JP4079022B2

JP4079022B2 - Head protection airbag

Info

Publication number: JP4079022B2
Application number: JP2003093080A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 利則棚瀬; 道夫井上
Original assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co Ltd
Current assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co Ltd
Priority date: 2003-03-31
Filing date: 2003-03-31
Publication date: 2008-04-23
Anticipated expiration: 2023-03-31
Also published as: JP2004299483A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、袋織りにより製造され、車両の車内側における窓の上縁側に、折り畳まれて収納されて、膨張用ガスの流入時、下方へ展開膨張して窓を覆い可能な頭部保護エアバッグに関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、頭部保護エアバッグとしては、袋織りで製造するとともに、袋織り時に、膨張用ガスを流入させるガス流入部の内部に、ガス流入部の周壁部と一体的に形成される部位、を設けるものが知られていた（例えば、特許文献１参照）。
【０００３】
このエアバッグでは、ガス流入部の内部に設ける部位が、ガス流入部の周壁部における車内側壁部と車外側壁部との距離を規制するもので、膨張したエアバッグの厚さを調整するテザーとして、構成されていた。
【０００４】
【特許文献１】
特開２００１−１３８８５２公報
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかし、上記公報の頭部保護エアバッグでは、内部に設けた部位が、膨張完了時のエアバッグの厚さを制御するテザーであって、エアバッグの膨張過程における形状や状態を調整できるものではなかった。
【０００６】
本発明は、上述の課題を解決するものであり、膨張途中の形状を規制できて、容易に製造できる頭部保護エアバッグを提供することを目的とする。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明に係る頭部保護エアバッグは、袋織りにより製造され、車両の車内側における窓の上縁側に、折り畳まれて収納されて、膨張用ガスの流入時、下方へ展開膨張して窓を覆い可能な頭部保護エアバッグであって、
膨張用ガスを流入させるガス流入部の内部に、ガス流入部の周壁部と一体的に形成されて、膨張用ガスの流れを制御可能なガス流れ制御部が、配設されていることを特徴とする。
【０００８】
本発明に係る頭部保護エアバッグでは、膨張用ガスを流入させるガス流入部の内部に、膨張用ガスの流れを制御可能なガス流れ制御部が、配設されており、ガス流入部に流入する膨張用ガスが、ガス流れ制御部によって、流れ方向を制御され、エアバッグの膨張開始から膨張完了までの間に、エアバッグを所定の形状や状態に設定できる。勿論、このガス流れ制御部は、袋織り時に、ガス流入部の周壁部と一体的に形成されるものであって、別途、縫合等によって配設するものでないことから、容易に、形成することができる。
【０００９】
したがって、本発明に係る頭部保護エアバッグでは、膨張途中の形状を規制できて、容易に製造することができる。
【００１０】
そして、ガス流れ制御部は、エアバッグを車外側の斜め下方向に向けて展開膨張可能に、配設されることが望ましい。このように構成されていれば、膨張途中のエアバッグが、車外側の斜め下方向に向いて展開膨張することから、乗員と窓や車内壁との間が狭くとも、その狭い部位に入り込みやすく、的確に、乗員の保護を図ることができる。
【００１１】
この場合、例えば、請求項１に記載したように、ガス流入部が、膨張完了時に上下方向に棒状に膨らんで、前後方向に並設される複数の縦セル部を、備えて構成されていれば、ガス流れ制御部は、膨張用ガスを透過可能なシート状として、上端にガス流入口を有した少なくとも一つの縦セル部内の上部に、配設させるとともに、上端側を、ガス流入部の周壁部における車外側壁部側に結合させ、下端側を、ガス流入部の周壁部における車内側壁部側に結合させて、構成してもよい。
【００１２】
このように構成されておれば、エアバッグの膨張途中では、ガス流れ制御部を配設させた縦セル部内の上部側が、ガス流入口から流入した膨張用ガスによって膨張すると、シート状のガス流れ制御部が、車外側に膨らみ、この部位から膨張用ガスが透過されて、膨張用ガスは、縦セル部の上部側で車外側壁部の側に向いて流れる。そのため、ガス流れ制御部を備えた縦セル部では、下端側が車外側の下向きに展開膨張することとなる。その結果、膨張途中のエアバッグが、車外側の下向きに展開膨張して、乗員と窓や車内壁との間が狭くとも、その狭い部位に入り込みやすく、的確に、乗員の保護を図ることができる。
【００１３】
あるいは、請求項２に記載したように、ガス流入部が、膨張完了時に上下方向に棒状に膨らんで、前後方向に並設される複数の縦セル部を、備えて構成されていれば、ガス流れ制御部は、膨張用ガスを透過可能なシート状として、上端にガス流入口を有した少なくとも一つの縦セル部のガス流入口の上方に、配設させて、上端側を、ガス流入部の周壁部における車外側壁部側に結合させ、下端側を、ガス流入口の周縁で、かつ、ガス流入部の周壁部における車内側壁部側に、結合させて、構成してもよい。
【００１４】
このように構成されていれば、エアバッグの膨張途中では、縦セル部の上方側が膨張すれば、シート状のガス流れ制御部が、車外側に膨らみ、透過させる膨張用ガスの主流を、車外側の下向きに流して、縦セル部のガス流入口に流入させることとなる。そのため、ガス流れ制御部を上方に配設させた縦セル部では、下端側が車外側の下向きに展開膨張することとなり、その結果、膨張途中のエアバッグが、車外側の下向きに展開膨張して、乗員と窓や車内壁との間が狭くとも、その狭い部位に入り込みやすく、的確に、乗員の保護を図ることができる。
【００１５】
また、ガス流入部の内部に、ガス流入部における膨張用ガスを流入させるための接続口部に連通して、膨張用ガスを軸方向に沿って流出可能な筒形状の流出筒部が、ガス流入部の周壁部と一体的に形成されて、配設されていてもよい。
【００１６】
このように構成されていれば、流出筒部の軸方向によって、膨張用ガスの流れ方向を制御できるとともに、接続口部を経てエアバッグ内に流入する膨張用ガスの圧力を、ガス流入部の周壁部自体でなく、流出筒部で受けることが可能となって、膨張用ガスの流入当初におけるガス流入部の周壁部のダメージを軽減することができる。
【００１７】
さらに、ガス流入部が、膨張完了時に上下方向に棒状に膨らんで、前後方向に並設される複数の縦セル部を、備えて構成される場合には、ガス流れ制御部は、各縦セル部への流入量を制御するように、配設させてもよい。
【００１８】
このように構成されておれば、膨張用ガスの流れ制御の他に、縦セル部への膨張用ガスの流入量を制御できて、各縦セル部の膨張時期も制御できる。例えば、ガス流入部における乗員と窓や車内壁との間が狭いエリアでは、薄い状態で、展開を完了させて、展開完了後に厚く膨張させるように構成することも可能となって、一層、乗員を的確に保護することができる。
