KR101940724B1 - Airbag apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

There is provided an airbag device capable of controlling the deployment pressure of the airbag cushion in an active manner by a passenger loaded on the airbag cushion at the time of a car accident, and also controlling the deployment pressure of the airbag cushion through control by the controller.
Particularly, the airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an airbag cushion in which a first vent hole and a second vent hole are formed, through which gas is inflated and inflow when a gas is introduced, and a second vent hole communicating with the first vent hole A guide panel having a first communication hole formed therein and a second communication hole communicating with the second vent hole to be coupled to the airbag cushion, and a guide panel disposed between the airbag cushion and the guide panel and having one end coupled to the airbag cushion, A vent cover having a shielding portion for blocking the vent hole and the first communication hole, and a third communication hole communicating with the second vent hole and the second communication hole; and a vent cover coupled to the vent cover, And a tether which is tightened to pull the vent cover.

Description

AIRBAG APPARATUS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an airbag apparatus, and more particularly, to an airbag apparatus provided with deployment pressure adjusting means for adjusting the deployment pressure of an airbag cushion.

Generally, an automobile is equipped with an airbag cushion for protecting a passenger with a cushion force in a car accident. The airbag cushion is inflated and expanded by a gas pressure flowing into the interior of the gas generator at the time of an automobile accident, thereby protecting the passenger with a cushion force.

A conventional airbag cushion is designed to have an internal volume to provide a deployment pressure that can protect a typical adult of about 65 kg.

However, even if the occupant is the general adult as described above, when the distance between the airbag cushion and the occupant is too close (for example, when the occupant is seated with the seat pulled forward or seated in front of the seat) The excessively early deployment pressure of the cushion can cause injury.

Accordingly, the airbag cushion is required to have a deployment pressure adjusting means for adjusting the deployment pressure of the airbag cushion in accordance with the distance between the airbag cushion and the passenger, by enabling the deployment pressure to be actively adjusted by the occupant being loaded.

In addition, not only the general adult but also an adult whose weight is light compared to the general adult are present in the passenger. Particularly, in the passenger seat, not only the general adult but also a woman, a child, an infant, etc. having a light weight compared to the general adult are seated.

Therefore, the airbag cushion requires a deployment pressure adjusting means capable of adjusting the deployment pressure according to the type of occupant sitting on the seat. Of course, in order to distinguish the type of the passenger, a vehicle is equipped with a sensor for detecting a passenger and a controller for distinguishing a passenger using an output signal of the sensor, and the deployment pressure adjusting means may be operated by the control roller have.

A problem to be solved by the present invention is to not only control the deployment pressure of the airbag cushion in an active manner by a passenger loaded on the airbag cushion at the time of an automobile accident but also control the deployment pressure of the airbag cushion And an airbag device.

The problems of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

In order to achieve the above object, an airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an airbag cushion having a first vent hole and a second vent hole, through which gas is inflated and inflow, A guide panel formed with a first communication hole communicating with the airbag hole and a second communication hole communicating with the second vent hole to be coupled to the airbag cushion, and a guide panel disposed between the airbag cushion and the guide panel, A vent cover having a shielding portion coupled to the first vent hole and the first communication hole and a third communication hole communicating with the second vent hole and the second communication hole, And a tether that is taut as the cushion expands and pulls the vent cover.

The details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

In the airbag device according to the present invention, the first vent hole and the first communication hole are opened at an initial stage of the deployment of the airbag cushion, so that the gas in the airbag cushion flows through the first communication hole and the first vent hole It is possible to prevent the occupant from being injured by the initial deployment pressure of the airbag cushion when the occupant is excessively close to the airbag cushion.

Further, when the occupant is at an appropriate distance from the airbag cushion, the airbag cushion is inflated and the tether is stretched to pull the vent cover, so that the shielding portion of the vent cover is positioned between the first vent hole and the first communication hole And the third communication hole formed in the vent cover opens between the second vent hole formed in the airbag cushion and the second communication hole formed in the guide panel. Therefore, in the later stage of deployment of the airbag cushion, The gas in the airbag cushion is discharged to the outside of the airbag cushion through the third communication hole and the second vent hole so that the optimum deployment pressure of the airbag cushion can be maintained.

