JP2008238841A - Airbag device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an airbag device in which an output is finely controlled according to the seated attitude of an occupant. <P>SOLUTION: This airbag device comprises a gas generator 10; a module case 30 in which an airbag is stored; and a control circuit 70. The gas generator 10 has a plurality of gas outlets 22a with different opening areas. The module case 30 has coolants 46a, 46b movable in the circumferential direction. The positions of the gas outlets 21a and the coolants 46a, 46b are adjusted by the instruction of the control circuit 70, and the temperature of the gas flowing into the airbag is controlled. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an airbag device suitable for a driver's seat.

  In an airbag apparatus mounted on a motor vehicle for ensuring the safety of passengers, it is important to adjust the maximum inflation pressure of the airbag. For example, when the impact at the time of a vehicle collision is small, the maximum inflation pressure of the airbag is suppressed so that the pressure when the airbag is inflated (internal pressure of the airbag) is suppressed and the passenger is not damaged by excessive inflation of the airbag. It is desirable to adjust. On the other hand, in the case of a large impact, it is necessary to increase the internal pressure of the airbag in order to develop a sufficient passenger restraining force.

  Such adjustment of the maximum inflation pressure of the airbag (the strength of the pressure inside the airbag when the airbag is deployed) is adjusted by adjusting the output of the inflator. For example, in a dual inflator having two igniters and two combustion chambers, only one igniter can be operated or two igniters can be operated in response to an impact at the time of a collision (ie, an impact applied to a passenger). The output of the inflator is adjusted by operating simultaneously or by operating the two igniters at different timings. However, it is difficult to finely adjust the pressure inside the airbag and the maximum pressure with only the dual inflator.

On the other hand, Patent Document 1 is known as an invention that finely adjusts the internal pressure and maximum pressure of an airbag when the airbag is deployed. In the present invention, for example, in FIG. 4, the pinion 40 is moved in a circular motion by a command from the control circuit so that the maximum pressure when the airbag is inflated can be finely adjusted according to various factors such as the seating state of the occupant. The rack 34 is linearly moved in a desired direction. By this operation, the amount of the coolant 51 that covers the gas discharge port 26 is changed, and the temperature of the gas flowing into the airbag 14 is adjusted.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-8295

  However, in Patent Document 1, the gas generator itself has a long shape, and is not a gas generator suitable for an airbag device for a driver's seat. Moreover, the moving direction of the coolant is also the direction along the axis of the housing, which is bulky and difficult to apply as a driver's seat airbag device.

  The present invention is suitable for an airbag device for a driver's seat, and an object of the present invention is to provide an airbag device capable of adjusting the pressure inside the airbag and the maximum pressure.

[Claim 1]
As a means for solving the problems, the present invention
An air bag device including a module case containing a gas generator and an air bag and a control circuit;
The gas generator contains a gas generating agent in a housing;
The housing has a plurality of gas discharge ports with different opening areas arranged separately on the peripheral wall thereof,
In the module case, a coolant that is movable in the circumferential direction is arranged,
Provided is an airbag device in which the position of the coolant can be adjusted so as to face at least a part of the plurality of gas discharge ports according to an instruction from the control circuit.

  The gas generator of the present invention is a gas generator that uses a gas generating agent that generates gas by combustion, and the housing shape has a larger diameter than the axial thickness. The gas generator according to the present invention uses, for example, one igniter (single gas generator) shown in FIG. 1 of JP-A-10-181516 except for the shape and arrangement of the gas outlet. In addition, a gas generator having two known igniters (dual gas generator) can also be used. A coolant member may or may not be disposed inside the gas generator.

  As the module case of the present invention, the above-described gas generator and airbag are accommodated, and for example, the one shown in FIG. 6 of JP-A-10-95302 can be used.

  In the present invention, “a plurality of gas discharge ports” are separately arranged. A plurality of gas discharge ports or a plurality of gas discharge ports arranged at the same place as one group are separated into a plurality of groups. It means that it is arranged.

