CN105934369A - Passenger side airbag - Google Patents

Abstract

An airbag (910) includes at least one panel (12) defining an interior of the airbag, a divider (100) positioned in the interior so as to divide the interior into an upper chamber (102) and a lower chamber (104), and at least one tethering mechanism (990) positioned within the lower chamber (104). The at least one tether mechanism (990) is structured and attached to the at least one panel (12) so as to restrict movement of a portion of the at least one panel during airbag inflation such that a first recess (991) is formed along an exterior surface of the airbag (910) when the airbag is inflated.

Description

Passenger-side air bag

Cross-Reference to Related Applications

This application claims the priority of the U.S. Provisional Application No 61/929,764 submitted on January 21st, 2014, this U.S. The disclosure of provisional application is integrally incorporated by way of reference at this.

Technical field

The present invention relates to a kind of passenger-side air bag, described air bag is tight such as head-on crash or side collision Anxious situation is filled with a gas.It will be appreciated that, its structural benefit and design principle certainly may extend into and be typically used in car Other region in air bag, such as side airbag.

Background technology

Current air bag buffer designs and can include multiple chamber and can comprise permission gas flowing to from a chamber Valve system between the room of another chamber.These buffers are configured to when expanding contact rapidly automotive occupant, to limit passenger Head, cervical region and the movement at chest position.But, these buffers design between the position that these are different, at air bag As broad as long with the rigidity of the various piece of each location contacts or resistance aspect.

Research shows, the quality of each body part contacted with air bag is significantly different.Such as, the property of people is depended on Not, chest can be in the range of 5:1 to 8:1 with the mass ratio of head and neck region.Due to the difference in terms of body part quality The difference in terms of the kinetics contacted between different and occupant with this buffer, it has proved that be difficult to design a kind of for contact Each body part of air bag provides the multi-chambered air bag of best protection.

Therefore, demand is also existed for following airbag design: this airbag design allows according to from substitute When capsule starts to spread out, the relevant portion with air bag of elapsed time, the stature of occupant and/or occupant contacts The quality of different piece adjusts rigidity by each part offer of air bag, for occupant crash or resistance.For Following bag structure there is also demand: this bag structure is suitable for controlling connecing due to passenger and air bag (it is defined as: head and cervical region are around unexpected at cervical region-joint of trunk of trunk for the neck-stretching moment touched and cause Rotation).

Summary of the invention

An aspect in embodiment as herein described, it is provided that a kind of air bag.This air bag includes: at least one Individual panel, this at least one panel limits the inside of air bag；Separator, this separator is positioned in described inside, with by institute State inside and be divided into upper chamber and lower chambers；With at least one constraint mechanism (tethering mechanism), this at least one Constraint mechanism is positioned at bottom chamber.This at least one constraint mechanism is constructed and is attached at least one panel described, in order to The movement of a part at least one panel is limited during airbag cushion, thus when airbag cushion along substitute The outer surface of capsule forms the first recess.

Another aspect in embodiment as herein described, it is provided that a kind of air bag.This air bag includes: at least One panel, this at least one panel limits the inside of air bag；Separator, this separator is positioned in described inside, to incite somebody to action Described inside is divided into upper chamber and lower chambers；With at least one attaching means (tether), this at least one attaching means is positioned at In chamber.This at least one attaching means is attached to separator and is attached to a part at least one panel described, in order to A part for separator is limited towards the movement on the direction of lower chambers during airbag cushion.

Another aspect in embodiment as herein described, it is provided that a kind of air bag.This air bag includes: at least One panel, this at least one panel limits the inside of air bag, and separator, and this separator is positioned in described inside, with Described inside is divided into upper chamber and lower chambers.Described in being not attached at least partially of the leading edge of this separator at least one Occupant's contact side of individual panel.

Accompanying drawing explanation

Fig. 1 is according to the sectional side of embodiment (being in a swelling state) passenger-side air bag as herein described View.

Fig. 2 is the front view of the air bag of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is the schematic perspective sectional view of the air bag of Fig. 1, it is shown that the element within air bag.

Fig. 4 is the side view of the air bag of the Fig. 1 installing in vehicle, in the front of the passenger taken a seat and launching.

Fig. 5 is the perspective view of the passenger-side air bag of Fig. 1-4, and this passenger-side air bag is shown at expanding shape State and being arranged in vehicle.

Fig. 6 is the perspective view of the air bag according to another embodiment as herein described, and this air bag is shown as It is in swelling state and is arranged in vehicle.

Fig. 7 according to embodiment as herein described, show apery assay device (Anthropomorphic Test Device) relative scale and for limiting the schematic diagram of the relevant parameter of separator expected location in air bag.

Mixing type III the 5th percentile that Fig. 8 contacts with the air bag launched according to embodiment as herein described Women tests the side view of apery assay device, and this air bag has the separator being positioned at air bag.

Mixing type III the 50th percentile that Fig. 9 contacts with the air bag launched according to embodiment as herein described Male tests the side view of apery assay device, and this air bag has the separator being positioned at air bag.

Figure 10 shows the side of the vehicle's passenger compartment of the apery assay device taken a seat before vehicle airbag launches View.

Figure 11 is the side view of the Figure 10 after air bag has just been activated and has started to spread out.

Figure 12 is the side view of the Figure 11 after have passed through extra time after air bag is activated.

Figure 13 is the view of the Figure 12 after the head of passenger and neck region completely attach to air bag.

Figure 14 is the figure after the seam at the chest position of passenger with the leading edge of air bag separator panel contacts The view of 13.

Figure 15 is the separator panel in the sectional top view of unexpanded air bag, it is shown that the generation in this separator The position of ventilating part between the room of table.

Figure 16 is the side view of a part for the air bag being in swelling state shown in Figure 15, it is shown that ventilate between room The position in portion, and show a reality of the air bag relevant to the head mixing six years old child's apery assay device of type III Execute the initial bubble stage of example.

Figure 16 A is the side cross-sectional view of the air bag embodiment being in swelling state shown in Figure 16.

Figure 16 B is the zoomed-in view of a part for the side cross-sectional view shown in Figure 16 A.

Figure 17 is the side view of the air bag of Figure 16, it is shown that the late expansion stage of air bag.

Figure 18 be mixing type III three years old and six years old child's apery assay device (ATD) the signal of the position 2 tested of offing normal Figure.

Figure 19 show from air bag upper chamber via separator opening to lower chambers gas flow schematic Represent.

Figure 20 is of the inside of the air bag of the embodiment including separator as herein described and valve system The perspective view divided.

Figure 21 A is that a part for the air bag shown in Figure 20 flows to air bag at gas from the upper chamber of air bag Lower chambers during side cross-sectional view.

Figure 21 B is the cross sectional elevation of a part for the air bag shown in Figure 21 A.

Figure 22 A is that a part for the air bag shown in Figure 21 A flows to substitute at gas from the lower chambers of air bag Side cross-sectional view during the upper chamber of capsule.

Figure 22 B is the cross sectional elevation of a part for the air bag shown in Figure 22 A.

Figure 23 illustrates the perspective using system, an inventive improvements embodiment uniquely with attaching means Figure, wherein, this attaching means is attached to air bag separator and main panel.

Figure 23 A is the cross section using another embodiment that uniquely have the system of attaching means, inventive improvements Perspective view, wherein, this attaching means is attached to air bag separator and main panel.

Figure 24 is the elevational cross-section using another embodiment that uniquely have the system of attaching means, inventive improvements Figure, wherein, this attaching means is attached to air bag separator and main panel.

Figure 24 A is the viewgraph of cross-section of the air bag shown in Figure 24.

Figure 25 is to use the cross section of another embodiment that uniquely have the system of attaching means, inventive improvements saturating View, wherein, this attaching means is attached to air bag separator and main panel.

Figure 25 A is the viewgraph of cross-section of the air bag shown in Figure 25.

Figure 25 B is the schematic section side view of the air bag according to specific embodiment as herein described.

Figure 25 C is the front view of the air bag embodiment shown in Figure 25 B or towards the view of passenger.

Figure 26 A and Figure 26 B is the schematic section side view of the air bag according to embodiment as herein described, it is shown that When the bag inflates, the part occupied by upper chamber and lower chambers of this air bag internal volume.

Figure 27 be include separator according to embodiment as herein described, there is the leading edge along separator panel The sectional top view of the air bag of substituting valve position.

Figure 28 is to include separator according to another embodiment as herein described, have the substitute of substituting valve position The schematic cross-sectional top view of a part for capsule.

Figure 29 is the top view of the separator shown in Figure 28.

Figure 30 is the schematic cross-sectional side of the air bag including the internal constraint mechanism according to embodiment as herein described View.

Figure 31 is air bag schematic including the internal constraint mechanism according to another embodiment as herein described Side cross-sectional view.

Figure 32 is the front view (towards the view of passenger) of the air bag embodiment shown in Figure 31.

Figure 33 shows an embodiment of internal constraint part and occupant's contact surface of air bag and rear surface The viewgraph of cross-section of attachment.

The perspective view of one embodiment of the constraint mechanism that Figure 33 A is included in the air bag embodiment of Figure 33.

Figure 34 shows the cross-sectional plan view of the air bag of the embodiment including internal constraint mechanism.

Figure 35 is the sectional top view of the air bag embodiment shown in Figure 32 and Figure 33.

Figure 36 is the sectional side perspective view of the air bag embodiment shown in Figure 33.

Figure 37 and Figure 38 is the perspective view of other air bag embodiment, and each embodiment is included in air bag The recess formed in occupant's contact surface.

Figure 39 is the schematic side elevation of the air bag embodiment of Figure 33, and described air bag wraps up in the deployed state On the head of child ATD.

Figure 39 A is the schematic side elevation of the air bag according to embodiment as herein described, and this air bag is constructed Become the head covering the baby being positioned in infant car seat when expanding.

Figure 40 is the view of the vehicle occupant protection system including air bag according to embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 41 is before vehicle airbag activates, be in the NHTSA according to FMVSS standard No.208 offs normal test The side view of three years old child's apery assay device on position 1.

Figure 42 is the side view of the Figure 41 after vehicle airbag activates.

Figure 43 is to include the separator according to another embodiment described herein and the air bag of flowing restriction valve system The schematic cross-sectional top view of a part.

Figure 44 is the perspective schematic view of the air bag shown in Figure 43.

Figure 45 is to include the separator according to another embodiment described herein and the air bag of flowing restriction valve system The schematic cross-sectional top view of a part.

Figure 45 A is the perspective schematic view of the air bag shown in Figure 45.

Figure 46 is an embodiment schematic that valve system is merged into the air bag in the leading edge separating panel Side cross-sectional view, it is shown that this valve is in open mode.

Figure 46 A is the side view of Figure 46, it is shown that this valve is in open mode.

Figure 47 is the signal of another embodiment that valve system is merged into the air bag in the leading edge separating panel Property side cross-sectional view, it is shown that this valve is in open mode.

Figure 47 A is the side view of Figure 47, it is shown that this valve is in open mode.

Detailed description of the invention

Run through the description of several views of accompanying drawing, the parts that identical reference instruction is identical.Although it addition, desired value It is cited for various features as herein described, it will be appreciated that these values can due to the factor of such as foozle slightly Change, and it is also contemplated that be this change in the concept of embodiment as herein described.

Embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to accompanying drawing.The skilled artisan will recognize that substitute Capsule design, it is construction and operation of multiple aspect and can be applicable to the embodiment of invention as described herein.Such as United States Patent (USP) No.6886857, No.7857347, No.8128124 and No.8322748 describe many such aspects and at this by drawing Mode be integrally incorporated (but being not limited to this).

Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 is the view of passenger-side air bag 10 (being in swelling state) according to embodiments of the present invention.Fig. 1 Being formed to the air bag embodiment shown in Fig. 4 by three panels, these three panel together defines the shell of air bag.Special Not, this air bag by main panel 12, right panel 14 (when observing this air bag from the position taken a seat) and with the right side The Left-Hand Panel 16 that side panel 14 is contrary is formed.Each in side panel 14,16 may each be general plane (when with other When panel separates and is placed flat on).Left panel and right panel are connected and wrap around air bag 10 by main panel 12 Wrap up in.As a result, the whole right hand edge of main panel 12 is connected to right panel 14 (such as, by sewing up, sew up or other conjunction along seam 70 Suitable mode), and the whole left hand edge of main panel 12 is connected to left panel 16 (such as, by sewing up, sewing up or it along seam 72 Its suitable mode).

