JP3908542B2 - Side airbag - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a side airbag.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A side roof rail is disposed on a portion corresponding to an occupant head in the body of an automobile, and a side airbag for protecting an occupant during a side collision is provided along the side roof rail. In this type of side airbag, an airbag body having a longitudinal length from the front seat to the rear seat is folded in the vertical direction and stored. The airbag body is fixed to the side roof rail at the upper end, and the airbag body is directed downward by ejecting inflator gas from a tubular gas inlet formed in a part of the upper portion of the airbag body. Can be deployed in curtains.
[0003]
In the gas inlet of the airbag main body, a tubular inner is inserted in the same manner as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-235965, and the gas inlet has a double tube structure. The inner is made of a heat-resistant cloth and is provided for the purpose of reinforcing the gas inlet so that the gas inlet can withstand the high pressure and high temperature of the gas injected from the inflator.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a conventional technique, since the inner is a long and narrow tube made of cloth, it is very difficult to insert the inner into the gas inlet. Conventionally, the insertion work has been performed by the operator's hand, but the inner work is broken in the middle or wrinkles are caused, and the workability is poor. In particular, in the case of an airbag body using a base fabric coated with rubber or the like, the slipperiness at the gas inlet is poor, which is a problem. Further, it is more serious when the gas inlet has a curved shape along the vehicle body shape. Therefore, it is conceivable to perform an inner insertion operation using a tool, but no effective proposal has yet been made to insert the inner easily and reliably.
[0005]
The present invention has been made paying attention to such a conventional technique, and provides a side airbag capable of easily and reliably inserting an inner using a tool.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention relates to a vehicle in which a tubular inner is inserted into a tubular gas introduction port formed in an airbag body, and gas ejected from the inlet side into the inner is introduced into the airbag body from the outlet side. In the side airbag, a locking portion that can be locked in the insertion direction of the inner end of the tool inserted from the inlet is provided near the inner outlet.
[0007]
According to the present invention, the tip of the tool inserted from the inner inlet is locked to the locking portion provided near the inner outlet, thereby adjusting the shape so that the inner does not wrinkle or bend. Therefore, if the inner is inserted into the gas inlet as it is, and the tool is finally removed, the inner can be inserted easily and reliably.
[0008]
The invention according to claim 1 is a structure in which, in addition to the above configuration, the engaging portion joins the opposing portions of the inner in a polymerized state.
[0009]
According to invention of Claim 1 , since a latching | locking part is a structure which couple | bonds the parts which an inner side opposes in a superposition | polymerization state, formation of a latching | locking part is easy. As a structure for joining the opposing portions of the inner in a polymerized state, any structure such as stitching, adhesion, welding, or a restraining tool such as a staple may be used.
[0010]
The invention according to claim 2 is a structure in which, in addition to the above configuration, the locking portion crosses the inner gas flow path.
[0011]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the locking portion has a structure crossing the inner gas flow path, the gas flow path in the vicinity of the inner outlet is secured even if the locking portion is left as it is. The As a structure in which the locking portion crosses the inner gas flow path, any structure such as a resin fastener pin or a stitch yarn provided between the opposing portions of the inner in a slack state may be used.
[0014]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the locking portion is a structure that weakens a part of the inner.
[0015]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the locking portion has a structure that weakens a part of the inner, a weak portion can be formed in the process of forming the inner itself. The structure that weakens a part of the inner can be formed by partially omitting the coating or changing the inner weaving method into a part.
[0016]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the locking portion is formed at at least one of the upper end position and the lower end position near the outlet.
[0017]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the locking portion is located at the upper end position or the lower end position, the gas flow path in the vicinity of the inner outlet is secured even when the locking portion is left as it is.
[0018]
In the invention according to claim 5 , the locking portion can be broken by the pressure or heat of the gas.
[0019]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the locking portion can be broken by the pressure or heat of the gas, the locking portion does not become a gas inflow resistance.
[0020]
According to a sixth aspect of the invention, by a cutter means for engagement portion is provided at the tip of the tool is cleavable.
[0021]
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the locking unit, the cutter means provided at the tip of the tool the inner after insertion into the gas introduction mouth, since that is cleavable, the resistance of the locking portion is a gas inlet Don't be.
