JP4858218B2 - Airbag device for vehicle - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle airbag device.

The strap has an expansion shape regulating strap that extends from the gas inlet side of the airbag and is connected to the inner surface of the ceiling portion facing the inlet, and the effective length of the strap is adjusted by an adjusting device. Thus, a configuration is disclosed in which an airbag inflated shape is obtained in accordance with the seating position and seating posture of the occupant (see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent No. 3605929 Utility Model Registration No. 3023586 Japanese Patent No. 3578463

  However, since the conventional example described in Patent Document 1 does not control the direction of gas ejection from the inflator, the airbag bag body according to the seating state of the occupant and the strength of the collision at the time of the vehicle collision. It is considered difficult to control the deployment direction.

  Further, the conventional examples described in Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3 are configured to deflect the gas ejection direction from the inflator by a diffuser or a tether. However, since the deflection direction is constant, an occupant at the time of a vehicle collision It is considered difficult to control the deployment direction of the airbag bag according to the seating state and the strength of the collision.

  In view of the above-described facts, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to appropriately control the deployment direction of an airbag bag body according to the seating state of a passenger at the time of a vehicle collision and the strength of the collision.

The invention of claim 1 has an inflator that has a plurality of gas ejection holes in the outer peripheral portion and generates gas at the time of a vehicle collision,
An air bag body that inflates and deploys to the occupant side upon receipt of the gas; and a detecting means that detects at least one of the distance from the occupant to the air bag body and the strength of the collision when the vehicle collides. Based on the signal from the detection means, when the distance from the occupant to the airbag bag body or the strength of the collision is larger than a predetermined value, the ejection of gas supplied from the inflator to the airbag bag body When the direction is the first direction, which is the occupant direction, and the distance from the occupant to the airbag bag body or the strength of the collision is a predetermined value or less, the gas ejection direction is the bag outer circumferential direction of the airbag bag body as the second direction is, along the ejection direction of the gas to the outer peripheral portion of the inflator with regulations it can configured in accordance with the positional relationship between the gas ejection hole An annular portion that is configured to be movable to a first position that is the first direction and that is along the outer peripheral portion of the inflator and is parallel to the radial direction of the inflator, and an outer edge of the annular portion. A ring retainer that is provided and inclined toward the occupant direction; and the position of the ring retainer is determined based on a signal from the detection means so that the gas ejection direction is the first position and the gas ejection direction. There has been characterized by comprising a gas ejection direction changing means having an actuator for adjusting and a second position where the second direction.

In the vehicle airbag device according to the first aspect, the inflator is activated when the vehicle collides, and the airbag bag body is supplied with gas from the inflator and is inflated and deployed. At this time, the detection means detects at least one of the distance from the occupant to the airbag bag body and the strength of the collision. The ejection direction of the gas supplied from the inflator to the airbag bag body is determined by the gas ejection direction regulating means based on the signal from the detection means between the first direction as the occupant direction and the second direction as the bag outer peripheral direction . Change between. Thereby, the deployment direction of the airbag bag body can be appropriately controlled according to the seated state of the occupant at the time of the collision of the vehicle and the strength of the collision.

The inflator has a plurality of gas ejection holes on the outer periphery thereof, and also has a ring retainer and an actuator as gas ejection direction regulating means, and the actuator determines the position of the ring retainer based on a signal from the detection means. By adjusting along the outer periphery of the inflator between the first position where the gas ejection direction is the first direction and the second position where the gas ejection direction is the second direction, the airbag bag from the inflator The ejection direction of the gas supplied to the body can be changed. For this reason, the deployment direction of the airbag bag body can be more appropriately controlled in accordance with the seated state of the occupant at the time of the vehicle collision and the strength of the collision.

According to a second aspect of the invention, in the airbag device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the actuator includes a biasing means for biasing said ring retainer from the first position to the second position, the ring And holding means for holding the retainer in the first position and releasing the holding state in a predetermined case.

In the vehicle airbag device according to claim 2 , the ring retainer is urged from the first position to the second position by the urging means of the actuator and is held at the first position by the holding means. In a predetermined case, the holding state of the ring retainer is released. For this reason, when the holding state of the ring retainer in the first position is maintained, the ejection direction of the gas supplied from the inflator to the airbag bag body becomes the first direction. When the holding state of the ring retainer is released, the ring retainer moves from the first position to the second position by the urging force of the urging means, so that the gas ejection direction becomes the second direction.

Thus, in the airbag device for a vehicle according to claim 2, according to the strength of the occupant sitting state or collision during collision of the vehicle, selects the cancellation of maintenance and holding state of the holding state of the ring retainer Thereby, the ejection direction of the gas supplied from the inflator to the airbag bag body can be easily changed.

