JP2002002439A - Air bag device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To favorably control a restricting condition on response to a fastening condition of a seat belt fastened by an occupant. SOLUTION: Vent holes 15a-15c are provided penetratedly respectively in upper face, and righ and left side faces of an air bag 12, the vent hole 15a in the upper face is opened in a position faced to a front glass 5 to be switched between an abutting condition non-abutting condition in response to an intrusion condition of the occupant. The vent holes 15b, 15c in the both side faces are opened all the time irrespective of the intrusion of the occupant.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a vehicle mounted on a vehicle,
The present invention relates to an airbag device for protecting an occupant by deploying and inflating an airbag when activated.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a vent hole is provided in an airbag of an airbag device. The airbag is
When an occupant is invaded, the shock is absorbed by discharging the gas inside through the vent hole, and the occupant can be suitably restrained and protected.

[0003]

When an occupant wears a seatbelt, the occupant is restrained by both the seatbelt and the airbag, so that the kinetic energy of the occupant when entering the airbag is reduced. Relatively small. On the other hand, if the occupant does not wear a seat belt,
Since the occupant is restrained only by the airbag, the kinetic energy of the occupant when entering the airbag is relatively large. For this reason, the magnitude of the impact to be absorbed by the airbag differs depending on the wearing state of the seat belt. However, in the conventional airbag device, the case where the occupant wears the seatbelt and the case where the occupant does not wear the seatbelt are set, and the exhaust capability of the vent hole is set in a point where both can be compromised. On the other hand, in recent years, there has been an increasing demand for an airbag device capable of realizing a more suitable restrained state according to the wearing state of the occupant's seat belt.

[0004] The present invention has been made in order to cope with the increasing demands described above. It is an object of the present invention to provide an airbag device that can more appropriately control the restraint state according to the occupant's wearing state of a seat belt.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to the first aspect comprises gas amount adjusting means for adjusting the gas amount in the airbag, and the occupant is controlled by adjusting the gas amount. In the airbag device configured to control the restrained state of the airbag device, the gas amount adjusting means includes, as a discharge port that discharges gas in the airbag to the outside, a discharge port that is opened at a position facing the compartment member. A discharge port opened at a position that is not opposed to the vehicle compartment component, and an opening of the discharge port opened at a position facing the vehicle compartment component according to the state of entry of the occupant into the airbag. The point is to change the state.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the airbag device according to the first aspect, the gas amount adjusting means includes a discharge port which is always open. Claim 3
According to the invention described in (1), in the airbag device according to (1) or (2), a discharge port opened at a position facing the cabin constituent member is provided in the cabin according to a state of entry of the occupant. The gist of the present invention is that the component can be switched between a contact state and a non-contact state.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the airbag apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the airbag is provided so as to face an occupant in a passenger seat. The gist is that

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in an airbag device for a passenger seat of a vehicle will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, an airbag device 11 according to the present embodiment mainly comprises an airbag 12 and an inflator 13 for supplying gas into the airbag 12. The instrument panel 2 of the vehicle 1
A case 14 for accommodating and holding the airbag 12 and the inflator 13 is disposed inside (hereinafter abbreviated as the instrument panel 2) and at a position facing the passenger seat 3.

The airbag 12 has a bag shape. When the airbag device 11 is operated, the occupant 4 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) seated on the seat 3 in the passenger seat and the instrument panel 2 are operated. Expanded into the space between. On the other hand, when the airbag device 11 is on standby, that is, before the airbag device 11 is activated, the airbag device 11 is stored in the case 14 in a folded state. FIG. 1 shows the airbag device 11 at the time of operation, and the airbag 12 is in a deployed state.

[0011] The airbag 12 in the deployed state includes the occupant 4.
It has a substantially triangular prism shape whose cross section increases toward the side (rear side of the vehicle body). That is, one of the three surfaces (substantially square surfaces) corresponding to the side surfaces of the triangular prism forms the front of the airbag 12 (the surface directly facing the occupant 4), and the remaining two surfaces of the airbag 12 Two surfaces (an approximately triangular surface) that constitute the upper and lower surfaces and correspond to the bottom surface of a triangular prism
Constitute the right side surface and the left side surface of the airbag 12.
Vent holes 15a to 15c are formed in the upper surface, right side surface, and left side surface of the airbag 12, respectively, as vent holes 15a to 15c as discharge ports for discharging gas in the airbag 12 to the outside. The vent hole 15 on the upper surface of the airbag 12
“a” is opened at a position facing the windshield 5 as a vehicle interior component. In the case of the present embodiment, the vent holes 15a to 15c and the windshield 5 constitute a gas amount adjusting means for adjusting the gas amount in the airbag 12.

