JP4020413B2 - Air bag body, bulging method thereof, and air bag apparatus thereof - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an airbag bag body that is mounted on a vehicle and instantly inflates to protect the occupant in the event of a vehicle collision, and more particularly, the occupant is in an airbag that inflates by inflating an inflating gas. An abnormal protrusion prevention member in which a bulge restricting band (hereinafter referred to as a strap part) that restricts abnormal protrusion in the direction and a diffuser part that restricts the flow of high-pressure inflation gas from the inflator is integrated. The present invention relates to an air bag body that is arranged, a method for inflating the air bag body, and an air bag apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An airbag device is known as a device for protecting an occupant during a collision by an automobile.
The airbag device bulges and deploys between the occupant and the vehicle body when receiving a sudden impact of a certain limit such as a collision, and absorbs and reduces the impact received by the occupant.
The airbag device is a sensor that detects rapid deceleration due to a collision, an inflator that generates a high-pressure gas in response to a signal from the sensor, and a high-pressure gas from the inflator that inflates and deploys to mitigate a passenger's impact. A diagnostic circuit for determining whether or not the airbag and the airbag system are functioning normally is provided.
[0003]
The airbag used in such an airbag device is preferably formed in a substantially disc shape when the airbag is formed by sewing the outer peripheral edges of two pieces of fabric.
And in order to improve the attachment strength of the inflator and the airbag at the peripheral portion of the inflator opening portion of the airbag, a donut-shaped reinforcing cloth having a concentric opening portion with the inflator opening portion is usually provided. It is attached by polymerization.
When the air bag device is activated, the hot inflation gas from the inflator is directly injected near the inflator opening, so that the air bag suddenly bulges, and the peripheral portion of the inflator opening Large tension is applied instantaneously.
[0004]
In addition, at the initial stage of inflation of the airbag, the airbag protrudes largely in the ejection direction, that is, in the direction toward the passenger (vertical direction) due to the gas ejected from the inflator, and the lateral inflation is delayed. There is.
[0005]
In order to alleviate the impact on the occupant by restricting the abnormal protrusion of the airbag to the occupant side, many airbags are provided with a strap for regulating the deployment shape inside the airbag. Yes.
The attachment is performed so as to maintain a certain length between the top of the airbag and the opening for the inflator.
However, such a strap receives a strong tensile force when the airbag is deployed because the occupant side fabric is directly subjected to the inflation gas pressure.
[0006]
For this reason, a method of further reducing the tension acting on the strap as much as possible by providing a diffuser having a function of restricting the flow of the bulging gas toward the outer peripheral edge is employed.
By this method, the airbag is deployed in the direction of the outer peripheral edge of the airbag, and then the airbag is inflated in the direction of the occupant by the inflating gas that has entered the airbag, and the airbag is deployed in an appropriate shape, and acts on the strap. Tension can be reduced.
[0007]
As such airbags, there are airbags disclosed in JP-A-8-104195 and JP-A-10-1000082.
That is, the former airbag is provided with a diffuser for restricting the inflation gas flow on the inner surface of the airbag so as to cover the opening of the inflator side cloth.
Then, the outer peripheral edge of the diffuser is partially sewn to the inflator side cloth, and the inflator side cloth and the occupant side cloth are stretched over the occupant side cloth facing from the stitched part or the outer periphery thereof. A strap that connects with a certain length and regulates the deployment shape of the airbag is attached.
[0008]
However, since such an airbag has an integrated diffuser and strap that is sewn to the inflator side fabric and fixed, it is extremely difficult to instantly attach to the sewn portion of the diffuser when inflating gas injection. Strong tension is generated.
Further, there are cases where the hot bulging gas melts and cuts the sewing thread at the sewing portion via the diffuser and the strap is separated.
In such a case, the deployment shape of the airbag is not restricted, and the airbag expands greatly toward the passenger.
As a result, the occupant cannot be restrained properly, and the occupant may be injured.
[0009]
The latter airbag is provided with a tether having a diffuser portion that covers the ceiling wall portion side of the gas inlet and regulates the flow of the inflation gas flowing from the gas inlet.
However, since the tether is stitched at the intermediate portion to form the diffuser portion, the number of sewing points is inevitably increased.
