JP2709024B2 - Airbag assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The bag (10) is inflated by a pressure source (160), being accommodated in the folded state in a housing (130). In this state, first folded edges (62,66,64,68,102,106,110) run parallel to the housing door (140), which is thrust clear on inflation, and form first folded portions (80,82,116) at right angles to the door, against which their fold edges act. Second folds (42) form second portions (52,54,56) at right angles to the first ones. The first folded portions can form a vertical stack.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an airbag which can be inflated to restrain a person on a vehicle, that is, a passenger.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Airbags are generally supported in a folded state within a container in a vehicle instrument panel or steering wheel. When the inflator assembly is activated, gas is directed into the folded airbag and inflates the airbag. The airbag expands and inflates. As the airbag expands and inflates, the container door is pushed out of its inflation path and inflates through the door opening toward the occupant. During rapid deceleration of the vehicle, such as occurs in the event of a collision, the airbag restrains the occupant in an inflated state.

[0003] When the airbag is folded under certain conditions, the flow of gas to various parts of the folded airbag is impeded. The airbag must be partially inflated and inflated before the aforementioned parts of the airbag receive the maximum flow of gas. If the occupant is approaching or in contact with the door of the airbag container when the inflator assembly is activated, the occupant's body impedes the initial and partial inflation of the airbag.
One way to eliminate the aforementioned effects caused by the occupant being too close to the airbag container door is to provide a higher initial gas pressure in the airbag. However, increasing the initial gas pressure tends to push the occupant out of the path of the inflating airbag due to undesirably high forces. Therefore, the airbag is folded so that gas can flow unimpeded to any part of the airbag, thereby reducing the initial pressure required to expand and inflate the airbag. It is desirable to lower it.

[0004] It has also been found that airbags, when folded under certain conditions, act as rigid objects that do not flex when gas is introduced into the folded airbag and inflates the airbag. doing. Therefore, the initial inflation force of the airbag cannot be evenly distributed on the door surface. This tends to concentrate the load at some point on the container door. It is desirable to distribute the initial inflation force of the airbag evenly over the door surface.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an airbag assembly that includes an inflatable airbag, a source of inflation fluid, and a container. The airbag has a contracted and folded state and an inflated and expanded state. The inflation fluid source introduces the inflation fluid into the airbag to inflate the airbag, thereby restraining the occupant. The container contains the airbag in a contracted and folded state. The container has a door that is pushed out of its inflation path by the airbag as inflation fluid is introduced into the airbag from a source of inflation fluid to inflate the airbag.

[0006] The airbag has a plurality of vertical folds that extend generally parallel to the door when contracted and folded in the container. The vertical fold defines therebetween a plurality of vertical folds of the airbag that extend generally transverse to the door. The vertical folds of the airbag move relative to each other and move generally relative to the door with respect to the door when the airbag is inflated. As a result, the vertical fold is engaged with the door. When the airbag inflates,
The vertical folds of the airbag move relative to each other and move closer with respect to the door, so that the vertical folds simultaneously engage the door, thereby reducing the force of the inflating airbag. Are relatively evenly distributed on the surface.

[0007] The airbag has a plurality of lateral folds extending in a direction substantially transverse to the vertical folds. The fold in the left-right direction defines a fold in the left-right direction of the airbag therebetween. The fold in the left and right direction
A fold in the fold that does not impede the flow of gas into the lateral fold of the airbag when the airbag is inflated.

[0008] These and other features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following description of the invention with reference to the drawings.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an airbag assembly for restraining an occupant of a vehicle in the event of a sudden deceleration of wheels, such as occurs in a collision. The present invention can be applied to various airbag structures.

As an illustration of the present invention, FIGS. 1 and 2 show an airbag 10 in a reduced, unfolded condition.
The airbag 10 can be made of any material, preferably fabric.
And an expansion space 12 is formed between the layers. In this expansion space, inert (inert)
An inflation fluid such as gas is supplied to inflate the airbag.

The two layers of these airbags include a front (front) panel 14 and a back (rear) panel 16. The front panel 14 is located closest to the vehicle occupant when the airbag 10 is inflated,
Is located furthest from the vehicle occupant when the airbag is inflated. Front and back panels 14, 16
May be separate pieces of fabric sewn together or formed from a single piece of fabric.

A retaining ring 18 is sewn to the back panel 16. The retaining ring forms an inflation fluid introduction opening 19 in the airbag 10.

The airbag 10 includes an upper portion 20 having an upper center point 22 and a lower portion 24 having a lower center point 26. The airbag 10 also includes a left side 28 having a left center point 30 and a right side 32 having a right center point 34.

FIG. 1 to FIG. 6 show a folded state of the airbag 10 in the lateral direction, that is, in the left-right direction.

