JP4840227B2 - Airbag device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an airbag apparatus including an airbag that is inflated by inflating a peripheral wall when an inflating gas flows in, and more specifically, a flexible device that connects a distal end side end to the peripheral wall side of the inflating airbag. And the end of the strip that is remote from the connecting portion of the strip to the peripheral wall side of the airbag can be held against the tension acting on the strip, and the origin of the strip The present invention relates to an airbag device suitable for a passenger seat, a driver seat, a pedestrian, and the like configured to include a holding mechanism that can release the holding of the section side end.

  Conventionally, in an airbag device, in addition to an airbag that protrudes and expands from a storage part so as to protect occupants and pedestrians, the amount of protrusion from the storage part of the airbag can be regulated. And an exhaust mechanism capable of exhausting the inflation gas flowing into the airbag so that the internal pressure of the airbag can be adjusted (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In this airbag device, a strip consisting of a tether and an adjustment belt for adjusting internal pressure is connected to a peripheral wall on which the airbag is inflated. A loop portion is formed on the end portion of the ring so as to be wound around the ring locked to the locking pin of the holding mechanism while being sewn in a cylindrical shape, and the loop portion is used as the locking pin of the holding mechanism. It was connected to the ring to be locked.

In this airbag device, the ring is locked to the locking pin of the holding mechanism, the ring is interposed, the band piece is held by the holding mechanism, and when the holding is released, the locking pin is pulled out of the ring, The piece was released from the holding mechanism together with the ring, and the protruding amount and internal pressure of the airbag were adjusted.
JP-T-2003-515483

  However, in the conventional airbag device, it is inevitable that a large tension at the time of inflation of the airbag acts on the loop-shaped base side end held on the holding mechanism side of the strip itself. And since the strip is folded together with the airbag, it is formed of a woven fabric having the same flexibility as the peripheral wall of the airbag, and is held by the holding mechanism when tension is generated when the airbag is inflated. Stress concentration is likely to occur at the end portion of the base portion, and particularly at the end portion of the loop-shaped base portion, stress concentration is also generated at the binding site itself of the loop-shaped end when coupled in a loop shape. Thus, processing such as reinforcement cloth and reinforcement sewing for reinforcement for preventing breakage is required, and there is a problem in a structure for easily connecting the strip to the holding mechanism.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems, and can provide an airbag device that can relieve stress concentration during tension action and can easily improve the tensile strength and connect the strip to the holding mechanism. The purpose is to provide.

The airbag apparatus according to the present invention has a flexible strip for connecting the end portion on the distal end side to the peripheral wall side of the airbag to be inflated, and a part of the strip that is connected to the peripheral wall side of the airbag. An air bag comprising a holding mechanism capable of holding the end portion of the base portion side against a tension acting on the strip and capable of releasing the holding of the end portion of the base portion of the strip. A device,
The base side end of the strip is configured to include a planar holding plane part and a through-hole that is arranged on the holding plane part and penetrates in the thickness direction of the holding plane part.
The holding mechanism
A pressing surface that contacts the holding flat surface in a planar shape, and a protruding portion that protrudes from the pressing surface so as to pass through the through-hole and has a fistula that extends parallel to the pressing surface at the protruding portion. A pressing material;
A saddle member attached to the main body side of the airbag device and capable of being pulled out by a drive mechanism, inserted into a stoma in a protruding portion of the pressing material penetrating the through hole, and locking the protruding portion,
At the time of locking the protruding portion of the pressing material in the saddle material, the holding flat portion of the strip on which the tension accompanying the expansion of the airbag acts is sandwiched between the pressing surface of the pressing material to hold the end portion side end portion of the strip A fixing member fixed to the main body side of the airbag device, including a possible pressure receiving surface, and an insertion hole that is disposed on the pressure receiving surface and allows the protrusion to be inserted;
It is characterized by comprising.

  In the airbag device according to the present invention, the protruding portion of the pressing member can be protruded from the insertion hole of the fixing member through the through hole at the end portion on the base portion of the strip, and the saddle member can be inserted into the hole of the protruding portion. For example, the holding flat portion of the end portion side end portion of the strip is sandwiched between the pressing surface of the pressing member and the pressure receiving surface of the fixing member, and the end portion end portion of the strip piece is held by the holding mechanism. . And if an airbag expand | swells, the strip | belt piece which connected the front end side edge part to the peripheral wall side of an airbag will be pulled by the peripheral wall side which an airbag expands, and tension will act. At that time, the flat side holding flat part is sandwiched between the pressing surface of the pressing member and the pressure receiving surface of the fixing member, and the tension is applied to the end part side end of the strip along the holding flat part. The surface can be dispersed, stress concentration can be relaxed, and the tensile strength of the strip can be improved. The strip has a simple structure that simply holds the holding flat surface portion without providing a stitched portion or a bonding portion for reinforcement on the flat holding flat surface portion at the end of the base portion, and has a tensile strength. Can be improved.

  In addition, when releasing the holding, if the saddle member is moved so as to be pulled out from the hole in the protruding portion of the pressing member, the holding member is held when tension is applied to the holding flat part of the strip as the airbag is inflated. The flat part is released from the sandwiched state between the pressure receiving surface of the fixing member and the pressing surface of the pressing member so that the projecting part is pulled out from the insertion hole of the fixing member, and the base side end of the strip The part is released from the holding by the holding mechanism.

Therefore, in the airbag apparatus according to the present invention, the stress concentration during the tension action can be relaxed, and the tensile strength can be easily improved and the strip can be connected to the holding mechanism.
Then, an extension portion that extends from the holding plane portion and is connected to the main body side of the airbag device is provided at the end portion side end portion of the strip, and when the pressing material is fixed to the holding plane portion, The installation portion is arranged to have a length that can secure the releasing operation of the end portion on the base portion side of the strip and can regulate the free movement that hits the inner peripheral surface of the airbag at the end portion on the base portion side. For example, when holding the strip, it is possible to prevent the end of the strip from hitting the inner peripheral surface of the airbag, and it is not necessary to consider removing from the airbag. A situation where a pressing member is applied to a person who is scheduled to be restrained such as an occupant is not invited.
Alternatively, the pressing material may be separable from the strip, and may be connected by interposing a connecting material on the main body side of the airbag device. Is separated from the end portion side end portion of the strip, and even if the end portion side end portion of the strip hits the inner peripheral surface of the airbag due to the inertial force accompanying the movement of the tip end side end portion, The pressing member is not connected to the end portion, and the end portion on the side of the base portion can be prevented from being damaged to the airbag.

