JP2022057415A - Wearing airbag device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a wearing airbag device which allows an inflated airbag to suitably protect a lumbar part and the head at fall-down even when the number of gas generators to be used is reduced.SOLUTION: A wearing airbag device includes: gas generators 23 each held by a holding body 11 wearable on a protection object person 1; and an airbag 30 having an inflation part inflating by inflation gas from the gas generator. The inflation part of the airbag comprises a lower side inflation part 31 capable of protecting a lumbar part 2 of the protection object person, an upper side inflation part 41 capable of protecting a head 5 of the protection object person, and a communication part 37 communicated to the lower side inflation part and the upper side inflation part. The communication part is arranged with a regulation part 45 for regulating the flow of inflation gas so as to inflate the upper side inflation part 41 after the inflation of the lower side inflation part 31. The gas generator 23 is arranged so as to supply inflation gas from an upper side inflation part 41 side to a lower side inflation part 31 side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a worn airbag device that is worn by a protected person, inflates the airbag when the protected person falls, and protects the waist and head of the protected person by the inflated portion of the airbag.

Conventionally, as a worn airbag device, when a person to be protected (for example, an elderly person) who wears the airbag falls, the fall is detected by an acceleration sensor or an angular velocity sensor, and the airbag is inflated by the expansion gas discharged from the gas generator. It is known that each airbag at the position covers the buttocks and waist of the protected person, or the head and left and right sides (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). In some cases, the inflated airbag covers and protects the left and right chests and backs of the upper body of the protected person, as well as the neck (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-31002 International Publication No. 2010/090317 International Publication No. 2011/148354

However, as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, when a plurality of airbags are used, a plurality of gas generators for supplying expansion gas are also required, which makes the airbag bulky or heavy. , There is a problem as a wearing airbag device to be worn by a person to be protected. Further, as described in Patent Document 3, in an airbag in which one gas generator is used and a plurality of protected parts are provided, the total capacity becomes large, it takes time to complete expansion, and protection is provided. There is also a risk that the inflated part of the airbag cannot be covered by the inflated part of the properly inflated airbag.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and even if the number of gas generators used is reduced, the inflatable airbag can preferably protect the lumbar region and the head during a fall. It is intended to provide a bag device.

The first worn airbag device according to the present invention is attached to and held by a holding body that can be worn by a person to be protected.
A gas generator that can discharge expansion gas and
An airbag having an expansion portion that is expanded by the expansion gas from the gas generator, and
As well as being configured with
The inflated part of the airbag
A lower expansion portion arranged at a position where the waist portion of the protected person in the attached holder can be protected, and a lower expansion portion.
An upper inflatable part that is placed in a position where the head of the person to be protected can be protected,
A communication portion that communicates with the lower expansion portion and the upper expansion portion,
Is a worn airbag device that is configured with
The communication portion is provided with a regulating portion that regulates the flow of the expansion gas so as to expand the upper expanding portion after the expansion of the lower expanding portion.
The gas generator is arranged so as to supply an expansion gas from the upper expansion portion side to the lower expansion portion side.

In the first worn airbag device according to the present invention, the lower inflatable portion that can protect the waist of the airbag during operation is the upper inflatable portion that can protect the head by restricting the flow of expansion gas by the restricting portion. It expands before the part. Then, after the lower expansion portion expands, the expansion gas is supplied to the upper expansion portion side so that the head can be protected and the upper expansion portion expands. That is, when the protected person falls, the waist of the protected person first hits the ground contact surface of the fall destination, and then the head tends to hit the ground contact surface. At that time, at the beginning of the fall of the protected person, If the lumbar region, especially the vicinity of the protruding trochanter of the femur, hits the ground contact surface and the vicinity of the femur is damaged due to a fracture or the like, the subsequent treatment or the like is prolonged, so that it is important to protect the lumbar region at the time of the fall. Then, when the person to be protected rolls on the ground contact surface after the waist side at the time of the fall hits the ground contact surface side, it is easy to cause a situation in which the head hits the ground contact surface. At that time, in the airbag of the wearing airbag device according to the present invention, the lower expansion portion expands so as to protect the lumbar region where protection at the time of falling is important, and then the upper expansion portion capable of protecting the head. Can be expanded, and an expanded upper expansion portion can be arranged between the head of the protected person and the ground plane, and the head of the protected person can be protected in a timely and preferable manner. Even if one gas generator is used, the above operation expands if the gas generator is arranged so as to supply the expansion gas from the upper expansion portion side to the lower expansion portion side. This can be easily achieved by regulating the gas flow by the regulating section arranged in the communication section so as to adjust the timing of the gas flow.

Therefore, in the first worn airbag device according to the present invention, even if the number of gas generators used is reduced, the inflatable airbag can preferably and timely hold the waist and head at the time of a fall. Can be protected.

In this case, the gas generator is arranged by arranging a gas discharge portion for discharging expansion gas in the lower expansion portion, and the regulation portion is arranged from the lower expansion portion side to the upper expansion portion side. The configuration may be arranged so as to regulate the flow of expansion gas to.

In such a configuration, if the gas generator is activated, even if there is only one gas generator, the lower expansion in which the gas discharge portion of the gas generator is arranged before the upper expansion portion starts expansion. Since the portion itself easily expands, the lumbar region can be quickly protected.

In this case, the restricting portion has the flexibility to open the valve so that the expansion gas can flow out from the closed state to the upper expanding portion side when the internal pressure of the lower expanding portion rises more than a predetermined value. A valve body made of a sheet material can be provided in the communication portion to form a valve body.

In such a configuration, before the upper expansion portion expands, the valve body in the closed valve state causes the lower expansion portion to expand so as to secure a predetermined internal pressure, so that the lumbar region can be protected quickly and quickly. Can be stabilized.

Further, the restricting portion may be configured by providing a narrowing portion in the communicating portion in which the opening area of the communicating portion is narrowed so as to regulate the flow of the expansion gas.

Even in such a configuration, if the gas generator is activated, the lower expansion portion itself can complete the expansion by restricting the flow of the expansion gas in the throttle portion before the upper expansion portion starts expansion. Therefore, the protection of the lumbar region can be quickly and stabilized.

