JP2001260792A - Air bag device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air bag device which can make its air bag cover agreeable to the touch. SOLUTION: The air bag device M1 comprises a flatly deployed air bag 11, which is folded to approach near its center and confined in the air bag cover 40. The part 44 of the air bag cover 40 located above near the center of the air bag 11 folded is thickly formed to project downwardly from its periphery.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an airbag device disposed on a steering wheel of an automobile, an instrument panel in front of a passenger seat, or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, an airbag device disposed on a steering wheel is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-17549.
The airbag is known as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4 (1993) -214, and is folded and stored as follows.

[0003] That is, a peripheral wall portion facing the opening is overlapped with a peripheral wall portion having an opening for inflow of the inflation gas, and folded in two steps so that a flat developed edge approaches the opening side. Was out.

[0004] The first stage of folding is performed by making a fold in the left-right direction and making the front and rear edges of the flattened peripheral edge closer to the opening side so as to approach the opening side. And fold the bellows.

[0005] Next, in a second stage, a front-rear fold is made, and a peripheral wall portion having an opening is formed so that two peripheral edges on the left and right sides around the opening are close to the opening side. It was folded by the outer roll fold wound on the side.

[0006] The airbag folded in two stages as described above is housed in a case (bag holder) covered by an airbag cover (pad).

In the airbag apparatus, when the airbag is stored in the case, the inflator for supplying the inflation gas to the airbag is also assembled at the same time to complete the assembly. Further, the airbag device is attached to a steering wheel body connected to a steering shaft of the vehicle using a case (bag holder), thereby completing the assembly of the steering wheel and the mounting on the vehicle.

[0008]

However, in the conventional airbag device, the folded portion of the airbag is arranged near the outer peripheral edge deviated from the vicinity of the center of the inflator. Between the part of the airbag cover to be covered and the inflator, the folded lump of the airbag is not arranged, and the space is vacant. Therefore, when the horn switch is actuated by pushing down the airbag cover, if the airbag cover is pushed down in the vicinity of the center, the airbag cover itself at that portion may be depressed downward. Was bad.

Of course, such a decrease in the tactile sensation of the airbag cover has occurred not only in the airbag cover for operating the horn switch but also in the airbag cover provided with the horn button separately.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an airbag device capable of improving the tactile sensation of an airbag cover.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An airbag device according to the present invention is an airbag device in which a flat deployed airbag is folded so as to approach the vicinity of the center and is covered and stored by an airbag cover. The airbag cover, which is located above and near the center of the folded airbag, is formed to be thick so as to protrude downward from the periphery.

In the airbag, the peripheral wall portion on the side facing the opening is superposed on the peripheral wall portion having the opening for inflow of the inflation gas and flattened. A peripheral edge in three directions centering on the opening is folded so as to approach the opening side, and in a second stage, a peripheral edge on the folded end side in three directions centering on the opening is brought closer to the opening side. Thus, it is desirable to fold and store in the case.

[0013]

In the airbag device according to the present invention, the portion of the airbag cover located above the vicinity of the center of the folded airbag projects downward from the periphery.
It is formed to be thick, and since this thick portion enters the space between the folded masses of the folded airbag, even if this portion is pushed down, a thick portion is formed in a part of the airbag. Since the portion is supported, the airbag cover is prevented from being partially dented.

Therefore, in the airbag device according to the present invention, the feel of the airbag cover can be improved.

[0015] The folding of the airbag is defined in claim 2.
With the configuration described in the above, the peripheral wall portion on the side facing the opening is overlapped with the peripheral wall portion side having the opening for inflation gas inflow, from the state where the airbag is deployed flat, finally,
It is in a mode of folding into three masses.

Therefore, in the airbag of the airbag device according to the present invention, since the airbag is folded into three lumpes, the thickness of one lump and the plan view can be reduced as compared with the case where the airbag is folded into two lumps. The shape can be reduced,
The thickness after folding is completed can be reduced.

[0017] Furthermore, the number of finally folded masses is three, and it is easy to arrange them radially with the opening at the center. The folded masses are also smaller than the conventional folded masses in plan view. Since the size of the airbag is reduced, the size of the airbag in a plan view after the folding is completed can be reduced.

