JPH0274440A - Passenger protective device of automobile and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To relax a projection of the central part at the initial blowing expansion and to prevent a lateral slippage of a gas bag by providing a central gas bag expanding in the main gas flowing direction at the blowing expansion, and an outer gas bag expanding in the circumferential direction around the central gas bag. CONSTITUTION:When a specific deceleration is generated by a collision of an automobile and the like, a gas generator 11 operates automatically and blows a gas such as the air, and a cover 12 is turn up to make a central gas bag expand in the main gas flow direction. At the same time, the gas flows into an outer gas bag 3 through linking ports 5 from the central gas bag 1, and the outer gas bag 3 is expanded in the circumferential direction around the central gas bag 1 in a doughnut form. Since the blowing expansion member is formed dividing into the central bag 1 and the outer gas bag 3 in such a way, the starting stroke of the central gas bag at the blowing expansion can be suppressed relatively smaller.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to an occupant protection device for an automobile or the like that protects an occupant in the event of an automobile collision or the like.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, as a device for protecting occupants in emergencies such as automobile collisions, devices have been used in which a gas bag is inflated with gas and the gas bag cushions the impact on the occupant. In this type of gas bag, the center part in the main flow direction of the gas protrudes vigorously at the initial stage of inflation, and if the passenger's face hits this, it will cause a large impact.

For this reason, conventionally, for example,
As shown in Publication No. 890, an insert is provided in the center of the gas bag, and a net, a hanging cord, etc. is provided between the insert and the fixed part to connect the center of the gas bag and the fixed part. A device is known in which the spacing is kept constant and only the center of the gas bag is prevented from protruding. Further, the gas bag is usually covered with a cover when stored.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) In the above-described device, compared to a gas bag without an insert, the distance between the collision surface for the occupant and the fixed leg of the gas bag is kept constant; Gas bags tend to shift due to slight lateral force; in other words, if a part of the occupant's body collides with the gas bag from the side or diagonally due to the way the occupant falls, the position of the gas bag shifts and the gas The role of the bag may be halved, making it impossible to fully demonstrate its impact absorption effect.

In addition, the gas bag inflates toward the passenger while tearing the cover, but at this time, the gas bag is fixed to the vehicle body etc. with a fixed part, and this fixed part is provided below the cover. It also blows directly in the circumferential direction. As a result, the cover is expanded at a large angle, and part or all of the cover may be crushed or detached from the vehicle body and blown to the side, potentially causing injury to the occupants.

To prevent this risk, the cover is made to have more strength than necessary in the circumferential direction as well. For this reason, much of the inflation gas is used to spread the cover, and pressure sufficient to absorb shock may not be maintained at the center and circumference of the gas bag.

The present invention alleviates the protrusion of the central part at the initial stage of inflation, prevents the gas bag from shifting laterally, and sufficiently reduces the
Own vJflL that can maintain enough pressure to absorb M attack
The purpose is to provide an occupant protection device such as the following.

[Structure of the invention]

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention provides an opening for gas inflow at the proximal end between bags for protecting occupants of automobiles, etc. by inflating the gas bag with gas in an emergency. A central gas bag which has a plurality of gas vent holes near its base end, whose base end is fixed to a fixed member in front of the seat, and which is inflated in the main flow direction of the gas during inflation; and the base end of this central gas bag. An outer circumferential gas bag that is connected to the outer periphery of the central gas bag except for the vicinity of the central gas bag and communicates with the central gas bag through a gas distribution port provided in the connecting portion thereof, and is inflated in the circumferential direction of the outer periphery of the central gas bag when inflated. It is equipped with the following.

(Function) In an emergency, for example, when deceleration exceeding a predetermined magnitude occurs due to a collision of a car, the present invention inflates the central gas bag 1 with gas such as air in the direction of the main flow of the gas. At the same time, the gas flows from the central gas bag 1 into the outer circumferential gas bag 3 through the communication port 5, and inflates the outer circumferential gas bag 3 in the circumferential direction of the outer periphery of the central gas bag 1. Further, when contracting, the gas in the peripheral gas bag 3 is discharged from the gas handling hole 6 near the base end of the central gas bag 1 via the central gas bag 1.

(Actual 7I 1 case) Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a central gas bag, and an opening 2 for gas inflow is formed at the base end of the central gas bag 1.

An annular peripheral gas bag 3 is integrally connected to the outer periphery of the central gas bag 1, which is approximately diametrical, except for the vicinity of the base end, that is, at a position spaced apart from the base end.

A plurality of flow holes 5 for gas flow are formed in the connecting wall portion 4 between the central gas bag 1 and the peripheral gas bag 3. Further, a plurality of gas handling holes 6 are formed near the base end of the central gas bag 1.

A substrate 9 is disposed as a fixed member on the front side of the seat in the vehicle body 7 of the automobile, for example, in the center of the steering wheel 8, and the edge of the proximal end portion having the opening 2 of the central gas bag 1 is attached to the substrate 9. It is fixed by a fixture 10 with the opening 2 in the center, and a gas generator 11 provided on the substrate 9 is disposed within the opening 2 of the central gas bag 1.