Alternatively, the restricting portion is a connecting portion that connects the peripheral wall portions of the communicating portion to each other so as to narrow the opening area of the communicating portion, and when the internal pressure of the lower expanding portion rises more than a predetermined value, the coupling is formed. It may be composed of the joint portion that can be released.

Even in such a configuration, before the upper expansion portion expands, the lower expansion portion expands so as to secure a predetermined internal pressure due to the regulation of the flow of the expansion gas by the coupling portion before the coupling release. The protection of the lumbar region can be quickly and stabilized.

Further, in the first worn airbag device according to the present invention, the gas generator allows the expansion gas to be supplied to the lower expansion portion side, and the gas discharge portion that discharges the expansion gas is communicated with the gas discharge portion. Arranged in the part, arranged,
When the restricting portion increases the internal pressure of the lower expanding portion by a predetermined value or more, the regulating portion regulates the flow of the expanding gas to the lower expanding portion side and causes the valve body to flow the expanding gas to the upper expanding portion side. , May be provided in the communication portion and configured.

Even with such a configuration, if the gas generator arranged in the communication portion operates, even if there is only one gas generator, the lower expansion portion will be on the upper side due to the regulation of the flow of the expansion gas of the valve body. Since the upper inflatable part expands after the inflatable part starts expanding before the inflatable part and the lower inflatable part secures a predetermined internal pressure, the protection of the lumbar region can be quickly and stabilized, and then. The head of the body can also be properly protected.

Further, in the second worn airbag device according to the present invention, the airbag device is attached to and held by a holder that can be worn by a person to be protected.
A gas generator that can discharge expansion gas and
An airbag having an expansion portion that is expanded by the expansion gas from the gas generator, and
As well as being configured with
The inflated part of the airbag
A lower expansion portion arranged at a position where the waist portion of the protected person in the attached holder can be protected, and a lower expansion portion.
An upper inflatable part that is placed in a position where the head of the person to be protected can be protected,
A communication portion that communicates with the lower expansion portion and the upper expansion portion,
Is a worn airbag device that is configured with
The airbag
An inner bag having the lower expansion portion, the upper expansion portion, and the communication portion as the expansion portion.
As a bag shape that covers the outer peripheral side of the inner bag, a tubular communication cover portion that can cover the outer circumference of the communication portion and the upper expansion of the communication cover portion from the entire circumference of the upper end side of the communication cover portion are completed. It has an upper cover portion that can cover the outer periphery of the portion and a lower cover portion that is continuous from the entire circumference of the lower end side of the communication cover portion and can cover the outer peripheral side of the lower expansion portion when expansion is completed. Outer bag and
Is configured with
The gas generator is arranged by arranging a gas discharge portion for discharging expansion gas in the lower expansion portion of the inner bag.
The inner bag
The lower expansion portion is housed in the lower cover portion of the outer bag.
The upper expansion portion side is housed and arranged in the communication cover portion side of the outer bag so as to approach the lower expansion portion side, and is arranged.
When the internal pressure of the lower expansion portion rises due to the contact between the lower expansion portion side and the contact surface side when the protected person falls after the expansion of the lower expansion portion, the inside of the upper cover portion is described. It is characterized in that it is configured to expand by allowing the upper expansion portion to enter.

In the second worn airbag device according to the present invention, if the expansion gas is discharged from the gas discharge portion of the gas generator during operation, the lower expansion portion of the inner bag can protect the waist portion, and the outer Inflates inside the lower cover of the bag. Then, if the expanded lower expansion portion interferes with the ground contact surface of the tipping destination by interposing the lower cover portion, the expansion gas in the lower expansion portion is covered with the communication cover portion of the outer bag. It tries to flow to the upper expansion portion side through the communication portion. At that time, the upper expansion portion is extended so as to enter the upper cover portion side by the inflow of the expansion gas from the state of being stored in the communication cover portion so as to approach the lower expansion portion side. .. At the time of this extension, if the person to be protected is in a state where the waist side is in contact with the ground contact surface (contact surface) and then rolls to bring the head side closer to the ground contact surface side, the protection thereof is achieved. Due to the pressing force of the subject, the expansion gas in the lower expansion portion flows to the upper expansion portion side, the extended state is promoted, and the upper expansion portion quickly enters the upper cover portion of the outer bag, and the head Since the portion is arranged at a position where it can be protected, it is arranged between the ground contact surface and the head, and the head can be accurately protected. And, if one gas generator is arranged on the lower expansion part side of the inner bag, the above-mentioned action is from the interference with the contact surface (contact surface) on the waist side at the time of a fall of the protected person. In response to the behavior that shifts to interference with the ground plane on the head side due to subsequent rolling, simply by using the pressing force from the ground plane to the inner bag, the lower side due to the expansion gas at the beginning of operation It is possible to secure the expansion of the expansion part and the expansion of the upper expansion part due to the subsequent migration of the expansion gas, and the lower expansion part and the upper expansion part can be timely adjusted according to the behavior of the protected person at the time of a fall. Can be inflated to protect the waist and head.

Therefore, even in the second worn airbag device according to the present invention, even if the number of gas generators used is reduced, the inflatable airbag can be timely and preferably suitable for the waist and the head at the time of a fall. Can be protected. Further, in the second worn airbag device according to the present invention, when the upper inflatable portion of the inner bag is inflated so as to protect the head, the lower inflatable portion of the inner bag finishes protecting the lumbar region. Therefore, the expansion gas may flow to the upper expansion portion side, and the capacity of the expansion gas may be reduced. Therefore, the total capacity of the expansion gas discharged from the gas generator is at least the expansion gas. Can be effectively used, and the waist and head of the person to be protected in the event of a fall can be protected at an appropriate timing.

Then, in the second worn airbag device according to the present invention, a regulating portion that regulates the flow of expansion gas from the lower expanding portion to the upper expanding portion is arranged in the communicating portion of the inner bag. It is desirable that it is installed.

In such a configuration, the flow of the expansion gas from the lower expansion portion to the upper expansion portion of the inner bag is restricted, so that the expansion completion of the lower expansion portion can be promoted, and the lumbar region is quickly protected. be able to.

