JP4330407B2 - Inflator gas introduction distribution hose - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a side collision airbag device component that protects an occupant during a vehicle side collision, and more particularly to an inflator gas introduction / distribution hose that is optimal for introducing inflator gas into the airbag. is there.

  An air bag device that inflates an air bag and protects an occupant at the time of a vehicle collision is mounted on a driver seat and a passenger seat. Such an airbag apparatus includes an inflator that is a gas generator, an airbag that is inflated with an inflator gas, an inflator introduction / distribution hose that introduces gas from the inflator into the airbag, and an airbag case that houses these.

  In recent years, in addition to the frontal collision of the driver's seat and passenger's seat, there is an increasing demand for side impact airbag devices called curtain airbags, mainly for the purpose of protecting the head, in order to mitigate impacts during side impacts. . Such a side collision airbag is stored in a folded state in the center pillar or the front pillar, and when the inflator gas is introduced into the airbag at the time of the collision, the airbag is deployed between the door portion and the occupant. , To reduce the impact from the side against the occupant.

  This side impact airbag needs to be deployed instantly at the time of a vehicle collision, and the time to deployment is required to be shorter than the airbag for the driver's seat or passenger seat, so inflator gas is introduced. In the vicinity of the distribution hole of the hose, the gas pressure tends to become very large, the distribution hole part bursts due to the pressure of the inflator gas and its shape is deformed, and the expansion form at the time of air bag deployment is uneven, There is a problem that fibers near the gas inlet are cut and scattered in the airbag, or the airbag itself is damaged.

  As a measure for improving the problem caused by the partial pressure increase, there is a method of using high-strength fibers such as large-diameter fibers and aramid fibers to increase the strength of the airbag and the inflator gas distribution hose as a whole. However, if the fiber is thickened, it becomes bulky, so that the storage property is lowered, and the interior design of the automobile is limited, and the use of high-strength fiber is expensive and lacks practicality.

Conventionally, focusing on inflator gas distribution, an airbag device having a diffuser portion provided with a plurality of holes for quickly dispersing and releasing gas from the inflator into the airbag body (Patent Document 1), until the end of deployment In order to control the form of inflation of the airbag, an airbag apparatus has been proposed in which the shape of the gas outlet provided in the diffuser portion is optimized (Patent Document 2).
JP 2001-270415 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-100900

  However, these proposals only control the gas flow from the inflator. Inflator gas introduction / distribution hoses through which high-pressure gas circulates instantaneously and inflator gas introduction that actually serves as the outlet for high-pressure gas to the airbag body No consideration has been given to the characteristics required for the distribution holes, and it has not been possible to solve the problems described above that occur near the inflator gas inlet when the airbag is deployed.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above-described circumstances, and more specifically, it suppresses defects at the time of airbag deployment, particularly damage to the periphery of the gas passage hole of the inflator gas introduction / distribution hose due to the circulation of high-pressure gas. Another object of the present invention is to provide an inflator gas introduction / distribution hose suitable for a side collision airbag and having high deployment reliability of the airbag.

  As a result of diligent investigation focusing on the above-described problems, particularly the problem that the gas distribution hole (passage hole) itself is deformed / expanded when high-pressure gas flows in, the present inventors have found that the gas passage hole is perforated. The area occupied by the region formed by the warp and / or the weft that is present independently at the periphery of the gas passage hole is less than a certain ratio with respect to the gas passage hole. The present invention has been completed.

The inflator gas introduction / distribution hose of the present invention that can solve the above-mentioned problems is disposed in an airbag device for side collision, and has a gas passage hole for distributing gas from the inflator to the inside of the airbag when the airbag is activated. A fabric hose having at least one, wherein the gas passage hole is formed by perforating the hose. When the gas passage hole forming portion is flattened, the following (1) and (2 ) And the total area (S ₁ ) of the independent yarn portions surrounded by () is 30% or less of the area (S ₀ ) of the gas passage hole.

(1) the edge of the perforated gas passage hole,
(2) An independent yarn having a maximum length among the independent yarns that are cut at both ends by perforation and remain on the hose so as to intersect with the edge of the gas passage hole.

