JP2007186156A - Airbag device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an airbag device for a vehicle further reducing volume of an airbag main body and reducing weight of an inflator (gas generator) without impairing occupant protecting performance. <P>SOLUTION: In this airbag device 11, the airbag main body 21 is deployed in the vicinity of an occupant M by gas generated by the gas generator. In the airbag main body 21 formed into a box-shape, an upper part bag body 31 is formed, a bag-shaped occupant side part bag body 32 connected to the upper part bag body 31 and directed to the occupant M is formed, and bag-shaped both side bag bodies 33 and 34 connected to the occupant side part bag body 32 and the upper part bag body 31 are formed. A space part is formed in the center of the airbag main body 21 by each of the bag bodies 31, 32, 33 and 34 to reduce gas amount corresponding to volume of the space part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle airbag device that protects an occupant.

As a vehicle airbag device, an airbag device is known in which the volume of an airbag (bag body) is reduced by sewing substantially the center of the airbag (bag body) into a concave shape (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .)
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-40066 (page 7, FIG. 5)

Patent document 1 is demonstrated based on the following figure.
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a basic configuration of a conventional technique (Patent Document 1). A conventional occupant restraining airbag 101 is stitched at the center to form a stitched portion 102, whereby a left channel portion 103 is formed. In addition, the right flow path portion 104 is formed, and the left and right flow path portions 103 and 104 are communicated with the gas supply opening 105, so that the gas filling volume is smaller than that in which the stitching portion 102 is not formed. can do.

  However, the occupant restraining airbag 101 of Patent Document 1 is smaller in volume than the one that does not form the stitching portion 102, but the volume is less decreased. It has been desired to further reduce the volume filled with gas. In addition, downsizing of inflators (gas generators) has been desired.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle airbag device in which the volume of the airbag body is further reduced and the weight of the inflator (gas generator) is reduced without impairing the performance of occupant protection.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle airbag device in which an airbag is inflated with a gas generated by an inflator and deployed in a vehicle interior. The airbag includes a cavity at the center of the bag and surrounds the cavity. The wall portion to be formed is a bag-shaped bag expansion portion.

  In the vehicle airbag device, when the occupant comes into contact with the bag inflating portion immediately after the bag inflating portion is inflated, the bag inflating portion absorbs the impact applied to the occupant. Therefore, the performance for protecting the passenger can be ensured.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the bag inflating portion comprises a plurality of inflating portions composed of a plurality of bag bodies. The upper expansion part or the lower expansion part adjacent to the periphery of the part, and the adjacent peripheral edges of the plurality of expansion parts are combined.

  In the invention according to claim 1, since the airbag has a hollow portion at the center of the bag and the wall portion surrounding the hollow portion is a bag-shaped bag inflating portion, the volume of the hollow portion formed at the center of the airbag Therefore, it is not necessary to blow in the amount of gas corresponding to, and the amount of gas corresponding to the cavity can be reduced. Therefore, there is an advantage that the volume of the airbag main body can be further reduced and the weight of the inflator (gas generating device) can be reduced without impairing the performance of occupant protection.

  In the invention according to claim 2, the bag inflating portion is composed of a plurality of inflating portions composed of a plurality of bag bodies, and the plurality of inflating portions are at least a facing inflating portion facing a seated occupant and the facing inflating. Since the peripheral portions adjacent to each other of the plurality of inflatable portions are joined to each other, a cavity having a desired shape is formed in the center of the airbag. There is an advantage that the volume of the airbag body can be reduced more reliably.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a view for explaining the outline of the airbag apparatus of the present invention.
The airbag device 11 is employed in the vehicle 12 and includes a passenger seat airbag mechanism 13 and a control device 14 that controls the operation of the passenger seat airbag mechanism 13.

