JP2006021703A - Airbag device for front passenger seat - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an airbag device for a front passenger seat capable of stably suppressing a partial projection of an airbag to the front passenger seat side at a inflation initial stage. <P>SOLUTION: This airbag device M is provided with the airbag 24 deploying and inflating by projecting from an opening 22 for projection formed in an instrument panel 1 in front of the front passenger seat at the time of an operation. The airbag is arranged inside an airbag body 25 constituting an outer peripheral wall to inflate first when gas G for inflation flows in, and is provided with straightening cloth 31 capable of making the gas G for inflation flow to the airbag body 25 side to promote deployment and inflation of the airbag body 25 after straightening the gas G. The straightening cloth 31 is provided with left and right outflow ports 37 and 40 for making the gas G flow to the outside on both sides in the left and right direction. Each of peripheral walls 36 and 39 of the left and right outflow ports 37 and 40 is projected in the left and right direction from the opening 22 for projection to be arranged on a side on an upper surface 1a of the instrument panel 1 at a peripheral edge of the opening 22 for projection of the instrument panel 1 when the airbag inflates. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an airbag device for a passenger seat that is configured to include an airbag that protrudes and expands from a projection opening formed in an instrument panel in front of the passenger seat during operation, and in particular, The present invention relates to an airbag device for a passenger's seat that is configured by disposing a rectifying cloth capable of flowing inflation gas outward in both lateral directions in an airbag body of an airbag.

Conventionally, in this type of airbag device for a passenger seat, there is a configuration in which a rectifying cloth is provided in the airbag body that forms the outer peripheral wall of the airbag to flow the inflation gas outward in both the left and right directions. (For example, see Patent Document 1). In the passenger seat airbag device, when the inflation gas flows into the airbag, the rectifying cloth flows the inflation gas outwardly on both sides in the left-right direction to inflate the airbag body. While expanding widely in the left-right direction, it was possible to complete the inflation by suppressing unnecessary protrusion to the occupant side.
JP 2002-29361 A (paragraph number [0019], FIG. 9)

  However, in the conventional airbag device for the passenger seat, the width of the flow straightening cloth is equal to the width dimension in the left-right direction of the opening of the case for holding the folded airbag or the inflator for supplying the inflation gas to the airbag. As the belt shape extending in the vertical direction, the upper and lower ends of the belt are respectively connected to the upper edge and the lower edge of the opening periphery of the case.

  That is, since the length dimension in the left-right direction of the rectifying cloth is equal to the width dimension of the opening of the case and is short, the rectifying cloth is in the initial stage where the airbag body folded and stored in the case is deployed and inflated. However, in the state where the expansion and inflation is not completed after being arranged in the case, the inflation gas will flow out into the airbag body, and the airbag in a state where the expansion and inflation has been completed projecting from the instrument panel in front of the passenger seat Since the inflation gas does not flow out into the main body, it is difficult for the inflation gas to flow out to both sides in the left-right direction. Furthermore, when the rectifying cloth has caused the inflation gas to flow outward in the right and left direction into the airbag body in the case, the portion protruding from the instrument panelment in the airbag body can be widely deployed in the left and right direction. There is room for improvement in that it is difficult to secure the air bag and suppresses partial protrusion of the airbag toward the passenger seat at the initial stage of inflation.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an airbag device for a passenger seat that can stably suppress partial protrusion of the airbag toward the passenger seat in the initial stage of inflation. And

The airbag device for a passenger seat according to the present invention is configured to include an airbag that, when activated, projects and expands from the opening for projection formed in the instrument panel in front of the passenger seat toward the passenger seat side,
Airbag
A bag-like airbag body forming an outer peripheral wall;
Located at the upstream side of the inflation gas inside the airbag body, it expands first when the inflation gas flows in, and rectifies the inflation gas to the airbag body side to facilitate the expansion and expansion of the airbag body Rectifying cloth that can flow out,
An airbag device for a passenger seat, comprising:
The rectifying cloth is equipped with left and right outlets that allow the inflation gas to flow outward both sides in the left-right direction.
The opening for protrusion so that the peripheral walls of the left and right outlets are arranged at positions on the surface of the instrument panel at least at the left and right edges of the opening for protrusion of the instrument panel when the airbag is inflated. It is the structure which protrudes in the left-right direction from.

  In the passenger seat airbag apparatus according to the present invention, the rectifying cloth is first inflated first in the early stage of inflation of the airbag into which the inflation gas flows. At that time, the rectifying cloth protrudes the peripheral walls of the left and right outlets for allowing the inflation gas to flow outward from the left and right sides into the airbag body from the opening for projecting the instrument panel. The right and left peripheral edges of the instrument panel protruding opening are arranged at positions on the surface of the instrument panel. The outlet of the instrument panel is located on the side of the instrument panel at the left and right edges of the instrument panel projection opening, and outside the both sides in the left-right direction in the airbag body in the free space projecting from the instrument panel. The inflation gas can flow out toward the direction, and the airbag body in the initial stage of inflation can be deployed widely on both sides in the left-right direction.

  Therefore, in the passenger seat airbag device according to the present invention, the partial protrusion of the airbag toward the passenger seat in the initial stage of inflation can be stably suppressed, and an occupant approaching in the early stage of inflation can be prevented. Even if it moves, it can be smoothly protected by the airbag.

  In addition, since the outflow of the inflation gas into the airbag body by such a rectifying cloth is performed when the expansion and inflation of the rectifying cloth itself is completed, even if the folding method of the airbag body is different, Without being affected by the difference in folding, at the initial stage of inflation, the airbag body with different folding can be widely deployed on both sides in the left-right direction.

  The rectifying cloth is configured in a pipe shape in which left and right outlets are arranged at both left and right ends, and an inlet for allowing the inflation gas to flow is disposed in a substantially central peripheral wall portion in the left and right direction. it can.

