KR20210075782A - Airbag apparatus for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle airbag apparatus. In the present invention, an occupant is safely protected in various modes according to an angle of a seat by adjusting a deployment shape and a deployment distance of an airbag cushion in response to various angles of the seat. In addition, the vehicle airbag apparatus in which stability of the occupant is improved as the deployment shape and the deployment distance of the airbag cushion are adjusted according to a body shape of the occupant is introduced. The vehicle airbag apparatus comprises: the airbag cushion; a tether unit; and a cutting tool.

Description

Airbag device for vehicle {AIRBAG APPARATUS FOR VEHICLE}

The present invention relates to an airbag device for a vehicle that allows an occupant to be safely protected even at various angles of a seat seat.

In vehicles, technologies are being developed to secure driving performance, convenience, and functionality, as well as the safety of passengers.

In particular, airbags are being applied as the most effective means for protecting occupants from impact among various safety devices applied to vehicles.

The airbag is a means of protecting the driver and occupants in the event of a vehicle collision. It consists of a collision sensor that detects a vehicle collision, a controller that activates the airbag according to the detection result of the collision sensor, and an airbag module that activates the airbag according to a signal from the controller. , is classified and applied into driver airbags, passenger seat airbags, side airbags, roof airbags, etc. according to the installation location or protection target.

On the other hand, in the case of the airbag, the deployment shape is determined according to the initial design. Accordingly, when the seat seat is tilted to the rear, it is impossible to protect the occupant whose position is moved to the rear as the airbag is deployed as initially designed. In addition, as the autonomous driving vehicle is recently developed, the seat seat is configured to be fully rotated and unfolded, and it becomes more difficult for the occupant to be protected from the airbag when the seat seat is fully rotated.

The matters described as the above background art are only for improving the understanding of the background of the present invention, and should not be taken as acknowledging that they correspond to the prior art already known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

KR 10-2012-0093832 A (2012.08.23.)

The present invention has been proposed to solve this problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an airbag device for a vehicle in which a occupant is safely protected even at various angles of a seat seat.

An airbag device for a vehicle according to the present invention for achieving the above object includes: an airbag cushion provided in front of a seat seat and deployed rearward toward the seat seat when the inflator is operated; a tether unit having one end fixed to the front side of the airbag cushion and the other end fixed to the rear side of the airbag cushion and configured to include a plurality of tethers having different lengths, so that the deployment shape of the airbag cushion is changed according to each tether; and a cutting mechanism provided to connect the other end of each tether and selectively cutting each tether to adjust the shape and deployment distance of the airbag cushion rearward.

The tether portion includes a first tether having one end fixed to the front side of the airbag cushion and the other end connected to the cutting mechanism at the rear side of the airbag cushion, and one end fixed to the front side of the airbag cushion and the other end being the cutting mechanism at the rear side of the airbag cushion It is connected to and characterized in that it consists of a second tether that is longer than the first tether.

The first tether is characterized in that the length is set so that the deployed shape of the airbag cushion is positioned in front of the occupant in a state where the seat seat is positioned in the normal position range.

The second tether is characterized in that the length of the second tether is longer than that of the first tether so that the deployed shape of the airbag cushion is positioned in front of the occupant when the seat seat is tilted rearward.

The second tether is branched upward and is configured to have an auxiliary tether fixed to the upper portion of the rear side of the airbag cushion, so that when the airbag cushion is deployed, upward deployment is restricted by the auxiliary tether.

The second tether is characterized in that the length from the branching point of the auxiliary tether to the connecting point on the rear side of the airbag cushion is shorter than the length of the auxiliary tether.

A control unit that receives the vehicle collision information and the angle information of the seat seat, controls the cutting mechanism, and controls the cutting mechanism to selectively cut the first tether and the second tether according to the angle of the seat seat in a vehicle crash situation. characterized by including.

The control unit may not control the cutting mechanism so that the first tether and the second tether are not cut when the angle of the seat seat is within a preset position range in a vehicle collision situation.

The controller is characterized in that the control unit controls the cutting mechanism to cut the first tether when the seat seat is tilted rearward in a vehicle collision situation and the angle of the seat seat is within a preset tilting range.

The control unit controls the cutting mechanism to cut the first tether and the second tether when the seat seat is tilted rearward in a vehicle collision situation and the angle of the seat seat is within a preset relaxation range.