  The passenger seat airbag mechanism 13 is arranged on the instrument panel 15 of the vehicle 12 and is arranged for the occupant M sitting on the passenger seat 16. For example, the airbag main body (airbag) 21 is illustrated at the time of a collision. Expand as shown in FIG. At that time, the upper bag body 31 of the airbag body 21 is expanded upward, the occupant side bag body (facing inflated portion) 32 facing the occupant M is deployed, and the side bag body (side surface inflating portion) 33 is on the left. The side bag body (side surface inflating part) 34 is unfolded to the right.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an airbag body provided in the airbag device of the present invention, and shows the airbag body upside down. This will be described with reference to FIG.
The passenger airbag mechanism 13 is integrally attached to the instrument panel 15 and an inflator (gas generator) 22 that blows gas into the airbag body 21, a storage unit 23 that stores the airbag body 21 by folding. A lid portion 24.
The inflator (gas generator) 22 operates in the same manner as an existing inflator, but has a specification corresponding to the volume of the airbag body 21.

  The airbag main body 21 has a box shape, a bag-like upper bag body (upper inflatable portion) 31 is connected to the gas generator 22, is connected to the upper bag body 31, and is a bag-like passenger side bag facing the passenger M A body (facing inflated portion) 32 is formed, and bag-like side bag bodies (side surface inflating portions) 33 and 34 connected to the occupant side bag body 32 and the upper bag body 31 are formed. A space portion (cavity portion) 38 having walls 34 to 34 is formed.

  Further, the airbag body 21 forms a gas inlet portion 35 connected to the gas generator 22, communicates with the gas inlet portion 35 to form an upper bag body 31, and communicates with the upper bag body 31 to occupant. The side bag body 32 is formed, communicated with the upper bag body 31 to form the side bag bodies 33 and 34, and the occupant side bag bodies 32 adjacent to the side bag bodies 33 and 34, respectively, Periphery) 36 and 37, and a space portion 38 in which gas does not flow into the center is formed in a box shape having an average width W, an average height H, and an average length L.

Here, the upper bag body (upper inflated portion) 31 may include both side bag bodies (side inflated portions) 33 and 34 to form one upper bag body (upper inflated portion) 31.
A bag inflating portion that surrounds the cavity 38 with an occupant side bag body (facing inflating portion) 32 and an upper bag body (upper inflating portion) 31 (including both side bag bodies (side inflating portions) 33 and 34). 49 is configured.

3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. This will be described with reference to FIG.
The upper bag 31 has a gas inflow portion 41 through which the gas of the gas generator 22 is allowed to flow, and exhaust mechanisms 42 and 42 are arranged in the center.
The side bag body 33 has a gas inflow portion 43 through which gas flows in, and a non-inflow portion 44 is arranged in the center.
The side bag body 34 is the same as the side bag body 33, forms a gas inflow portion 45, and arranges a non-inflow portion 46 in the center.

  More specifically, the airbag body 21 sews the first cloth body 47 and the second cloth body 48 to form a bag, and an exhaust mechanism 42 is attached to the inside of the first cloth body 47, and the first and second cloth bodies 47 are respectively attached to both sides. 1 Inner cloth 51, 52 was attached. Further, the exhaust mechanism 42 is attached to the inside of the second cloth body 48, and the second inner cloths 53 and 54 are attached to both sides, respectively.

4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. This will be described with reference to FIG.
The occupant side bag body 32 is formed with a gas inflow portion 56 through which gas flows.
The joint cloth portion 36 is a portion where the joint cloth 61 is attached to the edge of the passenger side bag body 32, the joint cloth 62 is attached to the edge of the side bag body 33, and the joint cloths 61 and 62 are sewn together.
The joint cloth portion 37 is a part where the joint cloth 63 is attached to the edge of the occupant side bag body 32, the joint cloth 64 is attached to the edge of the side bag body 34, and the joint cloths 63 and 64 are sewn together.

Next, the manufacturing method of the airbag main body 21 with which the airbag apparatus of this invention is provided is demonstrated.
FIG. 5 is a first diagram illustrating a method of manufacturing an airbag body included in the airbag device of the present invention. This will be described with reference to FIGS.
The manufacturing method of the airbag main body 21 includes a step of stitching the first fabric body 47 and the second fabric body 48 to form a bag, a step of returning the back and front of the bag, and a step of forming the bag with the back and back turned into a box shape Consists of.

