JP2023070491A - air bag device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an air bag device which reliably inflates and expands a folded air bag from a vehicle front side, and can obtain a stable expansion behavior.SOLUTION: An air bag device comprises: an inflator for generating a gas from a gas ejection hole; an air bag which has a first folded part folded into a roll, and a second folded part which is folded into at least one tack fold or bellows-shaped fold and is located adjacent to a vehicle front side of the first folded part, and which is inflated and expanded by the gas generated by the inflator; a fixation member to which the inflator and the air bag are fixed; a pinching member which surrounds a side face of the inflator, and is attached to the fixation member in the state of pinching the air bag therebetween; and a first rectification member which is provided in the air bag, and of which movement relative to the pinching member is regulated at the rear side of a vehicle rear with respect to a vehicle rear end of the pinching member when inflating and expanding the air bag. The first rectification member is provided at least over a vehicle front end of the inflator above the vehicle from the rear side of the vehicle with respect to the vehicle rear end of the pinching member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to an airbag device.

As an airbag device attached to a vehicle such as an automobile and inflating and deploying in the event of a vehicle collision to protect the occupant, the airbag inflates and deploys in front of the occupant seated in the front passenger seat toward the occupant in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle. However, there is known a front passenger seat airbag device that receives and protects an occupant moving forward.

Patent Literature 1 discloses an airbag device for a front passenger's seat. In this airbag device, a straightening cloth is provided, and the inflation gas interferes with the straightening cloth and is divided into gas flowing toward the front side of the vehicle and gas flowing toward the rear side of the vehicle. By setting the opening area of the rectifying cloth on the vehicle front end side to be larger than that of the rectifying cloth on the vehicle rear end side, the upper portion of the airbag, which is deployed and inflated by the inflation gas flowing toward the vehicle front side, protrudes from the instrument panel. It can quickly move rearward along the windshield so that the occupant side of the airbag can be quickly positioned vertically. Then, the occupant-side surface of the airbag moves toward the vehicle rear side while being arranged along the vertical direction, and is inflated and deployed without partially protruding.

JP-A-2002-046563

The airbag disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a tuck folded portion on the front side of the vehicle and a roll folded portion on the rear side of the vehicle. However, due to the inertial force generated by the collision of the vehicle, the roll-folded portion moves forward of the vehicle and presses the tuck-folded portion, making it difficult for gas to enter the tuck-folded portion. Because the front part inflates and deploys first, it sometimes inflates and deploys from the occupant side, contrary to the original intention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an airbag device capable of reliably inflating and deploying a folded airbag from the front side of a vehicle and achieving stable deployment behavior. be.

One aspect of the present invention is an airbag device that is provided in front of a vehicle for a seated occupant and inflates and deploys toward the occupant, comprising an inflator that generates gas from gas ejection holes, and a folded inflator in a roll shape. It has a first folding portion and a second folding portion that is folded into at least one tuck or bellows shape and arranged adjacent to the vehicle front of the first folding portion, and is inflated and deployed by gas generated by the inflator. a fixing member to which the inflator and the airbag are fixed; a sandwiching member that surrounds the side surface of the inflator and is attached to the fixing member while sandwiching the airbag; a first rectifying member provided in the airbag, the first rectifying member being restricted in relative movement with respect to the sandwiching member at a position rearward of the vehicle relative to a vehicle rear end of the sandwiching member when the airbag is inflated and deployed; In the airbag device, the member is provided from the vehicle rearward end of the clamping member to at least the vehicle frontward end of the inflator above the vehicle.

Another aspect of the present invention is an airbag device that is provided in front of a seated occupant in a vehicle and inflates and deploys toward the occupant, comprising: an inflator that generates gas from gas ejection holes; and a second folding portion which is folded into at least one tuck or bellows shape and arranged adjacent to the vehicle front of the first folding portion. an airbag that inflates and deploys; a fixing member to which the inflator and the airbag are fixed; a sandwiching member that encloses a side surface of the inflator and is attached to the fixing member while sandwiching the airbag; A first rectifying member provided in the bag and covering at least part of the upper surface of the inflator, and covering the first rectifying member and the inflator in the folded state of the airbag, and having an opening at least in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. and a second rectifying member, wherein in the folded state of the airbag, a part of the first rectifying member is located on the vehicle rear opening side of the second rectifying member with respect to the inflator. It is an airbag device.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an airbag device capable of reliably inflating and deploying a folded airbag from the front side of the vehicle and achieving stable deployment behavior.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the initial state of the airbag device according to Embodiment 1 when viewed from the vehicle width direction. FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of the airbag device shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing a sandwiching member and an inflator that are part of the configuration of the airbag device according to the first embodiment. 4A is a see-through perspective view schematically showing the first straightening member in addition to FIG. 3, and FIG. 4B is a top view schematically showing only the first straightening member in an opened state. 5 is a see-through perspective view schematically showing FIG. 4A further with a second rectifying member. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the airbag device according to the first embodiment before being inflated and deployed, as seen from the vehicle width direction. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the airbag device according to the first embodiment in the middle of inflation and deployment when viewed from the vehicle width direction. FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the airbag device according to the first embodiment in the middle of inflation and deployment when viewed from the vehicle width direction. FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the airbag device according to the first embodiment in the middle of inflation and deployment when viewed from the vehicle width direction. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the airbag device according to the first embodiment after being inflated and deployed, as seen from the vehicle width direction. FIG. 11 is a see-through perspective view schematically showing a sandwiching member, an inflator, and a first straightening member, which are part of the configuration of the airbag device according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 12 is a perspective view schematically showing a state in which the first rectifying member shown in FIG. 11 is torn and split when gas is generated. FIG. 13A is a transparent perspective view schematically showing a sandwiching member, an inflator, and a first rectifying member, which are part of the configuration of an airbag device according to Embodiment 3, and FIG. 13B shows only the first rectifying member. It is a top view showing typically in an open state. 14 is a see-through perspective view schematically showing a sandwiching member, an inflator, a first rectifying member, and a part of the airbag, which are part of the configuration of the airbag device according to Embodiment 4. FIG. 15A is a see-through perspective view schematically showing a sandwiching member, an inflator, and a first straightening member, which are part of the configuration of an airbag device according to Embodiment 5, and FIG. 15B shows only the first straightening member. It is a top view showing typically in an open state. 16A is a see-through perspective view schematically showing a sandwiching member, an inflator, and a first straightening member, which are part of the configuration of an airbag device according to Embodiment 6, and FIG. 16B shows only the first straightening member. It is a top view showing typically in an open state. 17A is a see-through perspective view schematically showing a sandwiching member, an inflator, and a first straightening member, which are part of the configuration of an airbag device according to Embodiment 7, and FIG. 17B shows only the first straightening member. It is a top view showing typically in an open state. 18A is a see-through perspective view schematically showing a sandwiching member, an inflator, and a first straightening member, which are part of the configuration of an airbag device according to Embodiment 8, and FIG. 18B shows only the first straightening member. It is a top view showing typically in an open state. 19A is a see-through perspective view schematically showing a sandwiching member, an inflator, and a first straightening member, which are part of the configuration of an airbag device according to Embodiment 9, and FIG. 19B shows only the first straightening member. It is a top view showing typically in an open state. 20A is a see-through perspective view schematically showing a clamping member, an inflator, and a first straightening member, which are part of the configuration of an airbag device according to Embodiment 10, and FIG. 20B shows only the first straightening member. It is a top view showing typically in an open state.

