JP2002029355A - Air bag device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce unpleasant feeling to an occupant in an initial stage of development caused by an air bag, and to enhance initial restraint performance for the occupant, by inflation-developing the air bag quickly to plural intended directions in the inflation development of the air bag. SOLUTION: Plural sheetlike parts 25d extended from a central part to a peripheral edge part 25b are provided in a cover 25 engaged with an opening 11a of a panel 11 in the peripheral edge part 25b, a route A for guiding one portion toward a boundary part between the cover 25 and the panel 11 in start of the inflation development of the air bag 24 is provided in a side portion of the cover peripheral edge part of the each sheetlike part 25d, the first tear line L1 is provided to be torn by inflation-developing force of the air bag 24 protruded from the boundary part between the cover 25 and the panel 11 through the route A in the start of the inflation development, and the second tear line L2 torn during the inflation development and in the latter period of the air bag 24 is provided by connecting the each tear line L1 in a cover central part side portion of the each sheetlike part 25d.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an airbag device mounted on a vehicle, for example, an airbag device disposed in front of a passenger in a passenger seat.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As one type of airbag apparatus, an airbag and an inflator are accommodated in a case provided corresponding to an opening provided in a panel (instrument panel), and these are provided on the peripheral portion of the opening of the panel. There is one configured to be covered by a cover that is fitted, for example, as disclosed in JP-A-11-59306.

[0003]

In the above-mentioned conventional airbag apparatus, a wall surrounding four sides is attached to the back surface of a cover (fitted to the edge of the opening of the case). Mounting part)
Are provided continuously and integrally, and in order to inflate and deploy the airbag by opening a part of the cover, an H-shape, a U-shape or a U-shape is provided inside the wall surrounding the four sides (the center part of the cover). It is necessary to provide a broken portion in a shape, and the walls surrounding the four sides may hinder the deployment direction and the deployment speed of the airbag. Therefore, when the airbag is inflated and deployed, it is difficult to quickly inflate and deploy the airbag in a plurality of intended directions, thereby avoiding discomfort to the occupant in the initial stage of inflation and deployment by the airbag and improving the occupant's initial restraint performance. It is difficult.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention accommodates an airbag and an inflator in a case provided corresponding to an opening provided in a panel, and places them in the opening of the panel. In an airbag device configured to be covered by a cover fitted at a peripheral portion, the cover is provided with a plurality of plate portions extending from a central portion to a peripheral portion, and the cover peripheral portion of each of the plate portions is provided. A part-side portion is provided with a path for guiding a part of the airbag toward the boundary between the cover and the panel at the start of inflation and deployment of the airbag, and the path is passed through the path at the beginning of the inflation and deployment of the airbag. A first tear line that is broken by an inflation and deployment force of the airbag that protrudes from a boundary between the cover and the panel to allow inflation and deployment of the airbag, The first tier lines are connected to the cover-side portion of the plate-shaped portion at the cover central portion, and the airbag is inflated and deployed by being broken by the inflating and deploying force of the airbag during and after the inflation and deployment of the airbag. (The invention according to claim 1) is characterized in that a second tier line is provided which allows the following.

In this case, it is desirable that the cover is formed of a flexible material (the invention according to claim 2), and a part of the airbag is connected to each of the paths when the inflation and deployment of the airbag starts. It is desirable to provide a guide for guiding toward the boundary side end on at least one of the panel and the case (the invention according to claim 3).

[0006]

In the airbag device according to the present invention, when the inflator blows out gas at the time of a vehicle collision, the gas is introduced into the airbag housed in the case and the airbag is inflated and deployed. I do. On this occasion,
First, at the start of the inflation and deployment of the airbag, a part of the airbag is guided toward the boundary between the cover and the panel through each of the paths provided in the plurality of plate-like portions of the cover, and is then out of the cover from the boundary. In the initial stage of inflation and deployment of the airbag projecting from the boundary portion to the outside of the cover, the first tear line provided on the cover peripheral portion side portion of each plate-shaped portion is broken by the inflation and deployment force of the airbag. , While allowing the inflation and deployment of the airbag,
In the latter period, the second tear line provided at the central portion of the cover of the plate-shaped portion is broken by the inflation and deployment force of the airbag, thereby allowing the inflation and deployment of the airbag.

