Airbag module

Abstract

An airbag module (10) for a restraint device (14) includes an airbag (24), in particular a seat-integrated side airbag, and a slidable actuator (40), wherein the airbag (24) has at least a first chamber (26) and at least a second chamber (28) which are fluidically connected to each other via a fluid communication, wherein the actuator (40) has a blocking position in which the fluid communication is blocked and a release position in which the fluid communication is released.

Claims

1. An airbag module for a restraint device , comprising a seat-integrated side airbag, a slidable actuator, and an outlet opening, wherein the airbag comprises a shoulder chamber and a head chamber which are separated by a partition and fluidically connected to each other via an overflow opening that provides fluid communication from the shoulder chamber to the head chamber through the partition, the overflow opening comprising a material layer having a tensioned condition configured to cover and seal the overflow opening so that only the shoulder chamber inflates, and a released condition configured to uncover the overflow opening to provide fluid communication between the shoulder chamber and head chamber so that both the shoulder chamber and head chamber inflate, wherein the outlet opening has an open condition for allowing gas to flow out of the airbag, and a closed condition for blocking gas from flowing out of the airbag, wherein the actuator has a blocking position in which the material layer is held in the tensioned condition and the outlet opening is placed in the open condition, the blocking position being configured to inflate only the shoulder portion, the actuator having a release position in which the material layer is placed in the released condition and the outlet opening is placed in the closed condition, the release position being configured to inflate both the shoulder portion and head.

2. The airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the material layer is connected to the actuator via a tether and is maintained tensioned by the tether, if the actuator is in the blocking position.

3. The airbag module according to claim 2, wherein the tether is detached from the actuator, if the actuator is in the release position.

4. The airbag module according to claim 2, wherein on the actuator a pin is provided which, in the blocking position, engages in an eyelet of the tether and thus holds and tightens the tether.

5. The airbag module according to claim 1, wherein a recess which constitutes the fluid communication is provided in the actuator.

6. The airbag module according to claim 5, wherein the airbag module includes a cylinder in which the actuator is movably arranged, the cylinder having a first opening which opens into the shoulder chamber and having a second opening which opens into the head chamber, wherein the recess fluidically connects the openings to each other in the release position of the actuator.

7. The airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the airbag module has an outlet opening, wherein the outlet opening is opened if the actuator is in the blocking position, and wherein the outlet opening is closed by the actuator if the actuator is in the release position.

8. The airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the airbag module has a gas generator which is fluidically connected to the first chamber.

9. The airbag module according to claim 1, wherein a secondary gas generator is provided to shift the actuator from the blocking position to the release position.

10. The airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to be placed in the blocking position in response to an upright condition of the vehicle seat, and is configured to be placed in the release condition in response to a reclined condition of the vehicle seat.

11. A vehicle safety system comprising the airbag module according to claim 1 and a curtain airbag, wherein the actuator is configured to be placed in the blocking position in response to a detected vehicle condition in which the head chamber, if inflated, would interfere with the curtain airbag, and wherein the actuator is configured to be placed in the release condition in response to a detected vehicle condition in which the head chamber, if inflated, would not interfere with the curtain airbag.

12. A side airbag module for a restraint device, comprising: a side airbag comprising a shoulder chamber and a head chamber separated by a partition and fluidically connected to each other via an overflow opening that provides fluid communication from the shoulder chamber to the head chamber through the partition, the overflow opening having a closed condition configured to cover and seal the overflow opening so that only the shoulder chamber inflates, and an open condition configured to uncover the overflow opening to provide fluid communication between the shoulder chamber and head chamber so that both the shoulder chamber and head chamber inflate; and an actuator having a first condition configured to hold the overflow opening in the closed condition so that only the shoulder portion is inflated in response to a crash, and a second condition configured to release the overflow opening to the open condition so that both the shoulder portion and head portion are inflated in response to a crash.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further advantages and features of the invention will be evident from the following description and from the following drawings which are referred to and wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 schematically shows a vehicle seat including a restraint device that comprises an airbag module according to the invention, in a first seating position;

(3) FIG. 2 schematically shows a vehicle seat including a restraint device that comprises an airbag module according to the invention, in a second seating position;

(4) FIG. 3 schematically shows a first embodiment of an airbag module according to the invention,

(5) FIG. 4 schematically shows the airbag module according to FIG. 3 in a first state,

(6) FIG. 5 schematically shows the airbag module according to FIG. 3 in a second state,

(7) FIG. 6 shows a partial view of the airbag module according to FIG. 3 in the area of an actuator in the first state,