That is, when the gas passage hole is formed in the woven hose by perforation, the independent yarn portion may be generated around the periphery of the gas passage hole. In the region occupied by the independent yarn portion, the warp and / or the weft are cut from the yarn constituting the region other than the independent yarn portion. For this reason, the independent yarn portion has an extremely small restraining force, and is easily scattered by the circulation of the high-pressure gas when the airbag is operated, which causes the gas passage hole to be enlarged and deformed. Therefore, when the total area (S ₁ ) of the independent yarn portion is large, the degree of expansion / deformation of the gas passage hole is large, the expansion form when the airbag is deployed becomes uneven, or the high-pressure gas is discharged to a specific location. There is a risk that the air bag itself may be damaged due to the concentrated introduction. However, if the total area (S ₁ ) of the above-described independent yarn portions is 30% or less of the area (S ₀ ) of the perforated portion, is the degree of expansion / deformation of the gas passage hole during the airbag operation extremely small? Or since it does not exist, the deployment reliability of an airbag can be improved.

  In the width direction of the hose, the fabric bending (%) measured according to JIS L1096 8.11 is preferably 20% or less.

  It is also recommended that the cover factor (CF) in the longitudinal direction of the hose constituting the hose is 2000 or more.

  If at least one of the outer surface and the inner surface of the hose is coated with rubber or synthetic resin, gas permeation from the hose surface can be suppressed, and the binding force of the warp and weft constituting the hose is further increased. This is desirable.

In the inflator gas distribution hose of the present invention, the ratio of the area of the independent yarn portion (S ₁ ) remaining in the hose so as to intersect the edge of the gas passage hole at the periphery of the inflator gas passage hole to the gas passage hole area (S ₀ ) Thus, an inflator gas introduction / distribution hose capable of suppressing expansion / deformation of the gas passage hole and improving the deployment reliability of the airbag body can be provided. In addition, since the inflator gas introduction / distribution hose of the present invention is made of woven fabric, it has good storage properties and is advantageous in terms of cost.

In the inflator gas introduction / distribution hose of the present invention, the total area (S ₁ ) of the independent yarn portions surrounded by the above (1) and (2) is 30% or less of the area (S ₀ ) of the gas passage hole. However, it has characteristics.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the periphery of an inflator gas passage hole of an inflator introduction / distribution hose. In FIG. 1, 1 is an inflator gas introduction / distribution hose, 2 is a gas passage hole provided by perforation, 3 is an independent yarn portion, and 4 is a weft. Here, the independent yarn portion 3 means a hatched region surrounded by (1) and (2) in FIG.

  Originally, when weaving a hose, one of warp or weft is parallel to the hose longitudinal direction and the other is parallel to the hose width direction, but depending on the conditions during weaving and the process after weaving As shown in FIG. 1, the yarn that should be parallel to the hose width direction meanders (the weft 4 in FIG. 1).

  Such thread meandering also occurs in a thread that should be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the hose (FIG. 3). And when the gas passage hole is perforated in such a state that the degree of meandering of the yarn is large, the area occupied by the warp and / or the weft cut from the yarn constituting the other part at the periphery of the gas passage hole, that is, The present inventors have found that the independent yarn portion 3 is generated.

  Since the constituent yarn in the independent yarn portion (warp and / or weft, hereinafter sometimes referred to as “independent yarn”) is not continuous with the yarn constituting the other part of the hose, the independent yarn portion is It does not form a complete woven structure. Therefore, since the restraining force becomes extremely small in the independent yarn portion, the high-pressure gas circulates during the operation of the airbag, so that it is easily dispersed or scattered from the hose (FIG. 2, independent yarn portion 3). As a result, the gas passage hole expands and deforms, causing an airbag to be poorly deployed and poorly inflated.

The total area (S ₁ ) of the independent yarn parts is preferably 30% or less of the area (S ₀ ) of the perforated part. More preferably, it is 20% or less, More preferably, it is 10% or less. If the ratio of the total area of the independent yarn part (S ₁ ) exceeds the above regulation, the gas passage holes will be significantly deformed and expanded due to the scattering of the independent yarn part, and the distribution of the inflator gas will not be as originally designed. In some cases, the form of inflation of the airbag becomes non-uniform. In particular, in the case of an airbag having a large number of air chambers, deformation of the gas passage hole may introduce high-pressure gas in a specific location and damage the airbag body.

The independent thread portion area (S ₁₎ can be measured, for example, as follows. First, the hose is cut open in parallel to the longitudinal direction of the hose so as not to include the gas passage hole, and as shown in FIG. 1, the hose is pushed out so that the gas passage hole portion becomes flat. Next, in the independent yarn portion at the periphery of the gas passage hole, the region (independent yarn portion area) (S ₁ ) surrounded by the above (1) and (2) is painted with a felt pen. Next, a length (such as the length of the side of the filled portion) necessary for calculating the area of the filled portion is measured with a measure, and the area is calculated from the measured value. If the shape of the independent thread area is complicated and it is difficult to measure with a measure, the independent thread section painted with a felt pen is cut from the hose body, and the mass of the cut independent thread section is the same. What is necessary is just to convert into an area compared with the mass of a known hose base fabric cut out from the hose base fabric.

