SEAT AIRBAG FOR VEHICLE

Abstract

Disclosed is a seat airbag for a vehicle, the seat airbag including an airbag cushion including lateral cushions configured to be deployed forward from lateral sides of a seatback, and front cushions bent and extending from front ends of the lateral cushions toward a seat center and positioned at a front side of the passenger, and support tethers configured to connect upper portions of the front cushions and an upper portion of the seatback or connect lower portions of the front cushions and a lower portion of the seatback so that the front cushions support a passenger when the passenger is loaded onto the front cushions.

Claims

1. A seat airbag for a vehicle, comprising: an airbag cushion comprising: a plurality of lateral cushions, each configured to deploy in a forward direction of the vehicle from one of lateral sides of a seatback of a vehicle; and a plurality of front cushions, each extending from a front end portion of one of the lateral cushions toward a center of a seat of the vehicle and configured to be positioned at a front side of a driver or passenger of the vehicle when deployed; and a plurality of support tethers extending between a plurality of upper portions of the front cushions and an upper portion of the seatback, or between a plurality of lower portions of the front cushions and a lower portion of the seatback, and configured to support the front cushions when the driver or passenger is loaded onto the front cushions.

2. The seat airbag of claim 1, wherein: the front cushion comprises: a bent portion coupled to the front end of the lateral cushion; and an extension portion extending from the bent portion toward the center of the seat, the support tether comprises: an upper tether extending from an upper portion of the bent portion and an upper portion of the extension portion to the upper portion of the seatback; and a lower tether extending from a lower portion of the bent portion and a lower portion of the extension portion to the lower portion of the seatback.

3. The seat airbag of claim 2, wherein the upper tether has a first end portion coupled to the seatback and a second end portion coupled to the upper portion of the bent portion and the upper portion of the extension portion.

4. The seat airbag of claim 3, wherein: the plurality of lateral cushions comprises a pair of lateral cushions symmetrically disposed at both lateral sides of the seatback, respectively, the plurality of front cushions comprises a pair of front cushions symmetrically disposed at the lateral sides of the seatback, respectively, the plurality of support tethers comprises a pair of support tethers symmetrically disposed at both lateral sides of the seatback, respectively, and one end of the upper tether is connected to a plurality of portions of the seatback laterally spaced apart from each other.

5. The seat airbag of claim 3, wherein: the plurality of lateral cushions comprises a pair of lateral cushions symmetrically disposed at the lateral sides of the seatback, respectively, the plurality of front cushions comprises a pair of front cushions symmetrically disposed at the lateral sides of the seatback, respectively, the plurality of support tethers comprises a pair of support tethers symmetrically disposed at the lateral sides of the seatback, respectively, and the upper tethers are connected to the seatback and have end portions interacting each other.

6. The seat airbag of claim 2, wherein the upper tether comprises a plurality of upper tethers including: a first tether having a first end portion coupled to the seatback and a second end portion coupled to the upper portion of the bent portion; and a second tether having a first end portion coupled to the seatback and a second end portion coupled to the upper portion of the extension portion.

7. The seat airbag of claim 6, wherein: the plurality of lateral cushions comprises a pair of lateral cushions symmetrically disposed at both lateral sides of the seatback, respectively, the plurality of front cushions comprises a pair of front cushions symmetrically disposed at the lateral sides of the seatback, respectively, the plurality of support tethers comprises a pair of support tethers symmetrically disposed at the lateral sides of the seatback, respectively, the first tether comprises a pair of first tethers respectively having the first end portions intersecting each other, and wherein the second tether comprises a pair of second tethers laterally spaced apart from each other.

8. The seat airbag of claim 2, wherein the lower tether has a first end portion coupled to the lower portion of the seatback and a second end portion divided and coupled to the lower portion of the bent portion and the lower portion of the extension portion.

9. The seat airbag of claim 1, wherein the support tether comprises: a cover configured to surround an outer surface of the front cushion; an upper support portion extending between an upper portion of the cover and the upper portion of the seatback; and a lower support portion extending between a lower portion of the cover and the lower portion of the seatback.

10. The seat airbag of claim 9, wherein: the front portion includes a bent portion, and the cover comprises a slit positioned at the bent portion of the front cushion and extending in a vertical direction.

