JP5792601B2 - Airbag device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an airbag device for protecting a vehicle occupant.

  Conventionally, this type of airbag device is disclosed in Patent Document 1. In Patent Document 1, an exhaust state switching member that is freely changeable between a non-exhaust state and an exhaust state is attached to the opening of the airbag body. A part of the inner peripheral portion of the airbag body and the exhaust state switching member are connected via a tether belt. In the normal shape inflated and deployed state of the airbag body, the tether belt is retracted so as to introduce the exhaust state switching member into the airbag body. Thus, gas exhaust from the opening is suppressed, and the airbag is rapidly inflated and deployed. On the other hand, when the occupant has an irregular posture such as a posture leaning forward from the normal riding posture (sometimes referred to as “Out Of Position”, hereinafter referred to as “OOP”), the airbag body has the regular shape described above. The shape is contracted more than the expanded state, and the tension amount of the tether belt is smaller than the above state. For this reason, gas is exhausted from the said opening part, and the rapid expansion | deployment of an airbag main body is suppressed.

JP 2007-999104 A

  However, depending on the position and posture of the occupant in the non-regular posture, the amount of tension of the tether belt increases, and there is a possibility that sufficient gas exhaust is not performed from the opening.

  In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to suppress rapid inflation and deployment of an airbag body regardless of the position and posture of an occupant as much as possible during an irregular posture.

  In order to solve the above problem, an airbag device according to a first aspect includes an airbag main body having a gas supply port, an inflator for supplying gas into the airbag main body through the gas supply port, and the airbag main body. Exhaust gas that is provided in the air bag body and that is drawn into the air bag body so that the gas in the air bag body can be exhausted is switched to a non-exhaust state that suppresses the exhaust of gas in the air bag body A state switching member, a connecting member that connects the exhaust state switching member and a part of the inner peripheral portion of the airbag body, a proximal end portion connected to the outer peripheral portion of the airbag body, and a distal end portion A flap extending toward the opposite side of the gas supply port so as to cover the airbag body.

  A 2nd aspect is an airbag apparatus which concerns on a 1st aspect, Comprising: The said flap is a normal attitude | position when the said airbag main body inflate-deploys from the edge part of the said gas supply port among the said airbag main bodies. It is provided so as to cover at least a part of a region in front of the portion that contacts the passenger.

  A third aspect is the airbag device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the front end portion of the flap includes an occupant in an irregular posture and the airbag body when the airbag body is inflated and deployed. Between the passenger and the airbag body so as not to be sandwiched between the airbag body and the airbag body.

  A 4th aspect is an airbag apparatus which concerns on any one 1st-3rd aspect, Comprising: The front-end | tip part of the said flap exceeds the position where the said connection member was connected with respect to the said airbag main body. So as to extend.

  A 5th aspect is an airbag apparatus which concerns on any one 1st-4th aspect, Comprising: The base end part of the said flap is a position away from the peripheral part of the said gas supply port, The said airbag main body It is connected with the outer periphery.

  A 6th aspect is an airbag apparatus which concerns on any one 1st-5th aspect, Comprising: The base end part of the said flap is from the position where the said connection member was connected with respect to the said airbag main body. Is also connected to the outer periphery of the airbag body on the gas supply port side.

  According to the airbag device according to the first aspect, when the flap body comes into contact with the occupant when the airbag body tries to inflate and deploy in a non-regular posture, the inflation of the airbag body is suppressed at that portion. By suppressing the partial expansion of the airbag body, it is possible to suppress the pulling of the connecting member and to suppress the exhaust state switching member from being switched to or maintained in the non-exhaust state. As a result, during the non-regular posture, it is possible to suppress the rapid inflation and deployment of the airbag body regardless of the position and posture of the occupant as much as possible.

  Further, in the non-regular posture, the occupant is at least in a region of the airbag main body in front of a portion that comes into contact with the occupant in the normal posture from the edge of the gas supply port when the airbag main body is inflated and deployed. It is assumed that it often contacts a part. Therefore, as in the second aspect, by providing a flap in at least a part of the region, partial inflation and deployment of the airbag main body in the arrangement region can be suppressed. As a result, the pulling of the connecting member can be suppressed, and the exhaust state switching member can be prevented from being switched to or maintained in the non-exhaust state. Sudden expansion and expansion can be suppressed.

