WO2015170841A1

WO2015170841A1 - Airbag for vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2015170841A1
Application number: PCT/KR2015/003961
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jae Man Ko; Dong Young Kim
Original assignee: Autoliv Development Ab
Priority date: 2014-05-09
Filing date: 2015-04-21
Publication date: 2015-11-12

Abstract

An airbag for a vehicle is provided. The airbag includes: an airbag cushion having a vent hole; a vent flap coupled to an outside of the airbag cushion to cover the vent hole and configured to have an openable opening and at least one open opening which is normally opened; and a vent strap including one end coupled to the vent flap and an opposite end supported to an inner surface of the airbag cushion. The openable opening and the open opening are disposed along edges of the vent flap, and the openable opening is greater than the open opening.

Description

AIRBAG FOR VEHICLE

The present invention relates to an airbag for a vehicle, which has an openable vent hole.

In general, an airbag is mounted in a vehicle to protect an occupant upon vehicle collision.

Upon vehicle collision, an airbag cushion of the airbag is inflated and deployed by pressure of gas flowing into the airbag cushion from an inflator, so that the occupant is protected.

An internal volume of the airbag cushion of a usual airbag is designed to have deployment pressure capable of protecting a regular adult.

Even though the occupant is a regular adult, when a distance between the airbag cushion and the occupant is excessively close, for example, the occupant is seated on a seat moved toward the front of the vehicle, or the occupant seated on a seat positioned at a normal position is slanted toward the front of the vehicle, the occupant may be injured by excessive initial deployment pressure of the airbag cushion.

Accordingly, a means for adjusting the deployment pressure of the airbag cushion depending on conditions of the occupant, such as a physical size of the occupant and a seated position of the occupant, is required.

There has been known an airbag providing a vent hole in the airbag cushion to smoothly receive the occupant and allowing the gas in the airbag cushion to be discharged to the outside of the airbag cushion through the vent hole when the occupant comes into contact with the inflated airbag cushion.

An exemplary embodiment is to provide an airbag for a vehicle, capable of allowing the airbag cushion to be rapidly inflated upon initial inflation of the airbag cushion, and allowing the gas in the airbag cushion to be smoothly discharged depending on a condition in which the occupant comes into contact with the inflated airbag cushion.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an airbag for a vehicle, which includes: an airbag cushion having a vent hole; a vent flap coupled to an outside of the airbag cushion to cover the vent hole and configured to have an openable opening and at least one open opening; and a vent strap having one end coupled to the vent flap and an opposite end supported to an inner surface of the airbag cushion, wherein the openable opening and the open opening may be disposed along edges of the vent flap, and the openable opening may be configured to be greater than the open opening.

The vent flap may comprise a long side, a short side facing the long side, and intermediate sides coupled to both ends of each of the long side and the short side, the vent flap may be coupled with the airbag cushion through connecting lines formed along the intermediate sides, the openable opening may be disposed at the long side, and the open opening may be disposed at the short side.

The open opening may be additionally formed at the intermediate sides of the vent flap.

The vent flap may comprise a trapezoidal shape.

The opposite end of the vent strap may be withdrawn through the vent hole toward the outside of the airbag cushion, and disposed between the airbag cushion and the vent flap.

The opposite end of the vent strap may be coupled to the airbag cushion and a portion of the vent flap, the portion being adjacent to the openable opening.

An inner peripheral surface of the vent hole may be disposed adjacent to the openable opening.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an airbag for an vehicle, which includes: an airbag cushion having a vent hole; a vent flap coupled to an outside of the airbag cushion to cover the vent hole and configured to have an openable side provided at a side thereof; and a vent strap having one end coupled to the vent flap and an opposite end supported to an inner surface of the airbag cushion, wherein the vent flap may be coupled with the outside of the airbag cushion through a connecting line formed along the remaining sides other than the openable side of the vent flap, and the vent hole may be disposed adjacent to the openable side.

The openable side may include a length greater than a diameter of the vent hole.

