JP2007223373A - Air bag and manufacturing method of air bag - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air bag capable of easily reducing the manufacturing cost of the air bag improved in the airtightness of a connecting part and a manufacturing method of the air bag. <P>SOLUTION: An air chamber 15 is formed by accumulating ground fabric parts 11, 12 and sewing them up along a connecting line 26 on the curtain air bag arranged on the side of an automobile. The airtightness is improved by covering the connecting line 26 with a tape type sealant 40. The sealant 40 is folded along a folding line 41 with an adhering part 44 outside and the folded sealant 40 is arranged between ground fabrics 11, 12 and adhered in a manufacturing process of the air bag 1. Thereafter, the ground fabric parts 11, 12 are sewn up with each other along the connecting line 26 positioned on the outer peripheral side of the sealant 40. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an airbag that protects an occupant in a car collision, for example, and a method for manufacturing the airbag.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a so-called curtain airbag that is deployed along a side window of an automobile is known as an airbag that is inflated and deployed by introducing gas. This type of airbag is required to absorb the energy of the occupant's head in a short stroke at the time of a side collision, and can maintain the inflated and deployed state for a predetermined time, for example, several seconds, when the vehicle rolls over. Therefore, there is a need for a configuration that maintains the internal pressure of the airbag for a long time in a relatively high state as compared to airbags mounted on other portions.

  Thus, for example, a configuration is known in which a portion of the base fabric joined by sewing is bonded with a silicone rubber tape from the inside of the airbag using an adhesive, and the sewing portion is sealed (for example, Patent Documents). 1). Here, with respect to all of the sewing parts of the airbag that need to be improved in airtightness, it is considered that the work of attaching the tape of silicon rubber from the inside of the bag-shaped airbag becomes complicated, but this Patent Document 1 Does not disclose a specific method of affixing the tape.

Further, for example, a configuration is known in which high-frequency welding is performed with two thermoplastic films sandwiched, and base fabrics are joined to each other (see, for example, Patent Document 2). And in this configuration, a film-like insulating layer is sandwiched in advance between a part of these thermoplastic films, and this insulating layer is removed after welding so as to weld the base fabric in a desired shape. Yes. However, there is a problem that it is difficult to reduce the manufacturing cost because it requires high frequency vibration with the two thermoplastic films and the insulating layer held in place, and further, the complicated work of removing the insulating layer after welding is necessary. Have.
JP-A-10-129380 (page 4, FIG. 3) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-60772 (page 3-4, FIG. 1)

  As described above, Patent Document 1 does not disclose a specific method of sealing a sewing portion of an airbag that needs to improve airtightness from the inside of a bag-shaped airbag. This requires a troublesome work and it is not easy to reduce the manufacturing cost.

  This invention is made in view of such a point, and it aims at providing the manufacturing method of the airbag which can reduce easily the manufacturing cost of the airbag which improved the airtightness of the junction part, and an airbag.

  The method for manufacturing an airbag according to claim 1 is a method for manufacturing an airbag that forms an air chamber into which gas is introduced by joining opposite base fabric portions along a joining line portion. The sealing material is folded along a fold line, the fold line is spaced from the predetermined position of the joint line portion toward the air chamber side, and the folded sealing material is placed between the base fabric portions. It arrange | positions in between, the both sides of the said fold line are each closely_contact | adhered to each said base fabric part, and each said base fabric part is joined along the said joint line.

  And in this structure, the airtightness of a junction part improves by covering the air chamber side of the joint line part which joins base fabric parts, and attaching a sealing material. By disposing the sealing material between the base fabric portions in a state of being folded along the fold line, the work of sealing the joint portion is facilitated, and the manufacturing cost of the airbag is easily reduced. When the gas is introduced into the air chamber of the airbag, the sealing material behaves so that the folded portion is opened, and the airbag can be smoothly inflated and deployed while ensuring airtightness. Compared to the configuration in which the portion where the sealing material is disposed is joined together with the sealing material, the thickness dimension of the joining portion can be reduced.

  The method for manufacturing an airbag according to claim 2 is the method for manufacturing an airbag according to claim 1, wherein the sealing material is provided with an adhesive portion on a surface which becomes an outer side when folded at least. A releasable release sheet is attached, and the sealing material is disposed between the base cloth parts while peeling the release sheet, and then the base cloth parts are in contact with each other. The portion is pressed, and the adhesive portion of the sealing material is brought into close contact with the respective base fabric portions.

