JP3760424B2 - Airbag device for vehicle - Google Patents

Airbag device for vehicle Download PDF

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Publication number
JP3760424B2
JP3760424B2 JP23021496A JP23021496A JP3760424B2 JP 3760424 B2 JP3760424 B2 JP 3760424B2 JP 23021496 A JP23021496 A JP 23021496A JP 23021496 A JP23021496 A JP 23021496A JP 3760424 B2 JP3760424 B2 JP 3760424B2
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Japan
Prior art keywords
airbag
occupant
deployment
deployed
head
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JP23021496A
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JPH1071911A (en
Inventor
英明 中道
孝一 陶山
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Honda Motor Co Ltd
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Honda Motor Co Ltd
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
    • B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
    • B60R21/20—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
    • B60R21/203—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components in steering wheels or steering columns
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
    • B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
    • B60R21/20—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
    • B60R21/205—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components in dashboards
    • B60R21/206—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components in dashboards in the lower part of dashboards, e.g. for protecting the knees

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、車両、主として自動車用エアバッグ装置に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来加速度センサー、エアバッグおよびインフレータを備え、前記加速度センサーが所定値以上の加速度を検出したとき、エアバッグを展開して乗員を拘束するようにした車両用エアバッグ装置において、ステアリング機構に取付けられる第１保護バッグおよびダッシュボードに取付けられる第２保護バッグを備え、それらにより乗員のひざと、胴とを別々に拘束保護するようにした、エアバッグ装置は公知である（特開昭４８−１４０３９号公報参照）。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
ところで、かかるエアバッグ装置においては、乗員のひざと、胴を拘束保護するのに、第１、２の保護バッグを必要としており、部品点数を多くしてコスト高を招くばかりでなく主たる保護装置である第１保護バッグがステアリングホイールに取り付けられる関係上、 1) ステアリングホイールの質量増および慣性マス増によるステアリング系への影響、 2) エアバッグ容量の限界、 3) ステアリングホイールの設計自由度の制限等、ステアリングホイールにエアバッグ装置を取り付けたことによる、本来の課題を解決するには至っていない。
【０００４】
本発明はかかる事情に鑑みてなされたものであり、少なくとも一つのエアバッグにより乗員の膝部から頭部に至る領域にわたり有効に拘束保護することができ、しかもそのエアバッグをステアリングホイールに設けないで済むようにして前記課題を解決できるようにした、新規な車両用エアバッグ装置を提供することを目的とするものである。
【０００５】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成するため、本請求項１記載の発明によれば、加速度センサー、エアバッグおよびインフレータを備え、前記加速度センサーが所定値以上の加速度を検出したとき、エアバッグを展開して乗員を拘束するようにした、車両用エアバッグ装置において、ステアリングホイールを支持するステアリングコラム下部の、乗員の膝部と対向する位置にエアバッグを収納し、このエアバッグは、乗員の膝部から頭部にかけて拘束保護できるように、膝部展開領域と胴部展開領域と頭部展開領域とを相互に一体に形成して構成されていて、展開時の全体形状が乗員の前面に追従するよう側面視でく字状に湾曲され、胴部展開領域はステアリングコラムに案内されて膨張展開することを特徴とする。
