JP4979148B2 - Airbag device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an automobile airbag device, and more particularly to a holding member for holding an airbag.

  As an airbag device disposed in the central portion of the steering device, a decorative member is formed in the central portion of the airbag device, an airbag cover having a tear line formed on the back surface thereof, and the airbag cover. There is a prior invention filed earlier by the present applicant, in which a folded airbag is held and a holding member in which an opening for facilitating inflation and deployment of the airbag is formed in the approximate center is housed ( Patent Document 1).

FIG. 17 is a front view of the steering wheel of the airbag apparatus according to the invention of the prior application, and FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II of FIG. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the airbag device MR is incorporated in the center portion of the steering wheel 50R of the vehicle, and includes a decorative member 40R, an airbag 10R, and an airbag cover 16R.
In this specification, the passenger side is referred to as the front side and the opposite side is referred to as the back side for convenience.

  The airbag 10R includes an airbag main body 10Ra and a cylindrical tether belt 11Ra that regulates the length of the main body 10Ra. The airbag 10R is folded in an accordion-like manner in the occupant side direction in the airbag cover 16R. It is stored. The airbag 10R is covered with a holding member 14R so as to suppress the inflation and deployment in the airbag side surface direction by pressing the outer peripheral side surface of the airbag 10R. The airbag main body 10Ra and the holding member 14R are fixed to the base plate 24R by a cushion ring 22R inserted into the airbag 10R. The airbag cover 16R is fixed to the base plate 24R so as to cover them.

  On the other hand, the end of the cylindrical tether belt 11Ra is positioned on the back side of the recess 16Ra formed on the passenger side of the airbag cover 16R, and the mounting bolt 40Ra protruding to the back side of the decorative member 40R is connected to the connecting member 20R. It is clamped between these members by fixing with a nut. The holding member 14R for holding the folded airbag 10R has a circular opening 14Rh at the center (see FIG. 19), and the cylindrical outer peripheral portion of the decorative member 40R is in the opening 14Rh. The air bag cover 16R is housed in the inserted state. Further, the end portion of the connecting member 20R is sandwiched between the cushion ring 22R and the base plate 24R and fixed to the base plate 24R. In addition, although it explains in full detail later, code | symbol 12'R is a gas rectification member.

FIG. 19 is a development view of the holding member 14R. An opening 14Rh for facilitating inflation and deployment of the airbag is formed at the center of the holding member 14R.
The holding member 14R is made of woven cloth and has a substantially square shape. Eight holes 14Rah and 14Rbh that engage with the bolts 22Rd of the cushion ring 22R are provided at the center and the diagonal end of the four sides of the substantially square. It has been. The diameter of the opening 14Rh of the holding member 14R is larger than the diameter of the recess 16Ra of the airbag cover 16R and the decorative member 40R, and the folded airbag is formed so as to pass through the gap.

  FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing a state in which the folded airbag 10R is held by the holding member 14R. The central hole 11Rah is a hole of the cylindrical tether belt 11Ra through which the mounting bolt 40Ra is inserted, and is held by the holding member 14R in a state where the cylindrical tether belt 11Ra in the opening 14Rh of the holding member 14R is folded. . The airbag portion held around the opening 14Rh of the holding member 14R is referred to as a peripheral portion, and the airbag portion held at the outer periphery of the holding member 14R is referred to as an outer peripheral portion. The holding member 14R holds the outer peripheral portion and the peripheral portion of the folded airbag 10R to prevent the folded state of the airbag 10R.

  By the way, when the folded airbag 10R is packaged by the holding member 14R, the peripheral portion of the folded airbag 10R held by the opening 14Rh of the holding member 14R is appropriately held by the opening 14Rh. There may not be. Alternatively, even when the airbag 10R is properly held, for example, when the folded airbag 10R is stored in the airbag cover 16R, the peripheral portion of the airbag 10R comes into contact with the airbag cover 16R, and The folded airbag 10R may be stored away from the opening 14Rh of the holding member 14R. Once stored in the airbag cover 16R in this state, the airbag holding state of the holding member 14R cannot be confirmed, which may adversely affect the deployment performance of the airbag 10R. Therefore, packaging is performed while paying attention so that the peripheral edge is held by the opening 14Rh, and then the air is taken while paying attention so that the peripheral edge does not come off the opening 14Rh by contacting the airbag cover 16R. Since it is stored in the bag cover 16R, it takes time for the packaging operation and the storage operation, which are the assembly operations of the airbag 10R.

  In the airbag 10R held by the holding member 14R in such a state, when the folded state of the folded airbag 10R is collapsed during operation of the inflator 30R, the airbag above the hole of the gas discharge hole 30Ra of the inflator 30R. The parts are pushed out in the air bag deployment direction at a stretch, the tear line provided on the back surface of the air bag cover 16R is broken, and the air bag part greatly jumps out to the driver's seat side, which adversely affects the deployment performance. Effect.

JP 2006-341715 A

  The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the invention of the prior application, and the object thereof is to hold the outer peripheral portion and the peripheral portion of the airbag firmly during the assembly operation of the airbag. An object of the present invention is to provide an airbag device that reduces the assembly work time.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is directed to an inflator, an airbag that communicates with the inflator and inflates with gas generated from the inflator, holds the airbag in a folded storage state, and holds the outer peripheral side surface of the airbag. In addition, at least the holding member for suppressing the inflation and deployment in the lateral direction of the airbag due to the gas generated from the inflator at the initial stage of deployment of the airbag and the gas generated from the inflator to the vicinity of the portion that expands at the initial stage of deployment In the airbag apparatus comprising a gas rectifying member that rectifies and guides, the holding member has a perforation that is broken by a gas pressure generated from the inflator at a substantially central portion corresponding to the inflating portion of the airbag. Forms a substantially circular break planned portion and the substantially circular break planned portion Perforation cut is longer than the joint, the joint is characterized in that it is formed in four equally divided positions on the substantially circular.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the airbag device according to the first aspect, a hole of a fixing tool is provided at a substantially center of the holding member.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the airbag device according to the first or second aspect, the size of the expected breaking portion of the holding member is larger than the diameter of the decorative member provided at a substantially central portion of the airbag device. It is characterized by that.