[0010]
Furthermore, precise sewing is required to fulfill the functions of the tether and diffuser.
This is because if the sewing is performed in a misaligned state, the tether is likely to be cut, and the occupant cannot be restrained properly, and the occupant may be injured.
[0011]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made in order to overcome the above-mentioned problems against the background of such a situation.
That is, an object of the present invention is to provide an airbag that can limit the abnormal protrusion of the airbag to the occupant side to alleviate the impact on the occupant and can eliminate the tension that is instantaneously applied to the diffuser as much as possible. It is.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Thus, as a result of intensive research on the background of such problems, the present inventor used a member in which the diffuser and the strap are integrated (via the connecting portion), so that the airbag is inflated. It has been found that abnormal protrusion of the occupant side cloth is prevented by the pressure of the bulging gas applied to the diffuser, and the present invention has been completed based on this finding.
[0014]
That is, the present invention is (1) a diffuser that has an opening for attaching an inflator and stitches an inflator side cloth provided with a reinforcing cloth and an occupant side cloth, and regulates the flow of bulging gas. And an airbag bag body including an abnormal protrusion preventing member that regulates abnormal protrusion of the airbag, the diffuser portion and the strap portion are integrated via a connecting portion, and the inflator side cloth An airbag bag body in which the connecting portion is movably inserted in a passage formed between the reinforcing cloth , the abnormal protrusion preventing member is formed of one fiber cloth member, and the strap. The part exists in the airbag bag body which is connected only to the passenger side cloth .
[0015]
And ( 2 ) exists in the airbag bag body of the said (1 ) description by which the said channel | path is formed by sewing between the inflator side cloth and the reinforcing cloth.
[0018]
And ( 3 ) a diffuser arranged so as to cover the inflator opening in order to regulate the flow of the inflation gas, by stitching the inflator side cloth and the occupant side cloth provided with the opening for attaching the inflator. Bag body including an abnormal protrusion preventing member having a portion and a strap portion integrated with an outer peripheral edge of the diffuser portion to restrict abnormal protrusion of the airbag and having an end portion coupled to the occupant side cloth When the airbag is inflated , the diffuser part is pushed up toward the occupant side cloth by the jet pressure, so that the strap part integrated with the diffuser part is pulled through the passage formed between the inflator side cloth and the reinforcing cloth. The airbag bag body bulging method prevents protrusion of the occupant side fabric to which the end portion of the strap portion is coupled .
[0019]
And ( 4 ) exists in the airbag apparatus provided with the airbag bag body of said (1) or ( 2 ) description.
[0020]
As long as this invention meets this purpose, it is naturally possible to employ a configuration in which two or more selected from the above 1 to 4 are combined.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, an airbag device (usually disposed on a vehicle steering wheel, side airbag, etc.) instantly inflates into the space between the occupant and the interior structure in the event of a collision. It has a function to absorb the impact when it collides with a door or a handle.
Therefore, as an airbag device, a sensor that detects rapid deceleration when receiving a sudden impact of a certain limit such as a vehicle collision, and an inflator 6 that generates a high-pressure gas for inflation in response to a signal from the sensor. , An air bag body A that inflates and deploys to reduce the impact of the occupant by the inflating high-pressure gas from the inflator 6, a diagnostic circuit that determines whether or not the air bag system is functioning normally, Usually provided.
[0022]
FIG. 1 is a view showing a structure inside a steering wheel in an airbag apparatus of the present invention.
The airbag cover 13 is attached to the steering attachment 14 so as to cover the inflator 6 for inflating the inflation gas and the airbag body A in a folded state.
Here, the airbag bag body A includes peripheral edges of the inflator side cloth 2 including the inflator opening 11 having the inflow port for the inflation gas and the occupant side cloth 1 facing the inflator opening 11. The part is stitched.
[0023]
An annular retainer 8 for attaching the airbag bag body to the steering fitting 14 is disposed around the inflator opening 11 having an inflow port for the inflation gas of the airbag.