  And in this structure, the operation | work which arrange | positions a sealing material over a long dimension becomes easy, and the manufacturing cost of an airbag is reduced easily.

  The airbag according to claim 3 includes a base fabric portion facing each other, a joint line portion that joins the base fabric portions, an air chamber that is surrounded by these joint line portions and into which gas is introduced, and along the longitudinal direction. Folded along the fold line set in the above, and disposed between the base cloth portions along the fold line at a position separated from the air chamber side of the joint line portion, and both side portions of the fold line. And a sheet-like sealing material in close contact with the respective base fabric portions.

  And in this structure, the airtightness of a junction part improves by covering the air chamber side of the joint line part which joins base fabric parts, and attaching a sealing material. By disposing the sealing material between the base fabric portions in a state of being folded along the fold line, the work of sealing the joint portion is facilitated, and the manufacturing cost of the airbag is easily reduced. When gas is introduced into the air chamber of the airbag, the folded portion behaves so as to open, and the airbag can be smoothly inflated and deployed while ensuring airtightness. Compared to the configuration in which the portion where the sealing material is disposed is joined together with the sealing material, the thickness dimension of the joining portion can be reduced.

  The airbag according to claim 4 is the airbag according to claim 3, wherein the sealing material is folded while being provided with an adhesive portion bonded to each base fabric portion on the outer surface when folded. In this case, an inner adhesive portion that has an adhesive strength smaller than that of the adhesive portion and that can be separated from each other is provided on the inner surface.

  In this configuration, when manufacturing the airbag, the shape in which the sealing material is folded by the inner adhesive portion is maintained, and the work of arranging the sealing material is facilitated, and the manufacturing cost of the airbag is easily reduced. Is done. When the gas is introduced into the air chamber of the airbag, the inner adhesive part separates and the folded part behaves so that the folded part opens, enabling smooth inflation and deployment of the airbag while ensuring airtightness. And

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the airtightness of the joint portion by covering the air chamber side of the joint line portion that joins the base fabric portions to each other and attaching the sealing material. By disposing the sealing material between the base fabric portions in a state of being folded along the fold line, the work of sealing the joint portion is facilitated, and the manufacturing cost of the airbag can be easily reduced. When the gas is introduced into the air chamber of the airbag, the sealing material behaves so that the folded portion is opened, and the airbag can be smoothly inflated and deployed while ensuring airtightness. Compared to the configuration in which the portion where the sealing material is disposed is joined together with the sealing material, the thickness dimension of the joining portion can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an air bag and an air bag manufacturing method of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes an airbag, and an airbag apparatus including the airbag 1 is disposed on a roof side portion of a passenger compartment of an automobile as a vehicle. And this airbag 1 is also called a curtain airbag, a side impact airbag, a side airbag, an inflatable curtain type, or a head protection airbag, and when subjected to an impact such as a side collision, It is developed in a planar shape on the side of the occupant to protect the occupant as a protected object.

  In addition, the airbag device is a so-called front and rear seat airbag that can protect passengers in the front and rear seats, and is stored in an elongated and folded manner on the roof side part surrounded by the roof side rail and the head lining. 1 and an inflator (not shown) that is stored above the vehicle body of the passenger in the rear seat and supplies gas to the airbag 1, and is attached to the roof side rail via a bracket.

  The airbag 1 includes a bag-shaped airbag body 3 and, although not shown, is a cylindrical body disposed inside the airbag body 3 that guides gas, and an airbag. A tension strap which is a string-like base fabric attached to the front end of the main body 3 is provided.