An embodiment of an airbag device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
It should be noted that descriptions regarding directions in this specification are based on the vehicle unless otherwise specified. Further, an arrow F indicated appropriately in each figure indicates the front of the vehicle, an arrow R indicates the rear of the vehicle, and an arrow U indicates the upper side of the vehicle.

(Embodiment 1)
First, the initial state of the airbag device according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the initial state of the airbag device according to Embodiment 1 when viewed from the vehicle width direction. FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of the airbag device shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing a sandwiching member and an inflator that are part of the configuration of the airbag device according to the first embodiment. 4A is a see-through perspective view schematically showing the first straightening member in addition to FIG. 3, and FIG. 4B is a top view schematically showing only the first straightening member in an opened state. 5 is a see-through perspective view schematically showing FIG. 4A further with a second rectifying member.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the airbag device 100 according to the first embodiment is an airbag device for a front passenger's seat, and is designed to cover an upper opening of the instrument panel AA located in front of the front passenger's seat. An inflator (gas generator) 10 for generating gas, a folded bag-like airbag 20, a fixing member 30 to which the inflator 10 and the airbag 20 are fixed, and a side surface of the inflator 10 are enclosed. and a sandwiching member 40 attached to the fixing member 30 with the airbag 20 sandwiched therebetween. In addition, a first rectifying member 50 is provided in the airbag 20 from the vehicle rear end of the clamping member 40 to at least the vehicle front end of the inflator 10 and above the vehicle, the first rectifying member 50 and and a second rectifying member 60 that covers the inflator 10 . The airbag 20 is housed inside the outer bag 80 .
A cover 70 is provided to cover the airbag 20 that is housed in the outer bag 80 and fixed to the fixing member. In this specification, the "initial state" means the state before the inflator is activated, that is, before the airbag is inflated and deployed. Although the airbag device of the present invention can be suitably used as a passenger airbag device, it may also be used as a driver airbag device. In addition, in the airbag device of the present invention, the outer bag 80 may not be provided.

The inflator 10 is activated during a frontal collision of the vehicle. First, when a collision detection sensor mounted on the vehicle detects a frontal collision of the vehicle, an ECU (Electric Control Unit) calculates a signal sent from the collision detection sensor to determine the level of the collision. When the determined collision level corresponds to the case of inflating the airbag 20, the inflator 10 is activated, and gas is generated by a chemical reaction caused by burning of the explosive inside. The generated gas is discharged into the airbag 20 from gas ejection holes (not shown) of the inflator 10 . The type of the inflator 10 is not particularly limited, and includes a pyrotype inflator that uses gas generated by burning a gas generating agent, a stored type inflator that uses compressed gas, and a compressed gas that is generated by burning a gas generating agent. A hybrid inflator or the like that uses a mixed gas with gas can be used. Moreover, it is preferable that a large number of gas ejection holes of the inflator 10 are provided along the entire circumference of the side surface of the inflator 10 . When the inflator is circular in top view, it is preferable that the gas is discharged from the side of the inflator in all directions of 360° in top view. Further, the gas ejection holes may not be provided evenly over the entire circumference of the side surface of the inflator. Gas ejection holes may be provided.

The airbag 20 is a bag-like body, and before the inflator 10 is activated, it is folded and stored in a fixing member 30 arranged inside the upper surface of the instrument panel AA. When the inflator 10 is activated, the inside of the airbag 20 is filled with gas generated from the inflator 10, and the airbag 20 is unfolded and inflated. As a result, the airbag 20 pushes open the lid portion 71 provided on the cover 70 and inflates and deploys in the vehicle compartment.

In the folded state, the airbag 20 includes a first folded portion 21 folded into a roll shape and a second folded portion 21 folded into at least one tuck fold or bellows shape and arranged adjacent to the first folded portion 21 in front of the vehicle. and a folding portion 22 .

The airbag 20 can be made of cloth woven with threads such as nylon 66, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or the like. In addition, the surface of the airbag 20 may be coated with an inorganic material such as silicon in order to improve heat resistance and airtightness.

