JP6237538B2 - Airbag device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an airbag device that protects an occupant from an impact by deploying and inflating the airbag at a location approaching an occupant seated on a vehicle seat when an impact is applied to the vehicle due to a collision or the like.

  As a device that protects an occupant from an impact when the vehicle is impacted by a collision or the like, an inflation gas is generated from the gas generator, and the airbag is deployed and inflated at a location approaching the occupant by the inflation gas. Thus, an airbag device that reduces the impact is effective.

  One form of the airbag device is described in Patent Document 1, for example. As shown in FIG. 20, the airbag 101 of the airbag device includes a pair of main fabric portions 102 and a sub-fabric portion 103 disposed between the main fabric portions 102.

  The two main fabric portions 102 are connected to each other by a main peripheral edge connecting portion (not shown) provided along their peripheral portions. Moreover, the sub cloth part 103 is couple | bonded with the main cloth part 102 which respond | corresponds by a pair of sub periphery coupling | bond part 106 provided along the peripheral part. The expansion chamber formed between the two main fabric portions 102 is divided into an upstream expansion portion 104 and a downstream expansion portion 105 by the sub-cloth portion 103.

  The sub-fabric part 103 includes a pressure regulating valve 107 that adjusts the internal pressures of the upstream side expansion part 104 and the downstream side expansion part 105. In order to form the pressure regulating valve 107, the sub cloth portion 103 is constituted by a pair of sub cloth pieces 108 and 109 arranged in the vertical direction. The ends of the sub-fabric pieces 108 and 109 are overlapped in a strip shape in the thickness direction (front-rear direction) of the sub-cloth portion 103. The overlapped belt-like portions of the sub-fabric pieces 108 and 109 are joined together by an inner joint portion 111 extending along the arrangement direction (vehicle width direction) of the two main fabric portions 102.

  The pressure regulating valve 107 includes an overlapping portion 112 for each of the sub-fabric pieces 108 and 109, and a communication portion 113 that is provided between the overlapping portions 112 and communicates the upstream expansion portion 104 and the downstream expansion portion 105. . That is, in the inner coupling portion 111 described above, the coupling of the two overlapping portions 112 is released at the center portion in the arrangement direction of the two main fabric portions 102, and the portion where the coupling by the inner coupling portion 111 is released is the communication portion. 113 is constituted.

  As a related technique, in the airbag device described in Patent Document 2, the lower end portion of the upper sub-cloth piece is folded upward to form an overlapping portion. Further, in another airbag device described in Patent Document 2, the sub-fabric portion is configured by a single piece of cloth. A plurality of overlapping portions that are overlapped with each other in the thickness direction of the sub-fabric portion are formed by folding the intermediate portion of the cloth piece. A pair of adjacent overlapping portions are connected by the inner connecting portion, and a slit is formed at a boundary portion between both overlapping portions.

Any of the airbag devices in Patent Document 2 is common to Patent Document 1 in that the pressure regulating valve includes a pair of overlapping portions and a communication portion.
In the airbag apparatus described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the pressure regulating valve 107 communicates by closing the communication portion 113 with the two overlapping portions 112 before restraining the occupant by the upstream inflating portion 104. The flow of the expansion gas in the section 113 is restricted. In addition, when the occupant is restrained by the upstream inflating portion 104, the pressure regulating valve 107 deforms both the overlapping portions 112 and opens the communicating portion 113 according to the external force applied to the upstream inflating portion 104 along with the restraint. Release distribution restrictions. Therefore, it is possible to adjust each internal pressure of the upstream side expansion part 104 and the downstream side expansion part 105 with the pressure regulation valve 107, restrain an occupant with a suitable internal pressure, and effectively protect it from an impact.

JP 2012-228986 A JP 2012-30614 A

By the way, in the airbag apparatus described in the said patent document 1 and the patent document 2, the simplification of the further structure is calculated | required, maintaining the said passenger | crew's restraint performance.
Such a requirement is that the pressure regulating valve 107 is not provided with an air bag device that opens the communicating portion 113 as the internal pressure of the upstream inflating portion 104 increases, or the downstream inflating portion 105 is provided. It is considered that the same applies to an airbag device that functions as an exhaust valve that discharges the air to the outside of the upstream inflating portion 104.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an airbag device capable of simplifying the structure of the pressure regulating valve while maintaining the restraining performance of the occupant by the inflating portion. There is.