  Below, the specific structure of the inflator gas introduction | transduction hose of this invention is demonstrated. A side collision airbag apparatus to which the present invention is applied includes an inflator that is a gas generator, an airbag that is inflated by an inflator gas, and an inflator gas distribution hose (hereinafter simply referred to as an inflator gas that is generated by the inflator). "Hose").

  Since the distribution hose of the present invention is mounted on a vehicle, the distribution hose is preferably made of a woven fabric from the viewpoint of weight reduction and storage. The yarn constituting this fabric is not particularly limited. For example, polyamide fiber (polyamide 6 fiber, polyamide 66 fiber, polyamide 46 fiber, etc.) or polyester fiber (polyethylene terephthalate fiber, polytrimethylene terephthalate fiber, polybutylene terephthalate fiber) , Polylactic acid fiber, etc.) can be used. The strength of the yarn is preferably 6 cN / dtex or more, more preferably 7 cN / dtex or more, and still more preferably 8 cN / dtex or more. As long as the yarn satisfies the above requirements, the warp and wefts constituting the hose are cut off even when a high-pressure gas at a level that can sufficiently secure the internal pressure holding performance of the airbag body is circulated. This is because there is little risk of poor distribution.

  The total fineness of the yarn constituting the distribution hose is preferably 110 dtex or more and 7000 dtex or less. These yarns may be twisted yarns or processed yarns, and may be multifilaments or monofilaments. More preferably, the yarn in the hose longitudinal direction is 500 dtex or more and 3000 dtex or less, and the yarn in the hose width direction is 500 dtex or more and 5000 dtex or less. When the fineness of the yarn in the longitudinal direction of the hose is less than the above lower limit, in addition to insufficient strength in the longitudinal direction of the hose, a large amount of yarn is required to increase the woven density of the resulting fabric. Both the case where it hits the warp of the woven fabric and the case where it hits the weft are economically undesirable because the weaving productivity is lowered. Even in the case where the yarn in the hose width direction is less than the lower limit, it is not preferable in terms of economy, for the same reason as described above.

  Moreover, when the total fineness of the thread | yarn which comprises a hose exceeds the said upper limit, hose itself will become bulky and storage property will worsen.

  The loom used for weaving the distribution hose according to the present invention is a needle loom capable of weaving a hose-like woven fabric at one time, and being used for weaving fire fighting hoses, etc., a shuttle loom, a seat belt, etc. Etc. are used. On the other hand, once a wide woven fabric is obtained using a general-purpose loom such as a water jet loom or rapier room, the woven fabric is cut and sewn into a desired shape, or may be formed into a hose shape by a technique such as adhesion and welding. However, it is preferable to use a loom capable of weaving a hose-like fabric at a time in that processing costs such as sewing for processing into a cylindrical shape can be reduced and damage from the sewing portion can be avoided.

  Further, depending on the type of loom to be used, there may be a case where fluctuation of the hose width due to meandering of the warp yarns or bending of the fabric in the weft direction is likely to occur. It is preferable to suppress such meandering and fabric bending as much as possible. From this viewpoint, it is also recommended to select a woven model. For example, the needle loom can easily reduce the variation in the weft supply tension compared to the shuttle loom, can suppress the meandering of the warp yarn due to the unstable feed tension, and hardly cause the hose width fluctuation. In addition, the generation of independent yarns can be suppressed, which is preferable.

  The texture of the woven fabric is not particularly limited, such as plain weave, twill weave, satin weave, and multiple weave. However, considering flexibility, which contributes to economic efficiency, fabric strength, and storage improvement, plain weave, twill weave, satin weave preferable.

  In order to suppress the generation of the independent yarn at the periphery of the gas passage hole, it is also effective to suppress the generation of the cloth bending in the hose width direction. The measurement of the above-mentioned fabric bending may be performed in accordance with JIS L 1096 8.11. In addition, when a circular loom or the like that directly obtains a hose-like woven fabric as described above is employed, when the hose is folded into a flat shape, the end of the hose width direction is set so as to go straight in the hose longitudinal direction. What is necessary is just to measure the length of this line segment as a (mm) shown by the said JIS method, when the line which cross | intersects the other edge part is drawn. The fabric bending rate (%) in the hose width direction measured by the above method is preferably 20% or less, and more preferably 10% or less. When the fabric bending rate (%) satisfies the above upper limit, the hose constituting thread is prevented from meandering, so that independent yarn is hardly generated when the gas vent hole is drilled, and there is a defect at the periphery of the gas vent hole. This is because it is difficult to occur.