The fixing member 30 is attached to the outer peripheral wall portion 72 of the cover 70 protruding inward (vehicle side) of the instrument panel AA by a plurality of hooks 30 a and 30 b provided on the inner wall portion 33 .

Inside the lower surface of the airbag 20, a metallic ring-shaped sandwiching member 40 having a mounting hole 43 for the inflator 10 is arranged.

FIG. 3 shows the pinching member 40 and the inflator 10 . The clamping member 40 has a mounting hole 43 in its bottom surface 44 so that the inflator 10 can be accommodated in the mounting hole 43 . Side surfaces 45 rise from the outer periphery of the bottom surface 44 of the sandwiching member 40 , and each side surface 45 surrounds the side surfaces of the inflator 10 .

As shown in FIG. 2, the bottom surface 44 of the sandwiching member is provided with a bolt 41 extending in the opposite direction to the direction in which the side surface 45 rises. A bolt 41 passes through the first rectifying member 50, the second rectifying member 60, the airbag 20, the fixing portion 31 of the fixing member 30, and the flange portion 10a of the inflator 10, and is fastened with a nut 42, whereby the fixing member 30 is fixed to the fixing portion 31 of the .

FIG. 4A shows the first rectifying member 50 provided from the vehicle rear end of the clamping member 40 to at least the vehicle upper side of a point 10F, which is the vehicle front end of the inflator 10 .

The first rectifying member 50 shown in FIG. 4A has a portion positioned behind the vehicle relative to the vehicle rear end (region 40R) of the sandwiching member 40 . The first rectifying member 50 is further bent to cover the upper surface of the inflator 10 and is provided over the vehicle at a point 10F which is the vehicle front end of the upper surface of the inflator 10 .
In addition, it can be said that the first rectifying member 50 covers an area including the point 10F which is the vehicle front end of the inflator 10 (area 40F in FIG. 3). Further, the first rectifying member 50 shown in FIG. 4A is provided on the upper surface of the inflator 10 further forward of the vehicle than the point 10F, which is the front end of the vehicle.

The vehicle rear end of the clamping member 40 is a region indicated by a region 40R surrounded by a dotted line in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4A, the first straightening member 50 is positioned behind the vehicle in the area 40R.
Also, the first rectifying member 50 shown in FIG. 4A covers the entire top surface of the inflator 10 . It should be noted that the case where the first rectifying member 50 has a small hole such as the upper surface through hole 53 as shown in FIG. and

Further, the region where the first straightening member 50 is provided is a region including a point 10F that is the vehicle front end of the upper surface of the inflator 10 and a point 10R that is the vehicle rear end of the upper surface of the inflator 10. It can also be said that the region extends from the rear end (region 40R) of the vehicle to the point 10F which is the front end of the vehicle on the top surface of the inflator 10 via the point 10R which is the rear end of the vehicle on the top surface of the inflator 10. .

In the airbag device of the present invention, the first rectifying member is provided from the vehicle rear end of the clamping member to at least the vehicle front end of the inflator above the vehicle. When gas is generated from the inflator, it is preferable that the first rectifying member covers as wide a range as possible on the top surface of the inflator to the extent that the flow of gas to the rear of the vehicle can be blocked. preferably covers the entire

In the airbag device of the present invention, the first rectifying member is provided from the vehicle rear to the vehicle front of the vehicle rear end of the clamping member. Since the first rectifying member is located at the rear of the vehicle relative to the vehicle rear end of the clamping member, the gas generated from the inflator and rectified upward by the side surface 45 of the clamping member is more likely than the first rectifying member. The flow to the rear of the vehicle is obstructed. Further, when the first rectifying member is provided from the vehicle rear end of the clamping member to at least the vehicle upper end of the vehicle front end of the inflator from the vehicle rear end of the clamping member to the vehicle front end of the inflator. Gas flow is obstructed in the region up to . Therefore, in the initial stage of gas generation, the gas flows more easily forward of the vehicle than at the vehicle front end of the inflator, where the flow of gas is not blocked by the first rectifying member.

In the airbag device of the present invention, gas enters the second folded portion located in front of the vehicle first, and the second folded portion tends to deploy first. In addition, the airbag device can reliably inflate and deploy the folded airbag from the front side of the vehicle and obtain a stable deployment behavior. The airbag deployment behavior of the airbag device of the present invention will be described later in detail.

When the airbag is inflated and deployed, the first rectifying member 50 is restricted from moving relative to the sandwiching member 40 at a position behind the vehicle behind the vehicle rear end (region 40R) of the sandwiching member 40 . Restricted relative movement means that the first rectifying member 50 cannot move freely behind the vehicle rear end (region 40R) of the pinching member 40, and the first rectifying member 50 is pinched. This means that the member 40 is maintained in a position behind the vehicle relative to the vehicle rear end (region 40R). With this configuration, when gas is generated from the inflator 10, the first rectifying member 50 is positioned more rearward of the vehicle than the vehicle rear end (region 40R) of the clamping member 40 at least in the initial stage of gas generation. Therefore, when gas is generated from the inflator 10, the flow of gas to the rear of the vehicle is blocked, and the gas tends to flow to the front of the vehicle in the initial stage of gas generation. The initial stage of gas generation means the stage from the time when the gas flows into the second folded portion 22 and the second folded portion 22 unfolds until the gas starts to flow into the first folded portion 21 .

As shown in FIG. 4B, the first straightening member 50 is provided with a bolt through hole 51a and a bolt through hole 51b. The bolt through-hole 51a is a through-hole into which a bolt 41a on the rear side of the vehicle is inserted. The bolt through-hole 51b is a through-hole into which a bolt 41b on the front side of the vehicle is inserted. As shown in FIG. 4A, the bolt through holes 51a and 51b of the first straightening member 50 are inserted into the bolts 41a and 41b provided on the bottom surface 44 of the sandwiching member 40, respectively, so that the position of the first straightening member 50 is adjusted. Fixed. As a result, the first straightening member 50 is restricted from moving relative to the sandwiching member 40 at the vehicle rear end (region 40R) of the sandwiching member 40 .

