JP2010023578A - Airbag device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To absorb collision energy of a collision body not only when a weight of the collision body colliding with an airbag is large but also when the weight of the collision body is small, without using a physique detection means. <P>SOLUTION: An airbag device 10 includes an airbag 12, a gas generator 14 for supplying gas to the airbag 12, a gas exhausting pipe 16 having a gas exhausting passage 34 for exhausting internal gas of the airbag 12 to the outside, and a gas exhausting amount adjusting mechanism 18 for adjusting an opening degree of the gas exhausting passage 34 when the collision body collides with the airbag 12 while the airbag 12 is expanded and deployed. The gas exhausting amount adjusting mechanism 18 reduces the opening degree of the gas exhausting passage 34 as an internal pressure rise of the airbag 12 is larger when the collision body of the airbag 12 collides. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an airbag apparatus, and more particularly, to an airbag apparatus having a structure for discharging internal gas of an airbag to the outside when a collision body collides with an airbag in an inflated and deployed state.

  Conventionally, there are the following as this type of airbag device (for example, refer to Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

  That is, the airbag device described in Patent Literature 1 includes a physique detection unit that detects the physique of the occupant and an exhaust amount control unit that controls the exhaust amount of the internal gas of the airbag. Based on the detection result, when the occupant's physique is large, the displacement control means is controlled so as to reduce the displacement, compared to when the occupant's physique is small.

On the other hand, in the airbag device described in Patent Document 2, a pressure release valve is provided in the bag case in which the airbag is stored, and the pressure release valve is used when the pressure in the bag case becomes a predetermined value or more. It is configured to be open to.
JP 2001-278002 A JP-A-3-32957

  However, in the airbag device described in Patent Document 1, an electrical configuration is used for the physique detection means and the displacement control means. For this reason, there exists a problem that the structure of an apparatus is complicated and cost increases.

  Moreover, since a physique detection means cannot be used with respect to a pedestrian, it is impossible to apply the airbag apparatus of this patent document 1 to the airbag apparatus for pedestrian protection.

  Further, in the airbag device described in Patent Document 2, when the occupant who collided with the airbag is a small child, for example, a child, and the pressure in the bag case does not reach a predetermined value or more, There is a possibility that the release valve is not opened, and the discharge of the air inside the airbag is delayed, so that the collision energy of the occupant cannot be absorbed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is not only when the weight of the collision object that has collided with the airbag is large, but also when the weight of the collision object is small, the collision energy of the collision object. It is another object of the present invention to provide an airbag apparatus that can absorb the above-described problem and can perform this without using a physique detection means.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an airbag device capable of reducing the cost by simplifying the configuration of the device.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the airbag device according to claim 1 is an airbag that is inflated and deployed by receiving supply of gas, a gas generator that supplies the gas to the airbag, and the airbag. A gas discharge portion having a gas discharge passage for discharging the internal gas to the outside, and when a collision body collides with the airbag when the airbag is in an inflated and deployed state, A gas discharge amount adjusting unit that adjusts an opening degree of the gas discharge passage according to the collision load so that a gas discharge amount from the gas discharge passage decreases as a collision load from the collision body that acts is large; It has.

  In the airbag device according to the first aspect, for example, when the gas is supplied from the gas generator to the airbag when the collision of the vehicle is detected, the airbag is inflated and deployed. When the collision body collides with the airbag while the airbag is inflated and deployed, the internal energy of the airbag is discharged to the outside through the gas discharge passage, so that the collision energy of the collision body is reduced. Absorbed.

  Here, in the airbag device according to claim 1, when the collision body collides with the airbag and the internal gas of the airbag is discharged from the gas discharge passage to the outside, the opening degree of the gas discharge passage is the gas discharge amount. It is adjusted by the adjustment unit.

  In other words, when the weight of the collision body that has collided with the airbag is large, that is, when the collision load from the collision body that has acted on the airbag is large, the gas discharge amount adjustment unit reduces the amount of internal gas discharged from the airbag. The opening degree of the gas discharge passage is adjusted so as to decrease. On the other hand, when the weight of the collision body that has collided with the airbag is small, that is, when the collision load from the collision body that has acted on the airbag is small, the gas discharge amount adjustment unit reduces the amount of internal gas discharged from the airbag. The opening degree of the gas discharge passage is adjusted so as to increase. Thereby, not only when the weight of the collision body is large, but also when the weight of the collision body is small, the collision energy of the collision body can be absorbed.

  Moreover, in the airbag device according to the first aspect, since the gas discharge amount adjusting unit described above is configured to adjust the opening degree of the gas discharge passage according to the collision load, no physique detection means is required.

  Thus, according to the airbag device of the first aspect, not only when the weight of the collision body that collided with the airbag is large, but also when the weight of the collision body that collided with the airbag is small, The collision energy can be absorbed, and this can be done without using the physique detection means.

  The airbag device according to claim 2 is the airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the gas discharge amount adjustment unit increases the internal pressure of the airbag when the collision body collides with the airbag. It is set as the structure which decreases the opening degree of the said gas exhaust passage, so that is large.

  According to the airbag device of claim 2, by using a configuration in which the opening degree of the gas discharge passage is reduced as the increase in the internal pressure of the airbag caused by the collision of the collision body with the airbag increases. It is possible to realize a configuration in which the opening degree of the gas discharge passage is adjusted according to the collision load so that the larger the collision load from the collision body acting on the airbag, the smaller the gas discharge amount from the gas discharge passage. .

