KR101595346B1 - Airbag module and vehicle with it - Google Patents

Abstract

An airbag module according to the present invention is an airbag cushion in which a gas is filled and developed; The airbag cushion is formed in the airbag cushion so as to divide the airbag cushion when the airbag cushion is deployed into the first chamber and the other second chamber, A baffle having a first gas flow control part for controlling a gas flow and a second gas flow control part, and an outer vent hole is formed in a part of the airbag cushion corresponding to the second chamber.

Airbag, vent hole

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to an airbag module,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to an airbag module and a vehicle having the same, and more particularly, to an airbag module for a vehicle and a vehicle having the same.

The seatbelt is designed to protect the vehicle occupant during the impulse of the vehicle. In the case of a low speed collision, the occupant is protected by the seatbelt from colliding against an object placed inside the vehicle, such as a windshield, instrument panel, door, side window, or steering wheel. However, in the event of a more serious collision, the occupant experiences collision inside the vehicle even if the occupant is wearing the belt. BACKGROUND ART An airbag system has been developed to assist a general seatbelt when deployed into a space between an inner object or an inner surface of a vehicle and a passenger in the event of a vehicle collision. Such an air bag operates to decelerate the movement of the occupant, thereby reducing the possibility that the occupant is injured inside the vehicle and is injured.

A typical airbag system consists of a number of individual components coupled to form an operating module. Such components include an airbag cushion, an airbag inflator, a sensor, and an electronic control unit. The airbag cushion is typically made of a thin, durable, fabric that is fixed in the steering wheel space, dashboard, interior space, roof, seat, or other space in the vehicle.

The airbag inflator is designed to generate gas to rapidly inflate the cushion as needed. The sensor detects the rapid deceleration of the vehicle, which is characteristic of the impact. The sensing by the sensor is done in the electronic control unit using an algorithm that determines if a collision has occurred.

The vehicle airbag module can be divided into a front airbag module mounted on the front of the occupant and a side airbag module installed on the side of the occupant. The side airbag module is installed on the side of the occupant's seat and is deployed between the occupant and the vehicle door.

The airbag module deploys the airbag cushion in a very short period of time after the collision, with hot, high pressure gas from the inflator. At this time, the vent hole that can escape the gas that flows into the airbag cushion can control the pressure in the airbag to attenuate the external impact applied to the passenger.

1 is a perspective view of an inflated state of an airbag cushion of a side airbag module according to the prior art.

Referring to Fig. 1, the airbag module has an airbag cushion 10 that is inflated by the gas supplied from the inflator. The airbag cushion 10 is provided with a chamber 20 in which a gas is filled and an inflow path 30 through which gas is supplied from an inflator (not shown) is formed at one side of the airbag cushion 10.

The airbag cushion 10 is provided with a vent hole 40 for discharging a part of the introduced gas to the outside so that a part of the gas filling the chamber 20 flows into the vent 20, And can be discharged to the outside through the hole (40).

Here, since the gas introduced into the chamber 20 of the airbag cushion 10 can be directly discharged through the vent hole 40, the pressure inside the chamber 20 directly affects the pressure of the gas supplied from the inflator The pressure inside the chamber 20 with respect to time during gas filling is lower than that of the inflator 20 due to the fact that a part of the supplied gas is directly discharged from the chamber 20 through the vent hole 40 directly to the outside of the airbag cushion 10. [ The specific time after the gas generation is reduced sharply decreases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an airbag module which can maintain or enhance the cushioning property of the deployed airbag cushion at a current level, The airbag module according to claim 1,

In order to achieve the above object, an airbag module according to the present invention is an airbag cushion in which a gas is filled and developed; The airbag cushion being formed in the interior of the airbag cushion so as to partition the internal space of the airbag cushion when the airbag cushion is deployed into the first chamber and the second chamber and being spaced apart from each other to control gas flow between the first chamber and the second chamber And a baffle having a gas flow control unit and a second gas flow control unit, wherein an outer vent hole is formed in a portion of the airbag cushion corresponding to the second chamber.