In the airbag device of the present invention, it is preferable that the first straightening member is fixed to the fixing member by being sandwiched between the holding member and the fixing member at least on the vehicle rear side. In the airbag device 100 of the first embodiment, the first straightening member 50 is fixed by inserting the bolt through-hole 51a of the first straightening member 50 into the bolt 41a provided on the bottom surface of the sandwiching member 40 on the rear side of the vehicle. The member 50 is sandwiched and fixed between the sandwiching member 40 and the fixing member 30 . By fixing in this way, when the airbag is inflated and deployed, the first rectifying member 50 is restricted from moving relative to the sandwiching member 40 at the rear of the vehicle from the vehicle rear end (region 40R) of the sandwiching member 40. becomes.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the first straightening member 50 is provided with an inflator through hole 52 through which the inflator 10 passes. Further, the first rectifying member 50 is provided with an upper surface through hole 53 that opens a part of the portion of the first rectifying member 50 covering the upper surface of the inflator 10 . The upper surface through hole 53 can be used as a hole for alignment with a second rectifying member 60 which will be described later.

In the airbag device of the present invention, it is preferable that one end of the first rectifying member is arranged as a free end on the vehicle front side of the inflator when the airbag is folded. In the airbag device of the first embodiment, one end 54 of the first straightening member 50 is a free end on the vehicle front side of the inflator 10, as shown in FIG. 4A. A free end is a portion that is not fixed to another member and can be turned up by gas. When one end of the first rectifying member is a free end on the vehicle front side, when gas is generated from the inflator, the flow of gas on the vehicle front side is not blocked by the first rectifying member, so the initial stage of gas generation. , the gas can easily flow to the front of the vehicle.

In the airbag device of the present invention, in the folded state of the airbag, a part of the first rectifying member reaches the folding portion positioned furthest forward of the vehicle among the second folding portions on the vehicle front side. preferable. When a part of the first rectifying member reaches the folded portion located furthest forward of the vehicle among the second folded portions, it is possible to guide the gas flow so that the gas first flows into the folded portion. . Further, the first rectifying member is pressed against the second folded portion in the folded state unless the second folded portion starts to be unfolded, so that it does not turn up. Therefore, before the second folded portion is deployed, the first rectifying member acts to prevent the gas from flowing toward the rear side of the vehicle. can induce the flow of

The first rectifying member is preferably a cloth-like material that does not have high rigidity and can be rolled up by gas. The same material as the cloth that forms the airbag can be used. Moreover, it is preferable that the thickness of the first straightening member is 0.25 mm or more and 0.5 mm or less. If the thickness of the first rectifying member is too thin, the pressure of the gas may cause breakage of the first rectifying member at an unintended location. Further, if the thickness of the first rectifying member is too thick, it becomes difficult to turn over, and the first rectifying member may obstruct the flow of gas on the front side of the vehicle.

In the airbag device of the present invention, it is preferable that the second straightening member has an opening at least in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. In the folded state of the airbag, the second straightening member preferably covers the first straightening member and the inflator.
It should be noted that the airbag device of the present invention may not include the second rectifying member.

FIG. 5 shows the second rectifying member 60 having an opening in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The second rectifying member 60 is a tubular member as a whole having a vehicle front side opening 62 on the front side of the vehicle and a vehicle rear side opening 61 on the rear side of the vehicle. In addition, although it is preferable that the airbag device of the present invention includes the second straightening member, the second straightening member may not be provided.

The second straightening member 60 covers the first straightening member 50 and the inflator 10 . In other words, the first rectifying member 50 and the inflator 10 are arranged inside the second rectifying member 60 (the area surrounded by the second rectifying member 60). Also, in the folded state of the airbag, a portion of the first straightening member 50 is positioned between the vehicle rear side opening 61 of the second straightening member 60 and the inflator 10 . Specifically, a part of the first rectifying member 50 is positioned between the vehicle rear side opening 61 of the second rectifying member 60 and the inflator 10 behind the vehicle rear end (region 40R) of the sandwiching member 40 . positioned.

When gas is generated from the inflator 10 , the gas flows out from the vehicle front side opening 62 or the vehicle rear side opening 61 of the second straightening member 60 . Since the outflow of gas from portions other than the vehicle front side opening 62 and the vehicle rear side opening 61 of the second straightening member 60 is suppressed, the second straightening member 60 restricts the gas flow direction to a specific direction.
The second rectifying member may be appropriately provided with a vent hole for allowing gas to flow out from locations other than the vehicle front side opening and the vehicle rear side opening. FIG. 5 shows two vent holes 63 . The number and positions of the vent holes are not particularly limited, and when a plurality of vent holes are provided, the sizes may be the same or different.

In the airbag device of the present invention, as described above, in the initial stage of gas generation, the action of the first rectifying member inhibits the flow of gas to the rear of the vehicle when gas is generated from the inflator. Therefore, in the initial stage of gas generation, the outflow of gas from the vehicle rear side opening of the second rectifying member is suppressed. On the other hand, in the initial stage of gas generation, the gas tends to flow forward of the vehicle, so the gas flows out from the vehicle front side opening of the second rectifying member and flows into the second folded portion disposed in front of the vehicle.

As the second folded portion expands due to the gas flowing into the second folded portion, the effect of the first rectifying member to block the flow of gas toward the rear of the vehicle weakens. Therefore, outflow of gas also occurs from the vehicle rear side opening of the second rectifying member.

