JP5195865B2 - Airbag device for passenger seat - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a passenger seat airbag device.

  There are four door panels that are separated by breaking the Y-shaped scheduled breakage portions, and a restriction portion that restricts the inflation direction of the airbag adjacent to the corner portion of the airbag passage opening. An air bag door provided is disclosed (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-62420 A

  The seating position of the occupant in the passenger seat changes depending on the physique of the occupant and the front-rear position of the passenger seat, and may be sufficiently separated from the instrument panel in which the airbag is stored. It is possible that

  However, in the above-described conventional example, no consideration is given to the seating position of such an occupant, and the occupant sits close to the instrument panel particularly when the occupant is restrained by an inflated and deployed airbag. In some cases, there is still room for improvement in reducing the reaction force of the airbag against the occupant.

  In consideration of the above facts, the present invention is to enable an occupant to be appropriately restrained by an airbag even when the occupant in the passenger seat is in the proximity of the instrument panel at the time of a frontal collision of the vehicle. Objective.

The invention of claim 1 is stored in a folded state in a storage portion provided in front of the vehicle of an occupant seated in the passenger seat in the instrument panel at a normal time, and is used for expansion in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle. An airbag configured to be inflated and deployed toward the occupant side upon receipt of a gas, and an inflation pressure of the airbag provided at a center portion in a vehicle width direction at an inflation outlet of the airbag from the storage portion; And a lateral airbag that is provided adjacent to both sides in the vehicle width direction of the central airbag door at the inflation outlet and that is deployed in the vehicle width direction by the inflation pressure of the airbag. has a door, and wherein the the air bag, a narrow opening area than to opposite sides of the transverse air bag door the lateral air bag door to distribute the gas in the vehicle width direction on both sides Mouth to the gas discharge ports are provided is an inner bag which is provided, on inflation and deployment early the airbag, the inflation pressure of the airbag is configured to act on the lateral air bag door.

  In the passenger seat airbag device according to claim 1, when the front collision of the vehicle, the airbag stored in the folded state in the storage portion provided in the front of the passenger seat passenger in the instrument panel, The gas is supplied and inflated and deployed toward the passenger.

  Here, a central airbag door that is deployed in the vehicle front-rear direction by the inflation pressure of the airbag is provided at a central portion in the vehicle width direction of the inflation outlet of the airbag from the storage portion, and the central airbag at the inflation outlet is provided. On both sides of the door in the vehicle width direction, lateral airbag doors that are deployed in the vehicle width direction by the inflation pressure of the airbag are provided adjacent to each other.

The airbag is provided with a gas discharge port that faces the lateral airbag doors on both sides and opens with a smaller opening area than the lateral airbag door , and an inner bag that distributes the gas to both sides in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, in the initial stage of inflation and deployment of the airbag, the gas supplied into the airbag is distributed to both sides in the vehicle width direction by the inner bag. Thereby, since the inflation pressure of the airbag acts on the lateral airbag doors located on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the inflation outlet of the airbag, the lateral airbag door is deployed prior to the central airbag door, Initial expansion openings are formed on both sides in the vehicle width direction. The airbag starts to inflate from the inside of the storage portion toward the passenger through the initial inflation outlet. Thus, in the initial stage of inflation and deployment of the airbag, by suppressing the deployment of the area corresponding to the central airbag door, the passenger in the passenger seat is in the proximity of the instrument panel at the time of a frontal collision of the vehicle However, the reaction force of the airbag against the occupant can be suppressed and the occupant can be restrained appropriately.

  When the airbag is further inflated and deployed, the inflation pressure of the airbag also acts on the central airbag door, the central airbag door is deployed, and the inflation outlet is entirely opened. It can be expanded and expanded to its original size. For this reason, when the passenger in the front passenger seat is sufficiently away from the instrument panel and not in close proximity at the time of a frontal collision of the vehicle, a sufficient reaction force of the airbag against the passenger is secured to Can be restrained.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the airbag device for a passenger seat according to the first aspect, the upper surface of the center portion in the vehicle width direction of the inner bag does not protrude from the storage portion when the inner bag is deployed. Is set.