The inflator is composed of a plurality of main inflator and auxiliary inflator, and the control unit controls the operation of the main inflator and the auxiliary inflator. It is characterized in that the airbag cushion is deployed by allowing both the main inflator and the auxiliary inflator to operate when the seat seat angle is in the relaxation range rotated to the largest angle.

The control unit further receives the information of the occupant, and controls the cutting mechanism so that the first tether is cut when it is confirmed that the occupant is in a vehicle collision situation and the occupant has a small body shape through the information of the occupant.

In the airbag device for a vehicle having the above-described structure, the deployment shape and deployment distance of the airbag cushion are adjusted in response to various angles of the seat seat, so that the occupants are safely protected in various modes according to the angle of the seat seat. In addition, as the deployment shape and deployment distance of the airbag cushion are adjusted according to the body shape of the occupant, the stability of the occupant is improved.

1 is a view showing an airbag device for a vehicle according to the present invention.
2 to 4 are views for explaining an operating state of the airbag device for a vehicle shown in FIG. 1;
5 to 6 are views for explaining the airbag device for a vehicle shown in FIG. 1;

Hereinafter, an airbag device for a vehicle according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a view showing an airbag device for a vehicle according to the present invention, FIGS. 2 to 4 are diagrams for explaining an operating state of the airbag device for a vehicle shown in FIG. 1 , and FIGS. 5 to 6 are views showing an airbag device for a vehicle shown in FIG. 1 It is a drawing for explaining an apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 1, the airbag device for a vehicle according to the present invention includes an airbag cushion 20 provided in front of the seat seat S and deployed rearward toward the seat seat when the inflator 10 is operated; One end is fixed to the front side of the airbag cushion 20 and the other end is fixed to the rear side of the airbag cushion 20 and is composed of a plurality of tethers having different lengths, so that the deployment shape of the airbag cushion 20 according to each tether The tether portion 30 configured to be changed; and a cutting mechanism 40 that is provided to connect the other end of each tether and selectively cuts each tether, thereby adjusting the shape and deployment distance of the airbag cushion 20 rearward.

As such, the present invention is composed of the inflator 10, the airbag cushion 20, the tether 30, and the cutting mechanism 40, and may be built in the housing (h).

The deployment shape and deployment distance of the airbag cushion 20 are determined by the tether part 30 provided therein. Here, the tether unit 30 is composed of a plurality of tethers having different lengths, and the cutting mechanism 40 selectively cuts the plurality of tethers, so that the uncut tether limits the deployment of the airbag cushion 20 . Accordingly, the deployment shape and deployment distance of the airbag cushion 20 are determined. In the case of the cutting mechanism 40, a method of cutting the tether of the tether unit 30 when a signal is input using a cutting blade and an electromagnet may be applied, and a plurality of tethers may be configured according to the number of each tether. Various techniques for cutting the tether according to the signal input are well known, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

That is, in the case of a seat seat, the seat angle is different depending on the occupant. As the seat seat is tilted forward, the distance between the occupant and the airbag cushion 20 is reduced, and as the seat seat is tilted backward, the occupant and the airbag cushion 20 ) increases the distance between them. Accordingly, the deployment shape and deployment distance of the airbag cushion 20 should be adjusted in response to the angle of the seat seat.

To this end, in the present invention, a tether unit 30 made of a plurality of tethers is provided inside the airbag cushion 20 . That is, in the airbag cushion 20, when the short tether maintains the connected state, the deployment distance of the airbag cushion 20 is reduced, and when the long tether maintains the connected state, the deployment distance of the airbag cushion 20 increases. And, each tether is selectively cut by the cutting mechanism 40, so that the airbag cushion 20 can stably protect the occupants in response to various angles of the seat seat, and the deployment shape can be changed.

Accordingly, in response to the position of the occupant according to the angle of the seat seat in a vehicle crash situation, the deployment shape and deployment distance of the airbag cushion 20 are adjusted, so that the occupant can be safely protected through the airbag cushion 20. .

1 , the tether unit 30 has one end fixed to the front side of the airbag cushion 20 and the other end is a cutting mechanism at the rear side of the airbag cushion 20 ( 40), one end is fixed to the front side of the airbag cushion 20, the other end is connected to the cutting mechanism 40 at the rear side of the airbag cushion 20, and the first tether 31 It may be composed of a second tether 32 that has a longer length.

