JP2007261410A - Airbag device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an airbag device capable of regulating an inflation completing shape of an airbag according to a distance from a seated occupant. <P>SOLUTION: The airbag device is equipped with an airbag 26 regulated in a separating distance from a storage part of an occupant side wall portion 35 at the time of completing inflation. A surface surrounded by a uniting part 45 of an occupant side tether portion 41 structures a center area 35b of an occupant restraining surface 35a in the occupant side wall portion 35. A towing belt 52 coupled to a vehicle body side tether portion 47 or an occupant side tether portion 41 can be locked to the storage part side by a locking member 56. When locking is released, the vehicle body side/occupant side tether portions 47, 41 are in expanding states, the separating distance from the storage part side is set to be long. When locking is kept, the vehicle body side/occupant side tether portions 47, 41 are towed by the towing belt 35, and the separating distance from the storage part side of the center area 35b is set to be short. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an airbag apparatus configured to include a bag-like airbag that is folded and stored in a storage portion, and that inflates with an inflating gas and protrudes and expands from the storage portion.

Conventionally, in an airbag device, a loop-shaped occupant-side tether portion coupled to the occupant side wall portion side and a loop-shaped vehicle body-side tether portion coupled to the storage site side as tethers in the airbag, There is one in which tethers configured to be connected to each other at a loop portion are disposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP-A-6-286543

  However, in the conventional airbag device, a breakable portion is provided in the occupant side tether portion, and the portion between the occupant side tether portion and the vehicle body side tether portion is released by breaking this portion during the inflation of the airbag. It was a configuration. Specifically, in the conventional airbag device, in the initial stage of inflation of the airbag, the occupant side tether portion and the vehicle body side tether portion are connected to each other so that the occupant side wall portion is widely deployed. It was configured to release the connection with the vehicle body side tether part by breaking and to move the occupant side wall part in a widely deployed state to the occupant side without changing the angle, thereby completing the inflation of the airbag . However, in the conventional airbag device, the occupant side tether portion breaks in the middle of inflation of the airbag, and therefore, when the inflation of the airbag is completed, the occupant side wall portion is separated from the storage site side where the airbag is stored. The separation distance is not restricted, and there is a problem in that the airbag is completely inflated according to the distance of the seated passenger.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and can regulate the inflation completion shape of the airbag according to the distance of the seated occupant, and can accurately protect the occupant with the airbag that has been inflated. An object is to provide a simple airbag device.

The airbag device according to the present invention is configured to include a bag-like airbag that is folded and stored in a storage part, inflated into the interior, and protrudes and expands from the storage part.
The airbag includes an occupant side wall portion that is disposed on the occupant side when inflation is completed, and a vehicle body side wall portion that is disposed on the storage site side and is attached to the storage site. An airbag device having a configuration in which a separation distance from a storage part of an occupant side wall at the time of completion of inflation is regulated by a tether coupled to the side wall,
The tether is formed into an elongated shape, and is configured to include an occupant side tether portion coupled to the occupant side wall portion, and a vehicle body side tether portion coupled to the occupant side tether portion and coupled to the storage site side,
In the occupant side wall, the occupant side is configured so that the center area of the occupant restraint surface that can restrain the occupant when the airbag is completely inflated is formed by the surface surrounded by the joint portion formed by joining the occupant side tether portion. The tether portion is formed into a belt-like shape, and both end sides are coupled to the occupant side wall portion and are configured to be coupled to the vehicle body side tether portion between both ends.
The occupant side wall portion is connected to the vehicle body side tether portion or the occupant side tether portion, and is retracted to the storage site side by traction means whose operation is controlled by a control device that determines a suitable inflation mode of the airbag that catches the occupant. It is configured to be towable,
The traction means is a traction belt connected to the vehicle body side tether portion or the occupant side tether portion, and one engagement whose one end side of the traction belt can be locked to the storage portion side and whose operation is controlled by the control device. A member, and
When unlocking the locking member, the vehicle body side tether portion and the occupant side tether portion are in an extended state, and the separation distance from the storage site side of the central area of the occupant restraint surface in the occupant side wall portion is set long. When the airbag is inflated and the locking member is kept locked, the vehicle body side tether part and the occupant side tether part are pulled by the traction belt so that the length dimension is shorter than the extended state, and the occupant restraint on the occupant side wall part The airbag is inflated in a state where the separation distance from the storage region side of the central area of the surface is set short.

  In the airbag device according to the present invention, the airbag is completely inflated in accordance with the distance of the seated occupant while the separation distance from the storage region side of the central area of the occupant restraint surface on the occupant side wall is changed. Will be allowed to. Therefore, for example, when the control device detects that a small occupant is seated close to the airbag device, the traction belt is kept locked to the storage site by the locking member. If the airbag is deployed and inflated, the traction belt pulls the vehicle body side tether part and the occupant side tether part so that the length dimension is shorter than the extended state, and the airbag extends. Inflation is completed with the vehicle body side tether part and the occupant side tether part that are shorter in length than the state, with the separation distance from the storage part side of the central area of the occupant restraint surface in the occupant side wall part set short. Will be allowed to. Conversely, when the control device detects that a large occupant is seated at a position away from the airbag device, the traction belt is unlocked to the storage site by the locking member. As a result, the airbag is deployed and inflated, and the airbag is extended to extend the separation distance from the storage area side of the central area of the passenger restraint surface in the passenger side wall portion by the vehicle body side tether portion and the passenger side tether portion. Expansion is completed in the set state, and a large occupant with high kinetic energy can be received with a cushioning property secured by a thickly inflated airbag.

  Further, in the airbag device of the present invention, the occupant side tether portion is formed into a belt-like shape, and is coupled to the occupant side wall portion at two locations on both end sides, and is formed by coupling the occupant side tether portion. The airbag is configured to form a central area of the occupant restraint surface that can restrain the occupant when the airbag is completely inflated. Therefore, the airbag is stored in the central area of the occupant restraint surface in the occupant side wall portion. When the inflation is completed with the distance from the side set to be short, the inflation is completed with the distance from the storage part side of the central area of the passenger restraint surface in the occupant side wall being set to be long. In this case, the central area of the occupant restraint surface can be ensured in a flat shape, and the occupant can be stably protected by the occupant restraint surface having a flat center.

  Therefore, in the airbag device of the present invention, the inflation completion shape of the airbag can be regulated according to the distance of the seated occupant, and the occupant can be accurately protected by the airbag that has completed the inflation.

  Further, in the airbag device of the present invention, one locking member that locks the traction belt to the storage site side is operated so as to maintain or release the locking in response to an operation signal from the control device. By doing so, the airbag can be inflated in a state where the separation distance from the storage site side of the central area of the occupant restraint surface in the occupant side wall is changed. That is, in the airbag device of the present invention, since the shape of inflation completion of the airbag can be regulated by a single locking member, the configuration can be simplified, increasing the weight of the device and increasing the manufacturing cost. Can be suppressed as much as possible.