Next, a specific description will be given.
First, a first step of cutting the first cloth body 47 and the second cloth body 48,
A second step of cutting the first and second inner cloths 51, 52, 53, 54 and the joining cloths 61, 62, 63, 64;
A third step of arranging and sewing the first inner cloth 51, 52 and the exhaust mechanism 42 prepared in advance on the inner surface 66 of the first cloth body 47 as indicated by arrows a1, a2, a3;
A fourth step of arranging and sewing the second inner cloths 53 and 54 and the exhaust mechanism 42 prepared in advance as shown by arrows a4, a5 and a6 on the inner surface 67 of the second cloth body 48;
The first and second inner cloths 51, 52, 53, 54 and the exhaust mechanisms 42, 42 are respectively sewn together with the outer cloth 68 of the first cloth body 47 and the outer cloth 71 of the second cloth body 48. And a fifth step of sandwiching 62, 63, and 64 and arranging them at predetermined positions as indicated by arrows b1 to b4.

In the first step, the first cloth body 47 is cut from one piece of cloth. In that case, it branches in three directions from the upper part 73 used as the upper bag body 31, and becomes the passenger | crew side part 74 used as the passenger | crew side bag body 32, the side part 75 used as the side bag body 33, and the side bag body 34. A side portion 76 is formed, and an attachment portion / inlet portion 77 that is connected to the upper portion 73 and serves as the gas inlet portion 35 is formed.
Similarly to the first cloth body 47, the second cloth body 48 is branched and cut in three directions from the upper portion 73 that becomes the upper bag body 31.

In the third step, the periphery of the first inner cloth 51 and 52 is sewn only to the first cloth body 47 and the exhaust mechanism 42 is sewn. Reference numeral 81 (see FIG. 6) denotes a sewn portion.
In the fourth step, only the second cloth body 48 is sewn around the second inner cloths 53 and 54, and the exhaust mechanism 42 is sewn.

  In the fifth step, when the joining cloths 61, 62, 63, 64 are sandwiched between the outer surface 68 of the first cloth body 47 after the third step and the outer surface 71 of the second cloth body 48 after the fourth step, 1. Overlap so that it hardly protrudes from the edge parts 82 and 82 of the 2nd cloth bodies 47 and 48 (refer FIG. 4).

6 (a) and 6 (b) are diagrams for explaining a method of manufacturing the airbag main body subsequent to FIG. 5, and FIG. 6 (a) is a diagram showing stitching around the first and second cloth bodies 47 and 48. FIG. ) Is a diagram showing a state in which the front and back have started to be turned back. This will be described with reference to FIG.
(A): Subsequently, the sixth step of sewing together the periphery of the first cloth body 47 and the periphery of the second cloth body 48 together with the overlapping joining cloths 61, 62, 63, 64 is performed. At that time, the attachment portion and the entrance portion 77 are removed and stitched together. Reference numeral 83 denotes a sewn portion where the periphery is sewn together.
(B): After sewing the periphery, the seventh step of returning the front and back from the attachment / entrance 77 as shown by the arrow b5 is performed.

  7 (a) and 7 (b) are diagrams for explaining a method of manufacturing the airbag body following FIG. 6, (a) is a perspective view showing a state in which the front and back sides are turned back, and (b) is a state in which four pieces are stitched together. FIG. This will be described with reference to FIGS.

  (A): The outer surface 68 of the first cloth body 47 and the outer surface 71 of the second cloth body 48 are put out from the attachment portion / entrance portion 77, and the joining cloths 61, 62, 63, 64 are put out. .

  As described above, in the first to seventh steps, after the first cloth body 47 and the second cloth body 48 are sewn together, the first cloth body 47 and the second cloth body 48 can be reversed. As a result, the sewing portion 83 enters the inside (see FIGS. 3 and 4), and there is no need to process the end portion 82 of the first cloth body 47 and the end portion 82 of the second cloth body 48. It does not take time to process the end portions 82 and 82.

