JP2007230559A - Airbag - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an airbag having a left-half side airbag, a right-half side airbag, and a tie panel for mutually connecting tip ends thereof at a passenger side, capable of sufficiently catching the passenger, and sufficiently absorbing shock applied to the passenger. <P>SOLUTION: The airbag 10 comprises: the left-half side airbag 12 expanding at a left side in front of the passenger, a right-half side airbag 14 expanding at a right side in front of the passenger, and the tie panel 16 for mutually connecting the tip ends of the left-half side airbag 12 and the right-half side airbag 14 at the passenger side. The left-half side airbag 12 and the right-half side airbag 14 include openings for inflator 18 at rear ends opposing to the passenger, respectively. The left-half side airbag 12 and the right-half side airbag 14 are disposed so that individual inner panels 20 mutually abut in expansion. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an airbag for protecting an occupant such as a vehicle at the time of a vehicle collision, and in particular, has a left half airbag, a right half airbag, and a tie panel connecting these occupant facing portions. It relates to airbags.

As an airbag for protecting an occupant of a vehicle or the like at the time of a vehicle collision, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 47-30045 discloses that a left half airbag, a right half airbag, and front end portions of these occupants are connected to each other. An airbag having a tie panel is described.
JP 47-30045

  In the airbag of the above-mentioned JP-A-47-30045, when the left half airbag and the right half airbag are inflated, they are separated as a whole, and a large space is formed over the entire area between them. Arise. As described above, when a large space is generated between the left half airbag and the right half airbag (the back side of the tie panel) when the airbag is inflated, There is a possibility that the left half airbag and the right half airbag are deformed so as to be bent (buckled), and the passenger cannot be sufficiently received.

  An object of the present invention is to sufficiently capture an occupant and add to the occupant in an airbag having a left half airbag, a right half airbag, and a tie panel that connects the front end portions of these occupants. An object of the present invention is to provide an airbag that can sufficiently absorb the impact applied.

  The airbag of the present invention (Claim 1) includes a left half airbag that expands to the left in front of the occupant, a right half airbag that expands to the right in front of the occupant, the left half airbag, and the right half. An airbag having at least one tie panel connected to the side airbag is configured to contact when the left half airbag and the right half airbag are inflated. It is a feature.

  In such an airbag, when the left half airbag and the right half airbag are inflated, the left half airbag and the right half airbag come into contact with each other, and the space on the back side of the tie panel is small. It becomes. For this reason, the occupant who has thrust into the airbag does not enter the space portion too deeply, and the occupant is sufficiently received by the airbag.

  If there is a space behind the tie panel, the tie panel with a tension smaller than the internal pressure of the airbag will elastically retreat when the occupant has thrust into the tie panel, and the occupant will be received relatively softly. The impact generated on the occupant at the moment when the airbag and the occupant come into contact with each other is reduced.

  In the airbag of the present invention (Claim 1), the tie panel preferably connects the occupant-facing portion of the left-half airbag and the occupant-facing portion of the right-half airbag (Claim 2). . With this configuration, when an occupant has thrust into the airbag, the occupant is received by the tie panel, so that the impact on the occupant can be sufficiently reduced.

  In the airbag of the second aspect, the tie panel preferably connects the front end portion on the passenger side of the left half side airbag and the front end portion on the passenger side of the right half side airbag. ). When the tie panel is provided at the front end portion of the left half airbag and the right half airbag as described above, when the occupant has pushed into the airbag, the occupant first comes into contact with the tie panel. Thereby, the impact at the moment when the occupant hits the airbag is small, and the kinetic energy of the occupant is absorbed by the tie panel, so that when the occupant continues to hit the right half airbag and the left half airbag, The impact is also reduced.

  Further, in the airbag according to claim 2, as the tie panel, an upper tie panel that connects an upper part of the occupant facing part of the left half airbag and an upper part of the occupant facing part of the right half airbag, It is preferable that a lower tie panel for connecting a lower portion of the airbag-facing portion of the airbag and a lower portion of the right-half airbag portion of the occupant-facing portion is provided. In this case, the upper tie panel is arranged so as to face the chest, head, etc. of the occupant when the occupant has thrust into the inflated airbag, and the lower tie panel faces the abdomen of the occupant. Are arranged as follows. When the upper tie panel and the lower tie panel are provided in this manner, when the occupant's chest, head, abdomen, etc. hit the airbag, the upper tie panel and the lower tie panel receive these relatively softly. Therefore, the impact on the occupant's brain and internal organs can be sufficiently reduced.

  In the airbag according to claim 2, tie panels may be provided at a plurality of locations at the top and bottom of the front end portion and the occupant facing portion of the left half airbag and the right half airbag, respectively. Alternatively, a tie panel may be selectively provided at the location. Moreover, you may provide a tie panel in a passenger | crew opposing part other than the above. You may provide a tie panel so that it may extend over the whole region from the upper part of the passenger | crew opposing part to the lower part.

  In the airbag of the present invention, it is preferable that the width of the tie panel in the left-right direction is 200 to 450 mm. When the width of the tie panel is 200 to 450 mm, when the left half airbag and the right half airbag are inflated, the front ends thereof face each other near the shoulders of an average occupant of an adult. The tie panel is fixed so as to face the occupant's chest, head, abdomen, and the like. As a result, the occupant's chest, head, abdomen, and the like are received by the relatively elastic tie panel, and the impact applied to the occupant due to contact with the airbag is reduced. Moreover, the left half airbag and the right half airbag come into contact with both shoulders of the occupant, and the occupant is firmly received.

