JP4815156B2 - Airbag device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an airbag device that restrains an occupant by receiving gas supply and inflating when a vehicle collides.

The outer periphery of the two base fabrics constituting the airbag is bonded with a silicon or urethane adhesive, the outer peripheral side of the bonded portion is sewn with a relatively thick thread, and the inner peripheral side is relatively thin Sewing with thread prevents gas from leaking from the sewn part of the two base fabrics and breaks the sewn part with thin thread when the airbag is inflated to enlarge the volume of the airbag and vent holes It is known from Patent Document 1 below that this function is exhibited.
JP 2001-1854 A

  By the way, in the above-mentioned conventional one, the function of the vent hole is exhibited by breaking the sewing portion when the airbag is inflated. Therefore, the internal pressure of the airbag is maintained at a desired magnitude by variation in the load at which the sewing portion breaks. There was a problem that became difficult.

  In addition, with the well-known vent hole that adjusts the internal pressure of the airbag, the work of reinforcing the vent hole so that the edges of the vent hole do not tear is cumbersome and the manufacturing cost increases, and the internal pressure of the airbag is adjusted to a desired size. To do so, it was necessary to change the diameter and number of vent holes, and the costs associated with changing the design were not small.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to make it possible to easily and accurately adjust the internal pressure of an airbag without requiring a vent hole.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the invention described in claim 1, a sewing portion sewn at a constant seam pitch on a base fabric of an airbag that is inflated upon supply of gas in the event of a vehicle collision. An airbag device in which at least a part of the sewing part is a gas discharge part for discharging excess gas, wherein the sewing part is covered with a sealing material from the inner surface side of the base fabric, and locally There is proposed an airbag apparatus characterized in that the sewn portion sewn so that the two base fabrics are in direct contact with each other without being covered with the sealing material is used as the gas discharge portion.

  According to the invention described in claim 2, in addition to the configuration of claim 1, the gas discharge part is formed by partially curving the sealing material and removing it from the sewing part. A featured airbag device is proposed.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, in addition to the configuration of claim 1, the gas discharge part is formed by partially curving the sewing part and removing it from the sealing material. A featured airbag device is proposed.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, in addition to the configuration of any one of claims 1 to 3, the gas discharge part is the sewing part that partitions adjacent cells of the airbag. An airbag device is proposed which is characterized in that it is formed.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the sewing part is provided on the base fabric of the airbag that is inflated upon supply of gas when the vehicle collides, and excess gas is discharged from at least a part of the sewing part. An airbag device as a gas discharge unit, wherein the sewing unit is covered with a sealing material from an inner surface side of the base fabric, and the sewing corresponding to a portion where the thickness of the sealing material is locally reduced. An airbag device is proposed in which the portion is the gas discharge portion.

According to the present invention, since at least a part of the sewn portion sewn at a constant seam pitch of the airbag base fabric is used as a gas exhaust portion for discharging excess gas, a special vent hole is provided in the base fabric. This eliminates the need for processing to reinforce the edges of the vent holes, reduces manufacturing costs, and allows the internal pressure of the airbag to be maintained over a long period of time by discharging gas more slowly than vent holes. Maintain and improve the restraint performance of the occupant. Because only by freely adjusting the discharge amount of the gas or by varying the number and length of the or gas discharge unit, a lower cost than in the case of changing the diameter and number of the vent hole.

  In particular, according to the invention of claim 1, the sewing portion is covered with the sealing material from the inner surface side of the base fabric, and the two base fabrics are in direct contact with each other without being locally covered with the sealing material. Since the sewn part sewn in is used as a gas discharge part, the sewn part is covered with a sealing material from the inner surface side of the base fabric to prevent gas leakage, and is covered with a locally provided sealing material. It is possible to exhaust the gas in the airbag from the non-sewn part and to exert the function of the vent hole.

  In particular, according to the invention of claim 5, the sewing portion is covered with the sealing material from the inner surface side of the base fabric, and the sewing portion corresponding to the portion where the thickness of the sealing material is locally reduced is the gas. Since it is a discharge part, the thin part of the sealing material is torn by the load when the airbag is inflated while covering the sewing part with the sealing material from the inner surface side of the base fabric to prevent gas leakage, and that part The gas in the airbag can be discharged from the sewing portion of the sewing machine so that the function of the vent hole can be exhibited.

  According to the invention of claim 2, since the gas discharge portion is formed by partially curving the sealing material and removed from the sewing portion, gas can be released from one side of the sewing portion through the seam.