  (B): Subsequently, an eighth step is performed in which the first inner cloth 51 and the second inner cloth 53 are stitched together, and the first inner cloth 52 and the second inner cloth 54 are stitched together. That is, the first cloth body 47, the second cloth body 48, and the first and second inner cloths 51, 53 are overlapped and sewn, and the first cloth body 47, the second cloth body 48, and the first and second inner cloths are sewn. 4 pieces of cloth 52 and 54 are stacked and sewn. 85 (... indicates a plurality. The same applies hereinafter) indicates a thread that is obtained by stitching four sheets.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a method of manufacturing the airbag main body subsequent to FIG.
Finally, the joining cloths 61 and 62 are stitched together (see FIG. 4), and the joining cloths 63 and 64 are stitched together (see FIG. 4). In other words, the left edge of the occupant side bag body 32 and the front edge of the side bag body 33 are sewn together, and the right edge of the occupant side bag body 32 and the front edge of the side bag body 34 are sewn together. The airbag body 21 is completed.
At that time, when the joining cloths 61 to 64 are sewn together, they are sewn from the back side and the front and back sides are returned (see FIG. 4).

  In this way, the bag inflating part 49 includes a plurality of inflating parts, such as an occupant side bag (face-to-face inflating part) 32, an upper bag (upper inflating part) 31 (both side bags (side inflating part) 33, Since the peripheral edges (joining cloth portions) 36 and 37 that are adjacent to each other are coupled to each other, it is easy to form the cavity 38 in the center of the airbag body (airbag) 21.

  In the first step, the first and second cloth bodies 47 and 48 are cut from a single cloth, but the first and second cloth bodies 47 and 48 may be appropriately divided. For example, it is divided into four parts, an upper part 73 that becomes the upper bag body 31, an occupant side part 74 that becomes the occupant side bag body 32, a side part 75 that becomes the side bag body 33, and a side part 76 that becomes the side bag body 34. The upper bag 31 may be sewn separately, and the occupant side bag body 32 and the side bag bodies 33 and 34 may be sewn together, and then the adjacent peripheral edges may be joined.

After setting the seventh step and sewing the periphery, the front and back sides were returned from the attachment / entrance portion 77 as indicated by the arrow b5, but the ends 82 and 82 were displayed with the periphery sewn without turning the back and front sides. It is also possible to put out.
Although the upper bag body (upper inflated portion) 31 is formed, it is also possible to form the lower inflated portion (not shown) without forming the upper bag body (upper inflated portion) 31.

Next, the effect | action of the airbag apparatus of this invention is demonstrated using FIGS.
When a collision occurs in the vehicle 12, the inflator (gas generating device) 22 is activated based on the information of the control device 14, and the gas starts to be blown from the gas inlet portion 35, and is attached to the instrument panel 15 integrally. Open the lid 24. The gas that has entered from the gas inflow port 35 inflates the upper bag 31 and diverts from the upper bag 31 in three directions, and at the same time, inflates the side bags 33 and 34 and the passenger side bag 32.

  At that time, the gas inflates the upper bag body 31, the side bag bodies 33, 34, and the occupant side bag body 32, and as a result, the upper bag body 31, the side bag bodies 33, 34, and the occupant side bag body. 32, the airbag body 21 forms a space 38 in the center. That is, it is not necessary to blow in an amount of gas corresponding to the volume V (V = W × H × L) of the space portion 38. Accordingly, the capacity of the inflator (gas generator) 22 can be reduced, and the inflator (gas generator) 22 can be reduced in weight.

  When the airbag body 21 is deployed as shown in FIG. 1 by inflating the upper bag body 31, the side bag bodies 33 and 34, and the occupant side bag body 32, the passenger M in the passenger seat is immediately occupant. Since it abuts on the side bag body 32, the impact can be absorbed by the occupant side bag body 32, the upper bag body 31, and the both side bag bodies 33, 34 that have been deployed.

  As described above, in the vehicle airbag device 11, the airbag body 21 has a box shape, and the bag-like upper bag body 31 is connected to the gas generator 22, is connected to the upper bag body 31 and faces the occupant M. A bag-shaped occupant side bag body 32 is formed, and bag-shaped side bag bodies 33 and 34 connected to the occupant side bag body 32 and the upper bag body 31 are formed. An amount of gas corresponding to the space 38 formed between the upper bag 31, the side bag 33, and the side bag 34 can be reduced. Accordingly, the volume of the airbag body 21 can be further reduced and the weight of the inflator (gas generator) 22 can be reduced without impairing the performance of passenger protection.

