The application is to be that November 11, denomination of invention in 2005 are that " airbag apparatus " and application number are dividing an application of 200510118198.4 Chinese invention patent application the applying date.
The application requires preceence and the rights and interests of following U.S. Provisional Patent Application:
The application No.60/646 that on January 25th, 2005 submitted to, 487.
Introduce these each in first to file herein and apply for reference.
The specific embodiment
According to a first aspect of the invention, provide a kind of head-protecting airbag that can launch along the side surface of vehicle interior, this head-protecting airbag comprises: capsule, this capsule are arranged in the face of automotive occupant, and launch when introducing gas in from aerator to this capsule; And transom, this transom is arranged on the side facing to car body of capsule, and upper end and the bottom of capsule interconnected; Wherein when airbag deployment, vertical centre portion of capsule protrudes to automotive occupant, and this transom with the stateful connection of tension to upper end and the bottom of capsule, so that between vertical centre portion of capsule and this transom, form the space.
Head-protecting airbag according to a second aspect of the invention is characterised in that: in first aspect, described centre portion is arranged to lower than the middle part in a longitudinal direction of air bag.
Head-protecting airbag according to the third aspect is characterised in that: in aspect first and second, at least in the front portion of capsule, described centre portion in height reduces gradually to the front end of air bag.
Head-protecting airbag according to fourth aspect is characterised in that: in the first either side to the third aspect; when airbag deployment; the line of centers from the thickness direction on the upwardly extending top of described centre portion of capsule moves closer to transom in upward direction, and the line of centers on the thickness direction of the bottom from described centre portion to downward-extension of this capsule moves closer to transom in downward direction.
The head-protecting airbag of the 5th aspect is characterised in that: in fourth aspect, the capsule of expansion has the structure of '<' shape roughly or ' L ' shape when observing from the side.
The head-protecting airbag of the 6th aspect is characterised in that: in the either side in aspect first to the 5th, capsule comprises in the face of the first of automotive occupant with in the face of second of car body, first and second interconnect as follows, so that form at least one between them gas are introduced wherein chamber from aerator; And first and second longitudinal length is greater than the longitudinal length of described transom.
The head-protecting airbag of the 7th aspect is characterised in that: in aspect the 6th; first and second interconnect by a plurality of linear connecting bridges that extend in a longitudinal direction, form chamber to extend at this longitudinal direction between these linear connecting bridges.
The head-protecting airbag of eight aspect is characterised in that: in aspect the 7th, in described vertical pars intermedia office of capsule, each chamber in these chambers has the width less than the width of the every part in the upper and lower of capsule.
The head-protecting airbag of the 9th aspect is characterised in that: in aspect the 6th; first and second interconnect by the linear connecting bridge that extends in a lateral direction in described pars intermedia office, and this above linearity connecting bridge and below the formation chamber.
The head-protecting airbag of the tenth aspect is characterised in that: in the either side in aspect first to the 9th, described transom comprises sheet or tether band.
The head-protecting airbag of the tenth one side is characterised in that: in the either side in aspect first to the tenth; when described transom was configured so that in a longitudinal direction to apply tension force above predeterminated level to this transom, the longitudinal length of this transom increased.
The head-protecting airbag of the 12 aspect is characterised in that: in the either side in aspect first to the 9th, described transom comprises sheet; The front outshot that extends forward from the front end of capsule is connected to the front end of this sheet; Extend in a longitudinal direction thereby will be arranged in this front outshot by the inflating cells from the gas inflated of aerator; And the bottom of being somebody's turn to do the rear end of front outshot is connected to the bottom of the front end of capsule.
The head-protecting airbag of the tenth three aspects: is characterised in that: in the either side and the 12 aspect in aspect first to the 9th, described transom comprises sheet; The rear outshot that extends at the rear direction of capsule is connected to the rear end of this sheet; Extend in a longitudinal direction in outshot thereby will be arranged on by the inflating cells from the gas inflated of aerator after this; And the bottom of being somebody's turn to do the front end of rear outshot is connected to the bottom of the rear end of capsule.
The head-protecting airbag of the 14 aspect is characterised in that: in the either side in aspect first to the 9th, described transom comprises sheet; Front closure member is mounted at the front edge of transom and the space-closed between the capsule, and rear enclosed spare is mounted at the lagging dege of transom and the space-closed between the capsule, thereby the space that forms between capsule and transom is closed to form the space; And form vent portion so that this space is communicated with outside.
