JP2008265721A - Air bag for driver seat, air bag device and steering device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air bag for a driver seat partially protruded to an occupant opposite side of a steering to make gas promptly flowout from the protruded portion via vent holes when inflated with an occupant positioned close to the steering and promptly inflated and deployed when steadily inflated to an occupant side of the steering. <P>SOLUTION: Opening/closing type vent holes 20 are provided in right and left sides of the protruded portion 10a of the air bag 10, and cover bodies 30 are superposed on the respective opening/closing type vent holes 20 from outside of the air bag 10. A tether 40 penetrates through inside of the air bag 10 to connect the right and left cover bodies 30 with each other. During proximity inflation, the tether 40 is loosened and the respective cover bodies 30 are separated from the respective opening/closing type vent holes 20, so as to open the respective opening/closing type vent holes 20. During steady inflation, the tether 40 is tightly stretched and the respective cover bodies 30 are superposed on the respective opening/closing type vent holes 20. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an airbag device for a driver's seat installed in a steering of an automobile, an airbag for the same, and a steering device including the airbag device for a driver's seat. In detail, the airbag of the present invention is configured such that when the airbag is inflated in a state where the occupant is close to the steering wheel, a part of the airbag projects through the opening portion of the steering wheel toward the non-occupant side. It is.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-238773 discloses an airbag configured such that when the airbag is inflated in a state where the occupant is close to the steering wheel, a part of the airbag projects through the opening portion of the steering wheel toward the non-occupant side. Has been. According to the airbag of the same number, when the airbag is inflated while the occupant is close to the steering, the force applied to the occupant is reduced.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-127330 discloses a driver's seat airbag in which a vent hole is closed with a strap until the inflation is completed and the vent hole is opened when an occupant hits the airbag.
JP-A-2005-238773 JP-A-6-127330

  In the present invention, when the occupant is inflated in the state of being close to the steering wheel, a part of the airbag protrudes toward the occupant side of the steering, and the gas quickly flows out from the protruding part through the vent hole. It is an object of the present invention to provide a driver's seat airbag in which an airbag is quickly inflated and deployed when the airbag is inflated to the steering occupant side. It is another object of the present invention to provide an airbag apparatus having the airbag and a steering device including the airbag apparatus.

  The driver's seat airbag according to the present invention (Claim 1) is a driver's seat airbag that can be deployed on the occupant side of the steering wheel, and a portion of the airbag is located close to the steering wheel. In the airbag for a driver's seat, which protrudes toward the opposite side of the steering wheel through the opening portion of the steering wheel and is inflated, the protruding portion is provided with a vent hole and a lid that can overlap the vent hole. The airbag has an opening or a large opening when the airbag is inflated so that the protruding portion protrudes toward the occupant side, and the airbag is opened toward the occupant side of the steering as a whole. A lid control means for closing or opening the vent hole during steady expansion is provided.

  The airbag for a driver's seat according to claim 2 is the airbag according to claim 1, wherein the vent holes are provided on the left and right sides of the projecting portion, respectively, and the lid body is provided with each vent so as to overlap the vent hole from the outer surface of the airbag. The lid control means is a tether that connects the left and right lids through the airbag, and the tether is located between the left and right lids during the proximity expansion. The lids were allowed to loosen and allowed to be separated from the vent holes. During the steady expansion, the lids were tensioned between the left and right lids, and the lids overlapped the vent holes. It has a length to be in a state.

  The airbag for a driver's seat according to a third aspect is the airbag according to the first aspect, wherein the vent hole is provided at a non-periphery of the airbag at the protruding portion, and the lid body overlaps the vent hole from the outer surface of the airbag. One end side in the left-right direction of the lid body is coupled to the airbag, and the lid control means passes through the airbag and the other end side in the left-right direction of the lid body (hereinafter referred to as the following) And a side portion on the other end side of the airbag. The tether is connected to the free end side of the lid and the other portion of the airbag during the close inflation. Allowing the lid to be separated from the vent hole, and during the steady inflation, the free end of the lid and the other end of the airbag Tension between the sides to place the lid over the vent hole And it is characterized in that it has a length.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a driver seat airbag according to the first aspect, wherein the vent hole is provided at a non-peripheral portion of the airbag at the projecting portion, and the lid body overlaps the vent hole from the inner surface of the airbag. The lid control means includes a left tether that connects the left end of the lid and the left side of the airbag through the airbag, and the lid through the airbag. A right tether connecting the right end of the airbag and the right side of the airbag, and the left tether and the right tether are located between the left end of the lid and the left side of the airbag and the right end of the lid during the close inflation. And the right side of the airbag is loosened to allow the lid to escape from the airbag through the vent hole, and during the steady inflation, the lid and the left side of the airbag Between parts and right of lid and airbag Nervous respectively between the parts is a movable cover which is characterized in that it has a length of a state overlapping the venthole.

  The airbag for a driver's seat according to claim 5 is the airbag according to claim 1, wherein the vent hole is provided at a non-peripheral portion of the airbag at the projecting portion, and the lid body overlaps the vent hole from the inner surface of the airbag. One end side (hereinafter, referred to as “fixed end side”) of the lid body is coupled to the airbag, and the lid body control means A tether that connects the other end side in the direction (hereinafter referred to as the “free end side”) and the side portion on the other end side of the airbag. The loose end between the side and the side of the other end of the airbag, allowing the free end of the lid to protrude out of the airbag through the vent hole, and during the steady inflation Tension between the free end side of the lid and the side of the other end side of the airbag And it is characterized in that it has a length of a state overlapping the venthole the lid body.

  The airbag for a driver's seat according to claim 6 is the airbag according to claim 1, wherein the vent hole is provided at a non-peripheral portion of the airbag in the protruding portion, and the lid body overlaps the vent hole from the inner surface of the airbag. The lid control means includes a side tether that passes through the airbag and connects one end side in the left-right direction of the lid and the side portion on the one end side of the airbag; A front-side tether that passes through the inside of the bag and connects the other end of the lid in the left-right direction and the side surface of the occupant of the airbag, and the side-side tether and the front-side tether, The lid body is loosened between the one end side and the side portion of the one end side of the airbag and between the other end side of the lid body and the occupant side surface of the airbag, and the lid body passes through the vent hole and is outside the airbag. Allowed to escape. In the state where the occupant is not in contact with the occupant side surface of the airbag at the time of steady inflation, between the one end side of the lid body and the side portion on the one end side of the airbag body and the other end side of the lid body And the occupant side surface of the airbag in a state where the lid body is in a state of being overlapped with the vent hole. When the occupant comes into contact with the lid, the front tether is loosened between the other end side of the lid and the occupant side surface of the airbag, and the other end side of the lid is vented by the gas pressure in the airbag. The vent hole is projected to the outside through the air bag, thereby opening or opening the vent hole.

  The airbag for a driver's seat according to claim 7 is the airbag according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the airbag is folded before being inflated, and the airbag is disposed on a side surface of the occupant of the airbag. The airbag is flattened so as to overlap the side of the occupant, and then the left and right side portions of the airbag are folded into the inner side of the airbag. At this time, at least a part of the lid body passes through the vent hole. It is drawn out of the bag and then folded into a final folded shape.

  The airbag for a driver's seat according to claim 8 is the airbag according to claim 5, wherein an opening is provided in a region of the lid that is closer to the free end than the vent hole when the lid overlaps the vent hole. The airbag is folded before being inflated, and the airbag is flattened so that the occupant side and the anti-occupant side of the airbag overlap, and then the airbag The left and right sides are folded into the inner side of the airbag. At this time, the lid body is moved to the fixed end side, and the free end side is moved to the fixed end side until the opening overlaps the vent hole. The free end side is coupled to the fixed end side in a releasable manner by a coupling means, and is then folded into a final folded shape. When the internal pressure of the airbag becomes a predetermined pressure or more, the coupling means It is characterized in that to release the coupling between the free end and the fixed end side of the body.

  A driver's seat airbag according to a ninth aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the first to eighth aspects, in addition to the vent hole, a normally open vent hole that is always open is provided. It is.

  An airbag device of the present invention (Claim 10) has the driver seat airbag according to any one of Claims 1 to 9.

  A steering device according to the present invention (invention 11) is obtained by installing the airbag apparatus according to claim 10 on a steering wheel.

  The steering device according to claim 12 is the steering device according to claim 11, wherein the airbag is any one of claims 2 to 9, and the vent hole of the airbag overlaps a steering wheel during the steady inflation. It is provided at a position.

  A driver's seat airbag according to the present invention (Claim 1), an airbag apparatus according to the present invention (Claim 10) including the airbag, and a steering device according to the present invention (Invention 11) including the airbag apparatus. In this case, the vent hole provided in the protruding portion of the airbag is opened or opened large during the proximity expansion, and the gas smoothly flows out from the protruding portion, so that the force applied to the occupant is reduced. When the airbag is inflated and deployed in a steady manner toward the occupant side of the steering, the vent hole is closed or has a small opening, so the airbag is inflated and deployed quickly.

  In the airbag for a driver's seat according to claim 2, since the tether is provided so as to connect the left and right lids of the airbag, the distance between the left and right lids becomes large during steady inflation, The tether is tightly stretched between the left and right lids (that is, the tether is in tension), and the left and right lids are prevented from separating from the outer surface of the airbag. As a result, the left and right lids overlap each vent hole, and each vent hole is closed or has a small opening. At the time of close inflation, the distance between the left and right lids is reduced, the tethers are loosened between the left and right lids, and the left and right lids are separated from the airbag by the gas pressure in the airbag. Get away from the outside. As a result, the left and right lids are separated from the vent holes, and the vent holes are opened or have a large opening.

