JPH05246295A - Manufacture of air bag for driver's seat - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the number of parts and manday required for an air bag by placing on air bag base cloths a regulation member cloth with a plurality of radial inflator gas communication holes, folding band-like parts between the communication holes in two to form an inflated shape regulation member, and cutting one of the base parts of the folded band-like parts and connect it to the operator side base cloth. CONSTITUTION:A regulation member cloth 3 is placed on an inflator side base cloth 1 and opening peripheral parts 1b, 3b are joined with a reinforcement cloth by stitching. An operator side base cloth 2 is placed on the surface of the inflator side base cloth 1 and respective peripheral parts of the regulation member cloth 3 are joined by stitching. The band parts 4 between the penetrating holes 3c of the regulation member cloth 3 are folded in two and joined by stitching at the position a specified distance from folding ends 4a to form band-like parts 4'. One of the bases of the band-like parts 4' is cut and connected to a leg piece 7 in the middle of the operator side base cloth 2.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is equipped in a driver's seat of a vehicle,
The present invention relates to an airbag device for a driver's seat, which automatically inflates in the event of a vehicle collision and protects an occupant, and more particularly, to an improvement in a deployment shape of an airbag of the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An air bag system is used when a vehicle collides.
When the impact is more than a predetermined value, the bag is inflated instantly as an aid to the seat belt, which is a safety device for protecting the occupant, and is usually a gas generator, an inflator, and a bag inflated by the gas of the inflator, The airbag case is configured to enclose the inflator and the bag in a substantially airtight manner. When the airbag apparatus operates, the gas ejected from the inflator fills the airbag case and the airbag to generate an internal pressure, and the internal pressure causes the bag to expand.

On the other hand, in the above-described airbag device for the driver's seat, an inflator is embedded in the central portion of the steering wheel, and when actuated, the airbag is inflated in a disc shape on the circumference of the steering wheel so that the airbag is removed from the seat of the passenger. In order to prevent the vehicle from jumping out and bruising with the steering wheel, especially in the case of a so-called passenger car type vehicle in which the steering wheel is attached with an inclination close to vertical, the airbag is almost evenly arranged between the steering wheel and the occupant. It is possible to protect the occupant well by intervening.

However, in the above-mentioned conventional airbag device for a driver's seat, in the case of a so-called one-box car, truck, etc., in which the steering wheel is attached with an upward inclination which is relatively horizontal, the airbag is upwardly directed. Since the vehicle is deployed on the steering wheel, the occupant moving toward the steering wheel in the event of a vehicle collision may possibly hit the abdomen or chest with the front side portion of the steering wheel.

Therefore, the inventors of the present application invented an airbag having a new structure in order to solve the above problems. That is, this airbag is a driver's seat airbag in which an outer peripheral edge portion of an inflator side base cloth having an opening for attaching to an inflator is sewn to an outer peripheral edge portion of an occupant side base cloth,
From the vicinity of the opening peripheral edge of the inflator-side base cloth to the vicinity of the outer peripheral edge of the inflator-side or passenger-side base cloth,
A plurality of strip-shaped restricting members that are shorter than the length of the base cloth between these parts are radially attached, and a predetermined slack is formed on the inflator-side base cloth by the restricting members so that this slack part is formed when the airbag is deployed. The handle is provided with a bulge on the outer circumference. Furthermore, this airbag is also provided with a plurality of strip-shaped restricting members, which are attached around the opening peripheral edge portion of the inflator-side base cloth and the central portion of the occupant-side base cloth, and are attached by the air blowout by the inflator. It also has a configuration in which an extension limiting member that limits the extension of the bag toward the occupant is formed.

[0006]

However, the air bag having the above-mentioned restriction member and the expansion restriction member can protect the occupant from the bruise of the steering wheel and the excessive impact of the air bag when it is operated, but it is manufactured. At this time, it is necessary to sew a plurality of the strip-shaped regulating members and sew the base cloth while slackening the base fabric, and also sew a plurality of the elongation limiting members in the same manner. As the number of constituent parts increased, it took time and skill to manufacture them, and there was still room for improvement in the manufacturing method.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and by finding a new manufacturing method,
It is an object of the present invention to simply and efficiently manufacture an airbag having the above-mentioned restriction member and expansion limiting member.