  Furthermore, in the airbag device of the present invention, the vehicle body side tether portion has a belt-like shape having a width dimension that can cover the side of the inflator inserted into the airbag so that inflation gas can be supplied to the airbag. The vehicle body side tether part is connected between both ends, and both ends are connected to the storage part side at positions near both sides of the inflator, and the inflation gas discharged from the inflator is It is preferable that the flow can be rectified so as to flow along the width direction of the tether portion because the inflow direction of the inflation gas flowing into the airbag can be controlled by the vehicle body side tether portion.

  In this case, if the vehicle body side tether portion is arranged substantially along the left-right direction of the vehicle, the vehicle body side tether portion determines the inflow direction of the inflation gas flowing into the airbag by the width of the vehicle body side tether portion. The airbag can be deployed quickly in the front-rear direction or up-down direction, which is the direction side along the direction, and deployed widely in the front-rear or up-down direction in front of the occupant's head or abdomen. It is possible to quickly protect the head and abdomen of the occupant.

Furthermore, the airbag apparatus having the above-described configuration is used as an airbag apparatus for a steering wheel disposed in front of the driver's seat.
When the airbag is completely inflated in a state where the locking by the locking means is released, the occupant restraint surface in the occupant side wall is configured to be positioned substantially parallel to the ring surface of the steering wheel,
The occupant-side tether portion or the vehicle body-side tether portion is disposed substantially along the front-rear direction when the inflation of the airbag is completed, and both the front and rear end sides are coupled to the occupant side wall portion or the storage site side, and It is configured to be connected to the side tether part or the occupant side tether part,
With respect to the occupant side tether part or the vehicle body side tether part arranged along the front-rear direction, one end side of the traction belt is located at the rear side of the connection part between the occupant side and the vehicle body side tether part at the time of traction release, It is preferable to connect the central area of the occupant restraint surface so that the rear end side is closer to the steering wheel side than the front end side when maintaining towing.

  In the airbag device having the above-described configuration, when the airbag is deployed and inflated while the traction belt is kept locked to the storage portion side by the locking member, the airbag is in the occupant side tether portion or the vehicle body side. In the tether part, the occupant side tether part or the vehicle body side tether part is moved to the traction belt so that the part located on the rear side of the connection part between the occupant side and the vehicle body side tether part when towing is released is approached to the steering wheel side. Expansion will be completed in the state pulled by. That is, in the airbag device having the above-described configuration, when the airbag is deployed and inflated in a traction maintaining state in which the traction belt maintains the locking of the storage member to the storage site side, The center area of the surface approaches the substantially vertical surface along the direction intersecting the ring surface of the steering wheel so that the rear end side is located on the steering wheel side and the front end side is located on the side away from the steering wheel. The airbag can be inflated in such a state that the airbag is inclined. As a result, in the airbag device configured as described above, when the airbag is deployed and inflated in a traction maintaining state in which the traction belt maintains the locking to the storage site side by the locking member, the airbag is The side part can be made thicker and the rear end part can be made thinner, so that when a small occupant sits close to the steering wheel, The rear end portion can prevent the abdomen of the small passenger from being unnecessarily strongly pressed.

  The ring surface of the steering wheel is a surface that is surrounded by a ring portion that is gripped during steering in the steering wheel, and is a surface that is disposed so as to be orthogonal to the axial direction of the steering shaft to which the steering wheel is assembled. Further, the front-rear direction is a direction perpendicular to the axis of the steering shaft and coincides with the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3 show an airbag apparatus M for a steering wheel that is an embodiment of the present invention.

  Note that the front / rear, up / down, and left / right directions in the embodiment are based on the straight steering operation of the steering wheel W mounted on the vehicle unless otherwise specified, and the steering shaft SS (see FIG. 3) to which the steering wheel W is assembled. The vertical direction along the axial direction of the two-dot chain line) is the vertical direction, the longitudinal direction of the vehicle that is orthogonal to the steering shaft SS is the longitudinal direction, and the left and right that is the axial orthogonal direction of the steering shaft SS is the lateral direction.・ It indicates the vertical and horizontal directions.

  The airbag apparatus M is a structure arrange | positioned at the upper part in the boss | hub part B of the center of the steering wheel W, as shown in FIG. The steering wheel W includes a ring portion R that is gripped during steering, a boss portion B that is disposed in the center and connected to the steering shaft SS, four spoke portions S that connect the boss portion B and the ring portion R, and It is configured with. In addition, the steering wheel W includes an airbag device M and a steering wheel body 1 on the component parts.

  The steering wheel body 1 includes a cored bar 2 made of an aluminum alloy or the like disposed so as to connect the ring part R, the boss part B, and the spoke part S, and the spoke part S on the ring part R and the ring part R side. And a synthetic resin coating layer 3 for covering the core metal 2 and a synthetic resin lower cover 4 disposed below the boss B.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the airbag apparatus M includes a folded airbag 26, an inflator 8 that supplies inflation gas to the airbag 26, and a storage part that stores and holds the airbag 26 and the inflator 8. As a bag holder 11, a pad 22 as an airbag cover disposed so as to cover the opening 11 a of the bag holder 11, and a traction means 52 capable of retracting an occupant side wall 35 described later of the airbag 26. , And is configured. The operation of the inflator 8 and the traction means 52 is controlled by the control device 60.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the control device 60 includes a position detection sensor 61 as an occupant detection sensor capable of detecting the physique of the occupant (driver) MD seated on the seat SE and the distance between the steering wheel W and the occupant MD. A weight sensor 62 serving as an occupant detection sensor capable of detecting the weight of the occupant MD, a collision detection sensor 63 capable of detecting the acceleration, acceleration direction, and the like of the vehicle are electrically connected, and these occupant detection sensors Electric signals from the position detection sensor 61, the weight sensor 62, the collision detection sensor 63, and the like are input to operate the inflator 8, and the operation of a locking member 56 described later of the traction means 52 is controlled.

  The inflator 8 includes a substantially cylindrical main body 8a provided with a plurality of gas discharge ports 8b for discharging inflation gas at an upper portion, a substantially square plate-like flange portion 8c arranged to protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the main body 8a, It is configured with.

  The retainer 6 is made of a sheet metal in a substantially square ring state, and includes bolts 6a protruding downward at the four corners. The retainer 6 is formed by projecting each bolt 6a from the flange portion 8c of the inflator 8 through a peripheral edge 30 of a gas inlet 29 (to be described later) of the airbag 26 and the bag holder 11, and fastening a nut 7 to each bolt 6a. In this configuration, the airbag 26 and the inflator 8 are attached to the bag holder 11.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the bag holder 11 includes a holder body 12 made of sheet metal and a holding plate 16. The holder main body 12 includes a substantially square plate-like bottom wall portion 13 and a side wall portion 14 that extends upward from the peripheral edge of the bottom wall portion 13 and has an upper end opened. Near the center of the bottom wall portion 13, an insertion hole 13 a is formed that opens in a circular shape and allows the main body 8 a of the inflator 8 to be inserted from below to above. A through hole through which a loop portion 54a of a connecting portion 54 formed on a tip 53b side of a traction belt 53, which will be described later, constituting the traction means 52, can be inserted on the right edge side that is the periphery of the insertion hole 13a in the bottom wall portion 13. 13b is formed. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the engaging member 56 is engaged with the periphery of the through hole 13 b on the lower surface of the bottom wall portion 13, on the edge side facing the actuator 58 of the engaging member 56 described later. A support base 13c that supports the tip of the pin 57a and prevents the loop portion 54a from coming off from the locking pin 57a during locking is provided.