In the present invention, "the opening area is different" of the plurality of gas outlets,
(I) Each group has the same number of gas outlets, and each group has a different diameter,
(Ii) Each group has a different number of gas outlets, and each group has the same diameter,
(Iii) Each group has a different number of gas outlets, and each group has a different diameter,
(Iv) The number of gas outlets in each group is the same, and the diameters of the plurality of gas outlets in each group are different,
(V) The number of gas outlets in each group is different, and the diameter of multiple gas outlets in each group is different,
And so on.

  The coolant used in the present invention is not limited as long as it can be brought into contact with the combustion gas to lower the temperature. For example, the coolant can be cooled by passing the combustion gas, or the coolant can be cooled by colliding with the combustion gas. In addition, a coolant filter used in a known gas generator for an air bag, a metal plate having high thermal conductivity, or the like can be used.

  The control circuit used in the present invention is for analyzing information from various sensors attached to the vehicle and optimally adjusting the internal pressure of the airbag, and for moving the coolant in the circumferential direction of the housing. It also serves to supply energy (for example, current) to the driving device. The shock received by the occupant is inferred from information from each sensor, and the coolant is moved to the optimal position so that the optimal airbag internal pressure is obtained according to the situation.

  By providing such an adjustment mechanism, the maximum inflation pressure of the airbag (the temperature of the gas flowing into the airbag) is maintained while using the existing internal structure of the gas generator other than the gas discharge port. Can be adjusted more finely, so that the optimum occupant restraint performance according to the situation can be obtained. In particular, even if the igniter is a single type gas generator, the pressure (or maximum pressure) inside the airbag can be finely adjusted according to the operating conditions.

  In the airbag device of the present invention, the position of the coolant can be adjusted by an instruction from the control circuit so that the coolant is opposed to only a part of at least a plurality of gas discharge ports (preferably so as to face each other). For this reason, the combustion gas discharged from the gas discharge port and the coolant are brought into contact (including the case of passing through the coolant and the case of changing the direction by hitting the coolant), and then the temperature of the combustion gas is lowered and then flows into the airbag. be able to. At this time, the maximum internal pressure of the airbag can be changed by adjusting the temperature of the combustion gas flowing into the airbag by increasing or decreasing the amount of gas in contact with the coolant in the total amount of generated combustion gas.

  Therefore, if the coolant is opposed to the gas outlet having a large opening area, the amount of gas that comes into contact with the coolant increases, and the degree of cooling increases. For this reason, the combustion gas cooled more is sent into an airbag, and the pressure rise inside an airbag is suppressed.

  On the other hand, when the coolant is opposed to the gas discharge port having a small opening area, the amount of gas in contact with the coolant is reduced, and the degree of cooling is reduced. For this reason, higher-temperature combustion gas is sent into the airbag, and the pressure drop inside the airbag is suppressed.

  When the coolant is opposed to the intermediate gas outlet between the maximum opening area and the minimum opening area, the degree of cooling of the combustion gas is moderate.

  If you want to maximize the pressure of the airbag, make sure that the coolant does not face any of the multiple gas outlets and that all of the combustion gas is fed directly into the airbag without contacting the coolant. Also good.

[Claim 2]
The present invention provides other means for solving the problems,
In the module case, an annular support member is disposed so as to face the peripheral wall of the gas generator having a plurality of gas discharge ports and to be rotatable.
The annular support member has one or more coolants on a part of a surface facing the peripheral wall of the gas generator;
The airbag apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the annular support member is rotated in a circumferential direction by an instruction of the control circuit, and the position of the coolant is adjusted so as to face only a part of the plurality of gas discharge ports. I will provide a.

  By using the module case having such an annular support member, it is easy to fix and adjust the position of the coolant.

[Claim 3]
The present invention provides other means for solving the problems,
The annular support member is formed with a gear at a peripheral portion thereof, and the gear and a pinion gear attached to a motor driven by an instruction from the control circuit are meshed, and the pinion gear and the gear are The airbag device according to claim 2, wherein the annular support member is rotated by interlocking.

  By forming a gear on the peripheral edge of the annular support member and engaging with a pinion gear attached to the motor, the position of the coolant attached to the annular support member can be easily adjusted.