First, the left side portion 28 and the right side portion 3 of the airbag will be described.
2 is a front panel 14 and a back panel 16 respectively.
Is folded inward toward the center line 40 of the airbag (FIG. 4). Accordingly, the left center point 30 is located adjacent to the right center point 34. Next, the center of the left portion 28 and the right portion 32 is pulled outward as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and a plurality of folds (left-right folds) are formed on each side of the airbag 10. Form.

As a result of the lateral folding of the airbag 10, the left side portion 28 of the airbag 10 has a fold 4 in the lateral direction.
2, 44 (FIG. 6), folded along a plurality of parallel left and right folds, including a fold through left center point 30 and a left and right fold 46. Similarly, the airbag 10
Is folded along a plurality of parallel left and right folds including left and right folds 48 and 50, a fold passing through the right center point 34, and a left and right fold 51 (see FIG. 6). ). These fold-like folds are formed in the airbag 10 by three laterally folded portions 52, 54, 56.
The left and right folds extend from the upper part to the lower part of the airbag. These lateral folds 52, 54, 56 are narrower than the inside of the retaining ring so that they can be moved through retaining ring 18 at the next prayer fold.

Next, the airbag 10 is folded up and down as schematically shown in FIG. 7 to FIG. The retaining ring 18 of the airbag 10 is used to hold the bag folding fixture 6.
0. The central portion of the airbag 10 is pulled down into the bag folding fixture 60 so that the central fold 6
Form 2

The upper portion 20 of the airbag 10 is then folded into a series of accordion folds along a series of vertical folds 64, 66, 68, 70, 72. These vertical folds, along with the upper center point 22 and the central fold 62, are between them in a series of vertical folds 80, 82, 84, 86, 8 of the airbag 10.
8, 90 are formed. These vertical folds correspond to the holding ring 1 in the direction indicated by the arrow 1OO in FIG.
8 are moved as a downward group (one bundle). The lower portion 24 of the airbag 10 is then folded into a series of accordion folds along the vertical folds 102, 104, 106, 108, 110. These vertical folds, together with the lower center point 26 and the central fold 62, form a series of vertical folds 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122 of the airbag 10.
To form These vertical folds are moved into the retaining ring in the direction indicated by arrow 124 in FIG. 9 as a vertically lower group. Next, the airbag 10 is in the reduced and folded state shown in FIGS.

The folded airbag 10 is mounted in a container 130 (FIG. 12) for mounting on a vehicle (not shown).
To 13). The airbag 10 is connected to a container 130 at a retaining ring 18, which is located adjacent a front opening of the container. The container 130 has an upper part 132, a lower part 134, and a rear part 1.
36.

The container 130 has a door 140,
This door closes the front door of the container and opens the airbag 10
From the passenger compartment of the vehicle. This door 140 is in the upper part 1
42 and a lower portion 144, which are separated by a break line 146 configured to break and open the door when the airbag 10 is inflated. The upper part 142 of the door surrounds the hinge part 148,
It is pivotable outwardly upward and to the right as viewed in FIGS. The lower part 144 of the door 140 is a hinge 150
Is pivotable outwardly downward and to the right as viewed in FIGS. 12 and 13.

When the folded airbag 10 is in the container 130, the vertical folded portions 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 112, 1 of the airbag are provided.
14, 116, 118, 120, 122 (FIGS. 7 to 11)
Are located horizontally in the container and are stacked vertically in the container. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13,
These vertical folds extend from the rear of the container 130 to the front, but the door 140
0 extends from the top to the bottom. Therefore, the airbag 1
0 of the container 130
And extends substantially parallel to the direction of inflation as indicated by arrow 170.

When the folded airbag 10 is in the container 130, the fold 4 in the side, that is,
2, 44, 46, 48, 50 and 51 (FIGS. 3 to 6)
Folding portions 80, 82, 84, 86, 8 in a substantially vertical direction
8, 90, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120,
Extends across 122. These horizontal folds are
The folded portions 52, 54, 56 in the left-right direction of the airbag 10 are formed between them. These folds extend substantially across the door 140 of the container.

The folded airbag 10 is attached to the door 1
It is located in the container 130 intermediate the source 40 and an inflation fluid source 160 such as an inert gas. Inflation fluid source 160 can be any suitable airbag inflator, such as a stored gas inflator, that is, an inflator using combustion gas generating material or an inflator using both stored gas and combustion generating material. When the vehicle undergoes a sudden deceleration, such as occurs during a collision, an inflation fluid source or inflator 160 directs high pressure gas in the direction of inflation 170 into the inflation fluid inlet opening 19 to cause the collapsed airbag 10. Is activated in a known manner, such as to inflate.
The airbag 10 is inflated toward the occupant of the vehicle, that is, toward the right as viewed in FIGS.

