JP4075212B2 - Airbag device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an airbag device that can smoothly inflate and deploy an airbag.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an airbag device mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile includes an airbag that inflates and deploys when a collision is detected in order to protect an occupant by a vehicle collision or the like.
[0003]
As this type of airbag device, those described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-323612 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-268199 are known.
[0004]
The airbag device disclosed in the former publication is such that the folded shape of the airbag is not collapsed by surrounding the airbag (gas bag) folded small with a band-like body (bandelor) that can be broken. This makes it easy to store and assemble the airbag.
[0005]
In addition, the airbag device of the latter publication is such that the folded airbag is pressed with a wrapping member, and the wrapping member is temporarily fixed with an adhesive tape, and then fixed between the base plate and the cover body. It has the effect of stabilizing the shape of the folded airbag and improving the appearance of the airbag device.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, as in the former publication, in the case where the folded airbag is surrounded by a belt-like body, it is necessary to set the breaking strength of the belt-like body so that a predetermined breakage occurs when the airbag is inflated and deployed. In addition, it is difficult to set the breaking strength, and if the setting is incorrect, the airbag may be difficult to inflate and deploy.
[0007]
Further, in the airbag device of the latter publication, the airbag mounted on the driver's seat has a structure that holds the airbag in a folded state by suppressing the outer peripheral portion of the airbag folded by the airbag holding portion provided on the wrapping member. as in the apparatus, the air bag or substantially square, in the case have close to a square of rectangular shape, folded but the shape can be stabilized, the airbag device and passenger air bag apparatus for side collision (side collision) In the case of using an airbag that is long when folded, even if the outer periphery of the airbag is restrained by the restraining portion, the airbag that self-restored rises from the opening between the restraining portions, and the airbag The bag may not be held in a folded state.
[0008]
The present invention has been made to improve such a conventional airbag apparatus, and can restrain the airbag's self-restoring force only by restraining both ends in the longitudinal direction of the folded airbag, and inflating and deploying the airbag. An object of the present invention is to provide an airbag device that can smoothly perform the above.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 has a protective patch that is folded so as to wrap a folded airbag, and the protective patch includes a pair of wide patch pieces and a pair of wide patch pieces. A pair of narrow patch pieces provided at the connecting portion are formed in a substantially cross shape, and one of the pair of wide patch pieces is cut out from both side edges. A narrow band-shaped wrapping is provided, and the band-shaped wrapping is in a state where one end side thereof is connected to the connecting portion and the other end side is separated from the ear portion of the one wide patch piece. The both ends of the airbag in the longitudinal direction are constrained together with the ears of the protective patch by the belt-like wrapping.
[0010]
With the above-described configuration, the bulge of the central portion due to the self-restoring force of the airbag can be suppressed only by restraining both ends of the folded airbag via the protective patch. Therefore, when the airbag device is assembled, the folded airbag Will not be out of shape, which makes it easy to assemble the airbag.
[0011]
Further, when the airbag is inflated and deployed, the airbag is inflated and deployed by sliding through the wrapping that restrains both ends of the airbag, so there is no need to break the wrapping. It will be smooth and quick.
[0013]
In addition, with the above configuration, both ends of the airbag can be restrained via the ear portion even when the width of one of the protective patches folded on the airbag is narrower than the width of the protective patch provided with the ear portion. .
[0014]
The invention of claim 2, wherein the present invention is folded airbag in a roll, and it is both terminals of the rolled air bag that so as to restrain in the wrapping.
[0015]
With this configuration, both ends of the airbag whose longitudinal rigidity has been increased by being folded into a roll shape are restrained by wrapping, so that the airbag does not lose its shape when the airbag device is assembled, and the airbag is inflated. At the time of deployment, the airbag is inflated from the central portion of the airbag, so that the inflation and deployment can be performed more smoothly.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a passenger airbag device will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that a side-impact airbag device can be similarly implemented.
[0017]
1 is an exploded perspective view of the airbag device, FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the airbag, (a) to (e) in FIG. 3 are explanatory views showing a procedure for folding the airbag, and FIGS. It is action explanatory drawing at the time of airbag deployment.
[0018]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a folded airbag, 2 denotes a retainer for housing the airbag 1, 3 denotes an inflator housed in an inflator housing portion 2 c formed at a lower portion of the retainer 2, and 4 denotes an opening of the retainer 2. The cover which closes the part 2b is shown.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 2, the airbag 1 is formed in a bag shape having a gas inlet 1a, and a mid retainer 5 for reinforcing the peripheral edge of the gas inlet 1a is fixed to the gas inlet 1a from the inside. In addition, a protective patch 6 is sewn on the outside of the gas inlet 1a.
