JP2760465B2 - Airbag device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an airbag device for deploying an airbag with gas injected from a gas generator to protect an occupant such as an automobile from impact.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 2-133265.
There is known an airbag device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. HEI 9-86139.

[0003] This airbag device is, for example, attached to a boss of a steering wheel body of an automobile, and has a substantially cylindrical gas generator (inflator).
And a bag-shaped airbag that covers the gas generator.

[0004] A substantially flat base plate is provided on the boss of the steering wheel body, and the gas generator is fixed to a gas generator mounting hole formed substantially at the center of the base plate. I have. And
In this state, a plurality of gas injection ports formed in the upper part of the peripheral surface of the gas generator are located above the base plate, and high-pressure gas can be injected into the airbag folded and stored above the base plate. ing.

[0005] The airbag, together with the base plate, the retainer, and the gas generator, is held between the upper surface of the base plate and the lower surface of the annular retainer, with the vicinity of the edge of the opening being sandwiched. , And is fixed to the base plate by rivets or the like.

[0006] Further, the retainer has its inner portion and outer portion bent upward to form annular reinforcing plate portions, respectively, thereby increasing rigidity.

Further, projections are formed on the upper surface of the base plate and the lower surface of the retainer, respectively, and the projections are cut into the airbag so that the airbag can be firmly held.

[0008]

By the way, at present, there is a demand for downsizing of an airbag device, for example, in order to increase the degree of freedom in designing a steering wheel.

However, when the inner and outer portions of the retainer are bent upward to form an annular reinforcing plate portion as in the prior art, the reinforcing plate portion is formed by the gas injection of the gas generator. In order not to obstruct the gas injection facing the mouth, for example, increase the diameter of the retainer and separate the inner reinforcing plate part to the side of the gas injection port, or connect the gas generator to the retainer. It is necessary to protrude upward and set the gas injection port of the gas generator at a position spaced above the base plate. If the diameter of the retainer is increased or the gas generator is protruded greatly above the base plate, the size of the airbag device increases, and the degree of freedom in the design of the steering wheel is limited. Have a problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an airbag device capable of firmly holding an airbag and reducing the overall shape.

[0011]

According to the present invention, there is provided an airbag apparatus, comprising: a gas generator provided with a gas injection unit in a fixing member; and a gas injected from the gas injection unit flows into one side. Holding the airbag to be deployed, the gas generator is arranged such that the gas injection unit faces the inside of the airbag through the opening of the airbag, and the airbag is Near the edge of the portion , the one side of the fixing member
In the airbag device held by being pressed to the fixed member side by the holding member arranged on the side, the holding member is
The end facing the gas generator is opposite to the one side.
The side wall is formed by bending toward the fixing member side.

[0012]

In the airbag device of the present invention, the gas injected from the gas injection section of the gas generator flows in from the opening and the airbag is deployed to one side . The airbag is held by being pressed to the fixing member side by a pressing member near the edge of the opening. Since the end of the holding member facing the gas generator is bent toward the fixing member to form a side wall, the rigidity of the holding member is improved, and the side wall cuts into the airbag, and the airbag is firmly formed. Will be retained. The side wall is air
Since it is bent to the fixed member side, which is the opposite side of the bag deployment direction, it does not hinder the gas injected from the gas injection unit.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The construction of an embodiment of the airbag device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 11 denotes a steering wheel body of an automobile.
The boss 12 includes a central boss 12, an annular rim 14, and a plurality of spokes 15 connecting the boss 12 and the rim 14.

As shown in FIG. 1, a metal cylindrical boss 21 fitted to a steering shaft (not shown) is provided below the boss portion 12 (on the vehicle side).
A boss plate 22 is fixed to an upper portion of the base 21 by welding or the like. The core metal 15a of the spoke portion 15 is fixed to the boss plate 22 by welding or the like.

[0016] Then, the lower portion of the boss portion 12, together with the lower cover 25 is attached, on the passenger side is top or one side of the boss portion 12, an air bag device
27 are installed.

This airbag device 27 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 3, a base plate 31 is provided as a fixing member having a substantially quadrangular planar shape, and the base plate 31 is fixed to the boss plate 22 via a bracket (not shown) or the like. Then, at the approximate center of the base plate 31,
A circular gas generator mounting hole 32 is formed,
Around this gas generator mounting hole 32, a small diameter through hole 33,
A plurality of large-diameter through holes (not shown) are respectively formed. Further, a peripheral portion of the base plate 31 is bent downward to form a cover body attaching portion 35.