  As described above, according to the vehicle airbag device of the first aspect of the present invention, the airbag bag body deployment direction depends on the seating state of the occupant and the strength of the collision at the time of the vehicle collision. It is possible to obtain an excellent effect that can be appropriately controlled.

According to the vehicle airbag device of the second aspect , it is possible to obtain an excellent effect that the ejection direction of the gas supplied from the inflator to the airbag bag body can be easily changed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
In FIG. 1, a vehicle airbag apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is an airbag apparatus for a driver's seat that is used, for example, provided on a steering wheel (not shown), and includes an inflator 12, an airbag bag, and the like. The body 14, the detection means 16, and a ring retainer 18 and an actuator 34 which are an example of a gas ejection direction regulating means are provided.

  The inflator 12 is a gas generating means for generating gas at the time of a vehicle collision (not shown), and is configured in, for example, a disk shape having a cylindrical outer peripheral portion 12A and an upper surface 12B positioned at the upper edge of the outer peripheral portion 12A. ing. A plurality of gas ejection holes 12 </ b> H are provided in the outer peripheral portion 12 </ b> A of the inflator 12. Further, a flange 12F is formed so as to protrude outward in the radial direction, for example, at the lower portion of the outer peripheral portion 12A. The inflator 12 is fixed to the bottom surface 22A of the bag holder 22 at the flange 12F, and the gas ejection holes 12H are located in, for example, the airbag bag body 14 on the passenger (not shown) side of the bottom surface 22A. .

  The inflator 12 is configured to operate by an ignition current from the ECU 50. The ECU 50 is configured to flow an ignition current to the inflator 12 when a collision of the vehicle is determined or predicted based on a signal from the detection unit 16.

  The airbag bag body 14 is a bag body that is inflated and deployed to the occupant side upon receiving the supply of gas from the inflator 12, and is clamped on the bottom surface 22 </ b> A of the bag holder 22 by using the mounting bracket 24 at the edge of the inflator side. It is fixed. Although not shown, the airbag bag body 14 is normally folded and housed in the steering pad 26. The steering pad 26 is attached to the bag holder 22, for example. The bag holder 22 is formed in, for example, a rectangular box shape in plan view, and vertical wall portions 22B are erected on four sides of the bottom surface 22A. The steering pad 26 is attached to the vertical wall portion 22B of the bag holder 22, for example.

  The detection unit 16 includes, for example, an occupant seating state grasping unit 28 that detects a seating state of the occupant at the time of a vehicle collision, and a collision sensor 32 that detects the strength of the vehicle collision. The occupant seating state grasping means 28 is a seat position sensor that detects the front / rear slide position of a vehicle seat (not shown), and a device that grasps, for example, the head position of an occupant (not shown) seated on the vehicle seat. It is comprised so that the distance from the passenger | crew's head at the time of a vehicle collision to the airbag apparatus 10 for vehicles can be detected. Here, the seating state of the occupant includes the weight of the occupant in addition to the above-described front and rear sliding position of the vehicle seat and the head position of the occupant. For this reason, a load sensor that detects the weight of the occupant may also be used as the occupant seating state grasping means 28.

  The seat position sensor is provided, for example, in a seat rail portion (not shown). The front / rear slide position of the vehicle seat detected by the seat position sensor is output to the ECU 50. On the other hand, a device for grasping the head position of an occupant has an image sensor provided on, for example, a ceiling of a vehicle body, a pillar, or an instrument panel, and the head position is determined based on a captured image of the head by the image sensor. It is configured to detect and output to the ECU 50. When grasping the head position, the head position may be detected directly, or the head position may be indirectly estimated from the physique such as the seat height or shoulder width of the occupant. Good. Various sensors constituting the occupant seating state grasping means 28 may be used alone or in combination.

  The collision sensor 32 is, for example, an acceleration sensor that detects a frontal collision of the vehicle and its strength, and the ECU 50 detects the frontal collision of the vehicle and its strength based on a signal from the collision sensor 32, whereby the inflator 12. The actuator 34 is operated, and the position of the ring retainer 18 is adjusted by the operation of the actuator 34. In addition to the collision sensor 32, a pre-crash sensor that can predict that the collision is unavoidable before a frontal collision of the vehicle may occur. In this case, the pre-crash sensor can be used as a trigger for adjusting the position of the ring retainer 18 prior to the operation of the inflator 12.

  The ring retainer 18 is configured to be able to regulate the ejection direction of the gas ejected from the gas ejection hole 12H according to the positional relationship with the gas ejection hole 12H, and is an example of the first direction along the outer peripheral portion 12A of the inflator 12. The member is configured to be movable in the direction of the occupant. Specifically, the ring retainer 18 extends along the outer peripheral portion 12A of the inflator 12, and is formed in a flat plate state parallel to the radial direction of the inflator 12, and an occupant provided on the outer edge of the annular portion 18A. It has an inclined portion 18B inclined toward the direction, and a leg portion 18C provided on the back surface side of the annular portion 18A. For example, the leg 18C penetrates the bottom surface 22A of the bag holder 22 and the flange 12F of the inflator 12, and is slidable in the occupant direction with respect to the bottom surface 22A and the flange 12F.

