JP2002321587A - Head protection airbag device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To reduce damage in the vicinity of a gas ejection port from an inflator in an inner tube and to prevent a delay in deploying an airbag body downward. SOLUTION: Gas outlet 1 in inflator 14
One end 70A of a highly rigid pipe 70 extending along the axial direction of the inner tube 32 and having a smaller diameter and a shorter length than the inner tube 32 is fixed to the outer peripheral portion near the 4A side end. A narrowed portion 90 is formed between the tip 70D of the pipe 70 and the gas outlet hole 34B adjacent on the side away from the inflator 14, and a part of the inflation gas is
The gas outlet hole 34 disposed in the inner tube 32 and located closest to the inflator 14 flows backward by the throttle unit 90.
Through A, it flows into the expansion chamber 64 disposed closest to the inflator 14.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a head protection airbag device, and more particularly, to a head protection airbag device having an airbag bag body inflating and deploying in the shape of a curtain in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle body at a vehicle compartment side.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a head protection airbag device having an airbag bag body inflating and deploying in the shape of a curtain in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle body on the side of a vehicle cabin, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-127886 discloses an airbag device. Gas outlet holes are provided at predetermined intervals along the vehicle body front-rear direction in a gas passage extending axially along the vehicle body front-rear direction above the front seat expansion chamber and the rear seat expansion chamber of the bag. In some cases, the formed inner tube made of cloth is provided to supply inflation gas evenly to each inflation chamber of the airbag bag. In such a head protection airbag device, the inner tube made of cloth disposed in the airbag body can be folded at the same time as the airbag body, which is advantageous in reducing the storage space.

However, in such a head protection airbag device, when the airbag bag is inflated and deployed, the folded inner tube must be pushed open by gas pressure. In the vicinity of the gas outlet of the inflator, the inflation gas has a strong diffusing power. For this reason, the internal pressure near the gas outlet of the inflator in the inner tube temporarily becomes extremely high, and there is a problem that the inner tube is damaged.

Therefore, the applicant of the present invention has proposed a head protection airbag device in which a small-diameter, short, high-rigidity pipe projecting in the axial direction from an inflator into an inner tube is set as a head protection airbag device for solving such problems. A protective airbag device (Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-28019: not disclosed) has already been filed.

[0005]

However, in such a head protection airbag device, the end of the pipe has a gas outlet for sending an inflation gas to an inflation chamber disposed closest to the inflator due to the influence of the vehicle dimension. It may be located on the side farther from the inflator than the hole,
In such a case, there is a problem in that the inflation gas is less likely to enter the inflation chamber disposed closest to the inflator, and the downward deployment of the airbag bag is delayed.

In view of the above facts, the present invention provides a head protection airbag device that can reduce damage near the gas outlet from the inflator in the inner tube and can prevent a delay in deploying the airbag body downward. That is the purpose.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an inflator for injecting an inflation gas into an airbag bag, an inflation chamber for protecting an occupant's head, and a communication above the inflation chamber. A gas passage extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body formed by
A flexible inner tube that is provided in the gas passage and supplies the inflation gas to the inflation chamber, the head protection airbag device comprising: Among the plurality of gas outlet holes formed in the tube, having a small-diameter, short, high-rigidity pipe that protrudes in the axial direction beyond the gas outlet hole closest to the inflator, and at the pipe tip and on the side away from the inflator A throttle portion is formed between the adjacent gas outlet holes.