  In the airbag of the present invention, there is provided a connection panel that connects the upper and lower portions of the left half airbag and the right half airbag, or both, and the connection panel includes the left half airbag and the left half airbag. It is good also as a structure which has the left-right width | variety which is tense when a right half side airbag expand | swells (Claim 6).

  In such a configuration, when the occupant has thrust into the left half airbag and the right half airbag, the vicinity of the middle portion in the front-rear direction of the left half airbag and the right half airbag is separated. Thus, it is possible to prevent deformation such as buckling.

  According to the present invention, in an airbag having a left half airbag, a right half airbag, and a tie panel that connects the front end portions of these occupants, the occupant is sufficiently received and added to the occupant. An airbag capable of sufficiently absorbing an impact is provided.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  1 is a perspective view of an airbag according to an embodiment of the present invention in an inflated state, FIGS. 2 and 3 are sectional views taken along lines II-II and III-III, respectively, of FIG. FIG. 5 and FIG. 5 are a top view and a side view, respectively, showing the facing situation between an occupant having an average physique of an adult and an air bag, and FIGS. 6 to 11 are explanatory views of the manufacturing procedure of this air bag. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the passenger seat of an automobile showing an application example of the airbag apparatus provided with the airbag, and shows the facing situation between the airbag and the occupant. In the following description, the left-right direction refers to the left-right direction for a passenger such as a vehicle.

  The airbag 10 includes a left half airbag 12 inflated to the left in front of the occupant, a right half airbag 14 inflated to the right in front of the occupant, the left half airbag 12 and the right half airbag 14. And the tie panel 16 that connects the front end portions on the passenger side. Each of the left half airbag 12 and the right half airbag 14 has an inflator opening 18 (see FIGS. 6 to 10) at the rear end on the side opposite to the occupant.

  The left half airbag 12 and the right half airbag 14 are respectively provided at the inner panel 20 on the opposite side, the outer panel 22 on the opposite side, and the rear ends of the inner panel 20 and the outer panel 22. Each is composed of a rear end side panel 24 that is continuous. The rear end panel 24 is provided with the inflator opening 18. The outer panel 22 is provided with a vent hole 26 (not shown in FIGS. 6 to 10).

  As shown in FIG. 6, the inner panel 20 and the outer panel 22 are respectively occupant-side front sides 20a, 22a extending in a substantially vertical direction, and rear sides 20b, 20b facing the front sides 20a, 22a. 22b, and upper sides 20c, 22c and lower sides 20d, 22d that connect both ends of the front sides 20a, 22a and rear sides 20b, 22b, and the lengths of the rear sides 20b, 22b are the front sides 20a, It also has a substantially trapezoidal shape smaller than the length of 22a. The rear end panel 24 includes a substantially semicircular inner periphery 24a and an outer periphery 24b that are substantially concentrically opposed to each other, and both end sides 24c and 24d that connect both ends of the inner periphery 24a and the outer periphery 24b. It has a substantially semi-ring shape.

  The inner panel 20 and the outer panel 22 are configured to have a plane-symmetric shape such as a mirror image. Further, the lengths of the rear sides 20b and 22b of the inner panel 20 and the outer panel 22 and the lengths of both end sides 24c and 24d of the rear side panel 24 are substantially the same length.

  The inner periphery 24a of the rear end panel 24 and the lower sides 20d and 22d of the inner panel 20 and the outer panel 22 are connected to each other, and the outer periphery 24b of the rear end panel 24 and the upper side 20c of the inner panel 20 and the outer panel 22 are connected. , 22c, and the rear sides 20c, 24d of the inner panel 20 and the outer panel 22 are overlapped with both ends 24c, 24d of the rear end panel 24, respectively, and are joined by stitching or the like. . Reference numerals 28 in FIGS. 7 to 10 indicate these joining lines.

  A rear end side panel 24 is folded in a double shape along a folding line L (FIG. 6) connecting the vicinity of the inner periphery 24c and the outer periphery 24d in the circumferential direction, and the inner panel 20 and the outer panel 22 Are superimposed. One half side and the other half side of the inner periphery 24a overlapped by this folding, one half side and the other half side of the outer periphery 24b, and the upper side 20c of the inner panel 20 and the outer panel 22 connected to them. The bag-like airbags 12 and 14 are configured by joining 22c, the lower sides 20d and 22d, and the front sides 20a and 22a by stitching or the like. This joining is performed along the joining line 30 (FIG. 8) extended so that the peripheral part of this airbag 12, 14 may be substantially circulated along each said side.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the joining line 30 is arranged inside the airbags 12 and 14. For this reason, the joint between the inner panel 20 and the outer panel 22 is not exposed to the outside, and the tips of the airbags 12 and 14 facing the occupant are smooth.

  The left half airbag 12 and the right half airbag 14 are arranged so that the inner panels 20 come into contact with each other when inflated.

  The tie panel 16 includes a pair of tie panel halves 16 'and 16'. The tie panel halves 16 ′ and 16 ′ are connected to the distal end portion of the left half airbag 12 and the distal end portion of the right half airbag 14, respectively. Each tie panel half 16 ′ has a base end 16′a interposed between the inner panels 20 of the left half airbag 12 or the right half airbag 14 and the front sides 20a, 22a of the outer panel 22. When the front sides 20a and 22a are joined together along the joining line 30, they are joined together.

