JP4793926B2 - Airbag device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an airbag device that inflates and protects an occupant in the event of a vehicle collision or the like, and more particularly to an airbag device that divides the interior of an airbag into a plurality of chambers to improve the occupant protection function.

  In recent years, for example, automobiles equipped with an air bag device on a steering wheel or an instrument panel of a vehicle have been widely used in order to protect a driver's seat or passenger's passenger in an emergency such as a vehicle collision. This airbag device inflates and deploys the head of an occupant who moves toward the front of the vehicle by activating an inflator to supply gas into the airbag and inflating it when a vehicle collision is detected. It is a device that receives and restrains it with an air bag and protects it from the impact of a collision.

  Therefore, in such an airbag device, it is necessary to quickly inflate and deploy the airbag in the event of a vehicle collision or the like so that sufficient restraint force (restraint performance) can be exerted on the occupant's head or the like. There is. On the other hand, after the occupant is received by the inflated airbag, it is necessary to exhaust the gas in the airbag to the outside and receive the occupant softly by the airbag to absorb the impact applied to the occupant by the collision. Therefore, conventionally, an airbag apparatus has been proposed in which the interior of an airbag is partitioned into a plurality of chambers and vent holes are formed in the airbag so as to meet the above-described requirements (see Patent Document 1). .

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the airbag of this conventional airbag device is inflated and deployed.
As shown in the figure, the airbag device 100 includes a bag-shaped airbag 110 formed in a substantially fan shape when viewed from the side, an inflator (not shown) provided in a gas inlet 120 on the lower surface of the airbag 110, and the like. The air bag 110 is inflated and deployed so as to spread in the direction in which the occupant is located (in the upper right direction in the figure) by the gas supplied from the inflator through the gas introduction port 120 to receive the occupant. .

  The airbag 110 has a substantially rectangular upper surface portion 111 and a lower surface portion 112, a pair of substantially fan-shaped side surface portions 113 provided between both edge portions of the respective portions 111 and 112, and toward the outside of the airbag 110. It is composed of five surfaces that are curved and a front portion 114 located on the passenger side of the airbag 110. In addition, the airbag 110 includes a partition wall 115 that divides the interior of the airbag 110 into a first chamber 110A on the inflator side and a second chamber 110B on the occupant side, in an internal space partitioned by the above portions 111 to 114, and A connecting band 116 having a predetermined length is provided to connect the partition wall 115 and the first chamber 110 </ b> A side of the airbag 110.

  The partition wall 115 has a substantially L shape in side view, partitions the airbag 110 so that the first chamber 110A has a substantially V shape in side view, and the second chamber 110B has a substantially fan shape in side view. There are a plurality of communication holes 121 that allow gas to move between the chamber 110A and the second chamber 110B. Further, vent holes 122 for exhausting the gas in the airbag 110 are provided on both side surface portions 113 on the second chamber 110B side, and the gas supplied from the gas inlet 120 is the first chamber of the airbag 110. After 110A is expanded, the second chamber 110B is then expanded through the communication hole 121 and exhausted from the vent hole 122. At this time, in the airbag 110, the connecting band 116 suppresses the protruding distance and the protruding pressure of the airbag 110 toward the passenger, thereby improving the deployment characteristics of the airbag 110.

  Therefore, according to the airbag device 100, the restraint force of the occupant can be improved, for example, the movement of the occupant's head and the like can be restricted by the inflated and deployed second chamber 110B and the movement thereof can be restricted. Further, since the gas in the airbag 110 is exhausted from the vent hole 122 after receiving the occupant, the impact applied to the occupant during a collision can be absorbed to some extent.

  However, in this conventional airbag device 100, the restrained occupant easily moves as the internal pressure of the second chamber 110B restraining the occupant's head and the like gradually decreases due to the exhaust of the gas from the vent hole 122. For example, the restraining force that restricts the movement of the occupant exerted by the second chamber 110B and the airbag 110 tends to gradually decrease. Therefore, in such an airbag device 100, it is difficult to cope with a case where a greater restraining force is required for the occupant, and the occupant's restraining force may be insufficient in some cases. It is necessary to further improve the function. Further, in the airbag device 100, in addition to the large number of parts necessary for manufacturing the airbag 110, it is necessary to dispose the partition wall 115 and the connecting band 116 at predetermined positions inside the airbag device 110 and join them to each other. There is a problem that the configuration is relatively complicated and the workability of manufacturing such as sewing is low.

  Further, in the airbag device 100, since the vent hole 122 is provided on the second chamber 110B side on the occupant side, the position and manner of collision of the occupant with the airbag 110, or the expansion of the second chamber 110B at the time of the collision. Depending on the degree or the like, for example, the vent hole 122 may be sandwiched between the occupant and the partition wall 115, and gas exhaust from the vent hole 122 may be hindered. In such a case, there is a problem in that the amount of gas exhausted from the airbag 110 when the occupant is received is insufficient, impact absorption performance is reduced, and the impact received by the occupant during a collision is increased. This is particularly true when an occupant in an abnormal riding posture is seated in the airbag 110, such as when the occupant is seated close to the airbag device 100, or is seated in a posture leaning forward from the normal riding posture. This is likely to occur when the contact position, timing, etc. are shifted. Therefore, in order to suppress the impact on the occupant and protect it more safely, even in such a case, it is possible to surely exhaust the gas from the airbag 110 and improve the impact absorption performance of the airbag 110. There is a need.