Since the holding member has a perforated portion including perforations, the holding member can firmly hold the outer peripheral portion and the peripheral portion of the airbag during the assembly work of the airbag, and the folded state of the airbag may collapse. In addition, the work time for assembling the airbag to the airbag cover can be reduced, and the holding member can be easily broken at the initial deployment of the airbag to smoothly deploy the airbag.
Furthermore, since the joint of the perforation of the part to be broken is in a position where the bolt is pulled to engage the hole in the center of the four sides, the four engagement states are kept in balance.

It is a cross-sectional view of an airbag apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the back surface of a baseplate. It is a perspective view of a connection member. It is the front view of the cushion ring shown in FIG. 1, and the side view which showed the part in cross section. It is the perspective view which shows the inside of the airbag of an inflated state, and the perspective view which shows the non-inflated state of the airbag. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the operation procedure which folds an airbag using an airbag folding machine. FIG. 3 is a development view of the holding member before covering the airbag, a perspective view of the folded back airbag, a perspective view showing a state where the airbag is covered with the holding member, and a back view of the airbag covered with the holding member. It is an expanded view of the holding member of 2nd Embodiment. It is an expanded view of the holding member of 3rd, 4th embodiment, and another holding member. It is an expanded view of the periphery protection member which protects an inflator attachment port periphery part. It is the perspective view and back view of an airbag cover. It is the figure which looked at each cover piece of the open state from the passenger | crew side. It is a figure which shows the expansion | deployment operation | movement of the airbag of the airbag apparatus M1. It is a figure which shows the airbag apparatus M2 for front passenger seats. It is an enlarged view which shows the clamping fixed state of a gas straightening member, an airbag, and a holding member. It is a general | schematic expanded longitudinal cross-sectional view of the airbag apparatus M3 for front passenger seats. It is a figure which shows the conventional airbag apparatus. It is a cross-sectional view of the II part of FIG. It is an expanded view of a holding member. It is a figure which shows the accommodation state of the other conventional airbag.

  Hereinafter, an airbag apparatus using the holding member of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the airbag apparatus M1. This airbag device M1 is incorporated in the center of the steering wheel of the vehicle, like the airbag device MR of the prior invention, and includes a decorative member 40, an airbag 10, an airbag cover 16, and the like. In the airbag cover 16, the airbag 10 comprising the airbag body 10a and the cylindrical tether belt 11a that regulates the length of the body 10a is folded in a bellows shape in the occupant side direction. It is stored in the bag cover 16. And the airbag 10 is covered with the holding member 14 so that the outer peripheral side surface of the airbag 10 may be pressed and expansion and deployment in the airbag side surface direction may be suppressed.

  While the holding member 14R of the airbag device MR of the prior invention has an opening 14Rh at the center thereof, the holding member 14 of the airbag device M1 of the present invention is scheduled to break at the center portion due to gas pressure. The members and the arrangement of the other airbag devices are the same except that only the portion is provided. That is, while the holding member 14R of the invention of the prior application has the airbag cover recess 16a and a part of the decorative member 40R inserted in the opening 14Rh (see FIG. 18), the holding member 14 of the present invention is As shown in FIG. 1, the folded airbag 10 is sandwiched between the airbag cover recess 16 a and the connecting member 20.

The structure of the base plate 24, the connecting member 20, and the cushion ring 22 will be described below.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the back surface of the base plate 24 of the airbag apparatus M1 shown in FIG. The base plate 24 is formed in a substantially disc shape, and a hole 24h into which an inflator can be fitted is formed at the center thereof, and for mounting the four airbag cover mounting pieces 24a and the base plate 24 itself. A pair of mounting pieces 24b are cut and raised from the disk surface. The base plate 24 integrally fixes the inflator 30, the airbag 10, and the decorative member 40 described above, and the pair of attachment pieces 24b are for fixing to the steering wheel.

  The inflator 30 is formed in a substantially thick disk shape, and is configured to discharge gas when a predetermined impact is detected. The upper part of the inflator in which the gas discharge hole 30a of the inflator 30 is formed penetrates the hole 24h of the base plate 24, and the flange part formed in the substantially middle part in the thickness direction of the inflator 30 is brought into close contact with the back side of the base plate 24. In this manner, the base plate 24 is fixed together with the cushion ring 22 via the mounting hole 24c. That is, the gas discharge hole 30a of the inflator 30 is fixed in a state of protruding and arranged on the front side of the base plate 24, and the discharge gas from the inflator 30 is discharged on the front side of the base plate 24.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the connecting member 20 shown in FIG. The connecting member 20 includes a central portion 20a having a hole 20ah into which the mounting bolt 40a is fitted, a leg portion 20b that is bent at a substantially right angle to both sides thereof, and a bent portion at a substantially right angle to the leg portion 20b. It is comprised by the plate-shaped metal piece which consists of the formed attachment leg 20c. The mounting foot 20c has mounting holes 20e corresponding to mounting holes 22a of the cushion ring 22 and a mounting hole 24c of the base plate 24, which will be described later, and are fastened together by bolts 22d formed on the cushion ring 22. It has become so.

  4A is a front view of the cushion ring 22 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4B is a side view showing a part thereof in cross section. As shown in FIG. 4A, the cushion ring 22 has a substantially rectangular shape, and an insertion hole 22h of the inflator 30 is provided at the center, and the cushion ring 22 is formed at each corner around the insertion hole 22h. Bolts 22d for attaching to 24 are provided on the back side thereof. Further, the back surface of the cushion ring 22 constitutes a contact surface 22b that can contact the front surface side of the base plate 24 via the airbag 10, and the contact surface 22b is a side view of FIG. 4B. As is apparent, a concave portion 22c formed by drawing, for example, is formed. The constriction of the concave portion 22c is formed to a depth substantially equal to the thickness of the mounting foot 20c of the connecting member 20 when the cushion ring 22 is connected to the connecting member 20.