Next, the operation of the airbag device according to the first embodiment, especially the behavior during inflation and deployment, will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 10. FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the airbag device according to the first embodiment before being inflated and deployed, as seen from the vehicle width direction. 7, 8, and 9 are schematic cross-sectional views of the airbag device according to the first embodiment in the middle of inflation and deployment when viewed from the vehicle width direction. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the airbag device according to the first embodiment after being inflated and deployed, as seen from the vehicle width direction. In FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, arrows indicate the gas flow.

As shown in FIG. 6, before being inflated and deployed, the airbag device 100 is arranged so as to cover the opening in the upper surface of the instrument panel AA and is installed below the windshield BB. One end of the first rectifying member is arranged at a position (a position surrounded by a dotted line E) that overlaps with the folding portion 22a that is located furthest forward of the vehicle.

FIG. 7 shows the deployment behavior of the airbag at the initial stage of gas generation. When the inflator 10 operates, the gas flow is obstructed by the action of the first rectifying member 50 behind the vehicle. Therefore, the gas is less likely to flow out from the vehicle rear side opening 61 of the second straightening member 60 . On the other hand, since the first straightening member 50 has a free end on the front side of the vehicle, the flow of gas on the front side of the vehicle is not blocked by the first straightening member 50 . Therefore, gas tends to flow forward of the vehicle in the initial stage of gas generation. The gas flows out from the vehicle front side opening 62 of the second straightening member 60 and flows into the second folded portion 22 of the airbag 20 . Then, the second folded portion 22 folded in a tuck or bellows shape is unfolded.

FIG. 8 shows the deployment behavior of the airbag in a state in which the inflow of gas into the second folded portion has progressed. At this stage, the deployment of the second folded portion 22 of the airbag 20 has progressed considerably. Since the first rectifying member 50 still obstructs the flow of gas on the vehicle rear side of the first rectifying member 50 , gas does not flow into the vehicle rear side opening 61 of the second rectifying member 60 . Therefore, the first folded portion 21 of the airbag 20 is not deployed at this stage. The first rectifying member 50 is further turned up by the pressure of the gas on the vehicle front side, and one end 54 (the position surrounded by the dotted line E) of the first rectifying member 50 approaches the vehicle rear side opening 61 of the second rectifying member 60 . When the one end 54 of the first rectifying member 50 moves further toward the vehicle rear side from this state, the gas flows into the vehicle rear side opening 61 of the second rectifying member 60, and the first folded portion 21 of the airbag 20 collapses. Deployment begins.

FIG. 9 shows the deployment behavior of the airbag in a state in which the inflow of gas into the first folded portion has progressed. Gas flows into the first folded portion 21 folded into a roll shape, and the roll folding is undone, and the airbag 20 is inflated and deployed.

FIG. 10 shows the state after inflation and deployment of the airbag. The shape of the airbag 20 itself after inflation and deployment is similar to that of a conventional airbag, but in the airbag device 100, the flow of gas into the first folded portion 21, which is the roll folded portion, is blocked in the initial stage of gas generation. Since the gas flows into the second folded portion 22, which is a tuck folded portion, the airbag 20 is reliably inflated and deployed from the front side of the vehicle, and stable addition behavior is obtained.

As described above, in the airbag device of the present invention, the second folded portion can be deployed first, and the first folded portion can be deployed with a time lag. Unlike the technology that guides the flow of gas so that the gas always tends to flow toward the front of the vehicle, the airbag device of the present invention allows the gas to flow toward the rear of the vehicle as the first folded portion is unfolded. , is a technique for advancing the unfolding of the second folded portion.
That is, in the airbag device of the present invention, even if the roll-folded portion moves forwardly of the vehicle and presses the tuck-folded portion or the bellows-folded portion due to the inertial force generated by the collision of the vehicle, the gas will not flow toward the front side of the vehicle. By inducing the flow of , the unfolding of the tuck folded portion or the bellows folded portion can proceed ahead of the unfolding of the roll folded portion.

Next, an airbag device according to another embodiment will be described. Since airbag devices according to other embodiments differ mainly in the form of the first rectifying member, the different parts of the first rectifying member and other configurations from the airbag device according to the first embodiment will be described.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 11 is a see-through perspective view schematically showing a sandwiching member, an inflator, and a first straightening member, which are part of the configuration of the airbag device according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 12 is a perspective view schematically showing a state in which the first rectifying member shown in FIG. 11 is torn and split when gas is generated. FIG.

In the airbag device according to the second embodiment, when the airbag is inflated and deployed, the movement of the first rectifying member relative to the sandwiching member is restricted at the vehicle front end of the sandwiching member in front of the vehicle, and an inflator is generated. The gas splits the inflator into a first straightening member main body on the vehicle rear side and a remainder of the first straightening member on the vehicle front side at a location on the vehicle front side from the vehicle front end of the inflator, and the first straightening member main body inflates and deploys the airbag. In some cases, the inflator is configured to move away from the upper side of the vehicle at the front end of the vehicle toward the rear side of the vehicle.

With this configuration, when the airbag is inflated and deployed, the gas generated by the inflator splits the first rectifying member at a location on the vehicle front side of the vehicle front end of the inflator. A free end is generated at the location where the split occurs.

In the first rectifying member 150 shown in FIG. 11, one end 54 of the first rectifying member is fixed to the bolt 41b of the clamping member 40 on the vehicle front side on the vehicle front side. Therefore, in the folded state of the airbag, the first rectifying member is restricted from moving relative to the clamping member at a position behind the vehicle rear end of the clamping member and at a position forward of the vehicle front end of the clamping member.

A split portion 155 is provided in the first rectifying member 150 . Cleavage portion 155 is a portion that is expected to be torn by gas generated by inflator 10, and is a portion that is weaker than other portions. As a process for weakening the strength, a slit like a perforation is provided in the cleaved portion, the thickness of the cloth or resin constituting the first rectifying member is reduced along the cleaved portion, and the cleaved portion is untied by pressure. For example, loosely sewn stitches, or the cleft portion is a portion joined with a weak adhesive. FIG. 11 shows a mode in which the split portion 155 is provided with perforations.