  According to the third aspect, at the time of the non-regular posture, the front end of the flap is sandwiched between the occupant and the airbag main body, and the inflation and deployment of the portion of the airbag main body covered with the flap is suppressed. Thereby, the pulling of the connecting member and the switching or maintenance of the exhaust state switching member to the non-exhaust state are suppressed, and the rapid inflation and deployment of the airbag body can be suppressed. Further, in the normal posture, the front end of the flap is not sandwiched between the occupant and the airbag body, and the airbag body is inflated and deployed. As a result, the connecting member is pulled, and the exhaust state switching member is switched or maintained in the non-exhaust state, so that the airbag body can be quickly inflated and deployed.

  According to the fourth aspect, the front end of the flap extends beyond the position where the connecting member is connected to the airbag main body, so that the airbag main body is near the connecting position of the connecting member. Therefore, the pulling of the connecting member and the switching or maintaining of the exhaust state switching member to the non-exhaust state are suppressed, and the rapid expansion and deployment of the airbag body can be suppressed.

  According to the fifth aspect, the vicinity of the gas supply port in the airbag body can be inflated smoothly.

  According to the sixth aspect, at the time of the non-regular posture, the expansion and deployment of the portion on the gas supply port side of the airbag body can be suppressed more than the position where the connection member is connected. it can. As a result, the exhaust state switching member can be switched to or maintained in the non-exhaust state, and further, rapid inflation and deployment of the airbag body can be suppressed.

It is a figure which shows the state after completion of expansion | deployment of an airbag apparatus. It is a schematic side view which shows the exhaust state switching member in a non-exhaust state. It is a schematic plan view which shows the exhaust state switching member in a non-exhaust state. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the exhaust state switching member in an exhaust state. It is a schematic side view which shows the exhaust state switching member in an exhaust state. It is a schematic plan view which shows the exhaust state switching member in an exhaust state. It is a figure which shows the modification of an exhaust state switching member. It is a figure which shows the modification of an exhaust state switching member. It is a figure which shows the modification of an exhaust state switching member. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of installation of an airbag apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of an airbag apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of an airbag apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of an airbag apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of an airbag apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of an airbag apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of an airbag apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of an airbag apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of an airbag apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of an airbag apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of an airbag apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of an airbag apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of an airbag apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of an airbag apparatus. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the airbag main body which concerns on a modification.

  Hereinafter, the airbag apparatus according to the embodiment will be described. 1 is a view showing a state after the inflation and deployment of the airbag device 10 is completed, FIGS. 2 and 3 are views showing an exhaust state switching member in a non-exhaust state, and FIGS. 4 to 6 are in an exhaust state. It is a figure which shows a certain exhaustion state switching member.

  The airbag device 10 is a device that is incorporated in a dashboard in front of a passenger seat of a vehicle, deploys in front of the passenger in the passenger seat at the time of a vehicle collision, etc., receives the passenger in the passenger seat, and absorbs the impact. Of course, the airbag apparatus is not limited to the airbag apparatus for the passenger seat, but can be applied to an airbag for a driver's seat incorporated in a steering apparatus.

  The airbag device 10 includes an airbag body 20, an inflator 12, an exhaust state switching member 30, a tether belt 40 as a connecting member, and a flap 50.

  The airbag body 20 is formed in a bag shape that can be inflated and deployed, and has a gas supply port 26h and at least one opening 28h. The airbag main body 20 is formed into a bag shape by the following configuration, for example. That is, the substantially cylindrical base fabric portion 22 is formed by joining the both edge portions of the substantially strip-shaped cloth by sewing or the like. Also, a pair of side cloth portions 24 having a widened shape capable of closing the side openings of the base cloth portion 22 are prepared, and the side cloth portions are respectively provided on the peripheral edge portions of the both side openings of the base cloth portion 22 formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. 24 edges are joined together by sewing. Thereby, the bag-shaped airbag main body 20 is formed. Here, the airbag main body 20 is formed in a shape inflating from the upper side of the inflator 12 toward the occupant side (the rear side of the vehicle, the right side in FIG. 1) and inflating downward at the occupant side portion in a side view. Of course, the shape and combination of the base fabric for forming the airbag body 20 in a bag shape are not limited to the above examples.