【０００６】
上記特徴によれば、ステアリングコラムの下部から乗員の膝部、胴部および頭部にかけて膨張展開するエアバッグにより、乗員の全身を有効に拘束保護することができ、これにより、ステアリングホイールにエアバッグを設けた従来のエアバッグ装置の課題（例えば、質量増および慣性マス増によるステアリング系への影響、エアバッグ容量の限界、ステアリングホイールの設計自由度の制限等）が解決される。またエアバッグは展開時の全体形状が乗員の前面に追従するよう側面視でく字状に湾曲されるので、その展開時に乗員の前面に追従して乗員の略全身を有効に拘束保護することができ、また特に胴部展開領域はステアリングコラムに案内されて膨張展開し、その際にステアリングホイールを跨いで上向きに膨脹展開して乗員の膝部から胴部を拘束保護することができる。
【０００７】
また本請求項２記載の発明によれば、前記請求項１記載のものにおいて、前記エアバッグの胴部展開領域および頭部展開領域には、乗員の胴部および頭部をそれらの両側から抱え込むように拘束保護できる凹部が形成されていることを特徴とし、この特徴によれば、上記凹部が乗員の胴部および頭部をそれらの両側から抱え込むように拘束保護できる。
【０００８】
而してこの発明においてエアバッグの膝部、胴部および頭部展開領域とは、主として乗員の膝部、胴部および頭部を拘束保護する領域を言い、各領域が互いに重複して他の部分を拘束保護してもよい。
【０００９】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の実施の形態を、添付図面に示した本発明の実施例に基づいて説明する。 まず図１〜７を参照して本発明の第一実施例について説明するに、図１は、本発明エアバッグ装置を備えた自動車の一部側面図、図２はそのエアバッグ装置の格納状態の縦断側面図、図３はそのエアバッグ装置の展開時の縦断側面図、図４は、展開時のエアバッグの正面図、図５〜７は、エアバッグ装置の作用図である。
【００１０】
自動車Ｖにおいて、運転者用シートＳｅ前方のステアリングホイール２を操向自在に支持するステアリングコラム１の下部には、前記シートＳｅ上に着座する乗員（運転者）Ｒの膝部Ｋに対面してエアバッグ装置Ａが装備される。
【００１１】
次にこのエアバッグＡの構造を、主に図２，３を参照して説明するに、前記ステアリングコラム１の下部には、エアバッグハウジング３がボルト・ナット等の固着具４により一体に設けられる。このエアバッグハウジング３は、合成樹脂材等の軽量材料により密閉中空状に形成されており、その底面には、エアバッグハウジング３の開口３1 を閉じる蓋体５がヒンジ部ｈを介して開閉可能に一体に形成されており、この蓋体５は、通常のように脆弱部よりなる破断ラインを有して、エアバッグ６の展開力により、その脆弱部が破裂され、前記ヒンジ部ｈを支点として下向きに開放されて、前記開口３1 を開放するようになっており、この開口３1 はシートＳｅ上に着座する乗員Ｒの膝部Ｋに対面している。
【００１２】
エアバッグハウジング３内には、エアバッグモジュールＭが収容される。このエアバッグモジュールＭは、エアバッグ６と、これを膨張展開させるためのインフレータ７とを備えており、エアバッグ６は、その一側に開口部を有して袋状に形成されており、エアバッグハウジング３内に折り畳まれて収納される。エアバッグ６の開口部には、口金８を介してエアバッグハウジング３の一側に収容される、前記インフレータ７が止具９により気密に一体に連結されている。エアバッグハウジング３の内面には、前記インフレータ７の外周を取り囲むように、短円筒状の取付部１０が一体に形成されており、この取付部１０に、前記口金８の延長部が止具１１により固着されており、これによりエアバッグモジュールＭは、エアバッグハウジング３内に一体に支持される。
【００１３】
前記エアバッグ６の素材は、引張強度の高い、ポリアミド系の基布に、ガス漏れ防止用のコーテング材を施して構成されており、その適所に内部ガスの放出用ベントホール１２（図７参照）が開口されている。またインフレータ７は、気体式、固定式、混合性ガス式あるいはガス引込式等の従来公知のものが使用される。
【００１４】
前記エアバッグ６は、膝部展開領域６Ｋ、胴部展開領域６Ｂおよび頭部展開領域６Ｈとを有しており、エアバッグ６の膨張展開時には、前記膝部展開領域６Ｋは乗員Ｒの膝部Ｋに、前記胴部展開領域６Ｂは乗員Ｒの胴部Ｂに、前記頭部展開領域６Ｈは乗員Ｒの頭部Ｈにそれぞれ対面するようになっており、エアバッグ６の展開時の全体形状はシートＳｅ上に着座する乗員Ｒの前面に追従するように側面視でく字状に湾曲され、また膝部展開領域６Ｋより頭部展開領域６Ｈにいくにつれて漸次容量が大きくなっており、乗員Ｒの略全身を有効に拘束保護できるように形成されている。
【００１５】
図１に示すように、車両Ｖの前部にはＧセンサー等の加速度センサーＳが設けられ、このセンサーＳの検知信号は、前記インフレータ７を動作して高圧ガスをエアバッグ６内に供給する。
【００１６】
次にこの実施例の作用を説明するに、いま車両Ｖが何らかの事故に遭遇して障害物に衝突すると、加速度センサーＳがこれを検知して、この検知信号をインフレータ７に送信し、このインフレータ７を動作して、ここより発生する高圧ガスが折り畳まれたエアバッグ６に、その開口部を通して供給され、エアバッグ６は膨張展開され、その展開力により図３に示すようにエアバッグハウジング３の蓋体５が開放され、エアバッグ６は乗員に向けて膨張展開する。