It is a schematic front view and a schematic rear view of the wearing airbag device of 1st Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the state before and after the operation of the airbag of the wearing airbag device of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the state which operates at the time of a fall of the protection target person in the wearing airbag device of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the expansion state of the airbag of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the expansion state in the modification of the airbag of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the expansion state in the other modification of the airbag of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the expansion state in still another modification of the airbag of 1st Embodiment. It is the schematic front view and the schematic rear view of the wearing airbag device of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the state before and after the operation of the airbag of the wearing airbag device of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the state which operates at the time of a fall of the protection target person in the wearing airbag device of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the expansion state of the airbag of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the expansion state in the modification of the airbag of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the expansion state in another modification of the airbag of 2nd Embodiment.

Hereinafter, the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the wearing airbag device 10 of the first embodiment is for expansion from the gas generator 23 and the gas generator 23. An airbag 30 that expands due to the gas G, an operation control device 20 that includes a sensor unit 21 that detects a fall of the protected person 1 and operates the gas generator 23, a gas generator 23, an airbag 30, and an operation. It is configured to include a vest type holding body 11 for holding the control device 20.

The holding body 11 is configured as a vest that can be attached to the upper body 1a of the protected person 1, includes a left front portion 12 and a right front portion 13 that cover the front of the upper body 1a of the protected person 1, and the upper body 1a of the protected person 1. It is configured to include a back surface portion 14 that covers the back surface of the vehicle, and further includes a fastener 16 such as a fastener that connects the inner edges 12a and 13a of the left front portion 12 and the right front portion 13 to each other. In other words, the holding body 11 is arranged so as to connect the left front portion 12 to the front side of the left portion 14b of the back portion 14, and the right front portion 13 is arranged on the front side of the right portion 14c of the back portion 14. It is configured by arranging it so as to be connected.

The operation control device 20 includes a sensor unit 21 including an angular velocity sensor capable of detecting an angular velocity around three axes of up, down, front, back, left and right, and an acceleration sensor capable of detecting acceleration in three axes of up, down, front, back, left and right. At the same time, when it is detected by the signal from the sensor unit 21 that the protected person 1 is performing an overturning operation different from the normal operation, the gas generator 23 is configured to operate. Specifically, the operation control device 20 provides a determination means capable of determining from various threshold values that the protected person 1 has started a fall operation different from the normal operation by the signal from the sensor unit 21. In preparation, based on the determination of the determination means, it is detected that the protected person 1 has fallen, and the gas generator 23 is operated. Further, the operation control device 20 also has a built-in power supply including a battery (not shown) for operating the sensor unit 21 and outputting the operating signal of the gas generator 23.

The operation control device 20 is attached to the lower portion 14d of the inner surface of the right portion 14c of the back portion 14 of the holding body 11 by being covered with a cover cloth or the like (not shown) so as not to come into contact with the clothes or the like of the protected person 1. Has been done.

The gas generator 23 is configured to store an expansion gas G made of compressed carbon dioxide or the like inside, and inputs an operation signal of an operation control device 20 that has detected a fall of the protected person 1, and is not shown. By operating the initiator to break a burst disk (not shown), the expansion gas G stored inside is discharged from the gas discharge unit 23a at the tip.

In the case of the first embodiment, one gas generator 23 is arranged on the upper edge 33a side of the right side portion 33 of the lower expansion portion 31 described later of the airbag 30 together with the gas discharge portion 23a. A fixture that is housed and protrudes from the gas generator 23 (not shown) is passed through the airbag 30 and is located on the lower 14d side of the inner side surface portion of the right back surface portion 14 of the holding body 11 to which the operation control device 20 is attached. , Mounted and fixed.

The airbag 30 has a lower expansion portion 31 arranged at a position where the waist portion 2 of the protection target person 1 in the attached holding body 11 can be protected as an expansion portion expanded by the expansion gas G, and the protection target person 1. It is configured to include an upper expansion portion 41 arranged at a position where the head portion 5 can be protected, and a communication portion 37 communicating with the lower expansion portion 31 and the upper expansion portion 41. The airbag 30 is formed in a bag shape in which leakage of the expansion gas G is prevented by sewing, bag weaving, or the like from a woven fabric such as polyester or polyamide.

The lower inflatable portion 31 is arranged on the lower 14d, 12b, 13b side of the left and right front portions 12 and the right front portion 13 from the back surface portion 14 of the holding body 11, and is arranged on the lower side 14d, 12b, 13b side of the left front portion 12 and the waist portion 2 of the protected person 1 during expansion. In particular, it is arranged so as to cover the periphery of the left and right femoral trochanteric portions 3 (L, R). When the expansion of the air bag 30 is completed, the lower inflatable portion 31 is the left side portion 32 that covers the lateral outer peripheral side of the left femoral trochanter portion 3L and the lateral side of the right femoral trochanter portion 3R. It is configured to include a right side portion 33 that covers the outer peripheral side, and a central portion 34 that connects the left side portion 32 and the right side portion 33 and has a narrowed vertical width dimension. The left side portion 32 and the right side portion 33 are each formed as a substantially rectangular plate shape so as to extend back and forth around the left and right side surfaces 2a of the waist portion 2 of the protected person 1, and further, the central portion 34. The lower edges 32b and 33b are formed so as to extend downward. Before expansion, the left side portion 32 and the right side portion 33 are inserted into the left side portion 32 and the right side portion 33 so that the lower edges 32b and 33b sides are closer to the upper edges 32a and 33a sides, respectively. It is folded.

The communication portion 37 is attached to the inner side surface side of the central portion 14a of the back surface portion 14 of the holding body 11 by communicating the lower end 37b with the central portion 34 of the lower expansion portion 31 and the upper end 37a with the upper expansion portion 41. Has been done.