  The airbag device according to claim 3 is the airbag device according to claim 2, wherein the gas discharge amount adjustment portion includes a valve portion and a valve seat portion that constitute a valve opening communicating with the gas discharge passage, The valve portion is formed integrally, and is displaceable in the contact / separation direction of the valve portion with respect to the valve seat portion, and the internal pressure of the airbag is increased in the approaching direction of the valve portion to the valve seat portion. The valve member is configured to have a receiving member, and a biasing member that biases the valve member in a direction away from the valve seat portion of the valve portion.

  In the airbag device according to claim 3, when the collision body collides with the airbag and the internal gas of the airbag is discharged to the outside from the gas discharge passage, the opening degree of the gas discharge passage is set to the valve portion and the valve seat portion. The gas discharge amount adjusting unit is configured to include a valve member and an urging member.

  That is, when the increase in the internal pressure of the airbag due to the collision of the collision body with the airbag is large, the pressure acting on the valve member is high, so the amount of displacement of the valve member against the urging force of the urging member Is big. Accordingly, the valve opening formed by the valve portion and the valve seat portion is closed or narrowed, and the degree of reduction in the opening degree of the gas discharge passage is large, so that the amount of internal gas discharged from the airbag is reduced.

  On the other hand, when the increase in the internal pressure of the airbag due to the collision of the collision body with the airbag is small, the pressure acting on the valve member is low, so the amount of displacement of the valve member against the biasing force of the biasing member Is small. Therefore, compared with the case where the increase in the internal pressure of the airbag is large, a large valve opening is ensured and the degree of decrease in the opening of the gas discharge passage is small, so the amount of internal gas discharged from the airbag increases. .

  Thus, according to the airbag device of the third aspect, by using the valve portion, the valve seat portion, the valve member, and the urging member, the interior of the airbag caused by the collision of the collision body with the airbag. It is possible to realize a configuration in which the opening degree of the gas discharge passage is reduced as the pressure rises.

  Moreover, according to the airbag device of the third aspect, since the gas discharge amount adjusting portion is a mechanical configuration including the valve portion, the valve seat portion, the valve member, and the biasing member, the configuration of the device Can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

  The airbag device according to claim 4 is the airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the larger the deformation of the airbag due to the collision of the collision body with the airbag, the gas discharge amount adjustment unit. The opening of the gas discharge passage is reduced.

  According to the airbag device of claim 4, by using a configuration in which the opening degree of the gas discharge passage is decreased as the deformation of the airbag caused by the collision of the collision body with the airbag increases, It is possible to realize a configuration in which the opening degree of the gas discharge passage is adjusted according to the collision load so that the larger the collision load from the acting collision body, the smaller the gas discharge amount from the gas discharge passage.

  The airbag device according to claim 5 is the airbag device according to claim 4, wherein the gas discharge amount adjusting portion includes a valve portion and a valve seat portion constituting a valve opening communicating with the gas discharge passage, The valve part is formed integrally, and a valve member that is displaceable in a direction in which the valve part comes into contact with and separates from the valve seat part, and the valve member is attached in a direction in which the valve part approaches the valve seat part. An urging member that urges, a string member that connects the valve member and the airbag, and pulls the valve member in a direction away from the valve seat portion of the valve portion when the airbag is inflated and deployed. And it is set as the structure which has.

  In the airbag device according to claim 5, when the collision body collides with the airbag and the internal gas of the airbag is discharged to the outside from the gas discharge passage, the opening degree of the gas discharge passage is set to the valve portion and the valve seat portion. It is adjusted by a gas discharge amount adjusting unit configured to have a valve member, a string member, and an urging member.

  That is, when the deformation of the airbag due to the collision of the collision body with the airbag is large, the tensile force from the airbag acting on the valve member via the string member is small, and the biasing member is biased by the biasing member. The displacement amount of the valve member due to this is large. Accordingly, the valve opening formed by the valve portion and the valve seat portion is closed or narrowed, and the degree of reduction in the opening degree of the gas discharge passage is large, so that the amount of internal gas discharged from the airbag is reduced.

  On the other hand, when the deformation of the airbag caused by the collision of the collision body with the airbag is small, the tensile force from the airbag acting on the valve member via the string member is large, and therefore, the airbag is biased by the biasing member. Therefore, the displacement amount of the valve member is small. Therefore, compared with the case where the increase in the internal pressure of the airbag is large, a large valve opening is ensured and the degree of decrease in the opening of the gas discharge passage is small, so the amount of internal gas discharged from the airbag increases. .

  Thus, according to the airbag device of the fifth aspect, by using the valve portion and the valve seat portion, the valve member, the string member, and the biasing member, the air accompanying the collision of the collision body with the airbag. A configuration in which the opening degree of the gas discharge passage is reduced as the deformation of the bag is larger can be realized.

  Moreover, according to the airbag device of the fifth aspect, the gas discharge amount adjustment unit has a mechanical configuration including a valve unit and a valve seat unit, a valve member, a string member, and an urging member. It is possible to reduce the cost by simplifying the configuration of the apparatus.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the airbag device according to claim 6 is an airbag that is inflated and deployed by receiving supply of gas, a gas generator that supplies the gas to the airbag, A gas discharge portion having a gas discharge passage for discharging the internal gas of the airbag to the outside, a valve portion and a valve seat portion constituting a valve opening communicating with the gas discharge passage, and the valve portion are integrally formed. And a valve member that is displaceable in a direction in which the valve portion contacts and separates from the valve seat portion and receives an internal pressure of the airbag in a direction in which the valve portion approaches the valve seat portion, and the valve portion An urging member that urges the valve member in a direction away from the valve seat portion.