  The holding plate 16 fixed to the holder main body 12 includes holding portions 16a extending to the vicinity of the portion of the coating layer 3 near the ring portion R in the spoke portions S on the left and right sides, and a horn switch 17 is attached to each holding portion 16a. It has been. In the case of the embodiment, the airbag apparatus M is supported by the connecting plate 19 fixed to the cored bar 2 on the lower surface side of the horn switch 17 with the horn switch 17 interposed therebetween. It will be attached to the upper part of the boss part B.

  The pad 22 as an airbag cover is made of a synthetic resin such as an olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer, and is configured to cover the upper side of the boss portion B as shown in FIGS. A door portion 23 that is opened when the airbag 26 is inflated is provided at a portion covering the opening 11 a surrounded by the side wall portion 14 of the bag holder 11 in the pad 22, with a portion 24 to be broken around. In the case of the embodiment, two door parts 23 are arranged side by side along the front-rear direction so that a substantially H-shaped break planned part 24 is disposed around the door part 23 and can be opened on both front and rear sides. The pad 22 is configured to be fixed to the side wall portion 14 of the bag holder 11 using a rivet or the like (not shown).

  As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the airbag 26 includes a bag-like bag body 27 that inflates by inflating an inflating gas, and a tether 40 that regulates the expansion completion shape of the bag body 27. ing.

  In the bag body 27, the outer peripheral wall at the completion of the expansion is formed of a flexible woven fabric made of polyamide yarn, polyester yarn or the like. The outer peripheral wall of the bag body 27 includes a vehicle body side wall portion 28 that becomes the steering wheel W side when the inflation is completed, and an occupant side wall portion 35 that is disposed on the occupant MD side when the inflation is completed. In the vicinity of the center of the vehicle body side wall portion 28, a gas inlet 29 is formed for inserting the main body 8a of the inflator 8 from below and allowing the inflation gas discharged from the inflator 8 to flow into the bag main body 27. ing. A mounting hole 31 through which the bolt 6 a formed in the retainer 6 is inserted is formed in the peripheral edge 30 of the gas inlet 29, and the airbag 26 uses the retainer 6 to make the peripheral edge 30 of the gas inlet 29. Is configured to be attached to the bag holder 11. In addition, a through hole 32 that allows the loop portion 54a of the connecting portion 54 formed on the front end 53b side of the traction belt 53 to be inserted is formed in the peripheral edge 30 of the gas inlet 29 on the right edge side. Has been. Further, a vent hole 33 for exhausting excess inflation gas is formed at a predetermined location of the vehicle body side wall portion 28.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the bag body 27 includes a circular vehicle body side base cloth 37 that forms the vehicle body side wall portion 28, and a circular passenger side base cloth 38 that forms the passenger side wall portion 35. The gas inflow port 29 is formed at the center of the vehicle body side base cloth 37, and the attachment hole 31, the through hole 32, and the vent hole 33 are respectively formed at predetermined positions of the vehicle body side base cloth 37. .

  Similar to the bag body 27, the tether 40 is formed of a flexible woven fabric made of polyamide yarn, polyester yarn, or the like. The tether 40 includes an occupant side tether portion 41 coupled to the occupant side wall portion 35, and an occupant. The vehicle body side tether portion 47 is connected to the vehicle side wall portion 28 by being connected to the side tether portion 41.

  The occupant side tether portion 41 has a belt-like shape, and is symmetric with respect to the center C1 (see FIG. 8) of the occupant side wall portion 35 (occupant side base fabric 38) at two positions before and after the end portions 41a and 41b. Are configured as a loop shape arranged along the front-rear direction. Specifically, the occupant side tether portion 41 includes a substantially circular connecting cloth portion 43 and two belt-like tether portions 44 and 44 extending so as to protrude from the peripheral edge of the connecting cloth portion 43 to the front and rear sides. , And the peripheral edge of the connecting cloth part 43 arranged so that the center C2 (see FIG. 8) coincides with the center C1 of the occupant side base cloth 38. It is configured such that it is sewn to the occupant-side base fabric 38 over the entire circumference and the tips 44a, 44a of the tether portions 44, 44 are sewn together. In the airbag 26 of the embodiment, a portion near the center of the occupant side wall portion 35 constitutes an occupant restraint surface 35a that can restrain the occupant MD when the airbag 26 is completely inflated. The part surrounded by the sewing part (joining part) 45 (ends 41a and 41b of the occupant side tether part 41) constitutes the central area 35b of the occupant restraint surface 35a.

  The vehicle body side tether portion 47 is formed in a belt-like shape, and at the peripheral edge 30 of the gas inlet port 29 in the vehicle body side wall portion 28, is symmetric with respect to the center C3 of the gas inlet port 29 (see FIG. 8). The end portions 47a and 47b are configured as a loop disposed along the left-right direction. Specifically, the vehicle body side tether portion 47 includes a substantially circular connecting cloth portion 49 and two belt-like tether portions 50 and 50 extending so as to protrude from the peripheral edge of the connecting cloth portion 49 to the left and right sides. , The vehicle body side tether portion base fabric 48. An opening 49a is formed in the center of the connecting cloth portion 49 corresponding to the gas inlet 29, and an attachment hole 49b and a through hole 49c are provided at positions corresponding to the attachment hole 31 and the through hole 32 on the periphery of the opening 49a. Is formed. Then, the vehicle body side tether portion 47 is arranged so that the center C4 (see FIG. 8) of the opening 49a coincides with the center C3 of the gas inlet port 29, and the peripheral edge of the connecting cloth portion 49 is extended over the entire periphery. In the state where one tether portion 50 is inserted between the occupant side tether portion 41 and the occupant side wall portion 35, the tips 50a, 50a of the tether portions 50, 50 are sewn together. Is formed. The vehicle body side tether portion 47 is configured to be coupled to the bag holder 11 side together with the vehicle body side wall portion 28 of the airbag 26 by using the retainer 6 by the portion of the connecting cloth portion 49. Further, the vehicle body side tether portion 47 is configured such that the width dimension W1 is set to be larger than the outer diameter dimension D1 of the main body 8a of the inflator 8 (inner diameter dimension of the gas inlet port 29) so as to cover the inflator 8. (See FIG. 8). The vehicle body side tether portion 47 is disposed along the front-rear direction so as to cover both the left and right sides in the vicinity of the inflator 8, and the expansion gas discharged from the gas discharge port 8b of the inflator 8 is supplied in the width direction. The air can be rectified in the front-rear direction along the front-rear direction and flow into the airbag 26 along the front-rear direction.