[0008]

That is, the method of manufacturing an airbag of the present invention that can achieve the above object is substantially the same as the inflator-side base cloth having an opening for attaching the inflator. An occupant-side base cloth having an outer shape, an outer shape and an opening that are substantially the same as those of the inflator-side base cloth, and a plurality of communication holes radially provided around the opening for communicating the ejected gas of the inflator. Using the regulation member cloth, the regulation member cloth is overlaid on the back surface of the inflator-side base cloth, and the opening peripheral edge portions are sewn together; Are formed between the communicating holes of the regulation member cloth and a second step of superposing the occupant side base cloths so that they face each other, and sewing the outer peripheral edge portions of these both base cloths and the regulation member cloth. plural The third step of shortening the length of each strip-shaped portion by pinching the strip-shaped portions and folding the strip-shaped portions in two, and stitching the strip-shaped portions folded in two at a position of a required length from the folded end portion; By cutting one base portion of the folded and sewn strip-shaped portion and connecting the cut strip-shaped portion to the vicinity of the central portion of the occupant-side base cloth, the expansion of the airbag toward the occupant side by the gas ejection of the inflator is performed. It is characterized in that it comprises a fourth step of forming an extension limiting member for limiting, and a fifth step of reversing and turning over each of the base fabrics sewn upside down. The connection of the belt-shaped portion as the extension limiting member to the occupant-side base cloth does not necessarily have to be direct, and when the belt-shaped portion is short, the extension portion of the reinforcing cloth of the occupant-side base cloth may be used. It may be an indirect connection via.

[0009]

According to the above-described method of the present invention, the regulation member cloth can be sewn to the base cloth effectively using a normal airbag manufacturing line. That is, the first step can be performed at the same time in the step of sewing the reinforcing cloth into the opening, and the second step can be performed in the step of sewing the outer peripheral edge portions of the inflator side and passenger side base cloths. Therefore, the additional step for the regulation member is only the third step of folding the band-shaped portion in two and stitching it, and the additional step for the extension limiting member is to cut a part of the double-folded belt-shaped portion. Then, it is only the above-mentioned fourth step of connecting the cut end to the vicinity of the central portion of the occupant side base cloth, and the man-hours and the number of parts are remarkably reduced as compared with the conventional one, and the restricting member and extension are extremely simple and efficient. It is possible to manufacture an airbag that includes a restriction member.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a method for manufacturing a driver airbag according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which (1) is a circle having an opening (1a) to which an inflator is attached and a vent hole (1c). Of the inflator side base cloth, (2) has a passenger side base cloth having the same outer shape as the inflator side base cloth (1), and (3) has the same outer shape and opening (3a) as the inflator side base cloth (1). Each of the restriction member cloths has a plurality of communication holes (3c) radially provided around the opening (3a) for communicating the gas ejected from the inflator. Then, the manufacturing method of the present invention is to manufacture an airbag using the inflator-side base cloth (1), the occupant-side base cloth, and the regulating member cloth (3). As shown in FIG. 2, the regulating member cloth (3) is superposed on the back surface of the inflator-side base cloth (1), and these opening peripheral edge portions (1
B) and (3b) are sewn together with a reinforcing cloth or the like.

Next, as a second step, as shown in FIG. 3, the passenger side base cloth (2) is superposed on the surface of the inflator side base cloth (1) so that the surfaces face each other, and both of these base cloths are superposed. (1), (2) and each outer peripheral edge portion (1) of the regulating member base cloth (3) previously stitched at the opening peripheral edge portion (3b).
The d), (2d) and (3d) are sutured. Further, as a third step, as shown in FIG. 4, the regulating member cloth (3)
And formed between the communication holes (3c).
As shown in the figure, each of the plurality of belt-shaped portions (4) serving as a restricting member is pinched from the opening (3a), and is folded in two, and the two-folded belt-shaped portions (4) are bent in the folded end portion (4).
By stitching at a position of a required length from a), the opening peripheral edge portion (3b) and the outer peripheral edge portion (3d) of the regulating member cloth (3).
The length between the strip-shaped portions (4) is shortened by setting the length between and to about 80 to 30% of the length before the suturing. Then, as a fourth step, as shown in FIG. 5, one or all of the base portions of any or all of the belt-shaped portions (4 ′) that are folded and sewn into the above two are cut, and as shown by the one-dot chain line. ,
The cut strip portion (4 ') is connected to the vicinity of the central portion of the occupant side base cloth (2). This connection may be made directly to the base cloth (2), but in this embodiment, for the reason of sewing efficiency, the leg piece (7) previously sewn to the back surface of the passenger side base cloth (2). Is done through. Thus,
An extension limiting member that limits the extension of the airbag toward the occupant side due to the gas ejection of the inflator is formed by the cut strip portion (4 ') and a part of the leg piece (7). Finally, as a fifth step, the base fabrics (1) and (2) sewn inside out and turned over are reversed by the same method as the conventional method, and as shown in FIG. .