The vent flap may comprise: a trapezoidal base area having a long side and a short side, the long side and the short side being parallel to each other; and an auxiliary area having inclined sides inclinedly extended from both ends of the long side in a direction growing away from the long side, wherein the vent hole may be disposed to protrude partially out of the long side of the base area; and the connecting line may be formed along two sides between the long side and the short side.

The one end of the vent flap may be coupled with a front panel of the airbag cushion, the openable side may be disposed to face the front panel of the airbag cushion, and the opposite end of the vent flap may be withdrawn through the vent hole toward the outside of the airbag cushion and coupled to the airbag cushion and a portion of the vent flap. The portion may be adjacent to the openable side.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the vent flap covering the vent hole formed in the airbag cushion includes the openable opening and the open opening smaller than the openeable opening. Accordingly, at the early time to inflate the airbag cushion, the airbag cushion is rapidly inflated, and the gas in the airbag cushion is smoothly discharged, depending on the conditions of the occupant coming into contact with the airbag cushion, such as a size of the occupant and a contacting position.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the vent flap having the openable side provided at a side thereof is disposed over the vent hole, and the vent hole is disposed adjacent to the openable side. Accordingly, the airbag cushion can be rapidly inflated at the time beginning to inflate the airbag cushion, and the gas in the airbag cushion can be suitably discharged depending on the condition in which the occupant comes into contact with the airbag cushion.

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a state in which an airbag of an airbag apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment is inflated.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line Ⅱ-Ⅱ.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which an occupant comes into contact with an airbag according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state in which an airbag of an airbag apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment is inflated.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a state in which an airbag of an airbag apparatus according to still another exemplary embodiment is inflated.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing a state in which an airbag of an airbag apparatus is inflated according to still another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line Ⅶ-VIII of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which an occupant comes into contact with an airbag according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the Ⅸ marking portion of FIG. 6.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described in more detail with reference to accompanying drawings. The present inventive concept is not limited to the following the exemplary embodiments but includes various applications and modifications. The exemplary embodiments will allow those skilled in the art to completely comprehend the scope of the present inventive concept.

Hereinafter, a passenger seat airbag apparatus will be described.

Referring to FIG. 1, a passenger seat airbag apparatus P includes an airbag 100, a case 1, and an inflator 3. The airbag 100 is received in the case 1 in a folded state.

The case 1 is a container of which an upper surface is opened, and the upper surface of the case 1 is covered with a lid (not shown). The passenger seat airbag apparatus P is installed at an upper portion of an instrument panel 5 of vehicle. A windshield 7 is disposed above an instrument panel 5. The lid may constitute a part of the instrument panel 5, and may be a plate separate from the instrument panel 5.

The airbag 100 is upwardly inflated to fill a space between the instrument panel 5 and the windshield 7 by the gas supplied by the inflator 3 and inflated toward the rear side of a vehicle to fill a space in front of an occupant seat.

The airbag 100 includes an airbag cushion 110, a vent flap 130, and vent strap 150.

The airbag cushion 110 includes a front panel 111 directed toward the occupant O of the vehicle, a rear panel 113 directed toward the front panel 111, side panels 115 provided at both sides of the front panel 111. The airbag cushion 110 may be formed in a single material including the front panel 111, the rear panel 113 and side panels 115. In another embodiment, each panel may include a separate piece of material.

A vent hole 115a is provided in at least one of the side panels 115. The vent hole 115a is formed in a circular shape. The vent holes 115a is not limited thereto but may have various shapes, such as slit shapes. The vent hole 115a may be provided in other panels. When the vent hole 115a is formed in the side panels 115, a high temperature/pressure gas is prevented from being directly discharged toward the occupant, thereby preventing a secondary injury of the occupant.

The vent flap 130 openably covers the vent hole 115a from the outside of the airbag cushion 110. The vent flap 130 may have a long side, a short side opposite the long side, and intermediate sides coupled to both ends of each of the long and short sides. The vent flap 130 is comprised of a substantially trapezoidal woven cloth and placed over the vent holes 115a.

The vent flap 130 includes an openable opening and at least one open opening which is normally opened.