  In the passenger seat airbag device according to claim 2, since the upper surface of the inner portion of the inner bag in the vehicle width direction is set so as not to protrude from the storage portion when the inner bag is deployed, the inner bag At the time of deployment, it is possible to prevent unnecessary pressure from acting on the central airbag door from the upper surface. For this reason, the lateral airbag door can be deployed prior to the central airbag door to form the initial inflation outlets on both sides in the vehicle width direction.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the airbag device for a passenger seat according to the second aspect, the gas discharge port is provided at a distal end of a pipe portion that protrudes above the upper surface of the vehicle.

  In the passenger seat airbag device according to claim 3, since the gas discharge port of the inner bag is provided at the tip of the pipe portion protruding above the vehicle from the upper surface of the inner bag, the airbag is inflated and deployed. In the initial stage, gas can be preferentially supplied to both ends of the airbag in the vehicle width direction while suppressing expansion and deployment of a region corresponding to the central airbag door in the airbag.

  As described above, according to the passenger seat airbag device according to claim 1 of the present invention, even when the passenger in the passenger seat is in the proximity of the instrument panel at the time of a frontal collision of the vehicle, An excellent effect that the passenger can be appropriately restrained by the airbag is obtained.

  According to the airbag device for a passenger seat according to claim 2, the lateral airbag door can be deployed in advance of the central airbag door, and the initial inflation outlet can be formed on both sides in the vehicle width direction. Effect.

  According to the airbag device for a passenger seat according to claim 3, in the initial stage of inflation and deployment of the airbag, while suppressing inflation and deployment of a region corresponding to the central airbag door in the airbag, An excellent effect that the gas can be preferentially supplied to both ends can be obtained.

FIGS. 1 to 9 relate to a reference example, and FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an instrument panel of a vehicle equipped with a passenger seat airbag device as viewed from the passenger compartment side. It is a top view which shows the center airbag door provided in the instrument panel, the side airbag door, the 1st fracture plan part, and the 2nd fracture plan part. (A) It is a 3A-3A arrow expanded sectional view in FIG. 2 which shows a 2nd fracture plan part. (B) It is a 3B-3B arrow expanded sectional view in FIG. 2 which shows a 1st fracture plan part. (C) It is a 3C-3C arrow expanded sectional view in FIG. 2 which shows a hinge part. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the 4-4 arrow in FIG. 1 showing the passenger seat airbag device. (A) It is a perspective view which shows the airbag of the state folded in the vehicle front-back direction. (B) Furthermore, it is a perspective view which shows the airbag of the state by which the both ends of the vehicle width direction were folded by the vehicle width direction. It is a continuous view which shows the expansion | deployment process of an airbag. (A) It is a perspective view which shows the center airbag door in the normal time, a horizontal airbag door, a 1st fracture plan part, and a 2nd fracture plan part. (B) The perspective view which shows the state which the 2nd scheduled break part fractured | ruptured, the lateral airbag doors of both sides were each expand | deployed to the vehicle width direction both sides, and the both ends of the vehicle width direction of the airbag expanded through the initial inflation outlet. It is. (C) It is a perspective view which shows the state which the airbag has fully developed because the 1st planned breakage part fractures | ruptures and a center airbag door expand | deploys. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the lateral airbag doors on both sides are deployed on both sides in the vehicle width direction and the both end portions in the vehicle width direction of the airbag are inflated through the initial inflation outlet in the initial stage of inflation and deployment of the airbag. It is a continuous view which shows the expansion | deployment deployment process of the airbag about a modification. (A) It is a perspective view which shows the center airbag door in the normal time, a horizontal airbag door, a 1st fracture plan part, and a 2nd fracture plan part. (B) A state in which the second scheduled break portion is broken and the lateral airbag doors on both sides are deployed on both sides in the vehicle width direction, and both end portions in the vehicle width direction of the airbag are inflated through the rectangular initial inflation outlet. It is a perspective view. (C) It is a perspective view which shows the state which the airbag has fully developed because the 1st planned breakage part fractures | ruptures and a center airbag door expand | deploys. It is a continuation figure showing the inflation deployment process of the airbag about other modifications. (A) It is a perspective view which shows the center airbag door in the normal time, a horizontal airbag door, a 1st fracture plan part, and a 2nd fracture plan part. (B) A state in which the second scheduled break portion is broken, the lateral airbag doors on both sides are deployed inward in the vehicle width direction, and both end portions in the vehicle width direction of the airbag are inflated through the rectangular initial inflation outlet. It is a perspective view. (C) It is a perspective view which shows the state which the airbag has fully developed because the 1st planned breakage part fractures | ruptures and a center airbag door expand | deploys. FIGS. 10 to 15 relate to the embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 4 showing the passenger seat airbag device. (A) It is a perspective view which shows the airbag of the state folded in the vehicle front-back direction, and the inner bag arrange | positioned in this airbag in the folded state. (B) Furthermore, it is a perspective view which shows the airbag of the state by which the both ends of the vehicle width direction were folded by the vehicle width direction. It is a perspective view which shows the expansion | deployment state of an inner bag, and the flow of the gas supplied in the inner bag from the inflator. It is a continuous view which shows the expansion | deployment process of an airbag. (A) It is a perspective view which shows the center airbag door in the normal time, a horizontal airbag door, a 1st fracture plan part, and a 2nd fracture plan part. (B) It is a perspective view which shows the state which the 2nd planned fracture part fractured | ruptured. (C) It is a perspective view which shows the state which the side airbag door 16 expand | deploys and the both ends of the vehicle width direction of an airbag are beginning to expand from an initial stage inflation port. (D) It is a perspective view which shows the state which the both ends of the vehicle width direction of the airbag expanded further. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the lateral airbag doors on both sides are deployed on both sides in the vehicle width direction and the both end portions in the vehicle width direction of the airbag are inflated through the initial inflation outlet in the initial stage of inflation and deployment of the airbag. It is a top view which shows the state which concerns on a modification and the airbag which has a left side expansion part and a right side expansion part is inflate-deployed ahead of a passenger | crew's vehicle.