The head portion protecting air bag apparatus of the 15 aspect comprises: according to the head-protecting airbag of the either side in the first to the 15 aspect; And aerator, this aerator produces the gas that is used for the head protection airbag aeration.
When automotive occupant contacted with head-protecting airbag according to the present invention, the centre portion of capsule was being protected the head of automotive occupant when car body is regained gradually.By this withdrawal, apply power so that the upper and lower of capsule is separated from each other to capsule.Transom is revolted this power.Therefore, in protection automotive occupant head, the centre portion of capsule is regained to car body gradually.At this moment, the vibrations that act on the automotive occupant head have been absorbed.With after car body contacts, capsule is depressed with the vibrations of sorption on the automotive occupant head at this centre portion that blocks the automotive occupant head.
Because the projection of the centre portion of capsule protrudes to automotive occupant, capsule can block occupant's head immediately, and can absorbing vibration in the phase at whole time length.When capsule is regained, the antagonistic force less from capsule that head receives.As a result, when the head of automotive occupant was blocked by capsule at first, the antagonistic force that applies from capsule to occupant's head was less.
In the head-protecting airbag of second aspect, even when automotive occupant has low sitting height, the centre portion of the protrusion of capsule also can be protected the head of automotive occupant safely.
When the sitting height of automotive occupant reduced, automotive occupant tended to be landed in the more position in the place ahead.In the head-protecting airbag of the third aspect, even when the automotive occupant with low sitting height is in the position in this place ahead, the centre portion of the protrusion of capsule also can be protected the head that blocks automotive occupant safely.
In the head-protecting airbag of fourth aspect, contact with capsule and bias force when being applied to the centre portion of capsule at automotive occupant, by revolting this bias force from the antagonistic force on the top of capsule with from the antagonistic force of the bottom of capsule.
Especially, as in aspect the 5th, if roughly be arrow '<' shape or ' L ' shape when the capsule that launches is observed from the side, capsule and transom form the space of general triangular so.Thereby, because the bias force that is applied by automotive occupant is difficult to make the capsule distortion, can absorb fully the vibrations from automotive occupant.
By the head-protecting airbag of the 6th aspect, because transom pulling capsule, so airbag deployment is to form the space of general triangular.
By the head-protecting airbag of the 7th aspect, in case launch just can reduce the thickness of capsule.
By the head-protecting airbag of eight aspect, when airbag deployment, each chamber is crooked in the location that its width reduces.
In a ninth aspect of the present invention, first and second can interconnect by the linear connecting bridge that extends in a lateral direction.Under this situation, when sheet launched, capsule was crooked along this linearity connecting bridge.
As described in aspect the tenth, transom can comprise sheet or tether band.If transom comprises sheet, being used for of producing when airbag deployment is used in whole capsule with the separated masterpiece in the upper and lower of capsule.If transom comprises the tether band, just can reduce the weight of air bag.
In the situation of the tenth one side, with regard to the increase that vertical length is the transom height, vibrations have more effectively been absorbed.
In the head-protecting airbag of the 12 and ten three aspects :s, because forward extension is divided and the inflation of rear extendible portion, when automotive occupant divides with forward extension or extendible portion contacts afterwards, can be by the vibrations that partially absorb of correspondence.And, when forward extension divides with rear extendible portion drops down, because capsule is spurred, can promptly realize the expansion of capsule downwards.
In the situation of the head-protecting airbag aspect the 14, when capsule is regained, because the air that exists is discharged to the outside lentamente, can absorb reliably the vibrations from automotive occupant in the space that capsule forms later.
Below with reference to accompanying drawing the preferred embodiments of the present invention are described.
In the following description that provides; horizontal direction refer to vehicle forward and direction backward; install in a lateral direction according to head-protecting airbag of the present invention at this; and longitudinal direction refers to the direction up and down of vehicle, on this longitudinal direction head-protecting airbag according to the present invention is launched at vehicle interior.
To installing along the sidepiece of top panel such as following all head-protecting airbags according to various embodiments of the invention that will sequentially describe in detail (after this referred to as " air bag "); for example under the folded state of these air bags, extend from column A to column C; and when the side that vehicle occurs is hit or is tumbled; these air bags launch along the side surface inflation of vehicle interior and with the shape of heavy curtain; so that the front seats that is sitting in vehicle interior or the head of the automotive occupant on the back seat are protected; thereby prevent the side surface collision of head and the vehicle interior of automotive occupant, perhaps prevent from automotive occupant is dished out by the vehicle window.