  The gas supply port 26h is formed on one side portion of the base fabric portion 22, here, in a portion facing the dashboard in an inflated and deployed form. The inflator 12 is attached to the gas supply port 26h. The gas generated in the inflator 12 at the time of a vehicle collision or the like is introduced into the airbag body 20 through the gas supply port 26h.

  The opening 28h is a gas discharge hole. Here, the opening portion 28h is formed at one side of the base fabric portion 22, here, at a position obliquely above the gas supply port 26h (a position facing the front window) in a developed form. Further, here, the opening 28 h is formed in a long hole shape extending along the width direction of the airbag body 20. However, the opening 28h is not limited to a long hole shape, and may be formed in a circular hole shape or a polygonal hole shape.

  Note that a second vent hole may be formed in the airbag body 20 separately from the opening 28h. The second vent hole is formed, for example, on both sides of the airbag body 20 in the deployed form. Various exhaust patterns can be set by combining the exhaust through the second vent hole and the exhaust mode via the exhaust state switching member 30.

  The exhaust state switching member 30 is provided in the opening 28h, and is in an exhaust state in which the gas in the airbag body 20 can be exhausted before being drawn into the airbag body 20 (FIGS. 4 to 4). 6), by being drawn into the airbag body 20, the exhaust state is switched to a non-exhaust state (see FIGS. 1 to 3) that suppresses the exhaust of gas in the airbag body 20. Has been. Then, the exhaust state switching member 30 changes the state between these two states in accordance with the pulling force by the tether belt 40 described later.

  More specifically, the exhaust state switching member 30 has a pair of belt-like cloths 32. One end portions (base end portions) of the pair of belt-like cloths 32 are sewn so as to surround the peripheral edge portion of the opening 28 h in the airbag body 20. The exhaust state switching member 30 may be sewn to the airbag body 20 on the outer surface of the airbag body 20. Further, the other end portions (tip portions) of the pair of belt-like cloths 32 are stitched together and joined substantially over the entire width direction. Further, both side portions of the pair of belt-like cloths 32 are stitched and joined only at their base ends, and the other portions are in an open state where they are not stitched. And the 1st vent hole 32h is comprised by the part enclosed by the non-sewn part among the both sides of a pair of strip | belt-shaped cloth 32. As shown in FIG. In addition, since the base end of the both sides of a pair of strip | belt-shaped cloth 32 is stitched over predetermined length, the opening part 28h and the 1st vent hole 32h are not in the continuous positional relationship, but are mutually separated positions. Will be formed.

  Further, the width dimension of the pair of belt-like cloths 32 is set larger than the width dimension of the opening 28h, and therefore the width dimension of the exhaust state switching member 30 is also set larger than the width dimension of the opening 28h. Yes. When the airbag main body 20 moves from the inside to the outside or vice versa, the exhaust state switching member 30 can pass through the opening 28h while being deformed so as to shrink in the width direction. Resistor is acting. Thus, the exhaust state switching member 30 is prevented from being inadvertently changed when, for example, a pull-in force by a tether belt 40, which will be described later, or an internal pressure exceeding a predetermined value is not applied to the airbag body 20.

  When the exhaust state switching member 30 is led out of the airbag body 20 together with the first vent hole 32h forming portion, the exhaust state switching member 30 is in an exhaust state in which the gas in the airbag body 20 can be exhausted through the first vent hole 32h. (See FIGS. 4, 5, and 6). On the other hand, when the exhaust state switching member 30 is introduced into the airbag main body 20 together with the first vent hole 32h forming portion, the exhaust state switching member 30 covers the opening 28h so as to block the gas exhaust in the airbag main body 20. (See FIGS. 1, 2 and 3).

  The tether belt 40 is a member that connects the exhaust state switching member 30 and a part of the inner peripheral portion of the airbag body 20. When the airbag body 20 is inflated and deployed in a regular shape (see FIG. 1), the tether belt 40 receives the inflation and deployment force due to the gas supply from the inflator 12 to cause the exhaust state switching member 30 to move inside the airbag body 20. Into the non-exhaust state. On the other hand, when the airbag main body 20 comes into contact with an occupant in a non-regular posture while the airbag main body 20 is inflated and deployed, and the expansion and inflation of the airbag main body 20 is partially hindered, the exhaust state switching member 30 of the tether belt 40 Pulling is suppressed. As a result, the exhaust state switching member 30 is allowed to change to the exhaust state.