(8) FIG. 7 shows another partial view of the airbag module according to FIG. 3 in the area of an overflow opening,

(9) FIG. 8 shows a section along the line B-B in FIG. 7,

(10) FIG. 9 shows a section along the line A-A in FIG. 6,

(11) FIG. 10 shows a partial view of the airbag module corresponding to FIG. 6 in the second state,

(12) FIG. 11 shows a partial view of the airbag module corresponding to FIG. 7 in the second state,

(13) FIG. 12 shows a section along the line D-D in FIG. 11,

(14) FIG. 13 shows a section along the line C-C in FIG. 10,

(15) FIG. 14 shows a partial view of a second embodiment of an airbag module according to the invention in the first state, and

(16) FIG. 15 shows the airbag module according to FIG. 14 in the second state.

DESCRIPTION

(17) FIG. 1 schematically shows a vehicle seat 12 of an automotive vehicle comprising a restraint device 14. The restraint device 14 comprises plural airbag modules, wherein, apart from an airbag module 10 according to the invention, a curtain side airbag 18 and a seat-integrated side airbag 20 are illustrated in FIG. 1. The side airbag 20 is disposed below the airbag module 10 and ensures, for example, thorax and pelvis protection.

(18) The airbag module 10 according to the invention is also configured as a seat-integrated side airbag in the shown embodiment. However, it is not limited to this embodiment.

(19) FIG. 1 illustrates the vehicle seat 12 in a relatively upright position referred to as normal position in the following. Such position of the vehicle seat is usually adjusted when a vehicle occupant 22 him-/herself steers the automotive vehicle.

(20) If the vehicle seat 12 is in the normal position, the airbag module 10 is suited to support the shoulder of the vehicle occupant 22 and to move the vehicle occupant 22 away from a side structure of the vehicle, in particular in the event of a so-called pre-crash activation. This helps minimize the risk of the vehicle occupant 22 getting injured.

(21) FIG. 2 illustrates a driving situation in which the vehicle seat 12 is shown in a second position enabling the vehicle occupant 22 to recline. Such seating position, which may also be referred to as comfort position, is imaginable, for example, when an automotive vehicle drives in an automated and/or autonomous manner and the vehicle occupant 22 him-/herself need not steer the vehicle. If the vehicle seat 12 is in the comfort position, the airbag module 10 is suited to protect the head of the vehicle occupant 22.

(22) As is evident from FIG. 1, in the first seating position an overlapping between an airbag 24 of the airbag module 10 according to the invention and the curtain side airbag 18 is occurring, if the airbag modules 10, 18 are inflated in case of need. This is not desired, however, as in that case the airbag modules 10, 18 mutually affect their deployment behavior.

(23) In a reclined seating position as illustrated in FIG. 2, on the other hand, complete inflation of the airbag 24 is desired to optimally support the head of the vehicle occupant 22 in case of need, because, in this seating position, the head of the vehicle occupant 22 is below the curtain side airbag.

(24) For optimum support of the vehicle occupant 22 in every seating position the airbag 24 includes a first chamber 26 and a second chamber 28, as is evident from FIGS. 1 and 2. The first chamber 26 of the airbag 24 is a shoulder chamber and the second chamber 28 of the airbag 24 is a head chamber. For better illustration, the airbag 24 is shown separately in FIG. 3.

(25) Depending on the seating position, in case of need either only the first chamber 26 can be inflated or the first and second chambers 26, 28 can be jointly inflated. In particular, in a first upright seating position as illustrated in FIG. 1, only the first chamber 26 is inflated. That is, the first chamber 26 is inflated in each case, but the second chamber 28 is only inflated if necessary.

(26) Inflation of the airbag 24 in case of need is achieved, as usual, by means of a gas generator 30 shown in FIG. 3. In the shown embodiment, the gas generator 30 is fluid-communicated with the first chamber 26.

(27) In order to separate the chambers 26, 28 from each other, inside the airbag 24 a partition 32 is disposed. In particular, the partition 32 is sewn or adhesively bonded to an outer wall 34 of the airbag 24. The partition 32 may be made from the same material as the airbag 24 itself.

(28) FIGS. 4 and 5 schematically illustrate an airbag module 10 according to the invention, wherein FIG. 4 shows the airbag 24 in a state in which only the first chamber 26 is inflated, and FIG. 5 shows the airbag 24 in a state in which the first and second chambers 26, 28 are inflated.

(29) In order to enable gas to overflow from the first chamber 26 into the second chamber 28, if necessary, the first chamber 26 and the second chamber 28 are fluid-connected to each other via a fluid communication.