[Claim 4]
In another aspect of the present invention, the annular support member has an opening and a non-opening, and one or more coolants are fixed in a state where a part of the opening is closed. An airbag device according to claim 2 is provided.

  The combustion gas discharged from the gas generator flows into the airbag after passing through the coolant. For this reason, by using a coolant having a high cooling effect, the degree of cooling can be increased, and a coolant filter in the gas generator can be eliminated.

[Claim 5]
The present invention provides an airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the coolant is a metal plate.

  The combustion gas discharged from the gas generator collides with the coolant and changes its direction, and then flows into the airbag. A metal plate made of aluminum, iron, copper, or the like is advantageous in terms of weight reduction, cost reduction, and assembly workability.

[Claim 6]
The present invention provides the airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the coolant is a metal plate and has irregularities on a surface facing the gas discharge port as another means for solving the problem. I will provide a.

  The combustion gas discharged from the gas generator collides with the coolant and changes its direction, and then flows into the airbag. Thus, by providing irregularities (for example, wave-shaped irregularities) on the surface of the metal plate, the contact area between the metal plate and the gas is improved, and the cooling effect is enhanced. A metal plate made of aluminum, iron, copper, or the like is advantageous in terms of weight reduction, cost reduction, and assembly workability.

[Claim 7]
In another aspect of the present invention, when the gas discharge port and the coolant face each other, they are not in contact with each other, and there is an interval between them. An airbag apparatus according to claim 1 is provided. .

  By doing in this way, since the combustion gas discharged | emitted from the gas discharge port does not concentrate on only a part of coolant, cooling efficiency is improved and damage to the coolant is also prevented.

[Claim 8]
According to the present invention, as another means for solving the problem, any one of the plurality of gas discharge ports, wherein two gas discharge ports opposed in the radial direction have the same opening area. The airbag device described in 1. is provided.

  The amount of gas discharged from two gas outlets facing each other is the same, and the airbag deployment shape is symmetric. In addition, even if mis-ignition occurs, the thrust is canceled out, so that the gas generator during transportation does not fly.

[Claim 9]
In another aspect of the present invention, the coolant position adjustment is selected from the seated state of the occupant, whether the occupant is wearing a seat belt, the state of the occupant's seat, the weight of the occupant, the environmental temperature, and the vehicle speed. The airbag apparatus according to any one of 2 to 8, which is performed in accordance with one or two or more factors.

  Among the above factors, for example, the seating state in the seat varies depending on the occupant's physique, etc., and sits shallowly or sits deeply in the seat, but in all cases the airbag with exactly the same inflation pressure When the air bag is deployed, a passenger seated shallowly receives more pressure when deploying the airbag. In addition, when the impact received when the vehicle collides is small, it is not necessary to inflate and deploy the airbag to the maximum extent. There may be a situation where an excessive impact is given to a small passenger.

  Therefore, in consideration of the various factors as described above, a sensor for detecting these is connected to the control circuit, and the position of the gas outlet facing the coolant is adjusted according to the situation (opening of the opposing gas outlet). By adjusting the area, the passenger's protection performance is enhanced. Therefore, even during normal travel, the coolant position is adjusted according to the vehicle speed, environmental temperature, seating position, and the like, and can be discharged into the airbag at the optimum gas temperature at that time.

Under the above conditions, the coolant moves to the following position and adjusts the temperature of the gas discharged to the airbag.
(I) In the case of a large occupant, when the occupant is seated deeply in the seat, when the occupant is not wearing a seat belt, when the occupant is heavy, when the environmental temperature is low, when the vehicle speed is high, etc. The coolant is moved to a position facing the gas discharge port having a small opening area to increase the temperature of the gas discharged to the airbag.
(II) In the case of an occupant with a small physique, when the occupant is seated shallowly on the seat, when the occupant is wearing a seat belt, when the occupant is light in weight, when the environmental temperature is high, or when the vehicle speed is slow, etc. In this case, the coolant is moved to a position facing the gas discharge port having a large opening area, and the temperature of the gas discharged to the airbag is lowered.