11. The seat airbag of claim 9, wherein: the front cushion comprises: a bent portion coupled to a front end portion of the lateral cushion; and an extension portion extending from the bent portion toward the center of the seat, the upper support portion comprises a plurality of upper support portions respectively extending from an upper portion of the bent portion and an upper portion of the extension portion and coupled to the upper portion of the seatback, and the lower support portion comprises a plurality of lower support portions respectively extending from a lower portion of the bent portion and a lower portion of the extension portion and coupled to the lower portion of the seatback.

12. The seat airbag of claim 9, wherein: the front cushion comprises: a bent portion coupled to a front end portion of the lateral cushion; and an extension portion extending from the bent portion toward the center of the seat, the cover comprises: a lateral portion configured to cover the bent portion; and a front portion configured to cover the extension portion, and the upper support portion and the lower support portion extend from the lateral portion and the front portion, respectively, in a vertical direction.

13. The seat airbag of claim 1, wherein the support tether comprises a plurality of support tethers having a linear shape and extending toward the airbag cushion at a plurality of different angles, respectively.

14. The seat airbag of claim 13, wherein the plurality of support tethers comprises: a plurality of main tethers, each having a first end portion coupled to the upper portion of the seatback and a second end portion coupled to the lower portion of the seatback; and a plurality of auxiliary tethers disposed adjacent to the main tether and coupled to the airbag cushion.

15. The seat airbag of claim 14, wherein: one or more of the auxiliary tethers branch off from the main tether and are coupled to the front cushion or the lateral cushion of the airbag cushion, and ends of the one or more auxiliary tethers are connected to the main tether.

16. The seat airbag of claim 15, wherein the one or more auxiliary tethers branch off from the main tether at a side of the driver's or passenger's head and are coupled to the airbag cushion.

17. The seat airbag of claim 14, wherein: the plurality of auxiliary tethers comprise: a first tether disposed inside the main tether and coupled to the front cushion of the airbag cushion; and a second tether disposed outside the main tether and coupled to the lateral cushion of the airbag cushion, and the auxiliary tethers are configured to support a load of the passenger in the forward direction of the vehicle or a transverse or diagonal direction of the vehicle.

18. The seat airbag of claim 17, further comprising a reinforcing material positioned at an end of the first tether adjacent to the driver or passenger.

19. The seat airbag of claim 1, wherein: the airbag cushion comprises a pair of airbag cushions configured to deploy symmetrically at both lateral sides of the seat, respectively, and the support tether comprises a pair of support tethers configured to deploy symmetrically at the lateral sides of the seat, respectively.

20. The seat airbag of claim 19, wherein the plurality of support tethers are coupled to the upper portion of the seatback and have end portions intersecting each other.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a seat airbag for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 2 is a top plan view illustrating a first embodiment of the seat airbag for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 3 is a top plan view illustrating a second embodiment of the seat airbag for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a top plan view illustrating a third embodiment of the seat airbag for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating the seat airbag for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the lower side.

[0039] FIG. 6 is a view illustrating an airbag cushion of the seat airbag for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a state in which a support tether is coupled to the airbag cushion of the seat airbag for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] FIGS. 8 to 10 are views illustrating various examples of the support tether included in the seat airbag for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a seat airbag for a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the seat airbag for a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a fixing point of a main tether of the seat airbag for a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the seat airbag for a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] FIG. 15 is a top plan view illustrating a situation in which a passenger is loaded onto the seat airbag for a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] FIGS. 16 to 17 are cross-sectional views illustrating examples of a second tether.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] Specific structural or functional descriptions of embodiments of the present invention disclosed in this specification or application are exemplified only for the purpose of explaining the embodiments according to the present invention, the embodiments according to the present invention may be carried out in various forms, and it should not be interpreted that the present invention is limited to the embodiments described in this specification or application.

[0049] Because the embodiments according to the present invention may be variously changed and may have various forms, specific embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the present specification or application. However, the descriptions of the specific embodiments are not intended to limit embodiments according to the concept of the present invention to the specific embodiments, but it should be understood that the present invention covers all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0050] The terms such as “first” and “second” may be used herein only to describe various elements, but these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one constituent element from other constituent elements. For example, without departing from the scope according to the concept of the present invention, the first constituent element may be referred to as the second constituent element, and similarly, the second constituent element may also be referred to as the first constituent element.

