JP2015093657A - Air bag for protecting occupant - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air bag capable of protecting an occupant against an impact of the air bag at initial unfolding.SOLUTION: In a structurally simple air bag, one panel is folded back, or a plurality of panels are combined together and outer edges are joined together. An outer peripheral end is folded in to form a variable exhaust hole. A shape regulation cord is attached within the bag. An open state of the variable exhaust hole coupled to the shape regulation cord is changed according to an occupant's seating position.

Description

  The present invention relates to an occupant protection airbag for an airbag device mounted on a vehicle, and more particularly, an airbag that can protect an occupant from impact even when the occupant is not seated in the correct position during initial deployment. About.

  As a safety device for protecting an occupant from an impact when a vehicle collides, an airbag device mounted on the vehicle is widely used. In particular, in recent years, in addition to the conventional airbag apparatus for the driver's seat and the passenger's seat, a side collision (side collision) airbag apparatus and a rear seat airbag apparatus are also mounted on the vehicle.

However, since many airbags are initially deployed in the direction of the occupant, there have been reports of cases where the occupant is injured when the airbag is in contact with the occupant if the occupant is not in the normal seating position.
For this reason, development of a low-damage airbag is being promoted to protect an occupant without being injured from an impact even when the occupant is not in a normal seating position.

Patent Documents 1 and 2 describe an airbag that opens and closes an exhaust hole by a hanging strap, sewing, and an occupant's collision.
In patent document 1, the airbag which has a variable exhaust hole is provided more simply by opening and closing a lid | cover by the collision of a bag and a passenger | crew. According to this method, it is possible to protect the occupant from the impact of the airbag even during close deployment. However, the number of work steps and the number of parts for attaching the parts to be the lid increase, and the specification is costly.
Further, Patent Document 2 discloses an airbag that uses a strap and opens and closes an exhaust hole by the collision of an occupant. According to this method, the occupant can be protected from the impact of the airbag even during close deployment. However, since two straps are used and one has a special way of wrapping around the pipe around the variable exhaust hole, there is a problem in work man-hours (working efficiency) at the time of attachment.

JP 2010-036770 A JP 2010-058544 A

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and provides a low-damage occupant protection airbag that can protect an occupant from impact even when the occupant is not seated in the correct position during initial deployment. The purpose is to do.

  That is, the present invention is an airbag in which one panel is folded or a plurality of panels are joined and the outer peripheral ends are joined to each other, and the variable exhaust hole is formed by folding the outer peripheral end, An air bag having a shape restricting string (hanging string) for restricting the opening of the variable exhaust hole, wherein the shape restricting string (hanging string) is joined to the end of the variable exhaust hole. The hanging strap) relates to an airbag that bends when an occupant collides with the airbag and opens the variable exhaust hole without closing.

  According to the present invention, since the number of parts (materials) is small and the structure is simple, the number of work steps in production is reduced, and when the occupant is in close proximity to the bag at the time of initial deployment (proximity state), the shape Since no tension (tension) is applied to the restriction string (hanging string), the variable exhaust hole will open, and the bag will be softened by the proper release of gas from the variable exhaust hole, and the passenger will not be injured. The impact can be softened and protected safely and softly.