As such, the tether unit 30 includes a first tether 31 and a second tether 32 that have different lengths. The first tether 31 and the second tether 32 are selectively connected to the cutting mechanism 40 with one end connected to the front side of the airbag cushion 20 and the other end fixed to the vehicle body or the front seat. can be cut.

For this reason, as can be seen in FIG. 2 , the deployment shape of the airbag cushion 20 by the first tether 31 is relatively upward as the first tether 31 restricts the rear deployment of the airbag cushion 20 . It has an inflated shape.

On the other hand, as can be seen in FIG. 3 , the deployment shape of the airbag cushion 20 by the second tether 32 is the airbag cushion by the first tether 31 by the relatively long second tether 32 ( 20) has a shape that protrudes more backward than the unfolded shape.

In this way, the airbag cushion 20 can safely protect a occupant seated in the seat seat corresponding to the angle of the seat seat as the deployment shape by the first tether 31 and the second tether 32 is different.

In detail, the length of the first tether 31 may be set so that the deployed shape of the airbag cushion 20 is positioned in front of the occupant in a state in which the seat seat is positioned in the normal position range. That is, as the length of the first tether 31 is shorter than that of the second tether 32 , the length is set to be positioned in front of the occupant while the seat seat is positioned in the normal position range. Here, the seat seat position range may be set to an angle adjacent to the vertical position of the seat back.

As such, as the length of the first tether 31 is set to be disposed in front of the occupant in a state in which the seat seat is positioned in the normal position range, the occupant may be safely protected in the seat position position range.

Meanwhile, the second tether 32 may extend longer than the first tether 31 so that the deployed shape of the airbag cushion 20 is positioned in front of the occupant in a state in which the seat seat is tilted rearward. That is, as the length of the second tether 32 is longer than that of the first tether 31, the length is set to be positioned in front of the occupant in a state in which the seat seat is tilted rearward. Here, the position at which the seat seat is tilted to the rear may be determined according to an initial design, and may be set at an angle adjacent to 45°.

As such, as the length of the second tether 32 is set to be disposed in front of the occupant in a state in which the seat seat is tilted rearward, the occupant is safely protected even if the position of the seat seat is changed.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3 , the second tether 32 is branched upward to constitute the auxiliary tether 33 fixed to the upper rear side of the airbag cushion 20 , so that when the airbag cushion 20 is deployed Expansion upward by the auxiliary tether 33 may be restricted.

In this way, since the auxiliary tether 33 extends upward to the second tether 32 , the upwardly over-deployment of the deployment shape of the airbag cushion 20 by the second tether 32 is limited. This second tether 32 is connected to the center from the rear side of the airbag cushion 20, and the auxiliary tether 33 is branched from the second tether 32 and fixed to the upper part from the rear side of the airbag cushion 20. Accordingly, the deployment of the airbag cushion 20 is limited to the rear and the upper direction.

That is, the deployed shape of the airbag cushion 20 by the second tether 32 becomes larger than the deployed shape of the airbag cushion 20 by the first tether 31 , and the airbag cushion by the second tether 32 . In the deployment situation of (20), the rear deployment distance must be secured as the angle of the seat is tilted to the rear. Accordingly, the airbag cushion 20 by the second tether 32 restricts unnecessary upward deployment through the auxiliary tether 33 and ensures a rearward deployment distance.

In the second tether 32 , the length from the branching point of the auxiliary tether 33 to the rear connection point of the airbag cushion 20 may be formed to be shorter than the length of the auxiliary tether 33 . For this reason, the deployment shape of the airbag cushion 20 by the second tether 32 may be deployed in a form that covers the occupants of the rear-tilted seat as the upper portion has a shape that further protrudes to the rear. That is, the length of the second tether 32 from the branching point of the auxiliary tether 33 to the connection point on the rear side of the airbag cushion 20 is formed shorter than the auxiliary tether 33, so that the airbag cushion shown in FIG. 20) can be developed.

On the other hand, the vehicle collision information and the angle information of the seat seat are input and the cutting mechanism 40 is controlled, and in a vehicle collision situation, the cutting mechanism 40 operates the first tether 31 and the second tether according to the angle of the seat seat. The control unit 50 for controlling to selectively cut the 32; may further include.

That is, the control unit 50 may receive a vehicle collision situation from a collision detection sensor using a laser or ultrasonic wave, and may receive angle information of a seat seat through a seat position sensor. The control unit 50 controls the cutting mechanism 40 to selectively cut the first tether 31 and the second tether 32 .

