JPH0872646A - Air bag and its folding method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide an air bag and its folding method where the deformation of a bag cover is not generated. CONSTITUTION: In an air bag and its folding method, the air bag which is formed in a bag shape by fitting two cloths 23a, 23b to each other is folded in a meandering manner between the end of a storing case 4 and the centers A, B of an inflator 2 at four corners, i.e., in the right and left and at the top and bottom of the inflator 2, and the air bag is folded back so that the folding lines are not concentrated on the centers A, B sides of the inflator 2 while the air bag is folded so that the fitted lines 23a, 23b of the cloths are not located on the top surface of the inflator 2.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an airbag which is housed in the center of a steering wheel and which secures the safety of the driver and passengers from the impact of an automobile collision, and more particularly, to an airbag for storing the airbag. The present invention relates to a shape and a folding method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an airbag module 1 having an airbag of this type, one shown in FIG. 5 is known. The airbag module 1 includes an inflator 2
An inflatable substantially circular airbag 3 having a gas suction port 17 and attached around the inflator 2, an airbag storage case 4 around the inflator 2, a steering case 4, the inflator 2 and the like. This structure is provided with a retainer 6 supported at the center of the wheel 5.

The storage case 4 comprises a back cover 11 for covering the airbag 3 and an insert 12 into which the inflator 2 is inserted. The back cover 11 engages with the spokes 13 of the steering wheel 5 to form an airbag. At the time of unfolding No. 3, the fracture line 11a is broken.

Further, the airbag 3 is formed into a bag shape by sewing two circular cloths together, and a gas suction port 17 which is an opening thereof is fixed so as to surround the inflator 2. Usually, it is folded and stored in the airbag storage case 4. When a shock is generated due to a collision accident, the gas rapidly supplied from the inflator 2 causes the gas to rapidly expand. The attachment portion of the gas suction port 17 of the airbag 3 to the inflator 2 is sandwiched between the retainer ring 7 and the insert 12 to maintain airtightness, and the flange 2a around the inflator 2 and the retainer 6 together with the bolt 8 are provided. It is fastened together and installed. The airbag module 1 is disposed in the space formed by the hub portion 9 and the spoke portion 13 at the center of the steering wheel 5, and the retainer 6 is fixed to the spoke portion 13 via the bolt 10 so that the steering wheel is It is held in the center of the inside of 5.

Next, the operation of the airbag module 1 having such a structure will be described. When a shock occurs due to a collision accident, the collision sensor detects the collision and operates the inflator 2. Then, the gas blowing hole 2b of the inflator 2
High temperature gas flows out from the air bag 3, the airbag 3 breaks the storage case 4, and expands rapidly. As a result, the airbag 3 serves as a cushioning material between the steering wheel 5 and the occupant, ensuring the safety of the driver from the impact of a collision accident.

FIG. 6 shows a method for folding the airbag stored in the airbag storage case 4 of the airbag module 1 as described above. In FIG. 6 (a), an airbag 3 in which two circular cloths 3a and 3b are sewn together.
The opening 17 is attached around the inflator 2 and is expanded on the upper surface of the inflator 2. Sign 1
Reference numeral 4 denotes a sewn portion which is a seam of two cloths.

In FIG. 6 (b), a part of the left, right, up, down, left air bag 3 of the inflator 2 is bent at the left end of the storage case 4, and at the center A of the inflator 2, it is bent toward the left end of the storage case 4. Fold back from the left end side of the storage case 4 toward the center A so that the sewn portion 14, which is the seam of the two cloths, is located at the center A. The same operation is performed on the right, bottom, and top of the inflator 2 and the remaining three directions (see FIGS. 6D to 6F). In addition, in the vertical direction, the center of the inflator 2 is folded back to B. Finally, the corners of the left, right, up, and down four-direction bent portions of the inflator 2 are shown in FIG. 6 (g).
Bend the inside of the airbag 3 as shown in, and remove the corner.

In the above folding method, in consideration of the fact that the high temperature gas from the inflator 2 smoothly flows into the entire air bag 3 at the time of collision, and quickly develops, the flow path of the high temperature gas from the gas blowing hole 2b of the inflator 2 is considered. Is a normal path, and is bent in four directions with the center of the inflator 2 as a boundary so as to meander between the end of the storage case and the center of the inflator.

[0009]

However, the airbag 3 folded in this manner has the sewn portion 14 which is a seam of cloth in four directions on the left, right, upper and lower sides of the inflator 2.
However, as shown in the sectional model view of FIG. 7, they are all located in the center of the inflator. The solid line in FIG. 7 indicates the two cloths 3a and 3b forming the airbag. When the folded portion and the sewn portion 14 are at the center position of the inflator 2, when the bag cover 11 is covered, the center of the inflator 2 rises and the bag cover 11 is deformed as shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. Therefore, there is a problem that a gap is formed in the engaging portion without properly engaging with the spoke portion 13. Therefore, the bag cover 1
There was a problem that the shape of the bag cover 11 and / or the insert 12 had to be adjusted according to the actual product so that the 1 and the spoke portion 13 would engage with each other.