  The area of the holding flat part of the strip, and the pressing surface of the pressing member that holds the holding flat part and the pressure receiving surface of the fixing member is appropriately determined according to the tension acting on the strip during inflation of the airbag. Increase or decrease.

  The pressing surface and the pressure receiving surface when sandwiching the holding flat portion of the strip are arranged along a plane substantially orthogonal to the direction of the tension acting on the strip, and the pressing material is the holding flat portion. The edge in the direction toward the tip side end of the strip is sandwiched substantially perpendicular to the direction of the tension acting on the strip, and the center of the edge is aligned with the center of the strip in the width direction. It is desirable to arrange them.

  In such a configuration, the edge of the pressing member is substantially orthogonal to the direction of the tension acting on the strip when the tension is applied while holding the strip, and the center of the edge is the strip. It is arranged so as to coincide with the center of the width direction of the belt, and is arranged in a balanced manner corresponding to the width direction of the strip without partially protruding to the tension acting direction side. It is possible to prevent damage in the vicinity of the periphery of the holding flat portion of the strip. In addition, since the pressing surface of the pressing material is disposed along a plane that is substantially orthogonal to the direction of the tension acting on the strip, if the tension acts on the strip at the time of release, the tension is reduced. Since it acts along the direction in which the protruding portion of the pressing material is extracted from the insertion hole of the fixing member, the protruding portion of the pressing material can be smoothly extracted from the insertion hole of the fixing member. And in such a configuration, even when the strap is pulled out from the hole of the protruding portion and the holding of the strip is released in a state where tension is acting on the strip in the middle of inflation of the airbag, The protrusion of the pressing member can be pulled out from the insertion hole of the fixing member to release the strip.

  Further, it is desirable that the fixing member is formed integrally with the case as a part of the case for storing the folded airbag. If comprised in this way, compared with the case where a fixing member is provided as another part, the assembly man-hour and the number of parts of an airbag can be reduced.

  In this case, there is an insertion hole through which the protruding portion of the pressing material can be inserted between the fixing member and the holding flat portion of the strip, and a flat plate having an outer shape substantially parallel to the pressing surface and parallel to the pressing surface. May be provided. In such a configuration, when it is difficult for the fixing member integrated with the case to secure a smooth wide pressure receiving surface, the holding flat portion of the strip is replaced with the pressing surface and the contact plate using the pressure receiving surface of the fixing member. And can be held stably.

  The strip is used as a tether that regulates the shape of the airbag when inflation is completed, or as a vent hole opening / closing adjustment belt that can adjust the amount of inflation gas flowing into the airbag. be able to.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. An airbag device M1 of the first embodiment is for a passenger seat as shown in FIG. 1, and further, the airbag of the first embodiment. The device M1 is set to be controlled by the control device 70 as a top mount type mounted on the upper surface 2 side of an instrument panel (hereinafter referred to as instrument panel) 1 in front of the passenger seat S. And in the airbag 22 of the airbag apparatus M1, the strip 36 connected with the peripheral wall side is arrange | positioned as the tether 37 which adjusts the protrusion amount to the back side at the time of completion of expansion | swelling of the airbag 22 (FIG. 15, 16).

  The control device 70 includes a collision detection sensor 71 that includes an acceleration sensor that can detect the deceleration at the time of an actual collision of the vehicle V, and an occupant detection sensor that can detect the seating position and weight of the occupant P as a person scheduled to be restrained. 72, so that a signal is input (see FIG. 1). In the case of the first embodiment, the occupant detection sensor 72 includes a position detection sensor 73 that can detect the distance of the occupant P seated on the passenger seat S from the airbag device M1. When the control device 70 detects a collision of the vehicle V based on a signal from the collision detection sensor 71, the control device 70 activates the airbag device M 1, and at that time, based on the signal from the position detection sensor 73. The operation of the actuator 58 of the holding mechanism 44 that can adjust the length of the tether 37 is controlled so that the airbag 22 can be inflated with a suitable protruding length (see FIGS. 15 and 16).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the airbag device M <b> 1 includes a folded airbag 22, an inflator 15 that supplies inflation gas to the airbag 22, and a case 6 that stores and holds the airbag 22 and the inflator 15. The airbag cover 17 is connected to the case 6 so as to cover the folded airbag 22. Furthermore, as described above, the airbag device M1 is a tether that connects the case 6 side and the airbag 22 side so that the amount of protrusion from the case 6 as a storage part of the airbag 22 when inflation is completed can be regulated. 37 and a holding mechanism 44 for holding and releasing the base end 40 of the tether 37 so as to adjust the length of the tether 37 (see FIGS. 15 and 16).

  1-4, the case 6 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape including a rectangular plate-shaped bottom wall portion 9 and a rectangular tubular peripheral wall portion 10 extending upward from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall portion 9. The storage part of the folded airbag 22 is comprised as sheet metal. Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the case 6 includes a main body 7 constituting the outer peripheral side, and an inner peripheral side, and a bolt 12 for attaching the airbag 22 and the inflator 15 to the main body 7. And a retainer 8 provided with The bottom wall portion 9 is formed with an insertion hole 9a that is opened in a circular shape into which the main body portion 15a of the inflator 15 can be inserted. The main body 7 around the insertion hole 9a is formed on the main body 7 around the insertion hole 9a. A through-hole 9c that allows the plurality of bolts 12 of the retainer 8 to pass therethrough is formed. Further, through the main body 7 and the retainer 8, insertion holes 9 b and 9 b through which the protruding portions 47 and 47 of the pressing member 45 of the holding mechanism 44 are inserted are formed in the bottom wall portion 9 so as to penetrate vertically. (See FIGS. 5 to 7). Further, a bracket (not shown) that fixes the airbag device M1 to the body side of the vehicle V is disposed on the bottom wall portion 9.