  The airbag for a driver's seat according to claim 3, wherein one end side of the lid body in the left-right direction is coupled to the airbag, and the other end side (free end side) in the left-right direction is connected to the other end of the airbag via the tether. It is connected to the side part. At the time of steady inflation, the distance between the side of the other end of the airbag and the lid is increased, and the tether is pinched between the side of the other end of the airbag and the free end of the lid. Thus, the free end side of the lid is prevented from separating from the outer surface of the airbag. As a result, the lid body is in a state of overlapping the vent hole, and the vent hole is closed or has a small opening. At the time of close inflation, the distance between the side of the other end of the airbag and the lid is reduced, the tether is loosened, and the free end of the lid is compressed by the gas pressure in the airbag by the amount of this loosening. Get away from the outside. As a result, the lid body is separated from the vent hole, and the vent hole is opened or has a large opening.

  In the airbag for a driver's seat according to claim 4, the left end side of the lid body is connected to the left side portion of the airbag via the left tether, and the right end side is connected to the right side portion of the airbag via the right tether. . During steady inflation, the distance between the left and right side portions of the airbag is increased, between the left end side of the lid and the left side of the airbag, and between the right end of the lid and the right side of the airbag. The left tether and the right tether are in tension. In this state, the left tether and the right tether are such that the lid body escapes from the airbag through the vent hole due to the gas pressure in the airbag (that is, the lid body passes through the vent hole due to the gas pressure in the airbag). The lid body is pulled inside the airbag so that the lid body is prevented from being pushed out of the airbag) and the lid body is not separated from the vent hole inside the airbag. As a result, the lid body is in a state of overlapping the vent hole, and the vent hole is closed or has a small opening.

  During close inflation, the distance between the left and right sides of the airbag is reduced, between the left end of the lid and the left side of the airbag and between the right end of the lid and the right side of the airbag. Each of the left tether and the right tether is slackened, and the lid escapes from the air bag through the vent hole by the gas pressure in the air bag. As a result, the vent hole is opened or has a large opening.

  In the airbag for a driver's seat according to claim 5, one end side (fixed end side) in the left-right direction of the lid body is coupled to the airbag, and the other end side (free end side) in the left-right direction is interposed via the tether. It is connected to the side of the other end of the airbag. At the time of steady inflation, the distance between the side of the other end of the airbag and the lid is increased, and the tether is pinched between the side of the other end of the airbag and the free end of the lid. It becomes a state. In this state, the tether has a free end side of the lid projecting out of the airbag through the vent hole due to gas pressure in the airbag (that is, the free end side of the lid is vented by the gas pressure in the airbag). The free end side of the lid body is pulled inside the airbag so that the free end side of the lid body is not separated from the vent hole to the inside of the airbag. As a result, the lid body is in a state of overlapping the vent hole, and the vent hole is closed or has a small opening.

  At the time of close inflation, the distance between the side of the other end of the airbag and the lid is reduced, and the tether loosens between the side of the other end of the airbag and the free end of the lid. The free end side of the lid body projects out of the airbag through the vent hole by the gas pressure in the airbag by the amount of slack. As a result, the vent hole is opened or has a large opening.

  In the airbag for a driver's seat according to claim 6, one end side in the left-right direction of the lid is coupled to a side portion on the one end side of the airbag via a side tether, and the other end side in the left-right direction is front-side tether. It is connected with the passenger | crew side of the airbag via. At the time of close inflation, the distance between the side portion on the one end side of the airbag and the lid body, and the distance between the occupant side surface of the airbag and the lid body are reduced, and the side portion on the one end side of the airbag and the lid body side The side tether and the front tether are loosened between the one end side and between the passenger side of the airbag and the other end side of the lid, and the lid is caused by the gas pressure in the airbag. It escapes out of the airbag through the vent hole (that is, the lid is pushed out of the airbag through the vent hole by the gas pressure in the airbag). As a result, the vent hole is opened or has a large opening.

  At the time of steady inflation, the distance between the side portion on the one end side of the airbag and the lid body, and the distance between the passenger side surface of the airbag and the lid body are increased, and the side portion on the one end side of the airbag and the lid body side The side-side tether and the front-side tether are in tension with each other between the one end side and between the passenger side of the airbag and the other end side of the lid. In this state, the side tether and the front tether prevent the lid body from escaping from the airbag through the vent hole due to the gas pressure in the airbag, and the lid body is removed from the airbag from the vent hole. The lid is pulled to the inside of the airbag so as not to be separated from the inside. As a result, the lid body is in a state of overlapping the vent hole, and the vent hole is closed or has a small opening.

  When the occupant comes into contact with the occupant side surface of the airbag that is inflated in a steady state, the occupant side surface of the airbag is pushed by the occupant and retracted, so that the occupant side surface of the airbag and the other end side of the lid body The front-side tether loosens between. Then, the other end side of the lid body projects out of the airbag through the vent hole by the gas pressure in the airbag by the amount of the slack. As a result, the vent hole is opened or has a large opening. As a result, gas flows out from the vent hole, and the passenger is softly received by the airbag inflated in a steady state.

  In the description of each aspect of claims 4 to 6 above, an example of operation in which the lid is pushed out of the airbag through the vent hole by the gas pressure in the airbag at the time of close expansion is shown. These are merely examples of the operation of the lid in the present invention. In the present invention, as in claim 7, when the airbag is folded, at least a part of the lid body may be drawn out of the airbag through the vent hole.

  In the aspect of claim 7, since at least a part of the lid body is pulled out of the airbag through the vent hole when the airbag is folded, the vent hole is opened from the start of the inflation of the airbag. . Therefore, when the airbag is inflated in proximity, gas flows out from the protruding portion of the airbag through the vent hole from the start of inflation. Therefore, the expansion of the protruding portion is suppressed, and the protruding portion smoothly passes through the opening portion of the steering and protrudes toward the non-occupant side.

  In the aspect of claim 8, since the vent hole is opened through the opening of the lid body from the start of inflation of the airbag, even in this aspect, when the airbag is proximately inflated, from the start of inflation, Gas flows out from the protruding portion of the airbag through the vent hole. Therefore, the expansion of the protruding portion is suppressed, and the protruding portion smoothly passes through the opening portion of the steering and protrudes toward the non-occupant side.

  In the present invention, a normally open vent hole that is always open may be provided separately from the vent hole that is opened and closed by the lid.

  In the steering device according to the twelfth aspect, since the vent hole overlaps the steering wheel during steady expansion, gas outflow from the vent hole is suppressed.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of a steering device in which an airbag apparatus having a driver's seat airbag according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed on a steering wheel, and FIG. 2 is a diagram of the airbag during steady inflation. Front view, FIG. 3 is a sectional perspective view of the airbag during steady inflation, FIG. 4 is a front view of the airbag when inflated, FIG. 5 is a sectional perspective view of the airbag during proximity inflation, FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b) are cross-sectional views showing the operation of the lid at the time of steady inflation and proximity inflation of the airbag, respectively.

  3 and 5 show a cross section in the direction along the occupant side surface of the steering wheel near the middle in the thickness direction when the airbag is inflated, and FIG. 6 passes through the vicinity of the center of the vent hole. The cross section of the same direction as FIG.

  The driver's seat airbag (hereinafter simply abbreviated as an airbag) 10 is accommodated in the casing 2 in a folded state and inflated by the inflator 3. By mounting the module cover 4 so as to cover the passenger side of the casing 2, an airbag device is configured.

  The steering wheel 1 includes a central portion 1a connected to a steering shaft (not shown), an annular portion 1b that circulates around the central portion 1a, and a spoke portion that connects the central portion 1a and the annular portion 1b. 1c. In this embodiment, a total of three spoke portions 1c extend from the central portion 1a to the left and right and downward, and the front end side of each spoke portion 1c extends in the left and right and lower sides of the annular portion 1b. It is connected to each lap. Of the portion between the central portion 1a and the annular portion 1b, the portion where the spoke portion 1c does not exist is an open portion 1d that communicates the occupant side and the non-occupant side of the steering wheel 1.

  A steering device is configured by installing an airbag device on the passenger side of the central portion 1a of the steering wheel 1.

  When the airbag 10 is inflated in a state where the occupant is separated from the steering wheel 1 by a predetermined distance or more, the airbag 10 is inflated to the occupant side of the steering wheel 1 as a whole as shown in FIG. Cover the entire passenger side.

  Further, when the airbag 10 is inflated when the occupant is closer to the steering wheel 1 than a predetermined distance, the upper portion of the airbag 10 escapes from between the occupant and the steering wheel 1 as shown in FIG. As described above, the steering wheel 1 projects toward the non-occupant side of the steering wheel 1 through the open portion 1d surrounded by the upper edge of the central portion 1a and the upper half side of the annular portion 1b.

  Hereinafter, a portion of the airbag 10 that protrudes toward the non-occupant side through the opening portion 1d during close inflation is referred to as a protruding portion 10a (FIG. 4).

  The airbag 10 has a peripheral portion of a front panel 12 (FIG. 2) that constitutes an occupant-facing surface when inflated and a rear panel 14 (FIG. 3) that constitutes an opposite side of the occupant by sewing or the like. It is a bag. As shown in FIG. 2, the front panel 12 and the rear panel 14 are each made of a substantially circular woven fabric having a larger diameter than the annular portion 1b of the steering wheel 1.

  An inflator opening 16 into which the inflator 3 is inserted is provided near the center of the rear panel 14. A bolt insertion hole 18 through which a bolt (not shown) for fixing the rear panel 14 to the casing 2 is inserted is provided around the inflator opening 16.

  In this embodiment, the upper half of the rear panel 14, i.e., in the vicinity of the peripheral edge on both ends in the left-right direction of the rear panel 14 in the region that becomes the protrusion 10 a when the airbag 10 is inflated in proximity, An open / close vent hole 20 that is opened and closed by the body 30 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, each lid 30 covers each open / close vent hole 20 from the outside of the airbag 10.

  In the rear panel 14, a normally open vent hole 21 that is always open is provided in the vicinity of each open / close vent hole 20 and in an area that is not covered by each lid 30. In this embodiment, each normally open vent hole 21 is arranged on the upper side of the airbag 10 with respect to each open / close vent hole 20.

  In addition, arrangement | positioning of each opening-and-closing type vent hole 20 and the normally open type vent hole 21 is not limited to this. For example, each of the open / close vent holes 20 and the normally open vent holes 21 may be provided in the vicinity of the left and right peripheral edges on the upper half side of the front panel 12.

