JP5053658B2 - Airbag device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an airbag apparatus including a folded bag-shaped airbag and an inflator that supplies an inflation gas to the airbag.

  Conventionally, an air bag device that protects an occupant from an impact when the vehicle collides is installed in a vehicle such as an automobile.

  In addition to protecting the driver and passengers in the passenger seat, the airbag device includes various devices such as a passenger in the rear seat, a device that protects the passenger from impact when the vehicle collides sideways, or rolls over. Has been put into practical use, and the shape of the airbag differs depending on the installation location, but in many cases, when a vehicle collides, a bag-like airbag is inflated and deployed by the high-pressure gas generated from the inflator Thus, a structure for protecting the occupant from the impact by absorbing and mitigating the impact at the time of collision by the airbag is employed.

  On the other hand, the conventional airbag device has a structure in which the airbag is instantly inflated by the high-pressure gas ejected from the inflator and then deployed in a predetermined direction. A large impact during expansion may act on the occupant or the like.

  Conventionally, in order to prevent this, when an occupant or the like is in the vicinity of the airbag at the initial stage of inflation and deployment of the airbag, this is detected in advance and the inflation pressure of the airbag is adjusted to act on the occupant or the like. In order to alleviate the impact or install a plurality of inflators, in the initial stage of inflation and deployment, high pressure gas is ejected from one inflator, and then high pressure gas is ejected from a plurality of inflators so that the airbag is deployed in a predetermined shape. A vehicle airbag has been proposed.

  As another method, for example, Patent Document 1 proposes an airbag apparatus in which an initial pressure when an airbag is inflated is sufficiently high, and then a gas flowing out from a vent hole is dispersed in a wide range.

  In the airbag device described in Patent Document 1, a cylindrical nozzle extends in a vent hole provided in the airbag, and this nozzle is housed in the airbag when the airbag is folded.

As a result, at the initial stage of inflation of the airbag, the nozzle is pressed against the inner wall of the airbag by the airbag's internal pressure, and the vent hole is closed. When the height is higher, the nozzle is pushed out of the airbag through the vent hole and expands into a cylindrical shape, and the gas discharged from the vent hole is dispersed over a wide range while swinging.
JP 2003-327071 A

  However, in the airbag that adjusts the inflation pressure for adjusting the inflation pressure of the airbag by detecting in advance that an occupant or the like is in proximity to the airbag in the early stage of inflation and deployment of the airbag, it is provided on the airbag. Since the opening area of the vent hole is adjusted by an electromagnetic opening / closing means or a detecting means for detecting an occupant or the like is required, there is a problem that the apparatus becomes complicated and expensive.

  In addition, in an airbag provided with a plurality of inflators, it is difficult to adjust the ignition timing of the inflator, or since the inflation pressure of the airbag is insufficient at the initial stage of inflation, a sufficient shock absorption capacity may not be obtained. There's a problem.

  On the other hand, as in the airbag device described in Patent Document 1, the vent hole is closed by the nozzle at the initial stage of inflation of the airbag, and the vent hole is opened when the internal pressure of the airbag becomes higher than a predetermined pressure. In the case where an occupant or the like is in proximity to the airbag at the initial stage of inflation and deployment of the airbag, and the occupant or the like comes into contact with the airbag in a state where the internal pressure is high, a large impact at the time of inflation acts on the occupant or the like. End up.

  In view of this point, an object of the present invention is to provide an airbag device that can adjust the inflation pressure in the airbag according to the inflation and deployment process of the airbag.

An airbag device of the present invention is an airbag device including a folded bag-like airbag and an inflator that supplies an inflation gas to the airbag, the airbag being an inflation gas. a vent hole capable of discharging out air bag, which is connected the one end to the vent hole periphery of the airbag, the other end is extended to the outside of the airbag in the uninflated, internal airbag by restricting member And a control member that is drawn into the airbag by inflation of the airbag and restricts exhaust of the vent hole, and the control member is crushed by receiving the internal pressure of the airbag; It is comprised so that it may become.