  In addition, in order to suppress the occurrence of the fabric bending in the hose width direction, it is recommended to prevent the hose base fabric itself from being bent in the process from weaving to winding up the hose base fabric fed from the loom. . The hose base fabric sent out from the loom is wound up through a plurality of rolls. At this time, when the roll is arranged so that the hose is bent at the roll portion as shown in FIG. The roll contact surface 7 and the non-contact surface 8 (FIG. 4B) of the hose base fabric have different tensions acting on the hose base fabric, and the yarn in the hose width direction on the roll non-contact surface 8 side where more force is applied. Is pulled with a force stronger than that of the roll contact surface 7 side, and therefore, it becomes easy to cause the cloth to bend. In order to prevent the bending of the fabric due to the bending of the hose as described above, it is preferable to devise a control such as controlling the tension applied to the roll contact surface and the non-contact surface of the hose to be uniform. As such a device, for example, some of the plurality of rolls may be free rolls, or the rolls may be arranged such that bending of the hose is reduced.

Furthermore, controlling the cover factor (CF) in the hose longitudinal direction and the width direction represented by the following formula is effective for suppressing the above-mentioned fabric bending.
CF = (total fineness of yarn (dtex)) ^1/2 × weave density (main / 2.54 cm)
Specifically, the cover factor (CF) in the longitudinal direction of the hose is 2000 or more, more preferably 2200 or more, further preferably 2400 or more, and the cover factor in the width direction is 500 or more, more preferably 600 or more, and still more preferably 700. The above is desirable. When the cover factor in the longitudinal direction of the hose is less than the above lower limit, it becomes difficult to prevent the coating agent, which will be described later, from coming off, and the thread in the longitudinal direction of the hose is easy to move in the width direction of the hose, resulting in meandering. Therefore, the above-described independent yarn portion tends to be easily generated. Also, when the cover factor in the hose width direction is less than the above lower limit, as in the case of the hose longitudinal direction, it is difficult to obtain an uncoated coating agent or a binding force between yarns. Misalignment is likely to occur when the hose passes through, and this misalignment is not preferable because the fabric bends. On the other hand, if the cover factor is too large in both the hose longitudinal direction and the width direction, the hose tends to be bulky, so the cover factor in the longitudinal direction is preferably 5000 or less, more preferably 4000 or less, The cover factor in the width direction is preferably 900 or less, more preferably 800 or less. In addition, the cover factor value of each said direction means the value calculated for one piece of hose constituent woven fabric.

  The inner diameter of the hose woven using the above-mentioned fibers is preferably 2 cm or more and 6 cm or less. More preferably, it is 3 cm or more and 5 cm or less. When the diameter of the hose is less than the above range, the pressure loss in the hose becomes large, and partial damage is likely to occur. On the other hand, when the diameter of the hose exceeds the above range, it is difficult to store the hose in the airbag device, which is not preferable.

  Examples of rubber or synthetic resin that coats the inner surface and / or outer surface of the hose according to the present invention include thermoplastic resins such as polyester resins and polyamide resins; heats such as polyester elastomers, polyamide elastomers, and polyurethane elastomers. Examples of plastic elastomers include thermosetting rubbers such as neoprene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, and silicone rubber. Among these, silicone rubber is preferable from the viewpoint of excellent heat resistance, and specific examples include thermosetting addition-polymerized silicone rubber and two-component RTV (room temperature curable) silicone rubber. These rubbers or synthetic resins are used as a liquid coating agent.

  Furthermore, when using the above addition polymerization type silicone rubber and other thermosetting rubbers, a reaction curing agent may be used in combination, for example, platinum compounds such as platinum powder, chloroplatinic acid, and tetrachloroplatinic acid. Can be used.

  The coating agent is also preferably added with an adhesion aid for the purpose of improving the adhesion between the hose base fabric and the coating resin (the above-mentioned rubber or synthetic resin). The adhesion aid is not particularly limited as long as it can improve the adhesion between the hose base fabric and the coating agent. For example, an amino-based silane coupling agent, an epoxy-modified silane coupling agent, a vinyl-based adhesive Examples include silane coupling agents, chloro-based silane coupling agents, and mercapto-based silane coupling agents, and it is preferable to use one or more of these.

  The coating agent may be used by dissolving or dispersing the above components in a solvent or the like as necessary. Examples of solvents that can be used at this time include commonly used solvents such as toluene. The concentration of the coating agent when using the solvent is not limited, and may be adjusted to a viscosity that is easy to apply, or may be determined in consideration of the state of penetration into the hose.