  Folding the outer shape of the bag and connecting the hanging strap to the end of the bag makes it possible to reduce the impact on the occupant during close deployment using only conventional manufacturing methods and materials, without using sensors or special devices. An airbag that makes it possible can be obtained.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the development image of the airbag of this invention. (A) It is a schematic cross section in the initial stage of deployment before a passenger contacts. (B) It is a schematic cross section after a passenger | crew collision when a passenger | crew exists in a proximity | contact (state) position. (C) It is a schematic cross section after a passenger | crew collision when a passenger | crew is in a horizontal part with respect to the front. It is a schematic plan view which shows an example by which the airbag main body used by this invention is produced with one panel. It is a schematic plan view which shows an example by which the airbag main body used by this invention is produced with two panels. It is a schematic plan view which shows an example which integrated the panel of the airbag main body and shape control string which are used by this invention. It is a schematic plan view which shows an example of the shape control string used by this invention. It is a schematic plan view which shows the example of a shape of the reinforcement (parts) cloth used by this invention. (A) Reinforcement (parts) cloth coupled to a panel with a shape regulating string. (B) Reinforcement (parts) cloth coupled to the variable exhaust hole with a shape regulating string. (C) Reinforcement (parts) cloth used to reinforce the attachment port. (D) Reinforcement (parts) cloth used for reinforcing exhaust holes. It is a schematic cross section which shows the example of the attachment position of the shape control string attached to the variable exhaust hole in the AA cross section of FIG. (A) It is a schematic cross section which has one shape control string with respect to one variable exhaust hole, and a variable exhaust hole will be in an open state. (B) It is a schematic cross section which has one shape control string with respect to one variable exhaust hole, and a variable exhaust hole will be in a closed state. (C) It is a schematic cross section which has two shape control strings with respect to one variable exhaust hole.

  The occupant protection airbag according to the present invention has one or a plurality of trim panels that form the airbag body 1 and a shape regulation string 5 that regulates inflation.

  As shown in FIG. 1 (a), when the airbag body 1 is deployed, tension is applied to the shape regulating strap 5, and when the airbag is pulled, the variable exhaust hole 4 expands and does not open. When they are close to each other (proximity state), the shape restricting string 5 is bent, so that the variable exhaust hole 4 is opened and the occupant can be softly protected.

  One end of the shape regulating string 5 is connected to the variable exhaust hole 4 with a reinforcing cloth 8 as required, and the other end is attached to the reinforcing cloth 6 connected to the panel. Although at least one shape regulating string 5 is provided in one variable exhaust hole, a plurality of shape regulating strings 5 may be provided. It is preferable that there are eight in terms of reliably controlling the closing of the variable exhaust holes, but more preferably four. If two, the number of work steps is reduced because there is no complicated layout when mounting, and more preferable. Become.

  An example of the attachment position of the shape regulation string 5 on the panel side is shown in FIG. 1, but the variable exhaust hole 4 only needs to be closed and is not particularly limited. As long as the shape regulating string 5 has a function of expanding and closing the variable exhaust hole 4 when the airbag is deployed, it may be in the same side direction or in the direction in which the two opposite sides intersect, and is not particularly limited. However, in order to make it easier to close the variable exhaust hole 4 in order to reliably protect the occupant when the occupant is in the normal seating position, it is preferable that the direction is on the opposite side.

  Moreover, although an example of the attachment position to the variable exhaust hole 4 of the shape control string 5 is shown in FIG. 7, it is not specifically limited. The position to the variable exhaust hole 4 may be any position at the center and at the end as long as the shape regulating string 5 has a function of extending and closing the variable exhaust hole 4 when the airbag is deployed, and is not particularly limited. However, in order to apply tension to the shape regulation string 5 during deployment and to make the variable exhaust hole 4 easier to close, it is preferable to be at the end opposite to the outer periphery sewing.

  The variable exhaust hole 4 at the time of deployment of the bag is closed at the beginning and is desirably changed later, and the entire end portion is preferably sewn with a sewing thread so as to be broken at the time of deployment.

