JP2010083240A - Air-bag and airbag device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To smoothly and quickly deploy an airbag of a curtain air bag device to a side of an occupant. <P>SOLUTION: An air bag 1 folded into a thin and long shape at a roof side part, is deployed like a curtain. A first main inflation part 41 for an occupant on a front seat, and a second main inflation part 42 for an occupant on a rear seat are provided in an air bag body 31. Sub-inflation parts 45, 46 are provided between the main inflation parts 41 and 42. Gas is supplied to the sub-inflation parts 45, 46 from the main inflation parts 41, 42. A belt 81 is arranged along an outer face of the air bag body 31. The belt 81 is connected and fixed to the first main inflation part 41 at its front end 81a, to the lower part of the second main inflation part 42 at its rear end 81b, and to the air bag body 31 near the sub-inflation parts 45, 46 at its intermediate position 81c. When the air bag 1 is deployed, the second main inflation part 42 inflated and deployed first pulls the sub-inflation parts 45, 46, so that the sub-inflation parts 45, 46 are deployed quickly. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to, for example, an airbag that is deployed along a side window of an automobile and an airbag device that includes the airbag.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an airbag apparatus having an airbag that inflates and deploys by introducing gas is known as a so-called curtain airbag apparatus that deploys an airbag along a window of a door on the side of a vehicle compartment. Yes. The airbag of such an airbag apparatus, that is, a curtain airbag, is normally folded in an elongated shape and arranged along the roof site portion at the upper edge portion of the window portion. When an impact such as a side collision or rollover (rollover) is received, gas is supplied from the inflator, and the curtain airbag deploys downward from the upper side along the side window, etc., restraining the occupant And protect.

  In such a curtain airbag, a first inflatable portion that inflates and deploys mainly to the side of the front seat, and a second inflatable that is located behind the first inflatable portion and deploys mainly to the side of the rear seat. The structure provided with the part is known (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). Furthermore, in this structure, each expansion part is provided with the main expansion part to which gas is directly supplied, and the sub expansion part to which gas is supplied from these main expansion parts via a narrow communication path. Therefore, when the gas supplied from the inflator is supplied to the main inflating portion, the curtain airbag is deployed to a predetermined position in a predetermined shape, and the inflated main inflating portion moves to the side. Protect and protect the head of the head.

In this configuration, since gas is not supplied to the sub-expansion part at the initial stage of deployment, the main expansion part can be rapidly inflated and deployed by effectively using the gas supplied from the inflator. Further, when the occupant head comes into contact with the main inflatable portion, the gas in the main inflatable portion moves to the sub-inflatable portion via the communication path, and the force applied to the occupant is suppressed. Further, the gas in the main inflating part is not exhausted to the outside of the curtain airbag, but is retained in the auxiliary inflating part in the curtain airbag, so that the internal pressure can be maintained for a relatively long time to protect the occupant. It has become.
JP 2007-186192 A (Fig. 3-4)

  In the above conventional configuration, since gas is not supplied to the sub-expansion part at the initial stage of deployment, the main expansion part can be rapidly inflated and deployed using gas effectively, but other parts such as the sub-expansion part to which no gas is supplied are Then, it is pulled and deployed to the adjacent main inflating portion while remaining in a crushed state without expanding. Therefore, there is a problem that it is not easy to quickly deploy the entire curtain airbag including a portion such as the sub-inflation portion to a predetermined position.

  The present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object of the present invention is to provide an airbag and an airbag apparatus that can easily and quickly deploy an airbag.

  The airbag according to claim 1 is an airbag that is folded and stored and inflated and deployed in a planar shape along a predetermined surface to restrain and protect an object to be protected. A plurality of main inflating portions that inflate and deploy opposite to the object to be protected, and the plurality of main inflating portions are preceded by one main inflating portion and later than the one main inflating portion. An airbag main body having the other main inflating portion to be inflated and deployed, and a connecting means for connecting one end to the one main inflating portion and connecting the other end to the other main inflating portion. It is equipped.

  In this configuration, when gas is introduced into the folded and accommodated airbag, the main inflated portion into which the gas has been introduced is inflated and deployed against the object to be protected, thereby protecting the object to be protected. One end of the plurality of main expansion sections is connected to one main expansion section, and the other end is connected to the other main expansion section, that is, at least near one main expansion section and one main expansion section. One end is connected to one side and the other end is connected to at least one of the other main expansion portion and the vicinity of the other main expansion portion, so that the other main expansion portion that expands and expands in advance is delayed. Tension is generated in the connecting means with the main inflating portion, and the entire airbag including the main inflating portion inflating and deploying with a delay is easily and quickly deployed into a desired shape.

  The airbag according to claim 2 is the airbag according to claim 1, wherein the airbag main body portion is located between the plurality of main inflatable portions, and gas is introduced from at least one of the main inflatable portions to be inflated and deployed. A possible secondary expansion part is provided, and the connecting means is such that an intermediate position between the one end part and the other end part is connected to the secondary expansion part side.