  In this way, the front end sides 16′b of the tie panel half bodies 16 ′ joined to the left half airbag 12 and the right half airbag 14 are connected to each other, whereby the tip of the left half airbag 12 is connected. And the tip of the right-half airbag 14 are connected. Reference numeral 32 in FIG. 3 and the like indicates a joining line between the tip sides 16'b. The joining line 32 is disposed on the back side of the tie panel 16, and the joining portion between the tip sides 16'b is not exposed to the occupant side, and the front surface of the tie panel 16 is smooth.

  Width of the tie panel 16 in the left-right direction (interval between connecting portions of the tie panel half bodies 16 'and the tips of the airbags 12 and 14 when the tie panel 16 is tight) W (FIG. 3) Is preferably 200 to 450 mm. When the width W of the tie panel 16 is set within a range of 200 to 450 mm, as shown in FIG. 4, the tips of the left half airbag 12 and the right half airbag 14 in the inflated state are adult averages. The tie panels 16 face each other in the vicinity of both shoulders of the occupant having a physique, and the tie panel 16 is disposed in front of the occupant's chest and the like.

  In the airbag 10, the width W of the tie panel 16 can be appropriately adjusted by moving the set position of the joining line 32 to the distal end side or the proximal end side of each tie panel half body 16 ′.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the upper edge of the tie panel 16 is disposed below the upper ends of the left half airbag 12 and the right half airbag 14. Further, the lower edge of the tie panel 16 is disposed higher than the lower ends of the left half airbag 12 and the right half airbag 14 as shown in FIG.

  The airbag 10 is installed in an airbag device for protecting an occupant when a vehicle or the like collides. The airbag device includes a retainer 1 for holding the airbag 10, an inflator 2 for inflating the airbag 10, and a cover (not shown) attached to the retainer 1. In the airbag 10, the gas outlet 2 a of the inflator 2 is disposed in each of the left half airbag 12 and the right half airbag 14 through each opening 18, and a peripheral portion of each opening 18 is bolted together with the inflator 2 (illustrated). (Omitted) or the like.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, a reinforcing cloth 34 is attached to the peripheral portion of each opening 18 to reinforce the peripheral portion of each opening 18. Reference numeral 36 in each figure indicates a joining line between the reinforcing cloth 32 and the peripheral edge of the opening 18, and the reinforcing cloth 34 is joined to the peripheral edge of the opening 18 by sewing or the like along the joining line 36. Yes. In addition, a hole 38 for inserting the bolt or the like is formed around each opening 18 so as to penetrate the reinforcing cloth 32.

The airbag device is configured by folding the airbag 10 and attaching the cover to the retainer 1 so as to cover the folded body of the airbag 10. The cover is opened by being pressed by the pressing force from the airbag 10 when the airbag 10 is inflated.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the airbag apparatus is installed on an instrument panel 6 in front of a passenger seat 4 of an automobile. The cover is arranged so as to be substantially flush with the instrument panel 6 in normal times. When the automobile collides, the inflator 2 performs gas ejection operation, and the gas from the inflator 2 is introduced into the left half airbag 12 and the right half airbag 14, respectively. Thereby, the airbag 10 pushes open the cover and inflates ahead of the occupant seated in the passenger seat 4 with the seat belt (not shown) attached.

  As described above, the left half airbag 12 and the right half airbag 14 are inflated so that the respective inner panels 20 come into contact with each other. Further, the tip portions of the left half airbag 12 and the right half airbag 14 are inflated so as to face both shoulders of the occupant, and the tie panel 16 is disposed so as to face the chest of the occupant. On the back side of the tie panel 16, a space S is formed as shown in FIG.

  When the occupant has pushed into the airbag 10, the front ends of the left half airbag 12 and the right half airbag 14 receive both shoulders of the occupant, and the tie panel 16 receives the occupant's chest. To do. Since the space portion S exists on the back side of the tie panel 16, when the occupant's chest hits the tie panel 16, the tie panel 16 is elastically retracted so that the occupant's chest is received relatively softly. The impact generated on the occupant's chest at the moment when the occupant's chest contacts the tie panel 16 is small.

  In this airbag 10, since the left half airbag 12 and the right half airbag 14 are in contact with each other, the space S on the back side of the tie panel 16 is small. The occupant who has plunged into 16 does not enter the space S excessively. Further, since the left half airbag 12 and the right half airbag 14 are in contact with each other, they support each other, and the left half airbag 12 and the right half airbag 14 are bent (buckled). This prevents the occupant's shoulders from being firmly received by the airbag 10.

  Next, a manufacturing procedure of the left half airbag 12 and the right half airbag 14 will be described. FIGS. 6 to 10 show the manufacturing procedure of the right half airbag 14. The right half airbag 14 and the left half airbag 12 are formed by the inner panel 20 and the outer panel 22. The same procedure is used except that the arrangement is reversed.

