JP2001030863A - Air bag device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air bag device whose manufacturing is easy and which can control the expansion state of an air bag simply. SOLUTION: In this air bag device 1, an inflator and air bag 2 are internally equipped in a retainer case 11 and the inflator is ignited at the vehicular collision time and the gas is blown out in the air bag 2 and doors 12 are opened by the expansion of this air bag 2 and the air bag 2 is expanded. In order to control the expansion state of the air bag 2, an interference part 3 interfering to the expansion of the air bag 2 and the escape part 4, 4 to which the air bag 2 received the interference is escaped are formed on the outside of the air bag 2 and when the expansion of the air bag 2 is progressed, the interference to the air bag 2 by the interference part 3 is released.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an airbag device for protecting an occupant by deploying an airbag in the event of a vehicle collision, and more particularly to an airbag device for facilitating control of the deployment state of an airbag.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An airbag device for protecting an occupant by deploying an airbag when a vehicle collides is already known.
The airbag device is generally provided in a steering wheel or an instrument panel, and protects a driver and a passenger in a passenger seat. In addition, there are some which are provided on the side of the seat back or above the side door to ensure the protection of the driver and the like.

The basic structure of these airbag devices is common and includes a folded airbag, a retainer case containing an inflator, a sensor for detecting a vehicle collision, and the like. That is, when a collision of the vehicle is detected by this sensor, the igniting agent in the inflator is ignited, and the gas generating agent in the inflator burns. Then, gas is blown out from the inflator into the airbag, and the airbag is deployed by the filling of the gas.

[0004]

By the way, the deployment direction of the airbag or the order and time of the deployment direction (hereinafter referred to as the deployment state) affect the restraint and safety for protecting the occupant. Specifically, rather than deploying in a straight line direction (hereinafter referred to as a frontal direction) from the airbag device to the occupant, first deploy in the horizontal direction, that is, in the diffusion direction, and finally deploy the entire airbag. It is thought that the better the intention is, the more restrictive the occupant is. In addition, depending on the situation of the vehicle collision, it may be necessary to control the deployment state of the airbag in relation to the occupant.

In a conventional airbag device, in order to control the deployment state of such an airbag, for example, a method of folding the airbag is devised, or a specific member or the like is provided in the airbag to provide the airbag. Was controlling the deployment state. Specifically, the airbag is folded in a bellows shape so as to be parallel to the gas blowing direction, or a base cloth is additionally formed in the airbag, and the deployment direction is controlled by controlling the gas flow. is there.

[0006] However, with such conventional general means, it is difficult to manufacture the airbag due to the difficulty of additional formation of the base cloth or the like, or the folding method becomes complicated, so that the deployment state of the airbag is optimized. It was often difficult to control the state. An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an airbag device that can easily control the deployment state of an airbag and that is easy to manufacture.

[0007]

According to the present invention, which solves the above-mentioned problems, an airbag and an inflator are provided inside a retainer case, and when the vehicle collides, the inflator is ignited and gas is blown into the airbag. An airbag device in which a door is opened by inflation of the bag and the airbag is deployed, and an interference unit that interferes with the deployment of the airbag in order to control a deployment state of the airbag,
And the escape part where the airbag which received the interference escapes is formed outside the airbag, and as the deployment of the airbag progresses, the interference of the interference part with the airbag is released. Is what you do. The interference portion or the escape portion in the present invention affects the deployment state of the airbag. Therefore, the deployment state of the airbag can be controlled by adjusting the time until the interference with the airbag by the interference portion, the escape portion, and the interference portion is released.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
This will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. The airbag device according to each of the following embodiments shows an airbag device on the passenger seat side, that is, an assistant airbag device, for convenience of explanation. However, the airbag device according to the present invention is not limited to this assistant airbag device. That is, an airbag device on the driver side provided in the handlebar, a side airbag device provided on the side of the seatbag, and an airbag provided above the side door and in which the airbag deploys downward. Widely includes curtain devices and the like.

First, the basic structure of the assistant airbag device will be outlined with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in a vehicle interior where an airbag is deployed. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 1 and shows the inside of a retainer case of the assistant airbag device. Incidentally, the device denoted by reference numeral 1 is an assistant airbag device, and the device denoted by reference numeral 1 'is an airbag device for protecting the driver D.

