JP6902111B2 - Airbag device and its manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle airbag device, and more particularly to a structure and a manufacturing method of a passenger seat airbag device housed in an instrument panel.

It is well known that one or more airbags are installed in a vehicle to protect occupants in the event of a vehicle accident. Airbags, for example, inflate from near the center of the steering wheel of a car to protect the driver, so-called driver airbags, passenger airbags to protect passengers in the passenger seat, and downward inside the window of the car. Curtain airbags that are deployed to protect occupants in the event of a lateral impact, rollover, or overturning accident, side airbags that are deployed on the side of the occupant (side of the seat) to protect occupants in the event of a lateral impact of the vehicle, etc. There are various forms of.

Here, the passenger seat airbag is housed in the instrument panel (dashboard) and is deployed toward the passenger seat side inside the windshield (windshield). In such an airbag, it is required as a basic performance to restrain the occupant by rapidly deploying the airbag.
In order to meet such demands, devising a method of compressing (folding, rolling) the airbag is advantageous in terms of cost and packaging, but it is effective and effective to date. No means have been proposed.

Further, in the passenger seat airbag as described above, the airbag may come into strong contact with the windshield during deployment, and the windshield may be damaged. However, there is no realistic means to solve such a problem, including cost.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an airbag device having a simple structure and capable of preventing damage to the windshield, and a method for manufacturing the same.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an airbag device that contributes to prompt restraint of an occupant and a method for manufacturing the airbag device.

In order to achieve the above object, the airbag device according to the first aspect of the present invention includes an airbag that restrains an occupant in the vehicle interior by expanding and deploying inside the windshield of the vehicle; and inflates the airbag. It is equipped with an inflator that generates gas for the purpose. The airbag is located on the windshield side of the first folding portion and at least partly above the first folding portion in the undeployed state with the first folding portion located on the occupant side. Includes a second fold with an overlapping area to cover. Then, at least in the initial stage of deployment of the airbag, the first folding portion is configured to be restricted from deploying toward the windshield side by the second folding portion.

A second aspect of the present invention is applied to a method of manufacturing an airbag that restrains an occupant in a vehicle interior by expanding and deploying inside a windshield of the vehicle. A step of folding both ends of the airbag inward in the left-right direction (width direction) to form an elongated shape in the front-rear direction of the vehicle; A second folding portion having an overlapping region that folds a predetermined range on the windshield side of the airbag folded into the elongated shape and covers the upper part of the first folding portion. Including the step of forming. Then, at least in the initial stage of deployment of the airbag, the second folding portion restricts the first folding portion from deploying toward the windshield side.

In the above-mentioned airbag device, in the initial stage of airbag deployment, the region corresponding to the second folding portion regulates the deployment of the region corresponding to the first folding portion, so that the region on the occupant side (the region on the occupant side ( The first folded portion) does not rapidly expand toward the windshield side, and the impact of the airbag on the windshield can be mitigated. Further, since the first folded portion is quickly deployed to the occupant side without waste, the restraint of the occupant is improved.

In the state of accommodating the airbag, a structure in which a part of the overlap region is inserted into a part of the fold of the first folded portion can be formed. According to such a structure, it is possible to reliably prevent the first folded portion from rapidly expanding toward the windshield side (vertical direction) in the initial stage of airbag deployment.
Here, "a part of the overlap region enters a part of the fold of the first folding portion" means that between two overlapping (opposing) layers forming at least a part of the first folding portion. , Means that a part of the overlap area is arranged so as to be sandwiched.

The first folded portion can be configured to mainly constrain the occupant's chest during deployment and the second folded portion to constrain the occupant's head.

A third fold that is located on the windshield side of the second folding portion and that regulates the deployment of the first and second folding portions to the windshield side at the initial stage of deployment of the airbag. Further portions can be provided. By forming the third folded portion in this way, it is possible to more reliably regulate and control the unfolding behavior of the first folded portion.