  In the embodiment, the occupant side tether portion 41 and the vehicle body side tether portion 47 are respectively formed into a loop shape arranged along the front-rear direction and a loop shape arranged along the left-right direction. It is the structure arrange | positioned so that it may cross substantially orthogonally and mutually connected. The occupant side tether portion 41 and the vehicle body side tether portion 47 are connected so as to come into contact with each other when the lock on the tip 53b side of the traction belt 53 is released.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the traction means 52 includes a traction belt 53 disposed in the airbag 26 and a detachment mechanism disposed on the bag holder 11 side and capable of locking the tip 53 b side of the traction belt 53. And a stop member 56.

  The traction belt 53 is formed in a belt-like shape and is arranged with its width direction extending in the front-rear direction, and the base portion 53a side is sewn to the central portion 41c of the occupant side tether portion 41 so that the occupant side tether portion 41 is sewn. It is connected to. A connecting portion 54 connected to the locking member 56 is formed on the front end 53 b side of the traction belt 53. In the case of the embodiment, the connecting portion 54 is formed from two half-circular annular loop portions 54 a that are fixed to the tip 53 b of the traction belt 53. When the airbag 26 is deployed and inflated with the connecting portion 54 connected to the locking member 56, the traction belt 53 is longer than the vehicle body side tether portion 47 and the occupant side tether portion 41 in the extended state. The length is set to be shortened. Specifically, the traction belt 53 has a length dimension L1 that is greater than the separation distance L2 from the connecting portion 47c of the vehicle body side tether portion 47 to the vehicle body side tether portion 41 to the vehicle body side wall portion 28 when the vehicle body side tether portion 47 is in the extended state. Is also set to be small (see FIG. 9). In the case of the embodiment, when the airbag 26 completes inflating in a state where the connecting portion 54 is connected to the locking member 56, the vehicle body side tether portion 47 does not enter the extended state, and the occupant side tether portion. Only 41 is pulled to the bag holder 11 side by the traction belt 53. And as compared with the case where the vehicle body side tether portion 47 and the occupant side tether portion 41 are in an extended state and the inflation is completed, the airbag 26 is drawn into the occupant side wall portion 35 toward the bag holder 11 side. The occupant side tether portion 41 and the traction belt 53 restrict the separation distance of the occupant side wall portion 35 from the bag holder 11 side, thereby restricting the expansion completion shape.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the locking member 56 is disposed at a position on the lower side of the bottom wall portion 13 in the bag holder 11 and in the vicinity of the through hole 13 b. The locking member 56 includes an operating piece 57 having two locking pins 57a that can be inserted into the loop portion 54a, and an actuator 58 that is fixed to the lower surface side of the bottom wall portion 13 so that the operating piece 57 can be retracted. And is composed of. When the actuator 58 is operated so as to retract the operating piece 57, the state is shifted from the state where the locking pin 57a is locking the loop portion 54a to the state where the locking is released. The actuator 58 is a piston cylinder that uses fluid pressure including the case where hydraulic pressure, water pressure, air pressure, or expanding gas pressure such as an inflator is generated, as long as the operating piece 57 can be moved by an electrical signal from the control device, It is possible to use a motor utilizing the fluid pressure or electricity, an electromagnetic solenoid, a spring utilizing the biasing force at the time of restoration, and the like.

  Next, manufacture of the airbag 26 of embodiment is described. A gas inflow port 29 is formed in the vehicle body side base fabric 37 in advance. An opening 49 a is also formed in advance in the connecting cloth portion 49 of the vehicle body side tether portion base cloth 48. First, the occupant side tether portion base fabric 42 is disposed on the inner surface side of the occupant side base fabric 38, the connecting fabric portion 43 is sewn at the site of the sewing site 45, and the tips 44a, 44a of the tether sites 44, 44 are sewn. The occupant side tether portion 41 is formed by sewing together. The base portion 53 a of the traction belt 53 is sewn to the central portion 41 c of the occupant side tether portion 41. Next, a vehicle body side tether portion base fabric 48 is arranged on the inner surface side of the vehicle body side base fabric 37 so that the opening 49a coincides with the gas inlet 29, and the periphery of the connecting fabric portion 49 is connected to the vehicle body side base fabric. 37 is sewn. Thereafter, drilling of the vent hole 33, the mounting holes 31, 49b, and the through holes 32, 49c is performed on the vehicle body side base fabric 37 and the vehicle body side tether portion base fabric 48. Of course, the gas inlet 29 may be provided at the same time as the drilling process so that the gas inlet 29 and the opening 49a are not formed before stitching.

  Next, the occupant side base fabric 38 and the vehicle body side base fabric 37 are overlapped so that the outer surface sides face each other, and the outer peripheral edges are sewn together. After the outer peripheral edge is sewn, the bag body 27 is inverted using the gas inlet 29 so that the seam allowance of the outer peripheral edge does not appear on the outer surface of the airbag 26. Then, after the reversal, the tether portion 50 in the vehicle body side tether portion base fabric 48 is inserted between the occupant side tether portion 41 and the occupant side wall portion 35 (occupant side base fabric 38). If the parts 50 and 50 are pulled out from the gas inlet 29 and the ends 50a and 50a are sewn together, the vehicle body side tether portion 47 can be formed, and the airbag 26 can be manufactured at the same time.

  And the airbag apparatus M is assembled using the airbag 26 manufactured as mentioned above. First, the retainer 6 is inserted into the airbag 26 from the gas inlet 29, the bolts 6 a are protruded from the attachment holes 31, and the airbag 26 is folded so that it can be stored in the bag holder 11. At this time, the loop portion 54 a disposed on the tip 53 b side of the traction belt 53 is projected from the through hole 32. Next, each of the bolts 6a is protruded from the bottom wall portion 13 and the loop portion 54a is protruded from the through hole 13b, so that the folded airbag 26 is preliminarily locked with the locking member 56, the horn switch 17, and the connecting plate. 19 is stored in the bag holder 11 to which 19 is attached. Then, the locking pin 57a formed on the operating piece 57 of the locking member 56 is inserted into the loop portion 54a, and the front end side of the locking pin 57a is supported by the support base 13c so that the connecting portion 54 is locked. Connected to member 56. Then, if the main body 8a of the inflator 8 is inserted into the insertion hole 13a of the bottom wall portion 13 from below and the nut 7 is fastened to each bolt 6a protruding from the flange portion 8c, the airbag 26 And the inflator 8 can be held. Thereafter, the airbag device M can be assembled by covering the airbag 26 with the pad 22 and connecting the pad 22 to the side wall portion 14 of the bag holder 11 using a rivet (not shown).

  The airbag apparatus M assembled in this manner can be obtained by connecting the connecting plate 19 to a mounting seat (not shown) of the steering wheel main body 1 already attached to the vehicle using a predetermined bolt. At this time, the assembly of the steering wheel W and the mounting of the steering wheel W on the vehicle are completed. Note that when the airbag device M is mounted on a vehicle, an operation signal input lead wire extending from the control device 60 is connected to the inflator 8 and the locking member 56.