[0020]
When the airbag 1 stored in the airbag storage portion 2a of the retainer 2 is inflated and deployed, the protective patch 6 reduces the frictional resistance with the inner surface of the airbag storage portion 2a of the retainer 2 to expand and deploy the airbag 1. at the same time smoothly performed, protects the airbag 1, for example, woven nylon 66, the sheet coated with silicone rubber of 1 m ² per tens grams, wide pair of patches pieces 6a, 6b And a pair of narrow patch pieces 6d and 6e provided in the connecting portion 6c of the patch pieces 6a and 6b are formed in a substantially cross shape.
[0021]
Further, one of the wide patch pieces 6a and 6b is provided with a narrow band-shaped wrapping 6f cut out from both side edges.
[0022]
The wrapping 6f holds the airbag 1 in a folded state. One end of the wrapping 6f is connected to the connecting portion 6c of the wide patch pieces 6a and 6b, and the other end is separated from the ear portion 6h of the wide patch piece 6a. In addition, a locking hole 6g is opened at the distal end, and the distal end of a fixing tool 7 made of a plurality of stud bolts inserted from the mid retainer 5 side protrudes from the bottom surface of the connecting portion 6c. Yes.
[0023]
On the other hand, the retainer 2 includes a box-shaped airbag storage portion 2a having an open upper surface and a cylindrical inflator storage portion 2c continuously provided at the lower portion of the airbag storage portion 2a. Molded with high material.
[0024]
The lower part of the airbag housing portion 2a is formed in a tapered shape, and the mid retainer 5 is brought into contact with the inclined surface of the tapered portion 2d from the inside via the airbag 1 and the protective patch 6. The tip of the fixing tool 7 protruding from the bottom surface of the protective patch 6 is inserted into the mounting hole 2e formed in the taper portion 2d from the inside and tightened with a nut (not shown), so that the taper and the mid retainer 5 are tapered. The airbag 1 and the protective patch 6 are sandwiched between the portion 2d.
[0025]
The inflator housing portion 2c has an inflator insertion port 2f opened at one end surface, and a flanged nut 8 is screwed from the outside of the inflator housing portion 2c to the front end portion of the inflator 3 inserted through the inflator insertion port 2f. Thus, the inflator 3 is fixed to the retainer 2.
[0026]
In addition, a plurality of locking hooks 2g project from the periphery of the opening 2b of the air bag storage portion 2a, and the locking hooks 2g are opened to the leg portions 4a of the cover 4 that covers the opening 2b from above. The locking hole 4b is locked.
[0027]
The cover 4 is formed of a synthetic resin, and a tear line 4c that is broken when the airbag 1 is inflated and deployed is formed on the upper surface.
[0028]
Next, the operation of the thus configured airbag device will be described.
[0029]
In assembling the airbag device, the airbag 1 is first manually folded or folded into a bellows shape by an automatic folding device (not shown), and then manually protected by the procedure shown in FIGS. 3 (a) to 3 (e). Fold 6
[0030]
When the protective patch 6 is folded, first, the airbag 1 folded in a bellows shape is placed on the connecting portion 6c of the protective patch 6 spread in a cross shape as shown in FIG. When the narrow patch pieces 6d and 6e of the patch 6 are folded as shown in FIG. 3B and folded at both ends of the airbag 1, one of the wide patch pieces 6a and 6b is folded and the width 6b is folded. Fold over the narrow patch pieces 6d and 6e as shown in FIG.
[0031]
Next, the other wide patch piece 6a is folded in the same manner, and folded on the already folded wide patch piece 6b as shown in FIG. 3 (d). Finally, the wrapping 6f of FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the locking holes 6 g opened at the tip of the wrapping 6 f are locked to hooks (not shown) provided in the mid retainer 5 so as to hold the ears 6 h of the wide patch pieces 6 a and 6 b. The airbag 1 itself is formed of a flexible base fabric. However, since the rigidity in the longitudinal direction is increased by folding the airbag 1, if the restraint is performed at any one position in the longitudinal direction, the folded shape is lost. Hard to do.
[0032]
Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, the airbag 1 that has been folded and has increased rigidity in the longitudinal direction is further wrapped with a protective patch 6 from four sides, and both ends are constrained by wrapping. Even if the self-restoring force of the airbag 1 acts from the inside, the shape is hardly lost.
[0033]
When the folding of the airbag 1 is completed as described above, the airbag 1 is accommodated in the airbag accommodating portion 2a of the retainer 2. At this time, the protective patch 6 and the wrapping 6f do not become an obstacle. Can be done efficiently in a short time.
[0034]
When the airbag 1 is stored in the airbag storage portion 2a, the nut retainer 5 and the airbag storage portion 2a are tightened by screwing a nut onto the tip of the fixing tool 7 protruding from the attachment hole 2e of the tapered portion 2d. Since the airbag 1 and the protective patch 6 are sandwiched between the tapered portion 2d, the airbag 1 can be fixed to the retainer 2, and the airbag 1 may lose its shape during the assembly operation. Because there is no, workability at the time of assembly is also very good.