In detail, the control unit 50 may not control the cutting mechanism 40 so that the first tether 31 and the second tether 32 are not cut when the angle of the seat seat is within a preset position range in a vehicle collision situation. can

In this way, the control unit 50 stores a setting value for cutting the first tether 31 or the second tether 32 according to the angle of the seat seat, and when the angle of the seat seat is within a preset position range, the passenger Since the bar is located relatively forward, the first tether 31 and the second tether 32 are uncut so that the airbag cushion 20 is deployed in a relatively short first tether 31 to determine the deployment shape. do.

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 2 , the airbag cushion 20 is deployed in a form in which the first tether 31 restricts deployment to the rear and inflates upward.

Meanwhile, the controller 50 may control the cutting mechanism 40 to cut the first tether 31 when the seat seat is tilted rearward in a vehicle crash situation and the angle of the seat seat is within a preset tilting range.

In this way, when the angle of the seat seat is within the tilting range, the control unit 50 causes the first tether 31 to be cut so that the occupant is positioned at the relatively rear, so that the airbag cushion 20 is relatively long. The deployment shape is determined by the tether 32 . That is, as shown in FIG. 3 , the airbag cushion 20 is rearwardly deployed by the second tether 32 extended longer than the first tether 31, whereby the seat seat is tilted rearward. The occupants are also kept safe.

On the other hand, the control unit 50 is a cutting mechanism 40 so that the first tether 31 and the second tether 32 are cut when the seat seat is tilted rearward in a vehicle collision situation and the angle of the seat seat is within a preset relaxation range. can control

In this way, when the angle of the seat seat is in the relaxation range, the seat seat is completely tilted to the rear, and the occupant maintains a lying posture. Accordingly, when the angle of the seat seat is within the release range, the control unit 50 cuts both the first tether 31 and the second tether 32 so that the airbag cushion 20 maximally protrudes backward without restraint by the tether. to have an unfolding shape. That is, as shown in FIG. 4 , when the cutting mechanism 40 cuts both the first tether 31 and the second tether 32 , the airbag cushion 20 has the first tether 31 and the second tether. As the restraint by (32) is removed, the rearward deployment distance is maximized, so that the occupant can be protected even in a state in which the seat seat is unfolded.

Here, in the case of the airbag cushion 20, the deployment speed may decrease as the deployment distance increases. Accordingly, the inflator 10 is composed of a plurality of the main inflator 11 and the auxiliary inflator 12, it is possible to secure the deployment speed.

In detail, as shown in FIG. 5 , the control unit 50 controls the operations of the main inflator 11 and the auxiliary inflator 12 , and the angle of the seat seat is a preset range or the seat seat is tilted backwards. In the case of the tilting range, only the main inflator 11 is operated so that the airbag cushion 20 is deployed, and when the angle of the seat seat is in the relaxation range rotated to the largest angle, the main inflator 11 and the auxiliary inflator 12 ) can be operated so that the airbag cushion 20 is deployed.

That is, when the angle of the seat seat is in the normal position range or the tilting range, even if only the main inflator 11 is operated, it is possible to sufficiently protect the occupants, and the control unit 50 operates only the main inflator 11 to deploy the airbag cushion 20. make it possible However, when the angle of the seat seat is in the relaxation range, the airbag cushion 20 must be fully deployed toward the rear to protect the occupant in the lying position, so the control unit 50 controls the main inflator 11 together with the auxiliary inflator ( 12) are all operated so that the deployment speed of the airbag cushion 20 is secured. Here, in the case of the auxiliary inflator 12 , the gas capacity may be set to be smaller than that of the main inflator 11 .

For this reason, the present invention can protect the occupant through the airbag cushion 20 even at various angles of the seat seat, and the deployment speed is adjusted according to the angle of the seat seat, thereby improving stability.

On the other hand, the control unit 50 receives more information about the occupant, and controls the cutting mechanism 40 so that the first tether 31 is cut when it is confirmed that the occupant has a small body shape through the vehicle collision situation and the occupant information. have.

Here, the control unit 50 may acquire body shape information of the occupant through a weight sensor installed on the seat seat. That is, if the weight measured through the weight sensor is lower than the reference weight, the controller 50 may determine that the passenger has a small body type, such as a child, and if the weight is higher than the reference weight, the control unit 50 may determine the passenger with a large body type such as an adult. .