The vent flap 130 includes a first opening 131 and a second opening 133 arranged at the long side S1 and the short side S2, respectively. The long side S1 and the short side S2 are substantially parallel to each other. The first opening 131 is configured to be openable, and the second opening 133 is configured to be normally opened.

The vent flap 130 is coupled to the side panel 115 of the airbag cushion 110 through a connecting line 134 formed along the both sides S3 and S4 disposed between the first opening 131 and the second opening 133. Through this configuration, the first opening 131 is disposed at the long side S1 of the vent flap 130, and the second opening 133 is disposed at the short side S2 of the vent flap 130.

The connecting line 134 includes a sewing line, an adhesive line, a radio frequency welding line and a heat sealing line, etc. The vent flap 130 may include a flexible flat plate member.

The vent flap 130 is disposed on the side panel 115 of the airbag cushion 110 such that the first opening 131 substantially faces the occupant, and the second opening 133 substantially faces the instrument panel 5.

The vent strap 150 includes a flap supporting portion 151 disposed between the vent flap 130 and the front panel 111 of the airbag cushion 110 and an extension portion 153 disposed between the front panel 111 and the rear panel 113 of the airbag cushion 110.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line Ⅱ-Ⅱ, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which an occupant comes into contact with an airbag according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the vent strap 150 includes: a flap supporting portion 151 having one end portion 151a supported to an interior portion of the airbag cushion 110 and an opposite end 151b coupled to the vent flap 130, and an extension portion 153 extended from the one end portion 151a of the flap supporting portion 151 to be fixed to the rear side of the airbag cushion 110. In another embodiment, the extension portion 153 may be configured in a member separate from the flap supporting portion 151.

The one end portion 151a of the flap supporting portion 151 is supported to an inner surface of the front panel 111 of the airbag cushion 110. In another embodiment, when the extension portion 153 is separated from the flap supporting portion 151, the one end portion 151a of the flap supporting portion 151 may be supported to the extension portion 153.

The opposite end portion 151b of the vent strap 150 is withdrawn through the vent hole 115a to the outside of the airbag cushion 110, the withdrawn portion of the vent strap 150 is interposed between the side panel 115 and the vent flap 130, so that the opposite end portion 151b of the vent strap 150 is coupled to the airbag cushion 110 and the vent flap 130 using the connecting line 135.

The opposite end portion 151b of the vent strap 150 passes through the vent hole 115a and is coupled to a portion N in the vent flap 130, which is adjacent to the first opening side 131 of the vent flap 130, thereby allowing the gas to pass smoothly through the vent hole 115a without interfering with the vent strap 150.

A front guiding member 161 is provided at the inner surface of the front panel 111 of the airbag cushion 110 to moveably support the vent strap 150. A lateral guiding member 163 is provided at the inner surface of the side panel 115 of the airbag cushion to moveably support the vent strap 150.

The opposite end portion 151b is coupled to the portion N adjacent to the first opening 131 of the vent flap 130 by a sewing line 135. Through this configuration, when the airbag cushion 110 is inflated, the portion of the vent flap 130, which is adjacent to the first opening 131, makes close contact with the side panel 115 of the airbag cushion 110 by the tensional force of the vent strap 150, thereby closing the first opening 131.

Since the second opening 133 is not restricted by the vent strap 150, the second opening 133 is normally opened. The second opening 133 allows the gas in the airbag cushion 110 to be discharged even though the first opening 131 is not fully opened due to a relatively weak releasing force of the vent strap 150.

When a small occupant comes into contact with the inflated airbag cushion 110, the front panel 111 of the airbag cushion 110 is not sufficiently moved toward the rear panel 113, or a lower portion of the airbag cushion 110 may be pressed. In this case, the vent flap 150 may not be released, and the first opening 131 may not be opened. However, since the second opening 133 is normally opened without being restricted by the vent strap 150, the gas in the airbag cushion 110 can be discharged out of the airbag cushion 110 through the second opening 133.

In the above descriptions, the trapezoidal vent flap 130 is described. However, the shape of the vent flap 13o is not limited thereto, but the vent flap 130 may have various shapes like truncated fan shapes.