Accordingly, when the inflator is operated, the inflation gas from the inflator is supplied to the inflation chamber of the airbag through the gas outlet hole of the inner tube, and the airbag is expanded in a curtain shape. Protect the occupant's head. At this time, the inflation gas ejected from the gas ejection port of the inflator is rectified by the small-diameter, short, high-rigidity pipe provided in the inner tube. As a result, the folded inner tube is easily spread by the inflation gas, and the diffusion of the inflation gas is weakened at the tip of the pipe as compared with the gas outlet of the inflator. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the internal pressure in the vicinity of the gas outlet from the inflator in the inner tube from becoming extremely high temporarily, thereby reducing damage to the inner tube. Further, since a throttle portion is formed between the tip of the pipe and the adjacent gas outlet hole on the side away from the inflator, a part of the gas injected from the tip of the pipe flows back toward the inflator by the throttle portion. As a result, a part of the gas reliably flows into the expansion chamber disposed closest to the inflator via the gas outlet hole disposed closest to the inflator in the inner tube. For this reason, it is possible to prevent a delay in deploying the airbag bag body downward.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an inflator for injecting inflation gas into an airbag body, an inflation chamber for protecting a head of an occupant, and a front and rear body formed in communication with the inflation chamber. A gas passage extending in the direction, and a flexible inner tube provided in the gas passage and supplying the inflation gas to the inflation chamber. In the inner tube, among the plurality of gas outlet holes formed in the inner tube, there is provided a small-diameter, short, high-rigidity pipe that projects in the axial direction beyond the gas outlet hole closest to the inflator. The pipe is characterized in that a hole formed by cutting and raising the pipe inward is provided at a portion of the pipe corresponding to a close gas outlet hole.

Therefore, when the inflator operates, the inflation gas from the inflator is supplied to the inflation chamber of the airbag through the gas outlet hole of the inner tube, and the airbag expands in a curtain shape. Protect the occupant's head. At this time, the inflation gas ejected from the gas ejection port of the inflator is rectified by the small-diameter, short, high-rigidity pipe provided in the inner tube. As a result, the folded inner tube is easily spread by the inflation gas, and the diffusion of the inflation gas is weakened at the tip of the pipe as compared with the gas outlet of the inflator. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the internal pressure in the vicinity of the gas outlet from the inflator in the inner tube from becoming extremely high temporarily, thereby reducing damage to the inner tube. In addition, since a portion of the pipe corresponding to the gas outlet hole closest to the inflator has a hole formed by cutting and raising toward the inside of the pipe, a part of the gas injected from the inflator is formed by the hole formed by cutting and raising. The gas flows toward the gas outlet hole of the inner tube that is arranged closest to the inflator. As a result, a part of the gas reliably flows into the expansion chamber disposed closest to the inflator via the gas outlet hole disposed closest to the inflator in the inner tube. For this reason, it is possible to prevent a delay in deploying the airbag bag body downward.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A head protection airbag device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the drawings, an arrow FR indicates a vehicle forward direction, an arrow UP indicates a vehicle upward direction, and an arrow IN indicates a vehicle width inside direction.

As shown in FIG. 3, a head protection airbag apparatus 10 of the present embodiment includes a sensor 12 for detecting a side collision or a rollover state, an inflator 14 for ejecting gas when activated, Airbag bag 16
And as main components. Sensor 12
Is disposed, for example, near the lower end of the center pillar (B pillar) 18.

The inflator 14 is provided on a quarter pillar (C-pillar) 20, and the inflator 14 is connected to the sensor 12 described above. Therefore, the sensor 12
Detects the side collision or the rollover state, the inflator 14 is activated.

The airbag bag 16 is provided with an inflator 14.
As shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 3, the gas flows in along the side of the passenger compartment to protect the head 19A of the front passenger 19 and the head of the rear passenger. In addition,
The airbag bag body 16 is folded in a bellows shape to be elongated, and is housed straddling a front pillar (A pillar) garnish, a roof head lining, and a C pillar garnish. It is arranged near the lower part of the inclined part 22A of the A pillar 22. An intermediate portion 16B of the airbag body 16 is arranged along the A pillar 22 and the roof side rail 28.

As shown in FIG. 2, the air bag 16
Is manufactured by bag weaving using polyamide yarn, polyester yarn or the like, and a connection port 29 for guiding inflation gas from the inflator 14 to the inside of the airbag bag body 16 is formed in the upper edge rear end portion 16C. Have been. In addition, the upper end of each of triangular plate-shaped portions 16D and 16E formed at both front and rear ends of the airbag bag 16 and the airbag bag 16
At the upper edge of the intermediate portion 16B, a plurality of attachment portions 30 having attachment holes 30A are formed so as to protrude.