Therefore, in the airbag device according to the second aspect, the airbag can be easily stored in a compact case.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the airbag device M1 of the embodiment has a boss B at the center of the steering wheel W.
It is for a steering wheel arranged in.

The steering wheel W is of a three-spoke type, and includes a ring portion R to be gripped during steering, a boss portion B disposed at the center and connected to a steering shaft (not shown), a boss portion B and a ring portion R. And three spoke portions S connecting the two spokes. The spokes S are located on the front side of the boss B in the vehicle and extend from the boss B in the left-right direction. And a spoke portion SB extending rearward. A large space H occupying substantially the front half of the steering wheel W is provided between the front side of the boss B and the ring R in order to improve the visibility of the meters. Also, the steering wheel W is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, the steering wheel body 1 includes an airbag device M1 and a steering wheel body 1. The steering wheel body 1 includes a steering wheel core 2 made of an aluminum alloy or the like disposed in each part R, B, and S. A cover layer 3 made of synthetic resin for covering the metal core 2 of the ring portion R and the spoke portions S on the ring portion R side, and a lower cover 5 made of synthetic resin disposed below the boss portion B. It is configured. Further, the steering wheel body 1 is configured to include a support plate 7 for supporting the airbag device M1 and three horn switch mechanisms 9 interposed between the airbag device M1 and the support plate 7. I have.

Each horn switch mechanism 9 is provided with a pad 40 as an airbag cover, which will be described later, of the airbag device M1.
The horn is operated by bringing the contacts 9a and 9b (see FIG. 3) into contact with each other by the pressing operation. Each horn switch mechanism 9 is disposed on the back surface of the pad 40 near each of the spokes SL, SR, and SB, and separates the contacts 9a and 9b by the coil spring 9c (see FIG. 3) when the horn is not operated. In addition, the distance between the contacts 9a and 9b is regulated to be constant by using the stepped bolt 9d. Each stepped bolt 9d is inserted into a support portion 7e of the support plate 7, which will be described later, and screwed into a nut 39b provided on a bag holder 36 constituting a case of the airbag device M1.

The support plate 7 is made of sheet metal and has a base 7a disposed at a lower portion, and a vertical plate 7d extending upward from the vicinity of each of the spokes SL, SR and SB in the base 7a.
And a support portion 7e extending outward from the upper end of the vertical plate portion 7d. The base 7a is formed in a U-shape in plan view so as not to interfere with an inflator body 33a described later of the airbag device M1, and a nut 7c is fixed near the left and right spokes SL / SR of the base 7a. A mounting piece 7b is provided. Each mounting piece 7b has a nut 7c.
Are connected and fixed to the cored bar 2 by bolts 8 screwed into the core metal 2. The support plate 7 is provided with these mounting pieces 7b
The airbag device M1 is supported with the horn switch mechanisms 9 interposed therebetween by the bolts 8 fixed to the core metal 2 of the core 7b and the support of the tips of the support portions 7e in contact with the coating layer 3.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the airbag device M1 includes a folded airbag 11 and an airbag 11
An inflator 33 for supplying an inflation gas to the airbag, a pad 40 as an airbag cover for covering the folded airbag 11, and an airbag 11, an inflator 33,
Bag holder 36 as a case for holding pad 40
And is provided.

The inflator 33 has a substantially cylindrical main body 33a having a gas discharge port 33b for inflation gas at the upper part thereof,
A substantially rectangular plate-like flange portion 33c disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the main body 33a. Flange part 33
As shown in FIG. 4, as shown in FIG. 4, through holes 33 d through which bolts 31 a of a retainer 31, which will be described later, penetrate,
Are formed.

As shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 5, the retainer 31 is made of sheet metal having a substantially rectangular annular shape, and is provided with bolts 31a projecting downward at four corners as shown in FIG. ing. This retainer 31 is used for the airbag 11.
Is used to attach the airbag 11 to the bag holder 36 by pressing a peripheral edge of an opening 13 described later.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the bag holder 36 has a bottom wall 37 having a substantially triangular plate shape with three corners cut off, and side walls 38 and 39 extending upward from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall 37.
It is provided with. The bottom wall 37 has a through hole 3 at the center for inserting the inflator body 33a from below.
7a are formed, and around the insertion hole 37a, four through holes 37b for passing the bolts 31a of the retainer 31 are formed. On the front edge side of the bottom wall portion 37, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a connecting portion 37c extending downward and turning upward is formed. A claw 37d is formed. The connecting portion 37c locks the locking groove 46a in the side wall portion 46 of the pad 40 with the locking claw 37d, and
6 is riveted to 49.

The side wall portion 38 of the bag holder 36 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, two locking claws 38 a are provided on the left and right rear edge sides of the bottom wall portion 37, extend upward from the bottom wall portion 37, and extend downward at the tips. These side wall portions 38 lock the locking grooves 47 a in the side wall portion 47 of the pad 40 with the locking claws 38 a, and
Are set with rivets 49.

The side wall 39 of the bag holder 36 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 4, each spoke portion SL / SR of the bottom wall portion 37
-It is provided with a mounting portion 39a extending upward from the vicinity of the SB and extending outward at the upper end. Each mounting part 39a
Is fixed to the nut 39b, and the stepped bolt 9d of the horn switch mechanism 9 screwed to the nut 39b,
The horn switch mechanism 9 is interposed and supported by the support portion 7 e of the support plate 7.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and 6, the pad 40 includes a lid 41 covering the upper portion of the boss B, and side walls 46 and 47 projecting downward from the lower surface of the lid 41. It is provided with. The lid 41 is disposed at a portion surrounded by the side walls 46 and 47, and the folded airbag 11 is
And a peripheral portion 41 extending around the body portion 41a toward the coating layer 3 at the position of each spoke portion S.
b.

The outer periphery of the main body 41a is
6 has substantially the same shape as the outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall portion 37 of the airbag 1.
1 is provided with a door portion 42 that opens when inflated. The door portion 42 includes a large door portion 42a on the front side of the vehicle and two small door portions 42b on the left and right sides on the rear side.
A thin breakable portion 43 is disposed around the portion b. The breakable portion 43 has a shape in which a substantially U-shape and a substantially inverted T-shape are combined in the vehicle front-rear direction in a plan view of the pad 40, and the U-shaped portion 43a is broken,
The door portion 42a is configured to open forward, and the U-shaped portion 43a and the inverted T-shaped portion 43b are broken so that the door portions 42b and 42b are respectively opened obliquely rearward in the left-right direction. Have been.

In the vicinity of the center of the main body 41a, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 6, a thick portion 44 that protrudes downward and becomes thick is formed. The thick portion 44 is provided with the door portions 42a, 42b, 4 when the airbag 11 is deployed and inflated.
In order to make the opening operation of 2b smooth, it is separated by a concave groove of the scheduled breaking portion 43, and is constituted by a front thick portion 44a and two rear thick portions 44b, 44b, as viewed from the bottom surface.
It is formed in a pentagon with a home base shape. The arrangement area and thickness of the thick portion 44 are determined by the body portion 41 of the lid portion 41.
When a covers the folded airbag 11 at the time of assembling the airbag device M1, a folded lump 25
It is configured such that the thick portion 44 is supported by a part of the airbag 11 even when the thick portion 44 is pushed down, in a mode of entering the space A1 between 26 and 27.

Further, a bag holder 36 is provided on the lower surface side of the peripheral portion 41b of the main body portion 41a in the lid portion 41.
Pressing ribs 45 that contact the respective mounting portions 39a are formed.

The side wall portion 46 of the pad 40 has a plate-like shape extending downward from the front edge side of the lid portion 41, and has a locking groove 46 a on the inner surface for locking the locking claw 37 d of the bag holder 36. A plurality of mounting holes (not shown) through which the rivets 49 are inserted are provided at predetermined positions.