Reference numeral 41 denotes a gas generator (inflator)
The gas generator 41 has a substantially cylindrical main body 43 and a flange 44 projecting from the outer peripheral surface of the main body 43. Then, this flange portion 44 is attached to the base plate 31.
The upper part of the main body 43 is inserted through the gas generator mounting hole 32 of the base plate 31 while being in close contact with the lower surface of the base plate.
It is designed to protrude slightly above the upper part of 31.

An igniter is provided at the center of the main body 43, for example, and a combustion chamber containing a gas generating agent (propellant) in communication with the periphery of the igniter is provided.
A cooling chamber containing a filter for cooling is provided in communication with the periphery of the combustion chamber, and the cooling chamber is provided with a plurality of gas injection ports 45 as gas injection sections formed on the upper outer peripheral surface of the main body 43. It is communicated with the outside through.

Further, the flange portion 44 of the gas generator 41 includes:
Through holes 46 communicating with the small diameter through holes 33 of the base plate 31
And a not-shown through-hole communicating with the large-diameter through-hole are formed.

Reference numeral 51 denotes an airbag. The airbag 51 is formed in a bag shape by sewing peripheral portions of, for example, a nylon circular cloth to each other, and is normally folded over the base plate 31. It is stored.
The airbag 51 has an opening 52 formed substantially in the same shape as the gas generator mounting hole 32 of the base plate 31. The opening 52 communicates with the gas generator mounting hole 32 of the base plate 31. In this state, the vicinity of the edge of the opening 52 is attached to the upper surface of the base plate 31 in close contact.
In the periphery of the opening 52, a small-diameter through-hole 53 communicating with each of the small-diameter through-holes 33 of the base plate 31, and a not-shown through-hole communicating with the large-diameter through-hole are formed.

Further, the vicinity of the edge of the opening 52 of the airbag 51 is pressed from the inner surface side to the upper surface side of the base plate 31 by a retainer 55 as a substantially annular pressing member.
It is sandwiched between the retainer 55 and the base plate 31.

This retainer 55 is shown in FIGS. 1, 3 to 5.
As shown in FIG. 5, a pressing plate portion 56 having a flat plate shape is formed. In this pressing plate portion 56, a circular hole 57 slightly smaller in diameter than the gas generator mounting hole 32 of the base plate 31 is formed. Further, a plurality of through-holes 58 communicating with the small-diameter through-holes 33, 46, 53 such as the base plate 31 are formed around the circular hole 57, and a large-diameter through-hole (not shown) such as the base plate 31 is formed. A stud bolt 59 inserted into the hole is fixed by welding or the like.

The inner end of the retainer 55 facing the circular hole 57 is bent substantially vertically downward to form an inner reinforcing portion 61 as a side wall. Is bent substantially vertically upward to form an outer reinforcing portion 62.

The stud bolt of this retainer 55
With the 59 inserted into the large-diameter through holes of the airbag 51, the base plate 31, and the gas generator 41, nuts (not shown) are screwed into these stud bolts 59, and the retainer 55, the air Small-diameter through holes 58, 5 of bag 51, base plate 31, and gas generator 41
The retainer 55, the airbag 51, the base plate 31, and the gas generator 41 are integrally connected and held in a state in which the rivets 65 are inserted through and fixed to 3, 33, and 46, respectively.

Reference numeral 71 denotes a substantially box-shaped cover having an open lower surface. The cover 71 is made of urethane or elastomer, and has a plate-like shape from the vicinity of the rear end of the upper surface 72 facing the occupant. The mounting pieces 73 are projected downward, and these mounting pieces 73 are attached to the cover body mounting portions of the base plate 31.
In a state of fitting and abutting on the outside of the base plate 35, they are integrally connected and held to the base plate 31 by rivets 75 or the like that pass through the through holes formed in each of the mounting piece portions 73 and the cover body mounting portion 35 of the base plate 31. ing.

The cover body 71 always covers the upper side of the airbag 51 which is folded and stored on the base plate 31. When the airbag 51 is inflated, it is formed fragile by the pressure of the inflation. It is to be broken along the breaking line 76.

Next, the deployment operation of the airbag device 27 of this embodiment will be described.

In the event of an automobile collision or the like, an impact sensor (not shown) detects the impact and activates the igniter of the gas generator 41. The igniter ignites the gas generating agent in the combustion chamber and burns to generate high-temperature and high-pressure combustion gas.
The combustion gas is cooled to a predetermined temperature in the process of passing through the cooling chamber, is injected into the airbag 51 from each gas injection port 45, and rapidly expands and deploys the airbag 51. The pressure of the inflation of the airbag 51 causes the cover
Break the 71 along the break line 76 and deploy
51 is projected to the occupant side.