  The actuator 34 determines the position of the ring retainer 18 based on a signal from the detection means 16 in a first position P1 where the gas ejection direction is the occupant direction and the gas outer circumferential direction which is an example of the second direction. It is a device that adjusts between two positions P2. Although a specific configuration is not illustrated, the actuator 34 applies a force to, for example, the leg 18C of the ring retainer 18, thereby causing the ring retainer 18 to move along the outer peripheral portion 12A of the inflator 12. It is configured to move in the direction.

  The position control of the ring retainer 18 by the actuator 34 may be a control for moving the ring retainer 18 at the first position P1 to the second position P2, or conversely, the ring retainer 18 at the second position P2. Control to move to the first position P1 may be used. Furthermore, the structure which can position the position of the ring retainer 18 arbitrarily between the 1st position P1 and the 2nd position P2 may be sufficient.

(Function)
This embodiment is configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described below. In FIG. 1, in the vehicle airbag device 10 at the normal time, the ring retainer 18 is located at the first position P1. As a result, the annular portion 18A of the ring retainer 18 is close to or in contact with the bottom surface 22A of the bag holder 22, and is located on the opposite side of the passenger from the gas ejection hole 12H of the inflator 12.

  For example, when the vehicle collides frontward and the ECU 50 determines the collision based on a signal from the collision sensor 32 in the detection means 16, an ignition current is supplied from the ECU 50 to the inflator 12, and the inflator 12 is activated. As a result, gas is supplied from the inflator 12 to the airbag bag body 14, and the airbag bag body 14 is inflated and deployed. At this time, due to the deployment pressure of the airbag bag body 14, the steering pad 26 is broken from a predetermined planned breaking portion to form an opening (not shown), and the airbag bag body 14 is passed through the opening through the vehicle interior. It expands and expands.

  At this time, the detection means 16 detects the seating state of the occupant and the strength of the collision, and the ECU 50 operates the actuator 34 based on the signal from the detection means 16 to adjust the position of the ring retainer 18. Is done. Specifically, the occupant sitting state grasping means 28 in the detecting means 16 detects the occupant's sitting state at the time of the vehicle collision, and the collision sensor 32 detects the strength of the collision of the vehicle. The occupant seating state grasping means 28 includes a seat position sensor, a device for grasping the occupant's head position, and the like, and can detect the distance from the occupant's head to the vehicle airbag device 10 when the vehicle collides. It is. When a load sensor is also used as the occupant seating state grasping means 28, the weight of the occupant can be detected.

  The ECU 50 determines whether or not to move the ring retainer 18 that is normally located at the first position P1 to the second position P2 based on signals from the occupant seating state grasping means 28 and the collision sensor 32 in the detection means 16. . This determination is made based on whether the airbag bag body 14 should be inflated and deployed in the occupant direction or in the bag outer peripheral direction.

  Specifically, when the distance from the head of the occupant to the vehicle airbag device 10 grasped by the occupant seating state grasping means 28 is larger than a predetermined value, or the strength of the collision of the vehicle detected by the collision sensor 32 is When larger than the predetermined value, it is determined to maintain the position of the ring retainer 18 at the first position P1. When the gas is ejected from the gas ejection hole 12H of the inflator 12 while the ring retainer 18 is maintained at the first position P1, the flow of the gas is reflected and deflected by the inclined portion 18B of the ring retainer 18, and the occupant direction (arrow A) Direction). Thereby, since the airbag bag body 14 is rapidly deployed in the occupant direction, the restraining force on the occupant at the initial stage of the collision can be improved.

  On the other hand, when the distance from the occupant's head to the vehicle airbag device 10 grasped by the occupant seating state grasping means 28 is less than a predetermined value, or the vehicle collision strength detected by the collision sensor 32 is less than the predetermined value. Sometimes, determination is made to move the position of the ring retainer 18 to the second position P2. In this case, as shown in FIG. 2, the actuator 34 is actuated by a signal from the ECU 50, and the ring retainer 18 moves along the outer peripheral portion 12A of the inflator 12 from the first position P1 to the second position P2. Thereby, the annular portion 18A of the ring retainer 18 is in a state of being positioned more on the occupant side beyond the gas ejection hole 12H of the inflator 12.