  The configuration of the exhaust state switching member 30 is not limited to the above example.

  For example, in the exhaust state switching member 230 according to the modification shown in FIG. 7, the bottom side 232a, which is the long side of the pair of substantially trapezoidal cloths 232, is sewn and attached to the opening 28h of the airbag body 20, and a pair of substantially The upper sides 232b, which are the short sides of the trapezoidal cloth 232, are sewn and joined together. Then, one end of the long tether belt 240 is connected to the joint portion of the upper side of the pair of substantially trapezoidal cloths 232. In addition, a pair of first vent holes 232 h (see thick line portions) are formed by the portions surrounded by the oblique sides 232 c of the pair of substantially trapezoidal cloths 232.

  Further, in the exhaust state switching member 330 according to the modified example shown in FIG. 8, the bottom side 332a which is the long side of the pair of substantially trapezoidal cloths 332 is attached to the opening 28h of the airbag body 20 by sewing. Both oblique sides 332c of the trapezoidal cloth 332 are stitched together and joined. Then, one end of a long tether belt 340 is connected to each upper side 332b of the pair of substantially trapezoidal cloths 332. In addition, a first vent hole 332h (refer to a thick line portion) is formed by a portion surrounded by the upper side 332b of the pair of substantially trapezoidal cloths 332.

  In the exhaust state switching member 430 shown in FIG. 9, the bottom side 432a which is the long side of the pair of substantially trapezoidal cloths 432 is sewn and attached to the opening 28h of the airbag body 20, and both the pair of substantially trapezoidal cloths 432 are attached. The oblique sides 432c and the upper sides 432b are sewn and joined. Then, one end of a long tether belt 440 is connected to each upper side of the pair of substantially trapezoidal cloths 432. Further, a hole is formed in one or both of the pair of substantially trapezoidal cloths 432, and this is used as a first vent hole 432h.

  Even in the case of each of these modifications, the state of non-exhaust and exhaust is switched by being introduced into the airbag body 20 or led out to the outside in the same manner as in the above embodiment.

  More specifically, the tether belt 40 is formed in an elongated band shape by a long member, here, cloth or the like.

  One end of the tether belt 40 is connected to the tip of the exhaust state switching member 30. Here, both end portions on the distal end side of the exhaust state switching member 30 are connected to the tether belt 40. That is, one end portion of the tether belt 40 is formed to have substantially the same width as the tip portion of the exhaust state switching member 30. Here, the tip 52 of the tether belt 40 is formed in a shape that spreads in a Y shape. Then, both end portions extending in a substantially Y shape are sewn on both sides of the distal end portion of the exhaust state switching member 30. As a result, the tether belt 40 pulls the exhaust state switching member 30 into the airbag body 20 so as to pull both end portions on the front end side of the exhaust state switching member 30. However, it is not essential that the tip portion of the tether belt 40 is formed in a Y-shaped shape as described above.

  Further, the other end portion of the tether belt 40 does not normally come into contact with an occupant in a normal posture of the airbag body 20, but the portion that comes into contact with an occupant in a non-regular posture, that is, the airbag body 20 tries to inflate and deploy. At this time, it is connected by sewing or the like to the inner peripheral portion of the portion that comes into contact with the head or chest disposed in the immediate vicinity of the dashboard. Here, the other end portion of the tether belt 40 is attached to a portion facing the inflator 12. Usually, it is estimated that the head or chest of an occupant in a non-regular posture is present on the occupant side above or just above the dashboard. For this reason, in the inflated and deployed form of the airbag main body 20 in the state assembled to the dashboard, the other end portion of the tether belt 40 is placed on the airbag main body 20 at a position close to the occupant side from directly above or directly above the dashboard. It is preferable that it is connected.

