JP5181547B2 - Air bag, air bag device, and occupant restraint device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vent hole for allowing an occupant to be softly received by an air bag by allowing gas to flow out from the inside of the air bag to the outside of the air bag, and a regulating means for regulating gas outflow from the vent hole. And an airbag including Moreover, this invention relates to the airbag apparatus provided with this airbag. Furthermore, the present invention relates to an occupant restraint device for restraining an occupant of a vehicle such as an automobile by the airbag device and the seat belt device.

  A vent hole is provided in the airbag, and when a vehicle occupant or the like enters the inflated airbag, the vehicle occupant or the like is softened by the airbag by causing gas to flow out from the inside of the airbag through the vent hole. It is well known to accept this.

  In JP-A-6-127330, the vent hole is closed until the occupant contacts the occupant-facing surface of the inflated airbag, and the occupant contacts the occupant-facing surface of the inflated airbag. There is described an airbag configured such that a vent hole is opened when a facing surface is retracted.

  In the publication, vent holes are arranged on the side opposite to the occupant facing surface of the airbag. A slit is provided in the vicinity of the vent hole, and a strap is inserted through the slit. One end of the strap passes through the interior of the airbag and is connected to the occupant-facing surface of the airbag. The other end side of the strap is routed from the slit so as to cross the vent hole along the outer surface of the airbag, and is coupled to the outer surface of the airbag on the opposite side of the slit across the vent hole. ing.

  In the same publication, when the airbag is inflated, the strap is tensioned as the occupant-facing surface and the anti-occupant side surface of the airbag are separated. At this time, the other end side of the strap is tensioned along the outer surface of the airbag and overlaps with the bentol to close the vent hole. As a result, the outflow of gas from the vent hole is restricted, the pressure inside the airbag is quickly increased, and the airbag is rapidly deployed.

When the occupant comes into contact with the inflated airbag and the occupant-facing surface of the airbag is retracted, the strap is loosened, and the other end of the strap is separated from the vent hole by the gas pressure inside the airbag. As a result, the vent hole is opened, and gas flows out of the airbag from the vent hole. As a result, the passenger is softly received by the airbag.
JP-A-6-127330

  In JP-A-6-127330, even when the airbag is in the middle of inflation, if the occupant comes into contact with the airbag and retracts the occupant-facing surface of the airbag, the tether is loosened and the vent hole is opened. To do. In this case, gas may flow out of the airbag from the vent hole before the internal pressure of the airbag is sufficiently increased.

  In order to prevent such a phenomenon, it may be possible to expedite the inflation of the airbag using a high-power inflator. However, using a high-power inflator will increase the size and cost of the airbag device. Invite.

  According to the present invention, the vent hole is closed or has a small opening until the internal pressure of the airbag becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and when the internal pressure of the airbag becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined value and the occupant contacts the airbag, It is an object of the present invention to provide an airbag and an airbag device that are open or have a large opening, and an occupant restraint device that restrains the occupant by the airbag device and the seat belt device.

An air bag according to the present invention (Claim 1) includes a vent hole (18), and an air bag and a restricting means for restricting the outflow of gas from the vent hole (18), the vent hole (18) Is provided on the side opposite the passenger side (14) opposite to the passenger facing surface (12) of the airbag in the inflated state, and the restricting means includes a lid portion (61) covering the vent hole (18). The airbag includes an extended body (60) having a base end connected to the lid portion (61) and a distal end side connected to the occupant facing surface (12) (62). in the periphery of the airbag than the vent hole (18) is coupled releasably coupled by occupant-facing surface (12) and the opposite-to-occupant side surface (14) and coupling means (80), said extension Zaikarada ( 60), further one end of the lid portion (61) Continuous with the connecting portion (62), anchoring portion extending in the peripheral side of the other end side air bag has a (63), the other end side of the cited fastening portion (63), occupant-facing surface (12) and the non -passenger side surface (14) and are coupled to these by the coupling means (80) , and the lid (61) remains until the internal pressure of the airbag reaches a predetermined pressure. The retaining portion (63) is prevented from moving to the outside of the airbag and overlaps the vent hole (18) , whereby the vent hole (18) is closed or opened to a small degree, and the internal pressure of the airbag is reduced. When the pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure, the coupling means (80) releases the coupling of the occupant facing surface (12) , the anti-occupant side surface (14), and the retaining portion (63) , and then the occupant enters the airbag. There is until contact, the cover portion (61) is, the connecting portion ( 2) by overlapping said being prevented from moving into the air bag outside side vent hole (18), thereby the vent hole (18) is closed or is a small opening, the occupant in contact with the occupant with the airbag By retreating the facing surface (12) , the lid (61) is separated from the vent hole (18) by the gas pressure inside the airbag, whereby the vent hole (18) is opened or has a large opening. The lid portion (61) covers the vent hole (18) from the inside of the airbag, and the airbag peripheral side of the airbag inner surface from the vent hole (18). In addition, the extension body (60) is inserted into the vent hole (18) side of the connecting portion between the occupant facing surface (12) and the non-occupant side surface (14) by the connecting means (80). Insertion part ( 0), and the end portion of the extended body (60) on the lid (61) side is closer to the airbag center side than the vent hole (18), and the vent hole on the inner surface of the airbag (18) A gas introduction opening (16) is provided in the vicinity of the center of the anti-occupant side surface (14) of the airbag, which is coupled to the peripheral portion, and the occupant facing surface (12) of the airbag The coupling means (80) is formed so that the non-occupant side surface (14) extends substantially annularly so as to circulate around the opening (16) on the peripheral side of the airbag with respect to the vent hole (18). ) And the lid (61) covers the vent hole (18), the base end side of the connecting portion (62) is connected to the insertion portion (70). The passenger-facing surface (12) by the coupling means (80) Is connected to the lid portion (61) between the coupling portion of the occupant side surface (14) and the non-occupant side surface (14), and the front end side of the connecting portion (62) is the occupant facing surface by the coupling means (80). (12) is connected to the airbag inner surface on the center side of the occupant-facing surface (12) with respect to the coupling portion between the anti-occupant side surface (14), and the coupling means (80) extends in the middle. A communication portion (81) that partially interrupts the connection between the occupant-facing surface (12) and the non-occupant side surface (14) and communicates the air bag center side and the peripheral side with respect to the connecting means (80). ) Is formed, and the communication portion (81) is disposed in the vicinity of the coupling portion of the occupant-facing surface (12), the anti-occupant side surface (14), and the retaining portion (63) by the coupling means (80). Of both ends (80a, 80b) in the extending direction of the coupling means (80) facing the communication portion (81), The end portion (80a) closer to the retaining portion (63) extends toward the peripheral side of the airbag 10, and the end portion (80b) farther from the retaining portion (63) is It is characterized by extending toward the center of the airbag .