  In such a configuration, for example, a pipe-like rectifying cloth can be formed simply by joining both edges of a substantially rectangular plate-like rectifying cloth material, and the rectifying cloth can be easily manufactured.

Also, the rectifying cloth is
Vip-like surface side cylinders arranged on the surface side of the instrument panel when the airbag is inflated by arranging left and right outlets at the left and right ends,
A pipe-shaped inflow side cylinder part that communicates in a direction orthogonal to the surface side cylinder part in a substantially central peripheral wall portion in the left-right direction of the surface side cylinder part, and into which an expansion gas flows;
May be provided.

  In such a configuration, when the rectifying cloth is inflated at the initial stage of inflation of the airbag, the surface side cylindrical portion protrudes to the surface side of the instrument panel, and the left outlet and the right outlet are arranged linearly. To complete the expansion. Therefore, the expansion gas from the inflow side cylinder part is divided in the left-right direction at the approximate center in the left-right direction of the surface-side cylinder part, and is stable from the left and right outlets to the opposite side along the left-right direction. The airbag body can be further expanded in the left-right direction at the initial stage of inflation.

  Furthermore, you may arrange | position the auxiliary | assistant outlet which can flow out the expansion gas in the direction orthogonal to the left-right direction in the site | part of the surrounding wall between the left outlet and right outlet in a baffle cloth. If comprised in this way, it will become possible to expand | deploy a airbag main body not only in the left-right direction but the up-down direction with the gas for expansion | swelling which flows out from an auxiliary | assistant outlet.

  In this case, if an auxiliary outlet is provided at a portion of the peripheral wall disposed on the surface side of the instrument panel, the peripheral walls of the left and right outlets are caused by the expansion gas flowing out from the auxiliary outlet. In response to the reaction force, it is also possible to stabilize the axial direction along the left-right direction. In that case, the flow from the left and right outlets of the flow straightening cloth flows out to both sides in the left-right direction. The outflow direction of the expansion gas can be further stabilized.

  Furthermore, when the air bag is inflated, the rectifying cloth inflates the left and right protruding lengths from the protruding openings at the ends of the peripheral walls of the left and right outlets that protrude to the side on the surface of the instrument panel. It can be configured to be within one-fifth of the width dimension in the left-right direction of the opening for projection, within a length that does not allow the left and right outlet peripheral wall tips to come into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the airbag body when completed. desirable.

  In such a configuration, the inflation gas is allowed to flow out into the airbag body from the left and right outlets of the rectifying cloth toward both sides in the left-right direction stably without interfering with the peripheral wall of the airbag body. Can do. That is, the protruding length in the left and right direction from the protruding opening at the tip of the peripheral wall of the left and right outlets protruding to the side above the surface of the instrument panel is respectively set on the inner peripheral surface of the airbag body when the inflation is completed. Since the length of the peripheral wall of the left and right outlets is within the length so that it does not come into contact, the left and right flow of the rectifying cloth can be stabilized without interfering with the peripheral wall of the airbag body when the airbag is inflated. The inflation gas can flow out into the airbag body outward from the outlet in the lateral direction. Also, the left and right protruding lengths from the protruding openings at the ends of the peripheral walls of the left and right outlets that protrude to the upper surface of the instrument panel are not reduced too much. Therefore, the inflation gas can be stably discharged from the left and right outlets of the rectifying cloth to both sides in the left and right direction into the airbag body.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, an airbag device M for a passenger seat is an instrument panel in front of a passenger seat (hereinafter referred to as an instrument panel). ) A top mount type mounted on the upper surface 1a side of 1. The airbag apparatus M includes a folded airbag 24, an inflator 8 that supplies inflation gas to the airbag 24, a case 13 that stores and holds the airbag 24 and the inflator 8, and the airbag 24 in the case 13. The retainer 10 for attaching and the airbag cover 17 which covers the folded airbag 24 are comprised.

  Note that the front-rear, up-down, left-right directions of the embodiment coincide with the front-rear, up-down, left-right directions when the vehicle travels straight when mounted on the vehicle.

  In the case of the embodiment, the airbag cover 17 is formed integrally with the instrument panel 1. The airbag cover 17 is configured by disposing two door portions 18 around which a thin rupture scheduled portion 20 is disposed. The planned fracture portion 20 is arranged in an H shape when viewed from the top of the instrument panel 1 so that the two door portions 18 open to both the front and rear sides with the front end side and the rear end side as hinge portions 19 respectively. ,It is configured. When the two front and rear door portions 18 and 18 are pushed by the inflating airbag 24 to break the planned breaking portion 20 and are opened on both the front and rear sides, the airbag 24 protrudes toward the passenger seated on the passenger seat. A substantially rectangular-shaped projecting opening 22 is formed.

  In addition, a connecting wall portion 21 having a substantially rectangular tube shape that protrudes downward from the back surface side is disposed at a portion of the airbag cover 17 so as to surround the arrangement position of the door portions 18 and 18. A plurality of locking holes 21a are penetrated through the connecting wall portion 21 at predetermined positions in portions facing each other in the front-rear direction. The locking claw 15a formed in the case 13 is inserted into the locking holes 21a, and the connecting wall portion 21 is locked to the locking claw 15a. Locking of the connecting wall portion 21 of each locking claw 15a ensures the connection state between the connecting wall portion 21 and the case 13, and the airbag 24 when inflated smoothly pushes up the door portions 18 and 18. This is because the planned fracture portion 20 can be broken.