  The length of the tether belt 40 is set to a length that satisfies the following conditions. That is, while the airbag body 20 is deployed and inflated into a regular shape, the airbag body 20 (particularly, a portion near the connecting portion of the tether belt 40) comes into contact with the head or chest of an occupant in an irregular position and is in an exhausted state. In a state where the expansion between the connecting portions of the switching member 30 and the tether belt 40 is partially hindered (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a deployed state 1), the length of the tether belt 40 is such that the opening 28h of the airbag body 20 and the tether belt It is longer than the distance between the connecting portions at the other end of 40. Therefore, in this state, the tether belt 40 is slack and the exhaust state switching member 30 can be changed to the exhaust state. On the other hand, when the airbag body 20 is deployed and inflated into a regular shape without being hindered by an occupant in a non-regular posture, the opening of the airbag body 20 is in the middle of being inflated and deployed larger than the deployed state 1. The distance between the connecting portions of the portion 28 h and the other end of the tether belt 40 is larger than the length of the tether belt 40. As a result, the tether belt 40 receives the inflating and deploying force and is pulled between a part of the inner periphery of the airbag body 20 and the exhaust state switching member 30 to draw the exhaust state switching member 30 into the airbag body 20. Switch to the non-exhaust state.

  The flap 50 is a flexible sheet-like member formed of cloth or the like, and is formed in a square shape here. However, the flap 50 may be a polygon other than a rectangle, a circle, or the like.

  A base end portion 51 (here, one side edge portion) of the flap 50 is connected to the outer peripheral portion of the airbag body 20 by sewing or the like. Further, the front end portion 52 of the flap 50 opposite to the base end portion 51 covers the airbag body 20 from the initial stage of inflation of the airbag body 20 toward the opposite side of the gas supply port 26h during the inflation. So as to extend.

  Here, the base end portion 51 of the flap 50 includes a connecting portion between the tether belt 40 and the airbag body 20 in the airbag body 20, the exhaust state switching member 30, and the outer periphery when the airbag body 20 is viewed from the side. It is connected to the part between. Moreover, the front-end | tip part 52 of the flap 50 has the connection part of the tether belt 40 and the airbag main body 20 among the airbag main bodies 20 in the outer periphery which looked at the airbag main body 20 from the side. It extends to the (passenger side). As a result, when the airbag head 20 is inflated and deployed, if the head or chest of an occupant in a non-regular posture exists at a position above the occupant seat from above or above the inflator 12, the flap 50 is inflated and deployed. It is sandwiched between the bag body 20 and the occupant. As a result, a portion of the airbag body 20, in particular, a portion of the airbag body 20 between the connecting portion of the tether belt 40 and the exhaust state switching member 30 is extracted between the dashboard and the passenger in the non-regular posture. Can be suppressed.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the airbag device 10 configured as described above is fixed to the dashboard 100 in front of the passenger seat of the vehicle via the bracket 102 and the like in a state of being assembled with the inflator 12. ing. In this state, the airbag main body 20 is accommodated in a folded form inside the dashboard 100. The folded form of the airbag body 20 may be a bellows shape, a roll shape, a crumpled state, or a combination thereof. At this time, the exhaust state switching member 30 is introduced into the airbag body 20. However, the exhaust state switching member 30 may be led out from the airbag body 20. The flap 50 is put on the outer periphery of the folded airbag body 20.

  The inflating and deploying operation of the airbag device 10 will be described.

  First, an operation of inflating and deploying the airbag main body 20 with respect to the occupant P1 in a normal posture will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The normal posture means that the occupant seat is adjusted to the assumed average use position and posture, and the average skeleton, height, and body occupant makes the torso lean against the backrest and the head axis. Is a vertical posture.

  An example of such a normal posture is FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard) No. 1 issued on August 29, 2011 and effective on December 27, 2011. Those defined in 208 “S7. Seat belt assembly requirements” and “S10. Method of placing test dummy” can be employed.

  Of course, a normal posture defined by a European standard, a Japanese standard, or the like may be adopted according to the destination of the vehicle on which the airbag device 10 is mounted. In addition, when the reference is changed or newly specified, a normal posture or a non-normal posture may be adopted in accordance with the change or new specification.

  FIG. 11 shows an initial state before the airbag body 20 is inflated and deployed. In the state shown in FIG. 11, the gas generated by the inflator 12 is introduced into the airbag main body 20 through the gas supply port 26h when the vehicle collides.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the airbag main body 20 attempts to inflate and deploy toward the upper side of the dashboard 100 and the passenger P1 (passenger seat) side by, for example, opening the airbag lid portion of the dashboard 100. To do.