  First, as shown in FIG. 6, the inner panel 20, the outer panel 22, and the rear end side panel 24 are arranged, both ends of the inner periphery 24 a of the rear end side panel 24, and the lower sides 20 d and 22 d of the inner panel 20 and the outer panel 22. And the outer periphery 24b of the rear end panel 24 and the upper sides 20c and 22c of the inner panel 20 and the outer panel 22 are connected to the inner sides of the both ends 24c and 24d. The rear sides 20 b and 22 b of the panel 20 and the outer panel 22 are overlapped, and these are joined along the joining line 28. A reinforcing cloth 34 for reinforcing the peripheral edge portion of the opening 18 is joined to the inner side surface (the inner side surface in the case of an airbag product) of the rear end side panel 24 along a joining line 36.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the rear end side panel 24 is turned to the folding line L so that the outer surfaces of the inner panel 20 and the outer panel 22 (outer surfaces in the case of an airbag product) face each other. Wrap along.

  At this time, the tie panel half body 16 ′ is sandwiched between the front sides 20 a and 22 a of the inner panel 20 and the outer panel 22 so that the tip side 16 ′ b is directed to the center side of the inner panel 20 and the outer panel 22. And the base end side 16′a of the tie panel half 16 ′ is arranged along the front sides 20a and 22a.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8, one half side and the other half side of the inner periphery 24a, one half side and the other half side of the outer periphery 24b, and the upper sides 20c and 22c of the inner panel 20 and the outer panel 22 The front sides 20 a and 22 a and the lower sides 20 d and 22 d are joined together along the joining line 30. The base end side 16'a of the tie panel half 16 'interposed between the front sides 20a and 22a is also joined to the front sides 20a and 22a by this joining. As a result, the right-half airbag 14 (or the left-half airbag 12; hereinafter the same) is manufactured in an inverted shape.

  Thereafter, the right-half airbag 14 is reversed through the inflator opening 18. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, the joining line 30 is disposed inside the airbag, and the right half airbag 14 in which the tip side of the tie panel half 16 'extends from the tip of the airbag is completed.

  The right half airbag 14 and the left half airbag 12 manufactured in the same procedure are arranged as shown in FIG. 11, and the tie panel half 16 'extending from the tip of each airbag 12, 14 is disposed. The airbag 10 is completed by joining the tip sides 16 ′ b of the two along the joining line 32. The joining line 32 is disposed on the back side of the tie panel 16.

  In this embodiment, a circular vent hole 26 is provided near the center of each outer panel 22 of the left half airbag 12 and the right half airbag 14, but the shape, arrangement, number, etc. of the vent holes 26 are not limited. The configuration is not limited to this.

  In this embodiment, in order to reinforce the peripheral portion of each inflator opening of the left half airbag 12 and the right half airbag 14, a substantially square sheet-like reinforcing cloth 34 is provided as shown. The configuration of the reinforcing cloth 34 is not limited to this. Further, instead of the reinforcing cloth, the peripheral portion of the opening 18 may be reinforced by another configuration, for example, a stitch is provided on the peripheral portion of the opening 18.

  FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the rear end side of an airbag according to another embodiment of the present invention.

  In the airbag 10 </ b> A of FIG. 13, the upper portions of the left half airbag 12 and the right half airbag 14 are connected by a connecting panel 40. The connection panel 40 has a lateral width that is tensioned between the upper portions of the left half airbag 12 and the right half airbag 14 when the left half airbag 12 and the right half airbag 14 are inflated. Have.

  Other configurations of the airbag 10A are the same as those of the airbag 10 shown in FIGS. In FIG. 13, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 to 12 denote the same parts.

  In this airbag 10A, when the left half airbag 12 and the right half airbag 14 are inflated and the occupant has pushed into the front end thereof, the left half airbag 12 and the right half airbag Even when a large load is applied so as to compress the front and rear 14 in the front-rear direction, the upper portions of the left half airbag 12 and the right half airbag 14 are connected by the connecting panel 40, so that these intermediate portions in the front and rear direction It is possible to prevent the buckling from being deformed so that the vicinity is separated.

  In the airbag 10A, the upper portions of the left half airbag and the right half airbag are connected to each other to prevent buckling so that the vicinity of the middle portion in the front-rear direction is separated. In addition to this, although not shown, the lower portions of the left half airbag and the right half airbag may be connected to each other by a connection panel, and by a continuous connection panel from the upper part to the lower part via the tip part. The left half airbag and the right half airbag may be connected.

  In the airbag apparatus shown in each of the above embodiments, two columnar inflators 2 called “disk type” having a short axial length are used, and the left half airbag 12 and the right half airbag are used. One inflator 2 is inserted into each inflator opening 18 of the bag 14 to introduce gas into the left half airbag 12 and the right half airbag 14, respectively. And the structure which introduce | transduces gas into a right-half airbag is not restricted to this.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 14, by using a horizontally long rod-like inflator 2A, gas is introduced into the left half airbag 12 and the right half airbag 14 with one inflator. Also good. In addition to this, a duct for dividing the gas ejected from the inflator into two hands is provided in one inflator, and the left half airbag and the right half airbag are passed from one inflator through this duct. Gas may be distributed.

  The airbag apparatus of FIG. 14 has the same configuration except that a rod-shaped inflator 2A is used in place of the “disk type” inflator 2 in the airbag apparatus of FIG. 14, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 13 denote the same parts.

  FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an airbag according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

  The airbag 10B of FIG. 15 is substantially the same as the left half airbag 12 and the right half airbag 14 between the left half airbag 12 and the right half airbag 14 in each of the above embodiments. An intermediate airbag 42 having the same configuration is interposed, and the tip portions of the left half airbag 12 and the intermediate airbag 42 are connected by a tie panel 44, and the tip portions of the right half airbag 14 and the intermediate airbag 42 are connected to each other. Are connected by a tie panel 46.

  Reference numeral 1A in FIG. 15 denotes a retainer that holds the airbag 10B.

  The airbag 10B is suitable, for example, as an occupant protection airbag such as a bench seat on which passengers sit side by side or a rear seat of an automobile. That is, with this airbag 10B, two occupants sitting side by side with their shoulders lined up can be received by the tie panels 44 and 46, respectively.

  In this embodiment, one intermediate airbag 42 is interposed between the left half airbag 12 and the right half airbag 14, but the left half airbag and the right half airbag are arranged. Two or more intermediate airbags having the same configuration as the left half airbag or right half airbag may be interposed between the airbag and the bag. In this case, the left half airbag and the intermediate airbag adjacent thereto are connected by a tie panel, the adjacent intermediate airbags are connected by a tie panel, and the left half airbag and the intermediate airbag adjacent thereto are connected. Connect the bags with tie panels.

  In each of the above embodiments, the left half airbag 12 and the right half airbag 14 (and the intermediate airbag 42) each have a substantially trapezoidal side view as shown in FIG. However, in the airbag of the present invention, the shapes of the left half airbag and the right half airbag (and the intermediate airbag) are not limited to specific shapes.

  For example, in the airbag 10C of FIG. 16 (a), the left half airbag 12A and the right half airbag 14A are configured to have a polygonal side view shape, and the front end surfaces of the airbag 10C are tie panels 16A. It is connected by. Further, the airbag 10D of FIG. 16 (b) is configured such that the left half airbag 12B and the right half airbag 14B have a circular side view shape, and the front side surfaces of the airbag 10D are tie panels 16B. It is connected by. Of course, in the airbag of the present invention, the left half airbag and the right half airbag (and the intermediate airbag) can be configured in various other shapes.

  FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an airbag according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVIII-XVIII of FIG. 17, and FIGS. 19 to 24 are procedures for manufacturing the airbag. It is explanatory drawing of.

  The airbag 50 in FIG. 17 includes a left half airbag 52 that inflates to the left in front of the occupant, a right half airbag 54 that inflates to the right in front of the occupant, the left half airbag 52 and the right half. A pair of tie panel halves 56, 56 that connect the leading ends of the airbag 54, and a communication portion 58 that connects the rear ends of the left half airbag 52 and the right half airbag 54. The communication portion 58 is provided with an inflator opening 60.

  The airbag 50 includes panel portions 66, 68, and 70 that respectively constitute the inner half surfaces of the left-half airbag 52, the right-half airbag 54, and the communication portion 58 that face each other when they become an airbag product. And an outer panel 64 having panel portions 66 ′, 68 ′, and 70 ′ constituting the outer surfaces of the left half airbag 52, the right half airbag 54, and the communication portion 58, respectively. .

  The inflator opening 60 is provided in the panel portion 70 ′ constituting the communication portion 58 of the outer panel 64. Around the opening 60, there is provided a hole 72 through which a bolt (not shown) or the like for connecting the airbag 50 to a retainer (not shown) of the airbag device is inserted.

  Further, vent holes 74 are provided in the panel portions 66 ′ and 68 ′ constituting the left half airbag 52 and the right half airbag 54 of the outer panel 64. A reinforcing cloth 76 is provided at the peripheral edge of each vent hole 74. Reference numeral 78 in each drawing indicates a joining line of the reinforcing cloth 76 to the outer panel 64, and the reinforcing cloth 76 is joined to the outer panel 64 along the joining line 78 by sewing or the like.

  The panel portions 66 and 66 ', 68 and 68', and 70 and 70 'each have a plane-symmetric shape such as a mirror image. As shown in FIG. 19, each of the panel portions 66, 66 ′ and 68, 68 ′ has front sides 66a, 66′a and 68a, 68′a arranged on the passenger side when the airbag product is obtained. Are extended to opposite sides, and the rear ends facing the front sides 66a, 66′a and 68a, 68′a are connected to both end sides of the panel portions 70, 70 ′, respectively.

  By overlapping the inner panel 62 and the outer panel 64 symmetrically as shown in FIG. 19 and joining them together by stitching or the like along a joining line 80 extending so as to circulate around the periphery, A bag-like left half airbag 52 and right half airbag 54, and a communication portion 58 that communicates these rear ends are configured. As shown in FIG. 18, the joining line 80 is disposed inside the airbag 50. Thereby, the junction part of the inner side panel 62 and the outer side panel 64 is not exposed outside the airbag 50, and the surface of the airbag 50 is smooth.

  The left half airbag 52 and the right half airbag 54 are arranged so that the inner panels 62 come into contact with each other when inflated.

  The tie panel halves 56 and 56 are connected to the tip of the left half airbag 52 and the tip of the right half airbag 54, respectively. Each tie panel half 56 has a base side 56a between the front sides 66a and 66'a of the panel portions 66 and 66 'and between the front sides 68a and 68'a of the panel portions 68 and 68'. When the front sides 66a, 66′a and 68′a, 68′a are joined together along the joining line 80, they are joined together. In this way, the front end sides 56b of the tie panel halves 56 connected to the left half airbag 52 and the right half airbag 54 are joined together, so that the left half airbag 52 and the right half side The front ends of the airbag 54 are connected to each other.