The upper expansion portion 41 has a width dimension in the left-right direction larger than that of the communication portion 37, and when the expansion of the airbag 30 is completed, the upper expansion portion 41 is a substantially rectangular shape capable of covering the head 5 of the protected person 1, particularly the rear surface side of the back head 6. It is configured to expand like a plate. In the stored state, the upper edge 41a side is folded so as to be inserted into the upper expansion portion 41 so as to approach the lower edge 41b side, and the collar portion 15 on the upper end side of the back surface portion 14 of the holding body 11 is folded. It is attached to the inner side surface.

The airbag 30 is provided with a plurality of mounting tabs 30a on the upper edges 32a and 33a of the lower expansion portion 31, the lower edges 41b of the upper expansion portion 41, and the left and right side edges 37d of the communication portion 37. These mounting tabs 30a are attached to the inner side surface side of the holding body 11 by sewing or the like, and are held by the holding body 11.

The communication portion 37 of the airbag 30 is provided with a regulating portion 45 that regulates the flow of the expansion gas G so that the upper expanding portion 41 is expanded after the lower expanding portion 31 is expanded.

The regulation unit 45 of the first embodiment is composed of a valve body 46 provided on the inner peripheral surface side of the communication unit 37. The valve body 46 is formed of a sheet material having the same flexibility as the woven fabric forming the airbag 30 such as polyester or polyamide, and has a cylindrical shape having a substantially triangular pyramid shape. Then, in this valve body 46, the tapered tip cylinder portion 46a is directed toward the lower expansion portion 31 side, and the entire circumference of the expanded original portion 46d side is set to the entire circumference of the inner peripheral surface of the communication portion 37. , Combined by sewing, etc., and arranged. At the tip of the tip cylinder portion 46a, an outlet 46b that can be inverted and allow the expansion gas G to flow is disposed.

At the initial stage when the expansion gas G is discharged from the gas discharge portion 23a of the gas generator 23 and the lower expansion portion 31 expands, the valve body 46 has a tip cylinder portion 46a as shown in A and B of FIG. The peripheral edge portion 46c around the outlet 46b of the tip cylinder portion 46a is brought into close contact with the lower expansion portion 31 so as to close the outlet 46b, and the valve body 46 maintains the valve closed state. The expansion gas G does not flow out from the lower expansion portion 31. After that, when the internal pressure of the lower expansion portion 31 increases and rises more than a predetermined value, the peripheral edge portion 46c reverses to the upper expansion portion 41 side and opens the outlet 46b as shown in C of FIG. Since the valve body 46 is opened, the expansion gas G flows from the lower expansion portion 31 side to the upper expansion portion 41 side via the communication portion 37.

In the wearing airbag device 10 of the first embodiment, the holding body 11 is attached to the upper body 1a of the protected person 1 by using the fastener 16, and then the protected person 1 is attached to A and B in FIG. When the vehicle falls over as shown, the gas generator 23 is operated, the expansion gas G is discharged from the gas discharge unit 23a, and the lower expansion unit 31 expands, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. Then, in the worn airbag device 10 of the first embodiment, the lower expansion portion 31 capable of protecting the waist portion 2 of the airbag 30 regulates the flow of the expansion gas G by the regulation portion 45 composed of the valve body 46 at the initial operation. As a result, the head 5 is expanded before the upper expansion portion 41 that can protect the head 5 (see A and B in FIG. 4). Then, after the lower expansion portion 31 expands, as shown in B of FIG. 4 and B of FIG. 2, the expansion gas G is supplied to the upper expansion portion 41 side so that the head 5 can be protected and the upper side can be protected. The expansion portion 41 expands.

That is, when the protected person 1 falls, as shown in A and B of FIG. 3, the waist portion 2 of the protected person 1 first hits the ground contact surface 8 of the fall destination, and then C and D of FIG. As shown in the above, the head portion 5 tends to hit the ground contact surface 8, and at that time, at the beginning of the fall of the protected person 1, the lumbar portion 2, particularly the trochanteric portion 3 (L, R) in which the femur protrudes (L, R) (FIG. If the vicinity of (see 1 and 2) hits the ground contact surface 8 and the vicinity of the femur is damaged due to a fracture or the like, the subsequent treatment or the like will be prolonged, so that it is important to protect the lumbar portion 2 at the beginning of the fall. However, in the wearing airbag device 10 of the first embodiment, when activated, the lower expansion portion 31 expands before the upper expansion portion 41 as shown in B of FIG. 3, and the waist portion 2 and the ground contact surface 8 The lumbar region 2 can be protected from being intervened between the two.

Then, when the protected person 1 rolls on the ground plane 8 after the waist 2 side at the time of the fall hits the ground plane 8 side, the head 5 comes into contact with the ground surface 8 as shown in FIGS. 3 and D. It is easy to cause a situation where it hits the ground 8. However, in the airbag 30 of the first embodiment, after the lower expansion portion 31 expands so as to protect the waist portion 2 at the time of falling, the regulation portion 45 is configured as the internal pressure of the lower expansion portion 31 increases. The valve body 46 is inverted (see B and C in FIG. 4), the valve is opened from the closed state, the outlet 46b is opened, and the expansion gas G flows to the upper expansion portion 41 side. , The upper expansion portion 41 capable of protecting the head 5 expands (see the two-dot chain lines A and B in FIG. 1 and B in FIG. 2), and between the head 5 of the protected person 1 and the ground plane 8. The expanded upper expansion portion 41 can be arranged, and the head 5 of the protected person 1 can be appropriately protected in a timely manner (see C and D in FIG. 3). Even if one gas generator 23 is used, the above operation can be easily achieved by regulating the gas flow by the regulating unit 46 arranged in the communication unit 37 so as to adjust the expansion timing. Become.

Therefore, in the worn airbag device 10 of the first embodiment, the number of gas generators 23 used is reduced, and even if only one, the inflatable airbag 30 is timely and preferably the waist portion 2 at the time of falling. And the head 5 can be protected.

Then, in the wearing airbag device 10 of the first embodiment, the gas generator 23 is arranged by arranging the gas discharge portion 23a for discharging the expansion gas G in the lower expansion portion 31, and the regulation portion 45 is arranged. The expansion gas G is arranged so as to regulate the flow of the expansion gas G from the lower expansion portion 31 side to the upper expansion portion 41 side.