  An airbag according to a second aspect is the airbag according to the first aspect, wherein an inner member that connects the occupant-facing surface and the side opposite to the occupant of the airbag is provided in the airbag, and the connecting portion is connected to the inner member. It is characterized by being connected.

The airbag according to claim 3 is the airbag according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the extension body (60) is a first extension that continuously forms the lid portion (61) and the retaining portion (63). And a second extending body constituting the connecting portion (62), and the base end side of the second extending body is coupled to a middle portion in the extending direction of the first extending body. and it is characterized in der Rukoto those.

The airbag according to claim 4 is the first extension body according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the extension body (60) comprises the lid portion (61) and the connecting portion (62) continuously. And a second extending body constituting the retaining portion (63), and the one end side of the second extending body is coupled to a middle portion in the extending direction of the first extending body. and it is characterized in der Rukoto ones.

  The airbag device of the present invention (Claim 5) is an airbag device including an airbag and an inflator that supplies gas to the airbag. The airbag is any one of Claims 1 to 4. It is an airbag as described, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  An occupant restraint device of the present invention (Claim 6) is an occupant restraint device having a seat belt device and an airbag device for restraining an occupant sitting on a seat of a vehicle, and means for detecting the use state of the seat, An occupant restraint device comprising a control device for controlling the seat belt device and the airbag device based on at least one detection or prediction signal of a use state detection unit, a collision prediction unit, and an accident state detection unit of the seat belt device The airbag device according to claim 5 is an airbag device according to claim 5, wherein the control device controls the inflator based on the detection or prediction signal.

  The occupant restraint device according to claim 7 is the occupant restraint device according to claim 6, wherein the seat use state detecting means includes whether the occupant is seated on the seat, the occupant's weight, the occupant's posture, the seat position, and whether the child seat is installed. It is characterized by detecting at least one of the following.

  An occupant restraint device according to an eighth aspect is characterized in that, in the seventh aspect, the occupant posture detection means detects at least one position of the occupant's head, chest, and shoulder. Is.

  The occupant restraint device according to claim 9 is the occupant restraint device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the collision predicting means predicts a collision direction, predicts a collision direction, predicts a full wrap collision or an offset collision, It is characterized in that at least one of the types of prediction, the prediction of the size of the collision object, the prediction of the collision relative velocity, and the prediction of the collision relative acceleration is performed.

  The occupant restraint device according to claim 10 is the occupant restraint device according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the accident state detection means detects whether the accident is a collision or a rollover, detects a collision part, It is characterized by performing at least one of detection and detection of collision scale.

In the airbag and the airbag apparatus of the present invention, when the inflator is in a gas ejection operation at the time of a vehicle collision or the like, and the airbag is inflated by the gas from the inflator, the internal pressure of the airbag becomes a predetermined value or more. In the peripheral side of the airbag with respect to the vent hole, the occupant-facing surface and the anti-occupant side surface of the airbag are coupled to each other by a coupling means so that the coupling can be released. Furthermore, this coupling means, also anchoring portion of the extension body, they are joined together with the occupant-facing surface and the opposite-to-occupant side surface.

  That is, in the initial stage of inflation of the airbag, the inflation of the airbag is partially restricted by the coupling means, and the internal volume of the airbag is thereby reduced. Further, the lid portion of the extended body is prevented from moving to the outside of the airbag by the retaining portion and overlaps with the vent hole, whereby the vent hole is closed or opened to a small degree. The outflow of gas from the vent hole to the outside of the airbag is restricted. Therefore, the internal pressure of the airbag rises quickly without using a high-power inflator.

When the internal pressure of the airbag becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure, the coupling means is broken, and the coupling between the occupant facing surface and the non -occupant side surface and the coupling between these and the retaining portion are released. Accordingly, the airbag is inflated to the maximum, and the retention of the lid portion by the retention portion is released.

  Thereafter, until the occupant comes into contact with the airbag, the connecting portion of the extended body is tensioned between the occupant-facing surface of the airbag and the lid portion, and the lid portion moves to the outside of the airbag by the linking portion. Is blocked and overlapped with the vent hole, and the vent hole is closed or has a small opening. Thereby, even at this stage, the outflow of gas from the vent hole is restricted, and the internal pressure of the airbag is maintained at a predetermined pressure or higher.

  And if a passenger | crew contacts this airbag, the passenger | crew opposing surface of this airbag will be pushed back by a passenger | crew, and a connection part will loosen in connection with this. Since the lid portion can be moved to the outside of the airbag by the amount of looseness of the connecting portion, the lid portion is separated from the vent hole by the gas pressure inside the airbag. As a result, the vent hole is opened or has a large opening, gas flows out of the airbag from the vent hole, and the occupant is softly received by the airbag.

If the occupant comes into contact with the airbag before the internal pressure of the airbag becomes a predetermined pressure or higher, that is, before the coupling means breaks, the retaining portion is connected to the occupant-facing surface of the airbag by the coupling means. and because it is coupled with the opposite-to-occupant side face, be retracted occupant-facing surface of the airbag is pressed by the occupant, the lid portion is detained by the anchoring portion to maintain the state of covering the vent hole. Therefore, gas does not flow out from the vent hole, and the internal pressure of the airbag does not decrease, so that the occupant is restrained by the airbag.