Comprise at the air bag 90 shown in Fig. 1 (a): capsule 95, this capsule 95 curves '<' shape under inflated condition; And transom 91, this transom 91 is positioned at the side facing to car body of capsule 95, and the upper and lower of capsule 95 is interconnected.The roughly vertical centre portion corresponding with the middle part of capsule 95 of capsule 95 protrudes to automotive occupant.The distance of 95 protruding end is by Reference numeral 92 signs from transom 91 to capsule.Between the vertical centre portion 95c that protrudes and transom 91, form space 99.
Air bag 90 shown in Fig. 1 (b) ' capsule 95 ' in, the centre portion 95c ' of protrusion be arranged to than capsule 95 ' the middle part low.Capsule 95 when observing from the side ' be ' L ' shape.
Capsule 95 and 95 ' transom 91 and 91 ' made by fabric (sheet), band (tether), meshwork etc.In Fig. 1 (b), except door 93, window 94 and top panel 98, also show by capsule 95 ' the head H of the automotive occupant that blocks of centre portion 95c '.
Under the state of each capsule 95 and 95 ' inflation, the line of centers ' a ' from the thickness direction on the upwardly extending top of sweep of each capsule of each capsule moves closer to transom 91 in upward direction, and the sweep from each capsule of this capsule moves closer to transom 91 to the line of centers ' b ' on the thickness direction of the bottom of downward-extension in downward direction.
Fig. 2 (a) and 2 (b) are for showing the head H of the 90 pairs of automotive occupants of air bag that illustrated by Fig. 1 (a) and the view of the state that shoulder is protected.
With reference to figure 2 (a), the head H of automotive occupant contacts with the centre portion 95c of capsule 95 at first, thereby promotes capsule 95 to car body.The top 95a of capsule 95 and bottom 95b and transom 91 form triangular structure.Therefore, with head H to capsule 95 apply to promote the power F1 of capsule 95 to car body relative, in the top of capsule 95 95a and bottom 95b, produce antagonistic force F2 and F3, with act on respectively with the top 95a opposite sense parallel with bottom 95b on.As a result, head H is applied in making a concerted effort of antagonistic force F2 and F3, and just little by little mobile so that capsule 95 is pushed in the space 99.By this mode, the vibrations to head H have been absorbed gradually.Thereby head H reduces gradually to the speed that car body moves.
The result is shown in Fig. 2 (b), and capsule 95 contacts with window 94 or column (not shown) by transom 91, then depresses against car body under the effect of head.
In the state that Fig. 2 (b) illustrates, because significantly reduced the speed that head H moves to car body, so the antagonistic force that is acted on the head H by capsule 95 is less.
Fig. 2 (c) acts on the figure that the antagonistic force on the head H changes with the time course that occurs after vehicle side is hit for showing air bag.
Under the situation of air bag 90, because centre portion 90c blocks the fact of head H at first, although antagonistic force increases at first, after the initial period, only produce relatively low antagonistic force.
On the contrary, in the comparative example that air bag arranges near window, because head is just depressed air bag from beginning, the maxim of the antagonistic force that applies from air bag to head is greater than the maxim of the antagonistic force the situation of air bag 90.
Then, with reference to the instantiation of Fig. 3 to Fig. 7 description according to head-protecting airbag of the present invention.
Air bag 1 comprises: capsule 2, this capsule 2 is inflated to protrude to automotive occupant; Transom 3, this transom 3 are arranged on the side facing to car body of capsule 2, and by interconnective of the upper and lower of capsule 2 is formed; Front outshot 4, this front outshot 4 are connected to transom 3 with outstanding forward; And rear outshot 5, outshot 5 is connected to transom 3 with outstanding backward after this.When capsule 2 inflation, between capsule 2 and transom 3, form space 19 (seeing Fig. 6 and 7).
By forming capsule 2 to sewing up in the face of the first 6 (seeing Fig. 7) of automotive occupant with in the face of second 7 (seeing Fig. 7) of transom 3.The lower lignilite 9 that extends along a plurality of longitudinal seam zygonemas 8, along the lower edge of sheet 6 and 7 and sew up along the upper lignilite 10 that the upper limb of sheet 6 and 7 extends.
The upper end of sheet 6 and 7 slightly below, by sheet 6 and 7 and transom 3 form openings 11, and sew up around each opening 11 along circular seams zygonema 12.Longitudinal seam zygonema 8 is connected to this circular seams zygonema 12.
Between these longitudinal seam zygonemas 8, form a plurality of vertical inflatable chambers 13.Between these circular seams zygonemas 12 and upper lignilite 10, form tunnel-type gas passage (pipe) 14 to extend along upper lignilite 10.
