JPH0986331A - Air bag device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the air bag device which has no directionality in the developing behavior of an air bag even when an inflator is employed, in which gas blow-out holes are provided at one end part of it. SOLUTION: As for the pressure of gas G which is blown out of gas blow-out holes 5 provided at one end part of a circular cylinder shaped hybrid type inflator 3, the closer place close to the gas-blow out holes 5 is more subjected to high pressure, and the further place separated from the gas blow-out holes 5 is less subjected to high pressure. However, as for the opening area of each through circular hole 12 provided for a partition plate 11, the closer to the gas blow-out holes 5 each hole is, the smaller the area of each hole is, and the further separated from the gas blow-out holes each hole is, the larger the area of each hole is. Therefore, the amount of gas G blown out of each circular hole 12 close to the gas blow-out holes 5 to the outside of the housing 4 is almost identical to the amount of gas blown out of each circular hole 12 far from the blow-out holes 5 to the outside of the housing.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an airbag device mounted on a vehicle or the like, and more specifically, it uses a combustion gas produced by burning a gas generating agent and a compressed gas filled in a pressure vessel together. The present invention relates to an airbag device having a so-called hybrid type inflator for deploying an airbag.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An air bag device which can effectively protect an occupant in the event of a frontal collision of a vehicle is widely used. However, the conventional air bag device deploys the air bag body instantly when an accident occurs. As possible, an inflator of a type that explosively burns a gas generating agent to generate a large amount of combustion gas is used. However, since the combustion gas immediately after generation is high in temperature, the conventional inflator must be equipped with a gas cooling device, which complicates the structure and causes a cost increase.

Therefore, there has been proposed a so-called hybrid type inflator in which a combustion gas produced by burning a gas generating agent and a compressed gas previously filled in a pressure vessel are used together. (See Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 54-578) This type of inflator is arranged along a cylindrical pressure vessel pre-filled with an inert gas such as high-pressure argon gas and a partition wall at one end of the pressure vessel. Equipped with a detonator and a gas generating agent. When a collision sensor operates and outputs an output signal when an accident occurs, the detonator explodes and destroys the partition wall, and at the same time, the gas generating agent is ignited and explosively burns to generate combustion gas. As a result, the compressed gas and the combustion gas in the pressure vessel that are ejected from the destroyed partition wall are mixed, and the combustion gas is cooled.

Next, an airbag device using such a hybrid type inflator will be described with reference to FIG. 11. The airbag device 1 is provided on the passenger side of the vehicle, and is recessed in the dashboard 2. Storage recess 2 provided
A housing 4 containing the hybrid inflator 3 is embedded in a. On the other hand, this housing 4
In the storage recess 2b that is shallowly recessed in the dashboard 2 so as to surround the opening 4a, a folded airbag body (not shown) and a lid body (not shown) that covers the airbag apparatus 1 are covered. Can be attached together.
When the inflator 3 is actuated when an accident occurs, a large amount of gas G is ejected from the gas ejection port 5 thereof, the airbag 6 is deployed, and the airbag 6 is inflated to a shape shown by a two-dot chain line in the figure.

[0005]

In the hybrid type inflator described above, the pressure vessel has a cylindrical shape in order to withstand the high pressure of the compressed gas filled therein. As a result, a partition that is destroyed by the detonator has to be provided at either end of this cylindrical pressure vessel. Therefore, in this hybrid type inflator, the detonator, the gas generating agent, and the gas ejection port must be intensively arranged on one end side of the pressure vessel, and the entire shape thereof must be long in the axial direction. I don't get.

On the other hand, the dashboard 2 cannot be provided with a deep accommodating recess for accommodating the hybrid type inflator 3 vertically. As a result, the inflator 3 must be housed in the dashboard 2 so that the inflator 3 extends laterally, that is, the axis of the inflator 3 extends parallel to the surface of the dashboard 2.