(30) For this purpose, an overflow opening 36 is provided between the first chamber 26 and the second chamber 28 which, to simplify matters, is not shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and which will be described in greater detail in the following.

(31) The fluid communication may be blocked or released according to requirements.

(32) The fluid communication from the first chamber 26 to the second chamber 28 is released by means of an actuator 40. The actuator 40 has a blocking position in which the fluid communication is blocked and a release position in which the fluid communication is released.

(33) To allow the second chamber 28 to be inflated only if necessary, the airbag module 10 includes an outlet opening 42.

(34) If the outlet opening 42 is opened, as illustrated in FIG. 4, only the first chamber 26 is inflated. Then gas flowing from the gas generator 30 into the first chamber 26 may flow out through the outlet opening 42, if the first chamber 26 is sufficiently inflated.

(35) If the outlet opening 42 is closed, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the gas does not flow out of the airbag 24 through the outlet opening 42 but through the overflow opening 36 into the second chamber 28.

(36) Preferably, the overflow opening 36 is opened when the outlet opening 42 is closed and is blocked when the outlet opening 42 is opened.

(37) In the shown embodiments, the outlet opening 42 is opened by the actuator 40, if the actuator 40 is in the blocking position. If the actuator 40 is in the release position, the outlet opening 42 is closed.

(38) The actuator 40 is shown in detail in FIG. 6. For example, it is slidably supported in a cylinder 44, with the outlet opening 42 being also disposed in the cylinder 44. In particular, the outlet opening 42 is realized by two openings 43, 45 disposed to be aligned in the cylinder 44.

(39) By shifting the actuator 40 within the cylinder 44 from the blocking position to the release position, the outlet opening 42 is closed by the actuator 40.

(40) Preferably, for shifting the actuator 40 a secondary gas generator 46 is provided which is triggered when necessary and inside the cylinder 44 builds up pressure by which the actuator 40 is moved. The secondary gas generator 46 is triggered especially simultaneously with the gas generator 30, when necessary.

(41) The question whether the secondary gas generator 46 is triggered, is especially dependent on the position of the vehicle seat 12. Preferably, the secondary gas generator 46 is not triggered, if the vehicle seat 12 is in the first upright position. If the vehicle seat 12 is in the second reclined position, the secondary gas generator 46 is triggered.

(42) In order to control triggering of the secondary gas generator 46, e.g., a control unit is provided that is suited to detect the position of the vehicle seat 12 and, in case of need, to trigger the secondary gas generator 46 along with the gas generator 30.

(43) The FIGS. 6 to 13 illustrate a first embodiment of the airbag module 10 according to the invention. Here the FIGS. 6 to 9 illustrate a state in which a fluid communication between the first chamber 26 and the second chamber 28 is blocked, and the FIGS. 10 to 13 illustrate a state in which a fluid communication between the first chamber 26 and the second chamber 28 is released.

(44) FIG. 6 shows the actuator 40 supported in the cylinder 44 according to the first embodiment of the airbag module 10 in detail, the actuator 40 being in the blocking position.

(45) In addition, a part of the partition 32 is visible in FIG. 6.

(46) A pin 48 engaging in an eyelet 50 of a tether 52 is provided on the actuator 40. The pin 48 is disposed in an indentation 49 of the actuator 40. The tether 52 extends a little into the cylinder 44 through a recess 53 in the cylinder 44 so that engagement is possible between the pin 48 and the eyelet 50 of the tether 52.

(47) The engagement with the pin 48 helps maintain the tether 52 tensioned.

(48) The tether 52 serves for releasing the overflow opening 36 as illustrated in the FIGS. 7, 8 and 9.

(49) FIG. 7 illustrates the partition 32 in a top view.

(50) For further illustration, in FIG. 8 a section along the line B-B of FIG. 7 is shown.

(51) FIG. 9 illustrates a section along the line A-A from FIG. 6.

(52) In the partition 32 the overflow opening 36 is disposed which constitutes the fluid communication via which gas may flow from the first chamber 26 into the second chamber 28.

(53) If the actuator 40 is in the blocking position, the overflow opening 36 is completely covered and fluidically sealed by a material layer 54 so that no gas or only very little gas may flow from the first chamber 26 into the second chamber 28. As a consequence, when triggering the gas generator 30, only the first chamber 26 is inflated, if the actuator 40 is in the blocking position.

(54) The material layer 54 is connected to the actuator 40 via the tether 52. In particular, the tether 52 is sewn or adhesively bonded to the material layer 54.

