JPH061193A - Air bag device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To mitigate the pressure increase in a cabin of an automobile and temperature rise of the surface of a bag in operation and reduce the production cost of the bag. CONSTITUTION:An opening 9a of a bag 18a is formed on the periphery with mounting pieces 19a, 19a which are coupled with the outer side surface of a housing 14a. The housing 14a is formed on the outside surface with recesses 25a, 25a. A vent path affording communication between the inside and outside of the bag 18a is provided between the inside surface of one of the mounting pieces 19a and the outside surface of the housing 14a. In operation of the air bag device, gas is supplied to and ejected from the bag 18a through the vent path.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The airbag apparatus according to the present invention is used in a state where it is attached to a central portion of a steering wheel or a dashboard in order to protect a driver and an occupant in a passenger seat in the event of a collision.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a collision accident, an automobile collides with another automobile or the like, that is, after a so-called primary collision, an occupant such as a driver collides with a steering wheel or a dashboard.
A so-called secondary collision occurs. An airbag device is increasingly used for the purpose of alleviating the impact applied to the body of an occupant in the case of this secondary collision and protecting the occupant.

[0003] An air bag device is designed to inflate the bag rapidly in the event of a collision and to receive the occupant's body with this bag. For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 57-6016.
No. 6, JP-A No. 2-256541, and JP-A No. 2-25641.
No. 91051, No. 3-37050, No. 3-4
Those described in Japanese Patent Nos. 2760 and 3-72057 are known. Figure 15 shows the actual flat 3-4.
The airbag device described in Japanese Patent No. 2760 is shown.

Since the steering wheel 1 rotates the steering shaft 2, it is fixedly connected to the rear end of the steering shaft 2. Then, a unit 3 called an airbag module is supported and fixed to the central portion of the steering wheel 1.

The unit 3 includes a housing 4 fixed to the steering wheel 1 and the housing 4
It is supported and fixed at the center of the, and with the occurrence of a collision accident,
An inflator 5 for ejecting a gas such as nitrogen gas, and a bag-like bag 6 supported by the housing 4 in a folded state and inflated by the gas in the event of a collision.
And a cover 7 that is supported by the housing 4 and normally covers the bag 6.

A circular opening 9 having an inner diameter into which the gas discharge portion 8 of the inflator 5 can be inserted is formed in the bag 6 therein, and the opening 9 is formed in the inflator 5.
Of the housing 4 in the peripheral portion of the gas discharge portion 8 of
Then, the peripheral edge portion of the opening 9 is sandwiched between the housing 4 and the ring-shaped holding plate 10, and the holding plate 10 is fixed to the housing 4 by a mounting screw (not shown).

When a collision accident occurs, the inflator 5 ejects gas to inflate the bag 6 vigorously based on a signal from an impact detection sensor (not shown). At this time, the cover 7 is torn at the thin portions 11, 11 to allow the bag 6 to come out of the cover 7. As a result, the bag 6 is located behind the steering wheel 1 (see FIG.
It expands at the upper right side of 3) and catches the driver's body.

[0008]

The airbag device of the present invention alleviates the pressure increase in the vehicle compartment and the temperature increase of the bag 6 during the operation of the airbag device as described above, and the bag 6 To reduce the production cost.

That is, when the air bag device is activated due to the collision, the gas ejected from the inflator 5 causes the bag 6 to fly.
Expands vigorously, so if the window glass of the car is shut off, the pressure inside the car will rise sharply,
The occupant's eardrum may be torn. Further, since hot gas is ejected from the inflator 5, the occupant's face that collides with the inflated bag 6 may be slightly burned.

In order to reduce the impact on the body of the occupant, the bag 6 is inflated before the occurrence of the secondary collision, and at the moment of the secondary collision, the bag 6 needs to receive the occupant while being deflated. There is. Therefore, conventionally, by adjusting the amount of the drug filled in the inflator 5 to generate gas, the bag 6 is inflated and a vent hole is formed in a part of the bag 6 before the occurrence of the secondary collision. By forming a so-called through hole, the gas is released from the bag 6 whose gas supply has been stopped, and the impact applied to the occupant's body is alleviated without exerting a large repulsive force on the occupant.

