JP2006273244A - Airbag device for driver's seat - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an airbag device for a driver's seat capable of protecting an occupant side longitudinal wall part by largely deploying a lower door part when an airbag is inflated, and rapidly deploying the airbag. <P>SOLUTION: At least one lower door part 7 is provided on a cover body 1, a first tear line 4 is provided from an upper face part 2 of the cover body 1 to an occupant side longitudinal wall part 3, and a plurality of pairs of second tear lines 4 which extends from a lower side of the occupant side longitudinal wall part 3 and formed on the occupant side longitudinal wall part 3 and at least on the occupant side longitudinal wall part 3 of the upper face part 2. A third tear line 5 to connect the second tear lines 4 to each other is provided to form the lower door part 7. The lower door part 7 has a hinge part 8 on the occupant side longitudinal wall part 3. When the lower door part 7 is opened by inflating the airbag, an airbag deployment regulating wall part 8 having a part of at least the occupant side longitudinal wall part 3 is formed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an airbag device for a driver's seat that improves the deployment of an airbag at the time of a vehicle collision in an airbag device that protects an occupant during a vehicle collision.

The driver airbag device is deployed in the event of a vehicle collision and is equipped to protect the occupant from impact.
A driver's seat airbag device having a tear line provided only on the upper surface of the airbag cover that has been distributed in the past is known, but by providing a tear line on the vertical wall on the passenger side of the airbag cover, There is an airbag device (see Patent Document 1) that opens the airbag to the occupant's abdomen quickly when the occupant-side (lower) door portion is greatly opened during deployment.
In addition, the airbag cover body is provided with a lid portion that is divided by an easily breakable portion that is broken by the deployment force of the airbag, and is opened so as to form an opening for deploying the airbag by the breakage. By forming the upper divided lid portion and the lower divided lid portion divided into upper and lower portions at least, and at least the lower divided lid portion is formed by the lower subdivided lid portion divided into a plurality of easily breakable portions, thereby quickly There is an airbag device (see Patent Document 2) that can be deployed in a bag.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-313297 (see claims, examples column, and FIGS. 2 to 7) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-32964 (see claims, examples column and FIGS. 1 and 5 to 9)

However, in the airbag device described in JP 2000-313297 A, when the rim portion of the steering wheel is present on the occupant side (lower side) of the airbag cover, Although the door portion on the side) is greatly opened, there is a concern that the rim portion may come into contact with or interfere with the airbag, and further improvement in the rapid and stable deployment performance of the airbag to the passenger abdomen is required.
Further, in the airbag device described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-32964, since the hinge portion of the lower subdivided lid portion exists on the upper surface of the cover body, the lower subdivided lid portion is the hinge portion when the airbag is inflated. Deploy around the center and expand along the cover body. For this reason, the lower subdivided lid portion cannot be deployed to the rear side of the cover body, and there is a concern about contact with the airbag, and further improvement in the rapid and stable deployment performance to the occupant abdomen of the airbag is required. It has been. Further, there is a demand for reducing damage to the airbag cover due to the deployment of the airbag cover.
On the other hand, an object of the present invention is to provide an airbag device for a driver's seat that further improves the above two points.

A first invention of the present invention for solving the above-described problems is a driver-seat airbag apparatus as described in claim 1, and is as follows.
An airbag device for a driver's seat that is attached to a steering wheel that includes a folded airbag, a case body that stores the airbag, and a cover body that covers an upper surface of the case body. The occupant-side vertical wall has at least one lower door portion, is provided with a first tear line extending from the upper surface portion of the cover body to the occupant-side vertical wall portion, and extends from below the occupant-side vertical wall portion; A plurality of second tear lines that form a pair on at least the occupant side vertical wall portion of the upper surface portion and the upper surface portion, and a third tear line that connects the second tear lines to each other to provide the lower door portion The lower door portion is provided with a hinge portion on the occupant side vertical wall portion, and when the lower door portion is opened by inflation of an airbag, the airbag has at least a part of the occupant side vertical wall portion. It is configured to form an open regulating wall.

A second invention of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is an airbag device for a driver's seat as described in claim 2, and is as follows.
In addition to the first aspect of the present invention, the third tear line is provided on the upper surface of the cover body.

A third invention of the present invention for solving the above-described problems is a driver-seat airbag apparatus as described in claim 3, which is as follows.
In addition to the first aspect of the present invention, the third tear line is provided on the passenger side vertical wall of the cover body.

A fourth invention of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is a driver-seat airbag apparatus as described in claim 4, which is as follows.
In addition to the invention of any one of claims 1 to 3, a fourth tear line connecting the first tear line and the third tear line is provided.