According to the airbag device 27 of this embodiment, the vicinity of the edge of the opening 52 of the airbag 51 is pressed toward the base plate 31, and the airbag 51 is sandwiched between the base plate 31 and the base plate 31. Holder 55 with gas generator
Because the inner end facing 41 was bent downward to become the base plate 31 side to form the inner reinforcing portion 61, and the outer end bent upward to form the outer reinforcing portion 62, The deformation of the retainer 55 can be suppressed by improving the rigidity of the retainer 55, and the airbag 51 can be firmly held in a state where the inner reinforcing portion 61 bites into the airbag 51.
Therefore, even when an impact due to the high-pressure gas injected from the gas injection port 45 of the gas generator 41 is applied to the airbag 51,
The airbag 51 can be securely held, and a stud bolt 59 and a rivet for fixing the retainer 55 are provided.
By reducing the number of 65, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Since the inner reinforcing portion 61 of the retainer 55 is formed by bending downward on the base plate 31 side, it does not hinder the gas injected from the gas injection port 45, and The inner reinforcing portion 61 of 55 and the gas injection port 45 of the gas generator 41 can be formed close to each other.

Therefore, the diameter of the retainer 55 can be reduced while maintaining good gas injection efficiency.
By forming the gas injection port 45 of the gas generator 41 near the upper surface of the base plate 31, the gas generator 41 can be made thinner, and the airbag 51 can be inflated and deployed efficiently, and the airbag device 27 Can be reduced in size by reducing the plane size and height size of the device.

By reducing the size of the airbag device 27, the degree of freedom in designing the steering wheel can be increased.

Further, since the outer end portion of the retainer 55 is bent upward to form the annular outer reinforcing portion 62, the outer edge portion of the retainer 55 does not contact the airbag 51, and 51 can be protected.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the inner end portion of the retainer 55 is bent substantially vertically to form the inner reinforcing portion 61. However, as shown in FIG. The inner reinforcing portion 61a can also be formed by bending the inner end of the retainer 55 so as to be inclined inward and downward. Further, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, an outer reinforcing portion 62a having a larger height than the outer reinforcing portion 62 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 is formed. For example, the upper end portion of the outer reinforcing portion 62a is formed. 62b is set at a position higher than the upper end of the gas injection port 45.

By using the retainer 55 of this embodiment, the direction of injection of the gas injected from the gas injection port 45 is bent upward by the inner reinforcing portion 61a and the outer reinforcing portion 62a. Nylon airbag
It is possible to prevent the spray from being directly blown to the vicinity of the opening 52 of the 51. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the strength of the airbag 51 from decreasing due to gas heat or the like, and to protect the airbag 51.

In each of the embodiments described above, the airbag device 27 provided on the steering wheel of the vehicle has been described. However, the present invention relates to an airbag device provided on the passenger seat side of the vehicle or an airbag device provided on other parts. It can also be applied to

[0038]

According to the airbag device of the present invention, the pressing member which presses and holds the vicinity of the edge of the opening of the airbag toward the fixing member has an end facing the gas generator with the fixing member. since the formation of the side wall portion that is bent to the side, it is possible to improve the rigidity of the pressing member, with the bites the sidewall portion to the airbag, cut with firmly hold the air bag. Further, since the side wall is bent toward the fixing member opposite to the airbag deployment direction, the side wall does not hinder the gas injected from the gas injection unit, and the side wall of the pressing member and the gas generation are prevented. The gas injection part of the vessel can be formed in close proximity. Therefore, the pressing member or the gas generator and is downsized, cut with miniaturize the airbag device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a steering wheel provided with an airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the steering wheel.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the airbag device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the retainer as viewed from above.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the retainer as viewed from below.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a part of an airbag apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 27 Airbag device 31 Base plate as fixing member 41 Gas generator 45 Gas injection port as gas injection part 51 Airbag 52 Opening 55 Retainer as holding member 61 Inside reinforcement as side wall

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A gas generator having a gas injection section provided on a fixed member, and an airbag into which gas injected from the gas injection section flows and expands on one side is held. The gas injection unit is disposed so as to face the inside of the airbag via the opening of the airbag, and the airbag is configured so that the vicinity of the edge of the opening is close to the fixing member.
In the air bag device which is held by being pressed to the fixing member side by the pressing member on the other hand, which is arranged on the side, the pressing member has an end portion facing the gas generator, before
An airbag device, wherein a side wall portion is formed by bending the fixing member side opposite to the one side .