  The method of coating the hose with the above coating agent is not limited, the method of directly immersing the woven hose in the coating agent, the method of applying the brush to the hose surface, or the coating agent formed in the form of a film on the surface of the hose Any application method such as a method of attaching to the surface can be adopted.

  The application amount of the coating agent may be appropriately determined depending on the weave density of the hose fabric and the degree of restraint of the yarns constituting the fabric, but it is 10% or more in terms of the mass after drying (after curing) with respect to the mass of the hose before coating, 80 % Or less, more preferably 25% or more and 60% or less. When the applied amount is less than the above-mentioned regulation, it tends to be insufficient to fill the gap between the yarns constituting the woven fabric structure with the coating agent. May not be obtained, and the yarn distribution around the gas passage hole may fray and the gas distribution ratio may not be as originally set. On the other hand, if it exceeds the above-mentioned regulation, the mass of the entire hose increases and becomes bulky.

  In addition to the method of measuring the mass difference of the hose before and after coating of the coating agent, the method of measuring the application amount of the coating agent is to use a solvent that dissolves only the coated rubber or synthetic resin. The method of measuring the mass of the hose after dissolving and removing only the rubber or synthetic resin from the hose coated with, or using a solvent that dissolves only the hose constituting fiber, removing the hose constituting fiber from the hose after coating, There is a method for measuring the mass of rubber or synthetic resin used for the coating agent.

An inflator gas passage hole serving as an inflator gas inlet is formed in the hose coated as described above. The number of gas passage holes is not limited, and may be appropriately determined in consideration of the size of the airbag, the form of expansion, and the like. The size of the gas passage holes, the gas passage hole area (S ₀₎ is 0.25 cm ² or more, preferably at 16cm ² or less, more preferably 1 cm ² or more and 9cm ² or less. If the area of the gas passage hole exceeds the above range, the flow rate of the inflator gas from the gas passage hole is increased, the region is heated locally, the breakage proceeds from the portion, the airbag is not uniformly expanded, and the air There is a risk of destroying the bag body. On the other hand, if it is less than the above range, a large number of gas passage holes must be formed in order to instantly deploy the airbag, which is not preferable because it takes processing effort and costs.

  The shape of the gas passage hole is not particularly limited. For example, the gas passage hole has a square or rectangle having sides parallel to the hose longitudinal direction yarn and / or the width direction yarn, and a diagonal line parallel to the hose longitudinal direction and / or the width direction. Various shapes such as a rectangle, a triangle, or a shape having a curve can be employed (FIGS. 5A to 5D).

In FIG. 5, the independent yarn portion 3 is hatched, but the area of the independent yarn portion varies depending on the shape of the gas passage hole even if the hose constituting yarn has the same meandering state. To do. Accordingly, it is also effective to select the shape of the gas passage hole in order to suppress the generation of the independent yarn portion area as small as possible. Therefore, in order to further reduce the total area (S ₁ ) of the independent yarn portions, each of the sides forming the gas passage holes is a square formed by sides substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the hose, or Preferably, the hose is a square having diagonal lines substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the hose. Here, “substantially” does not require that the side forming the gas passage hole is strictly parallel to the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the hose, and means that a slight deviation is allowed. Is.

  In addition, the size and position of the gas passage holes are optimized, and the size of the gas passage holes is different between a portion close to the inflator and a portion away from the inflator so that the airbag body can be inflated uniformly. Is suitably adjusted. By doing so, it is possible to control the inflation form of the airbag during deployment.

Further, in addition to controlling the total area (S ₁ ) of the independent yarn portions to satisfy the above-mentioned rule, the peripheral portion of the gas passage hole is fused by heat or subjected to sewing to provide a reinforced portion. This is also effective in preventing changes in the shape of the gas passage hole. For example, (i) a method of melting and welding the fibers at the periphery of the gas passage hole when providing the gas passage hole by laser cutting, and (ii) a heating body on the cross section of the gas passage hole formed in advance. And a method in which the fibers in the peripheral portion are melted and welded by heat, and (iii) a method in which the fibers in the portion are bonded using an adhesive.

  In the case of forming the reinforced portion using an adhesive, in addition to the method of directly applying the adhesive to the punching cross section of the gas passage hole, within 1 cm from the gas passage hole punching line on the outer surface and / or inner surface of the hose An adhesive may be attached to the part and solidified. By doing in this way, the intensity | strength of a reinforcement part can be raised further. Note that the adhesive used at this time is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the solidification is completed in a short time like a so-called instantaneous adhesive. Specifically, the adhesive can be developed in a short time, and heat resistance is improved. And excellent cyanoacrylate adhesives (for example, 3000DX series manufactured by Cemedine).