For this reason, a plurality of portions (portions corresponding to respective paths) of the airbag are distributed and guided toward the boundary between the cover and the panel by the respective paths at the start of the inflation and deployment of the airbag. The airbag inflates and deploys while breaking each first tier line at the initial stage of inflation and deployment of the airbag. Therefore, the load acting on the occupant from the airbag can be dispersed,
Discomfort when the airbag hits an occupant can be reduced. Further, since a plurality of portions of the airbag can be guided along each route, by providing each route and each first tear line in the intended direction, the airbag can be quickly moved in the intended direction. And the initial restraint performance of the occupant by the airbag can be improved.

Further, when the cover is made of a flexible material in the practice of the present invention (in the case of the invention according to claim 2), a part of the airbag is started when the inflation and deployment of the airbag is started. When projecting out of the cover, the peripheral edge of the cover can be largely bent, and the gap formed between the opening of the panel and the peripheral edge of the cover (the boundary between the cover and the panel) can be increased. Therefore, at the start of the inflation and deployment of the airbag and at the beginning of the inflation and deployment, the airbag can be more quickly inflated and deployed in the intended direction.

In practicing the present invention, at least one of the panel and the case is provided with a guide for guiding a part of the airbag toward the boundary side end of each path at the start of inflation and deployment of the airbag. 3) In the case of the invention according to (3),
At the start of inflation and deployment of the airbag, a part of the airbag can be smoothly guided toward the boundary side end of each path, and a part of the airbag projects out of the cover from the boundary at an early timing The rupture at each first tier line can be advanced, and the inflation and deployment performance of the airbag can be improved.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 11 show a first embodiment of an airbag device according to the present invention. The airbag device according to this embodiment includes a passenger seat in front of an occupant S,
That is, they are arranged on the instrument panel 11, and include an inflator 22 (see FIGS. 3 and 4), a diffuser 23 (see FIGS. 3 and 4), and an airbag 24 (see FIG. 2).
(Not shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 5), and a cover 25 that covers an upper opening of the case 21.

The case 21 includes the instrument panel 1.
A housing 21a is provided corresponding to the substantially rectangular opening 11a provided in the housing 1 and opens upward, and four connecting pieces integrally formed at an upper end of the housing 21a and extending upward. 21b, is fixed to a reinforcing member (not shown) provided in the instrument panel 11 at the accommodation portion 21a, and is fitted and connected to a holding wall 25a provided on the back surface of the cover 25 at each connecting piece 21b. ing.

The inflator 22 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape and is housed and fixed in the housing 21 a of the case 21. Further, the inflator 22 has a built-in starting device and a gas generating material (not shown) therein. When the starting device is started at the time of a vehicle collision, the gas generating material burns to generate gas, and air is generated. Gas is blown out until the bag 24 is completely inflated and deployed. Diffuser 23
The accommodation portion 21 of the case 21 above the inflator 22
a, and the gas from the inflator 22 is diffused toward the airbag 24.

The airbag 24 is accommodated in a folded state between the diffuser 23 and the cover 25, and is hermetically sealed in the accommodating portion 21a of the case 21 by using a fixture (not shown) at its opening (not shown). (To prevent gas from leaking out). In addition, the airbag 24
By introducing the gas ejected from the inflator 22 through the diffuser 23 into the inside, it is configured to expand and deploy from the folded state as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6 to 11.

The cover 25 is formed of a flexible material.
A peripheral edge 25 is formed in the opening 11a of the instrument panel 11.
b, a plurality of (six) hooks 25
By locking c to the reinforcing portion 11b of the instrument panel 11, it is fixed to the instrument panel 11 so as not to come off, and covers the inflator 22, the diffuser 23 and the airbag 24 from above.

In the present embodiment, the cover 25 has a plurality (4) extending from the central portion to the peripheral portion 25b.
), And a part of the airbag 24 at the start of inflation and deployment of the airbag 24 is attached to the cover 25 and the instrument panel 11 at the peripheral portion of the cover of each of the plate portions 25d. A path A (see FIGS. 1 and 4) for guiding toward the boundary is provided, and a cover 25 is provided through each path A at the initial stage of inflation and deployment of the airbag 24.
1 is broken by the inflation and deployment force of the airbag 24a protruding from the boundary portion of the instrument panel 11 as shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. 1, and the airbag 24b is partially inflated and deployed by the two-dot chain line in FIG. A first tier line L1 is provided, and the first tier line L1 is connected to a central portion of the cover of the plate-like portion 25d to inflate and deploy the airbag 24 during and after the inflation and deployment of the airbag 24. A second tear line L <b> 2 that is broken by force to allow complete inflation and deployment of the airbag 24 is provided.