Hereinafter, operation principles of the airbag apparatus configured as described above will be described.

Referring to FIG. 2, upon vehicle collision, the inflator 3 is activated, and the gas is discharged into the airbag cushion 110. The airbag cushion 110 is inflated by the gas.

At a time beginning to inflate the airbag cushion 110, the vent flap 130 is placed over the vent hole 115a to close the vent hole 115a. Accordingly, the gas is prevented from being discharged from the vent hole 115a, and the airbag cushion 110 is rapidly inflated using the gas supplied from the inflator 3.

The extension portion 153 of the vent strap 150 extends toward the occupant O with inflation of the airbag cushion 110. At this time, the flap supporting portion 151 of the vent strap 150 is pulled toward the inside of the airbag cushion 110 and strained between the front panel 111 of the airbag cushion 110 and vent flap 130. Accordingly, the vent flap 130 is prevented from being moved away from the vent hole 115a by the increased gas pressure in the airbag cushion 110, so that the vent hole 115a is closed. As a result, the gas in the airbag cushion 110 is maintained at high pressure.

Referring to FIG. 3, when the occupant O comes into contact with the inflated airbag cushion 110, the occupant O pushes the front panel 111 of the airbag cushion 110 toward the rear panel 113, so that the vent strap 150 becomes loose, and the tensional force for pulling the vent flap 130 toward the inside of the airbag cushion 110 is released. Accordingly, the vent flap 130 is moved away from the vent hole 115a due to the pressure of the gas in the airbag cushion 110.

As a result, the gas is discharged through the vent hole 115a, and is discharged through the first opening 131 and the second opening 133 of the vent flap 130 in the arrow A and B directions. At this time, since the first opening 131 is greater than the second opening 133, the amount of gas discharged out of the airbag cushion 110 through the first opening 131 is more than the amount of the gas discharged through the second opening 133.

When the occupant comes into contact with the inflated airbag cushion 110 and the airbag cushion 110 is pressed, the gas in the airbag cushion 110 is suitably discharged out of the airbag cushion 110 through the first opening 131 and the second opening 133 of the vent flap 130, thereby gradually reducing the internal pressure of the airbag cushion 110. Accordingly, the shock applied to the occupant O from the airbag cushion 110 is relieved.

When the occupant is the regular adult, the occupant substantially comes into contact with the front panel 111 of the airbag cushion 110. Accordingly, the shock from the airbag cushion 110 is relieved by the principle as described above.

However, when the size of the occupant is small or the occupant is not seated at the predetermined seating position, the pressing force applied to the airbag cushion 110 from the occupant O may be weak. In this case, the vent strap 150 is maintained in a tensioned state, and the vent flap 130 is not sufficiently released, thereby preventing the gas from being smoothly discharged out of the airbag cushion 110 through the first opening 131.

Such a problem can be resolved by the second opening 133. Details of operation will be described below.

For example, when the small occupant comes into contact with the front panel 111 of the airbag cushion 110, the pressing force applied to the airbag cushion 110 is weak. In this case, the distance for moving the front panel 111 of the airbag cushion 110 toward the rear panel 113 is reduced. Accordingly, the vent strap 150 is not released and is pulled toward the inside of the airbag cushion 110, thereby preventing the vent flap 130 from sufficiently moving away from the side panel 115 of the airbag cushion 110. As a result, the first opening 131 is not sufficiently opened, thereby preventing the gas from being smoothly discharged out of the airbag cushion 110.

At this time, the second opening 133 is maintained in an open state because the second opening 133 is not restricted by the vent strap 150. Accordingly, the gas in the airbag cushion 110 is discharged through the second opening 133 by the gas pressure of the airbag cushion 110, thereby relieving the shock applied to the occupant O from the airbag cushion 110.

Even though the front panel 111 of the airbag cushion 110 is not moved toward the rear panel 113, and the vent strap 150 is not released because the occupant comes into contact with the lower portion of the airbag cushion 110, the gas in the airbag cushion 110 is discharged through the second opening 133 by the pressing force applied to the lower portion of the airbag cushion 110.

