JP2002193072A - Film inflating body - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem of inconvenience of enlarging a gas generator or not instantly inflating due to lack of gas or being unable to obtain sufficient reaction by a swelling for requiring a large quantity of gas for requiring so far to send the gas into the whole bag though a protective tool is known for suddenly sending the gas into the air bag. SOLUTION: The occupant protective tool of a two wheeler is composed of an inflating part 1 inflating by supply of CO2, and a gas generating means 2, and the inflating part 1 is composed of plural protective parts 1a to 1e. The respective protective parts 1a to 1e are composed of a cylindrical bag member 3 composed of an outer film 3a and an inner film 3b. When supplying CO2 between the outer film 3a and the inner film 3b, CO2 push-expands the outer film 3a and the inner film 3b, and the respective protective parts 1a to 1e rapidly inflate. The supply of CO2 to the inside of the inner film 3b is not required, and respective parts can be instantly inflated by CO2 less than conventional CO2. Since CO2 push-expands the outer film 3a and the inner film 3b, large reaction is generated as compared with a case of a single bag.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a membrane inflatable member in which a membrane member is inflated by a fluid (for example, air or the like), and for example, a protector for an occupant of a motorcycle and a starting device. It is suitable for use in the above-mentioned actuator.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A utility model registration 3
What is disclosed in JP-A-0032288 is known.
This publication discloses a protector for a motorcycle occupant including an air bag for protecting an occupant and a gas generator for rapidly generating gas sent into the air bag, and a string is pulled when the motorcycle falls. And the actuator activates the gas generator,
It was designed to protect the occupants by inflating the air bag.

[0003]

FIGS. 3 (c) and 3 (d) are explanatory views of a conventional air bag before and after inflation. FIG.
When gas is supplied into the air bag J before inflation shown in FIG. 3C, the air bag J is inflated as shown in FIG. In order to increase the size of the air bag J, it is necessary to supply an amount of gas corresponding to the air bag J to the air bag J.

For this reason, the conventional film expansion body has the following disadvantages. (1) When protecting the occupant in a wide range, the amount of gas supplied to the air bag J increases, so that it is difficult to inflate the air bag J instantaneously, or it is necessary to generate a large amount of gas. As a result, the size of the gas generator is increased. (2) There is a demand for reducing the size and weight of the gas generator,
If the gas generator is reduced in size and weight, the amount of gas supplied to the air bag J is insufficient, so that it is difficult to inflate the air bag J instantaneously, and the reaction force generated by the inflation of the air bag J (bouncing) Force) is reduced.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a membrane inflatable body capable of inflating a bag member with a relatively small supply amount of a fluid (for example, gas) and ensuring a high reaction force caused by the inflated bag member. It is in.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems] [Means for Claims 1 and 2]
The film expansion body adopting the configuration of claim 1 or 2 is:
When the membrane expander is inflated with gas, it is sufficient to supply the fluid only between the outer membrane and the inner membrane, and it is not necessary to supply the fluid inside the inner membrane. For this reason, the tubular bag member can be inflated with a smaller supply amount of fluid than in the related art.

Further, the gas supplied to the inside of the tubular bag member spreads the outer membrane and the inner membrane, so that the gas in the inflated tubular bag member is smaller than that in the conventional technique in which a single bag is inflated. A large reaction force is generated, and the rigidity of the expanded tubular bag member increases. Specifically, when the tubular bag member is used as a protective device, the shock absorbing force can be increased, and when the tubular bag member is used as a starting device, the starting torque can be increased. Even when the cylindrical bag member is used for a pillar of a tent, high rigidity can be obtained. That is, the membrane expander according to claim 1 or 2 can obtain a larger reaction force and rigidity than the conventional one with a smaller supply amount of the fluid than the conventional one.

[Means of Claim 3] By adopting the structure of Claim 3 and providing a plurality of bags in a connected form, the gas supplied into each bag exerts a reaction force on the adjacent bags. appear. That is, each of the bags generates a reaction force in the circumferential direction. As a result, a large reaction force is generated in the expanded tubular bag member.