(55) On the side of the overflow opening 36 remote from the tether 52, the material layer 54 is fastened, particularly sewn or adhesively bonded to the partition 32. Thus, the material layer 54 is maintained in a fixed position when the tether is tensioned.

(56) Moreover, a guide passage 56 for the tether 52 is provided on the partition 32, wherein the tether 52 extends in a portion between the ends of the tether 52 in the guide passage 56. In this way, the tether 52 is prevented from getting entangled during folding or unfolding of the airbag 24.

(57) The guide passage 56 is realized, for example, by an additional material layer 58 that is fastened, such as sewn or adhesively bonded, to the partition 32 along its longitudinal edges.

(58) FIG. 10 illustrates the actuator 40 supported in the cylinder 44 in the release position. That is, the secondary gas generator 46 has been triggered and moved the actuator 40 into the release position.

(59) The FIGS. 10, 11, 12 and 13 here correspond to the FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9.

(60) For further illustration, FIG. 12 shows a section along the line D-D of FIG. 11.

(61) FIG. 13 shows a section along the line C-C in FIG. 10.

(62) The pin 48 has been moved out of the eyelet 50 of the tether 52 by the movement of the actuator 40 so that the tether 52 and, consequently, the material layer 54, is no longer maintained tensioned by the actuator 40 and, resp., by the pin 48.

(63) In an alternative embodiment, it is imaginable that the tether 52 is fastened to the actuator 40 and, when the actuator 40 is adjusted, is sheared off the latter.

(64) FIG. 10 shows the tether 52 in a position in which it has already been drawn a little into the guide passage 56.

(65) In addition, in the release position the outlet opening 42 is closed by the actuator 40 so that no gas can flow out of the first chamber 26.

(66) The pressure building up in the first chamber 26 helps press the material layer 54 through the overflow opening 36 in the partition 32, as shown in FIG. 11, thus allowing the fluid communication from the first chamber 26 to the second chamber 28 to be released.

(67) This is possible because the tether 52 is no longer maintained tensioned and can be drawn through the guide passage 56 by the material layer 54.

(68) In FIGS. 14 and 15, a second embodiment of the airbag module 10 according to the invention is illustrated. Accordingly, FIG. 14 illustrates a state in which the fluid communication between the first chamber 26 and the second chamber 28 is blocked, and FIG. 15 illustrates a state in which the fluid communication between the first chamber 26 and the second chamber 28 is released.

(69) The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15 differs from the embodiment according to FIGS. 6 to 13 in that the fluid communication between the first chamber 26 and the second chamber 28 is realized via a recess 60 in the actuator 40 by the cylinder 44, the recess 60 constituting the overflow opening 36.

(70) The additional material layer 54 and the tether 52 thus may be dropped and the partition 32 is designed to be tight.

(71) The cutout 60 preferably has no cylindrical shape but is beveled at their front- side ends, in particular at 45 , as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. The bevel extends such that the recess 60 becomes narrower in the direction away from the chambers 26, 28. This offers advantages as regards the space required for the airbag module 10. In addition, the flow resistance when the gas flows from the first chamber 26 to the second chamber 28 is reduced by the bevel.

(72) The functioning of the airbag module 10 according to FIGS. 14 and 15 substantially corresponds to the functioning of the airbag module 10 according to FIGS. 6 to 13, however.

(73) That is, by triggering the secondary gas generator 46, the actuator 40 is moved from the blocking position as illustrated in FIG. 14 to the release position as illustrated in FIG. 15.

(74) In the blocking position, the outlet opening 42 is opened and the fluid communication from the first chamber 26 to the second chamber 28 is blocked. In the release position, the outlet opening 42 is closed and the fluid communication from the first chamber 26 to the second chamber 28 is released.

(75) In order to fluidically connect the first chamber 26 to the second chamber 28, the cylinder includes a first opening 62 which opens into the first chamber 26 and a second opening 64 which opens into the second chamber 28. The first opening 62 is simultaneously part of the outlet opening 42.

(76) If the actuator 40 is in the release position, the openings 62, 64 are fluidically connected to each other via the recess 60 so that gas may flow from the first chamber 26 through the cylinder 44 into the second chamber 28.

(77) The opening 43 of the outlet opening 42 is closed, due to the bevel of the recess 60 at its front-side ends, while the opening 64, 65 facing the first chamber 26 and being disposed to be aligned with the opening 43 is open.

(78) The actuator 40 shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 may be fabricated from plural parts. For example, the actuator 40 is made from two cylinder wedges 66 and a rod- shaped member 68 connecting the cylinder wedges 66. As an alternative, the actuator 40 may be an injection-molded part made in one piece that takes the shape of a cylinder including a recess.