The airbag 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B.
FIG. 5A is a perspective view showing the inside of the airbag 10 in an inflated state, and FIG. 5B is a perspective view showing a non-inflated state of the airbag 10. For simplicity, the decorative member 40 and the like in the cylindrical tether belt 11a, and the inflator 30 and the like coupled to the decorative member 40 are not shown.
The airbag main body 10a is formed in a bag shape that can be developed into a flat spherical shape (ellipsoidal shape) by sewing together the outer peripheral edge portions of two substantially circular cloths. A circular notch 10h into which the recessed portion 16a of the airbag cover 16 is inserted is formed in the substantially central portion on the front side of the airbag main body 10a, and the substantially central portion on the back side is in communication with the inflator. The inflator attachment port 10ah for introducing the gas to be introduced into the airbag is formed, and four small holes for passing the bolts 22d (see FIG. 4B) of the cushion plate 22 through the peripheral portion 10d of the inflator attachment port 10ah. A hole 10b is formed.

  A protective member 12 that protects the airbag from heat generated by the inflator and shock pressure is overlapped with the peripheral portion 10d and stitched around the periphery of the inflator attachment port 10ah of the airbag 10. In the present embodiment, the protective member 12 is rectified in the gas outflow direction, and the gas is expanded to the vicinity of the portion that expands in the initial stage of deployment of the airbag (the airbag portion that is deployed from the circular planned fracture portion of the holding member 14). It is also used as a gas rectifying member having a function of guiding.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the protective member 12 is made of, for example, a woven cloth, and the shape thereof is a concentric circle with a hollow center, and the inner diameter of the hollow is the same as the inner diameter of the inflator attachment port 10ah. The diameter of the outer periphery is made, for example, a size that is three times or more the diameter of the inner periphery. When the protective member 12 is attached to the inflator attachment port 10ah, the inner peripheral edge of the protective member 12 is aligned with the peripheral edge of the inflator attachment port 10ah, and the outer peripheral part 10d 'of the peripheral part 10d and the concentric outer peripheral part 12a'. Suture together. The protective member 12 has a function as a protective member that protects the impact of heat and gas pressure and a rectifying member that rectifies the gas after the airbag 10 is folded and stored. The protective member 12 may be one, but may be two or more, and the gas rectifying member may use one or a plurality of these protective members 12.

  The airbag 10 includes an airbag main body 10a and a cylindrical tether belt 11a that regulates the length of the airbag 10. The airbag main body 10a includes two substantially circular base fabrics (surfaces). A bag that can be developed into a flat spherical shape (ellipsoidal shape) by sewing the outer peripheral edges of the base fabric of the part and the base fabric of the back part to provide the sewing part 10c and inverting the inner and outer surfaces of the sewn airbag. It is formed in a shape.

  As can be seen from FIG. 5B, the sizes of the two substantially circular base fabrics are substantially the same. The airbag 10 is folded in a bellows shape and stored in the airbag cover 16 so as to be compressed up and down from the state in which the airbag 10 extends in the extending direction (upward in the drawing) of FIG. 5A. ing. At this time, not only the airbag main body 10a but also the cylindrical tether belt 11a is folded in a bellows shape in the cylinder length direction. In the state where the substantially entire length is extended, the length of the cylindrical tether belt 11a is the length of the airbag main body portion 10a of the base fabric on the surface portion and the length of the airbag main body portion 10a of the base fabric on the back surface portion. It is almost equal to

  Next, a description will be given of a method in which the airbag 10 described above is folded in a bellows shape so as to be compressed up and down from the state in which the airbag 10 extends in the extending direction (upward in the drawing) of FIG. 5A. The airbag 10 is folded using an airbag folding machine. 6A to 6G are conceptual diagrams showing an operation procedure for folding an airbag using the airbag folding machine, and an operation procedure for folding the airbag will be described using the conceptual diagram.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the airbag folding machine 60 includes a table 62 having a support 62 that supports a cylindrical cylindrical tether belt 11a and an outer cylinder 63 that is coaxial with the support 62 and that stores the airbag 10 outside. A cylindrical holding tool 64 (see FIG. 6C) having an outer diameter equal to that of the support tool 62 and holding the upper end of the tether belt 11 a between the support tool 62 and the support tool 62. It consists of a support part (not shown). Since the outer diameter of the support tool 62 is smaller than the inner diameter of the insertion hole 22h of the cushion ring 22, the support tool 62 can rise through the insertion hole 22h as will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the airbag 10 includes four small holes 10b formed in the peripheral portion 10d (see FIG. 5A) of the airbag 10, and the bolts 22d of the cushion ring 22 are inserted through the small holes 10b. Is engaged with and fixed to four holes provided on the outer peripheral upper end surface of the support tool 62 of the table 61, and the head of the support tool 62 that is raised through the insertion hole 22h is attached to the cylindrical tether belt 11a. In the state inserted in the cylinder, the airbag main body 10a is placed on the table 61 outside in a flat state.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, from the state in which the head of the support tool 62 shown in FIG. 6A is inserted into the cylinder of the cylindrical tether belt 11a through the insertion hole 22h of the cushion ring 22, the cylindrical tether belt 11a When the lower end is pushed up, the airbag main body 10a is also pushed up.

  As described above, since the length of the cylindrical tether belt 11a is substantially equal to the half of the length of the airbag main body 10a, the support tool 62 can extend from the table 61 to the maximum length of the cylindrical tether belt 11a. It rises to a position three times as high and stops at that position, and the cylindrical tether belt mounting hole 11ah is manually inserted into the convex portion at the tip of the support 62, and the cylindrical tether belt 11a is Position.

  As shown in FIG. 6C, the holding tool 64 descends and the aligned cylindrical tether belt 11a is held between the support tool 62 and the holding tool 64, and the holding condition is maintained and the support tool 62 and the holding tool 64 are held. Descends. As shown in FIG. 6D, the operation is stopped when the support tool 62 and the holding tool 64 are lowered to the half length of the cylindrical tether belt 11a, and the outer airbag is manually operated as shown in FIG. 6D. The main body 10a is pulled upward. Thereby, the cylindrical tether belt 11a is folded at a substantially intermediate position.