[Means of Claim 4] By adopting the structure of Claim 4, by providing each bag long along the longitudinal direction, gas can be rapidly transmitted in the longitudinal direction, and the cylindrical bag can be formed. It is possible to avoid a decrease in the expansion speed due to dividing the inside of the member into a plurality.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the configuration of the fifth aspect is adopted, wherein the gas is rapidly supplied (instantly) between the outer film and the inner film by the gas generating means, so that the tubular bag member can be rapidly cooled. To expand. The gas generating means supplies gas between the outer membrane and the inner membrane, and does not supply the gas to the inside of the inner membrane. For this reason, the tubular bag member can be instantaneously inflated with a smaller supply amount of gas than before. As a result, the size of the gas generating means can be reduced as compared with the prior art.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the gas generating means is disposed inside the cylindrical bag member so as to guide the gas from the gas generating means to the cylindrical bag member. (Tube, etc.) becomes unnecessary. Therefore, the cost can be reduced, and the size and weight can be reduced. In addition, since the tube does not pass through, the pressure loss due to the tube is suppressed, and the inflation speed of the tubular bag member can be increased.

[Means of Claim 7] By adopting the structure of Claim 7, a tubular bag member is arranged on a part or all of an outer garment such as a vest or a jacket to protect a wearer from impact. May be used.

[Means of Claim 8] The structure of claim 8 may be adopted, and the tubular bag member may be used as an actuator of the starting device.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described using a plurality of examples and modifications. [First Embodiment] The first embodiment shows an example in which the present invention is applied to a protector for protecting an occupant of a motorcycle. FIG. 1 shows a protector before inflation, and FIG. 2 shows a protector after inflation. Shows protective equipment. The protective device includes a vest-shaped inflatable portion 1 worn by an occupant and gas generating means 2 capable of instantly inflating the inflatable portion 1.
It is composed of

The inflatable portion 1 shown in this embodiment includes a shoulder protection portion 1a for protecting the occupant's neck and shoulders, a front protection portion 1b for protecting the occupant's upper body front, a rear protection portion 1c for protecting the occupant's upper body rear, Side protection unit 1 to protect the occupant's upper body side
d and a buttocks protecting portion 1e for protecting the buttocks of the occupant. Each of the protection parts 1a to 1e is shown in FIG.
It is constituted by the tubular bag member 3 shown in (a) and (b). The tubular bag member 3 includes an outer membrane 3a formed of a flexible membrane member forming an outer cylinder portion, and a flexible membrane member arranged inside the outer cylinder portion and forming an inner cylinder portion. It is composed of an inner membrane 3b. The protective portions 1a to 1e are connected by joints (not shown) so that the spaces between the outer membrane 3a and the inner membrane 3b communicate with each other.

Here, the flexible film-like member is a deformable film member that prevents the gas supplied to the inside from permeating, and is a resin film made of a rubber film or a plastic film (for example, a resin film). , Thermoplastic polyurethane film)
Alternatively, a cloth material coated with a resin film may be used.

When the gas generating means 2 receives an operation for generating gas, the gas generating means 2 instantaneously supplies gas to the inside of the cylindrical bag member 3 constituting each of the protection portions 1a to 1e. In this embodiment, a cylinder 4 filled with CO2 (an example of a supplied gas) at a high compression rate is used.
FIG. 4A shows the structure of the gas generating means 2 of this embodiment.
(B). As shown in this figure, the gas generating means 2 includes a cylinder 4 and an operating device 5 for opening a sealing port 4a of the cylinder 4.

The operating device 5 includes a housing 6 having a substantially cylindrical shape which is screwed into a screw portion 4b around a sealing opening 4a of the cylinder 4.
And a pin 7 which is disposed inside the housing 6 so as to be slidable in the axial direction and has a pointed needle 7a facing the sealing port 4a of the cylinder 4. The pin 7 is constantly urged toward the sealing port 4a of the cylinder 4 by the coil spring 8, but is prevented from moving to the sealing port 4a by the stopper 9.

The stopper 9 releases the blocking of the pin 7 by inserting an engaging portion into a concave portion provided on the side surface of the pin 7 and removing the engaging portion from the concave portion. Specifically, in this embodiment, the holes 9 provided in the housing 6 are provided.
a, a sphere 9b disposed in the hole 9a, a sphere 9b
And a release key 9d which presses the inside of a concave portion 9c formed on the side surface of the pin 7. By removing the release key 9d, as shown in FIG. 4B, there is no force to press the sphere 9b into the recess 9c, so that the sphere 9b comes off the recess 9c and the movement of the pin 7 is released. You. That is, the pin 7 is shot toward the sealing port 4a of the cylinder 4 by the urging force of the coil spring 8, and the needle 7a breaks the sealing port 4a to release CO2 filled in the cylinder 4. is there. A seal member (not shown) may be provided between the housing 6 and the pin 7 so as to prevent gas from leaking from between the housing 6 and the pin 7 little by little after the cylinder 4 is opened.