  In the airbag device according to the sixth aspect, for example, when the gas is supplied from the gas generator to the airbag when the collision of the vehicle is detected, the airbag is inflated and deployed. When the collision body collides with the airbag while the airbag is inflated and deployed, the internal energy of the airbag is discharged to the outside through the gas discharge passage, so that the collision energy of the collision body is reduced. Absorbed.

  Here, in the airbag device according to claim 6, when the collision body collides with the airbag and the internal gas of the airbag is discharged from the gas discharge passage to the outside, the opening degree of the gas discharge passage is set to the valve portion and It is adjusted by the valve seat part, the valve member, and the biasing member.

  That is, when the increase in the internal pressure of the airbag due to the collision of the collision body with the airbag is large, the pressure acting on the valve member is high, so the amount of displacement of the valve member against the urging force of the urging member Is big. Accordingly, the valve opening formed by the valve portion and the valve seat portion is closed or narrowed, and the degree of reduction in the opening degree of the gas discharge passage is large, so that the amount of internal gas discharged from the airbag is reduced.

  On the other hand, when the increase in the internal pressure of the airbag due to the collision of the collision body with the airbag is small, the pressure acting on the valve member is low, so the amount of displacement of the valve member against the biasing force of the biasing member Is small. Therefore, compared with the case where the increase in the internal pressure of the airbag is large, a large valve opening is ensured and the degree of decrease in the opening of the gas discharge passage is small, so the amount of internal gas discharged from the airbag increases. . Thereby, not only when the weight of the collision body is large, but also when the weight of the collision body is small, the collision energy of the collision body can be absorbed.

  In addition, in the airbag device according to claim 6, the valve portion, the valve seat portion, the valve member, and the urging member have a greater increase in the internal pressure of the airbag due to the collision of the collision body with the airbag. Since it is set as the structure which reduces the opening degree of a discharge passage, a physique detection means is unnecessary.

  Thus, according to the airbag device of the sixth aspect, not only when the weight of the collision body that collided with the airbag is large, but also when the weight of the collision body that collided with the airbag is small, The collision energy can be absorbed, and this can be done without using the physique detection means.

  Further, according to the airbag device of the sixth aspect, the mechanism for adjusting the gas discharge amount is a mechanical configuration including the valve portion, the valve seat portion, the valve member, and the biasing member. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the cost by simplifying the configuration of the apparatus.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the airbag device according to claim 7 is an airbag that is inflated and deployed by receiving supply of gas, a gas generator that supplies the gas to the airbag, A gas discharge portion having a gas discharge passage for discharging the internal gas of the airbag to the outside, a valve portion and a valve seat portion constituting a valve opening communicating with the gas discharge passage, and the valve portion are integrally formed. And a valve member that is displaceable in a direction in which the valve portion is moved toward and away from the valve seat portion, a biasing member that biases the valve member in a direction in which the valve portion approaches the valve seat portion, A valve member and the airbag are connected, and the valve is separated in a direction away from the valve seat portion as the airbag is inflated and deployed. It is provided with a cord material pulling the wood, the.

  In the airbag device according to the seventh aspect, for example, when gas is supplied from the gas generator to the airbag when a collision of the vehicle is detected, the airbag is inflated and deployed. When the collision body collides with the airbag while the airbag is inflated and deployed, the internal energy of the airbag is discharged to the outside through the gas discharge passage, so that the collision energy of the collision body is reduced. Absorbed.

  Here, in the airbag device according to claim 7, when the collision body collides with the airbag and the internal gas of the airbag is discharged from the gas discharge passage to the outside, the opening degree of the gas discharge passage is set to the valve portion and It is adjusted by a valve seat part, a valve member, a string material, and an urging member.

  That is, when the deformation of the airbag due to the collision of the collision body with the airbag is large, the tensile force from the airbag acting on the valve member via the string member is small, and the biasing member is biased by the biasing member. The displacement amount of the valve member due to this is large. Accordingly, the valve opening formed by the valve portion and the valve seat portion is closed or narrowed, and the degree of reduction in the opening degree of the gas discharge passage is large, so that the amount of internal gas discharged from the airbag is reduced.

  On the other hand, when the deformation of the airbag caused by the collision of the collision body with the airbag is small, the tensile force from the airbag acting on the valve member via the string member is large, and therefore, the airbag is biased by the biasing member. Therefore, the displacement amount of the valve member is small. Therefore, compared with the case where the increase in the internal pressure of the airbag is large, a large valve opening is ensured and the degree of decrease in the opening of the gas discharge passage is small, so the amount of internal gas discharged from the airbag increases. . Thereby, not only when the weight of the collision body is large, but also when the weight of the collision body is small, the collision energy of the collision body can be absorbed.

  Moreover, in the airbag device according to claim 7, the valve portion and the valve seat portion, the valve member, the string member, and the urging member are more gasized as the deformation of the airbag caused by the collision of the collision body with the airbag increases. Since it is set as the structure which reduces the opening degree of a discharge passage, a physique detection means is unnecessary.

  Thus, according to the airbag device of the seventh aspect, not only when the weight of the collision body colliding with the airbag is large, but also when the weight of the collision body colliding with the airbag is small, The collision energy can be absorbed, and this can be done without using the physique detection means.

  Further, according to the airbag device of the seventh aspect, since the mechanism for adjusting the gas discharge amount has a mechanical configuration including the valve portion, the valve seat portion, the valve member, and the urging member. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the cost by simplifying the configuration of the apparatus.

  As described above in detail, according to the present invention, not only when the weight of the collision body colliding with the airbag is large, but also when the weight of the collision body is small, the collision energy of the collision body can be absorbed, Moreover, this can be done without using a physique detection means. In addition, the configuration of the apparatus can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

[First embodiment]
First, the airbag apparatus 10 which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.

  FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration of an airbag apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The airbag apparatus 10 shown in this figure is, for example, attached to the inside of an automobile for protecting an occupant or attached outside the automobile for protecting a pedestrian, and includes an airbag 12 and a gas generator. 14, a gas discharge pipe 16 as a gas discharge unit, and a gas discharge amount adjustment mechanism 18 as a gas discharge amount adjustment unit are provided as main components.

  The airbag 12 is attached to a storage case 20 fixed to the vehicle body via a metal base plate 22, and is configured to be inflated and deployed upon receiving gas supply. In FIG. 1, the airbag 12 is shown in an inflated and deployed state.

  By the way, in general, the airbag has a vent hole, and the collision energy is absorbed by discharging the internal gas from the vent hole. However, in the airbag apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as will be described later, the gas discharge pipe 16 and the gas discharge amount adjusting mechanism 18 are provided, and the internal gas of the airbag 12 is discharged from these. Since it is set as the structure, the airbag 12 is set as the structure which does not have a vent hole.

  The gas generator 14 is disposed inside the airbag 12 and is attached to the storage case 20 via the base plate 22. This gas generator 14 is configured to have a plurality of gas injection ports 24, and a control signal output from a control unit (not shown) when a collision between the host vehicle and a counterpart vehicle or between the host vehicle and a pedestrian is detected. Is input, a high-pressure gas is injected from the gas injection port 24 and this gas is supplied to the airbag 12.

  FIG. 2 shows the details of the gas discharge pipe 16 and the gas discharge amount adjusting mechanism 18 shown in FIG. As shown in this figure, the gas discharge pipe 16 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape having a flange portion 28, a cylindrical portion 30, and a bottom portion 32, and is cylindrical in the hole portion 26 formed in the storage case 20. The flange 30 is fixed to the storage case 20 with the portion 30 inserted.

  The internal space of the gas discharge pipe 16 serves as a gas discharge passage 34 for discharging the internal gas of the airbag 12 to the outside. That is, the inlet of the gas discharge passage 34 is a communication port 35 that communicates with the inside of the airbag 12, and the outlet of the gas discharge passage 34 is formed in a substantially circular shape in the cylindrical portion 30 to the outside. A plurality of opened gas discharge ports 36 are provided.

  The gas discharge amount adjusting mechanism 18 is for adjusting the opening degree of the gas discharge passage 34, and includes a valve portion 38, a valve seat portion 40, a valve member 42, and a coil spring 44 as an urging member. , And a bolt 46.

  The valve portion 38 is formed integrally with the valve member 42, and the valve seat portion 40 is formed integrally with the flange portion 28 of the gas discharge pipe 16 described above. The valve portion 38 and the valve seat portion 40 are for adjusting the opening degree of the gas discharge passage 34, and are arranged on the upstream side (inside the airbag 12) with respect to the gas discharge passage 34, and the gas discharge A valve opening 48 communicating with the passage 34 is formed.

  The valve member 42 has a hole 50 at the center, and is supported by the bolt 46 so as to be movable in the axial direction by inserting the bolt 46 into the hole 50. The valve member 42 is formed with a pressure receiving portion 52 on the side opposite to the valve seat portion 40 with respect to the valve portion 38. The pressure receiving portion 52 is directed to the inside of the above-described airbag 12 and is flat. It is formed in a shape. That is, the pressure receiving part 52 is configured to receive the internal pressure of the airbag 12 in the approaching direction of the valve part 38 to the valve seat part 40.

  The hole 50 of the valve member 42 is formed with a smaller diameter than the head 54 formed on the bolt 46, thereby preventing the valve member 42 from coming off from the bolt 46. The bolt 46 extends along the contact / separation direction (Z1 direction, Z2 direction) of the valve portion 38 with respect to the valve seat portion 40, and the screw portion 58 is formed in the screw hole 56 formed in the gas exhaust pipe 16. The gas exhaust pipe 16 is fixed by being screwed.

  The coil spring 44 is accommodated in the gas exhaust pipe 16 and has bolts 46 inserted therein. Both ends of the coil spring 44 are formed in the seat portion 60 formed in the valve member 42 and the bottom portion 32 of the gas exhaust pipe 16. The seat 62 is supported. As shown in FIG. 2, the coil spring 44 has a free length that is longer than the length A between the seat portions 60 and 62 when the valve portion 38 is farthest from the valve seat portion 40. Is formed.

That is, the coil spring 44 is interposed between the valve member 42 and the gas discharge pipe 16 in a compressed state, and the valve member 42 is moved away from the valve seat 40 in the valve portion 38 (Z2 direction). Is energized against. Note that the gap between the valve portion 38 and the valve seat portion 40 is L ₀ when the airbag 12 is not inflated and deployed and pressure is not acting on the pressure receiving portion 52.

  The spring constant of the coil spring 44 is set in advance so that the valve portion 38 and the valve seat portion 40 are operated as follows according to the internal pressure of the airbag 12.

  Here, FIG. 3 shows the gas discharge amount adjusting mechanism 18 when the airbag 12 is inflated and deployed, but the collision body does not collide with the airbag 12. 4A shows the airbag device 10 when a heavy impact body 120 collides with the airbag 12, and FIG. 4B shows a collision body 122 with a small weight colliding with the airbag 12. The airbag device 10 is shown. 5A and 5B show the details of the gas discharge amount adjusting mechanism 18 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3, when the airbag 12 is inflated and deployed but the collision body does not collide with the airbag 12, the coil spring 44 has a gap L ₁ between the valve portion 38 and the valve seat portion 40. As shown in FIG. 5A, when the heavy impact body 120 collides with the airbag 12, the valve portion 38 comes into contact with or close to the valve seat portion 40, and as shown in FIG. The spring constant is set in advance so that the gap between the valve portion 38 and the valve seat portion 40 becomes L ₂ when the collision body 122 having a small weight collides with the valve body 38.

