Airbag apparatus

Abstract

An airbag apparatus has an airbag, an inflator, a cover and an opening mechanism. When an impact the magnitude of which is greater than a predetermined value is applied to the vehicle, the inflator supplies gas to the airbag. The cover covers the airbag. The opening mechanism opens the cover prior to inflation of the airbag.

1 . An airbag apparatus used for a vehicle, comprising: 
 an airbag;    an inflator, wherein, when an impact the magnitude of which is greater than a predetermined value is applied to the vehicle, the inflator supplies gas to the airbag, thereby deploying and inflating the airbag;    a cover for covering the airbag; and    an opening mechanism, which opens the cover prior to inflation of the airbag.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a pre-crash sensor for detecting an object approaching the vehicle, wherein the opening mechanism is activated based on detection by the pre-crash sensor.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising a controller, wherein the controller predicts a collision based on detection by the pre-crash sensor, and wherein, based on the prediction, the controller activates the opening mechanism.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a closing mechanism for closing the cover.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the closing mechanism and the opening mechanism are comprised of a common actuator.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a displacing mechanism, wherein, prior to deployment and inflation of the airbag and with the cover opened, the displacing mechanism displaces the airbag to a predetermined position for deploying and inflating the airbag.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a switch, which is manually operated for arbitrarily activating the opening mechanism.  
     
     
         8 . An airbag apparatus used for a vehicle, comprising: 
 an airbag;    an inflating device for inflating the airbag; and    a deploying device, wherein, prior to inflation of the airbag, the deploying device deploys the airbag in a folded state over a predetermined inflation region.    
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , further comprising a pre-crash sensor for detecting an object approaching the vehicle, and a collision sensor for detecting an impact applied to the vehicle, wherein the deploying device is activated based on detection by the pre-crash sensor, and the inflating device is activated based on detection by the collision sensor.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the vehicle has a support surface for supporting the airbag, and wherein the airbag is deployed along the support surface, whereby the deployed airbag receives an occupant at a side opposite from the side facing the support surface.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein, prior to inflation of the airbag, the deploying device deploys the airbag at a position corresponding to an occupant.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , further comprising a restoring mechanism, wherein, if the inflation device is not activated after the deploying device is activated, the restoring mechanism restores the deployed airbag to the prior state.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the restoring mechanism includes a scroll shaft for winding the airbag and a motor for rotating the scroll shaft.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the airbag has a first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber extending along the deploying direction of the airbag, wherein the deploying device comprises a primary inflator for supplying gas to the first chamber to deploy the airbag, and wherein the inflating device comprises a secondary inflator for supplying gas to the second chamber to inflate the airbag.  
     
     
         15 . A method for deploying and inflating an airbag used for a vehicle, comprising: 
 predicting a collision against the vehicle;    opening a cover covering the airbag when a collision is predicted;    detecting a collision against the vehicle; and    deploying and inflating the airbag by supplying gas to the airbag when a collision is detected.    
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising displacing the airbag to a predetermined position prior to deployment of the airbag and with the cover opened.  
     
     
         17 . A method for deploying and inflating an airbag used for a vehicle, comprising: 
 predicting a collision against the vehicle;    deploying the airbag in a folded state over a predetermined inflation region when a collision is predicted;    detecting a collision against the vehicle; and    inflating the deployed airbag when a collision is detected.