In addition, when the controller divides the type of occupant seated on the seat and activates the tether separator, the tether is separated from the tether separator, so that the vent cover protrudes through the first vent hole to the outside of the airbag cushion , The gas in the airbag cushion is discharged to the outside of the airbag cushion through the first communication hole and the first vent hole, thereby controlling the deployment pressure of the airbag cushion.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

1 is a view showing an inflated state of an airbag cushion of an airbag apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention,
2 is a control block diagram showing an airbag apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a view of the side panel shown in Figure 1,
4 is a view showing the vent cover and the tether shown in Fig. 1,
5 is a view showing the guide panel shown in Fig. 1,
6 to 9 are views showing a process of assembling the vent cover and the guide panel to the airbag cushion,
Fig. 10 is a front perspective view of the airbag housing shown in Fig. 1,
11 is a rear perspective view of Fig. 10,
Fig. 12 is a partially exploded perspective view of Fig. 11,
13 is a view showing the tether, the tether separator and the cover shown in Fig. 10,
14 is a view showing the tether separator shown in Fig. 13,
Figure 15 is an operational view of the tether separator shown in Figure 14;
16 is a front perspective view of a main part of an airbag device according to a second embodiment of the present invention,
17 is a rear perspective view of FIG. 16,
FIG. 18 is a partially exploded perspective view of FIG. 16,
FIG. 19 is a sectional view showing the operation of the tether separator in the airbag apparatus according to the embodiments of the present invention,
Figure 20 is an operational view of Figure 19;
21 is a cross-sectional view showing the case where the airbag cushion is inflated and the tether separator is not operated in the airbag apparatus according to the embodiments of the present invention,
22 is a cross-sectional view showing the case where the airbag cushion is inflated and the tether separator is operated in the airbag apparatus according to the embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The advantages and features of the present invention, and how to accomplish them, will become apparent by reference to the embodiments described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. To fully disclose the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art, and the invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

Hereinafter, an airbag apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

2 is a control block diagram showing an airbag apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a control block diagram of the airbag cushion according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. FIG. 4 is a view showing the vent cover and the tether shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a view showing the guide panel shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

1 to 5, an airbag apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention protects a passenger sitting on a passenger seat in a car accident. 3 to 5, the first vent hole 35 and the second vent hole 36 are formed in the airbag cushion 30, and the guide panel 48 A first communication hole 48a communicating with the first vent hole 35 and a second communication hole 48b communicating with the second vent hole 36 are formed in the vent cover 42, A shielding portion 42a for shielding between the vent hole 35 and the first communication hole 48a and a third communication hole 42b for communicating the second vent hole 36 and the second communication hole 48b, It is possible to adjust the deployment pressure of the airbag cushion 30 such that it is applicable to other airbag devices such as a driver's seat airbag device and a knee airbag device other than the passenger's seat airbag device. The present invention is not limited thereto. Hereinafter, only the front passenger's seat airbag device will be described as an example.

An airbag cushion 30, a guide panel 48, a vent cover 42, and a tether 44 (see FIG. 1) ), And a tether separator (50).

The airbag housing 10 accommodates the airbag cushion 30 and is mounted on the automobile.

The inflator 20 generates gas to supply the airbag cushion 30 so that the airbag cushion 30 inflates and protects the passenger. That is, when gas is generated from the inflator 20 and flows into the airbag cushion 30, the airbag cushion 30 is inflated and expanded by the gas pressure to protect the passenger with the cushioning force.

The inflator 20 can be inserted into the inside of the airbag housing 10 from the outside to be joined with the airbag cushion 30.

The airbag cushion 30 includes a main panel 32 that is inflated and brought into contact with a passenger, and a side panel 34 disposed on both sides of the main panel 32, respectively.

The airbag cushion 30 must be inflated to a sufficient pressure to secure a cushioning force capable of protecting the passenger so that the inflator 20 is inflated more than the amount of gas that the airbag cushion 30 can inflate fully And generates positive gas. Therefore, when the gas generated from the inflator 20 and discharged into the airbag cushion 30 is not discharged, the deployment pressure of the airbag cushion 30 becomes excessively high, ) May be subject to injury due to excessive deployment pressure.