  If the traveling vehicle collides after the airbag device M is mounted on the vehicle, the control device 60 outputs an operation signal to the inflator 8, and the inflator 8 supplies the inflation gas from the gas discharge port 8b. The airbag 26 is inflated, the door portion 23 of the pad 22 is inflated, the door portion 23 of the pad 22 is pushed open, and the airbag is expanded and inflated so as to cover the upper surface side of the steering wheel W. Will be allowed to.

  And in the airbag apparatus M of embodiment, the airbag 26 is from the bag holder (storage part) 11 side of the center area 35b of the passenger | crew restraint surface 35a in the passenger | crew side wall part 35 according to the passenger | crew MD seated. Expansion will be completed in the state which changed the separation distance. For example, when the control device 60 to which signals from the position detection sensor 61, the weight sensor 62, and the collision detection sensor 63 are input detects the small occupant MD1 seated at a position close to the steering wheel W, The airbag 26 is deployed and inflated in a state where the connecting portion 54 arranged on the front end 53 b side of the traction belt 53 is kept locked to the bag holder 11 side by the locking member 56. Therefore, the traction belt 53 pulls the vehicle body side tether portion 47 and the occupant side tether portion 41 so that the length dimension is shorter than that in the extended state. In the case of the embodiment, specifically, the vehicle body side tether portion 47 is not extended, and the traction belt 53 pulls only the occupant side tether portion 41 to the bag holder 11 side. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9A, the airbag 26 has a traction belt 53 whose length is set shorter than the vehicle body side tether portion 47 in the extended state, and an occupant side tether that is pulled by the traction belt 53. With the portion 41, the expansion is completed in a state where the separation distance DL1 from the bag holder 11 side of the central area 35b of the passenger restraint surface 35a in the passenger side wall 35 is set short, and the steering wheel W The approaching small occupant MD1 can be accurately protected without unnecessary pressing.

  Conversely, when the control device 60 that receives signals from the position detection sensor 61, the weight sensor 62, and the collision detection sensor 63 detects the large occupant MD2 seated at a position away from the steering wheel W. That is, before the airbag 26 is deployed and inflated, the locking state of the connecting portion 54 disposed on the front end 53b side of the traction belt 53 with respect to the locking member 56 is released in advance. That is, the airbag 58 is inflated in a state where the actuator 58 is operated so as to retract the operating piece 57 and the locked state between the loop portion 54a and the locking pin 57a is released. Therefore, as shown in B of FIG. 9, the airbag 26 is a bag holder in the central area 35b of the occupant restraint surface 35a in the occupant side wall portion 35 by the vehicle body side tether portion 47 and the occupant side tether portion 41 in the extended state. Even if the large occupant MD2 seated away from the steering wheel W moves to the front side of the vehicle, the expansion is completed in a state where the separation distance DL2 from the 11 side is set long. Further, the airbag 26 that has been completely inflated can secure cushioning properties and can be accurately protected without causing bottoming.

  Further, in the airbag apparatus M of the embodiment, the occupant side tether portion 41 is formed in a belt shape, and is coupled to the occupant side wall portion 35 at two locations on the side of the end portions 41a and 41b that are the front and rear end sides. When the airbag 26 is completely inflated by a surface surrounded by a coupling portion formed by coupling the tether portion 41 (in the case of the embodiment, an annular stitching portion 45 for stitching the connecting cloth portion 43 to the passenger side wall portion 35). Since the central area 35b of the occupant restraint surface 35a capable of restraining the occupant MD is configured, the airbag 26 is separated from the bag holder 11 side of the central area 35b of the occupant restraint surface 35a in the occupant side wall 35. Even when the inflation is completed with the distance DL1 set short, the center area 35b of the passenger restraint surface 35a in the passenger side wall 35 is separated from the bag holder 11 side. Even when the expansion is completed with the distance DL2 set to be long, the central area 35b of the occupant restraint surface 35a can be secured in a flat shape, and the occupant MD can be secured by the occupant restraint surface 35a having a flat center. It can be protected stably.

  In the airbag 26 of the embodiment, the occupant side tether portion 41 is joined to the occupant side wall portion 35 by sewing the periphery of the circular connecting cloth portion 43 to the occupant side wall portion 35 over the entire circumference. Of course, as the occupant side tether portion, both ends of a single belt-like cloth material may be directly sewn to the occupant side wall portion. However, in order to sufficiently secure the coupling strength of the occupant side tether portion to the occupant side wall portion, the occupant side wall portion 35 is connected to the occupant side wall portion 35 by the connecting cloth portion 43 coupled by the circular stitching portion 45 as in the airbag 26 of the embodiment. Bonding is preferred.

  Therefore, in the airbag apparatus M of the embodiment, the inflation completion shape of the airbag 26 can be regulated according to the distance of the seated occupant MD, and the occupant MD is accurately protected by the airbag 26 that has completed the inflation. can do.

  Further, in the airbag apparatus M of the embodiment, one locking member 56 that locks the traction belt 53 to the bag holder 11 side receives the operation signal from the control device 60, and maintains or locks. By actuating to release, the airbag 26 can be inflated in a state in which the distance from the bag holder 11 side of the central area 35b of the passenger restraint surface 35a in the passenger side wall 35 is changed. That is, in the airbag apparatus M of the embodiment, since the inflation completion shape of the airbag 26 can be regulated by one locking member 56, the configuration can be simplified, and the weight of the apparatus can be increased or the manufacturing can be performed. The increase in cost can be suppressed as much as possible.

  Furthermore, in the airbag apparatus M of the embodiment, the vehicle body side tether portion 47 is configured to have a width dimension that can cover the inflator 8, and the vehicle body side tether portion 47 is disposed in the front-rear direction on both the left and right sides of the inflator 8. Accordingly, the inflation gas discharged from the inflator 8 is rectified by the vehicle body side tether portion 47 along the front-rear direction, which is the width direction side of the vehicle body side tether portion 47, and the airbag. 26 can flow in. Therefore, the airbag 26 can be rapidly deployed in the front-rear direction, and the airbag 26 can be deployed so as to be widely deployed vertically in front of the head MH and the abdomen MB of the occupant MD. . As a result, it becomes possible to quickly protect the head MH and the abdomen MB of the occupant MD. In particular, when the airbag 26 is deployed and inflated while the loop portion 54a on the tip 53b side of the traction belt 53 is locked by the locking member 56, the vehicle body side tether portion 47 is not in the extended state, and the airbag Since the vehicle body side tether portion 47 is disposed in the vicinity of the inflator 8 so as to cover the upper side and the left and right sides of the inflator 8 as shown in FIG. The airbag 26 can be expanded widely in the front-rear direction more quickly. Therefore, when the small occupant MD1 is seated close to the steering wheel W and the gap between the abdomen MB of the small occupant MD1 and the steering wheel W is narrow, the airbag is quickly put into the narrow gap. 26 can enter, which is preferable.