Here, the first gas flow control part opens and closes the gas flow from the first chamber to the second chamber.

On the other hand, the second gas flow control part opens and closes the gas flow from the second chamber to the first chamber.

In the state that the airbag cushion is deployed, the outer vent hole is misaligned with the first gas flow control part.

The first chamber is disposed adjacent to an inflow path through which gas enters the airbag cushion, and the second chamber is disposed remotely from the inflow path.

The first gas flow control part includes a first inner vent hole passing through the baffle.

The second gas flow control unit includes a second inner vent hole passing through the baffle and a second cover member formed on the surface of the inner chamber side of the baffle to open and close the second inner vent hole.

The first gas flow control unit may further include a first cover member formed on the surface of the second chamber side of the surface of the baffle for opening and closing the first inner vent hole.

Sectional area of the first inner vent hole is larger than a cross-sectional area of the outer vent hole.

Wherein the second gas flow control unit controls the second gas flow control unit such that a part of the gas charged in the second chamber flows into the first chamber when the pressure of the gas filled in the second chamber is larger than the pressure of the gas filled in the first chamber And blocks gas flow between the first chamber and the second chamber when the pressure of the gas filled in the second chamber is less than the pressure of the gas filled in the first chamber.

Wherein the first gas flow control unit controls the first gas flow control unit such that a part of the gas charged in the first chamber flows into the second chamber when the pressure of the gas filled in the first chamber is larger than the pressure of the gas filled in the second chamber And blocks gas flow between the second chamber and the first chamber when the pressure of the gas filled in the first chamber is smaller than the pressure of the gas filled in the second chamber.

Further, the present invention provides a vehicle having an airbag module having the above-described structure.

As described above, according to the airbag module of the present invention, the following effects can be expected.

First, the inflated state of the airbag cushion can be maintained for a long time.

Second, the cushioning property of the deployed airbag cushion is enhanced, so that the vehicle occupant can be safely protected.

Third, the gas introduced into the airbag cushion can be efficiently used, and the need to improve the performance of the inflator can be reduced.

Hereinafter, an airbag module according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3 is a side cross-sectional view of the airbag module of FIG. 2, and FIGS. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views of the airbag module of FIG. 2, Fig. 6 is a partial perspective view of a baffle showing a closed state and an open state, respectively.

2 and 3, an airbag module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an airbag cushion 100 in which gas generated from an inflator (not shown) generating a filling gas is filled and developed. The airbag module is formed inside the airbag cushion 100 so as to partition the internal space of the airbag cushion 100 when the airbag cushion 100 is deployed into the first chamber 110 and the second chamber 120 As shown in FIG. The first chamber 110 is disposed adjacent to the inflow path 130 where the gas supplied from the inflator flows into the airbag cushion 100 and the second chamber 120 is disposed away from the inflow path.

Particularly, when the airbag module is used as a side airbag of a vehicle, the airbag module can be installed in a roof rail or a seat of the vehicle. When the airbag module is mounted on the seat of the vehicle, the second chamber is disposed at a position facing the front of the vehicle when the airbag cushion is deployed, and the first chamber is disposed at a position facing the rear of the vehicle relative to the second chamber.

The baffle 115 includes a first gas flow control unit 150 and a second gas flow control unit 160 that are spaced apart from each other to control gas flow between the first chamber 110 and the second chamber 120, Respectively. The first gas flow control unit 150 functions to open and close the gas flow from the first chamber 110 to the second chamber 120, And serves to open and close the gas flow to the one chamber.

2 and 3, the first gas flow control part includes a first inner vent hole 150 passing through the baffle 115, and the first inner vent hole 150 Is maintained in the normally open state. The first inner vent hole 150 may be a plurality of adjacent through holes.