  With the above configuration, when the occupant or the like comes into contact with the occupant restraint surface because the control member extends outside the airbag at the initial stage of inflation and deployment of the airbag, a part of the high-pressure gas in the airbag is released from the vent hole. Because the inflation pressure in the airbag is reduced by being discharged to the outside, even if the occupant is in close proximity to the airbag and the occupant comes into contact with the airbag in the initial stage of inflation and deployment, A passenger | crew etc. can be restrained reliably, relieving the repulsive force which acts. Further, in a normal state where an occupant or the like is away from the inflated and deployed airbag, the control member is drawn into the airbag, and exhaust from the vent hole can be restricted. As a result, the airbag Can be inflated and deployed by efficiently using the gas pressure ejected from the inflator, and can exhibit a sufficient shock absorbing power.

  In this way, adjustment of the inflation pressure of the airbag can be performed without using an electromagnetic opening / closing means for adjusting the opening area of the vent hole, a detection means for detecting an occupant, etc. Bags can be obtained at low cost.

  In the airbag device of the present invention, the control member is formed by a tube having one end connected to the vent hole and the other end extended to the outside of the airbag, and the restricting member is defined by the occupant restraint surface of the airbag and the control member. It is formed by a string-like object connecting the other end side of the.

  By using the same material as the airbag for the control member and the regulating member, the control member and the regulating member can be sewn to the airbag when the airbag is sewn. Yes.

  In the airbag device of the present invention, the control member is formed by a tapered tube whose tip side is sequentially reduced in diameter or sequentially increased in diameter, and the restricting member is provided between the passenger restraining surface of the airbag and the other end side of the control member. It is formed by a string-like object to be connected.

  With the above configuration, it is difficult for high-pressure gas in the airbag to be exhausted, and the occupant restraint force is further increased by increasing the pressure retention in the airbag, or conversely, the diameter of the front end side of the control member is increased sequentially. By making it easy for the high-pressure gas to escape, settings such as a soft restraining force can be made freely.

  In the airbag device of the present invention, the control member is formed by a substantially semi-cylindrical tube whose peripheral length on the front end side is gradually reduced, and the restricting member is formed by connecting the occupant restraining surface of the airbag and the other end side of the control member. It is formed by a string-like object to be connected.

  With the above-described configuration, the control member can be formed with a smaller amount of material, so that the component cost can be reduced.

The airbag apparatus of the present invention has a vent hole formed in a flat oval shape, and one end of a tubular control member having substantially the same cross-sectional shape is connected around the vent hole, and a slit is formed in the middle of the control member. The regulating member drawn out from the slit to the outside of the control member is bypassed the tip of the control member and connected to the outer peripheral surface of the tip opposite to the drawer side.

  With this configuration, the control member can be reliably pulled in during the process of inflating and deploying the airbag.

  According to the airbag device of the present invention, when an occupant or the like comes into contact with the occupant restraint surface in the initial stage of inflation and deployment of the airbag, a part of the high-pressure gas in the airbag is discharged to the outside from the vent hole, Since the inflation pressure inside the vehicle is reduced, even if the occupant or the like is close to the airbag at the time of the collision of the vehicle and the occupant or the like comes into contact with the airbag at the initial stage of inflation and deployment, The passengers can be restrained with certainty. Further, in a normal state where an occupant or the like is away from the inflated and deployed airbag, the control member is drawn into the airbag, so that exhaust from the vent hole can be restricted, and the airbag is sufficient. The shock absorbing ability can be demonstrated. In this way, adjustment of the inflation pressure of the airbag can be performed without using an electromagnetic opening / closing means for adjusting the opening area of the vent hole, a detection means for detecting an occupant, etc. Bags can be obtained at low cost.

  An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a passenger airbag device will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  1 is a perspective view showing an inflating and deploying process of an air bag in the air bag device, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of exhaust adjusting means, and FIG. FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory view showing the final inflated and deployed state of the airbag in the airbag apparatus, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the same.

  The airbag 1 shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2 comprises the airbag for passenger seats installed in the instrument panel 5, for example in front of a passenger seat (not shown), The whole is woven fabric, such as nylon. It is formed by sewing a plurality of base fabrics 1a formed by cutting into a bag shape, and the surface of the passenger seat that faces the passenger is an occupant restraint surface 1b when inflated and deployed.

  The side of the airbag 1 that faces the occupant restraint surface 1b has a shape in which the cross-sectional area decreases sequentially, and a gas introduction port 1c is opened in the minimum cross-sectional area portion, and the inflator 2 is connected to the gas introduction port 1c. The gas ejection part 2a is airtightly connected.