  In this configuration, since the gas is introduced from the main expansion part and provided with the sub-expansion part that can be inflated and deployed, the gas is not supplied to the sub-expansion part at the initial stage of deployment, and the gas is effectively used. Deploy quickly. When the object to be protected comes into contact with the main expansion part, the gas moves from the main expansion part to the sub-expansion part, the force applied to the object to be protected is suppressed, and the internal pressure is maintained for a relatively long time. Protected. When the gas is introduced and the main inflating part is inflated and deployed, it is pulled by the connecting means connected to the main inflating part, the sub-inflating part is quickly deployed, and the entire airbag is easily and quickly formed into a desired shape. expand.

  The airbag according to claim 3 is the airbag according to claim 2, wherein the airbag main body portion has the connecting means wound inside, and at least part of the airbag body is folded in a roll shape from the lower side to the upper side. The first main inflatable portion that expands downward when gas is introduced from the folded state, and expands downward prior to the first main inflatable portion when gas is introduced from the folded state. A second main inflating portion, wherein the connecting means is connected and fixed to the airbag body by a second connecting and fixing portion located at the lower end side of the second main inflating portion, and the other end portion; Is connected and fixed to the airbag body by a first connecting and fixing portion located on the first main inflating portion side and above the second connecting and fixing portion, and an intermediate position is on the sub inflating portion side A third connecting and fixing portion located on the airbag body portion; Those that have been sintered fixed.

  In this configuration, the connecting means is a second connecting and fixing portion whose one end is located on the second main inflating portion side, that is, at least one of the positions close to the lower end and the lower end of the second main inflating portion. It is connected and fixed to the airbag main body, and the other end is located on at least one of the first main inflating portion side, that is, in the vicinity of the first main inflating portion and the first main inflating portion, and from the second connecting and fixing portion. Is connected to and fixed to the airbag main body portion by the first connecting and fixing portion located above, and the intermediate position is located on at least one of the auxiliary inflation portion side, that is, the auxiliary inflation portion and a position close to the auxiliary inflation portion. It is connected and fixed to the airbag body by the connecting and fixing part. Therefore, the gas is supplied to the airbag main body part that is wound inwardly and is folded at least partly in a roll shape from the lower side to the upper side, and precedes the first main inflating part. When the inflating portion inflates and deploys downward while unwinding the airbag main body, the connecting means is connected to the second connecting and fixing portion on the lower end side of the second main inflating portion and the second connecting and fixing portion above the second connecting and fixing portion. It is in a tensioned state with the first connecting and fixing portion, and the sub-inflating portion is pulled downward by the third connecting and fixing portion at the intermediate position. Therefore, regardless of whether or not gas is supplied to the sub-inflation part, the sub-inflation part is quickly deployed, and the entire airbag is easily and quickly deployed to a desired shape.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the airbag according to any one of the first to third aspects, the connecting means is disposed along a predetermined surface side of the airbag main body.

  In this configuration, after the airbag deployment process and after the deployment is completed, the connecting means is difficult to be exposed on the protected object side, which is the opposite side of the predetermined surface, and interference between the connecting means and the protected object is suppressed. .

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an airbag apparatus comprising the airbag according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, and an inflator for supplying gas to the airbag. The airbag is folded and stored in a storage position along the upper edge portion of the predetermined surface, the gas is introduced and deployed downward, and the main inflating portion is seated as an object to be protected It deploys facing the side of the occupant.

  In this configuration, the airbag is deployed along the side of the passenger compartment, and the region where the main inflating portion faces the occupant is easily secured, and the occupant is restrained from the force when the occupant contacts the airbag. The air bag is easily and quickly deployed at a predetermined position, and it is easy to realize a desirable characteristic for protecting the occupant.

  According to the present invention, when the gas is introduced into the airbag stored in a folded state, the main inflatable portion into which the gas is introduced is inflated and deployed opposite to the object to be protected, and the object to be protected can be protected. Since one end part is connected to one main inflating part side of the plurality of main inflating parts, and the other end part is connected to the other main inflating part side, it inflates and deploys behind one main inflating part that inflates and expands in advance. Tension is generated in the connecting means with the other main inflatable portion, and the entire airbag including the main inflatable portion that inflates and deploys with a delay can be easily and quickly deployed into a desired shape.

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

  In FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, reference numeral 1 denotes an airbag, and an airbag device 2 provided with the airbag 1 is also called a curtain airbag device, and serves as a storage position of a compartment of a vehicle body 3 of an automobile, which is a vehicle. It is arranged on the roof side part 5. The airbag 1 is also called a curtain airbag, a side-impact airbag, an inflatable curtain, or a head protection airbag. The airbag 1 is subjected to a side collision impact or rollover. For example, it is developed in a substantially planar shape on the side of the occupant as the object to be protected to protect the occupant.