[0022]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the inner part is formed by joining the ends of one heat-resistant cloth cut into a predetermined shape by a sewing part at the upper end, and is formed at the upper part of the airbag body. Inserted into the gas inlet.
[0023]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention because the gas inlet is formed on top of the air bag body, gas is tends to flow downward at the exit of the inner, there are sewn portion below the inner Therefore, there is no possibility that the inner bursts from the vicinity of the outlet when the gas is ejected.
[0024]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the second and subsequent embodiments, parts that are the same as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.
[0025]
1 to 3 are views showing a first embodiment of the present invention. The airbag main body 1 according to the first embodiment is deployed in a curtain shape downward along the window from a state in which the airbag body 1 is folded and stored in the upper part of the vehicle body in a vertical direction. The airbag body 1 is formed by joining the outer periphery and the inside of two base fabrics with a sewing portion 2. The airbag main body 1 has a front seat inflatable portion 3 corresponding to a front seat occupant and a rear seat inflatable portion 4 corresponding to a rear seat occupant, and a tubular communication portion 5 is provided therebetween. A plurality of tab pieces 6 for fixing to the vehicle body are provided at the upper end of the airbag body 1.
[0026]
Further, a tubular gas introduction port 7 is formed from the upper part to the rear end of the rear seat inflating part 4 so that the gas of a combustion type (pyro type) inflator (not shown) can be introduced into the airbag body 1 therefrom. It has become. The gas inlet 7 has a narrow rear end.
[0027]
A cylindrical inner 8 corresponding to the gas inlet 7 is inserted into the gas inlet 7 to form a double cylinder. This inner 8 is formed by joining the ends of one heat-resistant cloth cut into a predetermined shape by a main sewing portion 9 at the upper end to form a tubular shape. The heat-resistant cloth is a cloth obtained by applying a silicon coating to a nylon woven cloth, like the airbag body 1. In order to further increase the heat resistance, an aramid fiber, carbon fiber, or the like may be used. In this inner 8, the inlet 10 is slightly narrower corresponding to the gas inlet 7, and an inflator gas (not shown) is injected from the inlet 10 side, and the gas is injected from the outlet 11 side of the inner 8 into the airbag body 1. It is designed to be introduced inside. Although the said heat resistant cloth which considered the influence of the heat at the time of gas generation was demonstrated about the said inner 8 using a combustion type (pyro type) inflator, it is not limited to this heat resistant cloth, The influence of heat For example, in the storage type (storage type) or in combination with the combustion type (hybrid type), the whole or the main part of the gas for expansion is compressed and held. Therefore, it can also be comprised with the reinforcement cloth which does not have heat resistance.
[0028]
Since the gas introduction port 7 is provided in the upper part of the airbag body 1, the gas tends to flow downward from the outlet 11 of the inner 8, but the inner 8 has no sewing portion below, so the gas There is no possibility that the inner 8 bursts from the vicinity of the outlet 11 at the time of ejection.
[0029]
A short sub-sewn stitching portion 12 in which opposing portions are coupled in a superposed state is provided as a “locking portion” at a position near the upper end of the outlet 11 of the inner 8. The sub stitching portion 12 is formed in a state slightly separated from the main stitching portion 9.
[0030]
Next, a procedure for inserting the inner 8 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. For inserting the inner 8, a rod-shaped tool 13 having a tip 13a cut obliquely is used. The tool 13 is inserted into the inner 8 from the outlet 11 side, the tip 13a is inserted between the sub-sewn portion 12 and the main stitching portion 9, and the tip 13a of the tool 13 is inserted into the sub-sewn portion. The part 12 is locked in the insertion direction (forward direction) of the inner 8.
[0031]
Next, the base end 13 b of the tool 13 is lowered and the tool 13 extends in the diagonal direction of the inner 8. Then, holding the inlet 10 of the inner 8 by hand, a rearward tension T is applied to the inner 8, and the shape is adjusted so that the inner 8 does not wrinkle or bend. If the inner 8 is inserted into the gas introduction port 7 together with the tool 13 in that state, and only the tool 13 is removed, the inner 8 can be easily and reliably inserted into the gas introduction port 7.