JP 2000-159045 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and its object is to increase the restraining force of the head of an occupant of an airbag to more reliably regulate the movement at the time of collision, and from the airbag. It is intended to improve the protection function of the occupant of the airbag apparatus by reducing the impact on the occupant by more reliably exhausting the gas.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an airbag apparatus comprising an airbag that can be inflated and deployed by introducing gas, and an inflator that supplies gas to the airbag. A partition wall having a gas passage which divides into one chamber and a second chamber on the passenger side and enables gas to flow between the first chamber and the second chamber; and the first chamber side of the airbag An exhaust state switching member that has a vent hole for exhausting the gas in the airbag and is capable of switching the vent hole between a state of exhausting the gas in the airbag and a state of non-exhaust. The other end of the exhaust state switching member is connected to the partition, and a connecting member that inflates and deploys the second chamber by restricting movement of the partition toward the second chamber when the airbag is inflated. The connecting member In a state where the airbag is inflated and deployed when the inflator is activated, a tension is applied to the exhaust state switching member on the partition wall side to close the vent hole and to catch a person who has entered the inflated airbag. The exhaust state switching member is released from the tension toward the partition wall to open the vent hole, and the exhaust state switching member is provided with one end of a pair of belt-like members in the airbag. The other ends of the pair of band-shaped members are joined to cover the opening, and both side openings between the one end and the other end of the pair of band-shaped members are the vent holes. and wherein the der Rukoto.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the airbag device according to the first aspect, the gas flows into the gas passage of the partition wall from the first chamber to the second chamber, and the gas in the second chamber is A check valve for preventing the first chamber from flowing out is provided .
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the airbag device according to the first or second aspect, the partition base fabric piece is superposed on the airbag base fabric piece, and the partition base fabric piece is overlapped with the airbag base fabric. The second chamber is formed between the partition wall base fabric piece and the airbag base fabric piece by bonding to a piece .
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the airbag device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the second chamber has a head restraint portion that receives and restrains a head that enters when the airbag is inflated and deployed. It is characterized by being.
The invention of claim 5, characterized in the airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the exhaust state switching member, that you have been provided on the side portion of the airbag in the inflated deployed configuration And
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the airbag device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the vent hole is formed at a position away from an attachment portion of the exhaust state switching member to the airbag. It is characterized by .

  According to the present invention, the restraining force of the head of the occupant of the airbag is increased, and the movement of the occupant at the time of the collision can be more reliably regulated, and the exhaust of the gas from the airbag is more reliably performed to the occupant. The impact can be reduced, and the protection function of the occupant of the airbag apparatus can be improved.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of an airbag device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The airbag device is an airbag device for a driver seat or a passenger seat that is attached to a steering wheel or an instrument panel of a vehicle, for example. In the following embodiments, an airbag device for a passenger seat is taken as an example. explain.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which the airbag of the airbag device of the present embodiment is inflated and deployed, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which an occupant is received by the airbag after inflated and deployed.
As shown in the figure, the airbag apparatus 1 includes an airbag 10 that can be inflated and deployed by introducing gas, an inflator 2 attached to a gas inlet 20 on the lower surface of the airbag 10, and the like. The inflator 2 is attached to the vehicle together with the airbag 10 folded in a predetermined manner. In the event of a vehicle collision or the like, the inflator 2 supplies gas into the airbag 10 through the gas inlet 20, and the airbag 10 is occupant. Is inflated and deployed in a direction (inclined right upper direction in FIG. 1, substantially right direction in FIG. 2) or the like.

  The airbag 10 is formed in a bag shape whose inflated and deployed shape is a substantially elliptical shape when viewed from the side. For example, both ends of one base fabric piece are joined together by stitching, bonding, welding, etc. to form a cylindrical shape. A pair of side cloth pieces are joined to the peripheral edge portion of the opening to close the side surface portion. In the airbag 10, a partition wall 11 that divides the interior space and a tether belt 12 that is a restricting member that restricts movement of the partition wall 11 when the airbag 10 is inflated are provided at predetermined positions, respectively. On the first chamber 10A side, which will be described later, there is provided an opening 23 formed so as to communicate between the inside and the outside. The airbag 10 is provided with a switch vent hole mechanism (exhaust state switching member 30) that can switch the exhaust state of the gas in the airbag 10 according to the state of the opening 23, and the exhaust state is switched by the tether belt 12. The member 30 and the partition wall 11 are connected.

  The partition wall 11 is for partitioning the inside of the airbag 10 during inflation and deployment into a first chamber 10A on the inflator 2 side and a second chamber 10B on the occupant side. Here, the second chamber 10B is divided into air A head restraint portion that catches and restrains the head of an occupant who mainly invades when the bag 10 is inflated and deployed, and is partitioned so as to be a small air chamber that has a smaller volume than the first chamber 10A. In this embodiment, the second chamber 10B is formed by superimposing the base fabric piece for the partition wall 11 on the base fabric piece for the airbag 10, and joining the base fabric piece for the partition wall 11 to the base fabric piece for the airbag 10, It is formed between these base fabric pieces.