The second gas flow controller 160 includes at least one second inner vent hole 162 passing through the baffle 115 and a second inner vent hole 162 passing through the surface of the first chamber 110 And a cover member 164 formed on the second inner vent hole 162 to open and close the second inner vent hole 162.

In addition, an outer vent hole 140 through which gas can pass through the airbag cushion is formed in the portion of the airbag cushion 100 corresponding to the second chamber 120. In a state where the airbag cushion is deployed, the outer vent holes 140 are arranged in misalignment with respect to the first inner vent holes 150, which are not aligned with the first inner vent holes 150. Therefore, the gas flowing into the second chamber 120 from the first chamber 110 through the first inner vent hole 150 does not expand the inside of the second chamber 120, It is prevented from escaping.

The cross-sectional area of the first inner vent hole 150 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the outer vent hole 140. The first inner vent hole 150 may have a plurality of outer vent holes 140 and the plurality of first inner vent holes 150 may have a plurality of outer vent holes 140. In this case, Sectional area of the outer vent hole 140.

The arrows in Figs. 2 to 3 show the flow path of the gas in the airbag cushion 100.

The inflation gas introduced through the inflow channel 130 first fills the first chamber 110. Part of the gas filled in the first chamber 110 passes through the baffle 115 through the first inner vent hole 150 to fill the second chamber 110. A part of the gas flowing into the second chamber 110 through the first inner vent hole 150 is discharged to the outside of the airbag cushion through the outer vent hole 140.

The gas inside the airbag cushion 100 is discharged to the outside of the airbag cushion 100 through the outside vent hole 140 to thereby ensure a buffering property for preventing the airbag cushion from becoming too hard at the time of inflation of the airbag cushion 100, It is possible to protect the occupant coming into contact with the cushion 100.

Part of the gas introduced into the second chamber 120 through the first inner vent hole 150 flows into the first chamber 110 through the second gas flow controller 160. The second gas flow control 160 is a one-way valve that allows gas flow from the second chamber 120 to the first chamber 110 but does not allow flow from the first chamber 110 to the second chamber 120. [ .

That is, when the pressure of the gas filled in the second chamber 120 is greater than the pressure of the gas filled in the first chamber 110, the second gas flow controller 160 controls the second chamber 120 When the pressure of the gas filled in the second chamber 120 is lower than the pressure of the gas filled in the first chamber 110, The gas flow between the first chamber 110 and the second chamber 120 is blocked.

4A and 4B are partial cutaway perspective views of a baffle showing the second gas flow controller 160 of FIG. 2 in a closed state and an open state, respectively. 4A and 4B are perspective views of the baffle in the first chamber.

Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, at least one second inner vent hole 162 is formed in the baffle 115. Meanwhile, a cover member 164 having a size enough to cover the second inner vent holes 162 is disposed to cover the second inner vent holes 162. Both end portions of the cover member 164 are fixed to the baffle 115 by fixing portions 166 outside the second inner vent holes 162.

The airbag cushion 100, the baffle 115, and the cover member 164 are formed of a flexible material. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the cover member 164 may block the second inner vent hole 162 or may open the second inner vent hole 162. FIG.

4A shows a state in which the gas in the first chamber 110 contacts the cover member 164 with the baffle 115 when the internal gas pressure of the first chamber 110 is greater than the internal gas pressure of the second chamber 120 So that the cover member 164 closes the second inner vent hole 162. As shown in Fig.

4B shows a state in which the gas in the second chamber 120 moves the cover member 164 to the baffle 115 when the internal gas pressure of the second chamber 120 is larger than the internal gas pressure of the first chamber 110 And the cover member 164 opens the second inner vent hole 162. As shown in FIG.

The pressure difference between the gas filled in the first chamber and the gas filled in the second chamber can be alleviated by the operation of the gas flow control part having the structure as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

2 and 3, the gas introduced into the airbag cushion 100 through the inflow passage 130 is not filled in the space inside the airbag cushion 100 without flowing, The airbag cushion 100 is discharged through the first and second chambers 120 and 140 so that the airbag cushion 100 is maintained in a buffered state while at the same time a part of the gas charged in the second chamber 120 is returned to the first chamber 110, And is kept in the expanded state for a long time.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a case where gas is injected into an airbag module according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the airbag module of FIG.