The through hole is formed by cutting off a part of the bag 6, but the bag 6 is surely prevented from being torn from the through hole due to the gas blown into the bag 6 from the inflator 5 vigorously. There is a need to. Therefore, conventionally, the peripheral portion of the through hole is sufficiently reinforced by, for example, sewing a reinforcing material to the peripheral portion of the through hole. This reinforcing work is troublesome and has been a cause of increasing the manufacturing cost of the bag 6.

In Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-70555, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, a rivet 12 for connecting the bag 6 to the housing 4 is formed in a hollow tubular shape, and the inflated bag 6 is passed through a passage 13 formed at the center of the rivet 12.
A structure for exhausting gas from the is described. However, in the case of such a structure, since the special rivet 12 is used, it is considered that not only the manufacturing cost is increased, but also it is difficult to secure a sufficient flow passage area, and it is difficult to obtain a satisfactory performance.

The airbag device of the present invention has been invented in view of the above circumstances.

[0014]

The airbag apparatus of the present invention, like the conventional airbag apparatus described above, is provided with a housing and an inflator which is supported by the housing and ejects gas when a collision accident occurs. And a bag-shaped bag supported by the housing in a folded state and inflated by the gas in the event of a collision.

Particularly, in the airbag device of the present invention, the bag is supported by the housing by connecting a plurality of mounting pieces provided around the opening to the outer surface of the housing. A vent passage is provided between the inner side surface of at least one mounting piece and the outer side surface of the housing to communicate the inside and outside of the bag.

[0016]

In operation of the airbag device of the present invention constructed as described above, when the bag is inflated due to gas ejection from the inflator, it is provided between the outer surface of the housing and the inner surface of the mounting piece. The outside air existing in the automobile compartment is sucked into the bag from the ventilation passage. As a result, the gas present in the inflated bag is a mixture of high-temperature gas and low-temperature outside air, and the temperature of the gas in the bag does not become so high as to injure an occupant.

Further, since the outside air in the vehicle compartment is sucked into the inflating bag, the pressure increase in the vehicle compartment is alleviated, and the risk of the occupant's eardrum being broken can be reduced.

Further, the gas discharge from the inflated bag is
Since it is performed through the ventilation passage, it is not necessary to provide a bag with a through hole called a vent hole, and the manufacturing cost of this bag can be reduced.

[0019]

1 to 3 show a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an airbag device for a passenger seat. Incidentally, among the second to fifth embodiments described later, in the second to fourth embodiments except the fifth embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the airbag device for the passenger seat is targeted. There is.

The housing 14a, which constitutes the airbag apparatus for the passenger seat, is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped box having an opening at the top. Then, the inflator 15 is inserted into the housing 14a through a circular hole 16 formed in one end face in the length direction of the housing 14a.

Further, a plurality of studs 17, 17 are planted on the outer peripheral surface of the housing 14a near the opening. On the other hand, bag-shaped attachment pieces 19a, 19a provided on the four sides of the opening of the bag 18a, and the attachment pieces 19a,
Small circular holes 21 and 22 through which the above-mentioned studs 17 and 17 can be inserted are formed in the reinforcing plates 20 and 20 inserted into the inside 19a. Also, with the bag 18a folded, a cover 23a attached to the opening of the housing 14a.
Also, a small circular hole 2 through which the studs 17, 17 can be freely inserted.
4 and 24 are formed.

Further, on the outer surface of the opening side end portion of the housing 14a, a part of the wall portion forming the housing 14a is bent inward to form two recesses 25a, 25a.
The part is formed.

When assembling the members constructed as described above, the studs 17, 17 on the outer peripheral surface of the housing 14a are inserted into the mounting pieces 19a, 19a with the reinforcing plates 20, 20 inserted into the mounting pieces 19a, 19a. The mounting pieces 19 a, 19 a and the reinforcing plates 20, 20 are inserted into the small circular holes 21, 22. Then, with the bag 18a folded as shown in FIG.
The cover 23a is attached to the opening of the housing 14a, and the tips of the studs 17, 17 are attached to the cover 23a.
a is inserted into the small circular holes 24, 24 provided on both sides of the a, and the nuts 2 are respectively attached to the tips of the studs 17, 17 protruding from the outer surface of the cover 23a through the small circular holes 24, 24.
6 and 26 are screwed together and tightened.

With each member assembled in this manner, the inside and outside of the bag 18a communicate with each other via the ventilation passage 27 formed between the recesses 25a, 25a and any one of the mounting pieces 19a.