The case 14 is formed in a box shape opening upward. The opening of the case 14 is closed by the back surface of the instrument panel 2 during standby. On the other hand, when the airbag device 11 is operated, a part of the instrument panel 2 is pushed open by the airbag 12 in the deployment process, and the opening of the case 14 is opened.

The operation of the airbag device 11 is controlled by a control device (not shown). This control device includes an acceleration sensor (not shown) for detecting the acceleration of the vehicle 1, and based on the detection result of the acceleration sensor, the airbag device 1.
1 is to be actuated. When it is determined that the operation is to be performed, a command signal is output to the inflator 13, and the inflator 13 supplies gas into the airbag 12 based on the command signal. The gas supplied in this manner inflates the airbag 12 and deploys it to the predetermined position.

Next, the operation of the airbag device 11 configured as described above will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the occupant 4 wearing the seat belt 6 is restrained by the airbag 12, and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the occupant 4 without the seat belt 6 is restrained by the airbag 12. It is.

When an impact is applied to the vehicle 1 from the front, an inertial force acts on the occupant 4 in the forward direction of the vehicle body. The magnitude of the impact at this time is equal to or greater than a predetermined magnitude and the airbag device 1
When the occupant 4 is wearing the seat belt 6 when the vehicle 1 is actuated (FIG. 2), the occupant 4 is temporarily restrained by the seat belt 6 and then secondarily restrained by the airbag 12. You. On the other hand, when the seat belt 6 is not worn (FIG. 3), the occupant 4 is restrained by the airbag 12 without being restrained by the seat belt 6. However, in any case, the occupant 4 enters the airbag 12 and is decelerated by the reaction force from the airbag 12. At this time, as the occupant 4 enters, the pressure of the gas in the airbag 12 increases, and the gas is released from the vent holes 15a to 15a.
It is gradually discharged to the outside via 15c. Therefore, the occupant 4 is restrained and protected while the deceleration is gradually reduced until the deceleration reaches a predetermined value.

Here, when the occupant 4 wears the seat belt 6 (FIG. 2), the occupant 4 is restrained by both the seat belt 6 and the airbag 12, so that the occupant 4 enters the airbag 12. The kinetic energy of the occupant 4 is relatively small.
Therefore, it is desirable that the reaction force received when the occupant 4 wearing the seat belt 6 enters the airbag 12 be as small as possible while maintaining a predetermined value.

In this case, since the occupant 4 is first restrained around the trunk by the seat belt 6, the occupant 4 enters the airbag 12 in a slightly obliquely upward direction in a circle. For this reason, the airbag 12 is moved to the front of the vehicle body while being pushed slightly downward, and restrains the occupant 4 in a state where all the vent holes 15a to 15c are opened without abutting against the vehicle compartment components. . As a result, gas is exhausted through all three vent holes 15a to 15c, so that the amount of gas in the airbag 12 is reduced relatively quickly. As a result, the occupant 4 maintains the predetermined reaction force due to the throttle effect of the vent holes 15a to 15c, but also uses the airbag 1 with a relatively small reaction force.
2 will be bound.

On the other hand, when the occupant 4 does not wear the seat belt 6 (FIG. 3), the occupant 4
Therefore, the kinetic energy of the occupant 4 when entering the airbag 12 becomes relatively large. For this reason, it is desirable that the reaction force received when the occupant 4 who does not wear the seat belt 6 enters the airbag 12 be larger than when the occupant 4 wears the seat belt 6.

In this case, the entire upper body of the occupant 4 moves forward of the vehicle body and enters the airbag 12 according to the inertia force. For this reason, the airbag 12 is moved straight ahead of the vehicle body, and its upper surface is in contact with the windshield 5. As a result, the airbag 12 has its upper surface vent hole 15a in contact with the windshield 5 and is closed, and the remaining two vent holes 15a and 15b are opened without contacting the vehicle compartment components. The occupant 4 is restrained in the state. Since gas is exhausted only through the two vent holes 15b and 15c on both sides, the amount of gas in the airbag 12 is more moderate than when the occupant 4 wears the seat belt 6. Is reduced to
As a result, the occupant 4 is restrained by the airbag 12 with a relatively large reaction force.

According to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained. In the airbag device 11, when the occupant 4 enters the airbag 12 from diagonally above, such as when the seat belt 6 is worn, the vent hole 15 a on the upper surface is opened without contacting the windshield. It will be in the state of having done. Thus, the occupant 4 can be restrained with a relatively small reaction force by increasing the amount of gas discharged. On the other hand, when the occupant 4 enters the airbag 12 straight from the front as in the case where the seat belt 6 is not worn, the vent hole 15a on the upper surface is in contact with the windshield and is closed. Become. Thus, the occupant 4 can be restrained with a relatively large reaction force by reducing the amount of gas discharged.