Each path A is formed by partially removing the holding wall 25a provided on the back surface of the cover 25 (not forming the holding wall 25a partially). As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, each first tear line L1 is provided by forming a deep groove 25d1 along each path A on the peripheral edge of the plate-shaped portion 25d so as to be thin, Deep groove 25
One end of d1 is also open toward the opening 11a of the instrument panel 11 at the periphery of the plate-like portion 25d, and the other end of the deep groove 25d1 communicates with the deep groove (thin portion) 25d2 of the second tear line L2. are doing. Further, the instrument panel 11 includes the airbag 2 toward each path A.
Guides 11c and 11d for guiding a part of the guide 4 are provided.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the second tear line L2 has a pair of left and right deep grooves (thin portions) 25d2 each of which has a fork at the base thereof, and a pair of these deep grooves 25d2 at their base ends. Each shallow groove 25d2 is constituted by a shallow groove (medium portion) 25d3 to be connected.
It is formed slightly shallower than one deep groove 25d1. Accordingly, when the airbag 24 projects outside the cover 25 and inflates and deploys, the deep groove 2 of each first tear line L1 is formed.
After the 5d1 forming portion (thin portion) breaks and deforms, the deep groove 25d2 forming portion (thin portion) of the second tear line L2 breaks and deforms, and finally the shallow groove 25 of the second tear line L2.
The d3 formation site (the middle portion) is broken and deformed.

The cover 25 is formed with a pair of left and right shallow grooves 25d4 (portions serving as hinge portions) corresponding to the left and right holding walls 25a in FIG. In a state where the deep groove 25d1 forming portion of the tear line L1 is broken and deformed and both the deep groove 25d2 forming portions of the second tear line L2 are broken and deformed, the deep groove 25d1 of the first tear line L1 and the deep groove 25d2 of the second tear line L2 are shallow. A portion surrounded by the groove 25d4 is developed and deformed (opens right and left in FIG. 1) with the shallow groove 25d4 forming portion as a hinge portion.

Also, since the cover 25 is formed of a flexible material, the first tear line L1 and the second tear line L2 may be broken when the airbag 24 is inflated and deployed. L1 deep groove 25d1 and second tear line L2 deep groove 25d2 and shallow groove 25d
3 and a portion surrounded by the upper and lower holding walls 25a in FIG. 1 is developed and deformed (opens up and down in FIG. 1) using a portion corresponding to the upper and lower holding walls 25a as a hinge portion.

In the airbag device of the first embodiment configured as described above, when the inflator 22 blows out gas at the time of a vehicle collision, the diffuser 23 passes through the airbag 24 housed in a folded state. The gas is introduced, and the airbag 24 starts inflating and deploying.

At this time, first, when the inflation and deployment of the airbag 24 is started, a part of the airbag 24 passes through each of the paths A provided in the plurality of plate-shaped portions 25d of the cover 25, and the cover 25 and the instrument panel 11 are separated. It is guided toward the boundary, protrudes out of the cover 25 from the boundary as shown by the dashed line in FIG.
At the initial stage of the inflation and deployment of the airbag 24 protruding outside, the first tear line L1 provided at the cover peripheral portion side portion of each plate-shaped portion 25d is broken by the inflation and deployment force of the airbag 24, and In a state where the chest is in contact with the instrument panel 11 while the body is substantially vertical, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIGS. 1, 6, and 7, the chest is instrumented with the upper body of the occupant S leaning forward. In a state in which the airbag 24 is in contact with the panel 11, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIGS.

Also, during and after the inflation and deployment of the airbag 24, the second tear line L2 provided at the central portion of the cover of the plate-like portion 25d is broken by the inflation and deployment force of the airbag 24, and the occupant S In a state where the chest is in contact with the instrument panel 11 while the upper body is substantially vertical, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIGS. 8 and 9, the chest is held on the instrument panel 11 with the upper body of the occupant S leaning forward. Is in contact with the airbag 2 as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG.
4 is allowed to expand and deploy.