The gas generating means 2 is disposed between the outer membrane 3a and the inner membrane 3b. Specifically, in this embodiment, the gas generating means 2 is disposed below the rear protection portion 1c constituted by the tubular bag member 3. When the CO2 filled in the cylinder 4 is released, the released CO2 is directly supplied to the inside of the rear protection portion 1c (the tubular bag member 3). As described above, since the rear protection unit 1c is communicated with the other protection units 1a, 1b, 1d, and 1e through joints (not shown), CO2 supplied to the rear protection unit 1c is not used. 1a, 1
b, 1d, and 1e are quickly supplied to the inside.

The gas generating means 2 shown in this embodiment comprises:
As described above, the release key 9d of the operating device 5 is disposed below the rear protection portion 1c.
Through a vehicle. Belt 10
It is a flat string woven with resin fibers such as nylon, and there is no problem of being damaged even if it is subjected to vibration of a vehicle or the like. A connecting portion between the belt 10 and the vehicle is provided so as to be easily detachable by an engaging means (not shown). Further, a wind-up type code reel may be mounted on the vehicle side and the belt 10 may be engaged with the code reel. The cord reel has a well-known structure in which the reel is unwound and stretched when pulled normally, but is locked with a certain torque or more.

Next, the operation and features of the first embodiment will be described. When the occupant of the motorcycle is thrown out of the vehicle due to an accident or the like, the release key 9d is automatically released, the pin 7 is shot toward the sealing opening 4a of the cylinder 4, and the sealing opening 4a is broken. Then, the CO2 charged in the cylinder 4 is released, and the released CO2 is supplied into the rear protection portion 1c, and the other protection portions 1a, 1a, 1
b, 1d, and 1e are instantaneously supplied. As a result, all of the protective parts 1a to 1e instantly expand, and the impact given to the wearer of the protective equipment is reduced.

Here, each of the protection parts 1a to 1e is formed of an outer membrane 3a.
When the CO2 is supplied, the CO2 pushes the outer membrane 3a outward as shown in FIG. 3 (b). The protective parts 1a to 1e (cylindrical bag member 3) expand rapidly. Thus, in this embodiment, CO2 is supplied between the outer membrane 3a and the inner membrane 3b.
There is no need to supply CO2 inside b. For this reason, each of the protection units 1a to 1a is supplied with a smaller supply amount of CO2 than before.
1e (the tubular bag member 3) can be inflated instantaneously.
As a result, the size of the gas generating means 2 can be reduced as compared with the related art. That is, a small cylinder 4 can be applied.

In addition, since the CO2 spreads the outer membrane 3a and the inner membrane 3b, each of the inflated protective portions 1a to 1e (the tubular bag member 3) is in comparison with the prior art in which a single bag is inflated. Since a large reaction force is generated due to an increase in rigidity, a high shock absorbing force can be obtained. As described above, since the protective device for a motorcycle occupant to which the present invention is applied can reduce the size of the cylinder 4, the protective device is lightweight and easy to use, and in the event of an accident or the like, expands quickly. The occupant can be protected with a large shock absorbing power.

[Second Embodiment] In a second embodiment, the present invention is applied to a starter of a protective gear for covering a child sitting on a child seat mounted on a four-wheeled vehicle in an emergency, and FIG. 5 shows a child seat. 11 shows the side and rear of the 11,
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the protective equipment. In the description of the second embodiment, reference numerals that are not shown in the drawings denote the same components as the same reference numerals shown in the first embodiment. The first embodiment described above shows an example in which the occupant is protected by the tubular bag member 3 itself. However, in the second embodiment, when an accident or the like occurs, the child seat is protected by the protective material 12 such as a net. The upper part of the child seat 11 is instantly covered to protect a child riding the child seat 11.

The backrest 11 of the child seat 11
A child's protective equipment is mounted around a. The protective device includes a protective member 12 for completely covering the upper side of the child seat 11 and an activation device which is activated when an accident or the like occurs and covers the upper side of the child seat 11 instantly. The activation device is inflated by the supply of gas, and the inflating force causes the protective member 12 to be inflated by the child seat 11.
It comprises an actuator 13 placed on the upper side of the device and gas generating means 2 capable of supplying gas to the actuator 13 instantaneously.