The first vent hole 35 and the second vent hole 36 for discharging the gas to the side panel 34 are formed in the airbag cushion 30 in order to prevent the deployment pressure of the airbag cushion 30 from becoming too high, . The passenger is loaded on the main panel 32 when the airbag cushion 30 is inflated and deployed so that the first vent hole 35 and the second vent hole 36 are formed in the side panel 34, The gas can be discharged to the right and left of the airbag cushion 30 through the first vent hole 35 and the second vent hole 36 without being discharged directly to the passenger.

The guide panel 48 is formed with a first communication hole 48a communicating with the first vent hole 35 and a second communication hole 48b communicating with the second vent hole 36 so that the airbag cushion 30 As shown in Fig.

The vent cover 42 is disposed between the airbag cushion 30 and the guide panel 48 so that one end is coupled to the inside of the airbag cushion 30 and the other end is coupled to the tether 44. The vent cover 42 is provided with a shielding portion 42a for blocking the first vent hole 35 and the first communication hole 48a and a second vent hole 36 And a third communication hole 42b is formed.

The vent cover 42 is stitched on one side panel 34 and joined to the side panel 34 while the guide panel 48 covers the vent cover 42 so that the periphery of the side panel 34 is stitched to the airbag cushion 30 do.

One end of the tether 44 is coupled to the vent cover 42 and disposed between the airbag cushion 30 and the guide panel 48 and the other end is coupled to the tether separator 50 via the engaging member 46.

Here, the tether separator 50, like the inflator 20, is filled with a gas generating medium for generating a gas, and the gas generating medium is exploded by the control signal of the controller 5 to generate gas. The tether separator 50 is coupled with the tether 44 to hold the tether 44. When the gas is generated inside the tether separator 50, The member 46 separates from the tether 44 by separation.

A passenger detection sensor (1) for detecting a passenger is disposed on a seat of the automobile. The controller 5 also uses the signals output from the passenger detection sensor 1 to classify the types of passengers sitting on the seat (for example, infants, children, adults with small bodies and adults with large bodies) , And determines whether the tether separator (50) operates according to the type of the passenger sitting on the seat.

The tether 44 is loosened before the airbag cushion 30 is inflated and is formed to a length that can be stretched when the airbag cushion 30 is inflated to a predetermined size.

The vent cover 42 is formed of a flexible material having a sufficient area to cover the vent hole 36 so that a part of the periphery of the airbag cushion 30 is stitched 42a and is joined to one end of the tether 44 Are stitched together. The tether 44 is also formed of a flexible material so that it can be joined to the vent cover 42 by sewing. When the vent cover 42 is pulled by the tether 44, the vent cover 42 is stitched firmly to the airbag cushion 30 so that the vent cover 42 is not separated from the airbag cushion 30, (44) is firmly stitched to the vent cover (42).

The guide panel 48 has a larger area than the vent cover 42 so that the vent cover 42 can be moved within the guide panel 48 when the engaging member 46 is detached from the tether separator 50. [ As shown in FIG.

The guide panel 48 is sewn (48b) around the periphery of the guide panel 48 and is engaged with the airbag cushion 30. The reason why only a part of the circumference of the guide panel 48 is stitched 48b is that the vent cover 42 can be moved in the guide panel 48 when the engaging member 46 is separated from the tether separator 50 . That is, when the tether 44 is in a loose state by moving the tether 44 through the gap between the portion of the guide panel 48 not stitched on the airbag cushion 30 and the airbag cushion 30 So that the vent cover 42 can be moved in the guide panel 48.

A process of assembling the vent cover 42 and the guide panel 48 to the airbag cushion 30 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9. FIG.

6 to 9 are views showing a process of assembling the vent cover and the guide panel to the airbag cushion.

4, the one end of the tether 44 is coupled to the other end of the vent cover 42. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the shielding portion 42a is inserted into the first vent hole 35 and the third communication hole 42b is in communication with the second vent hole 36. The vent cover 42 is then returned to the inside of the side panel 34 and then the vent cover 42 is closed, Is joined to the inside of the side panel 34 of the airbag cushion 30 by sewing.