Therefore, a plurality of portions (portions corresponding to the respective routes A) of the airbag 24 are directed toward the boundary between the cover 25 and the instrument panel 11 by the respective routes A when the inflation and deployment of the airbag 24 is started. Distributed and guided,
The airbag 24 is inflated and deployed while breaking each first tear line L1 at the initial stage of inflation and deployment of the airbag 24 from the boundary portion. Therefore, the airbag 2
4, the load acting on the occupant S can be dispersed, and discomfort when the airbag 24 hits the occupant S can be reduced. Further, since a plurality of portions of the airbag 24 can be guided along each route A, the airbag 24 is intended by providing each route A and each first tear line L1 in the intended direction. The occupant S can be quickly inflated and deployed in the direction, and the initial restraint performance of the occupant S by the airbag 24 can be improved.

In the present embodiment, the cover 25
Is formed of a flexible material, so that when the airbag 24 starts inflating and deploying, a part of the airbag 24
When projecting to the outside, the peripheral edge of the cover 25 can be greatly bent, and is formed between the opening 11a of the instrument panel 11 and the peripheral edge of the cover 25 (the boundary between the cover 25 and the instrument panel 11). Can be increased. Therefore, at the start of inflation and deployment of the airbag 24 and at the beginning of inflation and deployment, the airbag 24 can be inflated and deployed more quickly in the intended direction.

In the present embodiment, the airbag 2
At the start of the inflation and deployment of the airbag 4, a part of the airbag 24 is
Guides 11c and 11d for guiding toward the boundary side end of the airbag are provided on the instrument panel 11.
At the start of the inflation and deployment of the airbag, a part of the airbag 24 can be smoothly guided toward the boundary side end of each path A, and a part of the airbag 24 can be moved from the boundary to the outside of the cover 25 at an early timing. And can be projected
The break at each first tier line L1 can be advanced, and the inflation and deployment performance of the airbag 24 can be improved.

In the first embodiment, the first tier line L1 and the second tier line L2 are provided on the cover 25 in an H shape as shown in FIG.
As in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 2, each first tier line L1 and the second tier line L2 are provided in a Y-shape on the cover 25, as in the third embodiment shown in FIG. The first tier line L1 and the second tier line L2 are provided in the form of an I-shape extending to the left and right on the cover 25, as in the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. The second tier line L2 may be provided on the cover 25 in an I-shape extending back and forth.

In the second embodiment shown in FIG.
The cover 25 is provided with a plurality of (three) plate-like portions 25d extending from the central portion to the peripheral edge portion 25b.
Cover part of the airbag 24 at the start of inflation and deployment of
A route A is provided for guiding the airbag 24 toward the boundary between the cover 25 and the instrument panel 11 at the initial stage of the inflation and deployment of the airbag 24. As shown in FIG. 12, a first tear line L1 is provided, which is broken by the inflation and deployment force of the protruding airbag 24a and allows the inflation and deployment of the airbag 24b as indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG.
The first tier line L1 is connected to the central portion of the cover of the plate-like portion 25d so that the airbag 24 is inflated and deployed.
The second tier line L that is broken by the inflation and deployment force of the airbag 24 in the later stage to allow the inflation and deployment of the airbag 24
2 are provided.

Each first tier line L1 of the second embodiment
Are formed along the respective paths A on the peripheral edge of the plate-like portion 25d.
It is provided by forming d1 to be thin,
One end of the deep groove 25d1 is also open toward the opening 11a of the instrument panel 11 at the peripheral edge of the plate-like portion 25d, and the other ends of the left and right deep grooves 25d1 are deep grooves (thin portions) 25d2 of the second tear line L2. To the central deep groove 2
The other end of 5d1 communicates with a shallow groove (medium thickness portion) 25d3 of the second tier line L2.

The second tier line L2 of the second embodiment
Is composed of a pair of left and right deep grooves (thin portions) 25d2, and a T-shaped shallow groove (medium portion) 25d3 connecting these deep grooves 25d2 at their base ends.
2 is formed slightly shallower than the deep groove 25d1 of each first tier line L1. Thus, when the airbag 24 projects out of the cover 25 and inflates and deploys, the first
Deep groove 25d1 formation site (thin portion) of tear line L1
After the rupture deformation of both the deep grooves 2 of the second tear line L2
The 5d2 forming portion (thin portion) is broken and deformed, and finally the shallow groove 25d3 forming portion (medium portion) of the second tear line L2 is broken and deformed.