  Further, the surface area of the pressure receiving portion 52 described above is set in advance so that the coil spring 44 can be expanded and contracted as described above according to the internal pressure of the airbag 12.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, by using the valve portion 38, the valve seat portion 40, the valve member 42, the bolt 46, and the coil spring 44, the airbag 12 associated with the collision with the airbag 12. A configuration is realized in which the opening degree of the gas discharge passage 34 is reduced as the increase in the internal pressure increases.

  Further, by using a configuration in which the opening degree of the gas discharge passage 34 is reduced as the internal pressure of the airbag 12 increases as the collision body collides with the airbag 12, the collision that acts on the airbag 12 is performed. A configuration is realized in which the opening degree of the gas discharge passage 34 is adjusted according to the collision load so that the amount of gas discharge from the gas discharge passage 34 decreases as the collision load from the body increases.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the collision body corresponds to an occupant, for example, when the airbag device 10 is attached to the interior of an automobile for occupant protection, and the airbag device 10 is a pedestrian. When attached outside the car for protection, it corresponds to a pedestrian. In addition, when the collision body is an occupant or a pedestrian, the case where the weight of the collision body is large is, for example, a case where the occupant or pedestrian is large like an adult, and a case where the weight of the collision body is small. Is, for example, when the occupant or pedestrian is as small as a child.

  Next, the operation and effect of the airbag device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the airbag apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a control signal output from a control unit (not shown) is input to the gas generator 14 when a collision between the own vehicle and the opponent vehicle or the own vehicle and a pedestrian is detected. Then, the gas generator 14 injects high-pressure gas from the gas injection port 24. Further, when the gas is supplied from the gas generator 14 to the airbag 12, the airbag 12 is inflated and deployed as shown in FIG. When the collision body collides with the airbag 12 when the airbag 12 is inflated and deployed, the internal gas of the airbag 12 is discharged from the gas discharge passage 34 to the outside, so that the collision body The collision energy is absorbed.

  Here, in the airbag apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, when a collision body collides with the airbag 12 and the internal gas of the airbag 12 is discharged to the outside from the gas discharge path 34, the gas discharge path 34 is adjusted by a gas discharge amount adjusting mechanism 18 including a valve portion 38, a valve seat portion 40, a valve member 42, and a coil spring 44.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 4A, when the increase in the internal pressure of the airbag 12 due to the collision body 120 colliding with the airbag 12 is large, as shown in FIG. Since the acting pressure P is high, the displacement amount of the valve member 42 against the urging force of the coil spring 44 is large. Accordingly, the valve opening 48 formed by the valve portion 38 and the valve seat portion 40 is closed or narrowed, and the degree of decrease in the opening degree of the gas discharge passage 34 is large. Less.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the increase in the internal pressure of the airbag 12 due to the collision body 122 colliding with the airbag 12 is small, as shown in FIG. Since the acting pressure P is low, the displacement amount of the valve member 42 against the urging force of the coil spring 44 is small. Therefore, compared with the case where the increase in the internal pressure of the airbag 12 is large, the valve opening 48 is secured large and the degree of decrease in the opening degree of the gas discharge passage 34 is small. The amount increases.

  That is, the internal pressure of the airbag 12 is adjusted as follows. FIG. 6 shows the relationship between the internal pressure of the airbag 12 and the time from when the airbag 12 is inflated and deployed until the collision energy of the colliding body is absorbed.

  That is, when high-pressure gas is supplied from the gas generator 14 to the folded airbag 12 at time T1 after collision detection, the airbag 12 destroys a resin module cover (not shown) at time T2, and time T3. Fully expands with. Thereafter, when the collision object collides with the airbag 12 at time T4, the internal pressure of the airbag 12 temporarily rises. At this time, when the weight of the collision object is large, as shown by the solid line graph G1, the increase in the internal pressure of the airbag 12 is large, and conversely, when the weight of the collision object is small, the broken line graph As indicated by G2, the increase in the internal pressure of the airbag 12 is small.

  Then, as shown by the solid line graph G1, when the increase in the internal pressure of the airbag 12 is large, the internal gas of the airbag 12 is discharged from the gap between the fibers of the airbag 12, or is narrowed to a small extent. Since the amount of the internal gas discharged from the gas discharge passage 34 through the valve opening 48 is reduced, the internal pressure of the air bag 12 slowly decreases.

  On the contrary, as shown by the broken line graph G2, when the increase in the internal pressure of the airbag 12 is small, the valve opening 48 is secured larger than when the increase in the internal pressure of the airbag 12 is large. Therefore, the amount of gas discharged from the gas discharge passage 34 is increased and the weight of the collision object indicated by the solid line graph G1 is large. The internal pressure of the liquid drops quickly.

  Therefore, according to the airbag apparatus 10 which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention, not only when the weight of a collision body is large, but also when the weight of a collision body is small, the collision energy of a collision body can be absorbed. .

  In addition, in the airbag device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the gas discharge passage increases as the internal pressure of the airbag 12 increases as the gas discharge amount adjusting mechanism 18 collides with the airbag 12. Since it is set as the structure which reduces the opening degree of 34, a physique detection means is unnecessary.

  Thus, according to the airbag apparatus 10 which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention, not only when the weight of the collision body which collided with the airbag 12 is large, the weight of the collision body which collided with the airbag 12 is small. Even in this case, the collision energy of the collision object can be absorbed, and this can be performed without using the physique detection means.