Then, the flow of the gas G ejected from the gas injection port 5 of the inflator 3 is biased to one side with respect to the center of the airbag 6, and the expansion behavior of the airbag 6 as shown in FIG. This is not preferable because it causes directionality.
Although the deployment direction of the airbag 6 is shown biased to the right in FIG. 11, depending on how the airbag 6 is folded, the shape of the gas ejection port 5 of the inflator 3, and the shape of the housing 4, the air bag 6 may be different. The direction in which the bag 6 is deployed is shown in FIG.
In some cases, it is biased to the left.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art and to direct the deployment behavior of an airbag even when using a hybrid type inflator in which a gas ejection port is provided at one end. An object of the present invention is to provide an air bag device that does not cause a problem.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, an airbag device of the present invention is provided with a columnar inflator having a gas ejection port at one end thereof, the inflator being housed inside, and A housing having an opening facing a side surface of the inflator, a flow rate of gas ejected from the gas ejection port side portion of the opening to the outside of the housing, and a portion of the opening opposite to the gas ejection port. A gas flow equalizing means attached to the housing for equalizing the flow rate of the gas ejected to the outside of the housing.

The gas flow equalizing means may be a plate which forms a gas flow passage having a smaller area on the gas ejection port side and a larger area on the side opposite to the gas ejection port. That is, the pressure of the gas ejected from the gas ejection port of the inflator and filling the housing is higher as it is closer to the gas ejection port and lower as it is farther from the gas ejection port. At this time, the area of the gas flow path formed by the plate is smaller as it is closer to the gas ejection port and is larger as it is farther from the gas ejection port. This makes it possible to equalize the flow rate of the gas ejected outside the housing via the gas flow path near the gas ejection port and the flow rate of the gas ejected outside the housing via the gas flow path far from the gas ejection port. it can.

Further, the gas flow equalizing means is formed with a louver-shaped cut-and-raised portion that deflects the flow of gas ejected from the gas ejection port toward the end of the inflator opposite to the gas ejection port. It can be a plate.
That is, the flow of the gas ejected from the gas ejection port is deflected by the louver-shaped cutting and raising, and flows toward the portion of the inflator opposite to the gas ejection port. As a result, the flow rate of gas ejected from the portion of the housing opening on the gas ejection port side to the outside of the housing and the flow rate of gas ejected from the portion of the housing opening on the side opposite to the gas ejection port to the outside of the housing are equalized. Can be converted.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of an airbag device according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10.

First Embodiment First, an airbag device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The airbag device 10 shown in FIG. 1 has a cylindrical inflator. Three
A housing 4 for accommodating the inflator 3 and a partition plate 11 for closing the opening 4a of the housing 4.

The inflator 3 is of a so-called hybrid type, and a portion from the left end in the figure to the right side of the central portion in the longitudinal direction is a high pressure gas filling portion, and the inside thereof is filled with high pressure argon gas. . A detonator and a gas generating agent that explode in response to a signal from a collision sensor are housed in the right end of the drawing. The detonator is
The explosion destroys the partition wall of the high-pressure gas filling portion and explosively burns the gas generating agent to generate a large amount of combustion gas. As a result, the argon gas ejected from the destroyed partition wall and the combustion gas generated by the combustion of the gas generating agent are mixed with each other, and the gas ejection port 5 is provided at one end of the inflator 3. Ejects vigorously from.

The partition plate 11 is formed by pressing a metal plate, and is attached to the housing 4 so as to extend parallel to the axis of the inflator 3. In addition, a total of four circular holes 12 having different sizes are provided in the partition plate 11 so as to be aligned in the axial direction of the inflator 3. The area of the circular holes 12 is smaller as it is closer to the gas ejection port 5 of the inflator 3 and is larger as it is farther from the gas ejection port 5.

Next, the operation of the airbag device 10 of the first embodiment having the above-mentioned structure will be described.
The gas G ejected from the gas ejection port 5 when the inflator 3 is activated is blocked by the partition plate 11 and fills the housing 4. At this time, the pressure of the gas G filled in the housing 4 is higher as it is closer to the gas ejection port 5 and is lower as it is farther from the gas ejection port 5. However, the area of the circular hole 12 penetrating the partition plate 11 is smaller as it is closer to the gas ejection port 5 and is larger as it is farther from the gas ejection port 5. As a result, a circular hole 12 close to the gas ejection port 5,
The amount of the gas G ejected from the circular hole 12 far from the gas ejection port 5 to the outside of the housing 4 is substantially the same.

That is, in the airbag device 10 of the first embodiment, the area is smaller as it is closer to the gas ejection port 5 due to the plurality of circular holes 12 penetrating the partition plate 11.
Further, since a gas flow path having a larger area is formed farther from the gas ejection port 5, the flow rate of the gas ejected to the outside of the housing 4 through the portion of the opening 4a of the housing 4 close to the gas ejection port 5 and the gas flow rate It is possible to equalize the flow rate of the gas jetted out of the housing 4 through the portion far from the jet port 5. Therefore, in the airbag device of the first embodiment, the gas can be evenly ejected into the airbag, so that there is no directionality in the deployment behavior of the airbag.