When the airbag is housed, it is preferable to form a valley portion extending in the vertical direction between the third folded portion and the second folded portion. Although such a valley can be easily formed in the folding process, its effect is great. When the expansion gas flows into the second folding portion and the third folding portion in the initial stage of deployment, these two regions are shaped to push each other in the front-rear direction in the valley portion, and the second folding portion and the third folding portion are formed. It is possible to guide the folded portion of 1 to be pushed out in the occupant direction (rearward).

The capacity of the area of the airbag corresponding to the first folded portion can be made to occupy 50% or more of the capacity of the airbag.

In this application, "upper and lower" means the upper and lower sides in the vertical direction, or the direction perpendicular to the surface of the instrument panel. Further, "front, rear" means the front and the rear in the traveling direction of the vehicle, and "left, right" means the left and right sides in the vehicle width direction while facing the vehicle traveling direction.
Further, "folding" means not only folding in a narrow sense but also including various methods of compressing the airbag, such as making it into a roll shape.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing an operating state of a passenger seat airbag device to which the present invention can be applied. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which the airbag of the airbag device according to the embodiment of the present invention is housed. FIG. 3 shows a state in which a part of the airbag shown in FIG. 2 is opened (unraveled) for convenience of explanation. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an expanded state before accommodating the airbag according to the embodiment of the present invention, and shows a state observed from the inflator side (back side). FIG. 5 is a plan view (A) and a side view (B) showing a folding process of the airbag cushion according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a folding step of the airbag cushion according to the embodiment, and shows the opposite surface (upper surface) of FIG. 5 (A). FIG. 7 is a plan view (A) and a side view (B) showing a folding process of the airbag cushion according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a plan view (A) and a side view (B) showing a folding process of the airbag cushion according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a plan view (A) and a side view (B) showing a folding process of the airbag cushion according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a plan view (A) and a side view (B) showing a folding process of the airbag cushion according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a plan view (A) and a side view (B) showing a folding process of the airbag cushion according to the embodiment. 12 (A) to 12 (D) are explanatory views showing stepwise the deployed state of the airbag according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, examples of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing an operating state of a general passenger seat airbag device 10 to which the present invention can be applied. The airbag device 10 includes an airbag unit 12 housed in a housing 20 in an expandable and deployable state, and an inflator 18 that generates an expansion gas. The airbag device 10 is arranged in the instrument panel 16 and basically restrains the passenger seat occupant 14. In the figure, 12a indicates an airbag in a deployed state, and 22 indicates a seat. The airbag unit 12 includes an expanding and expanding airbag cushion 100 and a cover member 200 surrounding the folded airbag cushion 100 (see FIGS. 5 to 11).

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an accommodation state of the airbag cushion 100 of the airbag device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a state in which a part of the airbag cushion 100 shown in FIG. 2 is intentionally opened (unraveled).
The airbag device according to this embodiment has an airbag cushion 100 that restrains an occupant 14 in the vehicle interior by expanding and deploying inside the windshield WS of the vehicle; and generates gas for expanding the airbag cushion 100. It is equipped with an inflator 18.

The airbag cushion 100 is located on the windshield WS side of the first folding portion 102 and the first folding portion 102 that expands toward the occupant side; and covers at least a part of the upper part of the first folding portion 102. It includes a second folding portion 104 having an overlapping area to cover (see FIG. 3); and a third folding portion 106 located on the windshield WS side of the second folding portion 104. The airbag cushion 100 includes three folding portions 102, 104, 106, but the cushion has a single bag shape, and the three folding portions 102, 104, 106 are formed depending on the folding method. Not too much.