During operation of the air bag system, the gas ejected from the inflator 15 inflates the bag 18a,
The cover 23a is torn at the thin portion 28 provided in the central portion,
As shown in FIG. 3, the bag 18a swells outside the housing 14a. At this time, low temperature outside air in the vehicle compartment is sucked into the bag 18a through the ventilation passage 27.

As a result, the gas present in the inflated bag 18a is a mixture of high temperature gas and low temperature outside air, and the temperature of the gas present in the bag 18a causes burns to the occupant. Not so high.

Further, since the outside air in the vehicle compartment is sucked into the inflating bag 18a, even if the bag 18a inflates, the pressure increase in the vehicle compartment is alleviated, and the risk of occupant's eardrum breaking can be reduced.

Further, since gas is discharged from the inflated bag 18a through the air passage 27, the bag 1
It is not necessary to provide a through hole called a vent hole in 8a. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform troublesome processing to secure the strength of the bag 18a, and the manufacturing cost of the bag 18a can be reduced.

Next, FIGS. 4 to 6 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In the case of the present embodiment, the recesses 25b, 25b for forming the ventilation passage 27 are provided at two locations, one at each central portion on both sides of the housing 14b. Also, bag 18
The mounting pieces 19b, 19b formed in the opening of b are simply fin-shaped, and the reinforcing plate 20 (FIGS. 1 to 3) is omitted. Further, in the folded state of the bag 18b, the thin portion 2 of the cover 23b attached to the opening of the housing 14b.
8 is provided at the end of the cover 23b, and the cover 23b pivots upward about one end (the left end in FIGS. 5 to 6) as shown in FIG. 6 when the airbag device operates.
The bag 18b is allowed to come out of the housing 14b.

Since the other structure and operation are the same as those of the first embodiment described above, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and the overlapping description will be omitted.

Next, FIGS. 7 to 9 show a third embodiment of the present invention. In the case of the present embodiment, the mounting piece 19 of the bag 18c
c and 19c are formed in a bag shape, and the mounting piece 19
Locking rods 29, 29 are inserted in c, 19c. In the folded state of the bag 18c, the cover 23c attached to the opening of the housing 14c has a frame-shaped base portion 30 fixed to the opening portion, and one end of the base portion 30 is joined to one end of the base portion 30. It is composed of a lid portion 31. Further, a recess 25c is provided in the central portion on one side of the housing 14c, and between the inner surface of the recess 25c and the inner peripheral surface of the base 30,
The air passage 27 is provided.

When assembling the above-mentioned members, the engaging rods 29, 29 are attached to the mounting pieces 19c, 19c.
With the locking rods 29, 29 protruding from the lower edge of the base portion 30, the base portion 30 is inserted into the housing 1.
Blind rivets 32, 32 are connected to the open end of 4c. Further, the lid portion 31 is coupled to the upper surface of the base portion 30 with screws 33, 33.

During operation of the airbag device, the pressure gas ejected from the inflator 15 inflates the bag 18c, and the lid portion 31 of the cover 23c pivots upward about one end as shown in FIG. Are allowed to swell outside the housing 14c. At this time, the air in the vehicle compartment is sucked into the bag 18c through the ventilation passage 27.

Next, FIGS. 10 to 12 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the case of this embodiment, unlike the above-mentioned first to third embodiments, no recess is formed in the opening of the housing 14d. Instead, by bending the central portion of any one of the reinforcing plates 20a to be inserted into the bag-shaped attachment pieces 19d, 19d formed in the opening of the bag 18d toward the outside, There is.

Therefore, between the mounting piece 19d in which the reinforcing plate 20a is inserted and the outer side surface of the housing 14d, as shown in FIG.
The ventilation passage 27 is formed as shown in 1 to 12, and when the bag 18d is inflated during the operation of the airbag device, the ventilation passage 2
The outside air is sucked into the bag 18d through 7. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first embodiment described above regarding the connecting portions of the mounting pieces 19d and 19d and the housing 14d, and the second embodiment regarding the position of the thin portion 28 of the cover 23d. Therefore, redundant description will be omitted.

Next, FIGS. 13 to 14 show a fifth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is different from the above-mentioned first to fourth embodiments, and is intended for the airbag device for the driver's seat.