  As shown in FIG. 6E, the outer cylinder 63 is raised from the table 61 to the clamping position at the upper end of the cylindrical tether belt 11a, and the airbag 10 is stored between the outer cylinder 63 and the support 62. As shown in FIG. 6F, the two plates 65 having a semicircular hole that is symmetrical from the left-right direction of the outer cylinder cylinder 63 at that position slide the upper end of the outer cylinder cylinder 63 from the left-right direction, and hold the tool 64. It fits into a fitting groove (not shown) provided at the lower end of the.

  As shown in FIG. 6G, by simultaneously lowering the support tool 62, the clamping tool 64, and the outer cylinder cylinder 63 in this state, the folded cylindrical tether belt 11a and the airbag body 10a are overlapped with each other. It is folded into a bellows shape while being compressed. When the compression of the airbag 10 is completed (see FIG. 6H), after removing the plate 65, the support tool 62, the clamping tool 64, and the outer cylinder 63 are simultaneously returned to their original positions, and the folding operation of the airbag 10 is completed. To do.

  The length of the airbag 10 has been described assuming that the length of the cylindrical tether belt 11a is substantially equal to the half of the length of the airbag body 10a in the state where the overall length of the airbag 10 is extended. Is not limited to this length, and the position where the support tool 62 stops and the position where the support tool 62 and the holding tool 64 descend and stop are determined according to the length of the airbag 10. It is what is done.

FIG. 7A is a developed view of the holding member 14 according to the first embodiment of the present invention before the airbag 10 is covered. The holding member 14 is made of woven fabric and has a substantially square shape. A circular mounting bolt insertion hole 14hh is provided in the center of the holding member 14, and the cushion ring 22 is provided at the center and the diagonal end of the four sides of the square. Eight holes 14ah and 14bh that engage with the bolt 22d are provided.
The mounting bolt insertion hole 14hh of the holding member 14 will be described in detail later. When the airbag 10 covered with the holding member 14 is stored in the airbag cover 16, the mounting bolt 40a shown in FIG. It is a hole for insertion. Reference numeral 14h is a substantially circular planned break portion made of a perforation provided in the holding member, for facilitating breakage at the initial deployment of the airbag 10, and the size of the planned break portion is What is necessary is just to be larger than the diameter of the recessed part 16a of the airbag cover 16. FIG. The substantially circular perforation portion of the to-be-broken portion has a long cut and a short joint, and the joint is formed at a position divided into four equal parts on the substantially circular shape.
If the size of the planned breaking portion is larger than the diameter of the decorative member 40, the tether belt 11a folded at the initial deployment stage of the airbag 10 does not come into contact with the decorative member 40 and smoothly expands. be able to.

  FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the holding member 14 before covering the airbag 10 and the back side of the airbag 10 folded by the airbag folding machine 60 described above. Four holes 14ah at the center of the four sides of the holding member 14 are engaged with bolts 22d of the cushion ring 22 protruding from the folded airbag 10. Thereafter, the holes 14bh located on the diagonal line are all engaged with the two bolts 22d facing each other. At the time of the engagement, the perforation joint of the planned breaking portion 14h is in a position where tension is applied when the bolt 22d is pulled to engage the hole 14ah at the center of the four sides. The engagement state of the location is kept in balance.

  FIG. 7C is a perspective view showing a state in which the folded airbag 10 is covered with the holding member 14. When covering the airbag 10 with the holding member 14, the airbag 10 is covered so that the cylindrical tether belt mounting hole 11 ah shown in FIG. 5A overlaps with the mounting bolt insertion hole 14 hh of the holding member 14. The airbag 10 is completely covered by the holding member 14 in the planned fracture portion 14h.

FIG. 7D is a rear view of the airbag 10 covered with the holding member 14 of FIG. 7C. Since the protective member 12 enters the bellows into the folded airbag 10, the protective member 12 is temporarily pulled out and arranged along the inner periphery of the folded airbag 10 as shown in FIG. 7D (or FIG. 1). It is. By arrange | positioning in this way, the protection member 12 exhibits the function as a gas rectification member. Hereinafter, the protective portion 12 ′ arranged so as to extend along the inner periphery of the airbag 10 that has been pulled out and folded as shown in FIG. 7D (or FIG. 1) will be referred to as a gas rectifying member.
The cylindrical tether belt mounting hole 11ah that is overlapped with the mounting bolt insertion hole 14hh while being covered with the holding member 14 is inflated substantially at the center of the inflator mounting port 10ah, in other words, at the initial stage of airbag deployment. The gas rectifying member 12 ′ formed up to the vicinity of the portion is disposed substantially at the center. As shown in FIG. 7D, the gas rectifying member 12 ′ attached to the inflator attaching port 10 ah as described above has a fold 12 a whose surface is folded several times when it is folded and held by the holding member 14. It is formed.

  On the other hand, when the airbag 10 held by the holding member 14 is stored in the airbag cover 16, the gas rectifying member 12 'holds the inflator attachment port 10ah of the airbag 10 as shown in FIG. A portion extending from the cushion ring 22 to the vicinity of the tip of the folded cylindrical tether belt 11a that is inflated at the initial stage of deployment of the airbag 10 extends in the front side direction along the inner wall of the airbag 10. In this state, the shape of the gas rectifying member 12 'is cylindrical. Since the gas rectifying member 12 ′ is formed with the fold 12 a folded on the surface in this way, the protection for protecting the impact of the heat and gas pressure around the inflator attachment port 10 ah of the airbag 10. It has a great effect as a member, and furthermore, since its shape is cylindrical, it has a function as a rectifying member that rectifies gas.