Main panel 12 has front collision side 20 and rear inflation side 22.After wrapping up around air bag 10, main panel 12 End be bonded to each other at rear inflation side.After it addition, inflation side 22 has slit (not shown), and described slit is dimensioned To receive aerator (not shown), and can also include hole (not shown), described hole be dimensioned to receive bolt (or other Suitably securing member), this bolt is configured to air bag 10 is fixed to body of a motor car (or other device).Air bag or The air bag that first " front side " of main panel 12 collided by automotive occupant when being to be constructed and be positioned in air bag activation Part.

The part of the one or more panels 12,14,16 limiting upper chamber 102 can include one or more buffering ventilation Portion 106, to be discharged into gas environment from upper chamber in a controlled manner during contact between passenger and air bag.

Referring to figs. 1 to Fig. 4, separate panel or separator 100 and sewed up or the most attached along its periphery Receive the inner surface of main panel, left panel and right panel.Separator 100 is attached to panel inner surface along seam 110, in order to Separator and and separator attachment panel between formed air-flow limit seal.In a particular embodiment, separator 100 is along seam 110 are attached to panel inner surface, in order to separator and and separator attachment panel between formed gas-tight seal.Separator 100 will be divided into upper chamber 102 and lower chambers 104 inside air bag.This separator is also attached to other portion of air bag Divide (by stitching, bondage or other one or more methods suitable any), to provide desired profile (such as, such as Fig. 1 Profile shown in side view) and the desired locations of separator leading edge, as described herein.

In the embodiments described herein, air bag 10 and the inflated configuration of separator 100 and separator 100 and with The position of the intersection area between the interior section of the panel 12,14,16 of separator attachment is configured to guarantee various stature The head of passenger and neck region are (for mixing type III the 5th percentile women apery assay device (ATD) 305, unification labelling It is 302；ATD 405 is tested for mixing type III the 50th percentile male, is designated generally as 402；For mixing type III the 95th Percentile male tests ATD 505, is designated generally as 502, as shown in Figure 7) along the outside of upper chamber 102 of air bag Collide this air bag (that is, upper chamber 102 absorbs the head of passenger and the collision of neck region).The structure of separator 100, separator 100 location in air bag and the leading edge 100a of separator is attached to part 110a of seam 110 of panel 12 Position make this buffer that relatively heavy chest position can be made (usually, to be indicated as 304 in ATD 305, at ATD Be indicated as 404 in 405, and be indicated as 504 in ATD 505) move forward with relatively small and lighter head and Moving forward of neck region 302,402,502 matches.As known in correlation technique, apery assay device or ATD are in shape Shape, quality and mechanical response aspect have the form of people, and it is equipped with sensor, including accelerometer, deflection sensor and its Its measurement apparatus, to simulate the characteristic of human body.It is for assessment damage probability in clashing into safety test.

Referring to figs. 1 to Fig. 4, in one example, the separator 100 that the inner surface with the front side 20 of main panel 12 is attached Edge 100a limits the leading edge of separator 100.Leading edge 100a is attached to the front side 20 of main panel and by structure along seam 110 Cause so that: when during air bag is arranged on vehicle and when expanding completely, leading edge 100a and this leading edge is attached to described Part 110a of the seam 110 of front side is by below the head of any passenger being in air bag frontside contacts and neck region (more specifically, being in region Z shown in Fig. 7 and defined below).In this structure of air bag, passenger's Head and neck region are by always along this air bag of external contact of air bag upper chamber 102.

In the specific embodiment shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 4, separator 100 is attached to airbag panel 12,14,16 Inner surface and form curved surface 100b, described surface 100b has part 100c downwards angularly, and described part 100c is eventually Terminate in and be connected at the leading edge 100a of front side 20.But, the seam that separator 100 is connected to main panel and side panel can have Have at the desired locations in the Z of region and facilitate attachment to any position needed for panel 12 and/or structure, as described herein.Example As, Fig. 5 shows that Fig. 1's to Fig. 4 is in swelling state and the air bag embodiment being arranged in vehicle.

In specific embodiment as herein described, multiple airbag unit is formed and is connected with each other so that: work as safety When air bag expands completely, during occupant and air bag interact in early days, front side 20 auxiliary of air bag maintain head, Cervical region and chest body part are along the alignment of the line L shown in Fig. 4, and wherein the upper body part of occupant is from hip pivot axis 202 L along the line pivots forward.When occupant's touch-safe air bag, it is desirable to maintain head and the alignment at chest position, and balance by peace The energy that full air bag absorbs from head and chest, to minimize head around cervical region and relative to the motion of trunk or rotation.As In Fig. 4 visible, this air bag is constructed such that the upper chamber of this buffer and the part towards occupant 20 of lower chambers are formed greatly Cause flat plane, as in figure by indicated by line P.At the commitment of airbag cushion, seat seat belt (does not shows Going out) tensioning to be to be limited in the pectus position of member in seat.Therefore, at this moment, hip pivot axis 202 is in first Put at H1.At the later stage expanded, seat belt tensioner relaxes, thus allows pivot axis 202 to move from position H1 To second position H2, this second position H2 is closer to plane P or is in plane P.Therefore, during the later stage expanded, Due to the movement of occupant, line L extends near plane P or along plane P.

With reference to Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, in the embodiments described herein, the leading edge 100a of separator is attached to main along seam 110 Panel, described seam 110 is oriented to be in the Z of region, described region Z at the Z2 of lower end by the mixing type III the 500th taken a seat The hip pivot axis 202 of point position women ATD 305 limits and by mixing type III the 50th percentile man taken a seat at the Z1 of upper end Property ATD 405 shoulder pivot 206 ' limit, including hip pivot axis 202 and shoulder pivot 206 '.49CFR Part Defining these boundary positions as herein described and other characteristic of all test ATD in 572, described 49CFR Part 572 exists This is integrally incorporated by way of reference, and such as can be from following network addresshttp://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR- 2011-title49-vol7/pdf/CFR-2011-title49-vol7-part572.pdfObtain.In a particular embodiment, The hip pivot axis 202 of mixing type III the 5th percentile women ATD 305 sat is in the part of the seat contacted with this ATD The vertical distance of 3.30 inches, top, and, the shoulder pivot of mixing type III the 50th percentile male ATD 405 taken a seat The distance of the 206 ' upper 17.5 inches being in the seat contacted with this ATD.Therefore, in a particular embodiment, region Z Size be 14.2 inches.

It is noted that the hip pivot axis conllinear of the ATD 305,405 and 505 taken a seat or be in sustained height Place, thus, the hip pivot of mixing type III the 50th percentile male ATD 405 taken a seat can be described as 202 ', the mixing taken a seat The hip pivot of type III the 95th percentile male ATD 505 can be described as 202 ".It addition, mixing type III the 5th percentile taken a seat The shoulder pivot of women ATD 305 is referred to as 206, the shoulder pivot of mixing type III the 50th percentile male ATD 405 taken a seat It is referred to as 206 ', and the shoulder pivot of mixing type III the 95th percentile male ATD 505 taken a seat is referred to as 206 ".Region Z's This general border also is used as axis of reference.The most in this embodiment, the respective shoulder of ATD 305,405 and 505 it is positioned at Body part above pivot is considered for limiting the respective head of ATD and neck region.Fig. 8 shows the substitute of expansion The front contact surface of capsule 10 or rear contact surface and separator leading edge seam 110a that positions as just mentioned with mix type III Contact between 5th percentile women ATD 305.Fig. 9 shows the air bag 10 of the expansion identical with the design shown in Fig. 8 With contacting between mixing type III the 50th percentile male ATD 405.It will be seen that ATD 305 contacts aforementioned with 405 In the Z of region, separator leading edge 100a is connected to seam 110a of air bag main panel 12.

Have been found that by by separator leading edge 110 along being positioned at the limit superior of region Z (that is, by the mixing taken a seat The horizontal axis that the shoulder pivot 206 ' of type III the 50th percentile male ATD 405 limits) place or below described limit superior and Seam 110a near described limit superior is connected to main panel 12, and (that is, head and cervical region encloses to greatly reduce neck-stretching moment The trend rotated relative to trunk at cervical region-joint of trunk).

Such as, for mixing type III the 5th percentile women ATD taken a seat, it has been discovered that during crash tests, dividing At least some of of spacing body leading edge forms gas flowing from occupant's contact side separation of air bag along occupant's contact side In the air bag embodiment of passage, the upper part of the head of this ATD will contact the softest or more " can tighten " upper chamber 102, this ATD be positioned at the part contact below chin relative to higher pressure lower chambers (bottom chamber pressure due to With occupant contact and flow limit the backflow that is restricted in upper chamber of valve and after raising), and the chin of this ATD be positioned at The area contact of the close occupant's contact side gas flow channel in chamber, and this region has at higher lower chambers pressure and The relatively low intermediate pressure between upper chamber's pressure.

And, because the position of separator connecting sewing 110a is along occupant's contact surface reduction of air bag, so, ATD's Head region is oriented to be relatively distant from separator and be deeper positioned in the softest upper chamber.Therefore, in the case, head Portion may be in response to neck-stretching moment with neck region and rotates to relative bigger degree.

It has also been found that, it is desirable to adjust leading edge seam 110a position in combination in response to due to occupant and lower chambers The pressure that caused of the contact of airbag exterior control the gas backstreaming speed from lower chambers 104 to upper chamber 102.Example As, it is attached in the case of air bag in leading edge seam 110a in of a relatively high position, it may be desirable to flowing is limited Valve processed is configured to allow for relatively low reflux gas speed.This allows to make lower chambers the most promptly due to backflow " tightening ", this promotes the evenly deflation of this buffer, and contributes to maintaining and take advantage of whole along air bag occupant's contact surface The proportional support of member.This contributes in the relatively large rigidity provided by the higher position of seam 110a or for head Align with maintaining the health along plane P in the case of the bearing height of neck region.

Alternatively, it is attached in the case of air bag in leading edge seam 110a in relatively low position, Ke Nengxi Hope that flowing is limited valve is configured to allow for the biggest reflux gas speed.This allows lower chambers more quickly " the tightest Contracting ", this promotes the evenly deflation of this buffer, and contributes to maintaining along air bag occupant's contact surface whole occupant's Proportional support.This contributes in the relatively large ratio of health along the external impact substitute of relatively soft upper chamber The health along plane P is maintained to align in the case of capsule.

It has been discovered that limited the position of valve arrangement by the leading edge and flowing as above controlling connecting sewing 110a Put, the controlled deceleration of the trunk of occupant, head and neck region can be affected, and use known analysis method and/or lead to Cross iteration tests, can minimize for given passenger's stature, Vehicle structure and other application parameter or even eliminate cervical region power The impact of square.

With reference now to Figure 26 A and Figure 26 B, according to some embodiment as herein described, can be according to valve system and separator face The aerodynamic configuration of plate integrates " sharing volume " in air bag.That is, this separator can construct and be attached to outside air bag Panel, with separator be not attached in the part of outer panels provide a certain degree of lax.This relaxing makes in safety During the initial bubble of air bag or when upper chamber's pressure otherwise exceedes lower chambers pressure, the portion not being attached of separator Point can move up in the side of lower chambers, and during the loading of the lower part of air bag (or instantly chamber pressure with other When mode exceedes upper chamber's pressure) make described in the part that is not attached can move towards upper chamber.Described shared volume can be by such as Lower relation limits:

V_shared=V_upperP1-V_upperP2

Wherein, V_upperP1It it is the body of the upper chamber when expansion and separator chamber dilation completely downwards completely of the upper chamber Long-pending, and V_upperP2It it is the volume of the lower chambers lower chambers when expansion and separator chamber dilation fully upward completely.

When this buffer launches, the pressure in the relative volume of these chambers and chamber will during this buffer expands Change.Initially, when this buffer extends to expanded position from its stowed position, upper chamber will be filled.This is required, with The early stage to head is provided to support, because chest position is initially limited by seat harness.Filling and the pressurization of upper chamber cause The middle body not being attached of separator deflects to lower chambers.When upper chamber puts in place, from upper chamber by separator flowing limit Valve processed increases (as described herein) to the air-flow of lower chambers.This air-flow causes lower chambers to start to be filled.When lower chambers is filled Time, pressure and the volume of lower chambers also increase.Now, the pressure in upper chamber is tieed up by the continuous flow from aerator Hold.Flowing to bottom chamber continues, until this buffer reaches wherein upper chamber and the state of lower chambers basic pressure balance.

