JP3456616B2 - Airbag device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an airbag device disposed on a steering wheel or the like of a four-wheeled vehicle, and more particularly, to an airbag device when the airbag device operates. The present invention relates to a structure for exhausting gas for bag deployment. 2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 6 shows a conventional airbag device 1 which is expanded when the airbag 2 is deployed (inflated) to determine the deployed shape of the airbag 2. A string-shaped tether 3 for regulating the shape is provided inside the airbag 2 in a folded state, and a vent hole (exhaust port) for discharging gas filled in the airbag 2 to the outside after the airbag 2 is deployed. ) 4 and 5 are provided in the airbag 2. The above-described tether 3 is sewn to the peripheral portion of the gas introduction hole 6 formed in the central portion of the rear side portion 2a of the airbag 2 and the central portion of the front side portion 2b of the airbag 2 corresponding to the peripheral portion. End 3
a, 3b, and, for example, four string-like portions 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f provided continuously between both ends 3a, 3b. And the above-mentioned vent holes 4 and 5 are:
A gas introduction hole 6 and one end 3a of the tether 3 are formed on both left and right sides of the rear side portion 2a of the airbag 2, and the space inside the airbag 2 and the outside thereof are mutually connected via these vent holes 4 and 5. It is designed to communicate. The vent holes 4 and 5 are provided in the airbag 2 for the following reasons. That is, when the airbag 2 is completely deployed as the gas is introduced into the airbag 2 from the inflator (not shown) through the gas introduction hole 6 when the airbag device is operated, the airbag 2 is filled. This is for releasing the exhausted gas to the outside and releasing the tension state of the airbag 2. On the other hand, when the airbag 2 is deployed, it is better to deploy the airbag 2 in a complete shape within as short a time as possible. Therefore, it is desirable that the gas exhaust from the vent holes 4 and 5 during deployment is small. In order to satisfy such demands, conventionally, when the above-described tether 3 is folded, the string-like portions 3c and 3e are placed on the vent holes 4 and 5 so as to close the vent holes 4 and 5. When the airbag 2 is deployed, the cords 3c, 3
The vent holes 4 and 5 are set to be opened as e is extended and relatively moved from the vent holes 4 and 5. As another technique, an airbag device 7 having a configuration as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 has been conventionally proposed. In FIGS. 7 and 8, the same parts as those in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 7, vent holes 4 and 5 are provided at both left and right sides of a rear side portion 2a of the airbag 2 provided in the airbag device 7, and the airbag device 7 is not operated. Sometimes the vent holes 4,5
Are disposed on the outer periphery of the airbag 2. That is, one end of each of the cover members 8 and 9 is sewn at the portions indicated by reference numerals A and B in FIG. 7, and when the airbag 2 is not deployed, the other end portions of these cover members 8 and 9 are attached. When the airbag 2 is deployed, the other end portions of the cover members 8 and 9 move relative to the vent holes 4 and 5 to deploy the vent holes 4 and 5 as shown in FIG. The holes 4 and 5 are configured to be opened respectively. Therefore, after the deployment of the airbag 2 is completed, the gas filled in the airbag 2 is discharged to the outside through the vent holes 4 and 5. However, the conventional airbag devices 1 and 7 as described above have the following problems. First, in the airbag device 1 shown in FIG. 6, the tether 3 of the tether 3 housed in the airbag 2
Since it is necessary to fold the string portions 3c and 3e at predetermined positions on the vent holes 4 and 5 so that the vent holes 4 and 5 are closed by the c and 3e, the folding work is very troublesome. There is a point. In the airbag device 7 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, since the cover members 8 and 9 are arranged outside the airbag 2, the cover members 8 and 9 are easily moved outward by the high gas pressure in the airbag 2. Therefore, there is a problem that the gas in the airbag 2 is discharged to the outside through the vent holes 4 and 5 even while the airbag 2 is being deployed. In order to solve such a problem, the rigidity of the cover members 8 and 9 may be increased. In this case, it may be difficult to fold the airbag 2 and the cover members 8 and 9. is there. The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to easily move a tether to a predetermined position (a closed position of a vent hole) on a vent hole when folding an airbag and a tether. The vent hole can be reliably closed by the tether during the deployment of the airbag, suppressing the discharge of gas in the airbag, and the tether is vented after the deployment of the airbag is completed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an airbag device having a configuration in which a vent hole can be set to an open state by being moved from above the hole. In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to the present invention, there is provided a string-shaped tether which is expanded when the airbag is deployed to regulate the deployed shape of the airbag to a predetermined shape. An airbag device which is provided in a folded state inside the airbag and has a vent hole in the airbag for discharging a gas filled in the airbag to the outside after the airbag is deployed, It said mounting tether guide the air bag portion in the vicinity of the vent hole, and brought through the tether to the tether guide to the state of the position regulating end portion of the distal portion of the tether
A stopper for preventing the airbag from being disposed is provided, and when the airbag is not deployed and in the middle of deployment, the tip side portion of the tether pulled out from the tether guide is arranged on the vent hole, and the vent hole is closed. , The airbag
The tether is guided by the tether guide with the development of
And the stopper is moved to the tether guide.