  The case 13 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape made of a sheet metal having a rectangular opening 13a on the upper end side, and the rectangular plate-like bottom wall portion 14 and the outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall portion 14 are formed into a substantially rectangular tube shape. And a peripheral wall portion 15 extending upward on the bag cover 17 side. The bottom wall portion 14 has a rectangular plate shape extending in the left-right direction, and has an insertion hole 14a that opens in a substantially circular shape in the center so that the upper side of the inflator 8 can be inserted from below into the airbag cover 17 side. I have. An attachment hole 14b through which each bolt 10a of the retainer 10 can be inserted is formed at the periphery of the insertion hole 14a of the bottom wall portion 14. A bracket 14 c that connects the case 13 to the vehicle body 3 side is fixed to the bottom wall portion 14 on the lower surface sides of the left and right side portions of the bottom wall portion 14. A nut 14d for screwing the bolt 6 is fixed to each bracket 14c. A bracket 5 extending from the reinforcement 4 is disposed on the body 3 side, and the bolt 6 passes through the mounting seat 5a of the bracket 5 and is screwed into the nut 14d. By tightening each bolt 6 to the nut 14d, the case 13, that is, the airbag apparatus M is attached and fixed to the body 3 side.

  In addition, a plurality of locking claws 15 a are formed on the peripheral wall portion 15 of the case 13 at the upper ends of the front and rear portions of the vehicle, and are turned outwardly and downward from the case 13. As described above, each locking claw 15 a is inserted into the locking hole 21 a of the connecting wall portion 21 of the airbag cover 17 to lock the connecting wall portion 21.

  The inflator 8 has a substantially cylindrical shape with a flange portion 8b protruding from the outer periphery, and is configured by disposing a plurality of gas discharge ports 8a capable of discharging expansion gas above the flange portion 8b. The flange portion 8b has a substantially quadrangular ring shape (substantially square plate shape), and through each of the four corners, mounting holes 8c through which the bolts 10a of the retainer 10 are inserted are penetrated. Each mounting hole 8c is disposed at a position corresponding to each mounting hole 14b of the bottom wall portion 14 of the case 13, and has the same inner diameter as that of the mounting hole 14b.

  The retainer 10 is formed as a quadrangular ring in which the inflator 8 can be inserted from below, and bolts 10a extending downward are projected from the four corners.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the airbag 24 includes an airbag main body 25 that forms a bag-like outer peripheral wall, and a rectifying cloth 31 that is disposed in the airbag main body 25. . The airbag body 25 has a triangular prism shape in which the axial direction is arranged in the left-right direction as a shape when the inflation and inflation are completed, and is positioned on the passenger side of the triangular cylinder-shaped circumferential surface and is disposed along a substantially vertical plane The side wall part 26 and the peripheral wall part 27 arrange | positioned so that a vertical dimension may be narrowed from the outer periphery of the passenger | crew side wall part 26 to the front side of a vehicle are comprised. A gas inlet 28 that is circularly opened to allow the inflating gas to flow in is disposed on the lower surface of the front side of the peripheral wall portion 27 at a position that forms a triangular prism-shaped peripheral surface. Four mounting holes 29 are penetrated. The upper side of the inflator 8 is inserted into the gas inlet 28, and each bolt 10 a of the retainer 10 is inserted into each mounting hole 29. Further, vent holes (not shown) for discharging excess inflation gas are opened in the left and right side portions of the peripheral wall portion 27 in the airbag main body 25, that is, the portions on both end surfaces in the left-right direction of the triangular prism shape. .

  The airbag body 25 and the rectifying cloth 31 are formed of a woven cloth woven with a thread made of a synthetic fiber such as a flexible polyamide.

  The rectifying cloth 31 is formed by forming a cylindrical pipe-shaped peripheral wall 32 extending in the left-right direction, and an inflow port 33 for an inflation gas is formed at the center lower portion in the left-right direction. The expansion gas outlets 37 and 40 are configured. The inflow port 33 is opened in a circular shape having the same shape as the gas inflow port 28 of the airbag body 25, and a mounting hole 34 through which each bolt 10 a of the retainer 10 is inserted is disposed on the periphery of the inflow port 33. ing. As shown in FIG. 5C, the rectifying cloth 31 is the same in the left-right direction by stitching the front and rear ends 30a and 30b of the rectangular plate-shaped woven cloth 30 provided with the inflow port 33 and the mounting hole 34. It is manufactured by being formed into a cylindrical shape having an inner diameter dimension (shown in a crushed state in FIG. 5C).

  In the case of the embodiment, the rectifying cloth 31 has a lateral dimension L1 (see C in FIG. 6) larger than a lateral dimension W0 (see FIGS. 10 and 11) of the projecting opening 22 in the lateral direction. When the expansion is completed in a vehicle-mounted state, the peripheral walls 36 and 39 of the left and right outlets 37 and 40 at both ends can be arranged on the side on the upper surface 1a of the instrument panel 1 and the expansion is completed. The width of the bag body 25 is set to be smaller than the width dimension in the left-right direction. Further, as shown in FIG. It is set smaller than the width dimension L0 in the left-right direction of the airbag main body 25 when the lateral folding is completed.

  In the case of the embodiment, when the expansion is completed in the vehicle mounted state, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the peripheral walls 36 of the left and right outlets 37 and 40 projecting to the side on the upper surface 1a of the instrument panel 1. The protrusion length W1 in the left-right direction from the protrusion opening 22 at the tip of 39 is set on the inner peripheral surface of the airbag body 25 when the inflation is completed, respectively, on the peripheral wall tip surfaces 36a and 39a of the left and right outlets 37 and 40. Is set to be within 1/5 or more of the width dimension W0 in the left-right direction of the opening 22 for projection, and 1/4 in the embodiment.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the rectifying cloth 31 at the completion of the expansion is arranged such that the inner diameter dimension is such that the upper end portion 32 a facing the inlet 33 above the inlet 33 is above the upper surface 1 a of the instrument panel 1. So that it is set. In particular, in the case of the embodiment, when the height dimension from the case bottom wall portion 14 to the protrusion opening 22 is H0, the height dimension from the inlet 33 to the upper end portion 32a at the completion of the expansion is H1. In this case, H0 <H1 <3 × H0, and in the embodiment, H1≈2 × H0. Furthermore, in the relationship between the inner diameter dimension of the flow regulating cloth 31 and the vehicle mounting state, when the expansion is completed, the rear end portion 32b near the inlet 33 of the flow regulating cloth 31 is positioned on the front side from the rear surface 1b of the instrument panel 1. It is configured.