  The airbag device of the present invention is suitable for a driver seat airbag device, but can also be applied to a passenger seat airbag device, a side airbag device, a curtain airbag device, and the like. As the gas generator used in the airbag apparatus of the present invention, a pyroinflator using only a gas generating agent as a gas generating source is suitable, but a hybrid inflator using both a gas generating agent and a pressurized gas is also used as a gas generating source. it can.

  According to the airbag device of the present invention, the degree of inflation of the airbag (gas discharged to the airbag) depends on the physique and weight of the occupant, the seated state, the presence or absence of the seat belt, the annular temperature, the traveling state, and the like. Temperature) can be finely adjusted, and thus higher protection performance can be exhibited for passengers.

<Gas generator used in airbag devices>
A gas generator used in the airbag apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a gas generator used in the airbag apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a partial development view for explaining the arrangement state of the gas outlets of FIG. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the gas generator of FIG. In FIG. 2, the gas discharge port is simplified and displayed as one opening.

  The gas generator 10 is publicly known except for the formation state of the gas discharge port, and is substantially the same as that shown in FIG. 1 of JP-A-10-181516, for example.

  The gas generator 10 has an outer shell formed by a housing 13 in which a diffuser shell 11 and a closure shell 12 are joined and integrated. As shown in FIG. 2, the peripheral wall of the diffuser shell 11 includes a plurality of gas discharge port groups (including a gas discharge port group including one gas discharge port and a plurality of gas discharge ports) that are separately arranged and have different opening areas. Is formed. As shown in FIG. 1, the gas discharge port group 21 is composed of a total of eight groups of gas discharge port groups 21a to 21d and 21a 'to 21d'.

  The gas outlet group 21a has one gas outlet with a diameter of 3 mm, the gas outlet group 21b has two gas outlets with a diameter of 3 mm, and the gas outlet group 21c has three gas outlets with a diameter of 3 mm. The outlet group 21d has four gas outlets with a diameter of 3 mm. The same number and the same number of gas discharge port groups 21a 'to 21d' corresponding to the gas discharge port groups 21a to 21d are formed at positions where the gas discharge port groups 21a to 21d and the housing 11 face each other. All the gas outlet groups are closed from the inside with a sealing tape 23 made of aluminum and having a thickness of about 50 μm.

<Airbag device-1>
FIG. 3A is a plan view of an airbag device (the display of the airbag is omitted) in which a module case and a gas generator are combined, and FIG. 3B is a front view of FIG. However, the control circuit portion is a conceptual diagram, and in FIG. 3A, the position of the gas outlet group is indicated by an arrow. FIG. 4 is a perspective view for explaining a method of assembling the airbag device of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the airbag device 1 includes a module case 30 having a gas generator 10 attached thereto, and further having an airbag (not shown) attached to a gas discharge port 21 of the gas generator 10, and a control circuit. 70 is attached.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the module case 30 has a hole 32 in which the diffuser portion 11 of the gas generator 10 is attached to the central portion of the metal base 31.

  An annular support member 40 is rotatably disposed on the base 31. The annular support member 40 is connected by a plurality of connection parts 43 in which an upper annular part 41 and a lower annular part 42 are arranged at equal intervals, and a plurality of openings 44 are formed in the remaining part excluding the connection part 43. An annular groove (or annular groove rail) 33 is formed around the hole 32 of the base 31 as shown in FIG. 5, and the lower part of the lower annular portion 42 of the annular support member 40 is an annular groove (or The whole is rotatably supported by being fitted in the annular groove rail) 33. In addition, if the annular support member 40 can rotate smoothly with respect to the base 31, it will not be limited to a structure like FIG.

  Coolants 46 a and 46 b are attached to a part of the opening 44 by being welded and fixed to the upper annular portion 41 and the lower annular portion 42. The coolants 46 a and 46 b may be fixed to the connection portion 43 by welding. The coolants 46a, 46b are in positions that oppose each other in the radial direction.

