JP6836181B2 - Airbag - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an airbag used in an airbag device for a driver's seat to be mounted on a steering wheel for steering a vehicle, and in particular, as a length dimension from the center of the steering wheel, a length dimension toward both left and right sides. The present invention relates to an airbag that can be used for a handle (deformed handle) having a shape in which the length dimension toward at least the front side on both front and rear sides is shortened.

As a conventional airbag device for the driver's seat, a non-circular handle without the front side of the ring part to be gripped during steering, in other words, the length from the center of the handle to the left and right sides. It was known that the handle was mounted on a handle having a shape in which the length toward the front side was shorter than the size. The airbag to be used has a configuration in which an outer bag for bridging the front side of the separated ring portion is arranged on the front lower surface of the inner bag for receiving the driver (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).

JP-A-11-245759 (see FIG. 7)

However, in the conventional airbag, the outer bag needs to have a length dimension in the left-right direction that exceeds the separated distance of the ring portion, and if the space space (separated portion) on the front side of the steering wheel becomes large, , The lower surface side of the outer bag is not supported by the upper surface side of the steering wheel, and the airbag (inner bag) folds so that the front side is depressed when the driver receives it, and stably receives the driver approaching the steering wheel. It will be difficult.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and even if the vehicle is mounted on a handle having a shortened length from the central portion to the front portion, the driver can be stably received and protected when the expansion is completed. The purpose is to provide a capable airbag.

The airbag according to the present invention is stored and held in the central portion of the steering wheel for steering the vehicle, and the outer peripheral wall at the time of completion of expansion is the driver side portion capable of receiving the driver and the outside of the driver side portion. An airbag configured to include a steering wheel side portion supported by the steering wheel by connecting an outer peripheral edge to the peripheral edge.
The handle side portion is configured by disposing an inflow opening for inflowing expansion gas and a mounting seat arranged on the periphery of the inflow opening and attached to the central portion of the handle near the center. Being done
A support expansion portion that projects from the front side of the mounting seat to the front side of the handle is disposed on the handle side portion when the expansion is completed.
The area on the rear surface side from the base portion to the tip end portion of the support expansion portion is abutted and supported on the front surface side of the handle when the driver side portion is tilted forward when the driver of the airbag is received. It is characterized in that the support surface portion is arranged.

In the airbag according to the present invention, when the expansion is completed in the state of being mounted on the steering wheel to receive the driver, the front support expansion portion is arranged on the front side of the central portion of the steering wheel, so that the front support expansion portion is arranged in front of the driver side portion. Even if the edge side is to be tilted downward, the front support expansion portion brings the support surface portion into contact with the front side of the central portion of the handle to prevent the airbag from falling downward on the front edge side. Therefore, the airbag can accurately catch the driver approaching the steering wheel by the driver side portion arranged so as to face the driver without tilting.

Therefore, the airbag according to the present invention can stably receive and protect the driver when the expansion is completed, even if the airbag is mounted on a handle having a shortened length from the central portion to the front portion.

Further, in the airbag according to the present invention, a rear support expansion portion that protrudes from the rear side of the mounting seat to the rear side of the handle is provided on the handle side portion when expansion is completed.
In the region on the front surface side from the base portion to the tip portion of the rear support expansion portion, the contact support is provided to the rear surface side of the handle when the driver side portion is tilted backward when the driver of the airbag is received. The rear support surface portion to be formed may be arranged.

In such a configuration, when the expansion is completed in the mounted state on the steering wheel to receive the driver, the rear support expansion portion is arranged on the rear side of the central portion of the steering wheel, so that the rear edge side of the driver side portion Even if the rear support inflating portion tries to incline so as to fall downward, the rear support inflating portion brings the rear support surface portion into contact with the rear surface side of the central portion of the steering wheel to prevent the rear support surface portion from falling downward on the rear edge side of the airbag. Therefore, the airbag can accurately catch the driver approaching the steering wheel by the driver side portion arranged so as to face the driver without tilting. That is, in an airbag having such a configuration, even if the mounted handle has a length dimension from the center to both sides of the front side and the rear side shorter than the length dimension from the center to the left and right, it expands. It is stable at the time of completion and can catch and protect the driver coming toward the steering wheel.

In this case, in the airbag according to the present invention, the handle side portion at the time of completion of expansion is
A general portion that is arranged on both the left and right sides between the front and rear support expansion portions and is supported on the upper surface side of the handle,
An extension portion extending from the general portion and extending above the front and rear support expansion portions, and an extension portion.
It is desirable that it is configured with.

In such a configuration, the front and rear support expansion portions are formed so as to partially project from between the extension portion and the mounting seat, respectively, so that the volume of the airbag can be reduced and the airbag can be quickly configured. Can be inflated.

In the case of the above configuration, the extension portion when the front and rear support expansion portions abut on the front side or the rear surface side of the corresponding handle to the extension portion of the handle side portion when the expansion is completed. A second support / expansion portion that can support the front and rear support / expansion portions at the time of relative approach to the side may be provided.

In such a configuration, the second support expansion portion that supports each of the front and rear support expansion portions is formed so as to partially project from between the extension portion and the support expansion portion, respectively, and the volume of the airbag is increased. It is possible to suppress the increase and improve the bearing capacity of the front and rear supporting expansion portions.

Further, in the airbag according to the present invention, the handle side portion is formed of a flexible bag material.
The material for the bag is
The part for the mounting seat that forms the mounting seat and
A general part portion that extends from the mounting seat portion to the left and right to form the general portion, and a general portion portion.
A protrusion portion that extends back and forth from the mounting seat portion and can form the front and rear support and expansion portions, respectively.
Is configured with
The front and rear support expansion portions each have a folded-back portion along the left-right direction at the tip portion, and are formed from a sheet-like portion in which the left and right edges extending from the folded-back portion are connected to each other. ,
The front and rear projecting portions are configured to include the sheet-shaped portion arranged on the mounting seat side and the tip portion arranged on the tip side, respectively.
The front and rear tip edges of the tip portion and the tip edges of the left and right general portion portions form a driver-side coupling portion that is coupled to the outer peripheral edge of the driver-side portion.
The left and right side edges extending from both ends of the tip edge to the inner sheet-like portion on the outer peripheral edge of the front and rear tip parts and the front and rear side edges of the general part are opposed to each other. It is desirable to form a joint for forming the side of the handle to be connected.

In such a configuration, at the sheet-like parts in the front and rear projecting parts of the bag material constituting the handle side part, the folded parts are folded back and the overlapped left and right edges are connected to each other to support and expand the parts. Then, before and after the left and right side edges extending from the tip edge to the left and right to the sheet-like part at the outer peripheral edge of the tip part of the front and rear protrusion parts and the front and back side edges of the general part part. The handle side portion can be formed by connecting the opposing coupling portions to each other. After that, the driver-side joint between the tip edges of the front and rear tip parts on the side of the steering wheel and the tip edges of the left and right general parts is connected to the outer peripheral edge of the driver side so that the connection allowance is not exposed. In addition, an airbag can be manufactured by inverting the front and back using the inflow opening.

Therefore, in the above configuration, an airbag having front and rear support and expansion portions can be formed by flat stitching in which predetermined binding sites are overlapped, and an airbag having front and rear support and expansion portions can be easily manufactured. can do.

Then, in the above-described configuration, if the front and rear sheet-like portions are configured to form the two support expansion portions, respectively, and the two folded portions are arranged, the front and rear supports described above. An airbag having an expansion portion and a second support expansion portion can be formed.

Further, in the above configuration, the tip edges of the front and rear tip portions are provided with a concave groove in the center in the left-right direction to connect the edges facing each other in the left-right direction.
The portion of the tip edge extending to the left and right from the concave groove may form the driver-side joint portion.

In such a configuration, if the concave groove is connected so as to close, the support expansion portion can be projected from the front and rear edges of the handle side portion, and a support expansion portion having a large volume can be formed. The large volume of support and expansion part that is abutted and supported by the airbag makes it possible to secure a large reaction force, and even if a driver with a large kinetic energy moves to the front edge side or the rear edge side of the airbag, the driver of the airbag The side part can face the driver without tilting and can accurately receive the driver.

Further, the flexible bag material forming the handle side portion includes the mounting seat portion, the left and right general portion portions, and the front and rear projecting portion portions. If it is formed from a sheet, the outer peripheral wall of the airbag having the front and rear support and expansion portions can be formed by the two bag materials having a predetermined shape together with the bag material forming the driver side portion. , The number of component parts of the airbag can be reduced, the parts can be easily managed, and the number of parts to be joined can be reduced, so that the airbag can be easily manufactured.

Further, in the airbag according to the present invention, a primary expansion portion that expands by inflowing an expansion gas first, and a secondary expansion portion that inflows an expansion gas from a supply port of the primary expansion portion to complete expansion. , Consisting with,
The primary expansion part
A base portion formed by disposing the supply port so that the expansion gas can be flowed in from the inflow opening to expand.
A tip portion extending from the base portion to form the support expansion portion,
Is configured with
The secondary expansion portion may be configured to form an outer peripheral wall of the airbag excluding the outer peripheral wall of the support expansion portion.

In such a configuration, when the expansion gas flows into the airbag, the primary expansion portion expands, and the secondary expansion portion expands due to the expansion gas supplied through the supply port of the primary expansion portion. Then, when the expansion of the primary expansion portion is completed, the support expansion portion also completes the expansion, so that the support surface portion of the support expansion portion is quickly moved to the front side or the rear surface side of the handle before the expansion of the secondary expansion portion is completed. It is arranged at a predetermined position facing each other. Therefore, even if the secondary expansion portion completes the expansion and receives the driver, the support surface portion of the support expansion portion is already arranged at an appropriate position, and the support expansion portion is quickly placed on the front side of the steering wheel. It is supported by contact with the rear surface side and can prevent the front edge side and the rear edge side of the driver's side from falling accurately and stably, and as a result, the airbag makes the driver who comes toward the steering wheel more stable. In the state, it can be received and protected.

Further, in the airbag according to the present invention, when the support expansion portion on the front side is provided, the flexible strap presses the support surface portion in the support expansion portion at the completion of expansion against the front side of the handle. It may be arranged so as to be stretchable so as to connect the support expansion portion and the portion of the outer peripheral wall of the airbag on the rear side of the support expansion portion.

In such a configuration, when the expansion is completed in the state of being mounted on the steering wheel to receive the driver, the support surface portion of the support expansion portion is already pressed against the front side of the steering wheel by the strap, and the airbag is on the front surface of the steering wheel. It is configured to be easily affected by the reaction force from the side. Therefore, the airbag can quickly and stably receive and protect the driver approaching the steering wheel with the front side shortened without causing a depression on the front edge side. Of course, since the strap is configured to have flexibility, it can be folded and stored in the storage portion together with the airbag without any trouble when the airbag is folded and stored.

Further, in the airbag according to the present invention, when the support and expansion portion on the front side is provided, the support and expansion portion when the expansion is completed abuts and supports at least the vicinity of substantially the center of the support surface portion in the vertical direction on the front side of the handle. It is desirable that it is configured so that it is done.

In such a configuration, the support / expansion portion at the completion of expansion is supported not only near the original portion side but also near the substantially center in the vertical direction by abutting and supporting the front side of the handle, so that it is stable from the front side of the handle. It is easy to receive the reaction force quickly, and the driver's side that faces the driver in a stable manner without causing a drop on the front edge side of the airbag accurately catches the driver coming toward the steering wheel. Can be protected.

Further, in the airbag according to the present invention, when the support expansion portion on the front side is provided, the support expansion portion at the time of completion of expansion is configured to project downward from the front edge of the handle side portion.
The support surface portion of the support expansion portion at the completion of expansion has a bent portion along the left-right direction on the front side of the mounting seat, and is configured as a substantially flat shape extending downward from the front side of the mounting seat.
It is desirable that the bent portion at the time of completion of expansion is arranged near the intersection of the front surface and the upper surface on the front side of the handle.

In such a configuration, the support expansion portion at the completion of expansion expands so as to extend downward from the bent portion between the front side of the mounting seat, and at that time, the bent portion is in front of the front side of the handle. Since it is arranged near the intersection with the upper surface, the substantially flat support surface portion extending downward from the bent portion is not only on the upper edge side (original portion side) on the bent portion side but also in the middle in the vertical direction. It is easy to dispose of the part and even the tip side so that it can come into contact with the front side of the handle. Therefore, even if the driver is received so that the front edge side of the airbag is depressed, the support surface portion of the support expansion portion immediately receives the reaction force from the front side of the steering wheel that has come into contact with the large area, and the air is received. Preventing the front edge of the bag from falling, the airbag accurately receives and protects the driver who is approaching the steering wheel with the front side shortened by the driver's side facing the driver. Can be done. Of course, since the support expansion portion is configured to project downward from the front edge of the handle side portion and can be configured to have a large volume, the support expansion portion can secure a large reaction force and kinetic energy. Even if a large driver leans toward the front edge of the airbag and moves, the driver side of the airbag can face the driver without tilting and receive the driver accurately.

Further, in the airbag according to the present invention, when the support expansion portion on the front side is provided, the handle side portion at the time of completion of expansion is
A general portion arranged on the left and right sides and the rear side of the mounting seat and supported on the upper surface side of the handle, and
With the support expansion part
With
The support expansion portion is configured to connect the front surface side to the front edge side of the handle side portion, and also
The handle side is formed from a flexible bag material.
The material for the bag is
The part for the mounting seat that forms the mounting seat and
A general part portion that extends from the mounting seat portion to the left and right sides and the rear side to form the general portion, and a general portion portion.
A protrusion portion that extends forward from the mounting seat portion and can form the support expansion portion,
Is configured with
The support expansion portion has a folded-back portion along the left-right direction at the tip portion, and is formed from a sheet-like portion in which the left and right edges extending from the folded-back portion are connected to each other.
The protrusion portion is configured to include the sheet-like portion arranged on the mounting seat side and the tip portion arranged on the tip side.
The tip edge of the tip portion and the tip edges of the left and right general portion portions form a driver-side coupling portion that is coupled to the outer peripheral edge of the driver-side portion.
The left and right side edges extending from both ends of the tip edge to the inner sheet-like portion on the outer peripheral edge of the tip portion and the front and rear side edges of the general portion portion are connected to each other. Consists of a joint for forming the side of the handle
The tip edge of the tip portion is provided with a concave groove in the center in the left-right direction to connect the edges facing each other in the left-right direction, and the tip edge portion extending left and right from the recess is the driver. It constitutes a side joint and further
The direction of the joint portion of the joint portion for forming the steering wheel side portion with the driver side portion on the front side of the steering wheel along the steering axis of the steering wheel as a side view seen from the left-right direction when expansion is completed. It is desirable that it is configured so as to be arranged near the upper part of the above.

In such a configuration, the support surface portion of the support expansion portion and the handle side portion forming coupling are formed so that the handle side portion of the airbag when the expansion is completed is along the steering axis of the handle and along the front side of the handle. The part can be arranged. That is, since the support surface portion of the support expansion portion on the side of the handle can be brought into contact with and supported on the front side of the handle, when the expansion is completed and the driver is received while mounted on the handle, the front of the driver side portion. Even if the edge side tries to incline so as to fall downward, the support expansion portion brings the support surface portion into contact with the front side of the steering wheel, and the airbag can immediately secure the reaction force. Therefore, the airbag can quickly and accurately catch the driver approaching the steering wheel with the front side shortened by the driver side portion arranged so as to face the driver without tilting.