The rear end portion 32A of the inner tube 32 disposed inside the connection port 29 is connected to the gas outlet of the inflator 14. This inner tube 32
Is provided in the gas passage 16F formed in the upper edge of the airbag bag body 16 in the longitudinal direction, that is, along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, and the front end portion 32B opposite to the inflator 14 is closed. Have been. The inner tube 3
2 is made of a cloth or the like using polyamide yarn or polyester yarn.

In the lower part of the inner tube 32, gas outlet holes 34 are formed at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction, that is, along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. 16D, a plurality of expansion chambers 50, 5 defined by a vertical bar-shaped connecting portion 16G, a central rectangular plate-shaped portion 16H, a vertical bar-shaped connecting portion 16G, and a rear triangular plate-shaped portion 16E.
2, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, and 64 are formed, and the lower ends of the adjacent expansion chambers 56 and 58 at the center in the front-rear direction are connected by a communication portion 66.

As shown in FIG. 1, the outer periphery of the inflator 14 near the end on the side of the gas outlet 14A extends along the axial direction of the inner tube 32 (the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body), and is smaller in diameter and shorter than the inner tube 32. One end (rear end) of the highly rigid (for example, metal) pipe 70
70A is fixed.

At the rear end 70A of the pipe 70, engaging projections 72, 74 are formed along the circumferential direction by caulking, and these engaging projections 72, 74 are formed on the outer periphery of the inflator 14. It is engaged with the formed flange portion 76 and concave portion 78, respectively. These engagement projections 72, 74
In addition to the positioning with respect to the inflator 14, the front of the pipe 70 when the airbag bag is inflated (the inflator 1).
4). Also,
The large-diameter portion 75 adjacent to the front side of the engagement convex portion 72 serves to prevent the inner tube 32 and the airbag bag 16 from slipping forward (in the direction away from the inflator 14) when the airbag bag is inflated. . Further, the engagement convex portion 72 also has a role of preventing the rear end portion 70A of the corresponding pipe 70 from being locally deformed when the inner tube 32 and the airbag body 16 are clamped.

A seal member 80 is sandwiched between a portion 14B of the inflator 14 adjacent to the gas outlet 14A and an inner peripheral portion of the pipe 70. The tip 70C of the pipe 70 is thinner than a portion 70B which is an outer peripheral portion of the gas outlet 14A of the inflator 14.

A rear end portion 32A of the inner tube 32 is clamped by a clamp 82 on the outer peripheral portion of the rear end portion 70A of the pipe 70. The part 16C is also clamped at the same time.

In this embodiment, the tip 70D of the pipe 70 is inflated by the inflator 1 in order to send the inflation gas from the inflator 14 to the inflation chamber 64 disposed closest to the inflator 14 under the influence of the vehicle dimension.
It is disposed on the side (in the present embodiment, on the vehicle front side) away from the inflator 14 beyond the gas outlet hole 34A formed on the fourth side. For this reason, the tip 70D of the pipe 70
A narrowed portion 90 is formed between the gas outlet hole 34 </ b> B and the gas outlet hole 34 </ b> B adjacent on the side remote from the inflator 14. The squeezed portion 90 is formed by sewing, bonding, or the like, inclining the inner tube 32 from the vertical direction toward the axis and toward the inflator 14.
An opening 92 facing the tip 70D of the pipe 70 is formed on the axis 2.

Therefore, part of the inflation gas (arrow W2 in FIG. 1) ejected from the tip 70D of the pipe 70 is
2 (arrow W3 in FIG. 1) and a part of the inflation gas ejected from the tip 70D of the pipe 70
0, the inflator 14 moves inside the inner tube 32.
The gas flows backward to the side and flows into the expansion chamber 64 disposed closest to the inflator 14 via the gas outlet hole 34A disposed closest to the inflator 14 in the inner tube 32.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

In the present embodiment, when the inflator 14 operates, the inflation gas from the inflator 14 passes through the inner tube 32 as shown by an arrow W in FIG. Each inflation chamber 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 6 of the bag bag body 16
4 is supplied. As a result, the airbag bag 16 is
To the curtain as shown by the two-dot chain line.
9 protects the head 19A.