  That is, the second chamber 10 </ b> B forms a base fabric piece for the partition 11 (for example, a silicon-coated base fabric piece) constituting the partition 11, and forms a second chamber 10 </ b> B for the base fabric piece for the airbag 10 constituting the airbag 10. It is formed by overlapping the power portion (the front portion 10C facing the occupant of the airbag 10) and joining the portions corresponding to the boundary between the airbag 10 and the partition wall 11 of each overlapped base fabric piece. . Therefore, the airbag 10 is formed, for example, before the base fabric is cut into a shape substantially the same as or close to the front portion 10C of the airbag 10 to form a base fabric piece for the partition wall 11 and joined into a bag shape. The base fabric piece for a flat airbag 10 is overlapped, and the peripheral portion of the base fabric piece for the partition wall 11 is sewn to the base fabric piece for the airbag 10 in a flat state, and then joined to another base fabric piece. And formed into a bag shape.

  In addition, the partition wall 11 has a gas passage 22 (substantially circular communication hole or the like) that allows gas to flow between the first chamber 10A and the second chamber 10B from above the substantially central portion of the partition wall 11. A check valve 25 is attached to the gas passage 22 so as to control the gas flow. This check valve 25 allows a gas flow from the first chamber 10A to the second chamber 10B, but prevents a gas flowing into the second chamber 10B from flowing out to the first chamber 10A. For example, a base cloth piece having a size capable of closing the gas passage 22 is covered so as to cover the gas passage 22 from the second chamber 10B side, and several places around it are joined and fixed to the partition wall 11 or the like. Installed in the gas passage 22.

  The second chamber 10B of the airbag 10 defined by the partition wall 11 is for receiving and restraining an occupant at the time of a vehicle collision, as will be described later. Therefore, the partition wall 11 is sufficiently restrained in the state in which the second chamber 10B is inflated and deployed in accordance with the portion to be restrained by the occupant (here, the occupant's head), the size of the airbag 10 and the inflated and deployed shape. It is formed in an appropriate size and shape so as to have a size and shape capable of exerting a force and the like, and a position where the passenger can be safely received.

  The opening 23 is, for example, a horizontally long through hole provided on the first chamber 10A side of the airbag 10, and gas is introduced into the surface facing the partition wall 11 when the airbag 10 is inflated and deployed. It is formed at an obliquely upper position of the mouth 20 (position facing the front window in front of the passenger seat).

  Here, in a state where the airbag 10 before being expanded is folded, the gas passage 22 of the partition wall 11 is located on the downstream side in the gas supply direction facing the gas introduction port 20. The gas supplied from the inlet 20 is easy to enter. On the other hand, the opening 23 that is relatively close to the gas introduction port 20 is located on the upstream side in the gas supply direction, but the through hole formed in such a position is in the middle of inflation of the airbag 10. In addition to the difficulty of the gas flowing out from the gas inlet 20, in the initial stage of inflation, the gas is drawn by the gas flow in the airbag 10, so that the air flows from the outside of the airbag 10 toward the inside. There is a tendency to. For this reason, the opening 23 is formed at a position where it is difficult for the gas to escape when the airbag 10 is inflated and deployed, and when the gas is exhausted after the inflation and deployment, the opening 23 is pushed by an occupant in contact with the front portion 10C of the airbag 10. Since the gas in the bag 10 is pushed toward the opening 23, the gas at that time is easily removed.

  The exhaust state switching member 30 is a member having a vent hole 31H (see FIG. 2) for exhausting the gas in the airbag 10, and when the airbag 10 is inflated and deployed as shown in FIG. It is introduced into the airbag 10 together with the portion where the hole 31H is formed, and covers the opening 23 so as to close the opening 23, and a non-exhaust state in which gas exhaust in the airbag 10 is suppressed when the inflator 2 is activated. On the other hand, in a state where the occupant is received by the inflated airbag 10, as shown in FIG. 2, the exhaust state switching member 30 is led out of the airbag 10 together with the vent hole 31 </ b> H formation portion, and is passed through the vent hole 31 </ b> H. 10 is in an exhaust state in which the gas in 10 can be exhausted. The exhaust state switching member 30 of the present embodiment changes the state of the vent hole 31H between these two states according to the tension from the tether belt 12 and the internal pressure of the airbag 10, that is, exhausts the gas in the airbag 10. It can be switched between a state and a non-exhaust state.

  The exhaust state switching member 30 does not need to completely prevent the gas from the airbag 10 in the non-exhaust state, and may be in a state where a certain amount of gas is exhausted. Therefore, in the present invention, the term “non-exhaust state” or “non-exhaust state” includes a state where gas exhaust can be suppressed in addition to a state where gas exhaust can be prevented.