Further, in such a configuration, the concave groove of the tip portion in the protruding portion portion of the bag material constituting the handle side portion is connected so as to close, and the tip edge of the tip portion is in front of the driver side portion. It has an arc shape corresponding to the edge, and in the sheet-like part of the protruding part, the folded part is folded back and the left and right edges that are overlapped are joined to form a support expansion part on the front side having a large volume. Then, the left and right side edges extending from the tip edge on the outer peripheral edge of the tip portion of the protruding portion portion to the sheet-like portion and the side edges of the general portion portion facing each other in the front-rear direction are joined to each other. Then, the handle side portion can be formed. After that, the driver-side joint between the tip edge of the front tip portion on the handle side and the tip edges of the left and right general parts is coupled to the outer peripheral edge of the driver side so that the coupling allowance is not exposed. In addition, an airbag can be manufactured by inverting the front and back using the inflow opening. Therefore, in such a configuration, an airbag in which a support expansion portion having a large volume protruding from the front edge of the handle side portion is arranged on the front edge side of the handle side portion can be easily manufactured by flat sewing. be able to.

In this case, the joint portion of the joint portion for forming the steering wheel side portion with the driver side portion is on the steering shaft of the steering wheel on the front side of the steering wheel as a side view seen from the left-right direction when the expansion is completed. It is desirable that the components are arranged so as to be arranged within a range deviated by 50 mm in the front-rear direction with the reference line in the along direction as the center.

That is, the joint portion of the joint portion for forming the steering wheel side portion with the driver side portion has a reference line in the direction along the steering axis of the steering wheel on the front side of the steering wheel as a side view seen from the left and right direction when the expansion is completed. If it is arranged on the front side exceeding 50 mm as the center, the boundary portion (bent portion) with the support expansion portion on the front edge side of the mounting seat hits the front side away from the upper surface side on the front side of the handle. In the state of being contacted and supported, the support surface portion of the support expansion portion can abut the vicinity of the base portion on the front surface of the handle, but the portion on the front edge side of the mounting seat also abuts on the front surface side of the handle and is supported. It is not preferable because it is easy to separate the tip side from the front surface of the handle by generating a force that pushes the base side of the expansion part forward, and it is difficult to quickly secure the reaction force from the front surface of the handle of the support expansion part. ..

Further, the joint portion of the joint portion for forming the side portion of the steering wheel with the driver side portion serves as a side view seen from the left-right direction when the expansion is completed, and a reference line in the direction along the steering axis of the steering wheel on the front side of the steering wheel. If it is arranged on the rear side exceeding 50 mm as the center, the boundary portion (bent portion) with the support expansion portion on the front edge side of the mounting seat is shifted from the front side to the rear side of the front portion of the handle on the upper surface side. The reaction force received from the front side of the handle of the support surface portion of the support expansion portion is in a state of being abutted and supported by the driver, and the rear edge of the driver side portion is downward with the vicinity of the boundary portion shifted rearward as the center of rotation. This causes a moment to be directed, and as a result, the driver's side is tilted so as to shift the rear edge side of the driver's side downward, which makes it difficult for the driver's side to face the driver. , Not preferable.

It is a schematic plan view which shows the use state of the driver's seat airbag apparatus in which the driver's seat airbag of 1st Embodiment of this invention is used. It is a schematic vertical sectional view of the airbag device for a driver's seat of 1st Embodiment, and corresponds to the part II-II of FIG. It is the schematic perspective view at the time of expansion of the airbag of 1st Embodiment. It is a top view of the material for the bag which manufactures the airbag of 1st Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the state which manufactured the handle side part of the airbag of 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic end view of the VI-VI part of FIG. It is a schematic end view of the VII-VII part of FIG. It is a figure explaining the manufacturing process of the handle side part in the airbag of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining after C of FIG. 8 in the manufacturing process of the handle side part of 1st Embodiment, and the process of manufacturing an airbag. It is a schematic vertical sectional view explaining the time when the driver receives after the expansion of the airbag of 1st Embodiment is completed. It is the schematic perspective view at the time of expansion of the airbag of 2nd Embodiment. It is a top view of the bag material which manufactures the airbag of 2nd Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the state which manufactured the handle side part of the airbag of 2nd Embodiment. It is a schematic end view of the XIV-XIV part of FIG. It is a schematic end view of the XV-XV part of FIG. It is a figure explaining the manufacturing process of the handle side part in the airbag of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the manufacturing process of the handle side part in the airbag of 2nd Embodiment, and shows the process after B of FIG. It is a figure explaining the process after B of FIG. 17B of the manufacturing process of the handle side part of 2nd Embodiment, and the process of manufacturing an airbag. It is a schematic vertical sectional view explaining the time when the driver receives after the expansion of the airbag of 2nd Embodiment is completed. It is the schematic perspective view at the time of expansion of the airbag of 3rd Embodiment. It is a top view of the material for the bag which manufactures the airbag of 3rd Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the state which manufactured the handle side part of the airbag of 3rd Embodiment. It is a schematic end view of the XXIII-XXIII part of FIG. 22. It is a schematic end view of the XXIV-XXIV part of FIG. 22. It is a figure explaining the manufacturing process of the handle side part in the airbag of 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the process after B of FIG. 25 in the manufacturing process of the handle side part of 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining after B of FIG. 26 of the manufacturing process of the handle side part of 3rd Embodiment, and the process of manufacturing an airbag. It is schematic vertical sectional view explaining the time of receiving a driver after the expansion of the airbag of 3rd Embodiment is completed. It is a top view which shows the handle of the shape different from the embodiment. It is a central vertical sectional view of the handle shown in FIG. It is a top view which shows the handle of a further different shape. It is a schematic plan view which shows the use state of the driver's seat airbag apparatus in which the driver's seat airbag of 4th Embodiment is used. It is a schematic vertical sectional view of the airbag device for a driver's seat of 4th Embodiment, and corresponds to the part XXXIII-XXXIII of FIG. It is the schematic perspective view at the time of expansion of the airbag of 4th Embodiment. It is a top view of the material for a bag for manufacturing the airbag of 4th Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the state which manufactured the handle side part of the airbag of 4th Embodiment. It is a schematic end view of the XXXVIIA-XXXVIIA site and the XXXVIIB-XXXVIIB site of FIG. 36. It is a figure explaining the process of manufacturing the airbag of 4th Embodiment. It is the schematic vertical sectional view explaining the time when the driver receives after the expansion of the airbag of 4th Embodiment is completed. It is a schematic vertical sectional view at the time of completion of expansion of the airbag of the modification of 4th Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the material for a bag which forms the airbag shown in FIG. 40. It is a schematic vertical sectional view at the time of completion of expansion of the airbag of the modification of 4th Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the bag material which forms the airbag shown in FIG. 42. It is the schematic perspective view at the time of expansion of the airbag of 5th Embodiment. It is a schematic central vertical sectional view at the time of expansion of the airbag of 5th Embodiment. It is a top view of the material for the bag which manufactures the airbag of 5th Embodiment. It is a schematic vertical sectional view explaining the expansion state of the airbag of 5th Embodiment. It is a schematic vertical sectional view explaining the time when the expansion of the airbag of the 5th Embodiment is completed, and the time when the driver receives it. It is the schematic perspective view at the time of expansion of the airbag of 6th Embodiment. It is a schematic central vertical sectional view at the time of expansion of the airbag of 6th Embodiment. It is a top view of the material for the bag which manufactures the airbag of 6th Embodiment. It is a schematic vertical sectional view explaining the expansion state of the airbag of 6th Embodiment. It is a schematic vertical sectional view explaining the time when the expansion of the airbag of the sixth embodiment is completed, and the time when the driver is received. It is a schematic vertical sectional view of the airbag device for a driver's seat of 7th Embodiment. It is the schematic perspective view at the time of expansion of the airbag of 7th Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the bag material of the handle side part of the airbag of 7th Embodiment, and the handle side part manufactured from the bag material. It is a figure explaining the manufacturing time of the airbag of 7th Embodiment. It is a schematic central vertical sectional view and schematic side view at the time of expansion of the airbag in the airbag device of 7th Embodiment. A modification of the airbag of the seventh embodiment is shown, and is a schematic side view of the airbag inflated with the bent portion (boundary position) of the handle side portion shifted to the front side and the rear side, respectively. It is the schematic perspective view at the time of expansion of the airbag of 8th Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the handle side part of the airbag of 8th Embodiment. It is a schematic vertical sectional view at the time of expansion of the airbag in the airbag device of 8th Embodiment. It is the schematic perspective view at the time of expansion of the airbag of 9th Embodiment. It is a top view of the material for the bag which manufactures the airbag of 9th Embodiment. It is a bottom view of the airbag of the 9th embodiment. It is a figure explaining the manufacturing time of the airbag of 9th Embodiment. It is a schematic side view at the time of expansion of the airbag in the airbag device of 9th Embodiment. It is the schematic perspective view at the time of expansion of the airbag of the tenth embodiment. It is a schematic side view at the time of expansion of the airbag of the tenth embodiment. It is the schematic perspective view at the time of expansion of the airbag of eleventh embodiment. It is a schematic vertical sectional view at the time of expansion of the airbag in the airbag device of 11th Embodiment.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the airbag of the first embodiment is the driver's seat airbag 20, and the driver's seat airbag. The airbag device M in which 20 is used is a driver's seat airbag device mounted on the steering wheel W. The steering wheel W includes a steering wheel main body 1 and an airbag device M arranged above the central central portion B of the steering wheel main body 1.

Further, the handle W is a modified handle in which the length dimension YF toward at least the front BF side on both the front and rear sides is shorter than the length dimensions XL and XR toward the left and right sides as the length dimension from the central portion B. More specifically, this handle W has a shorter length dimension YB from the central portion B toward the rear portion BB side than the length dimensions XL and XR toward both the left and right sides. In other words, the handle W has operation grip portions H (HL, HR) on both the left and right sides, and is a modified handle having a shape in which the front and rear width dimensions YW are smaller than the left and right width dimensions XW from the central portion B. .. The left and right operation grip portions HL and HR are composed of rod-shaped portions along the front-rear direction, and both front and rear ends extend from the front and rear edge sides of the central portion B of the handle W along the left-right direction. It is supported by SFR, SBL, SBR). A boss 3 connected to the steering shaft SS, which is the center of rotation during operation, is arranged in the lower portion of the central portion B. The handle body 1 is configured by disposing a core material 2 made of a metal material such as a steel material in order to secure rigidity in the central portion B, the connecting portion S, and the operation grip portion H, and the boss 3 has a core. It is arranged on the lower side of the center of the material 2. A coating layer 4 made of synthetic resin is appropriately arranged around the core material 2. The lower surface side of the central portion B is covered with a lower cover 5 made of synthetic resin.

In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise specified, the vertical direction corresponds to the vertical direction along the axial direction of the steering shaft SS, and the front-rear direction is orthogonal to the axial direction of the steering shaft SS during straight-ahead steering of the vehicle. The front-rear direction corresponds to the left-right direction, and the left-right direction corresponds to the left-right direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the steering shaft SS during straight-ahead steering of the vehicle.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the driver airbag device M covers the upper part of the folded and stored airbag 20, the inflator 9 that supplies the expansion gas to the airbag 20, and the folded airbag 20. It is configured to include an airbag cover 15, a case 11 for storing and holding the airbag 20 and the inflator 9 and holding the airbag cover 15, and a retainer 7 for attaching the airbag 20 to the case 11 together with the inflator 9. To.

The retainer 7 is made of a square ring-shaped sheet metal, presses the peripheral edge of the inflow opening 23 of the airbag 20, attaches the airbag 20 to the case 11, and attaches the inflator 9 to the case 11 at the four corners of the case 11. It is configured with bolts (not shown) that are nutted to.

The inflator 9 is configured to include a columnar main body portion 9a having a plurality of gas discharge ports 9b on the upper portion, and a flange portion 9c protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 9a. The flange portion 9c is formed with a through hole (not shown) through which each bolt (not shown) of the retainer 7 is passed through.

The case 11 is made of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped sheet metal, and is arranged on the upper side of the central portion B of the handle W to form a storage portion for storing the folded airbag 20, and has a rectangular bottom wall portion 11a and a rectangular bottom wall portion 11a. It is configured to include a square tubular side wall portion 11d extending upward from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall portion 11a. The bottom wall portion 11a is formed with an insertion hole 11b having a circular opening into which the main body portion 9a of the inflator 9 can be inserted from below, and four through holes 11c through which a bolt (not shown) of the retainer 7 is passed around the insertion hole 11b. (See FIG. 1) is formed. A plurality of locking claws 11f for locking and connecting the side wall portion 17 of the airbag cover 15 are attached to the side wall portion 11d. Further, the case 11 is provided with a bracket portion 11e which is connected and fixed to the core material 2 by bolting or the like in order to dispose and fix the airbag device M on the upper portion of the central portion B. ..

The airbag cover 15 is made of synthetic resin and includes a ceiling wall portion 16 that covers the upper part of the stored airbag 20 and a substantially square tubular side wall portion 17 that extends downward from the vicinity of the outer peripheral edge of the ceiling wall portion 16. It is composed of. The ceiling wall portion 16 is formed with two door portions 16a, 16a that are pushed by the expanding airbag 20 and open on both front and rear sides. A locking hole 17a into which the locking claw 11f of the case 11 is inserted is formed in the side wall portion 17.

The airbag 20 is formed of a flexible bag material made of a cloth material woven with a weaving thread such as polyamide or polyester, and as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the expansion completed shape is viewed from above. It is circular, and when viewed from the side, except for the support expansion portions 28 (28F, 28B) described later, it is configured to have a substantially elliptical sphere that is close to a sphere, and the peripheral wall (outer wall) 21 at the completion of expansion The outer peripheral edge 22a is connected (coupled or connected) to the driver side portion 32 capable of receiving the driver D and the outer peripheral edge 32a of the driver side portion 32, and is supported by the handle W (handle body 1). It is configured to include a handle side portion 22.

The handle side portion 22 is formed in a substantially disk shape in a flatly unfolded state, and an inflow opening 23 that opens in a circular shape for inflowing expansion gas is arranged in the center of the handle side portion 22. It is installed. A mounting hole 24a through which each bolt (not shown) of the retainer 7 for mounting the airbag 20 to the bottom wall portion 11a of the case 11 is formed on the peripheral edge of the inflow opening 23. The arrangement portion of the mounting hole 24a on the peripheral edge of the inflow opening 23 constitutes a mounting seat 24 that is pressed by the retainer 7 and mounted on the bottom wall portion 11a of the case 11.

Further, on the handle side portion 22 when the expansion is completed, front and rear support expansion portions 28 (28F, 28B) projecting from both front and rear sides of the mounting seat 24 to the front Bf side and the rear surface Bb side of the central portion B of the handle W. It is arranged. In the front support expansion portion 28F and the rear support expansion portion 28B, when the airbag 20 receives the driver D by the driver side portion 32 when the expansion is completed, the driver side portion 32 tilts (sways) in the front-rear direction. Even if it is tried, the surfaces 28cc and 28cf on the central portion B side between the tip portion 28a and the base portion 28b (the rear surface 28cc in the front support expansion portion 28F and the front surface 28cf in the rear support expansion portion 28B), respectively. To support the airbag 20 by abutting (or pressing) the front surface Bf side or the rear surface Bb side of the central portion B of the handle W so that the tilt of the driver side portion 32 can be suppressed. , Are arranged.

That is, the rear surface 28cc of the front support expansion portion 28F constitutes a support surface portion 29F that is abutted and supported on the front surface Bf side of the central portion B of the handle W, and the front surface 28cf of the rear support expansion portion 28B is the central portion of the handle W. It constitutes a support surface portion 29B that is abutted and supported on the rear surface Bb side of B.

In the case of the embodiment, both the support surface portions 29F and 29B are configured to abut and support the vicinity of the base portion 28b side of the support expansion portion 28, particularly to the front surface Bf and the rear surface Bb of the handle W.

Further, on the left and right sides between the front and rear support expansion portions 28F and 28B on the handle side portion 22 when the expansion is completed, the upper surface Wu side of the handle W (in the case of the embodiment, the connecting portions SFL and SFR near the operation grip portions HL and HR). , The general portion 26 (26L, 26R) supported by the upper surface Wu side of the SBL and SBR and the upper surface Wu side of the operation grip portion HL and HR itself) is arranged. Specifically, the general portions 26L and 26R are the left and right side portions of the mounting seat 24 up to the left and right edges 22d and 22e of the handle side portion 22 when the expansion is completed, and further, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7. In addition, it is a portion exposed between the support expansion portions 28F and 28B on both the left and right sides of the mounting seat 24, and in the case of the embodiment, the general portion portions 43L and 43R and the tip portion 61F and 61B, which will be described later, It is composed of parts on both the left and right edges.