  In this embodiment, a tether 40 is provided as a lid control means that connects the lids 30 and 30 to each other through the normally opened vent holes 21 and 21 and the inside of the airbag 10.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, each lid 30 is made of a substantially triangular woven fabric. In each lid body 30, a corner portion 31 of this triangle is disposed on the side of the normally open vent hole 21 with respect to the open / close type vent hole 20, and a side 32 facing the corner portion 31 has an open / close type vent hole 20. In an attitude that is disposed on the opposite side of the normally open vent hole 21 with respect to each other, the open / close vent hole 20 is overlaid from the outside of the airbag 10.

  Each lid 30 is sewn to the rear panel 14 along a side 32 by a seam 33 made of a sewing thread or the like. The seam 33 extends continuously from one end side of the side 32 to the other end side.

  In other words, in this embodiment, each lid 30 has a free end on the corner 31 side, and a side 32 facing the corner 31 has a fixed end.

  One end of the tether 40 is sewn near the corner 31 of one lid 30 outside the airbag 10, and a portion following the tether 40 passes through the normally open vent hole 21 immediately adjacent to the one lid 30. It is drawn into the inside of the bag 10, passes through the inside of the airbag 10, is pulled out of the oppositely opened vent hole 21 to the outside of the airbag 10, and the other end is near the corner portion 31 of the other lid 30. Is sewn on. Reference numeral 41 in FIG. 6 indicates a seam in which each end portion of the tether 40 is sewn near the corner portion 31 of each lid body 30.

  The tether 40 is a length that is tightly stretched between the left and right lids 30 and 30 when the airbag 10 is inflated in a steady state and the upper portion of the airbag 10 is inflated to the maximum in the left-right direction. Have Thus, when the tether 40 is tightly stretched between the left and right lids 30, 30, the free end side (corner 31 side) of each lid 30 is fixed to the fixed end side (side 32 side) by the tether 40. Thus, the lids 30 are tensioned along the outer surface of the rear panel 14 and overlap the open / close vent holes 20. As a result, each open / close vent hole 20 is closed by each lid 30.

  In this embodiment, a line segment that connects both ends of the seam 33 in which the side 32 of each lid 30 is sewn to the rear panel 14 and the normally open vent hole 21 closest to each lid 30 is defined as follows. The substantially open / closed vent hole 20 that has a substantially triangular shape as the apex and is covered by each lid 30 is located inside the triangle. In addition, each lid 30 has two sides (reference numerals omitted) that intersect at each corner 31, a line segment connecting one end of the seam 33 and the normally open vent hole 21 of the triangle, and the seam 33 The shape extends along the line connecting the other end and the normally open vent hole 21. Note that the lengths of the two sides that intersect at the corner portion 31 of each lid 30 are substantially the same.

  Next, the operation of the steering device provided with the airbag apparatus having the driver's seat airbag 10 configured as described above will be described.

  In the event of a collision of a vehicle equipped with this steering device, the inflator 3 is actuated, and the airbag 10 starts to be inflated by the gas from the inflator 3. The airbag 10 pushes open the module cover 4 and bulges toward the passenger side of the steering wheel 1.

  At this time, when the occupant is seated at a predetermined distance or more from the steering wheel 1, the airbag 10 is deployed on the occupant side of the steering wheel 1 as a whole, as shown in FIG.

  In this case, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 (a), since the upper portion of the airbag 10 is inflated to the maximum in the left-right direction, the distance between the left and right lids 30, 30 increases, and these lids The tether 40 is taut between the 30 and 30. Thereby, each lid 30 is pulled by the tether 40 in a direction in which each free end side is separated from the fixed end side, and is tensioned along the outer surface of the rear panel 14 and overlaps each open / close type vent hole 20. The vent hole 20 is closed. As a result, the outflow of gas from each open / close vent hole 20 is restricted, and the airbag 10 is rapidly inflated and deployed.

  When the occupant comes into contact with the inflated airbag 10, the occupant is softly received by the airbag 10 by the gas flowing out of the airbag 10 through the normally open vent holes 21.

  When the airbag 10 is inflated, if the occupant is closer to the steering wheel 1 than a predetermined distance, the upper portion of the airbag 10 is connected to the occupant and the steering wheel 1 as shown in FIG. As a protruding portion 10a, the protruding portion 10a passes through the opening portion 1d of the steering wheel 1 and protrudes toward the non-occupant side of the steering wheel 1.

  In this case, the protrusion 10a is restrained from expansion by the central portion 1a of the steering wheel 1 surrounding the opening portion 1d, the left and right spoke portions 1c, 1c, and the annular portion 1b. ), The width of the upper part of the airbag 10 in the left-right direction is smaller than that during steady inflation, so that the tether 40 is loosened between the left and right lids 30, 30.

  Therefore, the free end side of each lid 30 is separated from the outer surface of the rear panel 14 by the gas pressure in the airbag 10 by the amount of slackness of the tether 40. As a result, each open / close vent hole 20 is opened, and gas smoothly flows out from the protrusion 10 a of the airbag 10 through each open / close vent hole 20 and each normally open vent hole 21. Thereby, the force applied to the passenger from the inflated airbag 10 is reduced.

  In this embodiment, the line segment connecting the both ends of the seam 33 in which the side 32 as the fixed end of each lid 30 is sewn to the rear panel 14 and the normally open vent hole 21 is the vertex. It has a substantially triangular shape. Each open / close vent hole 20 is located inside the triangle. Therefore, when the tether 40 is tensioned and the corner 31 side as the free end of each lid 30 is pulled by the tether 40, tension is applied to the region surrounded by this triangle in each lid 30. Comes to work. Hereinafter, in each lid body 30, a region where tension is applied by being pulled by the tether 40 in this manner is referred to as a tension region.

  In this embodiment, each lid 30 has two sides intersecting at the corner 31, a line segment connecting the upper end of the seam 33 and the normally open vent hole 21, and the lower end of the seam 33 and the normally open type, respectively. The shape extends along the line connecting the vent hole 21. That is, each lid 30 has a shape in plan view that is substantially the same as a tension region generated in the lid 30 when the corner 31 is pulled by the tether 40. Therefore, when the corner portion 31 side of each lid 30 is pulled by the tether 40, almost the entire lid 30 is tensioned, and there is little or no portion that is not tensioned. Each lid 30 covers the entire open / close vent hole 20.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, each lid 30 can sufficiently cover the open / close vent hole 20 with the minimum necessary size, and the material cost can be kept low.

  FIG. 7 is a sectional perspective view of a driver's seat airbag according to another embodiment at the time of steady inflation, FIG. 8 is a sectional perspective view of the driver's seat airbag at the time of close inflation, and FIG. 9 (a). (B) is sectional drawing which shows the action | operation of the cover body at the time of the steady expansion | swelling of this driver's seat airbag, and close expansion, respectively.

  7 and 8 show a cross section in the direction along the occupant side surface of the steering wheel near the middle in the thickness direction when the airbag is inflated, and FIG. 6 passes through the vicinity of the center of the vent hole. A cross section in the direction along the occupant side of the steering wheel and in the cross direction is shown.

  In this driver's seat airbag 10A, a lid 30A is provided in the vicinity of the center in the left-right direction (non-peripheral edge) of the upper half of the rear panel 14 that is the side opposite to the occupant of the protrusion 10a when the airbag 10A is inflated in proximity. An open / close vent hole 20 that is opened and closed is provided. Also in this embodiment, the lid 30A overlaps the open / close vent hole 20 from the outside of the airbag 10A.

  Further, a normally open vent hole 21 is provided in a region of the rear panel 14 that is not covered by the lid body 30 </ b> A so as to be shifted in the left-right direction with respect to the open / close vent hole 20. In this embodiment, a normally open vent hole 21 is arranged on the right side of the open / close vent hole 20.

  In this embodiment, the lid control means passes through the inside of the normally open vent hole 21 and the airbag 10A, and the lid 30 and one of the protrusions 10a in the left-right direction when the airbag 10A is closely inflated. A tether 40A is provided which is connected to the side portion (right side in this embodiment).

  As shown in FIG. 7, in this embodiment as well, the lid 30A is made of a substantially triangular woven fabric, and one corner portion 31 of this triangle is closer to the normally open vent hole 21 than the open / close vent hole 20, that is, the open / close type. The side 32 that is disposed on the right side of the vent hole 20 and that faces the corner portion 31 is opposite to the normally open vent hole 21 across the open / close vent hole 20, that is, on the left side of the open / close vent hole 20. In an arranged position, the air bag 10A is overlapped with the open / close vent hole 20 from the outside of the airbag 10A, and is sewn to the outer surface of the rear panel 14 by a seam 33 along the side 32.

  That is, also in this embodiment, each lid body 30A has a free end on the corner portion 31 side, and a side 32 side facing the corner portion 31 has a fixed end.

  One end of the tether 40A is sewn near the corner portion 31 of the lid 30A, the portion following the tether 40A is passed through the normally open vent hole 21 and drawn into the airbag 10A, and the other end is connected to the rear panel 14 It is sewn near the periphery of the right end side of the upper half side. Reference numeral 41 (FIG. 9) denotes a seam in which the one end of the tether 40A is sewn near the corner 31 of the lid 30A. Reference numeral 42 (FIGS. 7 and 8) denotes the other end of the tether 40A on the rear panel. 14 shows a seam sewn.

  The other end of the tether 40A may be sewn in the vicinity of the peripheral edge on the right end side of the upper half side of the front panel 12. Alternatively, when the peripheral edges of the front panel 12 and the rear panel 14 are stitched together, the other end of the tether 40A is sewn together to connect the other end of the tether 40A to the side of the airbag 10A. You may do it.

  The tether 40A has a pin between the lid 30A and the right side of the upper portion of the airbag 10A when the airbag 10A is inflated in a steady state and the upper portion of the airbag 10A is expanded to the maximum in the left-right direction. It has a length that makes it stretched. Thus, when the tether 40A is tightly stretched between the lid 30A and the upper right side of the airbag 10A, the free end side (corner 31 side) of the lid 30A is fixed to the fixed end side (by the tether 40A). The lid body 30 </ b> A is tensioned along the outer surface of the rear panel 14 and overlaps the open / close type vent hole 20. As a result, the open / close vent hole 20 is closed by the lid 30A.