【００１９】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の一実施形態を図面に基づいて説明すると、第１実施形態の頭部保護エアバッグ２０は、図１に示すように、車両Ｖに搭載される頭部保護エアバッグ装置ＨＰに使用されるものである。この頭部保護エアバッグ装置ＨＰは、エアバッグ２０と、インフレーター１２と、取付ブラケット１０・１３と、エアバッグカバー８と、を備えて構成されている。そして、エアバッグ２０は、車両Ｖの車内側における窓Ｗ（Ｗ１・Ｗ２）の上縁側において、フロントピラー部ＦＰの下縁側から、ルーフサイドレール部ＲＲの下縁側を経て、リヤピラー部ＲＰの上方側までの範囲に、折り畳まれて収納されている。なお、各窓Ｗ１・Ｗ２は、上端側のルーフサイドレール部ＲＲ側から、下方に向かうにしたがって、車外側Ｏに突出するように、形成されている（図６・７参照）。
【００２０】
インフレーター１２は、図１に示すように、略円柱状のシリンダタイプとして、エアバッグ２０における膨張用ガスを流入させるための接続口部２３が、外装され、クランプ１５を利用して、エアバッグ２０と連結されている。そして、インフレーター１２は、取付ブラケット１３を利用して、センターピラー部ＣＰの上方付近におけるルーフサイドレール部ＲＲのインナパネル２に、ルーフヘッドライニング５の下縁５ａに、覆われて、取付固定されている。なお、インナパネル２は、車両Ｖのボディ（車体）１側の部材である。また、取付ブラケット１３は、板金製として、インフレーター１２を保持し、取付ボルト１４を利用して、インナパネル２に固定されている。
【００２１】
各取付ブラケット１０は、二枚の板金製のプレートから構成され（図５参照）、エアバッグ２０の各取付部３７を挟むように、各取付部３７に取り付けられ、取付ボルト１１によって、各取付部３７をインナパネル２に取付固定している。なお、各取付ボルト１１は、ナット２ｂを設けてインナパネル２に形成された取付孔２ａに、締結されている。
【００２２】
エアバッグカバー８は、フロントピラー部ＦＰに配置されるピラーガーニッシュ４とルーフサイドレール部ＲＲに配置されるルーフヘッドライニング５とのそれぞれの下縁４ａ・５ａ側から構成されている。なお、フロントピラーガーニッシュ４とルーフヘッドライニング５とは、合成樹脂製とし、フロントピラー部ＦＰとルーフサイドレール部ＲＲとにおいて、それぞて、ボディ１のインナパネル２における車内側に、取付固定されている。また、ルーフヘッドライニング５は、フロントピラー部ＦＰの上方付近から、センターピラー部ＣＰの上方を経て、リヤピラー部ＲＰの上方付近まで、配設されている。
【００２３】
エアバッグ２０は、ポリアミド糸等を使用した袋織りにより製造されて、図１〜４に示すように、インフレーター１２からの膨張用ガスＧを流入させて、折り畳み状態から展開して、窓Ｗ（Ｗ１・Ｗ２）やセンターピラー部ＣＰ・リヤピラー部ＲＰのピラーガーニッシュ７・６の車内側を覆うように、展開膨張する。このエアバッグ２０は、膨張用ガスＧを流入させて膨らむ袋状の周壁部２２を備えて構成されるガス流入部２１と、膨張用ガスＧを流入させない非流入部３５と、を備えて構成されている。周壁部２２は、車内側壁部２２ａと車外側壁部２２ｂとから構成されている。
【００２４】
なお、エアバッグ２０の外表面には、袋織り後、適宜、膨張用ガスＧの漏れを防止するために、シリコンゴム等のコーティング層が設けられている。
【００２５】
そして、非流入部３５は、周壁部２２の壁部２２ａ・２２ｂ相互を結合させたように形成され、周縁部３６、取付部３７、厚さ規制部３８、及び、板状部３９、から構成されている。周縁部３６は、エアバッグ２０の外周縁の部位に配置されて、ガス流入部２１の周囲を囲むように、形成されている。
【００２６】
取付部３７は、エアバッグ２０の上縁２０ａ側における周縁部３６から上方へ突出するように、複数（実施形態では６個）配置されて、インナパネル２に取り付けるための取付ブラケット１０が固着されることとなる（図５参照）。各取付部３７には、取付ボルト１１を挿通させる取付孔３７ａが、開口されている。
【００２７】
なお、実施形態の場合、エアバッグ２０の前端側には、フロントピラー部ＦＰと連結させるための連結布４０が、縫合等されて連結されており、この連結布４０にも、取付孔３７ａを有した取付部３７が形成されている。
【００２８】
板状部３９は、前後の前席用流入部２５と後席用流入部２６との間におけるガス供給路部２４と連通流入部２９との間に配設されている。この板状部３９は、エアバッグ２０の全体形状を確保するとともに、ガス流入部２１の容積を小さくして、膨張完了までの時間を短くするために、配設されている。
【００２９】
厚さ規制部３８は、それぞれ、各前席用・後席用流入部２５・２６の領域内に配置されて、車内側から見て略Ｔ字形状として、横棒部３８ａと、横棒部３８ａの略中央から下方に延びる縦棒部３８ｂと、を備えて構成されている。これらの厚さ規制部３８は、前席用・後席用流入部２５・２６を複数の縦セル部２７に区画して、エアバッグ２０の厚さを規制し、エアバッグ２０を板状に膨張させることができるように、配設されている。なお、厚さ規制部３８で区画された各縦セル部２７は、膨張時に、エアバッグ２０の前後方向の長さを短くして、膨張完了時のエアバッグ２０の下縁２０ｂ側に、前後方向のテンションを生じさせることとなる。
【００３０】
ガス流入部２１は、実施形態の場合、ガス供給路部２４、前席用流入部２５、後席用流入部２６、及び、連通流入部２９、から構成されている。ガス供給路部２４は、エアバッグ２０の上縁２０ａ側で車両Ｖの前後方向に沿って、直線状に配設されている。ガス供給路部２４の前後方向の略中間部位には、上方へ延びて、インフレーター１２からの膨張用ガスＧをガス流入部２１内に流入させるための接続口部２３が、形成されている。ガス供給路部２４では、接続口部２３から膨張用ガスＧが流入すると、膨張用ガスＧは、車両Ｖの前後方向両側に向かうように、流れることとなる。
【００３１】
前席用流入部２５は、ガス供給路部２４の前部側の下方に配置され、エアバッグ２０の展開膨張時、車両Ｖの前席の側方に配置されて、前席側方の窓Ｗ１を覆うように膨張することとなる。後席用流入部２６は、ガス供給路部２４の後部側の下方に配置され、エアバッグ２０の展開膨張時、車両Ｖの後席の側方に配置されて、後席側方の窓Ｗ２を覆うこととなる。連通流入部２９は、板状部３９の下方側を含めて、前席用流入部２５の下部と後席用流入部２６の下部とを連通するように、エアバッグ２０の下縁２０ｂ側で、下縁２０ｂに沿って前後方向に配置されている。
【００３２】
前席用・後席用流入部２５・２６は、それぞれ、厚さ規制部３８で区画されて、上下方向に棒状に延びるように膨張して、車両Ｖの前後方向に並設される複数の縦セル部２７から、構成されている。各縦セル部２７（２７Ａ・２７Ｂ・２７Ｃ・２７Ｄ・２７Ｅ・２７Ｆ・２７Ｇ）の上端には、ガス供給路部２４と連通するガス流入口２８（２８Ａ・２８Ｂ・２８Ｃ・２８Ｄ・２８Ｅ・２８Ｆ・２８Ｇ）が開口されている。そして、前席用流入部２５には、４つの縦セル部２７Ａ・２７Ｂ・２７Ｃ・２７Ｄが並設され、後席用流入部２６には、３つの縦セル部２７Ｅ・２７Ｆ・２７Ｇが並設されている。
【００３３】
そして、縦セル部２７Ｂ・２７Ｃ・２７Ｆの内部には、ガス流入部２１の周壁部２２と一体的に袋織り時に形成されて、膨張用ガスＧの流れを制御可能なガス流れ制御部３１が、配設されている。第１実施形態の場合、各ガス流れ制御部３１は、エアバッグ２０を車外側Ｏの斜め下方向に向けて展開膨張可能に、配設されている。
【００３４】
さらに具体的に述べれば、第１実施形態の場合、ガス流れ制御部３１は、シート状として、縦セル部２７Ｂ・２７Ｃ・２７Ｆ内の上部２７ａにおける前後方向の全域に配設されるとともに、制御部３１の上端３１ａにおけるガス流入口２８の部位では、ガス流入部２１の周壁部２２における車外側壁部２２ｂの側に結合させ、下端３１ｂ側を、ガス流入部２１の周壁部２２における車内側壁部２２ａの側に結合させている。なお、各制御部３１の上端３１ａにおけるガス流入口２８の部位から離れた部位では、それらのガス流入口２８の前後両側に隣接した厚さ規制部３８の横棒部３８ａに、結合され、また、各制御部３１の前端３１ｃ側と後端３１ｄ側とは、前後両側に隣接した厚さ規制部３８の縦棒部３８ｂに、結合されている。
【００３５】
そして、各ガス流れ制御部３１では、上側の上端側部３２が、下側の下端側部３３より、膨張用ガスＧを透過させ易く構成されている。実施形態の場合、上端側部３２が、下端側部３３より、袋織り時の経糸の数を減らして、構成されている。