The assistant airbag device 1 (hereinafter, referred to as the airbag device 1) is provided above the instrument panel 5 and includes a retainer case 11 in which an inflator 13 and the airbag 2 are housed, as shown in FIG. The retainer case 11 includes a lower case portion 11a and an upper case portion 11b. A substantially cylindrical inflator 13 is provided in the lower case portion 11a, and the folded airbag 2 is provided in the upper case portion 11b. Lower case part 11
The mid retainer 15 is mounted between the upper case 11a and the upper case 11b. The mid retainer 15 is a rectangular flat plate, and has a blast hole 15a. Further, both end edges 15b, 15 along the longitudinal direction of the mid retainer 15.
b is bent obliquely downward, and both end edges 1
The opening 21 of the airbag 2 is sandwiched between the retainers 11 and 5b, 15b. That is, the opening 21 of the airbag 2 is fixed by fastening both ends 15 b of the mid retainer 15 and the retainer case 11 with the bolts 18. Hook members 17, 17 are fixed to the front and rear of the upper case portion. This hook member 1
7, 17 are elastic engagement pieces 1 formed on the inner surface of the door portion 12.
The long holes 16a engage with the long holes 16a. By this engagement, the door portion 12 is fixed at a predetermined position.

When a vehicle collides, for example, an acceleration sensor reacts to detect the collision. Then, the inflator 13
Is ignited, and the gas generating agent in the inflator 13 burns. The generated gas G is blown out from the gas blowout ports 14 of the inflator 13 and reaches the inside of the airbag 2 through the blowout hole 15a of the mid retainer. The airbag 2 inflated by the gas G is filled with the door portion 12.
Press. The door portion 12 is opened outward by pressing the airbag 2 (see a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2). When the door portion 12 is opened, the airbag 2 is deployed outward from the opened portion to protect the occupant P (see FIG. 1).

An airbag device 1 according to a first embodiment
, A suspension string 3 is provided around the outer periphery of the airbag 2. The suspension string 3 corresponds to an interference section in the present embodiment. The structure of the hanging string 3 and its operation will be described with reference to FIG. 3A and 3B are schematic perspective views of the airbag device 1, mainly showing a deployed state of the airbag, wherein FIG. 3A shows a state in which the airbag is inflated and the door is pressed, and FIG. Is opened and the airbag starts to be deployed, (c) is a state where the hanging string is interfering with the deployment of the airbag, and (d) is a state where the hanging string is broken and the airbag is completely deployed. Show.

The suspension string 3 according to the present embodiment is wound around the outer periphery of the folded airbag 2 in the front direction, and both ends of the airbag 2 are located at the front and rear sides 11 of the retainer case 11.
c, 11d (see FIG. 3A). When the inflator 13 (see FIG. 2) is ignited and gas is blown into the airbag 2, the airbag 2 starts expanding and presses the door portion 12. The door portion 12 is provided with a normal tear line 12a (see FIG. 2) and the like. When the door portion 12 opens, the airbag 2 starts to deploy from this opened position.

The suspension string 3 according to the present embodiment is not provided so as to cover the entirety of the airbag 2 but is provided so as to straddle a part thereof, that is, a central portion of the folded airbag 2. That is, the gaps 4 and 4 are provided on the left and right sides of the hanging string 3, and the gaps 4 and 4 correspond to the escape portions.

The airbag 2 with the door 12 opened due to its own inflation attempts to start deploying outward from the door 12. However, the airbag 2 cannot be deployed in the frontal direction due to the interference of the hanging string 3 (FIG. 3).
(B)). Then, in order to escape from the interference of the hanging string 3, the deployment is first started from the left and right gaps 4 and 4 (see FIG. 3C). When the deployment of the airbag 2 proceeds to some extent, the hanging string 3 is cut or the end of the hanging string 3 comes off the retainer case 11, and the interference with the airbag 2 is released (see FIG. 3D). That is, in the present embodiment,
The state in which the suspension string 3 has been cut or the end of the suspension string 3 has been removed from the retainer case 11 corresponds to a state in which interference with the airbag has been released. When the interference of the suspension string 3 with the airbag 2 is released, the airbag 2 is deployed in the frontal direction, and restrains and protects the occupant P (see FIG. 1) in a completely deployed state.

Next, an airbag device 1 according to the second to fourth embodiments will be described with reference to FIG. FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic perspective views mainly showing the relationship between the airbag and the hanging string of the airbag device 1, wherein FIG. 4A is related to the second embodiment, and FIG. According to the embodiment, (c) shows each airbag device according to the fourth embodiment. In the following description, substantially the same members and the like as those of the airbag device 1 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The mounting position of the hanging string 3A according to the second embodiment is common to the mounting position of the hanging string 3 according to the first embodiment. However, the width of the hanging string 3A is wider than the hanging string 3, and the strength of the hanging string 3A is stronger than that of the hanging string 3. Therefore, the time until the suspension string 3A interferes with the airbag 2 is longer than the case of the suspension string 3. By the way, code 4A,
The gap indicated by 4A corresponds to the escape portion.