Similar to the airbag module of the embodiment shown in Figs. 2 and 3 described above, the airbag module of the embodiment shown in Figs. 5 and 6 has the same structure as that of the airbag cushion 200 when the airbag cushion 200 is deployed, And a baffle 215 formed in the interior of the airbag cushion 200 to partition the airbag cushion 200 into a first chamber 210 and a second chamber 220.

The baffle 215 includes a first gas flow control unit 250 and a second gas flow control unit 260 that are spaced apart from each other and control the gas flow between the first chamber 210 and the second chamber 220, Respectively. The first gas flow control unit 250 includes a first inner vent hole 252 passing through the baffle 215 and a second inner vent hole 252 formed on a surface of the baffle 215 on the second chamber 220 side, And a first cover member 254 for opening and closing the inner vent hole 252.

The second gas flow control unit 260 may include at least one second inner vent hole 262 passing through the baffle 215 and at least one second inner vent hole 262 on the surface of the first chamber 210, And a second cover member 264 that is formed and opens and closes the second inner vent hole 262.

In addition, an outer vent hole 240 through which gas can pass through the airbag cushion is formed in a portion of the airbag cushion 200 corresponding to the second chamber 220. In the state in which the airbag cushion is deployed, the outer vent holes 240 are arranged in misalignment rather than aligned with the first gas flow control part 250. The gas flowing into the second chamber 220 from the first chamber 210 through the first gas flow control unit 250 may be directly supplied to the second chamber 220 without expanding the second chamber 220. It is prevented from escaping.

The arrows in Figs. 5 to 6 show the flow path of the gas in the airbag cushion 200.

The inflation gas introduced through the inflow path 230 first fills the first chamber 210. A part of the gas filled in the first chamber 210 passes through the baffle 215 through the first inner vent hole 252 of the first gas flow controller 250 to fill the second chamber 220 . A part of the gas flowing into the second chamber 220 through the first inner vent hole 252 is discharged to the outside of the airbag cushion through the outer vent hole 240. Thus, when the airbag cushion 200 is inflated, It is possible to prevent the passenger from coming into contact with the airbag cushion 200 from being injured by the inflation of the airbag.

Part of the gas introduced into the second chamber 220 through the first inner vent hole 252 flows into the first chamber 210 again through the second gas flow control unit 260. The first gas flow control part 250 and the second gas flow control part 260 function as a one-way valve for controlling the gas flow between the second chamber 120 and the first chamber 110 only in one direction.

When the pressure of the gas filled in the first chamber 210 is greater than the pressure of the gas filled in the second chamber 220, the first gas flow controller 250 charges the first chamber 210 When the pressure of the gas filled in the first chamber 210 is lower than the pressure of the gas filled in the second chamber 220, Thereby blocking gas flow between the second chamber 220 and the first chamber 210.

When the pressure of the gas filled in the second chamber 220 is greater than the pressure of the gas filled in the first chamber 210, the second gas flow controller 260 charges the second chamber 220 The first chamber 210 and the second chamber 210 are controlled to flow to the first chamber 210. When the pressure of the gas filled in the second chamber is less than the pressure of the gas filled in the first chamber 210, And the second chamber (220).

The first gas flow control part 250 and the second gas flow control part 260 used in the airbag module according to the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 have the same structure as the gas flow control part 160 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B As shown in FIG.

5 and 6, the gas introduced into the airbag cushion 200 through the inflow path 230 is not filled in the space inside the airbag cushion 200 without flowing, So that the airbag cushion 200 is maintained in a buffered state while at the same time a part of the gas filled in the second chamber 220 is returned to the first chamber 210, And remains in an expanded state.

