JP3340354B2 - Airbag - 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 which inflates when a gas flows therein.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an airbag device for protecting an occupant, for example, on a steering wheel of an automobile, an instrument panel facing an occupant in a front passenger seat, or a back portion of a front seat facing an occupant in a rear seat. Is provided. For example, as shown in FIG. 7 , the airbag device for a passenger on the passenger side includes a retainer (not shown) inside the instrument panel 1, and an inflator for injecting gas into the inside of the retainer and a folding device. And a bag-shaped airbag 2. In the airbag device, when the control device detects a collision of the vehicle, the inflator is activated to release gas into the airbag 2, and the airbag 2 is connected to the instrument panel 1 and the windshield (window). The occupant moving forward is restrained by bulging out from between the shield 3) to reduce the impact applied to the occupant.

In this respect, for example, an airbag described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-99795 is known. In this configuration, the airbag is sewn with two base cloths facing each other, and one base cloth has one side of a mounting opening (gas inlet), and the other base cloth has three sides of the mounting opening. Are formed by notches or the like, and each base cloth is formed by cutting out a base corner portion of a trapezoidal base cloth so as to form a three-dimensional bag shape in which the occupant side expands when deployed.

[0004]

The airbag device provided in the center pad (boss portion) of the steering wheel is provided at a position relatively close to the driver, and the inflated airbag is Since the rear portion of the occupant (the front portion with respect to the traveling direction of the vehicle) is supported by the steering wheel, the protrusion distance when inflated and the capacity of the airbag can be set relatively small. On the other hand, with respect to the airbag device for the passenger on the passenger seat, etc., the instrument panel is provided on the instrument panel relatively far from the occupant, and receives a rear portion of the inflated airbag from members such as an instrument panel and a windshield. It is necessary to protrude greatly toward the occupant. Therefore, for example, when a space is created between the inflated airbag and the windshield, as shown by an arrow X in FIG. 7 , the airbag that has received the occupant easily moves so as to escape until it comes into contact with the windshield. In addition, there is a problem that adjustment of the shock absorption characteristics becomes complicated. Therefore, in the above-described conventional configuration, the capacity of the airbag is increased so that the occupant can be sufficiently protected even if the airbag moves so as to escape. It is necessary to increase the output and the like, which leads to an increase in the size of the airbag device, making it difficult to arrange (layout) the airbag device in a vehicle, and increasing the manufacturing cost.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide an airbag capable of easily adjusting the shock absorbing characteristics and suppressing the manufacturing cost.

[0006]

An airbag according to claim 1 is a bag-shaped airbag in which gas flows in and swells, wherein a first base cloth portion and the first base cloth portion are provided. a second two base fabric group cloth portion Metropolitan which is sutured to face, these first
Base fabric portion and the second base cloth portion of the extending piece portion of the at least four positions both side edges are spaced apart from each other at each cut portion is formed by stitching each other at the cut portion, the one
The flow path into which gas flows is airtightly connected to the base cloth part.
The gas inlet is formed with an opening .

[0007] In this configuration, the airbag is formed by stitching the cutouts of at least four extended pieces whose both side edges are separated from each other by the cutouts.
At least two portions are formed in a swelled state. By arranging one of the swelled portions on the occupant side or the like, the occupant or the like can be widely received to absorb the impact, and the other of the swelled portions can be brought into contact with a nearby member or the like. Thereby, the position of the inflated airbag is stabilized, and the adjustment of the shock absorption characteristics is facilitated. Also,
It is not necessary to increase the size of the entire airbag, and the structure is not complicated, so that the manufacturing cost is suppressed. Further
In addition, the first base cloth portion and the second base cloth portion each have a small number.
At least four extended pieces are sewn together at the notch
Therefore, for example, the occupant side, which is the front side of the bulge, and
The airbag is inflated widely on the side that is close to the member
This makes it easier to adjust the shock absorption characteristics. In addition, one
In the base cloth part , a gas passage through which the gas flows is hermetically connected.
The base fabrics that are sewn to each other because the
Configuration is simpler than providing a gas inlet between
As a result, manufacturing costs are reduced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the airbag according to the first aspect , at least one of the base fabric portions includes:
It has four or more extending pieces radially, and one of the base cloths
The extended piece at the location extends longer than the extended piece located at a diagonal of the base cloth.

In this configuration, the airbag can be expanded widely in one direction, for example, in the direction of the occupant, and can be expanded in the opposite direction, for example, on the side of an adjacent member, so that the airbag can be supported. Becomes easier .

[0010] The airbag according to the third aspect is the first aspect.
2. The airbag according to claim 2, wherein the extension pieces are sewn to each other.
On the crew side as well as on the rear side in the direction of protrusion
Lower instrument panel and front
Formed into a three-dimensional shape with a volume on the glass side
It was done.