Further, in the case of the embodiment, the general portions 26L and 26R are the extension portions 27 (F, B) arranged above the front and rear support expansion portions 28F and 28B on the handle side portion 22 when the expansion is completed, respectively. Is extended. These extension portions 27F and 27B are portions on both front and rear sides of the mounting seat 24, from the support expansion portions 28F and 28B to the front and rear edges 22b and 22c of the handle side portion 22, respectively. As shown in 5 and 6, it is a central portion in the left-right direction of the tip portions 61F and 61B which are hidden by the support expansion portions 28F and 28B.

Therefore, in the case of the embodiment, the outer shape of the left and right general portions 26L and 26R of the mounting seat 24 and the extension portions 27F and 27B is formed into a substantially circular shape equal to the outer shape of the driver side portion 32, and the support expansion portion 28F. , 28B are arranged so as to project downward from the front and rear of the mounting seat 24 on the substantially circular handle side portion 22 by expanding the tip portions 28a and 28a. In the case of the embodiment, the support expansion portions 28F and 28B each have a tapered substantially rectangular plate shape in which the tip portion 28a narrows the thickness in the front-rear direction.

In the airbag 20 of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the outer peripheral wall 21 is a bag material (bag base material) 40 for the handle side portion 22 and a bag material for the driver side portion 32. It is made up of two sheets, 70 and 70. The bag material 70 has a disk shape. As described above, these bag materials 40 and 70 are made of a flexible cloth material in which weaving threads such as polyamide and polyester are woven.

The bag material 40 is configured to provide a portion extending from the mounting seat portion 41 forming the mounting seat 24 in the center in the front-rear direction to the front-back and left-right when unfolded flat. That is, the bag material 40 extends from the mounting seat portion 41 to the left and right to form the general portion 26L, 26R, and the substantially rectangular plate-shaped general portion portion 43 (43L, 43R) and the mounting seat portion 41. A protrusion portion 45 (45F, 45B) capable of forming a support expansion portion 28F, 28B and an extension portion 27F, 27B by extending back and forth as a dimension longer than the general portion portion 43. Has been done.

The general portion portions 43L and 43R extend from the mounting seat portion 41 on both the left and right sides in a substantially rectangular plate shape, and are configured to include an arcuate tip edge 43a and front and rear side edges 43b and 43c. The tip edge 43a constitutes a driver-side coupling portion that is joined to the outer peripheral edge 70a of the bag material 70 forming the driver-side portion 32 by suturing. The front and rear side edges 43b and 43c are arranged in a straight line parallel to each other along the left-right direction, and are opposed to the portions 61b and 61c of the protrusion portions 45F and 45B described later, respectively, in the front-rear direction. , Consists of a joint that is joined by suturing to form the handle side 22.

The width dimensions of the general parts 43L and 43R in the front-rear direction are substantially equal to the outer diameter dimensions of the substantially circular reinforcing cloth 72 sewn to the mounting seat 24. The reinforcing cloth 72 is formed of a flexible cloth material in which weaving threads such as polyamide and polyester are woven, like the bag material 40, and is used on the mounting seat 24 on the inner peripheral surface side of the airbag 20. Along with being sewn, an inflow opening 23 and a mounting hole 24a are formed as in the mounting seat 24.

The front and rear projecting portions 45F and 45B are for the sheet-shaped portions 47 (47F and 47B) on the mounting seat portion 41 side and the tip on the tip side arranged so as to extend from the sheet-shaped portions 47F and 47B, respectively. It is configured to include a portion 61 (61F, 61B).

The sheet-shaped portions 47F and 47B have a substantially rectangular plate shape extending back and forth from the mounting seat portion 41 so that the width dimension on the mounting seat portion 41 side is slightly larger than the outer diameter dimension of the reinforcing cloth 42. These sheet-shaped portions 47F and 47B are portions that form the outer peripheral walls of the front and rear support and expansion portions 28F and 28B, respectively. Each of the sheet-shaped portions 47F and 47B is provided with a folded-back portion 48 for making a crease along the left-right direction in the middle of the front-rear direction, and is folded in half. If the edge 50 on the left side and the edge 52 on the right front side and the edge 53 on the right side are connected by suturing, the folded-back portion 48 is used as the tip portion 28a for support expansion. Part 28 (28F, 28R) can be formed.

The tip portions 61F and 61B are formed so as to extend from the tips of the sheet-shaped portions 47F and 47B in a bow shape having a widened width in the left-right direction, and have an arc-shaped tip edge 61a and a sheet-shaped portion 47F, respectively. , 47B is provided with left and right side edges 61b and 61c extending in the left-right direction so as to expand and connecting to the tip edge 61a. The tip edge 61a, together with the tip edge 43a of the general portion portions 43L and 43R, constitutes a driver-side joint portion to be joined to the outer peripheral edge 70a of the bag material 70 forming the driver-side portion 32 by suturing. ..

That is, the tip edges 61a, 61a of the tip portions 61F, 61B and the tip edges 43a, 43a of the general portion 43L, 43R form the outer peripheral edge 22a of the handle side portion 22, and the driver side portion. It will be coupled to the outer peripheral edge 32a of 32.

Further, the left and right side edges 61b and 61c extending from both ends of the tip edge 61a on the outer peripheral edge of the tip portions 61F and 61B to the inner sheet-shaped portions 47F and 47B are the general portion portions 43L, which face each other in the front-rear direction. The front and rear side edges 43b and 43c of the 43R are coupled to each other to form a connecting portion for forming the handle side portion 22.

Explaining the manufacturing process of the airbag 20 using these bag materials 40 and 70, the bag materials 40 and 70 having a predetermined shape are formed by cutting from a predetermined cloth material for the bag material, respectively. The bag material 70 at the time of cutting is in the state shown in FIG. 4, but the bag material 40 immediately after cutting is in a state in which the reinforcing cloth 72, the inflow opening 23, and the mounting hole 24a are not provided. After the reinforcing cloth 72 is sewn to the mounting seat 24 using the suture thread 74, a hole is formed to form an inflow opening 23 and a mounting hole 24a in the mounting seat 24 together with the reinforcing cloth 72.

To briefly explain the outline of the process of manufacturing the handle side portion 22 using the bag material 40 having the inflow opening 23 and the mounting hole 24a formed, first, the folded portion 48 of the sheet-shaped portions 47F and 47B With creases, the overlapped edges 49 and 50 and the overlapped edges 52 and 53 are sewn together using suture thread 74 to form the outer peripheral walls of the support expansion portions 28F and 28B, respectively. To do. The folded-back portion 48 is folded back by making a mountain fold on the outer peripheral surface side (the side where the reinforcing cloth 72 is not sewn) of the airbag 20.

Due to the formation of the support expansion portions 28F and 28B, the edges of the general part parts 43L and 43R and the tip parts 61F and 61B that are close to each other in a stackable manner, that is, the side edges 43b and the tip part 61F of the general part parts 43L Mutual with the side edge 61b of the general part, the side edge 43c of the general part portion 43L and the side edge 61b of the tip part 61B, the side edge 43b of the general part part 43R and the side edge 61c of the tip part 61F If the side edge 43c of the general part portion 43R and the side edge 61c of the tip portion 61B are sutured with each other using the suture thread 74, they are shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, respectively. As described above, the handle side portion 22 is formed.

However, in the case of the first embodiment, when the handle side portion 22 is formed, for example, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the tip portion 61F of the protruding portion portion 45F is overlapped with the mounting seat 24. When the folded-back portion 48 of the support expansion portion 28F in the bag material 40 is folded back, the edges 61b and 43b of the tip portion 61F and the general portion portion 43L are mutually, the edges 49 and 50 of the sheet-shaped portion 47F are mutually, and the tip portion 61F. Since the edges 61c and 43b of the general part 43R and the edges 52 and 53 of the sheet-shaped part 47F can be overlapped at the same time, these mutual parts can be placed on the workbench of a predetermined industrial sewing machine. It can be easily sewn by flat sewing. After that, as shown in C of FIG. 8 and A of FIG. 9, the tip portion 61B of the protrusion portion 45B is overlapped with the mounting seat 24, and the folded portion 48 of the support expansion portion 28B in the bag material 40 is formed. When folded back, the edges 61b and 43c of the tip part 61B and the general part 43L are mutual, the edges 49 and 50 of the sheet-like part 47B are mutual, and the edges 61c and 43c of the tip part 61B and the general part 43R are mutual. Since the edges 52 and 53 of the sheet-shaped portion 47B can be overlapped with each other at the same time, if these mutual portions are set on the workbench of a predetermined industrial sewing machine and sewn on a flat surface, the handle side portion 22 Can be easily formed.

After that, the outer surface side of the airbag 20 in the driver side portion 32 made of the bag material 70 is overlapped from the upper side of the handle side portion 22 made of the bag material 40 shown in FIG. 9B, and the bag material 40 is overlapped. The tip edges 43a, 43a, 61a, 61a (outer peripheral edge 22a of the handle side portion 22) and the outer peripheral edge 70a of the bag material 70 (outer peripheral edge 32a of the driver side portion 32) connected in an arc shape are mutually connected. Suture using the suture thread 74, and invert using the inflow opening 23 so that the connection margin (sewing margin) of the outer peripheral edges 22a and 32a is not exposed on the outer peripheral surface side of the airbag 20. For example, as shown in C of FIG. 9, the airbag 20 can be manufactured.

When the airbag device M is assembled and mounted on a vehicle, the retainer 7 is inserted into the airbag 20 so that each bolt (not shown) of the retainer 7 protrudes from the mounting hole 24a, and then the airbag 20 is folded. The airbag 20 is wrapped with a predetermined collapse prevention material so as not to collapse. Next, the airbag 20 is housed on the bottom wall portion 11a in the case 11 so that each bolt (not shown) of the retainer 7 protrudes from the through hole 11c, and the main body portion 9a of the inflator 9 is further mounted on the bottom wall portion from below. By inserting it into the insertion hole 11b of 11a, passing each bolt (not shown) of the retainer 7 through the flange portion 9c, and fastening a nut (not shown) to each bolt, the airbag 20 and the inflator are placed in the case 11 as a storage part. The airbag 20 and the inflator 9 can be attached by accommodating the 9 and using the retainer 7. Further, if the case 11 is covered with the airbag cover 15, each locking claw 11f is inserted into the locking hole 17a, the side wall portions 11d and 17 are connected to each other, and the airbag cover 15 is attached to the case 11. The airbag device M can be assembled. Then, in mounting the airbag device M on the vehicle, the bracket portion 11e of the case 11 is used as a core material for the handle body 1 fastened to the steering shaft SS in advance by using a work hole (not shown) of the lower cover 5. The airbag device M can be mounted on the vehicle by mounting and fixing the airbag device M by bolting or the like.

In the driver's seat airbag device M of the first embodiment, when the expansion gas G is operated so as to flow into the airbag 20 through the inflow opening 23 during operation, the expansion gas G expands the airbag 20. Then, the door portions 16a and 16a of the airbag cover 15 are pushed open, and the airbag 20 protrudes from the case 11 as a storage portion as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIGS. 1 and 2 and A in FIG. The expansion is completed so as to cover the upper surface Wu side of the handle W and to be supported by the upper surface Wu side thereof.

Then, in the driver airbag 20 of the first embodiment, when the expansion is completed and the driver D is received, the front support expansion portion 28F is arranged on the front side (front surface Bf side) of the central portion B of the steering wheel W. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10B, even if the front edge 32b side of the driver side portion 32 tries to incline downward, the front support expansion portion 28F makes the support surface portion 29F the front surface of the steering wheel center portion B. The air is brought into contact with the Bf side (more specifically, the original 28b side of the support surface 29F on the rear 28cc side is pressed against the open door 16a and the front Bf to be supported by the central B). Prevents the bag 20 from falling downward on the front edge 32b side. Therefore, the airbag 20 can accurately receive the driver D approaching the steering wheel W by the driver side portion 32 arranged so as to face the driver D without tilting.

Therefore, even if the airbag 20 of the first embodiment is mounted on the handle W having a shortened length dimension YF from the central portion B toward the front portion BF side, the airbag 20 stably receives and protects the driver D when the expansion is completed. can do.

Further, in the airbag 20 of the first embodiment, the rear support expansion portion 28B projecting from the rear side of the mounting seat 24 to the rear side of the handle W is arranged on the handle side portion 22 when the expansion is completed, and the rear support expansion portion 28B is arranged. In the region on the front surface 28cf side from the base portion 28b to the tip portion 28a of the portion 28B, the steering wheel W hits the rear surface Bb side when the driver side portion 32 is tilted in the rear direction when the driver D of the airbag 20 is received. A rear support surface portion 29B that is tangibly supported is arranged.

Therefore, in the first embodiment, when the expansion is completed in the mounted state on the handle W and the driver D is received, as shown in FIG. 10C, the rear support expansion is applied to the rear side of the central portion B of the handle W. Since the portion 28B is arranged, even if the rear edge 32c side of the driver side portion 32 tries to incline downward, the rear support expansion portion 28B moves the rear support surface portion 29B to the rear surface Bb side of the steering wheel center portion B. The airbag 20 is brought into contact with the air bag 20 (because the base 28b side of the support surface portion 29F on the front surface 28cf side is pressed against the open door portion 16a and the rear surface Bb to be supported by the central portion B). Prevents the trailing edge 32c from falling downward. As a result, the airbag 20 can accurately receive the driver D approaching the steering wheel W by the driver side portion 32 arranged so as to face the driver D without tilting.

That is, in the airbag 20 having such a configuration, the length dimensions YF and YB of the mounted handle W from the central portion B toward both the front BF side and the rear BB side are the lengths from the central portion B to the left and right. Even if the dimensions are shorter than the dimensions XL and XR, it is possible to stably receive and protect the driver D approaching the handle W when the expansion is completed.

In other words, the airbag 20 of the first embodiment has the operation grip portions HL and HR on at least the left and right sides, and the front and rear width dimensions YW are smaller than the left and right width dimensions XW from the central portion B. Even if it is mounted on the driver D, the driver D can be suitably received.

Of course, even if the left and right edges 32d and 32e (see FIG. 1) of the driver side portion 32 try to fall downward, the steering wheel W makes the width dimension XW in the left-right direction wider than the width dimension YW in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the general portions 26L and 26R extending to the left and right from the mounting seat 24 of the handle side portion 22 are connected portions SFL, SFR, SBL and SBR near the operation grip portions HL and HR of the handle W without depending on the support expansion portion 28. The driver is supported by abutting against the upper surface Wu of the above surface and the upper surface Wu of the operation grip portion HL and HR itself, the inclination of the driver side portion 32 is prevented, and the airbag 20 is arranged so as to face the driver D. The side portion 32 can accurately receive the driver.

The front and rear support expansion portions 28F and 28B are provided on the front surface Bf side extending downward from the front edge of the upper surface Bu (see FIGS. 1 and 2) of the central portion B and the trailing edge of the upper surface Bu when the expansion of the airbag 20 is completed. Either one or both of them are arranged in advance so as to be in contact with the rear surface Bb side extending downward from the rear surface (with an open door portion 16a as appropriate), or both. May be arranged so that the central portion B is sandwiched between the front and rear parts of the central portion B. Of course, if at least the driver side portion 32 can prevent the driver side portion 32 from receiving the driver D and greatly tilting (swinging) back and forth, the support expansion portions 28F and 28B will be formed on the central portion B when the expansion of the airbag 20 is completed. It may be arranged in advance with respect to the front surface Bf side extending downward from the front edge of the upper surface Bu and the rear surface Bb side extending downward from the rear edge of the upper surface Bu.