Thereafter, when the internal pressure of the airbag reaches or exceeds a predetermined pressure, the coupling means is broken, the occupant-facing surface of the airbag, the binding of the opposite-to-occupant side surface and anchor portion is released, also anchoring the lid by the anchoring portion Canceled. At this time, since the occupant-facing surface of the airbag has already been pushed back by the occupant and the connecting portion does not become tense, the lid portion is immediately separated from the vent hole by the gas pressure inside the airbag, and the vent hole is opened or opened. Large opening. As a result, the gas flows out of the airbag from the vent hole, and the occupant is softly received by the airbag.

  The connecting portion may directly connect the lid portion and the occupant-facing surface, and connects the occupant-facing surface and the non-occupant side surface of the airbag to the inside of the airbag as in claim 2. When an internal member is provided, a connecting portion may be connected to the internal member, and the lid portion and the occupant facing surface may be connected via the internal member.

  When the air bag is inflated, the internal member is expanded toward the occupant side, and the connecting portion is pulled toward the occupant side by the internal member to be tensioned. Prevents separation from the vent hole. When the airbag receives the occupant after the coupling means is broken and the occupant-facing surface is retracted, the internal member is loosened, the tension of the connecting portion is released, and the lid portion is separated from the vent hole.

In the present invention constitutes from inside of the airbag to cover the vent hole in the lid. By good urchin configuration of this, when the air bag is inflated, a lid for covering the vent hole from the inside of the airbag, and a portion connected to the lid portion of the extending body (portion extending lid from the insertion portion) Since it continuously extends along the inner surface of the airbag, the adhesion of the lid to the inner surface of the airbag, that is, the closing performance of the vent hole is improved.

In the present invention, an occupant-facing surface and the opposite-to-occupant side surface of the airbag, it is linked by coupling means that extends in a substantially annular so as to surround the periphery of the opening for gas introduction. This ensures that the airbag is such that substantially uniformly expanded in a radial direction.

  In the present invention, “substantially annular” indicates that the coupling means may be extended in a perfect circle shape or may be extended in a shape other than the perfect circle shape. For example, the coupling means may have various shapes such as a polygonal shape, a part that partially enters the center side of the airbag in the circumferential direction of the airbag, or a part that partially protrudes to the outer peripheral side of the airbag. It may be extended in the shape. The coupling means may partially couple the occupant-facing surface and the non-occupant side surface of the airbag in the circumferential direction of the airbag. However, the coupling means may be extended in a shape other than the annular shape, for example, a radial shape.

  An occupant restraint device according to the present invention (Claim 6) detects or predicts at least one of a vehicle seat use state detection unit, a use state detection unit of the seat belt device, a collision prediction unit, and an accident state detection unit. Since a control device that controls the seat belt device and the airbag device based on the signal is provided, the seat belt device and the air bag can be controlled according to the use state of the seat, the use state of the seat belt device, the collision prediction, or the accident state. The bag device is appropriately controlled.

  As described in claim 7, in the present invention, it is preferable that the means for detecting the use state of the seat detects at least one of the presence / absence of an occupant seated on the seat, the weight of the occupant, and the posture of the occupant.

  In this case, the occupant posture detection means preferably detects at least one position of the occupant's head, chest and shoulders as claimed in claim 8.

  According to the present invention, in the present invention, the collision predicting means predicts the occurrence of the collision, the prediction of the collision direction, the prediction of the full-lap collision or the offset collision, the prediction of the type of the collision object, and the prediction of the size of the collision object. It is preferable to perform at least one of prediction of collision relative velocity and prediction of collision relative acceleration.

  According to the present invention, in the present invention, the accident state detection means detects at least one of detection of whether the accident is a collision or a rollover, detection of a collision site, detection of a collision form, and detection of a collision scale. It is preferable to carry out.

  Thus, the passenger restraint device can be appropriately controlled by predicting or detecting the details of the collision in detail.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  1 to 3 are sectional views of the airbag and the airbag apparatus according to the embodiment, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the airbag and the airbag apparatus, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the airbag from the rear panel side. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the inflation of the airbag is restricted by the coupling means, FIG. 2 shows a state before the coupling means breaks and the occupant contacts the airbag, and FIG. The state where the occupant is in contact with the airbag after the coupling means is broken is shown.

  FIG. 6 is a system block diagram of an occupant restraint device provided with the airbag device and seat belt device, and FIGS. 7 to 9 are flowcharts showing control contents of the occupant restraint device.

  In this embodiment, the airbag 10 is a driver's seat airbag for a vehicle.

  The airbag 10 includes a front panel 12 that constitutes an occupant facing surface, a rear panel 14 that constitutes an opposite side of the occupant opposite to the occupant facing surface, a vent hole 18 that connects the inside and outside of the airbag 10, A tether 60 or the like is provided as an extending member that constitutes a restricting member for restricting the outflow of gas from the vent hole 18.

  The front panel 12 and the rear panel 14 are each made of a circular woven fabric. The front panel 12 and the rear panel 14 have substantially the same diameter, and these outer peripheral edge portions are sewn together by a seam 15 to form a bag. The seam 15 is provided in an annular shape along the outer peripheries of the front panel 12 and the rear panel 14. The seam 15 is a high-strength seam that does not break even when the internal pressure of the airbag 10 exceeds a predetermined level. The seam 15 is made of sewing thread or the like, but is not limited to this.

  The rear panel 14 is provided with an inflator (gas introduction) opening 16 and the vent hole 18. The opening 16 is disposed at the center of the rear panel 14. A bolt insertion hole 20 is provided around the opening 16. The vent hole 18 is provided at a position spaced a predetermined distance from the peripheral portion (the seam 15) of the rear panel 14 toward the center of the rear panel 14.