  By adopting such a configuration, when the occupant is in the proximity (state) position to the airbag, the variable exhaust hole 4 is not pulled by the shape regulating string 5, so that the variable exhaust hole 4 is opened and the occupant normally The variable exhaust hole 4 is pulled by the shape regulating string 5 and the variable exhaust hole 4 is closed. By doing so, even when the occupant is in the proximity (state) position to the airbag, the occupant can be protected from the deployment impact of the airbag. Further, when the occupant is not in the normal seating position but in an oblique direction with respect to the airbag, the variable exhaust hole on the diagonal side where the occupant collides opens as shown in the image of FIG. Since the hole does not close, the passenger can be protected in a well-balanced manner.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1 (b), when the occupant is in the proximity (state) position to the airbag, the tensile tension of the shape regulating string 5 is not generated and the variable exhaust hole 4 is not closed. Therefore, the gas generated from the inflator during deployment is sufficiently discharged from the variable exhaust hole 4, and the internal pressure of the bag does not increase, so that no obstacle (injury, harm) is caused to the passenger. In addition, the variable exhaust hole 4 is closed during normal deployment, but since the exhaust hole 3 is present, the exhaust is normally exhausted from the exhaust hole 3 without causing any obstacle to the passenger.

  Although FIG. 7 shows a case where the shape regulating string 5 is coupled to the variable exhaust hole 4 with the reinforcing cloth 8, it is of course not limited to sewing and may be coupled by bonding. Especially, it is preferable to couple | bond by sewing from the point which can shorten time. The sewing strength is preferably in the range of 700 to 1300 N / 10 cm, but is not particularly limited. Further, the shape regulation string 5 and the panel may be integrated as shown in FIG. 4 without using the means for separating the shape regulation string 5 and connecting it to the airbag body.

Next, the manufacturing method of the airbag of this invention is demonstrated.
First, a base fabric to be an airbag body is prepared. As shown in FIG. 2, an inflator mounting port 2 is provided at the center of one panel cut into a desired shape, a plurality of mounting port bolt holes 7 are provided around the inflator mounting port 2, and an exhaust hole 3 is further provided. Provided as a panel of the airbag body. The panel of the airbag body is folded (bent) near the center, and the outer peripheral end is sewn to form a bag body of the airbag body. At this time, the variable exhaust hole 4 is formed by folding the variable exhaust hole folding portion 11. The panel which becomes the airbag body may be a bag body by sewing two parts having a shape as shown in FIG.

  Next, the shape regulation string 5 is prepared. The shape regulating string 5 is cut into a shape as shown in FIG. 5, for example, but is not particularly limited. The end portion of the obtained shape regulation string 5 is connected to the airbag body through a reinforcing cloth 6 shown in FIG. 6A as necessary, and the other end portion is connected to the end portion of the variable exhaust hole 4. If necessary, connect with a reinforcing cloth. At the time of this connection, a reinforcing cloth 8 as shown in FIG. 6B is applied as necessary. Finally, turn over and make the passenger protection airbag of the present invention.

  The airbag for passenger protection of the present invention can be used for a driver seat, a passenger seat, a side collision, a rear seat, and the like, and is not particularly limited. Especially, it is useful as an airbag for a driver's seat and a passenger's seat equipped with a shape regulation string that needs to regulate the protruding region.

  The material of the base fabric used for producing the airbag of the present invention (panel serving as the airbag main body, shape regulation string 5, various reinforcing fabrics, etc.) includes fibers, which are used in the form of a fabric. . The material of the base fabric used for the panels and shape regulating straps may be the same or different, but the same material is especially useful when these are joined by bonding, because it is easier to select the adhesive. It is preferable that

  Examples of the base fabric include woven fabrics, knitted fabrics, braided fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, sheet-like materials, net-like materials, composites and laminates thereof, and required flame retardance, tensile strength, breathability, and the like. The material is not particularly limited as long as the material satisfies the performance. In the following, further details will be described using a woven fabric as an example.

The woven fabric may be made of any of twill weave (basket weave), lattice weave (ripstop weave), twill weave, knot weave, tangle weave, imitation weave, plain weave, or a composite structure thereof. Of these, plain weave is preferable in terms of the denseness of the woven structure, physical properties, and uniformity of performance.
Moreover, you may use the multiple fabric by the loom which mounts a jacquard apparatus.