And each the vertical centre portion in vertical centre portion of these longitudinal seam zygonemas 8 is formed with circular seams zygonema part 8a or semicircle lignilite part 8b.Between the circular seams zygonema part 8a or between circular seams zygonema part 8a and semicircle lignilite part 8b, chamber 13 has the width that reduces.
Upper limb at air bag 1 forms a plurality of adapter pieces 18.By screw, rivet etc. these adapter pieces 18 are fastened on the top siding track or column A of car body.
Transom 3 comprises sheet.As shown in Figure 5, by circular seams zygonema 12 top of transom 3 is seamed to sheet 6 and 7, and by lower lignilite 9 lower edge of transom 3 is seamed to sheet 6 and 7.
The length from circular seams zygonema 12 to lower lignilite 9 measurements of transom 3 is less than the length from circular seams zygonema 12 to lower lignilite 9 measurements of sheet 6 and 7.
Shown in Fig. 7 (e), by along lignilite 22 automotive occupant lateral plate 20 and car body lateral plate 21 mutual stitchings being formed front outshot 4.In this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the upper limb of sheet 20 is connected to first 6, and the upper limb of sheet 21 is connected to second 7.
Shown in Fig. 3 to 6, lignilite 22 comprises: the lignilite part 22a that extends along the upper limb of sheet 20 and 21, the lignilite part 22b that extends along the front edge of sheet 20 and 21, lignilite part 22c, the lignilite part 22d that is used to form chamber 23, the lignilite part 22e and the 22f that are used to form pipe 24, the lignilite part 22g and the 22i that are used to form pipe 25 and the lignilite part 22h that is used to form chamber 26 that extend along the front lower edge of sheet 20 and 21.
Lignilite part 22i with sheet 20 and 21 and transom 3 mutually sew up.Lignilite part 22i extends upward along the lagging dege of front outshot 4, and is connected to the circular seams zygonema 12 that forms at the place, front portion of capsule 2.
Pipe 24 be connected to pipe 14 and in the past the upper limbs of outshot 4 extend to the front edge of front outshot 4.Pipe 24 is communicated with chamber 23.Pipe 25 is from managing 24 near-end branch out and along the lagging dege of front outshot 4 to downward-extension.Pipe 25 is communicated with chamber 26.
Bonding jumper 27 extends to the place ahead of outshot 4 from the bottom of outshot 4.Bonding jumper 27 is connected to the column A of car body, and plays the function that applies tension force to the lower edge of air bag 1.
By sew up automotive occupant lateral plate 30 and the rear outshot 5 of car body lateral plate 31 (seeing Fig. 7) formation along lignilite 32 and 33.Lignilite 32 extends along the top of sheet 30 and 31 and is connected to lignilite 10.The top of sheet 30 is connected to first 6, and the top of sheet 31 is connected to second 7.
Lignilite 32 comprises three longitudinal seam zygonema part 33a, 33c and 33e, and with bottom interconnected lignilite part 33b and the 33d of these longitudinal seam zygonema parts 33a, 33c and 33e.Forming chamber 38 and 39 between lignilite part 33a and the 33c and between lignilite part 33c and 33e.
Lignilite part 33e with sheet 30 and 31 and transom 3 mutually sew up.
The gas access 36 of protruding is a little backward formed at the top of rear outshot 5.Form pipe 37 along upper lignilite 32.Pipe 37 is communicated with pipe 14 and corresponding chamber 38 and 39.
Close column A arranges the leading section of air bag 1, and close column B arranges the rearward end of air bag 1, and the upper limb of air bag 1 is arranged on the top side panel.Be folded at air bag 1 under the structure and the state that extends in a lateral direction at car body of elongation, air bag 1 is installed in being used in the spatial accommodation (not shown) of air bag 1 of forming in the car body.Aerator or gas conduit are connected to gas access 36.
Cover by the folded airbag 1 in the spatial accommodation that will be contained in car body such as cladding elements such as column decorations lining, top decorations linings.When air bag 1 inflation, air bag 1 extruding is also opened this cladding element to allow air bag 1 to be deployed into vehicle interior.
Below will the running that have such as the head portion protecting air bag apparatus of the air bag 1 of above-mentioned structure be described.