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

[Reference example]
In FIG. 1, a passenger seat airbag device 10 according to a reference example includes an airbag 12, a central airbag door 14, and a lateral airbag door 16.

  In FIG. 4, the airbag 12 is normally folded in a module case 26 (storage portion) provided in front of the vehicle of an occupant 24 seated in the passenger seat 22 (FIG. 1) in the instrument panel 18. It is a bag body stored in. The airbag 12 is configured to be able to be inflated and deployed toward the occupant 24 side, for example, upon supply of gas from the inflator 30 when the vehicle 28 collides with the front. The airbag 12 is folded in the vehicle longitudinal direction as shown in FIG. 5 (A), and then, as shown in FIG. 5 (B), both end portions 12A in the vehicle width direction are in the vehicle width direction. For example, it is folded by bellows folding. As shown in FIG. 4, both end portions 12 </ b> A in the vehicle width direction of the airbag 12 are arranged corresponding to the positions of the lateral airbag doors 16 on both sides. Specifically, both end portions 12A in the vehicle width direction are respectively disposed within the range of the lateral airbag doors 16 on both sides in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the inflation pressure of the airbag 12 acts on the lateral airbag door 16 intensively at the initial stage of inflation and deployment of the airbag 12.

  Note that the folded shape of the airbag 12 in FIG. 4 is schematic, and other folding methods are possible as long as the airbag 12 has a structure that acts intensively on the lateral airbag door 16 at the initial stage of inflation and deployment of the airbag 12. But you can.

  The module case 26 includes a vertical wall portion 26F (FIG. 1) on the front side of the vehicle, a vertical wall portion 26B (FIG. 1) on the rear side of the vehicle, a lower wall portion 26D, a vertical wall portion 26R on the right side of the vehicle, and a vertical wall portion 26L on the left side of the vehicle. For example, it is a metal box, and is arranged on the back side of the instrument panel 18 so that the upper side of the vehicle becomes the inflation outlet 26A. The inflation outlet 26A is a portion that becomes an exit when the airbag 12 is inflated and deployed. During normal use, the inflation outlet 26A is closed by, for example, the central airbag door 14 and the lateral airbag door 16 integrally formed with the instrument panel 18. It is peeling off.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a retainer 32 to which the module case 26 is attached is provided on the back surface of the instrument panel 18. The retainer 32 is configured in a frame shape so as to surround an attachment region of the module case 26, and the module case 26 is inserted and attached to the inside of the retainer 32.