  In this state, when gas is ejected from the gas ejection hole 12H of the inflator 12, the gas flow is directed to the outer circumferential direction of the bag (arrow B direction) along the annular portion 18A without being reflected by the inclined portion 18B. Thereby, since the airbag bag body 14 is rapidly deployed in the outer circumferential direction of the bag, the deployment speed of the airbag bag body 14 toward the occupant can be reduced, and the restraining force on the occupant at the initial stage of the collision can be suppressed. it can. Further, since the airbag bag body 14 is deployed in the outer circumferential direction of the bag, the bag surface coming into contact with the occupant is less slackened, so that the occupant can be efficiently restrained.

  Thus, in the vehicle airbag device 10, the deployment direction of the airbag bag body 14 can be appropriately controlled according to the strength of the collision at the time of the collision of the vehicle and the seating state of the occupant.

  Note that in the inflator 12, the detection unit 16 uses the collision sensor 32 in combination with the pre-crash sensor, and the pre-crash sensor predicts that the collision is inevitable before the frontal collision of the vehicle occurs. Prior to the operation, the position of the ring retainer 18 can be adjusted. In the present embodiment, the position adjustment of the ring retainer 18 has been described as being selectively performed at the first position P1 and the second position P2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first position P1 and the second position P2 are not limited thereto. It may be carried out stepwise or continuously.

[Second Embodiment]
In FIG. 3, the vehicle airbag apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment includes a compression spring 42 as an example of an urging unit, a pin 44 and a squib 46 as an example of a holding unit, as the actuator 34. .

  The compression spring 42 is an elastic body that urges the ring retainer 18 from the first position P1 toward the second position P2, and includes, for example, a mounting bracket 48 attached to the back side of the bottom surface 22A of the bag holder 22, and a ring. The retainer 18 is disposed in a compressed state between the leg portions 18C. Specifically, a large-diameter portion 18D that is thicker than the leg portion 18C is provided at, for example, an end portion of the leg portion 18C of the ring retainer 18, and the compression spring 42 includes the large-diameter portion 18D and the bag holder 22. Between the bottom surface 22A and the bottom surface 22A.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the large diameter portion 18 </ b> D serves as an engaging portion that engages with the pin 44 in a normal state, and as shown in FIG. 4, the ring retainer 18 is moved by the urging force of the compression spring 42. It has a role of a stopper that regulates the amount of movement of the ring retainer 18 by abutting against the bag holder 22 when moving in the occupant direction.

  The pin 44 and the squib 46 are mechanisms for holding the ring retainer 18 in the first position P1 and releasing the holding state in a predetermined case. As shown in FIG. In other words, the squib 46 is engaged with the large-diameter portion 18D of the ring retainer 18 in a state where the squib 46 is not yet operated, and the ring retainer 18 can be held at the first position P1 against the urging force of the compression spring 42. ing. The squib 46 is an ignition device that ignites with an operating current from the ECU 50 and instantaneously pulls the pin 44. For example, the squib 46 is perpendicular to the axial direction of the leg 18 </ b> C of the ring retainer 18 on the vertical wall 48 </ b> B of the mounting bracket 48. For example, a pedestal 52 is fixed to the bottom surface 48A of the mounting bracket 48.

  Since other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and the description thereof is omitted.

(Function)
This embodiment is configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described below. In the vehicle airbag device 20 at the normal time, the ring retainer 18 is held at the first position P1 by the pin 44 of the actuator 34, and the compression spring 42 is in a compressed state. Specifically, the projecting pin 44 engages with the large diameter portion 18D of the leg portion 18C of the ring retainer 18 to hold the ring retainer 18 against the urging force of the compression spring 42. It has become. As a result, the annular portion 18A of the ring retainer 18 is close to or in contact with the bottom surface 22A of the bag holder 22, and is located on the opposite side of the passenger from the gas ejection hole 12H of the inflator 12.

  For example, when the vehicle collides with the front and the ECU 50 determines to maintain the ring retainer 18 at the first position P1, the operation is the same as in the first embodiment, and as shown in FIG. The flow of gas ejected from the ejection hole 12H is reflected and deflected by the inclined portion 18B of the ring retainer 18 and travels in the passenger direction (arrow A direction). Thereby, since the airbag bag body 14 is rapidly deployed in the occupant direction, the restraining force on the occupant at the initial stage of the collision can be improved.

  On the other hand, when the ECU 50 determines to move the ring retainer 18 to the second position P2, as shown in FIG. 4, the actuator 34 is actuated by a signal from the ECU 50, and the ring retainer 18 is moved to the first position P2. Move from P1 to the second position P2. Specifically, when the squib 46 is actuated by the ignition current from the ECU 50, the pin 44 is instantaneously pulled, and the engagement with the large diameter portion 18D of the leg portion 18C in the ring retainer 18 is released. As a result, the holding state of the ring retainer 18 is released, so that the ring retainer 18 is moved along the outer peripheral portion 12A of the inflator 12 by the biasing force of the compression spring 42 acting on the leg portion 18C of the ring retainer 18. It moves quickly from the first position P1 to the second position P2. In addition, as a result, the annular portion 18A of the ring retainer 18 is positioned more on the occupant side than the gas ejection hole 12H of the inflator 12.