Accordingly, even though the occupant comes into contact with the lower portion of the airbag cushion 110, the gas in the airbag cushion 110 is suitably discharged through the second opening 133, thereby reliving the shock applied to the occupant from the airbag cushion 110.

Compared to the airbag 100 described above, an airbag 200 illustrated in FIG. 4 further includes a third opening 237 and a fourth opening 239, and the remaining elements are the same as those of the airbag 100. Accordingly, identical reference signs are given to the elements identical to those of the airbag 100, and repeated details will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 4, the vent flap 230 further includes the third opening 237 and the fourth opening 239 provided at the intermediate sides S3 and S4, respectively. The third opening 237 and the fourth opening 239 are normally opened, similar to the second opening 133. Connecting lines 134 are formed at a predetermined interval along the intermediate sides S3 and S4 to form the third opening 237 and the fourth opening 239.

Even though the first opening 131 of the vent flap 230 is not sufficiently opened, since the releasing force of the vent strap 150 is weak, the gas in the airbag cushion 110 is discharged also through the second opening 133. However, the gas in the airbag cushion 110 may not be sufficiently discharged through the second opening 133. In view of this circumstance, the third opening 237 and the fourth opening 239 are further provided. The third opening 237 and the fourth opening 239 may be smaller than the second opening 133.

The first to fourth openings 131,133,237, and 239 are disposed along edges of the vent flap 230 to get out of the area of the vent hole 115a. Through this configuration, at the early stage to inflate the airbag cushion 110, the airbag cushion 110 is rapidly inflated, and the gas in the airbag cushion 110 is effectively discharged when the occupant comes into contact with the inflated airbag cushion 110.

Even though the vent flap 230 is not sufficiently released because the small occupant comes into contact with the inflated airbag cushion 110, and the vent flap 230 is not sufficiently released, the gas discharged through the vent hole 115a is suitably discharged through the first to

fourth openings

131, 133, 237 and 239, thereby relieving the shock applied to the occupant from the airbag cushion 110.

Compared to the airbag 100 described above, an airbag 300 illustrated in FIG. 5 includes a vent hole 115c disposed adjacent to the first opening 131. Accordingly, identical reference signs are given to the elements identical to those of the airbag 100, and repeated details will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 5, an inner peripheral surface of the vent hole 115c is disposed adjacent to the first opening 131. Through this configuration, the interference between the gas discharged from the vent hole 115c and vent flap 130 is relatively reduced. Accordingly, the gas can be smoothly discharged through the first opening 131.

As a result, even though the vent flap 130 is not sufficiently released because the small occupant comes into contact with the inflated airbag cushion 110 or the occupant comes into contact with the lower portion of the airbag cushion 110, the gas is relatively rapidly discharged through the vent hole 115c disposed adjacent to the first opening 131. At this time, the gas is discharged also through the normally opened second opening 133. Accordingly, the shock applied to the occupant from the airbag cushion 110 can be effectively relieved.

The vent flap 130 of the airbag 300 according to still another exemplary embodiment may further include the second to fourth openings 133,237 and 239.

In the following descriptions, configuration of an airbag according to still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Hereafter, the airbag 700 may have a vent flap 730 and vent strap 750 that are similar to the vent flap 130 and the vent strap 150. Accordingly, like features are designated with like reference numerals, with the leading digits incremented to “7”. Relevant disclosure set forth above regarding similarly identified features thus may not be repeated hereafter.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing a state in which an airbag of an airbag apparatus is inflated according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6, the airbag 700 is upwardly inflated to fill a space between the instrument panel 5 and the windshield 7 by the gas supplied by the inflator 3 and inflated toward the rear side of a vehicle to fill a space in front of an occupant seat.

The airbag 700 includes an airbag cushion 710, a vent flap 730, and vent strap 750.

The airbag cushion 710 includes a front panel 711 directed toward the occupant O of the vehicle, a rear panel 713 directed toward the front panel 711, side panels 715 provided at both sides of the front panel 711. The airbag cushion 710 may be formed in a single material including the front panel 711, the rear panel 713 and side panels 715. In another embodiment, each panel may include a separate piece of material.