  And in the case of embodiment, when the airbag 24 is folded and accommodated in the case 13, in the embodiment, the flow regulating cloth 31 is located behind the inflow and inflation direction of the airbag 24 from the inlet 33 which is the upstream side portion of the inflation gas G. As shown in FIG. 2, in the cross section along the side, that is, the cross section along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle passing through the inflow port 33, the upstream side portion 42, the downstream side portion 44, and the upstream side portion 42 of the inflation gas It arrange | positions in the airbag main body 25 so that the connection part 43 which connects the downstream side part 44 may be arrange | positioned. Specifically, in the case of the embodiment, a cross section along the front-rear direction of the arrangement position of the inflow port 33 of the rectifying cloth 31, that is, when the inflation of the airbag 24 is completed, the rectifying cloth 31 has an annular shape in the front-rear cross section. In the annular cross-section passing through the inflow port 33, the lower peripheral wall of the peripheral edge of the inflow port 33 is the upstream side portion 42 and is positioned above the inflow port 33 so as to face the inflow port 33. The upper side peripheral wall is a downstream side portion 44, and the peripheral walls facing each other in the front and rear direction between the upper side peripheral wall and the lower side peripheral wall are the connecting portions 43.

  Note that the portion 55b of the airbag main body 25 above the downstream side portion 44 shown in FIG. 2 is bellows folded at the left and right edge sides of the laterally folded body 55 (see C in FIG. 6), so that the gas inlet 28 In the cross section along the front-rear direction of the vehicle passing through the inflow port 33 in a state where the airbag 24 is folded and stored in the case 13 together with the left side portion 55a (see C in FIG. 6). It does not appear as a cross section.

  In the case of the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the connecting portion 43 of the rectifying cloth 31 is not folded at the fold of the folded fold portions 52, 53 of the airbag body 25, and the fold portions 52, 53. , That is, between the fold portions 52 and 53, and arranged so as to linearly connect the upstream side portion 42 and the downstream side portion 44.

  Further, the downstream side portion 44 of the rectifying cloth 31 is developed by overlapping the peripheral walls so as to be substantially orthogonal to the connecting portion 43, and the wall portion on the outer peripheral side along the deployment and inflation direction of the airbag 24 in the airbag body 25. It is arrange | positioned so that the back surface of 26a may be followed. Furthermore, in the case of the embodiment, the downstream side portion 44 of the rectifying cloth 31 straddles the outer surface (upper surface) side of the two folded fold portions 52 and 53 in the airbag main body 25 in a folded state. Are arranged.

  The assembly of the passenger seat airbag apparatus M of this embodiment will be described. First, the airbag 24 is folded. At that time, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the front and rear peripheral portions 46 and 47 at the periphery of the gas inlet 28 of the airbag body 25 are folded so as to be folded into the airbag body 25. On the other hand, the occupant side wall portion 26 is flattened and the upper side area of the occupant side wall portion 26 that interferes with the vicinity of the head of the occupant in the occupant side wall portion 26 (the outer peripheral wall portion that comes into contact with the downstream side portion 44) 26a. The airbag body 25 is pre-folded so that the vicinity overlaps with the gas inlet 28 on the inner peripheral surface side of the airbag body 25, and a front deployment portion 49 that is flatly deployed is formed on the front side of the gas inlet 28. Then, on the rear side of the gas inflow port 28, a rear development portion 50 that is flatly developed is formed.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, a plurality of valley folds along the left-right direction approaching the area from the area 26a to the front peripheral edge 46 in the front development part 49 to the vicinity of the gas inlet 28 are provided. An HV is attached and the bellows is folded so as to be folded in the vertical direction to form a front fold portion 52. In the rear development portion 50, the rear edge 50a is placed on the front side on the lower side when the vehicle is mounted. It roll-folds so that it may wind, the back side fold lump part 53 is formed, and the horizontal folding completion body 55 of the airbag main body 25 is formed.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 5C and FIG. 6A, the straightening cloth 31 formed in a cylindrical shape is put into the airbag main body 25 from the gas inlet 28, and the inlet 33 and the mounting hole 34 are formed. The upstream side portion 42 of the peripheral edge of the inlet 33 of the rectifying cloth 31 is made to coincide with the gas inlet 28 and the mounting hole 29 of the airbag main body 25, and the peripheral edge of the gas inlet 28 on the inner peripheral surface side of the airbag main body 25. The connecting portion 43 is disposed between the fold portions 52 and 53, and the downstream side portion 44 is unfolded flatly so that the two fold portions are formed. It arrange | positions between the upper surface side of the site | parts 52 * 53 and the back surface side of the outer peripheral wall part 26a in the passenger | crew side wall part 26. FIG.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, the retainer 10 is inserted into the airbag 24 through the inflow ports 28 and 33, and the bolts 10a are projected out of the airbag 24 through the mounting holes 29 and 34, and then As shown in FIG. 6C, the left and right portions 55a and 55b are folded in a bellows with folds along the front-rear direction, folded, and further, the folded airbag 24 can be broken so as not to collapse. Wrapped with a wrapping sheet 57 (see FIG. 2).

  Then, the folded airbag 24 is placed on the bottom wall portion 14 of the case 13 from the opening 13a while the bolts 10a are inserted through the mounting holes 14b from above. Next, the upper side of the inflator 8 is inserted from below into the insertion hole 14a and the inlets 28 and 33, and each bolt 10a protruding downward from the bottom wall part 14 is inserted into the mounting hole of the flange part 8b of the inflator 8. Insert 8c. Then, if the nut 11 is fastened to each bolt 10a protruding from the flange portion 8b of the inflator 8, the folded airbag 24 and the inflator 8 can be attached to the bottom wall portion 14 of the case 13.