That is, the bolt 15 extending from the retainer 8 is passed through the mounting holes of the inflator side cloth 2, the mounting opening reinforcing cloth 7, the steering mounting bracket 14 and the flange provided in the inflator 6, and is fixed to the nut 16. As a result, they are all fixed to the steering mounting bracket 14.
[0024]
FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view (seen from the occupant side) showing an expanded and expanded state in the airbag bag body of the present invention.
As described above, the outer shape of the airbag bag body is formed by injecting and filling the inflation gas between the inflator side cloth 2 and the occupant side cloth 1. Is provided with an inflator opening 11 into which a bulging gas is injected.
In addition, the inflator side cloth 2 is provided with a vent hole portion 10 for allowing the bulging gas to escape.
[0025]
In the airbag bag body A of the present invention, the diffuser portion 4 and the strap portion 5 are integrated with each other via a connecting portion N to constitute an integrated body, and this integrated body prevents abnormal protrusion of the airbag described later. It is a member.
The diffuser part 4 (arranged so as to cover the inflator opening 11) among the abnormal protrusion preventing members exhibits a function of regulating the flow of the inflation gas so as to face the outer peripheral edge of the airbag.
Further, the strap portion 5 of the abnormal protrusion preventing member has an end connected to the occupant side cloth 1 and has a function of suppressing abnormal bulging of the occupant side cloth 1.
The strap portion 5 may be an integral fabric structure extended from the outer peripheral edge of the substantially circular shape of the tiffener portion 4, or the two connecting portions N extended from the outer peripheral edge of the tiffuser portion 4. It may be integrated through the.
[0026]
FIG. 3 is a view showing the relationship in length (position) between the diffuser portion 4 and the strap portion 5.
FIG. 4 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the inflator insertion portion of the present invention.
[0027]
A passage T is formed by an unsewn portion between the inflator side fabric 2 and the reinforcing fabric 3 (a portion where the reinforcing fabric 3 is not sewn by the reinforcing fabric sewing portion 9).
A connecting portion N between the diffuser portion 4 and the strap portion 5 is inserted into the passage T so as to be movable therethrough.
That is, the abnormal protrusion preventing member is movably attached via the reinforcing cloth portion (the region formed by the inflator side cloth 2 and the reinforcing cloth 3).
Since the diffuser portion 4 and the strap portion 5 have a degree of freedom of movement through the passage T, the lengths (projecting directions) of the diffuser portion 4 and the strap portion 5 can be changed as appropriate.
[0028]
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, when the diffuser portion 4 moves from the position indicated by the solid line to the position of the diffuser portion 4 ′ indicated by the broken line (a state approaching the passenger side), the strap portion 5 The length is automatically shortened.
On the other hand, when the diffuser unit 4 moves from the position of the diffuser unit 4 ′ shown by the one-dot broken line to the position shown by the solid line (a state approaching the inflator side), the length of the strap unit 5 is automatically set accordingly. Become longer.
[0029]
That is, when the diffuser part 4 is separated from the inflator side cloth 2 in the vertical direction, the length of the strap part 5 is shortened, and as a result, abnormal protrusion of the occupant side cloth can be prevented.
On the contrary, when the diffuser part 4 approaches the inflator side cloth 2 in the vertical direction, the length of the strap part 5 becomes longer. As a result, the occupant side cloth is separated from the inflator side cloth 2 and the airbag bag body is separated by the strap. Expands to a certain thickness.
Thus, the length of the diffuser part 4 and the strap part 5 can be freely adjusted.
[0030]
By the way, as a material of the diffuser part 4 and the strap part 5, the reinforcing cloths 3 and 7, the inflator side cloth 2 and the occupant side cloth 1, a fiber cloth is used, for example, nylon 6, 66, 46 or the like. Polyamide fiber, paraphenylene terephthalamide, aromatic polyamide fiber represented by copolymer with aromatic ether (aramid fiber), polyester fiber represented by polyethylene terephthalate, wholly aromatic polyester fiber, vinylon fiber, rayon Fibers, polyolefin fibers such as ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, polyoxymethylene fibers, sulfone fibers such as paraphenylene sulfone and polysulfone, polyether ether ketone fibers, polyether imide fibers, carbon fibers, polyimide fibers and the like are employed. In some cases, inorganic fibers such as glass fibers, ceramic fibers, and metal fibers may be used alone or in combination.