A vent hole 715a is provided in the respective side panels 715. The vent hole 715a is formed in a circular shape. The vent holes 715a is not limited thereto, may have various shapes, such as slit shapes.

The vent hole 715a may be provided in other panels. When the vent hole 715a is formed in the side panels 715, a high temperature/pressure gas is prevented from being directly discharged toward the occupant, thereby preventing a secondary injury of the occupant.

The vent flap 730 openably covers the vent hole 715a from the outside of the airbag cushion 710. The vent flap 730 is comprised of a plate-shaped woven cloth and placed over the vent holes 715a.

The vent flap 730 includes an openable side 731 and is coupled to the outside of the airbag cushion 710 by a connecting line 734 such as a sewing line, an adhesive line, a radio frequency welding line and a heat sealing line.

The vent strap 750 includes a flap supporting portion 751 disposed between the vent flap 730 and the front panel 711 of the airbag cushion 710, and an extension portion 753 disposed between the front panel 711 and the rear panel 713 of the airbag cushion 710.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line Ⅶ-Ⅶ of FIG. Ⅵ, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which an occupant comes into contact with an airbag according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the vent strap 750 includes: a flap supporting portion 751 of which one end portion 751a is supported in the airbag cushion 710 and an opposite end 751b is coupled to the vent flap 730, and an extension portion 753 extended from the one end portion 751a of the flap supporting portion 751 to be fixed to the rear side of the airbag cushion 710. In another embodiment, the extension portion 753 may be configured in a member separated from the flap supporting portion 751.

The one end portion 751a of the flap supporting portion 751 is supported to an inner surface of the front panel 711 of the airbag cushion 710. In another embodiment, when the extension portion 753 is separated from the flap supporting portion 751, the one end portion 751a of the flap supporting portion 751 may be supported to the extension portion 753.

The opposite end portion 751b of the vent strap 750 is withdrawn through the vent hole 715a to the outside of the airbag cushion 710, and the withdrawn portion of the vent strap 750 is interposed between the side panel 715 and the vent flap 730, so that the opposite end portion 751b of the vent strap 750 is coupled to the airbag cushion 710 and the vent flap 730 through a connecting line 735.

The opposite end portion 751b of the vent strap 750 passes through the vent hole 715a and is coupled to a portion N in the vent flap 730, which is adjacent to the first openable side 731 of the vent flap 730, thereby allowing the gas to pass smoothly through the vent hole 115a without being interfered with the vent strap 750.

A front guiding member 761 is provided at the inner surface of the front panel 711 of the airbag cushion 710 to moveably support the vent strap 750. A lateral guiding member 763 is provided at the inner surface of the side panel 715 of the airbag cushion to moveably support the vent strap 750.

The opposite end portion 751b of the vent strap 750 is coupled to the portion N adjacent to the openable side 731 of the vent flap 730. Through this configuration, when the airbag cushion 710 is inflated, the portion of the vent flap 730, which is adjacent to the openable side 731, makes close contact with the side panel 715 of the airbag cushion 710 by the tensional force of the vent strap 750, so that the openable side 731 is closed.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the Ⅸ marking portion of FIG. 6.

Referring to FIG. 9, since the openable side 731 of the vent flap 730 is disposed adjacent to the inner peripheral surface of the vent hole 715a, even though the openable side 731 is sufficiently opened, the gas in the airbag cushion 710 can be discharged to the outside of the airbag cushion 710.

In other words, when a small occupant comes into contact with the airbag cushion 710, the front panel 711 of the airbag cushion 710 may be not sufficiently moved toward the rear panel of the airbag cushion 710 or a lower portion of the airbag cushion 710 may be pressed. In this case, the vent flap 150 is not released, and the openable side 731 is not opened.

However, since the vent hole 715a is disposed adjacent to the openable side 731, even though the openable side 731 is not sufficiently opened, the gas discharged through the vent hole 715a can be smoothly discharged toward the outside of the airbag cushion 710 through the openable side 731.