When the part initial contact of the chest of passenger and the airbag exterior of lower chambers, lower chambers pressure due to from The pressure of chest load and raise, force the middle body not being attached the upwards chamber dilation of separator.If in separator There is relatively large slack, then contact and the fully pressurized (offer heavily fortified point to passenger's chest of lower chambers with lower chambers passenger Real support) between the time quantum of experience the most relatively large, because the lower position that the non-attachment part of separator is from air bag Move to upper chamber.If on the contrary, the slack in separator is relatively small, then contacted and lower chambers with lower chambers passenger Between fully pressurized (providing the solid support to passenger's chest), the time quantum of experience is the most relatively small, because separator is the most attached Connect the part lower position upwards chamber in air bag to move.Therefore, V is worked as_sharedValue raise time, general effect be relax (soften) initial contact between the part of the airbag exterior of passenger's chest and lower chambers 104.

The ability being discharged gas by upper chamber's ventilating part 106 allows connecing in response to occupant's head the most lenitively Touch, limit valve 12 with partition flowing and allow gas to be back in upper chamber from lower chambers, thus contribute to maintaining a fastener Upper chamber's gas pressure needed for portion.

It addition, for given application and during air bag manufactures, upper chamber's ventilating part 106 and separator flowing limit The flow behavior of valve 12 processed is relative to each other adjusted so that maintain occupant and plane P with air bag during contacting (Fig. 4) alignment.

During initial filling, limiting valve by flowing as herein described, gas moves to lower chambers from upper chamber.With After, when and/or starting in the loading of occupant after lower chambers is full of, gas will move back to epicoele by this valve from lower chambers Room.Depending on the occupied state of these chambers given time in this event, the part not being attached of separator panel will be Move in this buffer (towards upper chamber or towards on the direction of lower chambers), thus provide previously described can adjustment can Variable volume.This provides the proportional constraint for the lightest head and relatively heavy chest, and it contributes to minimum The difference that may cause the less desirable power at cervical region changed between head and chest moves.Loading continuation and gas as occupant When two chambers are discharged to vehicle interior by the main ventilating part of upper chamber, head constraint and chest retrain between this flat Weighing apparatus is maintained, thus causes the low difference between head and chest to move and more favourable occupant's cervical region characteristic.

In other words, the flowing control characteristic of separator valve 12 and main ventilating part 16, the structure of separator and separator arrive The attachment of airbag exterior panel 12,14 and 16 is prescribed, to adjust during each stage that occupant contacts with this buffer Joint is by valve 12 and the air-flow of ventilating part 16 so that during contacting with occupant, the upper chamber of this buffer and the face of lower chambers Formed to the part of occupant 20 and maintain the general planar plane as indicated by the line P in Fig. 4.Flowed by this valve and ventilating part Characteristic regulates the pressure of upper chamber and lower chambers so that during occupant contacts with this buffer, this buffer to be to maintain Fig. 4 Mode needed for shown head-chest alignment supports occupant.This provides the desired low difference between head and chest Mobile.For given requirement, it is provided that the valve needed for the desired response of buffer load and ventilating part design parameter can be led to Cross analysis and/or determined in an iterative manner by experiment.

Control upper chamber and lower chambers as being attached institute by outer panels and the structure of separator panel and separator panel Limit geometry or the ability of shape and control described valve 112 and ventilating part 106 flow behavior ability realize expectation Optimal buffer aspect of performance be important be capable of in response to by taking advantage of with vehicle because properly selecting these parameters Member's head and chest location contacts and the loading that produces desirably adjusts the pressure in air bag and pressure distribution.

Desired relation between upper chamber's volume and lower chambers volume and described valve and ventilating part flow behavior is for spy Fixed application is affected by vehicle interior general layout, described general layout include windscreen angle, instrument board profile and other in Portion's feature, and also by position and the stature of (as by determining with the test of the ATD according to applicable standard) occupant Impact and the impact of occupant's prominent movement after collision (described movement is again by such as impact pulse and seat safety The impact of the factor of the energy management performance of band).These factors at the upper chamber volume concrete for given application and development and All it is taken into account when lower chambers volume and described valve and ventilating part flow behavior.

In some embodiment as herein described, it is provided that aerating system between a kind of room, to allow gas to flow from upper chamber Enter to bottom chamber, and be also used for controlling or limiting the backflow in lower chambers 104 to upper chamber 102.An embodiment In, flowing limits valve 112 (schematically showing in figure) and is included in separator 100 or is otherwise operatively coupled To separator 100, for the flowing controlled between upper chamber and lower chambers.This valve is constructed such that this valve is in decay or resistance Hinder the pressure actuating response time and upper chamber and lower chambers the gas flowing in lower chambers 104 to upper chamber 102 Power difference is proportional.This valve is also configured to so that gas is by the reflux rate in this valve to upper chamber and upper chamber and lower chambers Between pressure differential proportional.

In operation, when automotive occupant starts to load the lower chambers 104 of this buffer, the pressure liter of bottom chamber Height, thus cause the control member of valve system 112 to be closed, therefore limit gas backflow from lower chambers to upper chamber.This is limited The flowing of system absorbs energy from the occupant interacted with air bag now the most effectively.This flowing limits and also can be adjusted or adjust School, to absorb occupant's energy the most as required.The direction valve of the flowing between control upper chamber and lower chambers Mechanism 112 or flowing limit valve system 112 can have single operation component, exceedes epicoele chamber pressure in response to wherein lower chambers pressure The pressure differential of power, described control member allows desired inflow (to the inflow of lower chambers), and described restriction valve system 112 also may be used Operate into and limit by opening 200 and to the backflow in upper chamber in desired mode.Alternatively, as shown in Figure 19 to Figure 22 B Valve embodiment (being hereinafter more fully described) in visible, this valve system can have a control member for control arrive down Flowing and there is another control member with the backflow in limiting from lower chambers to upper chamber in chamber 104.Occupant to this In the later stage of buffer load, reflux and enter upper chamber from lower chambers, then gas from upper chamber by being positioned at the wall of upper chamber In main ventilating part (not shown) be discharged in environment.

In a particular embodiment, it may be desirable to more accurately and neatly control from upper chamber to lower chambers and then from cavity of resorption Flow to the gas of upper chamber in room.Therefore, Figure 19 to Figure 22 B illustrates separator and specific flowing limits valve embodiment, its It is easy to gas and and then returns to the flowing of upper chamber from upper chamber to lower chambers from lower chambers.Therefore, the enforcement of Figure 19 to Figure 22 B The purpose of example is (but not limited to) pressure in upper chamber and provides predetermined balance between the pressure of bottom chamber.Co-pending U.S. Patent application No.14/249, provide the detailed description of this valve embodiment in 930, the disclosure of this U.S. Patent application Content is integrally incorporated by way of reference at this.

In the embodiment of Figure 19 to Figure 22 B, fabric bilateral direction valve 312 is stitched or is otherwise affixed to separate Part panel 300 (configured as above) and upper chamber and lower chambers are connected, in order between upper chamber 302 and lower chambers 304 Fluid communication.Major bore 306 is formed in separating panel 300 and is easy to aerator gas from upper chamber 302 to lower chambers The initial flow of 304.First valve covering 308 is preferably by the formation of fabrics identical with separator 300, and thus, the first valve covers Part 308 is attached to the downside of separator panel 300 along the first separator attachment area 310, to cover major bore at least in part 306.First gas passage 315 is limited by the produced interface formed between the first valve covering 308 and separator panel 300 Fixed, thus, the initial gas from upper chamber 302 flows and turns to or by the first gas passage 315 around the first valve covering 308 guide the flowing of this initial gas and are channeled in lower chambers 304.

Second aperture 314 is formed in the first valve covering 308, thus, initial from upper chamber to lower chambers of gas There is provided after transmission and return to the fluid communication upper chamber 302 from lower chambers 304.Second valve covering 316 is along the second attachment regions Territory 316a is stitched or is otherwise affixed to the first valve covering 308, at least partly to cover the second aperture 314.Second Gas passage 320 by the produced interface definition formed between the second valve covering 316 and the first valve covering 308, because of This, the second gas flowing from lower chambers 304 is conducted through the second gas passage 320 by major bore 306, and directed Return in upper chamber 302.

In operation, the aerator being associated is (not shown in Figure 19 to Figure 22 B, but in other embodiments and prior art Middle illustration) clashing into or collision accident is being actuated.Expanding gas initially fill upper chamber 302 then pass through major bore 306 and By the first gas passage 315, then it is flowed in lower chambers 304.When the pressure in lower chambers 304 raises, the first valve covers Cover piece 308 is responsively designed as covering major bore 306, therefore decays and returns to the backflow in upper chamber 302 from lower chambers 304, and Generally limit simultaneously and flowed by the gas of the first gas passage 315.But, once occupant's (not shown) and air bag thing Reason contact, then the pressure in the external pressure from occupant makes lower chambers 304 raises.The pressure of the rising in lower chambers 304 leads to Cross opening 314 on the second valve covering 316, apply power, described power by the second valve covering 316 from the second aperture 314 often The position closed and flush " is mentioned ".When the second valve covering 316 " is raised " as shown in Figure 22, it is simple to secondary airflow is led to Cross the second gas passage 320 and be flowed into then up in the first chamber 302.

In a word, compared with embodiment shown here, the embodiment of Figure 19 to Figure 22 B provides the replacement of air bag 30 Expansion profile, thus the bulbs of pressure can be relaxed over time, therefore, if it is desirable to, then realize softer expansion.

It addition, because transversal more than return path or current return circuit 320 of the cross-sectional area of the first gas flow path 315 Area, and because the cross-sectional area of the cross-sectional area of opening 314 and/or the first gas flow path 315 can be according to specifically should Requirement and change, so, the volumetric gas flow rate along each path can desirably be controlled, in order to desired safety Airbag deployment and response profile.

In the case of the child that offs normal according to NHTSA position 2 testing standard, buffer launches the starting stage dimension of development Hold and same as described above.But, the gas regulated by separator valve system between upper chamber and lower chambers flows youngster Child is different when interacting from this buffer.In the case of 2 children that off normal, the volume of lower chambers occupies due to the child that offed normal Space and reduce.Separator valve system continues to allow gas to flow to lower chambers from upper chamber.But, valve system allows also to gas Body is continuously introduced to bottom chamber, until the lower chambers of this buffer and upper chamber's internal pressure are in balance, the most stably should Buffer and the interaction offed normal between child.Separator valve system 112 and the design of buffer main ventilating part are configured to just Being transitioned into rapidly suitable state in this poised state, the state that wherein this buffer is flowed into lower chambers from gas is changed to Wherein leave the main ventilating part (being positioned in the wall of the upper chamber) state to the air-flow increase of environment.This increase from this buffer Flow out the pressure of the reduction allowed in upper chamber and hence allow to backflow that gas returns to upper chamber from lower chambers and flow out master Ventilating part is in environment.Between two chambers of the regulation of valve system 112 flowing connection this ability for protection adult and It is important for child passenger.

In a word, the feature of above-described particular valve embodiment can be:

Air bag, this air bag includes the first chamber and the second chamber；

The separation panel of perforation, the panel that separates of this perforation is attached to the inwall of air bag, therefore provides described the One chamber and described second chamber, the separation panel of described perforation comprises at least one major bore；

Valve, this valve is for the single-pass between described first chamber and described second chamber or the fluid communication of bilateral, this valve Fluid communication by least one major bore described is provided；

First valve covering, this first valve covering is attached to described separation panel to cover at least one main aperture described Mouthful, described first valve covering be easy to from described upper chamber to the fluid of described lower chambers flowing and decay from described lower chambers to Fluid flowing in described upper chamber；

At least one optional second aperture, this second aperture is formed in described first valve covering, described second hole Mouth selectively seals during described air bag is actuated；And

Optional second valve covering, this second valve covering be attached to described first valve covering with cover described at least One the second aperture selected, described optional second valve covering is easy to the fluid in described lower chambers to described upper chamber Flowing.