  In the illustrated example, the retainer 32 is provided integrally with the instrument panel 18. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the retainer 32, which is separate from the instrument panel 18, is disposed on the back side of the instrument panel 18. It is good also as a structure to adhere. In this case, a door base material (not shown) corresponding to the central airbag door 14 and the lateral airbag door 16 may be provided along the back surface of the instrument panel 18.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the inflator 30 is, for example, a disk-shaped gas generator configured to be able to inject gas and supply it into the airbag 12 at the time of a frontal collision of the vehicle 28. The upper portion of the inflator 30 is a gas ejection portion 30A, and specifically, a plurality of gas ejection holes 30B are provided along the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface. The gas ejection part 30 </ b> A is disposed in the airbag 12. In the inflator 30, for example, a substantially square mounting flange 30 </ b> F is provided below the gas ejection part 30 </ b> A. The mounting flange 30F is disposed, for example, so as to abut on the vehicle upper side surface of the lower wall portion 26D of the module case 26.

  Further, for example, a substantially rectangular frame-like retainer 36 is disposed in the airbag 12, and stud bolts 34 projecting downward from the vehicle are provided at the four corners of the retainer 36. The stud bolt 34 is inserted into the mounting flange 30 </ b> F and the lower wall portion 26 </ b> D of the module case 26 when the airbag 12 is stored in the module case 26. In this state, the stud bolt 34 projects from the lower wall portion 26D of the module case 26 to the vehicle lower side. The inflator 30 and the airbag 12 are fastened and fixed to the lower wall portion 26D of the module case 26 by tightening the nut 40 from the vehicle lower side of the module case 26 to the stud bolt 34.

  Although not shown, the inflator 30 is connected to the airbag ECU via a wire harness, and operates by an operating current from the airbag ECU to supply inflation gas to the airbag 12. It is configured as follows. The airbag ECU is configured to flow an operating current to the inflator 30 when a frontal collision of the vehicle 28 is determined based on a signal from a collision sensor (not shown).

  1, 2, and 4, the central airbag door 14 is provided at the center in the vehicle width direction at the inflation outlet 26 </ b> A of the airbag 12 from the module case 26. For example, it is configured as a part of the instrument panel 18. A pair of the central airbag doors 14 are provided in the vehicle front-rear direction so that the airbag 12 is deployed on the vehicle front side and the vehicle rear side when the airbag 12 is inflated and deployed to some extent. A first planned break portion 41 that is broken by the inflation pressure of the airbag 12 is provided at the boundary portion, for example, extending in the vehicle width direction.

  1, 2, and 4, the lateral airbag door 16 is provided adjacent to both sides in the vehicle width direction of the central airbag door 14 at the inflation outlet 26 </ b> A of the airbag 12 from the airbag 12. For example, the instrument panel 18 is configured as a part of the instrument panel 18. The lateral airbag doors 16 are set, for example, in a triangular shape, and a pair of lateral airbag doors 16 are provided on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the lateral airbag doors 16 so as to deploy on both sides in the vehicle width direction in the initial stage of inflation and deployment of the airbag 12. Since the central airbag doors 14 and 16 are provided in the corresponding regions of the rectangular inflation outlet 26A, when the lateral airbag door 16 is set to a triangle, the shape of the central airbag door 14 is a trapezoid.

  In FIG. 4, the position of the lateral airbag door 16 is set on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, for example, with respect to the position of the head 24 </ b> H of the occupant 24 to be restrained by the airbag 12. This is to suppress interference between the lateral airbag door 16 and the head 24H when the lateral airbag door 16 is deployed.

  A boundary portion between the pair of central airbag doors 14 and the lateral airbag doors 16 is provided with a second planned break portion 42 that is weaker than the first planned break portion 41 and breaks due to the inflation pressure of the airbag 12. It has been. The second planned break portion 42 is formed in a V-shape bifurcated from the vehicle width direction both ends 44 of the first planned break portion 41 to the vehicle front side and the vehicle rear side, respectively, and corresponds to the four corners of the module case 26. Each section 46 terminates.

  The first planned break portion 41 and the second planned break portion 42 are fragile portions configured to be thin by providing a continuous groove or an intermittent groove on the back side of the instrument panel 18. As shown in FIG. 3A, the thickness of the second planned fracture portion 42 is set to be smaller than that of the first planned fracture portion 41 (FIG. 3B). It is configured to be more fragile than the first fracture planned portion 41.