In this configuration, the swelled airbag is provided.
To the instrument panel and windshield.
Contact, easily hold in desired position, easy occupant restraint
To improve.

[0012]

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

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 11 denotes an airbag device, and the airbag device 11 is provided on an instrument panel 12 located in front of a passenger seat of a motor vehicle. The airbag device 11 includes a case-shaped retainer 15 having an opening 14 serving as a flow path on the upper side. A substantially columnar inflator 16 for injecting gas is stored below the retainer 15, and a folded bag-shaped airbag 21 is stored above the inflator 16. Further, the opening 14 of the retainer 15
Is covered by the cover body 22 in a normal state.

The airbag device 11 activates the inflator 16 to release gas into the airbag 21 when the control device (not shown) detects a collision of the vehicle, thereby inflating and deploying the airbag 21. Let it. Then, by the pressure of the inflation of the airbag 21, the cover body 22 is cleaved at a predetermined tear line to form a projecting opening, and the airbag 21 projects from the projecting opening. Then, this airbag 21
The occupant that swells and deploys forward in front of the occupant along a portion surrounded by the upper surface of the instrument panel 12 and the inner glass surface of the windshield 24 located above the instrument panel 12, and moves forward. To reduce the impact on the occupants.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the airbag 21 has an upper base cloth (panel) 31 as a first base cloth and a lower base cloth as a second base cloth. (panel)
The two base cloths 32 and 32 are sewn and stitched to form a bag. The upper and lower base fabrics 31 and 32 have the same outer shape, and extend in four directions from a substantially trapezoidal base 34 located substantially in the center. The extension piece 36 and a pair of side extension pieces 37, 37 are integrally extended. In other words, the upper and lower base fabrics 31, 32
Is formed by cutting out four corners of a substantially trapezoidal-shaped cloth, forming a pair of front cutouts 38, 38 on both sides as cutouts and a pair of rear cutouts 39, 39 on both sides, respectively. , A rear extension piece 36, and a pair of side extension pieces 37,
37 are formed. And each notch 38, 39
It has a shape in which the same opposing arcs are connected at the vertices. Therefore, as shown in FIG.
In a state where 32 is deployed, each of the base fabrics 31 and 32 is one of A to L.
It has two vertices. And the front notch 38,
The arcs DE, EF, GH, and HI that form 38 are:
Arcs AB, BC, JK, which have the same radius (angle R) Rn, Ro and form the rear cut portions 39, 39, respectively.
KL also have the same radius (angle R) Rm, Rp.

The upper base cloth 31 is formed with a pair of gas exhaust ports 41 on both sides in the shape of a circular hole located near the rear extension piece 36 of the base 34. These gas outlets
Around the 41, 41, reinforcing cloths 42, 42 each forming an annular shape.
Is sewn.

On the other hand, the lower base cloth 32 has a rectangular gas inlet (retainer mounting port) 44 which is located in the vicinity of the rear extending piece 36 of the base 34 and whose longitudinal direction is on both sides. Have been. Further, a plurality of mounting holes 45 into which bolts, rivets and the like are inserted are formed at both sides of the gas inlet 44 at predetermined intervals.

The process of manufacturing the airbag 21 is as follows: first, the upper and lower base fabrics 31 and 32 are each
AB and BC, DE and EF, GH and HI, J which are side edges of 36 and 37, that is, edges of the cut portions 38 and 39, respectively.
-K and KL are stitched along an arc respectively. In this state, the arcs (R shapes) of the cut portions 38 and 39 form a curved surface shape in a state where the airbag 21 is deployed, the upper and lower base fabrics 31 and 32 are three-dimensionally formed, and A, C- D, FG, I
By suturing the sides connecting −J and L, a bag-shaped airbag 21 is formed.

As described above, according to the airbag of the present embodiment, in the so-called two-piece bag in which the upper base fabric 31 and the lower base fabric 32 are sewn facing each other, these upper and lower base fabrics 3 are used.
At least four extending pieces 35, 36, 37 which are separately defined by the cuts 38, 39 are formed integrally with the first and 32, and a pair of opposing edges of these extending pieces 35, 36, 37 are formed. The two-piece bag can provide a three-dimensional shape (three-dimensional feeling) without difficulty due to the cut shape to be sewn and the sewing method.

As shown in FIG. 6, the three-dimensional shape has a volume not only on the occupant side but also on the instrument panel 12 side and the windshield 24 side located above and below the rear side with respect to the direction in which the airbag 21 protrudes. Since the airbag 21 has such a shape, the inflated airbag 21 can be brought into contact with the instrument panel 12 and the windshield 24, easily held at a desired position, and the occupant restraint can be easily improved.