【００１７】
ところでエアバッグ６の展開初期では、先ず図５に示すように膝部展開領域６Ｋが、ステアリングコラム１と乗員Ｒの両膝部Ｋとの間で一次的に膨張展開して、その両膝部Ｋを拘束保護し、次いで図６に示すように、このエアバッグ６の胴部展開領域６Ｂがステアリングコラム１に案内されてステアリングコラム１の下部よりステアリングホイール２を跨いで上向きに二次的に膨張展開して乗員Ｒの膝部Ｋから胴部Ｂを拘束保護し、さらに胴部展開領域６Ｂから頭部展開領域６Ｈへと三次的に膨張展開して図７に示すように乗員Ｒの頭部Ｈを拘束保護し、その結果衝突エネルギを効果的に吸収して乗員Ｒへの衝撃を緩和する。
【００１８】
その後、ベントホール１２を通してエアバッグ６内の高圧ガスは、外部に放出され、エアバッグ６は、衝撃エネルギの吸収を終了して乗員を拘束しつつ緩徐に収縮される。
【００１９】
次にこの発明の第二実施例を図８〜１０を参照して説明するに、図８は、エアバッグの展開時の側面図、図９は、エアバッグの展開時の平面図、図１０は、エアバッグの展開時の正面図であり、前記第一実施例と同一要素には、同一符号が付される。
【００２０】
この実施例ではエアバッグ６の胴部展開領域６Ｂおよび頭部展開領域６Ｈが主にステアリングホイール２の下側を通過したのち、そのステアリングホイール２の後方で順次に膨張展開するようにされており、それらの領域６Ｂ，６Ｈには、乗員Ｒの胴部Ｂおよび頭部Ｈをそれらの両側から抱え込むように拘束保護できる凹部Ｇが形成されている。
【００２１】
次にこの発明の第三実施例を図１１〜１３を参照して説明するに、図１１は、エアバッグの展開時の側面図、図１２は、エアバッグの展開時の平面図、図１３は、エアバッグの展開時の正面図であり、前記第一実施例と同一要素には、同一符号が付される。
【００２２】
この実施例ではステアリングコラム１の下部両側には、一対のエアバッグハウジング３が対称的に設けられ、それらにそれぞれエアバッグモジュールＭが備えられる。各エアバッグモジュールＭのエアバッグ６は、それぞれ前記第一実施例のエアバッグと同じく膝部展開領域６Ｋ、胴部展開領域６Ｂおよび頭部展開領域６Ｈとを備え、エアバッグ６の膨張展開時には、先ず膝部展開領域６Ｋが一次的に膨張展開して乗員の左右膝部を別々に拘束保護したのち、胴部展開領域６Ｂがステアリングホイールの左右を通過するように二次的に膨張展開して乗員Ｒの胴部Ｂの左右をそれぞれ拘束保護し、さらに頭部展開領域６Ｈがステアリングホイールの後方において三次的に膨張展開して乗員Ｒの頭部Ｈの左右をそれぞれ拘束保護する。
【００２３】
なお、この第三実施例において、ステアリングコラム１の下部に一つのエアバッグ６を設け、これが左右に分かれて膨張展開できるように二股状に形成して乗員Ｒを前述のように左右両側から拘束保護するようにしてもよい。
【００２４】
以上、本発明の実施例について説明したが、本発明はその実施例に限定されることなく、本発明の範囲内で種々の実施例が可能である。たとえば前記実施例ではエアバッグ装置を自動車用に実施した場合を説明したが、これを他の車両用にも実施できることは勿論であり、また前記実施例ではステアリングコラム下部に、エアバッグとインフレータとを備えたエアバッグモジュールを設けた場合を説明したが、エアバッグのみをステアリングコラムの下部に設け、インフレータを他の場所に設けるようにしてもよい。またエアバッグは経時的に膨張展開し得る、膝部、胴部および頭部展開領域を備えていて乗員を拘束保護できるものであればどのような形状でもよい。
【００２５】
【発明の効果】
以上のように本発明によれば、ステアリングコラムの下部に設けたエアバッグを、膝部、胴部および頭部展開領域より構成してそれらを膨張展開させることにより乗員の略全身を有効に拘束保護することができ、これにより、ステアリングホイールにエアバッグを設けた従来のエアバッグ装置の課題（例えば、質量増および慣性マス増によるステアリング系への影響、エアバッグ容量の限界、ステアリングホイールの設計自由度の制限等）を解決することができる。また本発明のエアバッグは展開時の全体形状が乗員の前面に追従するよう側面視でく字状に湾曲されるので、その展開時に乗員の前面に追従して乗員の略全身を有効に拘束保護することができ、また特に胴部展開領域はステアリングコラムに案内されて膨張展開し、その際にステアリングホイールを跨いで上向きに膨脹展開して乗員の膝部から胴部を拘束保護することができる。
【００２６】
また特に請求項２の発明によれば、エアバッグの胴部展開領域および頭部展開領域に形成した凹部により、乗員の胴部および頭部をそれらの両側から抱え込むように拘束保護することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】 本発明の第１実施例に係るエアバッグ装置を備えた自動車の一部側面図
【図２】 エアバッグ装置の格納状態の縦断側面図
【図３】 エアバッグ装置の膨張展開時の縦断側面図
【図４】 膨張展開時のエアバッグの正面図
【図５】 エアバッグ装置の作用図
【図６】 エアバッグ装置の作用図
【図７】 エアバッグ装置の作用図
【図８】 本発明の第２実施例に係るエアバッグの展開時の側面図
【図９】 エアバッグ展開時の平面図
【図１０】 エアバッグの展開時の正面図
【図１１】 本発明の第３実施例に係るエアバッグの展開時の側面図
【図１２】 エアバッグ展開時の平面図
【図１３】 エアバッグの展開時の正面図
【符号の説明】
１・・・・・ステアリングコラム
２・・・・・ステアリングホイール
６・・・・・エアバッグ
６Ｋ・・・・膝部展開領域
６Ｂ・・・・胴部展開領域
６Ｈ・・・・頭部展開領域
Ｒ・・・・・乗員
Ｋ・・・・・膝部
Ｂ・・・・・胴部
Ｇ・・・・・凹部
Ｈ・・・・・頭部