Therefore, in the first embodiment, if the gas generator 23 is operated, even if there is only one gas generator 23, the gas discharge portion 23a of the gas generator 23 is set before the upper expansion portion 41 starts expanding. Since the arranged lower expansion portion 31 itself easily expands, the waist portion 2 can be quickly protected.

In particular, in the first embodiment, the regulating unit 45 can be in a valve open state in which the expansion gas G can flow out from the valve closed state to the upper expansion unit 41 side when the internal pressure of the lower expansion unit 31 rises by a predetermined value or more. A valve body 46 made of a flexible sheet material is provided in the communication portion 37 to form a valve body 46.

Therefore, in the first embodiment, before the upper expansion portion 41 expands, the lower expansion portion 31 expands so that a predetermined internal pressure can be secured by the valve body 46 in the valve closed state. The protection can be swift and stable.

If the upper expansion portion 41 expands at the timing of protecting the head 5, the regulating portion 45 regulates the flow of the expansion gas G from the lower expansion portion 31 to the upper expansion portion 41 before that. Then, the lower expansion portion 31 may act so as to quickly complete the expansion.

Therefore, the regulation unit may be configured as the regulation units 45A and 45B shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

The restricting portion 45A shown in FIG. 5 is configured by providing the communicating portion 37 with a throttle portion 48 having a narrowed opening area of the communicating portion 37 so as to regulate the flow of the expansion gas G.

Even in the airbag 30A provided with the throttle portion 48, if the gas generator 23 is operated and the expansion gas G is discharged from the gas discharge portion 23a into the lower expansion portion 31, the upper expansion portion 41 starts expansion. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the lower expansion portion 31 itself can complete the expansion due to the regulation of the flow of the expansion gas G of the throttle portion 48, so that the waist portion 2 is protected. , Can be quick and stable. Of course, in this airbag 30A, if the lower expansion portion 31 completes the expansion, the expansion gas G is less likely to be stored in the lower expansion portion 31, and is shown in FIG. 5C via the throttle portion 48. As described above, the expansion gas G flows to the upper expansion portion 41, and the upper expansion portion 41 expands so as to protect the head 5.

As for the configuration of the throttle portion, as shown in FIG. 5, in addition to disposing the throttle portion 48 having a narrowed opening area in the intermediate portion 37c between the upper end 37a and the lower end 37b of the communication portion 37, the communication portion The opening of the 37 itself may be narrowed, and the communication portion 37 itself may be configured as a throttle portion.

The restricting portion 45B shown in FIG. 6 is a connecting portion 50 that connects the peripheral wall portions of the communicating portion 37 to each other so as to narrow the opening area of the communicating portion 37, and when the internal pressure of the lower expanding portion 31 rises by a predetermined value or more. , A connecting portion 50 that can be released from the connection. The joint portion 50 is formed by sewing with a breakable suture thread 51, but the joint portion may be formed by utilizing adhesion, heat welding, or the like.

Even in the airbag 30B provided with the coupling portion 50, if the gas generator 23 is operated and the expansion gas G is discharged from the gas discharge portion 23a into the lower expansion portion 31, before the upper expansion portion 41 expands. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the lower expansion portion 31 expands so as to secure a predetermined internal pressure due to the regulation of the flow of the expansion gas G by the coupling portion 50 before the coupling is released. , The protection of the lumbar region 2 can be quickly and stabilized. Then, in this airbag 30B, when the lower expansion portion 31 expands to an internal pressure equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the suture thread 51 of the coupling portion 50 is broken, the coupling of the coupling portion 50 is released, and the flow is restricted. Since the state is released, the expansion gas G easily passes through the communication portion 37, the expansion gas G flows to the upper expansion portion 41 as shown in C of FIG. 6, and the upper expansion portion 41 is headed. The portion 5 can be protected and expanded.

In the first embodiment, the wearing airbag device 10 in which the gas discharge portion 23a of the gas generator 23 is arranged in the lower expansion portion 31 and the regulation portion 45 is arranged in the communication portion 37 is exemplified. , As in the wearing airbag device 10C of the modified example of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 7, one gas generator 23C can supply the expansion gas G to the lower expansion portion 31 side, and the expansion gas G can be supplied. The gas discharging portion 23a for discharging the gas is arranged in the communication portion 37, and is arranged as the regulating portion 45C. A valve body 53 that regulates the flow of G and allows the expansion gas G to flow to the upper expansion portion 41 side may be provided in the communication portion 37 to form a structure.

The valve body 53 is made of a sheet material having the same flexibility as the woven fabric forming the airbag 30C such as polyester or polyamide, and has a cylindrical shape having a substantially triangular pyramid shape. The valve body 53 is arranged at the communication portion 37 on the lower expansion portion 31 side of the gas discharge portion 23a of the gas generator 23C, and the tapered tip cylinder portion 53a is provided on the lower expansion portion. The entire circumference of the expanded original portion 53d side toward the 31 side is connected to the entire circumference of the inner peripheral surface of the communication portion 37 by suturing or the like, and is arranged. An outlet 53b through which the expansion gas G can flow is opened at the tip of the tip cylinder portion 53a.

In the valve body 53, when the expansion gas G is discharged from the gas discharge portion 23a of the gas generator 23C, the expansion gas G is sent to the lower expansion portion 31 side through the open outlet 53b in the valve open state. Shed. Therefore, at the initial operation of the gas generator 23C, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the expansion gas G expands toward the lower expansion portion 31 side. Then, when the internal pressure of the lower expansion portion 31 increases and rises above a predetermined level, as shown in B and C of FIG. 7, the peripheral edge portion 53c around the outlet 53b flows due to the internal pressure of the lower expansion portion 31. The outlet 53b is closed to close the valve, and the expansion gas G discharged from the gas discharge portion 23a of the gas generator 23C is allowed to flow to the upper expansion portion 41 side.

Therefore, even in such a configuration, if the gas generator 23C arranged in the communication portion 37 operates, even if there is only one gas generator 23C, the expansion gas G of the valve body 53 as the regulation portion 45C can be used. Due to the flow regulation, the lower expansion portion 31 starts expanding before the upper expansion portion 41, and after the lower expansion portion 31 secures a predetermined internal pressure, the upper expansion portion 41 expands. The protection of the lumbar region 2 can be quickly and stabilized, and the subsequent head portion 5 can also be accurately protected.