Further, in the airbag 20 of the first embodiment, the general portions 26L and 26R supported on the upper surface Wu side of the handle W on both the left and right sides between the front and rear support expansion portions 28F and 28B on the handle side portion 22 when the expansion is completed. And the extension portions 27F and 27B extending from the general portions 26L and 26R and extending to the upper side of the front and rear support expansion portions 28F and 28B.

Therefore, in the embodiment, the front and rear support expansion portions 28F and 28B are formed so as to partially project from between the extension portions 27F and 27B and the mounting seat 24, respectively, so that the volume can be reduced. The airbag 20 can be inflated quickly.

Further, in the first embodiment, the handle side portion 22 is formed of the flexible bag material 40, and the bag material 40 extends left and right from the mounting seat portion 41 forming the mounting seat 24. , General part parts 43L and 43R capable of forming general parts 26L and 26R, and protruding part parts 45 extending back and forth from the mounting seat part 41 and forming front and rear support expansion parts 28F and 28B, respectively. , Is configured. The front and rear support expansion portions 28F and 28B each have a folded-back portion 48 along the left-right direction at the tip portion 28a, and the left and right edges extending from the folded-back portion 48 overlap each other, that is, with the edges 49 and 50. , The edges 52 and 53 are connected to each other, and the sheet-like portions 47F and 47B are formed. The front and rear projecting portions 45F and 45B are configured to include sheet-shaped portions 47F and 47B arranged on the mounting seat 24 side and tip portions 61F and 61B arranged on the tip side, respectively. ing. Further, the tip edge 61a of the front and rear tip portions 61F and 61B and the tip edge 43a of the left and right general portion 43L and 43R form a driver side joint portion to be coupled to the outer peripheral edge 32a of the driver side portion 32. The left and right side edges 61b and 61c extending from both ends of the tip edge 61a on the outer peripheral edge of the front and rear tip parts 61F and 61B to the inner sheet-like parts 47F and 47B and the front and rear sides of the general part parts 43L and 43R. The front and rear facing portions of the edges 43b and 43c form a coupling portion for forming the handle side portion to be coupled to each other.

In such a configuration, the left and right edges in which the folded-back portions 48 are folded back and overlapped at the sheet-shaped portions 47F and 47B in the front and rear protruding portion portions 45F and 45B of the bag material 40 constituting the handle side portion 22, respectively. The edges 49 and 50 and the edges 52 and 53 are connected to each other to form the support expansion portions 28F and 28B, respectively, and then the front and rear projecting portion 45F and 45B tip portions 61F and 61B. The left and right side edges 61b and 61c extending from the tip edge 61a to the left and right to the sheet-shaped parts 47F and 47B and the front and rear side edges 43b and 43c of the general part parts 43L and 43R are opposed to each other. Mutual parts, that is, mutual between the side edge 43b of the general part portion 43L and the side edge 61b of the tip part 61F, mutual between the side edge 43c of the general part part 43L and the side edge 61b of the tip part 61B, general Connect the side edge 43b of the part portion 43R and the side edge 61c of the tip portion 61F, and the side edge 43c of the general part portion 43R and the side edge 61c of the tip portion 61B to each other. For example, the handle side portion 22 can be formed. After that, the driver side joint portion between the front and rear tip portions 61F and 61B of the handle side portion 22 and the tip edges 43a and 43a of the left and right general portion parts 43L and 43R is formed on the driver side. The airbag 20 can be manufactured by coupling with the outer peripheral edge 32a of the 32 and inverting the front and back using the inflow opening 23 so that the coupling allowance is not exposed.

Therefore, in the above configuration, the airbag 20 can be formed by flat stitching in which predetermined binding sites are overlapped, and the airbag 20 can be easily manufactured.

Further, in the first embodiment, the flexible bag material 40 forming the handle side portion 22 is used for the mounting seat portion 41, the left and right general portion portions 43L and 43R, and the front and rear protruding portions. It is formed from a single piece having the parts 45F and 45B. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the outer peripheral wall 21 of the airbag 20 can be formed by the two bag materials 40 and 70 having a predetermined shape together with the bag material 70 forming the driver side portion 32. The number of component parts of the airbag 20 can be reduced, parts management can be facilitated, and the number of parts to be joined can be reduced, so that the airbag 20 can be easily manufactured.

In particular, in the first embodiment, as shown in A, B, C of FIG. 8 and A, B of FIG. 9, since the handle side portion 22 can be formed only by flat sewing, the support expansion portion 28 is partially provided. The handle side portion 22 can be easily formed even if it has a protruding structure.

If the above points are not taken into consideration, the flexible bag material 40 forming the handle side portion 22 includes the mounting seat portion 41, the left and right general portion portions 43L and 43R, and the front and rear parts. The protrusion parts 45F and 45B are divided into two pieces, or are divided into three pieces, and are combined with each other to form a bag material 40. May be formed. Further, an airbag may be formed by providing an opening for projecting the support expansion portion on the side portion of the handle provided with the mounting seat and connecting the support expansion portion to the peripheral edge of the opening.

Further, as in the airbag 200 of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 19, the extension portions 27F and 27B of the handle side portions 220 when the expansion is completed, and the central portion B of the handle W of the support expansion portions 28F and 28B. Support expansion parts 28F and 28B can be supported when the extension parts 27F and 27B are relatively close to each other when they are in contact with the front side (front surface Bf side) or the rear side (rear surface Bb side) (during pressure contact). The second support expansion portions 30F and 30B may be arranged. The second support expansion portions 30F and 30B have a substantially rectangular plate shape with the tip portions 30a tapered.

In the airbag 200 of the second embodiment, the second support expansion portions 30F and 30B that support the support expansion portions 28F and 28B are portions between the extension portions 27F and 27B and the support expansion portions 28F and 28B, respectively. It is formed so as to project in a symmetrical manner, and it is possible to suppress an increase in the volume of the airbag 200 and improve the supporting force of the front and rear supporting and expanding portions 28F and 28B.

That is, as shown in A of FIG. 19, after the airbag 200 has completed the expansion, as shown in B of FIG. 19, the driver D is received and the front edge 32b side of the driver side portion 32 is moved downward. Even if an attempt is made to incline so as to be depressed, first, the support expansion portion 28F on the front side presses the support surface portion 29F on the rear surface 28cc side to the front surface Bf including the open door portion 16a in the central portion B of the handle W, and the central portion. It is supported by B to prevent the driver side portion 32 from tilting, and even if the driver side portion 32 tries to tilt, the second support expansion portion 30F brings the support surface portion 29F into contact with the front surface Bf side. The support surface 30b can be brought into contact with the opposite surface (front surface) 28d of the front support expansion portion 28F to prevent the driver side portion 32 from tilting, and the airbag 200 is arranged so as to face the driver D. The driver side portion 32 can accurately receive the driver D.

Similarly, as shown in C of FIG. 19, even if the trailing edge 32c side of the driver side portion 32 tries to incline downward, first, the support expansion portion 28B on the rear side is the support surface portion 29B on the front surface 28cf side. Is pressed against the rear surface Bb side including the open door portion 16a of the central portion B of the handle W to be supported by the central portion B, the inclination of the driver side portion 32 is prevented, and the driver side portion 32 is further pressed. Even if the driver tries to tilt, the second support expansion portion 30B abuts the support surface 30b on the opposite surface (rear surface) 28d of the support expansion portion 28B that abuts the support surface portion 29B on the rear surface Bb side. The inclination of the side portion 32 can be prevented, and the airbag 200 can accurately receive the driver by the driver side portion 32 arranged so as to face the driver D.

Of course, even if the left and right edges 32d and 32e (see FIGS. 11 and 19) of the driver side portion 32 try to fall downward, the support expansion portion 28 and the second support expansion portion 30 are used as in the first embodiment. The general portions 26L and 26R extending to the left and right from the mounting seat 24 of the handle side portion 220 are the upper surface Wu and the operation grip portion HL of the connecting portions SFL, SFR, SBL and SBR near the operation grip portions HL and HR of the handle W. , The upper surface Wu of the HR itself is abutted and supported, the inclination of the driver side 32 is prevented, and the airbag 200 is accurately arranged by the driver side 32 so as to face the driver D. Can accept the driver.

As shown in FIG. 12, the airbag 200 has a driver side portion 32 made of the same bag material 70 as in the first embodiment, and a bag material 400 having a shape slightly different from that of the bag material 40 in the first embodiment. It is formed by using a handle side portion 220 made of.

In the bag material 400, the second supporting portions 54 (54F, 54B) forming the second supporting expansion portions 30F and 30B are replaced with the sheet-shaped portion 47 (the protruding portion portion 45 of the bag material 40 of the first embodiment). It differs from the bag material 40 in that it is arranged between the tip portion 61 (61F, 61B) and the 47F, 47B). That is, the bag material 400 is configured to include a mounting seat portion 41, a general portion portion 43 (43L, 43R), and a tip portion 61 (61F, 61B), similarly to the bag material 40. ing. However, for bags in which the sheet-shaped portion 470 (470F, 470B) of the protruding portion 450 (450F, 450B) has left edges 49, 50 and right edges 52, 53 that are sewn to each other of the folded portion 48. In addition to the same portion as the sheet-shaped portion 47 (47F, 47B) of the material 40, the folded portion 55 forming the tip portion 30a of the second support expanding portion 30 (30F, 30B) and the left side of the folded portion 55 are mutually The configuration is provided with a second portion 54 (54F, 54B) having edges 56 and 57 to be sewn on top of each other and edges 58 and 59 to be sewn on each other on the right side.

In the step of manufacturing the handle side portion 220 using the bag material 400, as shown in A and B of FIG. 16, the reinforcing cloth 72 is sewn to form the inflow opening 23 and the mounting hole 24a, and then the reinforcing cloth 72 is formed. For example, a crease that becomes a mountain fold is made on the side (outer surface side) opposite to the surface on which the reinforcing cloth 72 is sewn in the second portion 54F, the folded portion 55 is folded back, and the overlapping edge 56 on the left side of the folded portion 55 is formed. , 57 and the right edges 58 and 59 are sewn together to first form the outer peripheral wall of the second support expansion portion 30F, and the subsequent work is the same as A and B in FIG. Is. That is, as shown in B of FIG. 16 and A of FIG. 17, the folded-back portion 48 of the support expansion portion 28F in the bag material 400 is overlapped with the mounting seat 24 by overlapping the tip portion 61F of the protruding portion portion 450F. When folded back, the edges 61b and 43b of the tip part 61F and the general part 43L, the edges 49 and 50 of the sheet-shaped part 470F, and the edges 61c and 43b of the tip part 61F and the general part 43R, Since the edges 52 and 53 of the sheet-shaped portion 470F can be overlapped with each other at the same time, these mutual portions are set on a workbench of a predetermined industrial sewing machine and sewn by flat sewing. Then, as shown in A and B of FIG. 17, a fold is made on the surface opposite to the side where the reinforcing cloth 72 is sewn in the second portion 54B, and the folded portion 55 is folded back to form the folded portion. The overlapping edges 56, 57 on the left side of 55 and the edges 58, 59 on the right side are sewn together to form the outer peripheral wall of the second support expansion portion 30B. Then, as shown in B of FIG. 17 and A of FIG. 18, the folded-back portion 48 of the support expansion portion 28B in the bag material 400 is overlapped with the mounting seat 24 so that the tip portion 61B of the protruding portion portion 450B is overlapped. When folded back, the edges 61b and 43c of the tip part 61B and the general part 43L are mutual, the edges 49 and 50 of the sheet-like part 470B are mutual, and the edges 61c and 43c of the tip part 61B and the general part 43R are mutual. Since the edges 52 and 53 of the sheet-shaped part 470B can be overlapped with each other at the same time, if these mutual parts are set on the workbench of a predetermined industrial sewing machine and sewn on a flat surface, FIGS. 13 to 15 The handle side portion 220 shown in the above can be easily formed. After that, as shown in B and C of FIG. 18, as in the first embodiment, the handle side portion 220 and the driver side portion 32 are overlapped, and the outer peripheral edges 22a and 32a are sewn together and inverted. , Airbag 200 can be manufactured.

Then, similarly to the airbag 20 of the first embodiment, it may be assembled to the airbag device M and mounted on the handle W.

As described above, the airbag 200 provided with the front and rear support expansion portions 28F and 28B and the second support expansion portions 30F and 30B is simply a sheet-like portion 470F as compared with the bag material 40 of the airbag 20. , 470B, respectively, by using a bag material 400 having a configuration in which two support expansion portions 28F and 30F or support expansion portions 28B and 30B can be formed and two folded portions 48 and 55 are arranged. , Can be easily formed.

In the airbag 200 of the second embodiment, the case where the second support expansion portions 30F and 30B capable of supporting the front and rear support expansion portions 28F and 28B of the handle side portion 220 are provided, respectively, but the front and rear are appropriately provided. The second support / expansion portion 30 may be provided so as to support only one side of the support / expansion portions 28F and 28B.

Further, in the airbags 20 and 200 of the first and second embodiments, the support expansion portions 28 (28F, 28B) and 30 (30F,) are partially formed from the extension portions 27 (27F, 27B) of the handle side portions 22, 220. Although 30B) is shown to be projected, it is supported so as to project downward from the front and rear edges 22b and 22c of the handle side portion 221 as in the airbag 201 of the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 20 and 28. The expansion portion 28 (28F, 28B) may be projected.

The airbag 201 includes a driver side portion 32 similar to that of the first and second embodiments, and a handle side portion 221 made of a bag material 401 having a shape slightly different from that of the bag material 40 of the first embodiment. It is composed of. As shown in FIG. 21, the bag material 401 is provided with a concave groove 61d at the center of the tip from the tip portion 61 (61F, 61B) to the sheet-shaped portion 47 (47F, 47B) of the bag material 40 on both the left and right sides. It is configured as a shape that looks like it has been expanded. Similar to the bag material 40, the bag material 401 is configured to include a mounting seat portion 41 and a general portion portion 43 (43L, 43R). However, the protrusion portion 451, that is, the tip edges 61a of the front and rear tip portions 611 (611F, 611B), respectively, connect the edges 61e and 61f facing each other in the left-right direction to the center 61ac in the left-right direction. The concave groove 61d is arranged. Therefore, the projecting portion 451 is expanded by the concave groove 61d so that the left and right base side edges 50 and 53 of the sheet-shaped portion 471 (471F, 471B) are the same as the bag material 40, even if the sheet is formed. The left and right tip-side edges 49 and 50 of the shaped portion 471 (471F, 471B) are expanded to the left and right from the edges 49 and 50 of the bag material 40, and the tip portion 611 (611F, 611F, 611F, The left and right side edges 61b and 61c of 611B) also have a shape that is expanded to the left and right from the side edges 61b and 61c of the bag material 40, and these parts have a shape different from that of the bag material 40. ..

In the bag material 401, if the facing edges 61e and 61f facing each other in the left-right direction of the concave groove 61d of the tip portion 611 (611F, 611B) are sewn to each other, the sewn as shown in A and B of FIG. The portion of the tip edge 61a extending to the left and right from the concave groove 61d of the front tip portion 611 (611F, 611B) becomes an arc shape having the same shape as the tip edge 61a of the tip portion 61 of the bag material 40. Together with the tip edge 43a of the part portion 43 (43L, 43R), the driver side joint portion to be sewn with the outer peripheral edge 32a (70a) of the driver side portion 32 (bag material 70) is formed.