  In the embodiment, the vehicle body side tether portion 47 is disposed along the left-right direction. However, if the above points are not taken into consideration, the vehicle body side tether portion is disposed along the front-rear direction, and the occupant It is good also as a structure which arrange | positions a side tether part along the left-right direction. Of course, each vehicle body side and occupant side tether portion may be formed of a string-like material or the like instead of a belt-like shape. Further, in the embodiment, the traction belt 53 constituting the traction means 52 is engaged with the occupant side tether portion 41 at the base portion 53a side, and the front end 53b side is engaged with the engagement member 56 disposed on the bag holder 11 side. As a traction belt, the base part side (one end side) is coupled to the vehicle body side tether part, and the leading end side (the other end side) is locked to a locking member arranged on the bag holder side. You may use what was comprised by the elongate shape. Furthermore, as the traction belt 66, the one shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 may be used.

  The airbag 26A using the traction belt 66 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 has the same configuration as the airbag 26 described above, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. As shown in FIG. 10, the traction belt 66 has a length dimension L3 that is the length dimension of the vehicle body side tether portion 47 (the length dimension L4 from the end portion 47a of the vehicle body side tether portion 47 to the tip end 50a of the tether portion 50). And the length L5 from the end portion 47b to the tip 50a of the tether portion 50), and a base portion 66a on the inner peripheral side of the vehicle body side tether portion 47. The side is sewn to the left edge side of the gas inlet 29, and the connecting portion 54 (loop portion 54a) locked to the locking member 56 is disposed on the tip 66b side. The traction belt 66 has the intermediate portion 66c inserted through the occupant side tether portion 41 and the loop portion 54a on the tip 66b side on the right edge side of the gas inlet 29 by the locking member 56. It will be locked to the 11 side. That is, when the loop portion 54 a on the tip 66 b side is locked to the bag holder 11 side by the locking member 56, the traction belt 66 has the tip 66 b side and the base portion 66 a side on the periphery 30 of the gas inlet 29. It is made into the loop shape which is couple | bonded together and is arrange | positioned substantially along the left-right direction, and is made into the loop shape which made opening shape smaller than the vehicle body side tether part 47. As shown in FIG. In this case, the traction belt 66 is coupled to the occupant side tether portion 41 at the intermediate portion 66c.

  In the airbag 26A using such a traction belt 66, when the airbag 26A is deployed and inflated with the engagement of the tip 66b of the traction belt 66 to the bag holder 11 side maintained, the traction belt 66 is in the vehicle body side tether. The part 47 and the occupant side tether part 41 are towed so that the length dimension is shorter than in the extended state. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11A, the occupant-side tether portion 41 is connected to the traction belt 66 at the intermediate portion 66c and pulled to the bag holder 11 side by the traction belt 66. Therefore, the vehicle body side tether portion 47 is not extended, and the tow belt 66 pulls only the occupant side tether portion 41 toward the bag holder 11 side. As a result, the airbag 26A is centered on the passenger restraint surface 35a in the passenger side wall portion 35 by the passenger side tether portion 41 pulled by the traction belt 66 whose length is shorter than that of the vehicle body side tether portion 47 in the extended state. Expansion will be completed in the state where the separation distance from the bag holder 11 side of the area 35b is set short. When the airbag 26 is inflated with the front end 66b of the traction belt 66 released from the locking member 56 to the bag holder 11 side, the occupant side at the intermediate portion 66c of the traction belt 66 is used. Since the state of connection with the tether portion 41 is also released, the airbag 26A is extended by the vehicle body side tether portion 47 and the occupant side tether portion 41 so that the central area 35b of the occupant restraint surface 35a in the occupant side wall portion 35 is obtained. Inflation is completed in a state where the separation distance from the bag holder 11 side is set long.

  Furthermore, the traction belt 68 having the configuration shown in FIG. 12 may be used. Since the airbag 26B using the traction belt 68 has the same configuration as that of the airbag 26 described above, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  The traction belt 68 has a belt shape and is arranged so that the width direction thereof extends in the left-right direction, and the base portion 68a side is connected to the rear side of the central side portion 41d serving as a connection portion with the vehicle body side tether portion 47. In the case of the embodiment, the occupant side tether portion 41 is sewn to the intermediate portion between the end portion 41b located on the rear side and the central side portion 41d, and the locking member 56 on the tip end 68b side. The connecting portion 54 to be connected is provided. In the airbag 28 </ b> B, the connecting portion 54 disposed on the front end 68 b side of the traction belt 68 projects the loop portion 54 a from the through hole 32 disposed on the rear edge side of the gas inlet port 29, so that the bag holder 11. It is the structure made to latch on the latching member 56 arrange | positioned in the rear edge side of the penetration hole 13a in the bottom wall part 13 of this. The traction belt 68 has a length dimension that is smaller than the separation distance from the connection portion 47c of the vehicle body side tether portion 47 to the vehicle body side tether portion 41 and the vehicle body side wall portion 28 in the extended state, and When the front end 68b is deployed and inflated with the locking member 56 kept locked to the bag holder 11 side, the rear end 35bb side of the center area 35b of the passenger restraint surface 35a of the passenger side wall 35 is disposed on the steering wheel. It is set to a dimension that can be pulled so as to approach the W side.

  In the airbag 26B using such a traction belt 68, when the airbag 68B is deployed and inflated while maintaining the locking of the tip 68b of the traction belt 68 to the bag holder 11 side, the vehicle body side tether portion 47 is 12A, while the front edge 47d side is in the extended state, the rear edge 47e side is slackened, and the extended state is not achieved, and the traction belt 68 is located in the rear side of the occupant side tether portion 41. The end 41b side on the end side is pulled toward the bag holder 11 side. As a result, the occupant side tether portion in which the airbag 26B is pulled by the traction belt 68 at a portion (a portion on the rear end 35bb side of the central area 35b) of the occupant side wall portion 35 on the rear end 35ab side. 41, the expansion is completed in a state where the separation distance from the bag holder 11 side is set short. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12A and FIG. 13, the occupant restraint surface 35a is positioned such that the rear end 35ab side is positioned on the steering wheel W side and the front end 35aa side is positioned on the upper side away from the steering wheel W. The airbag 26B can be inflated in a state where the airbag 26B is inclined so as to approach the substantially vertical plane along the direction intersecting the ring surface Rf of the steering wheel W. That is, in the airbag 26B configured as described above, the airbag 26B increases the thickness of the front end side portion 26a and the rear end side portion 26b in a state in which the front end 68b of the traction belt 68 is kept locked to the bag holder 11 side. Thus, the expansion is completed. In addition, when the airbag 26B is inflated in a state where the front end 68b of the traction belt 68 is released from the locking to the bag holder 11 by the locking member 56, the airbag 26B is changed to B in FIG. As shown, the vehicle body side tether portion 47 and the occupant side tether portion 41 that are in the extended state are located on the rear end 35ab side of the occupant restraint surface 35a in the occupant side wall portion 35 (the portion on the rear end 35bb side of the central area 35b). In the embodiment, the inflation is completed in a state where the separation distance from the bag holder 11 side is set long. In the embodiment, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. The airbag 26B is completely inflated so as to be positioned substantially parallel to Rf.

