JP6659438B2 - Airbag - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an airbag.

  BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, there is an airbag that protects an occupant from an impact when a vehicle such as an automobile collides. Patent Literature 1 includes a first region defined by a front wall and an intermediate wall, and a second region defined by an intermediate wall and a rear wall. The first region on the occupant side expands to a predetermined pressure. Discloses an airbag in which the second region is inflated when the airbag exceeds the threshold value.

Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3030607

  In the airbag described in Patent Document 1, since the first region and the second region communicate with each other at the exhaust port, there is no difference in internal pressure between the regions. Therefore, for example, even if an adult male occupant of a general physique provides an appropriate cushioning effect, when the occupant is a small adult female, the pressure is excessively increased. Since it is pressed against one area, no advantage is conceivable. That is, in the airbag described in Patent Literature 1, there is a variation in whether or not the cushioning action can be appropriately given due to a difference in occupant such as an adult male of a general physique or a small adult female. is there.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an airbag that can appropriately provide a cushioning effect to occupants having different physiques and weights.

  An airbag according to the present invention includes an airbag body that is folded and stored and inflates and deploys toward an occupant by introducing an inflation gas, wherein the airbag body includes a first inflation region on the occupant side and an occupant side. A second expansion region on the opposite side to the first expansion region, a first outlet capable of discharging the expansion gas in the first expansion region to the outside without communicating with the second expansion region, and a communication with the first expansion region. A second discharge port that allows the inflation gas in the second expansion region to be discharged to the outside, wherein the first expansion region has a first wall on the occupant side and a second wall facing the first wall. The second inflatable region is formed by a second wall and a third wall opposite to the first wall and opposed to the second wall, and the second wall is located ahead of the second inflatable region. The inflation gas is introduced into the first inflation region, and closed when the first inflation region exceeds a predetermined pressure, and the inflation gas is introduced into the second inflation region. Has a gas distribution part including a through hole to start, the opening area of the first outlet is larger than the opening area of the second outlet.

  In the airbag according to the present invention, since the first inflation region and the second inflation region are independent of each other, an internal pressure difference occurs between the first inflation region and the second inflation region. In particular, since the opening area of the first discharge port is set to be larger than the opening area of the second discharge port, the internal pressure is lower in the first expansion region on the occupant side than in the second expansion region. As a result, the first inflation region swells softly, so that, for example, when the occupant is a small adult female, direct shock can be suppressed to protect the occupant softly. On the other hand, since the second inflation region on the back side relative to the occupant inflates relatively hard, even when the occupant is an adult male of a general physique, the portion where the airbag is installed due to insufficient inflation. Can be avoided.

  Therefore, according to the airbag according to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately provide a cushioning effect to occupants having different physiques and weights.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing a configuration of an airbag according to one embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows operation | movement of an airbag in a time series. It is sectional drawing which shows operation | movement of an airbag in a time series. FIG. 9 is an exploded view showing a configuration of an airbag according to another embodiment of the present invention.

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

  The airbag according to the present embodiment has its main body normally housed in a folded state on a steering wheel or the like of a vehicle such as an automobile, and is deployed when the vehicle collides, so that the occupant is protected from the impact of the collision. To protect.

  Hereinafter, in a state where the airbag is provided on a steering wheel or the like, the occupant side is defined as a front side, and the opposite side is defined as a rear side. In the drawing, arrow F indicates a direction toward the front side, and arrow R indicates a direction toward the rear side. Indicates the direction.

  FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing a configuration of an airbag 10 according to the present embodiment. The airbag 10 includes an airbag body 11, an inflator 12, and a retainer 13.

  The airbag body 11 is a bag that is normally folded and housed, and is inflated and deployed toward an occupant by introducing inflation gas. The airbag main body 11 has a front main panel 20 as a first wall, an inner panel 21 as a second wall facing the front main panel 20, and faces the inner panel 21 on a side opposite to the front main panel 20. And a rear main panel 22 as a third wall. The front main panel 20, the inner panel 21, and the rear main panel 22 are each made of, for example, a base fabric for an airbag.