  Moreover, according to the airbag apparatus 10 which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention, the gas discharge | emission amount adjustment mechanism 18 is the mechanical provided with the valve part 38 and the valve seat part 40, the valve member 42, the coil spring 44, and the volt | bolt 46. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the cost by simplifying the configuration of the apparatus.

  Further, according to the airbag device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, when the weight of the collision body that has collided with the airbag 12 is large, the valve opening 48 is closed or narrowed small. Compared to the configuration in which the valve opening 48 is opened largely when the weight of the collision body that has collided with the bag 12 is large, the pressure of the gas for inflating and deploying the airbag 12 can be lowered. Thereby, since the thing with a small capacity | capacitance and cheap things (for example, the simple thing which injects compressed air etc.) can be used for the gas generator 14, the airbag apparatus 10 can be reduced in size and cost.

  As mentioned above, although 1st embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited above, Of course, it can change and implement variously in the range which does not deviate from the main point. is there.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the gas discharge amount adjusting mechanism 18 is configured to include the valve portion 38, the valve seat portion 40, the valve member 42, and the coil spring 44, but the collision body collides with the airbag 12. As long as the increase in the internal pressure of the airbag 12 is increased, the opening degree of the gas discharge passage 34 is decreased, and other configurations may be employed.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the valve | bulb part 38 and the valve seat part 40 may be formed in the taper shape diameter-reduced as it goes to the gas exhaust passage 34 side (downstream side), as FIG. 7 shows. If comprised in this way, the flow of the gas from the inside of the airbag 12 to the gas exhaust passage 34 can be made smooth.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the airbag 12 was set as the structure which does not have a vent hole, you may be set as the structure which has a vent hole.

  In the above embodiment, the valve portion 38 and the valve seat portion 40 are arranged on the upstream side (inside the airbag 12) with respect to the gas discharge passage 34, but on the downstream side (outside side) with respect to the gas discharge passage 34. May be arranged.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, the airbag apparatus 70 which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.

  FIG. 8 shows an overall configuration of an airbag apparatus 70 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The airbag apparatus 70 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is different from the above-described airbag apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention in that a gas is discharged instead of the gas discharge pipe 16 and the gas discharge amount adjusting mechanism 18. A discharge pipe 76 and a gas discharge amount adjustment mechanism 78 are provided.

  Note that in the airbag device 70 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the configuration other than the gas discharge pipe 76 and the gas discharge amount adjusting mechanism 78 is the same as that of the airbag device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention described above. Since they are the same, the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment of the present invention described above are used and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 9 shows in detail the gas discharge pipe 76 and the gas discharge amount adjusting mechanism 78 shown in FIG. As shown in this figure, the gas discharge pipe 76 as a gas discharge portion is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape having a flange portion 88, a cylindrical portion 90, and a bottom portion 92, and a hole formed in the storage case 20. In a state where the cylindrical portion 90 is inserted into the portion 26, the flange portion 88 is fixed to the storage case 20.

  The internal space of the gas exhaust pipe 76 serves as a gas exhaust passage 94 for exhausting the internal gas of the airbag 12 to the outside. That is, the inlet of the gas discharge passage 94 is a communication port 95 that communicates with the inside of the airbag 12, and the outlet of the gas discharge passage 94 is formed in a substantially circular shape in the cylindrical portion 90 to the outside. A plurality of opened gas discharge ports 96 are provided.

  The gas discharge amount adjusting mechanism 78 as the gas discharge amount adjusting portion is for adjusting the opening degree of the gas discharge passage 94 described above, and includes the valve portion 98, the valve seat portion 100, the valve member 102, and the urging force. A coil spring 104 as a member and a string member 106 are included.

  The valve portion 98 is formed integrally with the valve member 102, and the valve seat portion 100 is formed integrally with the flange portion 88 of the gas discharge pipe 76 described above. The valve portion 98 and the valve seat portion 100 are for adjusting the opening degree of the gas discharge passage 34, and are arranged on the upstream side (inside the airbag 12) with respect to the gas discharge passage 94, and the gas discharge A valve opening 108 communicating with the passage 94 is formed. Further, the valve portion 98 and the valve seat portion 100 are formed in a tapered shape having a diameter reduced toward the gas discharge passage 94 side (downstream side).

  The valve member 102 is in a free state with respect to the gas discharge pipe 76, and is thereby displaceable in the contact / separation direction (Z1 direction, Z2 direction) of the valve portion 98 with respect to the valve seat portion 100. Further, one end of the string member 106 in the longitudinal direction is connected to the valve member 102, and the other end of the string member 106 in the longitudinal direction is connected to a collision body in the airbag 12, as shown in FIG. Connected to the collision side.

  That is, the string member 106 is connected to the valve member 102 so that the valve member 102 can be pulled in the separating direction (Z2 direction) of the valve portion 98 with respect to the valve seat portion 100 as the airbag 12 is inflated and deployed. The airbag 12 is connected.

  The coil spring 104 is accommodated in the gas exhaust pipe 76, and both ends thereof are engaged with an engaging part 110 formed on the valve member 102 and an engaging part 112 formed on the bottom 92 of the gas exhaust pipe 76. Has been. The coil spring 104 has a free length shorter than the length B between the locking portions 110 and 112 when the valve portion 98 is in contact with the valve seat portion 100 (see FIG. 11A described later). Is formed.