An airbag device that solves the above problem is a pair of main cloth portions that are coupled to each other by a main peripheral edge coupling portion that is provided at the peripheral edge portion, and a pair that is disposed between the main cloth portions and provided at the peripheral edge portion. A sub-fabric portion coupled to each of the main fabric portions by a sub-peripheral joint portion, and is provided with an inflatable portion that expands and inflates with an inflating gas at a location close to the occupant. The pressure regulating valve for adjusting the internal pressure of the expansion portion is provided in a part of the pressure regulating valve, and the pressure regulating valve is constituted by a part of the sub-fabric portion and is overlapped with each other in the thickness direction of the sub-fabric portion. A superposition part and a communication part provided in the superposition part adjacent to communicate the inside and outside of the inflating part, before the restraint of the occupant by the inflating part, or in the initial stage of supplying the inflating gas to the inflating part Is expanded by closing the communicating portion with the overlapping portion. By restricting the gas flow, depending on the external force applied along with the occupant restraint by the inflating part, or in response to an increase in the internal pressure of the inflating part, the overlapping part is deformed to open the communicating part. The sub-fabric part is constituted by a single sub-cloth piece, and the plurality of overlapping portions are formed by folding a part of the sub-cloth piece a plurality of times, and the communication part is The plurality of overlapping portions are connected to each other only by being connected to the main cloth portion by the sub-periphery connecting portion.

According to said structure, if the gas for expansion is supplied to an expansion part according to the impact to a vehicle, the expansion part will start expansion | deployment and expansion | swelling.
Before the occupant is restrained by the inflating part or at the initial stage of supplying the inflating gas to the inflating part, the communicating part is blocked by the overlapping part in the pressure regulating valve, and the inflating gas flows through the communicating part. Is limited. For this reason, the expansion gas accumulates in the expansion portion, and the internal pressure of the expansion portion increases. The occupant is restrained by the inflating portion whose internal pressure is increased in this way, and is protected from an impact.

  When an external force is applied to the inflating portion in accordance with the occupant restraint by the inflating portion, or when the internal pressure of the inflating portion is increased by the inflating gas, the overlapping portion is deformed and the communicating portion is opened. The flow restriction is released, and the expansion gas in the expansion portion flows out from the communication portion. And the internal pressure of an expansion part falls by the said outflow of the gas for expansion.

  Here, in the pressure regulating valve, the plurality of overlapping portions are merely coupled to the main fabric portion by the sub-peripheral joint portion, and depending on other joint portions provided separately from the sub-peripheral joint portion, Not joined. Nevertheless, the pressure regulating valve performs the same operation as that in which a plurality of overlapping portions are joined by the sub-periphery joint and other joints. Therefore, the structure of the pressure regulating valve is simplified by the fact that the coupling by other coupling parts is eliminated while maintaining the passenger's restraining performance.

In addition, before the occupant is restrained by the inflating portion, or in the initial stage of supplying the inflating gas to the inflating portion, a plurality of overlapping portions in a single sub-cloth piece are overlapped with each other in the pressure regulating valve. The communicating portions provided at the folded portions of the adjacent overlapping portions are blocked by the overlapping portions overlapped as described above, and the flow of the expansion gas is restricted.

  When an external force is applied to the inflating portion in accordance with the occupant restraint by the inflating portion, or when the internal pressure of the inflating portion is increased by the inflating gas, each overlapping portion is deformed, and the communicating portion is deformed accordingly. When the communication portion is opened, a part of each of the pair of overlapping portions provided with the communication portion is pushed out (inverted) through the communication portion to the outside of the expansion portion. The expansion gas in the expansion portion flows out through the open communication portion between the two overlapping portions that are inverted as described above.

  In the airbag device, the inflatable portion constitutes an upstream inflatable portion to which an inflating gas is supplied, and the downstream side of the upstream inflatable portion with the sub-cloth portion interposed therebetween passes the pressure regulating valve. It is preferable that a downstream expansion portion that is expanded and expanded by an expansion gas flowing out from the upstream expansion portion is provided.

According to the above configuration, the sub-fabric part functions as a part of the upstream expansion part and also functions as a part of the downstream expansion part.
Before the occupant is restrained by the upstream expansion section or at the initial stage of supplying the expansion gas to the upstream expansion section, the communication section is closed by the overlapping section, and the expansion gas in the upstream expansion section communicates. Outflow to the downstream side expansion portion through the portion is restricted. Therefore, in the airbag, the upstream-side inflating portion is exclusively deployed and inflated to restrain the occupant and protect it from impact.