  According to the invention of claim 3, since the gas discharge part is formed by partially curving the sewing part and removing it from the sealing material, gas can be released from one side of the sewing part through the seam.

  According to the invention of claim 4, even when the gas discharge portion is formed in the sewing portion that partitions adjacent cells of the airbag, the airbag does not flow into the adjacent cell with the gas that has passed through the seam of the sewing portion. Can be discharged outside.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on examples of the present invention shown in the accompanying drawings.

  1 to 5 show a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a view showing a vehicle interior surface of an automobile when the airbag is not deployed, and FIG. 2 is a vehicle interior of the automobile when the airbag is deployed. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the main part of FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the airbag device, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of part 5 of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the RV vehicle including the front row seat 11, the center row seat 12, and the rear row seat 13 includes an A pillar 14, a B pillar 15, a C pillar 16, and a D pillar 17, and the A pillar 14 and A front door 18 is disposed between the B pillars 15, a rear door 19 is disposed between the B pillars 15 and the C pillars 16, and a tailgate 20 is disposed behind the D pillars 17. The folded airbag 21 of the airbag device C is housed in the vehicle body longitudinal direction along the side portion of the roof 22 sandwiched between the A pillar 14 and the D pillar 17. The airbag apparatus C is provided with substantially the same structure on both the left and right sides of the vehicle body. Hereinafter, a description will be given of the airbag device C provided on the right side of the vehicle body as a representative example.

  As is apparent from FIGS. 2 to 4, the airbag 21 is formed by sewing a two-layer base fabric 31 with sewing portions 32... And has a cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction along the upper edge thereof. A plurality of cells 21c provided with front and rear gas distribution passages 21a and 21b and branching downward from the front gas distribution passage 21a to protect the heads of the occupants of the front row seats 11 and the rear gas A plurality of cells 21d that branch downward from the distribution passage 21b to protect the occupant's head of the central row seat 12, and a head of the occupant of the rear row seat 13 that branches downward from the rear gas distribution passage 21b. A plurality of cells 21e.

  A non-inflatable portion 21f to which no gas is supplied is formed in front of the occupant cells 21c of the front row seat 11, and is formed between the occupant cells 21c of the front row seat 11 and the occupant cells 21d of the central row seat 12. Is formed with a non-expandable portion 21g to which no gas is supplied, and a non-expandable portion 21h to which no gas is supplied is formed between the occupant cell 21d of the central row seat 12 and the occupant cell 21e of the rear row seat 13. Is done. A plurality of attachment portions 21 i formed along the upper edge of the airbag 21 are fixed to the roof 22, the A pillar 14, and the D pillar 17.

  The folded airbag 21 is wrapped by cloth covers 33 and 34 that are divided into two parts in the front and rear direction. Each of the covers 33 and 34 is formed in a cylindrical shape by sewing along the lower edge, and the airbag is formed by breaking the perforated rupture portions 33a... 34a. 21 allows expansion. The plurality of attachment portions 21i formed along the upper edge of the airbag 21 project upward through openings 33b formed on the upper surfaces of the covers 33 and 34.

  An inflator 35 is disposed on the side of the roof 22 facing the upper end of the C pillar 16. The gas supply pipe 36 extending forward from the end of the inflator 35 is bent downward and then bifurcated into the front and rear, and the front gas outlet 36a is connected to the front gas supply port 21j at the rear end of the front gas distribution passage 21a. The gas outlet 36b at the rear end is inserted into the rear gas supply port 21k at the front end of the rear gas distribution passage 21b and fixed at the fixed band 38. At this time, the base cloth 31 is cut into a trapezoidal shape below the front and rear gas supply ports 21j and 21k so as not to interfere with the fixed bands 37 and 38, thereby forming an opening 21m. A fixing member 39 is fitted into a portion of the gas supply pipe 36 extending in the vertical direction, and both ends of the fixing member 39 are fixed by two bolts 40 and 40.

  As is apparent from FIG. 3, a gas discharge portion 41 that exhibits the function of a vent hole for discharging excess gas at appropriate locations (5 locations in the embodiment) of the sewing portions 32 of the cells 21 c, 21 d, 21 e. ... are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the sewing portion 32 of the airbag 21 sandwiches a belt-shaped sealing material 42 between two overlapping base fabrics 31, 31, and sews the sealing material 42 together with the base fabrics 31, 31. By doing so, it is sealed so that gas does not leak from the seam. The sealing material 42 is bonded to the inner surfaces of the two base fabrics 31 and 31 in order to improve the sealing performance. However, the sealing material 42 is interrupted at the portion of the gas discharge portion 41, and the portion is sewn so that the two base fabrics 31, 31 are in direct contact with each other.

  Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention having the above configuration will be described.

  When a side collision or rollover of the vehicle is detected by the acceleration sensor, the inflator 35 is actuated by a command from the electronic control unit, and the gas accumulated in the inflator 35 passes through the gas supply pipe 36 before and after the airbag 21. The gas distribution passages 21a, 21b are supplied to the cells 21c, 21d, 21e,. As a result, the airbag 21 accommodated along the side of the roof 22 in the folded state is inflated, and the airbag 21 is deployed downward into the vehicle interior through an opening formed by pushing down the roof garnish with the pressure. The front cell 21c of the deployed airbag 21 protects the occupant's head of the front row seat 11, the central cell 21d protects the occupant's head of the central row seat 12, and the rear cell 21e ... The head of the passenger in the rear row seat 13 is protected.

  Since the inflator 35 continues to generate gas even after the airbag 21 is deployed, excess gas is discharged from the gas discharge portions 41 of the airbag so that the internal pressure of the airbag 21 does not rise too much. That is, as apparent from FIG. 5, since the sewing portion 32 except the gas discharge portion 41 sews the two base fabrics 31, 31 through the sealing material 42, gas is generated from the seam of the sewing portion 32. There is no leakage. On the other hand, since the sewing part 32 of the gas discharge part 41 sews the two base fabrics 31 and 31 without the sealing material 42 interposed therebetween, the function of the vent hole is exhibited by the gas leaking from the seam. The internal pressure of the bag 21 is maintained at an appropriate size.

  As described above, since a part of the sewing portion 32 of the base fabric 31, 31 of the airbag 21 is used as the gas discharge portion 41 that discharges surplus gas, a special vent hole is provided in the base fabric 31, 31; Processing to reinforce the edge of the vent hole becomes unnecessary, and the manufacturing cost is reduced. In addition, since the gas is slowly discharged from the seam of the sewing portion 32 as compared with the conventional vent hole, the internal pressure of the airbag 21 can be maintained for a long time, and the restraining performance of the occupant can be enhanced. .

Because only by freely adjusting the discharge amount of the gas to vary the number of the gas discharge portion 41 provided along the or sewing portion 32, it is at a lower cost than in the case of changing the diameter and number of the vent hole .

  Next, a first reference example will be described based on FIG.

  The sealing material 42 of the first embodiment is interrupted at the portion of the gas discharge portion 41, but the sealing material 42 of the first reference example is not interrupted at the portion of the gas discharge portion 41 and is continuously reduced in width. ing. Since the sealing performance of the portion where the width of the sealing material 42 becomes narrower deteriorates, if the internal pressure increases when the airbag 21 is inflated, the gas leaks from the seam of the sewing portion 32 corresponding to the narrow portion of the sealing material 42. The function of the vent hole is exhibited, and the internal pressure of the airbag 21 is maintained at an appropriate size.

  According to the first reference example, in addition to the function and effect of the first example, the sealing material 42 is not discontinuously broken, so that a further function and effect of improving the handleability of the sealing material 42 at the time of manufacture is achieved. be able to.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the second embodiment, the sealing material 42 is partially curved in the gas discharge portion 41 so as to be detached from the sewing portion 32, so that the two base fabrics 31, 31 are sewn without the sealing material 42 interposed therebetween. The gas can be released from one side of the sewing portion 32 through the seam.

  Also according to the second embodiment, since the sealing material 42 is not interrupted, the same effects as those of the first reference example can be achieved.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  The third embodiment is a modification of the second embodiment, and instead of curving the sealing material 42 so as to be detached from the sewing portion 32 in the gas discharge portion 41, the sewing portion 32 is curved so as to be detached from the sealing material 42. Is.

  Also according to the third embodiment, since the sealing material 42 does not break apart, the same operational effects as the first reference example can be achieved.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  The fourth embodiment is a modification of the first reference example, and instead of reducing the width of the sealing material 42 in the gas discharge portion 41, the thickness of the sealing member 42 is reduced. When the seal member 42 is thinned, it is difficult to be elastically deformed. Therefore, the seal member 42 is torn by the tension when the airbag 21 is inflated, so that the seam of the sewing portion 32 is exposed, and gas can escape from there.

  Also according to the fourth embodiment, since the sealing material 42 does not break apart, the same effect as the first reference example can be achieved. Moreover, since the load applied to the seam of the sewing portion 32 when the seal member 42 of the gas discharge portion 41 is torn is reduced, the correction yarn can be protected.