【００３６】
なお、実施形態の場合、エアバッグ２０の袋織り時の経糸は、エアバッグ２０の前後方向に沿って配設される糸としている。そして、袋織りの経糸と緯糸との打ち込み本数は、１インチ当たり、上側端部３２では、経糸を１０本、緯糸を２０本とし、下側端部３３では、経糸を２０本、緯糸を２０本としている。また、制御部３１から離れた一般的な周壁部２２の車内側壁部２２ａや車外側壁部２２ｂでは、１インチ当たり、経糸を６０本、緯糸を６０本としている。
【００３７】
つぎに、袋織りして、適宜、コーティング層を設けて製造したエアバッグ２０を、車両Ｖに搭載するまでの行程を説明すると、まず、エアバッグ２０を平らに展開させて、順次、山折りと谷折りとの折目Ｃ（図２の二点鎖線・図５参照）を付けて、エアバッグ２０の下縁２０ｂ側を上縁２０ａ側に接近させるように、蛇腹折りする。
【００３８】
そして、エアバッグ２０を折り畳んだ後には、折り崩れ防止用の破断可能な図示しないテープにより、エアバッグ２０の所定箇所をくるむとともに、インフレーター１２・取付ブラケット１０・１３を取り付けて、エアバッグ組付体を形成する。
【００３９】
その後、各取付ブラケット１０・１３を、ボディ１側のインナパネル２の所定位置に配置させ、各取付孔３７ａを挿通させる等して、ボルト１１・１４止めし、各取付ブラケット１０・１３をインナパネル２に固定して、エアバッグ組付体をボディ１に取り付ける。ついで、インフレーター１２に、所定のインフレーター作動用の制御装置から延びる図示しないリード線を結線し、フロントピラーガーニッシュ４やルーフヘッドライニング５をボディ１に取り付け、さらに、リヤピラーガーニッシュ６・センターピラーガーニッシュ７をボディ１に取り付ければ、エアバッグ装置ＨＰを、車両Ｖに搭載することができる。
【００４０】
そして、エアバッグ装置ＨＰの車両Ｖへの搭載後、インフレーター１２が作動されれば、インフレーター１２からの膨張用ガスＧが、図２の二点鎖線に示すように、接続口部２３からガス供給路部２４に流入し、前後方向両側に向かって、ガス供給路部２４を流れ、各ガス流入口２８から、各縦セル部２７（２７Ａ・２７Ｂ・２７Ｃ・２７Ｄ・２７Ｅ・２７Ｆ・２７Ｇ）内に供給され、エアバッグ２０の各流入部２５・２６が、折りを解消させつつ、膨張し始める。そして、エアバッグ２０は、くるんでおいた図示しないテープを破断させ、さらに、フロントピラーガーニッシュ４やルーフヘッドライニング５の下縁４ａ・５ａ側のエアバッグカバー８を押し開いて、図１の二点鎖線に示すように、下方へ突出しつつ、窓Ｗ１・Ｗ２・センターピラー部ＣＰ・リヤピラー部ＲＰの車内側Ｉを覆うように、大きく展開膨張することとなる。
【００４１】
この時、エアバッグ２０の膨張途中では、図５〜７に示すように、ガス流れ制御部３１を配設させた縦セル部２７Ｃ内の上部３１ａ側が膨張すると、シート状のガス流れ制御部３１が、車外側Ｏに膨らみ、上端側の部位３２から膨張用ガスＧが透過されて、膨張用ガスＧは、縦セル部２７Ｃの上部２７ａ側で車外側壁部２２ｂの側に向いて流れる。そのため、ガス流れ制御部３１を備えた各縦セル部２７Ｂ・２７Ｃ・２７Ｆでは、下端３１ｂ側が車外側Ｏの下向きに展開膨張することとなる。その結果、膨張途中のエアバッグ２０は、車外側Ｏの下向きに展開膨張して、乗員Ｍと窓Ｗ１・Ｗ２や車内壁６・７との間が狭くとも、その狭い部位に入り込みやすく、的確に、乗員Ｍの保護を図ることができる。
【００４２】
すなわち、エアバッグ２０では、膨張用ガスＧを流入させるガス流入部２１の所定の縦セル部２７の内部に、膨張用ガスＧの流れを制御可能なガス流れ制御部３１が、配設されており、ガス流入部２１に流入する膨張用ガスＧが、ガス流れ制御部３１によって、流れ方向を制御され、エアバッグ２０の膨張開始から膨張完了までの間に、エアバッグ２０を所定の形状や状態に設定できる。勿論、このガス流れ制御部３１は、袋織り時に、ガス流入部２１の周壁部２２と一体的に形成されるものであって、別途、縫合等によって配設されるものでないことから、容易に、形成することができる。
【００４３】
したがって、実施形態の頭部保護エアバッグ２０では、膨張途中の形状を規制できて、容易に製造することができる。
【００４４】
そして特に、実施形態では、ガス流れ制御部３１が、エアバッグ２０を車外側０の斜め下方向に向けて展開膨張可能に、配設されていることから、膨張途中のエアバッグ２０が、図６に示すように、車外側Ｏの斜め下方向に向いて展開膨張することから、乗員Ｍと窓Ｗ１・Ｗ２や車内壁６・７との間が狭くとも、その狭い部位に入り込みやすく、的確に、乗員Ｍの保護を図ることができる。
【００４５】
また、このエアバッグ２０では、ガス流入部２１が、膨張完了時に上下方向に棒状に膨らんで、前後方向に並設される複数の縦セル部２７を、備えており、そして、ガス流れ制御部３１が、各縦セル部２７への流入量を制御するように、配設されている。すなわち、縦セル部２７Ａ・２７Ｄ・２７Ｅ・２７Ｇには、ガス流れ制御部３１を配設させず、他の縦セル部２７Ｂ・２７Ｃ・２７Ｆにガス流れ制御部３１を配設させている。そして、ガス流れ制御部３１は、膨張用ガスＧを透過させて縦セル部２７Ｂ・２７Ｃ・２７Ｆを膨張させることから、ガスの流れる際の抵抗となって、制御部３１の配設されていない縦セル部２７Ａ・２７Ｄ・２７Ｅ・２７Ｇが、前席用・後席用流入部２５・２６における前後方向の中央部位に位置する縦セル部２７Ｂ・２７Ｃ・２７Ｆに比べて、迅速に膨張する。
【００４６】
そのため、展開膨張完了時の前席用・後席用流入部２５・２６における前後方向の中央付近において、乗員Ｍが位置して、その乗員Ｍと窓Ｗ１・Ｗ２や車内壁６・７との間が狭い場合でも、前席用・後席用流入部２５・２６における前後方向の中央付近を、極力、薄い状態で、展開完了させて、展開完了後に厚く膨張させるように構成することができ、縦セル部２７Ｂ・２７Ｃ・２７Ｆが、車外側Ｏの下向きに展開膨張することとあいまって、一層、乗員Ｍを的確に保護することができる。
【００４７】
なお、実施形態では、ガス流れ制御部３１を、３箇所の縦セル部２７Ｂ・２７Ｃ・２７Ｆの内部に配設させた場合を示したが、縦セル部２７の少なくとも一つに、配設させれば、エアバッグにおける車外側Ｏの下向き向かう展開膨張に、寄与できる。
【００４８】
また、図８〜１１に示す第２実施形態のエアバッグ２０Ａのように、ガス流れ制御部３１Ａを縦セル部２７の外部に配設させてもよい。このエアバッグ２０Ａは、エアバッグ２０と同様に、ガス流入部２１と非流入部３５とを備え、ガス流入部２１の前席用・後席用流入部２５・２６が、厚さ規制部３８で区画されて、膨張完了時に上下方向に棒状に膨らんで、前後方向に並設される複数の縦セル部２７（２７Ａ・２７Ｂ・２７Ｃ・２７Ｄ・２７Ｅ・２７Ｆ・２７Ｇ）を、備えて構成されている。
【００４９】
そして、エアバッグ２０Ａの袋織り時にガス流入部２１の周壁部２２と一体的に形成されるガス流れ制御部３１Ａが、膨張用ガスＧを透過可能なシート状として、縦セル部２７Ｂ・２７Ｃ・２７Ｆのガス流入口２８の上方におけるガス供給路部２４に配設されている。各ガス流れ制御部３１Ａは、上端３１ａ側を、ガス流入部２１の周壁部２２における車外側壁部２２ｂの側に結合させ、下端３１ｂ側を、ガス流入口２８の周縁で、かつ、ガス流入部２１の周壁部２２における車内側壁部２２ａの側に、結合させている。
【００５０】
なお、このエアバッグ２０Ａについて、エアバッグ２０と同様な部位には、エアバッグ２０と同一の符号を付して、説明を省略する。また、このエアバッグ２０Ａも、エアバッグ２０と同様に、エアバッグ組立体を形成して、車両Ｖに搭載されることとなる。
【００５１】
さらに、袋織りの経糸と緯糸との打ち込み本数に関し、ガス流れ制御部３１Ａでは、１インチ当たり、経糸を０本、緯糸を２５本として、制御部３１Ａから離れた一般的な周壁部２２の車内側壁部２２ａや車外側壁部２２ｂでは、１インチ当たり、経糸を６０本、緯糸を６０本としている。
【００５２】