  In this embodiment as well, the line segment connecting both ends of the seam 33 where the side 32 of the lid 30A is sewn to the rear panel 14 and the normally open vent hole 21 has a substantially triangular shape with these as vertices. The entire open / close vent hole 20 covered with the lid 30A is located inside the triangle. Further, the lid body 30 </ b> A has two sides (reference numerals omitted) that intersect at the corner portion 31, and a side that connects one end of the seam 33 and the normally open vent hole 21 to the other end of the seam 33. And the side that connects the normally-open vent hole 21.

  That is, also in this embodiment, the lid 30A has substantially the same planar view shape as the tension region generated in the lid 30A when the corner 31 side as a free end is pulled by the tether 40A. Yes. Therefore, when the corner portion 31 side of the lid body 30A is pulled by the tether 40A, almost the entire lid body 30A is tensioned, and there is little or no portion that is not tensioned. Further, the entire open / close vent hole 20 is covered with the lid 30A. Therefore, also in this embodiment, the lid 30A can sufficiently cover the open / close type vent hole 20 with the minimum necessary size.

  Other configurations of the airbag 10A are the same as those of the airbag 10 of the above-described embodiment. 7-9, the same code | symbol as FIG. 1-6 has shown the same part.

  The operation of the steering device including the airbag apparatus having the driver airbag 10A configured as described above is as follows.

  Even in this steering device, the inflator 3 is actuated at the time of a vehicle collision or the like, and the airbag 10A starts to be inflated by the gas from the inflator 3. The airbag 10 </ b> A pushes open the module cover 4 and inflates toward the passenger side of the steering wheel 1.

  At this time, if the occupant is seated at a predetermined distance or more from the steering wheel 1, the airbag 10A is deployed on the occupant side of the steering wheel 1 as a whole.

  In this case, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 (a), the upper portion of the airbag 10A is inflated to the maximum in the left-right direction, so that the gap between the lid 30A and the upper right portion of the airbag 10A is large. Thus, the tether 40A is tensioned between them. As a result, the free end side of the lid 30A is pulled in a direction away from the fixed end side by the tether 40A, and the lid 30A is tensioned along the outer surface of the rear panel 14 and overlaps the open / close type vent hole 20, and the open / close type The vent hole 20 is closed. As a result, the outflow of gas from the open / close vent hole 20 is restricted, and the airbag 10A is rapidly inflated and deployed.

  When an occupant comes into contact with the inflated airbag 10A, gas flows out of the airbag 10A through the normally open vent hole 21, so that the occupant is softly received by the airbag 10A.

  When the occupant is in a state closer to the steering wheel 1 than the predetermined distance when the airbag 10A is inflated, the upper portion of the airbag 10A escapes from between the occupant and the steering wheel 1. Then, the protruding portion 10a protrudes through the opening portion 1d of the steering wheel 1 to the opposite side of the steering wheel 1.

  In this case, the protrusion 10a is restrained from expansion by the central portion 1a of the steering wheel 1 surrounding the opening portion 1d, the left and right spoke portions 1c, 1c, and the annular portion 1b. ), The width in the left-right direction of the upper portion of the airbag 10A is smaller than that during steady inflation, so that the tether 40 is loosened between the lid 30A and the right side portion of the upper portion of the airbag 10A.

  Therefore, the free end side of the lid 30A is separated from the outer surface of the rear panel 14 by the gas pressure in the airbag 10A by the amount of slackness of the tether 40A. As a result, the open / close vent hole 20 is opened, and gas smoothly flows out from the protruding portion 10a of the airbag 10A through the open / close vent hole 20 and the normally open vent hole 21. Thereby, the force applied to the passenger from the inflated airbag 10A is reduced.

  In this embodiment, only one open / close vent hole 20 that is opened and closed by the lid 30A is provided, but two or more open / close vent holes 20 may be provided.

  In this embodiment, the free end side of the lid 30A and the right side portion of the airbag 10A are connected by the tether 40A, but the normally open vent hole 21 is arranged on the left side of the open / close vent hole 20, The right end side of the lid 30A may be sewn to the rear panel 14, and the left end side of the lid 30A may be connected to the left side of the airbag 10A by the tether 40A through the inside of the normally open vent hole and the airbag 10A. .

  In this embodiment, the open / close type vent hole 20 is arranged near the center in the left-right direction on the upper half side of the rear panel 14, but may be arranged shifted to the right side or the left side from the center. Although not shown, the open / close vent hole 20 may be disposed at a position overlapping the annular portion 1b of the steering wheel 1 when the airbag 10A is inflated normally. With this arrangement, the lid 30A can be pressed against the open / close vent hole 20 by the annular portion 1b of the steering wheel 1 from the outside of the airbag 10A during the steady inflation of the airbag 10A. The closing property of the mold vent hole 20 is improved.

  FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view (front view) of a driver's seat airbag according to still another embodiment at the time of steady inflation, and FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the driver's seat airbag at the time of steady inflation. The figure is a cross-sectional perspective view of the driver's seat airbag when inflated, and FIGS. 13 (a) and 13 (b) show the operation of the lid when the driver's airbag is inflated normally and when it is inflated, respectively. FIG.

  10 and 11 each show a cross section in the direction along the occupant side surface of the steering wheel near the middle of the thickness direction when the airbag is inflated. FIG. 13 shows the vicinity of the center of the vent hole. A cross section in the direction along the occupant side of the steering wheel and the crossing direction is shown.

  In the driver's seat airbag 10B, a lid 30B opens and closes a non-peripheral portion on the upper half side of the rear panel 14 and overlapping with the annular portion 1b of the steering wheel 1 when the airbag 10B is inflated normally. An open / close vent hole 20 is provided. In this embodiment, the open / close vent hole 20 is disposed at a position slightly shifted to the right side from the center in the left-right direction of the rear panel 14, but the disposition of the open / close vent hole 20 is not limited to this. .

  In this embodiment, the lid 30B overlaps the open / close vent hole 20 from the inside of the airbag 10B.

  In this embodiment, as the lid control means, the left tether 40L that connects the left end of the lid 30B and the left side of the airbag 10B inside the airbag 10B, the right end of the lid 30B, and the airbag A right tether 40R that connects the right side of 10B is provided. As shown in FIG. 10, in this embodiment, the left tether 40L, the lid 30B, and the right tether 40R are integrally formed by a single strip-shaped panel. However, these may be configured separately.

  The left tether 40L and the right tether 40R are respectively routed from the lid 30B to the left side and the right side along the airbag inner surface of the rear panel 14, and the end portions of the left tether 40L and the right tether 40R respectively A seam 43 is sewn around the right edge.

  Note that the end portions of the left tether 40L and the right tether 40R may be sewn in the vicinity of the peripheral portion on the left end side and the right end side on the upper half side of the front panel 12, respectively. Alternatively, when the peripheral portions of the front panel 12 and the rear panel 14 are stitched together, the ends of the respective tethers 40L and 40R are sewn together so that the ends of the respective tethers 40L and 40R are connected to the left and right sides of the airbag 10B. You may make it connect with a side part.

  The left tether 40L and the right tether 40R are provided on the left side of the lid 30B and the upper portion of the airbag 10B when the airbag 10B is inflated in a steady state and the upper portion of the airbag 10B is expanded to the maximum in the left-right direction. The lid 30B is in a tensioned state between the right and left sides, and the lid 30B has a length that can hold the lid 30B in a state where it overlaps the open / close vent hole 20 from the inside of the airbag 10B. To prevent the gas pressure in the airbag 10B from being pushed out of the airbag 10B through the open / close vent hole 20, and to prevent the lid 30B from being separated from the inner surface of the rear panel 14 to the inside of the airbag 10B. The lid 30B has a length capable of being pulled inside the airbag 10B.

  In this embodiment, the rear panel 14 is a region facing the opening 1d of the steering wheel 1 when the airbag 10B is inflated and the lid 30B and the left and right tethers 40L and 40R do not overlap. A normally open vent hole 23 is provided to communicate with the inside and outside of the airbag 10B at all times. In this embodiment, two normally open vent holes 23 are provided at different positions on the left and right, but the number and arrangement of the normally open vent holes 23 are not limited thereto.

  Other configurations of the airbag 10B are the same as those of the airbag 10 of the above-described embodiment. 10 to 13, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 to 6 denote the same parts.

  The operation of the steering device including the airbag apparatus having the driver's seat airbag 10B configured as described above is as follows.

  Even in this steering device, the inflator 3 is actuated at the time of a vehicle collision or the like, and the airbag 10B starts to be inflated by the gas from the inflator 3. The airbag 10 </ b> B pushes open the module cover 4 and inflates toward the passenger side of the steering wheel 1.

  At this time, when the occupant is seated at a predetermined distance or more from the steering wheel 1, the airbag 10B is deployed to the occupant side of the steering wheel 1 as a whole, as shown in FIG.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 13 (a), the upper portion of the airbag 10B is inflated to the maximum in the left-right direction. The interval increases, and the left tether 40L and the right tether 40R are in tension between each other. As a result, the lid 30B is held in a state where it overlaps the open / close vent hole 20 from the inside of the airbag 10B, and the open / close vent hole 20 is closed. As a result, the outflow of gas from the open / close vent hole 20 is restricted, and the airbag 10B is quickly inflated and deployed.

  In this embodiment, the openable / closable vent hole 20 is disposed on the rear panel 14 at a position overlapping the annular portion 1b of the steering wheel 1 during the steady inflation of the airbag 10B. The lid 30B is supported by the annular portion 1b of the steering wheel 1 from the outside of the airbag 10B. Therefore, the closing property of the open / close vent hole 20 by the lid body 30B is high.

  When an occupant comes into contact with the inflated airbag 10B, gas flows out of the airbag 10B through the normally open vent holes 23, so that the occupant is softly received by the airbag 10B.