  Thereafter, the peripheral wall portion 15 of the case 13 is inserted into the connecting wall portion 21 of the airbag cover 17 in the instrument panel 1 mounted on the vehicle, and the locking claws 15 a of the case 13 are inserted into the locking holes of the connecting wall portion 21. Each locking claw 15a is locked to the connecting wall portion 21 by being inserted into 21a. Further, if the bolt 6 is fastened to the nut 14d of each bracket 14c via the bracket 5, the passenger seat airbag device M can be mounted on the vehicle.

  In addition, when the airbag apparatus M is mounted on the vehicle in advance, when the case 13 to which the airbag 24 and the inflator 8 are attached is assembled to the airbag cover 17 of the instrument panel 1 in advance, The airbag device M may be mounted on the vehicle by connecting and fixing the airbag device M to the body 3 side using the bolt 6.

  If the inflation gas G is discharged from each gas discharge port 8a of the inflator 8 after the airbag device M is mounted on the vehicle, the airbag 24 expands and breaks the wrapping sheet 57, and the airbag cover The air bag 24 is opened by the front and rear as shown by the two-dot chain lines in FIGS. It protrudes greatly from the opening 22 for protrusions.

  In the passenger seat airbag apparatus M of the embodiment, the rectifying cloth 31 is first inflated first in the early stage of inflation of the airbag 24 into which the inflation gas G flows. At that time, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B and FIGS. 9A and 9B, the rectifying cloth 31 is provided on the left and right sides for allowing the inflation gas G to flow out into the airbag main body 25 outward in both the left and right directions. Both the peripheral walls 36 and 39 of the outlets 37 and 40 are protruded in the left-right direction from the protrusion opening 22 of the instrument panel 1, so that the peripheral walls 36 and 39 of the outlet panel 37 on the side on the upper surface 1 a of the instrument panel 1 at the left and right peripheral edges If the flow straightening cloth 31 completes the expansion and expansion, the right and left outlets 37 and 40 are connected to the instrument panel 1 at the left and right peripheral edges of the projection opening 22 of the instrument panel 1. In the airbag main body 25 in the free space that protrudes from the instrument panel 1 and is disposed on the upper surface 1a, the inflation gas G can flow out toward the outer sides on both sides in the left-right direction. The airbag body 25 in the initial stage of inflation It can be widely deployed on both sides in the right direction, and then, as shown in the order of one-dot chain line, two-dot chain line, three-dot chain line in FIG. 11, the passenger side 26 is then deployed in the vertical direction, As a result, the airbag main body 25 is completely inflated.

  Therefore, in the passenger seat airbag apparatus M of the embodiment, the partial projection of the airbag 24 toward the passenger seat in the initial stage of inflation can be stably suppressed, and the occupant approaching in the early stage of inflation. Even if O (see FIG. 11) moves, it can be smoothly protected by the airbag 24.

  In addition, since the flow of the inflation gas G into the airbag main body 25 by the rectifying cloth 31 is performed when the expansion and expansion of the rectifying cloth 31 itself is completed, the folding method of the airbag main body 25 is different. Even in this case, the airbag body 25 with different folding can be widely deployed on both sides in the left-right direction without being affected by the difference in folding. By the way, for example, in a state where the rectifying cloth 31 is placed in the airbag body 25, the occupant side wall portion 26 is deployed with the rectifying cloth 31 so as to be flat on the gas inlet 28 side, and a lateral crease is formed. Perform the folding process to narrow the dimension in the front-rear direction, then perform the vertical folding process to make a fold in the front-rear direction, narrow the dimension in the left-right direction, and complete the folding of the airbag 24, or The airbag 24 may be folded by performing a vertical folding process first and then performing a horizontal folding process after the passenger side wall portion 26 is flattened and unfolded on the gas inlet 28 side together with the rectifying cloth 31. .

  Moreover, in the rectifying cloth 31 of the embodiment, the left and right outlets 37 and 40 are disposed at both left and right ends, and the inlet 33 for allowing the inflation gas G to flow is introduced into the substantially central peripheral wall portion in the left and right direction. The pipe-shaped rectifying cloth 31 can be formed simply by stitching and joining the edges 30a and 30b of the substantially rectangular plate-shaped rectifying cloth material 30 to each other. The rectifying cloth 31 can be manufactured.

  Further, the flow straightening cloth 31 of the embodiment is for protruding at the tips of the peripheral walls 36 and 39 of the left and right outlets 37 and 40 that protrude to the side above the upper surface 1a on the surface of the instrument panel 1 when the airbag 24 is inflated. The left and right protruding lengths W1 from the opening 22 are length dimensions that do not allow the peripheral wall tip surfaces 36a and 39a of the left and right outlets 36 and 40 to contact the inner peripheral surface of the airbag body 25 when inflation is completed. As an inner portion, it is configured as ¼ of 1/5 or more of the width dimension of the protruding opening 22 in the left-right direction.

  In such a configuration, the inflation gas G is stably directed from the left and right outlets 37 and 40 of the rectifying cloth 31 outward in the left and right directions without interfering with the peripheral wall of the airbag body 25. It can flow out into the main body 25. In other words, the left and right protruding lengths W1 from the protruding openings 22 at the ends of the peripheral walls 36 and 39 of the left and right outlets 37 and 40 protruding on the upper surface 1a of the instrument panel 1 are respectively set to the airbags when the inflation is completed. Since the inner wall surface of the main body 25 is within a length that does not allow the peripheral wall tip surfaces 36a and 39a of the left and right outlets 37 and 40 to come into contact with each other, it interferes with the peripheral wall of the air bag body 25 when the air bag 24 is inflated. Therefore, the inflation gas G can flow out into the airbag body 25 from the left and right outlets 37 and 40 of the rectifying cloth 31 to the outside in both the left and right directions. In addition, the left and right protruding lengths W1 from the protruding openings 22 at the ends of the peripheral walls 36 and 39 of the left and right outlets 37 and 40 protruding to the side on the upper surface 1a of the instrument panel 1 are too short. Since the width W0 of the protruding opening 22 is not less than 1/5 of the width dimension W0 in the left-right direction, the expansion gas G is stably discharged from the left and right outlets 37, 40 of the rectifying cloth 31 to both sides in the left-right direction. Can flow out into the airbag body 25. By the way, if the protruding length W1 is less than 1/5 of the width dimension W0, the axial direction of the outlets 37 and 40 is likely to be shaken when the inflation gas G flows out, and the left and right sides are stably left and right. It is difficult for the inflation gas G to flow out along the outer sides of the direction.