  The retainer 8 is attached to the upper surface side of the main body 7 in the bottom wall portion 9 of the case 6 while pressing the peripheral edge of the inflow opening 24 of the airbag 22, and the inflator 15 is attached to the bottom wall portion 9 of the case 6. It is attached to the bottom side. The retainer 8 includes a plurality of bolts 12 (six in the first embodiment) 12 that protrude downward (see FIG. 4), and each bolt 12 passes through the through hole 25 of the airbag 22 and the main body 7 of the case 6. It penetrates through the hole 9c (see FIG. 2). Further, four of the six bolts 12 on the side of the inflator 15 pass through the mounting hole 15d of the inflator 15 and fasten the nut 13 so that the airbag 22 and the inflator 15 are connected to the case 6. It is fixedly attached to the main body 7.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of locking claws 10 a that lock the connecting wall portion 19 of the airbag cover 17 are disposed at the upper end of the body 7 in the peripheral wall portion 10 of the case 6. Yes.

  The inflator 15 is operated by the control device 70 when the control device 70 detects a collision of the vehicle V based on a signal from the collision detection sensor 71. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the inflator 15 projects from a cylindrical main body portion 15a having a plurality of gas discharge ports 15b for discharging the inflation gas G during operation, and an outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 15a. A substantially square annular flange portion 15c is provided. The flange portion 15c includes a mounting hole 15d through which the bolt 12 of the retainer 8 is inserted, and is brought into contact with the peripheral edge of the insertion hole 9a on the lower surface side of the bottom wall portion 9 of the case 6 so that the bolt 12 of the retainer 8 is inserted therethrough. When the nut 13 is fixed, it is attached to the case 6.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the airbag cover 17 is integrally formed with the instrument panel 1 in the case of the first embodiment, and is disposed so as to cover the folded airbag 22. When the airbag 22 is inflated, the airbag cover 17 is pushed by the inflating airbag 22 to rupture the surrounding thinly-scheduled breaking portion 17a, and the two door portions 18 and 18 opened on the front and rear sides are provided. It is prepared for. Further, around the door portions 18, 18 of the airbag cover 17, there is a connecting wall portion 19 that is locked to the locking claw 10 a of the peripheral wall portion 10 inserted into the locking hole 19 a and is connected to the case 6. It is arranged.

When the airbag 22 is inflated alone, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the airbag 22 includes a substantially quadrangular pyramid-shaped peripheral wall provided with a top on the front end side, and the peripheral wall of the airbag 22 is connected to the bottom side of the quadrangular pyramid. It is disposed on the rear end side of the air bag 22 made, an occupant side wall 29 to receive the occupant P seated in the passenger seat S, provided with a peripheral wall portion 23 which narrows from the outer peripheral edge of the occupant side wall 29 to the front, the construction Has been. The peripheral wall 23 includes a bottom wall 23a in contact with the upper surface 2 of the instrument panel 1 when the airbag 22 is inflated in a vehicle-mounted state (see FIG. 16), an upper wall 23b in contact with the windshield 4 (see FIG. 16), and a left side. A wall 23c and a right side wall 23d are provided. A substantially rectangular inflow opening 24 for allowing the inflating gas G to flow in is formed on the front side of the bottom wall 23a, and the periphery of the inflow opening 24 is pressed by the retainer 8 in the main body 7 of the case 6. It is attached to a portion of the bottom wall portion 9 (see FIG. 2). A through hole 25 through which each bolt 12 of the retainer 8 passes is formed at the periphery of the inflow opening 24. Further, a vent hole 27 is formed in the left side wall 23c and the right side wall 23d.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the airbag 22 reinforces the periphery of the first base fabric 31, the second base fabric 32, and the inflow opening 24 made of flexible woven fabric such as polyester or polyamide. It forms from the reinforcing cloth 33 and 34 to do. The first base fabric 31 forms a bottom wall 23a on the front end side, an upper wall 23b on the front end side, a left side wall 23c, and a right side wall 23d in the peripheral wall portion 23. The second base fabric 32 forms the remaining bottom wall 23 a, upper wall 23 b, and occupant side wall 29. The 2nd base fabric 32 is provided with the wide slit 32a extended in an up-down direction in the center of the left-right direction. The slit 32a is closed in a state where the front portion 38a and the rear portion 38b of the front end side end portion 38 of the tether 37 are sandwiched when the airbag 22 is manufactured. If the tip side end portion 38 of the tether 37 is connected to such a closed portion, a portion that is pulled by the tether 37 and recessed forward in the center of the occupant side wall portion 29 when the airbag 22 is completely inflated. Even if the airbag 22 is set in the protrusion amount suppression mode when the tether 37 is held by the holding mechanism 44 and the protrusion amount increase mode when the tether 37 is released, the airbag 22 is set in the left-right direction. It is possible to adjust the amount of rearward protrusion from the case 6 while suppressing fluctuations in the width dimension.