By engaging, the tip side portion of the tether guide
It is prevented movement of the end, and together with the said vent hole is moved upon deployment completion of airbag distal portion of the tether from the said vent hole is opened, before
The deployment shape of the airbag when the deployment of the airbag is completed
There has been configured so that is regulated to a predetermined shape. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention ,
The stopper provided at the end of the tip portion of the tether is a stopper piece attached to the tip of the tip portion of the tether. An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, the same parts as those in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 1 shows an airbag apparatus 10 according to the present invention, which shows a state immediately before the completion of deployment of an airbag 2. The airbag device 10 includes a bag-shaped airbag 2 including a rear side portion 2a and a front side portion 2b, and a tether 3 disposed in the airbag 2, as in the related art. . Further, in the present embodiment, a pair of tether guides 11 for regulating the positions of the distal end portions of the cord portions 3c and 3e of the tether 3 and guiding them in a movable state along the longitudinal direction.
Are arranged. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pair of tether guides 11 are formed by bending a single rectangular plate, for example. And a pair of bent pieces 13 and 14 bent at substantially right angles in opposite directions at both ends of the guide 12, respectively. Thus, the pair of tether guides 11 are disposed at the left and right sides near the one end 3a of the gas introduction hole 6 and the tether 3, respectively, at the intermediate points between these and the vent holes 4 and 5, and the airbag 2 is also provided. The bent piece 1 of the tether guide 11 is provided on the inner surface of the rear side portion 2a.
3 and 14 are attached by sewing or the like in a state where they are in contact with each other. On the other hand, one end of the string-like portions 3c and 3e of the tether 3, that is, one end on the side of the one end 3a of the tether 3 is separated without being sewn to the one end 3a, and the free end 15,
16 and these separated string-like portions 3c,
Ends 15 and 16 of 3e are respectively inserted into rectangular cross-sectional spaces formed by the guide portion 12 of the tether guide 11 and the rear surface portion 2a of the airbag 2 (see FIG. 2).
As a result, the free ends 15 and 16 are
In the state where the position is regulated respectively, the string-like portions 3c, 3
e is provided so as to be movable along the longitudinal direction of e. The ends of the free ends 15 and 16 are sewn in a loop shape as clearly shown in FIG. 2, and the stopper piece 17 corresponding to the tether guide 11 is prevented from coming off at the loop portion α. It is assembled in a state where it is set. When the airbag 2 and the tether 3 are folded, a finger is inserted into the vent holes 4 and 5, and the stopper piece 17 is pulled toward the vent holes 4 and 5, as shown in FIG. As described above, the free ends 15, 16 of the cord portions 3c, 3e of these tethers 3 may be arranged on the vent holes 4, 5 so that the airbag 2 is folded.
Thus, when the airbag 2 is in the folded state, the vent holes 4 and 5 are closed at the free ends 15 and 16, and the stopper piece 17 is arranged at a position separated from the tether guide 11 by a predetermined distance. According to the airbag device 10 configured as described above, the free ends 15, 1 of the cord-like portions 3c, 3e of the tether 3 are provided.
Since the position of the stopper 6 is restricted by the tether guide 12 in the vicinity of the vent holes 4 and 5, the airbag 2 and the tether 3 can be easily folded only by pulling the stopper piece 17 as described above. It can be folded while the free ends 15, 16 are securely arranged on the vent holes 4, 5. When the airbag device 10 is not operating, the vent holes 4 and 5 are closed by the free ends 15 and 16 of the tether 3 whose position is regulated by the tether guide 12, and the airbag device 10 is not operated. Even when the operation is started, the vent holes 4 and 5 are connected to the free end 1 of the tether 3 during the deployment of the airbag 2 (the period from the start of deployment to the completion of deployment).
The state closed at 5 and 16 is maintained. That is, when the operation of the airbag apparatus 10 is started, gas is supplied from the inflator (not shown) through the gas introduction hole 6 to the airbag 2.
When the airbag 2 is deployed, the free ends 15, 16 of the tether 3 are pressed toward the vent holes 4, 5 by the pressure of the gas. The closed state of the vent holes 4 and 5 by 15 and 16 is maintained. Therefore, during the deployment of the airbag 2, the gas in the airbag 2 is prevented from being exhausted to the outside through the vent holes 4 and 5, and the time required for the airbag 2 to be completely deployed is shortened. Thus, the shock absorbing function of the airbag 2 can be favorably exhibited. On the other hand, as the deployment of the airbag 2 progresses,
As shown in FIG. 4, the string-like portions 3 c to 3 f of the tether 3 are pulled, and the stopper piece 17 is accordingly moved to the tether guide 11.
