JP2008132945A - Air bag device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air bag improved in deployment performance. <P>SOLUTION: This air bag device has an air bag 11 structured of a bag body formed by sewing a base fabric and to be deployed to constrain the head of an occupant sitting on a seat, an inflator for generating a pressure fluid to supply it to the air bag 11, and a cover 66 covering the periphery of the air bag 11 in the state of folding the air bag 11. The air bag 11 is positioned on a flow-in side of the pressure fluid from the inflator inside the cover 66 when housing, and has a push-up small folding part 65 structured by folding at least once and a pushed-up body part 50 structured by folding like a bellow inside the cover 66 when being housed and pushed up to a side opposite to the flow-in side of the pressure fluid by the push-up small folding part 65 when inflating the air bag 11 for deployment. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an airbag device installed in a vehicle such as an automobile.

  Conventionally, for example, in a driver's seat, a driver's seat airbag device that is inflated and deployed from the center of rotation of the steering wheel to the driver's side, or a passenger's seat airbag that is inflated and deployed from the instrument panel to the passenger's side, etc. Various airbag devices for restraining the occupant's body are used.

In recent years, in the event of a major accident in which a large external force is applied to the vehicle, such as a vehicle body rollover due to a collision or a fall of a heavy object such as a fallen tree, there is a possibility that an impact may be applied from the overhead of the passenger to the head Therefore, an airbag device for coping with such a case has already been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-37011 A

  In the above prior art, an airbag composed of a bag body combined with a base fabric is accommodated in a backrest (or headrest) of a vehicle seat, and inflated by supplying pressure fluid from an inflator to the airbag in an emergency. And a basic configuration for deploying above the head of the passenger is disclosed.

  In order to optimize the airbag device, it is required to make the deployment performance of the airbag smoother.

  Then, this invention makes it a subject to provide the technique effective in aiming at the improvement of the expansion | deployment performance of an airbag.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned object, the first invention of the present application is composed of a bag body formed by sewing a base fabric, an airbag that unfolds and restrains the head of an occupant seated on the seat, and the airbag. An inflator that generates a pressure fluid for supply, and a cover that stores the airbag in a folded state so as to cover the periphery of the airbag, and the airbag is separated from the inflator in the cover during storage. A push-up small fold portion which is located on the pressure fluid inflow side and is folded at least once, and is folded in a bellows shape in the cover at the time of storage. And a pushed-up body portion that is pushed up to the side opposite to the inflow side of the pressure fluid by the portion.

  According to the first invention of the present application, when the pressure fluid is supplied from the inflator, the airbag folded and stored in the storage portion of the retainer bulges upward. At this time, the push-up small fold portion located on the pressure inflow side is pushed up when the pressure fluid swells, and then the pushed-up body portion is pushed up to the side opposite to the pressure fluid inflow side by the push-up force. Thereby, since the said to-be-lifted body part is folded by the bellows shape, it can slip out from the inside of a retainer with low resistance with extension by expansion | swelling, and can be expand | deployed smoothly from a retainer.

  According to a second invention of the present application, in the first invention, the pushed-up body portion includes a plurality of pushed-up small fold portions each configured to be folded at least once and the plurality of pushed-up small fold portions. As described above, it is characterized by comprising at least one pushed-up large fold portion configured to be folded in a folding manner larger (= large curvature) than the small fold portion.

  According to the second invention of the present application, the plurality of pushed-up small fold portions are configured to include the pushed-up large fold portions folded in a folding manner larger than the small fold portions. When the body to be pushed up is pushed up to the side opposite to the inflow side of the pressure fluid by the supply of the pressure fluid, the pressure fluid smoothly spreads to each of the plurality of small folds via the pushed-up large fold. The pushed-up body portion can be smoothly deployed from the retainer.

  According to a third invention of the present application, in the second invention, the airbag includes a first folding step for continuously folding the bag body so as to reduce its short-side dimension from a state before folding. A second folding step for continuously folding the bag body whose lateral dimension is reduced in the first folding step so as to reduce the longitudinal direction thereof, and further reducing the longitudinal dimension in the second folding step. The bag body is made by a storing step for inserting and storing the bag body inside the cover.