[0051] When one constituent element is described as being “coupled” or “connected” to another constituent element, it should be understood that one constituent element can be coupled or connected directly to another constituent element, and an intervening constituent element can also be present between the constituent elements. When one constituent element is described as being “coupled directly to” or “connected directly to” another constituent element, it should be understood that no intervening constituent element is present between the constituent elements. Other expressions, that is, “between” and “just between” or “adjacent to” and “directly adjacent to”, for explaining a relationship between constituent elements, should be interpreted in a similar manner.

[0052] The terms used in the present specification are used to just describe a specific embodiment and do not intend to limit the present invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless clearly described as different meanings in the context. In the present specification, it should be understood the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “containing,” “has,” “having” or other variations thereof are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

[0053] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. The terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having meanings consistent with meanings in the context of related technologies and should not be interpreted as ideal or excessively formal meanings unless explicitly defined in the present specification.

[0054] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail through description of preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals indicated in the respective drawings refer to like members.

[0055] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a seat airbag for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a top plan view illustrating a first embodiment of the seat airbag for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a top plan view illustrating a second embodiment of the seat airbag for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a top plan view illustrating a third embodiment of the seat airbag for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a view illustrating the seat airbag for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the lower side, FIG. 6 is a view illustrating an airbag cushion of the seat airbag for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a state in which a support tether 30 is coupled to the airbag cushion of the seat airbag for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] Exemplary embodiments of a seat airbag for a vehicle according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.

[0057] The seat airbag for a vehicle according to the present invention has been developed to protect a driver or passenger 200 (hereinafter “passenger 200”) at any seating posture of the passenger 200 or any seat position among various shapes of seats being developed recently.

[0058] The seat airbag for a vehicle according to the present invention includes: an airbag cushion 10 including lateral cushions 11 configured to be deployed forward from lateral sides of a seatback 100, and front cushions 12 bent and extending from front ends of the lateral cushions 11 toward a seat center and positioned at a front side of the passenger 200; and support tethers 20 and 30 configured to connect upper portions of the front cushions 12 and an upper portion of the seatback 100 or connect lower portions of the front cushions 12 and a lower portion of the seatback 100 so that the front cushions 12 support the passenger 200 when the passenger 200 is loaded onto the front cushions 12.

[0059] The lateral cushions 11 may be deployed to protrude forward from the two opposite sides of the seat and protect lateral sides of the passenger 200. The front cushions 12 may be deployed to be bent and extend from the front ends of the lateral cushions 11 toward a central portion of the seat and be positioned at the front side of the passenger 200.

[0060] The lateral cushions 11 and the front cushions 12 may be symmetrically disposed at the two opposite sides of the seatback 100 and deployed to surround the two opposite sides and the front side of the passenger 200 in a state in which the passenger 200 is seated in the seat.

[0061] The support tether 30 may connect the upper portions of the front cushions 12 to the upper portion of the seatback 100 and connect the lower portions of the front cushions 12 to the lower portion of the seatback 100. Therefore, when the passenger 200 is loaded in a forward, transverse, or diagonal direction by an external collision of a vehicle, the support tether 30 supports the front cushions 12 to prevent the passenger 200 from separating from a portion between the front cushions 12.

[0062] In particular, the support tether 30, which connects the lower portion of the front cushion 12 and the lower portion of the seatback 100, may be connected to a lateral portion 33a of the seat. Therefore, the lateral cushion 11 and the front cushion 12 may be deployed together while cutting a tear line formed on a lateral surface of the seatback 100.

[0063] In addition, the tear line extends to the upper portion of the seatback 100. Therefore, the support tether 30 connected to the upper portion of the seatback 100 may be deployed together with the lateral cushion 11 and the front cushion 12 while cutting the tear line.

[0064] Therefore, when the lateral cushion 11 and the front cushion 12 are deployed, the support tether 30 supports the front cushion 12, thereby supporting the load of the passenger 200 and protecting the front and lateral sides of the passenger 200 from an external collision.

[0065] The front cushion 12 includes a bent portion 12a bent from the front end of the lateral cushion 11, and an extension portion 12b extending from the bent portion 12a toward the center of the seat. The support tether 30 may include an upper tether 31 configured to connect the upper portion of the bent portion 12a and the upper portion of the extension portion 12b to the upper portion of the seatback 100, and a lower tether 32 configured to connect the lower portion of the bent portion 12a and the lower portion of the extension portion 12b to the lower portion of the seatback 100.