The actuator 13 swells into the shape shown in FIG.
The child seat 11 is folded and stored around the backrest 11a, and is held by the cover 14 around the backrest 11a. The cover 14 is mounted on the backrest 11a by a snap 14a which can be easily removed. The actuator 13 employs the same configuration as the tubular bag member 3 shown in the first embodiment,
As shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b), it is composed of an outer membrane 3a and an inner membrane 3b.

The gas generating means 2 employs the same structure as that of the first embodiment, and includes a cylinder 4 filled with high pressure CO2.
And an actuating device 5 for opening the sealing port 4a of the cylinder 4. When the release key 9d is pulled by the belt 10, the sealing port 4a of the cylinder 4 is broken and C
O2 is supplied into the actuator 13 instantaneously. As shown in FIG. 5 (b), the gas generating means 2 is attached to the rear of the child seat 11, and when the child seat 11 is displaced forward due to a sudden generation of inertia such as an accident, the gas generating means 2 is displaced by the amount of displacement. Release key 9d is automatically released. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which two gas generating means 2 are arranged to ensure safety, but one gas generating means 2 may be provided.

Next, the operation and features of the second embodiment will be described. When the child seat 11 properly fixed to the vehicle shifts forward due to a collision of the vehicle, a sudden braking with a large load, or the like, the release key 9d of the gas generating means 2 is automatically released, and the pin 7 is released. Is shot toward the sealing port 4a of the cylinder 4, and the sealing port 4a is broken. Then, the CO2 filled in the cylinder 4 is released, and the released CO2 is instantaneously supplied into the actuator 13 (the tubular bag member 3). As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the actuator 13 expands instantaneously, and the protection member 12 attached to the inside of the actuator 13
Cover the upper side of 1. Thereby, the child seat 11
Since the protection member 12 receives the force of the child riding on the vehicle being thrown forward, the impact given to the child is reduced.

In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, since the actuator 13 is the tubular bag member 3 composed of the outer membrane 3a and the inner membrane 3b, as described in the features of the first embodiment. The actuator 13 can be instantaneously expanded with a small supply amount of CO2. As a result, the size of the gas generating means 2 can be reduced as compared with the related art. That is, a small cylinder 4 can be applied.

In addition, since CO2 spreads the outer membrane 3a and the inner membrane 3b, compared to the technique in which a single bag is inflated,
A large reaction force is generated in the expanding actuator 13.
That is, the starting torque of the actuator 13 formed of the tubular bag member 3 can be increased, and the protection member 12 and the actuator 13 can quickly cover the upper side of the child seat 11. As described above, the protective device for the child seat 11 to which the present invention is applied can reduce the size of the cylinder 4, so that the protective device can be reduced in weight and can be quickly operated to reduce the impact given to the child.

[Third Embodiment] In the third embodiment, the protection portions 1a to 1e of the first embodiment and the actuator 13 of the second embodiment are used.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing the structure of the tubular bag member 3 before and after inflation. In the tubular bag member 3 shown in the first and second embodiments, the outer membrane 3a and the inner membrane 3b are each shown as a single bag, but the tubular bag member 3 of the third embodiment is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, it is provided in a form like a plurality of bags 3c are connected. By providing in this manner, the gas (CO2 in the above embodiment) supplied into each bag 3c allows
A reaction force is generated against adjacent bags.

That is, each of the bags 3c generates a reaction force on the adjacent bag 3c. As a result, a large reaction force is generated in the expanded tubular bag member 3, and the rigidity of the tubular bag member 3 is further increased. For this reason, if this third embodiment is applied to the first embodiment, the protector expands more quickly and the absorbing power of the impact force is further increased. Also,
If the third embodiment is applied to the second embodiment, the actuator 13 expands more quickly and the force for receiving the child increases.

On the other hand, each of the bags 3c is provided to be long along the longitudinal direction. That is, the joining line between the outer film 3a and the inner film 3b is provided to extend in the longitudinal direction. By providing in this way, gas can be rapidly transmitted in the longitudinal direction, and a decrease in the inflation speed due to dividing the inside of the tubular bag member 3 into a plurality can be avoided.