  When gas is ejected from the gas ejection hole 12H of the inflator 12 in this state, the flow of the gas is not reflected by the inclined portion 18B of the ring retainer 18 and travels along the annular portion 18A in the outer circumferential direction of the bag (in the direction of arrow B). . Thereby, since the airbag bag body 14 is rapidly deployed in the outer circumferential direction of the bag, the deployment speed of the airbag bag body 14 toward the occupant can be reduced, and the restraining force on the occupant at the initial stage of the collision can be suppressed. it can. Further, since the airbag bag body 14 is deployed in the outer circumferential direction of the bag, the bag surface coming into contact with the occupant is less slackened, so that the occupant can be efficiently restrained.

  Thus, in the vehicle airbag device 20, the deployment direction of the airbag bag body 14 can be appropriately controlled according to the strength of the collision at the time of the collision of the vehicle and the seating state of the occupant.

  In order to smoothly move the ring retainer 18 to the second position P2, it is desirable to ignite the squib 46 before the inflator 12 is ignited. This is because the ring retainer 18 can be moved efficiently without being affected by the gas ejected from the gas ejection hole 12H of the inflator 12.

  When the deployment behavior of the air bag 14 is controlled based on factors that can be determined before the vehicle collision, for example, the occupant seating state detected by the occupant seating state grasping unit 28 in a normal state, a motor or the like is used as the actuator 34. It is good also as a structure which drives the ring retainer 18 using (not shown). In this case, the position of the ring retainer 18 can be adjusted before the vehicle collides, and the position of the ring retainer 18 can be adjusted not only once but also many times. However, when the deployment behavior of the air bag 14 is controlled by the strength of the vehicle collision detected by the collision sensor 32, the ring retainer is pulled by pulling the pin 44 using the squib 46 as in the present embodiment. It is more advantageous in terms of reaction speed to release the holding state 18 and to move the ring retainer 18 by the urging force of the compression spring 42.

[Third Embodiment]
In the vehicle airbag device 30 according to the present embodiment in FIG. 5, as the actuator 34, the permanent magnet 54 fixed to the end portion of the leg portion 18 </ b> C of the ring retainer 18, and the leg portion 18 </ b> C of the ring retainer 18. It has the electromagnet 56 arrange | positioned facing the permanent magnet 54 in the axial direction, respectively. The permanent magnet 54 and the electromagnet 56 also serve as a holding means for the ring retainer 18.

  The electromagnets 56 are fixed to the bottom surface 48A of the mounting bracket 48, for example, and are configured to generate a magnetic force when a voltage is applied from the ECU 50. The magnetic pole of the electromagnet 56 is determined by the polarity of the voltage applied from the ECU 50, and the permanent magnet 54 can be attracted or moved away in relation to the magnetic pole of the permanent magnet 54. In the present embodiment, the ring retainer 18 is positioned at the first position P1 when the permanent magnets 54 respectively facing the electromagnets 56 are attracted, and the ring retainer 18 is positioned at the second position P2 when the permanent magnets 54 are moved away. It is configured as follows.

  Since other parts are the same as those of the second embodiment, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

(Function)
This embodiment is configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described below. In the vehicle airbag device 30 at the normal time, the magnetic pole of the electromagnet 56 is set to the opposite magnetic pole to the permanent magnet 54 facing the electromagnet 56. Specifically, if the permanent magnet 54 is the S pole, The electromagnet 56 is an N pole, and if the permanent magnet 54 is an N pole, the electromagnet 56 is an S pole. Thereby, the permanent magnet 54 is attracted to the electromagnet 56, so that the ring retainer 18 is held at the first position P1. At this time, the annular portion 18A of the ring retainer 18 is in proximity to or in contact with the bottom surface 22A of the bag holder 22, and is located on the side opposite to the passenger from the gas ejection hole 12H of the inflator 12.

  For example, when the vehicle collides with the front and the ECU 50 determines to maintain the ring retainer 18 at the first position P1, the operation is the same as in the first embodiment, and as shown in FIG. The flow of gas ejected from the ejection hole 12H is reflected and deflected by the inclined portion 18B of the ring retainer 18 and travels in the passenger direction (arrow A direction). Thereby, since the airbag bag body 14 is rapidly deployed in the occupant direction, the restraining force on the occupant at the initial stage of the collision can be improved.