If the side of generation vehicle is hit or is tumbled, just trigger aerator, and gas is supplied in the corresponding chambers 38,39,13,26 and 23 of air bag 1 by managing 37,14,24 and 25, thereby to air bag 1 inflation.Air bag 1 is opened cladding element, along the side surface of the car body inside shape drops down with heavy curtain, and as shown in Figure 6 fully inflation between automotive occupant and car body, directly contact with column, window etc. and prevent the automotive occupant vehicle of dishing out to prevent from causing automotive occupant.
In head-protecting airbag 1 according to the present invention, the expansion of air bag 1 can change according to position and the size of the aerator pipe outlet in the air bag 1 in other situation.
As mentioned above, front outshot 4 and rear outshot 5 pull down the capsule 2 of taking offence.Supply gas to each chamber 13 through pipe 14, to air bag 2 inflations.Because the upper and lower of capsule 2 is connected to transom 3, so vertical centre portion of capsule 2 protrudes to automotive occupant.In this preferred embodiment of the present invention, because as from can easily seeing Fig. 7 (c), in inflation, width reduces the centre portion of each chamber 13 owing to the existence of circular seams zygonema part 8a and semicircle lignilite part 8b, so capsule 2 is shown greatly the shape bending of arrow '<' along the line that connects circular seams zygonema part 8a and semicircle lignilite part 8b.Between capsule 2 and transom 3, form space 19.This space 19 at the leading section of capsule 2 and rearward end place to the atmosphere opening.
By the air bag of expanding as shown in Figure 6 and inflate automotive occupant is protected.As under the situation of Fig. 2; because the head of automotive occupant contacts with the centre portion of capsule 2 and by the protection of the centre portion of capsule 2; so can absorb fully the vibrations that are applied on the automotive occupant; and shown in Fig. 2 (c), the maxim of the antagonistic force that applies from capsule 2 to automotive occupant is less.
And in this preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown in Fig. 3 and 4, circular seams zygonema part 8a and semicircle lignilite part 8b in height reduce gradually to the front side of vehicle.Because this fact, the sweep of capsule 2 also in height reduces gradually towards the front side of vehicle.This will guarantee: because the automotive occupant with low sitting height tends to be landed in the more position in the place ahead, so the sweep of capsule 2 has the height that reduces to protect safely the head of automotive occupant near place, capsule 2 front sides.At this on the one hand, can adopt following vehicle, in this vehicle, forward during the sliding seat of gig, the residual altitude of seat cushion raises automatically at automotive occupant.Therefore, in this situation, preferably, the wiggle of capsule 2 has identical height in a lateral direction.
Below with reference to Fig. 8 and other accompanying drawing other embodiments of the invention are described.Fig. 8 (b) is the cross sectional drawing along the straight line B-B of Fig. 8 (a).
In the air bag 1A shown in Fig. 8 (a) and 8 (b), sewed up by vertical centre portion of 41 couples of capsule 2A of horizontal lignilite, and on the lignilite 41 and under form chamber 42 and 43.Lignilite 41 extends near the rear portion of capsule 2A position from the front edge of capsule 2A.Between the lagging dege of lignilite 41 and capsule 2A, be formed with the connected component 44 that chamber 42 and 43 is interconnected.
Other structure of air bag 1A is identical with the structure of air bag 1, thereby and adopts identical Reference numeral to identify identical parts.
When air bag 1A inflated, capsule 2A and transom 3 formed triangular structure, and form space 19 between capsule 2A and transom 3.Therefore, reach the effect identical with air bag 1 according to the air bag 1A of this embodiment.
Although the place, rear portion at capsule 2A in Fig. 8 forms connected component 44, can easily understand, can locate and between the front and rear of capsule 2A, form this connected component 44 in the front portion of capsule 2A.
In the air bag 1B shown in Fig. 9, not inflatable sheet section 46 is installed between the chamber 13 of capsule 2B.Vertical centre portion of chamber 13 reduces at width owing to semicircle lignilite 8B.Other structure is identical with the structure of Fig. 6, thereby adopts identical Reference numeral to identify identical parts.
Fig. 9 (b) is the cross sectional drawing along the straight line B-B of Fig. 9 (a).
In air bag 1B, capsule 2B inflation is also crooked in vertical pars intermedia office, and forms space 19 between capsule 2B and transom 3.Therefore, reach the effect identical with air bag 1 according to the air bag 1B of this embodiment.And, in this embodiment, because sheet section 46 is installed in the capsule 2B, and form a small amount of chamber 13, even when employing has aerator than low capacity, air bag 1B also can inflate rapidly.
Construct as follows the air bag 1 shown in Figure 10 ', so that: air bag 1 ' in vertical pars intermedia office of transom 3, form annular section 50 by breach seam 51.Other structure is identical with the structure of air bag 1.