[0066] The bent portion 12a of the front cushion 12 may be bent toward the center of the seat from the front end of the lateral cushion 11 and define a deployment direction of the front cushion 12. The extension portion 12b may extend in a curved direction to the front side of the passenger 200.

[0067] Gas is injected into the lateral cushion 11 from an inflator mounted on the seatback 100. The bent portion 12a allows the lateral cushion 11 and the extension portion 12b to communicate with each other, such that the gas in the lateral cushion 11 may be injected into the extension portion 12b.

[0068] The upper tether 31 of the support tether 30 connects the upper portion of the bent portion 12a and the upper portion of the extension portion 12b to the upper portion of the seatback 100, and the lower tether 32 of the support tether 30 connects the bent portion 12a and the lower portion of the extension portion 12b to the lower portion of the seatback 100, such that the upper tether 31 and the lower tether 32 may support the extension portion 12b positioned at the front side of the passenger 200, support the bent portion 12a positioned at a diagonal side of the passenger 200, and support the lateral cushion 11.

[0069] Therefore, a support angle of the support tether 30 is improved so that the support tether 30 may support both the lateral cushion 11 and the front cushion 12, thereby preparing for collisions in various directions.

[0070] One end of the upper tether 31 is fixed to the seatback 100, and the other end of the upper tether 31 is divided and connected to the upper portion of the bent portion 12a and the upper portion of the extension portion 12b.

[0071] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, one end of the upper tether 31 connected to the upper portion of the front cushion 12 is connected, at one point, to the upper portion of the seatback 100, and the other end of the upper tether 31 is divided and connected to the upper portion of the bent portion 12a and the upper portion of the extension portion 12b.

[0072] Therefore, one surface of the upper tether 31 is cut out, such that the upper tether 31 may connect the bent portion 12a and the extension portion 12b. A part of the upper tether 31, which is bent when the bent portion 12a is inflated, may be removed, thereby increasing an angle at which the upper tether 31 may support the front cushion 12.

[0073] In addition, the upper tether 31 is manufactured as a single surface tether, which makes it possible to reduce manufacturing costs.

[0074] The lateral cushion 11, the front cushion 12, and the support tether 30 are respectively provided as a pair of lateral cushions 11, a pair of front cushions 12, and a pair of support tethers 30, which are symmetrically disposed at the two opposite sides of the seatback 100. One end of the upper tether 31 may be connected to positions on the seatback 100, which are spaced apart from each other in a leftward/rightward direction of the vehicle.

[0075] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the portions of one end of the upper tether 31 may be connected to the upper portion of the seatback 100, spaced apart from each other in the leftward/rightward direction of the vehicle, and connected to the upper side of the seatback 100.

[0076] Therefore, because the tear line may be formed on the seatback 100 only to the upper side of the seatback 100, the cut-out portion of the seatback 100 may be reduced, such that the upper tether 31 may be quickly deployed.

[0077] The pair of lateral cushions 11, the pair of front cushions 12, and the pair of support tethers 30 are respectively disposed at the two opposite sides of the seatback 100, and the upper tethers 31 may intersect each other at one end thereof and be connected to the seatback 100.

[0078] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the upper tethers 31 may intersect each other at one end thereof and be connected to the upper portion of the seatback 100.

[0079] Therefore, a length of the upper tether 31 may increase, and an angle between the seatback 100 and the support tether 30 may decrease, thereby supporting the supporting force of the front cushion 12 and the lateral cushion 11.

[0080] The upper tether 31 may be provided in plural and include: a first tether 31a having one end fixed to the seatback 100 and the other end connected to the upper portion of the bent portion 12a; and a second tether 31b having one end fixed to the seatback 100 and the other end connected to the upper portion of the extension portion 12b.

[0081] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the first tether 31a may be connected to the upper portion of the bent portion 12a, and the second tether 31b may be connected to the upper portion of the extension portion 12b, thereby supporting the upper portion of the bent portion 12a and the upper portion of the extension portion 12b.

[0082] Therefore, since the first tether 31a and the second tether 31b independently support the extension portion 12b and the bent portion 12a, respectively, the first tether 31a and the second tether 31b may also support the front cushion 12 and the lateral cushion.

[0083] The pair of lateral cushions 11, the pair of front cushions 12, and the pair of support tethers 30 are symmetrically disposed at the two opposite sides of the seatback 100. The pair of first tethers 31a may be connected to the seatback 100 so that the pair of first tethers 31a intersect each other at one end thereof. The pair of second tethers 31b may be spaced apart from each other in the leftward/rightward direction of the vehicle and connected to the seatback 100.