At this time, the high-rigidity pipe 70 provided in the inner tube 32 rectifies the inflation gas ejected from the gas ejection port 14A of the inflator 14. As a result, the folded inner tube 32 is easily pushed and spread by the inflation gas, and the inflation gas (arrows W2 and W3 in FIG. 1) is more diffused at the tip 70D of the pipe 70 than at the gas outlet 14A of the inflator 14. Weakens. For this reason, the pipe 70 in the inner tube 32
It is possible to prevent the internal pressure near the tip 70D from becoming extremely high temporarily, so that damage to the inner tube 32 can be reduced.

Further, in the present embodiment, a part of the inflation gas ejected from the tip 70D of the pipe 70 (arrow W in FIG. 1).
2) passes through the opening 92, but the tip 7 of the pipe 70
Part of the inflation gas ejected from 0D (arrow W3 in FIG. 1)
Flows backward in the inner tube 32 toward the inflator 14 by the throttle unit 90. As a result, a part of the inflation gas is most inflated in the inner tube 32.
Through the gas outlet hole 34A disposed on the fourth side, it surely flows into the expansion chamber 64 disposed closest to the inflator 14,
The expansion chamber 64 expands and deploys quickly downward.

For this reason, even in the present embodiment where the tip 70D of the pipe 70 is located farther from the inflator 14 than the gas outlet hole 34A disposed closest to the inflator 14 due to the influence of the vehicle dimension, the airbag bag body also 16 can be prevented from being delayed downward.

In this embodiment, the length of the highly rigid pipe 70, particularly the length of the inflator 14 protruding from the gas outlet 14A is shorter than that of the inner tube 32. It does not significantly worsen the performance.

Next, a head protection airbag device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, a pipe 70 corresponding to the gas outlet hole 34A closest to the inflator 14 is used instead of the throttle section 90 in the first embodiment.
A hole 94 is formed by cutting and raising 70E toward the inside of the pipe 70 at the portion. In addition, cut and erect 70E
Is formed to be inclined from the lower side of the pipe 70 toward the pipe axis and toward the inflator 14.

Therefore, the gas outlet 1 of the inflator 14
Part of the inflation gas ejected from 4A (arrow W4 in FIG. 4)
Is guided by the cut-and-raised portion 70E, flows into the hole 94, and is connected to the gas outlet hole 3 disposed closest to the inflator 14 side.
Via 4A, it flows into the expansion chamber 64 arranged closest to the inflator 14 side.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

The present embodiment has the following functions and effects in addition to the functions and effects of the first embodiment.

That is, in the present embodiment, when the airbag bag is deployed, a part of the inflation gas (arrow W4 in FIG. 4) ejected from the gas ejection port 14A of the inflator 14 is guided by the cut-and-raised portion 70E to form a hole. Flow into 94. As a result, a part of the inflation gas surely flows through the hole 94, through the gas outlet hole 34 A disposed closest to the inflator 14, into the expansion chamber 64 disposed closest to the inflator 14, and the expansion chamber 64 rapidly expands and deploys downward.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the tip 70D of the pipe 70 is located farther from the inflator 14 than the gas outlet hole 34A disposed closest to the inflator 14 due to the influence of the vehicle dimension. 16 can be prevented from being delayed downward.

In the above, the present invention has been described in detail with respect to a specific embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and various other embodiments are included within the scope of the present invention. It is clear to a person skilled in the art that is possible.

For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, the inflator 14 is disposed along the axis of the inner tube 32 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, but instead shown in FIG. As described above, even when the inflator 14 is mounted on, for example, a C pillar (a quarter pillar) with the vehicle rear side inclined downward, the pipe 70 can be extended upward and bent forward. Also, pipe 7
By bending 0 in this way, the degree of freedom of the mounting position of the inflator 14 is increased, and mounting corresponding to the vehicle body shape becomes possible.

As shown in FIG. 6, the present invention relates to a central portion in the front-rear direction of the upper edge of the airbag body 16,
That is, the inflator 14 is connected to the center portion of the inner tube 32 in the front-rear direction, and is applicable to a head protection airbag device in which both the rear end portion 32A and the front end portion 32B of the inner tube 32 are closed. is there.