  In addition, the airbag body 11 has a plurality of independent inflation regions. More specifically, the outer peripheral regions of the front main panel 20 and the inner panel 21 are joined by sewing or the like, thereby forming the first inflatable region 30 located on the occupant side. Also, by joining the outer peripheral regions of the inner panel 21 and the rear main panel 22 by sewing or the like, the second inflatable region 31 located on the opposite side to the occupant side is formed.

  The inner panel 21 has a through-hole 21a in a central area thereof. Specifically, the formation position of the through-hole 21a corresponds to the position of the gas discharge port of the inflator 12. The diameter of the through-hole 21a is variable. In particular, the through hole 21a is initially open, allows the inflation gas to be introduced into the first inflation region before the second inflation region, and then closes when the first inflation region exceeds a predetermined pressure. Becomes Here, the term “closed” does not only indicate a completely closed state but may include a slightly opened state. Specifically, the internal pressures of the first expansion region and the second expansion region may be open to such an extent that they can be regarded as independent.

In addition, the inner panel 21 has a gas flow portion 23 that closes the through hole 21a when the first expansion region exceeds a predetermined pressure. The gas circulating portion 23 includes a string 24 having one end connected to the front main panel 20 and the other end connected to the inner panel 21, and at least a part of the string 24 extending along the periphery of the through-hole 21 a in the inner panel 21. And a holding unit 25 for holding the battery. The holding portion 25 closes the through hole 21a by reducing the diameter of the through hole 21a when the first inflatable region expands and the cord 24 is pulled by the front main panel 20.

  Further, the inner panel 21 has a notch 21b in a part of the outer peripheral region. Specifically, the formation position of the notch 21b corresponds to the position of the first vent hole 22b formed in the rear main panel 22.

  The rear side main panel 22 has a through hole 22a in the center area. Specifically, the formation position of the through-hole 22a corresponds to the position of the gas discharge port of the inflator 12 and the position of the through-hole 21a of the inner panel 21.

  Further, the rear main panel 22 can discharge the inflation gas in the first inflation region to the outside, the first vent hole 22b as a first discharge port, and can discharge the inflation gas in the second inflation region to the outside. It has a second vent hole 22c as a second outlet. In particular, the periphery of the notch 21b formed in the inner panel 21 is connected to the rear main panel 22 by sewing or the like so that the first vent hole 22b does not communicate with the second expansion region. Note that the second vent hole 22c communicates only with the second expansion region, and does not communicate with the first expansion region. The opening area of the first vent hole 22b is set in advance to be larger than the opening area of the second vent hole 22c. In the case where a plurality of vent holes are provided as in the case of the second vent hole 22c shown in FIG. 1, the opening area is the total.

  The inflator 12 is a device for introducing an inflation gas into the first inflation region and the second inflation region. The inflator 12 is connected to an electronic control unit (not shown), and its operation is controlled based on a detection value of an acceleration sensor or the like. By operating the inflator 12 when the electronic control unit detects or predicts a vehicle collision or the like, the inflator 12 starts to introduce inflation gas.

  The retainer 13 is a member that fixes the airbag 10 to a vehicle-side installation portion such as a steering wheel. The retainer 13 is also a member that supports the airbag body 11 and the inflator 12, respectively.

  Next, the operation of the airbag 10 will be described.

  2 and 3 are cross-sectional views showing the operation of the airbag 10 in time series. FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the airbag main body 11 is not deployed, specifically, a state immediately before the first inflation region 30 starts to inflate. In this state, the through-hole 21a in the inner panel 21 is open, and the string 24 does not receive any pulling force while a part of the string 24 is loosened. Further, in this state, as shown by reference numeral 26 in the drawing, between the inner panel 21 and the rear main panel 22, in order to ensure that the inflation gas is introduced only into the first inflation region 30 at the start of the subsequent deployment. Is desirably sewn.

  FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating a state immediately after the expansion of the first expansion region 30 progresses and the through-hole 21a is closed. When the electronic control unit detects or predicts a collision of the vehicle or the like, the inflator 12 operates and the release of the inflation gas is started. At this time, the inflation gas is introduced only into the first inflation region 30 through the through-hole 12a. As the first inflation region 30 continues to inflate, the string 24 is gradually pulled by the front main panel 20, and the diameter of the through-hole 21a is gradually reduced accordingly. Then, when the first inflation region 30 exceeds a predetermined pressure, the cord 24 extends to its limit and the through-hole 21a is closed. When the through-hole 21a is closed, the flow of the inflation gas to the first inflation region 30 is obstructed, so that the inflation gas continues to enter the second inflation region 31. As a result, the temporary sewing 26 is released, and the second expansion region 31 starts to expand.

  On the other hand, after the through-hole 21a is closed, no inflation gas is introduced into the first inflation region 30 so that the inflation in the first inflation region 30 from the first vent hole 22b as indicated by a white arrow. The gas is gradually discharged, and accordingly, the internal pressure of the first expansion region 30 decreases.

  FIG. 2C is a diagram illustrating a state in which the expansion of the second expansion region 31 has progressed. When the inflation of the second inflation region 31 proceeds until the pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure, the inflation gas in the second inflation region 31 is gradually discharged from the second vent hole 22c, as indicated by a white arrow, and Accordingly, the internal pressure of the second expansion region 31 decreases. Here, as described above, the opening area of the first vent hole 22b is larger than the opening area of the second vent hole 22c. That is, the amount of exhaust gas of the inflation gas from the first expansion region 30 per unit time is larger than the amount of exhaust gas of the inflation gas from the second expansion region 31 per unit time. Therefore, the internal pressure of the first inflation region 30 is maintained lower than the internal pressure of the second inflation region 31, so that the first inflation region 30 on the occupant side expands softer and the second inflation on the opposite side to the occupant side. The region 31 swells harder. Thereafter, when the release of the inflation gas from the inflator 12 is completed, only the inflation gas is discharged from the first vent hole 22b and the second vent hole 22c, and the deployment of the airbag body 11 is completed.

  Next, the operation and effect of the present embodiment will be described.

  (1) The airbag 10 according to the present embodiment includes an airbag body 11 that is folded and housed, and is inflated and deployed toward an occupant by introducing an inflation gas. The first inflation region 30, the second inflation region 31 on the side opposite to the occupant side, and a first exhaust that allows the inflation gas in the first inflation region 30 to be discharged to the outside without communicating with the second inflation region 31. An outlet and a second outlet that allows the inflation gas in the second inflation region 31 to be discharged to the outside without communicating with the first inflation region 30, and the first inflation region 30 is provided on the occupant side. The second expansion region 31 is formed by a first wall and a second wall opposed to the first wall, and the second expansion region 31 includes a second wall and a third wall opposite to the first wall and opposed to the second wall. The second wall is formed so that the inflation gas is introduced into the first inflation region 30 before the second inflation region 31 and the first inflation region 3 Is closed when the pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure, and has a gas circulation part 23 including a through-hole 31a for starting the introduction of the inflation gas into the second inflation region 31, and the opening area of the first discharge port is the second discharge area. It is larger than the opening area of the outlet. However, in the present embodiment, the first outlet corresponds to the first vent hole 22b, and the second outlet corresponds to the second vent hole 22c. The first wall corresponds to the front main panel 20, the second wall corresponds to the inner panel 21, and the third wall corresponds to the rear main panel 22, respectively.

  According to the airbag 10 according to the present embodiment, since the first inflation region 30 and the second inflation region 31 are independent regions, the internal pressure difference between the first inflation region 30 and the second inflation region 31 is increased. Occurs. In particular, since the opening area of the first discharge port is set to be larger than the opening area of the second discharge port, the internal pressure is lower in the first expansion region 30 on the occupant side than in the second expansion region 31. As a result, the first inflatable region 30 expands softer, so that, for example, when the occupant is a small adult female, direct shock can be suppressed and the first occupant can be softly protected. On the other hand, the second inflation region 31 on the back side of the occupant inflates relatively hard, so that even if the occupant is an adult male having a general physique, the airbag 10 is installed because the inflation is too small. It is possible to avoid colliding with a part that is present. In other words, it is possible to appropriately give a cushion effect to occupants having different physiques and weights.