  The instrument panel 18 is provided with a hinge portion 48 that extends so as to connect the end portions 46 of the second scheduled break portion 42 in the vehicle width direction and serves as a deployment center of the pair of central airbag doors 14. The vehicle front side hinge part 48 is provided along the vehicle front side vertical wall part 26F in the module case 26, and the vehicle rear side hinge part 48 is provided along the vehicle rear side vertical wall part 26B in the module case 26. It has been.

  Further, the instrument panel 18 is provided with a hinge portion 50 that extends, for example, so as to connect the end portions 46 of the second scheduled break portion 42 in the vehicle front-rear direction and serves as a deployment center of the lateral airbag door 16. The vehicle right hinge 50 is provided along the vehicle right vertical wall 26R of the module case 26, and the vehicle left hinge 50 is provided along the vehicle left vertical wall 26L of the module case 26. Yes.

  The hinge portions 48 and 50 are both integral hinges, for example. As shown in FIG. 3C, for example, the thickness of the hinge portion 48 is set so that the first rupture scheduled portion 41 (FIG. 3A) or the second rupture scheduled is set so as not to break when the airbag 12 is inflated and deployed. It is set larger than the part 42 (FIG. 3B). The same applies to the hinge part 50.

  In FIG. 4, the instrument panel 18 may be covered with a skin (not shown). In this case, when the airbag 12 is inflated and deployed, it corresponds to the first scheduled breakage portion 41 and the second scheduled breakage portion 42 so that the skin is smoothly cleaved along with the central airbag door 14 and the lateral airbag door 16. It is desirable to provide a planned fracture portion (not shown).

(Function)
The reference example is configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described below. In FIG. 4, in the passenger seat airbag device 10 according to the reference example, when the vehicle 28 (FIG. 1) collides front and the airbag ECU determines the occurrence of the collision based on a signal from a collision sensor (not shown), An operating current flows from the airbag ECU to the inflator 30. The inflator 30 operates in response to the operating current, and ejects a large amount of gas from the gas ejection holes 30B in the gas ejection section 30A. By supplying this gas into the airbag 12, the airbag 12 begins to expand and deploy.

  Here, after the airbag 12 is folded in the vehicle longitudinal direction, both end portions 12A in the vehicle width direction are folded in the vehicle width direction, so that the airbag 12 is supplied with an inflation gas. In addition, both end portions 12A in the vehicle width direction start to expand in advance. Since both end portions 12A of the airbag 12 in the vehicle width direction are arranged corresponding to the positions of the lateral airbag doors 16 on both sides, the inflation pressure of the airbag 12 at the initial stage of inflation and deployment is It acts on the airbag door 16 intensively. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the second planned break portions 42 provided between the pair of central airbag doors 14 and the lateral airbag doors 16 on both sides are broken. Then, the lateral airbag door 16 is deployed.

  Specifically, the second planned break portion 42 is formed in a V shape by branching from the vehicle width direction both end portions 44 of the first planned break portion 41 to the vehicle front side and the vehicle rear side, respectively. The triangular lateral airbag door 16 sandwiched between the second scheduled break portion 42 and the hinge portion 50 of the panel 18 is deployed to both sides in the vehicle width direction with the hinge portion 50 as the center. That is, the lateral airbag door 16 on the right side of the vehicle deploys to the right side of the vehicle centering on the hinge portion 50 on the right side of the vehicle, and the lateral airbag door 16 on the left side of the vehicle deploys to the left side of the vehicle centering on the hinge portion 50 on the left side of the vehicle. To do.

  At this time, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the second planned break portion 42 is configured to be weaker than the first planned break portion 41, so that the inflation pressure of the airbag 12 acts. It is easy to break. For this reason, in the initial stage of inflation and deployment of the airbag door, deployment of the central airbag door 14 can be suppressed, and deployment of the lateral airbag door 16 can be promoted.