  In the following description, directions such as the front-rear direction, the vehicle width direction, the both-side direction, the up-down direction, and the like are based on the straight direction of the vehicle, and are forward (arrow F direction shown in FIGS. 1 to 3) and upward (arrow U direction). ), The exterior of the passenger compartment (in the direction of arrow W shown in FIG. 3), the interior of the passenger compartment (in the direction of arrow C shown in FIG. 3), and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle body 3 includes a front seat and a rear seat in which a passenger can sit, and an opening that can be opened at the top corresponding to the front seat and the rear seat. The door (not shown) provided with the window part (side window) 8 as a part is provided. Further, on both sides of the passenger compartment, a front pillar 11 also called an A pillar, a center pillar 12 also called a B pillar, and a rear pillar 13 also called a C pillar are provided in order from the front side (left side in FIG. 1). The window 8, the door, and the pillars 11, 12, 13 constitute a predetermined surface 14 on both sides of the passenger compartment. Further, a vehicle body panel constituting a member to be attached, which is also called a roof side rail, is provided on the upper side of the pillars 11, 12, and 13, that is, the upper edge portion that is one edge portion of the window portion 8, and the vehicle body panel is provided via the vehicle body panel. The ceiling panel as a ceiling part is supported. A front glass (front windshield) is provided on the front side of the front pillars 11 on both sides, and a rear glass is provided on the rear side of the rear pillars 13 on both sides. And the roof side part 5 as a storage position is set from the edge part of the both sides of a ceiling panel to the part concerning the full length of the front pillar 11 and the rear pillar 13 extended in the direction which intersects with this edge part. A predetermined surface 14 on which the airbag 1 is deployed is set inside an arc virtually formed by the edge portion of the ceiling panel, the front pillar 11 and the rear pillar 13.

  Here, the center pillar 12 is not a pillar at the front and rear ends but a pillar covered by the deployed airbag 1. Depending on the type of vehicle, for example, four or more pillars may be provided on one side, but the third and subsequent pillars from the front will be described as the rear pillar 13.

  The airbag device 2 is a so-called front and rear seat airbag that can protect passengers in the front and rear seats, and is a roof side portion 5 surrounded by a vehicle body panel and a head lining, that is, a door opening portion of the vehicle body 3. The airbag 1 is stored in an elongated shape along the upper edge, and an inflator 25 that is stored behind or above the rear seat and supplies gas to the airbag 1. In addition, the airbag device 2 is attached along a mounting bracket formed by pressing a metal plate that attaches the airbag 1 to the vehicle body panel, or the folded airbag 1 as necessary. A protector made of resin for protecting the bag 1, a sleeve as a breakable cylindrical or string-shaped holding member for holding the shape of the folded airbag 1, a tether belt 29 connected to the front end of the airbag 1, etc. Is provided.

  The airbag 1 is formed by combining a single base fabric or a plurality of base fabrics, for example, folding back one base fabric at the lower end, or overlapping and joining two base fabrics to form a flat bag. The main body 31 and an attachment piece 32 constituting an attachment extending from a plurality of locations of the airbag main body 31 are provided. The main body 31 is elongated and stored in the roof side portion 5.

  The airbag main body 31 overlaps the inner base fabric portion 33 disposed inside the passenger compartment with the outer base fabric portion 34 disposed outside on the vehicle body side, and a predetermined sewing as a joint portion. A bag-like inflatable portion 35 that is inflated and inflated when gas flows in, a gas introduction portion 36 that communicates with the inflatable portion 35 located outside the upper end of the airbag main body 31 and the like, A non-inflatable portion 37 that does not flow in and does not inflate / deploy is provided.

  The expansion part 35 is an air chamber that is a hollow part, and includes a gas guide part 40, a first main expansion part 41 as a main expansion part, a second main expansion part 42 as a main expansion part, a first A sub-expansion part 44, a second sub-expansion part 45 as a sub-expansion part, and a third sub-expansion part 46 as a sub-expansion part are provided.

  The gas guide portion 40 communicates directly with the gas introduction portion 36, and is provided in a straight line along the upper edge portion of the airbag body portion 31 with the front-rear direction as the longitudinal direction. It develops into a substantially horizontal columnar shape as a certain axial direction. In the present embodiment, the gas guide portion 40 is not formed at the front end portion of the airbag main body 31, and the gas introduction portion 36 is communicated with the rear end portion.

  The first main expansion part 41 is a front seat protection part that communicates with the front side, which is the downstream side of the gas guide part 40, and that develops facing the side of the front seat occupant during deployment.

  On the other hand, the second main expansion part 42 communicates with the rear side, which is the upstream side of the gas guide part 40, and directly communicates with the gas introduction part 36, and faces the side of the occupant in the rear seat during deployment. It is a rear seat protection department that is deployed. In other words, the second main expansion portion 42 is located upstream of the first main expansion portion 41 in the gas flow, and is deployed prior to the first main expansion portion 41.

  Further, the first sub-inflating portion 44 communicates with the front side of the first main inflating portion 41 via the first vent hole 51 as a communicating portion, and further forwards from the side of the front seat occupant during deployment. It is located and can be deployed. The second sub-inflating portion 45 communicates with the rear side of the first main inflating portion 41 through the second vent hole 52 and is deployed rearward from the side of the front seat occupant during deployment. It is possible. Further, the third sub-inflatable portion 46 communicates with the front side of the second main inflatable portion 42 through the third vent hole 53, and can be deployed forward from the side of the rear seat occupant during deployment. It has become. That is, the second sub-expansion part 45 and the third sub-expansion part 46 are located between the first main expansion part 41 and the second main expansion part 42.

  Further, the sewing portion is configured to be substantially airtight or highly airtight by sewing, bonding, or a combination of sewing and sealing means, and an outer periphery sewing portion 55 that is an outer periphery connecting portion for sewing the outer periphery of the inflating portion 35. A regulating portion 56 that is located in a region surrounded by the outer circumferential sewing portion 55 and that defines the main inflating portions 41, 42 and the sub inflating portions 44, 45, 46, etc., and regulates the width of each portion when deployed; I have. The restricting portion 56 is formed integrally with or separately from the outer peripheral sewing portion 55, and is formed in an annular shape that protects the line portion 57 located at the end of the line portion 57 and the line portion 57. A protection part 58 is formed.