  Further, in the top-mount type passenger airbag device M of the embodiment, the rectifying cloth 31 at the completion of the inflation has the inner diameter dimension, the upper end portion 32 a facing the inlet 33 above the inlet 33, and the instrument panel 1. When the height dimension from the case bottom wall portion 14 to the projection opening 22 is set to H0, the height dimension from the inlet 33 to the upper end portion 32a at the completion of the expansion is set. When H1 is H1, H0 <H1 <3 × H0, and in the relationship between the inner diameter dimension of the rectifying cloth 31 and the vehicle mounted state, the rear end portion 32b near the inlet 33 of the rectifying cloth 31 is It is comprised so that it may be located ahead rather than 1 rear surface 1b.

  That is, the rear end portion 32b of the rectifying cloth 31 when the inflation is completed is disposed on the front side of the rear surface 1b so as not to protrude rearward from the rear surface 1b of the instrument panel 1, and the airbag body 25 at the time of initial inflation is not used. Since it does not protrude rearward from the instrument panel rear surface 1b as necessary, even if the backrest of the rear child seat or a child is located close to the instrument panel 1, the pressing force applied to the airbag 24 during initial inflation is reduced. Can be made.

  Note that the present invention may be applied to a mid-mount type passenger seat airbag device in which the projection opening 22 is disposed near the rear surface 1b of the instrument panel 1. Even in such a case, the rectifying cloth 31 at the completion of the inflation is The inner diameter dimension is set so that the facing portion 32a facing the inlet 33 on the passenger seat side of the inlet 33 protrudes from the side on the surface 1b of the instrument panel 1, and the protruding opening 22 from the case bottom wall portion 14 is set. When the height dimension up to H0 is H0, the height dimension from the inlet 33 to the facing portion 32a at the completion of expansion is H1, and if H0 <H1 <3 × H0, The bag body 25 can be prevented from protruding rearward from the instrument panel rear surface 1b unnecessarily, and the pressing force that acts on the adjacent passenger approaching the instrument panel 1 during the initial inflation of the airbag 24 can be reduced. That.

  Further, in the passenger airbag device M of the embodiment, when the airbag 24 folded and stored is expanded and inflated by the inflation gas G, first, the inflation gas G is upstream of the rectifying cloth 31. Then, it flows to the downstream side portion 44 through the connecting portion 43, and the upstream side portion 42, the connecting portion 43, and the downstream side portion 44 are sequentially expanded. At that time, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the connecting portion 43 of the rectifying cloth 31 is not folded into the folds of the folded mass portions 52 and 53 of the airbag body 25, and the upstream side portion 42 and Since the downstream side portion 44 is linearly connected, the inflation gas G is instantaneously removed from the upstream side portion 42 without being affected by the folding of the folded mass portions 52 and 53 of the airbag body 25. The expansion of the rectifying cloth 31 is completed quickly while the left and right side portions 55a and 55b folded in the bellows form in the laterally folded body 55 of the airbag body 25 can be developed. As a result, the rectifying cloth 31 that has completed the expansion causes a large amount of the inflation gas G to flow out from the outlets 37 and 40 of the downstream side portions 44 and 44 on the left and right sides to the airbag body 25 side. As shown by the alternate long and short dash lines in FIG. 7B, FIG. 9B, and FIG. 11, the airbag body 25 in the initial stage of inflation is quickly deployed outward on both sides in the left-right direction.

  Further, the downstream side portion 44 of the rectifying cloth 31 has an outer periphery along the deploying and inflating direction of the airbag 25 in the airbag body 25 in a state where the circumferential wall is flatly deployed when the airbag 24 is stored in the vehicle. Since the air bag body 25 is inflated, the downstream side portion 44 of the rectifying cloth 31 is disposed in the air bag body 25 because the air bag body 25 is inflated. The portion 26a is pushed and expanded and expanded very quickly. The airbag body 25 at the initial stage of inflation is combined with the rapid deployment of the airbag body 25 by the inflation gas G flowing out from the left and right outlets 37 and 40 of the rectifying cloth 31 that has been completely inflated. Can quickly increase the volume, suppress an increase in the internal pressure of the airbag main body 25 at the initial stage of inflation, and the airbag 24 can interfere with a nearby occupant O in the early stage of inflation. It is possible to secure the cushion effect and protect the occupant.

  Therefore, in the airbag apparatus M of the embodiment, the increase in the internal pressure in the initial stage of inflation can be suppressed, and the airbag 24 can be quickly deployed in a wide range. Even if the approaching passenger O moves, the airbag apparatus M smoothly It can be protected by the airbag 24.

  In the embodiment, a portion 26a in which the back surface side of the airbag main body 25 in the folded and stored state as the airbag 24 is in contact with the downstream side portion 44 of the rectifying cloth 31 is an occupant at the completion of the deployment and inflation. The connecting portion 43 of the rectifying cloth 31 is disposed between the two folded fold portions 52 and 53 of the airbag body 25 in the folded state and stored, and The downstream side portion 44 of the rectifying cloth 31 is disposed so as to straddle the outer surface side of the two folded fold portions 52 and 53 of the airbag main body 25 in a folded and housed state.

  In such a configuration, when the downstream side portion 44 of the rectifying cloth 31 is inflated, the deploying and expanding direction can be quickly performed with respect to the wide surface 26a on the outer surface side of the two folded mass portions in the surface that protects the occupant in the airbag body 25. Therefore, even if the airbag 24 interferes with the occupant O in the initial stage of inflation, the airbag 24 can be properly protected.

