JP2001001858A - Air bag - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air bag capable of protecting an occupant in a cabin even if the inflated state of the air bag is excessively large. SOLUTION: An air bag comprises a first inflation part 12 inflated first by a gas pressure so as to early form an inflated shape and a second inflation part 13 communicating with the first inflation part 12 through a gas inlet port 15 and inflated after the first inflation part. The first inflation part is formed divergently from an inflator mounting hole 11 toward a bag peripheral part. The cross-section of the first inflation part is formed so as to be reduced gradually toward the bag peripheral part. In addition, the capacity of the first inflation part is made smaller than that of the second inflation part. This air bag is, after the side part 16 thereof is folded down in S-shape cross section, further folded down in bellows shape from the upper end part 20 thereof toward the base end part 21.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an airbag for protecting an occupant in a vehicle compartment, and more particularly, to an airbag which is inflated and deployed to have a large capacity, thereby suppressing movement of the occupant and deploying between occupants. , An airbag that is deployed between an occupant and an interior component or a vehicle interior wall.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a side collision airbag incorporated in a seat, for example, those described in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. Hei 8-1982 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 7-267037 are known. As a device provided with a plurality of airbags as a countermeasure, a device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-127305 is known. However, these conventional examples all relate to a relatively small-capacity airbag that partially protects an occupant, and does not protect the occupant with a large capacity.

[0003]

However, if the occupant moves before the airbag is completely deployed, the airbag is caught between the occupants and the normal inflation and deployment is hindered, and in some cases, the occupant is damaged. Effect. In particular, in the case of a large-capacity airbag, the time required for deployment is long,
In addition, since the airbag is to be deployed in a state inclined with respect to the deployment direction, the airbag is difficult to open, and the passenger is likely to be damaged. For example, airbags deployed between occupants require a relatively large capacity and the distance between the occupant and the airbag is short, which is of particular concern. As described above, there is a concern that a large-capacity airbag may damage an occupant, but in the conventional example, since the capacity is relatively small, such a point has not been considered.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to protect passengers in a vehicle cabin even with a large capacity. It is intended to provide an airbag.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises a first inflating portion which first expands by gas pressure to form a developed shape early, It is characterized in that it has a second inflatable portion which communicates with the first inflatable portion via the gas inlet and which inflates subsequent to the first inflatable portion. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect, the first inflatable portion is formed in a branch shape from the inflator mounting hole toward the periphery of the bag. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the second aspect, the cross-sectional area of the first inflatable portion is configured to gradually decrease toward the periphery of the bag. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first, second, or third aspect of the present invention, the capacity of the first expanding portion is larger than the capacity of the second expanding portion. The invention according to claim 5 is based on claim 1,
In addition to the invention described in 2, 3, or 4, the airbag is characterized in that the side portion is folded in an S-shaped cross section, and then folded in a bellows shape from the upper end portion to the base end portion.

The airbag according to the present invention has a large capacity when inflated and deployed. For example, as an airbag deployed between occupants, the airbag reaches at least the position of the occupant's head, and the occupants are forced to move between the occupants. It deploys like a wall to protect occupants. This airbag can be made of a flexible and airtight material obtained by coating a synthetic fiber woven fabric with heat-resistant rubber or synthetic resin, or a non-coated base fabric having the same performance. I just need. Further, the airbag is composed of an inner substrate disposed inside and an outer substrate disposed outside, the inner substrate is made of an airtight resin, the outer substrate is made of a woven fabric, and the It may be manufactured by attaching a heat-welding film for welding to an outer substrate at an outer edge portion or a desired portion.

The first inflatable portion is a portion which is first inflated by gas pressure to form a deployed shape early, and is a portion constituting the framework of the airbag, and the first inflatable portion alone protects the occupant. It can be achieved. The second inflatable portion communicates with the first inflatable portion via the gas inflow port, and is a portion that inflates subsequent to the first inflatable portion, that is, a portion that constitutes a so-called branch of the present airbag.

The boundary between the first inflation portion and the second inflation portion may be formed by sewing the base material of the airbag with a sewing thread. Further, when the airbag is composed of an inner substrate and an outer substrate with a heat-welding film attached to an outer edge or a desired portion, the airbag is formed by welding the inner substrate and the outer substrate. Is also good. The gas inlet may be formed by providing a part that is not sewn or a part that is not welded at the boundary. Further, when an internal pressure equal to or more than a predetermined value is applied to the airbag, a part of the airbag may be broken to release air and reduce the internal pressure. If the sewing thread or the welded portion breaks when an internal pressure equal to or greater than a predetermined value is applied to the airbag, the volume is expanded by the continuous second inflatable portion, so that the pressure equal to or higher than the predetermined value applied to the first inflatable portion can be suppressed.