  As a result, as shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C, the lateral airbag door 16 is deployed prior to the central airbag door 14, and triangular initial inflation ports 26C are formed on both sides in the vehicle width direction. Is done. As shown in FIGS. 6B and 7, the airbag 12 starts to inflate from the inside of the module case 26 toward the passenger 24 through the initial inflation outlet 26C. For this reason, when the airbag 12 is initially inflated and deployed, the inflation and deployment of the region corresponding to the central airbag door 14 can be suppressed, and the passenger 24 of the passenger seat 22 is in the proximity of the instrument panel 18. However, the reaction force of the airbag 12 against the occupant 24 can be suppressed and the occupant 24 can be restrained appropriately.

  As shown in FIG. 6C, when the airbag 12 is further inflated and deployed, and the inflation pressure acts on the pair of central airbag doors 14, the first planned fracture portion 41 breaks. To do. Since the first planned break portion 41 extends in the vehicle width direction, the central airbag door 14 on the vehicle front side of the first planned break portion 41 is deployed toward the front of the vehicle around the hinge portion 48 on the front side of the vehicle. The central airbag door 14 on the rear side is deployed toward the rear side of the vehicle with the hinge portion 48 on the rear side of the vehicle as a center. In this manner, the pair of central airbag doors 14 are deployed on the vehicle front side and the vehicle rear side, so that the inflation outlet 26A is opened as a whole, so that the airbag 12 is inflated and deployed to its original size (full deployment). Development). For this reason, when the occupant 24 of the passenger seat 22 is sufficiently away from the instrument panel 18 and is not in close proximity during a frontal collision of the vehicle 28, the reaction force of the airbag 12 against the occupant 24 is sufficiently ensured. Thus, the occupant 24 can be restrained appropriately.

(Modification)
The central airbag door 14 and the lateral airbag door 16 are not limited to the above configuration, and may be configured as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, for example. In the modification shown in FIG. 8A, the pair of central airbag doors 14 and the lateral airbag doors 16 on both sides in the vehicle width direction are both formed in a rectangular shape, and the length of the central airbag door 14 in the vehicle width direction. Is set shorter than the example of FIG. The second planned break portion 42 is formed in a straight line extending in the vehicle front-rear direction through both vehicle width direction end portions 44 of the first planned break portion 41. A third break planned portion 43 extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the end portion 46 of the second break planned portion 42 is provided at the vehicle front side edge and the vehicle rear side edge of the lateral airbag door 16.

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 8B, in the lateral airbag doors 16 on both sides, the second planned break portion 42 and the third planned break portion 43 are broken at the initial stage of inflation and deployment of the airbag 12. Thus, each of the hinge portions 50 is developed outward in the vehicle width direction around the hinge portion 50, and a rectangular initial inflation outlet 26C is formed on both sides in the vehicle width direction. The initial expansion outlet 26C has a larger area than the triangular initial expansion outlet 26C shown in FIG. Accordingly, the airbag 12 can be smoothly inflated from the inside of the module case 26 toward the occupant 24 (see FIG. 7) through the rectangular initial inflation outlet 26C in the initial stage of inflation and deployment.

  As shown in FIG. 8C, when the airbag 12 is further inflated and deployed, and the inflation pressure acts on the pair of central airbag doors 14, the first expected break portion 41 breaks. Then, the central airbag door 14 on the vehicle front side of the first planned break portion 41 is deployed to the vehicle front side around the hinge portion 48 on the vehicle front side, and the central airbag door 14 on the vehicle rear side is the vehicle rear side. The vehicle deploys to the vehicle rear side with the hinge portion 48 as the center. Thus, since the pair of central airbag doors 14 are deployed on the front side and the rear side of the vehicle, the inflation outlet 26A opens as a whole, so that the airbag 12 is inflated and deployed to its original size. Can do.

  In the other modification shown in FIG. 9A, the shapes of the central airbag door 14 and the lateral airbag door 16 are the same as those in the example shown in FIG. The position of 42 and the position of the hinge part 50 are interchanged, and the first breakage planned part 41 extends in the vehicle width direction to the outer edge (second breakage planned part 42) of the lateral airbag door 16 in the vehicle width direction. It is extended on both sides. That is, both end portions 44 in the vehicle width direction of the first planned fracture portion 41 end at positions that intersect the second planned fracture portion 42.