  On the other hand, when the ECU 50 determines to move the ring retainer 18 to the second position P2, as shown in FIG. 6, the actuator 34 is actuated by a signal from the ECU 50, and the ring retainer 18 is moved to the first position. Move from P1 to the second position P2. Specifically, by reversing the polarity of the voltage applied to the electromagnet 56 by the ECU 50, the magnetic pole of the electromagnet 56 can be switched to the same magnetic pole as the permanent magnet 54 facing the electromagnet 56. As a result, a repulsive force is generated between the permanent magnet 54 and the electromagnet 56. The electromagnet 56 is fixed to the bottom surface 48A of the mounting bracket 48, and the permanent magnet 54 is fixed to the movable ring retainer 18. The permanent magnet 54 moves away from the electromagnet 56.

  In this way, the ring retainer 18 quickly moves along the outer peripheral portion 12A of the inflator 12 to a position where the permanent magnet 54 contacts the flange 12F of the inflator 12, for example. When the permanent magnet 54 comes into contact with the flange 12F, the permanent magnet 54 itself becomes a stopper, and further movement of the ring retainer 18 is restricted. At this time, the position of the ring retainer 18 is the second position P2, and the annular portion 18A of the ring retainer 18 is located on the occupant side beyond the gas ejection hole 12H of the inflator 12.

  In this state, when gas is ejected from the gas ejection hole 12H of the inflator 12, the gas flow is directed to the outer circumferential direction of the bag (arrow B direction) along the annular portion 18A without being reflected by the inclined portion 18B. Thereby, since the airbag bag body 14 is rapidly deployed in the outer circumferential direction of the bag, the deployment speed of the airbag bag body 14 toward the occupant can be reduced, and the restraining force on the occupant at the initial stage of the collision can be suppressed. it can. Further, since the airbag bag body 14 is deployed in the outer circumferential direction of the bag, the bag surface coming into contact with the occupant is less slackened, so that the occupant can be efficiently restrained.

  As described above, in the vehicle airbag device 30, the deployment direction of the airbag bag body 14 can be appropriately controlled according to the seating state of the occupant and the strength of the collision at the time of the collision of the vehicle.

  In the vehicle airbag device 30, the detection means 16 uses a collision sensor 32 in combination with a pre-crash sensor, and the collision is inevitable before the front collision of the vehicle occurs by the pre-crash sensor. By predicting, it is possible to quickly adjust the position of the ring retainer 18 prior to the operation of the inflator 12. Further, by using the permanent magnet 54 and the electromagnet 56 as the actuator 34, the position of the ring retainer 18 can be adjusted based on, for example, the seating state of the occupant detected by the occupant seating state grasping means 28 even during normal times. Is possible. Further, the position of the ring retainer 18 can be adjusted not only once but also many times.

  In order to smoothly move the ring retainer 18 to the second position P2, it is desirable to reverse the magnetic poles of the electromagnet 56 before the inflator 12 is ignited. This is because the pressure of the gas ejected from the gas ejection hole 12H of the inflator 12 can be prevented from hindering the movement of the ring retainer 18.

[Fourth Embodiment]
7, in the vehicle airbag device 40 according to the present embodiment, for example, two rows of gas ejection holes 12H and 12L are formed in the outer peripheral portion 12A of the inflator 12 along the axial direction of the leg portions 18C of the ring retainer 18. The ring retainer 18 is provided so that the position of the ring retainer 18 can be adjusted to a first position P1, a second position P2, and a third position P3 located between the first position P1 and the second position P2.

  The gas ejection hole 12H in the inflator 12 is provided on the occupant side in the outer peripheral portion 12A, and the gas ejection hole 12L is provided on the side opposite to the occupant from the gas ejection hole 12H. In the illustrated example, the number and size of the gas ejection holes 12H, 12L are the same, but a difference may be provided as appropriate in order to control the deployment behavior of the airbag bag body 14. As an example, the number of gas ejection holes 12H may be less than that of the gas ejection holes 12L, or conversely, the number of gas ejection holes 12H may be greater than that of the gas ejection holes 12L.

  The actuator 34 is configured to be able to adjust the position of the ring retainer 18 based on a signal from the detection means 16, and includes a first position P 1 in which the gas ejection direction is the occupant direction, and a gas ejection. A second position P2 where the direction is the bag outer peripheral direction and a third position P3 which is located between the first position P1 and the second position P2 and whose gas ejection direction is the passenger direction and the bag outer peripheral direction are set. ing.

  Here, when the ring retainer 18 is in the first position P1, the annular portion 18A of the ring retainer 18 is positioned on the side opposite to the passenger from the gas ejection hole 12L of the inflator 12, and is close to or close to the bottom surface 22A of the bag holder 22. Touching. As shown in FIG. 8, when the ring retainer 18 is in the third position P3, the annular portion 18A of the ring retainer 18 is located between the gas ejection holes 12H and 12L of the inflator 12. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, when the ring retainer 18 is in the second position P <b> 2, the annular portion 18 </ b> A of the ring retainer 18 is located closer to the occupant side than the gas ejection hole 12 </ b> H of the inflator 12.