[Modification] In the example of the protective equipment of the first embodiment,
Although the example in which the outer garment (vest) is constituted by the tubular bag member 3 is shown, the tubular bag member 3 may be arranged separately from the front fabric, or the tubular bag may be provided between the front fabric and the back fabric. The member 3 may be arranged. In such a case, the tubular bag member 3 before inflation may be folded and stored and placed inside the outerwear. Although an example of a vest has been shown, the present invention may be applied to a long-sleeved jacket (a jacket or the like) or may be provided so as to protect the lower body. Although an example in which the entire outerwear is provided so as to be inflated is shown, the tubular bag member 3 may be partially disposed only at a location where damage due to impact is large. Although an example is shown in which the entire portion inflated by the gas is constituted by the tubular bag member 3, only the main part may be provided by the tubular bag member 3 and other portions may be provided so as to be inflated by a single bag. .

In the first embodiment described above, the embodiment has been described as a protector for protecting occupants of a two-wheeled vehicle (motorcycle, bicycle, etc.). It can be used as a tool, and it can be applied to things that the user wears to protect the body from impact, such as skiing, snowboarding, hang gliding, paragliding, rock climbing, free climbing, shower climbing, horse riding, working at height, etc. Things.

On the other hand, in the above-described second embodiment, an example is shown in which the protection member 12 such as a net receives the child, but the actuator 13 may be provided to receive the child. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the protective device as shown in the second embodiment may be mounted on the crib 15 mounted on the vehicle. Further, the present invention may be applied to an airbag, a side airbag, or the like for protecting a vehicle occupant by expansion of the tubular bag member 3.

In each of the above embodiments, the cylinder 4 filled with CO2 at high pressure is shown as an example of the gas generating means 2, but a cylinder 4 filled with other gas such as air at high pressure may be employed. . Further, in place of the cylinder 4, a device that generates gas by igniting an explosive or the like may be used.
Alternatively, means for ignition may be employed. In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the tubular bag member 3 is inflated by supplying a fluid (in the embodiment, gas) has been described. However, the tubular bag member 3 is inflated in advance with a fluid such as a gas or a liquid. The present invention may be applied to a wide range of fields, such as, for example, interference materials and lightweight columns. Although a gas is shown as an example of the fluid, a liquid may be used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of a protective device before inflation (first embodiment).

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a protective device after inflation (first embodiment).

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a structure of a tubular bag member before and after inflation (first embodiment).

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the operation of the actuator (first embodiment).

FIG. 5 is a view showing a side surface and a rear portion of the child seat (second embodiment).

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of the operation of the protector (second embodiment).

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a structure of a tubular bag member before and after inflation (third embodiment).

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of a crib provided with protective equipment (modification).

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Gas generating means 3 Cylindrical bag member 3a Outer membrane 3b Inner membrane 3c Plural bags 13 Actuator

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An outer membrane made of a flexible film-like member forming an outer cylinder, and an inner membrane made of a flexible film-like member arranged inside the outer cylinder and forming an inner cylinder. A tubular bag member in which a space between the outer membrane and the inner membrane is shielded from the atmosphere, and provided so as to be able to supply a fluid between the outer membrane and the inner membrane, wherein the outer membrane and the inner membrane are provided. A tubular inflatable member, which inflates the tubular bag member by supplying a fluid between the membrane inflatable member and the inflatable member. 2. An outer membrane made of a flexible film-like member forming an outer cylinder portion, and an inner membrane made of a flexible film-like member arranged inside the outer cylinder portion and forming an inner cylinder portion. A tubular bag member in which a space between the outer membrane and the inner membrane is shielded from the atmosphere; and a membrane formed by inflating the tubular bag member by filling a fluid between the outer membrane and the inner membrane. Inflatable body. 3. The membrane inflatable body according to claim 1, wherein a part or all of the tubular bag member is provided in such a manner as to connect a plurality of bags. body. 4. The membrane expander according to claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of bags is long so as to extend along the longitudinal direction. 5. The film inflatable body according to claim 1, further comprising gas generating means for rapidly supplying a gas between the outer film and the inner film. 6. The film inflatable body according to claim 5, wherein said gas generating means is disposed between said outer film and said inner film. 7. The membrane inflatable body according to claim 5, wherein the tubular bag member is disposed on a part or all of an outer garment such as a vest or a jacket. A membrane expander, which expands when activated to protect a wearer. 8. The membrane inflating body according to claim 5, wherein the tubular bag member is inflated when the gas generator is operated to generate a starting force. A film expander, which is used as an actuator of a device.