The effect that air bag 1 ' also reach and air bag 1 are identical.In this preferred embodiment of the present invention, if apply the tension force that is not less than predeterminated level to transom 3 in a longitudinal direction, when tearing breach seam 51, the longitudinal length of transom 3 increases.By this mode, when tearing breach seam 51, the vibrations that are applied on the automotive occupant have been absorbed.
And, as shown in figure 11, can in air bag 1 " transom 3 ", form a plurality of short cracks 52, rather than adopt breach seam 51 to form annular sections 50.
Shown in Figure 11 (b) (this Figure 11 (b) is the cross sectional drawing along the straight line B-B of Figure 11 (a)) and Figure 11 (c), " apply the tension force that is not less than predeterminated level; when open in crack 52, absorbed the vibrations that are applied on the automotive occupant if in a longitudinal direction to transom 3.Can by each crack 52 of breach joint sealing, make it possible to by applying the tension force that is not less than predeterminated level this breach seam be torn.Other structure among Figure 11 (a) is identical with the structure among Fig. 5.
Air bag 60 shown in Figure 12 comprises: capsule 61; Transom 62, this transom 62 are arranged on the side facing to car body of capsule 61, and by interconnective of the upper and lower of capsule 61 is formed; And lateral plate 63, this lateral plate plays for the front closure member of the front and rear of air bag 60 sealing and the effect of rear enclosed spare.
In capsule 61, as in the situation of capsule 2, along lignilite two sheets 64 and 65 are sewed up mutually to form a plurality of vertical cavities 66.Upper limb along capsule 61 forms pipe 67, and can pass through gas access 68 supply gas.Sheet 63 comprises triangular piece, the side-closed in the space 70 that these triangular pieces will form between capsule 61 and transom 62.This space 70 is communicated with atmosphere by the air extractor vent 71 in transom 62 interior formation.
In the present embodiment, vertical centre portion of capsule 61 is also crooked to protrude to automotive occupant.Therefore, reach the effect identical with above-mentioned each air bag according to the air bag of this embodiment.
Especially, in this preferred embodiment of the present invention, when automotive occupant contacts to reduce the volume in space 70 with capsule 61, when the air of space 70 interior existence is discharged by air extractor vent 71, the vibrations that are applied on the automotive occupant have been absorbed.
Although in Figure 12 at transom 62 interior formation air extractor vents 71, can be at this air extractor vent 71 of lateral plate 63 interior formation.And at least a portion of transom 62 or lateral plate 63 can be made of the fabric with permeability to air, to replace this air extractor vent.
Illustrate by way of example and illustrated above-described embodiment, and the present invention can there be other structure.For example, can adopt band to replace transom 3.And, air bag can be installed in other position as between column A, column C, column D etc.Further, air bag can be installed in outside vehicle, or be directly installed on the seat or instrument carrier panel of vehicle.Also can adopt the air bag combination.And the shape of air bag can change.Air bag can be inflated to " D " or ">" shape, " L " shape or " V " shape or other similar shape.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, air bag 1 can be included in the air bag 1 stitching Zhe or longitudinal seam 8 and the circular seam 12 of extending or be bent to form " D " shape roughly or ">" shape with the form of bending.In this embodiment shown in Figure 13, air bag 1 comprises the zone that is roughly straight line 106 and the combination curved or bending area 108 that forms by sewing up Zhe 8 and circular seam 12.106 open to the transitional region of crooked seam region 108 from the linearity region.Yet this transitional region also can be covered by one or more piece of cloth.And then, can form linearity region 106 to this transitional region the crooked seam region 108 by the air bag chamber.
Figure 14 (a) and 14 (b) show another embodiment of the present invention.Air bag 200 can have the tether 201 as transom.Tether 201 interconnects to form crooked or ">" shape in air bag 200 along air bag 200 between each point.Tether 201 is connected to air bag 200 at each point of connection 205 places.Air bag 200 can have an independent knot or bending (similar with Fig. 1 (a)) in each chamber 203, and perhaps air bag 200 can have a plurality of knots or bending, shown in Figure 14 (b).Tether 201 can be connected in two or more positions air bag 200 to impel at the air bag one or more bendings of 200 interior formation or knot.Transom 201 can also comprise band or rope or any other suitable device.