Hereinafter, the exhaust state switching member 30 and the like will be described more specifically.
3 and 4 are enlarged views of the exhaust state switching member 30 in the non-exhaust state, FIG. 3 is a side view, and FIG. 4 is a plan view. 5 and 6 are enlarged views of the exhaust state switching member 30 in the exhaust state. FIG. 5 is a side view and FIG. 6 is a plan view.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the exhaust state switching member 30 has a pair of belt-like members (band-like cloths) 31 provided so as to cover the opening 23 in the vertical direction. The upper and lower surface portions viewed from the side surfaces of the upper and lower belt-like members 31 are indicated by hatching. One end portions (base end portions) of the pair of belt-like members 31 located on the airbag 10 side are sewn to the inner surface or the outer surface (here, the inner surface) of the airbag 10 so as to surround the peripheral edge portion of the opening 23. Are joined (joint portion 31B in the figure). On the other hand, the other end portions (tip portions) are joined to each other along the width direction (joint portion 31C in the figure). The both side portions are joined to each other only in the vicinity of the base end portion on the airbag 10 side (joint portion 31D in the figure), and the other portion, that is, the portion from the joined portion 31D to the joined portion 31C at the distal end portion is It is in the open state (non-joining part) which is not joined. Therefore, the inside and outside of the airbag 10 communicate with each other through the non-joining portions on both sides of the pair of belt-like members 31, and in this embodiment, the both sides of the pair of belt-like members 31 surrounding the non-joining portions are provided. A vent hole 31H of the exhaust state switching member 30 is formed.

  Since both side portions of the pair of band-shaped members 31 are joined (joint portions 31D) in the vicinity of the base end portion on the airbag 10 side over a predetermined length, the vent holes 31H and the opening portions 23 of the airbag 10 are used. Are not in a continuous positional relationship, and are provided at positions separated from each other across the joint 31D. Further, the pair of band-shaped members 31 are formed wider than the width of the opening 23 of the airbag 10, and therefore, the width of the exhaust state switching member 30 is also wider than the width of the opening 23. As a result, the exhaust state switching member 30 (band member 31) moves in the width direction when moving from the inside (see FIG. 1) of the airbag 10 toward the outside (see FIG. 2) or vice versa. It moves so as to pass through the opening 23 while being deformed so as to be reduced. For this reason, a predetermined resistance acts on the exhaust state switching member 30 when moving the opening 23 portion, and due to this resistance, tension by the tether belt 12 and the internal pressure of the airbag 10 that are described later are applied. The exhaust state switching member 30 is prevented from inadvertently moving and changing the state between the exhaust state and the non-exhaust state when there is no exhaust.

  The tether belt 12 is a connecting member having a predetermined length that connects the exhaust state switching member 30 and the partition wall 11 to each other, and is formed by cutting a base cloth similar to the airbag 10 or the like into a substantially band shape or a string shape. . Here, the tether belt 12 is shaped so that the tip of the elongated band-like member expands in a substantially Y shape (see FIGS. 4 and 6), and the width of the substantially Y-shaped tip is substantially the same as the tip of the exhaust state switching member 30. They are formed to have the same width. Further, one end (see FIGS. 1 and 2) of the belt-like portion of the tether belt 12 is joined by sewing or the like at a position below the gas passage 22 at the substantially central portion facing the opening 23 of the partition wall 11. On the other hand, the both ends of the substantially Y-shape on the other end side of the tether belt 12 are joined (joint portions 31C in the figure) to both sides of the tip of the exhaust state switching member 30 (see FIGS. 4 and 6) to switch the exhaust state. A tension, a pulling force, or the like is applied to the exhaust state switching member 30 so as to pull both sides of the tip of the member 30.

  In this way, the tether belt 12 connected to the exhaust state switching member 30 and the partition wall 11 has a function of restricting the movement of the partition wall 11 toward the second chamber 10B when the airbag 10 is inflated, thereby the second chamber 10B. It is possible to promote and expand. At the same time, in the state where the airbag 10 is inflated and deployed when the inflator 2 is operated, the tether belt 12 closes the vent hole 31H by applying a tension toward the partition wall 11 to the exhaust state switching member 30, and the airbag 10 inflated and deployed. When an intruder is received and deformed, the exhaust state switching member 30 has a function of releasing the tension toward the partition wall 11 to open the vent hole 31H and changing the state between these two states.

  That is, the tether belt 12 receives the inflating / deploying force by the gas supply from the inflator 2 and the partition wall 11 and the exhaust state switching member when the inflator 2 is activated and the airbag 10 is inflated and deployed in a regular shape (see FIG. 1). Pulled between 30. In this state, the tether belt 12 substantially inflates and deploys the bag-like second chamber 10B, and the exhaust state switching member 30 resists the internal pressure of the airbag 10 due to gas supply from the inflator 2 ( 3 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) and pulled in a substantially straight line to close the vent hole 31H and set it to a non-exhaust state.

  Therefore, as the airbag 10 is inflated and deployed, the tether belt 12 is gradually pulled to the one end side by connecting the partition wall 11 connected to one end side and pulled by the exhaust state switching member 30 and connected to the other end side. The movement of the partition wall 11 is regulated so as to be pulled into the first chamber 10A, and the partition wall 11 (second chamber 10B) is bulged into the first chamber 10A. At this time, the tether belt 12 pulls a substantially central portion that protrudes most toward the first chamber 10A when the partition wall 11 is inflated and deployed, and uniformly inflates the second chamber 10B toward the first chamber 10A. At the same time, a tension toward the partition wall 11 is applied to the exhaust state switching member 30 so that the vent hole 31H is closed and the state is changed to the non-exhaust state even during expansion before completion of expansion and deployment.