  From the back side of the airbag 10, the bolt 22 d of the cushion ring 22 inserted at the time of folding is in a state of protruding from the periphery of the inflator mounting portion. By covering the airbag 10 with the holding member 14 having the above-described structure, the outer peripheral side surface of the airbag 10 is pressed down, so that the expansion and deployment in the side surface direction of the airbag 10 due to the gas generated from the inflator at the initial deployment of the airbag 10 is suppressed. can do.

  In the above embodiment, the holding member 14 of the horn switch-equipped airbag device M1 using the pyro type inflator has been described. Next, the holding member of the airbag device using the pyro type, hybrid, and stood type inflator is described. explain.

  FIG. 8 is a development view of the holding member of the second embodiment. The holding member 14A shown in FIG. 8A is made of a woven fabric and has a substantially square shape like the holding member 14 of the first embodiment, and reference numeral 14Ah is a part of a substantially circular shape formed by perforations provided on the holding member 14A. A break stop portion 14Ak formed of a cross-shaped perforation is formed vertically and horizontally from the substantially circular center toward the hole at the center of the four sides.

  The perforations are formed with short cuts and joints that are substantially the same length. When the scheduled break portion 14Ak breaks at the initial stage of deployment of the airbag, the rupture stop portion 14Ah formed of a part of the circular shape further extends the cross perforation of the planned break portion 14Ak to cut the holding member 14A. While preventing, the part which expand | swells in the said expansion | deployment initial stage is for making expansion | deployment easy.

  FIG. 8B is a development view of the holding member 14B of the second embodiment. The holding member 14B has the same shape as the holding member 14A except that the number of perforated portions of the planned breaking portion 14Bk and the breaking stop portion 14Bh is increased from four to eight with respect to the holding member 14A. It is. By increasing the number of planned breakage parts in this way, the speed at which the part that expands in the initial stage of expansion expands becomes faster.

  FIG. 9A is a development view of the holding member 14C of the third embodiment. The holding member 14C is formed with a rupture scheduled portion 14Ck composed of cross-shaped perforations vertically and horizontally from the center, and a small hole 14Ch is formed in the holding member 14C in place of the rupture stop portion 14Ah of the holding member 14A. ing. The small holes 14Ch are for preventing the cross perforation similar to the function of the breaking stop portion 14Ah from further extending and cutting the holding member 14C.

FIG. 9B is a development view of the holding member 14D of the fourth embodiment. The holding member 14D has the same shape as the holding member 14C, except that the number of perforated portions of the planned breaking portion 14Dk and the breaking stop portion 14Dh is increased from 4 to 8 with respect to the holding member 14C. Is. Also in this case, by increasing the number of the planned fracture portions 14Dk, the speed at which the portion that expands in the initial stage of deployment expands becomes faster.
In addition, although the shape of the fracture | rupture plan part of the holding member which concerns on the said 2nd, 3rd and 4th embodiment was demonstrated as the thing of a cross shape and 8 radial shapes, this invention is not limited to this shape. The shape may be a radial shape corresponding to the center of the holding member, and the shape is determined according to the model of the inflator, the gas capacity, and the like.

  FIG. 10 is a development view of the peripheral protection member 70 that protects the peripheral portion 10d of the inflator attachment port 10ah. The peripheral protection member 70 is made of woven cloth, and the surface thereof is coated with silicon rubber. The peripheral protection member 70 has a substantially circular shape. An insertion hole 70ah for inserting the inflator 30 is provided at the center thereof, and four holes 70b for inserting the bolts are formed on the outer circumference thereof. Yes. The peripheral protection member 70 is fitted with the connecting member 20 from the back side of the cushion ring 22, and the peripheral portion 10 d of the inflator mounting port 10 ah is damaged by the edge of the connecting member 20 when being sandwiched and fixed by both the members 20 and 22. It is to prevent it from doing.

  In the procedure of covering the airbag 10 with the holding member 14 shown in FIG. 7B, the peripheral protection member 70 is omitted. However, the holding member 14 that engages with the bolt 22d at the center of the four sides is described. Before the hole 14ah is engaged with the bolt 22d, the hole 70b of the peripheral protection member 70 is inserted and placed in the bolt 22d, and then the airbag 10 is covered with the holding member 14.

  When the material of the protective member 12 is made of woven fabric as in the airbag 10, the protective member 12 obtained by overlapping and sewing a cloth having a predetermined width on the peripheral portion 10d of the inflator attachment port 10ah as described above is cylindrical. What is necessary is just to arrange | position. The length of the protection member 12 needs to reach the vicinity of the portion that inflates at the initial stage of deployment of the airbag 10, for example, the length reaching the tip of the folded cylindrical tether belt 11 a is desirable.

The material of the protective member 12 may be a material different from the material of the airbag 10, for example, a synthetic resin sheet, and can be used as long as it has a function of rectifying gas and is flexible.
In this case, the airbag 10 and the synthetic resin sheet may be fixed by appropriate means. The protection member 12 can be implemented as a separate body without being fixed to the airbag 10. In the case of a separate body, it is not limited to a synthetic resin sheet, and may be a metal sheet. Even in this case, the inflator gas may be rectified so that the gas flows only in a portion where the gas expands in the initial stage of the airbag. Then, it may be integrally fastened to the bolt 22d of the cushion ring 22 or may be completely attached as a separate body. Further, the base plate 24 may be formed by welding or deep drawing.

  The subsequent assembly operation of the airbag apparatus M1 is the same as the above-described operation. The length of the protective member 12 needs to reach the vicinity of the portion that inflates at the initial stage of deployment of the airbag, and preferably reaches the tip of the folded cylindrical tether belt 11a.

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of the airbag cover 16. As shown in the figure, the airbag cover 16 is formed in a substantially bowl shape from a synthetic resin, and has a recess 16a for accommodating the decorative member 40 at the center thereof as already described.
The airbag cover 16 is fixed with a rivet to the base plate 24 via an attachment piece 24a. In the state where the decorative member 40 is attached to the recess 16 a of the airbag cover 16, the surface of the decorative member 40 is substantially flush with the surface of the airbag cover 16 as shown in FIG. 1.