7 and 8, the shielding portion 42a of the vent cover 42 is opened to open the first vent hole 35 formed in the airbag cushion 30, The shielding portion 42a in the folded state is joined to the weak yarn so as not to be loosened. When the shielding portion 42a is folded and the first vent hole 35 is opened, the third communication hole 42b is covered by the folded shielding portion 42a to be cut off. Since the folded shielding portion 42a is folded in the weakened state, the weakened thread is broken when pulled by the tether 44, so that the shielding portion 42a is unfolded, State.

9, the first communication hole 48a is communicated with the first vent hole 35 and the second communication hole 48b is communicated with the second vent hole 36 and the third communication hole 48. [ The vent cover 42 is covered with the guide panel 48 so as to be positioned in correspondence with the guide panel 42b. Then, a part of the periphery of the guide panel 48 is stitched.

Of course, the other end of the tether 44 is coupled to the tether separator 50 via the engagement member 46.

In the airbag apparatus configured as described above, if the tether separator 50 is in an inoperative state, the airbag cushion 30 is initially in a state as shown in Fig. 9 as the airbag cushion 30 is inflated and deployed. After the deployment is completed, State.

9, since the tether 44 is in a loose state at the initial stage of inflation and deployment of the airbag cushion 30, the shielding portion 42a is in a folded state as shown in Fig. 9, The hole 35 and the first communication hole 48a are communicated and the second vent hole 36 and the second communication hole 48b are blocked by the shielding portion 42a. The gas in the airbag cushion 30 is discharged to the outside of the airbag cushion 30 through the first communication hole 48a and the first vent hole 48a at the beginning of the inflation of the airbag cushion 30 , The initial deployment pressure of the airbag cushion 30 can be lowered. Of course, when the distance between the airbag cushion 30 and the passenger is excessively close, the airbag cushion 30 comes into premature contact with the passenger while the airbag cushion 30 is inflated and deployed, so that the tether 44 maintains a loose state. When the distance between the airbag cushion 30 and the passenger is excessively small, the occupant can be prevented from being injured by the deployment pressure of the airbag cushion 30 do. The airbag cushion 30 is capable of being fully inflated, as shown in Fig. 1, so that the tether 44 can inflate the inflated airbag cushion 30 The first vent hole 35 and the first communication hole 48a are closed so that the first vent hole 35 and the first communication hole 48a are in contact with each other, The second vent hole 36 and the second communication hole 48b are communicated with each other by the third communication hole 42b. Therefore, when the distance between the airbag cushion 30 and the passenger is at an appropriate distance, the gas in the airbag cushion 30 is communicated with the second communication hole 48b, the third communication hole 42b and the second vent hole 36, The airbag cushion 30 is able to maintain an appropriate deployment pressure to protect the passenger.

The second vent hole 36, the second communication hole 48b, and the third communication hole 42b are formed in the same first size. The first vent hole 35 and the first communication hole 48a are formed to have the same second size and larger than the first size so that the first communication hole 48a The airbag cushion 30 and the airbag cushion 30 are separated from each other by the first vent hole 35 and the first vent hole 35, A small amount of gas in the airbag cushion 30 can be discharged through the first communication hole 48b, the third communication hole 42b and the second vent hole 36 so that the airbag cushion 30 can maintain an appropriate deployment pressure.

As described above, the airbag apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention can adjust the deployment pressure of the airbag cushion 30 according to the distance between the airbag cushion 30 and the passenger.

The airbag device according to the first embodiment of the present invention determines whether or not the tether separator 50 is operated depending on the type of passenger classified by the controller 5 so as to adjust the deployment pressure of the airbag cushion 30 And a detailed description thereof will be described later.

Fig. 10 is a front perspective view of the airbag housing shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 11 is a rear perspective view of Fig. 10, Fig. 12 is a partially exploded perspective view of Fig. 11, Fig. 13 is a view showing the tether, tether separator and cover shown in Fig. .

1 and 10 to 13, the airbag housing 10 is formed in a rectangular tube shape so as to accommodate the airbag cushion 30.

The airbag housing 10 is provided with side mounting brackets 12 on both sides and a lower mounting bracket 14 on the lower side and hook portions 16 formed on both sides in order to be coupled to the vehicle body. The side mounting bracket 12 and the bottom mounting bracket 14 are fastened to the vehicle body through bolts and the hook portion 16 is formed on the upper side of the airbag housing 10 and hooked to the vehicle body.