[0031]
The fabric structure may be any of a woven fabric, a knitted fabric, a non-woven fabric, and the like, for example, in the case of a woven fabric, there are plain weave, satin weave, twill weave, Panama weave, bag weave, etc. However, in terms of the elongation strength of the fabric, a woven fabric is preferable, and a plain weave structure is more preferable.
Furthermore, these fabrics may be coated with a resin in order to improve heat resistance or reduce air permeability, or may be uncoated fabrics.
[0032]
When a resin-coated fabric is used, examples of the resin to be coated include halogen-containing rubbers such as chloroprene rubber, hyperon rubber, and fluorine rubber, silicone rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene terpolymer rubber, nitrile butadiene rubber, Rubbers such as styrene butadiene rubber, isobutylene isoprene rubber, urethane rubber, acrylic rubber, or halogen-containing resins such as vinyl chloride resin, vinylidene chloride resin, chlorinated polyolefin resin, fluororesin, urethane resin, acrylic resin, ester resin, amide There are resins such as resins, olefin resins, and silicone resins, which are used alone or in combination.
[0033]
Next, a state from immediately after the collision of the airbag bag body to the completion of the inflation and deployment will be described.
The first airbag body A is in a folded state (initial state) before the inflation as shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a process from the middle of the expansion to completion of the airbag bag body A, that is, a change in the expanded state.
If there is a collision now, immediately after the collision, the inflation gas is vigorously injected into the airbag from the inflator opening 11 (see FIG. 6A).
[0034]
The diffusing gas pushes up the diffuser portion 4 toward the occupant side cloth, but the strap can be moved in the passage T via the connecting portion N between the diffuser portion 4 and the strap portion 5. The instantaneous and large tension applied to the diffuser part 4 when the part 5 is pulled is relieved.
Naturally, the length of the strap portion 5 is shorter than the initial state shown in FIG.
That is, due to the abnormal protrusion preventing member in which the strap portion 5 and the diffuser portion 4 are integrated via the connecting portion N, the bulging output of the bulging gas directly applied to the surface of the diffuser portion 4 causes the occupant side cloth 1 and the inflator to The diffuser portion 4 is pushed up in the occupant-side cloth direction by surpassing the inflated output accompanying the increase in the internal pressure of the airbag bag body A composed of the side cloth 2.
[0035]
The inflation gas that has pushed up the diffuser portion 4 is then changed in direction toward the outer peripheral edge of the airbag bag body A. As a result, the airbag bag body starts to expand in the outer circumferential direction. [Refer FIG.6 (b)].
Further, at this time, the diffuser part 4 is pushed up in the occupant side cloth direction, and as a result, the strap part 5 is shortened, and its end part 12 is difficult to extend in the occupant side cloth direction and is perpendicular to the occupant side cloth. Swelling in the direction is prevented.
[0036]
After that, the jet power of the inflation gas directly applied to the surface of the diffuser portion 4 is substantially balanced with the inflation output accompanying the increase in the internal pressure of the airbag body A, so that the diffuser portion 4 protrudes toward the occupant side cloth. Stops.
[0037]
Phenomenologically, the impact output of the occupant side cloth 1 and the force that pushes the diffuser portion 4 toward the occupant side cloth are temporarily balanced.
By this protrusion preventing action, the airbag bag body A can be inflated and deployed in the occupant side direction after being deployed in the outer peripheral edge direction, and abnormal projection to the occupant side is prevented.
[0038]
Furthermore, as the jet pressure of the inflation gas from the inflator 6 becomes weaker, the diffuser part 4 pushed up toward the occupant gradually approaches the inflator side (see FIG. 6C).
That is, since the jet output of the inflation gas directly applied to the surface of the diffuser portion 4 is weaker than the inflation output accompanying the pressure increase inside the airbag bag body, the diffuser portion 4 is positioned at the position of the inflator opening 11. Will return to.
At this time, the strap portion 5 extends to a certain length, and the airbag bag body A bulges and expands into a predetermined shape.