Further, a cover 12 that can be torn by gas pressure is provided on the outside of the gas generator 11, and the central gas bag 1 and the peripheral gas bag 3 are normally folded inside the cover 12, as shown in FIG. It is stored.

Then, in an emergency, for example, when deceleration exceeding a predetermined value occurs due to a car collision, the gas generator 1
1 automatically operates to blow out gas such as air, and as shown in FIG. 4, the cover 12 is torn and the central gas bag 1 is blown and expanded in the gas mainstream direction G.

At the same time, the gas flows from the central gas bag 1 into the peripheral gas bag 3 through the flow port 5, and inflates the peripheral gas bag 3 in the circumferential direction of the outer periphery of the central gas bag 1 in a donut shape.

In this way, since the blow-inflation section is divided into the central gas bag 1 and the peripheral gas bag 3, it is designed to have dimensions that can suppress the rising stroke of the central gas bag 1 during blow-inflation to a relatively small one. This makes it possible to reduce the risk of the front end of the inflated gas bag colliding with the occupant's face, unlike a single gas bag, and to compare the restraint surface during inflation between the central gas bag 1 and the peripheral gas bag 3. Since the area can be expanded flatly to create a wide area, even if the collision point of the occupant's head or chest is off-center, the central gas bag 1 or the peripheral gas bag 3 will not be displaced from the human body, ensuring a reliable It can receive the human body and absorb and alleviate the impact energy.

In addition, since the entire area is relatively flat and wide with the central gas bag 1 and the peripheral gas bag 3, there is little movement in response to lateral forces. The impact force absorption is mainly performed by the central gas bag 1, and when the outer peripheral gas bag 3 is sufficiently larger than the ring surface of the steering wheel 8 as in this embodiment, the outer peripheral gas bag 3 is blown and expanded to prevent steering. wheel 8
The outer circumferential gas bag 3 will not be displaced from the steering wheel 8 even if a lateral force acts on the outer circumferential gas bag 3. Therefore, the impact force on the occupant can be effectively absorbed, and the impact force when the occupant's abdomen collides with the rim portion of the steering wheel 8 can also be absorbed. In addition, the impact force applied to the face is also reduced by the central gas bag 1.
Since the front end is single-layered, only a small amount is required.

In addition, since the outer circumferential gas bag 3 is connected to the outer periphery of the central gas bag 1 except for the vicinity of the proximal end of the central gas bag 1, at the beginning of inflation, the expansion of the central gas bag 1 in the main flow direction G of the gas is performed. Since the cover 12 is only torn, much of the blowing gas is not spent on pushing the cover 12 wider, so the blowing energy of the gas and the strength of the cover 12 can be set to the necessary minimum.

Furthermore, by providing the gas vent hole 6 near the base end of the central gas bag 1, the gas from the peripheral gas bag 3 that is pushed out due to a collision with the occupant's body, etc., always passes through the central gas bag 1 and is discharged. Therefore, the energy absorption performance of the central gas bag 1, which is mainly intended for head protection, can be improved and this can be maintained for a long time.

Furthermore, when folded, there are no slack parts such as strings inside, so the central gas bag 1 and the peripheral gas bag 3 can be easily stored.

Note that this device can be used not only for automobiles but also for aircraft, high-speed ships, and the like.

(Effects of the Invention) According to the present invention, during blowing, the blowing portion is divided into the central gas bag and the outer circumferential gas bag. This makes it possible to reduce the risk of the front end of the inflated gas bag colliding with the occupant's face, as would be the case with a single gas bag. This makes it possible to expand the restraint surface during inflation into a relatively flat area to create a wide area, so even if the collision point of the occupant's head or chest is off-center, the central gas bag or the peripheral gas bag will still be able to protect the body from the human body. It can reliably receive a human body without shifting, absorbing and mitigating the impact energy.Also, an outer peripheral gas bag is connected to the outer periphery of the central gas bag, except for the vicinity of the base end of the central gas bag. Therefore, at the beginning of inflation, the central gas bag mainly expands, and the cover of the gas bag is broken only by the expansion, and most of the gas for inflation is not used to push the cover wider. The gas blowing energy and the strength of the cover can be set to the minimum required.Furthermore, by providing multiple gas vent holes near the proximal end of the central gas bag, when the peripheral gas bag is contracted, the gas can be removed from the peripheral gas bag. Since the gas always passes through the central gas bag and is exhausted, the energy absorption performance of the central gas bag can be improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of the device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the gas bag immediately before it is folded for storage, FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the gas bag before it is blown up, and FIG. The figure is a cross-sectional view of the gas bag immediately after it is blown up. 1. Central gas bag, 2. Opening, 3. Peripheral gas bag,
5. Distribution port, 6. Gas handling hole. guide

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A device for protecting occupants of automobiles, etc. by inflating a gas bag with gas in an emergency, which has an opening for gas inflow at the base end and a plurality of gas bags near the base end. a central gas bag having a vent hole and whose base end is fixed to a fixed member in front of the seat and inflates in the main flow direction of the gas during inflation; It is characterized by comprising a central gas bag and an outer peripheral gas bag that communicates with each other through a gas distribution port provided at a connecting portion thereof and inflates in the circumferential direction of the outer periphery of the central gas bag when inflated. Occupant protection devices for automobiles, etc.