  According to the third invention of the present application, after the first folding step is continuously folded so as to reduce the lateral dimension from the state before folding, the longitudinal direction is reduced by the second folding step. The bag-like airbag continuously folded is inserted into the cover and stored in the storing process. As a result, the pressurized fluid supplied from the inflator flows into the pushed-up body portion from the push-up small fold portion side located on the pressure inflow side, and can be stored inside the cover in a folded form in which the airbag is smoothly deployed. it can.

  According to a fourth invention of the present application, in the third invention, the airbag is formed with at least one small fold portion among the plurality of pushed-up small fold portions in the first folding step, and in the second folding step. The remaining small folds of the plurality of pushed-up small folds and the push-up small folds are formed, and the pushed-up large folds are formed in the storing step. It is characterized by.

  According to the fourth invention of the present application, at least one small folded portion among the plurality of pushed-up small folded portions formed in the first folding step, and the plurality of pushed-up small folded formed in the second folding step. The remaining small folds and the push-up small folds are continuously folded with sufficient margin by the pushed-up large folds, so that the longitudinal dimension can be adjusted and the inside of the cover in a limited space Easy to assemble.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the deployment performance of the airbag device.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an automobile seat 1 provided with an embodiment of an airbag apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 1 (a) is when the airbag apparatus is not operating, and FIG. 1 (b) is an airbag apparatus. The operation time is shown. The seat (seat) 1 includes a seat portion 1A on which an occupant 2 sits, and a backrest portion 1B that protrudes upward from the seat portion 1A that supports the back of the seated occupant 2. A headrest 1C is attached to the top of the backrest 1B.

  The seat 1 is equipped with an airbag device 10 in the backrest 1B for restraining the head 2A of the occupant 2 when the vehicle rolls over due to an accident. The airbag device 10 is composed of a bag body in which a first panel and a second panel (not shown) are sewn together, and an airbag 11 provided so as to be deployed above the head 2A of the occupant 2 when inflated. A retainer 12 that is accommodated in a state in which the bag 11 is folded, and an inflator 13 (see FIG. 2) that supplies gas (pressure fluid) for inflating and deploying the airbag 11 are provided.

  The seat 1 includes a seat frame 14 that includes a side plate 14A, a cross member 14B, and the like and forms a skeleton of the seat 1. The retainer 12 and the inflator 13 are provided on the seat frame 14. (See FIG. 2 described later). The inflator 13 is ignited under the control of a control unit (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the airbag 11 is stored in a folded state in the retainer 12 at normal times. On the other hand, for example, when the automobile rolls over, the inflator 13 of the airbag device 10 is ignited by a control unit (not shown), and the airbag 11 is inflated as shown in FIG. It expands between the head 2A of the occupant 2. At this time, the airbag 11 is inflated so as to push the head 2A of the occupant 2 forward by the action of a sub-bag (not shown), and the head 2A of the occupant 2 can be bent forward to reduce the burden on the neck. It is like that.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the airbag device of FIG. 1 attached to a seat frame. In FIG. 2, the mounting portion M (described later) is omitted for the sake of simplicity, and the shapes of the retainer 12, the inflator 13, the pipe member 20, and the like are simplified.

  In FIG. 2, the seat frame 14 includes a pair of side plates 14A and 14A provided on both sides in the vehicle width direction (both sides in the left-right direction in FIG. 2) in the backrest portion 1B (see FIG. 1) of the seat 1, and these sides. A cross member 14B is provided between the plates 14A and 14A so as to extend substantially along the vehicle width direction and connects the side plates 14A and 14A. The side plates 14A and 14A and the cross member 14B are both provided in the backrest portion 1B of the seat 1. Although not particularly illustrated, the seat frame 14 also has a base plate provided in the seat portion 1A.

  On the base end side (inflator side) of the airbag 11, a gas supply port 11a connected to the inflator 13 via the pipe member 20, and mounting pieces 11b and 11c (described later) located on both sides of the gas supply port 11a (See FIG. 5). Bolt holes 22 and 22 (see FIG. 5 to be described later) through which mounting bolts 21a for fixing the airbag 11 and the retainer 12 are inserted are formed in the mounting pieces 11b and 11c, respectively. On the other hand, the retainer 12 is provided with bolt holes 25 (see FIG. 3 and the like described later) through which mounting bolts 23 for fixing the retainer 12 to the cross member 14B of the seat frame 14 are inserted on both sides in the vehicle width direction. A mounting portion 12a is provided, and a lower portion (inflator side) is provided with a mounting portion 12c having a bolt hole similarly formed at a position corresponding to the bolt hole of the airbag mounting portions 11b and 11c. Yes.

