JPH0642456U - Air bag - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] (Modified) [Purpose] An airbag that can be folded and stored by using the space of the storage case without waste, and can be instantly expanded and inflated by the impact of a collision accident to ensure the safety of passengers. I will provide a. The airbag 40 is fixed around an inflator located in the center of the storage case 4, and the gas suction port 21
Is an inflatable substantially circular airbag having halves 23a, 23b of each airbag on both sides of the first center line 22 passing through the center of the gas suction port are sequentially folded back in the opposite direction to form a plurality of layers. It is folded, and the halves 41a and 41b on both sides of the second center line 28 are also sequentially folded back in the opposite directions, and are folded into a plurality of layers. Each layer is folded inward.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to an airbag module used in an airbag system for ensuring the safety of a driver and passengers from the impact of a vehicle collision, and more particularly to an airbag housed in the airbag module.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 An airbag module 1 of this type is shown in FIG. Inflator 2, an inflatable substantially circular airbag 3 fixed around the inflator 2 and having a gas inlet, a storage case 4 for storing the inflator 2 and the airbag 3, and the storage The structure includes a retainer 6 that holds the case 4 in the center of the inside of the steering wheel 5.

The storage case 4 is composed of a back cover 4 a for covering the airbag 3 and an insert 4 b into which the inflator 2 is inserted. The back cover 4 a is provided with notches and thin portions to expand the airbag 3. It is sometimes designed to open (open). Further, the airbag 3 is normally folded and housed in the storage case 4 so as to cover the inflator 2, and expands when a shock due to a collision occurs. The suction port 21 of the airbag 3 is sandwiched between the retainer ring 7 and the insert 4b to maintain airtightness, and is attached together with the flange 2a around the inflator 2 and the retainer 6 together by bolts 8. ing. The air bag module 1 is disposed inside a boss 9 that forms a cavity in the center of the steering wheel 5, and the retainer 6 is fixed in the boss 9 via a bolt 10 so that the steering wheel 5 is secured. It is held in the center of the inside.

Next, the operation of the airbag module 1 having such a structure will be described. When an impact occurs due to a collision, the collision sensor detects the collision and operates the inflator 2. Then, the high-temperature gas flows out from the gas blowing hole 2b of the inflator 2, the airbag 3 breaks the storage case 4, and inflates like a balloon as shown in FIG. As a result, the airbag 3 serves as a cushioning material between the steering wheel 5 and the person, and ensures the safety of the driver from the impact of a collision accident.

The airbag 3 housed in such an airbag module 1 usually needs to be housed in a flat shape indicated by a two-dot chain line in accordance with the shape of the housing case 4 having a substantially rectangular shape, and a collision occurs. It must be folded so that it can be expanded and inflated reliably and instantly when the impact of an accident occurs.

Next, a conventional folding method of the airbag 3 that is easy to deploy and can be easily accommodated in a substantially rectangular storage case will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. 5 and 6 are plan views of the air bag 3. First, as shown in FIG. 5A, the airbag 3 is spread flat with the gas suction port 21 facing downward and centered on the gas suction port 21. Then, as shown in FIG. 5B, the half portions 23b on both sides of the first center line 22 passing through the center of the gas suction port 21 have a predetermined width W1 and the folded line 24 is the first center line 22. It is folded back on the other half 23a, that is, inwardly so as to be parallel. The predetermined width W1 is larger than the radius of the suction port 21 and is a width corresponding to the space of the storage case 4 in FIG. Next, as shown in FIG. 5C, the folded back 23b is folded back outward so that the folding line 25 is aligned with the first center line 22. Then, as shown in FIG. 5D, the outwardly folded back 23 b is folded back inward so that the folded back line 26 overlaps the folded back line 24. Next, as shown in FIG. 5E, the folded back 23b is folded back outward so that the folded line 27 overlaps the folded line 25. By repeating such an operation, as shown in FIG. 5F, the half portion 23b is folded into a plurality of layers with a predetermined width W1. Similarly, the other half portion 23a is also folded into a plurality of layers with a predetermined width W1 to form an elongated shape 35 as shown in FIG. 5 (g).

Further, as shown in FIG. 6A, the half portions 29b on both sides of the second center line 28 passing through the center of the gas suction port 21 orthogonal to the first center line 22 have a predetermined width W2. The folding line 30 is folded back on the other half 29a, that is, inwardly so that the line 30 is parallel to the second center line 28. Here, too, the predetermined width W2 is larger than the radius of the suction port 21 and is a width corresponding to the space of the storage case 4. Next, as shown in FIG. 6B, the folded back 29b is folded back outward so that the folding line 31 is aligned with the second center line 28. Then, as shown in FIG. 6C, the outwardly folded back 29b is folded back inward so that the folding line 32 overlaps the folding line 30. Next, as shown in FIG. 6D, the folded back 29b is folded back outward so that the folded line 33 overlaps the folded line 31. By repeating such an operation, as shown in FIG. 6E, the half portion 29b is folded into a plurality of layers with a predetermined width W2. Similarly, the other half portion 29a is also folded into a plurality of layers with a predetermined width W2 to form a rectangle 3 as shown in FIG. 6 (f).

[0008]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 By the way, such an airbag module 1 is usually required to be downsized so as not to hinder driving operation, and the shape of the airbag module 1 is changed due to the pursuit of the design of the steering wheel 5. There is no choice but to complicate its shape.