A retainer (60) for coupling the airbag cushion (30) to the airbag housing (10) is disposed inside the airbag housing (10). After the retainer 60 is inserted into the lower end of the airbag cushion 30, the stud bolt 65 is passed through the retainer 60, the airbag cushion 30, the airbag housing 10 and the inflator 20 in order . Of course, after the retainer 60 is arranged to surround the lower end outer side of the airbag cushion 30, the stud bolt 65 passes through the airbag cushion 30, the retainer 60, the airbag housing and the inflator 20 in turn It may be concluded.

The inflator 20 can be disposed inside the airbag cushion 30 by allowing the head portion to pass through the retainer 60 after being inserted into the airbag housing 10 from the lower side.

The tether separator (50) is coupled to the retainer (60) through the cover (70). That is, the cover 70 is engaged with the tether separator 50 and is engaged with the retainer 60.

The cover 70 includes a body portion 72, a first engagement portion 74, and a second engagement portion 76.

The body portion 72 is formed with an insertion hole 72a into which the lower end of the tether separator 50 is inserted and an outer side thereof is inserted into the airbag housing 10. [

The first engaging portion 74 projects upward from the body portion 72 and is elastically engaged with both sides of the tether separator 50 so that the tether separator 50 is engaged with the cover 70 and is not moved in the longitudinal direction do.

The second engaging portion 76 protrudes from both sides of the body portion 72 and is inserted into the retainer 60 and is elastically engaged so that the cover 70 can be engaged with the retainer 60. [

The airbag housing 10 is formed with a first through hole 18 into which the body portion 72 is inserted. That is, the cover 70 is not moved in the radial direction by inserting the body portion 72 into the first through-hole 18 formed in the airbag housing 10.

The retainer (60) is provided with a second through hole (62) through which the first engaging portion (74) is inserted. That is, the first engaging portion 74 is inserted into the second through hole 62 together with the tether separator 50 while being elastically hooked on both sides of the tether separator 50.

The retainer 60 is formed with third through holes 64 through which the second engaging portions 76 are inserted from the second through holes 62 on both sides.

The lower end of the tether 44 is coupled to the upper side of the tether separator 50 via the engaging member 46. The engaging member 46 can pass through the lower end of the flexible tether 44 and be coupled to the upper side of the tether separator 50 formed of a steel material. For example, the engaging member 46 may be a rivet.

Fig. 14 shows the tether separator shown in Fig. 13, and Fig. 15 shows the operation of the tether separator shown in Fig.

Referring to FIGS. 13 to 15, a tether 55 is formed on the tether separator 50 to be coupled to the opening / closing unit 40. That is, the joining member 46 is inserted into the tether portion 55 to be coupled. The tail portion (57) is formed in the tail portion (55) by the internal gas pressure. The tear line 57 is formed so that the tear line 57 can be broken by the internal gas pressure of the tether separator 50 when the tether separator 50 is operated and gas is generated inside the tether separator 50 An upper portion of the tether separator 50 is formed by being cut. Accordingly, when gas is generated in the tether separator 50, since the tear line 57 is broken by the gas pressure inside the tether separator 50, the tear part 55 is opened based on the tear line 57, The responsiveness and reliability of the opening / closing unit 40 for adjusting the deployment pressure of the airbag cushion 30 is improved because the airbag cushion 30 is separated from the engagement member 46 which is one of the opening and closing units 40.

The tear line 57 is provided adjacent to the periphery of the engaging member 46 inserted into the tearing portion 55 so that the engaging member 46 inserted into the tearing portion 55 can be quickly separated, 46 in the radial direction. However, the shape of the tear line 57 may be variously modified in the form of a circle, an ellipse, a star, a diamond or the like adjacent to the periphery of the coupling member 46 inserted into the tearing portion 55.

On both sides of the tether separator 50, a step portion 54 is formed in which the first engaging portion 74 of the cover 70 is elastically hooked.

FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of a main portion of an airbag apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of FIG. 16, and FIG. 18 is a partially exploded perspective view of FIG. Here, the same reference numerals are used for the same elements as those of the first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted, and only different points will be described.

16 to 18, the airbag device according to the second embodiment of the present invention differs from the first embodiment described above.