The side wall portion 47 of the pad 40 is formed in a plate shape so as to extend downward from the left and right sides of the rear edge side of the lid portion 41, respectively.
And a plurality of mounting holes 47b through which rivets 49 are inserted are provided at predetermined positions.

In the case of the embodiment, the folded airbag 11 has its lower surface restricted by the bottom wall 37 of the bag holder 36 and the main body 33a of the inflator 33, and its upper surface has the door portions 42a, 42b, 42b of the pad 40. , And the lateral outer peripheral surface is regulated by the side walls 46 and 47 of the pad 40 and the side walls 38 and 39 of the bag holder 36.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the airbag 11 is formed in a bag shape having an opening 13 through which an inflation gas flows, and has a substantially elliptical spherical cross section when inflated. I have. In the case of the embodiment, the airbag 11 is a flat airbag made of two cloth materials obtained by cutting a woven fabric such as polyamide yarn or polyester yarn into a circular shape. And
The peripheral wall portion of the airbag 11 that forms the bag-like shape is made of one cloth material, and the bottom wall portion 1 that forms the peripheral edge of the opening 13.
2 and a ceiling wall portion 16 made of the other cloth material and facing the opening 13.

An opening 13 for inflow of inflation gas is formed at the center of the bottom wall portion 12, and four mounting holes 14 through which the bolts 31 a of the retainer 31 are inserted are formed around the opening 13.
Are formed. Furthermore, on the front edge side of the bottom wall portion 12,
Two vent holes 15 for exhausting excess inflation gas are formed. The opening 13 is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the insertion hole 37a of the retainer 31 or the bag holder bottom wall 37, and the main body 33a of the inflator 33 can be inserted from below.

The airbag 11 is manufactured by cutting a woven fabric into a predetermined circular shape and at the same time using predetermined holes 13, 14.
5, the bottom wall portion 12 and the ceiling wall portion 16 are prepared, and they are overlapped by contacting each other on the outer peripheral surface side of the airbag 11 to sew the outer peripheral edges together. If you turn it over using the opening 13 so that it is not exposed on the surface side,
The airbag 11 can be manufactured.

When the holes 13, 14, 15 in the bottom wall portion 12 are formed, a reinforcing cloth (not shown) is sewn to the periphery of the holes 13, 14, 15 before drilling. Further, the manufactured airbag 11 is folded and housed in the bag holder 36 to assemble the airbag device M.

The folding of the airbag 11 of the embodiment is as follows.
First, as shown in FIG. 8A, the ceiling wall 16 on the side opposite to the opening 13 is superimposed on the bottom wall 12 having the opening 13 and flattened, and then folded in two steps.

In the first stage, as shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B, 9A and 9B, peripheral edges 18, 19, and 20 in three directions radially equally divided into three portions around the opening 13 are provided on the opening 13 side. Fold up to get closer. In the case of the embodiment, the periphery 18
19 and 20 are folded in a bellows fold in which a fold CM and a valley fold CV are added and folded on the side of the ceiling wall 16 opposite to the opening 13.

In the second stage, as shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C, the peripheral edges 21, 22 and 23 on the folded end side in three directions with the opening 13 as the center are connected to the opening 1
If it is folded so as to approach the third side, the airbag 11
Can be completed. In the case of the embodiment, each peripheral edge 21.
22 and 23 are folded by outer roll folding.
1, 22 and 23 are wound so as to be wound on the bottom wall 12 side having the opening 13 and to be placed on the ceiling wall 16 side opposite to the opening 13.

Before the airbag 11 is folded, the retainer 31 is inserted into the airbag 11, and the bolts 31a of the retainer 31 are made to protrude from the mounting holes 14. The step of folding work is performed.

After the folding operation of the airbag 11 is completed, the airbag 11 may be packaged in a rupturable thin packaging bag in order to prevent the airbag 11 from being collapsed so as to be restored and folded.

The storage of the folded airbag 11 in the bag holder 36 will now be described. First, the retainer 3 protruding from the folded airbag 11 is described.
1 through the through holes 37b of the bag holder bottom wall portion 37, and the airbag 11 is
-Place on the bottom wall 37 surrounded by 39 (see C in FIG. 8).