  FIG. 11B is a rear view of the airbag cover. As shown in the drawing, on the back surface of the airbag cover 16, when the airbag 10 is inflated and deployed, a groove-like tear line (Ll to L4, L1 to L4, which can be split while leaving the central recess 16a fixed by the connecting member 20 is left. Lc) is formed. That is, on the back surface of the airbag cover 16, a circular tear line Lc is formed around the recess 16 a and this tear so that the airbag 16 can be divided into a plurality of cover pieces 16 b leaving the recess 16 a when receiving the inflation pressure of the airbag. A series of tear lines including a plurality of, for example, four tear runs L1 to L4 extending radially from the line Lc are provided. The airbag cover 16 is divided into cover pieces 16b when the airbag 10 is inflated, and fixed with rivets so that each can be opened independently.

  In the above configuration, when the inflator 30 is actuated and the airbag 10 is inflated and deployed by gas pressure, the airbag cover 16 is pushed by the tear line Lc portion around the decorative member 40 by that force, and the broken cover piece Each of the openings opens outward, leaving a central recess 16a, and as described above, they are completely separated and open independently.

FIG. 12 is a view of each cover piece 16b in an opened state as viewed from the passenger side. As shown in the drawing, the airbag cover 16 is divided into cover pieces 16b when the airbag 10 is deployed, so that the airbag 10 is deployed in the lateral direction after passing through the planned fracture portion 14h of the holding member 14. Is not disturbed. In addition, an air bag etc. are not illustrated for simplification.
In the above embodiment, the example in which the airbag 10 held by the holding member 14 is housed in the airbag cover 16 has been described. However, instead of holding the airbag 10 by the holding member 14, the airbag 10 The cover 16 can be held and stored only. In this case, the side surface of the airbag cover 16 does not split after deployment of the airbag 10 as shown in FIG. 12, and as shown in FIG. By forming a tear line shaped like an opening formed in the airbag cover 16, the airbag 10 can be held and stored only by the airbag cover 16 without using the holding member 14. . An opening-shaped tear line formed in the airbag cover 16 is provided at a position opposite to a portion where the gas rectifying member 12 'expands at the initial stage of deployment of the airbag that rectifies and guides the gas.

Here, the assembly procedure of the airbag apparatus M1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 and FIGS.
At the time of assembly, the airbag 10 in which the cushion ring 22 is preliminarily accommodated in the airbag cover 16 and wrapped by the holding member 14 is connected to the hole 16ah of the airbag cover 16 and the cylindrical tether belt mounting hole 11ah of the airbag 10. Align and store. Then, the connecting member 20 is inserted into the airbag 10 so that the hole 20ah at the center thereof matches the position of the cylindrical tether belt mounting hole 11ah, and is inserted into the airbag 10 shown in FIG. 7D. The mounting hole 20e of the connecting member 20 is inserted into the bolt 22d protruding from the concave portion 22c of the cushion ring 22, and the mounting foot 20c is fitted into the concave portion 22c.

  And the hole 16ah of the said airbag cover 16 arrange | positioned according to the position of the hole 16ah by inserting the attachment volt | bolt 40a of the decoration member 40 from the front side to the hole 16ah of the recessed part 16a of the airbag cover 16. The mounting bolt 40a is inserted through the cylindrical tether belt mounting hole 11ah of the airbag 10 and the hole 20ah at the center of the connecting member 20. By screwing a nut into the mounting bolt 40a, the mounting bolt insertion hole 14hh and the cylindrical tether belt mounting hole 11ah are clamped and fixed between the recess 16a of the airbag cover 16 and the central portion 20a of the connecting member 20. The

  Next, the mounting holes 24c of the base plate 24 are inserted into the bolts 22d of the cushion ring 22, the members 22 and 24 are overlapped, the base plate 24 is fitted into the airbag cover 16, and the inflator 30 is inserted into the bolts 22d. A nut is screwed onto the bolt 22d. Thereby, the inflator attachment port 10ah and the protection member 12 are clamped and fixed between the cushion ring 22 and the connecting member 20. Thereby, the assembly of the airbag apparatus M1 shown in FIG. 1 is completed.

  FIG. 13 is a view showing a deployed state of the airbag 10 in the airbag apparatus M1. In order to contrast with the deployed state of the airbag 10 of the prior art, the deployed state of the airbag at the same time will be described.

The deployment operation of the airbag device M1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 13A and 13B.
First, the inflator 30 is ignited by the impact detection at the time of a vehicle collision or the like, gas is generated by the inflator 30, and this gas is introduced into the airbag 10. The airbag cover 16 receives the force when the airbag 10 starts to inflate, cracks along the tear lines Ll to L4 and Lc, that is, leaving the central recess 16a, and each airbag cover piece 16b expands radially. Open.

  After the airbag cover 16 is broken, in the initial stage where the airbag 10 starts to expand, as shown in FIG. 13A, when gas is introduced into the airbag 10, the airbag 10 starts to expand at the initial stage of deployment. While the center portion of the base fabric and the tubular tether belt 11a are inflated and deployed from the sewing portion 11c, the surface portion of the airbag 10 is inflated toward the occupant side while the tubular tether belt 11a wraps around the concave portion 16a. At the time of expansion, the cylindrical tether belt 11a is folded in the longitudinal direction of the cylinder, and therefore hardly receives resistance when extended. When the airbag 10 is inflated and deployed from the sewing portion 11c, the airbag 10 is deployed to the occupant side while passing through the planned fracture portion 14h of the holding member 14 and receiving resistance. Accordingly, the folded and stored state does not collapse in the middle part while inflating while maintaining a certain level of internal pressure, and is expanded from the surface part on the passenger side to the passenger side in order.