  When the airbag 10B is inflated, if the occupant is closer to the steering wheel 1 than a predetermined distance, the upper portion of the airbag 10B escapes from between the occupant and the steering wheel 1. Then, the protruding portion 10a protrudes through the opening portion 1d of the steering wheel 1 to the opposite side of the steering wheel 1.

  In this case, the protrusion 10a is restrained from expansion by the central portion 1a of the steering wheel 1 surrounding the opening portion 1d, the left and right spoke portions 1c, 1c, and the annular portion 1b. ), The width of the upper part of the airbag 10B in the left-right direction is smaller than that at the time of steady inflation, so that the left tether 40L and the right tether 40R are respectively connected to the lid 30B and the upper left part and right part of the airbag 10B. It will be in a loose state between.

  Therefore, the lid 30B is pushed out of the airbag 10B from the open / close vent hole 20 by the gas pressure in the airbag 10B by the amount of looseness of the tethers 40L and 40R. As a result, the open / close vent hole 20 is opened, and gas smoothly flows out from the protruding portion 10a of the airbag 10B through the open / close vent hole 20 and each normally open vent hole 23. As a result, the force applied to the occupant from the inflated airbag 10B is reduced.

  FIG. 14 is a sectional perspective view of a driver's seat airbag according to still another embodiment at the time of steady inflation, FIG. 15 is a sectional perspective view of this driver's seat airbag at the time of close inflation, and FIG. ), (B) are cross-sectional views showing the operation of the lid when the driver's seat airbag is inflated normally and in close proximity, respectively.

  FIGS. 14 and 15 show cross sections in the direction along the occupant side surface of the steering wheel near the middle of the thickness direction when the airbag is inflated. FIG. 16 shows the vicinity of the center of the vent hole. A cross section in the direction along the occupant side of the steering wheel and the crossing direction is shown.

  Also in the airbag 10C for a driver's seat, the lid 30C is opened and closed in a non-peripheral portion on the upper half side of the rear panel 14 and overlapping with the annular portion 1b of the steering wheel 1 when the airbag 10C is inflated normally. An open / close vent hole 20 is provided.

  Also in this embodiment, the lid 30C overlaps the open / close vent hole 20 from the inside of the airbag 10C.

  The lid 30C is disposed so as to cross the open / close vent hole 20 in the left-right direction, and one end side in the left-right direction (the left end side in this embodiment) is sewn to the rear panel 14 by the seam 34. Yes. That is, in this embodiment, the lid 30C has a fixed end on the left end side and a free end on the right end side.

  In this embodiment, as the lid control means, inside the airbag 10C, the other end side in the left-right direction of the lid body 30C (the right end side in this embodiment) and the other end side of the airbag 10C. A tether 40C is provided to connect the side portion (the right side portion in this embodiment). As shown in FIG. 14, in this embodiment, the lid body 30C and the tether 40C are integrally formed by a single strip-shaped panel. However, these may be configured separately.

  In this embodiment, the tether 40C is routed to the right side from the lid 30C along the inner surface of the airbag of the rear panel 14, and its end is near the peripheral edge on the right end side of the upper half side of the rear panel 14. It is sewn by a seam 44.

  Note that the end portion of the tether 40C may be sewn near the peripheral portion on the right end side of the upper half side of the front panel 12. Alternatively, when the peripheral portions of the front panel 12 and the rear panel 14 are stitched together, the end of the tether 40C is sewn together with the end so that the end of the tether 40C is connected to the right side of the airbag 10C. Also good.

  The tether 40C has a pin between the lid 30C and the right side of the upper portion of the airbag 10C when the airbag 10C is inflated in a steady state and the upper portion of the airbag 10C is expanded to the maximum in the left-right direction. The lid 30C is in a stretched state so that the lid 30C can be held in a state where it overlaps the open / close vent hole 20 from the inside of the airbag 10C, that is, the lid 30C is opened / closed by the gas pressure in the airbag 10C. The lid 30C is prevented from being pushed out of the airbag 10C through the vent hole 20, and the lid 30C is placed on the inner side of the airbag 10C so as not to separate the lid 30C from the inner surface of the rear panel 14 to the inside of the airbag 10C. It has a length that can be pulled.

  Also in this embodiment, the airbag 10C is always in the region of the rear panel 14 facing the opening 1d of the steering wheel 1 when the airbag 10C is inflated and the lid 30C and the tether 40C do not overlap. A pair of normally open vent holes 23 are provided to communicate between the inside and the outside.

  Other configurations of the airbag 10C are the same as those of the airbag 10B of the above-described embodiment. 14 to 16, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 10 to 13 denote the same parts.

  The operation of the steering device provided with the airbag apparatus having the driver's seat airbag 10C configured as described above is as follows.

  Even in this steering device, the inflator 3 is actuated at the time of a vehicle collision or the like, and the airbag 10C starts to be inflated by the gas from the inflator 3. The airbag 10 </ b> C pushes open the module cover 4 and inflates toward the passenger side of the steering wheel 1.

  At this time, if the occupant is seated at a predetermined distance or more from the steering wheel 1, the airbag 10C is deployed on the occupant side of the steering wheel 1 as a whole.

  In this case, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 16 (a), the upper portion of the airbag 10C is inflated to the maximum in the left-right direction, so that the gap between the lid 30C and the upper right portion of the airbag 10C is large. Thus, the tether 40C is tensioned between them. As a result, the lid 30C is held in a state where it overlaps the open / close vent hole 20 from the inside of the airbag 10C, and the open / close vent hole 20 is closed. As a result, the outflow of gas from the open / close vent hole 20 is restricted, and the airbag 10C is rapidly inflated and deployed.

  Also in this embodiment, the open / close vent hole 20 is disposed in the rear panel 14 at a position overlapping the annular portion 1b of the steering wheel 1 when the airbag 10C is inflated normally. At the time of inflation, the lid 30C is supported by the annular portion 1b of the steering wheel 1 from the outside of the airbag 10C. Therefore, the closure of the open / close vent hole 20 by the lid 30C is high.

  When an occupant comes into contact with the inflated airbag 10C, gas flows out of the airbag 10C through the normally open vent holes 23, so that the occupant is softly received by the airbag 10C.

  When the airbag 10C is inflated, if the occupant is closer to the steering wheel 1 than a predetermined distance, the upper portion of the airbag 10C escapes from between the occupant and the steering wheel 1. Then, the protruding portion 10a protrudes through the opening portion 1d of the steering wheel 1 to the opposite side of the steering wheel 1.

  In this case, the protrusion 10a is restrained from expansion by the central portion 1a of the steering wheel 1 surrounding the opening portion 1d, the left and right spoke portions 1c, 1c, and the annular portion 1b. ), The width of the upper part of the airbag 10C in the left-right direction is smaller than that during steady inflation, so that the tether 40C is loosened between the lid 30C and the upper right part of the airbag 10C.

  Therefore, the lid 30C is pushed out of the airbag 10C from the open / close vent hole 20 by the gas pressure in the airbag 10C by the amount of slackness of the tether 40C. As a result, the open / close vent hole 20 is opened, and gas smoothly flows out from the protruding portion 10a of the airbag 10C through the open / close vent hole 20 and each normally open vent hole 23. Thereby, the force applied to the passenger from the inflated airbag 10C is reduced.

  In this embodiment, the right end side of the lid 30C and the right side of the airbag 10C are connected by a tether 40C. The right end side of the lid 30C is sewn to the rear panel 14, and the left end of the lid 30C is sewn. The side may be connected to the left side of the airbag 10C by a tether 40C.

  FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view (front view) at the time of steady inflation of an airbag for a driver's seat according to still another embodiment, FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVIII-XVIII in FIG. 17, and FIG. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX-XX of FIG. 19, and FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional perspective view of this driver's seat airbag during steady inflation. FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional perspective view when the driver airbag is inflated, and FIGS. 23 (a) and 23 (b) are lid bodies when the driver airbag is inflated normally and in close proximity, respectively. It is sectional drawing which shows the action | operation of.

  FIGS. 17, 21, and 22 show cross sections in the direction along the occupant side of the steering wheel near the middle in the thickness direction when the airbag is inflated. FIG. 23 shows the center of the vent hole. The cross section of the direction and crossing direction which pass along the surface on the passenger | crew side of the steering wheel which passes near is shown.

  Also in the driver's seat airbag 10D, the lid 30D is opened and closed by a non-peripheral portion on the upper half side of the rear panel 14 and overlapping with the annular portion 1b of the steering wheel 1 when the airbag 10D is inflated normally. An open / close vent hole 20 is provided.

  Also in this embodiment, the lid 30D overlaps the open / close vent hole 20 from the inside of the airbag 10D.

  The lid 30D is arranged so as to cross the open / close vent hole 20 in the left-right direction, and one end side in the left-right direction (the left end side in this embodiment) is sewn to the rear panel 14 by the seam 34. Yes. That is, also in this embodiment, the lid 30D has a fixed end on the left end side and a free end on the right end side.

  Also in this embodiment, as the lid control means, in the airbag 10D, the other end in the left-right direction of the lid 30D (the right end in this embodiment) and the other end of the airbag 10D A tether 40D is provided to connect the side portion on the side (the right side portion in this embodiment). As shown in FIG. 17, in this embodiment, the lid body 30D and the tether 40D are integrally formed of a single strip-shaped panel. However, these may be configured separately.

  In this embodiment, a hooking portion 50 through which the tether 40D is passed is provided on the other end side (that is, the right end side) of the lid 30D with respect to the open / close vent hole 20. In this embodiment, the hooking portion 50 is formed by superimposing a substantially rectangular small cross on the inner surface of the rear panel 14 with the longitudinal direction of the small cross as the extending direction of the tether 40D (that is, the substantially vertical direction). Both ends in the longitudinal direction are sewn to the rear panel 14 by seams 51. However, the configuration of the passing portion 50 is not limited to this.

  In this embodiment, the tether 40D is routed to the right side from the lid 30D along the inner surface of the rear panel 14, and after the middle portion is passed through the hook portion 50, the tip is the right side portion of the airbag 10D. It is connected to.