  What is necessary is just to select the manufacture of the said textile fabric suitably from the various looms used for weaving a normal industrial textile fabric. Examples include shuttle looms, water jet looms, air jet looms, rapier looms, and projectile looms.

  Moreover, the fiber yarn which comprises the said base fabric is not specifically limited, such as a natural fiber, a chemical fiber, and an inorganic fiber. Of these, synthetic fiber filaments are preferred because of their versatility and in terms of fabric manufacturing process, fabric physical properties, and the like. For example, nylon 6, nylon 66, nylon 46, nylon 610, nylon 612 and the like, aliphatic polyamide fibers obtained by copolymerization or mixing thereof, nylon 6T, nylon 6I, and aliphatic amine represented by nylon 9T Copolymerized polyamide fiber with aromatic carboxylic acid, polyethylene terephthalate, polytrimethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate alone, polyester fiber obtained by copolymerization or mixing of these, ultra high molecular weight polyolefin fiber, Chlorine-containing fibers such as vinylidene and polyvinyl chloride, fluorine-containing fibers containing polytetrafluoroethylene, polyacetal fibers, polysulfone fibers, polyphenylene sulfide fibers (PPS), polyester Ruetherketone fiber (PEEK), wholly aromatic polyamide fiber, wholly aromatic polyester fiber, polyimide fiber, polyetherimide fiber, polyparaphenylenebenzbisoxazole fiber (PBO), vinylon fiber, acrylic Fiber, cotton, hemp, cellulosic fiber such as kenaf fiber, biodegradable fiber represented by polylactic acid, oxalic acid, silicon carbide fiber, alumina fiber, glass fiber, carbon fiber, steel fiber, etc. As appropriate, one type or two or more types may be selected. Among these, nylon 66 fiber is preferable in terms of physical properties, durability, heat resistance, and the like. From the viewpoint of recycling, polyester fiber or nylon 6 fiber is preferable.

  In order to improve spinnability, workability, durability, etc., these fiber yarns are provided with various commonly used additives such as heat stabilizers, antioxidants, light stabilizers, embrittlement ( Deterioration), lubricant, smoothing agent, pigment, water repellent, oil repellent, concealing agent such as titanium oxide, gloss imparting agent, flame retardant, plasticizer and the like may be used. .

  The total fineness of the fiber yarn is not particularly limited. Especially, it is preferable that it is 200-1000 dtex, and it is more preferable that it is 400-800 dtex. If it is smaller than 200 dtex, the strength required for the airbag tends to be difficult to obtain, and if it exceeds 1000 dtex, the weight becomes too large, and the thickness of the base fabric may increase, resulting in poor bag storage.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the single yarn fineness is 0.5-6 dtex, and it is more preferable that it is 0.5-4 dtex. By reducing the single yarn fineness, the air permeability of the base fabric is reduced, the flexibility is improved, and the folding property of the airbag is improved. Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the single yarn may be appropriately selected within a range that does not hinder the manufacturing process of the yarn and the base fabric and the physical properties of the obtained base fabric, such as a circle, an ellipse, a flat shape, a polygon, a hollow, and other irregular shapes. In addition, an air bag with higher pressure resistance is obtained as the strength of the fiber yarn is higher, but it is preferably 8 to 15 cN / dtex, and more preferably 9 to 13 cN / dtex.

  The base fabric may be either a non-coated base fabric that does not use an air-impermeable material or a coated base fabric that uses an air-impermeable material, and may be selected according to the required airtightness. The air-impermeable material is a material that substantially prevents air from passing through, for example, as described below, and the air-impermeable material is the 8.27.1 A method in JIS L1096 “General Textile Test Method”. In (Fragile method), it means a measured value of 0.0. This material is applied from one side or both sides of the fabric by the method described later. This air-impermeable material may intervene on the surface of the base fabric, the intersecting portion of the yarn bundles constituting the base fabric, or the gap portion of the single fiber yarn.