Next, the wearing airbag device 10D of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 to 11 will be described.

In the worn airbag device 10D of the second embodiment, the airbag 30D is different from the airbag 30 of the first embodiment, and the gas generator 23D has a second layer structure of the outer bag 60 and the inner bag 70. The difference is that the discharge capacity of the expansion gas G is slightly smaller than that of the gas generator 23 of the first embodiment. The operation control device 20 having the other holding body 11 and the sensor unit 21 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and is designated by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

The airbag 30D of the second embodiment includes an inner bag 70 and a bag-shaped outer bag 60 that covers the outer peripheral side of the inner bag 70. The inner bag 70 and the outer bag 60 are formed of a woven fabric such as polyester or polyamide similar to the airbag 30 of the first embodiment, and are formed by using sewing or bag weaving.

The inner bag 70 can protect the lower expansion portion 71 arranged at a position where the waist portion 2 of the protection target person 1 in the attached holding body 11 can be protected and the head portion 5 of the protection target person 1 as expansion portions. It is configured to include an upper expansion portion 81 arranged at a position and a communication portion 77 communicating with the lower expansion portion 71 and the upper expansion portion 81.

Similar to the lower expansion portion 31 of the first embodiment, the lower expansion portion 71 is arranged on the lower 14d, 12b, 13b side of the left and right front left portion 12 and the right front portion 13 from the back surface portion 14 of the holding body 11. It is arranged so as to be able to cover the lumbar region 2 of the protected person 1, particularly the left and right femoral trochanteric portions 3 (L, R) when inflated. When the expansion of the inner bag 70 is completed, the lower inflatable portion 71 is the left side portion 72 that covers the lateral outer peripheral side of the left femoral trochanter portion 3L and the lateral side of the right femoral trochanter portion 3R. It is configured to include a right side portion 73 that covers the outer peripheral side, and a central portion 74 that connects the left side portion 72 and the right side portion 73 with a narrowed vertical width dimension. The left side portion 72 and the right side portion 73 are each formed as a substantially rectangular plate shape so as to extend back and forth around the left and right side surface 2a of the waist portion 2 of the protected person 1, and further, the central portion 74. The lower edges 72b and 73b are formed so as to extend downward. Before expansion, the left side portion 72 and the right side portion 73 are inserted into the left side portion 72 and the right side portion 73 so that the lower edges 72b and 73b sides are closer to the upper edges 72a and 73a sides, respectively. It is folded.

In the communication portion 77, the lower end 77b is communicated with the central portion 74 of the lower expansion portion 71, the upper end 77a is communicated with the upper expansion portion 81, and the lower end portion 77b is communicated with the inner side surface side of the central portion 14a of the back surface portion 14 of the holding body 11. It is housed and arranged in the communication cover portion 63 of the outer bag 60, which will be described later.

The upper expansion portion 81 has a width dimension in the left-right direction larger than that of the communication portion 77, and when the expansion of the inner bag 70 is completed, the upper expansion portion 81 is a substantially rectangular shape capable of covering the head 5 of the protected person 1, particularly the rear surface side of the back head 6. It is configured to expand like a plate.

The outer bag 60 has a bag-like shape that covers the outer peripheral side of the inner bag 70, and is connected to a tubular communication cover portion 63 that can cover the outer circumference of the communication portion 77 and the entire circumference of the communication cover portion 63 on the upper end 63a side. The upper cover portion 65 that can cover the outer circumference of the upper expansion portion 81 when the expansion is completed and the outer peripheral side of the lower expansion portion 71 that can cover the outer circumference side of the lower expansion portion 71 when the expansion is completed are connected from the entire circumference of the lower end 63b side of the communication cover portion 63. It is configured to have a lower cover portion 61 and the like.

The outer bag 60 has a plurality of mounting tabs 60a arranged on the upper edge 61a of the lower cover portion 61, the lower edge 65b of the upper cover portion 65, and the side edge 63c of the communication cover portion 63. The attachment tab 60a is attached to the inner side surface side of the holding body 11 by sewing or the like, and is held by the holding body 11.

The gas generator 23D is housed together with the gas discharge portion 23a on the upper edge 73a side in the right side portion 73 of the lower expansion portion 71 of the inner bag 70, and has an inner fitting that protrudes from the gas generator 23D (not shown). The bag 70 and the outer bag 60 are penetrated and attached and fixed to the lower 14d side of the inner side surface portion of the right back surface portion 14 of the holding body 11 to which the operation control device 20 is attached.

Then, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9A, the inner bag 70 holds the lower expansion portion 71 side so that the airbag 30D does not protrude from the holding body 11 before the operation. The lower edges 72b and 73b are folded and stored in the lower cover portion 61 of the outer bag 60 so as to approach the upper edges 72a and 73a, and the upper expansion portion 81 side is stored in the lower expansion portion 71. It is housed and arranged on the communication cover portion 63 side of the outer bag 60 so as to be close to the side. Further, in the outer bag 60, the lower cover portion 61 is folded so that the lower edge 61b side approaches the upper edge 61a side, and the upper cover portion 65 also approaches the upper edge 65a side toward the lower edge 65b side. It is folded into.

The upper expansion portion 81 side of the inner bag 70 is in contact with the lower expansion portion 71 side after the expansion of the lower expansion portion 71 and the ground contact surface (contact surface) 8 side when the protected person 1 falls. The upper expansion portion 81 is housed in the communication cover portion 63 so as to enter the upper expansion portion 81 into the upper cover portion 65 and expand the inner pressure portion 71 when the internal pressure of the lower expansion portion 71 rises.

Further, in the communication portion 77 of the inner bag 70 of the second embodiment, a regulating portion 85 that regulates the flow of the expansion gas G from the lower expanding portion 71 to the upper expanding portion 81 is provided in the intermediate portion 77c in the vertical direction. , Are arranged. In the case of the illustrated example, the regulation unit 85 is a throttle unit 87 in which the opening area of the communication unit 77 is narrowed.