That is, in the first embodiment, the coupling member 46 is formed as a single piece and is coupled to the tether portion 55 after penetrating the tether 44. In the second embodiment, the coupling member 46 is formed in two, A first engagement member 46a coupled to the other end of the tether separator 50 and a second engagement member 46b coupled to the tether section 55 through the first engagement member 46a to couple the first engagement member 46a to the tether separator 50, And a second engaging member 46b. Thus, when the engaging member 46 is formed of the first engaging member 46a and the second engaging member 46b, the tether 44 can be moved in a direction opposite to the operation of the tether separator 50 So that it can be prevented from separating from the engaging member 46.

The first engaging member 46a includes a tether coupling portion 46d formed with a coupling hole 46c through which the other end of the tether 44 is inserted and engaged and a tether coupling portion 46d And a bent portion 46e through which the second engaging member 46b penetrates.

Although the tether separator 50 is coupled to the retainer 60 in the above-described first embodiment, in the second embodiment, the mounting plate 80 for coupling the tether separator 50 to the side surface of the retainer 60 .

The mounting plate 80 includes a retainer engaging portion 82 coupled to a side surface of the retainer 60 and a tether separator engaging portion 84 bent from the retainer engaging portion 82 and engaged with the tether separator 50 .

In addition, the cover 70 is engaged with the tether separator 50 and coupled to the mounting plate 80.

The cover 70 includes a body portion 72 having an insertion hole 72a in which the lower end of the tether separator 50 is inserted and an outer side thereof being inserted into the mounting plate 80, A first engaging portion 74 protruding from the upper side and coming into close contact with the upper side of the mounting plate 80 and a lower engaging portion 74 projecting from the upper side of the body portion 72, And a second engaging portion 76 which is in close contact with the lower side of the plate 80.

The first engaging portion 74 and the second engaging portion 76 are alternately formed along the circumference of the body portion 72 and are arranged orthogonally to each other.

When the cover 70 is inserted into the through hole 85 and then rotated, the first engaging portion 74 is mounted on the mounting plate 80, And the second engaging portion 76 is brought into close contact with the lower side of the mounting plate 80 so that the cover 70 can be engaged with the mounting plate 80. [

The operation of the airbag apparatus according to the embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 19 to 22. FIG.

Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the tether separator in the airbag apparatus according to the embodiments of the present invention, Fig. 20 is an operation diagram of Fig. 19, and Fig. 21 is an exploded perspective view of the airbag cushion in the airbag apparatus according to the embodiments of the present invention And Fig. 22 is a cross-sectional view showing the case where the airbag cushion is inflated and the tether separator is operated in the airbag apparatus according to the embodiments of the present invention.

13 and 14, in the tether separator 50, an explosion of the primary propellant 51 and the primary propellant 51, which are exploded by the signal of the controller 5, And a secondary propelling material 53 for generating gas is disposed. Here, the controller 5 does not operate the tether separator 50 at the initial stage of deployment of the airbag cushion 30, but operates the tether separator 50 at the time when the passenger is loaded on the airbag cushion 30.

Of course, the controller 5 distinguishes the type of the passenger (for example, an infant, a child, a small adult, and a large adult) using the signal output from the passenger detection sensor 1 disposed on the seat , It is possible to make the deployment pressure of the airbag cushion 30 different from each other depending on the type of the passenger by determining whether or not the tether separator 50 is operated. The passenger detection sensor 1 may be a sensor for sensing the load of a passenger sitting in the passenger seat or a sensor for detecting the capacitance of the passenger.

The controller may be an airbag control unit (ACU) disposed in the vehicle for controlling the airbag device, or an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) equipped with the function of the ACU.

19, when the gas is generated by the control signal of the controller in a state where the engaging member 46 is engaged with the tail portion 55 as shown in FIG. 19, The tearing portion 57 is broken and the tearing portion 55 is opened as shown in Fig. 20, so that the engaging member 46 is separated.

21 and 22, when an accident occurs in the automobile, gas is generated in the inflator 20 by the control signal from the controller 5 and flows into the airbag cushion 30, Lt; / RTI > begins to expand.