In another embodiment of the present invention, air bag 220 can have the combination of chamber phase enantiotropy and chamber distortion.For example, Figure 15 (a), 15 (b) and 15 (c) show the air bag 220 with a plurality of chambers 223.Chamber 223 in the central upper portion zone of air bag 220 further is out of shape to produce the shape shown in Figure 15 (c).This phase enantiotropy and distortion help to hold occupant's head H in the collision accident process.The position of the chamber of phase enantiotropy can be positioned at the various positions of air bag 220, and needn't locate like that shown in Figure 15 (a).
According to another embodiment shown in Figure 16 (a), air bag 290 can have towards the transom 91 of occupant location.And then air bag 290 can be arranged on a plurality of positions of vehicle interior, as arranging to protect occupant's knee along lower instrument carrier panel D, or arranges along the roof liner R of vehicle, as can seeing at Figure 16 (b) and 16 (c).
In the another embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 17 (a) and 17 (b), air bag 290 can be arranged on the outside of vehicle 295, so that can protect pedestrian or other people of outside vehicle under the situation of collision.Air bag 290 can be provided with in the face of vehicle 295 or the face transom 91 from vehicle 295.
In another embodiment of the present invention, air bag 300 is arranged to be inflated to following state, by the first side surface 302 with comprise the upper end of air bag 305 and the plane of bottom forms enveloping space Y, this can see from Figure 18 in this state.The ratio of the volume of enveloping space Y and the volume V of air bag 300 is greater than about 1.0.In another embodiment, this ratio is greater than about 1.2.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the longitudinal length X of transom 91 is less than the longitudinal length L of air bag 300.In one embodiment, the ratio of the longitudinal length X of the longitudinal length L of air bag 300 and transom 91 is about 1.2 or larger.In another embodiment, the ratio of the longitudinal length X of the longitudinal length L of air bag 300 and transom 91 is about 1.25.
In the airbag apparatus of another embodiment, air bag 300 comprises effective steric factor, and this available space factor is defined as trip distance Z divided by the filled volume V of air bag 300.The available space factor of the air bag 300 in one embodiment of the present of invention is about 7.5.In another embodiment, air bag 300 comprises the available space factor greater than 7.5.In one embodiment, each chamber in a plurality of chambers the width of the pars intermedia office of air bag 300 less than each chamber in described a plurality of chambers at the upper end of air bag 300 and the width of lower end.
In another embodiment, as Figure 19 schematically showed, air bag 90 was parts of Clew Safety System 320.Clew Safety System 320 comprises electronic control unit 325, this electronic control unit 325 is set to determine vehicle collision and to trigger the expansion of air bag 90.Seat weight sensor 330 also can be included in the Clew Safety System 320, and this seat weight sensor 330 is arranged to weight and/or the position of automotive occupant.In addition, Clew Safety System 320 can also comprise can be by the automatic seat seat belt apparatus 335 of electronic control unit 325 control.
Figure 20 is the example of one embodiment of the present of invention, wherein forms bending in the air bag 350 by the shape of the chamber 353 of air bag 350.For example, the bending of seam 352 can be used for reducing the thickness of chamber 353, and is as shown in Figure 20 such.This causes that air bag 350 dies down and is crooked in air bag 350 interior generations in the zone of seam bending 352.Wiggle 354 is adjacent chambers 353 and the layout in the zone 356 that has died down.
Figure 21 is one embodiment of the present of invention, adopts in this embodiment silicon line 358 that air bag chamber 353 is died down.Silicon dies down air bag 350 by the diameter that reduces air bag 350 along wiggle 354.For example, silicon line 358 can comprise silicon strip or silicon ribbon.Can adopt silica-base material, comprise silicon.In deflation course, silicon line 358 may lose efficacy and from the air bag landing.For example, silicon line 358 may or break by fracture and lose efficacy.Inefficacy wholly or in part may occur or not lose efficacy in silicon line 358.
Figure 22 shows another embodiment of the present invention, and wherein the seam between the air bag chamber 353 357 can be used in air bag 350 interior formation crooked.For example, can collect together and gather together with at air bag 350 interior formation fold line or wiggles being placed on seam 357 between the chamber 353.This side at air bag 350 produces protrudingly buckles 359, and produces indent 360 or trench at the opposite side of air bag 350.Shared seam 357 in air bag 350 can be 3 to 5 centimeter length.Figure 23 shows similar another embodiment of the air bag with Figure 22 of the present invention, but this embodiment comprises that also transom 91 is to strengthen bending or the flexing of air bag 350.