そして、このエアバッグ２０Ａでは、車両Ｖへの搭載後におけるインフレーター１２の作動時、図１０・１１に示すように、接続口部２３からガス供給路部２４に膨張用ガスＧが流入して、縦セル部２７Ｃの上方におけるガス供給路部２４側が膨張すれば、シート状のガス流れ制御部３１Ａが、車外側Ｏに膨らみ、透過させる膨張用ガスＧの主流ＧＭを、車外側Ｏの下向きに流して、縦セル部２７Ｃのガス流入口２８に流入させることとなる。そのため、ガス流れ制御部３１Ａを上方に配設させた各縦セル部２７Ｂ・２７Ｃ・２７Ｆでは、下端２７ｂ側が車外側Ｏの下向きに展開膨張することとなり、その結果、膨張途中のエアバッグ２０Ａが、車外側Ｏの下向きに展開膨張して、乗員Ｍと窓Ｗ１・Ｗ２や車内壁６・７との間が狭くとも、その狭い部位に入り込みやすく、的確に、乗員Ｍの保護を図ることができて、第１実施形態のエアバッグ２０と同様な作用・効果を得ることができる。
【００５３】
勿論、このエアバッグ２０Ｂでも、上方に制御部３１Ａを配設されていない縦セル部２７Ａ・２７Ｄ・２７Ｅ・２７Ｇが、制御部３１Ａによるガス流れの抵抗がない分、前席用・後席用流入部２５・２６における前後方向の中央部位に位置する縦セル部２７Ｂ・２７Ｃ・２７Ｆに比べて、迅速に膨張することから、展開膨張完了時の前席用・後席用流入部２５・２６における前後方向の中央付近において、乗員Ｍが位置して、その乗員Ｍと窓Ｗ１・Ｗ２や車内壁６・７との間が狭い場合でも、前席用・後席用流入部２５・２６における前後方向の中央付近を、極力、薄い状態で、展開完了させて、展開完了後に厚く膨張させるように構成することができ、縦セル部２７Ｂ・２７Ｃ・２７Ｆが、車外側Ｏの下向きに展開膨張することとあいまって、一層、乗員Ｍを的確に保護することができる。
【００５４】
なお、第１・２実施形態では、シート状のガス流れ制御部３１・３１Ａについて説明したが、図１２・１３に示すような第３実施形態の頭部保護エアバッグ２０Ｂとしてもよい。このエアバッグ２０Ｂでは、ガス流れ制御部４１が、ガス流入部２１における膨張用ガスＧの接続口部２３に連通する筒形状の流出筒部４２を備えて、構成されている。
【００５５】
そして、このガス流れ制御部４１は、流出筒部４２と、支持壁部４３と、から構成されている。支持壁部４３は、流出筒部４２をガス供給路部２４における周壁部２２内で支持するように、ガス供給路部２４における周壁部２２と流出筒部４２とに連結されるように、配設されている。流出筒部４２は、接続口部２３から下方に延びる縦筒部４２ａと、縦筒部４２ａの下端で前後両側に分岐して、前後両端を開口させた横筒部４２ｂと、を備える略逆Ｔ字パイプ状に形成されている。そして、流出筒部４２は、接続口部２３を経て流入してくる膨張用ガスＧを、横筒部４２ｂの前後両側の開口から、横筒部４２ｂの軸方向に沿って、前後両側に流出させるように、構成している。
【００５６】
なお、このエアバッグ２０Ｂでも、エアバッグ２０と同様な部位には、エアバッグ２０と同一の符号を付して、説明を省略する。また、このエアバッグ２０Ｂも、エアバッグ２０と同様に、エアバッグ組立体を形成して、車両Ｖに搭載されることとなる。
【００５７】
さらに、袋織りの経糸と緯糸との１インチ当たりの打ち込み本数に関し、支持壁部４３では、経糸を６０本、緯糸を６０本、流出筒部４２の縦筒部４２ａでは、経糸を３０本、緯糸を３０本、流出筒部４２の横筒部４２ｂでは、経糸を３０本、緯糸を３０とし、制御部４１から離れた一般的な周壁部２２の車内側壁部２２ａや車外側壁部２２ｂでは、経糸を６０本、緯糸を６０本としている。
【００５８】
そして、このエアバッグ２０Ｂでは、車両Ｖへの搭載後におけるインフレーター１２の作動時、接続口部２３から流入してくる膨張用ガスＧを、流出筒部４２における下流側の横筒部４２ｂの軸方向に沿わせて、すなわち、ガス供給路部２４に沿って、前後両側に直線的に流すように、膨張用ガスＧの流れ方向を制御して、流すことができる。そのため、このエアバッグ２０Ｂでは、ガス流入部２１の前後両端の縦セル部２７Ａ・２７Ｇの展開膨張を素早くさせることができ、前席用・後席用流入部２５・２６におけるそれぞれの前後方向の中央部位が膨らむことを極力押えて、展開を完了させ、その後、厚く膨張させることが可能となる。すなわち、このエアバッグ２０Ｂでも、乗員Ｍと窓Ｗ１・Ｗ２や車内壁６・７との間が狭くとも、その狭い部位に入り込みやすく、的確に、乗員Ｍの保護を図ることができる。
【００５９】
また、このエアバッグ２０Ｂでは、接続口部２３を経てエアバッグ２０Ｂ内に流入する膨張用ガスＧの圧力を、ガス流入部２１の周壁部２２自体でなく、流出筒部４２のガス流れ制御部４１で受けることが可能となって、膨張用ガスＧの流入当初におけるガス流入部２１の周壁部２２のダメージを軽減することができる。さらに、仮に、流出筒部４２が破損しても、周壁部２２にダメージが生じ難く、ガス流入部２１からのガス漏れを防止することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１実施形態の頭部保護エアバッグの使用態様を示す車内側から見た概略正面図である。
【図２】第１実施形態の頭部保護エアバッグを平らに展開させた状態の正面図である。
【図３】第１実施形態のエアバッグの概略断面図であり、図２のIII−III部位に対応する。
【図４】第１実施形態のエアバッグの概略断面図であり、図２のIV−IV部位に対応する。
【図５】第１実施形態のエアバッグの車両搭載状態の断面図であり、図１のＶ−Ｖ部位に対応する。
【図６】第１実施形態のエアバッグの膨張途中を示す断面図である。
【図７】第１実施形態のエアバッグの膨張完了時を示す断面図である。
【図８】第２実施形態の頭部保護エアバッグを平らに展開させた状態の正面図である。
【図９】第２実施形態のエアバッグの概略断面図であり、図８のIX−IX部位に対応する。
【図１０】第２実施形態のエアバッグの膨張途中を示す断面図である。
【図１１】第２実施形態のエアバッグの膨張完了時を示す断面図である。
【図１２】第３実施形態の頭部保護エアバッグを平らに展開させた状態の正面図である。
【図１３】第３実施形態のエアバッグの概略断面図であり、図１２のXIII−XIII部位に対応する。
【符号の説明】
２０・２０Ａ・２０Ｂ…頭部保護エアバッグ、
２１…ガス流入部、
２２…周壁部、
２２ａ…車内側壁部、
２２ｂ…車外側壁部、
２３…接続口部、
２７（２７Ａ・２７Ｂ・２７Ｃ・２７Ｄ・２７Ｅ・２７Ｆ）…縦セル部、
２７ａ…上端・上部、
２７ｂ…下端・下部、
２８…ガス流入口、
３１・３１Ａ・４１…ガス流れ制御部、
３１ａ…上端・上部、
３１ｂ…下端・下部、
３２…上端側部、
３３…下端側部、
４２…流出筒部、
Ｇ…膨張用ガス、
Ｗ（Ｗ１・Ｗ２）…窓、
Ｖ…車両、
Ｉ…車内側、
Ｏ…車外側、
ＨＰ…頭部保護エアバッグ装置。[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a head protection air that is manufactured by bag weaving, folded and stored on the upper edge side of a window inside a vehicle, and expands and expands downward to cover the window when inflating gas flows. Regarding the bag.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, the head protection airbag is manufactured by bag weaving, and at the time of bag weaving, a portion formed integrally with the peripheral wall portion of the gas inflow portion inside the gas inflow portion into which the inflation gas flows. What was provided was known (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).