  When an external force is applied to the upstream inflating portion accompanying the occupant restraint by the upstream inflating portion, or when the internal pressure of the upstream inflating portion is increased by the inflation gas, the overlapping portion is deformed and the communicating portion is opened. The flow restriction is released, and the expansion gas in the upstream expansion portion flows out to the downstream expansion portion through the communication portion. And the internal pressure of an upstream expansion part falls by the said outflow of the gas for expansion | swelling. Further, when the expansion gas flows into the downstream expansion portion, the downstream expansion portion expands and expands after the upstream expansion portion. As a result, the occupant is restrained by the downstream inflating portion in addition to the upstream inflating portion, and is protected from impact.

  According to the airbag device, the structure of the pressure regulating valve can be simplified while maintaining the restraining performance of the occupant by the inflating portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure which shows 1st Embodiment which actualized the airbag apparatus to the side airbag apparatus for vehicles, and is a side view which shows the vehicle seat provided with the apparatus with the passenger | crew. In 1st Embodiment, the plane sectional view which shows the positional relationship of a vehicle seat, an airbag, a passenger | crew, and a body side part. In 1st Embodiment, the front sectional view which shows the positional relationship of a vehicle seat, an airbag, a passenger | crew, and a body side part. In the first embodiment, a partial plan sectional view showing an internal structure of a side portion of a seat back in which an airbag module is incorporated. The disassembled perspective view shown in the state which unfolded each structural member of the airbag in 1st Embodiment. In 1st Embodiment, the fragmentary sectional side view which shows the internal structure of the airbag module by which the airbag main body was made into the non-expanded deployment state with a passenger | crew and a vehicle seat. The disassembled perspective view of the vertical division part in 1st Embodiment. The partial front view of the pressure regulation valve in 1st Embodiment. The partial cross-sectional view which shows the state which the airbag main body of FIG. 4 left the part in the seat back, protruded from the vehicle seat, and was expand | deployed and expanded. (A)-(c) is a sectional side view which shows typically operation | movement of the pressure regulation valve in 1st Embodiment. The disassembled perspective view of the pressure regulation valve in 2nd Embodiment which actualized the airbag apparatus to the side airbag apparatus for vehicles. (A)-(c) is a sectional side view which shows typically operation | movement of the pressure regulation valve in 2nd Embodiment. The disassembled perspective view of the pressure regulation valve in 3rd Embodiment which actualized the airbag apparatus to the side airbag apparatus for vehicles. The perspective view of the pressure regulation valve in 4th Embodiment which actualized the airbag apparatus to the side airbag apparatus for vehicles. (A)-(c) is a sectional side view which shows typically operation | movement of the pressure regulation valve in 4th Embodiment. The perspective view of the pressure regulation valve in 5th Embodiment which actualized the airbag apparatus to the side airbag apparatus for vehicles. (A)-(c) is a sectional side view which shows typically operation | movement of the pressure regulation valve in 5th Embodiment. The perspective view of the pressure regulation valve in 6th Embodiment which actualized the airbag apparatus to the side airbag apparatus for vehicles. (A)-(c) is a sectional side view which shows typically operation | movement of the pressure regulation valve in 6th Embodiment. The partial perspective view which shows the pressure regulation valve in the conventional airbag apparatus, and its peripheral part.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment in which an airbag device is embodied as a vehicle side airbag device will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the following description, the forward direction of the vehicle will be described as the front, and the reverse direction of the vehicle will be described as the rear. In addition, with the central portion in the vehicle width direction (vehicle width direction) as a reference, the side approaching the central portion is referred to as “vehicle inside”, and the side away from the central portion is referred to as “vehicle outside”. Further, it is assumed that an adult having a standard physique is seated on the vehicle seat as a passenger in a predetermined appropriate posture.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a vehicle seat 12 is arranged as a vehicle seat in the vicinity of the vehicle side of the body side portion 11 in the vehicle 10. Here, the body side part 11 refers to a vehicle constituent member arranged on the side part of the vehicle 10, and mainly corresponds to a door, a pillar, and the like. For example, the body side part 11 corresponding to the front seat is a front door, a center pillar (B pillar), or the like. The body side portion 11 corresponding to the rear seat is a rear portion of a side door (rear door), a C pillar, a front portion of a tire house, a rear quarter, and the like.