  A plurality (four in the present embodiment) of the mounting bolts 21a are bolt holes 27 (see FIG. 4 described later) formed in the retainer mounting portion 12c in a state where the airbag 11 is folded and stored in the retainer 12. Bolt holes drilled at positions corresponding to the bolt holes 22 of the airbag mounting portion 11b in the bolt hole 22 of the airbag mounting portions 11b and 11c and the airbag mounting portion 26 of the lid holding frame 46 described later. (Not shown) and inserted by nuts 15. Thereby, the airbag 11 is fixed to the retainer 12 in the folded state. A plurality (two in this embodiment) of the mounting bolts 23 are fastened to fastening holes (not shown) provided in the cross member 14B after being inserted into the bolt holes 25 of the retainer mounting portions 12a and 12b. Thereby, the retainer 12 accommodated in the state in which the airbag 11 is folded is fixed to the cross member 14B.

  The pipe member 20 is, for example, a metal pipe bent at a plurality of locations (two locations in the present embodiment), and is provided below the retainer 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the pipe member 20 is identical to a lower vertical portion 20a connected to the upper end portion of the inflator 13 by fastening or the like, and a horizontal portion bent horizontally rearward from the upper portion of the vertical portion 20a. A horizontal horizontal portion 20b bent in the vehicle width direction on a horizontal plane, and bent upward from the horizontal horizontal portion 20b and rises substantially vertically to cover the gas supply port 11a of the airbag 11, for example, a metal clamp band And a vertical end portion 20c connected by caulking and fixing. In this way, the airbag 11 and the inflator 13 are connected via the pipe member 20.

  The inflator 13 is provided further below the pipe member 20, and is attached to the side plate 14A on one side (left side in the vehicle width direction in the present embodiment) by an attachment member 31 (see FIG. 2). The mounting member 31 includes a pair of mounting plates 31A and 31B that sandwich and support the inflator 13, and these mounting plates 31A and 31B are a plurality (four in this embodiment) formed on the mounting plate 31A. The rivets 31a are inserted through a plurality of (four in this embodiment) rivet holes formed at corresponding positions on the mounting plate 31B and are connected by rivets, so that the inflator 13 is sandwiched therebetween. A mounting portion 31C formed by bending approximately 90 degrees is provided at one end (right side in the vehicle width direction) of the mounting plate 31A, and a plurality (two in this embodiment) of mounting bolts 23 (two in this embodiment) are provided. 2) are inserted into the bolt holes drilled in the mounting portion 31C and fastened to fastening holes (not shown) provided in the side plate 14A, whereby the mounting member 31 is fixed to the side plate 14A. It is like that. As a result, the inflator 13 is fixed to the side plate 14 </ b> A via the attachment member 31.

  The inflator 13 and the above-described control unit (not shown) are connected by a cable R (see FIG. 4 described later), and ignition control of the inflator 13 is performed via the cable R. .

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the overall structure of the retainer for storing and holding the inflator and the airbag as viewed from above, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the assembly and mounting method of the airbag device and its retainer in FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.

  3 to 5, the retainer 12 has a retainer body (storage portion) 28 formed by a storage frame 34 that stores the airbag 11 in a folded state and has a storage space that opens on the upper side of the rectangular cross section. ing. The retainer main body 28 has a cylindrical shape with a rectangular cross section, a storage frame 34 having a bulging engagement portion (inserted portion) 35 having a horizontally long insertion port 36, and an airbag stored in a folded state. A rectangular back plate 33 that supports the back surface of the vehicle 11, two storage frames (not shown) that support the lower surface of the airbag 11 by connecting the storage frame 34 and the lower portion (inflator side) of the back plate 33, and the above Two retainer mounting portions 12c extending downward from the lower end of the back plate 33, and mounting portions 12a and 12b provided on both sides in the vehicle width direction slightly above the retainer mounting portions 12c (see FIGS. 3 and 4) ).