The vent flap 730 is coupled to the outside of the airbag cushion 710 through the connecting line 734 formed along the remaining sides other than the openable side 731 of the vent flap 730.

The vent hole 715a is formed in a circular shape, and a length of the openable side 731 is greater than the diameter of the vent hole 715a. In another embodiment, the vent hole 715a may have a slit-like shape.

The vent flap 730 includes a trapezoidal base area A1 having a long side S1 and short side S2, which are parallel to each other and an auxiliary area A2 having inclined sides S5 inclinedly extended from both ends of the long side S1 in a direction growing away from the long side S1.

The vent hole 715a is disposed to protrude partially out of the long side S1 of the base area, and the connecting line 734 is formed along the long side S1, the short side S2, and two sides S3 and S4 between the long side S1 and short side S2.

In the above descriptions, a substantially trapezoidal vent flap 730 is described. However, the shape of the vent flap 730 is not limited thereto but various modifications may be realized.

The vent flap 730 is disposed above the vent hole 715a and may have any pocket shapes having at least one openable side.

Referring to FIG. 7, upon vehicle collision, the inflator 3 is operated to allow the gas to be discharged into the airbag cushion 710. The airbag cushion 710 is inflated by the gas.

At a time beginning to inflate the airbag cushion 710, the vent flap 730 is disposed above the vent hole 715a, so that the vent hole 715a is closed. Accordingly, the gas is prevented from being discharged from the vent hole 715a, and the airbag cushion 710 can be rapidly inflated using the gas supplied from the inflator 3.

The extension portion 753 of the vent strap 750 extends toward the occupant O with inflation of the airbag cushion 710. At this time, the flap supporting portion 751 of the vent strap 750 is pulled toward an inside of the airbag cushion 710 and strained between the front panel 711 of the airbag cushion 710 and vent flap 730. Accordingly, the vent flap 730 is prevented from being moved away from the vent hole 715a by the increased gas pressure in the airbag cushion 710, so that the vent hole 715a is closed.

As a result, the gas in the airbag cushion710 is maintained at high pressure.

Referring to FIG. 3, when the occupant O comes into contact with the airbag cushion 710, the occupant O pushes the front panel 711 of the airbag cushion 710 toward the rear panel 713, so that the vent strap 750 becomes loose, and the tensional force for pulling the vent flap 730 toward the interior of the airbag cushion 710 is released. Accordingly, the vent flap 730 is moved away from the vent hole 715a due to the pressure of the gas in the airbag cushion 710.

As a result, the gas is discharged through the vent hole 715a, and is discharged through the openable side 731 of the vent flap 730 in the arrow B direction.

When the occupant comes into contact with the inflated airbag cushion 710 and the airbag cushion 710 is pressed, the gas in the airbag cushion 710 is suitably discharged out of the airbag cushion 110 through the vent hole 115a and the openable side 731 of the vent flap 730, thereby gradually reducing the internal pressure of the airbag cushion 710. Accordingly, the impact applied to the occupant O from the airbag cushion 710 is absorbed.

When the occupant is the regular adult, the occupant substantially comes into contact with the front panel 711 of the airbag cushion 710. Accordingly, the shock from the airbag cushion 710 is relieved by the principle as described above.

However, when the size of the occupant is small or the occupant is not seated at the predetermined seating position, the pressing force applied to the airbag cushion 710 from the occupant O may be weak. In this case, the vent strap 750 is maintained in a tensioned state, the vent flap 730 is not sufficiently released, thereby preventing the gas from being smoothly discharged out of the airbag cushion 110 through the openable side 731.

Such a problem can be resolved by the vent hole 115a disposed adjacent to the openable side 731. Details of operation will be described below.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 9, for example, when the small occupant comes into contact with the front panel 711 of the airbag cushion 710, the pressing force applied to the airbag cushion 710 is weak. In this case, the distance for moving the front panel 711 of the airbag cushion 710 toward the rear panel 713 is reduced. Accordingly, the vent strap 750 is not released and is pulled toward the interior of the airbag cushion 710, thereby preventing the vent flap 730 from sufficiently moving away from the side panel 715 of the airbag cushion 710. As a result, the first opening 731 is not sufficiently opened, thereby preventing the gas from being smoothly discharged out of the airbag cushion 710.