  At this time, the flap 50 covers the airbag body 20 in the middle of inflation and deployment, and does not face the occupant P1 side. For this reason, the airbag main body 20 is inflated and deployed toward the passenger P1 as shown in FIG. At this time, the portion of the airbag body 20 where the exhaust state switching member 30 is provided and the connecting portion of the tether belt 40 are expanded and stretched, and the tether belt 40 is pulled. The exhaust state switching member 30 is pulled into the airbag body 20 by the tensile force of the tether belt 40 and switched to the non-exhaust state. For this reason, the airbag main body 20 is rapidly inflated and deployed in a state where the exhaust of the gas from the exhaust state switching member 30 is suppressed.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 14, when the airbag main body 20 is inflated and deployed almost completely, the tether belt 40 is strongly pulled, and the exhaust state switching member 30 is strongly pulled into the airbag main body 20. The non-exhaust state is completely maintained against the internal pressure of the main body 20. Subsequently, the airbag body 20 receives a passenger seat occupant moving forward due to the impact of a vehicle collision, and absorbs the impact of the occupant.

  Next, an operation of inflating and deploying the airbag main body 20 for an occupant in an irregular posture will be described.

  The non-regular posture refers to one of postures that deviate from the normal posture and whose head is closer to the dashboard 100 side than the normal posture. In this case, regardless of whether the occupant is an average skeleton, height, or body occupant, the skeleton is not in the normal position, and the average skeleton, height, and body are not. Including a case where an occupant (especially an infant) is seated in a sitting position. As the non-regular posture, in particular, a case where the head and the chest are positioned near the dashboard in front of the vehicle in a state where the passenger is seated in the passenger seat is assumed.

  An example of such a non-regular posture is FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard) No. 1 issued on August 29, 2011 and effective on December 27, 2011. 208 stipulated in “S22.S21 (Requirements for using a 3-year-old dummy)” can be adopted.

  Of course, a non-regular posture defined by European standards, Japanese standards, etc. may be adopted according to the destination of the vehicle on which the airbag device 10 is mounted. In addition, when the reference is changed or newly specified, a normal posture or a non-normal posture may be adopted in accordance with the change or new specification.

  With reference to FIGS. 15 to 17, an operation of inflating and deploying the airbag main body 20 when a 3-year-old occupant P2 is seated in an irregular posture close to the dashboard 100 will be described.

  FIG. 15 shows an initial state before the airbag body 20 is inflated and deployed. In the state shown in FIG. 15, the gas generated in the inflator 12 is introduced into the airbag main body 20 through the gas supply port 26h in the event of a vehicle collision or the like.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 16, the airbag body 20 attempts to inflate and deploy toward the upper side of the dashboard 100 and toward the occupant P2 occupant seat) by, for example, opening the airbag lid portion of the dashboard 100. . Since the head or chest of the occupant P2 is located near the dashboard 100, the airbag body 20 in the middle of inflation and deployment hits the occupant P2. At this time, the flap 50 covers over the airbag body 20 in the middle of inflation and deployment, and faces the occupant P2. For this reason, the flap 50 is pinched | interposed between the airbag main body 20 and the passenger | crew P2 in the middle of inflation deployment. Since the airbag main body 20 starts inflating and deploying from the folded state, the airbag main body 20 remains in a state of being folded to some extent in the middle of the inflating and deploying. However, as described above, when the flap 50 is sandwiched between the airbag body 20 and the occupant P2 in the middle of inflating and deploying, the force to inflate and deploy is received by the flap 50 and the sandwiched portion. The expansion / deployment force hardly acts on the inner side of 50. For this reason, the portion of the airbag body 20 where the exhaust state switching member 30 is provided and the connecting portion of the tether belt 40 are difficult to extend, and the force that strongly pulls the tether belt 40 is difficult to act. For this reason, the tether belt 40 is in a slack state, and the exhaust state switching member 30 is in an exhaust state. The exhaust state switching member 30 may be in the exhaust state in the initial state, or the exhaust state switching member 30 may go out of the airbag body 20 and switch to the exhaust state by the internal pressure of the airbag body 20. May be.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 17, the gas in the airbag main body 20 passes through the exhaust state switching member 30 through the opening 28h and is exhausted to the outside from the first vent hole 32h. Expansion and expansion are suppressed.

  With reference to FIGS. 18 to 20, the operation of the airbag body 20 inflating and deploying when a 6-year-old occupant P3 is seated in an irregular posture close to the dashboard 100 will be described.