  In the present embodiment, the line portion 57 of the restricting portion 56 is located on the front side of the first main expansion portion 41 and divides the first main expansion portion 41 and the first sub expansion portion 44. A first partition line 61; a second partition line 62 that is located on the rear side of the first main expansion portion 41 and separates the first main expansion portion 41 and the second sub expansion portion 45; A third dividing line that is located below the gas guide portion 40 from the front side of the second main expansion portion 42 and divides the second main expansion portion 42, the gas guide portion 40, and the third sub-expansion portion 46. 63. Further, as the line portion 57 of the restricting portion 56, a fourth partition line 64 that branches from the first partition line 61 and extends so as to bend inside the first main expansion portion 41, and a second partition line 62 are provided. The second demarcation portion 45 is connected to the fifth demarcation line 65, the second demarcation line 62, and the outer peripheral sewn portion 55 which are branched from the first main expansion portion 41 and extend inwardly. And a sixth demarcation line 66 that demarcates the third sub-inflatable portion 46.

  The first lane marking 61 includes a first lane marking 71 and a second lane marking 72 that is continuous with the first lane marking 71. The first partition line portion 71 is arranged in a vertical straight line along the up-down direction, and the first partitioning line portion 71 is configured to allow gas to flow between one end 71a as a lower end and the outer peripheral sewing portion 55 facing downward. It is a vent hole 51. Then, from the other end 71b which is the upper end portion of the first dividing line portion 71 extending upward from the first vent hole 51, the second dividing line portion 72 is an extension line of the first dividing line portion 71. It is inclined and extended upward and rearward so as to bend rearward from above 71c, that is, toward the first main expansion portion 41 side.

  As described above, the first sub-inflatable portion 44 is defined by being partitioned by the first partition line 61, the outer peripheral sewing portion 55, and the first vent hole 51. The front end portion of the outer periphery sewing portion 55 is formed such that the lower side portion is a vertical straight line substantially parallel to the first partition line 61 and the upper side portion is inclined toward the upper rear side. The sub-expansion portion 44 includes a lower sub-expansion portion 44a along the first partition line portion 71, and an upper sub-expansion portion 44b along the second partition line portion 72 communicating with the upper side of the lower sub-expansion portion 44a. It has. That is, the lower secondary expansion portion 44a is disposed along the front side portion of the first main expansion portion 41, and the upper secondary expansion portion 44b is disposed along the upper side portion of the front side portion of the first main expansion portion 41. ing.

  The second partition line 62 is formed so as to extend downward from the distal end side of the gas guide portion 40, that is, the distal end side of the third partition line 63, and the lower end portion that is the distal end portion of the second partition line 62. A second vent hole 52 is formed between the outer peripheral sewing portion 55 and the outer peripheral sewing portion 55. The fifth partition line 65 is formed so as to extend from the lower end portion, which is the tip portion of the second partition line 62, to the front side and to be curved further upward.

  Further, the third dividing line 63 has a lower end that is a lower end of a portion extending in the front-rear direction along the lower side of the gas guide portion 40 and extending downward. A third vent hole 53 is formed between the portion and the outer peripheral sewing portion 55.

  Further, the sixth partition line 66 extends from the upper end of the second partition line 62 to the rear in parallel with the third partition line 63 along the front-rear direction, and is connected to the outer peripheral sewing portion 55 that curves upward. To do.

  Although each vent hole 51, 52, 53 is always open, it has a small opening area and opens in a slit shape to generate a predetermined ventilation resistance, and communicates with each vent hole 51, 52, 53. The sub-expanding portions 44, 45, and 46 function as internal exhaust receiving portions (internal vents). Further, the positions of the vent holes 51, 52, 53 are formed at the lower end portions that are the downstream end portions of the main expansion portions 41, 42. Therefore, at the initial stage of deployment when the gas is introduced from the gas introduction part 36 to the main expansion parts 41 and 42 via the gas guide part 40 and the main expansion parts 41 and 42 are deployed, the sub-expansion parts 44, 45 and 46. No gas is introduced at all or almost.

  In addition, between the inner base fabric portion 33 and the outer base fabric portion 34, the base fabric is used as a means for guiding the gas or regulating the width dimension of the expansion portion when deployed, as necessary. A cylindrical inner pipe 77, a partition body that is a base fabric that connects the inner base fabric portion 33 and the outer base fabric portion 34, and the like are attached by sewing or the like. Further, in this embodiment, a slight non-inflatable portion 37 is formed at each of the front end portion of the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the rear end portion of the airbag body portion 31, and the front non-inflatable portion 37 is attached to the vehicle body. A fixed point 79 is formed.

  The mounting piece 32 of the airbag 1 is a mounting piece for mounting the vehicle body, and a plurality of mounting pieces 32 are formed at predetermined positions on the upper edge of the airbag body 31. Each attachment piece 32 is formed integrally with the base fabric portion constituting the airbag main body 31, and is formed, for example, by overlapping and sewing the inner base fabric portion 33 and the outer base fabric portion 34. ing. Each attachment piece 32 protrudes from the airbag body 31 in a tongue-like shape, and an attachment hole 32a having a circular hole shape is formed.