That is, in such a bag material 401, if the facing edges 61e and 61f facing each other in the left-right direction of the concave groove 61d of the tip portion 611 (611F, 611B) are sewn to each other and developed flat, the bag is used. It has the same planar shape as the material 40. Therefore, after that, as shown in A and B of FIG. 8, as shown in B of FIG. 25 and A of FIG. 26, the tip portion 611F of the protruding portion portion 451F is overlapped with the mounting seat 24. When the folded-back portion 48 of the support expansion portion 28F in the bag material 401 is folded back, the edges 61b and 43b of the tip portion 611F and the general portion portion 43L are mutually, the edges 49 and 50 of the sheet-shaped portion 471F are mutually, and the tip portion is used. Since the edges 61c and 43b of the part 611F and the part 43R for the general part and the edges 52 and 53 of the sheet-shaped part 471F can be overlapped at the same time, these mutual parts can be overlapped with each other of a predetermined industrial sewing machine. Set on a workbench and sew by flat sewing. Then, as shown in B of FIG. 26 and A of FIG. 27, the tip portion 611B of the protrusion portion 451B is overlapped with the mounting seat 24, and the folded portion 48 of the support expansion portion 28B in the bag material 401 is formed. When folded back, the edges 61b and 43c of the tip part 611B and the general part 43L are mutual, the edges 49 and 50 of the sheet-like part 471B are mutual, and the edges 61c and 43c of the tip part 611B and the general part 43R are mutual. Since the edges 52 and 53 of the sheet-shaped parts 471B can be overlapped with each other at the same time, if these mutual parts are set on a workbench of a predetermined industrial sewing machine and sewn on a flat surface, FIGS. 22 to 24 The handle side portion 221 shown in the above can be easily formed. After that, as shown in B and C of FIG. 27, as in the first embodiment, the handle side portion 221 and the driver side portion 32 are overlapped, and the outer peripheral edges 22a and 32a are sewn together and inverted. , Airbag 201 can be manufactured.

Then, similarly to the airbag 20 of the first embodiment, it may be assembled to the airbag device M and mounted on the handle W.

In the airbag 201 of the third embodiment, after the expansion is completed as shown in A of FIG. 28 in the vehicle-mounted state, the driver D is received and the driver is received as shown in B of FIG. 28. Even if the side portion 32 tries to incline forward (even if the front edge 32b tries to incline downward), the front support expansion portion 28F makes the support surface portion 29F on the rear surface 28cc side, especially the base portion 28b side. Since the front surface Bf including the open door portion 16a is pressed against the center portion B and supported by the central portion B, the driver side portion 32 is prevented from tilting so that the airbag 201 faces the driver D. The driver side portion 32 arranged in the above can accurately receive the driver D. Alternatively, as shown in C of FIG. 28, even if the driver D is received and the driver side 32 tries to tilt backward (even if the trailing edge 32c tries to tilt downward), the rear support is provided. Since the expansion portion 28B is supported by the central portion B by pressing the support surface portion 29B on the front surface 28cf side, particularly the base portion 28b side, to the rear surface Bb including the open door portion 16a, the driver side. The inclination of the portion 32 is prevented, and the airbag 201 can accurately receive the driver by the driver side portion 32 arranged so as to face the driver D.

In particular, in the airbag 201 of the third embodiment, the support expansion portions 28F and 28B can be projected from the front and rear edges 22b and 22c of the handle side portion 221 when the expansion is completed, so that the support expansion portions 28F and 28B have a large volume. 28F and 28B can be formed, and a large reaction force can be secured by the large volume support and expansion portions 28F and 28B that are abutted and supported by the front surface Bf and the rear surface Bb of the handle W, and the operation with a large kinetic energy can be performed. Even if a person moves to the front edge 32b side or the trailing edge 32c side of the airbag 201, the driver side portion 32 of the airbag 201 can face the driver without tilting and can accurately receive the driver.

Of course, even in this airbag 201, even if the left and right edges 32d and 32e (see FIGS. 20 and 28) of the driver side portion 32 try to fall downward when the driver D is received after the expansion is completed, the support expansion portion The general portions 26L and 26R extending to the left and right from the mounting seat 24 of the handle side portion 221 are connected to the connecting portions SFL, SFR, SBL and SBR near the operation grip portions HL and HR of the handle W without depending on 28 (28B, 28F). The upper surface Wu and the upper surface Wu of the operation grip portion HL and HR itself are abutted and supported, the inclination of the driver side portion 32 is prevented, and the airbag 201 is arranged so as to face the driver D. The unit 32 can accurately receive the driver.

In the airbag 201 of the third embodiment, the front and rear support expansion portions 28F and 28B are both configured to increase the volume, but only one of the front and rear support expansion portions 28F and 28 is configured to increase the volume. The other is a support expansion portion 28 of the airbag 20 of the first embodiment and a support expansion portion 28 provided together with the second support expansion portion 30 like the airbag 200 of the second embodiment. May be good.

Further, as the modified handle on which the airbag is mounted, in addition to the handle W shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, at least on both front and rear sides from the length dimensions XL and XR toward both the left and right sides as the length dimension from the central portion B. A shape in which the length dimension YB toward the front BF side is shortened, that is, the operation grip portions H (L, R) are provided on both the left and right sides, and the length dimension YB is shortened to the left and right from the center portion B. If the shape is such that the front-rear width dimension YW is smaller than the width dimension XW, one of the front-rear directions of the operation grip portion H, for example, the deformed handle W0 shown in FIGS. 29 and 30 and the deformed handle W1 shown in FIG. The front end Hf may be a free end, or the central portion B may be arranged with a large deviation downward from the operation grip portion H, as in the modified handle W0.

Further, in the airbags 20, 200, 201 of the first to third embodiments, the case where the support expansion portions 28F and 28B are provided on both the front and rear sides is shown, but the airbag 202 of the fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 32 to 34. As described above, only the front support / expansion portion 28F may be formed.

The steering wheel WA on which the airbag device MA using the airbag 202 is mounted has operation grip portions HL and HR on both the left and right sides, and has a length dimension XL and XR from the central portion B toward the left and right sides. It is a modified handle with a shortened length dimension YF from the central portion B toward the front portion BF side. In other words, the ring portion R is placed on the rear BB side of the central portion B together with the left and right grip portions HL and HR without disposing the portion of the ring portion R on the front portion BF side of the central portion B of the handle WA. The shape is such that the rear RB is arranged. The central portion B and the ring portion R are connected by four spoke portions (connecting portions) S (SFL, SFR, SBL, SBR). A boss 3 connected to the steering shaft SS, which is the center of rotation during operation, is arranged in the lower portion of the central portion B. The steering wheel WA is composed of a steering wheel body 101 and an airbag device MA.

The handle body 101 is configured by disposing a core material 102 made of a metal material such as a steel material in order to secure the rigidity of the central portion B, the spoke portion S, and the ring portion R, and the boss 103 is a core material. It is arranged on the lower side of the center of 102. Further, a coating layer 104 made of synthetic resin is appropriately arranged around the core material 102. The lower surface side of the central portion B is covered with a lower cover 105 made of synthetic resin.

As shown in FIGS. 32 to 34, the driver's seat airbag device MA covers the upper part of the folded and stored airbag 202, the inflator 9 that supplies the expansion gas to the airbag 202, and the folded airbag 202. It is configured to include an airbag cover 115, a case 111 that stores and holds the airbag 202 and the inflator 9 and holds the airbag cover 115, and a retainer 7 for attaching the airbag 202 to the case 111 together with the inflator 9. To.

The inflator 9 and the retainer 7 have the same configuration as that of the first embodiment. That is, the retainer 7 is made of a square annular sheet metal, presses the peripheral edge of the inflow opening 23 of the airbag 202, attaches the airbag 202 to the case 111, and attaches the inflator 9 to the case 111 at the four corners. It is configured to include bolts (not shown) that are nutted to the case 111. The inflator 9 includes a columnar main body portion 9a having a plurality of gas discharge ports 9b at the upper portion and a flange portion 9c protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 9a, and the flange portion 9c is illustrated by the retainer 7. A through hole (not shown) is formed to allow each bolt to pass through.

The case 111 is made of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped sheet metal, and is arranged on the upper side of the central portion B of the handle WA to form a storage portion for storing the folded airbag 202, and has a rectangular bottom wall portion 111a and a rectangular bottom wall portion 111a. It is configured to include a square tubular side wall portion 111d extending upward from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall portion 111a. The bottom wall portion 111a is formed with an insertion hole 111b having a circular opening into which the main body portion 9a of the inflator 9 can be inserted from below, and four through holes 111c through which a bolt (not shown) of the retainer 7 is passed around the insertion hole 111b. (See FIG. 32) is formed. A tongue piece portion 111g extending downward is formed in the front and rear facing portions of the side wall portion 111d, and the rivet 12 for stopping the side wall portion 117 of the airbag cover 115 is passed through the side wall portion 111g in the tongue piece portion 111g. A plurality of through holes 111h are provided. Further, in order to dispose and fix the airbag device MA on the upper part of the central portion B at the upper end of the side wall portion 111d of the case 111, the bracket portion 111i is connected and fixed to the core material 102 by bolting or the like. Are arranged.

The airbag cover 115 is made of synthetic resin and includes a ceiling wall portion 116 that covers the upper part of the stored airbag 202, and a substantially square tubular side wall portion 117 that extends downward from the vicinity of the outer peripheral edge of the ceiling wall portion 116. It is composed of. The ceiling wall portion 116 is formed with two door portions 116a, 116a that are pushed by the expanding airbag 202 and open on both front and rear sides. A through hole 117b through which the rivet 12 is inserted is formed in the side wall portion 117.

Similar to the airbags 20 and 201 of the first and third embodiments, the airbag 202 of the fourth embodiment projects toward the front side of the central portion B of the handle WA and is abutted and supported by the front surface Bf side of the central portion B. Although it is provided with the front support expansion portion 28F, it is different from the airbags 20 and 201 of the first and third embodiments in that it is not provided with the rear support expansion portion 28B, and the other configurations are the same. Is. In particular, in the airbag 202 of the fourth embodiment, the front support expansion portion 28F is configured to have a large volume like the front support expansion portion 28F of the airbag 201 of the third embodiment.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 35 to 37, as the bag material constituting the airbag 202, the bag material 70 forming the driver side portion 32 is the same as that in the first and third embodiments, and the handle side portion 222 is used. As a configuration in which the bag material 402 forming the above does not include the rear-side protruding portion 451B in the bag material 401 of the third embodiment, the configuration includes only the front-side protruding portion 451F. There is. Specifically, in the bag material 402, general part parts 43 (43L, 43R) are arranged on the left and right sides of the mounting seat part 41, and the protruding part 451F is arranged on the front side of the mounting seat part 41. On the rear side of the mounting seat portion 41, a substantially semicircular plate-shaped rear side portion 62 in which the left and right general portion portions 43L and 43R of the third embodiment and the tip portion 611B are connected is arranged. It is configured to be. Further, in the bag material 402 of the fourth embodiment, the third aspect is that the opposing edges 61e and 61f of the concave groove 61d at the center 61ac of the tip edge 61a of the tip portion 611F are formed so as to bulge forward. The opposite edges 61e and 61f of the bag material 401 of the embodiment are slightly different from each other, and the same parts as those of the bag material 40 of the other third embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals.

In the manufacture of the airbag 202, as shown in FIGS. 38A and 38B, the opposing edges 61e and 61f facing each other in the left-right direction of the concave groove 61d of the tip portion 611F are sewn to each other and developed flat. After that, as shown in C of FIG. 38, the tip portion 611F of the protrusion portion 451F is overlapped with the mounting seat 24, and the folded portion 48 of the support expansion portion 28F in the bag material 402 is folded back for the tip. The edges 61b and 43b of the part 611F and the general part 43L, the edges 49 and 50 of the sheet-like part 471F, the edges 61c and 43b of the tip part 611F and the general part 43R, and the sheet-like part. Since the edges 52 and 53 of the 471F can be overlapped with each other at the same time, the handle side portion 222 can be easily formed by setting these mutual parts on the work table of a predetermined industrial sewing machine and sewing them in a plane. can do. After that, if the handle side portion 222 and the driver side portion 32 are overlapped with each other, the outer peripheral edges 22a (driver side coupling portions 61a, 43a, the outer peripheral edge 62a of the rear side portion 62), 32a are sewn together and inverted. , Airbag 202 can be manufactured.

The airbag 202 manufactured in this manner may be assembled to the airbag device MA and mounted on the steering wheel WA in the same manner as the airbag 20 of the first embodiment.

Even in the driver's seat airbag device MA of the fourth embodiment, if the expansion gas G flows into the airbag 202 through the inflow opening 23 during operation and the airbag 202 expands, the airbag cover 115 By pushing open the door portions 116a and 116a, the airbag 202 protrudes from the case 111 as a storage portion as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIGS. 32 and 33 and A in FIG. 39, and the upper surface Wu side of the handle WA is pressed. Cover and complete expansion so that they are supported on the Wu side of the top surface.

Then, in the driver airbag 202 of the fourth embodiment, when the expansion is completed and the driver D is received, the front support expansion portion 28F is arranged on the front side (front surface Bf side) of the central portion B of the steering wheel WA. Therefore, as shown in B of FIG. 39, even if the front edge 32b side of the driver side portion 32 tries to incline downward, the front support expansion portion 28F makes the support surface portion 29F the front surface of the steering wheel center portion B. The air is brought into contact with the Bf side (more specifically, the original 28b side of the support surface 29F on the rear 28cc side is pressed against the open door 116a and the front Bf to be supported by the central B). Prevents the bag 202 from falling downward on the front edge 32b side. Therefore, the airbag 202 can accurately receive the driver D approaching the steering wheel WA by the driver side portion 32 arranged so as to face the driver D without tilting. In addition, in the portion other than the front edge 32b side of the airbag 202, the general portions 26L and 26R extending to the left and right from the mounting seat 24 of the handle side portion 222 abut on the upper surface Wu near the operation grip portion HL and HR of the handle WA. On the trailing edge 32c side, the general portion 26B on the rear side of the mounting seat 24 is abutted and supported by the upper surface Wu of the rear RB of the ring portion R to prevent the driver side portion 32 from tilting and to prevent the airbag 202. However, the driver side portion 32 arranged so as to face the driver D can accurately receive the driver.

Therefore, even if the airbag 202 of the fourth embodiment is mounted on the handle WA having a shortened length dimension YF from the central portion B toward the front portion BF side, the airbag 202 stably receives and protects the driver D when the expansion is completed. can do.

The front support expansion portion 28F of the airbag 202 of the fourth embodiment has a shape in which the facing edges 61e and 61f of the concave groove 61d swell, and the area of the corresponding portion of the bag material 402 is set to the corresponding portion of the bag material 401. It is wider than the area of, and is slightly wider than the front support expansion portion 28F of the airbag 201.

When only the front support expansion portion 28F is formed, the rear support expansion portion 28B of the airbag 20 of the first embodiment is omitted and only the front support expansion portion 28F is arranged as in the airbag 202A shown in FIG. 40. It may be configured to be provided. As shown in FIG. 41, the airbag 202A is a bag material 402A forming the handle side portion 222A, and is a projecting portion portion on the rear side of the mounting seat portion 41 of the bag material 40 of the first embodiment. 45B may be eliminated and a semi-disc-shaped rear side portion 62 may be provided.

Further, as shown in FIG. 42, the support expansion portion having a large volume of the fourth embodiment may be arranged on the rear side. The airbag 202B having the front and rear support expansion portions 28F and 28B having such a large volume has a front side protruding portion portion as a configuration of the handle side portion 222B, as in the bag material 402B shown in FIG. 43. It can be manufactured by disposing the 451F symmetrically in the front-rear direction with the inflow opening 23 as the center and providing the protrusion portion 451B.

Further, when forming the support expansion portion, as in the airbag 203 of the fifth embodiment shown in FIGS. 44 to 48, the primary expansion portion 80 that first inflows the expansion gas and expands, and the primary expansion portion 80. The primary expansion unit 28F is composed of a secondary expansion unit 90 that allows expansion gas G to flow in from the supply port 83 to complete expansion, and a front support expansion unit 28F that is abutted and supported on the front surface Bf side of the handle WA. It may be composed of 80 parts.