The coating amount using the air-impermeable material is preferably 10 g / m ² or more on one side. Moreover, when it becomes layered, it is preferable that the thickness is 10 micrometers or more. When the applied amount is less than 10 g / m ² on one side or the thickness of the layer is less than 10 μm, it tends to be difficult to obtain necessary airtightness. The upper limit is preferably a small amount within a range in which airtightness can be ensured, and may be, for example, 40 g / m ² or a thickness of 40 μm.

  As the air-impermeable material, a material usually used for an air bag base fabric may be used, which satisfies heat resistance, wear resistance, adhesion to the base fabric, flame retardancy, non-adhesiveness, etc. If it is. For example, silicone resin or rubber, polyurethane resin or rubber (including silicone-modified and fluorine-modified), fluorine-based resin or rubber, chlorine-based resin or rubber, polyester-based resin or rubber, polyamide-based resin, epoxy-based resin, vinyl 1 type (s) or 2 or more types, such as a system resin, a urea resin, and a phenol resin, can be used. Of these, silicones or polyurethanes are preferable in terms of adhesion to the base fabric and airtightness.

  The impervious material is applied by 1) coating method (knife, kiss, reverse, comma, slot die, lip, etc.), 2) dipping method, 3) printing method (screen, roll, rotary, gravure, etc.) 4) Transfer method (transfer), 5) Laminating method, 6) Spraying / jetting method and the like, and are not particularly limited. Among these, the coating method is preferable because the range of the application amount that can be set is large.

  In addition to the main material, the air-impermeable material has various additives that are usually used to improve workability, adhesion, surface properties, durability, etc., for example, a crosslinking agent, an adhesion-imparting agent, Reaction accelerator, reaction retarder, heat stabilizer, antioxidant, light stabilizer, embrittlement (deterioration) inhibitor, lubricant, smoothing agent, anti-adhesive agent, pigment, water repellent, oil repellent, titanium oxide, etc. 1 type, or 2 or more types, such as a hiding agent, a gloss imparting agent, a flame retardant, and a plasticizer may be mixed.

  The property of the air-impermeable material as a liquid is a solventless type, a solvent type, a water dispersion type, a water emulsification, depending on the application amount, the application method, the workability and stability of the material, the properties required as a coating material, etc. What is necessary is just to select suitably from a type | mold, a water-soluble type | mold, etc.

  In order to improve the adhesion between the air-impermeable material and the main body base fabric, various pretreatment agents, adhesion improvers, etc. may be added to the air-impermeable treatment agent, or the surface of the base fabric may be preliminarily treated. The pretreatment may be performed. Furthermore, in order to improve the physical properties of the air-impermeable material or to impart heat resistance, embrittlement (deterioration) prevention, oxidation resistance, etc., after applying an air-impermeable treatment agent to the base fabric, drying, crosslinking, Vulcanization or the like may be performed by hot air treatment, pressure heat treatment, high energy treatment (high frequency, electron beam, ultraviolet ray, etc.) and the like.

1 Airbag Body 1-1 Airbag Body 1
1-2 Airbag body 2
2 Inflator attachment port 3 Exhaust hole 4 Variable exhaust hole 5 Shape restriction string 6 Shape restriction string attachment reinforcement cloth 7 Attachment hole bolt hole 8 Shape restriction string variable exhaust hole attachment reinforcement cloth 9 Attachment opening reinforcement cloth 10 Exhaust hole reinforcement cloth 11 Variable Folded part for exhaust hole

Claims (2)

  An airbag in which one panel is folded or a plurality of panels are joined together and the outer peripheral ends are joined to each other. A variable exhaust hole is formed by folding the outer peripheral end, and a variable exhaust hole is opened inside the bag. An airbag having a shape restriction string for restriction, wherein the shape restriction string is joined to a variable exhaust hole portion.   The airbag according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of panels are formed as a single panel and sewn.