  In order to further improve the strength of the reinforcing part provided as described above, it is also effective to advance the welding of the fibers in the peripheral part of the gas passage hole by bringing the heating body into contact with the end face of the gas passage hole and pushing it in about 1 mm. It is. As a heating body at this time, a thermal iron, a heating block body, etc. can be used.

  Next, the airbag apparatus in which the hose according to the present invention is accommodated will be described. In general, since an airbag device is inflated by gas from an inflator and restrains and protects an occupant at the time of a vehicle collision, the air bag device resists sudden inflation caused by introduction of an inflator gas and impact on the occupant at the time of a vehicle collision. It is desirable to have sufficient strength and a small impact on the occupant. From such a viewpoint, the airbag body is preferably a woven fabric using, for example, polyamide fibers or polyester fibers. Similarly to the inflator gas introduction / distribution hose, the surface may be coated with rubber or synthetic resin for the purpose of preventing gas leakage from the airbag and improving various properties such as strength. As the agent, those mentioned above for the hose can be used similarly.

  The yarn constituting the main body of the side collision airbag may be a twisted yarn or a processed yarn, like the above-described hose, and may be a multifilament or a monofilament, but the total fineness is 200 dtex or more, More preferably, it is 300 dtex or more and 600 dtex or less, and more preferably 500 dtex or less. When the total fineness exceeds the above range, the woven airbag tends to be bulky and the storage property tends to be reduced. On the other hand, when the total fineness is less than the above range, it is difficult to obtain a sufficient base fabric strength. Even if a large number of passage holes are provided to control the distribution of the inflator gas, the airbag body may burst, which is not preferable.

  The single yarn fineness of the yarn constituting the side collision airbag main body is preferably 2 dtex or more and 10 dtex or less, more preferably 3 dtex or more and 6 dtex or less. If the single yarn fineness exceeds the above upper limit, not only the rigidity of the base fabric becomes too high and the storage performance is lowered, but also the impact on the occupant during inflation of the airbag tends to increase. On the other hand, when the single yarn fineness is less than the lower limit, it is not preferable because single yarn breakage or the like easily occurs during weaving.

  The manufacturing method of the said airbag main body is not limited, It can manufacture by a well-known weaving method.

  The inflator gas introduction / distribution hose obtained as described above is installed in the airbag body and then attached to the inflator. The airbag body and the inflator gas introduction / distribution hose may be integrated with the airbag body at the edge of the hose by means such as sewing or bonding, but the hose is particularly integrated because it is fixed to the inflator. You don't have to.

  The side impact airbag thus obtained is folded and accommodated in the apparatus. And this airbag apparatus is attached to the center pillar, front pillar, etc. of a vehicle.

  The inflator gas introduction / distribution hose obtained by the present invention is not limited to the case where it is installed in the bag body of a side airbag device for side collision of a vehicle, but a front collision airbag device for a driver's seat or a passenger seat, and a knee. It can be used for various airbag devices such as a knee bag device for protection.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail by way of examples. However, the following examples are not intended to limit the present invention, and any design changes in accordance with the gist of the preceding and following descriptions are technical aspects of the present invention. It is included in the range. The evaluation method is as follows.

[Total area of the independent yarn around the periphery of the gas passage hole]
The hose was cut open parallel to the longitudinal direction of the hose so as not to include the gas passage hole, and the hose was expanded so that the gas passage hole portion was flat. At this time, the gas passage hole area (perforated part area) is S ₀ (cm ² ), the edge (1) of the perforated gas passage hole, and both ends are cut by the perforation, and the hose so as to cross the gas passage hole. The total area of the portion surrounded by the independent yarn (2) having the maximum length among the independent yarns remaining in S is defined as S ₁ (cm ² ), and the ratio of the independent yarn portion area to the perforated portion area according to the following formula: And the obtained value was 30% or less.
(S ₁ / S ₀ ) × 100 (%)
[Gas passage hole fraying test after introduction of pressurized gas into the hose]
Nitrogen gas pressurized to an initial pressure of 800 kPa and a volume of 5 liters was introduced from the open end of the inflator gas introduction distribution hose obtained in the experimental example, and the state of the subsequent gas passage holes was observed. In the evaluation, the fraying condition of the peripheral edge of the gas passage hole closest to the nitrogen gas inlet is evaluated in five stages, A: almost no change in the hole shape is observed, B: only a slight change in the hole shape is recognized, C: A change in the hole shape was recognized a little, D: a considerable change in the hole shape was recognized, and E: a deformation of the change in the hole shape was recognized as being extremely high.