The primary expansion portion 80 of the airbag 203 extends from the base portion 81 to the base portion 81 formed by disposing the supply port 83 so that the expansion gas from the inflow opening 23 can flow in and expand. It is configured to include a tip portion 82 that forms a support expansion portion 28F. The secondary expansion portion 90 of the airbag 203 is configured to form the outer peripheral wall 213 of the airbag 203 excluding the outer peripheral wall of the support expansion portion 28F. In other words, the secondary expansion portion 90 constitutes the outer bag 91, and the primary expansion portion 80 has the front support expansion portion 28F as an inner bag 84 in which the original portion 81 is housed in the outer bag 91. It is configured.

As shown in FIGS. 44 to 46, the inner bag 84 has a substantially rectangular support member 87, 88 forming the front support expansion portion 28F, as well as an opening side portion 85 and a lid side portion, both of which are substantially disk-shaped. It is configured with 86. The opening side portion 85 is provided with a mounting seat 24 having an inflow opening 23 and a mounting hole 24a, and an insertion hole 85a for allowing the expansion gas G to flow into the front support expansion portion 28F is formed on the lid side. A supply port 83 for supplying the expansion gas G is opened in the portion 86 on the outer bag 91 (secondary expansion portion 90) side. The outer bag 91 is substantially disk-shaped and includes a handle side portion 223 and a driver side portion 323. The handle side portion 223 is provided with a mounting seat 24 having an inflow opening 23 and a mounting hole 24a. Further, an insertion hole 91a for allowing the expansion gas G to flow into the front support expansion portion 28F is formed. The front support expansion portion 28F constituting the primary expansion portion 80 is sutured to the outer peripheral edges of the substantially rectangular support members 87 and 88, and the original portion 28b side is sutured to the peripheral edges of the insertion holes 85a and 91a. It is formed.

In the state before the drilling process, the airbag 203 aligns the peripheral portions of the inflow opening 23 with the inner peripheral surface side of the bag material 403 constituting the handle side portion 223 of the outer bag 91. The opening side portions 85 provided with the supply port 83 of the inner bag 84 are overlapped, and the peripheral parts of the inflow opening 23 are sewn together, and then the inflow opening 23, the mounting holes 24a, and the insertion holes 85a and 91a are formed. It is formed by opening. Next, while the opening side portion 85 is co-sewn to the peripheral edges of the insertion holes 91a and 85a on the outer peripheral surface side of the bag material 403 opposite to the opening side portion 85, the base 28b side of the supporting members 87 and 88 is sewn. The outer peripheral edges of the support members 87 and 88 are sewn together, including the tip 28a side, to form the front support expansion portion 28F.

Then, the lid side portion 86 is overlapped with the opening side portion 85, and the outer peripheral edges are sewn together to form the inner bag 84. After that, the bag material 70 constituting the driver side portion 323 is superposed on the opposite side of the base portion 81 of the inner bag 84 in the bag material 403 constituting the handle side portion 223, and the outer peripheral edges 40a and 70a are sewn together. The airbag 203 can be manufactured by turning it over using the inflow opening 23. The manufactured airbag 203 may be assembled to the airbag device MA and mounted on the steering wheel WA as in the first embodiment or the like.

Even in the driver's seat airbag device MA using the airbag 203 of the fifth embodiment, if the expansion gas G flows into the airbag 203 through the inflow opening 23 during operation and the airbag 203 expands. , The door portions 116a and 116a of the airbag cover 115 are pushed open, and the airbag 203 protrudes from the case 111 as a storage portion as shown in A and B of FIG. 47 and A of FIG. 48, and the handle WA The expansion is completed so as to cover the upper surface Wu side and be supported by the upper surface Wu side.

Then, in the driver airbag 203 of the fifth embodiment, when the expansion is completed and the driver D is received, the front support expansion portion 28F is arranged on the front side (front surface Bf side) of the central portion B of the steering wheel WA. Therefore, as shown in B of FIG. 48, even if the front edge 32b side of the driver side portion 323 tries to incline downward, the front support expansion portion 28F makes the support surface portion 29F the front surface of the steering wheel center portion B. The air is brought into contact with the Bf side (more specifically, the original 28b side of the support surface 29F on the rear 28cc side is pressed against the open door 116a and the front Bf to be supported by the central B). Prevents the bag 203 from falling downward on the front edge 32b side. Therefore, the airbag 203 can accurately receive the driver D approaching the steering wheel WA by the driver side portion 32 arranged so as to face the driver D without tilting. In addition, in the portion other than the front edge 32b side of the airbag 203, the general portions 26L and 26R extending to the left and right from the mounting seat 24 of the handle side portion 223 abut on the upper surface Wu near the operation grip portions HL and HR of the handle WA. On the trailing edge 32c side, the general portion 26B on the rear side of the mounting seat 24 is abutted and supported by the upper surface Wu of the rear portion RB of the ring portion R to prevent the driver side portion 32 from tilting and the airbag 203. However, the driver side portion 32 arranged so as to face the driver D can accurately receive the driver.

In particular, in the airbag 203 of the fifth embodiment, when the expansion gas G flows into the airbag 203, the primary expansion portion 80 expands as shown in A and B of FIG. 47, and FIG. 48 shows. As shown in A, the secondary expansion unit 90 expands due to the expansion gas G supplied through the supply port 83 of the primary expansion unit 80. Then, when the expansion of the primary expansion portion 80 is completed, the front support expansion portion 28F also completes the expansion, so that the support surface portion 29F of the front support expansion portion 28F quickly handles the handle before the expansion of the secondary expansion portion 90 is completed. It is arranged at a predetermined position facing the front surface Bf side of the WA. Therefore, even if the secondary expansion portion 90 completes the expansion and receives the driver D, the support surface portion 29F of the front support expansion portion 28F is already arranged at an appropriate position, and the front support expansion portion 28F Is quickly abutted and supported on the front Bf side of the steering wheel WA, and can accurately and stably prevent the front edge 32b side of the driver side 323 from falling, and as a result, the airbag 203 is directed toward the steering wheel WA. The coming driver D can be received and protected in a more stable state.

When the support expansion portion is formed by the primary expansion portion, the front and rear support expansion portions 28F and 28B are used before and after the primary expansion portion 80A as shown in the airbag 204 of the sixth embodiment shown in FIGS. 49 to 53. It may be formed from the tip portions 82F and 82B.

The airbag 204 projects the support expansion portions 28F and 28B from the insertion holes 91a and 91a of the outer bag 91A constituting the outer peripheral wall 214 of the airbag 204 on both front and rear sides of the base portion 81 of the primary expansion portion 80A. It is configured. The airbag 204 can be formed by arranging the support expansion portion 28F of the fifth embodiment symmetrically in the front-rear direction with the inflow opening 23 as the center and providing the rear support expansion portion 28B. In the secondary expansion portion 90A constituting the outer bag 91, insertion holes 91a through which the front and rear tip portions 82F and 82B extending from the base portion 81 of the primary expansion portion 80A are inserted are provided on both front and rear sides of the inflow opening 23. (See FIG. 51).

In the state before the drilling process, the airbag 204 is on the inner peripheral surface side of the bag material 404 (see FIG. 51) constituting the handle side portion 224 of the outer bag 91A, and the peripheral portions of the inflow opening 23 are mutually connected. The opening side portions 85A provided with the supply port 83 of the inner bag 84A are overlapped with each other, and the peripheral parts of the inflow opening 23 are sewn together, and then the inflow opening 23, the mounting hole 24a, and the insertion hole are sewn together. 85a and 91a are formed by drilling. Next, the opening side portions 85 are co-sewn to the peripheral edges of the two front and rear insertion holes 91a on the outer peripheral surface side of the bag material 404 opposite to the opening side portion 85, and the base portions of the supporting members 87 and 88 are sewn together. The 28b side is sewn, and then the outer peripheral edges of the support members 87 and 88 are sewn together with the tip 28a side to form the front and rear front support expansion portions 28F and 28B.

Then, the lid side portion 86A is superposed on the opening side portion 85A, and the outer peripheral edges are sewn together to form the inner bag 84A. After that, the bag material 70 constituting the driver side portion 324 is superposed on the opposite side of the inner bag 84A in the bag material 404 constituting the handle side portion 224, and the outer peripheral edges 40a and 70a are sewn together to open the inflow opening. The airbag 204 can be manufactured by turning it over using 23. The manufactured airbag 204 may be assembled to the airbag device M and mounted on the steering wheel W as in the first embodiment or the like.

Even in the driver's seat airbag device M using the airbag 204 of the sixth embodiment, if the expansion gas G flows into the airbag 204 through the inflow opening 23 during operation and the airbag 204 expands. , The door portions 16a and 16a of the airbag cover 15 are pushed open, and the airbag 204 protrudes from the case 11 as a storage portion as shown in A and B of FIG. 52 and A of FIG. 53, and the handle W The expansion is completed so as to cover the upper surface Wu side and be supported by the upper surface Wu side.

Then, when the expansion gas flows into the airbag 204, the primary expansion portion 80A expands, and the secondary expansion portion 90A expands due to the expansion gas G supplied through the supply port 83 of the primary expansion portion 80A. .. Then, when the expansion of the primary expansion portion 80A is completed, the support expansion portions 28F and 28B also complete the expansion, so that the support surface portions 29F and 29B of the support expansion portions 28F and 28B are before the completion of the expansion of the secondary expansion portion 90A. , It is quickly arranged at a predetermined position facing the front surface Bf side and the rear surface Bb side of the handle W. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 53B, even if the secondary expansion portion 90A completes the expansion and receives the driver D, the support surface portions 29F and 29B of the support expansion portions 28F and 28B are already appropriate. It is arranged at the position, and the support expansion portions 28F and 28B are quickly abutted and supported by the front Bf side and the rear surface Bb side of the handle W, and the driver side portion 324 has a depression on the front edge 32b side and the rear edge 32c side. As a result, the airbag 204 can receive and protect the driver D approaching the steering wheel W in a more stable state. As for the left and right depression of the airbag 204, the vicinity of the general portions 26L and 26R extending left and right from the mounting seat 24 of the handle side portion 224 is abutted and supported by the upper surface Wu near the operation grip portion HL and HR of the handle W. , Is prevented.

Further, the support surface portion of the support expansion portion may be configured to positively contact and support the front surface of the handle. For example, as in the airbag 205 of the seventh embodiment shown in FIGS. 54 to 58, the boundary portion between the supporting and expanding portion 28F on the front side and the mounting seat 24, that is, the mounting seat 24 in the airbag 205 when the expansion is completed. The bent portion 25 between the supporting and expanding portion 28F that swells from the front edge side of the handle WA is located near the intersection (corner) Bc between the front surface Bf and the upper surface Bu on the front BF side of the handle WA (specifically, near the intersection Bc). The substantially rectangular flat plate-shaped support surface portion 29F extending downward from the bent portion 25 in the support expansion portion 28F is arranged not only on the front portion 28b side but also in the center in the vertical direction. The vicinity of the portion 29a and the vicinity of the tip 29c may also be configured to abut and support the front surface Bf of the handle WA. The plan view of the airbag 205 used as the airbag device MA in the expanded state is similar to that of the airbag 202 shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG.

In the airbag 205 of the seventh embodiment, as shown in FIG. 55, the support expansion portion 28F is the front edge of the handle side portion 225, similar to the airbag 202 of the fourth embodiment (see FIGS. 32 to 39). It is configured to project downward from 22b. Further, as shown in FIGS. 56 and 57, the bag material 405 forming the handle side portion 225 is also similar to the bag material 402 (see FIGS. 35 and 38) of the airbag 202 of the fourth embodiment.

That is, the handle side portion 225 of the airbag 205 of the seventh embodiment is arranged on both the left and right sides and the rear side of the mounting seat 24 having the inflow opening 23, similarly to the handle side portion 222 of the fourth embodiment. The general portions 26L, 26R, 26B supported on the upper surface Bu side of the handle WA and the support expansion portion 28F on the front side are provided, and the support expansion portion 28F has the front surface 28h side of the handle side portion 222. It is configured to connect to the front edge 22b side, that is, to project downward from the front edge 22b.

The bag material 405 forming the handle side portion 224 is made of a cloth material woven with a weaving thread such as polyamide, as shown in FIGS. 56 and 57, similarly to the bag material 402 of the fourth embodiment. The mounting seat portion 41, which has flexibility and forms the mounting seat 24, extends from the mounting seat portion 41 to the left and right sides and the rear side to form general portions 26L, 26R, 26B (rear side portion 62). It is configured to include a possible general portion portion 43 (L, R, B) and a protruding portion portion 455F that extends forward from the mounting seat portion 41 to form a support expansion portion 28F. Further, the support expansion portion 28F has a folded-back portion 48 along the left-right direction at the tip portion 28a, and is a sheet in which the left and right edges 49, 50 and the edges 52, 53 extending from the folded-back portion 48 are connected to each other. It is configured to be formed from the shape portion 475F.

The protrusion portion 455F is configured to include a sheet-shaped portion 475F arranged on the mounting seat 24 side and a tip portion 615F arranged on the tip side. The tip edge 61a of the tip portion 615F and the tip edges 43a of the left and right general parts 43L and 43R form a driver-side coupling portion to be coupled to the outer peripheral edge 32a of the driver-side portion 32, and the tip portion The left and right side edges 61b and 61c extending from both ends of the tip edge 61a on the outer peripheral edge of the 615F to the inner sheet-like portion 475F and the front side edges 43b of the general parts 43L and 43R are opposed to each other. It constitutes a joint for forming the side of the handle to be connected to.

Further, the tip edge 61a of the tip portion 615F is in the left-right direction, as in the bag material 402 of the fourth embodiment, so that the support expansion portion 28F protrudes from the front edge 22b of the handle side portion 225 to increase the volume. A concave groove 61d for connecting the edges 61e and 61f facing each other in the left-right direction is arranged in the center 61ac of the above, and a portion of the tip edge 61a extending left and right from the concave groove 61d constitutes a driver-side coupling portion 61a. ing. The edges 61e and 61f facing each other in the left-right direction have a shape that bulges forward so as to approach each other, similar to the bag material 402 of the fourth embodiment.

In particular, in the handle side portion 225 (bag material 405), the coupling portion 44 of the joint portions 43b, 61b, 61c for forming the handle side portion with the driver side portion 32 is viewed from the left-right direction when the expansion is completed. As a side view, it is arranged near the upper side of the steering wheel WA on the front Bf side in the direction along the steering axis SS, that is, along the steering axis SS on the front Bf side of the steering wheel WA. It is configured to be arranged in the vicinity of the straight line UPc (see FIG. 58). The front surface Bf side of the handle WA through which the straight line UPc passes is based on the most forward protruding portion of the front portion BF of the central portion B.

Explaining the above configuration, the portion constituting the support surface portion 29F of the support expansion portion 28F in the bag material 405 is the attachment seat portion 41 (mounting seat 24) in the sheet-like portion 475F of the protrusion portion 455F. It is a substantially rectangular flat area on the front side of the boundary portion 25. Further, the boundary portion 25 is folded so as to extend substantially linearly along the left-right direction at the handle side portion 225 because the support expansion portion 28F protrudes downward on the front side of the mounting seat 24 when the airbag 205 is expanded. The curved portion 25 is formed. Then, in the seventh embodiment, the bent portion 25 is arranged on the front surface Bf side near the intersection (corner portion) between the front surface Bf on the front portion BF side and the upper surface Bu in the central portion B of the handle WA. ing.