Ｓ・・・・・加速度センサー[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vehicle, mainly an automobile airbag device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art A vehicle airbag apparatus that includes a conventional acceleration sensor, an airbag, and an inflator and that deploys the airbag and restrains an occupant when the acceleration sensor detects an acceleration of a predetermined value or more is attached to a steering mechanism. 2. Description of the Related Art An airbag device is known that includes a first protective bag and a second protective bag that is attached to the dashboard, thereby separately restraining and protecting an occupant's knee and torso (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 48-14039). No. publication).
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in such an air bag device, the first and second protective bags are required to restrain and protect the occupant's knees and torso, which not only increases the number of parts and increases the cost but also the main protective device. 1) The influence of the increase in the steering wheel mass and inertial mass on the steering system, 2) Air bag capacity limit, 3) Steering wheel design flexibility It has not yet been able to solve the original problems caused by attaching the airbag device to the steering wheel, such as restrictions.
[0004]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and can be effectively restrained and protected over an area from the occupant's knee to the head by at least one airbag, and the airbag is not provided on the steering wheel. It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel vehicle airbag apparatus that can solve the above-described problems.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, an acceleration sensor, an airbag, and an inflator are provided. When the acceleration sensor detects an acceleration equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the airbag is deployed to In a vehicle airbag device that is restrained, the airbag is stored at a position facing the occupant's knee at the lower portion of the steering column that supports the steering wheel. The knee deployment area , torso deployment area, and head deployment area are formed integrally with each other so that they can be restrained and protected, and the overall shape during deployment follows the front of the passenger. The body portion is curved in a voluminous shape, and the trunk development region is inflated and deployed while being guided by a steering column .