At this time, the folded airbag 11
Of the three clumps (folded portions) 25, 26, and 27 formed by folding in the second step, only one clump 25 is
The airbag 1 is disposed on the front edge side of the bottom wall portion 37.
1 is placed on the bottom wall 37. Incidentally, vent holes 15 are arranged in the folded portion of the lump 25.

Next, the main body 33a of the inflator 33
From below, through the insertion hole 37a of the bag holder bottom wall 37.
Into each of the through holes 33d and the retainer 31 into each through hole 33d.
Of the inflator 33 is brought into contact with the lower surface of the bottom wall portion 37 by inserting the bolt 31a of the inflator 33. Then, the nut 32 is screwed into the bolt 31a protruding from the flange portion 33c, and the airbag 11 / bag holder 3
9. Assemble the inflator 33 integrally. In addition,
These assemblings may be performed after the pad 40 described later is connected to the bag holder 39. At the time of this assembling, the upper part of the inflator body 33a is
3 is inserted into the airbag 11, the folded airbag 11 is in a state where a part of the lump 25, 26, 27 is placed on the upper surface of the inflator body 33 a, as shown in FIG. As a result, a state is obtained in which the bag holder bottom wall portion 37 is spread over the entire upper surface.

Thereafter, the pad 40 is pushed down from above so as to surround the lateral outer peripheral surface of the folded airbag 11 with the side walls 46, 47, 47, and the respective locking grooves 46a, 47a.
The locking claws 37d and 38a are locked to 47a,
Side walls 46, 47, 47 of pad 40 and bag holder 3
The rivets 49 connect the connecting portion 37c and the side wall portions 38
By stopping and connecting, the assembly of the airbag device M1 can be completed.

Further, the mounting of the airbag device M1 on a vehicle will be described. First, the horn switch mechanism 9 is disposed on each support portion 7e of the support plate 7, and the portions of the horn switch mechanism 9 are The airbag device M1, the horn switch mechanism 9, and the support plate 7 are disposed on the lower surface of each mounting portion 39a of the bag holder 36, and the stepped bolt 9d is screwed into the nut 39b from below each support portion 7e. An airbag device assembly is formed.

Then, with the metal core 2 of the boss portion B of the steering wheel body 1 fastened to a steering shaft (not shown) of the vehicle, the airbag device assembly is disposed from above, and each of the support plates 7 When the mounting piece 7b is bolted to the core metal 2 of the spoke portion SL / SR, the assembly of the steering wheel W1 is completed, and
The airbag device M1 can be mounted on a vehicle.

When the inflation gas is discharged from the gas discharge port 33b of the inflator 33 after the airbag device M1 is mounted on the vehicle, the inflation gas flows through the opening 13,
The airbag 11 is provided with a scheduled break portion 43 of the pad lid 41.
, The doors 42a, 42b, and 42b are opened as shown by the two-dot chain lines in FIG.

In the airbag device M1 according to the embodiment, a portion of the main body portion 41a in the pad lid portion 41 located above the vicinity of the center of the folded airbag 11 is projected downward from the periphery. Thick thick part 4
4 (44a, 44b, 44b) are formed, and since this thick portion 44 enters into the space A1 between the folded masses 25, 26, 27 of the folded airbag 11, the horn switch mechanism is provided. 9, even if this portion 44 is pushed down, the thick portion 4
4 is supported, and the body 41a of the pad lid 41 is prevented from being partially dented.

Therefore, the airbag device M of the embodiment
In 1, the touch feeling of the pad 40 can be improved.

In the embodiment, the airbag 11
In the first stage of folding in a state where it is unfolded flatly, peripheral edges 18, 19.
0 is folded so as to approach the opening 13 side, and in the second stage, the peripheral edges 21, 22 and 23 in the three-fold folded end side around the opening 13 are made to approach the opening 13 side. From the state in which the airbag 11 is folded flat, and finally, the three masses 25, 26, 2
7 is folded.