FIG. 12 shows a state in which the first rectifying member is torn and separated at the cleaved portion by the gas generated by the inflator. The first rectifying member 150 is separated into a main body 151 and a remaining portion 152 by tearing the first rectifying member 150 at the split portion 155 shown in FIG. 11 . One end 154 of the main body 151 is a free end. Since this state is the same as the state of the first rectifying member 50 and its one end 54 of the first embodiment, as in the case of using the first rectifying member 50 of the first embodiment, at the initial stage of gas generation, the front side of the vehicle gas can flow easily. Since the main body 151 of the first rectifying member is restricted from moving relative to the sandwiching member 40 at the vehicle rear end (region 40R) of the sandwiching member 40, the main body 151 of the first rectifying member prevents the body 151 of the first straightening member from moving toward the rear of the vehicle. gas flow to the

Since the first rectifying member is torn on the front side of the vehicle, the flow of gas to the rear side of the vehicle can be blocked and the gas can flow to the front side of the vehicle. is preferred. For example, it is preferable that the inflator is further forward of the vehicle than the vehicle forward end of the inflator.

(Embodiment 3)
13A is a transparent perspective view schematically showing a sandwiching member, an inflator, and a first rectifying member, which are part of the configuration of an airbag device according to Embodiment 3, and FIG. 13B shows only the first rectifying member. It is a top view showing typically in an open state.

A bolt through hole 51a is provided in the first rectifying member 250 shown in FIG. 13B. On the other hand, the bolt through-hole 51b and the inflator through-hole 52 provided in the first straightening member 50 shown in FIG. 4B are not provided. As shown in FIG. 13A , the position of the first rectifying member 250 is fixed by inserting the bolt through hole 51 a of the first rectifying member 250 into the bolt 41 a provided on the bottom surface 44 of the sandwiching member 40 . As a result, relative movement of the first rectifying member 250 with respect to the sandwiching member 40 is restricted at a position behind the vehicle behind the vehicle rear end (region 40R) of the sandwiching member 40 . This form can also be said to be a form in which the first straightening member 250 is sandwiched and fixed between the sandwiching member 40 and the fixing member only on the vehicle rear side. In this form, there are few places to fix the position of the first rectifying member 250, so if the first rectifying member 250 tears around the bolt through-hole 51a due to gas generation from the inflator, the position of the first rectifying member 250 cannot be fixed. may not be maintained. From such a point of view, it is more preferable to fix the first straightening member 50 to the sandwiching member 40 on the vehicle rear side and the vehicle front side like the first straightening member 50 shown in FIG. 4B.

(Embodiment 4)
14 is a see-through perspective view schematically showing a sandwiching member, an inflator, a first rectifying member, and a part of the airbag, which are part of the configuration of the airbag device according to Embodiment 4. FIG.

In the airbag device according to the fourth embodiment, the first rectifying member is fixed to the airbag at the rear of the vehicle relative to the rear end of the sandwiching member.

The first straightening member 350 shown in FIG. 14 is fixed to the airbag 20 . FIG. 14 shows a state in which the first rectifying member 350 is sewn to the airbag 20 with a sewing thread 355 and fixed to the rear of the vehicle from the vehicle rear end (region 40R) of the clamping member 40 . The first straightening member 350 is not fixed to the sandwiching member 40 .
The method for fixing the first rectifying member to the airbag is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include sewing, adhesion, welding, and the like, and methods combining them. Among them, sewing is preferable.
A bolt 41a on the vehicle rear side of the clamping member 40 passes through the airbag 20, and the airbag 20 is fixed to the clamping member 40. As shown in FIG. Since the clamping member 40 and the airbag 20 are fixed, the relative movement of the first rectifying member 350 with respect to the clamping member 40 is restricted behind the vehicle rear end of the clamping member 40 . Even with such a configuration, the flow of gas toward the rear of the vehicle can be blocked by the first rectifying member, as in the airbag device according to the first embodiment.

(Embodiments 5-8)
15A is a see-through perspective view schematically showing a sandwiching member, an inflator, and a first straightening member, which are part of the configuration of an airbag device according to Embodiment 5, and FIG. 15B shows only the first straightening member. It is a top view showing typically in an open state. 16A is a see-through perspective view schematically showing a sandwiching member, an inflator, and a first straightening member, which are part of the configuration of an airbag device according to Embodiment 6, and FIG. 16B shows only the first straightening member. It is a top view showing typically in an open state. 17A is a see-through perspective view schematically showing a sandwiching member, an inflator, and a first straightening member, which are part of the configuration of an airbag device according to Embodiment 7, and FIG. 17B shows only the first straightening member. It is a top view showing typically in an open state. 18A is a see-through perspective view schematically showing a sandwiching member, an inflator, and a first straightening member, which are part of the configuration of an airbag device according to Embodiment 8, and FIG. 18B shows only the first straightening member. It is a top view showing typically in an open state.

In the airbag devices according to Embodiments 5 to 8, the position, number, and size of the upper surface through-holes provided in the first rectifying member are different from those of the first rectifying member provided in the airbag device according to Embodiment 1.

In the first rectifying member 450 according to the fifth embodiment shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, two upper surface through holes (453a, 453b) are provided. The upper surface through hole 453a is provided on the central portion of the upper surface of the inflator 10, and the upper surface through hole 453b is provided at the vehicle rear end portion of the first rectifying member 450, respectively. The upper surface through hole 453 b provided at the vehicle rear end portion of the first straightening member 450 is larger than the upper surface through hole 453 a provided on the upper central portion of the inflator 10 .