The first inflatable portion is formed in a branch shape from the inflator mounting hole portion of the airbag toward the peripheral portion so that gas flowing from the inflator mounting hole is directed to the peripheral portion of the airbag. It is formed so that the cross-sectional area gradually decreases. When the capacity of the first inflation portion is made larger than the capacity of the second inflation portion, the first inflation portion occupies more than half of the capacity of the airbag, and a thick gas trunk is formed at the center of the airbag when the first inflation portion is inflated. Is formed, the independence of the airbag is equal to the weight of the entire airbag, and the airbag can be deployed. Further, since a thick gas trunk is formed in approximately half the capacity of the airbag, a small amount of gas can be effectively used. And even if a load is applied due to the contact of the occupant, it is hard to fall down and has stability.

When the side of the airbag is folded in an S-shaped cross section and then folded in a bellows shape from the upper end to the base end, the initial deployment direction of the airbag, that is, from the base end to the upper end, Since the airbag is folded in a bellows in the direction, initial deployment can be quickened.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of the airbag 10 in a deployed state, and FIG. 2 is a front view of the airbag 10 in a deployed state according to another embodiment.

Reference numeral 11 denotes an inflator 3 for connecting the airbag 10 to the inflator 3.
This is an inflator mounting hole for mounting on an inflator. The airbag 10 according to the present invention has an inflator mounting hole 11.
, A first inflation portion 12 that inflates first by the gas pressure from the inflator 30 and a second inflation portion 13 that inflates following the first inflation portion 12 are provided.

The boundary 14 between the first inflation portion 12 and the second inflation portion 13 may be formed by sewing the base material of the airbag 10 with a sewing thread. Further, when the airbag 10 is composed of an inner substrate and an outer substrate having a heat-welding film attached to an outer edge or a desired portion, the airbag 10 is formed by welding the inner substrate and the outer substrate. You may.

The first inflation portion 12 is provided in the inflator mounting hole 11 of the airbag 10 so that the gas flowing from the inflator mounting hole 11 is directed to the periphery of the airbag 10.
Is formed in a branched shape from the portion toward the peripheral portion, and is formed so that the cross-sectional area gradually decreases toward the peripheral portion. In FIG.
FIG. 2 shows a form in which the first inflation portion 12 branches into a forked shape.
The form branched radially is shown.

As described above, by forming the cross-sectional area of the first inflatable portion 12 to gradually decrease toward the peripheral portion, the flow rate of the gas flowing into the first inflatable portion 12 increases, and the internal pressure increases. The independence of the first inflatable portion 12 can be further improved, and the expansion of the first inflatable portion 12 to the peripheral portion can be hastened.

The first inflation portion 12 and the second inflation portion 13 have a boundary 14 in which gas in the first inflation portion 12 is filled with the second inflation portion 13.
A gas inlet 15 is provided so that the gas flows into the gas inlet. The gas inlet 15 is located at the boundary 1
In the four parts, it may be formed by providing a part that is not sewn partially or a part that is not welded.

The capacity of the first expanding section 12 is
It is larger than the capacity. With this configuration, the first inflatable portion 12 occupies more than half of the capacity of the airbag, and forms a thick gas trunk at the center of the airbag when the first inflatable portion 12 is inflated. The independence of the airbag works, and the airbag can be deployed. Further, since a thick gas trunk is formed in approximately half the capacity of the airbag, a small amount of gas can be effectively used. Then, even if a load is applied by the contact of the occupant, the first inflated portion 12 that has been inflated and deployed is hard to fall down and has stability.

When the volume ratio between the first inflation portion 12 and the second inflation portion 13 is set to be 5: 5 to 7: 3, the airbag 10 is inflated when the first inflation portion 12 is inflated and deployed. It does not bend or fall due to the weight of the second expanding portion 13.

Thus, the gas flowing into the first inflation portion 12 through the inflator mounting hole 11 reaches the peripheral portion of the airbag 10, and the required deployment shape of the airbag 10 can be quickly formed. Since the second inflatable portion 13 can communicate with the first inflatable portion 12, the second inflatable portion 13 is continuously filled with gas after the first inflatable portion 12 is inflated, and the airbag 10 is continuously and entirely expanded. Will be opened.