[0084] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the pair of first tethers 31a may intersect each other at one end thereof and be connected to the upper portion of the seatback 100. The pair of second tethers 31b may be spaced apart from each other in the leftward/rightward direction of the vehicle and connected to the seatback.

[0085] Therefore, the first tethers 31a support the front cushions 12 so that the front cushions 12 are not spaced apart from each other, thereby preventing the passenger 200 from slipping out between the front cushions 12. The second tethers 31b may be connected to the bent portions 12a, thereby supporting the loads of the passenger 200 in the forward and diagonal directions.

[0086] One end of the lower tether 32 may be connected to a lateral lower portion of the seatback 100, and the other end of the lower tether 32 may be divided and connected to the lower portion of the bent portion 12a and the lower portion of the extension portion 12b.

[0087] Since one end of the lower tether 32 is connected to the seatback 100, and the other end of the lower tether 32 is divided and connected to the lower portion of the bent portion 12a and the lower portion of the extension portion 12b, the lower tether 32 may be disposed so as not to hinder the inflation between the bent portion 12a and the extension portion 12b.

[0088] FIGS. 8 to 10 are views illustrating various examples of the support tether 30 included in the seat airbag for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0089] FIG. 8 is a view illustrating an example in which upper support portions 34 and lower support portions 35 are formed on a cover portion (or cover) 33 and separated from one another, FIG. 9 is a view illustrating an example in which cover portions 33 are separated from each other, and upper support portions 34 and lower support portions 35 are respectively formed on the cover portions 33, and FIG. 10 is a view illustrating an example in which upper tethers 31 and lower tethers 32 are respectively connected to front cushions 12.

[0090] The support tether 30 may include a cover portion 33 configured to surround an outer side of the front cushion 12, an upper support portion 34 extending from an upper portion of the cover portion 33 and connected to the upper portion of the seatback 100, and a lower support portion 35 extending from a lower portion of the cover portion 33 and connected to the lower portion of the seatback 100. The cover portion 33 may be connected to the front cushion 12 by sewing.

[0091] As illustrated in FIGS. 1, and 8 to 9, one end of the support tether 30 may be connected to the upper portion of the seatback 100, the other end of the support tether 30 may be connected to the lower portion of the seatback 100, the cover portion 33 disposed at the intermediate side may surround the front cushion 12, and the cover portion 33 may extend upward and downward and be connected to the seatback 100.

[0092] In addition, a plurality of portions of the cover portion 33 is coupled to the front cushion 12 by sewing, which makes it possible to prevent the front cushion 12 from separating from the cover portion 33.

[0093] Therefore, the cover portion 33 may securely support the seatback 100, the front cushion 12, and the lateral cushion 11 while supporting the entire front cushion 12.

[0094] The cover portion 33 may include a slit 33c formed in a portion where the front cushion 12 is bent, and the slit 33c extends in the upward/downward direction.

[0095] Since the slit 33c extending upward is formed in the portion of the cover portion 33 where the front cushion 12 is bent, the front cushion 12 may be positioned at the front side of the passenger 200 while being assuredly bent toward the passenger 200 through a vacant space of the slit 33c, such that the support tether 30 may assuredly support the front cushion 12.

[0096] The cushion includes the bent portion 12a bent from the front end of the lateral cushion 11, and the extension portion 12b extending from the bent portion 12a toward the center of the seat. The upper support portion 34 may be provided in plural, and the plurality of upper support portions 34 may respectively extend from the upper portion of the bent portion 12a and the upper portion of the extension portion 12b and be connected to the upper portion of the seatback 100. The lower support portion 35 may be provided in plural, and the plurality of lower support portions 35 may respectively extend from the lower portion of the bent portion 12a and the lower portion of the extension portion 12b and be connected to the lower portion of the seatback 100.

[0097] The cover portion 33 may surround both the bent portion 12a and the extension portion 12b. The upper support portions 34, which extend from the upper portion of the cover portion 33 and are connected to the upper portion of the seatback 100, may be separated from each other at the upper portion of the bent portion 12a and the upper portion of the extension portion 12b and connected to the upper portion of the seatback 100.

[0098] In addition, the lower support portions 35 are separated from each other at the lower portion of the bent portion 12a and the lower portion of the extension portion 12b and connected to the lower portion of the seatback 100.