  Furthermore, a belt 81 as a connecting means is disposed along the outer surface of the base fabric portion 34 outside the airbag main body 31 configured as described above, and is sewn to the airbag main body 31 at a plurality of locations. It is fixed. The belt 81 can also be referred to as a pull-out means. For example, the belt 81 is formed in an elongated strip shape with the same base fabric as the base fabric portions 33 and 34 of the airbag main body 31, and the longitudinal direction of the airbag main body 31. The longitudinal direction is the longitudinal direction, and is slightly inclined downward from the front side to the rear side, and is arranged so as to extend linearly in a state where the airbag main body 31 is spread on a plane. Only the bag main body 31 is connected and fixed. That is, the belt 81 is separate from the tether belt 29 and is not connected to the vehicle body 3.

  In the belt 81, the front end 81a as the other end is close to the first main inflating portion 41 side of the airbag body 31, that is, the first main inflating portion 41 or the first main inflating portion 41. It is connected to the part. Further, the belt 81 has a rear end 81b as one end thereof on the side of the second main inflating portion 42 of the airbag main body 31, that is, in the vicinity of the second main inflating portion 42 or the second main inflating portion 42. For example, it is connected to the lower end side of the second main expansion portion 42 or the vicinity of the lower end side outside the second main expansion portion 42. Further, the belt 81 has an intermediate position 81c at the second sub-inflation portion 45 and the third sub-inflation portion 46 side of the airbag body 31, that is, the second sub-inflation portion 45 and the third sub-inflation portion. It is connected to any part of 46 or a part close to the second sub-expansion part 45 and the third sub-expansion part 46.

  In the present embodiment, the front end portion 81a of the belt 81 has both base fabric portions 33 within a portion (cell) surrounded by the protection portion 58 at the base end portion of the fifth partition line 65 which is a thickness regulating portion. , 34 is connected and fixed to the vertical direction of the portion of the first main expansion portion 41, that is, substantially in the center in the height direction. The rear end 81b of the belt 81 is connected to the non-expanding portion 37 by a second connecting and fixing portion 83 that is sewn to the base fabric portions 33 and 34 at a portion close to the lower side of the second main expanding portion 42. It is fixed. Further, an intermediate position 81c of the belt 81 is a third connecting and fixing portion 84 that is sewn to the base cloth portions 33 and 34 at a portion close to the second sub-inflating portion 45 and the third sub-inflating portion 46. It is connected and fixed to a non-expandable portion 37 located between the second subexpandable portion 45 and the third subexpandable portion 46.

  Next, the assembly process of this airbag apparatus 2 and the attachment process to the vehicle body 3 are demonstrated.

  First, the airbag 1 is formed by folding the airbag main body 31 into a predetermined elongated shape from the state in which the inner base fabric portion 33, the outer base fabric portion 34, and the belt 81 are overlapped and spread in a planar shape. Is used to hold the folded shape, attach the protector and the mounting bracket, and connect the connecting pipe extending from the cylindrical main body portion of the inflator 25 to the gas introducing portion 36 at the rear end.

  The airbag body 31 can be folded by various methods. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the lower portion is folded into a roll shape to form the stacking portion 91, and the upper portion The part can be folded as a parasol-shaped guide part 92 that wraps the stacking part 91 from the upper part to both side parts. In this embodiment, the stacking unit 91 winds up at least a part of the belt 81, in this embodiment the entire belt 81, and winds up the airbag main body 31 from the lower end to the outside, that is, the predetermined surface 14 side. Thus, it is configured to wind outward by a predetermined length. Further, the guide part 92 is a part including the gas guide part 40, and is configured by folding the upper side part so that the fold line faces the vehicle compartment side and folding the lower side part so that the fold line faces the vehicle outer side. Yes.

  Then, the airbag device (curtain airbag module) 2 is brought into the vehicle interior, and the attachment work to the vehicle body 3 is performed before the interior members such as the head lining and the pillar garnish are attached. This mounting operation is performed by fixing the plurality of mounting pieces 32, the fixing points 79, the tether belt 29, the mounting portions provided on the inflator 25, and the mounting bracket of the airbag 1 to the vehicle body with fixing devices such as bolts. Is called. Further, the harness led out from the inflator 25 is connected to a control device provided in the vehicle body 3. Next, the headlining is attached to the ceiling panel of the vehicle body 3, the pillar garnish is attached to each pillar 11, 12, 13 to cover the airbag device 2, so that the airbag device 2 is attached to the vehicle body 3, that is, folded. The operation of disposing the airbag 1 on the roof side portion that is the storage position along the upper edge portion of the predetermined surface 14 is completed.

  Next, the deployment operation of the airbag 1 will be described.

  In the event of a side collision or rollover of the vehicle, the inflator 25 is actuated by the control device, and the gas injected from the inflator 25 passes from the gas introduction part 36 to the inflating part 35 in the airbag main body part 31 via the connecting pipe. be introduced. Then, in the inflating portion 35 of the airbag main body 31, first, the guide portion 92 is inflated and deployed to push away the head lining and the front and rear pillar garnishes, and then the accumulation portion 91 is a predetermined surface 14 that is an inner side surface of the vehicle compartment. The window 8 and the center pillar 12 are covered by rapidly expanding and deploying in a curtain shape substantially downward in a predetermined direction along the predetermined surface 14 so as to be rewound while being rubbed.