Second Embodiment Partition plate 1 of the airbag device 10 of the first embodiment described above.
In No. 1, the gas passage was formed by four circular holes having a large inner diameter. On the other hand, in the partition plate 20 of the airbag device of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the gas flow path is formed by a large number of circular holes each having a small inner diameter. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, in this partition plate 20, a row of seven circular holes arranged in the width direction is formed in a total of 11 rows in the longitudinal direction of the partition plate 20. The interval L1 between the rows of these circular holes is wider on the side of the portion 22 closer to the gas outlet of the inflator and narrower on the side of the portion 23 farther from the gas outlet.

As a result, the partition plate 20 of the second embodiment is provided.
In the above, since the density of the area of the gas flow path formed by the large number of circular holes 21 is smaller on the portion 22 side closer to the gas outlet of the inflator and larger on the portion 23 side farther from the gas outlet, This partition plate 20 is attached to the housing 4
When it is attached so as to close the opening 4a of the
It is possible to equalize the flow rate of the gas ejected to the outside of the housing 4 via the portion close to the gas ejection port 5 and the flow rate of the gas ejected to the outside of the housing 4 via the portion far from the gas ejection port 5. .

Third Embodiment In the partition plate 30 of the airbag device according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a row of seven circular holes arranged in the width direction of the partition plate 30 has a longitudinal direction of the partition plate 30. A total of 13 rows are formed in the direction. The inner diameters of these circular holes are smaller on the part 32 side closer to the gas outlet of the inflator and larger on the part 33 side farther from the gas outlet. Thereby, in the partition plate 30 of the third embodiment, a large number of circular holes 31 are formed.
The density of the area of the gas flow path formed by is smaller in the portion 32 closer to the gas ejection port of the inflator and larger in the portion 33 side farther from the gas ejection port. The operation of the partition plate 30 is similar to that of the partition plate 2 of the second embodiment described above.
Since it is the same as that of 0, the description is omitted.

Fourth Embodiment A partition plate 40 of the airbag device of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 5 has a plurality of circular holes 41 arranged in the width direction of the partition plate 40.
24 rows in total are formed in the longitudinal direction. The width W1 of the row of these circular holes is narrower toward the portion 42 closer to the gas outlet of the inflator and wider toward the portion 43 farther from the gas outlet. As a result, in the partition plate 40 of the fourth embodiment, the density of the area of the gas flow path formed by the large number of circular holes 41 is smaller on the side of the portion 42 closer to the gas outlet of the inflator. It is larger on the far side 43 side.

Fifth Embodiment In the partition plate 50 of the airbag device of the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 6, elongated slits 51 extending in the width direction of the partition plate 50 are combined in the longitudinal direction of the partition plate 50. 11 are lined up. And the interval L2 of these slits 51 is
The part 52 side closer to the gas outlet of the inflator is wider,
The portion 53 side farther from the gas ejection port is narrowed. Thereby, in the partition plate 50 of the fifth embodiment, the density of the area of the gas flow path formed by the slits 51 is
It is smaller on the side of the portion 52 closer to the gas outlet of the inflator, and larger on the side of the portion 53 farther from the gas outlet.

Sixth Embodiment In the partition plate 60 of the airbag device of the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 7, a total of 13 slits 61 having the same length in the width direction of the partition plate 60 are parallel to each other. It is laid through to line up with. However, these slits 6
The width T of 1 is a portion 62 close to the gas outlet of the inflator.
The width is narrower toward the side and is wider toward the portion 63 side farther from the gas ejection port. As a result, in the partition plate 60 of the sixth embodiment, the density of the area of the gas flow path formed by the slit 61 is close to the gas ejection port 62 of the inflator.
The side is smaller, and the portion 63 side farther from the gas ejection port is larger.

Seventh Embodiment A total of 13 slits 71 arranged in the longitudinal direction of the partition plate 70 are formed in the partition plate 70 of the airbag apparatus of the seventh embodiment shown in FIG. The widths of the slits 71 are all equal, but the length W2 is shorter on the portion 72 side closer to the gas outlet of the inflator and longer on the portion 73 side farther from the gas outlet. As a result, in the partition plate 70 of the seventh embodiment, the density of the area of the gas flow path formed by the slits 71 is smaller on the side of the portion 72 closer to the gas outlet of the inflator and is farther from the gas outlet 73. It is getting bigger on the side.