[0099] Therefore, it is possible to support both the bent portion 12a and the extension portion 12b and increase the force for restraining the passenger 200 so that the passenger 200 does not slip out forward between the extension portions 12b.

[0100] The cushion includes the bent portion 12a bent from the front end of the lateral cushion 11, and the extension portion 12b extending from the bent portion 12a toward the center of the seat. The cover portions 33 include a lateral portion 33a configured to cover the bent portion 12a, and a front portion 33b configured to cover the extension portion 12b. The upper support portion 34 and the lower support portion 35 may respectively extend upward and downward from the lateral portion 33a and the front portion 33b.

[0101] As illustrated in FIG. 9, the cover portions 33 are separated from each other and respectively cover the bent portion 12a and the extension portion 12b. The upper support portions 34 and the lower support portions 35 may respectively extend from the upper and lower portions of the cover portions 33 and be respectively connected to and supported by the upper and lower portions of the seatback 100. The plurality of cover portions 33 may be respectively coupled to the corresponding bent portion 12a and the corresponding extension portion 12b by sewing, thereby preventing the separation of the bent portion 12a and the extension portion 12b.

[0102] Therefore, the tethers are connected directly to the extension portion 12b and the bent portion 12a, which makes it possible to increase the force for restraining the passenger 200.

[0103] The various examples related to the connection between the upper tether 31 and the seat may be applied to the embodiment in which the upper support portion 34 is connected to the upper portion of the seatback 100.

[0104] The support tether 30 may be formed in a surface shape and coupled to the front cushion 12 by sewing.

[0105] As illustrated in FIG. 10, the support tether 30 is formed as a surface tether having a surface shape and coupled to the seatback 100 in a point coupling manner. The front cushion 12 is coupled by being sewn with line contact, such that a support portion increases in a direction in which the front cushion 12 extends. Therefore, it is possible to improve the supporting force of the support cushion.

[0106] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a seat airbag for a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the seat airbag for a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a fixing point of a main tether 21 of the seat airbag for a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the seat airbag for a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0107] Another embodiment of the seat airbag for a vehicle according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 14.

[0108] The seat airbag for a vehicle according to the present invention has been developed to protect the passenger 200 at any seating posture of the passenger 200 or any seat position among various shapes of seats being developed recently.

[0109] The airbag for a vehicle according to the present invention includes: an airbag cushion 10 including lateral cushions 11 configured to be deployed forward from lateral sides of a seatback 100, and front cushions 12 bent and extending from front ends of the lateral cushions 11 toward a seat center and positioned at a front side of the passenger 200; and a plurality of linear support tethers 20 configured to connect an upper portion of the airbag cushion 10 and an upper portion of the seatback 100 or connect a lower portion of the airbag cushion 10 and a lower portion of the seatback 100 so that the airbag cushion 10 supports the passenger 200 when the passenger 200 is loaded onto the airbag cushion 10. The plurality of support tethers 20 may extend toward the airbag cushion 10 at different angles.

[0110] The lateral cushions 11 may be deployed to protrude forward from the two opposite sides of the seat and protect lateral sides of the passenger 200. The front cushions 12 may be deployed to be bent and extend from the front ends of the lateral cushions 11 toward a central portion of the seat, and the front cushions 12 may be positioned at the front side of the passenger 200.

[0111] The lateral cushions 11 and the front cushions 12 may be symmetrically disposed at the two opposite sides of the seat and deployed to surround the two opposite sides and the front side of the passenger 200 in a state in which the passenger 200 is seated in the seat.

[0112] One end of the linear support tether 20 may be connected to the upper portion of the seatback 100, and the other end of the linear support tether 20 may be connected to the airbag cushion 10 at the intermediate side of the seatback 100.

[0113] In addition, the support tethers 20 having a line shape are connected to the airbag cushion 10 and support the motion of the airbag cushion 10 when the passenger 200 is loaded onto the airbag cushion 10. The support tether 20 having a line shape may be easily embedded or mounted in the seatback 100 and quickly deployed together with the airbag cushion 10 when the airbag cushion 10 is deployed.

[0114] In addition, the costs required to manufacture the linear tether may be reduced compared to the surface tether.

[0115] The support tether 20 may be provided in plural, and the plurality of support tethers 20 is connected to the airbag cushion 10 at different positions. Therefore, the plurality of support tethers 20 may be connected to the seatback at different angles.