[0035]
On the other hand, the assembled air bag device is mounted on a passenger seat of an automobile and used for use. However, when an impact is detected due to a collision of a vehicle in use, the airbag device is stored in an inflator storage portion 2c of the retainer 2. Gas is generated from the inflator 3, and this gas flows into the airbag 1 from the gas inlet 1a to inflate the airbag 1.
[0036]
When the inflation of the airbag 1 is started, the airbag 1 is first inflated from the vicinity of the center of the airbag 1 that is not restrained by the wrapping 6f, whereby the wrapping 6f that restrains both ends of the airbag 1 as shown in FIG. When pushed in the direction of arrow A, both ends of the airbag 1 slip through the wrapping 6f, and the restraint is released.
[0037]
Thereafter, when the airbag 1 is inflated, the wide patches 6a and 6b and the narrow patches 6d and 6e of the protective patch 6 are pushed one after another as shown in FIG. The tear line 4c of the cover 4 covering the opening 2b of the bag storage portion 2a is broken, and the airbag 1 is rapidly inflated to the outside of the retainer 2, and is developed into a predetermined shape as shown in FIG.
[0038]
Further, since the spread protective patch 6 covers the inner wall of the airbag housing portion 2a, the contact friction when the airbag 1 is inflated and deployed can be greatly reduced.
[0039]
In the above-described embodiment, when the wrapping is cut out from one wide patch piece 6a of the protective patch 6, the ear portion 6h is formed on both sides of the distal end portion of the wide patch piece 6a so that the ear portion 6h is wrapped 6f. By restraining with, the both ends of the airbag 1 are restrained.
[0040]
As a result, when the wide patch piece 6b on the opposite side does not largely overlap the wide patch piece 6a, or when the width of the wide patch piece 6b is narrower than the wide patch piece 6a, the one wide patch piece 6b is Even if it is not provided, both ends of the airbag 1 can be restrained via the ear portion 6h, so there is no problem.
[0041]
Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the case where the airbag 1 was folded in the shape of a bellows, you may fold in the shape of a roll.
[0042]
When the airbag 1 is folded into a roll shape, the rigidity in the longitudinal direction of the airbag 1 is increased. Therefore, by restraining both ends of the airbag 1 with the wrapping 6f via the protective patch 6, the airbag 1 is further shaped. Since it does not easily collapse, workability during assembly is further improved.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
As described in detail above, since the folded airbag is wrapped with a protective patch, both ends of the airbag are restrained by band-like wrapping cut out from the protective patch. Can be restrained by the self-restoring force of the airbag, so that the folded airbag does not lose its shape when assembling the airbag device. The assembly work of the airbag can be easily performed.
[0044]
Further, when the airbag is inflated and deployed, the airbag is inflated and deployed by sliding through the wrapping that restrains both ends of the airbag, so there is no need to break the wrapping. It can be performed smoothly and quickly, and conventional problems such as difficulty in setting the breaking strength can be solved.
[0045]
Further, when forming a wrapping by cutting out a part of the protective patch, an ear part is formed on a part of the protective patch, and both ends of the airbag are restrained by wrapping through the ear part. Even if the width of one of the protective patches folded on the bag is narrower than the width of the protective patch provided with the ears, both ends of the airbag can be constrained via the ears. There are few restrictions.
[0046]
In addition, if the airbag is folded into a roll shape and both ends of the roll airbag are restrained by wrapping, both ends of the airbag having increased rigidity in the longitudinal direction are restrained by wrapping. The airbag does not lose its shape, and when the airbag is inflated and deployed, the airbag is inflated from the central portion of the airbag, so that the inflation and deployment can be performed more smoothly.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the airbag provided in the airbag apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention when the airbag is inflated and deployed.
FIGS. 3A to 3E are explanatory views showing a procedure for folding an airbag provided in an airbag apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory view of the airbag device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory view of the airbag apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Airbag 1a Gas introduction port 2 Retainer 2a Airbag storage part 2b Opening part 2c Inflator storage part 2d Taper part 2e Mounting hole 2f Inflator insertion port 2g Locking hook 3 Inflator 4 Cover 4a Leg part 4b Locking hole 4c Tear line 5 Mid Retainer 6 Protective patch 6a, 6b Wide patch piece 6c Continuous portion 6d, 6e Narrow patch piece 6f Wrapping 6g Locking hole 6h Ear 7 Fastener 8 Nut with flange

Claims (2)

A protective patch that is folded so as to wrap the folded airbag; the protective patch includes a pair of wide patch pieces and a pair of narrow patch pieces provided at a connecting portion of the pair of wide patch pieces; Of the pair of wide patch pieces, one of the patch pieces is provided with a narrow band-shaped wrapping cut out from both side edges, The band-shaped wrapping is configured such that one end side thereof is connected to the connecting portion and the other end side is separated from the ear portion of the one wide patch piece . An airbag device characterized in that both ends in the longitudinal direction are constrained together with the ears of the protective patch. The airbag apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the airbag is folded in a roll shape and both ends of the roll airbag are restrained by the wrapping.

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