  The vehicle seat 12 includes a seat cushion 13 and a seat back 14 that is configured to stand up from the rear side of the seat cushion 13 and to adjust an inclination angle. The vehicle seat 12 is disposed in the passenger compartment with the seat back 14 facing forward. The width direction of the vehicle seat 12 arranged in this way matches the vehicle width direction.

Next, the internal structure of the side portion on the vehicle outer side in the seat back 14 will be described.
Inside the seat back 14, a seat frame forming the skeleton is arranged. As shown in FIG. 4, a part of the seat frame is disposed on the vehicle outer side portion in the seat back 14, and this portion (hereinafter referred to as “side frame portion 15”) is formed by bending a metal plate or the like. Is formed by. A seat pad 16 made of an elastic material such as urethane foam is disposed on the front side of the seat frame including the side frame portion 15. A hard backboard 17 made of synthetic resin or the like is disposed on the rear side of the seat frame. Although the seat pad 16 is covered with a skin, the skin is not shown in FIG. The same applies to FIG. 9 described later.

  In the seat pad 16, a storage portion 18 is provided in the vicinity of the vehicle exterior side of the side frame portion 15. An air bag module AM that forms the main part of the side air bag device is incorporated in the storage portion 18.

  A slit 19 extends from the corner of the storage portion 18 diagonally forward and toward the vehicle exterior. A portion sandwiched between the corner 16c on the front side of the seat pad 16 and the slit 19 (a portion surrounded by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 4) constitutes a planned breaking portion 21 to be broken by the airbag 40 described later. ing.

The airbag module AM includes a gas generator 30 and an airbag 40 as main components. Next, each of these structural members will be described.
<Gas generator 30>
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the gas generator 30 includes an inflator 31 and a retainer 32 that covers the inflator 31. Here, a type called a pyrotype is adopted as the inflator 31. The inflator 31 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and a gas generating agent that generates an expansion gas is accommodated therein. The inflator 31 has a gas ejection part (not shown) at its upper end. Further, a harness (not shown) serving as an input wiring for an operation signal is connected to the lower end portion of the inflator 31.

  As the inflator 31, instead of the pyro type using the gas generating agent, a type (hybrid type) in which a partition wall of a high pressure gas cylinder filled with a high pressure gas is broken with an explosive or the like to eject an expansion gas is used. May be.

  On the other hand, the retainer 32 is a member having a function of fastening the inflator 31 to the side frame portion 15 together with the airbag 40 while functioning as a diffuser that controls the direction in which the inflation gas is ejected. Most of the retainer 32 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape by bending a plate material such as a metal plate. A plurality of bolts 33 are fixed to the retainer 32 as locking members for attaching the retainer 32 to the side frame portion 15. The gas generator 30 may be one in which an inflator 31 and a retainer 32 are integrated.

<Airbag 40>
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the airbag 40 includes an airbag main body 41 that constitutes an outer shell portion thereof, and a vertical partition section 60 provided in the airbag main body 41.

<Airbag body 41>
FIG. 5 shows the airbag main body 41 and the vertical partition 60 in a deployed state. FIG. 6 shows the internal structure of the airbag module AM in which the airbag body 41 is in a non-inflated and deployed state. Here, the non-inflated and deployed state refers to a state in which the airbag body 41 is deployed in a planar shape without being filled with the inflation gas.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the airbag main body 41 folds one piece of cloth (also called a base cloth, panel cloth, etc.) forward along a fold line 42 set at the center thereof. Thus, they are formed by overlapping in the vehicle width direction and joining the overlapped portions into a bag shape. Here, in order to distinguish the two overlapped portions of the airbag main body 41, the one located on the inside of the vehicle is referred to as a main cloth portion 43, and the one located on the outside of the vehicle is referred to as a main cloth portion 44. To do. Both the main cloth parts 43 and 44 are arranged along the vehicle width direction. In other words, the arrangement direction of the main cloth portions 43 and 44 matches the vehicle width direction.

  In the first embodiment, the airbag body 41 is formed by folding the cloth piece along the fold line 42, but the airbag body 41 is divided into two pieces along the fold line 42. It may consist of a piece of cloth. In this case, the airbag main body 41 is formed by superimposing two pieces of cloth in the vehicle width direction and joining both pieces so as to form a bag. Furthermore, at least one of the main cloth portions 43 and 44 may be composed of a plurality of cloth pieces.