The suspension string 3B according to the third embodiment is stretched along the longitudinal direction of the retainer case 11, and both ends are fixed to the left and right side surfaces 11a and 11b of the retainer case 11. Therefore, gaps 4B, 4B serving as escape portions are formed before and after the suspension string 3B. In the present embodiment,
The airbag 2 that has started to deploy is first deployed in the front-rear direction, and when the deployment has progressed to some extent, the hanging string 3B is cut off or the hanging string 3B comes off the retainer case 11 and interference with the airbag 2 occurs. Unraveled.

The suspension string 3C according to the fourth embodiment is extended obliquely with respect to the front-rear direction of the retainer case 11. Specifically, the front end of the hanging string 3C is fixed to the left side of the front side surface 11c, and the rear end is connected to the rear side surface 11c.
It is fixed to the right side of d. Then, gaps 4C, 4C serving as escape portions are formed beside the suspension string 3C. In the airbag device 1 according to the present embodiment, the airbag 2
First, deployment is started toward the diagonally right front and the diagonally rear left. Then, when the deployment has progressed to some extent, the hanging string 3C is cut off, or the hanging string 3C comes off the retainer case 11 and interference with the airbag 2 is released. In addition, the position to which both ends of the hanging string 3C are fixed is not limited to the above case. Therefore, the front end of the suspension string 3C may be fixed to the right side of the front side surface 11c, and the rear end may be fixed to the left side of the rear side surface 11d.

As described above, based on the first to fourth embodiments,
The case where the interference portion is formed of one hanging string 3 has been described. If the shape and width of the suspending string serving as the interference portion are different, the deployment direction of the airbag 2 is also different, and the shape of the airbag 2 that is followed from the start of deployment of the airbag 2 to its complete deployment is also different. come. Further, the strength of the suspension string 3 is determined by the material, the thickness, and the shape, and the time until the interference of the suspension string 3 with the airbag 2 is determined.

That is, by determining the shape, material, or mounting position of the suspension string 3,
Can be controlled. Incidentally, the deployment state of the airbag 2 refers to, for example, the deployment direction of the airbag 2, the time from when the airbag 2 starts deployment to when it is completely deployed, or the airbag 2 that is traced until it is completely deployed. And the like.

The form of the interfering portion is not limited to a single hanging string 3, 3A, 3B, 3C as in the above embodiments. Therefore, another embodiment mainly different in the shape of the interference portion and the like from the above-described embodiments will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 shows the airbag device 1.
It is a schematic perspective view which mainly shows the relationship between an airbag and an interference part, (a) is based on 4th Embodiment, (b) is based on 5th Embodiment, (c) is related. 14 shows each airbag device according to the sixth embodiment.

The interfering portions according to the fourth and fifth embodiments include cross bands 3D, 3C, in which two suspending strings intersect at the center.
E, and the four ends are respectively the retainer case 1
It is fixed to one side surface 11a and the like. More specifically, each end 31 of the cross band 3D according to the fourth embodiment,.
・ The front, rear, left and right side surfaces 11a, 11b, 11c, 11
d. Further, two ends 32,... Of the cross band 3E according to the fifth embodiment are respectively fixed to the front and rear side surfaces 11a, 11b.

Four end portions 3 of the cross bands 3D and 3E
, 32,... Are fixed to the respective side surfaces 11a of the retainer case 11, and four gaps 4D,.
., 4E .. are formed. In the fourth and fifth embodiments, each of the gaps 4D,..., 4E,. The positions, dimensions, and the like at which the gaps 4D,..., 4E,... Are formed are determined by the shapes of the cross bands 3D, 3E or the positions at which the ends 31,.

Each of the gaps 4D,..., 4E,.
By determining the formation position, the direction in which the airbag 2 is deployed in the initial stage is also determined. That is, the cross band 3
The deployment state of the airbag 2 can be controlled by appropriately determining the shapes of D and 3E and the mounting position. In addition,
The cross band members 3D and 3E also have the airbag 2 deployed,
After a certain distance, the airbag 2 is cut off and the interference with the airbag 2 is released.

The interference part according to the sixth embodiment is a mesh-shaped cover 3F. The cover body 3F covers the folded airbag 2 from a frontal direction, and has gaps 4F on the left and right. The left and right gaps 4F, 4F correspond to escape portions. The airbag 2 that has started to deploy first deploys in the left-right direction through the left and right gaps 4F, 4F. When the deployment proceeds to some extent, the cover body 3F is broken by the pressing of the airbag 2, and the interference with the airbag 2 is released.