The first folding portion 102 is restricted from being deployed toward the windshield WS side by the second folding portion 104, at least in the initial stage of deployment of the airbag cushion 100. Further, the third folding portion 106 restricts the first and second folding portions 102 and 104 from deploying to the windshield WS side. With such a configuration, the airbag cushion 100 does not deploy to the windshield WS side (vertical direction) first in the initial stage of deployment, but deploys in an oblique direction tilted toward the occupant side rather than vertically. ing.
When the airbag cushion 100 is deployed, the first folded portion 102 restrains the vicinity of the occupant's chest, and the second folded portion 104 restrains the vicinity of the occupant's head.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the accommodation state of the airbag cushion 100, a part (tip side) of the overlap region of the second folded portion 104 becomes a part of the fold of the first folded portion 102. It's getting in. That is, they are arranged so that a part of the overlap region is sandwiched between two overlapping (opposing) layers forming at least a part of the first folded portion 102.
The overlapping region of the second folded portion 104 does not necessarily have to enter the fold of the first folded portion 102, and a certain effect can be obtained even if the second folded portion 104 is covered over the overlap region. Further, the fold of the first folding portion 102 into which the tip of the overlap of the second folding portion 104 enters is not limited to the uppermost stage, but may be the second or third stage of the bellows fold.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when the airbag cushion 100 is accommodated, there is a width in the left-right direction between the third folded portion 106 and the second folded portion 104, and the airbag cushion 100 has a width in the left-right direction (generally vertical). A valley portion 107 extending in the direction) is formed.
Regarding the expansion space of the airbag cushion corresponding to each of the first folding portion 102, the second folding portion 104, and the third folding portion 106, the first folding portion 102 is the airbag cushion 100. It occupies more than 50% of the total capacity. Therefore, the area corresponding to the first folded portion 102 can be said to be the main area.

Next, the procedure for accommodating the airbag 12 will be described focusing on the folding step of the airbag cushion 100.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an expanded state before accommodating the airbag cushion 100, and shows a state of observation from the inflator side (back side). 5 to 11 are a plan view (A) and a side view (B) showing a folding process of the airbag cushion 100 according to the present embodiment.

First, as shown in FIG. 4, from the state where the bag-shaped airbag cushion 100 is unfolded, the left and right sides 100L and 100R are folded inward (tucked in) along the two folding lines 110 extending in parallel in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIGS. 5 (A) and 6, the state is elongated in the front-rear direction. Reference numeral 108 is an opening for arranging the inflator 18.
In FIG. 5A, only a part of the cover member 200 is shown for convenience of explanation. Further, in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the black-painted semicircle is a mark that serves as a reference for mountain folds, and the white semicircle is a mark that serves as a reference for valley folds.

Next, from the state of FIG. 6, the rear end side (occupant side) portion 102a of the airbag cushion 100 is folded in a bellows shape to form the first folded portion 102 (see FIG. 7). The first folded portion 102 may have a roll shape as well as a bellows shape.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the upper layer portion 104a of the front end portion (windshield side) of the airbag cushion 100 is folded back so as to cover the first folded portion 102.

Next, the second folded portion 104 is formed by folding the tip end side of the portion 104a constituting the second folded portion 104 into the uppermost fold of the first folded portion 102. At this time, the tip of the second folded portion 104 is doubly folded inside the first folded portion 102.

Next, as shown in FIG. 10, the layer portion 106a left at the front end portion (windshield side) of the airbag cushion 100 is formed into a long roll shape in the vertical direction so as to lean against the second folded portion 104. By doing so, the third folded portion 106 is formed. At this time, a valley portion (gap) 107 extending in the vertical direction is formed at the boundary portion between the second folded portion 104 and the third folded portion 106. Here, the valley portion 107 extends from the upper end portion to the vicinity of the root of the first folded portion 102. The third folded portion 106 can be folded into a bellows shape instead of a roll shape.

Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the folded airbag cushion 100 is covered with the cover member 200. The cover member 200 is formed from one piece of fabric so as to wrap the airbag cushion 100 from the front-rear direction.