The gas from the inflator 160 is shown in FIG.
13, there is a tendency to move the folded airbag 10 rightward. The vertically folded portions 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 112,
114, 116, 118, 120, 122 are directions 170
, These vertical folds move relative to each other when the gas from the inflator 160 is directed into the folded airbag 10 and move relative to the door 140. You can move. These vertically folded portions 80, 82, 8
4,86,88,90,112,114,116,11
8, 120, 122 move to the relative positions shown in FIG. 13, where the airbag folds 102, 106,
110, 72, 68, 64 all engage door 140. Thus, the force of the moving airbag 10 is relatively evenly distributed along the surface of the door 140 as the airbag 10 moves through the door 140 and inflates along the direction 170 into the passenger compartment of the vehicle. You. The door 140 is provided with all the vertical folds 80, 82, 8 of the airbag 10.
4,86,88,90,112,114,116,11
8, 120 and 122 are engaged with the door 140,
Do not break at break line 146 until 0 is pressed.

On the other hand, the folding part 8 in the vertical direction
0, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 112, 114,
116, 118, 120, 122 are vertically in the container 130 and parallel to the door 140 (FIGS. 12, 1).
When the airbag 10 extends vertically (as viewed in FIG. 3), the entire airbag 10 moves toward the door 140 as a unit. Door 14
The vertically extending airbag portion closest to zero engages the door at or adjacent hinge points 148,150.

The force of the moving airbag 10 engaging the door 140 in this manner causes the door 140 to break considerably at the hinges 148, 150 rather than at the break line 146.

The gas from the inflator 160 also flows in the direction indicated by arrows 180 and 182 (FIG. 11).
0 flows into the left and right folds 52, 54, 56. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the left-right folds 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 51 constituting the left-right folds 52, 54, 56 of the airbag 10 are folds. . These folds form an inflation fluid flow path or gas flow path for inflating the legs of the airbag, which is free to change direction by 180 degrees. Thus, the sides 28, 32 of the airbag 10 are more preferable for inflating the airbag when there is an obstruction to the expansion of the airbag, such as when the occupant lifts the door 140 upward.

[0028]

According to the present invention, there is provided an airbag which can be efficiently inflated as a unit without bending when gas is introduced into the folded airbag. Thus, the force of the inflating airbag is evenly distributed over the surface of the door of the container containing the airbag.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an airbag in a folded and contracted state.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view similar to FIG. 1 showing an initial stage in which the side portion of the airbag of the present invention is folded.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 4-4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view similar to FIG. 3, but showing the remaining stages in which the sides of the airbag are folded.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG.

7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the partially folded airbag of FIG. 6 taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6, showing an initial stage in which the top and bottom of the airbag are folded. ing.

FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view similar to FIG. 7, showing a part of the remaining stages in which the top and bottom of the airbag are folded.

FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 7, showing a portion of the remaining steps in which the top and bottom of the airbag are folded.

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 7, showing a part of the remaining stages in which the top and bottom of the airbag are folded.

11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the airbag of FIG. 10 with a source of inflation fluid provided in a container for mounting on a vehicle.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an initial deployment state of the airbag.
It is sectional drawing similar to.

[Explanation of symbols]

10: Airbags 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 102, 10
4, 106, 108, 110: vertical folds 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 112, 11
4, 116, 118, 120, 122: vertical folding parts 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 51: left and right folding 52, 54, 56: left and right folding parts 130: container 140: door 160 ： Expansion fluid source

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Al S. Emanbaksh 24642, Flat Rock, Sylvain, 48134, Michigan, USA (56) References JP-A-6-87393 (JP, A) JP-A-2 -303952 (JP, A) JP-A-3-243444 (JP, A) JP-A-5-13865 (JP, U)