A first straightening member 550 according to the sixth embodiment shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B is provided with two upper surface through holes (553a and 553b). The upper surface through hole 553a is provided on the central portion of the upper surface of the inflator 10, and the upper surface through hole 553b is provided at the vehicle rear end portion of the first rectifying member 550, respectively. The upper surface through hole 553b provided at the vehicle rear end portion of the first straightening member 550 has the same size as the upper surface through hole 553a provided on the upper central portion of the inflator 10 .

A first rectifying member 650 according to Embodiment 7 shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B is provided with three upper surface through holes (653a, 653b, 653c). The upper surface through hole 653a is provided on the central portion of the upper surface of the inflator 10 . The upper surface through holes 653b and 653c are provided at the vehicle rear end portion of the first rectifying member 650, respectively. Upper surface through-holes 653b and 653c provided at the vehicle rear end portion of first rectifying member 650 are circular, and upper surface through-hole 653a provided on the central portion of the upper surface of inflator 10 is oval.

A first straightening member 750 according to the eighth embodiment shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B is provided with three upper surface through holes (753a, 753b, 753c). The upper surface through hole 753a is provided on the central portion of the upper surface of the inflator 10 . The upper surface through holes 753b and 753c are provided at the vehicle rear end portion of the first rectifying member 750, respectively. The sizes of the upper surface through holes 753b and 753c are larger than the upper surface through holes 653b and 653c of the first rectifying member 650 according to the seventh embodiment.

In Embodiments 5 to 8, the gas can flow out from the upper surface through hole provided in the vehicle rear end portion of the first rectifying member. As shown in FIG. 8, in a state where the expansion of the second folded portion 22 progresses and the first folded portion 21 is lifted, the upper surface through hole ( 453 etc.), and the flow of gas into the first folded portion 21 can be advanced through the vehicle rear side opening 61 of the second rectifying member 60 .

(Embodiments 9-10)
19A is a see-through perspective view schematically showing a sandwiching member, an inflator, and a first straightening member, which are part of the configuration of an airbag device according to Embodiment 9, and FIG. 19B shows only the first straightening member. It is a top view showing typically in an open state. 20A is a see-through perspective view schematically showing a clamping member, an inflator, and a first straightening member, which are part of the configuration of an airbag device according to Embodiment 10, and FIG. 20B shows only the first straightening member. It is a top view showing typically in an open state.

The airbag devices according to Embodiments 9 and 10 differ from the airbag devices according to Embodiment 1 in that the first straightening member covers only a portion of the upper surface of the inflator and does not cover the entire upper surface of the inflator. It is different from the first rectifying member provided. In these cases as well, the first rectifying member is provided from the vehicle rear end of the clamping member to at least the vehicle front end of the inflator above the vehicle. Even if the first rectifying member does not cover the entire upper surface of the inflator, if the first rectifying member is provided in this area, the flow of gas to the rear of the vehicle is blocked.

In addition, in order to effectively block the flow of gas to the rear of the vehicle, the first rectifying member is provided in an area including the vehicle front end of the upper surface of the inflator, the center of the upper surface of the inflator, and the vehicle rear end of the upper surface of the inflator. preferably covered. Even if the first rectifying member covering the region including the vehicle front end of the top surface of the inflator, the center of the top surface of the inflator, and the vehicle rear end of the top surface of the inflator is provided with the top surface through-hole, the above-mentioned region can be covered by the first rectification. Shall be included if the member is covered.

FIG. 19A shows a point 10F on the upper surface of the inflator 10, which is the front end of the vehicle, a center point 10C on the upper surface of the inflator 10, and a point 10R, which is the rear end of the upper surface of the inflator 10, and includes all of them. 40C is shown.

In the first rectifying member 850 according to the ninth embodiment shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, the portion of the first rectifying member 850 that partially covers the upper surface of the inflator 10 has a substantially rectangular shape. It can be said that the first rectifying member 850 is T-shaped as a whole.

In the first rectifying member 950 according to the tenth embodiment shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B, the portion of the first rectifying member 950 that covers a part of the upper surface of the inflator 10 has a substantially rectangular shape, and the sandwiching member is located behind the vehicle. It is a shape that combines shapes that widen toward the sides.

20A and 20B, compared to the shape of the first straightening member 850 shown in FIGS. flow is obstructed.

In Embodiments 9 and 10, gas can flow out from a portion where the first rectifying member does not partially cover the upper surface of the inflator. As shown in FIG. 8, in a state where the expansion of the second folded portion 22 progresses and the first folded portion 21 is lifted, the first rectifying member (850, etc.) does not partially cover the upper surface of the inflator. The gas can flow out and flow into the first folded portion 21 via the vehicle rear side opening 61 of the second rectifying member 60 .

(Another aspect of the airbag device of the present invention)
As another aspect of the airbag device of the present invention, a first straightening member is provided in the airbag and covers at least a part of the upper surface of the inflator, and when the airbag is folded, the first straightening member and the inflator are a cover and a second rectifying member having an opening at least in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and when the airbag is folded, a part of the first rectifying member is positioned on the opening side of the second rectifying member on the rear side of the vehicle with respect to the inflator. A certain form is mentioned.
Any of the first to tenth embodiments of the airbag device of the present invention described above is included in another aspect of the airbag device of the present invention.

Another aspect of the airbag device of the present invention includes a first straightening member and a second straightening member. The first rectifying member covers at least a portion of the upper surface of the inflator, and a portion of the first rectifying member is located on the opening side of the second rectifying member at the rear of the vehicle with respect to the inflator.
Since the first rectifying member located on the side of the vehicle rear opening of the second rectifying member with respect to the inflator obstructs the flow of gas, the gas generated from the inflator quickly reaches the vehicle rear side opening of the second rectifying member. I can't. Therefore, gas tends to flow forward of the vehicle in the initial stage of gas generation. As a result, gas enters the second folded portion located in front of the vehicle first, and the second folded portion tends to unfold first.
When the second folded portion expands to create a space inside the airbag, the folded second rectifying member expands and pushes up the rolled first folded portion. As a result, when the first rectifying member is turned over, the gas can flow into the airbag through the vehicle rear side opening of the second rectifying member, and the gas also flows into the first folded portion and begins to inflate and deploy.
With such an action, it is possible to obtain an airbag device that can reliably inflate and deploy the folded airbag from the front side of the vehicle and obtain a stable deployment behavior.