  The airbag body 3 is formed into a flat bag shape by stitching one or a plurality of base fabrics. In the present embodiment, the airbag main body 3 is a base fabric portion composed of two base fabrics (main panels). The first base fabric portion 11 and the second base fabric portion are overlapped and sewn using a thread 14a, and the joint portion 14 is formed in a bag shape having an air chamber 15 inside. . That is, the base fabric portion includes a first base fabric portion 11 that is an inner base fabric portion (front panel) and a second base fabric portion 12 that is an outer base fabric portion (back panel). The outer peripheral portions of the portions 11 and 12 are sewn together in a substantially airtight manner at the joint portion 14 except for the portion of the gas introduction portion 18 at the rear end portion. The air chamber 15 inside the airbag main body 3 becomes an inflatable portion that is a hollow portion, and the inflatable portion is connected to the communication portion 21 that is located at the upper portion of the longitudinal central portion that is the front-rear direction of the airbag main body 3. A front seat protecting part 22 communicating with the front side of the communicating part 21 and a rear seat protecting part 23 communicating with the rear side of the communicating part 21 are provided. Further, a coating agent such as silicone is applied to the inner surfaces of the respective base fabric portions 11 and 12.

  Further, the joining portion 14 includes a joining line portion 26 that sews the outer peripheral portions of the base fabric portions 11 and 12 with two sewing lines parallel to each other except for the gas introduction portion 18 and a front seat protection portion. 22 is provided with a pair of front side sewing parts 28 that join the base fabric parts 11 and 12 and a rear side sewing part 30 that is located on the rear seat protection part 23 and joins the base cloth parts 11 and 12. ing. The front sewing part 28 and the rear sewing part 30 regulate the width dimension when the airbag body 1 is deployed, and each linear part 28a for sewing the base cloth parts 11 and 12 linearly. 30a and annular protection portions 28b, 30b that surround and protect the end portions of the straight portions 28a, 30a.

  A plurality of attachment pieces 33 that are attachment portions for attachment to the bracket are formed at a predetermined interval on the upper edge portion of the airbag body 3. Each attachment piece 33 is formed by extending one or both of the base fabric portions 11 and 12 and turning them back. Each attachment piece 33 is formed with a through hole 33a to which attachment means such as a screw is attached.

  Further, a sealing material 40 is disposed in the airbag 1 along the inner peripheral side of the joint line portion 26, that is, inside the air chamber 15. As shown in FIG. 3, this sealing material 40 is formed by folding back a long sheet-like member, for example, a tape-like member made of, for example, a base cloth or a synthetic resin, along a fold line 41 along the longitudinal direction. The parts of are overlapped. In the present embodiment, the fold line 41 is located at the center in the width direction, and is folded back with the entire surface of the other side portion 43 overlapping the entire surface of the one side portion. In addition, an adhesive portion 44 that is bonded to the base fabric portions 11 and 12 is provided on one surface of the sealing material 40 that is outside in the folded state. In addition, before being bonded to the base fabric portions 11 and 12, the bonding portion 44 has a release sheet called a separator that can be easily peeled to the one side portion 42 and the other side portion 43 as shown in FIG. 45 and 45 are pasted.

  The sealing material 40 has the folding line 41 in the vicinity along the inner peripheral side of the joint line portion 26, that is, along a position spaced from the joint line portion 26 to the inside of the air chamber 15 by a predetermined dimension. The one side portion 42 is affixed to the first base cloth portion 11 in a substantially airtight manner, and the other side portion 43 is affixed to the second base cloth portion 12 to thereby provide the airtightness of the joint line portion 26, that is, the airtightness of the air chamber 15. Increases sex.

  Next, the manufacturing process of this airbag 1 is demonstrated.

  First, as shown in FIG. 3, the sealing material 40 to which the release sheets 45 and 45 are attached is folded back along the fold line 41 using a jig which is an automatic machine, and the release sheets 45 and 45, that is, the bonding portion 44 are removed. The state is directed to the side.

  Next, two folded sealing materials 40 and the base cloth portions 11 and 12 cut in advance into a predetermined shape are mounted on a jig that is an automatic machine, and a process of attaching the sealing material 40 is started. In this process, as shown in FIG. 4, the two sealing materials 40 are peeled off the release sheets 45 and 45, and the joining line portions of the upper and lower portions of the gas introduction portion 18 corresponding to the rear end portion of the airbag body 3 respectively. 26 to the front end portion of the airbag body 3 so as to be sandwiched between the base fabric portions 11 and 12, and the base fabric portions 11 and 12 are connected to each other by the sealing material 40 arranged along the joining line portion 26. Paste each other. Further, at the distal end of the airbag body 3, as shown in FIG. 5, the fold line 41 of one seal member 40 and the fold line 41 of the other seal member 40 are aligned, and the one seal member 40 is They are joined together so as to be sandwiched by the other sealing material 40, and airtightness is ensured.