At this time, since the vent hole 715a is disposed adjacent to the openable side 731, the gas discharged through the vent hole 715a is easily discharged out of the airbag cushion 710 through the openable side 731. Accordingly, the shock applied to the occupant O from the airbag cushion 710 is relieved.

Meanwhile, even though the front panel 711 of the airbag cushion 710 is not moved toward the rear panel 713, and the vent strap 750 is not released because the occupant comes into contact with the lower portion of the airbag cushion 710, the gas in the airbag cushion 710 is discharged through the openable side 731 adjacent to the vent hole 715a by the pressing force applied to the lower portion of the airbag cushion 710.

Accordingly, even though the occupant comes into contact with the lower portion of the airbag cushion 710, the gas in the airbag cushion 710 is suitably discharged through the openable side 731, thereby reliving the shock applied to the occupant from the airbag cushion 710.

In the above descriptions, the passenger seat airbag is described. However, the airbag described above is not limited thereto, but the airbag may be applied to various airbag apparatuses, such as airbag apparatus mounted in a steering wheel.

While exemplary embodiments have been particularly described above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, additions and substitutions in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of the inventive concept as defined by the following claims.

Claims

An airbag for a vehicle, comprising:

an airbag cushion having a vent hole;

a vent flap coupled to an outside of the airbag cushion to cover the vent hole and configured to have an openable opening and at least one open opening; and

a vent strap having one end coupled to the vent flap and an opposite end supported to an inner surface of the airbag cushion,

wherein the openable opening and the open opening are disposed along edges of the vent flap, and

the openable opening is configured to be greater than the open opening.
The airbag of claim 1, wherein the vent flap comprises a long side, a short side facing the long side, and intermediate sides coupled to both ends of each of the long side and the short side,

the vent flap is coupled to the airbag cushion through connecting lines formed along the intermediate sides,

the openable opening is disposed at the long side, and

the open opening is disposed at the short side.
The airbag of claim 2, wherein the open opening is additionally formed at the intermediate sides of the vent flap.
The airbag of claim 2, wherein the vent flap comprises a trapezoidal shape.
The airbag of claim 1, wherein the opposite end of the vent strap is withdrawn through the vent hole toward an outside of the airbag cushion, and disposed between the airbag cushion and the vent flap.
The airbag of claim 5, wherein the opposite end of the vent strap is coupled to the airbag cushion and a portion of the vent flap, the portion of the vent flap being adjacent to the openable opening.
The airbag of claim 1, wherein an inner peripheral surface of the vent hole is disposed adjacent to the openable opening.
An airbag for a vehicle, comprising:

an airbag cushion having a vent hole;

a vent flap coupled to an outside of the airbag cushion to cover the vent hole and configured to have an openable side provided at a side thereof; and

a vent strap having one end coupled to the vent flap and an opposite end supported to an inner surface of the airbag cushion,

wherein the vent flap is coupled to the outside of the airbag cushion through a connecting line formed along remaining sides other than the openable side of the vent flap, and

the vent hole is disposed adjacent to the openable side.
The airbag of claim 8, wherein the openable side includes a length greater than a diameter of the vent hole.
The airbag of claim 9, wherein the vent flap comprises:

a trapezoidal base area having a long side and a short side, the long side and the short side being parallel to each other; and an auxiliary area having inclined sides inclinedly extended from both ends of the long side in a direction growing away from the long side,

the vent hole is disposed to protrude partially toward the outside of the long side of the base area, and

the connecting line is formed along two sides between the long side and the short side.
The airbag of claim 10, wherein the one end of the vent flap is coupled to a front panel of the airbag cushion,

the openable side is disposed to face the front panel of the airbag cushion, and

the opposite end of the vent flap is withdrawn through the vent hole toward the outside of the airbag cushion and coupled to the airbag cushion and a portion of the vent flap, the portion being adjacent to the openable side.