  The retainer 12 is housed in the housing frame 34 by inserting and locking a horizontally long first tongue piece (first insertion piece portion) 40 formed in the insertion port 36 by a U-shaped punching hole 38 from below. A lid plate (flexible member) 30 that closes the opening on the front side as seen through the airbag 11 and the first tongue piece 40 of the lid plate 30 are overlapped and inserted into the opening of the bulge locking portion 35. As a result, a second tongue piece (second insertion piece portion) 42 that presses and holds the lid plate 30 against the retainer 28 is formed at the upper end, and a horizontal horizontal portion of the pipe member 20 is formed at the approximate center of the lower end portion (inflator side). And a lid plate pressing frame (flexible member mounting portion) 46 provided with a mounting portion M for mounting 20b.

  The lid plate 30 is formed of a rectangular flat plate made of a synthetic resin that can be elastically deformed. The first long tongue piece 40 formed on the lower side (inflator side) is connected to the other side of the U-shaped punching hole 38. The front surface of the airbag 11 is covered by being inserted from below into the insertion port 36 of the bulging engagement portion 35 on the upper surface of the storage frame 34 in a state of being bent and deformed toward the back side (rear side) from this portion. Both front and back surfaces of the airbag 11 are sandwiched between the back plate 33 and the lid plate 30.

  Since the lid plate 30 is formed of a substantially flat plate-shaped member made of resin, the weight can be further reduced, and the laterally long slit SL in the width direction is formed on the upper portion. The rigidity in the plate thickness direction (bending direction) can be lowered to increase the flexibility in the bending direction, and the airbag can be deployed more smoothly.

  The lid plate holding frame 46 is bent in an L shape when viewed from the side, and a top plate 45 corresponding to the rectangular projection area of the storage frame 34 is formed on the top surface. Projecting pieces 44a and 44b extending upward are formed on both sides, and the insertion port 36 of the bulging locking portion 35 is formed inside the notched recesses 42a and 42b formed inside the projecting pieces 44a and 44b. A second tongue piece 42 that is slightly shorter than both projecting pieces 44a and 44b inserted in is extended.

  On both sides of the lower end of the top plate 45 of the lid plate holding frame 46, two horizontal bent pieces 44c and 44d (not shown) bent horizontally to correspond to the height of the storage frame 34 are formed, A pair of airbag attachment portions 26, 26 (bag pressing portions) are attached to the lower ends of both horizontal bent pieces 44c, 44d.

  Therefore, in order to assemble the airbag device 10, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, first, the airbag 11 is folded and accommodated in the retainer 12 according to the procedure described later (see FIGS. 6 to 17). The lower part of the airbag 11 is supported by the horizontal bent pieces 44c and 44d serving as the bottom wall 28, and the gas supply port 11a, the attachment piece 11b, and the attachment piece 11c of the airbag 11 are suspended downward.

  Then, the horizontally long first tongue piece 40 formed at the lower portion of the cover plate 30 is inserted from the insertion port 36 of the bulging engagement portion 35 on the upper surface of the storage frame 34 of the retainer main body 28, and then the upper surface of the first tongue piece 40. The second tongue piece 42 of the lid plate 30 is inserted into the bulge locking portion 35 by inserting the second tongue piece 42 of the lid plate presser frame 46 so as to overlap with the second tongue piece 42 inserted from the insertion port 36. It is pressed and held in the bulging engagement portion 35.

  Next, the left attachment piece 11b of the airbag 11 is sandwiched between the attachment portion 12c of the retainer 12 by the airbag attachment portion 26 of the cover plate holding frame 46, and the bolt hole 27 and the air provided in the retainer attachment portion 12c. The bolt 21a is inserted into the bolt hole 22 provided in the attachment piece 11b of the bag 11, and further the bolt hole provided in the airbag attachment portion 26 of the lid plate holding frame 46 is inserted. Then, the nut 15 is screwed into the bolt 21a. Attached and fixed to the mounting portion 12c. Similarly, the attachment piece 11c of the airbag 11 is sandwiched between the attachment portion 12c of the retainer 12 by the airbag attachment portion 26 of the cover plate holding frame 46, and the two bolt holes of the retainer attachment portion 12c and the airbag 11 are fixed. The bolt 21a is inserted into the bolt hole 22 provided in the mounting piece 11c, and the bolt hole provided in the airbag mounting portion 26 of the lid holding frame 46 is further inserted, and then the nut 21b is screwed into the bolt 21a. And fixed to the mounting portion 12c. Thereby, the storage of the airbag 11 in the retainer 12 is completed.