That is, when pursuing miniaturization and design, the storage case 4 has a shape with rounded corners as shown in FIG. In this case, there is a problem that the state of the airbag 3 folded and stored in the storage case 4 does not match the shape of the storage case 4, and a lot of useless space 36 is generated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the conventional technology, and the purpose thereof is to normally provide a space for the storage case depending on the complicated shape of the airbag module. It aims to provide an airbag that can be used without waste and can be folded and stored in a storage case, and when a shock from a collision occurs, it can be instantly expanded and inflated to ensure the safety of passengers.

[0011]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 In order to solve the above-mentioned object, the airbag of the present invention is an inflatable substantially circular air bag which is fixed around an inflator located in the center of a storage case and has a gas suction port. The halves of each airbag on both sides of the first center line passing through the center of the are folded back in the opposite direction, and are folded into multiple layers on each half, and the gas orthogonal to the first center line. The halves on both sides of the second center line that passes through the center of the suction port are also folded back in the opposite order, and are folded into multiple layers on each half, and are housed in the storage case to cover the inflator. In the airbag, the corners of the folded portions of the plurality of layers on both sides of the second center line are folded inward for each layer according to the shape of the corner of the storage case.

[0012]

[Action]

 When each corner of the folded back part of the airbag that is folded into multiple layers is folded inward according to the shape of the corner of the storage case, the airbag will normally conform to the shape of the corner of the storage case. When the impact of a collision occurs due to the use of the storage case space without wasting it, the corners of the folded back portion of the airbag fold along the gas inflow path. Gas smoothly flows in through the suction port, and surely and instantly expands and expands.

[0013]

【Example】

 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing how the airbag of the present invention is folded, and FIG. 2 is a view showing a stored state of the airbag of the present invention. In FIGS. 1 and 2, parts having the same functions as those in FIGS. 6 and 7 are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. 1 and 2, the difference from FIGS. 6 and 7 is how to fold the corners of the airbag.

Next, how to fold the airbag 40 having the above-described structure will be described with reference to FIG. First, as shown in FIG. 1A, the air bag 40 is spread flat with the gas suction port 21 facing downward and with the gas suction port 21 as the center. The process of forming the elongated shape 35 is the same as that of the conventional technique and is as shown in FIG.

After forming the elongated shape 35, as shown in FIG. 1B, the half portions 41b on both sides of the second center line 27 have a predetermined width W3, and the folding line 42 forms the second center line 28. When folded back on the other half 41a so as to be parallel, the corner portion 47 is folded while being folded inward so as to correspond to the shape of the corner of the storage case. The predetermined width W3 is larger than the radius of the suction port 21 and is a width corresponding to the space of the storage case. Next, as shown in FIG. 1C, the folded back 41b is folded back outward so that the folding line 43 is aligned with the second center line 28. Then, as shown in FIG. 1D, when the folded back 41b is folded back inward so that the folded line 44 overlaps the folded line 42, the corner portion 48 is formed so as to conform to the shape of the corner of the storage case. Fold while folding inward. Then, as shown in FIG. 1E, the folded back 41b is folded back outward so that the folded back line 45 overlaps the folded back line 43. By repeating such an operation, as shown in FIG. 1F, the half portion 41b is folded into a plurality of layers with a predetermined width W3. Similarly, the other half 41a also has a predetermined width W3 and is folded into a plurality of layers while the corner portion is folded inward so as to conform to the shape of the corner of the storage case. As shown in FIG. To The broken line 46 is each corner of the folded back portion of the airbag folded inward so as to correspond to the shape of the corner of the storage case.

In this way, the airbag 40 in which each corner 46 of the folded back portion of the airbag 40 is folded inward so as to conform to the shape of the corner of the storage case and is folded into a plurality of layers is shown in FIG. As described above, the space of the storage case 4 is normally used according to the shape of the corners of the storage case 4 to fit the storage case 4 without any waste. Since the folding method is along the gas inflow path, the gas smoothly flows in from the gas suction port 21 of the airbag 40 and is instantly expanded and expanded.

[0017]

[Effect of device]

 The airbag of the present invention is normally folded by folding each corner of the folded back portion of the airbag, which is folded in multiple layers, inward for each layer according to the shape of the corner of the storage case. Depending on the shape of the corners of the storage case, the space of the storage case is used without waste so that it can fit in the storage case, and when a collision accident occurs, the folding method of each corner of the folded back part of the airbag allows the inflow of gas. Since it is along the route, the gas smoothly flows in from the gas inlet of the airbag and is instantly expanded and inflated, so it is an optimal airbag that can ensure the safety of passengers.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing how an airbag of the present invention is folded.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a stored state of the airbag of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an airbag module.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an airbag module in operation.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing how to fold a conventional airbag.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing how to fold a conventional airbag.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a conventional stored state of an airbag.

[Explanation of symbols]

 40 Airbag 4 Storage Case 21 Suction Port 46 Inner Folding Part

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. An inflatable, substantially circular airbag having a gas suction port, which is fixed around an inflator located in the center of a storage case, and is on both sides of a first center line passing through the center of the gas suction port. The respective airbag halves are sequentially folded back in the opposite directions, and are folded into a plurality of layers on the respective halves, and further, a second center line passing through the center of the gas suction port orthogonal to the first center line. Each of the halves on both sides of the airbag is sequentially folded back in the opposite direction, and is folded into a plurality of layers on each of the halves, and in the airbag stored in the storage case so as to cover the inflator, the corner of the storage case is Depending on the shape, the above-mentioned second
An airbag characterized in that the corners of the folded portions of the layers on both sides of the center line are folded inward for each layer.