  By the way, FIG. 13A has shown the state which the cylindrical tether belt 11a extended the full length. A part of the back surface portion is inflated and deployed on the passenger side, but the position of the sewing portion 10c obtained by stitching the outer peripheral circular portions of the two substantially circular cloths of the airbag 10 is in the vicinity of the steering wheel 50, The other part of the back surface part is still accommodated in the holding member 14. After the airbag has been inflated to some extent, as shown in FIG. 13B, the position of the sewing portion 10c moves from right to left and moves to approximately the center of the center line of the cylindrical tether belt 11a to form a flat spherical shape. Completion of expansion and deployment. Reference numeral 12 'denotes a gas rectifying member.

  As the tubular tether belt 11a extends and stops as described above, the behavior of the airbag 10 to stop deployment to the occupant side is shown in the airbag cover 16 in order to obtain a splitting force. As a result, the inner pressure of the airbag temporarily increases, and immediately after the airbag cover 16 is split, the tubular tether belt 11a is rapidly extended by the inner pressure, and the airbag 10 is extended with this movement. At the same time, since the volume of the airbag 10 increases rapidly, the internal pressure decreases rapidly. At that time, the airbag 10 itself tends to extend due to the inertial force, but the airbag 10 remains on the occupant side until the internal pressure sufficiently increases due to the stop of the extension of the cylindrical tether belt 11a and the resistance of the holding member 14. The behavior of stopping to expand occurs.

In the airbag apparatus M1, the deployment speed to the occupant side after that is not possible to move the central portion of the airbag 10 to the occupant side, and therefore, compared to the extension of the airbag portion remaining in the holding member 14, Actually, the vehicle is decelerated in half, and the harm to the occupant is further reduced as compared with the case without the cylindrical tether belt 11a.
This effect is not limited to the cylindrical tether belt 11a in the airbag apparatus M1, but is the same when a normal flat cylindrical tether belt is provided.

  Next, the passenger airbag device M2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 14, the airbag apparatus M2 includes a folded airbag 10A, an inflator 30A that supplies gas to the airbag 10A, and a substantially rectangular tubular airbag that houses the airbag 10A and the inflator 30A. It is comprised from the cover 16A. The airbag apparatus M2 has substantially the same configuration as that of the same member in the airbag apparatus M1 described above, and the configuration of the airbag apparatus M2 will be described with the same reference numeral appended with A. .

  The airbag cover 16A is provided with a tear line LA arranged in an H-shape so that it can be opened and closed by two cover pieces 16Ab on the back surface of the substantially square tube-shaped head. 16Ab is configured to open on both the upper and lower sides with the upper end side and the lower end side as hinge portions 16Ae as seen from the drawings. Further, a substantially rectangular tube-shaped connecting wall portion 16Af that protrudes downward is disposed on the back surface side of the quadrangular columnar head so as to surround the arrangement position of the two cover pieces 16Ab.

A plurality of locking holes 16Ag are penetrated at predetermined positions of the wall portions facing in the up-down direction in the connecting wall portion 16Af. Locking claws 24Ad formed on the base plate 24A are inserted into the locking holes 16Ag, and the locking claws 24Ad are locked to the connecting wall portion 16Af.
The locking claws 24Ad are locked to the connecting wall portion 16Af to secure the connecting state between the connecting wall portion 16Af and the base plate 24A, so that the airbag 10A when inflated smoothly holds the two cover pieces 16Ab. This is because the tear line LA can be broken by being pushed up.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the base plate 24A is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape made of a sheet metal having a rectangular opening on the upper end side, and is substantially formed from the rectangular plate-shaped bottom wall portion 24Ae and the outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall portion 24Ae. A rectangular tube shape is provided with a side wall portion 24Af extending upward of the airbag cover 16A. The bottom wall portion 24Ae is formed in a rectangular plate shape that extends in the left-right direction, and has an inflator attachment opening that is open in the center so that the upper side of the inflator 30A can be inserted from below into the upper side of the airbag cover 16A. 24Ah.

  As shown in FIG. 15, mounting holes 22Ag through which the bolts 22Ad of the cushion ring 22A can be inserted are formed on the periphery of the inflator mounting port 24Ah of the bottom wall portion 24Ae. Further, as shown in FIG. 14, a bracket 32 for connecting the base plate 24A to the vehicle body 62 side is fixed to the bottom wall portion 24Ae on the lower surface side of the left and right side portions of the bottom wall portion 24Ae. A nut for screwing a bolt is fixed to each bracket 32. A bracket 62b extending from the reinforcement 62a is disposed on the body 62 side, and the bolt passes through the mounting seat of the bracket 62b and is screwed into the nut. By tightening each bolt to the nut, the airbag device M2 is attached and fixed to the body 62 side.

Next, the assembly procedure of the airbag apparatus M2 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 15 is an enlarged view showing a sandwiched and fixed state of the gas rectifying member 12A ′, the airbag 10A, and the holding member 14A. The airbag 10A used in the airbag apparatus M2 is similar to the airbag 10 of the airbag apparatus M1 except that the cylindrical tether belt 11a is provided, and the cushion ring 22A described in FIGS. 7A to 7D is used. The internal folded airbag 10A is covered with a holding member 14A. The airbag 10A covered with the holding member 14A is accommodated in the airbag cover 16A, the inflator mounting port 24Ah of the base plate 24A is inserted into the screw portion 22Ad of the cushion ring 22A, and the base plate 24A is overlaid on the cushion ring 22A. Then, the locking claw 24Ad of the base plate 24A is inserted into the locking hole 16Ag of the airbag cover 16A and locked, and the nut is screwed from the back side of the base plate 24.

  Thereafter, the base plate 24A, the cushion ring 22A, and the inflator 30A are screwed. As a result, the gas rectifying member 12A ′, the airbag 10A, and the holding member 14A are clamped and fixed between the cushion ring 22A and the base plate 24A, and the assembly of the airbag apparatus M2 is completed. The shape of the airbag cover 16A of the airbag device M2 is not limited to this, and may be any shape depending on the location where the airbag device M2 is attached, for example, the top surface of the instrument panel. Whether to do this is determined by design.