The housing 14e, which constitutes the airbag device for the driver's seat, is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped box having an opening at the bottom, and a circular hole 16 is formed in the center of the housing 14e.
Has been drilled. The inflator 15a is inserted into the housing 14e through the circular hole 16.
For supporting and fixing the inflator 15a to the housing 14e, the blind rivets 36, 36 are attached to the flange portion of the inflator 15a and the circular hole 16 of the housing 14e.
It is carried out by inserting it into the small circular holes 37, 37 provided in the periphery of and then further caulking.

Further, recesses 25e, 25e are formed on the outer surfaces of the pair of ends of the housing 14e. Furthermore,
A plurality of studs 17, 17 are planted on the outer surface of the housing 14e, as in the first to fourth embodiments described above.

On the other hand, mounting pieces 19e, 19e provided on the four sides of the opening of the bag 18e and a restraining plate 3 for sandwiching the mounting pieces 19e, 19e with the outer surface of the housing 14e.
Small circular holes 21 and 35 through which the studs 17 and 17 can be inserted are formed in the holes 4 and 34. In addition, the cover (Fig. 13
(Not shown in FIGS. 14 to 14) are also formed with small circular holes through which the studs 17, 17 can be inserted similarly to the first to fourth embodiments.

When assembling the above-mentioned members, the studs 17, 17 on the outer peripheral surface of the housing 14e are assembled.
The mounting pieces 19e, 19e and the restraining plates 34, 34
The small circular holes 21 and 35 are inserted. And bag 18e
With the cover folded, a cover (not shown) is attached to the opening of the housing 14e, and the studs 17, 17
The distal end of the stud is inserted into a small circular hole provided in the cover, and nuts 26 and 26 are respectively screwed and tightened to the distal ends of the studs 17 and 17 protruding from the small circular hole.

With each member assembled in this manner, the inside and outside of the bag 18e is formed between the recesses 25e, 25e and any one of the mounting pieces 19e, 19e.
It communicates via 7, 27.

The operation of the fifth embodiment of the present invention constructed as described above is the same as that of the first embodiment described above except that the object of protection is the driver.

[0043]

Since the present invention is constructed and operates as described above, it is possible to inexpensively provide an airbag device in which an occupant is not hindered by burns, eardrum damage, and the like.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view corresponding to a cross section taken along the line AA of FIG. 1, showing an assembled state in a non-operating state.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2, which is also shown in an operating state.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a view corresponding to a BB cross section of FIG. 4, showing an assembled state in a non-operating state.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 5, which is also shown in an operating state.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a view corresponding to a cross section taken along line CC of FIG. 7, showing an assembled state in a non-operating state.

9 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 8, which is also shown in an operating state.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

11 shows the assembled state in a non-operating state, FIG.
The figure corresponding to the DD cross section of 0.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 11, which is also shown in an operating state.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 shows the assembled state in the operating state, FIG.
A view corresponding to the EE cross section of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a vertical sectional side view showing a first example of a conventional structure.

FIG. 16 is a partially enlarged sectional view showing a second example of the conventional structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Steering Wheel 2 Steering Shaft 3 Unit 4 Housing 5 Inflator 6 Bag 7 Cover 8 Gas Discharge Ports 9, 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e Opening 10 Suppression Plate 11 Thin Wall 12 Rivet 13 Passage 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d, 14e Housing 15, 15a Inflator 16 Circular hole 17 Stud 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e Bag 19a, 19b, 19c, 19d, 19e Attachment piece 20, 20a Reinforcing plate 21 Small circular hole 22 Small circular hole 23a, 23b, 23c , 23d cover 24 small circular hole 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d, 25e concave portion 26 nut 27 air passage 28 thin portion 29 locking rod 30 base 31 lid portion 32 blind rivet 33 screw 34 restraining plate 35 small circular hole 36 blind rivet 7 small circular holes

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] August 5, 1992

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0018

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

Further, the gas discharge from the inflated bag is
Since it is carried out through the above-mentioned ventilation passage, it is possible to omit a vent hole called a vent hole in the bag, or to make it small even if it is provided, so that the manufacturing cost of this bag can be reduced.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A housing, an inflator which is supported by the housing and ejects gas when a collision accident occurs, and an inflator which is supported by the housing in a folded state and is expanded by the gas in a collision accident. In an airbag device provided with a bag-shaped bag, the bag is supported by the housing by coupling a plurality of mounting pieces surrounding the opening to an outer surface of the housing, An air bag device characterized in that an air passage for communicating the inside and outside of the bag is provided between the inner surface of one mounting piece and the outer surface of the housing.