  The airbag 22 is manufactured by stitching the reinforcing cloths 33 and 34 to the rectangular part 31a at the center of the first base cloth 31 and at the rectangular part 31a side of the left and right disk-like parts 31b and 31b of the first base cloth 31. Are stitched to the rectangular portion 31a. Further, in the second base fabric 32, the front portion 38a and the rear portion 38b of the tip side end portion 38 of the tether 37 are stitched while the slit 32a is closed, so that the tether 37 is connected to the second base fabric 32. . Then, the left and right edges of the second base cloth 32 are stitched to the outer peripheral edges of the corresponding left and right disc-like parts 31b and 31b, and the upper and lower edges of the second base cloth 32 correspond to the rectangular part 31a. Suture to upper and lower edges. Next, the airbag 22 with the tether 37 attached thereto can be manufactured by turning it over at the inflow opening 24 so that the seam allowance does not appear on the outer surface.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the tether 37 is a three-pronged belt formed of a woven fabric such as polyester or polyamide having flexibility, and has a front end 38 on a front part 38 a and a rear part 38 b. The front portion 38a and the rear portion 38b of the tip end portion 38 of the tether 37 are integrally formed with an intermediate portion 39 that is a portion toward the base portion end portion 40, and the tip end portion 38 is branched. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, at the base portion side end portion 40 on the case 6 side away from the flat holding plane, the strip-shaped intermediate portion 39 having a narrow width dimension is continuously connected and widened in a rectangular plate shape. A portion 41 is formed and configured. The holding flat surface portion 41 is provided with two through holes 42 penetrating in the thickness direction. The rectangular shape of the holding flat surface portion 41 is such that the front end side end portion 38 of the tether 37 is pulled by the tether 37 in the extending direction of the long side 41 a that extends wide from the intermediate portion 39 as the airbag 22 is inflated. When the tension T (see FIGS. 13 and 15) acts, the tension T is arranged so as to be orthogonal to the acting direction of the tension T acting on the base end 40. Further, the through holes 42 and 42 opened in two rectangles are arranged (parallelly arranged) so that the straight edges are orthogonal to the direction of action of the tension T and perpendicular to the direction of action of the tension T. ing. In the case of the embodiment, the arrangement direction of the through holes 42 and 42 is the front-rear direction of the vehicle V. Further, the direction of action of the tension T acting on the tether 37 in the state of being held by the holding mechanism 44 when the airbag 22 is inflated is set to a direction substantially orthogonal to the bottom wall portion 9 of the case 6 and is held. The holding flat surface portion 41 of the tether 37 is also arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of action of the tension T (see FIGS. 5 and 15). Further, the holding plane portion 41 and the intermediate portion 39 have the center C in the width direction aligned with each other.

  In the case of the first embodiment, the holding mechanism 44 that holds and releases the base side end 40 of the tether 37 is, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, a pressing material 45, a saddle material 53, and a saddle material 53. The actuator 58 and the fixing member 61 constitute a drive mechanism for driving the motor.

  The pressing member 45 is made of sheet metal, protrudes so as to pass through the through holes 42 and 42 from the pressing surface 46, and presses against the protruding portion from the pressing surface 46 in contact with the holding flat portion 41 of the tether 37. Protrusions 47 and 47 each having a hole 48 penetrating in parallel with the surface 46 are configured. The shape of the pressing surface 46 is a rectangular shape that is substantially the same shape as the holding flat surface portion 41 of the tether 37.

  As the actuator 58, a micro gas generator is used, and when an operation signal is input from the control device 70, the internal explosive is ignited, and the generated combustion gas causes the operating piece 59 to become as shown in FIGS. From the initial position A0 to the operation completion position A1, the case 6 protrudes rearward along the bottom wall portion 9.

  The brazing material 53 fixes the connection plate portion 54 to the tip of the operating piece 59 and extends along the actuator 58 between the actuator 58 and the projecting portions 47 and 47 from the edge of the connection plate portion 54 on the inflator 15 side. A connecting base 55 is projected. Furthermore, the eaves 53 are formed with an insertion piece 56 extending from the upper edge of the connecting base 55 along the lower surface of the bottom wall 9 of the case 6. 48 is provided with flanges 56a, 56a to be inserted into the 48. When the actuator 58 is actuated, each flange piece 56a moves to the rear side in parallel with the pressing surface 46 of the pressing member 45 and the holding flat surface portion 41 together with the operating piece 59, and is pulled out from the corresponding hole 48 of the corresponding protruding portion 47. It will be. Then, when the flanges 56a are inserted into the protrusions 47 into the protrusions 47, the protrusions 56a restrict the protrusions 47 from coming out of the through holes 42 or the insertion holes 63 of the fixing member 61 and protrude. The part 47 will be locked.

  In the case of 1st Embodiment, the fixing member 61 is formed of the site | part of the bottom wall part 9 of the case 6 which comprises the main body MB side different from the airbag 22 which the airbag apparatus M1 expand | swells. The fixing member 61 is configured so that the holding flat surface portion 41 of the tether 37 on which the tension T accompanying the expansion of the airbag 22 acts is pressed against the pressing surface of the pressing member 45 when the protruding portion 47 of the pressing member 45 is locked in the bridging member 53. 46 and a pressure receiving surface 62 that holds the base portion side end portion 40 of the tether 37. Further, the fixing member 61 is formed with an insertion hole 63 (9b) which is disposed on the pressure receiving surface 62 and through which the protruding portions 47 and 47 are inserted.

  In the case of the first embodiment, the pressing surface 46 and the pressure receiving surface 62 when sandwiching the holding flat portion 41 of the tether 37 are substantially orthogonal to the direction of action of the tension T acting on the holding flat portion 41 of the tether 37. It is arranged along the plane, that is, along the bottom wall portion 9 of the case 6.

  Further, the pressing member 45 has an end edge 45a in a direction toward the tip end side portion 38 of the tether 37 sandwiching the holding flat surface portion 41 substantially orthogonal to the direction of application of the tension T acting on the tether 37, and The center 45b of the edge 45a is disposed so as to coincide with the center C in the width direction between the intermediate portion 39 of the tether 37 and the holding flat portion 41 (see FIGS. 5 and 13).

  Furthermore, in the case of the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 15, the pressing member 45 can be separated from the holding flat surface portion 41 of the tether 37, and with respect to the case 6 on the main body MB side of the airbag device M <b> 1. The connection is made by interposing a connecting member 51 made of a flexible cloth material. Both the pressing member 45 and the case 6 are provided with connecting rods 49a and 11a for connecting and connecting the connecting member 51 in a loop shape, and through holes 49b and 11b for passing the connecting member 51 to be wound. 11 is formed (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

  And this airbag apparatus M1 is mounted in the vehicle V, for example, the control apparatus 70 inputs the signal from the position detection sensor 73 of the passenger | crew detection sensor 72, and the passenger | crew P approaches the airbag apparatus M1. If the control device 70 inputs a signal from the collision detection sensor 71 that detects the collision of the vehicle V in the state where it is detected that the vehicle is detected, the actuator 58 is not operated and only the inflator 15 is operated. Then, the inflator 15 is activated, the inflation gas G is discharged from the gas discharge port 15b, and the airbag 22 is inflated by inflowing the inflation gas G, thereby breaking the breakable portion 17a of the airbag cover 17. Thus, the doors 18 and 18 are opened on both the front and rear sides, and are expanded and expanded rearward (see FIGS. 1 and 16).