  Note that the deployment operation of the airbag device M2 does not have a behavior that temporarily stops deployment to the occupant side because it does not have a tether belt compared to the airbag device M1, and faces the occupant side of the airbag. Inflating and deploying to the occupant side while maintaining a certain amount of internal pressure while inflating from the portion. Even when there is no tether belt, the air rectifying member 12A ′ inflates the airbag in order from the occupant side surface, and receives resistance while passing through the ruptured opening of the ruptured portion of the holding member 14A. As a result, the folded airbag cover splits, and at the same time, the entire airbag does not pop out and becomes a lump and harms the occupant, and the punching phenomenon and membrane phenomenon can be reliably prevented.

  Next, another passenger airbag device M3 will be described. The airbag apparatus M3 shown in FIG. 16 has substantially the same configuration as the same members in the airbag apparatuses M1 and M2 described above, and the same reference numerals with B added to the end. FIG. 16 is a schematic enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the passenger seat airbag apparatus M3. The airbag apparatus M3 includes a folded airbag 10B, a substantially cylindrical inflator 30B that supplies gas stored in the airbag 10B, a diffuser 32B that stores the inflator 30B, the airbag 10B, and the inflator. The airbag cover 16 </ b> B has a substantially square cylindrical shape for storing 30 </ b> B.

  The airbag cover 16B is provided with a tear line LB arranged in an H shape so that it can be opened and closed by two cover pieces 16Bb on the back surface of the substantially square tube-shaped head. 16Bb is configured to open to both the upper and lower sides with the upper end side and the lower end side as hinge portions 16Ae as seen from the drawings. In addition, a substantially rectangular tube-shaped connecting wall portion 16Bf that protrudes downward is disposed on the back side of the quadrangular columnar head so as to surround the position where the two cover pieces 16Bb are disposed. The diffuser 32B is fixed to the airbag cover 16B by providing holes at a plurality of fixing positions of the members 32B and 16B and inserting bolts into the holes to fix the diffuser 32B (not shown).

  The diffuser 32B is disposed between the inflator 30B and the folded and stored airbag 10B, and a plurality of gas discharge ports (not shown) through which the inflation gas of the diffuser 32B can flow out are disposed. During operation of the inflator 30B, the gas generated from the inflator 30B applies pressure to the central portion of the airbag that is folded and stored directly through the hole of the diffuser 32B.

  In addition, the code | symbol 11B is a normal tether belt which is not the cylinder shape mentioned above, and code | symbol 12B 'is a gas rectification | straightening member. The two members 11B and 12B 'are inserted between the members 32B and 16B and fixed with bolts when the diffuser 32B is fixed to the airbag cover 16B in a state of being overlapped with the airbag 10B. Attached to the bag device. Further, as can be seen from FIG. 16, in the airbag apparatus M3 using this type of inflator 30B, the airbag 10B is not provided with the inflator attachment port 10ah, but is provided with a communication port for inserting the inflator 30B. The inflator 30B is inserted into the communication port. Furthermore, although not shown in the drawings, as an airbag device, a technique for introducing the gas of the inflator into the airbag from the outside of the airbag through the communication port of the airbag without directly inserting the inflator into the airbag is a well-known technique. It is. Therefore, each of the inflator attachment port 10ah of the airbags 10 and 10A used in the airbag devices M1 and M2, the communication port into which the inflator 30B is inserted, and the communication port of the well-known airbag respectively Since it has the same function as a communication port to be introduced into the bag, when it is described as an inflator communication port, it is used to include the above-described inflator mounting port, a communication port for inserting an inflator, and a well-known airbag communication port. .

  As described above, the holding member (14, 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D) according to the present embodiment includes the scheduled breakage portion (14k, 14Ak, 14Bk, 14Ck, and 14Dk) that is a perforation, whereby the airbag (10 10A and 10B), the holding member can firmly hold the outer peripheral portion and the peripheral portion of the airbag during the assembling operation, the folded state of the airbag is not collapsed, and the airbag is attached to the airbag cover 16. The assembly work time can be reduced, and furthermore, the holding member can be easily broken at the initial stage of deployment of the airbag, and the airbag can be deployed smoothly.

  And since the said holding member (14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D) has a fracture | rupture stop part (14Ah, 14Bh, 14Ch, and 14Dh) in addition to the planned fracture part (14Ak, 14Bk, 14Ck, and 14Dk), deployment of an airbag When the scheduled breakage portion breaks at the initial stage, it is possible to prevent the perforation of the planned breakage portion from further extending and cutting the protective member, and the airbag inflating portion can be easily deployed at the initial deployment stage. .

  Furthermore, since the joint of the perforation of the planned breaking portion 14h is in a position where the bolt 22d is pulled to engage the hole 14ah in the center of the four sides, the four engagement states are kept in balance. .

  10a: airbag main body, 11a: cylindrical tether belt, 12 ... protective member, 12 '... gas rectifying member, 14 ... holding member, 16 ... airbag cover, ..Connecting member, 22 ... cushion ring, 24 ... base plate, 30 ... inflator.

Claims (3)

The inflator, the airbag that communicates with the inflator and inflates with the gas generated from the inflator, holds the airbag in a folded and stored state, presses the outer peripheral side of the airbag, and at least the gas generated from the inflator at the initial stage of deployment of the airbag In an airbag apparatus comprising: a holding member for suppressing inflation and deployment in the lateral direction of the airbag; and a gas rectifying member that rectifies and guides the gas generated from the inflator to the vicinity of the portion inflated at the initial stage of deployment of the airbag ,
In the substantially central portion of the holding member corresponding to the inflating portion of the airbag, a substantially circular break planned portion composed of a perforation that is broken by a gas pressure generated from the inflator is formed, and the substantially circular break The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the perforation of the planned portion has a cut longer than the joint, and the joint is formed at a position divided into four equal parts on the substantially circular shape. In the airbag apparatus described in Claim 1,
An airbag device having a hole of a fixing tool at a substantially center of the holding member. In the airbag apparatus described in Claim 1 or 2,
The airbag apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a size of the planned breakage portion of the holding member is larger than a diameter of a decorative member provided at a substantially central portion of the airbag apparatus.

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