  In this embodiment, when the peripheral edges of the front panel 12 and the rear panel 14 are stitched together with the seam 15 (FIGS. 18 and 20), the end of the tether 40D is sewn together with the tether 40D. Although the end of the tether 40D is connected to the right side of the airbag 10D, the end of the tether 40D may be sewn near the right edge of the rear panel 14, or the right edge of the front panel 12. It may be sewn near the part.

  The tether 40D has a pin between the lid 30D and the right side of the upper portion of the airbag 10D when the airbag 10D is inflated in a steady state and the upper portion of the airbag 10D is expanded to the maximum in the left-right direction. It has a length that makes it stretched. As described above, when the tether 40D is tightly stretched between the lid 30D and the upper right portion of the airbag 10D, the free end side (right end side) of the lid 30D is fixed to the fixed end side (left end side) by the tether 40. The lid 30 </ b> D is tensioned along the inner surface of the rear panel 14 and overlaps the open / close vent hole 20. As a result, the open / close vent hole 20 is closed by the lid 30D.

  In this embodiment, a pair of openings 45, 45 is formed in a region of the lid 30 </ b> D that is closer to the tether 40 </ b> D than the open / close vent hole 20 when the lid 30 </ b> D overlaps the open / close vent hole 20. Is provided. In this embodiment, these openings 45, 45 are elongated holes extending in the longitudinal direction of the tether 40D, and are arranged in parallel at different positions in the width direction of the tether 40D. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 17, in this embodiment, the interior and exterior of the airbag 10D are always placed in a region of the rear panel 14 that expands above the upper edge of the annular portion 1b of the steering wheel 1 when the airbag 10D is inflated. A pair of normally open vent holes 23 that communicate with each other are provided. In this embodiment, these normally open vent holes 23 are arranged at different positions in the circumferential direction of the rear panel 14.

  Other configurations of the airbag 10D are the same as those of the airbag 10C of the above-described embodiment. 17 to 23, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 14 to 16 denote the same parts.

  In this embodiment, when the airbag 10D is folded, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, first, the front panel 12 and the rear panel 14 are flatly spread, and then the left and right side portions of the airbag 10D. Are folded inside the airbag 10D. At this time, as shown in FIG. 20, the tether 40D is slackened inside the airbag 10D. Accordingly, the lid 30D and the lid 30D side of the tether 40D are connected to the airbag 10D from the open / close vent hole 20 by the amount of the slack. Pull it out. As a result, the open / close vent hole 20 is opened in advance.

  Thereafter, the airbag 10D is folded in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction to form a final folded body (not shown), which is accommodated in the casing 2. In addition, the folding method of airbag 10D until it is set as this final folding body is arbitrary.

  The operation of the steering device provided with the airbag apparatus having the driver airbag 10D configured as described above is as follows.

  Even in this steering device, the inflator 3 operates when the vehicle collides, and the airbag 10D starts to inflate by the gas from the inflator 3. The airbag 10 </ b> D pushes open the module cover 4 and bulges toward the passenger side of the steering wheel 1.

  At this time, if the occupant is seated at a predetermined distance or more from the steering wheel 1, the airbag 10D is deployed on the occupant side of the steering wheel 1 as a whole as shown in FIG.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 21 and FIG. 23 (a), the upper part of the airbag 10D is inflated to the maximum in the left-right direction, so that the gap between the lid 30D and the upper right part of the airbag 10D is large. Thus, the tether 40D is tensioned between them. As a result, the lid 30D is pulled by the tether 40D and pulled into the airbag 10D through the open / close vent hole 20, and is tensioned along the inner surface of the rear panel 14 to overlap the open / close vent hole 20. As a result, the outflow of gas from the open / close vent hole 20 is restricted, and the airbag 10D is rapidly inflated and deployed.

  Also in this embodiment, the open / close vent hole 20 is disposed in the rear panel 14 at a position overlapping the annular portion 1b of the steering wheel 1 when the airbag 10D is inflated normally. At the time of inflation, the lid 30D is supported by the annular portion 1b of the steering wheel 1 from the outside of the airbag 10D. Therefore, the closing property of the open / close vent hole 20 by the lid 30D is high.

  When an occupant comes into contact with the inflated airbag 10D, gas flows out of the airbag 10D through the normally open vent holes 23, so that the occupant is softly received by the airbag 10D.

  When the airbag 10D is inflated, if the occupant is in a state closer to the steering wheel 1 than a predetermined distance, the upper portion of the airbag 10D escapes from between the occupant and the steering wheel 1. Then, the protruding portion 10a protrudes through the opening portion 1d of the steering wheel 1 to the opposite side of the steering wheel 1.

  In this case, the protrusion 10a is restrained from expansion by the central portion 1a of the steering wheel 1 surrounding the opening portion 1d, the left and right spoke portions 1c, 1c, and the annular portion 1b. ), The width in the left-right direction of the upper portion of the airbag 10D is smaller than that at the time of steady inflation, so that the tether 40D is loosened between the lid 30D and the upper right portion of the airbag 10D.

  Therefore, the lid 30D is not drawn into the airbag 10D from the open / close vent hole 20 by the tether 40D, and remains located outside the airbag 10D. As a result, the open / close vent hole 20 remains open, and the gas smoothly flows out from the protruding portion 10a of the airbag 10D through the open / close vent hole 20 and each normally open vent hole 23. Thereby, the force applied to the passenger from the inflated airbag 10D is reduced.

  In this embodiment, the lid 30D is pulled out of the airbag 10D from the open / close vent hole 20 when the airbag 10D is folded. Therefore, the open / close vent hole 20 is opened from the start of the inflation of the airbag 10D. It has become. Therefore, when the airbag 10D is inflated in proximity, gas flows out from the protruding portion 10a of the airbag 10D through the open / close vent hole 20 from the start of inflation. Therefore, the expansion of the protruding portion 10a (pressure increase in the protruding portion 10a) is suppressed, and the protruding portion 10a smoothly passes through the opening portion 1d of the steering wheel 1 and protrudes toward the non-occupant side.

  In this embodiment, since the opening 45 is provided on the tether 40D side of the lid 30D, the gas flowing out of the airbag 10D from the open / close vent hole 20 is behind the lid 30D (on the airbag 10D side). ), The gas can pass through the opening 45 and flow out to the front side of the lid 30D (the side opposite to the airbag 10D). Therefore, gas flows out smoothly from the open / close vent hole 20 to the outside of the airbag 10D.

  In this embodiment, the right end side of the lid body 30D and the right side portion of the airbag 10D are connected by the tether 40D. The right end side of the lid body 30D is sewn to the rear panel 14, and the left end of the lid body 30D is sewn. The side may be connected to the left side of the airbag 10D by a tether 40D.

  In this embodiment, when the airbag 10D is folded, the lid 30 is pulled out of the airbag 10D from the opening / closing vent hole 20 to open the opening / closing vent hole 20 in advance. The method of opening 20 in advance is not limited to this.

  FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the same part as FIG. 20, showing another configuration example for opening the open / close vent hole 20 in advance, FIG. 25 is a plan view of the XXV part of FIG. FIGS. (A) and (b) are cross-sectional views in the same part as FIG. 23, showing the operation of the lid body during steady inflation and proximity inflation of the driver airbag according to this embodiment.

  In the airbag 10D ′ of this embodiment, when the airbag 10D ′ is folded, the front panel 12 and the rear panel 14 are first flatly spread, and then the left and right sides of the airbag 10D ′ are respectively attached to the airbag 10D ′. After being folded inside the airbag 10D ′, as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the free end side (right end side) of the lid 30D is drawn toward the fixed end side (left end side) as the tether 40D is loosened. The opening 45 provided on the free end side of the lid 30D is overlapped with the open / close vent hole 20. Then, the free end side of the lid 30D is sewn to the fixed end side with a tear seam 35 so that the state where the opening 45 and the open / close vent hole 20 overlap with each other is maintained.

  The tear seam 35 is configured to break when the internal pressure of the airbag 10D 'becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure, and to release the coupling between the free end side and the fixed end side of the lid 30D.

  Thereafter, like the airbag 10D of the above-described embodiment, the airbag 10D 'is also folded in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction by an arbitrary folding method to form a final folded body, and is accommodated in the casing 2.

  The other configuration of the airbag 10D 'is the same as that of the airbag 10D of the above-described embodiment. In Figs. 24-26, the same reference numerals as those in Figs. 17-23 indicate the same parts.

  In the airbag 10D ′, at the time of steady inflation, as shown in FIG. 26 (a), the upper portion of the airbag 10D ′ is inflated to the maximum in the left-right direction, so the lid 30D and the upper portion of the airbag 10D. The space between the right side and the tether 40D becomes tight. As a result, the free end side of the lid body 30D is pulled away from the fixed end side, and the tear seam 35 is broken. Thereafter, the lid body 30D is pulled by the tether 40D and deployed along the inner surface of the rear panel 14 to open and close. It overlaps the mold vent hole 20. As a result, the outflow of gas from the open / close vent hole 20 is restricted, and the airbag 10D 'is rapidly inflated and deployed.

  Further, when the airbag 10D ′ is inflated in the vicinity, as shown in FIG. 26 (b), the steering wheel 1 restrains the expansion of the upper portion (projecting portion 10a) of the airbag 10D ′. Air bag 10D ′ acting on the portion (periphery of opening 45) of lid 30D that overlaps with open / close vent hole 20 is in a loosened state between body 30D and the upper right side of air bag 10D. Since the free end side of the lid 30D is pulled to the outside of the airbag 10D ′ by the gas pressure inside, the tear seam 35 is broken by this pulling force, and the lid 35D is opened from the open / close vent hole 20 to the airbag 10D ′. Pushed out.

  As a result, the open / close vent hole 20 is opened, and gas smoothly flows out from the protruding portion 10a of the airbag 10D 'through the open / close vent hole 20 and each normally open vent hole 23. Thereby, the force applied to the passenger from the inflated airbag 10D 'is reduced.

