External airbag system for vehicles

• US 7,784,817 B2
• Filed: 06/05/2009
• Issued: 08/31/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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: Kim, Yong Sun, Choi, Hyeong Ho
• Primary Examiner(s): To; Toan C
• Application Number:
  US12/479,095
• Publication Number:
  US 20100140903A1
• Time in Patent Office: 452 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.2, 280/728.3, 280/743.1, 280/743.2, 180/274
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• 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 21/0134 responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle , e.g. using radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/215 characterised by the covers for the inflatable member B60R21/2176 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/217 Inflation fluid source retainers, e.g. reaction canisters; Connection of bags, covers, diffusers or inflation fluid sources therewith or together

Abstract

An external airbag system for a vehicle is proved to be commercialized and which can absorb impact induced by a frontal collision of the vehicle and thus substantially protect passengers in the vehicle. The external airbag system may include a bumper cover, a cushion provided behind the bumper cover, and an inflator for generating a gas pressure to deploy the cushion, wherein the bumper cover moves in a forward direction by the deploying cushion.

Claims

1. An external airbag system for a vehicle, comprising:

a bumper cover;

a plurality of cushions provided behind the bumper cover; and

an inflator for generating a gas pressure to deploy the cushion, wherein the bumper cover moves in a forward direction by the deploying cushion,

wherein a portion of the bumper cover is fixed to a back beam, and

wherein one cushion is provided to one side of the bumper cover and another cushion is provided to the other side of the bumper cover so that each side of the bumper cover is configured to be rotated forwards around the portion that the bumper cover and the back beam are fixed each other by a deployment force of the corresponding cushion.

2. The external airbag system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the back beam is fixed to a medial portion of the bumper cover and the cushions are disposed behind the bumper cover symmetrically with respect to the medial portion thereof with equal numbers.

3. The external airbag system as set forth in claim 1, comprising a plurality of cushions, wherein a degree to which a portion of one cushion adjacent to corresponding distal end of the bumper cover is inflated is larger than a degree to which a portion of another cushion adjacent to the portion that the bumper cover and the back beam are fixed each other is inflated.

4. The external airbag system as set forth in claim 1, further including at least a seam line formed on an inner surface of the bumper cover near the fixed portion of the bumper cover and the back beam.

5. The external airbag system as set forth in claim 1, further including a holding member to limit a movement distance of each side of the bumper cover within a predetermined distance while the cushion is deployed.

6. The external airbag system as set forth in claim 5, wherein the holding member is a tether connected to each side of the bumper cover to the back beam.

7. The external airbag system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the cushion and the inflator are installed in a back beam provided behind the bumper cover and a recess is formed in the back beam to contain the cushion and the inflator therein,

wherein a support bracket is provided on at least one of an upper surface and/or a lower surface of the back beam to support, along with the back beam, a rear portion of the cushion that is in a deployed state.

8. The external airbag system as set forth in claim 7, wherein the recess has:

a first recess for containing the cushion therein; and

a second recess extending a predetermined depth rearwards from the first recess to contain the inflator therein.

9. The external airbag system as set forth in claim 7, further comprising:

a retainer provided in the recess between the inflator and the back beam to fasten the inflator to the back beam, wherein the cushion is fastened to the retainer.

10. The external airbag system as set forth in claim 7, further comprising:

a retainer ring provided between the cushion and the back beam, the retainer ring having the inflator therein and fastened to the back beam.

11. The external airbag system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a sensing unit for detecting an obstacle in front of the vehicle; and

a control unit for determining whether the vehicle collides with the obstacle using a signal transmitted from the sensing unit and, when the collision is anticipated, operating the inflator before the vehicle collides with the obstacle.

12. A passenger vehicle comprising the external airbag system of claim 1.

13. An external airbag system for a vehicle, comprising:

a bumper cover;

at least a cushion provided behind the bumper cover;

at least an inflator for generating a gas pressure to deploy the cushion; and

a back beam provided behind the bumper cover and having therein at least a recess for containing the cushion and the inflator,

wherein at least one portion of the bumper cover is moved forwards away from an original position thereof by deployment force of the cushion, and

wherein a support bracket is provided on at least one of an upper surface and/or a lower surface of the back beam to support, along with the back beam, a rear portion of the cushion that is in a deployed state.

14. The external airbag system as set forth in claim 13, wherein a tether is connected between each of opposite sides of the bumper cover and the back beam.