  The tether 60 includes a lid portion 61 that covers the vent hole 18, a base end connected to the lid portion 61, a tip end connected to the front panel 12, and a base end connected to the lid portion 61. This is a three-pronged tether having a retaining portion 63 whose side extends to the peripheral side of the airbag 10. In this embodiment, the lid 61 is superimposed on the vent hole 18 from the inside of the airbag 10. The connecting portion 62 is drawn around the interior of the airbag 10 from the rear panel 14 side to the front panel 12 side, and the tip thereof is sewn by a seam 64 near the center of the inner surface of the airbag of the front panel 12. The retaining portion 63 is routed from the connecting portion 61 to the outer peripheral side of the rear panel 14 along the airbag inner surface of the rear panel 14.

  The lid portion 61 is disposed so as to cross the vent hole 18 in the radial direction of the rear panel 14, and the rear panel 14 has a central end on the rear panel 14 center side with respect to the vent hole 18 by a seam 65. 14 is sewn. A connecting portion 62 and a retaining portion 63 are connected to the outer peripheral side of the rear panel 14 of the lid portion 61.

  In this embodiment, an insertion portion 70 through which the tether 60 is inserted is provided on the inner surface of the airbag of the rear panel 14. As shown in FIG. 4, the insertion portion 70 is on the peripheral side of the rear panel 14 with respect to the vent hole 18, and more than the connection portion between the front panel 12 and the rear panel 14 by the linear connection portion 80 described later. The rear panel 14 is disposed at the center side.

  In this embodiment, the insertion portion 70 is formed of a small rectangular cross. The rectangular small cross is arranged with the longitudinal direction as the circumferential direction of the rear panel 14 (direction intersecting with the extending direction of the lid portion 61), and a pair of two side portions opposed to the longitudinal direction are respectively connected to the rear panel 14 with seams 71. It is sewn by. The tether 60 is passed between the rear panel 14 and the remaining pair of two sides facing the short direction of the small cross.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the length of the connecting portion 62 is tensioned between the front panel 12 and the rear panel 14 when a later-described linear coupling portion 80 is broken and the airbag 10 is inflated to the maximum. As a result, the movement of the lid portion 61 to the outside of the airbag 10 (pushing out of the airbag 10 from the vent hole 18 by the gas pressure in the airbag 10) is prevented, and the lid portion 61 is also prevented. However, the size is such that the connecting portion 62 is not excessively pulled inward of the airbag 10 and does not float from the inner surface of the rear panel 14.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the tether 60 includes a first half tether (not shown) that continuously forms a lid portion 61 and a retaining portion 63, and a connecting portion 62. And one end of the second half tether is sewn to the middle portion of the first half tether in the longitudinal direction with a seam (not shown).

  However, the configuration of the tether 60 is not limited to this. Although illustration is omitted, for example, the tether 60 includes a first half tether that continuously forms the lid portion 61 and the connecting portion 62, and a second half tether that constitutes the retaining portion 63. One end of the second half tether may be sewn with a seam in the middle of the half tether in the longitudinal direction. Alternatively, the tether 60 may be composed of three half tethers that separately configure the lid portion 61, the connecting portion 62, and the retaining portion 63, and one end of these half tethers may be sewn together with a seam. . The lid portion 61, the connecting portion 62, and the retaining portion 63 may be continuously configured by a single tether.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, a region on the outer peripheral side of the rear panel 14 from the insertion portion 70 and a region facing the front panel 12 extend in the circumferential direction of the airbag 10. It is connected so as to be disengageable by a linear connecting portion 80 as a ring-shaped connecting means (that extends so as to circulate around the inflator opening 16). Further, as shown in the drawing, the front end side of the retaining portion 63 routed from the lid portion 61 through the insertion portion 70 to the outer peripheral side of the airbag 10 is sandwiched between the front panel 12 and the rear panel 14. The linear coupling portions 80 are integrally connected (in a three-layered manner).

  In the state where the front panel 12, the rear panel 14, and the front end side of the retaining portion 63 are coupled by the linear coupling portion 80 in this way, the linear coupling portion 80 of the retaining portion 63 on the lid portion 61 side. The length to the end prevents the lid portion 61 from moving out of the airbag 10 through the vent hole 18, and the lid portion 61 is excessively pulled inside the airbag 10 by the retaining portion 63. The size is such that it does not float from the inner surface of the rear panel 14.

  That is, in the state where the front side of the front panel 12, the rear panel 14 and the retaining portion 63 are coupled together by the linear coupling portion 80, the lid portion 61 is retained by the retaining portion 63 and the vent hole 18 is secured. Keep the state covered.

  The linear coupling portion 80 is configured to break when the internal pressure of the airbag 10 exceeds a predetermined level, thereby releasing the coupling between the front panel 12 and the rear panel 14 and the coupling between the retaining portion 63 and the front panel 12 and the rear panel 14. For example, the linear coupling portion 80 can be configured by a sewing thread (tear seam) that is cut when a predetermined tension is applied, but is not limited thereto.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the linear coupling portion 80 extends substantially concentrically with the front panel 12 and the rear panel 14. In the present invention, the linear coupling portion 80 is preferably disposed between the radius of 450 to 550 mm from the center of the airbag 10.

  In this embodiment, the linear coupling portion 80 is provided only once, but may be provided two or more times.

  In the middle of the extending direction of the linear coupling part 80, the coupling between the front panel 12 and the rear panel 14 is partially interrupted, and the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the linear coupling part 80 communicate with each other. A portion 81 is formed. The communication portion 81 is disposed in the vicinity of the connecting portion of the front panel 12, the rear panel 14, and the retaining portion 63 by the linear connecting portion 80.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the end portion 80 a closer to the retaining portion 63 among the both ends 80 a and 80 b of the linear coupling portion 80 facing the communication portion 81 extends toward the outer peripheral side of the airbag 10. The end 80b far from the retaining portion 63 extends toward the center of the airbag.