[0032]
Since the sub stitching portion 12 is formed short and is close to the upper end, even if it is left as it is, it does not interfere with the gas flow path. Note that if the sub-sewn portion 12 is made of a material or strength that can be broken by the pressure or heat of the gas, it does not completely interfere with the gas flow path.
[0033]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, sub stitched portions 12 and 14 are formed both above and below the outlet 11 of the inner 8. The tool 15 has bifurcated (V-shaped) tips 15 a and 15 a ′, and one tip 15 a ′ is biased in the opening direction by a spring 16 with respect to the other tip 15.
[0034]
Accordingly, contrary to the first embodiment, the tool 15 is inserted from the proximal end 15b first from the outlet 11 side of the inner 8, and is pulled back as it is. Since the V-shaped tips 15a and 15a 'are in the opposite directions, the V-shaped tips 15a and 15a' smoothly enter the inner 8 without being caught by the outlet 11 of the inner 8. Then, after passing the upper and lower sub-sewn portions 12, 14, the tool 15 is pushed forward, and the two upper and lower ends 15a, 15a 'are locked to the upper and lower sub-suture portions 12, 14, respectively.
[0035]
In this state, a rearward tension T is applied to the inlet 10 of the inner 8 to adjust the shape of the inner 8, and the outlet 11 side where the sub-sewn portions 12 and 14 engaged with the V-shaped tips 15a and 15a ′ are located. Insert it into the gas inlet 7 while narrowing it by hand. When the hand is inserted and released, the V-shaped tips 15 a and 15 a ′ are reopened in the gas inlet 7, and the shape of the inner 8, particularly in the vicinity of the outlet 11, is adjusted. And after inserting the inner 8 to a predetermined position, the tool 15 is extracted. Also when the tool 15 is extracted, the V-shaped tips 15a and 15a 'are reversed, so that the resistance can be extracted smoothly without causing resistance.
[0036]
5 and 6 are views showing a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, a resin fastener pin 17 is provided at the outlet 11 of the inner 8 as a “locking portion” that crosses the gas flow path. The fastener pin 17 connects the opposing portions of the inner 8 with a gas flow path secured. The tool 18 for the fastener pin 17 has a U-shaped tip 18a, and a hot wire (nichrome wire) 19 as a "cutter means" is stretched between the tips 18a. The hot wire 19 generates heat instantaneously when a switch (not shown) is turned on.
[0037]
When the inner 8 is inserted, first, the hot wire 19 of the tool 18 is kept in a cooled state without being switched on. Then, the tool 18 is inserted into the inner 8 from the front end 18 a side, and the hot wire 19 portion of the front end 18 a is locked to the fastener pin 17. Then, a rearward tension T is applied to the inlet 10 of the inner 8 to adjust the shape, and it is inserted into the gas inlet 7 as it is. Then, after being inserted into the gas introduction port 7, the hot wire 19 is switched on to generate heat, the fastener pin 17 is melted and cut with the hot wire 19, and the tool 18 is removed. Since the fastener pin 17 is cut, the gas flow path of the inner 8 after insertion is secured widely. Further, since the fastener pin 17 made of resin is melted and cut by the hot wire 19, a flange portion such as a burr is formed on each cut surface of the fastener pin 17 divided into left and right, and this flange portion serves as a stopper to cut. Fastened fastener pins 17 remain attached without being detached from the inner 8. If the fastener pin 17 has a small diameter, it does not obstruct the gas flow path even if it is not cut.
[0038]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the fourth embodiment, a stitch yarn 20 is provided as a “locking portion” that connects opposing portions at the outlet 11 of the inner 8 in a slack state. By engaging a tool having a bifurcated tip with respect to the stitch yarn, the inner 8 can be easily and reliably inserted into the gas inlet 7. Since the stitch yarn 20 is thin, the stitch yarn 20 may be left as it is. However, the tool may be provided with cutter means such as a blade and cut after insertion. Further, the material or strength of the stitch yarn 20 may be made ruptureable by gas pressure or heat.
