JP2596042Y2 - Airbag bag folding structure - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a folding structure of an airbag body in an airbag device mounted on a steering wheel of a vehicle facing an occupant.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an airbag device mounted on a steering wheel of a vehicle so as to face an occupant, a cover body is formed in a box shape with a top wall and a side wall, and an H-shape is formed on an inner wall surface of the top wall. Provided with a thin wall portion for breaking. Then, as a folding structure of the airbag bag to be stored in the cover body, the left and right side portions of the bag body are folded inward in the radial direction, then both side edges are folded outward in the radial direction, and the upper and lower sides are further folded. After being folded inward in the direction perpendicular to the radial direction, the two side edges are folded outward and folded, and the folding line of the upper and lower side edges at the top and the direction of the thin portion are orthogonal to each other. Such a configuration is known (US Pat. No. 4,325,568).

On the other hand, as an airbag device which does not form a thin portion for breakage on a top wall of a cover body, Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. Hei.
No. 1 is provided. This one is
Thin portions for breaking are continuously extended on three surfaces of the side wall of the cover body. And at the time of airbag inflation deployment
The joining end between the side wall and the top wall where the thin portion is not formed serves as a hinge, and the cover body is opened in one direction (upward) with the top wall integrated.

[0004]

In the cover having a so-called one-opening structure in which the top wall described in the above-mentioned publication is opened, an airbag bag is attached to the top wall, which has been conventionally performed, by an H-shaped thin portion. If the airbag device is provided with a folding structure, the direction of deployment of the bag body is biased toward the position of the cover body that first breaks. As a result, the bag does not open in the front direction (substantially vertical direction) of the top wall of the cover, and there is a problem that the airbag cannot effectively receive the driver's face.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an airbag apparatus having a single-walled top wall structure in which a bag body is covered. It is an object of the present invention to provide a folded structure of an airbag bag that opens in a front direction (substantially vertical direction) of a top wall of a body.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the folded structure of the airbag bag according to the present invention is as follows.
The cover is attached so that the top wall faces the occupant.
On the front surface of the side wall of the cover body and on the inner wall of both side surfaces.
A thin part is formed, and the side wall is
The cover body extends from the thin part on the front to the thin part on both sides.
In the airbag device having a structure in which the top wall is opened integrally with the deployment hinge portion serving as a fulcrum, a plurality of left and right side portions of the bag body are respectively arranged so as to be parallel to a center line orthogonal to the deployment hinge portion. After folding, the bag is folded several times on the side opposite to the deployable hinge so that it is parallel to the center line parallel to the deployable hinge, and it is located on the folded opposite side.
See tatami Ri plurality diffraction in parallel deployment hinge portion side of the bag deployment hinge portion parallel to the center line as the deployment hinge
Side is folded to the top of the bag, and
The end of the side of the flange faces the front of the side wall of the cover
It is like that .

[0007]

When the airbag is inflated and deployed, the upper portion of the uppermost folded bag causes the cover to be broken and deployed at once in the initial break portion located on the side opposite to the deployment hinge portion of the cover. Then, the lower part folded at the lower part of the upper part of the bag protrudes in the front direction (the face direction of the driver) and expands and deploys.

[0008]

An embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 12 are explanatory diagrams sequentially showing the folding process of the bag body 10. In each figure, (a) shows a plan view and (b) shows a cross-sectional view. Each figure shows a bag 1 for convenience of explanation.
The thickness of 0 is omitted. Further, in the bag 10, a horizontal center line is defined as X, and a vertical center line orthogonal thereto is defined as Y.

The bag body 10 is formed by sewing outer edges of two circular woven fabrics coated with rubber or synthetic resin. An opening 11 through which the gas generator 31 is inserted is provided at the center of one woven fabric of the bag body 10. To fold the bag 10, first, as shown in FIG.
2, the left side portion 12 of the bag body 10 is folded rightward in the vicinity of the opening 11 in parallel with the center line Y, as shown in FIG. Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the left edge 12a is folded leftward in parallel with the center line Y at the same position as or slightly to the left of the center line Y.
Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the left end portion 12b is folded rightward in parallel with the center line Y so that the front end thereof is located at substantially the same position as the folded portion of the left edge portion 12a. Note that, if desired, the left end portion 12b may be further turned leftward.