  The inflator 2 ejects high-pressure gas into the airbag 1 from a gas ejection hole 2b made up of a plurality of small holes opened in the gas ejection part 2a when the vehicle collides. For example, a disc-type inflator is used. It has been adopted.

  The airbag 1 is installed in the instrument panel 5 together with the inflator 2 in a folded state. When high-pressure gas is ejected from the inflator 2 into the airbag 1, the instrument panel is expanded by the inflation pressure of the airbag 1. The tear line (not shown) formed on the inner surface of 5 is cleaved and deployed to the occupant side, but the airbag 1 has already been deployed in the course of the inflation and deployment process shown in FIG. Vent holes 1d are formed on both sides of the position where the process is completed as shown in FIG.

  These vent holes 1d have a function of relaxing the repulsive force acting on the occupant in contact with the occupant restraint surface 1b by discharging a part of the high-pressure gas injected into the airbag 1 from the inflator 2. For example, it is formed by a circular hole.

  For example, a circular reinforcing cloth 1e is sewn around the vent hole 1d to reinforce the peripheral portion of the vent hole 1d and to adjust the amount of high-pressure gas discharged from the vent hole 1d. Exhaust gas adjusting means 3 is provided.

  The exhaust adjusting means 3 includes a control member 3a made of a tube connected to the peripheral edge of the vent hole 1d and a regulating member 3b made of a string-like material.

  The control member 3a is formed of a tube of nylon having the same diameter as the vent hole 1d by a nylon woven cloth similar to the airbag 1, and one end side is sewn around the vent hole 1d as shown in FIG. The other end extends to the outside of the airbag 1.

  One end of a regulating member 3b pulled out from the airbag 1 through the vent hole 1d into the control member 3a is sewn on the inner surface on the front end side of the control member 3a as shown in FIG.

  The regulating member 3b is also formed by sewing a nylon woven fabric similar to the airbag 1 in a string shape, and the other end side is an occupant restraint surface 1b of the airbag body 1 as shown in FIGS. For example, an inner surface in the vicinity of the occupant's head abutting is sewn.

  Further, the length L from the occupant restraining surface sewing portion of the regulating member 3b to the vent hole sewing portion of the control member 3a is equal to that of the control member 3a when the airbag 1 is in the final inflated and deployed state, as shown in FIG. The length of the restricting member 3b is set to be almost tensioned.

  Next, the operation of the thus configured airbag will be described.

  The airbag 1 in which the gas introduction port 1c is airtightly connected to the gas ejection portion 2a of the inflator 2 is attached to the inside of the instrument panel 5 together with the inflator 2 in a folded state. A tear line is formed, for example, in an H shape on the inner surface of the instrument panel 5 that covers the instrument.

  Further, when the airbag 1 is folded, the control member 3a sewn in advance in the vent hole 1d extends to the outside of the airbag 1, and the string-like regulating member 3b interferes with the inflation and deployment of the airbag 1. It is stored in the airbag 1 in a folded state so as not to come.

  On the other hand, when a collision detection means (not shown) detects an impact generated when the vehicle collides, high-pressure gas is ejected from the gas ejection hole 2b of the inflator 2 into the airbag 1, and the airbag 1 starts to expand. The tear line is cleaved by the inflation pressure of the bag 1, and a part of the instrument panel 5 is opened like a door.

  As a result, the airbag 1 starts to inflate and deploy from the opened opening toward the passenger. At this time, the control member 3a is crushed by the folded airbag 1, and the vent hole 1d is closed. In this state, the airbag 1 can be reliably inflated and deployed in a predetermined direction by the high-pressure gas ejected from the inflator 2.

  Thereafter, when the airbag 1 reaches the middle of the inflating and deploying process shown in FIG. 1, the portion of the airbag 1 in which the vent hole 1d is provided is deployed as shown in FIG. The gas can be discharged as shown in FIG.

  Further, when an object such as an occupant or a baggage is present in the vicinity of the instrument panel when the vehicle collides, the occupant restraint surface 1b of the airbag 1 that is inflated and deployed by the high-pressure gas is used when the occupant is seated in a normal posture. Compared to an occupant or the like at an earlier time.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the occupant comes into contact with the occupant restraint surface 1b in the middle of the inflation and deployment process of the airbag 1.