  At this time, in the expansion portion 35, the gas guide portion 40 rapidly expands from the rear end portion to the front end portion, and gas is supplied from the gas guide portion 40 to the first main expansion portion 41 and the second main expansion portion 42. The main inflating portions 41 and 42 are quickly deployed in the region facing the side of the seating position of the front and rear seat occupants to protect the occupants. More specifically, the second main expansion portion 42 located on the upstream side of the gas flow is inflated and deployed prior to the first main expansion portion 41 located on the downstream side of the gas flow, that is, the second The first main inflating portion 41 is deployed slightly after the inflating and unfolding of the main inflating portion 42.

  Then, in a state where the deployment of the main inflating portions 41 and 42 is completed and before the occupant comes into contact with the airbag 1, the pressure of the gas supplied from the inflator 25 and the vent holes 51, 52 and 53 In relation to the position and ventilation resistance, gas does not flow into each of the sub-expansion parts 44, 45, 46, but is drawn to the main expansion parts 41, 42 in a so-called flat state that remains flat. expand.

  Further, the front end portion 81a and the rear end portion of the belt 81 connected to the lower portion of the second main inflating portion 42 and the first main inflating portion 41 in a state in which the second main inflating portion 42 is inflated and deployed downward. A tension is generated between the belt 81b and the second main inflating portion 42 that inflates and expands in advance pulls the first main inflating portion 41, and a third connecting and fixing portion 84 at an intermediate position 81c of the belt 81, that is, The portions adjacent to the second sub-expansion portion 45 and the third sub-expansion portion 46 are pulled downward so that the gas does not flow in and the second sub-expansion portion 45 and the third sub-expansion portion 46 remain flat. Is quickly deployed to a predetermined position, and substantially the entire airbag 1 is deployed to a predetermined shape, that is, a predetermined position.

  When an occupant thrown out to the side comes into contact with the airbag 1 and the internal pressure of one or both of the main inflating portions 41 and 42 increases, the gas is passed through the vent holes 51, 52, and 53. The force that is applied to the occupant from the airbag 1 is reduced by flowing into the sub-inflatable portions 44, 45, and 46 and expanding to the maximum volume. Each of the sub-inflating portions 44, 45, 46 is deployed at a position deviating from the normal seating position of the occupant.

  As described above, according to the curtain airbag device of the present embodiment, by introducing gas into the airbag 1, the main inflating portions 41 and 42 are arranged along the predetermined surface 14 on the side of the passenger compartment. It can be deployed in the required area facing the side to protect the head of the passenger.

  Then, a belt 81 is arranged along the airbag main body 31, and the front end 81a is on the first main inflating portion 41 side, the rear end 81b is on the second main inflating portion 42 side, and further at the intermediate position 81c. Since the second sub-expansion portion 45 and the third sub-expansion portion 46 are connected and fixed, the second main expansion portion 42 is inflated and deployed downward, and the second main expansion portion 42 and the first sub-expansion portion 42 A tension is generated in the belt 81 connected to the main inflating portion 41, and the second main inflating portion 42 that is inflated and deployed in advance pulls out the first main inflating portion 41, and the belt 81 has an intermediate position 81c. The portions adjacent to the second sub-expansion portion 45 and the third sub-expansion portion 46 are pulled down and drawn out, and the second sub-expansion portion 45 and the third sub-expansion portion that are flattened without flowing in gas. The inflatable portion 46 can be quickly deployed to a predetermined position, and substantially the entire airbag 1 can be deployed to a predetermined shape, that is, a predetermined position. .

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the airbag main body 31 winds the belt 81 inward and is folded in a roll shape from below to above, and the belt 81 is inflated and deployed with the rear end portion 81b preceding. It is connected and fixed to the airbag main body 31 by the second connecting and fixing part 83 located on the lower end side of the second main inflating part 42, and is located on the first main inflating part 41 side where the front end part is inflated and deployed with a delay. In addition, the first connecting and fixing portion 82 located above the second connecting and fixing portion 83 is connected and fixed to the airbag main body 31, and the intermediate position 81c is located on the side of the sub inflating portions 45 and 46. Since the connecting and fixing portion 84 is connected and fixed to the airbag main body portion 31, gas is supplied to the airbag main body portion 31, and the second main inflating portion 42 is in front of the first main inflating portion 41. When the bag body 31 is inflated and deployed downward while rewinding, the belt 81 is moved from the initial stage of deployment to the second main body. The tension is between the second connecting and fixing portion 83 on the lower end side of the tension portion 42 and the first connecting and fixing portion 82 above the second connecting and fixing portion 83, and the third position at the intermediate position 81c. The sub-expansion parts 45 and 46 are quickly pulled out downward by the connecting and fixing part 84. Therefore, regardless of whether or not gas is supplied to the sub-inflation portions 45 and 46, the sub-inflation portions 45 and 46 can be quickly deployed, and the entire airbag can be easily and quickly deployed to a desired shape.

