KR100512862B1 - Passenger air-bag module for a vehicle and opening and closing structure of a vent hole on the housing of a passenger air-bag module - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a housing vent hole opening / closing structure of a passenger seat airbag module configured to variably open / close the vent hole according to the deployment pressure of an air cushion, and a passenger seat airbag module of a vehicle to which the same is applied. The housing is formed with a first opening and closing portion for opening and closing the vent hole, the retainer is in contact with the bottom of the first opening and closing is supported by the vent hole, the vent hole is kept closed when the first stage working gas generated by the inflator When the second stage working gas is generated, the first opening and closing part is lifted by the upward movement of the retainer according to the upward protrusion force of the air cushion, and the vent hole is opened. According to the above configuration, since the external leakage of the working gas through the vent hole at the beginning of the working gas generation can be effectively suppressed, the capacity and weight of the inflator can be reduced.

Description

Passenger air-bag module for a vehicle and opening and closing structure of a vent hole on the housing of a passenger air-bag module

The present invention maintains the housing vent hole in the closed state during the initial generation of the working gas by the inflator, and then open the vent hole at the maximum output of the working gas, thereby reducing the waste of the working gas flowing out to the outside in the initial stage inflator The present invention relates to a housing vent hole opening and closing structure of a passenger seat airbag module capable of minimizing the use capacity of the passenger seat, and a passenger seat airbag module of an automobile using the same.

Recently, as interest in safety of passengers along with functionality and convenience of automobiles is increasing, the importance of safety-related devices that can safely protect passengers in the event of an accident of automobiles is increasing.

One of these safety devices, the airbag system, is used in conjunction with a seat belt to prevent the body parts of the passenger's head, chest, knees, etc. from hitting the vehicle's structure and causing injury when the car crashes.

Meanwhile, FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional general passenger air bag. The passenger seat airbag is generally mounted on an instrument panel located in a passenger seat of an automobile, and as shown in FIG. 1A, an air cushion 10 and an inflator that generates gas and supplies the air cushion 10 to the air cushion 10 (see FIG. 1A). 20, a housing 30 for receiving the air cushion 10 and the inflator 20, and a retainer 40 for fixing the air cushion 10 in the housing 30.

The inflator 20 is a kind of gas generating device, although not shown in the drawing, a gas generating agent and an ignition device are embedded therein, and the ignition device is electrically connected to a control unit in the vehicle.

The housing 30 is a kind of storage container, and its configuration includes an inflator housing 30a in which the inflator 20 is accommodated and a cushion housing 30b in which the air cushion 10 is accommodated, and the cushion housing 30b is It is coupled to the top of the inflator housing (30a).

The retainer 40 is combined with the air cushion 10 to be accommodated in the cushion housing 30b and is fixed to the coupling portion of the cushion housing 30b and the inflator housing 30a.

According to such a configuration, a collision signal detected from a sensor (not shown) during an automobile collision is applied to the ignition device in the inflator 20 through a control unit, and the internal gas generating agent is ignited and burned through the ignition device to produce a constant pressure. Will generate working gas.

The working gas generated in this way flows into the air cushion 10 through the retainer 40 in the housing 30 in an instant, expands the air cushion 10 in a predetermined form, and cushions the passenger's shock.

1B is a perspective view schematically illustrating a vent hole structure of an air cushion in a conventional passenger seat airbag module, and FIG. 1C is a perspective view illustrating a vent hole structure of a housing in a conventional passenger seat airbag module.

As shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C, a vent hole 50 having a predetermined size is formed in the air cushion 10 or the housing 30 to discharge the working gas therein when the air bag module is operated. In addition, the vent hole 50 is configured to release the gas inside when the occupant collides with the inflated air cushion 10 to mitigate the impact received during the collision.

In addition, after the collision, the residual gas in the air cushion 10 and the housing 30 is quickly discharged to prevent the front view from being obscured by the air cushion 10 to prevent secondary accidents. I can do it.

However, the vent hole 50 structure as described above, the operating gas generated from the inflator 20 during the initial deployment of the air cushion 10 in the operation of the airbag module is supplied into the air cushion 10 and the housing 30 Since a certain amount of external emission is generated through the vent hole 50 of), unnecessary loss of working gas is caused.

Accordingly, since the additional capacity of the absolute amount of the working gas discharged to the outside through the vent hole 50 at the initial stage of the air cushion 10 is separately required, the actual inflator 20 required for the air cushion 10 is developed. There was a problem that the inflator 20 having a capacity larger than a certain capacity was used.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to form an opening and closing part for opening and closing the vent hole in the housing and to open and close the vent hole by opening and closing the interlock by the upward movement of the retainer The present invention provides a vent hole opening and closing structure of a housing to allow opening and closing of the vent hole according to the operation of the retainer.