Eighth Embodiment The partition plate 81 of the airbag device 80 of the eighth embodiment shown in FIG. 9 has an elongated trapezoidal shape, and the width W3 of the end portion of the inflator 3 on the gas ejection port 5 side is Opening 4 in housing 4
The width W4 of the end portion on the opposite side of the gas ejection port 5 is set to be substantially equal to the width of the opening 4 of the housing 4.
It is set to approximately half the width of a. As a result, the pair of left and right gas flow paths formed by the end surface 81a of the partition plate 81 and the inner wall surface 4b of the housing 4 from the gas ejection port 5 side of the inflator 3 to the opposite side with respect to the axis of the inflator 3. It is getting bigger and bigger. Therefore, in the airbag device 80 of the eighth embodiment,
The gas ejected from the gas ejection port 5 of the inflator 3 is blocked by the partition plate 81 and does not immediately eject from the opening 4 a of the housing 4 to the outside of the housing 4. Also,
Since the area of the gas flow passage is increased toward the side opposite to the gas ejection port 5 of the inflator 3, the flow rate of the gas ejected to the outside of the housing 4 through the portion of the opening 4a near the gas ejection port 5 and the opening The flow rate of the gas ejected to the outside of the housing 4 via the portion of the gas ejection port 4a far from the gas ejection port 5 is equalized.

Ninth Embodiment An air bag device 90 of the present ninth embodiment shown in FIG.
Is different from the airbag devices of the first to eighth embodiments in the configuration. That is, in the ninth embodiment, a total of five louver-shaped cut-and-raised parts 92 are formed on the partition plate 91 that closes the opening 4a of the housing 4. As a result, when the gas generated by the inflator 3 passes through the gap 93 between the cut-and-raised parts 92, as shown by the arrow in FIG.
Is deflected toward the side opposite to the gas ejection port 5. Therefore, by appropriately adjusting the lengths of the cut-and-raised parts 92 in the width direction of the partition plate 91 and the intervals between the cut-and-raised parts 92, the housing 4 is opened through the portion close to the gas ejection port 5. It is possible to equalize the flow rate of the gas ejected to the outside of the housing 4 and the flow rate of the gas ejected to the outside of the housing 4 via the portion far from the gas outlet 5.

[0027]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the airbag apparatus of the present invention, even though the hybrid type inflator having the gas ejection port at one end is used,
The flow rate of the gas ejected from the opening of the housing to the outside can be equalized between the portion near the gas ejection port of the inflator and the portion far from the gas ejection port. As a result, the gas can be evenly ejected into the airbag, so that the deployment behavior of the airbag can be prevented from being directional.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a main part of an airbag device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the airbag device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a partition plate of an airbag device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a partition plate of an airbag device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a partition plate of an airbag device according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a partition plate of an airbag device according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a partition plate of an airbag device according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a partition plate of an airbag device according to a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a main part of an airbag device according to an eighth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view showing a main part of an airbag device according to a ninth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view schematically showing a state in which a conventional airbag device is activated.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Conventional airbag device 2 Dash board 3 Hybrid type inflator 4 Housing 5 Jet port 6 Air bag 10 Air bag device 11 of 1st Embodiment 11 Partition plate 12 Opening 20 Partition plate 21 Circular hole 30 of the airbag device of 2nd Embodiment Partition plate 31 of the airbag device of the third embodiment 31 Circular hole 40 Partition plate 41 of the airbag device of the fourth embodiment 41 Circular hole 50 Partition plate 51 of the airbag device of the fifth embodiment 51 Slit 60 Air of the sixth embodiment Partition plate 61 of the bag device 61 Partition plate 71 of the airbag device of the seventh embodiment 71 Slit 80 Air bag device 81 of the eighth embodiment 81 Partition plate 90 Air bag device 91 of the ninth embodiment 91 Partition plate 92 Louver-shaped cut and raised

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A column-shaped inflator having a gas ejection port at one end, a housing having the inflator housed therein and having an opening facing a side surface of the inflator, and the gas ejection port side of the opening. Attached to the housing for equalizing the flow rate of the gas ejected from the portion of the housing to the outside of the housing and the flow rate of the gas ejected to the outside of the housing from the portion of the opening opposite to the gas ejection port. And an air flow equalizing means.