According to the above-mentioned manufacturing method of the present invention, the regulation member cloth (3) can be sewn to the base cloths (1) and (2) using a general manufacturing line. . That is, the first step can be simultaneously performed in the step of sewing a reinforcing cloth (not shown) to the opening (1a) of the inflator-side base cloth (1), and the inflator-side base cloth (1) and the passenger side base The second step can be performed simultaneously in the step of sewing the outer peripheral edge portions of the cloth (2) together.
Therefore, the additional process for the regulating member is the strip-shaped portion (4).
In the third step of folding the two pieces and sewing them together, and in the step of increasing the length due to the extension limiting member, a part of the two-fold belt-shaped portion (4 ′) is cut and the cut end portion is occupant side base cloth. According to the manufacturing method of the present invention, the number of steps and the number of parts are remarkably reduced as compared with the conventional method, which is only the above-mentioned fourth step of connecting in the vicinity of the central portion of (2). It is possible to improve the material yield and manufacture an airbag including the restriction member and the expansion restriction member.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the operating state of the driver airbag produced by the above manufacturing method.
In the airbag, the opening peripheral edge portion (1b) and the outer peripheral edge portion (1d) of the inflator-side base cloth (1) are connected by the band-shaped portion (4) shorter than the base cloth (1) between these portions. Therefore, a slack (5) is formed on the inflator-side base cloth (1) as shown in the drawing, and when the airbag is deployed in actual use, the slack (5) is located on the outer peripheral side of the handle as shown in the figure. It can bulge out and surround the outer circumference of the handle (6). That is, in the conventional bruise of the abdomen and head of the occupant by the handle, which has been regarded as a problem with the upward handle, the airbag bulging portion formed of the slack portion (5) formed on the outer periphery of the handle causes the occupant (see It is completely prevented by intervening between M) and the handle (6). Further, a belt-shaped portion (4) provided so as to extend over the passenger side base cloth (2) and the inflator side base cloth (1).
The expansion limiting member composed of ′) restricts the expansion of the airbag toward the occupant (M) side due to the ejected gas of the inflator (8) during operation, and prevents excessive impact of the airbag on the occupant (M). You can

[0014]

As described above, according to the method of manufacturing the airbag for the driver of the present invention, the opening and the outer peripheral edge of the inflator-side base cloth are connected by the expansion shape restricting member shorter than these parts. In addition, when manufacturing an airbag provided with an expansion limiting member for limiting the expansion of the airbag due to the ejected gas, a cloth for a regulating member having a plurality of communication holes radially for communicating the gas of the inflator is overlapped with the airbag base cloth. The occupant is worn by wearing a plurality of belt-like portions formed between the communication holes of the regulating member, and the regulating member is formed by stitching the belt-shaped portions in a folded manner. By connecting to the side base cloth, the expansion limiting member is formed, and the normal manufacturing process of effectively using the sewing process of the reinforcing cloth to the airbag base fabric and the sewing process of the outer peripheral edge portion is effectively used. Therefore, the man-hours increased for the restriction member and the extension restriction member are only the two-fold stitching of the band-shaped portion and the step of partially cutting the two-fold band-shaped portion and connecting it to the occupant side base cloth. Compared with the method of individually attaching the strip-shaped restricting member and the expansion restricting member, the number of man-hours and the number of parts are significantly reduced, which is extremely simple and efficient.
Further, it has a remarkable effect that the material yield can be improved and an airbag provided with the restricting member and the expansion restricting member can be manufactured.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a method for manufacturing a driver airbag according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a first step of the manufacturing method according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a second step of the manufacturing method according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the third step of the manufacturing method of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the fourth step of the manufacturing method of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an airbag manufactured by the manufacturing method of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an operating state of the airbag.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (1) Inflator side base fabric (1a) Opening (1b) Opening peripheral edge (1c) Vent hole (1d) Outer peripheral edge (2) Occupant side base cloth (2d) Outer peripheral edge (3) Restricting member cloth ( 3a) Opening part (3b) Opening peripheral part (3c) Communication hole (3d) Outer peripheral part (4) Band-shaped part (regulating member) (4 ') Band-shaped part (extension limiting member) (4a) Half-folded end part (5) ) Slack (6) Handle (7) Leg piece (8) Inflator (M) Crew

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Hidehito Sogi 3rd Ikuyama, Uchikoshi, Miyoshi-cho, Nishikamo-gun, Aichi Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd. Automotive Parts Technology Center

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An inflator-side base cloth having an opening for attaching an inflator, an occupant-side base cloth having an outer shape substantially equal to the inflator-side base cloth, and an outer shape and an opening substantially equal to the inflator-side base cloth. And a regulation member cloth having a plurality of communication holes radially formed around the opening for communicating the ejected gas of the inflator, and the regulation member cloth is provided on the back surface of the inflator-side base cloth. The first step of stacking and stitching the peripheral portions of the openings together with the occupant-side base cloth on the surface of the inflator-side base cloth so that the surfaces face each other. Second step of sewing the outer peripheral edge portion of each of the regulating member cloth and the plurality of strip-shaped portions formed between the communication holes of the regulation member cloth are squeezed into two, and the sloping strip-shaped portions are folded. edge From the third step of shortening the length of each strip-shaped portion by stitching at the position of the required length, and cutting one base portion of the strip-shaped portion that is folded and sewn into the above two,
The fourth step of forming an extension limiting member for limiting the extension of the airbag toward the occupant side due to the gas ejection of the inflator by connecting the cut strip portion to the vicinity of the central portion of the occupant side base cloth, and the inside out. And a fifth step of reversing each sewn base fabric and returning it to the front. A method for manufacturing a driver airbag.