  On the other hand, the lower end of the metal connection pipe 20 connected to the inflator 13 is connected to the upper end of the inflator 13 via the connection portion 20e fitted to the inflator 13, and the other end bent upward of the connection pipe 20 is Then, the gas supply port 11a of the airbag 11 is covered with this, and the metal clamp band B or the like is covered thereon and caulked to connect to the gas supply port 11a. The inflator 13 and the connection pipe 20 connected thereto are covered with two semicircular mounting plates 31A and 31B of the mounting member 31 and fixed with the inflator 13 interposed therebetween. The inflator 13 is interposed via the mounting member 31. It is fixed to the side plate 14A. The connection terminal R drawn from the rear end of the inflator 13 is connected to the control circuit (not shown).

  Next, the airbag folding process, which is a main part of the present invention, will be described with reference to FIGS. The airbag folding process includes a first folding process, a second folding process, and a storing process.

  6A and 6B are front views of the airbag 11 in a deployed state, in which FIG. 6A is upside down with respect to the state accommodated in the retainer, and FIG. 6B is a side view thereof.

  7 to 9 show the first folding step. FIG. 7 shows a first small folding step in the first folding step, in which (a) is an air in which the pushed-up small folded portion is formed by folding downward in the vertical direction so that the upper end of the pushed-up folded portion is located inside. The front view of a bag, (b) is the side view, FIG. 8 is the 2nd small folding process in a 1st folding process, Comprising: (a) is the 1st both sides small folding part by folding both sides of an airbag inside FIG. 9B is a side view thereof, FIG. 9 is a third small folding step in the first folding step, and FIG. 9A is a case where both lateral widths on the pushed-up body portion side are narrowed. The front view of the airbag which was made to incline so that it might be folded inward and the 2nd both-sides small fold part was formed, (b) is the side view.

  The first folding step is a step of continuously folding the bag-shaped airbag 11 shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b) so as to reduce its short-side dimension from the state before folding. It is comprised from the 1 small folding process, the 2nd small folding process, and the 3rd small folding process.

  The unfolded airbag 11 includes a push-up body portion 48 positioned on the inflow side of the pressure fluid from the inflator 13 and a pushed-up body portion 50 that is pushed up to the side opposite to the inflow side by the inflow of the pressure fluid. In this state, the pushed-up body portion 50 is formed in a trapezoidal shape with a wide lateral width.

  6 (a) and 6 (b), the airbag 11 in the deployed state is formed with a pushed-up folded portion 52 in which the pushed-up body portion 50 side is folded vertically upward as a folding preparation step. From this state, the first folding step is started.

  First, in the first small folding step in the first folding step shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the upper end of the pushed-up folding portion 52 (see FIG. 6) folded vertically upward is set to the inner lower side from the substantially middle position. And a small folded portion 54 to be pushed up is formed at the upper end.

  In the second small folding step, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, both sides of the airbag 11 are folded inward to form the first both-side pushed-up small folding portions 55a and 55b. When both sides of the airbag 11 are folded inward, the airbag 11 is folded so that the lower ends of the first both-side pushed-up small folds 55 a and 55 b are positioned inside the pushed-up small fold 54.

  In the third small folding process shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the airbag 11 is inclined inward so that the lateral width of the pushed-up body 50 side (lower side) of the airbag 11 is tapered and folded inward to form a triangular shape. The second both-side pushed up small folding parts 56 a and 56 b are formed, and the second both-side pushed up small folding parts 56 a and 56 b are folded so as to be positioned above the pushed-up little folding part 54.