  Further, in a state where the inflated and deployed airbag 10 receives and deforms the occupant (see FIG. 2), the entire second chamber 10B that holds the internal pressure moves toward the opening 23 and deforms so as to wrap the occupant. The second chamber 10B and the partition wall 11 are deformed in a convex shape toward the first chamber 10A. As a result, the internal pressure in the first chamber 10A gradually increases, and at the same time, the distance between the opening 23 of the airbag 10 and the joint portion of the tether belt 12 of the partition wall 11 is shortened, and the tether belt 12 is switched between the partition wall 11 and the exhaust state. The tension to the partition wall 11 side is released due to the loosened state with the member 30. In this state, the tether belt 12 is led out of the airbag 10 by the exhaust state switching member 30 receiving the internal pressure of the airbag 10 (see FIGS. 5 and 6), and the vent hole 31H is opened to change the state to the exhaust state. It is set to a length that allows

Next, the function of each part at the time of the operation of the airbag apparatus 1 of the present embodiment described above will be described.
The airbag device 1 is attached to a predetermined position in front of a passenger seat of a vehicle with the airbag 10 combined with the inflator 2, and in this state, the airbag 10 causes the exhaust state switching member 30 to air In the state introduced into the bag 10, the bag 10 is folded in a predetermined manner. From this state, when the vehicle collides, the inflator 2 is activated (see FIG. 1), gas is supplied from the gas inlet 20 into the airbag 10, and the first chamber 10A of the airbag 10 is inflated. At the same time, gas is introduced into the second chamber 10B from the first chamber 10A through the gas passage 22 of the partition wall 11, and the entire airbag 10 is inflated and deployed while the second chamber 10B is inflated and deployed.

  At this time, as the airbag 10 is inflated and deployed, the tether belt 12 is gradually pulled to restrict the movement of the partition wall 11, and the inflation of the second chamber 10B is assisted to proceed with the inflation and deployment. At the same time, a strong tension acts on the exhaust state switching member 30 in the airbag 10, and the exhaust state switching member 30 closes the vent hole 31H (see FIGS. 3 and 4), thereby opening the opening 23 in the airbag 10. Cover to obstruct. This non-exhaust state is maintained by the tension of the tether belt 12, the gas exhaust from the airbag 10 is suppressed, and the airbag 10 is rapidly inflated and deployed with as little gas leakage as possible. When the inflation and deployment of the airbag 10 and the second chamber 10 </ b> B are almost completed, the exhaust state switching member 30 is pulled more strongly in the inner direction of the airbag 10 by the tether belt 12. With this strong tension, the exhaust state switching member 30 is reliably maintained in the non-exhaust state against the internal pressure in the airbag 10.

  In this state, when the head of the occupant moving forward due to the impact of the vehicle collision comes into contact with the front portion 10C of the airbag 10 (see FIG. 2), the occupant is received by the airbag 10 (second chamber 10B). Thus, the entire inflated airbag 10 is deformed. At this time, the second chamber 10B is deformed into a concave shape so as to enclose the occupant, and the check valve 25 prevents gas from flowing out from the inside, and the dent is reliably restrained by maintaining the concave deformed shape. . At the same time, the gas in the first chamber 10A is compressed to increase its internal pressure, the entire second chamber 10B moves to the opening 23 side, and the partition wall 11 is deformed into a convex shape so that the tether belt 12 is slackened. The tension to the partition wall 11 acting on the exhaust state switching member 30 is released. As a result, the exhaust state switching member 30 is led out so as to be pushed out of the airbag 10 by the internal pressure of the first chamber 10A (see FIGS. 5 and 6), the vent hole 31H is opened, and the inside and outside of the first chamber 10A communicate with each other. To do. As described above, the exhaust state switching member 30 changes the state from the non-exhaust state (see FIG. 1) to the exhaust state (see FIG. 2), and the gas in the first chamber 10A is discharged from the opening 23 to the exhaust state switching member 30. The air is exhausted from the vent hole 31H through the inside. As a result, the first chamber 10A is gradually deflated, and the occupant is softly received by the airbag 10, and the impact of the collision applied to the occupant is absorbed and mitigated for protection.

  Here, when the occupant contacts the airbag 10 earlier than usual, for example, when seated in an abnormal riding posture, the airbag 10 comes into contact with the occupant in the middle of inflating and deploying, and the inflating and deploying thereof. Will be hindered. Even in such a case, in the airbag 10, the internal pressure of the first chamber 10 </ b> A rises with the tether belt 12 being loosened, and the exhaust state switching member 30 is led out of the first chamber 10 </ b> A by the internal pressure and is in an exhaust state. Therefore, the gas can be exhausted from the vent hole 31H.

  As described above, in the airbag device 1 of the present embodiment, the opening 23 is formed at a position where gas is difficult to escape when the airbag 10 is inflated, and the exhaust state switching member 30 is maintained in a non-exhaust state to be inflated. In order to suppress the exhaust of gas from the airbag 10 at the time, the airbag 10 can be rapidly inflated and deployed. As a result, the airbag 10 can be brought into a state in which sufficient occupant restraining force can be exerted at an early stage. As a result, the occupant is seated in an abnormal riding posture, for example, the occupant is approaching the airbag device 1 side, or is seated in a posture leaning forward from the normal riding posture, and the air is released earlier than usual. The passenger can be protected even when the bag 10 is touched.