In another aspect of the airbag device of the present invention, the second rectifying member may cover at least a portion of the first rectifying member in the folded state of the airbag. For example, a part of the first rectifying member may protrude from the opening of the second rectifying member at the rear of the vehicle. In this case, the portion of the first rectifying member that protrudes from the vehicle rear opening of the second rectifying member is located on the vehicle rear opening side of the second rectifying member with respect to the inflator, but the portion is not the same as that of the second rectifying member. It is not positioned between the vehicle rear side opening and the inflator. In this example as well, the first rectifying member can prevent the gas generated from the inflator from flowing out of the vehicle rear side opening of the second rectifying member. be.

10: Inflator 10a: Flange portion of inflator 10C: Center point on top surface of inflator 10F: Point on front end of vehicle on top surface of inflator 10R: Point on rear end of vehicle on top surface of inflator 20: Airbag 21: First Folding portion 22: Second folding portion 22a: Folding portion 30 positioned furthest forward of the vehicle: Fixing members 30a, 30b: Hook 31: Fixing portion of fixing member 33: Inner wall portion 40: Sandwiching member 40F: Vehicle front end of inflator A region 40R including a point: a region 41 at the rear end of the vehicle of the clamping member: a bolt 41a: a bolt 41b on the rear side of the vehicle: a bolt 42 on the front side of the vehicle: a nut 43: an inflator mounting hole 44: the bottom of the clamping member 45: Sides 50, 150, 250, 350, 450, 550, 650, 750, 850, 950 of sandwiching member: First rectifying member 51a: Bolt through hole (vehicle rear side)
51b: Bolt through hole (vehicle front side)
52: Inflator through-holes 53, 453a, 453b, 553a, 553b, 653a, 653b, 653c, 753a, 753b, 753c: Upper surface through-hole 60: Second rectifying member 61: Vehicle rear side opening 62: Second rectifying member 2 Vehicle front side opening 63 of rectifying member: Vent hole 70: Cover 71: Lid portion 72: Peripheral wall portion 80: Outer bag 100: Airbag device 151: First rectifying member main body after cleaving 152: First rectifying member body after cleaving Straightening member remaining portion 154: One end of first straightening member main body 155: Cleavage portion (perforation)
355: Sewing thread AA: Instrument panel BB: Windshield

Claims (8)

An airbag device that is provided in front of a vehicle for a seated occupant and inflates and deploys toward the occupant,
an inflator that generates gas from gas ejection holes;
The inflator has a first folding portion folded into a roll shape and a second folding portion folded into at least one tuck fold or accordion shape and arranged adjacent to the vehicle front of the first folding portion. an airbag that is inflated and deployed by gas generated by
a fixing member to which the inflator and the airbag are fixed;
a sandwiching member that encloses the side surface of the inflator and is attached to the fixing member while sandwiching the airbag;
a first rectifying member provided in the airbag and having relative movement with respect to the sandwiching member restricted relative to the sandwiching member behind the vehicle rear end of the sandwiching member when the airbag is inflated and deployed;
The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the first rectifying member is provided from the vehicle rear end of the clamping member to at least the vehicle front end of the inflator above the vehicle. further comprising a second straightening member covering the first straightening member and the inflator in the folded state of the airbag and having an opening at least in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle;
2. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein in the folded state of the airbag, a portion of the first straightening member is positioned between the vehicle rear side opening of the second straightening member and the inflator. An airbag device that is provided in front of a vehicle for a seated occupant and inflates and deploys toward the occupant,
an inflator that generates gas from gas ejection holes;
The inflator has a first folding portion folded into a roll shape and a second folding portion folded into at least one tuck fold or accordion shape and arranged adjacent to the vehicle front of the first folding portion. an airbag that is inflated and deployed by gas generated by
a fixing member to which the inflator and the airbag are fixed;
a sandwiching member that encloses the side surface of the inflator and is attached to the fixing member while sandwiching the airbag;
a first straightening member provided in the airbag and covering at least a portion of an upper surface of the inflator;
a second rectifying member covering the first rectifying member and the inflator in the folded state of the airbag and having an opening at least in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle;
An airbag device according to claim 1, wherein, in a folded state of the airbag, a part of the first straightening member is located on an opening side of the second straightening member toward the rear of the vehicle with respect to the inflator. The airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first rectifying member is fixed to the fixing member by being sandwiched between the sandwiching member and the fixing member at least on the vehicle rear side. . 4. The airbag device according to any one of 1 to 3, wherein the first rectifying member is fixed to the airbag at a position rearward of the vehicle relative to a rear end of the sandwiching member. The airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein one end of the first rectifying member is arranged as a free end on the vehicle front side of the inflator when the airbag is folded. 7. A part of the first rectifying member reaches a folding portion positioned most forwardly of the vehicle among the second folding portions on the front side of the vehicle when the airbag is folded. The airbag device according to any one of the above. When the airbag is inflated and deployed, the first straightening member is restricted from moving relative to the sandwiching member at a vehicle front end of the sandwiching member in front of the vehicle,
The gas generated by the inflator splits into a first rectifying member body on the vehicle rear side and a first rectifying member remainder on the vehicle front side at a location on the vehicle front side from the vehicle front end of the inflator,
The airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first rectifying member main body moves away from the vehicle front end of the inflator toward the vehicle rear side when the airbag is inflated and deployed.

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