  In this way, the sub-expansion parts 45, 46 located between the front and rear main expansion parts 41, 42 located downstream of the gas flow or the non-expansion part 37 to which no gas is supplied are smoothly and quickly deployed at predetermined positions. That is, it can arrange | position, the whole airbag 1 can be smoothly and rapidly deployed to a predetermined position, and a passenger | crew protection characteristic can be improved easily.

  Further, since the belt 81 is attached along the predetermined surface 14 side of the airbag body 31, that is, the vehicle body 3 side that is the anti-occupant side, the belt 81 is opposite to the predetermined surface 14 in the process of deploying the airbag 1 and after the deployment is completed. The belt 81 is difficult to be exposed on the passenger side, and interference such as contact between the belt 81 and the passenger can be suppressed.

  Further, since the belt 81 is not connected to other members on the vehicle body 3 side like the tether belt 29, the workability of installing the airbag 1 and the airbag device 2 on the vehicle body 3 is not deteriorated. The workability of installation work can be improved easily.

  The inflatable portion 35 of the airbag 1 is provided with first to third sub-inflatable portions 44, 45, 46 in addition to the first and second main inflatable portions 41, 42. The inflating portions 41, 42 and the first to third sub-inflating portions 44, 45, 46 are partitioned by first to third partition lines 61, 62, 63, and before the occupant contacts the airbag 1. In the initial stage of deployment, gas does not flow into each of the sub-expansion parts 44, 45, 46, and the gas supplied from the inflator 25 is effectively used, and the main expansion parts 41, 42 are quickly inflated and deployed to predetermined positions. Can be made. In addition, since the gas supplied from the inflator 25 can be used effectively, the inflator 25 can be downsized.

  Further, when the occupant comes into contact with the main inflating portions 41, 42 of the inflating portion 35 of the deployed airbag 1, the gas moves to the sub inflating portions 44, 45, 46 through the vent holes 51, 52, 53. Thus, the auxiliary inflating portions 44, 45, 46 can be inflated to suppress the force applied from the airbag 1 to the occupant, thereby protecting the occupant.

  Further, even if the gas moves from the main inflatable portions 41 and 42 to the sub inflatable portions 44, 45 and 46 through the vent holes 51, 52 and 53, the gas is outside the inflatable portion 35 of the airbag 1. Since the airbag 1 is not released, the airbag 1 maintains the internal pressure, that is, the deployed shape for a relatively long time, and can effectively protect the occupant even during rollover (during rollover).

  Further, when the first sub-expansion portion 44 is inflated and deployed, the first sub-expansion portion 44 is inflated and deployed in a column shape bent at the intermediate portion along the first partition line 61, and the first main inflatable portion 41 is expanded. Thus, the position and the deployed shape of the airbag main body 31 of the airbag 1 can be firmly held. Therefore, the behavior of the airbag 1 swinging in the vehicle width direction when the head of the occupant comes into contact with the first main inflating portion 41 at the time of a side collision of the vehicle is suppressed, and the airbag 1 is easily stabilized. Can be protected. For this reason, it is not necessary to use a separate member for stabilizing the airbag 1, and the manufacturing cost of the airbag device 2 can be reduced.

  Further, with respect to the first division line 61 that divides the first main expansion portion 41 and the first sub-expansion portion 44, the first division line portion 71 located below the first division line 61 is vertical. Since the second lane line portion 72 extending from the upper end of the first lane line portion 71 is inclined and extends rearward, the seat is positioned relatively on the rear side and the rear side. For large occupants located, secure a wide protection area in the vertical direction, and for small occupants located on the front side by placing a seat on the front side or getting out of the body, a protection area is provided on the lower side. Ensuring the necessary protection area that can sufficiently protect both the large and small passengers, while suppressing the volume of the first main expansion portion 41 that expands in the initial stage of deployment, It can be used effectively.

  In addition, the shock absorption characteristic that suppresses the force applied to the occupant from the airbag 1 by the movement of the gas through the vent holes 51, 52, and 53 to the sub-inflatable portions 44, 45, and 46 is that each vent hole. By adjusting the dimensions of 51, 52 and 53, it can be easily changed greatly.

  In the above embodiment, only one belt 81 as the connecting means is provided, but a plurality of connecting means may be provided. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a belt 81 is used as a first belt, and in addition to the first belt 81, below the first main inflating portion 41 and the first sub inflating portion 44 located in front of the vehicle. It is also possible to provide a second belt 95 as a connecting means in the non-inflatable portion 37 located in the position. The non-inflatable portion 37 of the airbag 1 shown in FIG. 4 extends downward from the configuration shown in FIG. The second belt 95 is disposed substantially horizontally or horizontally along the longitudinal direction of the airbag body 1, and the rear end portion 95 a, which is one end portion, is disposed at the rear of the first main inflatable portion 41. Connected and fixed by a fourth connecting and fixing portion 96 that is sewn below the end, that is, below the second partition line 62 that partitions the first main expanding portion 41 and the second sub expanding portion 45. Has been. The front end 95b, which is the other end, is located in front of the first partition line 61 that partitions the first main expansion portion 41 and the first sub expansion portion 44, that is, the first sub expansion portion. It is connected and fixed by a fifth connecting and fixing part 97 that is located below 44 and is sewn.

  According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the second belt 95 can generate tension in the front-rear direction of the airbag main body 31 to prevent rolling, and the first main inflating portion 41. The first sub-expansion portion 44 located on the downstream side of the gas flow can be smoothly and rapidly developed at a predetermined position while being in a flat state where no gas is supplied.