[0003]
In this airbag, the portion provided inside the gas inflow portion regulates the distance between the vehicle inner wall portion and the vehicle outer wall portion in the peripheral wall portion of the gas inflow portion, and adjusts the thickness of the inflated airbag. Was configured as.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-138852 A
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the head protection airbag of the above publication, the portion provided inside is a tether that controls the thickness of the airbag when inflation is completed, and the shape and state of the airbag during the inflation process cannot be adjusted. There wasn't.
[0006]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a head protection airbag that can regulate the shape during inflation and can be easily manufactured.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The head protection airbag according to the present invention is manufactured by bag weaving, folded and stored on the upper edge side of the window inside the vehicle, and expanded and inflated downward when the inflating gas flows in. A coverable head protection airbag,
A gas flow control unit that is integrally formed with the peripheral wall portion of the gas inflow portion and that can control the flow of the expansion gas is disposed inside the gas inflow portion for allowing the expansion gas to flow in. And
[0008]
In the head protection airbag according to the present invention, a gas flow control unit capable of controlling the flow of the inflation gas is disposed inside the gas inflow portion into which the inflation gas is introduced, and flows into the gas inflow portion. The flow direction of the inflating gas is controlled by the gas flow control unit, and the airbag can be set to a predetermined shape and state between the start of inflation and the completion of inflation. Of course, this gas flow control part is formed integrally with the peripheral wall part of the gas inflow part at the time of bag weaving, and is not separately provided by sewing or the like, so it can be easily formed. Can do.
[0009]
Therefore, in the head protection airbag according to the present invention, the shape during expansion can be regulated and can be easily manufactured.
[0010]
And it is desirable for the gas flow control part to be arranged so as to be deployed and inflated with the airbag directed obliquely downward on the outside of the vehicle. If configured in this way, the airbag in the middle of inflating is deployed and inflated obliquely downward on the outside of the vehicle, so that even if the space between the occupant and the window or the vehicle inner wall is narrow, it can easily enter the narrow part. The passengers can be protected accurately.
[0011]
In this case, for example, As described in claim 1, If the gas inflow section is configured to have a plurality of vertical cell sections that are swelled in the vertical direction at the completion of expansion and are arranged in parallel in the front-rear direction, the gas flow control section can permeate the expansion gas. As a sheet, the upper end side is disposed at the upper part in at least one vertical cell part having a gas inlet at the upper end, and the upper end side is coupled to the outer wall side of the peripheral wall part of the gas inflow part. May be configured to be coupled to the inner wall side of the peripheral wall portion of the gas inflow portion.
[0012]
If configured in this manner, during the inflation of the airbag, when the upper side in the vertical cell part in which the gas flow control unit is disposed is inflated by the inflation gas flowing in from the gas inlet, the sheet-like gas flow The control unit swells to the outside of the vehicle, and the inflation gas is permeated from this portion, and the inflation gas flows toward the vehicle outer side wall on the upper side of the vertical cell portion. Therefore, in the vertical cell part provided with the gas flow control part, the lower end side expands and expands downward on the outside of the vehicle. As a result, the airbag in the middle of inflating is deployed and inflated downward on the outside of the vehicle, and even if the space between the passenger and the window or the vehicle inner wall is narrow, it can easily enter the narrow part, and the passenger can be protected accurately. it can.
[0013]
Or As described in claim 2, If the gas inflow section is configured to have a plurality of vertical cell sections that are swelled in the vertical direction at the completion of expansion and are arranged in parallel in the front-rear direction, the gas flow control section can permeate the expansion gas. As a sheet, the upper end side is connected to the outer wall side of the peripheral wall of the gas inflow portion by disposing it above the gas inlet of at least one vertical cell portion having a gas inlet at the upper end. Further, the lower end side may be configured to be coupled to the periphery of the gas inlet and to the inner wall side of the peripheral wall portion of the gas inflow portion.
[0014]
If configured in this way, during the inflation of the airbag, if the upper side of the vertical cell portion is inflated, the sheet-like gas flow control unit will inflate the mainstream of the inflation gas to be inflated and permeate the vehicle. It flows downward on the outside and flows into the gas inlet of the vertical cell portion. Therefore, in the vertical cell portion in which the gas flow control unit is disposed upward, the lower end side is expanded and inflated downward on the outside of the vehicle, and as a result, the airbag in the middle of expansion is expanded and inflated downward on the outside of the vehicle. Even if the space between the occupant and the window or the inner wall of the vehicle is narrow, it is easy to enter the narrow part, and the occupant can be protected accurately.
[0015]
Also, Inside the gas inlet, Connected to the connection port for allowing the inflation gas to flow in the gas inlet. Through The expansion gas can flow out along the axial direction. Cylindrical Outflow tube Is formed integrally with the peripheral wall portion of the gas inflow portion. May be.
[0016]
If configured in this way, the flow direction of the inflation gas can be controlled by the axial direction of the outflow cylinder portion, and the pressure of the inflation gas flowing into the airbag via the connection port portion can be controlled by the gas inflow portion. Outflow cylinder, not the peripheral wall itself Received This makes it possible to reduce damage to the peripheral wall portion of the gas inflow portion at the beginning of the inflow of the expansion gas.
[0017]
Further, when the gas inflow portion is configured to have a plurality of vertical cell portions that are swelled in a bar shape in the vertical direction when expansion is completed and are arranged in parallel in the front-rear direction, the gas flow control unit is You may arrange | position so that the inflow amount to a part may be controlled.
[0018]
If comprised in this way, in addition to the flow control of the expansion gas, the inflow amount of the expansion gas to the vertical cell portion can be controlled, and the expansion timing of each vertical cell portion can also be controlled. For example, in an area where the space between the occupant and the window or the vehicle inner wall in the gas inflow portion is narrow, it is possible to complete the deployment in a thin state and to inflate thickly after the deployment is completed. Can be protected accurately.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. A head protection airbag 20 according to a first embodiment is installed in a head protection airbag device HP mounted on a vehicle V as shown in FIG. It is what is used. The head protecting airbag device HP includes an airbag 20, an inflator 12, mounting brackets 10 and 13, and an airbag cover 8. The airbag 20 is located above the rear pillar portion RP from the lower edge side of the front pillar portion FP through the lower edge side of the roof side rail portion RR on the upper edge side of the window W (W1, W2) inside the vehicle V. It is folded and stored in the range up to the side. Each of the windows W1 and W2 is formed so as to protrude from the roof side rail portion RR on the upper end side toward the vehicle outer side O as it goes downward (see FIGS. 6 and 7).
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 1, the inflator 12 is a substantially cylindrical cylinder type, and is provided with a connection port portion 23 for allowing the inflation gas in the airbag 20 to flow in. It is connected with. The inflator 12 is covered and fixed to the inner panel 2 of the roof side rail portion RR near the upper portion of the center pillar portion CP by the lower edge 5a of the roof head lining 5 using the mounting bracket 13. ing. The inner panel 2 is a member on the body (vehicle body) 1 side of the vehicle V. The mounting bracket 13 is made of sheet metal, holds the inflator 12, and is fixed to the inner panel 2 using the mounting bolts 14.
[0021]
Each mounting bracket 10 is composed of two sheet metal plates (see FIG. 5), and is attached to each mounting portion 37 so as to sandwich each mounting portion 37 of the airbag 20. The portion 37 is fixedly attached to the inner panel 2. Each mounting bolt 11 is fastened to a mounting hole 2a formed in the inner panel 2 by providing a nut 2b.