Also in the wearing airbag device 10D of the second embodiment, the holding body 11 is attached to the upper body 1a of the protected person 1 by using the fastener 16, and then the protected person 1 is attached to A and B in FIG. When it falls down as shown, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the gas generator 23D is operated, the expansion gas G is discharged from the gas discharge portion 23a, and the lower expansion portion 71 of the inner bag 70 is discharged. , The waist portion 2 can be protected and inflates in the lower cover portion 61 of the outer bag 60. Then, if the expanded lower expansion portion 71 interferes with the ground contact surface (contact surface) 8 of the tipping destination by interposing the lower cover portion 61, the expansion gas G in the lower expansion portion 71 will be generated. It tries to flow to the upper expansion portion 81 side through the communication portion 77 covered by the communication cover portion 63 of the outer bag 60. At that time, the upper expansion portion 81 enters the upper cover portion 65 side due to the inflow of the expansion gas G from the state of being stored in the communication cover portion 63 so as to approach the lower expansion portion 71 side. (See B and C in FIG. 11). At the time of this extension, as shown in B and C of FIG. 10, the protected person 1 rolls from the state where the waist 2 side is in contact with the ground plane 8 and rolls, and the head 5 side is moved to the ground plane 8 side. If it is in a state of approaching, the expansion gas G in the lower expansion portion 71 flows to the upper expansion portion 81 side due to the pressing force of the protection target person 1, and the expansion state is promoted, and the expansion state is promoted quickly. The upper expansion portion 81 enters the upper cover portion 65 of the outer bag 60, and as shown in D of FIG. 10, the head 5 is arranged at a position where it can be protected, so that the ground plane 8 and the head are arranged. It is disposed between the portion 5 and can accurately protect the head 5. If one gas generator 23D is arranged on the lower expansion portion 71 side of the inner bag 70, the above-mentioned action interferes with the ground contact surface 8 on the waist portion 2 side when the protected person 1 falls. Then, in response to the behavior of shifting to the interference with the ground plane 8 on the head 5 side due to the subsequent rolling, the expansion at the initial stage of operation is simply performed by using the pressing force from the ground surface 8 to the inner bag 70. It is possible to secure the expansion of the lower expansion portion 71 due to the gas G and the expansion of the upper expansion portion 81 due to the subsequent migration of the expansion gas G, and the timing corresponds to the behavior of the protected person 1 at the time of a fall. It is often possible to inflate the lower inflatable portion 71 and the upper inflatable portion 81 to protect the waist portion 2 and the head portion 5.

Therefore, even in the worn airbag device 10D of the second embodiment, even if the number of gas generators 23D used is reduced to one, the inflatable airbag 30D is suitable for the waist portion at the time of falling. 2 and the head 5 can be protected.

Further, in the wearing airbag device 10D of the second embodiment, when the upper expansion portion 81 of the inner bag 70 is inflated so as to be able to protect the head 5, the lower expansion portion 71 of the inner bag 70 is the waist portion 2. Since the protection has been completed, the expansion gas G may flow to the upper expansion portion 81 side, and the capacity of the expansion gas G may be reduced. Therefore, in this wearing airbag device 10D, the expansion gas G is effective even if the total capacity of the expansion gas G discharged from the gas generator 23D is at least that is, that is, the gas generator 23D is small and lightweight. It can be used and can protect the waist 2 and the head 5 of the person to be protected 1 at the time of a fall at an appropriate timing.

Further, in the second embodiment, the communication portion 77 of the inner bag 70 is provided with a regulation portion 85 including a throttle portion 87 that regulates the flow of the expansion gas G from the lower expansion portion 71 to the upper expansion portion 81. Has been done.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, since the flow of the expansion gas G from the lower expansion portion 71 of the inner bag 70 to the upper expansion portion 81 is restricted, the completion of expansion of the lower expansion portion 71 can be promoted. The lumbar region 2 can be quickly protected.

As the restricting portion 85, as shown in FIG. 11, in addition to disposing a throttle portion 87 having a narrowed opening area in the intermediate portion 77c between the upper end 77a and the lower end 77b of the communicating portion 77, the communicating portion 77 The opening of itself may be narrowed, and the communication portion 77 itself may be configured as a throttle portion.

Further, the regulation unit may be configured as the regulation units 85A and 85B shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.

The regulation portion 85A shown in FIG. 12 is composed of a folding portion 89 in which the upper expansion portion 81 of the inner bag 70A and the communication portion 77 itself are folded and stored in the communication cover portion 63 of the outer bag 60.

In the inner bag 70A provided with the regulation portion 85A, even if the expansion gas G tries to flow from the lower expansion portion 71 to the upper expansion portion 81, it is necessary to cancel the folding of the folding portion 89 in the communication cover portion 63. Therefore, the flow of the expansion gas G is restricted until the folding is canceled, the expansion completion of the lower expansion portion 71 can be promoted, and the waist portion 2 can be quickly protected.

The restricting portion 85B shown in FIG. 13 is composed of a connecting portion 91 in which the peripheral walls of the communicating portion 77 are connected to each other by sutures 92 so as to narrow the opening area of the communicating portion 77 of the inner bag 70B, and is inflated downward. When the internal pressure on the portion 71 side rises more than a predetermined value, the suture thread 92 breaks and the connecting portion 91 is released from the connection. Although the joint portion 91 is formed by sewing with a breakable suture thread 92, the joint portion may be formed by using adhesion, heat welding, or the like.

Even in the inner bag 70B provided with the restricting portion 85B, even if the expansion gas G tries to flow from the lower expanding portion 71 to the upper expanding portion 81, it is necessary to release the coupling by the connecting portion 91 of the communicating portion 77. The flow of the expansion gas G is restricted until the coupling is released, the expansion completion of the lower expansion portion 71 can be promoted, and the waist portion 2 can be quickly protected.

The inner bag of the second embodiment is formed of an extending material so that the upper expansion portion side enters the upper cover portion from the communication portion side with the inflow of the expansion gas. You may.