The coolants 46a and 46b are formed by deforming a stainless steel wire mesh into a corrugated shape and pressing it into a mold and compression molding. The wire diameter of the wire is 0.3 to 0.5 mm, and the bulk density is 2 to 4 g / cm ³ .

  A flange 47 is formed on the lower annular portion 42 of the annular support member 40, and a gear 48 is formed on the entire peripheral edge of the flange 47. The flange 47 (gear 48) and the upper surface of the base 31 may be in contact with each other, or a slight gap may be formed between them so that the annular support member 40 can be easily rotated.

  A motor 60 is attached to the lower surface side of the base 31, and a pinion gear 62 is attached to a rotating shaft 61 of the motor 60 that penetrates the base 31. The pinion gear 62 and the gear 48 are meshed with each other so that they can be interlocked.

  The motor 60 is connected to a control circuit 70 via a lead wire 71. The control circuit 70 mounts the airbag device 1 on a vehicle, and then a power source (vehicle battery) and various sensors arranged at various locations in the vehicle. Connected to. The type of these sensors is not particularly limited as long as it contributes to ensuring the safety of the passenger, but the passenger's seated state, whether the passenger is wearing a seat belt, the passenger's seat position, the passenger's weight It is desirable that the sensor be capable of detecting one or more selected from the environmental temperature and the vehicle speed, and other factors added to ensure the safety of passengers as necessary.

  Next, the operation of the airbag apparatus 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The vehicle on which the airbag apparatus 1 of the present invention is mounted has a control circuit 70 so that the seating state of the occupant is detected by various sensors while the vehicle is traveling, and the airbag deployment mode is appropriate from the viewpoint of occupant protection. Send information to.

  The motor 60 is actuated by a command from the control circuit 70 that receives information from various sensors, and the annular support member 40 (coolants 46a, 46b) is caused by the circular motion of the pinion gear 62 and the circular motion of the gear 48 engaged therewith. Is adjusted so that any one of the gas outlet groups 21a to 21d and the coolant 46a face each other, and any one of the gas outlet groups 21a 'to 21d' (however, the gas outlet groups 21a to 21d and The coolant 46b is directly opposed to the opposite position in the radial direction and having the same opening area. FIG. 3A shows a state in which the gas discharge port group 21d and the coolant 46a face each other with a gap, and the gas discharge port group 21d 'and the coolant 46b face each other with a gap.

  When the vehicle collides, the position of the annular support member 40 (coolant 46a, 46b) is set before the combustion gas is discharged from the gas generator 10 by a command from the control circuit 70 that receives information from various sensors. The final adjustment according to each of the following forms is made.

(1) Seated state of passenger (detected by boarding position sensor or weight sensor)
When sitting shallowly in the seat like a small woman, the distance between the airbag and the occupant is relatively small, so the coolant 46a, 46d is positioned at the gas outlet group 21d having the largest opening area. , 21d ′. As a result, more combustion gas passes through the coolants 46a and 46b, so that the degree of cooling is improved and the temperature of the combustion gas flowing to the airbag is lowered. As a result, an increase in pressure inside the airbag is suppressed, and excessive inflation of the airbag is prevented.

  On the other hand, when sitting deeply in the seat like a large-body man, the distance between the airbag and the occupant is relatively large, so the positions of the coolants 46a and 46d are the gas exhaust with the smallest opening area. It is adjusted so as to face the outlet groups 21a and 21a ′. As a result, the amount of combustion gas passing through the coolants 46a and 46b is suppressed, the degree of cooling is reduced, and the temperature reduction of the combustion gas flowing to the airbag is suppressed. As a result, a pressure drop inside the airbag is prevented, and sufficient expansion of the airbag can be achieved.

  If necessary, the coolant 46a, 46b is moved so that it does not face any of the gas discharge ports (groups) 21, and all the combustion gas does not pass through the coolant 46a, 46b and enters the airbag. The airbag can also be maximally inflated as it flows in.