Another object of the present invention is to adopt a housing to which the vent hole opening structure is applied to the airbag module, thereby closing the vent hole at the beginning of the operation gas generation according to the operation of the inflator to prevent the gas in the housing from being discharged to the outside, and then the housing. When the internal working gas pressure increases to a certain pressure, the vent hole is opened to provide a passenger seat airbag module for a vehicle that can minimize external leakage of the working gas at an early stage.

Vent hole opening and closing structure of the housing according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a housing having an open and close vent hole; And a retainer installed in the housing, wherein the housing has a first opening and closing portion for opening and closing the vent hole, and the retainer is held in contact with the bottom of the first opening and closing portion and supported by the vent hole. The first opening and closing portion is lifted by the upward movement of the retainer, and the vent hole is opened.

In addition, the passenger seat airbag module of the vehicle according to the invention air cushion; An inflator for supplying a working gas to the air cushion; A housing accommodating the air cushion and the inflator, the housing having an open / close vent hole; And a retainer installed in the housing and fixing the air cushion, wherein the housing has a first opening and closing portion for opening and closing the vent hole, and the retainer makes contact with a lower end of the first opening and closing portion. The vent hole is kept closed when the first stage working gas is generated by the inflator, and the first opening / closing part is moved upward by the retainer according to the upward protrusion force of the air cushion when the second stage working gas is generated. It is configured to open the vent hole while being lifted.

The first opening and closing part is bent inwardly of the housing from an upper end of the vent hole.

In addition, the retainer is provided with second openings and protrusions protruding from both sides of the retainer so as to be caught and supported by the vent hole under the first opening and closing portion.

At this time, the second opening and closing portion is formed to have a cross-sectional structure bent in the '' 'shape.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a passenger seat airbag module according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a coupling state of the housing and the retainer shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a cross-sectional structure in the A-A section direction of FIG. 3.

2 to 4, the passenger seat airbag module according to the present invention includes an air cushion 100, an inflator 200, a housing 300, and a retainer 400.

The air cushion 100 has a cushion vent hole 120 having a predetermined size so that the gas inside the air cushion 100 can be discharged to the outside when the air bag module is inflated. The cushion vent hole 120 serves to mitigate the impact received during the collision by allowing the interior gas to be discharged to the outside when the occupant collides with the inflated air cushion 100.

The inflator 200 is a kind of gas generator, and although not shown in the drawing, there is a gas generator and an ignition device for burning the gas generator, and the ignition device is connected to a collision detection sensor in front of the vehicle. It is electrically connected to the controller.

Here, in the present exemplary embodiment, a dual stage inflator is used in which the inflator can be exploded in stages so that the air cushion can be developed at a low pressure or a high pressure by adjusting the strength of the explosion pressure according to the collision situation of the vehicle. I adopt).

The inflator 200 is accommodated in the housing 300 which is a storage container. The housing 300 has a plurality of vent holes 320 having a substantially rectangular shape on the opposite side wall surface, the vent hole 320 is a cushion vent hole 120 when the air cushion 100 is inflated In addition, the gas inside is released to the outside.

In addition, the housing 300 extends by a predetermined width from an upper end (right direction of the ground) of the vent hole 320 in a downward direction (left direction of the ground) to partially close the vent hole 320. The opening part 340 is formed.

At this time, the first opening and closing part 340 has a shape bent at a predetermined angle in the inward direction of the housing 300 from the top of the vent hole 320 as shown in the cross-sectional structure of FIG.

On the other hand, the retainer 400 is fixed to the upper air cushion 100, and is accommodated in the housing 300 located above the inflator 200 together with the air cushion 100.

The retainer 400 protrudes from both sides so that the retainer 400 can be caught and supported at the lower end of the vent hole 320 of the housing 300, and a second opening / closing portion 420 is formed, and the second opening / closing portion 420 is As shown in Figure 4 has a cross-sectional structure bent in the '' 'shape.

Accordingly, since the retainer 400 is normally supported at the lower end of the vent hole 320 and in contact with the lower end of the first opening / closing part 340, the vent hole 320 is set to the closed state.

In this case, although it may be recognized in the drawings, the vent hole 320 is not completely closed, but is disposed between the first opening and closing part 340 and the vent hole 320 due to the inclination angle of the first opening part 340. The gap of degree remains.

Referring to the operation of the present invention having the above configuration is as follows.

5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the vent hole 320 is opened due to the synergistic action of the retainer 400.