[0022]
The airbag cover 8 is configured from the lower edges 4a and 5a of the pillar garnish 4 disposed in the front pillar portion FP and the roof head lining 5 disposed in the roof side rail portion RR. The front pillar garnish 4 and the roof head lining 5 are made of synthetic resin, and are fixedly attached to the inner side of the inner panel 2 of the body 1 at the front pillar portion FP and the roof side rail portion RR, respectively. ing. Further, the roof head lining 5 is disposed from the vicinity above the front pillar portion FP to the vicinity above the rear pillar portion RP via the center pillar portion CP.
[0023]
The airbag 20 is manufactured by bag weaving using polyamide yarn or the like, and as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the inflation gas G from the inflator 12 is caused to flow in and deployed from the folded state, so that the window W ( W1 and W2) and the center pillar portion CP and the rear pillar portion RP expand and expand so as to cover the inner side of the pillar garnish 7 and 6. The airbag 20 includes a gas inflow portion 21 configured to include a bag-shaped peripheral wall portion 22 that inflates by inflating the inflating gas G, and a non-inflow portion 35 that does not allow the inflating gas G to flow in. Has been. The peripheral wall portion 22 includes a vehicle inner side wall portion 22a and a vehicle outer side wall portion 22b.
[0024]
The outer surface of the airbag 20 is provided with a coating layer of silicon rubber or the like in order to prevent the inflation gas G from leaking appropriately after weaving the bag.
[0025]
And the non-inflow part 35 is formed so that wall part 22a * 22b of the surrounding wall part 22 may be couple | bonded, and is comprised from the peripheral part 36, the attachment part 37, the thickness control part 38, and the plate-shaped part 39. Has been. The peripheral edge portion 36 is disposed at the outer peripheral edge portion of the airbag 20 and is formed so as to surround the gas inflow portion 21.
[0026]
A plurality of mounting portions 37 (six in the embodiment) are arranged so as to protrude upward from the peripheral edge 36 on the upper edge 20a side of the airbag 20, and the mounting bracket 10 for mounting to the inner panel 2 is fixed. (See FIG. 5). Each attachment portion 37 has an attachment hole 37a through which the attachment bolt 11 is inserted.
[0027]
In the case of the embodiment, a connecting cloth 40 for connecting to the front pillar portion FP is connected to the front end side of the airbag 20 by sewing or the like, and the connecting cloth 40 has an attachment hole 37a. A mounting portion 37 is formed.
[0028]
The plate-like portion 39 is disposed between the gas supply path portion 24 and the communication inflow portion 29 between the front and rear front inflow portions 25 and the rear seat inflow portion 26. The plate-like portion 39 is disposed in order to secure the overall shape of the airbag 20 and to reduce the volume of the gas inflow portion 21 and shorten the time until completion of the inflation.
[0029]
The thickness regulating portions 38 are disposed in the areas of the front seat and rear seat inflow portions 25 and 26, respectively, and are substantially T-shaped when viewed from the inside of the vehicle. And a vertical bar portion 38b extending downward from substantially the center of 38a. These thickness restricting portions 38 divide the front seat / rear seat inflow portions 25 and 26 into a plurality of vertical cell portions 27 to restrict the thickness of the airbag 20 and make the airbag 20 into a plate shape. It is arranged so that it can be inflated. Each vertical cell portion 27 partitioned by the thickness regulating portion 38 shortens the length of the airbag 20 in the front-rear direction when inflated, and moves toward the lower edge 20b of the airbag 20 when inflation is completed. This creates a directional tension.
[0030]
In the embodiment, the gas inflow portion 21 includes a gas supply path portion 24, a front seat inflow portion 25, a rear seat inflow portion 26, and a communication inflow portion 29. The gas supply path portion 24 is arranged in a straight line along the front-rear direction of the vehicle V on the upper edge 20 a side of the airbag 20. A connecting port portion 23 that extends upward and allows the inflation gas G from the inflator 12 to flow into the gas inflow portion 21 is formed at a substantially intermediate portion in the front-rear direction of the gas supply path portion 24. In the gas supply path portion 24, when the expansion gas G flows from the connection port portion 23, the expansion gas G flows toward the both sides in the front-rear direction of the vehicle V.
[0031]
The front seat inflow portion 25 is disposed below the front portion of the gas supply passage portion 24, and is disposed on the side of the front seat of the vehicle V when the airbag 20 is deployed and inflated. It will expand to cover W1. The rear seat inflow portion 26 is disposed below the rear side of the gas supply passage 24, and is disposed on the side of the rear seat of the vehicle V when the airbag 20 is deployed and inflated. Will be covered. The communication inflow portion 29 includes a lower side of the plate-like portion 39 and includes a lower portion of the front seat inflow portion 25 and a lower portion of the rear seat inflow portion 26 on the lower edge 20b side of the airbag 20. , And arranged in the front-rear direction along the lower edge 20b.
[0032]
The front seat / rear seat inflow portions 25 and 26 are each divided by a thickness regulating portion 38 and expand so as to extend in a bar shape in the vertical direction, and are arranged in parallel in the front-rear direction of the vehicle V. The vertical cell unit 27 is configured. At the upper end of each vertical cell portion 27 (27A, 27B, 27C, 27D, 27E, 27F, 27G), gas inlets 28 (28A, 28B, 28C, 28D, 28E, 28F, 28G) is open. The front seat inflow portion 25 is provided with four vertical cell portions 27A, 27B, 27C, and 27D, and the rear seat inflow portion 26 is provided with three vertical cell portions 27E, 27F, and 27G. Has been.
[0033]
A gas flow control unit 31 that is formed at the time of bag weaving integrally with the peripheral wall portion 22 of the gas inflow portion 21 and can control the flow of the expansion gas G is provided inside the vertical cell portions 27B, 27C, and 27F. Arranged. In the case of the first embodiment, each gas flow control unit 31 is arranged so that the airbag 20 can be deployed and inflated toward the diagonally downward direction of the vehicle outer side O.
[0034]
More specifically, in the case of the first embodiment, the gas flow control unit 31 is arranged in a sheet shape over the entire area in the front-rear direction of the upper portion 27a in the vertical cell portions 27B, 27C, and 27F, and is controlled. In the portion of the gas inlet 28 at the upper end 31 a of the portion 31, the gas inlet portion 21 is coupled to the vehicle outer wall portion 22 b side of the peripheral wall portion 22 of the gas inlet portion 21, and the lower end 31 b side is connected to the inner wall of the peripheral wall portion 22 of the gas inlet portion 21. It is combined with the side of the portion 22a. It should be noted that at a portion of the upper end 31a of each control unit 31 away from the portion of the gas inlet 28, it is coupled to the horizontal bar portion 38a of the thickness regulating portion 38 adjacent to the front and rear sides of the gas inlet 28, and The front end 31c side and the rear end 31d side of each control unit 31 are coupled to the vertical bar portion 38b of the thickness regulating portion 38 adjacent to the front and rear sides.
[0035]
And in each gas flow control part 31, the upper end side part 32 of the upper side is comprised more easily than the lower end side part 33 of the lower side. In the case of the embodiment, the upper end side portion 32 is configured by reducing the number of warp yarns during bag weaving from the lower end side portion 33.
[0036]
In the case of the embodiment, the warp yarn at the time of bag weaving of the airbag 20 is a yarn disposed along the front-rear direction of the airbag 20. The number of bag weft warps and wefts to be driven per inch is 10 at the upper end 32 and 20 at the upper end 32 and 20 at the lower end 33 and 20 at the lower end 33. It is a book. Further, in the vehicle inner side wall portion 22a and the vehicle outer side wall portion 22b of the general peripheral wall portion 22 away from the control unit 31, 60 warps and 60 wefts are used per inch.
[0037]
Next, a process until the airbag 20 manufactured by weaving the bag and appropriately providing a coating layer is mounted on the vehicle V will be described. First, the airbag 20 is flatly deployed, and then the mountain folds are sequentially folded. A crease C (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 2; see FIG. 5) is attached to the valley fold so that the lower edge 20b side of the airbag 20 approaches the upper edge 20a side.
[0038]
After the airbag 20 is folded, a predetermined portion of the airbag 20 is wrapped with a breakable tape (not shown) for preventing collapse, and the inflator 12 and the mounting brackets 10 and 13 are attached, and the airbag is assembled. Form the body.