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] An inflatable airbag (10) having a contracted and folded state and an inflated and expanded state, wherein the inflatable airbag restrains a vehicle occupant when inflated. An inflation fluid source (1) that sends inflation fluid into the airbag (10) to inflate the airbag (10).
60); and an inflation fluid introduction opening (19) provided in the airbag (10) for introducing inflation fluid from the inflation fluid source (160) into the airbag (10). A door (140) for accommodating the reduced and folded airbag (10) and being pushed out of an airbag inflation path by the airbag when the airbag (10) is inflated; A container (130);
When the airbag (10) is stored in the container (130) in a reduced and folded state, the airbag (10) is substantially parallel to the door (140) and the container (13).
0) extending from the upper part to the lower part in the vertical direction (64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 102, 104, 1).
06, 108, 110) and the vertical fold (6
4, 66, 68, 70, 72, 102, 104, 10
6, 108, 110) extending laterally in a direction substantially transverse to the lateral folds (42, 44, 46,
48, 50, 51), and the vertical folds (64, 66, 68, 70, 7)
2, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110) extend in a direction substantially transverse to said door (140) and fold in a direction across the container (130) between each vertical fold. The plurality of vertically folded portions (80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 112, 1
14, 116, 118, 120, 122), and the folds (30, 34, 42, 44, 46,
48, 50, 51) form left-right folds (52, 54, 56) between each left-right fold, and the left-right folds form the airbag (1).
0) and on both sides of said inflation fluid introduction opening (19).
Two sets of folding parts (52,
54, 56), and one set of the left and right folds
Folds cannot overlap with other sets of folds.
The inflation fluid from the inflation fluid source (160) is supplied to the airbag (10) through the inflation fluid introduction opening (19).
When the airbag (10) is introduced into the airbag and inflated, the vertically folded portions (80, 82, 84,
86, 88, 90, 112, 114, 116, 118,
120, 122) are relative to each other and the door (14
0) to move along the vertical folds (64, 6).
6, 68, 70, 72, 102, 104, 106, 10
8, 110) is engaged with the door (140), and the folds (42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 5
1) The airbag assembly, wherein the airbag assembly has a pleated fold that does not impede the flow of the inflation fluid introduced into the airbag through the inflation fluid introduction opening (19). 2. The airbag assembly according to claim 1, wherein the airbags (10) are folded together in a contracted and collapsed condition so that the left and right folds (52, 54, 56), and the left and right side portions (28, 32) of the airbag (10) from the inflation fluid introduction opening (19). 2
8, 32) extending to the left and right expansion fluid passages (18).
0, 182), and the left and right inflation fluid passages (180, 182) are connected to the airbag (1).
An airbag assembly having no surface that changes the direction of the inflation fluid by 180 degrees when 0) is in a deflated and collapsed state. 3. The airbag assembly according to claim 1, wherein the left and right folds (30, 34,
42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 51) are the inner left and right
Direction folds (44, 46, 50, 51) and outer left
With folds to the right (30, 42, 34, 48)
One set of folding parts in the horizontal direction is
Side folds (44, 46) and some of the outside
Formed between the left and right side folds (30, 42).
The other set of the left and right folds is
Left and right folds (50, 46) and the remaining outer left and right
An airbag assembly formed between the directional folds (34, 48) . 4. The airbag assembly according to claim 1, wherein the container (130).
Has an upper part (132), a lower part (134) and both side parts, and has the vertical folds (64, 66, 68, 7).
0, 72, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110)
An airbag assembly extending between opposite sides of said container (130). 5. An airbag assembly, inflatable to restrain a vehicle occupant when inflated, having a contracted and collapsed state and an inflated and expanded state, and having a top, a bottom and a bottom. An airbag (10) having both sides, an inflation fluid source (160) for sending inflation fluid to the airbag (10) to inflate the airbag, and inflation from the inflation fluid source (160) Fluid introduction opening (1) for introducing fluid for use into the airbag (10).
9) and a door (140) that is pushed out of the inflation path of the airbag by the airbag when the airbag (10) is inflated, and accommodates the contracted and folded airbag (10). Container for (130)
And wherein the airbag (10) is deflated and collapsed in the container (130) when the door (1) is closed.
40) a plurality of vertical folds (64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 102, 104,
106, 108, 110), from the top to the bottom of the airbag, and the vertical folds (64, 66, 68, 70, 7)
, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110) therebetween have a plurality of vertical folds (80, 82, 82) extending generally transverse to said door (140).
84, 86, 88, 90, 112, 114, 116, 1
18, 120, 122), and the vertical folding portions (80, 82, 84, 8)
6, 88, 90, 112, 114, 116, 118, 1
20, 122), the airbag (10) is inflated and the vertical folds (64, 66, 68, 70, 7) are formed.
2, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110) when engaged with the door (140), move relative to each other and in a direction generally transverse to the door (140); ) Are folded in the vertical direction (64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 102, 1) when contracted and folded in the container (130).
04, 106, 108, 110) extending in a direction substantially transverse to the horizontal folds (30, 34, 42, 4).
4, 46, 48, 50, 51), and is folded right and left along the folds (30, 34, 42, 4
4, 46, 48, 50, 51) have a plurality of laterally folded portions (52, 54, 56) therebetween, and the laterally folded portions are formed by the airbag (1).
0) and on both sides of said inflation fluid introduction opening (19).
Two sets of folding parts (52,
54, 56), and one set of the left and right folds
Folds cannot overlap with other sets of folds.
Ku, crease of the right and left direction (30,34,42,44,4
6, 48, 50, 51) are pleated folds that provide inflation fluid flow paths (180, 182) for inflating the sides of the airbag, the inflation fluid flow paths being An airbag assembly having no surface that changes the flow of the inflation fluid by 180 degrees when the airbag (10) is deflated and collapsed.