[0006]
According to the above feature, the knees of the occupant from the bottom of the steering column, the airbag is inflated and deployed toward the body portion and the head, it is possible to effectively restrain protecting an occupant of a systemic, thereby, the airbag in the steering wheel The problems of the conventional airbag apparatus provided with (for example, the influence on the steering system due to the increase in mass and inertial mass, the limit of the airbag capacity, the limitation on the design freedom of the steering wheel, etc.) are solved. The airbag is curved in a square shape so that the overall shape when deployed follows the front of the occupant, so that the entire body of the occupant is effectively restrained and protected by following the front of the occupant when deployed. In particular, the torso deployment region is inflated and deployed by being guided by the steering column, and at that time, the torso can be restrained and protected from the knee of the occupant by inflating and deploying upward across the steering wheel.
[0007]
According to the invention described in claim 2, in the apparatus described in claim 1, the trunk portion and the head portion of the occupant are held from both sides of the trunk portion deployment region and the head deployment region of the airbag. The concave portion that can be restrained and protected is formed, and according to this feature, the concave portion can be restrained and protected so as to hold the occupant's torso and head from both sides thereof .
[0008]
Thus, in the present invention, the knee, torso, and head deployment regions of the airbag mainly refer to regions that restrain and protect the occupant's knees, torso, and head. The part may be protected by restraint.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on examples of the present invention shown in the accompanying drawings. First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. FIG. 1 is a partial side view of an automobile equipped with the airbag device of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a storage state of the airbag device. 3 is a longitudinal side view of the airbag device when deployed, FIG. 4 is a front view of the airbag during deployment, and FIGS. 5 to 7 are operational views of the airbag device.
[0010]
In the automobile V, the lower part of the steering column 1 that supports the steering wheel 2 in front of the driver seat Se so as to be steerable faces the knee K of the occupant (driver) R seated on the seat Se. An airbag device A is equipped.
[0011]
Next, the structure of the airbag A will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. An airbag housing 3 is integrally provided at the lower portion of the steering column 1 by a fastener 4 such as a bolt and a nut. It is done. The airbag housing 3 by lightweight material such as a synthetic resin material is formed into a sealed hollow, the bottom surface thereof, a lid 5 for closing the opening 3 1 of the airbag housing 3 via a hinge portion h closing The lid body 5 has a break line made of a fragile portion as usual, and the fragile portion is ruptured by the deploying force of the airbag 6 so that the hinge portion h is formed. is opened downward as a fulcrum, being adapted to open the opening 3 1, the opening 3 1 faces the knees K of the occupant R seated on the seat Se.
[0012]
An airbag module M is accommodated in the airbag housing 3. The airbag module M includes an airbag 6 and an inflator 7 for inflating and deploying the airbag 6, and the airbag 6 has an opening on one side thereof and is formed in a bag shape. The airbag housing 3 is folded and stored. The inflator 7 accommodated on one side of the airbag housing 3 through a base 8 is integrally connected to the opening of the airbag 6 by a stopper 9 in an airtight manner. A short cylindrical mounting portion 10 is integrally formed on the inner surface of the airbag housing 3 so as to surround the outer periphery of the inflator 7, and an extension portion of the base 8 is a stopper 11 on the mounting portion 10. Accordingly, the airbag module M is integrally supported in the airbag housing 3.
[0013]
The material of the airbag 6 is formed by applying a coating material for preventing gas leakage to a polyamide base fabric having a high tensile strength, and an internal gas discharge vent hole 12 (see FIG. 7). ) Is opened. As the inflator 7, a conventionally known one such as a gas type, a fixed type, a mixed gas type or a gas drawing type is used.
[0014]
The airbag 6 has a knee deployment region 6K, a trunk deployment region 6B, and a head deployment region 6H. When the airbag 6 is inflated and deployed, the knee deployment region 6K is the knee portion of the occupant R. K, the trunk deployment area 6B faces the trunk B of the occupant R, and the head deployment area 6H faces the head H of the occupant R. The overall shape of the airbag 6 when deployed. Is curved in a square shape so as to follow the front surface of the occupant R sitting on the seat Se, and the capacity gradually increases from the knee deployment area 6K to the head deployment area 6H. It is formed so as to effectively restrain and protect the entire body of R.