Further, in the first and second embodiments, the best type is exemplified as the holding body 11 for holding the airbags 30, 30D and the like, but a jacket type having a sleeve portion may be used.

Further, in the first and second embodiments, the number of gas generators 23 and 23D to be used is one, but in the present invention, if the number of gas generators to be used is small in accordance with the capacity of the airbags 30 and 30D, the gas generators 23 and 23D are used. Two or more gas generators may be used. That is, in the present invention, the number of gas generators used does not exclude two or more.

Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the case where the gas generators 23 and 23D to be used are housed inside the airbag 30 and the inner bag 70 is shown, but the gas discharge portion 23a side is the airbag 30 and the inner bag 30. For example, a gas guide tube portion is provided in the airbag 30 or the inner bag 70 so as to conduct conduction inside the bag 70, or only the gas discharge portion 23a side is inserted into the inside of the airbag 30 or the inner bag 70. Therefore, the main body side of the gas generators 23 and 23D excluding at least the gas discharge portion 23a side may be arranged outside the airbag 30 and the inner bag 70.

1 ... Protected person, 2 ... waist, 5 ... head, 8 ... (contact surface) ground plane, 10,10C, 10D ... worn airbag device, 11 ... holder, 23,23C, 23D ... gas generator , 23a ... Gas discharge part, 30, 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D ... Airbag, 31 ... Lower expansion part, 37 ... Communication part, 41 ... Upper expansion part, 45, 45A, 45B, 45C ... Regulation part, 46 ... valve body, 48 ... squeezing part, 50 ... joint part, 51 ... suture, 53 ... valve body,
60 ... outer bag, 61 ... lower cover, 63 ... communication cover, 65 ... upper cover, 70, 70A, 70B ... inner bag, 71 ... lower expansion, 77 ... communication, 81 ... upper expansion , 85, 85A, 85B ... Regulatory part, 87 ... Squeezing part, 89 ... Folding part, 91 ... Coupling part, G ... Expansion gas.

Claims (8)

It is attached and held to a holder that can be worn by the person to be protected.
A gas generator that can discharge expansion gas and
An airbag having an expansion portion that is expanded by the expansion gas from the gas generator, and
As well as being configured with
The inflated part of the airbag
A lower expansion portion arranged at a position where the waist portion of the protected person in the attached holder can be protected, and a lower expansion portion.
An upper inflatable part that is placed in a position where the head of the person to be protected can be protected,
A communication portion that communicates with the lower expansion portion and the upper expansion portion,
Is a worn airbag device that is configured with
The communication portion is provided with a regulating portion that regulates the flow of the expansion gas so as to expand the upper expanding portion after the expansion of the lower expanding portion.
A worn airbag device, wherein the gas generator is arranged so as to supply an expansion gas from the upper expansion portion side to the lower expansion portion side. The gas generator is arranged by arranging a gas discharge portion for discharging expansion gas in the lower expansion portion.
The worn airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the restricting portion is arranged so as to regulate the flow of expansion gas from the lower expanding portion side to the upper expanding portion side. .. From a flexible sheet material in which the regulating portion is in a valve-opened state in which the expansion gas can flow out from the valve closed state to the upper expansion portion side when the internal pressure of the lower expansion portion rises more than a predetermined value. The worn airbag device according to claim 2, wherein the valve body is provided in the communication portion. The second aspect of claim 2 is characterized in that the restricting portion is configured by providing the communicating portion with a throttle portion having a narrowed opening area of the communicating portion so as to regulate the flow of the expansion gas. Wearing airbag device. The restricting portion is a coupling portion that connects the peripheral wall portions of the communication portion to each other so as to narrow the opening area of the communication portion, and the coupling can be released when the internal pressure of the lower expansion portion rises by a predetermined value or more. The worn airbag device according to claim 2, wherein the airbag device is composed of the joint portion. The gas generator is arranged so that the expansion gas can be supplied to the lower expansion portion side, and the gas discharge portion for discharging the expansion gas is arranged in the communication portion.
When the restricting portion increases the internal pressure of the lower expanding portion by a predetermined value or more, the regulating portion regulates the flow of the expanding gas to the lower expanding portion side and causes the expanding gas to flow to the upper expanding portion side. The worn airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the airbag device is provided in the communication portion and is configured. It is attached and held to a holder that can be worn by the person to be protected.
A gas generator that can discharge expansion gas and
An airbag having an expansion portion that is expanded by the expansion gas from the gas generator, and
As well as being configured with
The inflated part of the airbag
A lower expansion portion arranged at a position where the waist portion of the protected person in the attached holder can be protected, and a lower expansion portion.
An upper inflatable part that is placed in a position where the head of the person to be protected can be protected,
A communication portion that communicates with the lower expansion portion and the upper expansion portion,
Is a worn airbag device that is configured with
The airbag
An inner bag having the lower expansion portion, the upper expansion portion, and the communication portion as the expansion portion.
As a bag shape that covers the outer peripheral side of the inner bag, a tubular communication cover portion that can cover the outer circumference of the communication portion and the upper expansion of the communication cover portion from the entire circumference of the upper end side of the communication cover portion are completed. It has an upper cover portion that can cover the outer periphery of the portion and a lower cover portion that is continuous from the entire circumference of the lower end side of the communication cover portion and can cover the outer peripheral side of the lower expansion portion when expansion is completed. Outer bag and
Is configured with
The gas generator is arranged by arranging a gas discharge portion for discharging expansion gas in the lower expansion portion of the inner bag.
The inner bag
The lower expansion portion is housed in the lower cover portion of the outer bag.
The upper expansion portion side is housed and arranged in the communication cover portion side of the outer bag so as to approach the lower expansion portion side, and is arranged.
When the internal pressure of the lower expansion portion rises due to the contact between the lower expansion portion side and the contact surface side when the protected person falls after the expansion of the lower expansion portion, the inside of the upper cover portion is described. A worn airbag device characterized in that it is configured to inflate by allowing the upper inflatable portion to enter. The wearing according to claim 7, wherein the communication portion of the inner bag is provided with a regulating portion that regulates the flow of expansion gas from the lower expanding portion to the upper expanding portion. Airbag device.

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