[0039]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the fifth embodiment, a circular notch 21 as a “locking portion” is formed at a position facing the outlet 11 of the inner 8. By engaging a tool having a bifurcated tip in the notch 21, the inner 8 can be easily and reliably inserted into the gas inlet 7. In the fifth embodiment, since the notch 21 is only formed in the inner 8, it is not necessary to use another member as in the previous embodiment in order to form the locking portion, and the locking portion can be easily formed. Note that a cut may be formed instead of the cutout 21.
[0040]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a sixth embodiment of the present invention. In the fifth embodiment, a circular fragile portion 22 as a “locking portion” is formed at a position facing the outlet 11 of the inner 8. The fragile portion 22 is formed by weaving the cloth forming the inner 8 so that the strength is weakened only in that portion, and the silicon coating is omitted only in that portion. Therefore, the inner 8 can be easily and reliably inserted into the gas inlet 7 by inserting and locking a tool having a bifurcated tip into the fragile portion 22. Similarly to the previous fifth embodiment, this sixth embodiment does not require a separate member to form the locking portion, and can form a fragile portion in the process of forming the inner 8 itself.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
According to this invention, the tip of the tool inserted from the inlet of the inner is locked to the locking portion provided near the outlet of the inner, thereby adjusting the shape so that the inner does not wrinkle or bend. Therefore, if the inner is inserted into the gas inlet as it is, and the tool is finally removed, the inner can be inserted easily and reliably.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view showing a deployed state of an airbag main body according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an inner.
FIG. 3 is a side view showing a state in which an inner tool is inserted.
FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state in which an inner tool according to a second embodiment is inserted.
FIG. 5 is a side view showing a state in which an inner tool according to a third embodiment is inserted.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing an inner fastener pin portion according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an inner stitch yarn portion according to a fourth embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an inner outlet portion according to the fifth embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an inner outlet portion according to the sixth embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Airbag main body 7 Gas inlet 8 Inner 10 Inlet 11 Outlet 12, 14 Sub sewing part (locking part)
13, 15, 18 Tools 13a, 15a, 15a ', 18a Tip 17 Fastener pin (locking portion)
19 Hot wire (cutter means)
20 Stitch thread (locking part)
21 Notch (locking part)
22 Weak part (locking part)
T tension

Claims (7)

A tubular gas inlet mouth formed in the air bag body, to insert the inner tubular gas from the inlet side of the inner can side airbag for a vehicle that can be introduced into the airbag body from the outlet side of the inner Because
In the vicinity of the outlet of the inner, provided a locking portion that can be locked in the insertion direction of the tip of the tool inserted from the inlet and the inner ,
The side airbag according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion has a structure in which opposing portions of the inner are joined in a superposed state. A tubular gas inlet mouth formed in the air bag body, to insert the inner tubular gas from the inlet side of the inner can side airbag for a vehicle that can be introduced into the airbag body from the outlet side of the inner Because
Near the exit of the inner possible, a lockable locking portion provided at the tip and inner insertion direction of the inserted tool from the inlet, the locking portion is a structure which traverses the gas flow path of the inner Side airbag characterized by. A tubular gas inlet mouth formed in the air bag body, to insert the inner tubular gas from the inlet side of the inner can side airbag for a vehicle that can be introduced into the airbag body from the outlet side of the inner Because
In the vicinity of the outlet of the inner, provided a locking portion that can be locked in the insertion direction of the tip of the tool inserted from the inlet and the inner ,
The side airbag, wherein the locking portion has a structure that weakens a part of the inner. The side airbag according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the locking portion is formed at at least one of an upper end position and a lower end position near the outlet. bag. It is a side airbag of Claim 1 or Claim 2 , Comprising: The said latching | locking part can be fractured | ruptured by the pressure or heat | fever of gas, The side airbag characterized by the above-mentioned. A side airbag according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the locking portion is side airbag, characterized in that the cutter means provided at the tip of the tool is cleavable. The side airbag according to any one of claims 1 to 6 ,
The inner is formed by joining the ends of a single heat-resistant cloth cut into a predetermined shape by a sewing part at the upper end into a tubular shape, and is inserted into a gas inlet formed in the upper part of the airbag body. A side airbag characterized by that.

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