  Next, FIG. 10 to FIG. 15 show the second folding step, FIG. 10 shows the first shift small folding step in the second folding step, and (a) shows the third small step in the first folding step. The front view of the airbag which formed the 1st shift pushed up small folding part by folding the pushed up small folding part formed in the lower side of the airbag in the vertical direction at the folding process, (b) is the side FIGS. 11A and 11B show a second shift small folding step in the second folding step, in which FIG. 11A shows a second shift cover by folding the first shift small folding portion upward while folding it downward in the vertical direction. FIG. 12B is a side view of the airbag formed with the push-up small fold, FIG. 12 is a third shift small folding step in the second folding step, and FIG. 12A is the second shift cover. Pull up the slack part at the bottom of the push-up small fold part vertically upward, FIG. 13 is a front view of an airbag in which a third shift pushed-up small folded part is formed on the upper side of the pushed-up small folded part by folding up on the back side of the pushed-up body part on the back surface of the bag, FIG. The fourth shift small folding step in the second folding step, wherein (a) folds the push-up body portion from above the third shift pushed-up small folding portion to the back side of the airbag and the gas supply port is downward FIG. 14 is a side view of the airbag formed with the fourth shift pushed-up small fold portion facing toward the side, FIG. 14 is a fifth shift small fold step in the second fold step, (a ) Of the airbag in which the fifth shift push-up small fold portion in which the gas supply port faces upward by folding the push-up body portion folded from the fourth shift pushed-up small fold portion to the back side of the airbag is formed. Front view, (b) is its side view FIG. 15 is a storage preparation process that is the final process in the second folding process, where (a) is a front view of the airbag folded into a shape that can be stored inside the cover in the next storage process, and (b) It is the side view.

  The second folding step is a step of continuously folding the bag-like airbag 11 whose lateral dimension is reduced in the first folding step so as to reduce the longitudinal direction thereof. It is comprised from the transfer folding process to the 5th shift small folding process, and the storage preparation process which is the last process.

  In the first shift small folding step in the second folding step shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the third small folding step (see FIG. 9) in the first folding step is performed below the airbag 11. The formed pushed-up small fold portion 52 is folded upward in the vertical direction to form the first shift pushed-up small fold portion 58.

  In the second shift small folding step, as shown in FIGS. 11 (a) and 11 (b), the first shift small folding portion 58 is moved upward while being folded downward in the vertical direction, and the second shift cover is moved to the lower end. A push-up small fold 60 is formed.

  In the third shift small folding step, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the slack portion at the lower end of the first shift pushed up small folding portion 58 shown in FIG. A third shift pushed-up small folded part 62 is formed above the pushed-up small folded part 52 by folding upward on the back side of the bag 11 on the pushed-up body part 48 side.

  In the fourth shift small folding process, as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the push-up body 48 is folded from the upper side of the third shift pushed-up small fold 62 to the back side of the airbag 11. A fourth shifted pushed-up small fold 64 with the gas supply port 11 a facing downward is formed at the upper end of the airbag 11.

  In the fifth shift small folding step, as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the push-up body portion 48 folded downward from the fourth shift pushed-up small fold portion 64 on the back surface side of the airbag 11. A fifth shift push-up small fold 65 is formed on the back side of the airbag 11 so that the gas supply port 11a is turned upward.

  In the storage preparation step, which is the final step in the second folding step, as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, when folded into a shape that can be stored inside the cover in the next storage step, the folded airbag The storage preparation state is obtained by inverting 11 up and down.

  Next, FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 show the storage process, and FIG. 16 shows the first storage process, where (a) is the air folded into a shape that can be stored in the storage preparation process in the second folding process. The front view of the airbag which shows the state which accommodated the bag inside a cover, (b) is the side view, FIG. 17 is the 2nd accommodation process, (a) moves the pushed-up folding part to the lower front side. The front view of the airbag which shows the state which formed the pushed-up large folding part and was fully accommodated in the inside of a cover, (b) is the side view.

  The storing step is a step for inserting and storing the bag-like airbag 11 whose longitudinal dimension is further reduced in the second folding step into the cover 66, and includes the first storing step and the first storing step. It consists of two storage steps.

  In the first storage step, as shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, the airbag 11 folded into a shape that can be stored in the storage preparation step in the first folding step is opened through the opening 66a. The gas supply port 11a is housed inside and protrudes from the opening 66b on the opposite side. In this stored state, the second shift pushed-up small fold portion 60 of the airbag 11 protrudes from the opening 66 a to the outside of the cover 66.

  In the second storing step, as shown in FIGS. 17 (a) and 17 (b), the pushed-up folded portion 52 of the folded airbag 11 is moved to the front side of the pushed-up body portion 48 so as to face downward. By forming the pushed-up large folding part 68, the airbag 11 is stored inside the cover 66 in a state of being completely hidden.