  However, since the high-pressure gas can be discharged from the control member 3a provided in the vent hole 1d at this time, when the occupant comes into contact with the occupant restraint surface 1b, a part of the high-pressure gas in the airbag 1 is vent hole 1b. Further, it is discharged outside through the control member 3a.

  As a result, the inflation pressure in the airbag 1 is reduced, so that the occupant can be restrained while reducing the repulsive force acting on the occupant.

  When the occupant is seated in a normal posture, the airbag 1 is further inflated and deployed from the state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and inflated and deployed to the final shape shown in FIGS.

  In this process, as the airbag 1 is deployed, the regulating member 3b sewn on the inner surface of the occupant restraint surface 1b is also expanded, and from the tube that extends outward from the vent hole 1d when it is in a tension state. The control member 3a is pulled into the airbag 1 from the vent hole 1d.

  As a result, the control member 3a is crushed by receiving the internal pressure of the airbag 1, and is ejected from the inflator 2 in order to restrict the high-pressure gas in the airbag 1 from being discharged outside the vent hole 1d. High-pressure gas can be used efficiently, and the airbag 1 is inflated and deployed to its final shape due to high pressure.

  When the occupant comes into contact with the occupant restraint surface 1b of the airbag 1 that has been inflated and deployed to the final shape, the occupant restraint surface 1b is pushed forward by the occupant and the restricting member 3b is loosened, so that the control member 3a is also loosened. As a result, exhaust from the vent hole 1d becomes possible, which makes it possible to reliably restrain the occupant while relaxing the repulsive force acting on the occupant.

  On the other hand, FIGS. 7 to 12 show modified examples of the exhaust gas adjusting means. Next, these modified examples will be described.

  In addition, the same part as the said embodiment attaches | subjects the same code | symbol, and abbreviate | omits the description.

  In the first modification shown in FIG. 7, the control member 3a of the exhaust adjustment means 3 is formed in a tapered shape having a seam end side substantially the same diameter as the vent hole 1d and gradually decreasing in diameter toward the front end side. Further, the end of the regulating member 3b extending into the control member 3a through the vent hole 1d is sewn to the inner surface on the front end side of the control member 3a.

  The function of the first modification also as the exhaust adjustment means 3 is the same as that of the above embodiment, but when the airbag 1 is inflated and deployed halfway by making the tip of the control member 3a have a small diameter, The high pressure gas in the airbag 1 can be prevented from being released at a stretch, and when the control member 3a is drawn into the airbag 1, the high pressure gas in the airbag 1 is difficult to be exhausted from the tip portion having a small diameter. The pressure in the airbag 1 can be easily maintained, and a greater occupant restraining force can be obtained.

  The second modification shown in FIG. 8 has a trumpet shape in which the diameter on the tip side of the control member 3a is larger than the diameter on the sewing side.

  In the second modified example, the control member 3a is easy to discharge the high-pressure gas in the airbag 1 even when the control member 3a extends outside the airbag 1 or is pulled into the airbag 1. A soft restraining force can be obtained even during the process of inflating and deploying the bag 1 and in a state of being inflated and deployed to the final shape.

  In the third modification shown in FIG. 9, the control member 3a of the exhaust adjustment means 3 is formed in a substantially semi-cylindrical shape, and the circumferential length on the tip side is sequentially reduced from the sewing side to the tip side. The same function as that of the second modification is obtained, and the control member 3a is almost semi-cylindrical, so that the operation of sewing on the airbag 1 is easy and the amount of woven fabric to be used is small. This is advantageous.

  In the fourth modification shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the vent hole 1d is formed in a flat oval shape, and one end of a tubular control member 3a having a substantially identical cross section around the control member vent hole 1d. Is sewn.

Also by forming a slit 3c in the middle of the control member 3a, pull it outward of the control members 3a regulating member 3b from the slit 3c, and further bypass distal portion of the control member 3a of the distal end side, opposite to the pulling side The structure is sewn on the outer peripheral surface of the tip.

  When the control member 3a extends from the vent hole 1d to the outside of the airbag 1, the exhaust adjustment means 3 according to the fourth modified example configured as described above has the airbag 1 from the vent hole 1d as shown in FIG. When the control member 3a is drawn into the airbag 1, the airbag 1 is crushed by the pressure in the airbag 1 as shown in FIG. It becomes possible to limit the discharge of high-pressure gas inside.