The airbag device 1 has been specifically described based on the first to sixth embodiments. However, the airbag device 1, especially the interference unit, is not limited to the case described in each of the above embodiments. That is, for example, a plurality of suspending strings may be provided as interference parts, and the plurality of suspending strings may be provided without contacting each other, or the width of the suspending string may be extended to form a cover portion. In addition, the material of the interference portion is only required to be such that the interference with the airbag 2 is broken and the interference with the airbag 2 is released when the deployment of the airbag has progressed to some extent. Furthermore, the airbag 2
The manner in which the interference with the suspension string is released is not limited to the case where the hanging string 3 or the like breaks. In other words, the hanging string 3 does not break itself,
Instead, the interference may be resolved by the end or the like fixed to the retainer case coming off.

Next, a method of controlling the deployment state of the airbag 2 will be described mainly with reference to FIG. The interference portion according to each of the embodiments suppresses the deployment of the airbag 2 in the frontal direction, and the escape portion according to each of the embodiments allows the airbag 2 to escape in the horizontal direction. By using such an interference portion and a relief portion, the airbag 2 that has started deployment does not deploy in the frontal direction but first deploys in a horizontal direction such as front, rear, left and right, that is, in a diffusion direction.
By setting the deployment state of the airbag 2 as described above, the restraint of the occupant P is enhanced, which is preferable.

However, the deployed state of the airbag 2 is not necessarily limited to such a state. For example, the optimal deployed state can be appropriately changed depending on the arrangement position of the airbag device 1 and the like. There is. That is, in order to cope with this optimal deployment state, the form of the interference portion or the escape portion is specified, and the deployment state of the airbag 2 is controlled. More specifically, the shape of the hanging string 3, the gap 4, etc., the strength of the hanging string 3, etc., and further, the inflator 13 (see FIG. 2)
The deployment state of the airbag 2 is controlled in consideration of the output of the airbag, the timing of ignition, and the like. In each of the above-described embodiments, since the hanging string 3 or the like serving as an interference portion is formed outside the airbag 2 that is folded and housed in the retainer case 11, manufacturing is easy.

[0030]

According to the present invention, the deployment state of the airbag can be easily controlled, and the production can be facilitated. In particular, when it is desired to deploy the airbag in the diffusion direction at the initial stage of deployment to increase the restraint of the occupant, or to fine-tune the deployment state, change the shape of the interference part or relief part, etc. Can be easily adjusted by Further, since the interference portion is provided outside the airbag, the production becomes easy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in a vehicle compartment in which an airbag is deployed when an assistant airbag device or the like according to a first embodiment is operated.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 1, showing the inside of a retainer case of the assistant airbag device.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the assistant airbag device according to the first embodiment, mainly showing a deployed state of the airbag, and FIG. 3 (a) shows that the airbag is inflated and presses a door portion. State, (b) is a state in which the door is opened and the airbag starts to be deployed, (c) is a state in which the hanging string is interfering with the deployment of the airbag, (d) is a state in which the hanging string is broken, and the air is released. Shows the bag fully deployed.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of an assistant airbag device, mainly showing a relationship between an airbag and a hanging string, and (a).
Fig. 4 relates to the second embodiment, Fig. 5 (b) relates to the third embodiment, and Fig. 5 (c) shows each assistant airbag device according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the assistant airbag device, mainly showing a relationship between an airbag and an interference unit, and (a).
Fig. 4 relates to the fourth embodiment, Fig. 5 (b) relates to the fifth embodiment, and Fig. 5 (c) shows each assistant airbag device according to the sixth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Assistant airbag device (airbag device) 11: Retainer case 13: Inflator 2: Airbag 3, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3F: Interference portion 4, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 4F: Escape part G: Gas

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on front page (72) Inventor Kanichi Fukuda 1-4-1 Chuo, Wako-shi, Saitama F-term in Honda R & D Co., Ltd. (Reference) 3D054 AA02 AA03 AA07 AA13 AA14 AA16 AA22 BB05 BB12 BB17 CC08 FF16 FF17

Claims (1)

[Claims] An airbag and an inflator are provided inside a retainer case, and when the vehicle collides, the inflator is ignited and gas is blown into the airbag. Is an airbag device in which the airbag is deployed. In order to control the deployment state of the airbag, an interference portion that interferes with the deployment of the airbag, and a release portion where the airbag that has received the interference escapes are provided. The airbag device is formed outside the airbag, and as the deployment of the airbag progresses, interference of the interference portion with the airbag is released.