  Also in this embodiment, the tie panel halves 56, 56 are connected to the tie panel halves 56 and 56 when the left half airbag 52 and the right half airbag 54 are pinched between the distal ends. It connects so that the space | interval of the connection parts with the front-end | tip part of the airbags 52 and 54 may be set to 200-450 mm.

  Also in this embodiment, the upper edge of each tie panel half 56 is disposed lower than the upper ends of the left half airbag 52 and the right half airbag 54, and the lower edge of each tie panel half 56 is The left half airbag 52 and the right half airbag 54 are disposed higher than the lower ends of the airbag.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the gas outlet 2 ′ a of the inflator 2 ′ is disposed in the communication portion 58 through the opening 60. When the inflator 2 ′ is activated, the gas ejected from the gas ejection port 2 ′ a flows into the left half airbag 52 and the right half airbag 54 from both ends of the communication portion 58, and this gas causes the left The half airbag 52 and the right airbag 54 are inflated to the left and right of the front of the occupant, respectively. In this expanded state, a space is formed on the back side of the tie panel halves 56 and 56.

  When the occupant has pushed into the airbag 50, the leading ends of the left half airbag 52 and the right half airbag 54 receive both shoulders of the occupant, and the tie panel halves 56 and 56 are Accept the chest. Since there is a space on the back side of the tie panel halves 56, 56, when the occupant's chest hits the tie panel halves 56, 56, the tie panel halves 56, 56 are elastically retracted. The chest of the occupant is received relatively softly, and the impact generated on the occupant's chest at the moment when the occupant's chest contacts the tie panel halves 56 and 56 is small.

  As described above, the left half airbag 52 and the right half airbag 54 are inflated so that the respective inner panels 62 come into contact with each other. Therefore, when the occupant enters the airbag 50, the left half airbag 52 and the right half airbag 54 are inflated. The side airbag 52 and the right half-side airbag 54 support each other to prevent the middle folding (buckling) of each, and the occupant can be firmly received by the airbag 50.

  Further, since the left half airbag 52 and the right half airbag 54 are in contact with each other, the space on the back side of the tie panel halves 56, 56 is small, and the tie panel halves 56, An occupant who has thrust into 56 does not excessively enter this space.

  In the airbag 50, since the left half airbag 52 and the right half airbag 54 are communicated with each other by the communication portion 58, the entire airbag 50 is inflated by one inflator 2 '. Can do. Therefore, only one inflator should be provided in the airbag device, and the airbag device can be configured at low cost.

  Next, a manufacturing procedure of the airbag 50 will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 19, the inner panel 62 and the outer panel 64 are overlapped symmetrically so that the outer surfaces (outer surfaces when an airbag product is formed) face each other. The base end side 56a of each tie panel half 56 is interposed between the front sides 66a, 66'a of the portions 66, 66 'and 68, 68' and between 68a, 68'a.

  At this time, each tie panel half 56 is arranged so that the front end side 56b is directed to the center side of each panel portion 66, 66 'and 68, 68'.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 20, the peripheral portions of the inner panel 62 and the outer panel 64 are joined so as to circulate along the joining line 80. The base end side 56a of each tie panel half 56 interposed between the front sides 66a and 66'a and 68a and 68'a is also joined to the front sides 66a and 66'a and 68a and 68'a. And join. As a result, the left half airbag 52, the right half airbag 54, and the communication portion 58 are integrally manufactured in an inverted shape.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 21, the inner panel 62 and the outer panel 64 are turned upside down through the inflator opening 60.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 22, the joining line 80 is arranged inside the airbag, and the distal end side of each tie panel half 56 extends from the distal end portions of the left half airbag 52 and the right half airbag 54. An air bag product intermediate 50 ′ is obtained.

  The airbag product intermediate 50 ′ communicates with the left half airbag 52 and the right half airbag 54 such that the inner panels 62 of the left half airbag 52 and the right half airbag 54 face each other. The airbag 50 is completed by folding back from the vicinity of the boundary with the portion 58 and joining the tip sides 56b, 56b of the tie panel halves 56, 56 extending from the tips of the airbags 52, 54, respectively.

  In this embodiment, the inner panel 62 and the outer panel 64 in which the panel portions 66, 68, 70 and 66 ', 68', 70 'are integrally formed are used. The inner panel and the outer panel having the shapes shown in FIG. 19 may be formed by forming them on the body and joining them prior to manufacturing the airbag. When forming each panel part separately, according to each required intensity | strength etc., you may change suitably structures, such as a material and thickness, for every panel part.

  For example, the outer panel 64 ′ of FIG. 24 is composed of panel portions 66 ′, 68 ′, and 70 ′ formed separately from each other, but the panel portion constituting the connecting portion with the retainer of the airbag device. 70 'is made into a three-ply shape to increase the strength.

  By forming each panel part separately in this way, it is possible to produce a large area and complicated inner and outer panels from a relatively small area panel material without waste, and the necessary panel parts. Thus, it is possible to construct the airbag extremely rationally and economically.