[0039]
After that, the mounting brackets 10 and 13 are disposed at predetermined positions on the inner panel 2 on the body 1 side, and the mounting holes 37a are inserted to fix the bolts 11 and 14, respectively. The airbag assembly is fixed to the panel 2 and attached to the body 1. Next, lead wires (not shown) extending from a control device for operating a predetermined inflator are connected to the inflator 12, the front pillar garnish 4 and the roof head lining 5 are attached to the body 1, and the rear pillar garnish 6 and the center pillar garnish 7 are further attached. If attached to the body 1, the airbag device HP can be mounted on the vehicle V.
[0040]
When the inflator 12 is activated after the airbag device HP is mounted on the vehicle V, the inflation gas G from the inflator 12 is supplied from the connection port 23 as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. It flows into the path portion 24 and flows through the gas supply path portion 24 toward both sides in the front-rear direction, and from each gas inlet 28 in each vertical cell portion 27 (27A, 27B, 27C, 27D, 27E, 27F, and 27G). The inflow portions 25 and 26 of the airbag 20 begin to inflate while eliminating the folding. Then, the airbag 20 breaks the wrapped tape (not shown), and further pushes open the airbag cover 8 on the lower edges 4a and 5a side of the front pillar garnish 4 and the roof head lining 5, thereby As shown by the dotted line, the air expands and expands so as to cover the vehicle interior I of the windows W1, W2, the center pillar portion CP, and the rear pillar portion RP while projecting downward.
[0041]
At this time, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, during expansion of the airbag 20, when the upper portion 31 a side in the vertical cell portion 27 </ b> C in which the gas flow control unit 31 is disposed is inflated, the sheet-like gas flow control unit 31. However, it expands to the vehicle outer side O, the expansion gas G is permeated from the upper end portion 32, and the expansion gas G flows toward the vehicle outer wall portion 22b on the upper portion 27a side of the vertical cell portion 27C. Therefore, in each vertical cell part 27B * 27C * 27F provided with the gas flow control part 31, the lower end 31b side expand | deploys and expands below the vehicle outside O. As shown in FIG. As a result, the airbag 20 in the middle of inflation is deployed and inflated downward on the vehicle outer side O, and even if the space between the occupant M and the windows W1 and W2 and the vehicle interior walls 6 and 7 is narrow, it can easily enter the narrow portion. In addition, the occupant M can be protected.
[0042]
That is, in the airbag 20, a gas flow control unit 31 that can control the flow of the inflation gas G is disposed inside a predetermined vertical cell portion 27 of the gas inflow portion 21 through which the inflation gas G flows. The flow direction of the inflation gas G flowing into the gas inflow portion 21 is controlled by the gas flow control portion 31, and the airbag 20 is formed into a predetermined shape or the like between the start of inflation of the airbag 20 and the completion of inflation. Can be set to state. Of course, the gas flow control unit 31 is formed integrally with the peripheral wall portion 22 of the gas inflow portion 21 during bag weaving, and is not separately provided by sewing or the like. Can be formed.
[0043]
Therefore, in the head protection airbag 20 of the embodiment, the shape during expansion can be regulated and can be easily manufactured.
[0044]
In particular, in the embodiment, the gas flow control unit 31 is disposed so that the airbag 20 can be deployed and inflated toward the diagonally downward direction of the vehicle exterior 0. As shown in FIG. 6, since it expands and inflates toward the diagonally downward direction of the vehicle outer side O, even if the space between the occupant M and the windows W1 and W2 and the vehicle inner walls 6 and 7 is narrow, it is easy to enter the narrow part. In addition, the occupant M can be protected.
[0045]
Further, in the airbag 20, the gas inflow portion 21 is provided with a plurality of vertical cell portions 27 that are inflated in a bar shape in the vertical direction when the inflation is completed, and are arranged in parallel in the front-rear direction, and the gas flow control unit 31 is arranged so as to control the amount of flow into each vertical cell portion 27. That is, the gas flow control unit 31 is not disposed in the vertical cell units 27A, 27D, 27E, and 27G, and the gas flow control unit 31 is disposed in the other vertical cell units 27B, 27C, and 27F. And since the gas flow control part 31 permeate | transmits the gas G for expansion | swelling and expands the vertical cell part 27B * 27C * 27F, it becomes resistance at the time of gas flow, and the control part 31 is not arrange | positioned. The vertical cell portions 27A, 27D, 27E, and 27G expand more rapidly than the vertical cell portions 27B, 27C, and 27F that are located at the front and rear center portions of the front seat and rear seat inflow portions 25 and 26.
[0046]
Therefore, the occupant M is located near the center in the front-rear direction of the front seat / rear seat inflow portions 25 and 26 when the expansion and inflation are completed, and the occupant M and the windows W1 and W2 and the vehicle interior walls 6 and 7 Even when the space is narrow, the front and rear seat inflow portions 25 and 26 can be configured so that the vicinity of the center in the front-rear direction is completed in a thin state as much as possible, and is inflated thickly after the completion of deployment. The occupant M can be more accurately protected in combination with the vertical cell portions 27B, 27C, and 27F expanding and inflating downward on the vehicle outer side O.
[0047]
In the embodiment, the gas flow control unit 31 is disposed in the three vertical cell units 27B, 27C, and 27F. However, the gas flow control unit 31 is disposed in at least one of the vertical cell units 27. If so, it is possible to contribute to the downward expansion of the vehicle outer side O in the airbag.
[0048]
Moreover, you may arrange | position the gas flow control part 31A outside the vertical cell part 27 like the airbag 20A of 2nd Embodiment shown to FIGS. Like the airbag 20, the airbag 20 </ b> A includes a gas inflow portion 21 and a non-inflow portion 35, and the inflow portions 25 and 26 for the front seat and the rear seat of the gas inflow portion 21 have thickness regulating portions 38. And is provided with a plurality of vertical cell portions 27 (27A, 27B, 27C, 27D, 27E, 27F, and 27G) that are swelled in a bar shape in the vertical direction when expansion is completed and are arranged in parallel in the front-rear direction. ing.
[0049]
And the gas flow control part 31A formed integrally with the peripheral wall part 22 of the gas inflow part 21 at the time of bag weaving of the airbag 20A is formed into a sheet shape that can transmit the inflation gas G, and the vertical cell parts 27B, 27C, It is disposed in the gas supply path 24 above the gas inlet 28 of 27F. Each gas flow control unit 31A connects the upper end 31a side to the vehicle outer side wall portion 22b side of the peripheral wall portion 22 of the gas inflow portion 21, and the lower end 31b side at the periphery of the gas inlet 28 and gas inflow The peripheral wall portion 22 of the portion 21 is coupled to the vehicle inner wall portion 22a side.
[0050]
In addition, about this airbag 20A, the code | symbol same as the airbag 20 is attached | subjected to the site | part similar to the airbag 20, and description is abbreviate | omitted. Further, the airbag 20 </ b> A also forms an airbag assembly and is mounted on the vehicle V in the same manner as the airbag 20.
[0051]
Further, regarding the number of bag warps and wefts to be driven, in the gas flow control unit 31A, there are 0 warp yarns and 25 weft yarns per inch, and the inside of a general peripheral wall portion 22 away from the control unit 31A. The side wall portion 22a and the vehicle outer side wall portion 22b have 60 warps and 60 wefts per inch.
[0052]
In the airbag 20A, when the inflator 12 is operated after being mounted on the vehicle V, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the inflation gas G flows from the connection port portion 23 into the gas supply passage portion 24, When the gas supply passage 24 side above the vertical cell portion 27C expands, the sheet-like gas flow control unit 31A expands to the vehicle outer side O and causes the main flow GM of the expansion gas G to be transmitted downward to the vehicle outer side O. Then, the gas flows into the gas inlet 28 of the vertical cell portion 27C. Therefore, in each of the vertical cell portions 27B, 27C, and 27F in which the gas flow control unit 31A is disposed at the upper side, the lower end 27b side is deployed and inflated downward on the vehicle outer side O. As a result, the airbag 20A in the middle of inflation is expanded. Even if the space between the occupant M and the windows W1 and W2 and the vehicle interior walls 6 and 7 is narrow, it can easily enter the narrow part, and the occupant M can be protected accurately. Thus, the same actions and effects as the airbag 20 of the first embodiment can be obtained.