That is, in the airbag 11 of the embodiment, since the airbag 11 is folded into three blocks 25, 26, and 27, the thickness and the plan view of one block are compared with the conventional case of folding into two blocks. Can be reduced in size, and the thickness after folding can be reduced.
That is, as in the embodiment, the folded lump 25, 26, 2
Even if a part of 7 is placed on the upper surface of the main body 33a of the inflator 33, the thickness of the airbag 11 can be reduced.

The masses 25 and 26 finally folded
27 are three, and are easily arranged radially with the opening 13 as a center, and each folded lump 25, 26
27 also becomes smaller than the conventional shape of the folded lump in plan view, so that the airbag 1 after the folding is completed.
Even in the shape of 1 in plan view, it is possible to reduce the size.

Therefore, the airbag device M of the embodiment
In one airbag 11, a compact bag holder 3 is provided.
6 can be easily stored.

In the airbag 11 of the embodiment,
The folding in the second stage is the outer roll folding. That is, in the initial stage of inflation of the airbag 11, the central portion 16a of the ceiling wall portion 16 facing the opening 13 will protrude while eliminating the folding of the three blocks (folding portions) 25, 26, and 27 covering the periphery. But each lump 25, 26, 27
Is wound on the side of the bottom wall 12 having the opening 13, so that it is compared with bellows folding or inner roll folding (how to fold the folded end on the side of the peripheral wall facing the opening). It is difficult to unwind. As a result, it is possible to suppress the protrusion of the ceiling wall central portion 16a facing the opening 13.

When eliminating the folding of the three blocks 25, 26, 27, the three blocks 25, 26, 27
In the three directions, the inflation gas is finely dispersed, and the flow rate of the inflation gas for eliminating the folding of the respective lump 25, 26, 27 is reduced, and the respective lump 25, 2
The elimination speed of the fold of 6.27 will also be suppressed,
Further, it is possible to suppress the projection of the ceiling wall central portion 16a facing the opening 13.

Therefore, in the initial stage of inflation of the airbag 11,
Even if an attempt is made to interfere with the driver, the pressure of the airbag 11 applied to the driver can be kept low.

If this point is not taken into consideration, the peripheral edges 21, 22, 23 may be simply folded in a bellows in the second stage of folding. Furthermore, the peripheral edges 21, 22, and 23 are connected to the ceiling wall 1
The inner roll may be folded on the 6 side.

Further, in the airbag 11 of the embodiment,
The folding in the first stage is bellows folding. In other words, the folds CM1 and CV are sequentially applied from the peripheral edges 18, 19 and 20.
, And can be easily folded as compared with the case of outer roll folding or inner roll folding. In addition, if this point is not considered, the periphery 18
The outer roll 20 may be folded. In addition, the peripheral 18.1
9.20 may be folded in an inner roll.

Further, regarding the arrangement of the airbag 11 of the embodiment in the bag holder 36, the lump 25
Two of 27 may be arranged on the front side of the vehicle and one may be stored on the rear side of the vehicle.

Further, the airbag 11 is placed in the bag holder 36 so that the folded portions 25, 26, and 27 are not placed on the upper surface of the inflator body 33a as much as possible so as to enlarge the planar shape of the space A1. You may comprise so that it may be accommodated. In this case, the folded airbag 1
1 becomes larger in plan view, and the thick portion 44 (44a
Although the area and thickness of 44b and 44b) increase, the thickness of the airbag 11 including the inflator 33 can be further reduced.

Further, the airbag may be folded so that the folded portion is formed into two blocks. For example, FIGS.
As shown in an airbag 51 of a steering wheel airbag device M2 shown in FIG.
First, in the first stage of the folding process, a fold C1 is formed in the left-right direction of the vehicle so that the peripheral wall portion 16 on the side facing 3 is overlapped and the peripheral edge developed flat approaches the opening 13 side, Edges 52 and 53 in the front-rear direction of the peripheral edge developed flat
Each is folded on the side of the peripheral wall portion 16 on the side facing the opening 13 so as to approach the opening 13 side, and bellows folding is performed.