[0116] Since the plurality of support tethers 20 is connected to the airbag cushion 10 at various angles, it is possible to support the passenger 200 even though the passenger 200 is loaded in a forward, transverse, or diagonal direction when the passenger 200 is loaded onto the airbag cushion 10.

[0117] The support tethers 20 may include: main tethers 21 each having one end connected to the upper portion of the seatback 100 and the other end connected to the lower portion of the seatback 100, the main tether 21 being connected to the airbag cushion 10 on an extension line of an imaginary line connecting connection points on the upper and lower portions of the seatback 100; and auxiliary tethers 22 disposed inside or outside the main tether 21 and connected to the airbag cushion 10.

[0118] The support tether 20 is provided in plural and disposed on the airbag cushion 10. The main tether 21 may be connected to the front cushion 12 of the airbag cushion 10 and positioned on the imaginary line extending toward the front side of the seatback 100 from the connection line that connects the connection point connected to the upper end of the seatback 100 and the connection point connected to the lower end of the seatback 100. The auxiliary tether 22 may be positioned outside or inside the main tether 21, positioned at different angles with respect to the main tether 21, and connected to the lateral cushion 11 or the front cushion 12 of the airbag cushion 10.

[0119] Therefore, the main tethers 21 may support the entire airbag cushion 10. The auxiliary tethers 22 may prevent the passenger 200 from separating from the airbag cushion 10 when the passenger 200 is loaded in a direction in which the main tethers 21 cannot support the airbag cushion 10.

[0120] The auxiliary tether 22 may be provided in plural, and the plurality of auxiliary tethers may be connected to the front cushion 12 or the lateral cushion 11 of the airbag cushion 10.

[0121] The auxiliary tether 22 positioned outside the main tether 21 may be connected to a point at which the front cushion 12 and the lateral cushion 11 are connected. The auxiliary tether 22 positioned inside the main tether 21 may be connected to the intermediate side of the front cushion 12.

[0122] The auxiliary tether 22 connected to the front cushion 12 may support the passenger 200 loaded forward, and the auxiliary tether 22 connected to the lateral cushion 11 may support the passenger 200 loaded diagonally or loaded laterally.

[0123] One or more auxiliary tethers 22 may branch off from the main tether 21 and be connected to the front cushion 12 or the lateral cushion 11 of the airbag cushion 10, and the ends of the auxiliary tethers 22 may be connected to the main tether 21 again.

[0124] The auxiliary tethers 22 may branch off from the main tether 21 and extend in different directions from the main tether 21, and the auxiliary tethers 22 extending in the different directions may be connected to the front cushion 12 or the lateral cushion 11 of the airbag cushion 10.

[0125] Therefore, only the main tether 21 may be connected to the seatback 100, and the main tether 21 and the auxiliary tether 22 may be connected to the airbag cushion 10, which makes it possible to simplify the connection between the support tether 20 and the airbag cushion 10.

[0126] One or more auxiliary tethers 22 may branch off at the side adjacent to the head of the passenger 200 and be connected to the airbag cushion 10.

[0127] The auxiliary tethers 22 may branch off from the main tether 21 at the side adjacent to the head of the passenger 200 and be connected to the front cushion 12 or the lateral cushion 11 of the airbag cushion 10.

[0128] Therefore, the auxiliary tethers 22 may branch off at an optimal position at which the auxiliary tethers 22 may support the airbag cushion 10, thereby supporting the front cushion 12 and the lateral cushion 11 of the airbag cushion 10.

[0129] The auxiliary tethers 22 may include a first tether 22a disposed inside the main tether 21 and connected to the front cushion 12 of the airbag cushion 10, and a second tether 22b disposed outside the main tether 21 and connected to the lateral cushion 11 of the airbag cushion 10. Therefore, the auxiliary tethers 22 may support the load of the passenger 200 in the forward, transverse, or diagonal direction.

[0130] The first tether 22a may be connected to the front cushion 12 and support the load of the passenger 200 toward the front cushion 12 of the airbag cushion 10. The second tether 22b may support a bent portion of the lateral cushion 11 or the front cushion 12, thereby preventing the portions of the airbag cushion 10 at the two opposite sides of the seat from separating from each other.

[0131] FIGS. 16 to 17 are cross-sectional views illustrating an embodiment of the second tether 22b.