  In addition, simultaneously with the step of arranging the sealing material 40 in this way, or after the arrangement of the sealing material 40 is completed, these base fabrics are arranged in a direction in which the base fabric portions 11 and 12 are in close contact with each other by a jig 48 such as a roller. The parts 11 and 12 are pressed, and the adhesive part 44 of the sealing material 40 is brought into close contact with the base cloth parts 11 and 12.

  Next, the airbag body 3 is formed by sewing and joining along the joining line portion 26 using the sewing machine, that is, along the outer peripheral side of the overlapping portion of the sealing material 40, and further, the tension strap. Etc. are attached and the airbag 1 is comprised.

  Then, the airbag 1 is folded into a predetermined shape and an inflator or the like is connected to constitute an airbag device.

  When an automobile equipped with the airbag device undergoes a side collision or the like, the inflator is activated and gas is introduced into the air chamber 15 of the airbag 1 under the control of a control device equipped with a sensor. Then, the air chamber 15 is inflated and deployed. At this time, the folded sealing material 40 is smoothly deformed so that the fold line 41 is restored and deformed, and the airbag 1 is joined without hindering the inflation and deployment of the airbag 1. It is possible to cover the line portion 26 and suppress gas leakage and maintain the internal pressure of the airbag 1 for a relatively long time.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the sealing material 40 is attached so as to cover the air chamber 15 side of the joint line portion 26 that joins the base fabric portions 11 and 12, and so to speak, the joint portion is sealed. The air bag 1 that can improve the air tightness and can maintain the internal pressure for a long time can be provided.

  Then, the sealing material 40 is disposed between the base fabric portions 11 and 12 in a state of being folded along the folding line 41 so that the sealing material is attached to the airbag 1 after being formed into a bag shape. In comparison, the operation of sealing the joint portion is facilitated, and the manufacturing cost of the airbag 1 can be easily reduced.

  Further, the sealing material 40 is provided with an adhesive portion 44 on the outer surface when folded, and a peelable release sheet 45, 45 is attached to the adhesive portion 44, and the sealing material 40 is peeled off. While separating the sheets 45, 45, they are arranged between the base fabric portions 11, 12, and then the base fabric portions 11, 12 are pressed in a direction in which the base fabric portions 11, 12 are in close contact with each other, and a sealing material By bringing 40 adhesive portions 44 into close contact with the respective base fabric portions 11 and 12, the sealing material 40 can be easily disposed over a long dimension. Therefore, the sealing material 40 can be disposed around the entire circumference of the joining line portion 26 surrounding the air chamber 15 of the airbag 1 to easily improve the airtightness.

  In this way, the airbag 1 that can maintain the internal pressure for a long time can be manufactured at low cost.

  Further, since the sealing material 40 is formed by being folded along the folding line 41, it can be formed at a low cost, and when the gas is introduced into the air chamber 15 of the airbag 1, the sealing material 40 is used for the base cloth portions 11, 12. The air bag 1 can be smoothly inflated and deployed while ensuring the airtightness by behaving so that the folded portion is opened following the above behavior. In addition, since the sealing material 40 smoothly follows the behavior of the base fabric portions 11 and 12, it is necessary to increase the deformation characteristics, that is, the elongation characteristics of the sealing material 40 and the adhesive strength with the base fabric portions 11 and 12 more than necessary. The manufacturing cost can be reduced while maintaining high airtightness.

  Further, since the base fabric portions 11 and 12 are sewn and joined along the joint line portion 26 located outside the folded portion of the sealing material 40, the portion where the sealing material is disposed is sewn with the sealing material interposed therebetween. As compared with the structure to be joined, the thickness dimension of the joined portion can be reduced, and the folded shape of the airbag 1 can be easily reduced.

  Moreover, since the internal pressure of the airbag 1 can be easily maintained at a high level, the output of the inflator can be reduced and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  Furthermore, the force applied to the joint line portion 26 when the airbag 1 is inflated and deployed can be suppressed and the joint line portion 26 can be protected by the sealing material 40 that connects the base fabric portions 11 and 12 to each other.