Further, the breaking line 11a for breaking the bag cover 11 serves as a line that also serves as a design,
When it is on the surface, there is also a problem that the broken line is conspicuous due to the deformation of the bag cover 11, and the design line is broken.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an airbag which does not cause deformation of a bag cover and a folding method thereof. It is the one we are trying to provide.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In an airbag and a method of folding the same according to the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems, the space of the storage case is closer to the center of the storage case, that is, the space between the upper surface of the inflator and the bag cover. Also, this is made by paying attention to the fact that the space on the end side of the storage case, that is, the space around the inflator is wider.

Therefore, in the airbag of the present invention, an airbag formed by combining two pieces of cloth into a bag shape is provided between the storage case end and the center of the inflator on the four sides of the inflator in the upper, lower, left and right directions. The inflator is folded in a meandering manner, so that the folds are not concentrated on the center side of the inflator, the folds are folded back at a position that does not reach the center, and the seam of the two cloths is not folded on the upper surface of the inflator. It is stored in the storage case. In addition, the seam of the two cloths,
It is located between the end of the storage case and the inflator.

According to the airbag folding method of the present invention, a part of the airbag is folded from one end of the storage case toward the inflator on one of the upper, lower, left and right sides of the inflator, and the inflator is centered. Fold back toward the end of the storage case at a position that does not reach, and further fold from the end of the storage case toward the inflator so that the seam of the two cloths of the airbag is not located on the upper surface of the inflator, and then store. Fold so as to meander between the case edge and the center of the inflator, and repeat the same for a part of the remaining three-direction airbag, and finally, to the two cloths of the airbag. It is a method of folding so that all the joints are not located on the upper surface of the inflator.

[0015]

When the seam of the two cloths is not located on the upper surface of the inflator, the seam of the two cloths, which is the thickest part of the airbag, is around the side surface of the inflator, that is, the storage case. Since it is located in the widest space, the center of the upper surface of the inflator does not rise due to the joint between the two cloths. Further, if the folds are not concentrated so as not to reach the center of the inflator so that the folds are not concentrated, the center of the upper surface of the inflator does not rise due to the folds of the airbag, so that the bag cover is not deformed.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the airbag folding method of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional model view of the airbag of the present invention. In FIG. 1 (a), two circular cloths 2
The opening 27 of the airbag 23 in which 3a and 23b are sewn together is attached to the periphery of the inflator 2 and is expanded on the upper surface of the inflator 2. . Code 2
Reference numeral 4 denotes a sewn portion which is a seam of two cloths.

In FIG. 1B, a part of the airbag 23 in the left, right, up, down, left, and right directions of the inflator 2 is accommodated in a storage case 4.
Is folded at the left end of the inflator 2 and folded back toward the left end of the storage case 4 at a position that does not reach the center A on the inflator 2 side, and the sewn portion 24 which is a seam of the two cloths of the airbag is located on the upper surface of the inflator. It is bent again at the left end of the storage case 4 so that the sewn portion 24 is located at the right end of the storage case 4 not to do so.

Subsequently, in FIG. 1 (c), a part of the air bag 23 in the right direction, which is the opposite direction, is bent at the right end of the storage case 4, and the storage case 4 is placed at a position where it does not reach the center on the inflator 2 side. Fold back toward the right end so that the sewn portion 24, which is the seam of the two cloths of the airbag, is not located on the upper surface of the inflator 2, that is, the sewn portion 24 is located on the left end of the storage case 4. Then, bend it again at the right end of the storage case 4.

Further, the remaining air bag 23 in the upper and lower directions.
The same applies to a part of FIG.
Perform as shown in (e). In this case, the sewn portions 24 in the respective directions are folded so as to be located at the ends of the storage case 4 that face each other. Then, in FIG. 1 (f), the corners of the folds on the four sides of the inflator are folded inward.

In this case, the sewn portion 24, which is the seam of the two cloths, is positioned in the uppermost folded portion 21 in the opposite direction, as shown in FIG. 2, except for the uppermost sewn portion 24a. To As shown in FIG. 3, it may be located at the lowermost bent portion 22, but it is preferable to make it as shown in FIG. 2 in order to achieve a smoother deployment of the airbag 3.
The solid line in FIG. 2 indicates two pieces of cloth 23 forming the airbag.
a and 23b are shown.