(2) Presence / absence of occupant wearing seat belt (detected by seat belt wearing sensor)
When the occupant wears a seat belt, the impact of the seat belt is avoided by the action of the seat belt, or even if the occupant collides with the handle, the impact at the time of collision is weakened. , 46d are adjusted so as to face the gas discharge port groups 21d and 21d ′ having the largest opening area.

  On the other hand, when the occupant is not wearing a seat belt, a stronger restraining force is required. Therefore, the positions of the coolants 46a and 46d are adjusted so as to face the gas outlet groups 21a and 21a ′ having the smallest opening area. Is done.

(3) State of passenger seat position (detected by boarding position sensor)
From the same viewpoint as the seated state of the occupant, the seat position, that is, whether the seat is pulled backward or forward is detected and adjusted.

  When the seat is extended forward, the positions of the coolants 46a and 46d are adjusted so as to face the gas discharge port groups 21d and 21d 'having the largest opening area.

  On the other hand, when the seat is pulled backward, the positions of the coolants 46a and 46d are adjusted so as to face the gas outlet groups 21a and 21a 'having the smallest opening area.

(4) Crew weight (detected by weight sensor)
When the weight of the occupant is light (mainly women and children), the positions of the coolants 46a and 46d are adjusted so as to face the gas outlet groups 21d and 21d ′ having the largest opening area.

  On the other hand, when the weight of the occupant is heavy (mainly male), a sufficient restraining force is required. Therefore, the positions of the coolants 46a and 46d are opposed to the gas outlet groups 21a and 21a ′ having the smallest opening area. Adjusted.

(5) Environmental temperature (detected by the temperature sensor inside the vehicle)
When the environmental temperature is high as in the summer, the temperature inside the inflator also increases, so compared to when the environmental temperature is low as in the winter, the combustion rate of the gas generant is faster, and the gas ejection speed from the inflator is higher. It may be faster. Therefore, the positions of the coolants 46a and 46d are adjusted so as to face the gas discharge port groups 21d and 21d ′ having the largest opening area.

  On the other hand, when the environmental temperature is low, the positions of the coolants 46a and 46d are adjusted so as to face the gas discharge port groups 21a and 21a 'having the smallest opening area.

(6) Vehicle speed (detected by speed sensor)
When the motor vehicle collides, the impact received is smaller as the vehicle speed is slower. Therefore, when the vehicle speed is slow, the position of the coolant 46a, 46d is the gas outlet with the largest opening area to suppress the inflation pressure of the airbag. It is adjusted so as to face the groups 21d and 21d ′.

  On the other hand, the higher the vehicle speed, the greater the impact received, so the restraining performance needs to be improved. That is, when the vehicle speed is high, in order to obtain a sufficient restraining force, the positions of the coolants 46a and 46d are adjusted so as to face the gas discharge port groups 21a and 21a 'having the smallest opening area.

  As described above, the temperature of the gas introduced into the airbag is adjusted according to various factors such as the seating state of the occupant, and the maximum pressure during inflation of the airbag (the temperature of the gas flowing into the airbag) is adjusted. Can be fine-tuned. For this reason, in the event of a vehicle collision, it is possible to appropriately protect the occupant from impacts and to prevent the occupant from being damaged by the inflation of the airbag itself.

  In the forms (1) to (6), when the information from each sensor is extreme, the positions of the coolants 46a and 46b are the gas outlet groups 21d and 21d 'or the gas outlet groups 21a and 21a'. As described above, as a matter of course, the positions of the coolants 46a and 46b may be the gas discharge port groups 21b and 21b ′ or the gas discharge port groups 21c and 21c ′.

<Airbag device-2>
Next, the airbag apparatus 100 (a combination of the module case 30, the gas generator 10, an airbag not shown, and the control circuit 70) shown in FIG. 6 will be described. FIG. 6 is a perspective view for explaining an assembly method of the airbag device in the same manner as FIG. The module case 30 shown in FIG. 6 is the same as that of FIG. 4 except for the annular support member.

  An annular support member 50 is rotatably disposed on the base 31. The annular support member 50 has an annular portion 51 and a flange 52 formed around the annular portion 51, and a gear 53 is formed on the entire peripheral edge portion of the flange 52.