Further, since the airbag 21 is formed in a desired three-dimensional shape in advance, wrinkles at the time of bulging can be suppressed, and shock absorbing performance can be easily improved.

Since the shock absorbing characteristics can be easily improved as described above, it is not necessary to increase the capacity of the airbag 21 more than necessary.
The arrangement can be facilitated, and the manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

Further, when manufacturing the airbag 21, a predetermined three-dimensional shape can be realized only by sewing the side edges of the opposing extension pieces 35, 36, 37, the number of man-hours can be suppressed, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Can be suppressed.

Further, after the upper and lower base fabrics 31, 32 are sewn three-dimensionally in advance, the base fabrics 31, 32 are sewn to each other, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process and suppressing the manufacturing cost.

Further, the gas inlet 44 attached to the retainer 15 of the airbag device 11 has an opening formed in the lower base cloth 32, thereby simplifying the structure as compared with the structure provided between a plurality of base cloths. The manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0026] In each of the embodiments above SL has been described airbag device 11 for the passenger, the present invention is an airbag device for the driver provided on the steering wheel, front seat of the seat The present invention can be applied to an airbag device for a rear occupant provided on a back portion, an airbag device for protecting a side portion provided on a door or the like, or an airbag device provided for an object other than a vehicle.

[0027]

According to the airbag of the first aspect, the cut portions of at least four extended piece portions whose both side edges are separated from each other at the cut portion are sewn together.
An airbag, which is a so-called two-piece bag having two base cloths, cannot be formed into a three-dimensional shape with at least two bulging portions.
Without can be formed by placing one of the bulged portion such as passenger side, it is possible to absorb the impact receiving wide like occupant is brought into contact toward like member adjacent the other of the protruding portion Thus, the position of the inflated airbag can be stabilized, and the shock absorption characteristics can be easily adjusted. Also, there is no need to enlarge the entire airbag,
Since the structure is not complicated, the manufacturing cost can be suppressed. Further, the first base cloth part and the second base cloth part are
Cut at least four extension pieces in each
Because, for example, the occupant side which is the front side of the bulge,
Widen the airbag on the back side of the bulging and on the adjacent member side
It swells and the shock absorption characteristics can be easily adjusted. further,
A gas inflow channel is airtightly connected to one of the base fabrics.
The gas inlets are open so that they are sewn together
Simplified configuration compared to providing a gas inlet between base fabrics
And manufacturing costs can be reduced.

According to the air bag of claim 2 wherein, in addition to claim 1 Symbol placement effect, at least one of the base fabric portion, radially has an extending piece portion of the above four positions, the base fabric section Is extended longer than the extension piece located at the diagonal of the base cloth, so that it swells widely in one direction, for example, in the direction of the occupant, and air also spreads in the opposite direction, for example, on the side of an adjacent member. The bag can be expanded widely enough to support the bag, and the impact absorption characteristics can be easily improved .

According to the airbag of the third aspect, the airbag
Item 1 or 2, in addition to the rear side in the projecting direction
Instrument panel located above and below
3D shape with volume on the glass side
The formed airbag is instrumented
Abut the panel and windshield, and
It can be easily held and occupant restraint can be easily improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an airbag inflated according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a state where the airbag is mounted on a vehicle and inflated.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the airbag, taken along the line YY in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the airbag, taken along the line ZZ in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a development view of the airbag. (A) is one base cloth part (b) is the other base cloth part

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of the airbag.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing the air bag device of the traditional.

[Description of Signs ] 12 Instrument panel 14 Opening as flow path 21 Airbag 24 Windshield 31 Upper base cloth as first base cloth 32 Lower base cloth as second base cloth 35 Extension Front extension piece as one piece 36 Rear extension piece as extension piece 37 Side extension piece as extension piece 38 Front notch as notch 39 Rear as notch Notch 44 Gas inlet

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A bag-shaped airbag in which gas flows in and swells, comprising: a first base cloth part; and a second base cloth part sewn to face the first base cloth part. comprising two base cloths of the first backing part and the second backing part thereof in at least four places of the extending piece portion is the notch portion side edges are spaced apart from each other at the respective cut portions It is formed by sewing together, wherein the one of the radicals cloth portion, the flow passage which the gas flows is airtightly
An airbag, wherein a gas inlet to be connected is formed with an opening . 2. At least one of the base fabric portions is radially
The base cloth portion has one or more extending piece portions, and one extending piece portion of the base cloth portion is longer than the extending piece portion located at a diagonal of the base cloth portion. according to claim 1 Symbol mounting air bag. 3. The extended pieces are sewn to each other, and
In addition, the upper and lower
Buttons on the instrument panel side and windshield side
It is characterized by being formed into a three-dimensional shape with a rhume
The airbag according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the airbag is provided.