The right side portion 13 of the bag body 10 is also
Similarly, as shown in FIG. That is, the right part 1
3 is folded leftward in the vicinity of the opening 11 in parallel with the center line Y. Next, the right edge portion 13a is folded rightward parallel to the center line Y at the same position as the center line Y or slightly to the right thereof. Further, the right end portion 13b is folded leftward in parallel with the center line Y such that the leading end thereof is located substantially at the same position as the folded portion of the right edge portion 13a. Note that, if desired, the right end 13b may be further turned rightward.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the lower portion 14 of the bag 10 located on the opposite side of the unfolding hinge portion of the cover is
Fold upward from the vicinity of the opening 11 in parallel with the center line X.
Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the lower edge portion 14a is folded downward parallel to the center line X at the same position as the center line X or slightly below the center line X. Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the lower edge portion 14b is folded upward at a position substantially the same as the folded portion of the lower portion 14 in parallel with the center line X. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the lower end portion 14c is folded downward in parallel with the center line X such that the tip end thereof is located substantially at the same position as the folded portion of the lower edge portion 14b.

As shown in FIG. 10, the upper portion 15 of the bag body 10 located on the same side as the deployment hinge portion 24 of the cover body 20 first lowers the upper portion 15 from near the opening 11 in parallel with the center line X. Fold in the direction. Then, as shown in FIG.
The upper edge portion 15a is folded upward at a position substantially the same as the folded portion of the lower portion 14 in parallel with the center line X. Further, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the upper end 15b is positioned so that its tip is located at substantially the same position as the folded portion of the upper edge 15a.
Fold it down parallel to the center line X. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the bag body 10 thus folded is stored in the cover body 20.
It is shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 shows a folded structure of the bag body 10 in the second embodiment. In this embodiment, after the bag 10 is folded into the state shown in FIG. 5, the lower portion 14 of the bag 10 is folded upward from the vicinity of the opening 11 in parallel with the center line X, and the lower edge 14a is Fold it down parallel to the center line X at a position near the opening 11 above the center line X. Next, the upper part 15 of the bag body 10 is folded downward from the vicinity of the opening 11 in parallel with the center line X, and the upper edge 15 a is parallel to the center line X at substantially the same position as the folded part of the lower part 14. Fold upwards. Then, the upper end portion 15b is folded downward in parallel with the center line X so that the leading end thereof is located at substantially the same position as the folded portion of the upper edge portion 15a.

FIG. 16 shows a folded structure of the bag body 10 in the third embodiment. In this embodiment, after the bag 10 is folded into the state shown in FIG. 5, the lower portion 14 of the bag 10 is folded upward from the vicinity of the opening 11 in parallel with the center line X, and the lower edge 14a is At the same position as the center line X or a position slightly lower than the center line X, the sheet is folded downward parallel to the center line X. Next, the lower edge 14b of the bag 10 is
At the substantially same position as the folded portion of the above, and is folded in parallel with the center line X. Further, the lower end portion 14c is folded upward in parallel with the center line X such that the front end thereof is located substantially at the same position as the folded portion of the lower edge portion 14b. Then, the upper part 15 of the bag body 10 is folded downward from the vicinity of the opening 11 in parallel with the center line X, and the upper edge 15 a is parallel to the center line X at substantially the same position as the folded part of the lower part 14. At the bottom of the upper part 15. Next, the upper end portion 15b is folded parallel to the center line X and below the upper edge portion 15a so that the leading end thereof is located substantially at the same position as the folded portion of the upper edge portion 15a.

The cover body 20 houses the bag body 10 and is made of rubber or synthetic resin. The cover body 20 has a top wall 21 disposed at a position facing the occupant's head and chest, and a side wall 22 bent and extended downward from an edge of the top wall 21. The cover body 20 is attached to the retainer 32 at the lower end of the side wall 22,
It is attached to the center of the steering wheel 33.

The side wall 22 comprises a front portion 22a located on the occupant side, side portions 22b and 22b, and a rear portion 22c. Thin portions 23 are continuously formed on the front surface 22a of the side wall 22 and the inner walls of both side surfaces 22b, 22b so that the cover body 20 is easily broken when the airbag is inflated and deployed. That is, the thin portion 23 is
2a, on both inner side walls 22b, substantially parallel to the top wall 21.
It is formed on the inner wall of the side surface portion 22b at a predetermined angle toward the joint with the top wall 21 continuously from the end of the thin portion 23 of the front portion 22a.