As shown, first, when a shock is detected by a collision detection sensor (not shown) during a collision of a vehicle, an electrical signal for operating the air cushion 100 is applied to the inflator 200 through a control unit (not shown). The gas generators inside the inflator 200 are ignited and combusted to generate working gas.

In this case, the cushion vent hole 120 is opened in the first step in which the low explosion pressure of the inflator 200 is used, but the vent hole 320 of the housing 300 is at a low rising pressure of the retainer 400. Since the first opening and closing part 340 is not lifted up by the first opening and closing part 340 and the second opening and closing part 420 is maintained in a closed state (see FIGS. 3 and 4), the air cushion 100 In this fully deployed state, the working gas is discharged only by the cushion vent hole 120.

Accordingly, since the working gas is prevented from leaking to the outside through the vent hole 320 of the housing 300 at the beginning of the operation gas generation by the inflator 200, it is possible to prevent the gas loss of the inflator 200.

On the other hand, in the second step in which the high explosion pressure of the inflator 200 is used, the first opening part is opened by the upward movement of the retainer 400 according to the opening of the cushion vent hole 320 and the strong expansion force of the air cushion 100. Since the 340 is lifted upward and the vent hole 320 is opened, the cushion vent hole 120 and the vent hole 320 of the housing 300 are opened while the air cushion 100 is fully deployed. Through this will be the discharge of the working gas.

In addition, in the second step, a temporary negative pressure is formed inside the air cushion 100 by opening the vent hole 320 of the housing 300 in the process of deploying the air cushion 100, so that external air is released. Rapidly flowing through the vent hole 320 and the cushion vent hole 120 is supplied to the inside of the air cushion 100 with the working gas generated from the inflator 200, the use capacity of the inflator 200 than the conventional Not only can it be relatively reduced, but also improves the operation time of the airbag module because it speeds up the deployment time of the air cushion 100.

In this case, the opening time of the vent hole 320 of the housing 300 is opened at an appropriate time by adjusting the rigidity of the material of the first opening part 340 or adjusting the inclination angle of the first opening / closing part 340. It can be adjusted to lose.

In the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the first opening / closing portion 340 is completely bent upward by the upward movement of the retainer 400 according to the expansion force of the air cushion 100, and thus, the vent hole 320 is opened. However, in addition, the first opening and closing part 340 is slid up and down, or by adopting a structure that is elastically hinged through the spring at the upper end of the vent hole 320, the vent according to the movement of the retainer 400 The opening and closing action of the hole 320 may be configured.

On the other hand, Figure 6 is a graph showing a change in pressure with time inside the air cushion 100 in the development process of the air cushion 100 according to the present invention.

Here, reference numeral L denotes the time of pressure generation, M denotes the time of door rupture, N denotes the negative pressure, and P denotes the point of change from the negative pressure to the positive pressure.

As shown, in the initial state, the pressure inside the air cushion 100 is formed at the same pressure as the atmospheric pressure (L), and then the pressure inside the air cushion 100 rapidly increases by the operation of the inflator 200. As it increases, the door (not shown) ruptures (M) and expands.

In this process, as the expansion speed of the air cushion 100 is temporarily larger than the gas generation speed of the inflator 200, the pressure inside the air cushion 100 is rapidly lowered again to lower the vacuum state than the atmospheric pressure (negative pressure). (N)

At this time, as the temporary vacuum state is formed inside the air cushion 100, the outside air is momentarily sucked through the vent hole 320 of the opened housing 300 together with the working gas into the air cushion 100. Inflow.

Thereafter, as a predetermined time elapses, the working gas generated in the inflator 200 continuously flows into the air cushion 100, and the pressure in the air cushion 100 is converted from negative pressure to positive pressure again (P). The pressure is maintained in a constant state.

On the other hand, the housing opening and closing structure of the passenger seat airbag module according to the present invention, as shown in the above-described drawings, the housing 300 having the opening and closing vent hole 320 and the retainer 400 installed in the housing 300 It is configured to include.

The housing 300 has a first opening and closing portion 340 is formed to open and close the vent hole 320, the retainer 400 is in contact with the lower end of the first opening and closing portion 340 in the vent hole 320 Hanging is supported.

The first opening / closing portion 340 is interlocked by the upward movement of the retainer 400 due to the expansion of the air cushion 100 and lifted upward, thereby opening the vent hole 320.

Since the opening and closing structure of the housing vent hole of the present invention is the same as the structure and effect of the housing 300 and the retainer 400 mentioned in the above-described embodiment of the passenger seat airbag module, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

However, the above-described embodiment of the passenger seat airbag module employs a dual stage inflator capable of adjusting the inflation pressure of the air cushion 100 as a gas generator, but in the embodiment according to the housing vent hole opening and closing structure, the explosion of the first stage is performed. Ordinary single stage inflator with characteristics may be applied.