  The second belt 95 extends rearward and is positioned below the second main inflating portion 42 to form a connection fixing portion. The second main inflating portion 41 side and the second main inflating portion The 42 side can also be connected.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the belts 81 and 95 are made of the same base fabric as the airbag main body 31, but are not limited thereto, and the same material as that of the reinforcing fabric and the tether belt 29 is used. Any material can be used as long as it can generate tension and pull out a folded portion, and can be formed of a synthetic resin. The shape is not limited to a belt shape, and can be a string.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the connection fixing portions 82, 83, 84, 96, and 97 that are fixing means are not limited to the configuration formed by sewing, instead of sewing or with sewing, Fixing means such as an adhesive or a rivet can also be used.

  In the above embodiment, each vent hole 51, 52, 53 as the communication portion is not configured to completely shut off the gas flow, but is configured to communicate so as to be always openable, but is not limited thereto. Further, it can be closed by a breakable member that can be broken by the pressure of gas at the time of contact of the occupant.

  Further, the inflating portion 35, the gas introducing portion 36, the non-inflating portion 37, the front end portion of the outer peripheral sewing portion 55, and the like of the airbag 1 can be appropriately arranged. For example, a gas introducing portion for introducing gas 36 can be positioned at a substantially central upper portion in the front-rear direction of the airbag main body 31 and communicated with an intermediate position of the gas guide section 40. As described above, even in the configuration in which the gas introduction part 36 communicates with the intermediate position of the gas guide part 40, the main expansion part on the side where the gas is supplied first is delayed downward. The effect of pulling or pulling the sub-expansion part between the main expansion parts downward can be realized. Further, the lane markings 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66 such as the first lane marking 61 are not limited to the above-described configuration, and may take a shape such as a straight line that does not bend, a stepped shape, or a curved shape. it can. Moreover, the gas guide part 40 can also be formed along the substantially full length of the upper edge part of the airbag main-body part 31, for example.

  Further, the airbag 1 is not limited to a configuration in which the airbag 1 is deployed from the upper side to the lower side and covers the window 8 on the side of the automobile, and an appropriate airbag that needs to be inflated and deployed in a planar shape along a predetermined surface. Applicable to equipment.

  The present invention can be applied to, for example, an airbag and an airbag device called a curtain airbag that are deployed along a side window of an automobile.

It is explanatory drawing of the state expanded to the planar shape which shows one Embodiment of the airbag of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the state arrange | positioned in the vehicle which shows the airbag apparatus provided with the airbag same as the above, and the expand | deployed state. It is explanatory drawing of the folding shape which shows an airbag same as the above. It is explanatory drawing of the state expanded to the planar shape which shows other embodiment of the airbag apparatus of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Air bag 2 Air bag apparatus 5 Roof side part as storage position
14 Predetermined surface
25 inflator
31 Airbag body
41 1st main expansion part as main expansion part
42 Second main expansion part as main expansion part
45 Second sub-expansion part as sub-expansion part
46 Third sub-expansion part as sub-expansion part
81 Belt as connecting means
81a Front end as the other end
81b Rear end as one end
81c Intermediate position
82 First connection fixing part
83 Second connection fixing part
84 Third connection fixing part

Claims (5)

An airbag that is folded and stored and inflated and deployed in a planar shape along a predetermined surface to restrain and protect an object to be protected,
Each of the plurality of main inflatable portions is provided with a plurality of main inflatable portions that are inflated and deployed opposite to the object to be protected when the gas is introduced. An airbag main body portion including the other main inflatable portion that is inflated and deployed later than the portion;
An airbag comprising: a connecting means for connecting one end portion to the one main inflating portion side and connecting the other end portion to the other main inflating portion side. The airbag main body portion is located between the plurality of main inflatable portions, and includes a secondary inflatable portion that can be inflated and deployed by introducing gas from at least one of these main inflatable portions,
The airbag according to claim 1, wherein the connecting means is connected to the sub-inflation part side at an intermediate position between the one end and the other end. The airbag main body part winds the connecting means inside, and at least part of the airbag body part is folded in a roll shape from below to above,
The main inflating portion is a first main inflating portion in which gas is introduced from the folded state and expanded downward, and a gas is introduced from the folded state and precedes the first main inflating portion and is downward. A second main inflatable portion to deploy;
The connecting means is connected and fixed to the airbag body by a second connecting and fixing portion whose one end is located on the lower end side of the second main inflating portion, and the other end is on the first main inflating portion side. And a third connecting and fixing portion which is connected and fixed to the airbag main body portion with a first connecting and fixing portion positioned above the second connecting and fixing portion and whose intermediate position is located on the sub-inflation portion side. The airbag according to claim 2, wherein the airbag is connected and fixed to the airbag main body. The airbag according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the connecting means is disposed along a predetermined surface side of the airbag main body. An airbag according to any one of claims 1 to 4;
An inflator for supplying gas to the airbag,
The predetermined surface is a surface along the side of the passenger compartment,
The airbag is folded and stored in a storage position along the upper edge of the predetermined surface, gas is introduced and deployed downward, and the main inflating portion is located on the side of a seated occupant as a protected object. An airbag device that is deployed oppositely.

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