The joint between the rear surface portion 22c of the side wall 22 and the top wall 21 functions as a deployment hinge portion 24 when the cover body 20 that breaks along the thin portion 23 when the airbag is inflated and deployed opens. Then, the cover body 20 is attached to the unfolding hinge 2.
4 serves as a fulcrum, and the top wall 21 opens integrally. Note that a concave groove (not shown) may be formed in the deployment hinge portion 24 in order to enhance the hinge effect.

The bag 10 folded as described above is used.
As shown in FIG. 13 to FIG. 16, the bag body 10 is stored such that the tip of the upper portion 15 of the uppermost bag body 10 faces the front portion 22 a of the side wall 22 of the cover body 20.

Next, the deployed state of the bag body 10 when the airbag is inflated and deployed will be described. When the vehicle suddenly decelerates, the bag body 10 expands, but first, the uppermost portion 15 at the top of the cover body 20 presses the top wall 21 of the cover body 20. Due to this pressing force, the cover body 20 is broken from the thin portion 23 of the side wall 22 front surface portion 22a, and the side surface portions 22 which are continuous therewith are broken.
The cover body 20 breaks along the thin portions 23 of b and 22b. The cover body 20 is opened upward with the top wall 21 integrated with the deployment hinge portion 24 as a hinge fulcrum. Next, the lower portion 14, the left and right portions 12, 1 of the bag body 10 are formed.
3, the bag body 10 is deployed in the front direction of the top wall 21 of the cover body 20, and expands facing the occupant, as shown in FIG.

[0020]

[Effect of the Invention] The present invention is configured as described above.
Since the upper end of the uppermost bag body is housed so that the upper end thereof faces the front surface of the side wall of the cover body having the thin portion, the bag body is unfolded in the front direction of the top wall of the cover body. The driver's face can be effectively received and the safety is excellent.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a process of folding a bag,
(A) is a plan view, and (b) is a cross-sectional view.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a folding process of the bag body,
(A) is a plan view, and (b) is a cross-sectional view.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a folding process of the bag body;
(A) is a plan view, and (b) is a cross-sectional view.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a folding process of the bag body;
(A) is a plan view, and (b) is a cross-sectional view.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a process of folding the bag,
(A) is a plan view, and (b) is a cross-sectional view.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a folding process of the bag body;
(A) is a plan view, and (b) is a cross-sectional view.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a folding process of the bag body,
(A) is a plan view, and (b) is a cross-sectional view.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a folding process of the bag body;
(A) is a plan view, and (b) is a cross-sectional view.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a folding process of the bag body,
(A) is a plan view, and (b) is a cross-sectional view.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a folding process of the bag body,
(A) is a plan view, and (b) is a cross-sectional view.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a folding process of the bag body;
(A) is a plan view, and (b) is a cross-sectional view.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a folding process of the bag body;
(A) is a plan view, and (b) is a cross-sectional view.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a state where the bag body is stored in the cover body.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the bag is housed in the cover.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment showing a state in which the bag is stored in the cover.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the third embodiment showing a state in which the bag body is stored in the cover body.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing a deployed state of the bag body.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Bag body 12 Left part 13 Right part 14 Lower part 15 Upper part 20 Cover body 21 Top wall 22 Side wall 23 Thin part 24 Deployment hinge part X, Y Center line of bag body

Claims (1)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] 1. A cover body is provided so that a top wall faces an occupant.
The cover body has a thin wall on the front surface and the inner walls on both side surfaces of the side wall of the cover body.
Part is formed, and when the airbag is inflated and deployed, both sides from the thin part at the front of the side wall
The cover body breaks along the thin part of the surface,
The airbag device has a structure in which the top wall is integrally opened as a fulcrum, and the left and right sides of the bag body are folded a plurality of times so as to be parallel to a center line orthogonal to the deployment hinge portion. A plurality of folded sides of the unfolding hinge portion of the bag are folded so as to be parallel to a center line parallel to the portion, and the unfolded hinge portion of the bag is unfolded so as to be located on the folded opposite side. see tatami Ri plurality diffraction so as to be parallel to the hinge portion and the parallel center line, co the deployment hinge side is folded on top of the bag
The end of the side of the deployment hinge portion is the front of the side wall of the cover body.
A folded structure of an airbag bag, characterized in that the folded structure is opposed to a portion .