In this case, for example, the inflator 14
Is mounted at the center of the roof side rail 28 or the like, and the pipe 70 is formed in an inverted T-shape (or an inverted J-shape). By forming the pipe 70 in such a shape, gas can be supplied to both the front-seat inflating portion and the rear-seat inflating portion of the airbag bag 16 in a short time.

The present invention is also applicable to a head protection airbag device in which the inflator 14 is disposed at another portion such as an A pillar.

The head protection airbag device of the present invention is also applicable to vehicles having three or more rows of seats.

[0045]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an inflator for injecting an inflation gas into an airbag body, an inflation chamber for protecting an occupant's head, and a vehicle body formed in communication with the inflation chamber. In a head protection airbag device including a gas passage extending in the front-rear direction, and a flexible inner tube disposed in the gas passage and supplying an inflation gas to the inflation chamber, the head protection airbag device includes: Has a small-diameter, short, high-rigidity pipe that protrudes in the axial direction beyond the gas outlet hole closest to the inflator among the plurality of gas outlet holes formed in the inner tube, and is adjacent to the pipe tip and the side away from the inflator. The narrowed portion is formed between the gas outlet hole and the gas outlet hole, which reduces the damage near the gas outlet from the inflator in the inner tube and reduces the air volume. It has an excellent effect that can prevent the development delay in downward grayed bag.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an inflator for injecting an inflation gas into an airbag body, an inflation chamber for protecting a head of an occupant, and a vehicle front-rear direction formed on the inflation chamber. A head protection airbag device comprising: a gas passage extending to a gas passage; and a flexible inner tube disposed in the gas passage and supplying an inflation gas to the inflation chamber.
In the inner tube from the inflator, having a small-diameter, short, high-rigidity pipe that projects in the axial direction beyond the gas outlet hole closest to the inflator among a plurality of gas outlet holes formed in the inner tube, and is closest to the inflator. Since there is a hole formed by cutting and raising toward the inside of the pipe at the part of the pipe corresponding to the gas outlet hole, it is possible to reduce damage near the gas outlet from the inflator in the inner tube and to the lower part of the airbag bag. Has an excellent effect of being able to prevent deployment delay of

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a main part of a head protection airbag device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing an airbag bag in the head protection airbag device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing the head protection airbag device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing a main part of a head protection airbag device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing an airbag bag in a head protection airbag device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing an airbag bag in a head protection airbag device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 10 Head protection airbag device 14 Inflator 16 Airbag bag body 18 Center pillar (B pillar) 20 Quarter pillar (C pillar) 32 Inner tube 34 Gas outlet hole 34A Gas outlet hole formed most on inflator side 34B Gas exit hole adjacent on the side away from the inflator 70 Pipe 70D Pipe tip 70E Pipe cut and raised 90 Restricted portion 92 Opening 94 Hole by cut and raised

Claims (2)

[Claims] An inflator for injecting an inflation gas into an airbag body, an inflation chamber for protecting an occupant's head, and a gas passage extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction formed on the inflation chamber and communicating with the inflation chamber; A flexible inner tube disposed in the gas passage and supplying the inflation gas to the inflation chamber;
In the head protection airbag device provided with, in the inner tube from the inflator, a gas outlet hole formed at a position closest to the inflator among a plurality of gas outlet holes formed in the inner tube, A head protection air having a small-diameter, short, high-rigidity pipe protruding in the axial direction, and a throttle formed between a tip of the pipe and an adjacent gas outlet hole on a side away from the inflator. Bag device. 2. An inflator for injecting an inflation gas into an airbag body, an inflation chamber for protecting a head of an occupant, and a gas passage extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction formed on the inflation chamber and communicating with the inflation chamber; A flexible inner tube disposed in the gas passage and supplying the inflation gas to the inflation chamber;
In the head protection airbag device provided with, the axial direction protrudes from the inflator into the inner tube beyond the gas outlet hole closest to the inflator among a plurality of gas outlet holes formed in the inner tube. A head protection air having a small-diameter, short, high-rigidity pipe and a hole formed by cutting and raising the pipe inward at a portion of the pipe corresponding to a gas outlet hole closest to the inflator. Bag device.