  In the present embodiment configured as described above, when the pressure fluid is supplied from the inflator 13, the airbag 11 folded and stored in the storage portion of the retainer 12 bulges upward. At this time, the pushed-up body portion 48 located on the pressure inflow side is pushed up when the pressure fluid swells, and then the pushed-up body portion 50 is pushed up by the pushing force to the side opposite to the pressure fluid inflow side. As a result, the pushed-up body portion 50 is folded in a bellows shape, so that the airbag 11 can slide out of the retainer 12 with low resistance as it expands due to inflation, and is smoothly deployed from the retainer 12. can do.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the plurality of pushed-up small folding parts 60, 62, 64, 65 are configured to include the pushed-up large folding part 68 folded in a folding manner larger than the small folding part. Therefore, when the pushed-up body portion 50 is pushed up by the supply of the pressure fluid from the inflator 13 to the side opposite to the inflow side of the pressure fluid, a plurality of pushed-up portions are provided via the pushed-up large folding portion 68. Since the pressure fluid smoothly spreads through each of the small folding parts 60, 62, 64, 65, the pushed-up body part 50 can be smoothly deployed from the retainer 12.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, after the first folding step is continuously folded so as to reduce the short dimension from the state before folding, the longitudinal direction is reduced by the second folding step. The bag-like airbag 11 that is continuously folded is inserted into the cover 66 and stored in the storing process. Thereby, the pressure fluid supplied from the inflator 13 flows into the pushed-up body portion 50 from the fifth shift push-up small folding portion 65 side located on the pressure inflow side, and the airbag 11 is smoothly deployed. The cover 66 can be stored inside.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, at least one small folding part among the plurality of pushed-up small folding parts 60, 62, 64, 65 formed in the first folding process and the second folding process. Of the plurality of pushed-up small folds 60, 62, 64, 65, the remaining small folds and the fifth shifted push-up small fold 65 are continuously folded with a margin by the pushed-up large folds 68. Therefore, the longitudinal dimension can be adjusted, and the assembling property inside the cover 66 in a limited space becomes easy.

  As described above, the airbag apparatus 10 is assembled, and the assembled airbag apparatus 10 is attached to the cross member 14B of the seat frame 14 by the bolts 23 inserted through the bolt holes through the mounting portions 12a and 12b on the left and right sides of the retainer body 28. By fixing, it is attached to the upper part of the seat frame 14.

  In the present embodiment configured as described above, when the inflator 13 operates, the inflator 13 is controlled by a control circuit (not shown) based on a detection signal from a sensor (not shown) that detects, for example, when the automobile rolls over. The initiator attached to is activated to ignite the inflator 13.

  When the inflator 13 is ignited, when the airbag 11 is inflated and extends forward from the retainer 12, the lid plate 30 is strongly pushed forward by the airbag 11, and the lower portion where the lid plate 30 is sandwiched is Since the airbag 11 bends forward as a fulcrum, the airbag 11 can slide out of the retainer 12 with low resistance as it expands due to inflation, and can be smoothly deployed from the retainer 12.

