Airbag, airbag unit, and vent hole open/close control method
First Claim
1. An airbag, normally folded and located in a structure of a vehicle, and configured to be expanded and unfolded by gas in an emergency case, the airbag comprising:
- a vent hole formed in a base cloth constituting the airbag;
an open/close device configured to open and close the vent hole; and
a stretch tether stretchable in stages and connected to the open/close device and an airbag component that moves when the airbag is expanded and unfolded,wherein the open/close device includes a valve element that closes the vent hole from an outer side, and a strap connecting between the valve element and the stretch tether, and the valve element is folded so as not to close the vent hole when the airbag is folded,wherein the stretch tether is configured to assume, depending on an expansion and unfolding status of the airbag, a first stage including transition from a slack state to a tense state, a second stage including stretching to a predetermined length while maintaining the tense state, and a third stage including being slackened when an occupant of the vehicle contacts the airbag, andthe open/close device is configured to maintain the vent hole in the open state in the first stage, maintain the vent hole in the closed state in the second stage, and shift the vent hole to the open state in the third stage.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Provided are an airbag, an airbag unit, and a vent hole open/close control method that facilitate control of opening and closing of a vent hole, and suppress an increase in weight and cost of the airbag unit vent hole.
The airbag 1 includes a vent hole 4, an open/close device 5 configured to open and close the vent hole 4, and a stretch tether 6 stretchable in stages and connected to the open/close device 5 and an airbag component. The stretch tether 6 assumes, depending on an expansion and unfolding status of the airbag 1, a first stage including transition from a slack state to a tense state, a second stage including stretching to a predetermined length while maintaining the tense state, and a third stage including being slackened when the driver contacts the airbag 1. The open/close device 5 maintains the vent hole 4 in the open state in the first stage, maintains the vent hole 4 in the closed state in the second stage, and shifts the vent hole 4 to the open state in the third stage.
20 Citations
5 Claims
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1. An airbag, normally folded and located in a structure of a vehicle, and configured to be expanded and unfolded by gas in an emergency case, the airbag comprising:
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a vent hole formed in a base cloth constituting the airbag; an open/close device configured to open and close the vent hole; and a stretch tether stretchable in stages and connected to the open/close device and an airbag component that moves when the airbag is expanded and unfolded, wherein the open/close device includes a valve element that closes the vent hole from an outer side, and a strap connecting between the valve element and the stretch tether, and the valve element is folded so as not to close the vent hole when the airbag is folded, wherein the stretch tether is configured to assume, depending on an expansion and unfolding status of the airbag, a first stage including transition from a slack state to a tense state, a second stage including stretching to a predetermined length while maintaining the tense state, and a third stage including being slackened when an occupant of the vehicle contacts the airbag, and the open/close device is configured to maintain the vent hole in the open state in the first stage, maintain the vent hole in the closed state in the second stage, and shift the vent hole to the open state in the third stage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A vent hole open/close control method applicable to an airbag normally folded and located in a structure of a vehicle and configured to be expanded and unfolded by gas in an emergency case, and including a vent hole that allows the gas in the airbag to be discharged to outside, the airbag including:
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an open/close device configured to open and close the vent hole; and a stretch tether stretchable in stages and connected to the open/close device and an airbag component that moves when the airbag is expanded and unfolded, wherein the open/close device includes a valve element that closes the vent hole from an outer side, and a strap connecting between the valve element and the stretch tether, and the valve element is folded so as not to close the vent hole when the airbag is folded, the method comprising; identifying, depending on an expansion and unfolding status of the airbag, a first stage in which the stretch tether transits from a slack state to a tense state, a second stage in which the stretch tether stretches to a predetermined length while maintaining the tense state, and a third stage in which the stretch tether is slackened when an occupant of the vehicle contacts the airbag; and causing the open/close device to maintain the vent hole in the open state in the first stage, to maintain the vent hole in the closed state in the second stage, and to shift the vent hole to the open state in the third stage.
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Specification