Further, the cover 25 of the second embodiment is broken by the inflation and deployment force of the airbag 24 at substantially the same timing as the portions (thin portions) where the deep grooves 25d2 of the second tear line L2 are formed. A pair of left and right deep grooves (thin portions) 25d5 that allow the expansion and deployment of the above are provided corresponding to the respective holding walls 25a in the upper part of FIG.

Also, in the second embodiment, the cover 2
5 is made of a flexible material, the airbag 2
4, the first tier line L1, the second tier line L2, and a pair of left and right deep grooves (thin portions) 25d5
When the cover 25 is broken, the deep groove (thin portion) 25d1 of the first tear line L1, the deep groove (thin portion) 25d2 and the shallow groove (medium portion) 25 of the second tear line L2 are formed.
A portion surrounded by d3, a pair of left and right deep grooves (thin portions) 25d5, and a left and right holding wall 25a in FIG. 12 is developed and deformed as a hinge portion at a portion corresponding to the left and right holding walls 25a in FIG. It has become.

When the cover 25 is broken at the first tier line L1 and the second tier line L2 when the airbag 24 is inflated and deployed, the first tier line L1
The deep groove (thin portion) 25d1, the deep groove (thin portion) 25d2 and the shallow groove (medium portion) 25d3 of the second tear line L2, and the portion surrounded by the lower holding wall 25a in FIG.
2 A portion corresponding to the lower holding wall 25a is developed and deformed as a hinge portion (opens downward in FIG. 12).

In the second embodiment configured as described above, it is needless to say that substantially the same operation and effect as those obtained in the first embodiment can be obtained.
5, a part of the airbag 24 is inflated and deployed toward the head Sb of the occupant S at a timing earlier than that in the first embodiment due to the break of the first tear line L1 provided at the upper center portion of the occupant S. As a result, the initial restraint of the head Sb of the occupant S by the airbag 24 can be improved as compared with the first embodiment.

In the third embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the cover 25 is provided with a plurality (two) of plate-like portions 25d extending from the central portion to the peripheral portion. A route A for guiding a part of the airbag 24 toward the boundary between the cover 25 and the instrument panel 11 at the start of the inflation and deployment of the airbag 24 is provided at a peripheral edge portion of the portion 25d. At the initial stage of inflation and deployment, the airbag 24a is broken by the inflation and deployment force of the airbag 24a projecting from the boundary between the cover 25 and the instrument panel 11 through the respective paths A as shown by the dashed line in FIG. A first tear line L1 that allows inflation and deployment indicated by a dashed line is provided, and the first tear line L1 is connected to the center of the plate-like portion 25d to form an airbag 24. The air bag 24 in the late-in inflation and deployment
A second tear line L2 is provided which is broken by the inflation and deployment force of the airbag 24 to allow the inflation and deployment of the airbag 24.

Each first tier line L1 of the third embodiment
Are formed along the respective paths A on the peripheral edge of the plate-like portion 25d.
It is provided by forming d1 to be thin,
One end of the deep groove 25d1 is also open toward the opening 11a of the instrument panel 11 at the periphery of the plate-like portion 25d, and the other end of the deep groove 25d1 communicates with the deep groove (thin portion) 25d2 of the second tear line L2. are doing.

The second tier line L2 of the third embodiment
Is composed of a pair of left and right deep grooves (thin portions) 25d2, and an I-shaped shallow groove (medium portion) 25d3 connecting the two deep grooves 25d2 at their respective base ends.
2 is formed slightly shallower than the deep groove 25d1 of each first tier line L1. Thus, when the airbag 24 projects out of the cover 25 and inflates and deploys, the first
Deep groove 25d1 formation site (thin portion) of tear line L1
After the rupture deformation of both the deep grooves 2 of the second tear line L2
The 5d2 forming portion (thin portion) is broken and deformed, and finally the shallow groove 25d3 forming portion (medium portion) of the second tear line L2 is broken and deformed.