  In this embodiment, the airbag 50 in which the left half airbag 52 and the right half airbag 54 communicate with each other is formed by the manufacturing method as described above. You may comprise the airbag which the bag and the right half side airbag communicated. For example, the airbag 90 shown in FIGS. 25 to 27 is configured so that the left half airbag and the right half airbag communicate with each other by a manufacturing method different from the airbag 50 described above. 25 is a perspective view of the airbag 90, FIGS. 26 (a) and 26 (b) are plan views of the inner panel and the outer panel of the airbag 90, respectively, and FIG. 27 is an exploded perspective view of the airbag 90. FIG. 27 is a top view of the airbag 90 schematically showing the arrangement of the inner panel and the outer panel.

  The airbag 90 also includes a left half airbag 92 that expands to the left in front of the occupant, a right half airbag 94 that expands to the right in front of the occupant, and the left half airbag 92 and the right half airbag 94. A tie panel 96 that connects the front ends and a communication portion 98 that connects the rear end portions of the left half airbag 92 and the right half airbag 94 communicate with each other, and the communication portion 98 is used for an inflator. An opening 100 is provided.

  The airbag 90 includes an inner panel 102 that continuously forms the inner surfaces of the left-half airbag 92 and the right-half airbag 94 that face each other when the airbag product becomes an airbag product, and the left-half airbag. 92 and each of the outer surfaces of the right-half airbag 94 and the outer panel 104 constituting the communication portion 98.

As shown in FIG. 26 (a), the inner panel 102 constitutes a left half panel portion 106 constituting an inner face of the left half airbag 92 and an inner face of the right half airbag 94. And a right half panel portion 108. The The left half panel portion 106 and the right half panel portion 108, has a symmetrical shape across the boundary line L ₂ extending in the vicinity of the center in the lateral direction of the inner panel 102, respectively, the airbag product The front sides 106a and 108a extending in the vertical direction at the front end portions of the left half airbag 92 and the right half airbag 94, and the upper half of the left half airbag 92 and the right half airbag 94. Upper sides 106b and 108b extending along the edges, and lower sides 106c and 108c extending along the lower edges of the left half airbag 92 and the right half airbag 94 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 26 (b), the outer panel 104 is connected to the communication panel portion 110 constituting the communication portion 98, and the left half side and the right half side of the communication panel portion 110, respectively. It has a left half panel portion 112 and a right half panel portion 114 that constitute each surface of the airbag 92 and the right half airbag 94. The communication panel portion 110 is provided with the inflator opening 100.

The outer panel 104 has a symmetrical shape across the center line L ₃ extending in the vicinity of the lateral center of the communicating panel section 110.

  The left half panel portion 112 and the right half panel portion 114 have a plane symmetrical shape with the left half panel portion 106 and the right half panel portion 108 of the inner panel 102, respectively, and become airbag products. Sometimes along the top edges 112a and 114a extending in the vertical direction at the tip of the left half airbag 92 and the right half airbag 94, and along the upper edges of the left half airbag 92 and the right half airbag 94 And the lower sides 112c and 114c extending along the lower edges of the left half airbag 92 and the right half airbag 94.

  A reinforcing cloth 116 for reinforcing the peripheral portion of the opening 100 is attached to the communication panel portion 110 of the outer panel 104. Reference numeral 118 indicates a joint line of the reinforcing cloth 116 to the communication panel portion 110. In addition, an insertion hole 120 such as a bolt (not shown) for connecting the airbag 90 to a retainer (not shown) of the airbag device is provided around the opening 100 so as to penetrate the reinforcing cloth 116. Is provided.

As shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, the outer panel 104 is arranged so that the inner side surfaces (inner side surfaces when the airbag product is an airbag product) of the left half panel portion 112 and the right half panel portion 114 face each other. folded along the center line L _3, the inner panel 102 so as to face to each other (the outer surface when became airbag product) outer surface of the left half side panel portion 106 and the right half panel portion 108 is the folded along the boundary line L _2, the left half panel portion 112 and the right half panel portion 114 of the inner surface is the outer panels 104 each of the left half side panel portion 106 and the right half panel portion 108 of the inner panel 102 The inner panel 102 is disposed between the panel portions 112 and 114 of the outer panel 104 so as to face the inner surface of the outer panel 104.

  The front sides 106a, 112a and 108a, 114a, the upper sides 106b, 112b and 108b, 114b, the lower sides 106c, 112c and 108c, 114c, and two sheets of the facing panel portions 106, 112, 108, 114 The outer periphery of the communication panel portion 110 that is overlapped is joined by stitching or the like, so that a bag-like left half airbag 92 and a right half airbag 94 and a communication portion 98 that communicates these are formed. It is constructed integrally. This joining is formed continuously along the joining line 122 extending so as to go around the outer circumference of the left half airbag 92 and the right half airbag 94 from the outer circumference of the communication portion 98 along each side. Has been.

  The tie panel 96 is composed of a pair of tie panel halves 96 ′ and 96 ′ that extend from the distal ends of the left half airbag 92 and the right half airbag 94. In this embodiment, each tie panel half 96 ′ extends from the left side panel portion 112 of the outer panel 104 and the front sides 112 a and 114 a of the right half panel portion 114, and each tie panel half 96. 'And the panel portions 112 and 114 are integrally formed.