The controller 5 controls the tether separator 50 so that no gas is generated at the initial stage of deployment of the airbag cushion 30. [ 9 so that the airbag cushion 30 is further inflated when the airbag cushion 30 is deployed at the initial stage of deployment of the airbag cushion 30 because the tether 44 is not separated from the tether separator 50. [ 21, the tether 44 is stretched to pull the vent cover 42, so that the shielding portion 42a of the vent cover 42 is unfolded so that the first vent hole 36 and the first vent hole 42 The communication hole 48a is closed and the third communication hole 42b communicates between the second vent hole 36 and the second communication hole 48b. Therefore, the initial deployment pressure of the airbag cushion 30 can be lowered at the initial stage of deployment of the airbag cushion 30, and the proper deployment pressure can be maintained at the later stage of deployment of the airbag cushion 30. [ Of course, if the airbag cushion 30 is prevented from being inflated by an obstacle during deployment, the tether 44 will remain loose, so that the vent cover 42 will remain in the state shown in Fig. 9, When the distance between the cushion 30 and the passenger is excessively close, the airbag cushion 30 is prevented from expanding in an active manner by the passenger, and the airbag cushion 30 is inflated through the first communication hole 48a and the first vent hole 36, By evacuating the gas, the expansion pressure is regulated.

If the type of passenger seated in the passenger seat is such that the deployment pressure of the airbag cushion 30 is low at the time when the passenger is loaded on the airbag cushion 30, So that gas is generated in the separator (50). 22, the vent cover 42 is separated from the tether separator 50 by the gas pressure in the airbag cushion 30, so that the airbag cushion 30 is pressurized by the gas pressure in the airbag cushion 30 through the first vent hole 35, The gas in the airbag cushion 30 passes through the first communication hole 48a and the first vent hole 36 in order and then is discharged to both sides of the vent cover 42 Therefore, the deployment pressure of the airbag cushion 30 is lowered.

As described above, in the airbag apparatus according to the present invention, the first vent hole 35 and the first communication hole 48a are opened at the initial stage of the deployment of the airbag cushion 30, so that the first communication hole 48a and the first Since the gas in the airbag cushion 30 is discharged to the outside of the airbag cushion 30 through the vent hole 35 when the occupant is excessively close to the airbag cushion 30, It is possible to prevent the occupant from being injured.

When the occupant is at an appropriate distance from the airbag cushion 30, the tether 44 is stretched as the airbag cushion 30 is inflated to pull the vent cover 42, The second vent hole 42a formed in the airbag cushion 30 blocks the first vent hole 35 and the first communication hole 48a and the third communication hole 42b formed in the vent cover 42, The third communicating hole 42b and the second communicating hole 48b are formed in the later stage of deployment of the airbag cushion 30 because the first communication hole 36 and the second communication hole 48b formed in the guide panel 48 are opened. The gas in the airbag cushion 30 is discharged to the outside of the airbag cushion 30 through the two vent holes 36 so that the proper deployment pressure of the airbag cushion 30 can be maintained.

The tether 44 is separated from the tether separator 50 when the controller 5 operates the tether separator 50 by sorting the type of the occupant sitting on the seat so that the vent cover 42 is separated from the first vent hole 50. [ The gas in the airbag cushion 30 is guided to the outside of the airbag cushion 30 through the first communication hole 48a and the first vent hole 35. Therefore, And the deployment pressure of the airbag cushion 30 can be adjusted.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. It is therefore to be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing detailed description, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and the equivalents thereof are included in the scope of the present invention Should be interpreted.

10: air bag housing 18: first through hole
20: Inflator 30: Airbag cushion
35: first vent hole 36: second vent hole
42: vent cover 42a: shielding part
42b: third communication hole 44: tether
46: engaging member 46a: first engaging member
46b: second engagement member 46c: engagement hole
46d: a tether coupling portion 46e:
48: guide panel 48a: first communication hole
48b: second communication hole 50: tether separator
55: Teyer part 57: Tear line
60: retainer 62: second through hole
64: third through hole 70: cover
72: body portion 72a: insertion hole
74: first coupling portion 76: second coupling portion
80: mounting plate 82: retainer engaging portion
84: tether separator coupling portion 85: through hole

Claims (18)