  In the present invention, the shape of the linear coupling portion as the coupling means extending so as to circulate around the inflator opening 16 may be various shapes other than a regular circle, for example, a hexagon, an octagon, etc. (There is no particular limitation on the number of corners.) Polygonal shape, a portion that partially enters the center of the airbag in the circumferential direction of the airbag, or a portion that partially protrudes to the outer periphery of the airbag It may be a shape. Alternatively, the linear coupling portion as the coupling means may be extended in a spiral shape. Further, a plurality of communication portions may be formed in the linear coupling portion by changing the position in the circumferential direction of the airbag.

  The retainer 30 for attaching the airbag 10 is provided with an inflator attachment port 32 at the center and a bolt insertion hole 34 around the inflator attachment port 32.

  The inflator 36 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and a plurality of gas ejection ports 36a are provided on the side peripheral surface on the distal end side in the cylinder axis direction. A flange 38 for fixing an inflator projects from a side peripheral surface of the midway portion of the inflator 36 in the cylinder axis direction (the rear end side of the gas jet port 36a). The flange 38 is provided with a bolt insertion hole 40. The tip side of the inflator 36 is fitted into the inflator attachment port 32.

  In attaching the airbag 10 to the retainer 30, the peripheral portion of the inflator opening 16 of the rear panel 14 is overlapped with the peripheral portion of the inflator attachment port 32 of the retainer 30. Then, the stud bolt 44 of the presser ring 42 is passed through the bolt insertion holes 20, 34, 40 of the rear panel 14, the retainer 30 and the flange 38, and the nut 46 is tightened at the tip thereof, and the rear panel 14 and the inflator 36 are connected to the retainer 30. Secure to.

  Thereafter, the airbag 10 is folded, and the module cover 48 is attached to the retainer 30 so as to cover the folded body of the airbag 10 to constitute the airbag device. However, prior to attachment of the airbag 10 to the retainer 30, the airbag 10 may be folded in advance. This airbag device is installed on a steering wheel 50 of an automobile.

  Although not shown, the vehicle seat (the driver's seat in this embodiment) includes a seat cushion, a seat back, and a headrest, and is positioned in the front-rear direction along a guide rail installed on the floor of the passenger compartment. Adjustable.

  The weight of the passenger sitting on the seat is detected by a load sensor.

  An imaging device such as a CCD camera and an image processing device are provided in the vehicle compartment in order to detect the posture of an occupant sitting on the seat or to identify the shape of an object placed on the seat cushion. The occupant posture detection device preferably detects at least one of the occupant's head, chest, and shoulders (hereinafter collectively referred to as the occupant's head).

  When the present invention is applied to an occupant restraint device other than for a driver's seat such as a rear seat of a vehicle, when a child seat mounting device is installed on the seat, the child seat mounted on the mounting device is detected. Thus, it may be determined whether or not the object on the seat cushion is a child seat.

  In addition, in the case of a system in which the child seat is fixed to the seat by the webbing of the seat belt device provided in the vehicle, the unwinding amount of the webbing and the tension applied to the webbing are detected, and these detection data and detection data by the load sensor To determine whether the object on the seat is a human body or a child seat.

  At the side of the seat, a buckle of a seat belt device is installed. A tongue on which the webbing of the seat belt device is passed is attached to the buckle.

  The buckle is provided with a tongue detection sensor for detecting that the tongue is attached. A retractor for winding the webbing is provided with a sensor for detecting the unwinding of the webbing. In addition, the retractor and buckle are equipped with a pretensioner that pulls the webbing for a predetermined length and restrains the occupant in the event of a vehicle collision. An EA device (energy absorption device) for absorbing the generated impact is provided.

  Further, this vehicle is provided with a collision prediction device including a millimeter wave sensor, an image sensor, an infrared laser sensor, a vehicle position-to-other vehicle position detection device from GPS, and the like. This collision prediction is performed in all directions, front, rear, left and right. Whether or not to collide is predicted by this collision prediction device, and when it is predicted that a collision will occur, prediction of the collision direction, prediction of full-lap collision or offset collision, prediction of the type of collision object, size of the collision object Prediction, collision relative velocity prediction, and collision relative acceleration prediction are performed.

  Furthermore, in addition to the vehicle attitude detection sensor such as a gyro, this vehicle is provided with acceleration sensors and impact sensors at a number of locations. When a collision accident actually occurs, whether the accident is a collision or roll It is configured to detect whether it is over, to detect a collision site, to detect a collision form, and to detect a collision scale (crash severity).

  As shown in FIG. 6, the seat is in use (whether the occupant is seated, whether a luggage or child seat is placed on the seat, the weight of the occupant on the seat, the posture of the occupant, and the front and rear positions of the seat). Detection signal and collision prediction signal (prediction of whether to collide, prediction of collision direction, prediction of full-lap collision or offset collision, prediction of the type of collision target, prediction of collision target, prediction of collision relative velocity, And prediction of collision relative acceleration) and an accident state detection signal (detection of whether the accident is a collision or rollover, detection of a collision site, detection of a collision type, and detection of a collision scale) are input to the control device. Thus, the seat belt device and the airbag device (inflator 36) are controlled.

  Next, this series of control contents will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 shows a process for detecting the state of use of the seat. When the program starts, it is first determined in step 101 whether or not an occupant is sitting on the seat. When it is determined that an occupant is sitting, the inflator 36 of the airbag device is put into an operable state. Next, each determination in steps 102 to 104 is performed.

  In step 102, the weight (body weight) of the occupant is determined. When the occupant weight is light, the EA force (amount) of the seat belt device is decreased, and when the occupant weight is heavy, the EA force (amount) of the seat belt device is increased.

  In step 103, the posture of the occupant is determined. In this embodiment, the occupant's posture detection device detects the position of the occupant's head or the like. When the occupant head or the like is located behind the predetermined position, the inflator 36 is operated. When the occupant's head or the like is positioned ahead of the predetermined position, the inflator 36 is not operated. In the present invention, a variable output type inflator 36 may be used, and control may be performed such that the output of the inflator 36 is decreased as the passenger's head is positioned forward.