That is, when viewed from the dimensional shape of the bag material 405, the boundary portion 25 between the sheet-shaped portion 475F of the protruding portion portion 455F and the mounting seat portion 41 extends linearly along the left-right direction, and the mounting seat It is a part connected to the side edge 43b extending linearly along the left-right direction in the left and right general parts 43L and 43R of the work part 41. These side edges 43b are combined with the side edges 61b, 61c of the tip portion 615F to form a coupling portion for forming the handle side portion, and the left and right tip sides are the driver side coupling portions 43a, 61a. At the same time, the binding site 44 is bound to the outer peripheral edge 32a of the driver side portion 32 (the outer peripheral edge 70a of the bag material 70 of the driver side portion 32). In the case of the seventh embodiment, when the expansion of the airbag 205 is completed, the coupling portion 44 is located near the straight line (reference line) UPc along the steering axis SS on the front Bf side of the steering wheel WA, as shown in FIG. Therefore, in the seventh embodiment, the distance L0 (see FIG. 56) from the center O of the inflow opening 23 to the joint portions 43b, 61b, 61c for forming the handle side portion is the airbag device. When the expansion is completed while mounted on the handle WA as MA, the bent portion 25 is placed near the intersection (corner portion) Bc between the front surface Bf on the front BF side and the upper surface Bu in the central portion B of the handle WA. It is set so as to have a length dimension to be arranged on the front surface Bf side.

The manufacture of the airbag 205 of the seventh embodiment is the same as that of the airbag 202 of the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 57A and 57, for the protruding portion of the bag material 405 constituting the handle side portion 225. The concave groove 61d of the tip portion 615F in the portion 455F is joined so as to close, and the tip edge 61a of the tip portion 615F is formed into an arc shape corresponding to the front edge 32b of the driver side portion 32. As shown in C, in the sheet-shaped portion 475F of the protruding portion portion 455F, the folded-back portion 48 is folded back and sutured (bonded) with the overlapped left and right edges 49, 50 and the edges 52, 53 to obtain the volume. A large front support expansion portion 28F is formed, and then the left and right side edges 61b and 61c extending from both ends of the tip edge 61a at the outer peripheral edge of the tip portion 615F of the protrusion portion 455F to the inner sheet-like portion 475F are generally used. The handle side portion 225 can be formed by connecting the joint portions facing each other in the front-rear direction with the side edges 43b and 43b of the portion parts 43L and 43R. After that, the driver-side joint portion between the tip edge 61a of the front tip portion 615F on the handle side portion 225 and the tip edge 43a of the left and right general portion parts 43L and 43R is combined with the outer peripheral edge 32a of the driver side portion 32. The airbag 205 can be manufactured by inverting the front and back sides using the inflow opening 23 so that the airbags are coupled and the coupling allowance is not exposed.

Since the seventh embodiment, the airbag 205 also has a support expansion portion 28F that protrudes from the front edge 22b of the handle side portion 225 to increase the volume, as in the fourth embodiment, by flat sewing. It can be easily manufactured.

Then, the airbag 205 manufactured in this way may be assembled to the airbag device MA and mounted on the steering wheel WA in the same manner as the airbag 202 of the fourth embodiment.

Even in the driver's seat airbag device MA of the seventh embodiment, if the expansion gas G from the inflator 9 flows into the airbag 205 through the inflow opening 23 during operation and the airbag 205 expands, By pushing open the door portions 116a and 116a of the airbag cover 115, the airbag 205 protrudes from the case 111 as a storage portion as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 54 and A in FIG. 58, and the upper surface of the handle WA. The expansion is completed so as to cover the Wu side and be supported by their upper surface Wu side. In particular, in the seventh embodiment, the support expansion portion 28F of the support expansion portion 28F so that the handle side portion 225 of the airbag 205 at the completion of expansion is along the steering axis SS of the handle WA and along the front surface Bf side of the handle WA. The support surface portion 29 and the handle side portion forming joint portions 43b, 61b, 61c are arranged. Therefore, the support surface portion 29F of the support expansion portion 28F of the handle side portion 225 can be abutted and supported on the front surface Bf side of the handle WA in a wide area, so that the expansion is completed in the mounted state on the handle WA to allow the driver to complete the expansion. When receiving, even if the front edge 32b side of the driver side portion 32 tries to incline downward, the support expansion portion 28F brings the support surface portion 29 into contact with the front surface Bf side of the steering wheel WA over a wide area, and the airbag 205. Can immediately secure the reaction force. As a result, the airbag 205 can quickly and accurately catch the driver approaching the short steering wheel WA on the front side by the driver side portion 32 arranged so as to face the driver without tilting. it can.

In the case of the seventh embodiment, in the airbag 205 that has completed expansion, the support surface portion 29F of the support expansion portion 28F is not only near the central portion 29a in the vertical direction but also near the base portion 29b near the bent portion 25. A wide area from the tip to the vicinity of the tip 29c is abutted and supported by the front side 115a of the airbag cover 115 including the back side of the open door portion 116a on the front side Bf side of the handle WA and the front side 105a of the lower cover 105.

Further, when the surface including at least the vicinity of the central portion 29a in the vertical direction of the support surface portion 29F is abutted and supported by the front surface Bf of the handle WA as the airbag 205 when the expansion is completed, the coupling for forming the side portion of the handle is formed. The coupling portion 44 of the portions 43b, 61b, 61c with the driver side portion 32 is in the direction along the steering axis SS of the steering wheel WA on the front surface Bf side of the steering wheel WA as a side view seen from the left and right direction when the expansion is completed. Not only when it matches the reference line UPc, but also when it is configured to be slightly shifted back and forth.

That is, it may be configured as shown in the airbags 205A and 205B shown in FIGS. 59A and 59B.

In the airbag 205A, the coupling portion 44 of the coupling portions 43b, 61b, 61c for forming the steering wheel side portion with the driver side portion 32 is viewed from the left-right direction when expansion is completed, and is on the front surface Bf side of the steering wheel WA. It is arranged on the rear side of the reference line UPc in the direction along the steering axis SS of the steering wheel WA. In other words, the distance LO from the center O of the inflow opening 23 of the handle side portion 225 to the joint portions 43b, 61b, 61c and the boundary portion 25 is the distance LOb shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. is there.

In the airbag 205B, the coupling portion 44 of the coupling portions 43b, 61b, 61c for forming the steering wheel side portion with the driver side portion 32 is viewed from the left-right direction when expansion is completed, and is on the front surface Bf side of the steering wheel WA. It is arranged on the front side of the reference line UPc in the direction along the steering axis SS of the steering wheel WA. In other words, the distance LO from the center O of the inflow opening 23 of the handle side portion 225 to the joint portions 43b, 61b, 61c and the boundary portion 25 is the distance LOf shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. is there.

However, in the airbag 205A in which the binding site 44 is on the rear side of the reference line UPc, when the expansion is completed, the boundary portion (bent portion) 25 with the support expansion portion 28F on the front edge side of the mounting seat 24 is the front portion of the handle WA. The reaction force received from the front Bf side of the handle WA of the support surface portion 29F of the support expansion portion 28F is displaced rearward in a state of being abutted and supported by the upper surface Bu side shifted from the front Bf side of the BF to the rear side. A moment is generated that directs the trailing edge 32c of the driver side 32 downward with the vicinity of the boundary portion 25 as the center of rotation, and as a result, as shown in A of FIG. 59, the trailing edge 32c of the driver side 32 It is desirable that the deviation bs toward the rear side does not exceed 50 mm because it causes a situation in which the driver side portion 32 is tilted so as to shift the side downward.

Further, in the airbag 205B in which the binding site 44 is on the front side of the reference line UPc, the boundary portion (bent portion) 25 with the support expansion portion 28F on the front edge side of the mounting seat 24 is the upper surface of the handle WA on the front portion BF side. The support surface portion 29F of the support expansion portion 28F is in a state of being abutted and supported by the front surface Bf side away from the Bu side, and the vicinity of the base portion 29b can be brought into contact with the front surface Bf of the handle WA, but the mounting seat. The portion on the front edge side of the 24 also abuts on the front Bf side of the handle WA to generate a force that pushes the base 28b side of the support expansion portion 28F forward, and separates the tip 29c side from the front Bf of the handle WA. It is desirable that the deviation fs toward the front side does not exceed 50 mm because it becomes easy to quickly secure the reaction force from the handle front surface Bf of the support expansion portion 28F.

That is, in the airbag 205 provided with the support expansion portion 28F on the front side, the coupling portion 44 of the coupling portions 43b, 61b, 61c for forming the steering wheel side portion with the driver side portion 32 is from the left-right direction when the expansion is completed. As a side view, it is desirable that the handle WA is arranged so as to be arranged within a range shifted by 50 mm in the front-rear direction with the reference line UPc on the front surface Wf side as the center.

In other words, in the airbag 205 when the expansion is completed, the bent portion 25 is located near the intersection Bc between the front Bf and the upper surface Bu on the front BF side of the handle WA, preferably near the intersection Bc. It can be said that it is desirable that the configuration is arranged on the side.

The flatly deployed outer diameter dimension D0 of the driver side portion 32 of each embodiment is about 700 mm, and the opening diameter d0 of the inflow opening 23 is about 65 mm.

Further, as in the airbags 205, 205A, 205B, the boundary portion 25 between the support expansion portion 28F and the mounting seat 24 is located near the intersection Bc between the front surface Bf and the upper surface Bu on the front portion BF side of the central portion B of the handle WA. The structure in which the support surface portion 29F of the support expansion portion 28F is widely abutted and supported by the front surface Bf is configured to support the rear support expansion portion 28B as in the airbag 206 of the eighth embodiment shown in FIGS. 60 to 62. It can also be applied when providing.

That is, although the airbag 206 of the eighth embodiment is similar to the airbag 201 of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 20, the handle W handles the boundary portion 25F between the support expansion portion 28F and the mounting seat 24 on the front side. It is arranged on the front Bf side (near the reference line UPc on the front Bf side) near the intersection BcF between the front Bf and the top Bu on the front BF side of the central portion B, and the support expansion portion 28B and the mounting seat on the rear side. The boundary portion 25B with the 24 is arranged on the rear surface Bb side (near the reference line UPc on the rear surface Bb side) near the intersection portion BcB between the rear surface Bb and the upper surface Bu on the rear BB side of the central portion B of the handle W.

Therefore, in this airbag 206, the support surface portion 29F of the support expansion portion 28F can be widely contacted and supported by the front surface Bf, and the support surface portion 29B of the support expansion portion 28B can also be widely contacted and supported by the rear surface Bb. It becomes.

In this airbag 206, similarly to the airbag 201 of the third embodiment, the rear support expansion portion 28B is simply symmetrical with the front support expansion portion 28F, and the handle side portion 226 (bag material 406). The same parts as the airbag 201 are designated by the same reference numerals.

Further, when the support surface portion 29F is brought into contact with the front surface Bf of the handle WA over a wide area, the airbag 207 of the ninth embodiment shown in FIGS. 63 to 67 may be configured.

The airbag 207 is supported and expanded by allowing the flexible strap 35 (L, R) to be pulled in a direction in which the support surface portion 29F of the support expansion portion 28F at the completion of expansion is pressed against the front surface Bf side of the handle WA. It is arranged so as to connect the portion 28F and the portion of the outer peripheral wall 21 of the airbag 207 on the rear side of the support expansion portion 28F.

Specifically, the left and right straps 35 are respectively joined (sewn) on the left and right sides of the airbag 207 between the driver side 32 near the center in the front-rear direction and the handle side 227. , The tip portion 35a side is connected to the intermediate portion in the vertical direction of the support expansion portion 28F. Specifically, the tip portion 35a side is formed by edges 49, 50 and edges 52, 53 which are folded back from the folded portion 48 of the sheet-shaped portion 477F in the protruding portion 457F of the bag material 407 forming the handle side portion 227. It is formed by suturing near an intermediate position in the vertical direction.

That is, as shown in A, B, and C of FIG. 66, the airbag 207 closes the concave groove 61d of the tip portion 617F in the protruding portion portion 457F of the bag material 407 constituting the handle side portion 227. The tip edge 61a of the tip portion 617F is formed into an arc shape corresponding to the front edge 32b of the driver side portion 32, and the folded portion 48 is folded back at the sheet-shaped portion 477F of the protrusion portion 457F. Then, the left and right edges 49, 50 and the edges 52, 53 are sewn (combined) with each other to form a support expansion portion 28F on the front side having a large volume, and then the tip portion 617F of the protrusion portion 455F. The left and right side edges 61b and 61c extending from both ends of the tip edge 61a on the outer peripheral edge of the outer peripheral edge to the inner sheet-like portion 477F and the side edges 43b and 43b of the general portion 43L and 43R face each other in the front-rear direction. If they are combined, the handle side portion 227 can be formed. After that, as shown in D of FIG. 66, the base portion 35b side of the straps 35L and 35R is arranged at a predetermined position on the tip edge 43a of the left and right general portion portions 43L and 43R of the handle side portion 227, and the handle side portion. The driver-side joint between the tip edge 61a of the front tip portion 617F in 227 and the tip edge 43a of the left and right general parts 43L and 43R, together with the base portion 35b of the strap 35, is outside the driver side portion 32. It is coupled to the peripheral edge 32a, and then the front and back sides are reversed using the inflow opening 23 so that the coupling margin is not exposed, and the tip portions 35a of the straps 35L and 35R are attached to the left and right edges of the support expansion portion 28F. The airbag 207 can be manufactured by connecting to the parts of 49, 50 and the edges 52, 53. The manufactured airbag 207 may be assembled to the airbag device MA and mounted on the steering wheel WA in the same manner as the airbag 202 of the fourth embodiment.

Even in the driver's seat airbag device MA of the ninth embodiment, if the expansion gas flows into the airbag 207 through the inflow opening 23 during operation and the airbag 207 expands, the airbag cover 115 By pushing open the door portion 116a, the airbag 207 protrudes from the case 111 (not shown) as a storage portion, covers the upper surface Wu side of the handle WA, and is supported by the upper surface Wu side thereof, as shown in FIG. As such, complete the expansion.

Then, in the ninth embodiment, when the expansion is completed in the mounted state on the handle WA to receive the driver, the support surface portion 29F of the support expansion portion 28F is already on the front Bf side of the handle WA by the straps 35L and 35R. The airbag 207 is configured to be easily subjected to a reaction force from the front surface Bf side of the steering wheel WA by being pressed against the steering wheel 207. In an airbag that expands without the straps 35L and 35R arranged, as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 67, the vicinity of the tip 28a of the support expansion portion 28F is the lower portion of the front surface Bf of the handle WA. That is, it is in a state of floating forward from the vicinity of the front surface 105a of the lower cover 105. Therefore, in the airbag 207 of the ninth embodiment in which the expansion is completed, not only the vicinity of the central portion 29a of the support surface portion 29F of the support expansion portion 28F but also substantially the entire area from the base portion 29b to the vicinity of the tip 29c is covered by the lower cover 105. The driver can be brought into contact with and supported by the front surface Bf of the steering wheel WA including the front surface 105a side, and the driver approaching the steering wheel WA can be quickly and stably in a stable state without causing a depression on the front edge 32b side. It can be received and protected by. Of course, since the straps 35L and 35R are configured to have flexibility, they can be folded and stored in the storage portion together with the airbag 207 without any trouble when the airbag 207 is folded and stored. Become.

When the support surface portion of the support expansion portion is pressed against the front Bf side of the handle WA by using the strap, if the support surface portion can be pressed against the front Bf side, the strap is on the tip side of both the left and right edges of the support expansion portion. The tip portion may be connected to the outer peripheral wall of the airbag on the rear side of the support expansion portion, and the base portion side may be connected to the outer peripheral wall. Further, if the airbag is provided with the rear support expansion portion, a strap may be provided on the rear support expansion portion side so that the support surface portion of the rear support expansion portion can be pressed against the rear side of the handle.

Further, when a support expansion portion on the front side for abutting and supporting a wide area is provided on the front surface side of the central portion of the handle, the bag materials 405, 406, 407 of the airbags 205, 206, 207 of the seventh to ninth embodiments are provided. Not limited to the shape, for example, as in the airbag 208 of the tenth embodiment shown in FIGS. 68 and 69, the support expansion portion 28F is separately coupled to and arranged on the handle side portion 225. May be good. In this airbag 208, the support expansion portion 28F at the time of completion of expansion is configured to project downward from the front edge 22b of the handle side portion 225, as in the configuration of the characteristic portion of the airbag 205 of the seventh embodiment. At the same time, the support surface portion 29F of the support expansion portion 28F at the completion of expansion has a bent portion 25 along the left-right direction on the front side of the mounting seat 24, and is a substantially rectangular shape extending downward from the front side of the mounting seat 24. The bent portion 25 at the time of completion of expansion is arranged on the front Bf side near the intersection Bc between the front Bf on the front BF side and the upper surface Bu of the handle WA.