At this time, in the holding mechanism 44, the protrusions 47 and 47 of the pressing member 45 pass through the through holes 42 and 42 of the base portion side end portion 40 of the tether 37 as shown in FIGS. Projecting from the insertion hole 63, each collar piece 56 a of the collar 53 is inserted into the collar 48 of the projecting portion 47, and the holding flat surface portion 41 of the base side end 40 of the tether 37 is the pressing surface of the pressing material 45. 46 and the pressure receiving surface 62 of the fixing member 61, the base side end 40 of the tether 37 is held by the holding mechanism 44. Therefore, the airbag 22 is inflated, and the airbag 22 is inflated on the tether 37 in which the distal end portion 38 is connected to the peripheral wall side of the airbag 22 (the occupant side wall 29 and the upper wall 23b of the peripheral wall 23). Pulled to the peripheral wall side (occupant side wall 29 and upper wall 23b of the peripheral wall 23) , the tension T acts (see the two-dot chain line in FIGS. 13A and 15 and 16).

  However, the flat-side holding flat surface portion 41 is sandwiched between the pressing surface 46 of the pressing member 45 and the pressure receiving surface 62 of the fixing member 61 at the base portion side end portion 40 of the tether 37, and the tension T is sandwiched. The surface along the holding plane part 41 can be dispersed, the stress concentration can be relaxed, and the tensile strength of the tether 37 can be improved. The tether 37 does not have a stitching part or an adhesive part for reinforcement on the flat holding flat part 41 of the base part side end part 40, and the pressure surface 46 of the pressing member 45 and the pressure receiving surface 62 of the fixing member 61. Thus, the tensile strength can be improved with a simple structure that simply holds the holding flat portion 41.

  Since the airbag 22 is completely inflated by suppressing the amount of rearward projection of the occupant side wall portion 29 by the tether 37, even if the occupant P approaching the airbag device M1 moves forward, The airbag 22 can be prevented from hitting the occupant P, and the occupant P can be received with good cushioning properties by the airbag 22 that has been inflated.

  In addition, the control device 70 inputs a signal from the position detection sensor 73 of the occupant detection sensor 72 and detects that the occupant P is away from the airbag device M1. If the signal which detected the collision of the vehicle V is input, the control apparatus 70 will actuate the actuator 58, will move the action piece 59 from the initial position A0 to the action completion position A1, and each hook piece 56a will correspond to each protrusion part 47. The air bag 22 is inflated by operating the inflator 15. At that time, a tension acts on the holding flat surface portion 41 of the tether 37 that is pulled as the airbag 22 is inflated. However, at this time, each flange piece 56a of the flange member 53 has already moved so as to be extracted from each hole 48 in the protruding portion 47 of the pressing member 45 (see FIG. 13B and FIG. 14), and the holding plane. The portion 41 is moved from the insertion hole 63 of the fixing member 61 to move the pressing member 45 so that the protruding portion 47 is removed from the insertion hole 63 of the fixing member 61, and is released from the sandwiched state between the pressure receiving surface 62 of the fixing member 61 and the pressing surface 46 of the pressing member 45. Thus, the holding portion 44 of the base side end 40 of the tether 37 is released (see solid lines in FIGS. 15 and 16).

  Therefore, the airbag 22 is released from being pulled by the tether 37, and the rearward projection amount of the occupant side wall portion 29 is not suppressed. Even if the occupant P that has been away from the airbag device M1 moves forward, the occupant P can be received quickly and with good cushioning properties by completing the inflation so as to approach the occupant P side.

  Therefore, in the airbag apparatus M1 of the first embodiment, the stress concentration at the time of the tension action can be alleviated, and the tensile strength can be easily improved, so that the tether 37 as the strip 36 is attached to the holding mechanism 44. Can be connected.

  The area of the holding flat surface portion 41 of the tether 37 and the pressing surface 46 of the pressing member 45 sandwiching the holding flat surface portion 41 and the pressure receiving surface 62 of the fixing member 61 are the band pieces 36 when the airbag 22 is inflated. What is necessary is just to increase / decrease suitably according to the tension | tensile_strength T which acts on the tether 37 of this.

  In the case of the first embodiment, the pressing surface 46 and the pressure receiving surface 62 when sandwiching the holding flat portion 41 of the tether 37 are substantially orthogonal to the direction of action of the tension T acting on the holding flat portion 41 of the tether 37. It is disposed along a plane (the bottom wall portion 9 of the case 6). Further, the pressing member 45 has the edge 45a in the direction toward the distal end side portion 38 and the intermediate portion 39 sandwiching the holding flat surface portion 41 substantially orthogonal to the direction of action of the tension T acting on the tether 37, and The center 45b of the end edge 45a is disposed so as to coincide with the center C in the width direction between the intermediate portion 39 and the holding flat portion 41 of the tether 37 (see FIGS. 5, 6, and 13).