  In step 104, it is determined whether or not the seat belt is worn. Controls whether the inflator 36 of the airbag device is activated or deactivated so that the presence or absence of the seat belt is optimized when wearing or not wearing the seat belt retractor (hereinafter referred to as retractor) and sensor information installed on the buckle. To do. At the same time, it controls the operation and non-operation of the pretensioner of the seat belt device.

  FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of a processing procedure when a collision is predicted. First, in step 111, it is determined whether or not a collision is predicted. If it is determined that a collision occurs, the processing in steps 112 to 117 is performed.

  In step 112, the collision direction is determined. This prediction is performed in all the front-rear and left-right directions of the vehicle, and at the same time, the detailed position is also predicted. The prediction information is used to operate the airbag device and the seat belt device, or to change the threshold value of the deceleration for operating the airbag device and the seat belt device in the determination process at the time of an accident.

  In step 113, it is determined whether the predicted collision is a full lap collision or an offset collision, and the vehicle behavior at the time of the collision is predicted based on the determination result. The collision prediction information is used to optimally control the operation mode of the airbag device and the seat belt device, and to change the deceleration threshold value for operating the airbag device and the seat belt device in the determination process at the time of an accident.

  In step 114, the type of collision target is determined. That is, a collision target is identified and the crash severity at the time of collision is predicted. This prediction information is used to optimally control the operation mode of the airbag device and the seat belt device for restraining the occupant and to change the threshold value of the deceleration for operating each restraint device in the determination process at the time of the accident.

  In step 115, the size and mass of the collision target are determined, and the crash severity at the time of collision is predicted. This prediction information is used to optimally control the operation modes of the airbag device and the seat belt device, and to change the deceleration threshold value for operating the airbag device and the seat belt device in the determination process at the time of an accident.

  In step 116, the relative speed with respect to the collision target is determined, and the crash severity at the time of the collision is predicted. This prediction information is used to optimally control the operation modes of the airbag device and the seat belt device, and to change the deceleration threshold value for operating the airbag device and the seat belt device in the determination process at the time of an accident.

  In step 117, the relative acceleration with respect to the collision target is determined, and the crash severity at the time of the collision is predicted. This prediction information is used to optimally control the operation modes of the airbag device and the seat belt device, and to change the deceleration threshold value for operating the airbag device and the seat belt device in the determination process at the time of an accident.

  FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of a processing procedure when an accident such as a collision actually occurs.

  In step 121, a vehicle collision is detected by an acceleration sensor using capacitance and strain attached in the front-rear and left-right directions of the vehicle. The collision determination threshold can be changed according to the collision prediction information.

  In step 121, if it is not determined that there is a collision, the process proceeds to step 122, where it is determined whether a rollover has occurred. When it is neither a collision nor a rollover, the process returns to step 121. If it is a rollover, the process proceeds from step 122 to step 127, and the operation / non-operation of the inflator 36 of the airbag apparatus is controlled. At the same time, it controls the pretensioner force and EA force of the seat belt device.

  If it is determined in step 121 that there is a collision, the processes in steps 123 to 126 are performed.

  In step 123, the colliding part is determined, and the inflator 36 of the airbag device is activated / deactivated and the pretensioner force / EA of the seat belt device so that the EA force (amount) by the airbag 10 and the seat belt is optimized. Control the power.

  In step 124, the collision mode is determined (forward / diagonal / lateral collision, etc.), and the inflator 36 of the airbag apparatus is activated / deactivated so that the EA force (amount) by the airbag 10 and the seat belt is optimized. In addition, the pretensioner force and EA force of the seat belt device are controlled.

  In step 125, the magnitude of the crash impact (crash severity) is determined. The operation / non-operation of the inflator 36 of the airbag device and the pretensioner force / EA force of the seat belt device are controlled so that the EA force (amount) by the airbag 10 and the seat belt is optimized based on the determination result.

  Even if the rollover does not correspond to the determination result in step 122, the rollover may occur due to a collision. Therefore, it is determined in step 126 whether or not the rollover has occurred, and the EA by the airbag 10 and the seat belt is determined. The operation / non-operation of the inflator 36 of the airbag device and the pretensioner force / EA force of the seat belt device are controlled so as to optimize the force (amount).

  The operation of this airbag device is as follows.

  When an operation signal is input to the inflator 36 from the control device of the occupant restraint device, the inflator 36 is activated and gas is ejected into the airbag 10. The airbag 10 is inflated by this gas, pushes the module cover 48 open, expands in the vehicle compartment, and restrains the driver's seat occupant.

  In this case, since the coupling of the front panel 12, the rear panel 14, and the retaining portion 63 by the linear coupling portion 80 is not released until the internal pressure of the airbag 10 reaches a predetermined value or more, as shown in FIG. 10, expansion is restricted in a portion on the outer peripheral side of the linear coupling portion 80. Further, the lid portion 61 is in a state where it is prevented from moving to the outside of the airbag 10 by the retaining portion 63 and overlaps the vent hole 18, whereby the vent hole 18 is closed and this vent hole is closed. The outflow of gas from the airbag 18 to the outside of the airbag 10 is restricted. For this reason, the internal pressure of the airbag 10 quickly rises without using a high output inflator 36.

  The stress due to the internal pressure of the airbag 10 is concentrated on the end portion 80 b extending to the center side of the airbag 10 among the end portions 80 a and 80 b of the linear coupling portion 80 facing the communication portion 81. Then, when the internal pressure of the airbag 10 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the linear connecting portion 80 starts to break from the end portion 80. The breakage of the linear connecting portion 80 proceeds in a direction away from the connecting portion of the front panel 12, the rear panel 14, and the retaining portion 63 by the linear connecting portion 80, starting from the end 80b. Therefore, the front panel 12, the rear panel 14, and the retaining portion 63 coupled by the linear coupling portion 80 in the vicinity of the end 80a opposite to the end portion 80a until the substantially entire linear coupling portion 80 is broken. It will not be released. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the lid 61 from being opened by releasing the fastening of the lid 61 by the fastening portion 63 before substantially the entire linear coupling portion 80 is broken.