FIGS. 3 to 6 are explanatory views showing the process of folding the airbag according to the present invention, and FIGS.
6A is a perspective view, FIG. 6B is a longitudinal sectional view, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view. In each drawing, the thickness of the airbag is omitted for convenience of explanation.

First, as shown in FIG.
0 on both sides 16, 16 of the airbag 10
Using the width of the inflator mounting portion as a guide (the airbag 10 at this portion is defined as the center portion 17), the airbag is folded to the opposite side so as to have an S-shaped cross section. Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the side edges 18, 18 protruding from the center portion 17 are folded in the direction opposite to the side portions 16, 16. Both side edges 19,
When the protruding portion 19 protrudes from the center portion 17, as shown in FIG.
And fold in the opposite direction.

The upper end portion 20 of the airbag 10 thus folded is folded in a bellows shape toward the base end portion 21 using the width of the inflator mounting portion as a guide. The airbag 10 thus folded is arranged in the vehicle front-rear direction or the vertical direction.

When the airbag 10 is folded in this way,
Since the airbag 10 is folded in a bellows in the initial deployment direction of the airbag 10, that is, in the direction from the base end 21 to the upper end 20, the initial deployment can be accelerated. Also,
By folding the airbag 10 in an S-shape in the front-back or up-down direction of the vehicle, the airbag 10 can be deployed without tilting between occupants, and the harmfulness to the occupants can be suppressed.

If a dual type inflator is used, the inflation holding time of the airbag can be extended. In addition, when the sewn portion of the airbag is used, gas leakage from the airbag can be suppressed, the inflation time of the airbag can be shortened, and the inflation holding time can be extended.

[0025]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the first inflatable portion is first inflated rapidly by the gas pressure and the expanded shape is formed early, so that the airbag can be used. The required developed shape can be formed early. That is, before the occupant moves, the first inflatable portion, which is substantially the outline of the airbag, is deployed, and the harm to the occupant due to the protrusion of the airbag can be suppressed. According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the first inflation portion is formed in a branch shape from the inflator mounting hole toward the peripheral portion of the bag, the flow of gas to the peripheral portion becomes faster, and the basic deployment of the airbag. It can be developed quickly into a shape. According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the cross-sectional area of the first inflation portion is configured to gradually decrease toward the peripheral portion of the bag, the flow of gas to the peripheral portion is further accelerated, and the basic configuration of the airbag is improved. It can be deployed faster due to the deployed shape. According to the invention described in claim 4, the first inflatable portion occupies more than half of the capacity of the airbag, and the first inflatable portion, which occupies a majority portion at an early stage, is inflated and self-supporting, and effectively uses a small amount of gas. In addition, it is difficult to fall down even if a load is applied by the contact of an occupant, and there is stability. According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the airbag is folded in a bellows shape from the upper end to the base end, the airbag coincides with the initial deployment direction of the airbag, and the airbag can be deployed quickly. Thereby, harm to the occupant can be suppressed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of an airbag in a deployed state.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an airbag in a deployed state according to a second embodiment.

3A and 3B are explanatory views showing a process of folding the airbag, wherein FIG. 3A is a perspective view and FIG. 3B is a longitudinal sectional view.

4A and 4B are explanatory views showing a process of folding the airbag, wherein FIG. 4A is a perspective view and FIG. 4B is a longitudinal sectional view.

5A and 5B are explanatory views showing a process of folding the airbag, wherein FIG. 5A is a perspective view and FIG. 5B is a longitudinal sectional view.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a process of folding the airbag, which is shown in a perspective view.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Airbag 11 Inflator mounting hole 12 First inflation part 13 Second inflation part 15 Gas inlet 16 Airbag side part 20 Airbag upper end part 21 Airbag base end part 30 Inflator

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A first inflation portion which is first inflated by a gas pressure to form a developed shape early, and a second inflation communicating with the first inflation portion via a gas inlet and expanding in succession to the first inflation portion. And an airbag. 2. The airbag according to claim 1, wherein the first inflatable portion is formed in a branched shape from the inflator mounting hole toward the periphery of the bag. 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the cross-sectional area of the first inflatable portion is gradually reduced toward the periphery of the bag.
The described airbag. 4. The airbag according to claim 1, wherein the capacity of the first inflatable portion is larger than the capacity of the second inflatable portion. 5. The airbag according to claim 1, wherein a side portion of the airbag is folded in an S-shaped cross section, and then folded in a bellows shape from an upper end portion to a base end portion. Airbag.