Next, in the second stage, a fold C2 in the front-rear direction
(See FIG. 11), and the peripheral edges 54 and 55 on the two end portions in the left-right direction centering on the opening 13 are wound on the side of the peripheral wall portion 16 having the opening 13 so as to approach the opening 13 side. Fold by outer roll folding etc.

The airbag 51 folded in two stages as described above may be stored in the bag holder 66 covered by the pad 70.

If the portion of the pad 70 serving as the airbag cover, which is located near the center of the folded airbag 51, is formed as the thick portion 44 so as to protrude downward from the periphery, the thick portion 44 is used. The part 44 is
Since the airbag 51 enters the space A2 between the lumps 56 and 57 of the folded airbag 51, this portion 44
Even if is pressed down, the thick portion 44 is supported by a part of the airbag 51, and the pad 70 is prevented from being partially dented, and the same operation and effect as in the embodiment can be obtained. it can.

Note that the airbag device M1
Regarding the thick portion 44 of the pads 40 and 70 in FIG.
Although the peripheral edge is tapered and has a substantially uniform thickness, the center between the blocks 25, 26, 27 and the center between the blocks 56, 57 are
Since the height of the spaces A1 and A2 is maximized, the blocks 25, 26, and 2
The rear surface side of the thick portion 44 may be projected in a mountain shape so as to gradually increase the thickness between the center between the 7 and the centers between the blocks 56 and 57.

When the thickness of the thick portion 44 is too large, a thin portion is provided on the back side to reduce the weight of the airbag covers 40 and 70, and a plurality of rib-like projections are provided. A thick portion may be formed.

Further, in the airbag device M1 of the embodiment, the case where the airbag apparatus is mounted on the three-spoke type steering wheel W has been described, but it is needless to say that the airbag apparatus M1 may be mounted on the four-spoke type steering wheel. .

Furthermore, in the embodiment, the airbag devices M1 and M2 disposed on the steering wheel W have been described. However, the airbag device of the present invention is not limited to the steering wheel.
The present invention can be applied to an airbag device that is folded from a flat deployed state to approach the vicinity of the center to generate a plurality of folds, and a gap is generated between the folds.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a use mode of an airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the airbag device of the embodiment, and corresponds to a II-II portion in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic vertical sectional view of the airbag device according to the embodiment, which corresponds to a portion taken along line III-III of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a schematic partial longitudinal sectional view of the airbag device of the embodiment, and corresponds to a section IV-IV in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a bag holder of the airbag device of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the pad that is the airbag cover of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a state where the airbag of the embodiment is flatly deployed.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating folding of the airbag according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the airbag showing the first-stage folding of the embodiment, and corresponds to a portion IX-IX in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the airbag showing the second-stage folding of the embodiment, and corresponds to a portion XX in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of an airbag device showing another embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a first-stage folding of the airbag of the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a state after the first-stage folding of the airbag of the embodiment is completed.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 · 51 · airbag, 12 · peripheral part, 13 · opening, 16 · peripheral part, 16 a · central part, 36 · 66 · (case) bag holder, 40 · 70 · (airbag cover) pad, 44 · thickness Meat part, M1, M2 ... airbag device.

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Nao Yamamoto 1 Ochiai Nagahata, Kasuga-cho, Nishi-Kasugai-gun, Aichi Prefecture Inside Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takashi Uemura 1 Ochiai Ochiai, Kasuga-cho, Nishi-Kasugai-gun, Aichi 1 Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. Company F term (reference) 3D054 AA02 AA03 AA13 AA14 AA26 BB02 BB06 BB23 CC11 CC29 DD10 FF20

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An airbag device in which an airbag that has been flattened is folded so as to approach the center and is covered with an airbag cover, and is stored near the center of the folded airbag. An airbag device, wherein a portion of the airbag cover located above is formed to be thick so as to protrude downward from the surroundings. 2. The airbag according to claim 1, wherein the airbag is provided with a peripheral wall portion having an opening for inflow of inflation gas and a peripheral wall portion on a side facing the opening overlapped and flattened. In the second stage, the peripheral edges in three directions centered on the opening are folded toward the opening side in three directions around the opening. 2. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the airbag device is folded and housed in the case.