As described above, in the airbag device 11, the restraint state of the occupant 4 can be more appropriately controlled according to the wearing state of the seat belt of the occupant 4. As a result, the effect of protecting the occupant 4 by the airbag device 11 can be obtained. Can be further improved.

In the airbag device 11, vent holes 15 b and 15 c on both sides of the airbag 12 are provided.
Is always open regardless of the direction in which the occupant 4 enters. For this reason, when the occupant 4 enters, a predetermined amount of gas discharged from the inside of the airbag 12 to the outside can be ensured, and a shock absorption capacity of a predetermined level or more can always be ensured.

In the airbag device 11, the opening state of the vent hole 15a is controlled depending on whether or not the vent hole 15a contacts the windshield 5. Therefore, there is no need to provide a new member for opening and closing the vent hole 15a, and the opening state of the vent hole 15a can be controlled with a simple configuration.

In the airbag device 11, the airbag 12 is housed in the case 14 provided at a position facing the passenger seat 3, and the airbag 12 rides on the passenger seat when deployed. It is arranged to face the occupant 4. In this deployed state, the upper surface of the airbag 12 is in a state directly facing the windshield 5. Therefore, it can be suitably used as the airbag device 11 for the passenger seat.

(Modification) The above embodiment can be modified as follows. In the above embodiment, the present invention is embodied in the airbag device 11 for the front passenger seat, but may be embodied as an airbag device for the rear seat or an airbag device for the driver seat. In the case of the airbag device for the rear seat, a part of the vent hole provided in the airbag 12 is placed in a non-contact state with, for example, a backrest of a passenger seat or a driver seat as a passenger compartment member. You may comprise so that it can be switched to a contact state. In the case of an airbag device for a driver's seat, a part of a vent hole provided in the airbag 12 is brought into a contact state and a non-contact state with a part of, for example, a steering wheel as a vehicle interior component. It may be configured to be able to be switched to

The vent holes 15b and 15c on both sides of the airbag 12 may be omitted. With this configuration, the configuration can be simplified. The shape of the vent holes 15a to 15c is not particularly limited, and may be a slit, a long hole, or the like as long as the gas in the airbag 12 can be discharged to the outside. Further, the number and size thereof may be changed as appropriate.

In the above embodiment, the vent hole 15
Although the entirety of “a” is opened and closed by the windshield 5, it may be configured such that only a part of the vent hole 15a is opened and closed and the remaining part of the vent hole 15a is always open. With such a configuration, finer control of the gas discharge amount is possible.

[0028]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects. According to the first aspect of the present invention, the restraint state of the occupant can be more appropriately controlled according to the wearing state of the seat belt.

According to the invention described in claim 2, according to claim 1
In addition to the effects of the invention described in (1), it is possible to always secure a shock absorbing ability of a predetermined level or more regardless of the occupant intrusion state.

According to the invention described in claim 3, according to claim 1
Alternatively, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 2, the opening state of the discharge port can be controlled with a simple configuration. According to the invention described in claim 4, in addition to the effect of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 3, it can be suitably used as an airbag device for a passenger seat.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a configuration of an airbag device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a state in which an occupant is restrained by an airbag.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a restrained state of the occupant by the airbag.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference numeral 4 denotes a passenger, 5 denotes a windshield as a cabin constituent member constituting a part of the gas amount adjusting means, 11 denotes an airbag device, 12 denotes an airbag, 15a to 15c: a part of the gas amount adjusting means. Vent hole as outlet.

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Michihisa Asaoka 1 Ochiai, Ogai, Kasuga-cho, Nishikasugai-gun, Aichi F-term (reference) 3D054 AA02 AA03 AA04 AA13 AA14 AA22 BB16 CC15 FF20

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An airbag apparatus comprising a gas amount adjusting means for adjusting an amount of gas in an airbag, wherein the gas amount adjusting means controls a restraint state of an occupant. As a discharge port for discharging gas in the bag to the outside, the discharge port includes a discharge port opened at a position facing the vehicle compartment component, and a discharge port opened at a position not facing the vehicle compartment component, An airbag device characterized by changing an opening state of a discharge port opened at a position facing a vehicle-chamber constituent member in accordance with a state of entry of an occupant into an airbag. 2. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the gas amount adjusting means includes a discharge port that is always open. 3. An exhaust port opened at a position facing the cabin constituent member switches between a contact state and a non-contact state with respect to the cabin constituent member in accordance with the occupant's intrusion state. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the airbag device is configured to be operated. 4. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the airbag is provided so as to face an occupant in a passenger seat. .