Valve 112 can have the multiple replacement knots being suitable to control in gas inflow air bag inside in a manner described herein Any one in structure.In one embodiment, this valve has in United States Patent (USP) No.5, the structure shown in 246,250, this U.S. Disclosure is integrally incorporated by way of reference at this.In another embodiment, this valve has in United States Patent (USP) Application No.14/452, the structure shown in 016, the disclosure of this U.S. Patent application is the most overall at this It is incorporated to.In another embodiment, this valve has at U.S. Patent application No.61/865, the structure shown in 095, this U.S. The disclosure of patent application is integrally incorporated by way of reference at this.Also other suitable valve arrangement can be conceived.From epicoele Room 102 can be controlled by control valve structure and size in known manner to the gas flowing in lower chambers 104.

In the additional embodiment of air bag, the valve 112 being suitable to control in gas inflow air bag inside can have U.S. Patent application No.14/458, of the structure shown in 153, the disclosure of this U.S. Patent application is logical at this Cross the mode quoted to be integrally incorporated.

With reference now to Figure 28 and Figure 29, in another specific embodiment of air bag, separator 300 has attachment Points 310 and non-attachment part 313,315.Attachment part 310 is attached to be formed the panel 12,14 and 16 of airbag exterior, To form gas-tight seal between separator and these panels, as previously mentioned.Non-attachment part 313 and 315 is not attached to panel 12, any panel in 14 and 16, thus non-attachment part 313,315 and panel 12,14,16 with non-attachment part 313 With 315 form opening or slit 320 and 322 between relative part.Opening or slit 320 and 322 allow upper chamber 102 and under Fluid communication between chamber 104.

With reference to Figure 28 and Figure 29, in certain embodiments, limb 312b and 321b is by by formation separator 300 Material block cut into desired shape (such as, the shape shown in Figure 29 or analogous shape) and with separator 300 one landform (or being otherwise affixed to separator 300) become.This allows to be formed at each limb 312b and the attachment of 321b both sides Points 310 be attached in air bag outer panels one or more, and non-attachment part 313,315 with in air bag outer panels Corresponding outer panels spaced apart or relative.Now, limb 312b and 321b dangles from separator 300 and extends to lower chambers In 104.Limb 312b and 321b is also dimensioned and otherwise constructs so that they are in response to promoting gas from cavity of resorption The air bag pressure differential that refluxes in upper chamber 102 in room 104 and towards slit 320 and 322 and/or towards with described limb Each airbag exterior panel that 312b with 321b is relative and being pushed away on the direction of described airbag exterior plate contact Dynamic.In this way, limb 312b and 321b blocks at least in part or stops slit 320 and 322, thus with U.S. Patent application No.14/458, the mode described in 153 limits the backflow by described slit, this U.S. Patent application at this by quoting Mode is expressly incorporated herein.

In the specific embodiment shown in Figure 28 and Figure 29, separator 300 is constructed and is attached to airbag exterior face Plate 12,14 and/or 16 so that: when airbag cushion, each of which in non-attachment part 313 and 315 is formed at separation Part and exterior panel attachment adjacent part between extend straight line.In this embodiment, limb 312b and 321b is the most attached Connect part 313 and 315 to extend in lower chambers 104.

In a particular embodiment, a part of limb 312b and 321b is sewn or is otherwise appropriately attached to peace One or more, to help prevent these limbs in response to the pressure in lower chambers 104 in full air bag exterior panel 12,14 and 16 Power is impacted (pressure surge) and is forced past opening 320 and 322 and enters in upper chamber 102.

In a particular embodiment, lateral edges 312r and 321r of described limb be attached to safety at least partially The exterior panel being associated in air bag exterior panel 12,14 and 16.This attachment can be carried out along the whole length of lateral edges, With exterior panel 12,14,16 and and its limb lateral edges being attached between formed gas-tight seal.Lateral edges attachment position and The limb that structure is constructed such that to be associated at least partially can touch-safe air bag outer panels 12,14 and 16, with shape Become desired sealing to limit backflow, as mentioned before.Described limb can by any way and along described limb appoint What desired position is attached to any one in airbag panel 12,14 and/or 16.In one embodiment, limb 312b and 321b is at least 4 inches from separator 300 to the length of limb end.

With reference now to Figure 27 and Figure 43 to Figure 47 A, in a particular embodiment, separator leading edge is at least some of the most attached Receive occupant's contact side of main panel or spaced apart with occupant's contact side.This provides at separator leading edge and main panel Gas flow openings between occupant's contact side, before this gas flow openings and contacts with occupant during airbag cushion Allow the fluid communication between upper chamber and lower chambers.The remaining edge of separator 800 be attached to one or more panel 12, 14 and 16, to form the most airtight sealing between these edge and panels being associated being attached, as mentioned before.The most attached The separator edge connect can extend from the main portion of separator, is reversed in position to be formed with occupant's contact side and extends to safety Relevant limb in air bag lower chambers, is similar to the situation shown in Figure 28 and Figure 29.These structures therefore formed with Figure 28 and Similar flowing shown in Figure 29 limits valve system, and has and allow opening of fluid communication between upper chamber and lower chambers Mouthful.Alternatively, one or more parts of separator leading edge can be not attached to occupant's contact side and (alternatively) and occupant Contact side is spaced apart, and does not the most include limb.In these embodiments, the stream between separator leading edge and occupant's contact side The region of dynamic passage is controlled by contacting with the direct occupant of occupant's contact side after air-bag deployment, and this depends on The contact force that applied by occupant and gas flow openings is closed to a certain extent.

The separator edge formed by making being not attached to another airbag panel at least partially of separator Feature that gas flow channel is provided (and especially by make leading edge be not attached to occupant's contact side at least partially and The feature that the leading edge gas flow channel formed is provided) it is to prolong along the inner surface of main panel through upper chamber and lower chambers The continuous print gas flow channel stretched.

It addition, the opening of the flowing controlled between upper chamber and lower chambers and valve system (if present) are at least part of Ground is limited by occupant's contact side, thus allows to actuate described valve system by occupant with directly contacting of occupant's contact surface And/or limit or close gas flow openings.

It addition, contacted by direct occupant limit or close the speed of gas flow openings and degree by occupant with The impact of the contact force between contact side, described contact force directly affects deflection speed and the degree of deflection of contact side.

During at another shown in Figure 27, specifically flowing limits valve embodiment, during airbag cushion or expand it After, the one or more valves 312 constructed as shown in Figure 28 and Figure 29 are in the forward region first contacted by passenger 702 of this air bag Territory is formed at the seam crossing between separator 300 and air bag main panel.

In this embodiment, separator 300 has at least one non-attachment part 313, and described non-attachment part 313 is by structure Cause and be between the part relative with at least one non-attachment part 313 formation at non-attachment part 313 and main panel 12 At least one slit 320 being associated.Slit 320 allows the fluid communication between upper chamber 102 and lower chambers 104.

It addition, can be by the material block by forming separator with reference to the limb (not shown) described in Figure 28 and Figure 29 as above It is cut into desired shape and forms (or being otherwise affixed to separator 300) with separator 300, wherein limb Extend from the non-attachment part of at least one being associated 313, as above with reference to described by Figure 28 and Figure 29.

In this embodiment, valve arrangement can be by adjustment or amendment so that be formed at limb and the substitute relative with limb Seam between capsule outer panels is relevant to the quality of the passenger 702 at occupant's contact side impact air bag.When passenger collides peace During full air bag, there is compression shock in lower chambers 104, described compression shock trends towards promoting gas from lower chambers by valve 312 Return in upper chamber.This pressure trends towards promoting valve flap and relative airbag exterior plate contact, as mentioned before.Separately Outward, passenger and air bag outer panels 12 contact trend towards by the contact portion of panel in the side of arrow " G " upwardly toward to The valve flap of outer movement promotes and is pushed in this valve flap.The quality of passenger is the biggest, then be applied on airbag panel 12 Inward force the biggest, and the compression shock in air bag bottom is the biggest.Width when the relative power acted in valve flap When value increases, limb is urged into more against airbag panel, therefore improves shape between limb and airbag panel The effectiveness of the sealing become.It addition, the size and/or shape of opening 320 can be modified, with control such as gas pass through described in open Amount that the reflux rate of mouthfuls 320, opening 320 are blocked, for opening being closed the deflection of the occupant's contact surface needed for given amount The factors such as amount and other correlative factor.

And, at the gas flow channel included between occupant's contact side of separator leading edge and air bag In embodiment, as it has been described above, gas freely from upper chamber's flowing and contacts passenger before passenger contacts with air bag Gas is limited afterwards, and in load phase, and the reduction of the loaded energy caused due to passenger is (because this energy is by air bag Absorb and dissipate), from lower chambers to upper chamber in gas backstreaming can increase subsequently.

And, that just described, include between occupant's contact side of separator leading edge and air bag one In the individual or embodiment of multiple gas flow channel, according to the requirement of concrete application, if owing to taking advantage of when touch-safe air bag Member's contact side the pressure that applied by occupant when inwardly extruding this side and be obtained in that the fully closed of gas flow channel, as Literary composition is described, then can save limb from gas flow openings.

With reference now to Figure 43 and Figure 44, in a particular embodiment, neighbouring air bag occupant contact side 812a or with institute The whole length stating the separator leading edge 800a that occupant's contact side relatively positions is not attached to occupant's contact of main panel 812 Side 812a or spaced apart with described occupant contact side 812a.This allow separator leading edge and main panel occupant's contact side it Between provide opening, this at airbag cushion but contact with occupant before permission upper chamber and lower chambers between fluid communication. The remaining edge of separator 800 is attached to side panel 814 and 816 and be attached to the main panel contrary with occupant contact side 812a Side 812z, to form the most airtight sealing, as mentioned before between these edge and relevant panels.Non-attachment edge 800a extends from the main portion of separator 800, is reversed in position and extends to air bag cavity of resorption to be formed with occupant's contact side The limb that freely dangles in room, is similar to the limb shown in Figure 28 and Figure 29.Therefore structure shown in Figure 43 and Figure 44 forms class It is similar to flowing shown in Figure 28 and Figure 29 and limits valve system, and have and allow opening of fluid communication between upper chamber and lower chambers Mouth 829.

During airbag cushion, gas freely can flow through valve opening 829 to lower chambers 104 from upper chamber 102, As described in aforementioned valve embodiment.By the valve opening 829 of the space formation between limb 800a and occupant contact side 812a also Can close at least partially by the pressure applied by occupant when contacting with side 812a as previously mentioned (with limit under Chamber is to the flowing in upper chamber) (that is, by the contact between occupant and air bag outer surface and/or by occupant in peace That apply on full air bag, air bag is limited the backflow by described valve system to the internal pressure promoted of air bag). The pressure of the rising in lower chambers works and is promoted to airbag exterior panel by limb 800a, as mentioned before.Figure 46 With the side cross-sectional view that Figure 46 a shows the embodiment shown in Figure 43 and Figure 44, wherein valve system is in open mode (Figure 46) Be closed (Figure 46 A).If necessary, this embodiment of separator 800 can include that the marginating compartment with separator is opened And limit, according to flowing as herein described, one or more valve systems 840 that one of valve embodiment constructs and/or positions.

With reference now to Figure 45 and Figure 45 A, in the specific embodiment being similar to shown in Figure 43 and Figure 44, neighbouring substitute The occupant contact side 812a of capsule or the separator edge 800a ' relatively positioned with described occupant contact side 812a can include one Or multiple attachment part 819, described attachment part 819 is with adjacent non-attachment part 809 alternately.In one embodiment, lobe Sheet 809a is formed along each in described non-attachment part, as mentioned before.Limb 809a extends in lower chambers 104. Gas flow channel 829 ' extends between each non-attachment part 809 and occupant contact side 812a, described gas flow channel 829 ' allow the fluid communication between upper chamber and lower chambers.Embodiment shown in Figure 45 and Figure 45 A is along attachment part 819 He The either side of non-attachment part 809 shows described attachment part 819 and non-attachment part 809.But, according to concrete application Requirement, can use attachment area and any arrangement of the non-attachment area being associated.

The remaining edge of separator 800 ' be attached to side panel 814,816 and be attached to main panel with occupant's contact side Side 812z contrary for 812a, to form the most airtight sealing, as mentioned before between these edge and the panels being associated.