  Next, a second reference example will be described based on FIG.

  The airbag 21 of the second reference example is for a driver deployed from the center of the steering wheel, and the outer peripheral portions 31a of the two base fabrics 31 and 31 are integrally connected by weaving. Sewing portions 32 to be gas discharge portions 41 are formed at a plurality of locations (three locations in the reference example) in the vicinity of the outer peripheral portion 31 a of the base fabrics 31, 31, and when the airbag 21 is inflated, the sewing portions 32. When the gas leaks from the seam, the function of the vent hole is exhibited, and the internal pressure of the airbag 21 is maintained at an appropriate level.

  In addition, instead of connecting the outer peripheral portions 31a of the two base fabrics 31 and 31 together by weaving, they may be connected integrally by sewing with a sealing material interposed therebetween.

  Also according to the second reference example, it is possible to achieve the same effect as that of the first embodiment.

  Next, a third reference example will be described based on FIG.

  The third reference example is a modification of the second reference example. In the second reference example, the sewing part 32 integrally sews two base fabrics 31, 31, but in the third reference example, one base fabric is used. Only 31 is sewn by the sewing part 32. Therefore, the sewing portion 32 is provided exclusively for forming a seam for discharging gas.

  This third reference example can also achieve the same operational effects as the second reference example.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention can perform a various design change in the range which does not deviate from the summary.

  For example, in the embodiment, an airbag device C that deploys the airbag 21 from the side edge of the roof 22 along the inner side surface of the vehicle body and an airbag device C that deploys the airbag 21 from the center portion of the steering wheel are illustrated. However, the present invention can also be applied to an airbag device that deploys an airbag from an instrument panel and an airbag device that deploys an airbag from a side portion of a seat.

  Further, in the first and fourth embodiments, the gas discharge portion is provided in the sewing portion 32 that partitions the cells 21c, 21d, 21e, to which the gas is supplied, and the non-expanded portions 21f, 21g, 21h to which the gas is not supplied. 41 are provided, and excess gas is discharged from the cells 21c, 21d, 21e, to the non-expanded portions 21f, 21g, 21h, so that the discharged gas can be prevented from directly hitting the interior material or the like. .

The figure which shows the interior of a car when the airbag is not deployed The figure which shows the interior surface of the car when the airbag is deployed 2 is an enlarged view of the main part of FIG. Exploded perspective view of airbag device FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of part 5 of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 5 according to the first reference example. The figure corresponding to the said FIG. 5 based on 2nd Example of this invention. The figure corresponding to the said FIG. 5 based on 3rd Example of this invention. The figure corresponding to the said FIG. 5 based on 4th Example of this invention. Diagram showing a second reference example Diagram showing the third reference example

21 Airbag 21c Cell 21d Cell 21e Cell 31 Base cloth 32 Sewing part 41 Gas exhaust part 42 Sealing material

Claims (5)

A sewing part (32) sewn at a constant seam pitch is provided on a base fabric (31) of an airbag (21) that is inflated upon supply of gas when a vehicle collides, and at least one of the sewing parts (32). An air bag device having a gas discharge part (41) for discharging excess gas at a part,
The sewing part (32) is covered with the sealing material (42) from the inner surface side of the base fabric (31), and is not covered with the sealing material (42) locally, so that the two base fabrics (31) are covered. The airbag device is characterized in that the sewing portion (32) that is sewn so as to be in direct contact is the gas discharge portion (41).   The airbag apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gas discharge part (41) is formed by partially curving the sealing material (42) and removing it from the sewing part (32). .   The airbag apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gas discharge part (41) is formed by partially curving the sewing part (32) and removing it from the sealing material (42). .   The said gas exhaust part (41) is formed in the said sewing part (32) which partitions off between the cells (21c, 21d, 21e) which the said airbag (21) adjoins, The Claims 1- Claim characterized by the above-mentioned. Item 4. The airbag device according to any one of items 3. A sewing part (32) is provided on a base fabric (31) of an airbag (21) that is inflated upon supply of gas in the event of a vehicle collision, and at least a part of the sewing part (32) discharges excess gas. An airbag device as a discharge part (41),
The said sewing part (32) is covered with the sealing material (42) from the inner surface side of the said base fabric (31), and the said sewing corresponding to the part which reduced the thickness of this sealing material (42) locally. An air bag apparatus, wherein the portion (32) is the gas discharge portion (41).

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