  In addition, about the sealing material 40 of said embodiment, by using the shape holding means which hold | maintains the shape folded by the fold line 41, and can be easily separated at the time of expansion | deployment of the airbag 1, it is the airbag 1. The manufacturing process can be facilitated.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the sealing material 40 is bonded to the base fabric portions 11 and 12 on the outer surface when folded up so that the sealing material 40 is not peeled off even when the airbag 1 is inflated and deployed. In addition to the provision of 44, an inner adhesive portion 49 having an adhesive strength smaller than that of the adhesive portion 44 when the airbag 1 is folded can be provided to be separated from each other when the airbag 1 is inflated and deployed. And in this structure, when manufacturing the airbag 1, as shown to Fig.6 (a), the shape which folded the sealing material 40 by adhesion | attachment of the inner side adhesion parts 49 is hold | maintained, and the sealing material 40 is attached. The operation | work which arrange | positions in the predetermined position between the base fabric parts 11 and 12 can be made easy, and the manufacturing cost of the airbag 1 can be reduced easily. Further, when gas is introduced into the air chamber 15 of the airbag 1, as shown in FIG. 6 (b), the inner adhesive portions 49 are separated from each other, and the folded portion behaves so as to open. The airbag can be smoothly inflated and deployed while ensuring airtightness.

  In addition, the sealing material 40 may be in a shape in which the entire surface of the other side portion 43 overlaps the entire surface of the one side portion 42, or may partially overlap. Furthermore, as the sealing material 40, in addition to folding a flat plate-like member, for example, a sealing material 40 having a substantially V-shaped cross section with a crease attached in advance can also be used.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, a so-called curtain airbag that is provided in a side portion of a vehicle compartment and covers a window or the like has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and is provided in a vehicle or a moving body other than a vehicle. The present invention can be applied to various airbag devices.

  Further, in the above embodiment, a jig which is an automatic machine is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the sealing material 40 is folded by hand, and the folded sealing material 40 is attached to each base cloth portion. It can also be attached to 11 and 12.

  The present invention can be applied to, for example, an airbag that is provided on a side portion of a passenger compartment of an automobile and that inflates and deploys to protect an occupant when the automobile collides.

It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the one part cross section which shows one Embodiment of the airbag of this invention. It is a side view of an airbag same as the above. It is explanatory drawing of the sealing material which shows the manufacturing method of an airbag same as the above. It is explanatory drawing which shows the manufacturing method of an airbag same as the above. It is explanatory drawing of a part of airbag same as the above. It is explanatory drawing which shows other embodiment of an airbag same as the above, (a) is the state at the time of manufacture, (b) is the state at the time of deployment.

Explanation of symbols

1 Airbag
11 First base fabric as base fabric
12 Second base fabric part as base fabric part
15 air chamber
26 Joining line
40 Sealing material
41 Folding line
44 Bonding part
45 Release sheet
49 Inside adhesive

Claims (4)

It is a manufacturing method of an air bag which joins mutually facing base cloth parts along a joint line part, and constitutes an air chamber into which gas is introduced,
Fold along the fold line where the sheet-shaped sealing material is set,
The fold line is spaced from the planned position of the joint line portion toward the air chamber side, the folded sealing material is disposed between the base cloth portions, and both side portions of the fold line are respectively disposed. Adhering to each base fabric part,
The base fabric portions are joined to each other along the joining line. The sealing material is provided with an adhesive portion on the outer surface when folded at least, and a peelable release sheet is attached to the adhesive portion,
This sealing material is disposed between the base fabric parts while peeling the release sheet,
Next, the base fabric portions are pressed in a direction in which the respective base fabric portions are in close contact with each other, and the adhesive portions of the sealing material are brought into close contact with the respective base fabric portions. Method. Opposite base fabric parts,
A joining line part for joining the base fabric parts,
An air chamber that is surrounded by these joint lines and into which gas is introduced,
Folded along a fold line set along the longitudinal direction, and arranged between the base fabric portions along the fold line at a position spaced apart from the air chamber side of the joint line portion, An air bag comprising: a sheet-like sealing material in which both side portions of a wire are in close contact with the respective base fabric portions. The sealing material is provided with an adhesive part that is bonded to each base fabric part on the outer surface when folded, and the adhesive surface is smaller than the adhesive part on the inner surface when folded and can be separated from each other. The airbag according to claim 3, further comprising an inner bonding portion that is bonded to the airbag.

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