Separator can be attached, to provide any along occupant contact side 812a in any desired position and multiple position The flow channel of the desired number being associated.Extend it addition, each connected region can have along occupant contact side 812a Any desired length.Therefore structure shown in Figure 43 with Figure 44 provides a series of stream similar with shown in Figure 28 and Figure 29 Dynamic restriction valve system.

During airbag cushion, gas can flow freely through valve opening 829 ' from upper chamber and exist to lower chambers, as front State the situation in valve embodiment.By the valve opening 829 ' of the space formation between limb 809 and contact side 812a also as the most above The pressure that described ground can be applied by occupant when contacting with side 812a is closed (with returning in limiting from lower chambers to upper chamber Stream) (that is, by the contact between occupant and air bag outer surface and/or by occupant applies on air bag, will pacify Full air bag limits the backflow of valve system to the internal pressure promoted of air bag).Figure 46 and Figure 46 A shows Figure 45 and Tu The side cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in 45A, wherein valve system is in open mode (Figure 46) and is closed (figure 46A).If necessary, this embodiment of separator 800 ' may also comprise the marginating compartment with separator and opens and according to described herein Flowing limit one or more valve systems 840 that one of valve embodiment constructs and/or positions.

With reference to Figure 47 and Figure 47 A, in a particular embodiment, before at airbag cushion but contacting with occupant, separator The edge 702 near occupant contact side 712a of 700 be not attached to occupant contact side 712a and and occupant contact side 712a between Separate.These embodiments can be similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 43 to Figure 46 A at structurally and operationally aspect, except along edge 702 are formed without limb.

During airbag cushion, gas can flow freely through valve opening 729 to lower chambers from upper chamber, as above The described situation in valve embodiment.The valve formed by the space between separator edge 702 and occupant contact side 712a is opened The pressure that mouth 729 can be applied by occupant when contacting with side 712a the most as previously mentioned are closed (to limit from lower chambers Backflow in upper chamber) (that is, by the contact between occupant and air bag outer surface and/or by occupant at substitute That apply on capsule, air bag is limited to the internal pressure promoted of air bag the backflow of valve system).Figure 47 and Figure 47 A Showing the side cross-sectional view of this embodiment, wherein valve system is in open mode (Figure 47) and is closed (Figure 47 A). If necessary, this embodiment of separator 700 may also comprise the marginating compartment with separator and opens and according to flowing as herein described Limit one or more valve system (not shown) that one of valve embodiment constructs and/or positions.

The design parameter of the valve embodiment shown in Figure 43 to Figure 47 A can determine by the way of iteration (by experiment and/or By analyzing) and specify as previously mentioned, regulate with the requirement in response to the quality of passenger and according to concrete application and pass through The amount of the gas backstreaming (if present) of valve opening.

With reference now to Figure 15 to Figure 17, in a particular embodiment, valve system 112 controls and provides to be passed through separator 100 The side of one or more openings 200 (such as, the opening 200 as shown in Fig. 3, Figure 15, Figure 16 A, Figure 16 B and Figure 17) of middle formation Tropism air-flow.Opening 200 is configured to the fluid flowing allowed in upper chamber 102 to lower chambers 104, as mentioned before.? It has been observed that during the activation and inflation of air bag, the performance of air bag is by the opening 200 aerator away from air bag The impact (as visible in Figure 16 A) of distance 100f of side 100d, and also by the opening 200 passenger side 100a away from air bag Along with vehicle before and after the impact of the distance of axis that extends parallel to of axis.If more specifically, the front of opening 200 Edge 200a (if or use multiple opening, then it is the leading edge of any opening) it is positioned at ratio by the preset distance D1 away from occupant side The position 100j limited closer to occupant's contact side of this buffer (when from by the forward part of separator 100 and main panel 12 even The seam that connects and during along the surface measurement of separator), then between passenger and the air bag in expanding before contact, safety Air bag would tend to exceedingly pull downward on during upper chamber 102 expands, and is therefore drawn to air bag depart from institute in Fig. 4 That shows aligns with the desired of passenger's body.

If near the edge 200b of opening 200 of aerator side 100d of air bag (if or using multiple opening Mouthful, then it is the leading edge of any opening) also (it is in the surface along separator 100 away from aerator side 100d than position 100h Preset distance 100f at) closer to aerator side 100d, then can by near instrument board profile (by the line in Figure 16 A 212 instructions) limit the movement of the parts of valve system 112, thus affect the operation of this valve.

Bu Shi upper chamber pressure becomes too high with filling lower chambers also to be intended to realize enough gas flowings, thus meets For the NHTSA air bag performance requirement for position 1 assessment of three years old or the six years old child that offs normal, in this position 1, child's Trunk relative to instrument board location as shown in figure 49.Also can obtain from following network address for the position 1 of test of offing normal Shown in Fig. 5 of reference:http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/rulings/80g/80giii.html, in it Hold and repeated in Figure 49.

Although the exceeding distance D1 and entering one along separator of separator edge of opening 200a (near passenger's contact side) Walk away from the location of passenger's contact side of main panel 12 contribute to eliminating during expanding starting stage air bag excessive to Under pull and therefore improve air bag relative to the overall performance of adult-passenger, but this location of described opening may cause For off normal 1 child's and non-optimal performance.There is balance between these requirements, described balance is for concrete vehicle Or concrete application can be early and late in expansion event and for child and adult type passenger to realize by adjustment Best overall performance.Have between 100h and 100a of position and adjustment initial buffer is filled and buffer gradient Optimal location, to realize the expected result for given application.The strict desired locations of opening 200 is for specific application Can be determined in an iterative manner by experiment or analysis.

Therefore, it is all edges answering locating aperture 200 along the surface of separator between 100h and 100j of position Interval or region, to prevent air bag excessively pulling downward on during expanding, and limit by flowing to valve member from instrument board Spaced apart.In the range of valve system is positioned at limiting by position 100h and 100j, the air bag expanded it is applied to It is in three years old in position 1 or power on six years old child will equally be allocated between the head and chest position of child.

In the specific embodiment of air bag, it is also desirable to opening 200 is positioned along separator 100 so that in the phase of expansion Between air bag 100 interact in a predetermined manner with child passengers.More specifically, opening 200 positions along separator so that When upper chamber was filled in the starting stage launched, when mixing type III, six years old child's apery assay device (ATD) is (general Be marked as 700) head 700a be positioned according to FMVSS standard No.208 that (entirety is also by way of reference at this Enter, such as, can obtain http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/ from following network address administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.aspx？Reg=571.208) regulation offs normal (OOP) for NHTSA Test position 2 position against or near Vehicular instrument panel time, air bag upper chamber 102 is swollen in described above-head Swollen.Three years old and six years old test ATD of mixing type III has by National Highway Traffic safety management (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) physiological parameter that limits, seehttp:// www.nhtsa.gov/Research/HYBRID+III+6-Year+Old+Physical+Data, its content is passed through at this to quote Mode be integrally incorporated, and the copy of its content is included at this in Figure 18 a.For the position 2 of test of offing normal also can be from Network addresshttp://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/rulings/80g/80giii.htmlThe figure of the reference material obtained Shown in 5, its content is replicated to Figure 18 B in this application.Because gas flows into lower chambers 104 from upper chamber 102, so Lower chambers 104 expands at the later stage launched, and to occupy the space at children head rear and surrounding, thus prevents and/or subtracts Light harmful interaction between air bag and children head.This expansion process is shown in Figure 16 and Figure 17.

It has been found that as shown in Figure 4 optimum expand profile and with the health of passenger align and Figure 16 is to figure Airbag cushion process shown in 17 can be by being located so that all edges of all openings by all separator openings 200 Being in the region between position 100h and 100j being defined in or be placed in Figure 16 A realizing, described region also can be Being limited by the perpendicular P1 corresponding to the position 100h in Figure 16 B shown in Figure 16 on side, described position 100h adjoins The forefront position of the head of mixing six years old child's apery assay device of type III is (when the head of described six years old child is in above The NHTSA of regulation off normal the position 2 of test time), and described region on the opposite side can be by through the position 100j shown in Figure 16 B Perpendicular P2 (see Fig. 6) limit.In one embodiment, when airbag cushion, plane P2 and plane P1 are to vehicle Spaced apart substantially 7 inches of rear portion.Separator opening is positioned at the district of the head surrounding six years old child ATD of type III by effectively In territory.Distance between plane P1 and P2 limits region Z3, and opening 200 can be positioned in described region Z3.Such as, Figure 15 is not The top view of the air bag expanded, it is shown that there is the embodiment of the air bag separator 100 of circular open 200, described Opening 200 is positioned such that: when airbag cushion, and the final edge of this opening is in the region Z3 of defined.

It has been found that the gross area of desired opening 200 (such as can use the one of substantially 15mm radius at 700 square millimeters Individual opening realizes) to the scope of 32000 square millimeters (opening that such as can use substantially 100mm radius realizes) In, to contribute to guaranteeing that air bag performance is in optimized scope.Direction valve mechanism used as described above in the present invention So that flowing into and limit in the embodiment of the backflow from lower chambers to upper chamber, the area of separator opening may need to be in The upper end of this scope of 700 to 32000 square millimeters or close described upper end, in order to led by the turbulent flow in gas and friction The flow caused is described opening and interact with the part of described valve and provide required expansion wheel when reducing along with gas flows through Wide.

In one embodiment, opening 200 is circular.But, this opening can have any desired shape, as long as should The gross area of opening is in scope stated hereinabove, as long as and all edge of opening be positioned in the region being defined above.

It addition, for specific application, the quantity of the opening 200 formed in separator 100 and the optimal size of opening Can type based on vehicle collision pulse and be provided with the internal geometry of vehicle of this air bag, desired air bag Fill rate, volume ratio, the type of direction valve used, the overall size of instrument board and bending and other correlative factor are come really Fixed.As described herein the size of opening 200 and position be easy to during the starting stage that air bag is filled expanding gas from Upper chamber is to the smooth of lower chambers and transfer rapidly.Once approximately reach balance between upper chamber's pressure and lower chambers pressure, Then reduce from the flowing of a chamber to another chamber.

Figure 15 to Figure 17 therefore illustrates air bag, and this air bag includes: at least one panel, this at least one face Plate limits the inside of air bag；And separator, this separator is positioned in described inside, so that described inside is divided into upper chamber And lower chambers, this separator has at least one opening formed along this separator, and at least one opening described is oriented to Make after air bag activation, all edges of at least one opening described are in region (Z3), described region (Z3) being defined by the first perpendicular (P1) and the second perpendicular (P2), described first perpendicular (P1) is in along separator Aerator side (100d) away from air bag to preset distance (1000) place of occupant's contact side of air bag, and described second Perpendicular (P2) limits from the distance (D1) of seam (110a) by along separator through position (100j), described position (100j) Fixed, separator (100) is connected by this seam (110a) with the occupant side of air bag.

In the specific embodiment of air bag, the first plane (P1) may be positioned to adjacent six years old child of mixing type III and imitates The forefront position of the head of people's assay device (when the head of described six years old child be in NHTSA off normal the position 2 of test time).

In the specific embodiment of air bag, when air bag expands completely, the second plane (P2) can be flat from first Spaced apart substantially 7 inches to the rear portion of vehicle of face (P1).

In the specific embodiment of air bag, this air bag may also include be formed in separator 100 multiple and opens Mouthful so that each opening is located so that all edges of described opening are at by the first plane (P1) and the second plane (P2) In the region (Z3) defined.

In the specific embodiment of air bag, it is flat that the gross area of all openings in the plurality of opening can be in 700 Square millimeter is in the range of 32000 square millimeters, including 700 square millimeters and 32000 square millimeters.

In the specific embodiment of air bag, the gross area of at least one opening can be flat at 700 square millimeters to 32000 In the range of square millimeter, including 700 square millimeters and 32000 square millimeters.

It addition, this air bag may be included in the vehicle with any various ways.Air bag also is included in car In occupant restraint system or air bag system.

The another kind of improved procedure of the performance improving chamber type air bag is interpolation body in the upper chamber of this buffer Long-pending controlling organization (VCM) or attaching means.The function of VCM is relative to lower chambers fixing fabric structure upper chamber volume.This causes gas In the case of than without described attaching means, time earlier flows in lower chambers, therefore forces the bottom of air bag the most faster Put in place, with protection as by the little occupant mixed represented by type III the 5th percentile women ATD.VCM is also during expanding and swollen Control internal chamber after swollen and separate the structure of panel 100, so that the position of separator is maintained at low-risk deploying portion The above-head of six years old child ATD of position 2, as federal regulations (FMVSS 208) describe in detail.