Further, FIG. 4 shows a case where the size of the airbag 20 is larger than that of the storage case 4. In FIG. 4A, two circular cloths 20a, 20
The opening 27 of the airbag 20 to which the b is sewn is attached around the inflator 2 and is shown in a state of being expanded on the upper surface of the inflator 2. Reference numeral 24 indicates a sewn portion which is a seam of two cloths.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the inflator 2
A part of the left, right, up, down, left airbag 20 is bent at the left end of the storage case 4, and is folded back toward the left end of the storage case 4 at a position that does not reach the center A on the inflator 2 side. Then, again, the airbag 20 is stored in the storage case 4
Bend at the left end of. In this case, since the size of the airbag 20 is larger than the size of the storage case 4, the sewn portion 24, which is a seam of two cloths of the airbag 20, is
It protrudes from the right end of the storage case 4. Therefore, FIG.
As shown in (c), the airbag 20 is placed on the right side of the storage case 4 so that the sewn portion 24 is positioned between the end of the storage case 4 and the inflator 2 in consideration of not being located on the upper surface of the inflator 2. At the end, fold back toward the center A side of the inflator 2.

Next, in FIG. 4 (d), a part of the airbag 20 in the right direction, which is the opposite direction, is bent at the right end of the storage case 4, and the storage case 4 is placed at a position that does not reach the center on the inflator 2 side. Fold back toward the right end. Then, the airbag 20 is folded again at the right end of the storage case 4. Also at this time, the airbag 20 is placed so that the sewn portion 24 protruding from the left end of the storage case 4 is located between the end of the storage case 4 and the inflator 2 in consideration of not being located on the upper surface of the inflator 2. Storage case 4
Fold it back toward the center A side of the inflator 2 at the left end.

Further, the remaining air bag 23 in the upper and lower directions
The same applies to a part of FIG.
This is performed as shown in (f). Then, in FIG. 4 (g), the corners of the folds on the four sides of the inflator are folded inward. Also in this case, the sewn portion 24, which is a seam of two cloths,
Is preferably located in the uppermost bent portion in the opposite direction.

The airbags 23 and 20 folded by the folding method of the present invention as described above are used as the inflator 2.
The folds are folded back at positions not reaching the centers A and B so that the folds are not concentrated, and the sewn portion 24, which is the seam of the two cloths, is not located on the upper surface of the inflator 2. The airbags 23 and 20 do not rise at the centers A and B, and the bag cover 11 is not deformed. Moreover, since the corners of the folds in the four directions are bent inward to be sharpened, the airbags 23 and 20 can be more smoothly deployed.

Further, a sewing portion 2 which is a seam of two cloths.
The space around the side surface of the inflator 2 where 4 is located is wider than the space between the upper surface of the inflator 2 and the bag cover 11 as shown in FIG. The airbag 20 does not swell even if it is located at, and the bag cover 11 does not deform.

[0027]

As described above, since the airbag and the folding method of the present invention do not cause the deformation of the bag cover, in order to properly engage the spoke portion and the bag cover in consideration of the deformation of the bag cover. It is possible to manufacture as designed without the need for actual matching.
As a result, the number of defective products that form a gap between the spoke portion and the engaging portion of the bag cover is reduced.

Further, when the breaking line for breaking the bag cover is on the surface of the bag cover as a design-use line, the breaking line becomes conspicuous due to the deformation of the bag cover, and the design line is not broken.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a method of folding an airbag according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a model cross-sectional view showing an airbag of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a model cross-sectional view showing another airbag of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing another folding method of the airbag of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an airbag module.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a conventional airbag folding method.

FIG. 7 is a model cross-sectional view showing a conventional airbag.

[Explanation of symbols] 2 inflator 4 storage case 20, 23 airbag 20a, 20b, 23a, 23b cloth 24 sewing part (joint) 27 opening A, B center

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An airbag storage case formed around an inflator supported at the center of a steering wheel, in which two cloths are combined to form a bag, and an opening of the cloth surrounds the inflator. An airbag that is mounted in such a manner that it is folded in such a manner that the joint of the two cloths is not located on the upper surface of the inflator and is stored in the storage case. 2. The inflator is folded so as to meander between the upper, lower, left, and right sides of the storage case and the center of the inflator, and reaches the center so that folds are not concentrated on the center side of the inflator. 2. It is folded back at a position where it does not exist.
Airbag as described. 3. The inflator is folded so as to meander between the storage case end and the center of the inflator on four sides of the inflator, and the seam of the two cloths forms the storage case end and the inflator. The airbag according to claim 1, wherein the airbag is located between the airbag and the airbag. 4. An airbag storage case formed around an inflator supported at the center of a steering wheel, in which two cloths are joined together to form a bag, and the opening surrounds the inflator. A method of folding an airbag mounted as described above, wherein a part of the airbag is folded in one of four directions of up, down, left and right of the inflator from the end of the storage case toward the inflator, and the inflator side is centered. Fold back toward the end of the storage case at a position that does not reach, and further fold from the end of the storage case toward the inflator so that the seam of the two cloths of the airbag is not located on the upper surface of the inflator, and then store. Fold in a serpentine manner between the case edge and the center of the inflator, and
The same is repeated for a part of the remaining three-direction airbags, and finally, the airbag is characterized in that the two seams of the airbag are folded so that the seam is not located on the upper surface of the inflator. Folding method.