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 1, an acceleration sensor S such as a G sensor is provided at the front of the vehicle V, and a detection signal from the sensor S operates the inflator 7 to supply high-pressure gas into the airbag 6. .
[0016]
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. When the vehicle V encounters some kind of accident and collides with an obstacle, the acceleration sensor S detects this and sends this detection signal to the inflator 7. 7, the high pressure gas generated therefrom is supplied to the folded airbag 6 through its opening, the airbag 6 is inflated and deployed, and the deployment force causes the airbag housing 3 as shown in FIG. The lid 5 is opened, and the airbag 6 is inflated and deployed toward the occupant.
[0017]
Incidentally, at the initial stage of deployment of the airbag 6, first, as shown in FIG. 5, the knee deployment region 6K is inflated and deployed primarily between the steering column 1 and both knees K of the occupant R, and both knees are developed. K is restrained and protected, and then, as shown in FIG. 6, the trunk deployment area 6 </ b> B of the airbag 6 is guided to the steering column 1 and secondarily upward from the lower part of the steering column 1 across the steering wheel 2. Inflated and deployed to restrain and protect the torso B from the knee K of the occupant R, and further inflated and deployed in a tertiary manner from the torso deployment area 6B to the head deployment area 6H, as shown in FIG. The part H is restrained and protected, and as a result, the collision energy is effectively absorbed and the impact on the occupant R is reduced.
[0018]
Thereafter, the high-pressure gas in the airbag 6 is released to the outside through the vent hole 12, and the airbag 6 is gradually contracted while absorbing the impact energy and restraining the occupant.
[0019]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10. FIG. 8 is a side view when the airbag is deployed, FIG. 9 is a plan view when the airbag is deployed, and FIG. These are the front views at the time of expansion | deployment of an airbag, and the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same element as said 1st Example.
[0020]
In this embodiment, the trunk portion deployment region 6B and the head portion deployment region 6H of the airbag 6 mainly pass through the lower side of the steering wheel 2 and then are inflated and deployed sequentially behind the steering wheel 2. These regions 6B and 6H are formed with recesses G that can be restrained and protected so as to hold the trunk B and the head H of the occupant R from both sides.
[0021]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13. FIG. 11 is a side view when the airbag is deployed, FIG. 12 is a plan view when the airbag is deployed, and FIG. These are the front views at the time of expansion | deployment of an airbag, and the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same element as said 1st Example.
[0022]
In this embodiment, a pair of airbag housings 3 are provided symmetrically on both sides of the lower portion of the steering column 1, and an airbag module M is provided on each of them. The airbag 6 of each airbag module M includes a knee deployment region 6K, a trunk deployment region 6B, and a head deployment region 6H, similar to the airbag of the first embodiment, and when the airbag 6 is inflated and deployed. First, the knee deployment region 6K is first inflated and deployed to restrain and protect the left and right knees of the passenger separately, and then the torso deployment region 6B is secondarily inflated and deployed so as to pass the left and right of the steering wheel. Thus, the left and right sides of the body part B of the occupant R are restrained and protected, and the head deployment area 6H is inflated and deployed in a tertiary manner behind the steering wheel to restrain and protect the left and right sides of the head part H of the occupant R.
[0023]
In this third embodiment, one airbag 6 is provided at the lower part of the steering column 1 and is formed in a bifurcated shape so that it can be inflated and deployed separately on the left and right sides, and the occupant R is restrained from both the left and right sides as described above. You may make it protect.
[0024]
As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the Example, A various Example is possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the airbag apparatus is implemented for an automobile has been described. However, this can also be implemented for other vehicles, and in the above-described embodiment, an airbag, an inflator, and the like are provided below the steering column. Although the case where the airbag module having the above is provided has been described, only the airbag may be provided at the lower portion of the steering column, and the inflator may be provided at another location. The airbag may have any shape as long as it has a knee part, a trunk part, and a head deployment area that can be inflated and deployed over time, and can restrain and protect an occupant.