In some embodiment as herein described, the constraint mechanism of the upper chamber being positioned at air bag can be with reference to figure 16B and Figure 17 any position in the region Z3 that this is limited is attached to separator.Meanwhile, the attachment of this constraint mechanism puts in place Any other parts of the air bag in upper chamber and above separator, to prevent or to reduce the non-attachment of separator Divide the movement on the direction towards lower chambers 104.

In some embodiment (such as Figure 23 and Figure 23 A), attaching means 507 be approximately perpendicular to vehicle before and after axis put down The axis X 3 moved towards or be laterally oriented with described axis X 3, according to a specific embodiment capablely, if it is desired to, attaching means 507 (in fig 23, attaching means 517b and 517c) can be dimensioned to cover largo in air bag 510 across safety The transition portion that the inside of air bag 510 extends, therefore, attaching means width W may be designed as the top 511 close to main panel 512 Width W2 (width being perpendicular to before and after vehicle on the direction of axis X3).By therefore gas being flowed along the inner side of upper chamber Peripheral edge margin 502a (that is, each air bag side panel 514 and 516 with by separator and separator above main panel even Between the relative lateral edges of the second attaching means 517c connect) guide, the middle body 502a of upper chamber is (at the first attaching means Between 517b and the second attaching means 517c) receive the gas limiting valve 513 sensing from the relative edge of attaching means 517b to flowing Body flows, described flowing can be described as " across vehicle " or be perpendicular to vehicle before and after the axis X 3 moved towards abreast of axis, And indicated by arrow X1.As a result, lower chambers 504 filling time (defines along attaching means at separator along with attaching means length And the shortest distance between main panel) reduction and effectively reduce, and effective also with the reduction of attaching means width W Ground reduces.It will be appreciated that, filling out of lower chambers 504 can be changed iteratively by the width W or length that change attaching means 507 Fill speed, to change the produced air-flow limiting valve guiding to flowing.In this way, upper chamber 502 can be modified, to have The softest or the most flexible time dependent expansion profile, therefore protects the head of less occupant, described less occupant Head may be with upper chamber 502 part contact in the expansion of air bag 510.At U.S. Patent application No.14/195, Describe in further detail as shown in figure 23 and/or be similar to the attaching means embodiment shown in Figure 23, this U.S. Patent application in 767 Disclosure be integrally incorporated by way of reference at this.

In another particular embodiment, attaching means 507 has the general structure shown in Figure 23 A.In this embodiment, about Bundle 507 has middle body 517a, prolongs from one end of middle body when being suitably attached to the other parts of air bag The Part II 517c that the Part I 517b stretched and the end opposite from middle body extend.The end of Part I 517b is stitched Connect or be otherwise suitably attached to the part of the main panel 512 being in upper chamber 102.The end of Part II 517c It is stitched or is otherwise suitably attached to the part of the main panel 512 being in upper chamber 102.At specific embodiment In, the end of this attaching means is attached to main panel along seam 575, as shown in fig. 23 a, to form the gas-tight seal along seam. This makes this attaching means to be guided around the lateral edges of this attaching means by impact air-flow thereon.But, in other embodiments In, opening or slit can be formed in seam 575, so that gas flows through this seam.It addition, opening (not shown) also can be formed In one or more body in Part I 517b and Part II 517c, so that gas can flow through this opening.This The size of a little openings can be according to the requirement of application-specific and depend on such as by the desired flow velocity of this opening, the position of this opening Put and specify with other correlative factor.If so desired, the end of any one in Part I 517b and Part II 517c can It is alternatively attached to any one and main panel 512 of air bag side panel 514 and 516.The embodiment of this attaching means can by with Any one identical material in airbag panel or separator 100 is formed, or is formed by other suitable material any.? U.S. Patent application No.14/195,767 describe in further detail as shown in fig. 23 a and/or be similar to the pact shown in Figure 23 A Bundle embodiment, this U.S. Patent application is incorporated to by way of reference at this.

In some embodiment shown in this article, and referring in particular to the embodiment shown in Figure 23 A for the mesh described , the opposite end of attaching means middle body 517a is anchored by being attached to separator 500.It addition, middle body 517a There is opening 508 formed therein, so that air-flow can be by this middle body and by being located at the flowing in separator 500 Limit valve system 512, as mentioned before.

With reference to Figure 24, in another embodiment, attaching means 507a and 507b that separator is connected to main panel can edge The seam typically moved towards abreast with axis before and after vehicle or align with axis before and after vehicle and be attached to main panel 512, and attached It is connected on the position of the perpendicular 111 relatively extended closer to the decline along instrument board (not shown).So, gas is worked as When the flowing that upper chamber 502 to lower chambers 504 is advanced through separator panel 500 limits valve 512, air bag 510 The gas fill rate of lower chambers 504 can relative reduction or delay.Figure 24 A shows schematically cutting of the embodiment shown in Figure 24 Face side view, wherein, enters air bag and the gas along path flowing is indicated by arrow 24G.

Alternatively, with reference to Figure 25, if it is desired to, can along axis X 3 relatively closer to vehicle rear and away from instrument board This attaching means 507a and 507b it is attached at Dian.So, the gas fill rate of the lower chambers 504 of air bag 510 relatively rises High.Usually, attaching means 507a and 507b is preferably attached in the mid portion on top of the main panel at air bag 510 At point in 511a, as measured the last of air bag 510 from the back-page perpendicular 111 extending through instrument board Part, described mid portion 511a in the range of air bag 510 length L about 25% to about 75%.In other words, about Bundle 507a and 507b can more preferably be fixed on about 100 millimeters, the front portion point to 700 millimeters of scopes of distance meter dash board 111 Place.Figure 25 A shows the schematic section side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 25, wherein, enters air bag and flows along path Dynamic gas is indicated by arrow 25G.Usually, attaching means 507a and 507b placement or to attaching means 507a and 507b relative to The inclination (or changing the gradient of this check valve) forward or backward of check valve 512 is easy in the amendment of the angle of instrument board 111, Thus close or open valve 500 respectively and flow to more direct gas.

Any attaching means in the attaching means of the other parts that separator is connected to air bag above separator is also Bound fraction (such as, any bound fraction in the bound fraction 507c of Figure 24 and Figure 25) can be passed through be combined with each other, described knot Conjunction part is connected to attaching means coupling part and extends between described attaching means coupling part along separator.Therefore, should Attaching means can be formed by continuous print band, and described band has the middle body and pair of end portions, described end extended along separator Portion is connected to separator and extends with another part being attached to air bag from middle body.

In a particular embodiment, attaching means 507a and 507b shown in Figure 24 and Figure 25 such as can be along seam 570 and 572 Being attached to air bag shell, side panel 514 and 516 is attached to substitute in upper chamber 102 by described seam 570 and 572 The main panel of capsule 510.Simplify manufacture in this way, because airbag panel 512,514 and 516 is stitched together, about Bundle 507a and 507b can be attached in the pre-position along seam 570 and 572 simultaneously.

It addition, second end of the first attaching means 507a or bottom can be connected to separator between side panel 514 and valve 512 500, and second end of the second attaching means 507b or bottom can be connected to separator 500 between side panel 516 and valve 512.? In specific embodiment, the first attaching means 507a and the junction point of the second attaching means 507b or seam are at the two ends of each attaching means All it is preferably in a plane but it also may be attached with many planar configuration, described plane and the company described in this embodiment Contact intersects.Change the attachment along the corresponding seam 570,572 being attached to each attaching means of each attaching means 507a, 507b Position (that is, the dot of attaching means is positioned at air bag 510 in instrument board plane 111 and the rearmost part of air bag 510 Somewhere between the 25% to 75% of/length L (as shown in figure 25) limited).It will be appreciated that, two attaching means Each in 507a, 507b will be attached to its corresponding seam at the respective point equidistant at distance meter dash board 111, described point is made Relating dot for another attaching means 507.In other words, each in attaching means 507a, 507b will be attached at following point To its corresponding seam: the attachment point distance meter dash board 111 of that described point is substantially relative with attaching means 507a, 507b Equidistantly.It will be further appreciated that, attachment point can change the gradient of valve orifice 506 along the movement of each seam.Such as, will The attachment point of attaching means 507 moves as the most usually providing the bigger exposure of valve 512 closer to instrument board 111, thus With the opposing gas fill rate of produced increase, gas flowing is directed to bottom chamber.On the other hand, by attaching means 507 Attachment point instrument board 111 further away from each other move and move the exposure by therefore reducing or limit valve to vehicle more rear, with Gas flowing is directed to bottom chamber by the opposing gas fill rate using produced reduction.

In another embodiment as herein described, this attaching means usually by separator 100 be positioned in upper chamber 102 And another part being in the air bag above separator when airbag cushion connects.Therefore, swollen when air bag Time swollen, this attaching means pulls up and supports the part of separator and control separator on separator and do not occupies lower chambers Move in 104 or to lower chambers 104.In a particular embodiment, this attaching means is by the middle body of separator and main panel 12 Top connects in upper chamber 102.With reference to Figure 31, in a particular embodiment, attaching means 899 be attached on separator such as bottom Putting: i.e., when air bag is in swelling state, described position is the summit of separator 100 or the highest part 898. With reference to Figure 30, in another embodiment, attaching means 880 connects along the front surface or occupant that separator 100 is connected to main panel The seam 878 (or near described seam 878) touching surface is attached to main panel 12 or separator 100.The end opposite of this attaching means It is then attached to be positioned in upper chamber 102 and be in when airbag cushion another portion of the air bag above separator Point, to help to minimize or reduce separator to deflecting down or invading in lower chambers, simultaneously during airbag cushion Inwardly pull or limit the front surface of main panel towards the motion on the direction of occupant.The some of this attaching means is to separating The attachment location of part and airbag exterior panel can be specified to so that the air bag after controlling during expanding or expanding External shape.More specifically, in a manner described herein, this attaching means can be attached to the particular portion forced within air bag Expand point before other parts, or otherwise change gas to the flow velocity in the part within air bag, to control gas Body flows into the direction in air bag inside, and controls multiple exterior sections of air bag during expanding or after expanding to outward The amount extended or highlight.Figure 32, Figure 36, Figure 37 and Figure 38 show the reality of the outer surface controlling air bag in this way Execute the example of example.

With reference to Figure 25 B and Figure 25 C, in alternative embodiments, the leading edge of separator 1007 is at least some of from safety Air bag occupant's contact side 1012 separates, as described by herein at other, to form gas flow channel 1001.Separator Part separated from one another can include or can not include being configured to hindering gas to the limb of the backflow in upper chamber, such as this Literary composition is described.Attaching means 1007 is configured to the occupant's contact side 1012 being connected to by separator 1100 above this separator, and leans on The head of nearly automotive occupant is by the position of contact occupant's contact side.

In a particular embodiment, the attaching means 1007 position in being in the region Z3 hereinbefore defined is attached to separate Part.

In a particular embodiment, along the region ZZ of occupant's contact side, (attaching means 1007 is attached to occupant in the ZZ of region and connects Touch side) limited by band B9, described band B9 has 20 of the perpendicular L9 extension along the centrage limiting the air bag launched The Breadth Maximum of inch, described band also contains or comprises following point or position: i.e., hitches seat safety along described point or position Mixing type III the 5th percentile women ATD of band, mixing type III the 50th percentile male test ATD and mixing type III the 9500th Point position male tests ATD and will contact occupant's contact side.

In a particular embodiment, and at the upper chamber's attaching means 1007 according to Figure 25 B and the leading edge separator that separates In, air bag may also comprise lower chambers attaching means (such as, the Tu32Zhi according to any embodiment in embodiment described herein Shown in any figure in Figure 39).The most in a particular embodiment, in addition to any feature in preceding feature or whole preceding feature, If so desired, air bag may also include the attachment edge being positioned at from separator or non-attachment edge is the most spaced apart Flowing in the Z3 of region limits valve system 112, as described in herein at other.