  As shown in FIG. 5, an annular groove (or annular rail) 33 is formed around the hole 32 of the base 31, and the annular support member 50 has an annular groove (or annular rail) 33 at the lower portion of the annular portion 51. The whole is rotatably supported by being fitted in. The flange 52 (gear 53) and the upper surface of the base 31 may be in contact with each other, or a slight gap may be formed between them so that the annular support member 50 can be easily rotated.

  Coolants 56 a and 56 b formed integrally with the annular part 51 are attached to a part of the annular part 51. The coolants 56 a and 56 b are in positions that face each other in the radial direction, and a gap is formed when facing the gas discharge port group 21 of the gas generator 10.

  The coolants 56a and 56b are made of iron having a thickness of 1 mm, and a plurality of longitudinal grooves 57 (only the grooves 57 of the coolant 56b are displayed on the inner peripheral surface facing the gas generator 10 to increase the cooling efficiency. Is formed.

  In the airbag device 100 shown in FIG. 6, the occupant protection performance is enhanced by adjusting the positions of the coolants 56 a and 56 b in the same manner as the above-described embodiments (1) to (6) of the airbag device 1.

  In the above embodiment, gear engagement is used as the rotation mechanism of the annular support members 40 and 50, but the driving method is not limited to gears. Moreover, the said embodiment shows this invention concretely, and this invention is not limited to these embodiment.

(A) is a perspective view of the gas generator used with the airbag apparatus of this invention, (b) is the partial expanded view of (a). The longitudinal cross-sectional view of Fig.1 (a). (A) is a top view of the airbag apparatus of this invention, (b) is a front view of (a). The perspective view for demonstrating the assembly method of the airbag apparatus of this invention. The fragmentary sectional view for demonstrating the assembly method of the airbag apparatus of this invention. The perspective view for demonstrating the assembly method of the airbag apparatus of other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,100 Airbag apparatus 10 Gas generator 21 (21a-21d, 21a'-21d ') Gas discharge port group 30 Module case 31 Base 32 Hole 40, 50 Annular support member 46a, 46b, 56a, 56b Coolant 48 Gear 60 Motor 62 Pinion gear 70 Control circuit

Claims (9)

An air bag device including a module case containing a gas generator and an air bag and a control circuit;
The gas generator contains a gas generating agent in a housing;
The housing has a plurality of gas discharge ports with different opening areas arranged separately on the peripheral wall thereof,
In the module case, a coolant that is movable in the circumferential direction is arranged,
An airbag device in which the position of the coolant can be adjusted so as to face at least a part of the plurality of gas discharge ports according to an instruction from the control circuit. In the module case, an annular support member is disposed so as to face the peripheral wall of the gas generator having a plurality of gas discharge ports and to be rotatable.
The annular support member has one or more coolants on a part of a surface facing the peripheral wall of the gas generator;
The airbag apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the annular support member is rotated in a circumferential direction by an instruction of the control circuit, and the position of the coolant is adjusted so as to face only a part of the plurality of gas discharge ports. .   The annular support member is formed with a gear at a peripheral portion thereof, and the gear and a pinion gear attached to a motor driven by an instruction from the control circuit are meshed, and the pinion gear and the gear are The airbag apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the annular support member is rotated by interlocking.   The air according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the annular support member has an opening and a non-opening, and one or more coolants are fixed in a state where a part of the opening is closed. Bag device.   The airbag apparatus in any one of Claims 1-3 whose said coolant is a metal plate.   The airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the coolant is a metal plate and has irregularities on a surface facing the gas discharge port.   The airbag apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein when the gas discharge port and the coolant are opposed to each other, they are not in contact with each other and there is an interval therebetween.   The airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the gas discharge ports of the plurality of gas discharge ports facing each other in the radial direction have the same opening area. The coolant position adjustment is performed according to one or more factors selected from the seated state of the occupant, whether the occupant is wearing a seat belt, the seat position of the occupant, the weight of the occupant, the environmental temperature, and the vehicle speed. The airbag apparatus in any one of 1-8.

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