  Further, in this airbag device 1, in addition to gas easily entering from the gas passage 22 of the partition wall 11 to the second chamber 10 </ b> B side, the tether belt 12 restricts movement of the partition wall 11 to the second chamber 10 </ b> B side. Since the two chambers 10B are inflated, the second chamber 10B can be inflated and expanded (the bulging of the partition wall 11 into the first chamber 10A) earlier and reliably. At the same time, the tether belt 12 can control the protruding distance and the protruding pressure of the partition wall 11 (second chamber 10B) toward the occupant when the airbag 10 is inflated. The function can be improved. In addition, in this airbag apparatus 1, since the vent hole for exhausting gas is not provided on the second chamber 10B side and the check valve 25 is provided in the gas passage 22 of the partition wall 11, the second chamber 10B inflated and deployed is used. Even after the occupant's head is received, the gas does not escape from the second chamber 10B, and the internal pressure can be maintained. Thereby, the deformation | transformation shape of the 2nd chamber 10B which received and deform | transformed the passenger | crew is maintained, movement of the passenger | crew's head etc. after a collision can be controlled more strongly, etc. of 2nd chamber 10B (airbag 10). The restraining force of the occupant can be improved.

  Furthermore, in this airbag apparatus 1, since the opening part 23 was provided in the 1st chamber 10A side which does not contact the passenger | crew of the airbag 10, when the passenger | crew is received by the airbag 10 after expansion | deployment, the exhaust state switching member 30 Can be reliably performed (change of the state to the exhaust state), and a large amount of gas can be reliably exhausted stably from the first chamber 10A. As a result, a sufficient amount of gas exhausted from the airbag 10 can be secured, and the impact absorbing performance of the airbag 10 can be improved. At the same time, since one end of the tether belt 12 is attached to the partition wall 11 that partitions the second chamber 10B, the entire second chamber 10B is opened by the opening 23 regardless of the position of the airbag 10 on the second chamber 10B side. The tether belt 12 can be slackened by moving to the side or deforming the second chamber 10B and deforming the partition wall 11 into a convex shape. As a result, the exhaust state of the exhaust state switching member 30 can be switched regardless of the occupant's receiving position, and the responsiveness at the time of the collision can be improved. Further, even when an occupant is received in the middle of inflation and deployment, gas can be exhausted from the first chamber 10A, and the impact on the occupant in such a state can be reduced.

  In addition, in the exhaust state switching member 30, a joint portion 31 </ b> D is provided between the vent hole 31 </ b> H and the opening 23, and the vent hole 31 </ b> H is attached to a portion (opening portion 23) of the exhaust state switching member 30 to the airbag 10. ), The base end portion of the vent hole 31H on the side of the airbag 10 (mainly the peripheral portion between both joint portions 31D) closely adheres and overlaps with the internal pressure of the airbag 10 in a non-exhaust state. It becomes a state. As a result, the close contact portion of the vent hole 31H performs a kind of valve action, and it becomes difficult for gas to leak from the vent hole 31H through the opening 23, and the exhaust of gas in a non-exhaust state can be more reliably suppressed. Further, since both side portions of the distal end portion of the exhaust state switching member 30 are pulled by the tether belt 12, the posture of the exhaust state switching member 30 can be stabilized in the airbag 10, and the non-exhaust state is reliably and stably maintained. You can also.

  Therefore, according to the airbag apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the restraining force of the occupant of the airbag 10 is increased at the time of a vehicle collision or the like, and the occupant's head or the like is reliably restrained by the second chamber 10B. The movement of passengers can be more reliably regulated. Further, the exhaust state switching member 30 makes it possible to more reliably exhaust gas from the airbag 10 and reduce the impact on the occupant, thereby improving the occupant protection function of the airbag apparatus 1. This is particularly effective when the second chamber 10B is a head restraint portion of the airbag 10 that restrains the head of an occupant who needs to be protected. In addition, a higher effect can be obtained when the partition wall 11 is formed of a silicon-coated base fabric having high airtightness.

  Furthermore, in addition to the relatively small number of parts required for manufacturing the airbag 10, for example, the second chamber 10 </ b> B is overlapped with the base fabric piece for the partition 11 on the base fabric piece for the airbag 10 as described above. The structure is relatively simple, for example, they can be joined together. As for the exhaust state switching member 30, one end of the pair of belt-like members 31 is attached to the opening 23 of the airbag 10, the other ends are joined to cover the opening 23, and the openings on both sides are vent holes. It can be realized with a relatively simple structure. As described above, the airbag 10 of the present embodiment has a simple configuration and structure as compared with its function, can improve the workability and productivity of manufacturing such as stitching, and the airbag 10 can be manufactured at low cost. Can be manufactured.

  In the present embodiment, the tether belt 12 is formed to have a length that extends substantially linearly between the connecting portions when the airbag 10 is inflated and deployed. However, the tether belt 12 may have some slack or the like during inflation and deployment. The effect of restricting the movement of the partition wall 11 and maintaining the exhaust state switching member 30 in the non-exhaust state can be exhibited. Therefore, the tether belt 12 may have a certain length.