The airbag device for a driver's seat according to the present invention is configured as described above, and therefore has the effects described below.
(1) Since the hinge portion of the lower door portion formed by each tear line is provided on the occupant side vertical wall portion separated from the upper surface portion of the cover body, the lower door portion is greatly expanded when the airbag is inflated. For this reason, even if the airbag and the lower door portion come into contact with each other, it does not hinder the deployment of the airbag, so that the airbag can be deployed more quickly on the occupant's abdomen.
(2) Deployment in which the airbag that is inflated and deployed is deployed between the rim portion of the steering wheel and the abdomen of the occupant (predetermined position) by the airbag deployment restriction wall that is formed in the occupant side vertical wall by inflation of the airbag. By acting as the direction restricting means, the airbag can be deployed at a predetermined position more quickly, and the protection performance of the occupant is significantly improved.
(3) With the airbag deployment restriction wall, stress is applied by the tearing when the airbag cover is deployed, and the occupant-side vertical wall portion can be protected.

  An airbag device for a driver's seat attached to a steering wheel including a folded airbag, a case main body that stores the airbag, and a cover body that covers an upper surface of the case main body. The occupant-side vertical wall has at least one lower door portion, is provided with a first tear line extending from the upper surface portion of the cover body to the occupant-side vertical wall portion, and extends from below the occupant-side vertical wall portion; A plurality of second tear lines that form a pair on at least the occupant side vertical wall portion of the upper surface portion and the upper surface portion, and a third tear line that connects the second tear lines to each other to provide the lower door portion The lower door portion is provided with a hinge portion on the occupant side vertical wall portion, and when the lower door portion is opened by inflation of an airbag, the airbag has at least a part of the occupant side vertical wall portion. An air bag device for a driver's seat to form an open regulating wall.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a front view showing a rear view of an example of an airbag storage portion according to the airbag device for a driver's seat of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a state after the airbag is deployed in the airbag device for the driver's seat of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing the state of the cover body after deployment of the airbag of the driver seat airbag device of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is another embodiment of the driver seat airbag device of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state of the cover body after deployment of the airbag, in which the airbag deployment regulating wall portion is ribbed, and FIG. 5 is another view of the airbag device for a driver's seat according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state of the cover body after deployment of the airbag according to the embodiment, in which the airbag deployment regulating wall portion is formed of a plate member of three sides, and FIG. 6 is a driver seat according to the present invention. Air when there is only one lower door provided on the cover of the airbag device FIG. 7 is a front view showing the state of the cover body before deployment and after deployment, and FIG. 7 shows the air when the lower door portion provided in the cover body of the driver airbag device of the present invention opens left and right. It is a front view which shows the state of the cover body before bag expansion | deployment and after expansion | deployment.

First, an embodiment of an airbag device for a driver's seat according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
As can be understood from FIG. 1, the airbag device for a driver's seat according to the present invention has a first substantially H-shape extending from the upper surface portion 2 to the occupant side vertical wall portion 3 on the back side of the cover body 1 of the steering wheel. A tear line 4 is provided, and a plurality of second tear lines 5 extending from below the occupant side vertical wall portion 3 and paired with the occupant side vertical wall portion 3 are provided, and the second tear lines 5 are connected to each other. The lower door portion 7 is formed by providing three tear lines 6. The lower door portion is provided with the respective tear lines 4, 5, 6 as described above, so that the hinge portion 8 is provided when the airbag is deployed, and when the lower door portion 7 is opened by inflation of the airbag, An airbag deployment restriction wall portion 9 having a part of the wall portion 3 is formed, and the deployment line 13 of the airbag 10 accurately guides to the passenger abdomen.

  The airbag apparatus for a driver's seat according to the present invention is provided with second and third tear lines 5 and 6 on the occupant side vertical wall portion 3 from the upper surface portion 2 of the cover body 1 of the steering wheel to form a lower door portion 7. Therefore, when the airbag is deployed, the lower door portion 7 opens greatly, and the airbag can be quickly deployed. In addition, a hinge portion 8 is provided below the occupant-side vertical wall portion 3, and the lower door is expanded by the inflation of the airbag. When the portion 7 is opened, an airbag deployment regulating wall portion 9 having a part of the occupant side vertical wall portion 3 is formed, and this airbag deployment regulating wall portion 9 serves as a guide for the airbag 10 when the airbag is deployed. The airbag 10 can be quickly and stably deployed on the target occupant's abdomen without causing the airbag 10 to contact or interfere with the rim of the occupant and without being excessively deployed on the occupant's upper portion. Yes, thereby improving the deployment performance of the air bag 10. In this embodiment, the airbag deployment restriction wall portion 9 is formed into a thick wall portion. The airbag deployment regulating wall portion 9 can protect the occupant side vertical wall portion 3 located on the occupant side of the lower door portion 7 where the airbag cover is most damaged by tearing when the airbag cover is deployed. .