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 9 (B), the lateral airbag door 16 has the second fracture planned portion 42 and the third fracture planned portion 43 broken at the initial stage of inflation and deployment of the airbag 12. Centering on the hinge part 50, it expand | deploys inside a vehicle width direction, respectively, and the rectangular initial expansion outlet 26C is formed in the both sides of a vehicle width direction. The initial expansion outlet 26C has a larger area than the triangular initial expansion outlet 26C shown in FIG. 6B, similarly to the example shown in FIG. 8B. Since the lateral airbag doors 16 on both sides are deployed inward in the vehicle width direction, both end portions 12A in the vehicle width direction of the airbag 12 are easily inflated and deployed outward in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, in the initial stage of inflation and deployment, the airbag 12 can be more smoothly inflated from the inside of the module case 26 toward the passenger 24 (see FIG. 7) through the rectangular initial inflation outlet 26C.

  As shown in FIG. 9C, when the inflation and deployment of the airbag 12 further proceeds and the inflation pressure acts on the pair of central airbag doors 14, the airbag 12 The first planned breakage portion 41 provided up to the airbag door 16 is broken, and the central airbag door 14 and the lateral airbag door 16 on the vehicle front side of the first breakage planned portion 41 are connected to a hinge portion 48 on the vehicle front side. The central airbag door 14 and the lateral airbag door 16 on the vehicle rear side are deployed on the vehicle rear side with the hinge portion 48 on the vehicle rear side as the center. At this time, the lateral airbag doors 16 on both sides are separated into the vehicle longitudinal expansion with the first planned break portion 41 as a boundary. In this way, the pair of central airbag doors 14 and the lateral airbag doors 16 are deployed on the vehicle front side and the vehicle rear side, so that the inflation outlet 26A opens as a whole. It can be expanded and deployed.

[Embodiment]
In the passenger seat airbag device 20 according to the present embodiment in FIG. 10, an inner bag 52 that distributes gas from the inflator 30 to both sides in the vehicle width direction is provided in the airbag 12. As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the inner bag 52 is folded and arranged at the bottom of the module case 26 on the lower wall portion 26D side in the airbag 12. As shown in FIG. 10, the inner bag 52 is sandwiched between the attachment flange 30 </ b> F of the inflator 30 and the retainer 32 in the bottom base fabric 52 </ b> B. The gas ejection part 30 </ b> A of the inflator 30 is disposed in the inner bag 52.

  As shown in FIGS. 12, 13C, 13D, and 14, the deployed inner bag 52 is provided with gas discharge ports 52A that open toward the lateral airbag doors 16 on both sides. It has been. The upper surface 52C of the inner portion of the inner bag 52 in the vehicle width direction is, for example, from the module case 26 so that unnecessary pressure does not act on the central airbag door 14 from the upper surface 52C when the inner bag 52 is deployed. It is set not to protrude. In the present embodiment, the gas discharge port 52A is provided at the tip of a pipe portion 52D that protrudes above the upper surface 52C of the vehicle.

  Since other parts are the same as those in the reference example, 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. 10, in the passenger seat airbag device 20 according to the present embodiment, the gas supplied from the inflator 30 into the airbag 12 at the initial stage of inflation and deployment of the airbag 12 is caused by the inner bag 52 on both sides in the vehicle width direction. Distributed to.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, the gas ejected radially from the gas ejection portion 30 </ b> A in the inflator 30 is supplied into the inner bag 52. Due to the pressure of the gas, the inner bag 52 and the airbag 12 begin to expand and deploy. The gas supplied into the inner bag 52 is distributed to the pipe portions 52D on both sides in the vehicle width direction, discharged from the gas discharge port 52A at the tip thereof in the direction of arrow A, and supplied into the airbag 12.

  Since the gas discharge ports 52A open toward the lateral airbag doors 16 on both sides, the inflation pressure of the airbag 12 is such that the inflation pressure of the airbag 12 is located on both sides of the inflation outlet 26A of the airbag 12 in the vehicle width direction. It will act intensively. Further, since the upper surface 52C of the inner bag 52 is set so as not to protrude from the module case 26, unnecessary pressure acts on the central airbag door 14 from the upper surface 52C when the inner bag 52 is deployed. Is suppressed.

  Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 13A to 13D, the second scheduled break portion 42 is broken, and the lateral airbag door 16 is deployed before the central airbag door 14, so that the vehicle width direction 26C of initial expansion | swelling outlets are formed in both sides. The airbag 12 begins to inflate from the inside of the module case 26 toward the passenger 24 through the initial inflation outlet 26C. When the airbag 12 is inflated from the vertical wall portion 26B on the rear side of the vehicle, the tube portion 52D of the inner bag 52 is also extended from the initial inflation outlet 26C as shown in FIG.

  Thereby, in the initial stage of inflation and deployment of the airbag 12, gas is preferentially given to both end portions 12A of the airbag 12 in the vehicle width direction while suppressing inflation and deployment of the region corresponding to the central airbag door 14 in the airbag 12. Can be supplied. Therefore, even when the occupant 24 of the passenger seat 22 is in the proximity of the instrument panel, the reaction force of the airbag 12 against the occupant 24 can be suppressed and the occupant 24 can be restrained appropriately.

  Although illustration is omitted, when the inflation and deployment of the airbag 12 further progresses and the internal pressure of the airbag 12 increases, the gas in the airbag 12 flows from both ends 12A of the airbag 12 in the vehicle width direction to the inner bag. 52 and the central airbag door 14, the inflation pressure of the airbag 12 also acts on the pair of central airbag doors 14, and the first planned breakage portion 41 is broken. .

  Thereby, since the pair of central airbag doors 14 are deployed on the vehicle front side and the vehicle rear side, the inflation outlet 26A is opened as a whole, so that the airbag 12 can be inflated and deployed to the original size. it can. For this reason, when the occupant 24 of the passenger seat 22 is sufficiently away from the instrument panel 18 and is not in close proximity during a frontal collision of the vehicle 28, the reaction force of the airbag 12 against the occupant 24 is sufficiently ensured. Thus, the occupant 24 can be restrained appropriately.

(Modification)
In the modification shown in FIG. 15, the airbag 12 is configured as a so-called twin airbag having a left inflating portion 12L and a right inflating portion 12R. Since the inner bag 52 is provided in the airbag 12, when the airbag 12 is inflated and deployed, the left inflating portion 12L and the right inflating portion 12R are provided from the gas discharge ports 52A on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the inner bag 52. In addition, gas can be supplied efficiently. Further, by using the airbag 12 as a twin airbag, the occupant 24 can be more stably restrained by the recess 12B formed between the left inflating portion 12L and the right inflating portion 12R.

  In the example shown in FIG. 14, the tube portion 52D of the inner bag 52 extends from the initial inflation outlet 26C. However, the length is not limited to this, and the length of the tube portion 52D is set so as to remain in the module case 26. You may set short.

10 Airbag Device for Passenger Seat 12 Airbag 12A Both Ends 14 Central Airbag Door 16 Lateral Airbag Door 18 Instrument Panel 20 Airbag Device for Passenger Seat 22 Passenger Seat 24 Passenger 26 Module Case (Storage Unit)
26A Expansion outlet 28 Vehicle 41 First planned break portion 42 Second planned break portion 52 Inner bag 52A Gas discharge port 52C Upper surface 52D Pipe portion

Claims (3)

During normal operation, the instrument panel is stored in a folded state in a storage part provided in front of the vehicle of a passenger seated in the passenger seat, and is supplied with an expansion gas in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle. An airbag configured to be inflatable and deployable toward the occupant side;
A central airbag door that is provided at a central portion in the vehicle width direction at the inflation outlet of the airbag from the storage portion, and that is deployed in the vehicle longitudinal direction by the inflation pressure of the airbag;
A lateral airbag door provided adjacent to both sides in the vehicle width direction of the central airbag door at the inflation outlet and deployed in the vehicle width direction by the inflation pressure of the airbag;
An inner side provided with a gas discharge opening facing the lateral airbag doors on both sides and opening with a smaller opening area than the lateral airbag doors so as to distribute the gas to both sides in the vehicle width direction. A bag is provided,
An airbag device for a passenger seat configured such that an inflation pressure of the airbag acts on the lateral airbag door at the initial stage of inflation of the airbag.   2. The passenger seat airbag apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an upper surface of a vehicle width direction center portion of the inner bag is set so as not to protrude from the storage portion when the inner bag is deployed. 3.   The airbag device for a passenger seat according to claim 2, wherein the gas discharge port is provided at a distal end of a pipe portion protruding above the upper surface of the vehicle.

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