Fig. 7 is a graph showing a change over time in the pressure inside the airbag cushion in the airbag module according to the present invention and the conventional airbag module as shown in Fig. 1. Fig.

The internal pressure of the airbag module according to the prior art is shown by a broken line and the internal pressure of the airbag module according to the present invention is indicated by a solid line.

Referring to FIG. 7, the internal pressure of the airbag module of the prior art rapidly decreases with time, while the airbag module according to the present invention, even though the change in pressure inside the airbag module over time is slow and time- The airbag module of the present invention can maintain a high internal pressure for a long time.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used in the technical field of an airbag for a vehicle.

1 is a perspective view showing a case where a gas is injected into an airbag cushion of a conventional airbag module.

2 is a perspective view showing a case where a gas is injected into an airbag module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a side cross-sectional view of the airbag module of Fig.

Figs. 4A and 4B are partial perspective views of the baffle, in which the gas flow control of Fig. 2 shows the closed and open states, respectively. Fig.

5 is a perspective view showing a case where gas is injected into an airbag module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a side cross-sectional view of the airbag module of Figure 5;

7 is a graph comparing internal pressure changes over time between an airbag module according to the present invention and a conventional airbag module.

Description of the Related Art

100, 200: air bag cushion 110, 210: first chamber

120, 220: second chamber 130, 230:

140, 240: outer vent hole 115, 215: baffle

150: first inner vent hole 160: gas flow control part

162: second inner vent hole 164: cover member

166: Fixing part 250: First gas flow control part

252: first inner vent hole 254: first cover member

260: second gas flow control section 264: second cover member

Claims (12)

An airbag cushion filled with gas and developed; Wherein the airbag cushion is formed so as to partition the internal space of the airbag cushion when the airbag cushion is deployed into the first chamber and the second chamber and is spaced apart from the first airbag cushion to control the flow of gas between the first chamber and the second chamber A baffle having a control part and a second gas flow control part, An outer vent hole is formed in a portion of the airbag cushion corresponding to the second chamber, Wherein the second gas flow control portion includes a second inner vent hole passing through the baffle and a second cover member formed on the surface of the first chamber side of the baffle and opening and closing the second inner vent hole. The method according to claim 1, Wherein the first gas flow control part opens and closes the gas flow from the first chamber to the second chamber. 3. The method of claim 2, Wherein the second gas flow control part opens and closes a gas flow from the second chamber to the first chamber.  3. The method of claim 2, Wherein the outer vent hole is disposed misaligned with the first gas flow control part when the airbag cushion is deployed.  The method according to claim 1, Wherein the first chamber is disposed adjacent an inflow path through which gas enters the airbag cushion and the second chamber is disposed remotely from the inflow path. The method of claim 3, Wherein the first gas flow control part has a first inner vent hole passing through the baffle. delete The airbag according to claim 6, wherein the first gas flow control unit further comprises a first cover member formed on the surface of the second chamber side of the baffle surface for opening and closing the first inner vent hole, module. The method according to claim 6, Wherein the cross-sectional area of the first inner vent hole is larger than the cross-sectional area of the outer vent hole. The method according to claim 1, The second gas flow control unit may control the second gas flow control unit such that a part of the gas filled in the second chamber flows into the first chamber when the pressure of the gas filled in the second chamber is larger than the pressure of the gas filled in the first chamber And closes the gas flow between the first chamber and the second chamber when the pressure of the gas filled in the second chamber is smaller than the pressure of the gas filled in the first chamber. 9. The method of claim 8, Wherein the first gas flow control unit controls the first gas flow control unit such that a part of the gas charged in the first chamber flows into the second chamber when the pressure of the gas filled in the first chamber is greater than the pressure of the gas filled in the second chamber And closes the gas flow between the second chamber and the first chamber when the pressure of the gas filled in the first chamber is smaller than the pressure of the gas filled in the second chamber. A vehicle having an airbag module according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and 8 to 11.

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