[Texture bending rate in the hose width direction (%)]
In accordance with JIS L 1096 8.11 (texture bending), a line that goes straight in the longitudinal direction of the hose from one end in the hose width direction to the other end when the hose after weaving is folded flat. When drawn, the distance of this line segment was set to a (mm) indicated by the JIS method, and the fabric bending rate (%) in the hose width direction was measured. The values shown in the table are average values measured at a total of three locations by changing the measurement locations.

Example 1
Using polyamide 66 fiber with a strength of 8.1 cN / dtex, using 5 twists of 470 dtex / 72f and a weft of 5 twists of 470 dtex / 72f (5) The jacket (pre-coated tubular woven fabric) was woven with a twine width of 4 mm and woven so as to have a total width of 7.5 cm with a needle loom. The tubular woven fabric fed from the loom was wound around the plurality of rolls arranged in a substantially straight line so that the tubular woven fabric was not bent. The weave density of the tube-shaped woven fabric obtained at this time is one woven fabric, warp (2350 dtex): 74 / 2.54 cm, weft (4700 dtex): 10 / 2.54 cm, and the cover factor (CF ) Was warp direction (hose longitudinal direction): 3587 and weft direction (hose width direction): 720.

  The obtained tube is folded flat and immersed in a coating agent (silicone rubber: ELASTOSIL LR6200 / LR3003, 3: 1 mixture, both manufactured by WACKER) containing an additive (Adhesion Promoter GF86, manufactured by WACKER). Then, it was taken out, and a double-sided coat was applied by removing the excess coating agent with an iron plate so that the coating amount of the coating agent became uniform, and cured at 170 ° C. for 2 minutes. The coating amount applied at this time was 45 g / width · m.

  Next, after cutting so that the hose length is 2 m, one of the hose ends is closed and closed, and every 30 cm from the hose opening end on the side having no tangled portion, a square gas passage hole having a side of 3 cm 5 were punched out. An inflator introduction / distribution hose was obtained by bringing a thermal iron into direct contact with the warp and weft cross sections of the punched portion and heating and melting and welding the fibers around the gas passage hole at 500 ° C. for 8 seconds. Each side of the gas passage hole at this time was formed so as to be orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the hose. Using the obtained hose, the area of the independent yarn around the gas passage hole, the gas passage hole fraying test after introduction of pressurized gas, and the measurement of the fabric bending rate in the hose width direction were performed. The results are shown in Table 1.

Example 2
Use polyamide 66 fiber with a strength of 8.1 cN / dtex, use 2 twists of 350 dtex / 108f for the warp and 6 twists of 350 dtex / 108f for the weft so that the jacket is 7.3 cm in full width on the shuttle loom. Weaved. The tubular woven fabric fed from the loom was wound around the plurality of rolls arranged in a substantially straight line so that the tubular woven fabric was not bent. The woven density of the woven fabrics obtained at this time was one woven fabric, warp direction (hose longitudinal direction) (700 dtex): 90 pieces / 2.54 cm, weft direction (hose longitudinal direction) (2100 dtex): 14. 5 pieces / 2.54 cm, and the cover factor was warp direction (hose longitudinal direction): 2381, and weft direction (hose width direction): 664.

  A coating agent was applied to the obtained tubular woven fabric in the same manner as in Example 1 (coating agent application amount: 30 g / width · m), and the hose length was cut to 2 m, and then a gas passage hole was formed. Thus, an inflator gas introduction / distribution hose was produced. In addition, the gas passage hole at this time was formed into a square having a side length of 3 cm, and the diagonal line of the gas passage hole was parallel to the hose longitudinal direction and the width direction (FIG. 5B). Then, an inflator gas introduction / distribution hose was obtained by impregnating and adhering an adhesive (Cemedine 3000DX series) to a portion 0.5 cm from the punching line of the gas passage hole and solidifying it.

  Using this hose, the area of the independent yarn around the gas passage hole, the gas passage hole fraying test after introduction of pressurized gas, and the measurement of the fabric bending rate in the hose width direction were performed. The results are shown in Table 1.

Example 3
Using polyamide 66 fiber with a strength of 8.1 cN / dtex, using 5 twists of 470 dtex / 72f for warp and 10 twists of 470 dtex / 72f for weft, weaving the jacket with a twine width of 4 mm on the shuttle loom, Weaving was performed to 7.5 cm. The tubular woven fabric fed from the loom was wound around the plurality of rolls arranged in a substantially straight line so that the tubular woven fabric was not bent. The weaving density of the woven fabric obtained at this time is one woven fabric, warp direction (hose longitudinal direction) (2350 dtex): 60 pieces / 2.54 cm, weft direction (hose longitudinal direction) (4700 dtex): 8 pieces. The cover factor was warp direction (hose longitudinal direction): 2909 and weft direction (hose width direction): 548.