  The aspect of the gas passage 22 of the partition wall 11, the opening 23 of the airbag 10, the size of the vent hole 31 </ b> H of the exhaust state switching member 30, and the like are the forms of the airbag 10 and the partition wall 11 (second chamber 10 </ b> B), What is necessary is just to set each to an appropriate magnitude | size etc. according to each expansion | swelling, exhaust_gas | exhaustion patterns, etc., such as an expansion | swelling and exhaust speed required for the airbag 10. Similarly, although only one gas passage 22 is formed in the partition wall 11 here, a necessary number of gas passages 22 may be formed at necessary positions, for example, a plurality of gas passages 22 may be formed at a plurality of locations.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the check valve 25 is provided in the gas passage 22, but the check valve 25 may not be provided depending on the size of the gas passage 22 and the vent hole 31H. However, in this case, the gas passage 22 (second chamber 10B) is compared with the amount of gas exhausted from the vent hole 31H, for example, by reducing the size of the gas passage 22 relative to the vent hole 31H. It is more preferable to reduce the gas lead-out amount because the second chamber 10B is less likely to be crushed when in contact with the occupant and the above-described effects can be relatively increased.

  In addition to the above, in the present embodiment, the opening portion 23 of the airbag 10 is formed in a horizontally long slot shape. However, the opening portion 23 may be a vertically long slot shape, a circular hole shape, a polygonal hole shape, or the like. Further, other shapes may be formed in accordance with each form such as the arrangement direction of the exhaust state switching member 30. Further, in the airbag 10, the vent hole 31H is provided only in the exhaust state switching member 30, but, for example, hole-shaped vent holes are formed in both side portions on the first chamber 10A side of the airbag 10 in the deployed form. For example, another vent hole may be formed on the first chamber 10A side. In this case, various exhaust patterns can be set by a combination of exhaust from another vent hole and an exhaust mode through the exhaust state switching member 30.

  Further, the exhaust state switching member 30 may be folded together with the airbag 10 in a state of being led out of the airbag 10 before the operation of the airbag device 1. Even in such a case, the exhaust state switching member 30 is introduced into the airbag 10 by the tension (drawing force into the airbag 10) by the tether belt 12 from the middle of the inflating and deploying to be in a non-exhaust state. The air bag can be quickly inflated and deployed while suppressing gas exhaust. Further, even when the passenger in the above-mentioned abnormal posture contacts the airbag 10 earlier than usual, the process of changing the state of the exhaust state switching member 30 from the non-exhaust state to the exhaust state is omitted. Since the internal gas can be exhausted, a large amount of gas can be exhausted at an earlier stage, and the impact on the occupant can be further mitigated.

  Here, the opening portion 23 and the exhaust state switching member 30 of the airbag 10 are in the exhaust state when the airbag 10 that has been inflated and deployed or the airbag 10 that is in the middle of inflation receives an occupant. As long as the exhaust is not hindered, the air bag 10 may be provided at another position on the first chamber 10A side. Similarly, if the tether belt 12 is also attached to the partition wall 11 and a part of the distal end portion of the exhaust gas state switching member 30 (band member 31), switching of the exhaust gas state of the exhaust gas state switching member 30 and restriction of movement of the barrier wall 11 are performed. Therefore, both ends of the tether belt 12 may be attached to other positions. That is, when the position of the opening 23 to which the exhaust state switching member 30 is attached and the attachment position of the tether belt 12 to the partition wall 11 receive an occupant by the inflated airbag 10, the distance between them is more It suffices if the positional relationship is close.

  For example, even when the opening 23 and the exhaust state switching member 30 are provided in the side portion (10D portion in FIGS. 1 and 2) on the side of the first chamber 10A of the airbag 10 in the inflated and deployed configuration, the airbag 10 is inflated and deployed. When doing so, the tether belt 12 can draw the exhaust state switching member 30 into the airbag 10 to be in a non-exhaust state. On the other hand, when the airbag 10 receives an occupant, the tether belt 12 is loosened and the exhaust state switching member 30 is led out of the airbag 10 to enter the exhaust state, and the same operation as described above can be realized. In particular, when the opening 23 and the exhaust state switching member 30 are provided in the side portion 10D of the airbag 10 as described above, when the exhaust state switching member 30 enters the exhaust state and jumps out of the airbag 10. However, it is possible to prevent interference with the windshield and in-dash panel of the vehicle, and more stable gas exhaust can be performed.

Next, another example of the exhaust state switching member will be described.
7A and 7B are schematic views showing a first modification of the exhaust state switching member. FIG. 7A is a side view and FIG. 7B is a plan view.
As shown in the figure, the exhaust state switching member 50 has a pair of substantially trapezoidal members 51, and each bottom 51B, which is the long side, is joined to the periphery of the opening 23 of the airbag 10, for example. And the upper sides 51C on the short side are joined together. In addition, one end portion of the long tether belt 55 is connected to the joint portion of the upper sides 51C of the pair of substantially trapezoidal members 51, and a pair of sides are surrounded by both inclined sides 51D of the pair of substantially trapezoidal members 51. A vent hole 51H (shown by a bold line in the figure) is formed.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing a second modification of the exhaust state switching member, in which FIG. 8A is a side view and FIG. 8B is a plan view.
As shown in the figure, the exhaust state switching member 60 has a pair of substantially trapezoidal members 61, and attaches each base 61B, which is the long side thereof, to the periphery of the opening 23 of the airbag 10, The inclined sides 61D that are inclined are joined to each other. Further, one end portion of the long tether belt 65 is connected to each upper side 61C which is the short side of the pair of substantially trapezoidal members 61, and a vent hole is formed by a portion surrounded by the upper sides 61C of the pair of substantially trapezoidal members 61. 61H (indicated by a bold line in the figure) is formed.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing a third modification of the exhaust state switching member, FIG. 9A is a side view, and FIG. 9B is a plan view.
As shown in the figure, the exhaust state switching member 70 has a pair of substantially trapezoidal members 71, and attaches each base 71 </ b> B, which is the long side thereof, to the periphery of the opening 23 of the airbag 10. The upper sides 71C on the short side and the inclined sides 71D that are inclined are joined to each other. Further, one end of a long tether belt 75 is connected to each upper side 71C of the pair of substantially trapezoidal members 71, and a substantially circular hole is formed in one or both of the pair of substantially trapezoidal members 71 to form a vent hole 71H. Yes.