  In this case, the airbag main body 20 is inflated and deployed by the same operation as shown in FIGS. 15 to 17 except that the head of the assumed passenger P3 is above the passenger P2.

  For this reason, also in this case, the rapid deployment and inflation of the airbag body 20 is suppressed.

  FIGS. 21 to 23 show the operation of the airbag main body 20 when the flap 50 is omitted in the same case as shown in FIGS. 18 to 20.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 21, the airbag body 20 attempts to inflate and deploy toward the upper side of the dashboard 100 and toward the occupant P3 occupant seat) by, for example, opening the airbag lid portion of the dashboard 100. To do. Since the head or chest of the occupant P3 is located near the dashboard 100, the airbag body 20 in the middle of inflation and deployment hits the occupant P3. Then, since the airbag main body 20 is prevented from being inflated and deployed to the occupant P3 side, the airbag body 20 is inflated and deployed to escape the space between the dashboard 100 and the occupant P3. Then, unlike the above case, the portion of the airbag body 20 where the exhaust state switching member 30 is provided and the connecting portion of the tether belt 40 extend between the dashboard 100 and the occupant P3, and therefore the tether belt 40 The force that pulls strongly acts. For this reason, the tether belt 40 is pulled, and the exhaust state switching member 30 enters a non-exhaust state.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 23, the airbag main body 20 continues to inflate and deploy in a state where the exhaust of gas is suppressed.

  According to the airbag device 10 configured as described above, when the airbag main body 20 is inflated and deployed with respect to an occupant in a non-regular posture, when the flap 50 comes into contact with the occupant, in the vicinity of that portion. Expansion of the airbag body 20 is suppressed. Thereby, the tension | tensile_strength of the tether belt 40 can be suppressed and it can suppress that the exhaust state switching member 30 is switched or maintained to a non-exhaust state. Thus, when the airbag main body 20 is inflated and deployed, not only the vicinity of the connecting portion of the tether belt 40 in the airbag main body 20 contacts an occupant in an irregular posture, but also the flap 50 in the airbag main body 20 is covered. Even when the portion to be in contact with an occupant in a non-regular posture, partial inflation and deployment of the airbag body 20 can be suppressed. As a result, during the non-regular posture, it is possible to suppress the rapid inflation and deployment of the airbag body 20 regardless of the position and posture of the occupant as much as possible.

  Basically, the flap 50 is configured such that the base end portion 51 is connected to the outer peripheral portion of the airbag main body 20 and the front end portion 52 covers the airbag main body 20 facing away from the gas supply port 26h. It only has to extend to.

  However, the flap 50 is sandwiched between the airbag body 20 and an occupant in a non-regular posture while the airbag body 20 is inflated and deployed, thereby suppressing partial inflation and deployment of the airbag body 20. The connecting portion of the tether belt 40 in the airbag body 20 has a role of preventing the dashboard and the passenger in the non-regular posture from being pulled out. To assume all postures other than the predetermined normal posture as the non-normal posture and obtain the above effect for any of the non-normal postures, the flap 50 includes the gas supply port 26h in the airbag body 20. When the airbag main body 20 is inflated and deployed from the edge of the airbag, it is considered to be provided so as to cover at least a part of a region in front of a portion that comes into contact with an occupant in a predetermined normal posture.

  However, when the occupant is in a normal posture, it is preferable that the flap 50 is not sandwiched between the airbag body 20 and the occupant. From this point, when the airbag main body 20 is inflated and deployed, the front end 52 of the flap 50 is sandwiched between the non-regular posture occupant and the airbag main body 20, and the normal posture occupant and the airbag main body are sandwiched between them. It is preferable to extend so as not to be sandwiched between the two.

  Moreover, the connection part of the tether belt 40 with respect to the airbag main body 20 is normally set in the location which contacts the passenger | crew of a typical non-regular attitude | position. In order to suppress rapid inflation and deployment of the airbag main body 20 when the airbag main body 20 comes into contact with an occupant in a non-regular posture that deviates from the typical non-normal posture, the flap 50 is: It is preferable to cover the connection portion of the tether belt 40 to the airbag body 20. From this point, it is preferable that the front end portion 52 of the flap 50 extends so as to exceed the position where the tether belt 40 is connected to the airbag body 20.