Further, according to the airbag 10 according to the present embodiment, the softness of the inflation of the first inflation region 30 and the second inflation region 31 when the airbag body 11 is deployed is adjusted according to the assumed occupant. It is also possible. For example, by appropriately changing the opening area of the first vent hole 22b or the second vent hole 22c, the discharge amount of the inflation gas from the first inflation region 30 or the second inflation region 31 can be adjusted. Alternatively, by appropriately changing the length of the string 24 of the gas flow portion 23, the timing of closing the through-hole 21a with respect to the amount of expansion of the first expansion region 30 can be adjusted. By these adjustments, the internal pressure difference between the first expansion region 30 and the second expansion region 31 changes, so that the softness of each bulge can be adjusted to a desired amount.

  (2) The gas flow portion 23 has a string 24 having one end connected to the first wall and the other end connected to the second wall, and at least a part of the string 24 around the through hole 21a in the second wall. The holding unit 25 closes the through-hole 31a by reducing the diameter of the through-hole 31a when the string 24 is pulled by the first wall.

  According to the airbag 10 according to the present embodiment, since the through-hole 31a is closed by using the inflation force of the first inflation region 30, a complicated structure is not required as a mechanism for closing the through-hole 31a, and the air is not required. The structure of the bag 10 can be made simpler.

  The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an airbag 40 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the above embodiment, the front main panel 20, the inner panel 21, and the rear main panel 22, which constitute the airbag main body 11, are respectively connected by sewing or the like over the entire outer peripheral area. However, the invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, by making the surface area of the inner panel 21 smaller than in the above-described embodiment, the first expansion region 30 can be set larger and the second expansion region 31 can be set smaller.

  In this case, a part of the outer peripheral area of the inner panel 21 is connected to the upper outer peripheral areas of the front main panel 20 and the rear main panel 22, and the remaining outer peripheral area of the inner panel 21 is connected to the rear main panel 20. What is necessary is just to couple with the side wall side of 22. 4A, a part of the outer peripheral area of the inner panel 21 may be connected to the side wall of the rear main panel 22 by sewing 27 or the like. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4B, a part of the outer peripheral area of the inner panel 21 may be fixed together with the rear main panel 22 by the retainer 13.

  According to the airbag 40 according to another embodiment, for example, when the entire lower portion of the airbag body 11 is the first inflation region 30 as shown in FIG. Since the second expansion region 31 is expanded more softly than the expansion region 31, the load on the abdomen of the occupant can be reduced particularly at the time of deployment. That is, by appropriately changing the surface area of the inner panel 21 and the coupling position in the airbag body 11, it is possible to finely adjust the internal pressure of the first inflation region 30 or the second inflation region 31 with respect to the body part of the occupant. it can.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Airbag 11 Airbag main body 20 Front main panel 21 Inner panel 22 Rear main panel 22b 1st vent hole 22c 2nd vent hole 23 Gas circulation part 30 1st inflation area 31 2nd inflation area 31a Through hole

Claims (2)

Equipped with an airbag body that is folded and stored and inflates and deploys toward the occupant by the introduction of inflation gas,
The airbag body is
A first inflation region on the occupant side;
A second inflation region opposite the occupant side;
A first outlet which is capable of discharging the inflation gas in the first inflation region to the outside without communicating with the second inflation region;
A second outlet that allows the inflation gas in the second inflation region to be discharged to the outside without communicating with the first inflation region;
The first expansion region is formed by a first wall on the occupant side and a second wall facing the first wall,
The second expansion region is formed by the second wall and a third wall facing the second wall on a side opposite to the first wall,
The second wall and the third wall are joined by a temporary sewing that is released with the start of introduction of the inflation gas into the second inflation region,
The second wall allows the inflation gas to be introduced into the first inflation region prior to the second inflation region, and closes when the first inflation region exceeds a predetermined pressure; Has a gas flow portion including a through hole to start the introduction of the inflation gas to,
The opening area of the first outlet is larger than the opening area of the second outlet. The gas circulation unit,
A string having one end connected to the first wall and the other end connected to the second wall;
A holding portion that holds at least a part of the string along the periphery of the through-hole in the second wall,
The airbag according to claim 1, wherein the holding unit closes the through-hole by reducing a diameter of the through-hole when the cord is pulled by the first wall.