With reference to Figure 32 to Figure 38, in a particular embodiment, internal constraint part is employed, to reduce the one-tenth of impact air bag The breast compressions that year passenger is stood, maintain simultaneously for off normal 2 the performance requirement of child, such as relating to before low-risk is launched Included by stating in Federal Specification FMVSS208.

With reference to Figure 32 to Figure 38, in the specific embodiment of air bag, it is desirable to internal constraint mechanism 990 is configured to Separator 100 attached underneath is to the inner surface of air bag, so that the anterior part 994 of main panel 12 is connected to main panel Rear portion 992 (and/or part of of side panel).Such constraint mechanism may be configured to contribute to guaranteeing during expanding Air bag 910 interacts in a predefined manner with child passengers or adult-passenger.

In a particular embodiment, constraint mechanism 990 is attached to airbag panel so that be filled at air bag Time, formed in the substantially lower half of the middle body of the outer surface towards occupant of main panel 12 first recess, recess or Depression 991.Recess 991 is positioned and configured to be in and mix type III the 5th percentile women ATD, mixtures III type the 50th Percentile male ATD is relative with the sternal region of mixing type III the 95th percentile male ATD or comprises or around described sternal region, As described herein.Constraint mechanism 990 is constructed such that the expansion of the main panel around recess 991 and free part Form thallus 991a, the described thallus 991a chest position along the either side joint ATD of sternal region.This contributes to discharging breast Contact stress on bone still provides the buffering to chest region and support simultaneously.In a particular embodiment, from along recess initial Recess is measured to the forefront part being aligned closest to instrument board of recess in the surface of the sidepiece of one side contacts chest of breastbone Degree of depth D10.

In one embodiment, constraint mechanism 990 is attached to airbag exterior panel 12,14 and 16, with at substitute Capsule has the generally tubular construction (as shown in Figure 33 A) of hollow when expanding.This structure can have by the wall of hollow, first end The body 900a that 990b and the second end 990c is formed.Wall 990a limits the inside 990d of this tubular structure.Wall 990d is by seam Connect or other suitable mode is attached to occupant's contact side of the main panel 12 along seam 990e along the first end 990b.Seam is attached Portion is for limiting expansion and the extension of the attachment part of main panel 12 during airbag cushion so that the occupant of panel 12 Contact side forms recess 991.This recess forms recess, and when occupant's touch-safe air bag, the breastbone of occupant is partially received in institute State in recess.Figure 35 is the sectional top view of the air bag embodiment shown in Figure 32 and Figure 33.

Therefore, depression 991 is configured and positioned to provide the region of the recess of air bag, and described region is not taken advantage of with growing up The breastbone of chest of visitor or middle body contact, and chest around the local collision of breastbone around the air bag of described depression Region.In this way, around the air bag region of described depression between air bag and the breastbone of chest or middle body Collision energy is absorbed before contact.Therefore chest load is delivered to the rib part of the chest of passenger.

Along it, seam that edge of attachment end 990a and 990b is attached to airbag panel can be had for producing Any shape needed for the raw recess with specific desired size or structure.

With reference to Figure 33, Figure 33 A and referring also to Figure 39, In a particular embodiment, along constraint mechanism the second end The edge of the wall 990a of 990c is attached to the side 12z of the main panel 12 relative with occupant's contact side, with formed the second chamber, recess or Recess 993, described second chamber, recess or recess 993 are positioned and configured to (not show when mixing six years old child of type III collides ATD Go out) head be positioned in the position of the position 2 being defined as NHTAS crash tests according to FMVSS standard No.208 and support By or house described head during close to Vehicular instrument panel, described FMVSS standard No.208 is incorporated to by way of reference at this. The position 2 of NHTAS impact test can be found inhttp://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/rulings/80g/ 80giii.html, its content is replicated in Figure 18 at this.Six years old child of mixing type III collides ATD and has by National Highway public The physiological parameter of road traffic safety management definition, seeshttp://www.nhtsa.gov/Research/HYBRID+III+6- Year+Old+Physical+Data, its content is integrally incorporated by way of reference at this.

The attachment of constraint mechanism the second end 990c to main panel side 12z is for limiting main panel during airbag cushion The expansion of the part of side 12z and extension so that form recess 993 in this side of main panel 12.This recess forms recess, in collision The head of the child passengers that period is in position 2 is housed in this recess, herein with reference to as described in Figure 15 to Figure 17, with Expand above children head and around children head.In a particular embodiment, from the forefront surface of air bag along recess Either side measures degree of depth D11 of recess 993.

When gas flows in air bag, the lower expansion of air bag so that the head of depression 903 reception child, Meanwhile, thallus part 993a relatively promoting or highlighting of the air bag limiting the border of described depression 993 works To surround and to buffer the side of children head.The additional advantage in chamber 993 is that it can will be located in fastening to the baby of passenger seat A part for baby's (not shown) in container is accommodated within.

As it was previously stated, by providing constraint mechanism 990 as shown in figure 36, efficiently reduce the lower chambers of air bag Expansion volume, and therefore efficiently reduce the cumulative volume of this buffer.Owing to this volume reduces, lower chambers needs shorter Time be filled and pressurize, which reduce the time arranged needed for this air bag.It addition, decrease this air bag of filling Required gas flow, allows to increase the relative rigidity of the airbag exterior of lower chambers simultaneously.

With reference to Figure 33 B and Figure 33 C, in another embodiment, constraint mechanism 990 ' is attached to airbag exterior face Plate 12,14 and 16, to provide foregoing recess or chamber 991 ', but described constraint mechanism 990 ' is from air bag base section Occupant's contact side around extends continuously to the side near instrument board of air bag.This recess 991 ' includes and comprises Foregoing occupant contacts recess 991 and child's accommodating recess 993.

Figure 34 is the sectional top view of another embodiment 990 ' of the internal constraint mechanism of lower chambers.In this embodiment, Constraint mechanism 990 ' is attached to airbag panel so that when air bag is filled, the occupant at main panel 12 contacts appearance The substantially lower half of the middle body in face is formed the first recess or depression 991 '.Depression 991 ' be positioned and configured to be in Mixing type III the 5th percentile women ATD, mixing type III the 50th percentile male ATD and mixing type III the 95th percentile male The sternal region of ATD relatively or surrounds or around described sternal region, as described herein.Constraint mechanism 990 ' be constructed such that around The expansion of the main panel of recess 991 ' and free part forms thallus 991a ', and described thallus 991a ' is along breastbone The either side in district engages the chest position of ATD.This contributes to discharging suprasternal contact stress, still provides chest region simultaneously Buffering and support.

In this embodiment, attaching means 990 ' has body 990a ', the first end 990b ' and contrary with the first end second End 990c '.In an illustrated embodiment, when airbag cushion, attaching means 990 ' extends along substantially vertical plane.So And, attaching means can have when this buffer expands provide airbag exterior surface desired constraint needed for any fixed To.Attaching means body 990a ' can be by single smooth material block or by the smooth material of the most end-to-end one or more attachments Material block is formed, to form the structure of general planar or plane.First end wall 990b ' along seam by sewing up or other is the most square Formula is attached to occupant's contact side of main panel 12, as previously mentioned.Seam attachment is main during being used for being limited in airbag cushion The extension of the part of the attachment of panel 12, in order to the occupant's contact side at panel 12 forms recess 991 '.This recess forms recess, When occupant's touch-safe air bag, the breastbone of occupant is partially received in described recess.Therefore, depression 991 ' is constructed and positions Becoming to provide the region of recess of air bag, described region contact, together with breastbone or the middle body of the chest of adult-passenger Time chest peripheral part collision around the air bag region of described depression.In this way, at air bag and the breast of chest Between bone or middle body before contact, the air bag region around described depression absorbs collision energy.Chest load is therefore It is delivered to the rib part of the chest of passenger.In certain embodiments, from the initial side contacts breast at breastbone along recess The surface of the side in portion is to degree of depth D10 of the part measurement recess near instrument board of recess.

It addition, if so desired, can be formed as front by attaching means the second end 990c ' being attached to the side 12z of main panel Described collide the second depression 993 ' of the head of ATD for mixing six years old child of type III.In a particular embodiment, from safety The front surface of air bag is along degree of depth D11 of the either side measurement recess 993 ' of recess.

It will be appreciated that, the recess 991 and 993 formed in air bag outer surface can be controlled in the following way Degree of depth D10 and D11: control this attaching means position relative to air bag side 12a and 12z, and control constraints part be general Length LT extended along the axis parallel with axis before and after vehicle, such as shown in Figure 33 and Figure 33 A.

By providing the constraint mechanism 990 ' as shown in Figure 32 to Figure 39, efficiently reduce the lower chambers of air bag Expansion volume, and therefore efficiently reduce the cumulative volume of this buffer.Owing to this volume reduces, lower chambers is filled out Time needed for filling and pressurizeing is shorter, therefore decreases the time arranged needed for this air bag.It addition, decrease filling safety Gas flow needed for air bag, allows the increase of the relative rigidity of the airbag exterior of lower chambers simultaneously.

Figure 39 shows that the side cross-sectional view of the air bag according to the embodiment with reference to described in Figure 32 to Figure 36 (is similar to Shown in Figure 17), wherein air bag be wrapped in mixing six years old child of type III collide on the head 700 of ATD.

Figure 39 A shows the schematic side elevational of the air bag 1300 according to the embodiment with reference to described in Figure 32 to Figure 36 Figure, this air bag be wrapped in be fixed on towards after baby's seat 1203 in baby 1201 head 1205 on.? In this embodiment, when air bag in the over top of baby head and expands the most in a direction as indicated by arrowr, baby Head be housed in recess 1302 (such as, aforementioned recess 993), hence help in air bag is in deployment configuration Time the head of child positioned put in place.

Fig. 4, Fig. 8, Fig. 9 and Figure 10 to Figure 14 show air bag according to embodiment described herein operation and The movement before contacting with the air bag launched and during contact of the health of adult automotive occupant.Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 respectively illustrates Use the part of the crash tests of the ATD 305 and 405 meeting aforementioned regulation, figure shows air-bag deployment and passenger Travel forward after stopping.Figure 10 to Figure 14 show use air bag according to embodiments of the present invention typical launch/ Passenger's contact series.

With reference to Figure 10, before airbag deployment, ATD 305,405,505 takes a seat and air bag 10 (not shown) is with existing Known mode in technology is had to be operably linked to gas generation system or other expansion fluid source (not shown) being associated. Expansion fluid source can be connected to collision accident sensor (not shown) to operably, and described sensor includes controller (not shown) (or communicating to operably with described controller), described controller sends air bag system in collision accident System activation signal.Air bag and relevant aerating device thereof are configured to provide the expanding rapidly of air bag (and particularly The rapid expansion of upper chamber 102), promptly to engage and to buffer the head moved forward and the neck region of passenger and (to omit Micro-time point subsequently) chest position, utilize single damper volume to assist the inertia reducing people simultaneously.The chest portion of passenger Position is initially limited by seat harness, and once lower chambers is filled, by the other support from lower chambers.

With reference now to Figure 11 and Figure 12, when system is activated, expanding gas is flowed into upper chamber 102 from expansion fluid source In, promptly make upper chamber expand, so that this chamber can intercept proal head and neck region as early as possible (as seen Figure 13 and Figure 14), the momentum set up by head and neck region is minimized with auxiliary.These in early days rank at airbag cushion Section, seat belt tensioning, to maintain the pectus position of occupant in seat.Expanding gas is then from upper chamber 102 are flowed in lower chambers 104 by valve 112, to pressurize lower chambers to support occupant's breast when belt tensioner discharges Position, portion.

With reference to Figure 13 and Figure 14, when lower chambers is filled, valve 112 is promoted in response to the pressure in lower chambers 104, With decay or limit gas backstreaming in upper chamber 102.Also as visible in Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Figure 13 and Figure 14, this ATD and substitute The respective area that contact hip joint on the health by aforementioned ATD between capsule leading edge 100a and shoulder joint position are limited Occur in the Z of territory.With reference to Fig. 4, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Figure 13 and Figure 14, it can be seen that separator leading edge seam 110 is at the hip of passenger Passenger is contacted between the shoulder pivot 206 ' of pivot 202 and passenger.