  In the first to third modified examples of the exhaust state switching member, the exhaust state switching members 50, 60, and 70 are introduced into or extracted from the airbag 10 in the same manner as the exhaust state switching member 30 described above. Thus, the state can be changed between the non-exhaust state and the exhaust state.

It is a perspective view which shows the state which the airbag of the airbag apparatus of this embodiment expanded and expanded. It is a perspective view which shows the state which received the passenger | crew with the airbag after the expansion | deployment of FIG. It is a side view which expands and shows the exhaust state switching member in the non-exhaust state of FIG. It is a top view which expands and shows the exhaust state switching member in the non-exhaust state of FIG. It is a side view which expands and shows the exhaust state switching member in the exhaust state of FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view showing an exhaust state switching member in an exhaust state of FIG. 2. It is a schematic diagram which shows the 1st modification of an exhaust state switching member. It is a schematic diagram which shows the 2nd modification of an exhaust state switching member. It is a schematic diagram which shows the 3rd modification of an exhaust state switching member. It is a perspective view which shows the state which the airbag of the conventional airbag apparatus was inflate-deployed.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Airbag apparatus, 2 ... Inflator, 10 ... Airbag, 10A ... 1st chamber, 10B ... 2nd chamber, 10C ... Front part, 10D ... Side Part 11, partition wall 12, tether belt 20, gas inlet, 22 gas path, 23 opening, 25 check valve, 30 exhaust state Switching member, 31 ... strip member, 31B ... junction, 31C ... junction, 31D ... junction, 31H ... vent hole, 50 ... exhaust state switching member, 51 ... A substantially trapezoidal member, 51B: bottom, 51C ... top, 51D ... hypotenuse, 51H ... vent hole, 55 ... tether belt, 60 ... exhaust state switching member, 61 ... Substantially trapezoidal member, 61B ... bottom, 61C ... top, 61D ... hypotenuse, 6 H ... vent hole, 65 ... tether belt, 70 ... exhaust state switching member, 71 ... substantially trapezoidal member, 71B ... bottom side, 71C ... top side, 71D ... oblique side, 71H ... Bent hole, 75 ... Tether belt.

Claims (6)

An airbag device comprising an airbag that can be inflated and deployed by introducing gas, and an inflator that supplies gas to the airbag,
A partition having a gas passage that divides the inside of the airbag into a first chamber on the inflator side and a second chamber on the occupant side, and enables gas to flow between the first chamber and the second chamber When,
The vent hole is provided on the first chamber side of the airbag and has a vent hole for exhausting the gas in the airbag, and the vent hole can be switched between a state of exhausting the gas in the airbag and a non-exhaust state. An exhaust state switching member,
A connecting member that has one end connected to the exhaust state switching member and the other end connected to the partition, and inflates and deploys the second chamber by restricting movement of the partition toward the second chamber when the airbag is inflated; With
In the state where the airbag is inflated and deployed when the inflator is activated, the connecting member closes the vent hole by applying a tension to the partition wall side to the exhaust state switching member, and the inflated and deployed airbag enters. When receiving and deforming the person who has done, release the tension to the partition side to the exhaust state switching member to open the vent hole ,
The exhaust state switching member attaches one end of a pair of band-shaped members to an opening provided in the airbag, and joins the other ends of the pair of band-shaped members to cover the opening, air bag device according to claim der Rukoto that the openings on both between one end and the other end of the belt-shaped member to the vent hole. In the airbag apparatus described in Claim 1,
A check valve is provided for allowing gas to flow from the first chamber to the second chamber into the gas passage of the partition wall and preventing the gas in the second chamber from flowing out to the first chamber. An airbag device. In the airbag apparatus described in Claim 1 or 2,
By separating the base fabric piece for partition walls onto the base fabric piece for airbags and joining the base fabric piece for partition walls to the base fabric piece for airbags, the base fabric piece for partition walls and the base fabric piece for airbags An air bag device in which the second chamber is formed between the air bag device and the air bag device. In the airbag apparatus as described in any one of Claim 1 thru | or 3,
The airbag apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second chamber is a head restraint portion that catches and restrains a head that enters when the airbag is inflated and deployed . In the airbag apparatus as described in any one of Claim 1 thru | or 4,
Air bag device wherein an exhaust state switching member, characterized that you have provided on the side portion of the airbag in the inflated deployed configuration. In the airbag apparatus as described in any one of Claim 1 thru | or 5,
The airbag apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the vent hole is formed at a position away from an attachment portion of the exhaust state switching member to the airbag.

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