  Further, when the occupant restraint surface 1d comes into contact with the occupant, the restricting member 3b is loosened and the opening area of the control member 3b is increased, so that more high-pressure gas can be discharged out of the airbag 1, thereby implementing the above-described implementation. The same effect as that of the embodiment can be obtained.

  In addition, although the said embodiment and each modification are the cases where it implements for the airbag for passenger seats, it is applicable also to airbags other than a passenger seat, for example, a driver's airbag, a backseat airbag, etc. is there.

  In the airbag apparatus of the present invention, since the control member extends to the outside of the airbag at the initial stage of inflation and deployment of the airbag, a part of the high-pressure gas in the airbag is exhausted to the outside through the vent hole. Even if a passenger is in close proximity to the airbag at the time of a vehicle collision and the passenger comes into contact with the airbag in the initial stage of inflation and deployment, the passenger can be reliably restrained while alleviating the repulsive force acting on the passenger In a normal state where an occupant or the like is away from the inflated and deployed airbag, the control member is drawn into the airbag to limit the discharge amount of the high-pressure gas, and the gas ejected from the inflator Since the pressure can be efficiently used and inflated and deployed to exhibit a sufficient shock absorbing capacity, the folded bag-like airbag and the inflation gas for supplying the inflation gas to the airbag are provided. It is optimal for an air bag device and the like and a chromatography data.

It is a perspective view which shows the expansion | deployment process of the airbag in the airbag apparatus which becomes embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which follows the AA line of FIG. It is an expansion perspective view of the exhaust adjustment means provided in the airbag apparatus which becomes embodiment of this invention. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing which shows the expansion | deployment process of the airbag in the airbag apparatus which becomes embodiment of this invention. It is action explanatory drawing which shows the final expansion | deployment deployment state of the airbag in the airbag apparatus which becomes embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the final state of the expansion | deployment process of the airbag in the airbag apparatus which becomes embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the 1st modification of the exhaust_gas | exhaustion adjustment means provided in the airbag in the airbag apparatus which becomes embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the 2nd modification of the exhaust_gas | exhaustion adjustment means provided in the airbag in the airbag apparatus which becomes embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the 3rd modification of the exhaust_gas | exhaustion adjustment means provided in the airbag in the airbag apparatus which becomes embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the 4th modification of the exhaust_gas | exhaustion adjustment means provided in the airbag in the airbag apparatus which becomes embodiment of this invention. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing which shows the 4th modification of the exhaust_gas | exhaustion adjustment means provided in the airbag in the airbag apparatus which becomes embodiment of this invention. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing which shows the 4th modification of the exhaust_gas | exhaustion adjustment means provided in the airbag in the airbag apparatus which becomes embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Air bag 1b Crew restraint surface 1d Vent hole 2 Inflator 3 Exhaust adjustment means 3a Control member 3b Control member

Claims (5)

An airbag device comprising a folded bag-like airbag and an inflator for supplying an inflation gas to the airbag, the airbag comprising:
A vent hole capable of discharging inflation gas out of the airbag;
One end side is connected to the vent hole peripheral edge portion of the airbag, the other end side is extended outward of the airbag in a non-inflated state, is connected to the inside of the airbag by a regulating member, and the airbag is expanded by the inflation of the airbag. A control member that is drawn into the bag and regulates exhaust of the vent hole;
And the control member is crushed by receiving the internal pressure of the airbag.   The control member is formed by a tube having one end connected to the vent hole and the other end extending to the outside of the airbag, and the restricting member includes the passenger restraint surface of the airbag and the control member. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the airbag device is formed by a string-like material connecting the end side.   The control member is formed by a tapered tube whose tip side is sequentially reduced in diameter or sequentially increased in diameter, and the restricting member connects the occupant restraint surface of the airbag and the other end side of the control member. The airbag apparatus of Claim 1 formed by a thing.   The control member is formed by a substantially semi-cylindrical tube whose peripheral length on the front end side decreases sequentially, and the restricting member connects the occupant restraining surface of the airbag and the other end side of the control member. The airbag apparatus of Claim 1 formed by a thing.   The vent hole is formed in a flat oval shape, one end of a tubular control member having substantially the same cross-sectional shape is connected around the vent hole, and a slit is formed in the middle of the control member. 2. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the restricting member drawn out from the slit to the outside of the control member bypasses the tip end portion of the control member and is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the tip end portion on the opposite side to the drawer side.

Images