  In this embodiment, since the opening 45 on the free end side of the lid 30D overlaps the open / close vent hole 20 when the airbag 10D ′ is folded, the open / close vent hole 20 passes through the opening 45. The airbag 10D ′ is open from the start of inflation. Accordingly, when the airbag 10D ′ is inflated in proximity, gas flows out from the protruding portion 10a of the airbag 10D ′ through the opening 45 and the open / close vent hole 20 from the start of inflation. Therefore, the expansion of the protruding portion 10a (pressure increase in the protruding portion 10a) is suppressed, and the protruding portion 10a smoothly passes through the opening portion 1d of the steering wheel 1 and protrudes toward the non-occupant side.

  Even in this embodiment, even if the gas that has flowed out of the airbag 10D ′ from the open / close vent hole 20 blows to the back side (airbag 10D ′ side) of the lid 30D, It can pass through and flow out to the front side of lid 30D (the side opposite to airbag 10D '). Therefore, gas smoothly flows out from the open / close vent hole 20 to the outside of the airbag 10D '.

  FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view (front view) at the time of steady inflation of a driver's seat airbag according to still another embodiment, FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXVIII-XXVIII in FIG. 27, and FIG. FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of the driver's seat airbag in the middle of folding, FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the lid during steady inflation of the driver's seat airbag, and FIG. 31 is the proximity of the driver's seat airbag. It is sectional drawing which shows the action | operation of the cover body at the time of expansion | swelling.

  FIG. 27 shows a cross section in the direction along the occupant side surface of the steering wheel near the middle in the thickness direction when the airbag is inflated. FIGS. 29, 30, and 31 are respectively the same as FIG. The cross section in the same part is shown.

  The driver's seat airbag 10E is opened and closed by a lid 30E in a non-periphery portion on the upper half side of the rear panel 14 and not overlapping the annular portion 1b of the steering wheel 1 when the airbag 10E is inflated normally. An openable / closable vent hole 20 is provided. In this embodiment, the open / close vent hole 20 is arranged at a position facing the opening 1d of the steering wheel 1 when the airbag 10E is inflated.

  Also in this embodiment, the lid 30E overlaps the open / close vent hole 20 from the inside of the airbag 10E. The lid 30E is disposed so as to cross the open / close vent hole 20 in the left-right direction.

  In this embodiment, as the lid control means, inside the airbag 10E, one end side (the right end side in this embodiment) of the lid body 30E and the side portion on the one end side of the airbag 10E ( A side tether 40E connecting the right side in this embodiment), a front side connecting the other end side in the left-right direction of the lid 30E (left end side in this embodiment) and the front panel 12 of the airbag 10E. A tether 40F is provided. As shown in FIG. 17, in this embodiment, the lid 30E and both the side and front side tethers 40E and 40F are integrally formed by a single strip-shaped panel. However, these may be configured separately.

  In this embodiment, a hooking portion 50 through which the side tether 40E is passed is provided on the right side of the open / close vent hole 20, and the front tether 40F is passed through the left side of the open / close vent hole 20. A hanging portion 52 is provided. Also in this embodiment, each of these hooking portions 50 and 52 is formed by superimposing a substantially rectangular small cross on the inner surface of the rear panel 14 with the longitudinal direction thereof being substantially vertical, and seam the both ends of the longitudinal direction. 51 is sewn to the rear panel 14.

  In this embodiment, the side tether 40E is routed to the right side from the lid body 30E along the inner surface of the rear panel 14, and the middle part is passed through the right-hand passing part 50 of the open / close vent hole 20. The tip is connected to the right side of the airbag 10E. The front-side tether 40F is drawn to the left side from the lid 30E along the inner surface of the rear panel 14, and the middle part is passed through the left-hand passing part 52 of the open / close vent hole 20, and then the tip thereof is air. It is connected near the center of the front panel 12 of the bag 10E.

  In this embodiment, when the peripheral edges of the front panel 12 and the rear panel 14 are stitched together with the seam 15, the end of the side tether 40E is sewn together with the end of the side tether 40E. Is connected to the right side of the airbag 10E. The front tether 40F is sewn to the front panel 12 by a seam 46.

  The side tether 40E and the front tether 40F have the airbag 10E inflated in a steady state, and the airbag 10E reaches the maximum in both the left-right direction and the front-rear direction (that is, the direction connecting the occupant side and the anti-occupant side). When inflated, they have lengths that are tensioned between the lid 30E and the right side of the airbag 10E and between the lid 30E and the front panel 12, respectively.

  Thus, when the tethers 40E and 40F are tensioned between the lid 30E and the right side of the airbag 10E and between the lid 30E and the front panel 12, the left end side of the lid 30E And the right end side are pulled away from each other, whereby the lid 30E is tensioned along the inner surface of the rear panel 14 and overlaps the open / close vent hole 20. As a result, the open / close vent hole 20 is closed by the lid 30E.

  Also in this embodiment, a pair of openings 45 in the region of the lid 30E that is closer to the side tether 40E than the open / close vent hole 20 when the lid 30E overlaps the open / close vent hole 20. , 45 are provided. In this embodiment, these openings 45, 45 are each in the form of a long hole extending in the longitudinal direction of the side tether 40E, and are arranged in parallel at different positions in the width direction of the side tether 40E. It is arranged.

  As shown in FIG. 27, in this embodiment as well, the interior and exterior of the airbag 10E are always located in the rear panel 14 in a region that expands above the upper edge of the annular portion 1b of the steering wheel 1 when the airbag 10E is inflated. A pair of normally open vent holes 23 that communicate with each other are provided. In this embodiment, these normally open vent holes 23 are arranged at different positions in the circumferential direction of the rear panel 14.

  Other configurations of the airbag 10E are the same as those of the airbag 10D of the above-described embodiment. 27-31, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 17-23 denote the same parts.

  Also in this embodiment, when the airbag 10E is folded, as shown in FIG. 29, first, the front panel 12 and the rear panel 14 are flatly spread, and then the left and right side portions of the airbag 10E are respectively connected. After folding inside the airbag 10E, the lid 30E and the lid 30E side of the side tether 40E are pulled out from the open / close vent hole 20 to the outside of the airbag 10E by the amount of looseness of the side tether 40E. . As a result, the open / close vent hole 20 is opened in advance.

  Thereafter, the airbag 10E is folded up and down and left and right by an arbitrary folding method to form a final folded body, and is accommodated in the casing 2.

  The operation of the steering device including the airbag apparatus having the driver-seat airbag 10E configured as described above is as follows.

  Even in this steering device, the inflator 3 operates when the vehicle collides, and the airbag 10E starts to be inflated by the gas from the inflator 3. The airbag 10E pushes open the module cover 4 and bulges toward the passenger side of the steering wheel 1.

  At this time, when the occupant is seated at a predetermined distance or more from the steering wheel 1, the airbag 10E is deployed on the occupant side of the steering wheel 1 as a whole as shown in FIG.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 28 and FIG. 30 (a), the upper portion of the airbag 10E is inflated to the maximum in both the left-right direction and the front-rear direction. And the gap between the lid 30E and the front panel 12 of the airbag 10E are increased, and the side-side tether 40E and the front-side tether 40F are in tension between each other.

  Thus, the lid 30E is pulled by the side tether 40E and pulled into the airbag 10E through the open / close vent hole 20, and the left end side and the right end side thereof are mutually connected by the side tether 40E and the front tether 40F. By being pulled in the opposite direction, the lid body 30 </ b> E is tensioned along the inner surface of the rear panel 14 and overlaps the open / close type vent hole 20. As a result, the outflow of gas from the open / close vent hole 20 is restricted, and the airbag 10E is rapidly inflated and deployed.

  When the occupant comes into contact with the airbag 10E that is normally inflated as described above, as shown in FIG. 30 (b), the front panel 12 of the airbag 10E is pushed by the occupant and retreats toward the non-occupant side. Accordingly, the front-side tether 40F is loosened between the front panel 12 and the rear panel 14. Therefore, the lid 30E is pushed out of the airbag 10E from the open / close vent hole 20 by the gas pressure in the airbag 10E by the amount of looseness of the front tether 40F. As a result, the open / close vent hole 20 is opened, and gas flows out of the airbag 10E through the open / close vent hole 20 and the normally open vent holes 23, so that the occupant is softly received by the airbag 10E. .

  In this airbag 10E, even when the airbag 10E is inflated in a steady state, when the passenger comes into contact with the inflated airbag 10E, the open / close vent hole 20 is opened. Since the gas flows out from both the open / close vent hole 20 and the normally open vent holes 23, the occupant can be received more softly.

  When the airbag 10E is inflated, if the occupant is in a state closer to the steering wheel 1 than a predetermined distance, the upper portion of the airbag 10E escapes from between the occupant and the steering wheel 1. Then, the protruding portion 10a protrudes through the opening portion 1d of the steering wheel 1 to the opposite side of the steering wheel 1.

  In this case, since the protrusion 10a is restrained from expansion by the central portion 1a of the steering wheel 1 surrounding the opening portion 1d, the left and right spoke portions 1c, 1c, and the annular portion 1b, steady expansion as shown in FIG. Since the width in the left-right direction and the vertical direction of the upper part of the airbag 10E is smaller than the time, the side-side tether 40E and the front-side tether 40F are respectively between the lid 30E and the upper right side of the airbag 10E. In addition, the cover 30E and the front panel 12 of the airbag 10E are loosened.

  Therefore, the lid 30E is not drawn into the airbag 10E from the open / close vent hole 20 by these tethers 40E and 40F, and remains located outside the airbag 10E. As a result, the open / close vent hole 20 remains open, and gas smoothly flows out from the protruding portion 10a of the airbag 10E through the open / close vent hole 20 and each normally open vent hole 23. Thereby, the force applied to the passenger from the inflated airbag 10E is reduced.

  Also in this embodiment, since the lid 30E is pulled out of the airbag 10E from the open / close vent hole 20 when the airbag 10E is folded, the open / close vent hole 20 is opened from the start of the inflation of the airbag 10E. It has become. Therefore, when the airbag 10E is inflated in proximity, gas flows out from the protruding portion 10a of the airbag 10E through the open / close vent hole 20 from the start of inflation. Therefore, the expansion of the protruding portion 10a (pressure increase in the protruding portion 10a) is suppressed, and the protruding portion 10a smoothly passes through the opening portion 1d of the steering wheel 1 and protrudes toward the non-occupant side.