Through this, when it is confirmed that the body shape of the occupant seated in the seat is small, the controller 50 cuts the first tether 31 so that the airbag cushion 20 is placed on the relatively long second tether 32 . to determine the unfolded shape by That is, as shown in FIG. 6 , the deployment distance of the airbag cushion 20 is increased rearward by the second tether 32 extended longer than the first tether 31 , and upward by the auxiliary tether 33 . As unnecessary deployment is restricted, even small occupants can be safely protected.

In the airbag device for a vehicle having the above-described structure, the deployment shape and deployment distance of the airbag cushion 20 are adjusted in response to various angles of the seat seat, so that the occupants are safely protected in various modes according to the angle of the seat seat. In addition, as the deployment shape and deployment distance of the airbag cushion 20 are adjusted according to the body shape of the occupant, the stability of the occupant is improved.

Although the present invention has been shown and described with reference to specific embodiments, it is within the art that the present invention can be variously improved and changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention provided by the following claims. It will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art.

10: Inflator
11:Main Inflator
12: auxiliary inflator
20: air bag cushion
30: tether
31: first tether
32: second tether
33: auxiliary tether
40: cutting mechanism
50: control unit

Claims (12)

an airbag cushion provided in front of the seat seat and deployed rearward toward the seat seat when the inflator is operated;
a tether unit having one end fixed to the front side of the airbag cushion and the other end fixed to the rear side of the airbag cushion and configured by a plurality of tethers having different lengths, so that the deployment shape of the airbag cushion is changed according to each tether; and
A vehicle airbag device comprising: a cutting mechanism provided to connect the other end of each tether and selectively cutting each tether to adjust a shape and deployment distance of the airbag cushion rearward. The method according to claim 1,
The tether portion includes a first tether having one end fixed to the front side of the airbag cushion and the other end connected to the cutting mechanism at the rear side of the airbag cushion, and one end fixed to the front side of the airbag cushion and the other end being the cutting mechanism at the rear side of the airbag cushion Connected to the vehicle airbag device, characterized in that consisting of a second tether that is longer than the first tether. 3. The method according to claim 2,
The airbag device for a vehicle, characterized in that the length of the first tether is set so that the deployed shape of the airbag cushion is positioned in front of the occupant in a state where the seat seat is positioned in the normal position range. 3. The method according to claim 2,
The airbag device for a vehicle, characterized in that the second tether extends longer than the first tether so that the deployed shape of the airbag cushion is positioned in front of the occupant in a state in which the seat seat is tilted rearward. 3. The method according to claim 2,
The second tether is branched upward to constitute an auxiliary tether fixed to the upper rear side of the airbag cushion, so that when the airbag cushion is deployed, upward deployment is restricted by the auxiliary tether. 6. The method of claim 5,
The second tether is an airbag device for a vehicle, characterized in that the length from the branching point of the auxiliary tether to the connecting point on the rear side of the airbag cushion is shorter than the length of the auxiliary tether. 3. The method according to claim 2,
A control unit that receives the vehicle collision information and the angle information of the seat seat, controls the cutting mechanism, and controls the cutting mechanism to selectively cut the first tether and the second tether according to the angle of the seat seat in a vehicle crash situation. A vehicle airbag device comprising: 8. The method of claim 7,
The control unit does not control the cutting mechanism so that the first tether and the second tether are not cut when the angle of the seat seat is within a preset position range in a vehicle collision situation. 8. The method of claim 7,
The control unit controls the cutting mechanism to cut the first tether when the seat seat is tilted rearward in a vehicle collision situation and the angle of the seat seat is within a preset tilting range. 8. The method of claim 7,
The control unit controls the cutting mechanism to cut the first tether and the second tether when the seat seat is tilted rearward in a vehicle collision situation and the angle of the seat seat is within a preset relaxation range. 8. The method of claim 7,
The inflator is composed of a plurality of main inflator and auxiliary inflator,
The control unit controls the operation of the main inflator and the auxiliary inflator, and when the angle of the seat seat is in a preset position range or a tilting range due to tilting of the seat seat rearward, only the main inflator operates so that the airbag cushion is deployed, and the seat An airbag device for a vehicle, characterized in that when the seat angle is in the relaxation range rotated to the largest angle, both the main inflator and the auxiliary inflator are operated so that the airbag cushion is deployed. 8. The method of claim 7,
The control unit further receives information of the occupant, and controls the cutting mechanism to cut the first tether when it is confirmed that the vehicle is in a collision situation and that the occupant has a small body type through the information of the occupant.

Images