  Further, since the tether belt 40 is pulled according to the extension state of the portion of the airbag body 20 between the connecting portion of the tether belt 40 and the exhaust state switching member 30, the flap 50 directly suppresses the extension of the portion. It is preferable to be provided. From this point, it is preferable that the base end portion 51 of the flap 50 is closer to the gas supply port 26 h than the position where the tether belt 40 is connected to the airbag body 20.

  In particular, the proximal end portion 51 of the flap 50 is closer to the gas supply port 26 h than the position where the tether belt 40 is connected to the airbag body 20, and the distal end portion 52 of the flap 50 is connected to the airbag body 20. When the tether belt 40 extends beyond the connected position, the tether belt 40 is more effectively pulled, the exhaust state switching member 30 is switched to or maintained in the non-exhaust state, and the airbag body 20 It is thought that the rapid expansion and expansion of can be suppressed.

  In the above embodiment, the positions of the opening 28h and the exhaust state switching member 30 and the connection destination of the tether belt 40 are not limited to the above example. For example, the opening 28 h and the exhaust state switching member 30 may be provided on both sides or one side of the airbag body 20. The connection destination of the tether belt in these cases may be the side portion of the airbag body 20 or the upper portion of the airbag body 20 in the same manner as described above.

  Moreover, the example of the airbag main body to which the flap is attached is not limited to the above-described example, and may be any airbag main body that is inflated and deployed so as to form one air chamber in front of the passenger. Further, the flap may be connected to any part of the entire outer peripheral portion of the airbag main body and cover the flap from the connection part toward the opposite side of the gas supply port.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 24, the airbag main body 120 includes, in its inflated and deployed state, a left contact portion 121L that receives at least part of the shoulder portion of the occupant and the left half of the chest, and the shoulder portion of the occupant. And a right contact part 121R that receives at least a part of the right half of the chest, and a head contact part 122 that receives at least a part of the head of the occupant, The right abutting portion R is adjacent in the width direction via the vertical boundary portion 126 in a state where the right abutting portion R is recessed more than them, the left abutting portion 121L and the right abutting portion 121R, and the head abutting portion 122, It may be adjacent in the up-down direction via the width direction boundary portion 127 in a state of being recessed more than those. A flap 150 may be provided on the airbag main body 120 as described above.

  As described above, the present invention has been described in detail. However, the above description is illustrative in all aspects, and the present invention is not limited thereto. It is understood that countless variations that are not illustrated can be envisaged without departing from the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Airbag apparatus 12 Inflator 20 Airbag main body 26h Gas supply port 28h Opening part 30 Exhaust state switching member 40 Tether belt 50 Flap 51 Base end part 52 Front end part 100 Dashboard

Claims (6)

An airbag body having a gas supply port;
An inflator for supplying gas into the airbag body through the gas supply port;
A non-exhaust state that is provided in the airbag body and suppresses the exhaust of the gas in the airbag body from an exhaust state that allows the gas in the airbag body to be exhausted by being drawn into the airbag body. An exhaust state switching member that is switched to
A connecting member that connects the exhaust state switching member and a part of the inner periphery of the airbag body;
A flap that is connected to the outer peripheral portion of the airbag body and has a distal end portion that covers the airbag body toward the opposite side of the gas supply port;
An airbag device comprising: The airbag device according to claim 1,
The flap covers at least a part of a region in front of a portion of the airbag main body that comes into contact with an occupant in a normal posture when the airbag main body is inflated and deployed from an edge of the gas supply port. An airbag device is provided. The airbag device according to claim 1 or 2,
When the airbag main body is inflated and deployed, the front end of the flap is sandwiched between an occupant in a non-regular posture and the airbag main body, and between the occupant in a normal posture and the airbag main body. An airbag device extending so as not to be pinched. The airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The airbag apparatus, wherein a front end of the flap extends beyond a position where the connecting member is connected to the airbag body. It is an airbag apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-4, Comprising:
The airbag device, wherein a base end portion of the flap is connected to an outer peripheral portion of the airbag body at a position away from a peripheral edge portion of the gas supply port. It is an airbag apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-5, Comprising:
The airbag device, wherein a base end portion of the flap is connected to an outer peripheral portion of the airbag body on a side closer to the gas supply port than a position where the connection member is connected to the airbag body.

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