  Further, the connecting portion 43 of the rectifying cloth 31 is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the two folded mass portions 52 and 53 of the airbag body 25, and passes through the connecting portion 43 from the upstream side portion 42 of the rectifying cloth 31. Since the inflation gas G flowing to the downstream side portion 44 flows linearly to the downstream side portion 44 so as to be guided between the two folded mass portions 52 and 53 of the airbag body 25, the downstream side portion 44. The direction of the inflation gas G flowing in the air bag is stable, and the portion 26a of the airbag main body 25 in contact with the downstream side portion 44 can be stably deployed and inflated for each airbag 24.

  Further, the connecting portion 43 of the rectifying cloth 31 is sandwiched between the two folded mass portions 52 and 53 of the airbag body 25, and the two folded mass portions 52 and 53 are respectively separated by the expansion of the connecting portion 35 itself. It can extrude and can also promote the expansion | deployment of the fold part 52 * 53.

  In the case of the embodiment, the rectifying cloth 31 is configured as a cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction, and is provided with an inflow port 33 for the expansion gas G at the center lower portion in the left-right direction. Two fold portions 52 and 53 of the airbag main body 25 are arranged before and after the connecting portion 43 of the rectifying cloth 31 in the cross section along the cross section, and the fold portion 52 on the vehicle front side is a bellows fold. The fold portion 53 on the vehicle rear side is folded as a roll fold that winds the rear edge 50a downward and forward.

  Therefore, if the rectifying cloth 31 is inflated by the inflation gas G flowing from the inlet 33 during the initial inflation of the airbag 24, the arrangement portion 26a of the downstream side portion 44 of the rectifying cloth 31 in the airbag body 25 is initially inflated. The inflating gas G flows outward from both sides in the left and right direction from the outlets 37 and 40 at both left and right ends of the tubular rectifying cloth 31 extending in the left and right direction, while inflating the passengers that sometimes interfere with each other in a protective manner. As shown in FIG. 9A and the one-dot chain line in FIG. 11, the bag body 25 bulges in the state of extending in the left-right direction on the upper surface 1a side of the instrument panel 1 and is close to the instrument panel 1 that interferes during initial inflation. The occupant O can be accurately protected by the airbag body 25 that is wide in the left-right direction. Further, in such a configuration, the folded-back portion 53 on the rear side is folded as a roll fold wound forward on the lower side, so that it is unfolded along the upper surface 1a of the instrument panel 1 when the folding is canceled. However, since it expands, it can smoothly enter the narrow gap between the rear surface 1b of the instrument panel 1 (see B in FIG. 8) and the adjacent passenger, and is suitable as the airbag 24 for the passenger seat. Become.

  Moreover, like the flow regulating cloth 31A shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the expansion gas G is applied to the part of the peripheral wall 32 between the left outlet 37 and the right outlet 40 in the flow regulating cloth 31A in a direction orthogonal to the left-right direction. Auxiliary outlets 38 and 41 that can flow out may be provided. If comprised in this way, it will become possible to expand | deploy the airbag main body 25 widely not only in the left-right direction but the up-down direction etc. with the gas G for expansion | swelling which flows out from auxiliary | assistant outflow port 38 * 41.

  In particular, as shown in the figure, the auxiliary outlet 38 that opens from the protruding opening 22 to the upper side, which is the protruding direction of the airbag 24, in the peripheral walls 36 and 39 disposed on the upper surface 1 a of the instrument panel 1. If 41 is disposed, the peripheral walls 36 and 39 of the left and right outlets 37 and 40 are subjected to reaction force on the surface of the instrument panel 1 by the expansion gas G flowing out from the auxiliary outlets 38 and 41. It is possible to stabilize the axial direction along the left and right direction, and in that case, the left and right direction from the left and right outlets 37 and 40 of the rectifying cloth 31A. It is possible to further stabilize the outflow direction of the expansion gas G that flows out outward on both sides.

  In the rectifying cloth 31A, the auxiliary outlets 38 and 41 are arranged one by one on the peripheral walls 36 and 39. However, if the peripheral walls 36 and 39 are not shaken, the peripheral walls 36 and 39 may A plurality of auxiliary outlets 38 and 41 may be disposed along the direction and the axial direction.

  Further, as the rectifying cloth, a rectifying cloth 31B shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 may be configured as a columnar shape having an enlarged inner diameter in the vicinity of the inflow port 33. In such a configuration, when the expansion is completed, the upper surface side of the pipe-shaped peripheral wall 32A can be substantially along the left-right direction, and the expansion gas G flowing out from the left and right outlets 37, 40 is supplied to the instrument panel 1. It can be made to flow out to the airbag main body 25 side along the surface 1a and stably along the left-right direction.

  Further, as the rectifying cloth, as in the rectifying cloth 31C shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, a pipe-like surface side cylinder part 59 and a pipe-like inflow side cylinder part 60 may be provided. . The front-side cylinder portion 59 has left and right outlets 37 and 40 arranged at both left and right ends, and a bip with the axial direction arranged in the left-right direction arranged on the surface 1a side of the instrument panel 1 when the airbag 24 is inflated. It is configured as a shape. Further, the inflow side cylinder part 60 is connected to the surface side cylinder part 59 in the orthogonal direction through a communication hole 59a provided in a substantially central peripheral wall part in the left-right direction of the surface side cylinder part 59. 60a and the bottom wall part 60b are comprised, and the inflow port 33 and the attachment hole 34 are arrange | positioned by the bottom wall part 60b.