  The front end sides 96′a of the tie panel halves 96 ′ and 96 ′ are overlapped and joined by stitching or the like, so that the front end portions of the left half airbag 92 and the right half airbag 94 are connected to each other. Yes. Reference numeral 124 in FIG. 25 denotes a joining line between the tip sides 96'a.

  In this embodiment as well, the left-right width of the tie panel 96 (the interval between the base end portions of each tie panel half 96 'when the tie panel 96 is stretched) is 200 to 450 mm. Further, the upper edge of the tie panel 96 extends below the upper ends of the left half airbag 92 and the right half airbag 94, and the lower edge of the tie panel 96 is the left half airbag 92 and the right half side. The airbag 96 extends above the lower end of the airbag 96.

  Also in the airbag 90, a gas ejection port of an inflator (not shown) is disposed in the communication portion 98 from the inflator opening 100, and gas from the inflator passes from both ends of the communication portion 98 to the left half airbag 92 and the right side. The gas flows into the half airbag 94, and the left half airbag 92 and the right half airbag 94 are inflated to the left and right of the front of the occupant, respectively, due to this gas.

  Even in this airbag 90, since the left half airbag 92 and the right half airbag 94 are communicated with each other by the communicating portion 98, the entire airbag 90 can be inflated by one inflator. Since only one inflator should be installed in the airbag device, the airbag device can be configured at low cost.

  Other functions and effects of the airbag 90 are the same as those of the above-described embodiments, and a description thereof is omitted.

  Each of the above embodiments is an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

  For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, only the front-end portions on the occupant side of the left half airbag and the right half airbag facing the vicinity of the occupant's chest are connected by a single tie panel. However, a tie panel is also provided on the upper part of the left half airbag and the right half airbag facing the occupant's head and the lower part of the occupant facing part facing the occupant's abdomen, etc. It may be provided. When the upper tie panel and the lower tie panel are provided in this way, when the head or abdomen of the occupant hits the airbag, the upper tie panel and the lower tie panel receive these relatively softly. The impact on the occupant's brain and internal organs can be sufficiently reduced.

  In the airbag of the present invention, a tie panel may be provided at each of a plurality of locations at the top and bottom of the front end portion and the occupant facing portion of the left half airbag and the right half airbag. Alternatively, a tie panel may be selectively provided at the location. Moreover, you may provide a tie panel in a passenger | crew opposing part other than the above. You may provide a tie panel so that it may extend over the whole region from the upper part of the passenger | crew opposing part to the lower part.

1 is a perspective view of an airbag according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which follows the II-II line of FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the III-III line of FIG. It is a top view which shows the facing condition of the airbag of FIG. 1 and a passenger | crew. It is a side view which shows the facing condition of the airbag and passenger | crew of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the manufacture procedure of the airbag of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the manufacture procedure of the airbag of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the manufacture procedure of the airbag of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the manufacture procedure of the airbag of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the manufacture procedure of the airbag of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the manufacture procedure of the airbag of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the example of application of the airbag apparatus provided with the airbag of FIG. It is a perspective view of the airbag which concerns on another embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows another structural example of the airbag apparatus provided with the airbag of FIG. It is a perspective view of the airbag which concerns on another embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structural example of the airbag of another shape. It is a perspective view of the airbag which concerns on different embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which follows the XVIII-XVIII line of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the manufacture procedure of the airbag of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the manufacture procedure of the airbag of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the manufacture procedure of the airbag of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the manufacture procedure of the airbag of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the manufacture procedure of the airbag of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the manufacture procedure of the airbag of FIG. It is a perspective view of the airbag which concerns on further different embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the inner side panel and outer side panel of the airbag of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the airbag of FIG. FIG. 26 is a top view of the airbag schematically showing the arrangement of the inner panel and the outer panel of the airbag of FIG. 25.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Retainer 2 Inflator 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 50, 90 Air bag 12, 12A, 12B, 52, 92 Left half side airbag 14, 14A, 14B, 54, 94 Right half side airbag 16, 16A , 16B, 44, 46, 96 Tie panel 18, 60, 100 Inflator opening 20, 62, 102 Inner panel 22, 64, 104 Outer panel 24 Rear side panel 42 Intermediate airbag 56 Tie panel half 58, 98 Communication Part

Claims (6)

A left half airbag that inflates to the left in front of the occupant;
A right half airbag that inflates to the right of the front of the occupant;
In an airbag having at least one tie panel connecting the left half airbag and the right half airbag,
An airbag configured to contact the left half airbag and the right half airbag when inflated.   2. The airbag according to claim 1, wherein the tie panel connects an occupant facing portion of the left half airbag and an occupant facing portion of the right half airbag.   3. The airbag according to claim 2, wherein the tie panel connects a front end portion on the passenger side of the left half airbag and a front end portion on the passenger side of the right half airbag.   3. The upper tie panel for connecting the upper part of the left half side airbag occupant facing part and the upper part of the right half airbag occupant facing part as the tie panel, and an occupant of the left half airbag An airbag, comprising: a lower tie panel that connects a lower portion of the facing portion and a lower portion of an occupant facing portion of the right-half airbag.   The airbag according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the width of the tie panel in the left-right direction is 200 to 450 mm.   The connection panel which connects the upper parts or the lower parts of the left half airbag and the right half airbag, or both of them is provided in any one of claims 1 to 5. An airbag having a left-right width that is tensioned when the half airbag and the right airbag are inflated.

Images