  Further, the second tear line 5 may be provided up to the upper surface portion 2 through the occupant side vertical wall portion 3. In this case, since the upper end of the airbag deployment regulating wall portion 9 reaches the upper surface portion 2 of the cover body 1, the deployment direction of the airbag 10 is changed to the occupant side between the rim portion of the steering wheel and the occupant. The airbag deployment can be guided toward the vehicle.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show other forms of the airbag deployment regulating wall portion 9 to prevent the airbag deployment regulating wall portion 9 from being deformed due to an impact when the airbag is inflated. In order to increase the strength, one provided with several ribs 11, a gate-shaped member 12 formed of a plate member on three sides, or the like can be adopted.
In addition, since this form is intended to increase strength, it goes without saying that any form may be used as long as it functions as the airbag deployment restriction wall portion 9.
6 and 7 show an example of the airbag device for a driver's seat according to the present invention before and after deployment of the airbag. FIG. 6 shows the lower door portion 7 as one object. It can be applied mainly to the four steering wheel spokes so that the portion 7 can be opened larger. FIG. 7 shows that the lower door portion shows two things, and the lower door portion 7 is more The present invention can be applied mainly to three steering wheel spokes formed so as to be opened widely.

  As shown in FIG. 7, by providing the fourth tear line 14 that connects the first tear line 4 and the third tear line 6, there are three spokes on the steering wheel, and there is a spoke on the most occupant side (lower side). Even so, the lower door portion 7 can be smoothly deployed, and the airbag 10 can be more stably deployed to the occupant's abdomen without reliably contacting or interfering with the rim portion of the steering wheel. Can be made.

  It can be used as an airbag device for a driver's seat mounted on a vehicle.

It is a front view which shows the back view of an example of the airbag accommodating part which concerns on the airbag apparatus for driver's seats of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state after the airbag deployment of the airbag apparatus for driver's seats of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state of the cover body after the airbag deployment of the airbag apparatus for driver's seats of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state of the cover body after the airbag expansion | deployment of the other Example of the airbag apparatus for driver's seats of this invention, and shows what the airbag expansion | deployment control wall part becomes rib shape. The state of the cover body after the airbag deployment of another embodiment of the airbag apparatus for a driver's seat of the present invention is shown, and the airbag deployment regulation wall portion is formed in a gate-shaped member with a plate-like member on three sides. FIG. It is a front view which shows one Example of the state of the cover body before the airbag deployment in case the number of the lower door parts provided in the cover body of the airbag apparatus for driver's seats of this invention is one. It is a front view which shows one Example of the state of the cover body before and after the airbag deployment when the lower door part provided in the cover body of the airbag apparatus for driver seats of this invention opens right and left.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Cover body 2 ... Upper surface part 3 ... Passenger side vertical wall part 4 ... 1st tear line 5 ... 2nd tear line 6 ... 3rd Tear line 7 ··· Lower door portion 8 ··· Hinge portion 9 ··· Air bag deployment restriction wall portion 10 ··· Air bag 11 ··· Rib 12 ··· Portal member 13 .... Deployment line 14 ... Fourth tear line

Claims (4)

An airbag device for a driver's seat that is attached to a steering wheel that includes a folded airbag, a case body that stores the airbag, and a cover body that covers an upper surface of the case body. The occupant-side vertical wall has at least one lower door portion, is provided with a first tear line extending from the upper surface portion of the cover body to the occupant-side vertical wall portion, and extends from below the occupant-side vertical wall portion; A plurality of second tear lines that form a pair on at least the occupant side vertical wall portion of the upper surface portion and the upper surface portion, and a third tear line that connects the second tear lines to each other to provide the lower door portion The lower door portion is provided with a hinge portion on the occupant side vertical wall portion, and when the lower door portion is opened by inflation of an airbag, the airbag has at least a part of the occupant side vertical wall portion. Air bag apparatus for the driver's seat and forming an opening regulating wall. The driver's seat airbag apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third tear line is provided on an upper surface portion of the cover body. The driver's seat airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the third tear line is provided on an occupant-side vertical wall portion of the cover body. The driver seat airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a fourth tear line connecting the first tear line and the third tear line is provided.

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