  That is, the bag inflating portion 49 includes a plurality of occupant side bag bodies (facing inflating portions) 32 and an upper bag body (upper inflating portion) 31 (both side bag bodies (side inflating portions) 33 and 34. Since the peripheral edges (joining cloth portions) 36 and 37 adjacent to each other are coupled to each other, a hollow portion 38 having a desired shape can be formed in the center of the airbag body (airbag) 21. The volume of 21 can be reduced more reliably.

  Further, as described above, the sewing portion 83 enters the inside, so that it is not necessary to process the end portion 82 of the first cloth body 47 and the end portion 82 of the second cloth body 48, and the processing of the end portions 82, 82 is eliminated. Does not take much time.

Next, “another embodiment” of the airbag apparatus of the present invention will be described.
FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams for explaining another embodiment. FIG. 8A is a plan view corresponding to FIG. 7A, and FIG. 8B is a perspective view of a completed airbag body 21B. The same configurations as those in the embodiment shown in FIGS.

The airbag main body 21B provided in the airbag device 11B of another embodiment is characterized in that the edges of the side bag bodies 33B and 34B are stitched to the edge of the upper bag body 31B.
The airbag main body 21B is branched in three directions from an occupant side portion 74B that becomes an occupant side bag body 32B, and an upper portion 73B that becomes an upper bag body 31B, a side portion 75B that becomes a side bag body 33B, and a side bag body. 34B is formed, and a connecting cloth 62B sewed on the side bag body 33B is sewed on the connecting cloth 61B sewed on the upper part 73B, and a side bag 34B is bonded on the connecting cloth 63B sewed on the upper part 73B. The connecting cloth 64B sewed on is sewn together. In other words, the airbag body is obtained by sewing the upper edge of the side bag body 33B and the left edge of the upper bag body 31B, and sewing the upper edge of the side bag body 34B and the right edge of the upper bag body 31B. 21B is completed.

In the airbag apparatus 11B of another embodiment, the same effect as the airbag apparatus 11 is exhibited. That is, the volume of the airbag body 21B can be further reduced and the weight of the inflator (gas generator) 22 can be reduced without impairing the performance of passenger protection.
Moreover, it does not take time to process the end portions 82B and 82B.

  Although the vehicle airbag device of the present invention is applied to passengers in the passenger seat in the embodiment, it is applicable to passengers other than passengers in the passenger seat, and can be set for any passenger in the vehicle. is there. For example, it is used for passengers in the third row seats.

  The vehicle airbag device of the present invention is suitable for passengers in a passenger seat.

The figure explaining the outline | summary of the airbag apparatus of this invention The perspective view of the airbag main body with which the airbag apparatus of this invention is provided 3-3 sectional view of FIG. Sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. FIG. 1 illustrates a method of manufacturing an airbag body provided in the airbag apparatus of the present invention. The figure explaining the manufacturing method of the airbag main body following FIG. The figure explaining the manufacturing method of the airbag main body following FIG. The figure explaining the manufacturing method of the airbag main body following FIG. The figure explaining another embodiment The figure explaining the basic composition of conventional technology (patent documents 1).

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Airbag apparatus, 12 ... Vehicle, 13 ... Passenger seat airbag mechanism, 14 ... Control apparatus, 15 ... Instrument panel, 21 ... Airbag (airbag main body), 22 ... Gas generator (inflator), 31 ... Upper inflating part (upper bag), 32 ... Face inflating part (occupant side bag), 33, 34 ... Side inflating part (side bag), 36, 37 ... Joint cloth part (periphery), 38 ... cavity Part (space part), 49 ... bag inflating part, M ... passenger, V ... volume of space part.

Claims (2)

In a vehicle airbag device in which an airbag is inflated by gas generated by an inflator and deployed in a vehicle interior,
The airbag apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the airbag includes a hollow portion at a center of the bag, and a wall portion surrounding the hollow portion is a bag-shaped bag inflating portion.   The bag inflating part is composed of a plurality of inflating parts composed of a plurality of bag bodies, and the plurality of inflating parts are adjacent to at least a facing inflating part facing a seated occupant and a peripheral edge of the facing inflating part. The vehicular airbag apparatus according to claim 1, comprising an upper inflating part or a lower inflating part, wherein the adjacent peripheries of the plurality of inflating parts are coupled to each other.

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