With reference to Figure 13, when head of passenger position 302 touch-safe air bag, the gas in upper chamber is discharged to bottom chamber Or be discharged in environment by upper chamber's ventilating part 106, thus cause in response to the upper chamber contacted with head of passenger position " softening " of air bag front surface above the reduction of pressure and upper chamber.This softening contributes to providing protection occupant's head The abundant support at position, concurrently facilitates the contact force minimizing between head region and air bag.Because valve 112, epicoele The compression of room may result in the pressure-responsive in lower chambers 104 in a certain degree of rising contacted with head of passenger.This is easy to Maintain head and chest along the alignment (Fig. 4) of axis L.Continuous print in response to passenger's body travels forward, and air bag continues Compression, so that air bag internal pressure is proportional between chamber, to contribute to protecting when air bag is loaded by passenger Hold alignment.

With reference to Figure 14, being loaded the later time of event at air bag, chest (breast) engages the bottom of this buffer.This Time, upper chamber and the lower chambers of this buffer are loaded concurrently.In this part being loaded, gas passes through flowing from lower chambers Limit valve system 112 and flow to upper chamber.Now, owing to passenger loads simultaneously and passes through directivity from lower chambers in upper chamber The flowing generation pressure of valve constraint raises.The main valve release that this pressure is raised through in upper chamber so that gas leads to vehicle ring In border.Notice, repaiied by previous designs in this stage by this restriction valve flowing between lower chambers and upper chamber Changing, so that upper chamber and lower chambers proportional pressure, to minimize the relative motion of head and chest, thus it is curved to minimize cervical region Bent response.

Therefore, in previous security air bag, this air bag is configured to realize the filling of the first chamber, then uses logical The gas crossing the first chamber realizes the filling of the second chamber.When air bag is loaded due to the contact of passenger, load Energy is by returning to be dissipated by the gas passed through of ventilating part to surrounding in upper chamber and from upper chamber from lower chambers.? Finding, chamber type passenger-side air bag configured as described above provides comparable occupant for the use ratio of expanding gas The conventional security airbag design of protection is more effective.This feature makes the aerator of relatively low output and/or has lower peak value pressure The gas source of power and rate of pressure rise can be used for making airbag cushion because upper chamber significantly on volume ratio there is class Lower like the traditional non-sub-chamber air bag covered.In some applications (typically SUV or light truck), it is possible to make Use single phase aerator.In such applications, vehicle can have favourable pulse, high top line and big occupant's area.Single-order Section aerator be usable in wherein kinetic model for the ATD that grows up can meet three years old of regulation in regulation and six years old child from In the case of bit test requires.In this case, aerator output be enough to normally to retrain the mixing type III the do not fastened the safety belt 50 percentile male ATD and the softest and less mixing type III the 5th percentile women apery do not fastened the safety belt test dress Put and the most really up to the mark.

The air bag with identical external dimensions and chamber type structure can be used for multiple application, because owing to design is wanted The change of the air bag Performance Characteristics asked can realize (such as, being separated by change by the internal structure of amendment air bag The position of part, by the flow behavior of the valve 112 that upper chamber and lower chambers are connected by amendment, by changing upper chamber's ventilation position Put and characteristic, and by changing, fixing fabric structure mechanism (VCM) panel is connected to main airbag panel and side airbag face The position of the seam of plate).Owing to general external structure can be used, it is provided that the homogeneity in airbag design and manufacture Degree.

With reference now to Figure 40, the embodiment 10 of air bag described herein may be included in air bag system 900.Peace Full gas-bag system 900 includes at least one gas source 915 (for example, as it is known that aerator or gas generating system) and according to herein The air bag 10 of described embodiment.This air bag is connected to gas source to operably, to activate gas generation The fluid communication with described gas source is allowed during system.Air bag system 900 can also include collision accident sensor 910 (or connecting with collision accident sensor 910).Collision accident sensor 910 includes known crash sensor algorithm, described calculation Method promotes actuating of air bag system 900 by such as activating gas source 915 in collision accident.

With reference to Figure 40, air bag system 900 also is included in and the most more complicated includes that other element (is such as pacified Full band assembly 850) vehicle occupant protection system 800 in.Figure 40 shows an exemplary embodiment of this protection system.Peace Full band assembly 850 includes seat belt housing 852 and the seat belt 860 extended from housing 852.Seat belt retractor mechanism 854 (example Such as, spring-loaded mechanism) may be connected to the end of seat belt.Additionally, it is known that safety belt pretensioner 856 can be connected to regain Device mechanism 854, to actuate retractor mechanism in collision accident.United States Patent (USP) No.5,743,480, No.5,553,803, Describing in No.5,667,161, No 5,451,008, No.4,558,832 and No.4,597,546 can be with the safety of the present invention The typical seat belt retractor mechanism being used in combination with embodiment, these United States Patent (USP)s are incorporated to by way of reference at this. The allusion quotation that can combine is described with the seat belt embodiment of the present invention in United States Patent (USP) No.6,505,790 and No.6,419,177 The illustrative embodiments of the preloader of type, this United States Patent (USP) is incorporated to by way of reference at this.

Safety belt assembly 850 may also comprise collision accident sensor 858 (such as, inertial sensor or accelerometer) (or Communicate with collision accident sensor 858), collision accident sensor 858 includes known crash sensor algorithm, and described algorithm leads to Cross the pyrotechnic device for igniting (not shown) being such as incorporated in safety belt pretensioner 856 by activation and promote seat belt pretension Actuating of device 856.Aforesaid U.S. Patent No.6,505,790 and the No.6,419,177 that are incorporated to by way of reference provide The illustrated exemplary of the preloader actuated by this way.

As used in this, term " substantially ", " about ", " on substrate " and similar term are intended to have with general The field being subordinate to purport disclosed in this in the wide significance coordinated mutually of use that accepts of those skilled in the art.This It is that allow described in description and required that skilled person it should be understood that when reading this and being open these terms are intended to Some feature of protection, and the scope of described feature is not restricted to the concrete numerical range provided.Therefore, these terms Should be interpreted that indicating the most crucial or the most serious modifications and changes for described purport to be considered is in appended right In the scope of the present invention stated in requirement.

It should be noted that the term " exemplary " being such as used herein to describe various embodiments is intended to indicate that these are implemented Example is the possible example of possible embodiment, represents and/or illustrate, and this term is not intended to mean that these embodiments must It need to be fabulous or good example.

As used in this term " couples ", " connection " etc. means direct or indirect mutually the tying of two components Close.Such combination can be static (the most permanent) or moveable (that such as can be removed or releasable).So Combination by make two components or two components and any other intermediate member integrally mutually form into single entirety come Realize, or by making two components or two components and any other intermediate member be attached to each other and realize.

At this for the reference of position of components, it is many that such as " top ", " bottom ", " top ", " lower section " etc. are only used for description Plant element orientation in the drawings.It should be noted that the orientation of Various Components can be different according to other exemplary embodiment, and this Change is intended to be comprised by the disclosure.

It is essential that note that air bag the structure as shown in various exemplary embodiment and arrange be only Illustrative.Although described in the most several embodiments are disclosed the most in detail, but reading those skilled in the art disclosed in this and incite somebody to action Be readily appreciated that many amendments be feasible (such as, the change of the size of Various Components, size, structure, shape and ratio, The change of parameter value, the change of mounting arrangements, the change of materials'use, the change of color, the change etc. of orientation) and the most substantially Deviate the novel teachings and advantages of purport disclosed herein.Such as, it is shown that the element formed with being integrated can be by some Or element structure, the position of element can invert or otherwise change, and discrete element or the attribute of position or quantity can It is altered or varied.Therefore, all such amendments are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.Any process or method step Order or sequence according to alternate embodiment change or can sort again.In design, operating condition and the layout of exemplary embodiment Can be carried out other replace, revise, change and omit.

Claims (21)

1. an air bag, including:

At least one panel, at least one panel described limits the inside of described air bag；

Separator, described separator is positioned in described inside, so that described inside is divided into upper chamber and lower chambers；And

At least one constraint mechanism, at least one constraint mechanism described is positioned at described bottom chamber, at least one constraint machine described Structure is constructed and is attached at least one panel described, in order to limit at least one face described during described airbag cushion The movement of a part for plate, thus when described airbag cushion outer surface along described air bag to form first recessed Portion.

Air bag the most according to claim 1, wherein, at least one constraint mechanism described be attached to described at least one Individual panel so that described recess accommodates with described after being constructed and be positioned in described air-bag deployment in described recess The breastbone of the automotive occupant of air bag contact.

Air bag the most according to claim 1, wherein, at least one constraint mechanism described is constructed and is attached to described At least one panel so that be adjacent to be formed at least one thallus with described recess, at least one thallus described is positioned Become: after described air-bag deployment, adjacent to the breastbone with the automotive occupant contacting described air bag of automotive occupant Part buffer.

Air bag the most according to claim 19, also includes that opening and flowing limit valve system, and described opening is formed Open in described separator and with any marginating compartment of described separator, described flowing limit valve system be oriented to limit from Described lower chambers is by the air-flow in described opening to described upper chamber.

Air bag the most according to claim 1, wherein, at least one constraint mechanism described has the generally tubular of hollow Structure.

Air bag the most according to claim 1, wherein, at least one constraint mechanism described is plane and is configured to Extend along general vertical plane during described airbag cushion.

Air bag the most according to claim 1, wherein, at least one constraint mechanism described is constructed and is attached to described At least one panel, in order to the movement of a part at least one panel described in limiting during airbag cushion, thus During described airbag cushion, the outer surface along described air bag forms the second recess.

Air bag the most according to claim 7, wherein, at least one constraint mechanism described be attached to described at least one Individual panel so that described second recess is positioned and configured to: six years old child of type III collides the head of ATD in basis when mixing The position being defined as position 2 in the NHTSA impact test of FMVSS standard No.208 is positioned against or near vehicular meter During plate, in described second recess, house described head.

9. a vehicle, it includes air bag according to claim 1.

10. an air bag system, it includes air bag according to claim 1.

11. 1 kinds of air bags, including:

At least one panel, at least one panel described limits the inside of described air bag；

Separator, described separator is positioned in described inside, so that described inside is divided into upper chamber and lower chambers；And

At least one attaching means, at least one attaching means described is positioned at described upper chamber, and at least one attaching means described is attached Receive described separator and be attached to a part at least one panel described, in order to limiting during described airbag cushion A part for described separator is moving up towards the side of described lower chambers.

12. air bags according to claim 11, wherein, at least one attaching means described is attached to described separator On following position: this position is configured to when described air bag is in swelling state in vehicle be described separator Summit or the highest part.

13. air bags according to claim 11, wherein, at least one attaching means described is connected to operably Described separator, in order to limit described separator during airbag cushion at the direction upper deflecting towards described lower chambers, And wherein, at least one attaching means described is connected at least one panel described to operably, in order at air bag The outer surface limiting described air bag during expansion is moving upward towards the side of automotive occupant.

14. 1 kinds of vehicles, it includes air bag according to claim 11.

15. 1 kinds of air bag systems, it includes air bag according to claim 11.

16. 1 kinds of air bags, including:

At least one panel, at least one panel described limits the inside of described air bag；With

Separator, described separator is positioned in described inside, so that described inside is divided into upper chamber and lower chambers,

Wherein, the occupant's contact side being not attached at least one panel described at least partially of the leading edge of described separator.

17. air bags according to claim 16, wherein, at least some of of described leading edge prolongs from described separator Stretch, the limb being oriented in described lower chambers that is contrary with described occupant's contact side and that extend to air bag with formation, institute State limb to be configured to limit gas flowing from described lower chambers to described upper chamber.

18. air bag according to claim 16, wherein, described separator is attached to along at least one attachment part At least one panel described, and wherein, described separator along with at least one attachment part described be positioned adjacent to A few non-attachment part is not attached at least one panel described, in order at least one non-attachment part described and described extremely Form, between a few panel, at least one gas flow channel being associated.

19. air bags according to claim 16, wherein, at least one gas flow channel described be formed at described in extremely Few between a panel and described separator, wherein, when described airbag cushion, the leading edge of described separator is at least A part is not attached to occupant's contact side of at least one panel described, and wherein, described air bag is constructed such that At least one gas flow channel described can in response to be applied to by automotive occupant described occupant's contact side pressure and at least Partially turn off, to limit gas from described lower chambers to the flowing of described upper chamber.

20. 1 kinds of vehicles, it includes air bag according to claim 16.

21. 1 kinds of air bag systems, it includes air bag according to claim 16.