  Due to the breakage of the linear coupling portion 80, the region from the linear coupling portion 80 to the outermost peripheral portion of the airbag 10 can be separated from the front panel 12 and the rear panel 14, and the airbag 10 can be separated as shown in FIG. It expands to the outer periphery. Further, the breakage of the linear coupling portion 80 releases the coupling between the front panel 12 and the rear panel 14 and the retaining portion 63, and the retention of the lid portion 61 by the retaining portion 63 is also released.

  Thereafter, until the occupant comes into contact with the airbag 10, the lid portion 61 is prevented from moving to the outside of the airbag 10 by the connecting portion 62 and overlaps the vent hole 18, thereby closing the vent hole 18. It is in a state. Therefore, also in this stage, the outflow of gas from the vent hole 18 is restricted, and the internal pressure of the airbag 10 is maintained at a predetermined level or higher.

  When the occupant comes into contact with the airbag 10, as shown in FIG. 3, the front panel 12 is pushed by the occupant and retreats toward the rear panel 14 to loosen the connecting portion 62, and the cover portion 61 is correspondingly lost. Can move to the outside of the airbag 10. As a result, the lid 61 is pushed out of the airbag 10 from the vent hole 18 by the gas pressure in the airbag 10, and the vent hole 18 is opened. As a result, gas flows out from the vent hole 18 to the outside of the airbag 10 so that the occupant can be softly received by the airbag 10.

  Although not shown, if the occupant comes into contact with the airbag 10 before the internal pressure of the airbag 10 exceeds a predetermined value, that is, before the linear coupling portion 80 breaks, the retaining portion 63 is Since the front panel 12 and the rear panel 14 are coupled by the linear coupling portion 80, even if the front panel 12 is pushed and retracted by the occupant, the lid portion 61 is retained by the retaining portion 63 and the airbag. 10 is prevented from moving to the outside, and the vent hole 18 is still covered. Therefore, gas does not flow out of the airbag 10 from the vent hole 18 and the internal pressure of the airbag 10 does not decrease, so that the occupant is restrained by the airbag 10.

  Thereafter, when the internal pressure of the airbag 10 reaches a predetermined value or more, the linear coupling portion 80 is broken, and the coupling of the front panel 12, the rear panel 14 and the retaining portion 63 of the airbag 10 is released. The retention of the lid 61 is also released. At this time, since the front panel 12 has already been pushed and retracted by the occupant, the connecting portion 62 is not tensioned, and the lid portion 61 is immediately released from the vent hole 18 through the vent hole 18 by the gas pressure in the airbag 10. The vent hole 18 is pushed out and opened. As a result, gas flows out of the airbag 10 from the vent hole 18 so that the occupant can be softly received by the airbag 10.

  The above embodiment shows an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

  For example, the lid portion of the extending body may be configured to cover the vent hole from the outside of the airbag.

  In the above-described embodiment, the front panel 12 and the rear panel 14 of the airbag 10 are coupled by the linear coupling portion 80 that extends in a substantially circular shape so as to go around the inflator opening 16. However, in the present invention, the linear coupling portion 80 may be extended in a shape other than the regular circular shape. For example, the linear coupling portion 80 protrudes to the outer peripheral side of the airbag 10 in a polygonal shape, a portion that partially enters the center side of the airbag 10 in the circumferential direction of the airbag 10 or a portion thereof. You may extend in various shapes, such as a shape which has a part. Further, the linear coupling portion 80 may partially couple the occupant-facing surface and the non-occupant side surface of the airbag 10 in the circumferential direction of the airbag 10. Further, the linear coupling portion 80 may extend continuously from the center of the airbag 10 in the outward direction.

  In the present invention, the front panel 12 and the rear panel may be coupled by a coupling means that partially couples such as a spot shape. Further, instead of connecting the front panel 12 and the rear panel, at least two places of the front panel 12 may be joined by the joining means, and at least two places of the rear panel 14 may be joined by the joining means. Good.

  In the present invention, an internal member such as a hanging strap that restricts the thickness of the airbag when it is inflated by connecting the occupant-facing surface and the non-occupant side surface of the airbag may be provided inside the airbag. In this case, instead of directly connecting the connecting portion of the extending body to the passenger facing surface of the airbag, the connecting portion is connected to the internal member, and the lid portion and the passenger facing surface are connected via the internal member. It may be configured.

  In this case, as the airbag is inflated, the internal member is expanded toward the occupant side, so that the connecting portion is pulled toward the occupant side by the internal member and is tensioned to prevent separation of the lid portion from the vent hole. become. When the airbag receives the occupant after the coupling means is broken and the occupant facing surface is retracted, the internal member is loosened, the tension of the connecting portion is released, and the lid portion is separated from the vent hole.

It is sectional drawing which shows the state by which the expansion | swelling of the airbag was controlled by the coupling | bonding means of the airbag and airbag apparatus which concern on embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the state before a coupling | bonding means fracture | ruptures and the passenger | crew contacts an airbag of the airbag and airbag apparatus of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which the passenger | crew contacted the airbag after the coupling | bonding means fracture | ruptured of the airbag and airbag apparatus of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the airbag and airbag apparatus of FIG. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the airbag of FIG. 1 viewed from the rear panel side. It is a control block diagram of the passenger | crew restraint apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the passenger | crew restraint apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the passenger | crew restraint apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the passenger | crew restraint apparatus which concerns on embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Air bag 12 Front panel 14 Rear panel 16 Inflator opening 18 Vent hole 30 Retainer 32 Inflator attachment port 36 Inflator 36a Gas outlet 42 Presser ring 60 Tether (extension body)
61 Lid part 62 Connecting part 63 Holding part 70 Insertion part 80 Linear coupling part

Claims (10)