An airbag cushion having a first vent hole and a second vent hole that are inflated when the gas flows therein and through which the introduced gas is discharged;
A first communication hole communicating with the first vent hole, and a second communication hole communicating with the second vent hole, the guide panel being coupled to the airbag cushion;
A shielding portion disposed between the airbag cushion and the guide panel and having one end coupled to the airbag cushion and shielding the first vent hole and the first communication hole from each other and a second vent hole communicating with the second vent hole and the second communication hole A vent cover having a third communication hole formed therein; And
A tether coupled to the vent cover, the tether being tensioned as the airbag cushion is inflated to pull the vent cover;
A tether separator coupled to the tether and holding the tether so that the tether is stretched to pull the vent cover; And
And a controller for operating the tether separator such that the tether can be separated from the tether separator,
The vent cover
The airbag cushion is folded so as to cover the third communication hole so that the airbag cushion can be opened between the first vent hole and the first communication hole and shut off between the second vent hole and the second communication hole before the airbag cushion is inflated State;
Wherein when the airbag cushion is inflated, the shielding portion is pulled out by the tether and is unfolded, the shielding portion blocks the first vent hole and the first communication hole, and the third communication hole interrupts the second vent hole and 2 communicating between the communication holes;
Wherein when the tether is separated from the tether separator, the vent cover protrudes to the outside of the airbag cushion through the first vent hole to discharge the gas in the airbag cushion to the outside. delete The method according to claim 1,
The second vent hole, the second communication hole, and the third communication hole are formed in the same first size,
Wherein the first vent hole and the first communication hole are formed to have the same second size and larger than the first size. delete delete The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising a coupling member coupling the tether to the tether separator,
Wherein the tether separator includes a tare portion coupled to the coupling member, wherein the tear line is formed in the tear portion by a gas pressure inside the tear separator, and the tear portion is opened based on the tear line by the gas pressure inside the tether separator And is separated from the engagement member. The method of claim 6,
Wherein the engaging member is inserted and coupled to the tare portion,
Wherein the tear line is disposed outside the periphery of the engagement member inserted into the tare portion. The method according to claim 1,
An airbag housing in which the airbag cushion is housed, and a retainer for coupling the airbag cushion to the airbag housing,
And a cover coupled to the tether separator and coupled to the retainer. The method of claim 8,
The cover
A body portion formed with an insertion hole into which the lower end of the tether separator is inserted and an outer side inserted into the airbag housing,
A first engaging portion protruding upward from the body portion and elastically hooked to both sides of the tether separator;
And a second engaging portion protruding from both sides of the body portion and being inserted into the retainer and being elastically engaged. The method of claim 9,
Wherein the airbag housing is formed with a first through hole into which the body is inserted,
Wherein the retainer is formed with a second through hole into which the first engaging portion is inserted and a third through hole into which the second engaging portion is inserted from both sides of the second through hole. The method of claim 6,
The coupling member includes a first coupling member coupled to the tether,
And a second engaging member which penetrates through the first engaging member and engages with the tether portion, and couples the first engaging member to the tether separator. The method of claim 11,
The first engagement member
A tether coupling portion having a coupling hole into which the tether is inserted and coupled,
And a bent portion bent from the tether coupling portion to be coupled to the tether portion and penetrated by the second coupling member. The method according to claim 1,
An airbag housing in which the airbag cushion is housed, and a retainer for coupling the airbag cushion to the airbag housing,
And a mounting plate for coupling the tether separator to the retainer. 14. The method of claim 13,
Wherein the mounting plate comprises:
A retainer engagement portion coupled to a side surface of the retainer,
And a tether separator engagement portion bent from the retainer engagement portion and coupled to the tether separator. 14. The method of claim 13,
And a cover coupled to the mounting plate, the cover coupled to the tether separator. 16. The method of claim 15,
The cover
A body portion having an insertion hole into which the lower end of the tether separator is inserted and an outside of which is inserted into the mounting plate;
A first engaging portion protruding from an upper side of the body portion and closely contacting the upper side of the mounting plate,
And a second engaging portion spaced downward from the first engaging portion and protruding from an upper side of the body portion, the second engaging portion closely contacting the lower side of the mounting plate. 18. The method of claim 16,
Wherein the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are alternately formed along the circumference of the body portion. 18. The method of claim 16,
Wherein the mounting plate has an elliptical through hole into which the cover is inserted so that when the cover is inserted into the through hole and then rotated, the first engaging portion is brought into close contact with the upper side of the mounting plate, And is brought into close contact with the lower side of the plate.

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