It is moved toward the side. Then, the stopper piece 17
Is brought into contact with the tether guide 11, and at the same time,
3f are set in a tension state, and the expansion of the airbag 2 is completed. In response to this, the airbag 2 is deployed in a complete shape restricted to a predetermined shape. Under this state, the free ends 15, 16 of the tether 3 are located at positions off the vent holes 4, 5, so that these
5 is open. Therefore, immediately after the deployment of the airbag 2 is completed, the gas filled in the airbag 2 is gradually discharged to the outside through the vent holes 4 and 5, so that the tensioned state of the airbag 2 is released. Can be. The embodiment of the present invention has been described above.
The present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and various modifications and changes can be made based on the technical idea of the present invention. For example, the shape of the tether guide 11 of the tether 3 may be any shape as long as it does not escape from the loop-shaped portion α at the distal ends of the free ends 15 and 16, and the material of the tether guide 11 is air. Any material (metal material, resin material, or the like) may be used as long as it has a strength that can withstand an impact load when the stopper piece 17 comes into contact with the tether guide 11 when the bag 2 is deployed. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the loop-shaped portion α of the free ends 15 and 16 of the tether 3 may be lengthened, and the guide portion 12 of the tether guide 11 may be inserted into the loop. In this case, the tether guide 11 is also used as a stopper.
As a result, the stopper piece 17 can be omitted. [0021] As mentioned above, the present invention is attached to the tether guide to the air bag portion in the vicinity of the vent hole, and brought through the tether to the tether guide to the state of the position regulating end portion of the distal portion of the tetherス
A topper is disposed, and when the airbag is not deployed and in the middle of deployment, a tip side portion of the tether pulled out from the tether guide is arranged on the vent hole, the vent hole is closed, and the airbag is closed . Before deployment
The tether is moved while being guided by the tether guide.
The stopper engages with the tether guide.
Movement of the end of the tether guide tip
When the deployment of the airbag is completed, the tip side portion of the tether is moved from above the vent hole to open the vent hole , and at the same time, expands the airbag.
When the opening is completed, the deployment shape of the airbag is regulated to a predetermined shape.
Since those configured to so that is, without gas introduced into the airbag is discharged to the outside in the middle deployment of the air bag, thus quickly deploying operation to completely deployed from the deployment initiation of the air bag And a good shock absorbing function can be exhibited.
Also, insert your finger into the vent hole and insert a stopper or
Pull the end of the tether toward the vent hole
Airbag 2 and tether can be easily folded.
And place the tether securely on the vent hole.
Can be folded in a state where the vent hole is closed.
it can. Further, since the tether guide for guiding the tether in a state where the position is regulated is arranged near the vent hole, the folded position of the tether guide can be easily and reliably arranged on the vent hole. As a result, the folding operation of the airbag and the tether can be easily performed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an airbag device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion indicated by an arrow X in FIG. 1 and is a perspective view showing a free end of a tether and a tether guide. FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the airbag device when the airbag is not deployed. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the airbag device when the deployment of the airbag is completed. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a modification of the present invention and showing a loop portion formed at a free end of the tether and a tether guide inserted into the loop portion. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a conventional airbag device. FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view showing the configuration of another conventional airbag device. FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view showing a state when the airbag device shown in FIG. 7 is operated. [Description of Signs] 2 Airbag 3 Tethers 3c, 3e String portion 4, 5 Vent hole 6 Gas introduction hole 10 Airbag device 11 Tether guide 15, 16 Free end (loop portion) 17 Stopper piece

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims 1] A cord-like tether that is expanded when the airbag is deployed and regulates the deployment shape of the airbag to a predetermined shape is disposed inside the airbag in a folded state. And an airbag device provided with a vent hole in the airbag for discharging gas filled in the airbag to the outside after deployment of the airbag, wherein a tether is provided on an airbag portion near the vent hole. attaching a guide, a state of being positioned regulations allowed through the tether to the tether guide, the end of the distal portion of the tether
A stopper for retaining is provided, and the tip side portion of the tether pulled out from the tether guide is arranged on the vent hole during non-deployment and during deployment of the airbag, and the vent hole is closed, Of the airbag
The tether is guided by the tether guide as it unfolds.
The stopper is engaged with the tether guide while being moved.
By joining, the end of the tip side of the tether guide
When the deployment of the airbag is completed, the tip side portion of the tether is moved from above the vent hole to open the vent hole ,
When the deployment of the airbag is completed, the deployment shape of the airbag is
Airbag apparatus characterized by being configured to so that is regulated to a predetermined shape.