In such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 69, the support expansion portion 28F at the completion of expansion expands so as to extend downward from the bent portion 25 between the support expanding portion 28F and the front side of the mounting seat 24, and at that time, the bending portion is bent. Since the portion 25 is arranged near the intersection Bc of the front surface Bf and the upper surface Bu on the front portion BF side of the handle WA, the substantially rectangular planar support surface portion 29F extending downward from the bent portion 25 is formed. Not only the upper edge (original portion) 29b side on the bent portion 25 side, but also the vicinity of the intermediate portion (central portion) 29a in the vertical direction and the tip 29c side are arranged so as to be in contact with the front surface Bf side of the handle WA. Easy to do. Therefore, even if the driver is received so that the front edge 32b side of the airbag 208 is depressed, the support surface portion 29F of the support expansion portion 28F immediately comes into contact with the steering wheel WA over a wide area from the front surface Bf side. Upon receiving the force, the front edge 32b side of the airbag 208 is prevented from falling, and the airbag 205 accurately guides the driver approaching the steering wheel WA by the driver side portion 32 facing the driver. It can be received and protected. Of course, since the support expansion portion 28F is configured to project downward from the front edge 22b of the handle side portion 225 and can be configured to have a large volume, the support expansion portion 28F can secure a large reaction force. Therefore, even if a driver with a large amount of kinetic energy tilts toward the front edge 32b side of the airbag 205, the driver side portion 32 of the airbag 208 faces the driver without tilting and accurately receives the driver. Can be done.

Further, as in the airbag 209 of the eleventh embodiment shown in FIGS. 70 and 71, the support expansion portion 28F at the time of completion of expansion is located on the front surface Bf side of the handle WA at least in the vicinity of the substantially central portion 29a in the vertical direction of the support surface portion 29F. It may be configured to be abutted and supported by. Although the airbag 209 is similar to the outer shape of the airbag 203 of the fifth embodiment, the support expansion portion 28F itself is projected from the handle side portion 223 without providing the primary expansion portion 80. There is.

In such an airbag 209, the support / expansion portion 28F at the time of completion of expansion is supported not only near the base portion 28b side but also near the substantially central portion 29a in the vertical direction with the front surface Bf side of the handle WA. , It is easy to quickly receive a stable reaction force from the front Bf side of the steering wheel WA, and the driver side portion 32 that faces the driver stably without causing a drop on the front edge 32b side of the airbag 209. As a result, the driver approaching the steering wheel WA can be accurately received and protected.

When the support surface portion 29F of the support expansion portion 28F is abutted and supported on the front surface Bf side of the handle WA, as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 71, the vicinity of the tip portion 28a is more than the vicinity of the base portion 28b and the central portion 29a. It may be configured to abut and support the lower cover 105 or the like on the lower side of the front surface Bf side on the front surface 105a side.

20,200,201,202,202A,202B,203,204,205,205A,205B,206,207,208,209 ... Airbags 21,213,214 ... Outer wall, 22,220,221,222, 222A, 222B, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227 ... Handle side, 22a ... (handle side) outer periphery, 22b ... (handle side) front edge, 22c ... (handle side) trailing edge , 22d ... Left edge (on the side of the handle), 22e ... Right edge, 23 ... Inflow opening, 24 ... Mounting seat, 26 (L, R) ... General part, 27 (F, B) ... Extension part, 28 (F, B) ... Support expansion portion, 28a ... Tip portion, 28b ... Main portion, 28cf, 28h ... Front surface, 28cc ... Rear surface, 28d ... Opposite side surface, 29F, 29B ... Support surface portion, 29a ... (Support surface portion) center Section, 30 (F, B) ... Second support expansion section, 32,323,324 ... Driver side portion, 32a ... Outer peripheral edge (on the driver side), 32b ... Front edge (on the driver side), 32c ... Rear edge (on the driver's side), 32d ... Left edge (on the driver's side), 32e ... Right edge (on the driver's side), 35 ... Strap,
40,400,401,402,402A, 402B, 403,404,405,406,407 ... (handle side) bag material, 41 ... mounting seat part, 43 (L, R, B) ... for general part Site, 43a ... tip edge / driver side joint, 43b ... (front) side edge / (for forming handle side) joint, 43c ... (rear) side edge / (for forming handle side) joint, 44 ... Binding site, 45, 450, 451 (F, B), 455F, 457F ... Projection site, 47, 470, 471 (F, B), 475F, 477F ... Sheet-like site, 48 ... Folded part, 49 ... (Left front side) edge, 50 ... (Left original side) edge, 52 ... (Right front side) edge, 53 ... (Right original side) edge, 54 (F, B) ... Second part, 55 ... Folded part , 56 ... (left front side) edge, 57 ... (left original side) edge, 58 ... (right front side) edge, 59 ... (right original side) edge, 61, 611 (F, B), 615F, 617F ... Tip part, 61a ... Tip edge / driver side joint, 61b ... (Left) side edge / (for forming handle side) joint, 61c ... (Right) side edge / (for forming handle side) joint , 61ac ... (tip edge) center, 61d ... concave groove, 61e, 61f ... opposite edge, 70 ... (driver's side) bag material, 70a ... outer peripheral edge,
80, 80A ... Primary expansion part, 81 ... Original part, 82, 82F, 82B ... Tip part,
83 ... Supply port, 90, 90A ... Secondary expansion part,
W, W0, W1, WA ... Handle, B ... Central part, Bu ... Top surface (in the center), BF ... Front part (in the center), Bf ... Front surface (in the center), Bc (B, F) ... Intersection, BB ... (center) rear, Bb ... (center) rear, Wu ... (handle) top, UPc ... reference line, XL ... (left) length dimension, XR ... (right) Length dimension, YF ... (front side) length dimension, YB ... (rear side) length dimension, G ... expansion gas, D ... driver, M, MA ... driver's seat airbag device.

Claims (11)

It is stored and held in the central part of the steering wheel for steering the vehicle, and the outer peripheral wall when expansion is completed connects the outer peripheral edge to the driver side portion that can receive the driver and the outer peripheral edge of the driver side portion. An airbag configured to include a steering wheel side portion supported by the steering wheel.
The handle side portion is configured by disposing an inflow opening for inflowing expansion gas and a mounting seat arranged on the periphery of the inflow opening and attached to the central portion of the handle near the center. Being done
A support expansion portion that projects from the front side of the mounting seat to the front side of the handle is disposed on the handle side portion when the expansion is completed.
The area on the rear surface side from the base portion to the tip end portion of the support expansion portion is abutted and supported on the front surface side of the handle when the driver side portion is tilted forward when the driver of the airbag is received. Support surface part is arranged, and
A rear support expansion portion that projects from the rear side of the mounting seat to the rear side of the handle is disposed on the handle side portion when expansion is completed.
In the region on the front surface side from the base portion to the tip portion of the rear support expansion portion, the contact support is provided to the rear surface side of the handle when the driver side portion is tilted backward when the driver of the airbag is received. A rear support surface portion is arranged, and further
The handle side when the expansion is completed
A general portion that is arranged on both the left and right sides between the front and rear support expansion portions and is supported on the upper surface side of the handle,
An extension portion extending from the general portion and extending above the front and rear support expansion portions, and an extension portion.
An airbag characterized by being configured with. When the extension portion of the handle side portion when the expansion is completed is relatively close to the extension portion side when the front and rear support expansion portions are in contact with the front side or the rear surface side of the corresponding handle. The airbag according to claim 1 , wherein a second support expansion portion capable of supporting the front and rear support expansion portions is provided. The handle side is formed from a flexible bag material.
The material for the bag is
The part for the mounting seat that forms the mounting seat and
A general part portion that extends from the mounting seat portion to the left and right to form the general portion, and a general portion portion.
A protrusion portion that extends back and forth from the mounting seat portion and can form the front and rear support and expansion portions, respectively.
Is configured with
The front and rear support expansion portions each have a folded-back portion along the left-right direction at the tip portion, and are formed from a sheet-like portion in which the left and right edges extending from the folded-back portion are connected to each other. ,
The front and rear projecting portions are configured to include the sheet-shaped portion arranged on the mounting seat side and the tip portion arranged on the tip side, respectively.
The front and rear tip edges of the tip portion and the tip edges of the left and right general portion portions form a driver-side coupling portion that is coupled to the outer peripheral edge of the driver-side portion.
The left and right side edges extending from both ends of the tip edge to the inner sheet-like portion on the outer peripheral edge of the front and rear tip portions and the front and rear side edges of the general portion portion facing each other. The airbag according to claim 1 , wherein a joint portion for forming a side portion of a handle to be coupled is formed. The airbag according to claim 3 , wherein the front and rear sheet-shaped portions each have a configuration in which two folded portions are arranged so that two supporting and expanding portions can be formed. The tip edges of the front and rear tip portions are provided with a concave groove in the center in the left-right direction to connect the edges facing each other in the left-right direction.
The airbag according to claim 3 , wherein a portion of the tip edge extending to the left and right from the concave groove constitutes the driver-side joint portion. The flexible bag material forming the handle side portion is formed from a single piece including the mounting seat portion, the left and right general portion portions, and the front and rear projecting portion portions. The airbag according to any one of claims 3 to 5 , wherein the airbag is provided. It is stored and held in the center of the steering wheel for steering the vehicle, and the outer peripheral wall when expansion is completed connects the outer peripheral edge to the driver side portion that can receive the driver and the outer peripheral edge of the driver side portion. An airbag configured to include a steering wheel side portion supported by the steering wheel.
The handle side portion is configured by disposing an inflow opening for inflowing expansion gas and a mounting seat arranged on the periphery of the inflow opening and attached to the central portion of the handle near the center. Being done
A support expansion portion that projects from the front side of the mounting seat to the front side of the handle is disposed on the handle side portion when the expansion is completed.
The area on the rear surface side from the base portion to the tip end portion of the support expansion portion is abutted and supported on the front surface side of the handle when the driver side portion is tilted forward when the driver of the airbag is received. Support surface part is arranged and
It is configured to include a primary expansion portion that expands by inflowing the expansion gas first, and a secondary expansion portion that inflows the expansion gas from the supply port of the primary expansion portion to complete the expansion.
The primary expansion part
A base portion formed by disposing the supply port so that the expansion gas can be flowed in from the inflow opening to expand.
A tip portion extending from the base portion to form the support expansion portion,
Is configured with
An airbag characterized in that the secondary expansion portion is configured to form an outer peripheral wall of the airbag excluding the outer peripheral wall of the support expansion portion. It is stored and held in the central part of the steering wheel for steering the vehicle, and the outer peripheral wall when expansion is completed connects the outer peripheral edge to the driver side portion that can receive the driver and the outer peripheral edge of the driver side portion. An airbag configured to include a steering wheel side portion supported by the steering wheel.
The handle side portion is configured by disposing an inflow opening for inflowing expansion gas and a mounting seat arranged on the periphery of the inflow opening and attached to the central portion of the handle near the center. Being done
A support expansion portion that projects from the front side of the mounting seat to the front side of the handle is disposed on the handle side portion when the expansion is completed.
The area on the rear surface side from the base portion to the tip end portion of the support expansion portion is abutted and supported on the front surface side of the handle when the driver side portion is tilted forward when the driver of the airbag is received. Support surface part is arranged and
The flexible strap allows the support surface portion of the support expansion portion to be pulled in a direction of pressing against the front surface side of the handle when the expansion is completed, and the support expansion portion and the air on the rear side of the support expansion portion. An airbag characterized in that it is arranged so as to connect with a portion of the outer peripheral wall of the bag. It is stored and held in the central part of the steering wheel for steering the vehicle, and the outer peripheral wall when expansion is completed connects the outer peripheral edge to the driver side portion that can receive the driver and the outer peripheral edge of the driver side portion. An airbag configured to include a steering wheel side portion supported by the steering wheel.
The handle side portion is configured by disposing an inflow opening for inflowing expansion gas and a mounting seat arranged on the periphery of the inflow opening and attached to the central portion of the handle near the center. Being done
A support expansion portion that projects from the front side of the mounting seat to the front side of the handle is disposed on the handle side portion when the expansion is completed.
The area on the rear surface side from the base portion to the tip end portion of the support expansion portion is abutted and supported on the front surface side of the handle when the driver side portion is tilted forward when the driver of the airbag is received. Support surface part is arranged
The support expansion portion at the time of completion of expansion is configured to project downward from the front edge of the handle side portion, and at the same time.
The support surface portion of the support expansion portion at the completion of expansion has a bent portion along the left-right direction on the front side of the mounting seat, and is configured as a substantially flat shape extending downward from the front side of the mounting seat.
The airbag is characterized in that the bent portion at the time of completion of expansion is arranged near the intersection of the front surface and the upper surface on the front side of the handle. It is stored and held in the central part of the steering wheel for steering the vehicle, and the outer peripheral wall when expansion is completed connects the outer peripheral edge to the driver side portion that can receive the driver and the outer peripheral edge of the driver side portion. An airbag configured to include a steering wheel side portion supported by the steering wheel.
The handle side portion is configured by disposing an inflow opening for inflowing expansion gas and a mounting seat arranged on the periphery of the inflow opening and attached to the central portion of the handle near the center. Being done
A support expansion portion that projects from the front side of the mounting seat to the front side of the handle is disposed on the handle side portion when the expansion is completed.
The area on the rear surface side from the base portion to the tip end portion of the support expansion portion is abutted and supported on the front surface side of the handle when the driver side portion is tilted forward when the driver of the airbag is received. Support surface part is arranged and
The handle side when the expansion is completed
A general portion arranged on the left and right sides and the rear side of the mounting seat and supported on the upper surface side of the handle, and
With the support expansion part
With
The support expansion portion is configured to connect the front surface side to the front edge side of the handle side portion, and also
The handle side is formed from a flexible bag material.
The material for the bag is
The part for the mounting seat that forms the mounting seat and
A general part portion that extends from the mounting seat portion to the left and right sides and the rear side to form the general portion, and a general portion portion.
A protrusion portion that extends forward from the mounting seat portion and can form the support expansion portion,
Is configured with
The support expansion portion has a folded-back portion along the left-right direction at the tip portion, and is formed from a sheet-like portion in which the left and right edges extending from the folded-back portion are connected to each other.
The protrusion portion is configured to include the sheet-like portion arranged on the mounting seat side and the tip portion arranged on the tip side.
The tip edge of the tip portion and the tip edges of the left and right general portion portions form a driver-side coupling portion that is coupled to the outer peripheral edge of the driver-side portion.
The left and right side edges extending from both ends of the tip edge to the inner sheet-like portion on the outer peripheral edge of the tip portion and the front and rear side edges of the general portion portion are connected to each other. Consists of a joint for forming the side of the handle
The tip edge of the tip portion is provided with a concave groove in the center in the left-right direction to connect the edges facing each other in the left-right direction, and the tip edge portion extending left and right from the recess is the driver. It constitutes a side joint and further
The direction of the joint portion of the joint portion for forming the steering wheel side portion with the driver side portion on the front side of the steering wheel along the steering axis of the steering wheel as a side view seen from the left-right direction when expansion is completed. An airbag characterized in that it is configured to be disposed near above the steering wheel. The direction in which the joint portion of the joint portion for forming the steering wheel side portion with the driver side portion is viewed from the left-right direction when expansion is completed, along the steering axis of the steering wheel on the front side of the steering wheel. The airbag according to claim 10 , wherein the airbag is configured so as to be arranged within a range deviated by 50 mm in the front-rear direction from the reference line of the above.

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