber b. In addition, since the bottom support part120is formed to be integrated with the passenger support part130, a boundary portion between the passenger support part130and the bottom support part120is also folded while sharing the structure of the fill chamber b.

Further, each of the left and right sides of the passenger support parts130may be connected to a corresponding one of the front and rear sides of the side support parts110by a sewing method, thereby implementing the cushion100formed in a cylindrical shape with an open top.

In addition, as shown inFIG.6, according to the present disclosure, since the inflator200is connected to the side support part110, gas may be first supplied to the side support part110, and then the gas may be supplied to the bottom support part120and the passenger support part130.

Specifically, each of the inflators200may be connected to a corresponding one of the upper ends of the side support parts110located on the left and right sides, thereby supplying gas to the inside of each of the side support parts110.

Accordingly, the gas provided from the inflator200may flow forwards and rearwards at the upper end of the side support part110to expand the side support part110. Next, the gas, flowing forwards and rearwards in the side support part110, flows along the edge portion of the bottom support part120and the inside of the passenger support part130, thereby expanding the bottom support part120and the passenger support part130.

FIG.9is a view showing an unfolded structure in which the passenger support part130inFIG.7is formed in the shape of the fill chamber b. Here, in the structure of the cushion100according to the second embodiment, the passenger support part130may be formed in the shape of the fill chamber b.

Further,FIG.12is a view showing an unfolded structure in which the passenger support part130inFIG.10is formed in the shape of the fill chamber b. Here, in the structure of the cushion100according to the third embodiment as well, the passenger support part130may be formed in the shape of the fill chamber b.

Meanwhile,FIG.13is a view showing a mounting position of the airbag according to the present disclosure.

Referring to the drawing, the cushion100may be installed in each of the seats disposed along the left-and-right width direction.

For example, when two seats are installed on the left and right sides in the interior of the vehicle, the cushion100may be configured to be deployed for each of the passengers seated on the left and right seats, thereby individually protecting the passengers.

Particularly, the front and rear surfaces of the cushion100may have the fill chambers b filled with gas and configured to form a “U” shape.

This is, when the passenger support parts130, respectively forming the front and rear sides of the cushion100, are formed in the panel structure, the fill chambers b at the front and rear ends of the side support parts110, respectively forming the left and right sides of the cushion100, may become the left-and-right fill chambers b of the passenger support part130, and the fill chambers b at the front and rear ends of the bottom support part120, forming the bottom of the cushion100, become the lower fill chambers b of the passenger support part130, thereby forming a “U” shape.

In addition,FIG.14is a view showing a coupling relationship between the module housing bracket330, on which the cushion100of the present disclosure is mounted, and the roof part300.FIG.15is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A inFIG.14.

Referring to the drawings, in the present disclosure, a cushion cover400may be coupled to the roof part300, and the cushion100integrally formed between the roof part300and the cushion cover400may be distributed and accommodated on the left and right sides.

For example, a roof cross panel320may be fixed to the left and right sides on a bottom surface of a roof panel310, and the module housing bracket330may be assembled to a bottom surface of the roof cross panel320.

Further, a middle portion of the cushion cover400may be coupled to a lower portion of the module housing bracket330by a mounting stud, and the opposite ends of the cushion cover400may be supported by the module housing bracket330, thereby forming a space, in which the cushion100is accommodated, between the module housing bracket330and the cushion cover400on the left and right sides. For reference, the inflator200may be coupled to the module housing bracket330.

Accordingly, the cushion100may be folded in a zigzag shape, and the folded cushion100may be distributed and accommodated in the left-and-right spaces. In this case, a tear line410may be formed at each of the lower ends of the cushion covers400on the left and right sides, and as such, the cushion100distributed and accommodated therein may tear the tear line410and may be deployed downwards.

That is, as described above, each of the cushions100may be distributed and accommodated in a corresponding one of the cushion covers400on the left and right sides. Accordingly, when the cushion100is deployed, the opposite side support parts110, respectively forming the left and right sides of the cushion100, are simultaneously deployed to rapidly deploy the cushion100while maintaining the cylindrical shape of the cushion100, thereby quickly and safely restraining the body of the passenger.

Hereinafter, an operation process of the roof-mounted airbag according to the present disclosure will be described.

Referring toFIGS.3to5, in the event of vehicle collision, the inflator200may explode to generate gas. Next, the gas is supplied to the side support part110, and the side support part110starts to be expanded and deployed, and as such, the cushion100embedded in the roof part300is deployed downwards.

Next, the gas may flow to the bottom support part120connected to the side support part110, and the bottom support part120may be expanded and deployed, thereby deploying the cushion100between passengers facing each other in a cylindrical shape, as shown inFIGS.3and5.

Next, as the body of a passenger seated in the opposite direction to the collision is tilted in the collision direction, the head of the passenger may be placed on the passenger support part130forming the rear surface of the cushion100.

In this case, since the left and right upper ends of the cushion100formed in a cylindrical shape are respectively fixed to the roof part300, it is possible to minimize the movement of the cushion100toward a passenger in the collision direction, thereby stably restraining the body of the passenger placed on the cushion100.

Next, the chest of the passenger placed on the cushion100may be supported by the portion of the fill chamber b at the lower end of the boundary portion between the passenger support part130and the bottom support part120.

That is, the structure of the fill chamber b may be implemented in the left-and-right longitudinal direction at the lower end of the passenger support part130, and as such, the chest of the passenger may be stably supported by the cushion100and collision energy is absorbed, thereby safely protecting the passenger.

As described above, in the present disclosure, the cushion100may be formed in the cylindrical shape, and the left and right upper ends of the cushion100may be respectively fixed to the roof part300to minimize movement of the cushion100, thereby stably restraining the body of the passenger placed on the cushion100and reducing the risk of injury to the passenger.

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present disclosure, a cushion may be formed in the shape of a housing, and each of the left and right upper ends of the cushion may be fixed to a roof to minimize the movement of the cushion, thereby having an effect of stably restraining the body of a passenger placed on the cushion and reducing the risk of injury to the passenger.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure as disclosed in the accompanying claims.