  The inflow side cylinder portion 60 has a substantially square cylinder shape corresponding to the shape on the inner peripheral side to the projecting opening 22 on the bottom wall portion 14 of the case 13, and the length dimension in the left-right direction of the surface side cylinder portion 59. L2 is the left-right direction from the projecting opening 22 at the front ends of the peripheral walls 36, 39 of the left and right outlets 37, 40 projecting toward the upper surface 1a on the surface of the instrument panel 1 when the expansion of the flow regulating cloth 31C is completed. The projecting length W1 is set to be within the length dimension in which the peripheral wall tip surfaces 36a and 39a of the left and right outlet ports 37 and 40 are not brought into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the airbag body 25 when inflation is completed. 22 is configured as 1/5 or more of the width dimension W0 in the left-right direction.

  In such a configuration, when the rectifying cloth 31C is inflated at the initial stage of inflation of the airbag 24, the surface side tubular portion 59 protrudes to the side on the surface 1a of the instrument panel 1, and the left outlet 37 and the right outlet 40 Are arranged linearly to complete the expansion. Therefore, the expansion gas G from the inflow side cylinder part 60 is divided into the left and right directions at the approximate center in the left and right direction of the surface side cylinder part 59, and from the left and right outlets 37 and 40 to the left and right directions. Accordingly, the airbag body 25 is stably discharged to the opposite side, and further wide deployment in the left-right direction of the airbag body 25 in the initial stage of inflation can be ensured.

  In addition, you may provide the auxiliary | assistant outflow port 38 * 41 provided in 31 A of rectification cloths also in the surface side cylinder part 59 of 31 C of rectification cloths, or the rectification cloth 31B.

It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the vehicle front-back direction which shows the use condition of the airbag apparatus for passenger seats of one Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a general | schematic expanded longitudinal cross-sectional view of the front-back direction of the airbag apparatus for passenger seats of embodiment. It is a general | schematic expanded longitudinal cross-sectional view of the left-right direction of the airbag apparatus for passenger seats of embodiment. It is a perspective view at the time of inflating the airbag used for embodiment alone. It is a figure explaining the folding process of the airbag of an embodiment in order. It is a figure explaining the folding process of the airbag of an embodiment in order, and shows the state after FIG. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the front-back direction which demonstrates in order the action | operation of the airbag apparatus for passenger seats of embodiment. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the front-back direction which demonstrates in order the action | operation of the airbag apparatus for passenger seats of embodiment, and shows the state after FIG. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the left-right direction explaining the time of the action | operation of the airbag apparatus for passenger seats of embodiment. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the left-right direction explaining the completion | finish of operation | movement of the airbag apparatus for passenger seats of embodiment. It is a schematic plan view for explaining the operation of the passenger seat airbag device of the embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the baffle cloth of the modification of embodiment. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the left-right direction explaining the time of completion | finish of operation | movement of the airbag apparatus for passenger seats using the baffle cloth shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the baffle cloth of the other modification of embodiment. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the left-right direction explaining the time of completion | finish of operation | movement of the airbag apparatus for passenger seats using the baffle cloth shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the baffle cloth of the other modification of embodiment. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the left-right direction explaining the time of the completion | finish of operation | movement of the airbag apparatus for passenger seats using the baffle cloth shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... (Instrument panel) Instrument panel,
1a (surface) upper surface,
22 ... Opening for protrusion,
24 ... Airbag,
25 ... Airbag body,
28 ... Gas inlet,
31, 31A, 31B, 31C ... Rectifier cloth,
32 ... Pipe-shaped peripheral wall,
33 ... Inlet,
36 ... Left wall,
37 ... Left outlet,
38.41 ... auxiliary outlet,
39 ... Right wall,
40 ... Right exit,
59 ... surface side cylinder part,
60 ... Inflow side cylinder part,
M ... Airbag device for passenger seat.

Claims (5)

An air bag that, when activated, projects and expands and projects from the opening for protrusion formed in the instrument panel in front of the passenger seat to the passenger seat side,
The airbag is
A bag-like airbag body forming an outer peripheral wall;
It is arranged at the upstream side portion of the inflation gas inside the airbag body, is inflated first when the inflation gas flows in, and is inflated to the airbag body side so as to promote the deployment and inflation of the airbag body Rectifying cloth that can flow out by rectifying gas
A passenger seat airbag device comprising:
The rectifying cloth is provided with left and right outlets for allowing the inflation gas to flow out outward on both sides in the left-right direction,
The peripheral walls of the left and right outlets are respectively disposed at positions on the surface of the instrument panel at least at the left and right peripheral edges of the opening for projecting the instrument panel when the airbag is inflated. An airbag device for a passenger seat, wherein the airbag device projects in the left-right direction from the projecting opening.   The flow straightening cloth has a pipe shape in which the left and right outlets are arranged at both left and right ends, and an inlet for allowing the inflation gas to flow is arranged in a substantially central peripheral wall portion in the left-right direction. The airbag device for a passenger seat according to claim 1. The rectifying cloth is
The left and right outlets are arranged at both left and right ends, and a vip-like surface side tube portion disposed on the surface side of the instrument panel when the airbag is inflated,
A pipe-like inflow side cylinder part that communicates with the surface side cylinder part in a direction orthogonal to the substantially central peripheral wall portion in the left-right direction of the surface side cylinder part, and allows the inflation gas to flow;
The airbag device for a passenger seat according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the airbag device for a passenger seat is provided.   The rectifying cloth is configured by disposing an auxiliary outlet that can flow the expansion gas in a direction orthogonal to the left-right direction at a portion of the peripheral wall between the left outlet and the right outlet. The airbag device for a passenger seat according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the airbag device is for a passenger seat.   When the airbag is inflated, the right and left projecting lengths from the projecting openings at the ends of the peripheral walls of the left and right outlets projecting to the side on the surface of the instrument panel when the airbag is inflated, respectively When the inflation is completed, the inner peripheral surface of the airbag body is within a length dimension that does not allow the peripheral wall tip surfaces of the left and right outlets to contact each other, and is 1/5 or more of the width dimension in the left-right direction of the protruding opening. The passenger-side airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the airbag device is configured as described above.

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