[0025]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the airbag provided at the lower part of the steering column is composed of the knee part, the trunk part, and the head deployment area, and is inflated and deployed to effectively restrain the occupant's entire body. The problem of the conventional airbag device in which an airbag is provided on the steering wheel (for example, the influence on the steering system due to the increase in mass and inertia mass, the limit of the airbag capacity, the design of the steering wheel) Can be solved. In addition, the airbag of the present invention is curved like a letter when viewed from the side so that the overall shape of the airbag follows the front of the occupant. In particular, the torso deployment area is inflated and deployed by being guided by the steering column, and in this case, the torso is restrained and protected from the knee of the occupant by inflating and deploying upward across the steering wheel. it can.
[0026]
Further, in particular, according to the invention of claim 2, the recesses formed in the trunk development area and the head deployment area of the airbag can restrain and protect the occupant's trunk and head from both sides. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a partial side view of an automobile equipped with an airbag device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal side view of a storage state of the airbag device. [FIG. 4] Front view of the airbag during inflation and deployment [FIG. 5] Action diagram of the airbag device [FIG. 6] Action diagram of the airbag device [FIG. 7] Action diagram of the airbag device [FIG. second side view of the time of deployment of the airbag according to the embodiment of the present invention [Figure 9] a third front view of the time development of a plan view and FIG. 10 airbag during airbag deployment [11] the present invention Side view when the airbag according to the embodiment is deployed [FIG. 12] Plan view when the airbag is deployed [FIG. 13] Front view when the airbag is deployed [Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Steering column 2 ... Steering wheel 6 ... Air bag 6K ... Knee deployment area 6B ... Trunk deployment area 6H ... Head deployment Region R ... Crew K ... Knee B ... Torso
G ... Recess H ... Head S ... Acceleration sensor

Claims (2)

加速度センサー（Ｓ）、エアバッグ（６）およびインフレータ（７）を備え、前記加速度センサー（Ｓ）が所定値以上の加速度を検出したとき、エアバッグ（６）を展開して乗員（Ｒ）を拘束するようにした、車両用エアバッグ装置において、
ステアリングホイール（２）を支持するステアリングコラム（１）下部の、乗員（Ｒ）の膝部（Ｋ）と対向する位置にエアバッグ（６）を収納し、
このエアバッグ（６）は、乗員（Ｒ）の膝部（Ｋ）から頭部（Ｈ）にかけて拘束保護できるように、膝部展開領域（６Ｋ）と胴部展開領域（６Ｂ）と頭部展開領域（６Ｈ）とを相互に一体に形成して構成されていて、展開時の全体形状が乗員（Ｒ）の前面に追従するよう側面視でく字状に湾曲され、
胴部展開領域（６Ｂ）はステアリングコラム（１）に案内されて膨張展開することを特徴とする、車両用エアバッグ装置。An acceleration sensor (S), an airbag (6), and an inflator (7) are provided. When the acceleration sensor (S) detects an acceleration equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the airbag (6) is deployed to dispose the occupant (R). In the vehicle airbag device that is restrained,
The airbag (6) is stored in a position facing the knee (K) of the occupant (R) at the bottom of the steering column (1) that supports the steering wheel (2),
The airbag (6) has a knee deployment region (6K) , a trunk deployment region (6B), and a head deployment so that the airbag (6) can be restrained and protected from the knee (K) to the head (H) of the occupant (R). The region (6H) and the region (6H) are formed integrally with each other, and the entire shape at the time of deployment is curved like a letter in side view so as to follow the front surface of the occupant (R).
The vehicle airbag device is characterized in that the trunk portion deployment region (6B) is inflated and deployed while being guided by the steering column (1) . 前記エアバッグ（６）の胴部展開領域（６Ｂ）および頭部展開領域（６Ｈ）には、乗員（Ｒ）の胴部（Ｂ）および頭部（Ｈ）をそれらの両側から抱え込むように拘束保護できる凹部（Ｇ）が形成されていることを特徴とする、請求項１に記載の車両用エアバッグ装置。The airbag (6) is restrained so that the trunk (B) and the head (H) of the occupant (R) are held from both sides in the trunk deployment area (6B) and the head deployment area (6H). The vehicular airbag device according to claim 1, wherein a concave portion (G) that can be protected is formed.
JP23021496A 1996-08-30 1996-08-30 Airbag device for vehicle Expired - Fee Related JP3760424B2 (en)

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