  In the airbag 26B of the embodiment, the inclination angle θ1 (with respect to the ring surface Rf of the central area 35b when the inflation is completed in a state where the engagement of the tip 68b of the traction belt 68 to the bag holder 11 side is maintained. 12A) can be changed by changing the length dimension of the traction belt 68 and the connection position of the traction belt 68 to the occupant-side tether portion 41.

  Further, the traction belt 68 may be used for the airbag 26C having the configuration shown in FIG. The airbag 26C is disposed such that the occupant side tether portion 41C and the vehicle body side tether portion 47C constituting the tether 40C are opposite to the direction of the airbag 26 described above. That is, in the airbag 26C, the occupant side tether portion 41C has a loop shape arranged along the left-right direction, and the vehicle body side tether portion 47C has a loop shape arranged along the front-rear direction. It is the structure which is arrange | positioned so that it may cross substantially orthogonally, and is mutually connected. The airbag 26C has the same configuration as the airbag 26 described above except for the orientation of the occupant-side tether portion 41C and the vehicle body-side tether portion 47C, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  The traction belt 68 has a base portion 68a side at a position on the rear side of the connection portion 47c with the occupant side tether portion 41C in the vehicle body side tether portion 47C, in the case of the embodiment, a portion 47f in the vicinity of the connection portion 47c. The length dimension is made smaller than the length dimension from the connecting portion 47c to the end portion 47b of the vehicle body side tether portion 47C with the occupant side tether portion 41C.

  A stopper 47g is formed at a position in front of the connecting portion 47c with the occupant side tether portion 41C in the vehicle body side tether portion 47C and in the vicinity of the connecting portion 47c. When the airbag 26C is deployed and inflated with the stopper 47g maintained to the bag holder 11 side on the front end 68b side of the traction belt 68, the stopper 47g is located on the center side constituting the connecting portion in the occupant side tether portion 41. In order to prevent the portion 41d from relatively moving forward, the front edge side portion 41e of the occupant side tether portion 41 can be pulled by the front side portion 47h of the connecting portion 47c in the vehicle body side tether portion 47C. It is arranged and has a loop shape in which a part of the tether portion 50 constituting the vehicle body side tether portion 47C is pinched and sewn and arranged so as to protrude to the inner peripheral side (FIG. 14). See A).

  In the airbag 26C, when the airbag 68C is deployed and inflated while maintaining the locking of the tip 68b of the traction belt 68 to the bag holder 11, the stopper 47g of the vehicle body side tether portion 47C causes the occupant side tether portion 41 to The center side part 41d constituting the connection part is prevented from relatively moving forward, and the front edge side part 41e of the occupant side tether part 41 is displaced from the center side part 41d of the occupant side tether part 41. The airbag 26C is deployed and inflated with the movement stopped. That is, at this time, the vehicle body side tether portion 47C is connected to the connecting portion 47c that is pulled by the pulling belt 68 while the front portion 47h of the connecting portion 47c (the portion between the connecting portion 47c and the end portion 47a) is in the extended state. The rear portion 47j of the portion 47c (the portion between the connecting portion 47c and the end portion 47b) is slackened and does not enter the extended state, and the traction belt 68 is connected to the connecting portion 47c in the vehicle body side tether portion 47C. A portion 47f (a connection portion with the pulling belt 68) located in the vicinity of the rear end is pulled to the bag holder 11 side, and the rear end side of the occupant side tether portion 41C is largely pulled to the bag holder 11 side. . As a result, as shown in FIG. 14A, the airbag 26 </ b> C defines a portion (a portion on the rear end 35 bb side of the central area 35 b) on the occupant side wall 35 on the rear end 35 ab side of the occupant restraint surface 35 a. The occupant-side tether portion 41C and the vehicle body-side tether portion 47C pulled by 68 complete the inflation in a state where the separation distance from the bag holder 11 side is set short. Further, when the airbag 26C is inflated with the leading end 68b of the traction belt 68 released from the locking member 56 to the bag holder 11 side, the airbag 26C is changed to B in FIG. As shown in the figure, the vehicle body side tether portion 47C and the occupant side tether portion 41C that are in the extended state are located on the occupant side wall portion 35 on the rear end 35ab side of the occupant restraint surface 35a (the portion on the rear end 35bb side of the central area 35b). ) Is completed in a state where the distance from the bag holder 11 side is set long. That is, even in the airbag 26C having such a configuration, the airbag 26C has the occupant restraint surface 35a on the rear end 35ab side in a state where the engagement of the front end of the traction belt 68 to the bag holder 11 side is maintained. It is located on the steering wheel side and expands in an inclined state so as to approach a substantially vertical surface along the direction intersecting the ring surface so that the front end 35aa side is located on the upper side away from the steering wheel. Thus, in the state where the locking of the tip 68b of the traction belt 68 to the bag holder 11 side is released, the airbag 26B is configured so that the occupant restraint surface 35a is positioned substantially parallel to the ring surface of the steering wheel. Will expand.

  In the airbag 26C of the embodiment, the inclination angle θ2 (with respect to the ring surface Rf of the central area 35b when the inflation is completed in a state where the engagement of the tip 68b of the traction belt 68 to the bag holder 11 side is maintained ( 14A) can be changed by changing the length dimension of the traction belt 68 and the arrangement position of the stopper 47g.

  In the airbags 26B and 26C configured as described above, the airbags 26B and 26C are configured such that the front end side portion 26a is thickened and the rear end is maintained in a state where the front end 68b of the traction belt 68 is kept locked to the bag holder 11 side. Since the expansion is completed by making the side portion 26b thinner, when the small occupant MD1 seated at a position close to the steering wheel W is detected, the locking member 56 is not operated. Then, the rear end side portion 26b that has expanded so as to reduce the thickness dimension can prevent the abdomen MB of the small passenger MD1 approaching the steering wheel W from being unnecessarily strongly pressed, preferable. In particular, in the airbag 26B, the vehicle body side tether portion 47 is disposed along the front-rear direction on both the left and right sides of the inflator 8, so that the inflation gas discharged from the inflator 8 is supplied to the vehicle body side tether portion 47. Thus, the air flow can be rectified along the front-rear direction on the width direction side of the vehicle body-side tether portion 47 and flowed into the airbag 26, and the narrow gap between the abdomen MB of the small occupant MD1 and the steering wheel W can be obtained. The rear end side portion 26b can be rapidly entered, which is preferable.