  Although the illustration of a specific configuration of the actuator 34 is omitted, as in the first embodiment, the actuator 34 is applied to the ring retainer 18 by applying a force to, for example, the leg 18C. 18 is moved in the occupant direction along the outer peripheral portion 12A of the inflator 12, and can be positioned at the first position P1, the second position P2, and the third position P3, respectively.

  The position control of the ring retainer 18 by the actuator 34 may be control for moving the ring retainer 18 that has been in the first position P1 to the third position P3 or the second position P2, or conversely, in the second position P2. The ring retainer 18 may be controlled to move to the third position P3 or the first position P1. Furthermore, the structure which can position the position of the ring retainer 18 more finely between the 1st position P1 and the 2nd position P2 may be sufficient.

  Since other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and the description thereof is omitted.

(Function)
This embodiment is configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described below. In FIG. 7, in the vehicle airbag device 40 at the normal time, the ring retainer 18 is located at the first position P1. As a result, the annular portion 18A of the ring retainer 18 is close to or in contact with the bottom surface 22A of the bag holder 22, and is located on the side opposite to the passenger from the gas ejection hole 12L of the inflator 12.

  For example, when the vehicle collides frontward and the ECU 50 determines to maintain the ring retainer 18 at the first position P1, the flow of the gas ejected from the gas ejection hole 12L of the inflator 12 is caused by the inclined portion 18B of the ring retainer 18. Reflected and deflected, heading toward the occupant direction (arrow A direction). Further, the flow of the gas ejected from the gas ejection hole 12H of the inflator 12 is also directed in the passenger direction along the gas flow from the gas ejection hole 12L. Thereby, since the airbag bag body 14 is rapidly deployed in the occupant direction, the restraining force on the occupant at the initial stage of the collision can be improved.

  When the ECU 50 determines to move the ring retainer 18 to the third position P3, the actuator 34 is actuated by a signal from the ECU 50 and the ring retainer 18 is moved to the inflator 12 as shown in FIG. It moves from the first position P1 to the third position P3 along the outer peripheral portion 12A. Thereby, the annular portion 18A of the ring retainer 18 is in a state located between the gas ejection holes 12H and 12L of the inflator 12.

  When gas is ejected from the gas ejection holes 12H and 12L of the inflator 12 in this state, the flow of the gas ejected from the gas ejection hole 12L is not reflected by the inclined portion 18B of the ring retainer 18 but along the annular portion 18A. Heading in the outer peripheral direction (arrow B direction). On the other hand, the flow of gas ejected from the gas ejection hole 12H is reflected and deflected by the inclined portion 18B of the ring retainer 18 and travels in the passenger direction (arrow A direction). Thereby, since the airbag bag body 14 is deployed in the passenger direction and the bag outer peripheral direction at the same timing, the deployment speed of the airbag bag body 14 to the passenger side is reduced, and the restraining force on the passenger at the initial stage of the collision is reduced. It is possible to restrain the occupant efficiently by reducing looseness of the bag surface in contact with the occupant while suppressing appropriately.

  When the ECU 50 determines to move the ring retainer 18 to the second position P2, as shown in FIG. 9, the actuator 34 is actuated by a signal from the ECU 50, and the ring retainer 18 is moved to the inflator 12. It moves from the first position P1 to the second position P2 along the outer peripheral portion 12A. Thereby, the annular portion 18A of the ring retainer 18 is in a state of being positioned more on the occupant side beyond the gas ejection hole 12H of the inflator 12.

  When gas is ejected from the gas ejection holes 12H and 12L of the inflator 12 in this state, the flow of the gas is not reflected by the inclined portion 18B of the ring retainer 18, and the bag outer circumferential direction (arrow B) Direction). Thereby, since the airbag bag body 14 is rapidly deployed in the outer circumferential direction of the bag, the deployment speed of the airbag bag body 14 toward the occupant can be reduced, and the restraining force on the occupant at the initial stage of the collision can be suppressed. it can. Further, since the airbag bag body 14 is deployed in the outer circumferential direction of the bag, the bag surface coming into contact with the occupant is less slackened, so that the occupant can be efficiently restrained.