  That is, the coil spring 104 is interposed between the valve member 102 and the gas exhaust pipe 76 in a tensioned state, and the valve member 102 is connected to the gas exhaust pipe 76 in the approaching direction (Z1 direction) of the valve portion 98 to the valve seat portion 100. Is energized against. The gas discharge amount adjusting mechanism 78 shown in FIG. 9 is in a state when the airbag 12 is inflated and deployed but no collision body collides with the airbag 12.

  Further, the spring constant of the coil spring 104 is set in advance so that the valve portion 98 and the valve seat portion 100 are operated as follows according to the deformation caused by the collision of the airbag 12 with the collision body.

  Here, FIG. 10A shows the airbag device 70 when a heavy impact body 120 collides with the airbag 12, and FIG. 10B shows a collision with a small impact body 122 on the airbag 12. The airbag device 70 is shown. Further, FIGS. 11A and 11B show the details of the gas discharge amount adjusting mechanism 78 of FIGS. 4A and 4B, respectively.

That is, as shown in FIG. 9, when the airbag 12 is inflated and deployed but the collision body does not collide with the airbag 12, the coil spring 104 has a gap L ₁ between the valve portion 98 and the valve seat portion 100. 11A, when the heavy impact body 120 collides with the airbag 12, as shown in FIG. 11B, the valve portion 98 contacts or approaches the valve seat portion 100. The spring constant is set in advance so that the gap between the valve portion 98 and the valve seat portion 100 becomes L ₂ when the collision body 122 having a small weight collides with the valve body 98.

  The length of the cord member 106 is set in advance so that the coil spring 104 can be expanded and contracted as described above according to the deformation of the airbag 12 caused by the collision of the collision body with the airbag 12. ing.

  In the second embodiment of the present invention, the air bag associated with the collision of the collision body with the airbag 12 by using the valve portion 98, the valve seat portion 100, the valve member 102, the string member 106, and the coil spring 104. A configuration in which the opening degree of the gas discharge passage 94 is reduced as the deformation of the 12 is larger is realized.

  Further, by using a configuration in which the opening degree of the gas discharge passage 94 is reduced as the deformation of the airbag 12 due to the collision of the collision body with the airbag 12 is increased, the collision from the collision body acting on the airbag 12 can be reduced. A configuration is realized in which the opening degree of the gas discharge passage 94 is adjusted in accordance with the collision load so that the gas discharge amount from the gas discharge passage 94 decreases as the collision load increases.

  In the second embodiment of the present invention, the collision body corresponds to an occupant, for example, when the airbag device 70 is attached to the interior of an automobile for occupant protection, and the airbag device 70 is a pedestrian. When attached outside the car for protection, it corresponds to a pedestrian. In addition, when the collision body is an occupant or a pedestrian, the case where the weight of the collision body is large is, for example, a case where the occupant or pedestrian is large like an adult, and a case where the weight of the collision body is small. Is, for example, when the occupant or pedestrian is as small as a child.

  Next, the operation and effect of the airbag apparatus 70 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the airbag device 70 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, a control signal output from a control unit (not shown) is input to the gas generator 14 when a collision between the host vehicle and the partner vehicle or the host vehicle and a pedestrian is detected. Then, the gas generator 14 injects high-pressure gas from the gas injection port 24. Further, when the gas is supplied from the gas generator 14 to the airbag 12, the airbag 12 is inflated and deployed as shown in FIG. When the collision body collides with the airbag 12 when the airbag 12 is inflated and deployed, the internal gas of the airbag 12 is discharged from the gas discharge passage 94 to the outside, so that the collision body The collision energy is absorbed.

  Here, in the airbag device 70 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, when a collision body collides with the airbag 12 and the internal gas of the airbag 12 is discharged from the gas discharge passage 94 to the outside, the gas discharge passage The opening degree of 94 is adjusted by a gas discharge amount adjusting mechanism 78 including a valve portion 98 and a valve seat portion 100, a valve member 102, a string member 106, and a coil spring 104.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 10A, when the deformation of the airbag 12 due to the collision body 120 colliding with the airbag 12 is large, the string member 106 becomes loose, as shown in FIG. 11A. Since the tensile force F from the airbag 12 acting on the valve member 102 via the string member 106 is small, the displacement amount of the valve member 102 due to being biased by the coil spring 104 is large. Accordingly, the valve opening 108 formed by the valve portion 98 and the valve seat portion 100 is closed or narrowed to a small extent, and the degree of decrease in the opening degree of the gas discharge passage 94 is large. Less.

  On the other hand, when the deformation of the airbag 12 due to the collision body 120 colliding with the airbag 12 is small as shown in FIG. 10B, the valve member is interposed via the string member 106 as shown in FIG. 11B. Since the tensile force F from the airbag 12 acting on 102 is large, the amount of displacement of the valve member 102 due to being biased by the coil spring 104 is small. Therefore, compared with the case where the increase in the internal pressure of the airbag 12 is large, the valve opening 108 is secured large, and the degree of decrease in the opening degree of the gas discharge passage 94 is small. The amount increases. Thereby, not only when the weight of the collision body is large, but also when the weight of the collision body is small, the collision energy of the collision body can be absorbed.

  Moreover, in the airbag apparatus 70 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the gas discharge passage 94 opens more as the deformation of the airbag 12 due to the collision of the collision body with the airbag 12 is larger. Since it is set as the structure which reduces a degree, a physique detection means is unnecessary.

  Thus, according to the airbag apparatus 70 which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention, not only when the weight of the collision body which collided with the airbag 12 is large, the weight of the collision body which collided with the airbag 12 is small. Even in this case, the collision energy of the collision object can be absorbed, and this can be performed without using the physique detection means.