  Therefore, when the tension is applied while holding the tether 37, the end edge 45 a of the pressing member 45 does not partially protrude in the direction of application of the tension T acting on the tether 37, and the middle of the tether 37. Corresponding to the width direction of the portion 39, breakage in the vicinity of the area extending from the periphery of the holding flat surface portion 41 of the tether 37 that is pressed by the pressing member 45 to the intermediate portion 39 can be prevented. In addition, since the pressing surface 46 of the pressing member 45 is disposed along a plane substantially perpendicular to the direction of application of the tension T acting on the tether 37, if the tension T acts on the tether 37 when releasing the holding. Since the tension T acts along the direction in which the protruding portion 47 of the pressing member 45 is removed from the insertion hole 63 of the fixing member 61, the protruding portion 47 of the pressing member 45 is smoothly inserted into the insertion hole 63 of the fixing member 61. Can be pulled out from. And in such a structure, even when tension | tensile_strength is acting on the tether 37 in the middle of expansion | swelling of the airbag 22, even when pulling out the collar material 53 from the coffin hole 48 of the protrusion part 47, and releasing the holding | maintenance of the tether 37 The protrusion 47 of the pressing member 45 can be smoothly pulled out from the insertion hole 63 of the fixing member 61 to release the holding of the tether 37.

  In the first embodiment, the pressing member 45 is separable from the tether 37 and is connected to the case 6 on the main body MB side of the airbag device M1 with the connecting member 51 interposed. Therefore, when the holding of the tether 37 is released, as shown in FIG. 15, the pressing member 45 is separated from the base portion side end portion 40 of the tether 37, and the base portion side end portion 40 is moved to move the tip end side end portion 38. Due to the inertial force involved, the pressing member 45 is not connected to the base side end 40 even when it hits the inner peripheral surface of the airbag 22, and the base side end 40 can prevent damage to the airbag 22. Furthermore, there is no problem even if the airbag 22 is pulled out.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the fixing member 61 is formed integrally with the case 6 as a part of the case 6 that houses the folded airbag 22. Therefore, compared with the case where the fixing member 61 is provided as a separate part, the number of assembling steps and the number of parts of the airbag 22 can be reduced.

  In the first embodiment, the strip 36 that is releasably held by the holding mechanism 44 is used as a tether 37 that regulates the shape of the airbag 22 when inflation is completed. However, like the strip 36A of the airbag device M2 of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the opening / closing adjustment belt of the vent hole 27A capable of adjusting the exhaust amount of the inflation gas G flowing into the airbag 22A. It may be used as 77 (hereinafter simply referred to as a belt).

The vent hole 27A of the airbag 22A opens to the peripheral wall portion 23 as the peripheral wall side of the airbag 22A, and a flap member 76 is coupled to the periphery thereof. The front end 38A of the belt 77 is connected to the open / close end 76a of the flap member 76 away from the hinge 76b. The belt 77 is held by the holding mechanism 44 by inserting the intermediate portion 39A through the insertion hole 26 formed in the peripheral wall portion 23 of the airbag 22A on the way from the tip end portion 38A to the base portion end portion 40A. It is continued to the former side end 40A. The base portion side end portion 40A is the same as the base portion side end portion 40 of the first embodiment, and the holding mechanism 44 that holds the base portion side end portion 40A is also the same as that of the first embodiment. The same parts / members are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

  Further, the control device 70A for controlling the operation of the inflator 15 of the airbag device M2 and the actuator 58 of the holding mechanism 44 inputs the signal of the weight detection sensor 74 provided in the passenger seat as the occupant detection sensor 72, and If the occupant seated in the seat is light, the inflator 15 is activated and the actuator 58 is activated to release the belt 77. If the occupant seated in the passenger seat is heavy, the inflator 15 is only activated. Thus, the actuator 58 is not operated.

  That is, in the airbag apparatus M2, if a heavy vehicle occupant is seated in the passenger seat and a vehicle collision is detected, the control device 70A operates only the inflator 15 without operating the actuator 58. Therefore, the airbag 22 is inflated without opening the vent hole 27A, and a heavy occupant with a large kinetic energy can be received by the airbag 22A with increased internal pressure (see FIGS. 17A and 18). (See the two-dot chain line).

  On the other hand, if a collision of a vehicle is detected in a state where a light occupant is seated in the passenger seat, the control device 70A operates the inflator 15 and the actuator 58, so that the airbag 22A is inflated. Tension T acts on the belt 77 that connects the front end 38A with the flap member 76 interposed on the peripheral wall 23 side. At this time, the actuator 58 has already been operated, and each flange piece 56a of the flange member 53 has moved so as to be pulled out from each hole 48 in the protruding portion 47 of the pressing member 45. The pressing member 45 is moved so that the protruding portion 47 is pulled out from the insertion hole 63 of the fixing member 61, and is released from the clamping state between the pressure receiving surface 62 of the fixing member 61 and the pressing surface 46 of the pressing member 45. The base end 40A is released from the holding mechanism 44 (see B in FIG. 17 and the solid line in FIG. 18). For this reason, the belt 77 is removed from the insertion hole 26 and the flap member 76 is opened to open the vent hole 27A, and the inflation gas G is exhausted from the vent hole 27A. Ascending is suppressed, and a lightweight occupant with small kinetic energy can be received with reduced reaction force.

  In the belt 77 in the strip 36A of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17B, the belt 77 is completely removed from the airbag 22A when release by the holding mechanism 44 is released. As shown by the two-dot chain line, the base side end 40A (see A in FIG. 17) of the belt 77 may be configured to remain in the airbag 22A.

  The airbag device M2 of the second embodiment has the same structure as that of the first embodiment, and presses the tension T acting on the base side end 40A of the belt 77 held by the holding mechanism 44. It can be sandwiched and dispersed between the pressing surface 46 of the material 45 and the pressure receiving surface 62 of the fixing member 61, can reduce the stress concentration during the tension action, and can easily improve the tensile strength. Thus, the belt 77 for opening / closing adjustment of the vent hole 27A as the strip 36A can be connected to the holding mechanism 44.

  Moreover, like the airbag apparatus M3 of 3rd Embodiment shown to FIGS. 19-22, between the case 6 which comprises the fixing member 61, and the holding | maintenance plane part 41 of the tether 37B as the strip 36B, it is the pressing material 45B. A flat plate 65 having an outer shape that is parallel to the pressing surface 46 and has substantially the same shape as the pressing surface 46 may be provided. In such a configuration, when it is difficult for the fixing member 61 integrated with the case 6 to secure the smooth wide pressure receiving surface 62, the holding flat surface portion 41 of the tether 37 </ b> B is used by using the pressure receiving surface 62 of the fixing member 61. The pressing surface 46 and the contact plate 65 can stably hold the plate. The airbag device M3 of the third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the airbag device M3 includes a contact plate 65, and other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. Parts and members similar to those of the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and description thereof is omitted.