  Thus, in the vehicle airbag device 40, the deployment direction of the airbag bag body 14 can be more finely controlled in accordance with the seating state of the occupant and the strength of the collision at the time of the vehicle collision.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the detection means 16 detects the occupant's seating state and the strength of the collision. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The structure which detects only intensity | strength may be sufficient. Further, the control of the actuator 34 by the ECU 50 is not limited to the above description, and is appropriately changed depending on the deceleration characteristics of the vehicle, the characteristics of the inflator 12, the bag shape of the airbag bag body 14, and the like. Further, the ring retainer 18 is not limited to a single sheet, and a plurality of ring retainers 18 may be used, for example.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the first direction in which the airbag bag body is deployed is described as the occupant direction, and the second direction is described as the bag outer peripheral direction. However, the first direction is not limited to the occupant direction, and the second direction Is not limited to the bag outer peripheral direction.

  Moreover, although the vehicle airbag apparatus 10, 20, 30, 40 in each embodiment was demonstrated as what is provided in a steering wheel and used for the driver's seat, a use is not restricted to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to an airbag device for a passenger seat.

1 and 2 relate to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 shows a vehicle airbag device in which a ring retainer is maintained at a first position, and an airbag bag body is inflated and deployed in the occupant direction at the initial deployment stage. FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the ring retainer is moved to a second position and the airbag bag body is inflated and deployed in the outer circumferential direction of the bag at the initial stage of deployment in the vehicle airbag device. FIGS. 3 and 4 relate to the second embodiment. FIG. 3 shows a vehicle airbag apparatus in which a ring retainer is held at a first position by an actuator, and an airbag bag body is inflated toward an occupant at the initial deployment stage. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which is expand | deployed. In the vehicle airbag device, the holding state by the actuator is released, the ring retainer is moved to the second position by the urging force of the compression spring, and the airbag bag body is inflated and deployed toward the outer periphery of the bag at the initial deployment stage. It is sectional drawing which shows a state. FIGS. 5 and 6 relate to a third embodiment. FIG. 5 shows a vehicle airbag device in which a ring retainer is held in a first position by an actuator, and an airbag bag body is inflated toward an occupant at the initial deployment stage. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which is expand | deployed. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the holding state by the actuator is released, the ring retainer is moved to the second position by the urging force of the compression spring, and the airbag bag body is inflated and deployed in the outer circumferential direction of the bag at the initial deployment stage. . FIGS. 7 to 9 relate to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 7 shows a vehicle airbag device in which the ring retainer is maintained at the first position, and the airbag bag body is inflated and deployed in the occupant direction at the initial deployment stage. FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the ring retainer is moved to a third position and the airbag bag body is inflated and deployed in the occupant direction and the bag outer peripheral direction at the initial deployment stage. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which a ring retainer moved to the 2nd position and the airbag bag body is inflating and deploying in the bag outer peripheral direction in the initial stage of the deployment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Vehicle airbag apparatus 12 Inflator 12A Outer peripheral part 12H Gas ejection hole 12L Gas ejection hole 14 Airbag bag body 16 Detection means 18 Ring retainer (gas ejection direction regulation means)
18A annular part
18B inclination part 20 Airbag device for vehicles 28 Crew seating state grasping means (detection means)
30 Airbag device for vehicle 32 Collision sensor (detection means)
34 Actuator (Gas ejection direction regulating means)
40 Airbag device for vehicle 42 Compression spring (biasing means)
44 pin (holding means)
46 Squib (holding means)
54 Permanent magnet (holding means, actuator)
56 Electromagnet (holding means, actuator)
P1 1st position P2 2nd position

Claims (2)

An inflator having a plurality of gas ejection holes on the outer peripheral portion and generating gas in the event of a vehicle collision;
An airbag bag body that inflates and deploys to the occupant side upon receipt of the gas;
Detecting means for detecting at least one of a distance from the occupant to the airbag bag body and a strength of the collision at the time of the collision of the vehicle;
When the distance from the passenger to the airbag bag body or the strength of the collision is greater than a predetermined value based on the signal from the detection means, the ejection direction of the gas supplied from the inflator to the airbag bag body Is a first direction that is the occupant direction, and when the distance from the occupant to the airbag bag body or the strength of the collision is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the gas ejection direction is the outer circumferential direction of the bag of the airbag bag body. As the second direction, the gas ejection direction is configured to be regulated according to the positional relationship with the gas ejection holes, and the first direction is the first direction along the outer peripheral portion of the inflator. An annular portion configured to be movable to a position, along the outer peripheral portion of the inflator and configured in a flat plate state parallel to the radial direction of the inflator, and provided on an outer edge of the annular portion A ring retainer having an inclined portion inclined toward the passenger direction, and the position of the ring retainer is determined based on a signal from the detection means, the gas ejection direction is the first position, and the gas ejection direction is the gas retaining direction. An actuator that adjusts between a second position that is a second direction, and a gas ejection direction changing means,
Vehicle airbag device characterized by comprising a. The actuator holds the ring retainer in the first position and releases the holding state in a predetermined case while urging means for urging the ring retainer from the first position toward the second position. vehicular airbag device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a holding means.

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