Then, due to the impact of the airbag bag body A receiving the occupant, the inflation gas escapes through the vent hole portion 10, absorbs and reduces the impact received by the occupant, and the entire airbag is deflated [see FIG. 7]. .
[0039]
Thus, in the airbag bag body A of the present invention, the abnormal protrusion is prevented by the abnormal protrusion preventing member in which the diffuser portion 4 and the strap portion 5 are integrated at the stage of the expansion process, and the diffuser portion 4 Further, since the force applied to the strap portion 5 can be relaxed, the melt fracture is less likely to occur.
As a result, the optimal bulging and unfolding process is performed.
[0040]
Although the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made as long as the purpose is met.
For example, the number of connecting portions N between the diffuser portion 4 and the strap portion 5 integrated with the diffuser portion 4 can be two or more, and the interval can also be set as appropriate.
Moreover, although the diffuser part 4 and the strap part 5 can also use what was formed as one member by sewing etc., forming from one member without a sewing part is preferable also from the point of intensity | strength.
The size of the passage T formed by stitching between the inflator side cloth 2 and the reinforcing cloth 3 can be freely selected.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the airbag bag body of the present invention allows the strap portion and the diffuser portion to be restricted by restricting the protrusion of the occupant side cloth with the blowing pressure of the inflation gas applied to the diffuser portion when the airbag is inflated. The applied tension can be evenly distributed.
Therefore, it is possible to stably bulge and expand without eliminating the melt cutting of the sewing thread and the abnormal protrusion of the occupant side cloth.
Furthermore, by using the abnormal protrusion preventing member in which the strap portion and the diffuser portion are integrated, an increase in the manufacturing cost is suppressed as compared with the conventional manufacturing method, and the storage property of the airbag is also improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a view showing a structure inside a steering wheel in an airbag device of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view showing an inflated and deployed state in the airbag bag body of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a relationship in length (position) between a diffuser portion and a strap portion.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an inflator insertion portion.
FIG. 5 is the airbag of the present invention showing a folded state before bulging.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a process from the middle of expansion and deployment to completion of an airbag bag body.
FIG. 7 is an airbag according to the present invention showing a state after completion of bulging and deployment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Passenger side cloth 2 ... Inflator side cloth 3 ... Reinforcement cloth 4 ... Diffuser part 5 ... Strap part 6 ... Inflator 7 ... Installation port reinforcement cloth 8 ... Retainer 9 ... Reinforcement cloth sewing part 10 ... Vent hole part 11 ... Inflator opening Part 12 ... Strap part end part 13 ... Airbag cover 14 ... Steering bracket 15 ... Bolt 16 ... Nut A ... Airbag bag body N ... Connecting part T ... Passage

Claims (4)

It has an opening for attaching the inflator, and the inflator side cloth and the occupant side cloth with the reinforcing cloth are sewn together, and the diffuser part for restricting the flow of the inflation gas and the abnormal protrusion of the airbag are restricted. In the airbag bag body provided with the abnormal protrusion preventing member having the strap portion, the diffuser portion and the strap portion are integrated via the connecting portion, and formed between the inflator side cloth and the reinforcing cloth. An air bag body in which the connecting portion is movably inserted in the passage ,
The abnormal protrusion preventing member is formed of one fiber fabric member, and
An airbag bag body, wherein the strap portion is coupled only to the passenger side cloth . Wherein said passage is formed by sewing between the inflator side cloth and the reinforcing cloth, air bag body according to claim 1, wherein. Diffuser part, which is formed by stitching the inflator side cloth and the occupant side cloth provided with the opening for attaching the inflator, and covers the opening for the inflator to restrict the flow of the inflation gas, and the abnormality of the airbag In an airbag bag body having an abnormal protrusion preventing member that is integrated with an outer peripheral edge of a diffuser portion to restrict protrusion and whose end portion is coupled to a passenger side cloth , By pushing up the diffuser part toward the occupant side cloth by the jet pressure, the strap part integrated with the diffuser part is pulled through the passage formed between the inflator side cloth and the reinforcing cloth, and the end part of the strap part is A method for inflating an airbag bag body, wherein protrusion of a joined passenger side cloth is prevented.   The airbag apparatus provided with the airbag bag body of the said Claim 1 or 2.

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