  And the abutment plate 65 is separable from the tether 37B, like the pressing member 45B, and interposes flexible connecting members 51B and 51B to the case 6 on the main body MB side of the airbag apparatus M3. Are connected (see FIGS. 19 and 21). The connecting members 51B and 51B are respectively connected to the connecting rods 11a, 67a, and 49a through the corresponding cases 6, the contact plates 65, and the through holes 11b, 67b, and 49b of the connecting portions 11B, 67, and 49 of the pressing member 45B. It is wound and connected. Therefore, when releasing the holding of the tether 37B, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the abutment plate 65 and the pressing member 45B are separated from the base side end 40 of the tether 37B, and the base side end 40 is Even if it hits the inner peripheral surface of the airbag 22 due to the inertial force accompanying the movement of the side end portion 38, the abutment plate 65 and the pressing material 45 </ b> B are not connected to the base portion side end portion 40, and the base portion side end portion 40. Can prevent the airbag 22 from being damaged, and even if it comes off the airbag 22, there is no problem.

  In addition, like the airbag device M4 of the fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 23 to 25, with the pressing member 45C and the abutment plate 65C interposed with the holding flat surface portion 41 of the tether 37C as the strip 36C, They may be bonded to each other and fixed to the holding flat surface portion 41. In the airbag device M4, the tether 37C is formed at the base portion side end portion 40 with an extending portion 43 extending from the holding flat surface portion 41 and connected to the case 6 on the main body MB side of the airbag device M4. . The extending portion 43 is wound and connected to the connecting rod 11a through the through hole 11b of the connecting portion 11C of the case 6. The length L of the extended portion 43 ensures the holding and releasing operation of the base side end 40 of the tether 37 and restricts free movement of the base side end 40 against the inner peripheral surface of the airbag 22. It is arranged as a possible length. With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the end portion 40 of the tether 37C from hitting the inner peripheral surface of the airbag 22 when the holding of the tether 37C is released, and further considering that the tether 37C comes off from the airbag 22. There is no need to do so, and a situation in which the pressing member 45C or the contact plate 65C is applied to an occupant receiving the airbag 22 is not caused.

  And of course, also in 3rd, 4th embodiment, the operation | movement of the holding | maintenance mechanism 44 of the base part side edge part 40 of the tethers 37B and 37C as the strips 36B and 36C is the same as that of 1st Embodiment. Yes, the tension T acting on the base side end 40 of the tethers 37B and 37C is applied between the pressing surface 46 of the pressing members 45B and 45C and the pressure receiving surface 62 of the fixing member 61 with the contact plates 65 and 65C interposed. The surface can be sandwiched and dispersed, the stress concentration during the tension action can be relaxed, the tensile strength can be easily improved, and the tethers 37B and 37C as the strips 36B and 36C can be obtained. It can be connected to the holding mechanism 44.

  As in the third and fourth embodiments, using the abutment plates 65 and 65C, the holding flat surface portion 41 at the base portion side end portion 40 of the tether 37B and 37C is sandwiched between the pressing materials 45B and 45C. Fitting portions 50 and 68 that engage with each other through the holding flat surface portion 41 may be provided on the pressing members 45B and 45C and the abutting plates 65 and 65C to increase the clamping force (FIG. 19, 21, 23, 24).

  Further, when the pressing material 45C is fixed to the holding flat surface portion 41 as in the fourth embodiment, the holding flat surface portion 41 is fixed to the pressing surface 46 of the fixed pressing material 45C without using the contact plate 65C. It is good also as a structure clamped with the pressure receiving surface 62 of the fixing member 61. FIG.

  Further, in the first to fourth embodiments, the case where a plurality of the through holes 42 of the holding flat surface portion 41 and the protruding portions 47 of the pressing members 45, 45B, and 45C are arranged has been shown. . However, as in the first embodiment, if a plurality of the pressing members 45 are provided along the edge 45a, when the holding mechanism 44 of the base side end 40 is held, the peripheral edge of the through hole 42 in the protrusion 47 is provided. Can also be applied, and the tensile strength of the strip 36 can be further improved.

  Furthermore, in the first to fourth embodiments, the airbag devices M1, M2, M3, and M4 for passenger seats have been described as examples. However, the present invention is not limited to other airbag devices for driver seats or pedestrians. The invention can be applied.

It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the vehicle front-back direction which shows the use condition of the airbag apparatus of 1st Embodiment in this invention. It is a general | schematic enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view of the airbag apparatus of 1st Embodiment of the vehicle front-back direction. It is a general | schematic expanded longitudinal cross-sectional view of the left-right direction of the vehicle of the airbag apparatus of 1st Embodiment, and respond | corresponds to the III-III site | part of FIG. It is a bottom view of the airbag apparatus of a 1st embodiment. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the airbag apparatus of 1st Embodiment, and respond | corresponds to the VV site | part of FIG. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the airbag apparatus of 1st Embodiment, and respond | corresponds to the VI-VI site | part of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the base part side end part of a tether, a pressing material, a saddle material, a fixing member, etc. of the airbag apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is the perspective view seen from the back side which inflated the airbag used for the airbag apparatus of 1st Embodiment alone. It is the perspective view seen from the front side which inflated the airbag used for the airbag apparatus of 1st Embodiment alone. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the front-back direction in the protrusion amount increase mode of the airbag of 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the front-back direction in the protrusion amount suppression mode of the airbag of 1st Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the constituent material of the airbag of 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state at the time of holding | maintenance of the tether of 1st Embodiment, and the time of cancellation | release of holding | maintenance. It is a bottom view which shows the state at the time of holding release of the tether of 1st Embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an airbag inflated when the airbag device of the first embodiment is activated and when the actuator is activated. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the inflation state of the airbag at the time of the action | operation of the airbag apparatus of 1st Embodiment, and the action | operation of an actuator. It is a schematic partial perspective view which shows the action | operation of the opening-and-closing adjustment belt of the vent hole connected with the airbag in the airbag apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the inflation state of the airbag at the time of the action | operation of the airbag apparatus of 2nd Embodiment, and the action | operation of an actuator. It is a disassembled perspective view of the base part side edge part of a tether, a pressing material, a saddle material, a fixing member, etc. of the airbag apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the airbag apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state at the time of holding | maintenance of the tether of 3rd Embodiment, and the time of cancellation | release of holding | maintenance. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an airbag inflated when the airbag device of the third embodiment is activated and when the actuator is activated. It is a disassembled perspective view of the base part side end part of a tether, a pressing material, a saddle material, a fixing member, etc. of the airbag apparatus of 4th Embodiment. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state at the time of holding | maintenance of the tether of 4th Embodiment, and the time of cancellation | release of holding | maintenance. It is a schematic cross-sectional view which shows the expansion state of the airbag at the time of the action | operation of the airbag apparatus of 4th Embodiment, and the action | operation of an actuator.