  The specific configurations of the above-described embodiments do not strictly limit the contents of the present invention, and it is needless to say that details can be variously changed in accordance with the spirit of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is one Embodiment of the airbag apparatus of this invention, Comprising: (a) is a normal time of an airbag, (b) is a schematic side view of the vehicle seat which shows the time of inflation of an airbag. It is a perspective view which shows the place which attached the airbag apparatus of FIG. 1 to the seat frame. It is a perspective view showing the whole structure which looked at the retainer which stores and holds an inflator and an air bag from the upper side. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the assembly method and attachment method of the airbag apparatus of FIG. 1, and its retainer. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. FIG. 3A is a front view of the airbag in a state where the airbag is deployed, and FIG. FIG. 2 is a front view of an airbag in which a small folded portion is formed by folding downward in the vertical direction so that the upper end of the pushed-up folded portion is positioned inside, in the first small folding step in the first folding step. , (B) is a side view thereof. It is a 2nd small folding process, Comprising: (a) is a front view of the airbag which folded both sides of the airbag inside and formed the 1st both-sides small folding part, (b) is the side view. (B) is a front view of an airbag that is inclined inward so that both lateral widths on the pushed-up body portion side are narrowed and folded inward to form a second both-side small folding portion; ) Is a side view thereof. 1st shift small folding process in the 2nd folding process, (a) is the 3rd small folding process in the 1st folding process, and the pushed up small folding part formed in the lower side of an airbag is made into the lengthwise direction. The front view of the airbag which folded the downward direction and formed the 1st shift pushed up small folding part, (b) is the side view. 2nd shift small folding process, wherein (a) is a front view of an airbag in which the first shift small folding portion is moved upward while being folded vertically downward to form a second shift pushed-up small folding portion. FIG. 2B is a side view thereof. (A) is a third shift small folding step, in which (a) pulls up the slack portion at the lower end of the second shift pushed up small fold portion in the vertical direction and folds it up on the back side of the push-up body portion on the back surface of the airbag. The front view of the airbag which formed the 3rd shift pushed up small folding part in the upper part of the 2 shift pushed up small folding part, (b) is the side view. (A) is a fourth shift small folding step, in which (a) is a fourth shift in which the gas supply port faces downward by folding the push-up body portion from the upper side of the third shift pushed-up small fold portion to the back side of the airbag. The front view of the airbag which formed the pushed up small folding part, (b) is the side view. (A) is a fifth shift small folding step, in which (a) folds up the push-up body portion folded from the fourth shift pushed-up small fold portion to the back side of the airbag so that the gas supply port faces upward. The front view of the airbag which formed the 5 shift push-up small folding part, (b) is the side view. It is the storage preparation process which is the last process, (a) is the front view of the airbag folded in the shape which can be accommodated in the inside of a cover at the following storage process, (b) is the side view. It is a 1st accommodation process, Comprising: (a) is a front view of the airbag which shows the state which accommodated the airbag folded in the shape which can be accommodated in the storage preparation process in a 2nd folding process inside a cover, (b) is It is the side view. (A) is a front view of an airbag showing a state in which the pushed-up folded part is moved downward to the front side to form a pushed-up large folded part and is completely housed inside the cover. Is a side view thereof.

Explanation of symbols

1 seat
2 Occupant 2A Head 10 Airbag Device 11 Airbag 12 Retainer 13 Inflator 28 Retainer Main Body (Storage Unit)
48 Push-up body portion 50 Push-up body portion 52 Push-up folding portion 54 Push-up small folding portion 55a, 55b First both-side pushed-up small folding portion 56a, 56b Second double-side pushed-up small folding portion 58 First shift small folding portion 60 Second shift pushed up small folding part 62 Third shift pushed up small folding part 64 Fourth shift pushed up small folding part 65 Fifth shift pushed up small folding part 66 Cover 68 Pushed up large folding part

Claims (4)

An airbag configured to sew a base fabric and restrain an occupant's head that is unfolded and seated on the seat;
An inflator for generating a pressure fluid to be supplied to the airbag;
A cover for storing the airbag so as to cover the periphery thereof in a folded state;
The airbag is
A small folding part for pushing up, which is located on the inflow side of the pressure fluid from the inflator in the cover during storage and is configured to be folded at least once;
And a to-be-lifted body portion that is configured to be folded in a bellows shape in the cover during storage and is pushed up to the side opposite to the inflow side of the pressure fluid by the push-up small folding portion during expansion and deployment Airbag device. The airbag apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The raised body part is
A plurality of pushed-up small folds each configured to be folded at least once,
An airbag device comprising: at least one pushed-up large fold portion configured to be folded in a bending manner larger than the small folded portion so as to include the plurality of pushed-up small folded portions. The airbag apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
The airbag is
A first folding step for continuously folding the bag body so as to reduce its short-side dimension from a state before folding;
A second folding step for continuously folding the bag body in which the lateral dimension is reduced in the first folding step so as to reduce the longitudinal direction;
An airbag device produced by a storing step for inserting and storing the bag body whose longitudinal dimension is further reduced in the second folding step into the cover. In the airbag apparatus of Claim 3,
The airbag is
In the first folding step, at least one small folding part is formed among the plurality of pushed-up small folding parts,
In the second folding step, a remaining small fold portion of the plurality of pushed-up small fold portions and the small fold portion for push-up are formed,
An airbag device produced by forming the pushed-up large fold in the storing step.

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