[0132] Referring further to FIG. 16, in a first embodiment of the first tether 22a according to the present invention, an end of the first tether 22a, which is adjacent to the passenger 200 in the width direction, may be folded.

[0133] The first tether 22a may be positioned inside the main tether 21 and connected to the front cushion. In this case, when the passenger 200 is loaded in the transverse or diagonal direction, the passenger may come into contact with the first tether 22a, and the face or neck of the passenger 200 may be injured by being brought into contact with the first linear tether 22a by external impact.

[0134] To solve this problem, as illustrated in FIG. 16, an outer line disposed in a direction of the passenger 200, among outer lines of the first tether in a width direction, may be sewn in a superimposed state.

[0135] Therefore, the outer line of the first tether 22a adjacent to the passenger 200 may be smoothly formed. Therefore, the passenger 200 may not be injured by the first tether 22a even though the passenger 200 is brought into contact with the first tether 22a by external impact.

[0136] Referring further to FIG. 17, in a second embodiment of the first tether 22a according to the present invention, a reinforcing material 40 may be inserted into and positioned at an end of the first tether 22a based on width direction, which is adjacent to the passenger 200.

[0137] Likewise, as illustrated in FIG. 17, to prevent injury caused by contact between the passenger 200 and the first tether 22a, the reinforcing agent may be inserted into the first tether 22a or the first tether 22a may be sewn while surrounding a reinforcing agent extending in the longitudinal direction of the first tether 22a.

[0138] Therefore, the outer line of the first tether 22a adjacent to the passenger 200 may be smoothly formed. Therefore, the passenger 200 may not be injured by the first tether 22a even though the passenger 200 is brought into contact with the first tether 22a by external impact.

[0139] The support tether 20 may have a line shape and inserted into or connected to a ring provided on the airbag cushion 10 or connected to the airbag cushion 10 by sewing.

[0140] The support tether 20 may be configured as a linear tether. The linear support tether 20 may support the airbag cushion 10 by being connected to a ring provided on the front cushion 12 or the lateral cushion 11 of the airbag cushion 10. Alternatively, the support tether 20 may be connected directly to the airbag cushion 10 by sewing.

[0141] When the ring is used to connect the support tether 20, the packaging of the airbag cushion 10 may be more simplified. When the sewing is used to connect the support tether 20, it is possible to improve the supporting force of the airbag cushion 10.

[0142] The airbag may further include the support tether 30 having a surface shape and configured to connect the upper and lower portions of the front cushion 12 to the seatback 100 while surrounding the front cushion 120. The support tether 20 may be positioned outside the surface-shaped support tether 30 and connected to the airbag cushion 10 or the surface-shaped support tether 30.

[0143] The surface-shaped support tether 30 may be additionally provided to connect the upper portion of the front cushion 12 of the airbag cushion 10 to the upper portion of the seatback 100 and connect the lower portion of the front cushion 12 to the lower portion of the seatback 100. Therefore, the support tether 30 and the support tether 20 may simultaneously support the airbag cushion 10, thereby increasing the supporting force.

[0144] The airbag cushion 10 and the support tether 20 are respectively provided as a pair of airbag cushions 10 and a pair of support tethers 20 configured to be deployed symmetrically at the two opposite sides of the seat.

[0145] The airbag cushions 10 and the support tethers 20 are mounted at the two opposite sides of the seat and disposed symmetrically. In the event of a collision accident of a vehicle, the airbag cushions 10 and the support tethers 20 are quickly deployed while surrounding the two opposite sides and the front side of the passenger 200, thereby protecting the passenger 200 even though the collision of the vehicle occurs in any direction.

[0146] In addition, the support tethers 20 may support the airbag cushions 10 so that the airbag cushions 10 are not separated from each other. Therefore, the passenger 200 may be positioned in a space between the airbag cushion 10 and the seat.

[0147] The support tethers 20 may intersect each other at one end thereof and be connected to the upper portion of the seatback 100.

[0148] The support tethers 20 may be spaced apart from each other while intersecting each other and connected to the seatback 100 to reduce an angle at which the support tether 20 is connected to the airbag cushion 10.

[0149] Therefore, the supporting force of the support tether 20 may be increased so that the front cushions 12 of the airbag cushion 10 are not separated from each other.

[0150] While the specific embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described above, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be variously modified and changed without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention defined in the appended claims.