  Further, in the case of the airbags 26B and 26C having such a configuration, for example, an occupant wearing a seat belt is attached to the control device by connecting an unillustrated detection sensor (not shown) that can detect the attachment / detachment of the seat belt. If the airbags 26B and 26C are inflated in a state where the locking member 56 is not operated and the locking by the locking member 56 on the tip 68b side of the traction belt 68 is maintained, the seat belt The occupant's head that moves forward in a state where the vicinity of the waist is constrained can be protected with good cushioning properties by the front end side portion 26a that is thickly inflated. When the control device detects an occupant not wearing a seat belt, the locking member 56 is operated to release the locking by the locking member 56 on the tip 68b side of the traction belt 68. For example, the entire upper body of the occupant moving forward with the upper body tilted so as to be substantially parallel to the ring surface Rf of the steering wheel W is made to cover the upper surface side of the steering wheel W with a substantially uniform thickness. The airbags 26B and 26C that have been completely inflated can be appropriately protected.

  In the embodiment, the airbag apparatus M for a steering wheel has been described as an example of the airbag apparatus. However, the airbag apparatus to which the present invention is applicable is not limited to this, and the present invention is not limited to the passenger seat. It is also suitable for an air bag device.

It is a side view which shows the state of the steering wheel and passenger | crew (driver | operator) by which the airbag apparatus for steering wheels which is one Embodiment of this invention is mounted. It is a partial top view of the steering wheel which shows the mounting state of the airbag apparatus of embodiment. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the airbag apparatus of embodiment, and is a figure corresponding to the III-III site | part of FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the airbag device of the embodiment, corresponding to the IV-IV part of FIG. 3. It is a top view of the state where the air bag used for the air bag device of an embodiment was developed flat. FIG. 6 is a bottom view showing a state where the airbag of FIG. 5 is flatly deployed. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the airbag of FIG. 5, and is a cross-sectional view along the left-right direction showing a state in which a loop portion arranged at the tip of the traction belt is protruded from the through hole. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structural member of the airbag of FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view along the left-right direction showing a state where the airbag of FIG. 5 is inflated as a single unit, and the airbag is engaged with a state in which the tip of the traction belt is locked to the bag holder side, and It is the figure of the state which completed the expansion | swelling in the released state. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structural member of the airbag which uses the traction belt of another form. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view along the left-right direction showing a state where the airbag of FIG. 10 is inflated as a single unit, and the airbag is engaged with the state where the tip of the traction belt is locked to the bag holder side, and It is the figure of the state which completed the expansion | swelling in the released state. It is a schematic sectional drawing along the front-back direction which shows the state where the air bag using other forms of the traction belt was inflated alone, and the airbag locked the tip of the traction belt to the bag holder side, respectively. It is a figure of the state which completed expansion by the state and the state which cancelled | released latching. FIG. 13 is a schematic side view showing a state where the airbag of FIG. 12 is mounted on a steering wheel and inflated. FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view along the front-rear direction showing a state where the traction belt of FIG. 12 is applied to another type of airbag and the airbag is inflated as a single unit, and each airbag has a leading end of the traction belt as a bag. It is a figure of the state which completed the expansion | swelling in the state latched by the holder side, and the state which cancelled | released latching.

Explanation of symbols

8 ... Inflator,
11 ... Bag holder,
22 ... Pad,
26 ・ 26A ・ 26B ・ 26C… Airbag,
28 ... the side wall of the vehicle body,
29 ... Gas inlet,
35 ... occupant side wall,
35a ... Occupant restraint surface,
35b ... Central area,
40 ・ 40B… Tether,
41, 41B ... body side tether,
41a, 41b ... end,
45. Sewing site (bonding site)
47.47B ... body side tether,
47a, 47b ... end,
52 ... Towing means,
53, 66, 68 ... traction belt,
54 ... connecting part,
54a ... loop part,
56 ... locking member,
60 ... Control device,
MD (MD1, MD2) ... Crew (driver),
W ... Steering wheel,
M: Airbag device.

Claims (4)

It is configured to include a bag-like airbag that is folded and stored in the storage part, flows in the inflation gas into the inside thereof, protrudes from the storage part, and expands and expands.
The airbag includes an occupant side wall portion disposed on the occupant side upon completion of inflation, and a vehicle body side wall portion disposed on the storage portion side and attached to the storage portion, and is disposed inside and stores the storage portion. An airbag device configured to regulate a separation distance of the occupant side wall portion from the storage portion at the time of completion of inflation by a tether coupled to a part side and the occupant side wall portion,
The tether includes an occupant side tether portion that is elongated and coupled to the occupant side wall portion, and a vehicle body side tether portion that is coupled to the occupant side tether portion and coupled to the storage site side. With the configuration,
A center area of an occupant restraint surface capable of restraining the occupant when the airbag is completely inflated is formed by a surface surrounded by a joint portion configured by joining the occupant side tether portion in the occupant side wall portion. In addition, the occupant side tether portion is formed in a belt-like shape, and both end sides are coupled to the occupant side wall portion and are configured to be coupled to the vehicle body side tether portion between both ends.
The occupant side wall portion is connected to the vehicle body side tether portion or the occupant side tether portion, and by traction means whose operation is controlled by a control device that determines a preferred inflation mode of the airbag that receives the occupant, It is configured to be pullable so as to be pulled into the storage part side,
The traction means has a traction belt connected to the vehicle body side tether portion or the occupant side tether portion, and one end side of the traction belt can be locked to the storage portion side, and the operation is controlled by the control device. One locking member, and
When the locking member is unlocked, the vehicle body side tether portion and the occupant side tether portion are in an extended state, and the separation distance from the storage site side of the center area of the occupant restraint surface in the occupant side wall portion is The airbag is inflated in a long state, and the vehicle body side tether portion and the occupant side tether portion have a length dimension shorter than that in the extended state when the locking member is kept locked. The airbag device is inflated in a state where the distance between the central area of the occupant restraint surface in the occupant side wall portion and the storage site side is set to be short by being pulled.   The vehicle body side tether portion has a belt-like shape having a width dimension capable of covering a side of an inflator inserted into the airbag so as to supply inflation gas to the airbag, and the vehicle body between both ends. The side tether portion is connected, and both end sides are coupled to the storage site side at positions near both sides of the inflator, and the inflation gas discharged from the inflator is supplied to the vehicle body side in the airbag. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the airbag device is configured to be rectified so as to flow along a width direction of the tether portion.   The airbag device according to claim 2, wherein the vehicle body side tether portion is disposed substantially along a lateral direction of the vehicle. An airbag device for a steering wheel disposed in front of a driver seat,
When the airbag completes inflating in a state where traction by the traction means is released, the occupant restraint surface on the occupant side wall is configured to be positioned substantially parallel to the ring surface of the steering wheel. ,
The occupant side tether portion or the vehicle body side tether portion is disposed substantially along the front-rear direction when the airbag is completely inflated, and both the front and rear end sides are coupled to the occupant side wall portion or the storage site side, and both ends Between the vehicle body side tether part or the occupant side tether part,
One end side of the traction belt is located behind the occupant-side tether portion or the vehicle body-side tether portion arranged along the front-rear direction. The center area of the occupant restraint surface is configured to be able to be pulled so that the rear end side is closer to the steering wheel side than the front end side when maintaining towing. The airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

Images