An airbag having a vent hole (18) and a regulating means for regulating gas outflow from the vent hole (18) ,
The vent hole (18) is provided on the side opposite the occupant (14) opposite to the occupant facing surface (12) of the airbag in the inflated state,
The regulation means is
Extension having a lid portion covering the vent hole (18) and (61), contiguous base end to the lid portion (61), connecting portion leading end side is connected to the occupant-facing surface (12) and (62) In an airbag comprising a solid body (60) ,
The occupant- facing surface (12) and the non -occupant side surface (14) are coupled to each other by a coupling means (80) so as to be disengaged on the peripheral side of the airbag from the vent hole (18) .
The extended body (60) further includes a retaining portion (63) having one end connected to the lid portion ( 61) or the connecting portion (62) and the other end extending to the peripheral side of the airbag. And
The other end side of the retaining portion (63) is sandwiched between the occupant- facing surface (12) and the non -occupant side surface (14) and is coupled to them by the coupling means (80) ,
Until the internal pressure of the airbag reaches a predetermined pressure, the lid portion (61) is prevented from moving to the outside of the airbag by the retaining portion (63 ) and overlaps the vent hole (18). The vent hole (18) is closed or has a small opening,
When the internal pressure of the airbag becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure, the coupling means (80) releases the coupling of the occupant facing surface (12) , the anti-occupant side surface (14), and the retaining portion (63) ,
Thereafter, until the occupant comes into contact with the airbag, the lid portion (61) is prevented from moving to the outside of the airbag by the connecting portion (62 ) and overlaps the vent hole (18). The vent hole (18) is closed or has a small opening,
When the occupant comes into contact with the airbag and the occupant facing surface (12) is retracted, the lid (61) is separated from the vent hole (18) by the gas pressure inside the airbag, thereby the vent hole. (18) is configured to be open or large opening ,
The lid (61) covers the vent hole (18) from the inside of the airbag,
Of the inner side surface of the airbag, it is closer to the peripheral edge of the airbag than the vent hole (18), and more than the coupling portion between the occupant facing surface (12) and the anti-occupant side surface (14) by the coupling means (80). On the side of the vent hole (18), an insertion part (70) through which the extended body (60) is inserted is provided,
An end portion of the extended body (60) on the lid (61) side is coupled to the periphery of the vent hole (18) on the inner surface of the airbag at the center side of the airbag from the vent hole (18). And
A gas introduction opening (16) is provided in the vicinity of the center of the side opposite the passenger (14) of the airbag,
The occupant-facing surface (12) and the non-occupant side surface (14) of the airbag substantially circulate around the opening (16) on the peripheral side of the airbag with respect to the vent hole (18). Are coupled by the coupling means (80) extending in a ring shape,
When the lid portion (61) covers the vent hole (18), the base end side of the connecting portion (62) is connected to the insertion portion (70) and the coupling means (80). Connected to the lid portion (61) between the occupant-facing surface (12) and the joint portion between the anti-occupant side surface (14) and
The front end side of the connecting portion (62) is closer to the center side of the occupant facing surface (12) than the connecting portion between the occupant facing surface (12) and the non-occupant side surface (14) by the connecting means (80). Connected to the inner surface of the airbag,
In the middle of the extending direction of the coupling means (80), the coupling between the occupant facing surface (12) and the non-occupant side surface (14) is partially interrupted, and the airbag center is located more than the coupling means (80). A communication portion (81) is formed in which the side and the peripheral side are in communication with each other,
The communication portion (81) is disposed in the vicinity of the coupling portion of the occupant facing surface (12), the anti-occupant side surface (14) and the retaining portion (63) by the coupling means (80),
Of the end portions (80a, 80b) in the extending direction of the coupling means (80) facing the communication portion (81), the end portion (80a) closer to the retaining portion (63) is the airbag 10. The airbag is characterized by extending toward the peripheral side of the airbag, and an end portion (80b) far from the retaining portion (63) extends toward the center of the airbag. In Claim 1, the internal member which connected the above-mentioned crew member facing side and anti-passenger side of an airbag is provided in the airbag.
The airbag is characterized in that the connecting portion is connected to the internal member. The extension body (60) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the extension body (60) comprises a first extension body continuously forming the lid portion (61) and the retaining portion (63), and the connecting portion (62). ), And the base end side of the second extension body is coupled to the middle part of the extension direction of the first extension body. Airbag. The extension body (60) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the extension body (60) comprises a first extension body continuously forming the lid portion (61) and the connecting portion (62), and the retaining portion (63). ), And the one end side of the second extension body is coupled to the middle part of the extension direction of the first extension body. Airbag to do. In an airbag device comprising an airbag and an inflator that supplies gas to the airbag,
The airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the airbag is the airbag device. An occupant restraint device having a seat belt device and an airbag device for restraining an occupant seated in a vehicle seat,
The seat belt device and the airbag device are controlled based on at least one detection or prediction signal of the seat use state detection means, the seat belt device use state detection means, a collision prediction means, and an accident state detection means. In an occupant restraint device equipped with a control device,
The airbag device is the airbag device according to claim 5,
The occupant restraint device, wherein the control device controls the inflator based on the detection or prediction signal. In Claim 6, the means for detecting the use state of the seat comprises:
Whether a passenger is seated in the seat,
Occupant weight,
The attitude of the crew,
An occupant restraint device that detects at least one of a seat position and presence / absence of a child seat.   8. The occupant restraint apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the occupant posture detection means detects at least one position of the occupant's head, chest, and shoulders. In any one of Claims 6 thru | or 8, the said collision prediction means is the occurrence prediction of a collision,
Predicting the direction of the collision,
Prediction of full lap collision or offset collision,
Predicting the type of collision object,
Predicting the size of the impact object,
An occupant restraint device that performs at least one of prediction of collision relative speed and prediction of collision relative acceleration. The accident state detection means according to any one of claims 6 to 9,
Detecting whether the accident is a collision or a rollover,
Collision detection,
An occupant restraint device that detects at least one of collision type detection and collision scale detection.

Images