  Moreover, according to the airbag apparatus 70 which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention, the gas discharge | emission amount adjustment mechanism 78 is a machine provided with the valve part 98 and the valve seat part 100, the valve member 102, the string material 106, and the coil spring 104. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the cost by simplifying the configuration of the apparatus.

  Further, according to the airbag device 70 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, when the weight of the collision body that has collided with the airbag 12 is large, the valve opening 108 is closed or narrowed small. The pressure of gas for inflating and deploying the airbag 12 can be reduced as compared with the configuration in which the valve opening 108 is largely opened when the weight of the collision body that has collided with the bag 12 is large. Thereby, since the thing with a small capacity | capacitance and cheap things (for example, the simple thing which injects compressed air etc.) can be used for the gas generator 14, the airbag apparatus 70 can be reduced in size and cost.

  As mentioned above, although 2nd embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited above, Of course, it can change and implement variously within the range which does not deviate from the main point. is there.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the gas discharge amount adjusting mechanism 78 is configured to include the valve portion 98 and the valve seat portion 100, the valve member 102, the string material 106, and the coil spring 104, but it collides with the airbag 12. As long as the deformation of the airbag 12 due to the collision of the body is large, the opening degree of the gas discharge passage 94 may be reduced, and other configurations may be employed.

  In the above embodiment, the valve portion 98 and the valve seat portion 100 are arranged on the upstream side (inside the airbag 12) with respect to the gas discharge passage 94, but on the downstream side (outside side) with respect to the gas discharge passage 94. May be arranged.

It is a figure showing the whole airbag device composition concerning a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a principal part enlarged view of FIG. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the gas discharge | emission amount adjustment mechanism shown by FIG. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the airbag apparatus shown by FIG. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the airbag apparatus shown by FIG. It is a principal part enlarged view of FIG. 4A. It is a principal part enlarged view of FIG. 4B. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the internal pressure of an airbag, and time after the airbag shown by FIG. 1 is inflated and deployed until the collision energy of a collision body is absorbed. It is a figure which shows the modification of the gas discharge | emission amount adjustment mechanism shown by FIG. It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the airbag apparatus which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a principal part enlarged view of FIG. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the airbag apparatus shown by FIG. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the airbag apparatus shown by FIG. It is a principal part enlarged view of FIG. 10A. It is a principal part enlarged view of FIG. 10B.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10,70 Airbag apparatus 12 Airbag 14 Gas generator 16,76 Gas exhaust pipe (gas exhaust part)
18, 78 Gas emission adjustment mechanism (gas emission adjustment unit)
34, 94 Gas discharge passage 38, 98 Valve portion 40, 100 Valve seat portion 42, 102 Valve member 44, 104 Coil spring (biasing member)
48, 108 Valve opening 106 String material

Claims (7)

An airbag that is inflated and deployed by receiving gas supply;
A gas generator for supplying the gas to the airbag;
A gas discharge part having a gas discharge passage for discharging the internal gas of the airbag to the outside;
When a collision body collides with the airbag while the airbag is in an inflated and deployed state, the larger the collision load from the collision body acting on the airbag, the larger the gas discharge from the gas discharge passage. A gas discharge amount adjusting unit that adjusts an opening degree of the gas discharge passage according to the collision load so as to reduce the amount;
An airbag device comprising: The gas discharge amount adjustment unit decreases the opening degree of the gas discharge passage as the increase in the internal pressure of the airbag due to the collision of the collision body with the airbag increases.
The airbag device according to claim 1. The gas discharge amount adjustment unit
A valve portion and a valve seat portion constituting a valve opening communicating with the gas discharge passage;
The valve portion is formed integrally, and is displaceable in the contact / separation direction of the valve portion with respect to the valve seat portion. A receiving valve member;
A biasing member that biases the valve member in a direction away from the valve seat portion of the valve portion;
Having
The airbag apparatus according to claim 2. The gas discharge amount adjusting unit decreases the opening degree of the gas discharge passage as the deformation of the airbag is increased as the collision body collides with the airbag.
The airbag device according to claim 1. )
The gas discharge amount adjustment unit
A valve portion and a valve seat portion constituting a valve opening communicating with the gas discharge passage;
A valve member formed integrally with the valve portion and displaceable in a direction in which the valve portion contacts and separates from the valve seat portion;
A biasing member that biases the valve member in a direction in which the valve portion approaches the valve seat portion;
A string member that connects the valve member and the airbag, and pulls the valve member in a direction away from the valve seat portion of the valve portion as the airbag is inflated and deployed.
Having
The airbag apparatus according to claim 4. An airbag that is inflated and deployed by receiving gas supply;
A gas generator for supplying the gas to the airbag;
A gas discharge part having a gas discharge passage for discharging the internal gas of the airbag to the outside;
A valve portion and a valve seat portion constituting a valve opening communicating with the gas discharge passage;
The valve portion is formed integrally, and is displaceable in the contact / separation direction of the valve portion with respect to the valve seat portion. A receiving valve member;
A biasing member that biases the valve member in a direction away from the valve seat portion of the valve portion;
An airbag device comprising: An airbag that is inflated and deployed by receiving gas supply;
A gas generator for supplying the gas to the airbag;
A gas discharge part having a gas discharge passage for discharging the internal gas of the airbag to the outside;
A valve portion and a valve seat portion constituting a valve opening communicating with the gas discharge passage;
A valve member formed integrally with the valve portion and displaceable in a direction in which the valve portion contacts and separates from the valve seat portion;
A biasing member that biases the valve member in a direction in which the valve portion approaches the valve seat portion;
A string member that connects the valve member and the airbag, and pulls the valve member in a direction away from the valve seat portion of the valve portion as the airbag is inflated and deployed.
An airbag device comprising:

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