Figure 24 shows another embodiment of the present invention, wherein adopts the air bag 380 with colored shape.For example, can adopt three or more chamber 381,382,383 to form colored " petal ".In the example shown in Figure 24, chamber 381,382,383 forms two D shapes, and intermediate cavity 382 plays for the effect along the absorber element of the power of the longitudinal direction of intermediate cavity 382.
As shown in figure 25, in one embodiment of the invention, adopt silicon strip 402 that air bag chamber 408 is separated into less chamber.In the example shown in Figure 25, silicon strip 402 with chamber 408 be separated into two have smaller size smaller than capacitor.This causes the quick location of rapid deployment and the air bag 400 of air bag 400.Can adopt one or more silicon strips 402, and silicon strip 402 can be parallel maybe can be uneven.For example, silicon line 402 can comprise silicon strip or silicon ribbon.Can adopt silica-base material, comprise silicon.When the pressure of air bag 400 inside increased in expansion process, silicon strip 402 may lose efficacy and allow air bag 400 to be full of gas.For example, silicon line 402 may or break by fracture and lose efficacy.Inefficacy wholly or in part may occur or not lose efficacy in silicon line 402.In another embodiment shown in Figure 26, adopt silicon strip 402 with Further Division air bag chamber 408.
In another embodiment of the present invention, before folding process, air bag 420 is carried out pre-folded, so that the equal in length of air bag 420 and tension layer 91, or so that air bag 420 is furnished with two sides of equal length.For the length that realizes equating, may need the one or many pre-folded to obtain flat minute layer assembly.Figure 27 f shows the air bag 420 with air bag layer 421 and tension layer 91.Figure 27 a, 27b, 27c, 27d and 27e show the various examples for the pre-folded of air bag 420.
In another embodiment of the present invention, before air bag 420 assembling, adopt web-like folding, in a zigzag fold, add 1 or the combination of different pre-folded types air bag 420 is carried out pre-folded.Figure 28 a, 28b, 28c, 28d, 28e and 28f show the various examples for the pre-folded of air bag 420 and pre-folded combination.
Figure 29 a shows the example of another embodiment of the present invention, has wherein adopted the air bag 440 with bilateral D shape.For example air bag 440 can be formed by two D shape air bags.Bilateral D shape air bag can comprise tension layer 91 in the middle.Figure 29 b shows the end elevation of bilateral D shape air bag 440.
In another embodiment of the present invention, main gasbag chamber 455 can be connected to balloonet chamber 457, so that be full of these secondary cavities 457 by the gas that passes through from these main chamber 455.In this example shown in Figure 30, seam 458 is full of these secondary cavities 457 for generation of secondary cavity 457 by the gas that flows through from main chamber 455 from below.These are arranged and allow fast location, and the employing of seam 458 also allows air bag 450 along wiggle 459 bendings.Air bag 450 do not need other bending apparatus because the bending that causes of these seams 458 may enough form capsule 450.
Figure 31 shows another embodiment of the present invention, and this embodiment adopts near the seam 458 the top that is arranged on air bag 450, chamber 453 is separated into main chamber 455 and secondary cavity 457.These designs allow to locate fast with less circular seam 460 in the upper area of air bag 450.Can produce wiggle by any method in level tension or the said method.
In another embodiment of the present invention, can adopt inner tether layer 510 so that air bag 500 is formed.In the example shown in Figure 32 a, sew up two V fabrics so that air bag 500 is formed X-shaped at the middle part of air bag 500.Can two V fabrics or X tether 510 be stitched together by the seam that exists in edge.Can adopt these inner tether layers 510 with the extension of restriction air bag 500.Figure 32 b shows the end elevation of the section of the air bag 500 with X tether 510.
In another embodiment of the present invention, adopt be fixed to a some place on the vehicle be with 530.For example, can be fixed on the top R of vehicle interior with 530.In the embodiment shown in Figure 33 a, go up and be fixed on the air bag 520 with transom 91 with the 530 top R that are fixed to vehicle.In the embodiment shown in Figure 33 b, do not have the air bag 520 of bending or transom to be connected to be fixed to be with 530 on the vehicle inner top R.In the embodiment shown in Figure 33 c, do not have the air bag 520 of curved bel to be connected to be fixed to be with 530 on the vehicle inner top R in its lower edge.By with 530 direct protection, can realize other variant by the setting of air bag 520 or the combination of said method.
Given disclosure of the present invention, the one skilled in the art will recognize embodiment and the modification that can have other in scope of the present invention and spirit.Thereby, by the one skilled in the art scope of the present invention with spirit in from present disclosure available all modification will be included as further embodiment of the present invention.As illustrating in the claims, scope of the present invention is limited.