  Also in this embodiment, since the opening 45 is provided on the side tether 40E side of the lid 30E, the gas flowing out of the airbag 10E from the open / close vent hole 20 is behind the lid 30E (the airbag 10E side). ), The gas can pass through the opening 45 and flow out to the front side of the lid 30E (the side opposite to the airbag 10E). Therefore, gas smoothly flows out of the airbag 10E from the open / close vent hole 20.

  In this embodiment, the right end side of the lid 30E and the right side of the airbag 10E are connected by the side tether 40E, and the left end side of the lid 30E and the front panel 12 of the airbag 10E are connected by the front tether 40F. Although connected, the right end side of the lid 30E and the front panel 12 of the airbag 10E are connected by the front tether 40F, and the left end side of the lid 30E and the left side of the airbag 10E are connected by the side tether 40E. You may make it connect.

  Each of the above embodiments shows an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to each of the above embodiments.

  For example, in the present invention, the lid body may have a small opening degree for the opening / closing vent hole when the airbag is inflated normally, and a large opening degree for the opening / closing vent hole when the airbag is inflated in proximity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front view of a steering device in which an airbag device including a driver's seat airbag according to an embodiment is installed on a steering wheel. FIG. 2 is a front view of the driver's seat airbag in the steering device of FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the driver's seat airbag in the steering device of FIG. 1 during steady inflation. FIG. 2 is a front view of a driver's seat airbag in the steering device of FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a driver's seat airbag in the steering device of FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the lid body during steady inflation and proximity inflation of a driver's seat airbag in the steering device of FIG. 1. It is a section perspective view at the time of steady inflation of a driver's seat air bag concerning an embodiment. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the driver's seat airbag of FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the lid during steady inflation and proximity inflation of the driver seat airbag of FIG. 7. It is sectional drawing (front view) at the time of the steady expansion of the airbag for driver's seat which concerns on embodiment. FIG. 11 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the driver airbag of FIG. 10 during steady inflation. It is a cross-sectional perspective view at the time of the proximity | contact expansion of the airbag for driver's seats of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the action | operation of the cover body at the time of the steady inflation of the driver's seat airbag of FIG. It is a section perspective view at the time of steady inflation of a driver's seat air bag concerning an embodiment. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the driver's seat airbag of FIG. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the lid during steady inflation and close inflation of the driver's seat airbag of FIG. 14. It is sectional drawing (front view) at the time of the steady expansion of the airbag for driver's seat which concerns on embodiment. It is sectional drawing which follows the XVIII-XVIII line of FIG. FIG. 18 is a front view of the driver's seat airbag of FIG. 17 in the middle of folding. It is sectional drawing which follows the XX-XX line of FIG. It is a section perspective view at the time of steady inflation of a driver's seat air bag concerning an embodiment. FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the driver airbag of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the action | operation of the cover body at the time of the steady inflation of the driver's seat airbag of FIG. It is sectional drawing in the middle of folding of the airbag for driver's seat which concerns on embodiment. It is a top view of the XXV part of FIG. FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the lid during steady inflation and close inflation of the driver seat airbag of FIG. 24. It is sectional drawing (front view) at the time of the steady expansion of the airbag for driver's seat which concerns on embodiment. It is sectional drawing which follows the XXVIII-XXVIII line of FIG. It is sectional drawing in the middle of folding of the airbag for driver's seats of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the action | operation of the cover body at the time of the steady expansion of the airbag for driver's seats of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the action | operation of the cover body at the time of proximity | contact expansion of the airbag for driver's seats of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10D ', 10E, 10F Airbag 12 Front panel 14 Rear panel 20 Open / close vent hole 21, 23 Normally open vent hole 30, 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, 30E Lid 35 Tear seam 40, 40A, 40C, 40D, 40E, 40L, 40R Tether 45 Opening 50, 52

Claims (12)

An airbag for a driver's seat that can be deployed on the passenger side of the steering wheel,
In the airbag for a driver's seat, a part of the airbag is a protruding portion that protrudes and expands to the side opposite the occupant of the steering through the opening portion of the steering when an occupant is in proximity to the steering wheel.
The protrusion is provided with a vent hole and a lid that can overlap the vent hole,
In the airbag, when the airbag is inflated so that the protruding portion protrudes toward the non-occupant side, the vent hole is opened or opened to a large degree, and the airbag is inflated to the occupant side of the steering as a whole. An airbag for a driver's seat is provided with a lid control means for closing or opening the vent hole during steady inflation. In Claim 1, the vent holes are respectively provided on the left and right of the projecting portion,
The lid body is arranged in each vent hole so as to overlap the vent hole from the outer surface of the airbag,
The lid control means is a tether that connects the left and right lids through the airbag,
The tether loosens between the left and right lids at the time of the close expansion, and allows these lids to be separated from the respective vent holes. A driver's seat airbag characterized by having a length that allows the lids to overlap each vent hole by tensioning between them. In Claim 1, the vent hole is provided in the non-peripheral portion of the airbag in the protruding portion,
The lid is arranged so as to overlap the vent hole from the outer surface of the airbag,
One end side in the left-right direction of the lid is coupled to the airbag,
The lid control means passes through the airbag to the other end side in the left-right direction of the lid body (hereinafter referred to as “free end side”) and the side portion on the other end side of the airbag. A tether to connect,
The tether is allowed to loosen between the free end side of the lid and the side of the other end of the airbag during the proximity expansion, so that the lid is separated from the vent hole. And during the steady inflation, have a length that tensions between the free end side of the lid and the side of the other end of the airbag so that the lid overlaps the vent hole. An airbag for a driver's seat, characterized by In Claim 1, the vent hole is provided in the non-peripheral portion of the airbag in the protruding portion,
The lid is arranged so as to overlap the vent hole from the inner surface of the airbag,
The lid control means includes a left tether that connects the left end of the lid and the left side of the airbag through the airbag, and the right end of the lid and the airbag through the airbag. It consists of a right tether that connects the right side,
The left tether and the right tether are loosened between the left end portion of the lid and the left side portion of the airbag and between the right end portion of the lid and the right side portion of the airbag during the proximity expansion, Is allowed to escape from the airbag through the vent hole, and during the steady inflation, between the lid and the left side of the airbag and between the lid and the right side of the airbag, respectively. The airbag for a driver's seat has a length that makes the lid overlap with the vent hole by tension. In Claim 1, the vent hole is provided in the non-peripheral portion of the airbag in the protruding portion,
The lid is arranged so as to overlap the vent hole from the inner surface of the airbag,
One end side (hereinafter referred to as “fixed end side”) of the lid body in the left-right direction is coupled to the airbag,
The lid control means is a tether that connects the other end of the lid in the left-right direction (hereinafter referred to as “free end side”) and the side of the other end of the airbag.
The tether loosens between the free end side of the lid and the side of the other end of the airbag during the close inflation, and the free end of the lid passes through the vent hole and is outside the airbag. In the steady inflation state, the lid is tensioned between the free end side of the lid and the side of the other end of the airbag, and the lid is placed in the vent hole. An airbag for a driver's seat, characterized in that the airbag has a length to be overlapped. In Claim 1, the vent hole is provided in the non-peripheral portion of the airbag in the protruding portion,
The lid is arranged so as to overlap the vent hole from the inner surface of the airbag,
The lid control means includes a side tether that connects the one end side in the left-right direction of the lid body and the side portion on the one end side of the airbag through the airbag, and the lid through the airbag. It consists of a front-side tether that connects the other end of the body in the left-right direction and the passenger side of the airbag,
The side tether and the front tether are arranged between the one end of the lid and the side of the one end of the airbag and the other end of the lid and the occupant side of the airbag during the close inflation. And the lid body is allowed to escape from the airbag through the vent hole, and the occupant is not in contact with the side surface of the occupant during the steady inflation. In the state, the lid body is tensioned between the one end side of the lid body and the side portion of the one end side of the airbag and between the other end side of the lid body and the occupant side surface of the airbag. It has a length that overlaps the vent hole,
When the occupant comes into contact with the occupant side surface of the airbag during the steady inflation, the front-side tether is loosened between the other end side of the lid and the occupant side surface of the airbag. An airbag for a driver's seat, wherein the other end projects out of the airbag through the vent hole by the gas pressure in the airbag, thereby opening or opening the vent hole. In any one of Claims 4 thru | or 6, the airbag is made into the folded state before expansion | swelling,
The airbag is spread flat so that the occupant side and the anti-occupant side of the airbag overlap,
Next, the left and right side portions of the airbag are folded into the inner side of the airbag,
At this time, at least a part of the lid is pulled out of the airbag through the vent hole,
Thereafter, the airbag for a driver's seat is folded into a final folded shape. In claim 5, an opening is provided in a region of the lid that is closer to the free end than the vent hole in a state where the lid overlaps the vent hole.
The airbag is in a folded state before inflation,
The airbag is spread flat so that the occupant side and the anti-occupant side of the airbag overlap,
Next, the left and right side portions of the airbag are folded into the inner side of the airbag,
At this time, the free end side of the lid body is moved to the fixed end side until the opening overlaps the vent hole, and the free end side is released from the fixed end side by the coupling means at this position. Combined as possible
After that, it is folded into the final folded shape,
The coupling means releases the coupling between the free end side and the fixed end side of the lid when the internal pressure of the airbag becomes a predetermined pressure or more.   9. The driver's seat airbag according to claim 1, further comprising a normally open vent hole that is always open separately from the vent hole.   The airbag apparatus which has an airbag for driver's seats of any one of Claim 1 thru | or 9.   A steering device comprising the airbag device according to claim 10 installed on a steering wheel. In Claim 11, the airbag is the one according to any one of Claims 2 to 9,
A steering device according to claim 1, wherein the vent hole of the airbag is provided at a position overlapping the steering wheel during the steady inflation.

Images