External airbag structure of vehicle

• US 8,662,237 B2
• Filed: 07/16/2012
• Issued: 03/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group), Kia Motors Corporation (Kia Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group), Kia Motors Corporation (Kia Corp.)
• Inventors: Chung, Tae Wook, Kim, Yong Sun, Lee, Seoung Hoon
• Primary Examiner(s): BROWN, DREW J
• Application Number:
  US13/550,219
• Publication Number:
  US 20130140102A1
• Time in Patent Office: 596 Days
• Field of Search: 280/739, 280/730.1, 180/274, 180/271
• US Class Current: 180/274
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/205 inflatable in the direction of an obstacle upon impending impact, e.g. using air bags
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2395 comprising means to control the venting
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/239 characterised by their venting means

Abstract

An external airbag structure for a vehicle includes an airbag cushion disposed to develop toward a front side of a bumper from a folded state, a vent hole formed at the airbag cushion, and a variable vent cover attached to the airbag cushion to block the vent hole, wherein the variable vent cover includes a material having a heat-resisting property which is melted and torn by a temperature and/or a pressure of an internal expansion gas of the airbag cushion on expansion of the airbag cushion. The vent hole is opened to perform an effective cushion action as the airbag cushion is developed.

Claims

1. An external airbag structure of a vehicle comprising:

an airbag cushion disposed in the vehicle to develop toward a front side of a bumper from a folded state;

a vent hole formed in the airbag cushion at a portion that is remained within the bumper when the airbag cushion is developed; and

a developing guide fixing the bumper and the vehicle and receiving the airbag cushion therein to guide a developing direction of the airbag cushion when the airbag cushion develops from the folded state within the bumper.

2. The external airbag structure of a vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

a gas discharging port formed in the developing guide at a position corresponding to the vent hole of the airbag cushion for communicating with the vent hole.

3. The external airbag structure of a vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a variable vent cover to block the vent hole disposed at the airbag cushion, wherein the variable vent cover comprises a material having a heat-resisting property which is melted and torn by a temperature and/or a pressure of an internal expansion gas of the airbag cushion on expansion of the airbag cushion.

4. The external airbag structure of a vehicle of claim 3, wherein the variable vent cover wraps the vent hole in an outer side of the airbag cushion and is sewed onto the airbag cushion on at least one edge thereof.