  A coating agent was applied to the obtained tubular woven fabric in the same manner as in Example 1 (coating agent application amount: 47 g / width · m), and the hose length was cut to 2 m, and then a gas passage hole was formed. Thus, an inflator gas introduction / distribution hose was produced. In addition, the gas passage hole at this time formed five rectangles (5 × 1 cm) having long sides in the hose width direction (FIG. 5D). Then, an inflator gas introduction / distribution hose was obtained by impregnating and adhering an adhesive (Cemedine 3000DX series) to a portion 0.5 cm from the punching line of the gas passage hole and solidifying it.

  Using this hose, the area of the independent yarn around the gas passage hole, the gas passage hole fraying test after introduction of pressurized gas, and the measurement of the fabric bending rate in the hose width direction were performed. The results are shown in Table 1.

Comparative Example 1
Using polyamide 66 fiber with a strength of 8.1 cN / dtex, using 5 twists of 470 dtex / 72f for warp and 10 twists of 470 dtex / 72f for weft, weaving the jacket with a twine width of 4 mm on the shuttle loom, Weaving was performed to 7.5 cm. The weaving density of the woven fabric obtained at this time was one woven fabric, warp direction (hose longitudinal direction) (2350 dtex): 40 / 2.54 cm, weft direction (hose longitudinal direction) (4700 dtex): 7 The cover factor was warp direction (hose longitudinal direction): 1939 and weft direction (hose width direction): 480.

  A coating agent was applied to the obtained tubular woven fabric in the same manner as in Example 1 (coating agent application amount: 45 g / width · m), and the hose length was cut to 2 m, and then a gas passage hole was formed. Thus, an inflator gas introduction / distribution hose was produced.

  Using this hose, the area of the independent yarn around the gas passage hole, the gas passage hole fraying test after introduction of pressurized gas, and the measurement of the fabric bending rate in the hose width direction were performed. The results are shown in Table 1.

  From Table 1, the inflator gas introduction / distribution hose of the present invention having a low area ratio of the independent yarn portion hardly frays the gas passage hole, and it is possible to introduce the inflator gas as originally designed. It turns out that it is a hose which can raise the deployment reliability of an airbag.

  On the other hand, in the hose of the comparative example having a high area ratio of the independent yarn portion, significant deformation of the gas passage hole is recognized after passage of the inflator gas, and the airbag using this is inferior in deployment reliability.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the gas passage hole periphery of the inflator gas introduction distribution hose before inflator gas passage. It is a schematic diagram which shows the gas passage hole periphery after inflator gas passage. It is a schematic diagram which shows the gas passage hole periphery when the thread | yarn parallel to a hose longitudinal direction meanders. It is a schematic diagram which shows the bending state of an inflator gas introduction / distribution hose. It is a schematic diagram which shows the specific example of the gas passage hole shape of the inflator gas introduction | transduction distribution hose of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Hose 2 Gas passage hole 3 Independent thread part 4 Weft 5 Warp 6 Roll 7 Roll contact surface 8 Roll non-contact surface

Claims (3)

A hose made of fabric that is disposed in an airbag device for side collision and has one or more gas passage holes for distributing gas from the inflator to the inside of the airbag when the airbag is activated,
The gas passage hole is formed by punching a hose, and when the gas passage hole forming portion is flattened, the total area of the independent yarn portions surrounded by the following (1) and (2) ( S ₁₎ is, are two 0% der less area of the gas passage holes (S _0),
In the width direction of the hose, the fabric bending (%) measured according to JIS L1096 8.11 is 20% or less ,
The fabric hose longitudinal cover factor constituting the hose (CF) is 2000 or more, 5000 or less, the width direction of the cover factor (CF) is 500 or more, for introduction and distribution of inflator gas hose, characterized in der Rukoto 900 or less .
(1) the edge of the perforated gas passage hole,
(2) it is disconnected by the perforation, of the independent yarn ends remaining in the hose so as to intersect with the edge of the gas passage holes, independent yarn having a maximum length. At least one of the outer surface and the inner surface of the hose is coated with rubber or synthetic resin in an amount of 25% or more and 60% or less after drying (after curing) with respect to the mass of the hose before coating. The inflator gas introduction / distribution hose according to claim 1 . Each of the sides forming the gas passage hole has a square formed by sides substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the hose, or a diagonal line substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the hose. The inflator gas introduction / distribution hose according to claim 1, which is a square.