In this case, opening and closing of the vent hole 320 is performed according to an initial state of gas generation (a state in which a relatively low pressure is formed in the housing) and a maximum output state (a state in which a relatively high pressure is formed in the housing) by the operation of the inflator 200. Since the same effect as the above-described effect can be obtained.

According to the present invention described above, the following effects can be expected.

First, by configuring the first opening and closing portion blocking the vent hole by the upward movement of the retainer according to the expansion of the air cushion, it is possible to automatically adjust the opening and closing action of the vent hole in accordance with the deployment pressure of the air cushion. .

Second, since the vent hole is kept closed by the first opening and closing part in the first step in which the inflator is exploded at a low pressure, it is possible to suppress external leakage during the initial generation of working gas. Since it is not necessary to apply an additional gas capacity to the inflator as much as the amount of gas leaked through the hole, it is possible to employ an inflator having a smaller capacity than the existing one, and thus reduce the overall weight and manufacturing cost of the airbag module.

Third, in the second stage in which the inflator is exploded at high pressure, external air is rapidly introduced through the open vent hole due to the temporary negative pressure formed inside the air cushion, and is supplied to the air cushion together with the working gas therein. As a result, the same expansion efficiency can be obtained even with the application of a relatively small capacity inflator, and the time required for the deployment of the air cushion is further shortened, thereby increasing the operating performance of the airbag module.

Fourth, by configuring the first opening and closing portion to be bent from the upper end of the vent hole toward the inside of the housing, the device configuration is simplified because the opening and closing of the first opening and closing portion can be easily performed only by the upward movement of the retainer.

Fifth, by forming a second opening and closing portion held in the vent hole in the lower portion of the first opening and closing portion in the retainer, it is possible to easily close the vent hole by the first opening and closing portion, the second during the movement of the retainer The first opening and closing portion can be easily lifted by the opening and closing portion.

Sixth, by forming the second opening and closing portion in the cross-sectional structure bent in the '' 'shape, the second opening and closing portion can be supported in the vent hole, and at the same time to close the vent hole structurally simply with the first opening and closing portion. Can be.

Seventh, if the stiffness or the inclination angle of the material of the first opening and closing portion formed in the housing is properly adjusted, the opening time of the vent hole according to the deployment pressure of the air cushion can be properly adjusted.

As described above, although described with reference to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, those skilled in the art various modifications of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention described in the claims below And can be changed.

Figure 1a is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional general passenger airbag module.

Figure 1b is a perspective view showing the structure of a vent hole formed in a conventional air cushion.

Figure 1c is a perspective view showing a vent hole structure formed in a conventional housing.

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a passenger seat airbag module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the housing and the retainer are coupled to each other in FIG. 2.

4 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-sectional structure in the A-A section direction of FIG.

5 is a cross-sectional view showing a vent hole is opened in FIG.

Figure 6 is a graph showing the change in pressure with time inside the air cushion in accordance with the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

100: air cushion 120: cushion vent hole

200: inflator 300: housing

320: vent hole 340: first opening and closing

400: retainer 420: second opening and closing part

Claims (8)

Air cushion; An inflator for supplying a working gas to the air cushion; A housing accommodating the air cushion and the inflator, the housing having an open / close vent hole; And Is installed in the housing and comprises a retainer for fixing the air cushion, The housing is provided with a first opening and closing portion extending downward from the upper end of the vent hole to open and close the vent hole, The retainer is in contact with the lower end of the first opening and closing portion of the passenger seat airbag module, characterized in that the second opening and closing portion protruding from both sides of the retainer is formed so as to be supported by the vent hole. The passenger seat airbag module of claim 1, wherein the first opening / closing portion is bent in an inward direction of the housing from an upper end of the vent hole. delete The passenger seat airbag module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second opening and closing portion has a cross-sectional structure bent in a '-' shape. A housing having an openable vent hole; And It comprises a retainer installed in the housing, The housing is provided with a first opening and closing portion extending downward from the upper end of the vent hole to open and close the vent hole, The retainer is in contact with the lower end of the first opening and closing portion of the housing vent hole opening and closing structure of the passenger seat airbag module, characterized in that the second opening and closing portion protruding from both sides of the retainer is formed to be supported by the vent hole. The opening and closing structure of the housing vent hole of the passenger seat airbag module according to claim 5, wherein the first opening and closing part is bent from an upper end of the vent hole in an inward direction of the housing. delete 7. The opening and closing structure of a housing vent hole of a passenger seat airbag module according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the second opening and closing part has a cross-sectional structure bent in a 'c' shape.