Also in the third embodiment, the cover 2
5 is made of a flexible material, the airbag 2
In the state where the cover 25 is broken at the first tier line L1 and the second tier line L2 at the time of inflation and deployment of 4, the deep groove (thin portion) 25d1 of the first tier line L1 and the second
A portion surrounded by the deep groove (thin portion) 25d2 and shallow groove (medium portion) 25d3 of the tear line L2 and the upper and lower holding walls 25a in FIG. 13 is developed and deformed as a hinge corresponding to the upper and lower holding walls 25a in FIG. (Open vertically in FIG. 13).

In the third embodiment configured as described above, it is needless to say that substantially the same operation and effect as those obtained in the first embodiment can be obtained.
The first tear line L1 and the second tear line L2 provided on the cover 5 have the same shape as the first tear line L1 and the second tear line L2 provided on the cover 25 of the first and second embodiments.
Since the shape is simpler than the shape of the tear line L2, the cover 25 can be manufactured simply and at low cost.

In the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the cover 25 is provided with a plurality (two) of plate-like portions 25d extending from the central portion to the peripheral portion. A route A for guiding a part of the airbag 24 toward the boundary between the cover 25 and the instrument panel 11 at the start of the inflation and deployment of the airbag 24 is provided at a peripheral edge portion of the portion 25d. At the initial stage of inflation and deployment, the airbag 24b is broken by the inflation and deployment force of the airbag 24a projecting from the boundary between the cover 25 and the instrument panel 11 through the respective paths A as shown by the dashed line in FIG. A first tear line L1 that allows inflation and deployment indicated by a dashed line is provided, and the first tear line L1 is connected to the center of the plate-like portion 25d to form an airbag 24. The air bag 24 in the late-in inflation and deployment
A second tear line L2 is provided which is broken by the inflation and deployment force of the airbag 24 to allow the inflation and deployment of the airbag 24.

Each first tier line L1 of the fourth embodiment
Are formed along the respective paths A on the peripheral edge of the plate-like portion 25d.
It is provided by forming d1 to be thin,
One end of the deep groove 25d1 is also open toward the opening 11a of the instrument panel 11 at the peripheral edge of the plate-like portion 25d, and the other end of the deep groove 25d1 is a shallow groove (medium wall portion) 25d3 of the second tear line L2. Is in communication with The second tier line L2 has an I-shaped shallow groove (medium wall portion) 25d3.
It consists only of. Thereby, when the airbag 24 projects outside the cover 25 and inflates and deploys,
After the deep groove 25d1 forming portion (thin portion) of each first tear line L1 breaks and deforms, the shallow groove 25d3 forming portion (medium portion) of the second tear line L2 breaks and deforms.

In the cover 25 of the fourth embodiment, deep grooves 25d5 are formed at positions corresponding to a pair of left and right holding walls 25a provided at the top and bottom of FIG.
5 is slower than the deep groove 25d1 formation portion (thin portion) of the first tier line L1, and the second tier line L2
The airbag 24 is broken by the inflation and deployment force of the airbag 24 at a timing earlier than the shallow groove 25d3 formation portion (medium portion) of the airbag 24 to allow the inflation and deployment of the airbag 24.

Also, in the fourth embodiment, the cover 2
5 is made of a flexible material, the airbag 2
4, the first tier line L1 and the second tier line L2 and two pairs of left and right deep grooves (thin portions) 25d5
In the state where the cover 25 is broken, the deep groove (thin part) 25d1 of the first tear line L1, the shallow groove (medium part) 25d3 of the second tear line L2, and two pairs of left and right deep grooves (thin part) 25d5 are shown in FIG. The portion surrounded by the left and right holding walls 25a is developed and deformed (opens to the left and right in FIG. 14) using the portion corresponding to the left and right holding walls 25a as a hinge portion in FIG.