Next, the deployed state of the airbag cushion 100 will be described step by step with reference to FIGS. 12 (A) to 12 (D).
When an abnormal situation such as a head-on collision occurs, the inflator 18 operates and the expansion gas flows into the airbag cushion 100. Then, the surface of the instrument panel 16 in front of the passenger seat is broken, and the airbag cushion 100 expands from the inside toward the inside of the cabin. Immediately after the airbag cushion 100 starts to be deployed, the second folded portion 104 and the third folded portion 106 start to expand, and are deployed so as to push the front and rear inner walls of the housing 20 with the valley portion 107 as a boundary. ..

At the initial stage of unfolding, as shown in FIG. 12A, the third folded portion 106 unfolds in a substantially vertical direction, and the second folded portion 104 starts unfolding. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. (B), the first folding portion 102 starts to expand, but the first folding portion 102 is moved to the windshield WS side by the second and third folding portions 104 and 106. The deployment is regulated and the deployment is started so that it is guided by the occupants.

After that, as shown in FIG. (C), the deployment of the first folding portion 102 having the largest capacity proceeds, but the deployment direction is still guided to the occupant side by the second folding portion 104. Then, when the airbag cushion 100 is fully deployed, as shown in FIG. (D), the region corresponding to the second folded portion 104 restrains the vicinity of the occupant's head, and the region corresponding to the first folded portion 102. Restrains the occupant near the chest.

Although the examples of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these examples and can be changed within the scope of the technical idea shown in the claims.

Claims (10)

With an airbag that restrains occupants in the vehicle interior by expanding and deploying inside the windshield of the vehicle;
It is equipped with an inflator that generates gas for inflating the airbag.
The airbag is located on the windshield side of the first folding portion and at least partly above the first folding portion in the undeployed state with the first folding portion located on the occupant side. Includes a second fold with an overlapping area to cover
In the accommodation state of the airbag, a part of the overlap region is configured to enter a part of the fold of the first folding part.
The airbag device is characterized in that, at least in the initial stage of deployment of the airbag, the first folding portion is configured to be restricted from deploying toward the windshield side by the second folding portion. .. The air according to claim 1 , wherein the first folded portion is configured to mainly restrain the chest of the occupant at the time of deployment, and the second folded portion is configured to restrain the head of the occupant. Bag device. A third fold that is located on the windshield side of the second folding portion and that regulates the deployment of the first and second folding portions to the windshield side at the initial stage of deployment of the airbag. The airbag device according to claim 1 or 2 , further comprising a portion. The airbag device according to claim 3 , wherein a valley portion extending in the vertical direction is formed between the third folded portion and the second folded portion when the airbag is housed. .. The airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the area of the airbag corresponding to the first folded portion occupies 50% or more of the capacity of the airbag. An airbag used in the airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. In a method of manufacturing an airbag that restrains occupants in the vehicle interior by expanding and deploying inside the windshield of the vehicle.
From the state where the airbag is spread out on a flat surface, both ends in the left-right direction (width direction) of the vehicle are folded inward to form an elongated shape in the front-rear direction of the vehicle;
A step of folding a predetermined range on the occupant side of the airbag folded into the elongated shape to form a first folded portion;
A step of folding a predetermined range on the windshield side of the airbag folded into an elongated shape to form a second folded portion having an overlapping region covering the upper portion of the first folded portion is included.
In the accommodated state of the airbag, a part of the overlap region enters a part of the fold of the first folding part.
A method for manufacturing an airbag, characterized in that, at least in the initial stage of deployment of the airbag, the second folding portion restricts the first folding portion from deploying toward the windshield side. A third fold that is located on the windshield side of the second folding portion and that regulates the deployment of the first and second folding portions to the windshield side at the initial stage of deployment of the airbag. The method for manufacturing an airbag according to claim 7 , further comprising a portion. The method for manufacturing an airbag according to claim 8 , wherein when the airbag is housed, a valley portion extending in the vertical direction is formed between the third folding portion and the second folding portion. .. The method for manufacturing an airbag according to claim 7, 8 or 9 , wherein the area of the airbag corresponding to the first folded portion occupies 50% or more of the capacity of the airbag.

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