[0053]
Of course, even in the airbag 20B, the vertical cell portions 27A, 27D, 27E, and 27G, which are not provided with the control unit 31A above, have no resistance to gas flow by the control unit 31A, and therefore are used for the front seat and the rear seat. Compared with the vertical cell portions 27B, 27C, and 27F located at the center portion in the front-rear direction in the inflow portions 25 and 26, the inflatable portions 25 and 26 for the front seat and the rear seat when the expansion and the expansion are completed are rapidly expanded. Even when the occupant M is located near the center in the front-rear direction and the space between the occupant M and the windows W1 and W2 and the vehicle interior walls 6 and 7 is narrow, the inflow portions 25 and 26 for the front seat and the rear seat The center of the front and rear direction can be expanded in a thin state as much as possible, and can be configured to expand thickly after the expansion is completed. The vertical cell portions 27B, 27C, and 27F expand and expand downward in the vehicle outer side O. To do , More, it is possible to protect the occupant M accurately.
[0054]
In the first and second embodiments, the sheet-like gas flow control units 31 and 31A have been described. However, the head protection airbag 20B of the third embodiment as shown in FIGS. In the airbag 20 </ b> B, the gas flow control unit 41 includes a cylindrical outflow tube portion 42 that communicates with the connection port portion 23 of the inflation gas G in the gas inflow portion 21.
[0055]
The gas flow control unit 41 includes an outflow cylinder portion 42 and a support wall portion 43. The support wall 43 is arranged so as to be connected to the peripheral wall 22 and the outflow cylinder 42 in the gas supply path 24 so as to support the outflow cylinder 42 in the peripheral wall 22 in the gas supply path 24. It is installed. The outflow cylinder part 42 includes a vertical cylinder part 42a that extends downward from the connection port part 23, and a horizontal cylinder part 42b that branches to the front and rear sides at the lower end of the vertical cylinder part 42a and has both front and rear ends opened. It is formed in a T-shaped pipe shape. And the outflow cylinder part 42 flows out the expansion gas G flowing in through the connection port part 23 from the front and rear side openings of the horizontal cylinder part 42b to the front and rear sides along the axial direction of the horizontal cylinder part 42b. It is configured to make it.
[0056]
In the airbag 20B, the same parts as those of the airbag 20 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the airbag 20, and the description thereof is omitted. Also, the airbag 20B forms an airbag assembly and is mounted on the vehicle V in the same manner as the airbag 20.
[0057]
Further, with respect to the number of bag warps and wefts driven per inch, the support wall 43 has 60 warps, 60 wefts, and the vertical cylinder 42a of the outflow cylinder 42 has 30 warps, 30 wefts, 30 in the horizontal cylinder part 42b of the outflow cylinder part 42, 30 in the weft and 30 in the weft, , 60 warps and 60 wefts.
[0058]
In the airbag 20B, when the inflator 12 is operated after being mounted on the vehicle V, the inflation gas G flowing in from the connection port portion 23 is supplied to the shaft of the horizontal tube portion 42b on the downstream side in the outflow tube portion 42. The flow direction of the expansion gas G can be controlled to flow along the direction, that is, along the gas supply path 24 so as to flow linearly on both the front and rear sides. Therefore, in the airbag 20B, the vertical cell portions 27A and 27G at the front and rear ends of the gas inflow portion 21 can be quickly expanded and inflated, and the front seat and rear seat inflow portions 25 and 26 are respectively in the front-rear direction. The expansion of the central portion can be suppressed as much as possible to complete the expansion, and then it can be expanded thickly. That is, even in the airbag 20B, even if the space between the occupant M and the windows W1 and W2 and the vehicle interior walls 6 and 7 is narrow, the air bag 20B can easily enter the narrow portion, and the occupant M can be protected accurately.
[0059]
Further, in the airbag 20B, the pressure of the inflation gas G flowing into the airbag 20B through the connection port portion 23 is changed not to the peripheral wall portion 22 itself of the gas inflow portion 21 but to the gas flow control portion of the outflow cylinder portion 42. 41, the damage to the peripheral wall portion 22 of the gas inflow portion 21 at the beginning of the inflow of the expansion gas G can be reduced. Furthermore, even if the outflow tube portion 42 is broken, the peripheral wall portion 22 is hardly damaged, and gas leakage from the gas inflow portion 21 can be prevented.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing a usage state of a head protection airbag according to a first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the vehicle inner side.
FIG. 2 is a front view showing a state in which the head protection airbag of the first embodiment is flatly deployed.
3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the airbag of the first embodiment, corresponding to the III-III portion of FIG.
4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the airbag of the first embodiment, corresponding to the IV-IV part of FIG.
5 is a cross-sectional view of the airbag according to the first embodiment when mounted on a vehicle, and corresponds to a VV portion in FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the airbag according to the first embodiment in the middle of inflation.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing when the airbag of the first embodiment is completely inflated.
FIG. 8 is a front view of a state in which the head protection airbag of the second embodiment is flatly deployed.
FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the airbag of the second embodiment, corresponding to the IX-IX part of FIG.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in the middle of inflation of the airbag of the second embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing when the airbag of the second embodiment is completed.
FIG. 12 is a front view of a state in which the head protection airbag of the third embodiment is flatly deployed.
13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the airbag of the third embodiment, corresponding to the XIII-XIII portion of FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
20, 20A, 20B ... head protection airbag,
21 ... Gas inflow part,
22 ... peripheral wall,
22a ... the inner wall of the vehicle,
22b ... the outer wall of the vehicle,
23 ... Connection port,
27 (27A / 27B / 27C / 27D / 27E / 27F) ... vertical cell portion,
27a: upper end and upper part,
27b ... lower end, lower part,
28 ... Gas inlet,
31, 31A, 41 ... gas flow control unit,
31a: upper end and upper part,
31b ... lower end, lower part,
32 ... upper end side,
33 ... lower end side,
42 ... the outflow cylinder,
G ... expansion gas,
W (W1 / W2) ... window,
V ... Vehicle,
I ... Inside the car,
O ... the outside of the car,
HP: Head protection airbag device.

Claims

It is manufactured by bag weaving, folded and stored on the upper edge side of the window inside the vehicle, and is configured to expand and expand downward to cover the window when the inflating gas flows in,
A gas flow control unit that is integrally formed with the peripheral wall portion of the gas inflow portion inside the gas inflow portion for allowing the inflation gas to flow in, and that can control the flow of the inflation gas . A head protection airbag that is disposed so as to be deployable and inflated obliquely downward ,
The gas inflow portion swells in a bar shape in the vertical direction when expansion is completed, and includes a plurality of vertical cell portions arranged in parallel in the front-rear direction,
The gas flow control unit is disposed in at least one vertical cell unit having a gas inlet at the upper end in the form of a sheet that is permeable to expansion gas, and the upper end side of the gas inflow unit A head protection airbag comprising: a peripheral wall portion coupled to a vehicle outer wall portion side; and a lower end side coupled to a vehicle inner wall portion side of the peripheral wall portion of the gas inflow portion .

It is manufactured by bag weaving, folded and stored on the upper edge side of the window inside the vehicle, and is configured to expand and expand downward to cover the window when the inflating gas flows in,
A gas flow control unit that is integrally formed with the peripheral wall portion of the gas inflow portion inside the gas inflow portion for allowing the inflation gas to flow in, and that can control the flow of the inflation gas . A head protection airbag that is disposed so as to be deployable and inflated obliquely downward ,
The gas inflow portion swells in a bar shape in the vertical direction when expansion is completed, and includes a plurality of vertical cell portions arranged in parallel in the front-rear direction,
The gas flow control unit is arranged in a sheet shape capable of permeating expansion gas, and is disposed above the gas inlet in at least one of the vertical cell units having a gas inlet at the upper end. , Coupled to the vehicle outer wall side of the peripheral wall portion of the gas inflow portion, and the lower end side is coupled to the peripheral edge of the gas inlet and to the vehicle inner wall portion side of the peripheral wall portion of the gas inflow portion, A head protection airbag characterized by being configured .

The inside of the gas inlet, communicates with the joint port for introducing the inflation gas in the gas inlet, outlet tube portion of the outflow can be cylindrical along the inflation gas in the axial direction, the The head protection airbag according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the head protection airbag is formed integrally with a peripheral wall portion of the gas inflow portion .

Before SL gas flow control unit, the to control the inflow into the vertical cells, head protecting airbag according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that it is arranged.