In the fourth embodiment configured as described above, it is needless to say that substantially the same operation and effect as those obtained in the first embodiment can be obtained.
5, a part of the airbag 24 is inflated and deployed toward the chest Sa of the occupant S at a timing earlier than in the first embodiment due to the breakage of the pair of first tear lines L1 provided at the central portion of the fifth embodiment. And the other part of the airbag 24 can be inflated and deployed toward the head Sb of the occupant S, and the initial restraint of the occupant S by the airbag 24 is smaller than that of the first embodiment. Can be improved.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show modified embodiments of the above embodiments. In each of the above embodiments,
As described above, the load acting on the occupant S from the airbag 24 can be dispersed, and the discomfort when the airbag 24 hits the occupant S can be reduced.
The direction of gas injection from the inflator 22 to the airbag 24 (see the arrow in the figure) can be directed to the occupant S, and the performance of restraining the occupant S by the airbag 24 can be improved. As is clear from FIG. 2, the direction of gas injection from the inflator 22 to the airbag 24 is obliquely upward and rearward with respect to the occupant S. In contrast, FIG.
In the modified embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 16, the gas injection direction from the inflator 22 to the airbag 24 (see the arrow in the drawing) is directly behind the occupant S,
It is possible to improve the restraint performance of the occupant S as compared with the above embodiments.

In each of the above embodiments, the plate-like portion 25d provided on the cover 25 is formed as a flat plate, but the plate-like portion provided on the cover has a rib or a wall (corresponding to the holding wall 25a) on the back surface. ), And may be a plate-like form having a curved portion or a bent portion.
In each of the above embodiments, the present invention is applied to the airbag device disposed on the instrument panel 11, that is, the airbag device disposed in front of the occupant S in the front passenger seat. The present invention can be similarly applied to an airbag device arranged in front of an occupant.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 1;

6 is an initial plan view of the airbag apparatus shown in FIG. 1, in which the airbag is inflated and deployed with the occupant's upper body substantially vertical and the chest in contact with the instrument panel.

7 is a vertical sectional side view in the state shown in FIG. 6;

8 is a plan view showing a state in which the airbag is inflated and deployed from the state shown in FIG. 6 (when the inflation and deployment is completed).

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional side view in the state shown in FIG. 8;

10 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 7 at an initial stage in which the airbag is inflated and deployed in the airbag apparatus shown in FIG. 1 with the occupant's upper body leaning forward and the chest in contact with the instrument panel.

11 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 9 in a state in which the airbag has been inflated and deployed from the state shown in FIG. 10 (when inflation and deployment is completed).

FIG. 12 is a front view showing a second embodiment of the airbag device according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a front view showing a third embodiment of the airbag device according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a front view showing a fourth embodiment of the airbag device according to the present invention.

15 is a vertical sectional side view showing an example in which the direction of gas injection from the inflator to the airbag is set directly behind the occupant in the embodiment shown in FIGS.

FIG. 16 is a longitudinal sectional side view showing a state in which the airbag is inflated and deployed from the state shown in FIG. 15 (when the inflation and deployment is completed).

[Explanation of symbols]

11: Instrument panel (panel), 11a: Opening, 11b: Reinforcing part, 11c: Guide, 21: Case,
Reference numeral 22: inflator, 23: diffuser, 24: airbag, 25: cover, 25a: holding wall, 25b: peripheral portion, 25c: hook portion, 25d: plate portion, A: path, L
1 ... first tier line, L2 ... second tier line,
S: occupant, Sa: occupant's chest, Sb: occupant's head.

Claims (3)

[Claims] An air bag and an inflator are accommodated in a case provided corresponding to an opening provided in a panel, and the air bag and the inflator are covered with a cover fitted to a peripheral portion of the opening of the panel. In the bag device, the cover is provided with a plurality of plate-like portions extending from a central portion to a peripheral portion, and the airbag at the start of the inflation and deployment of the airbag is provided on the cover peripheral portion side portion of each of these plate-like portions. And a path for guiding a part of the airbag toward the boundary between the cover and the panel, and inflating and deploying the airbag protruding from the boundary between the cover and the panel through the path at an initial stage of inflating and deploying the airbag. A first tear line is provided for allowing the airbag to inflate and deploy by being broken by a force, and the first tee line is provided at a portion of the plate-like portion on the cover central portion side. An airbag device, wherein a second tier line is provided to connect the airlines and break by the inflation and deployment force of the airbag during and after the inflation and deployment of the airbag to allow the inflation and deployment of the airbag. . 2. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the cover is formed of a flexible material. 3. The panel and the case according to claim 1, wherein a guide for guiding a part of the airbag toward a boundary side end of each of the paths at the start of inflation and deployment of the airbag. An airbag device provided on at least one of the following.