Explanation of symbols

6 ... (Body MB of the airbag device) Case,
22 ... Airbag,
23 ... peripheral wall,
36, 36a, 36B, 36C ... strips,
37, 37B, 37C ... tether,
38, 38A ... tip side end,
40, 40A ... the base side end,
41 ... holding plane part,
42 ... through hole,
43 ... Extension part,
44 ... holding mechanism,
45, 45B, 45C ... pressing material,
45a ... edge,
45b ... center,
46 ... Pressing surface,
47 ... protruding part,
48 ... fistula,
51, 51B ... connecting material,
53 ...
58 ... (drive mechanism) actuator,
61. Fixing member,
62 ... pressure receiving surface,
63 ... insertion hole,
65, 65C ... this board,
66 ... insertion hole,
M1, M2, M3, M4 ... airbag devices.

Claims (7)

A flexible strip that connects the end of the distal end to the peripheral wall of the airbag that is inflated, and an end of the strip that is remote from the connection site to the peripheral wall of the airbag. A holding mechanism that can be held against the tension acting on the strip, and that can release the holding of the base side end of the strip, and an airbag device comprising:
The base side end of the strip is configured to include a planar holding plane part and a through-hole that is disposed on the holding plane part and penetrates in the thickness direction of the holding plane part.
The holding mechanism is
A pressing surface that comes into contact with the holding flat surface in a planar shape, and a protruding portion that protrudes from the pressing surface so as to pass through the through hole, and has a fistula that extends parallel to the pressing surface at a protruding portion; A pressing material comprising:
A saddle member that is attached to the main body side of the airbag device and can be pulled out by a drive mechanism, and is inserted into a fist hole in the protruding portion of the pressing member that penetrates the through hole, and locks the protruding portion.
When the projecting portion of the pressing material in the saddle member is locked, the holding flat portion of the strip acting on the tension caused by the inflation of the airbag is sandwiched between the pressing surface of the pressing material and the strip A fixing member that is fixed to the main body side of the airbag device, and includes a pressure-receiving surface that can hold the end portion of the base portion, and an insertion hole that is disposed on the pressure-receiving surface and allows the protrusion to pass therethrough.
Comprising ,
The base side end of the strip includes an extending part that extends from the holding flat part and is connected to the main body side of the airbag device,
The airbag device , wherein the pressing member is fixedly disposed on the holding flat surface portion . A flexible strip that connects the end of the distal end to the peripheral wall of the airbag that is inflated, and an end of the strip that is remote from the connection site to the peripheral wall of the airbag. A holding mechanism that can be held against the tension acting on the strip, and that can release the holding of the base side end of the strip, and an airbag device comprising:
The base side end of the strip is configured to include a planar holding plane part and a through-hole that is disposed on the holding plane part and penetrates in the thickness direction of the holding plane part.
The holding mechanism is
A pressing surface that comes into contact with the holding flat surface in a planar shape, and a protruding portion that protrudes from the pressing surface so as to pass through the through hole, and has a fistula that extends parallel to the pressing surface at a protruding portion; A pressing material comprising:
A saddle member that is attached to the main body side of the airbag device and can be pulled out by a drive mechanism, and is inserted into a fist hole in the protruding portion of the pressing member that penetrates the through hole, and locks the protruding portion.
When the projecting portion of the pressing material in the saddle member is locked, the holding flat portion of the strip acting on the tension caused by the inflation of the airbag is sandwiched between the pressing surface of the pressing material and the strip A fixing member that is fixed to the main body side of the airbag device, and includes a pressure-receiving surface that can hold the end portion of the base portion, and an insertion hole that is disposed on the pressure-receiving surface and allows the protrusion to pass therethrough.
Comprising ,
The airbag device, wherein the pressing member is separable from the strip, and is connected to a main body side of the airbag device with a connecting material interposed therebetween . The pressing surface and the pressure-receiving surface when sandwiching the holding flat portion of the strip are disposed along a plane that is substantially orthogonal to the direction of the tension acting on the strip,
The pressing member has an end edge in a direction toward the tip side end portion of the strip between which the holding flat surface portion is sandwiched, substantially orthogonal to an action direction of a tension acting on the strip, and The airbag device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the airbag device is disposed so that a center thereof coincides with a center in a width direction of the strip. The said fixing member is integrally formed with the said case as a part of case which accommodates the said folded airbag, The Claim 1 thru | or 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. Airbag device. Between the fixing member and the holding flat portion of the strip, there is an insertion hole through which the protruding portion of the pressing material can be inserted, and a flat plate shape having an outer shape substantially equal to the pressing surface as parallel to the pressing surface. The airbag apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the plate is disposed. The airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the strip is a tether that regulates the shape of the airbag when inflation is completed. The strip is, according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that as the opening and closing adjustment belt of the adjustable vent hole exhaust amount of inflation gas flowing into the air bag Airbag device.

Images