  In the airbag main body 41, the outer shapes of the two main fabric portions 43 and 44 are in a line-symmetric relationship with each other with the folding line 42 as the axis of symmetry. The main fabric portions 43 and 44 are formed on the chest PT of the occupant P seated on the vehicle seat 12 when the airbag body 41 is deployed and inflated between the vehicle seat 12 and the body side portion 11. It is formed in a shape and size that can occupy a side region.

  As the main fabric portions 43 and 44, a woven fabric formed using a material having high strength and flexibility and can be easily folded, for example, polyester yarn, polyamide yarn, or the like is suitable. Yes.

  The coupling between the two main cloth portions 43 and 44 is performed at a main circumferential edge coupling portion 45 provided at the circumferential edge portion thereof. In the first embodiment, most of the main peripheral edge coupling portion 45 is formed by sewing (sewing with a sewing thread) a portion of the peripheral edge portions of both main fabric portions 43 and 44 except for the rear end portion (the vicinity of the folding line 42). ). This also applies to the sub-peripheral joint 62 described later.

  Regarding the sewing, in FIG. 6, the sewing portion is expressed by two line types. One line type is a line in which thick lines having a certain length are intermittently arranged and represents a state in which the sewing thread is viewed from the side (see the sub-peripheral joint portion 62). The other line type is a line in which dots are arranged at regular intervals, and shows a cross section of the sewing thread along a cross section that passes through the sewing portion (see the main peripheral edge coupling portion 45).

In addition, the main periphery coupling | bond part 45 and the subperipheral coupling | bond part 62 may be formed by the means different from the sewing using the said sewing thread, for example, adhesion | attachment using an adhesive agent.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the portion between the main fabric portions 43 and 44 and surrounded by the main peripheral joint portion 45 and the fold line 42 is on the side of the chest PT of the occupant P by the inflation gas. By expanding and expanding in this direction, an expansion chamber 46 is provided for restraining the chest PT and protecting it from impact.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a slit 47 extending in a direction perpendicular to the fold line 42 is formed in the rear end lower portion of the airbag body 41 folded in half. In both the main cloth portions 43 and 44, the lower portion of the slit 47 is an inwardly folded portion 48 that is inserted in a state of being folded inward of the other portions. The lower end portion of the inner folding portion 48 is coupled to the other portions of the main fabric portions 43 and 44 by the main peripheral edge coupling portion 45 by co-sewing. Further, the slit 47 is opened along with the formation of the inwardly-folded portion 48, and the insertion port 49 of the gas generator 30 is formed.

Further, bolt holes 51 through which the bolts 33 (see FIG. 4) of the gas generator 30 are inserted are formed at a plurality of locations in the main fabric portion 43 near the upper portion of the slit 47.
The expansion chamber 46 is divided into two by the vertical partition 60. The vertical partition 60 has the same configuration as that generally called a tether. The vertical partition 60 is a member corresponding to the sub-fabric in the claims, and is disposed between the two main fabrics 43 and 44.

<Vertical compartment 60>
When the airbag main body 41 is in a non-inflated and deployed state (see FIG. 6), the vertical partition 60 is forwardly along a fold line 61 extending substantially in the vertical direction between the main fabric portions 43 and 44. Folded in half. The upper end portion and the lower end portion of the vertically divided vertical partition 60 are joined to the main fabric portions 43 and 44 by the above-described main peripheral edge joining portion 45 by joint sewing.

As shown in FIG. 5, the vertical partition 60 has a vertically long shape in which the vertical dimension is longer than the dimension in the vehicle width direction in the unfolded state.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, the vertical partition 60 is supported by a pair of sub-peripheral joints 62 provided so as to extend substantially vertically along the peripheral edges on both sides of the vehicle width direction. The main fabric portions 43 and 44 are connected to each other. The vertical partition 60 is bridged between the main fabric portions 43 and 44 by the above-described connection. In the expansion chamber 46, the portion on the rear side of the vertical partition portion 60 constitutes an upstream expansion portion 63 that expands and expands on the side of the rear half of the chest PT of the occupant P. Further, in the expansion chamber 46, a portion on the front side of the vertical partition 60 forms a downstream expansion portion 64 that expands and expands on the side of the front half of the chest PT.

  In other words, the vertical partition 60 functions as a sub-fabric that forms the wall of the upstream expansion portion 63 together with a part (rear part) of the main fabric 43 and 44. The vertical partition 60 functions as a sub-fabric that forms the wall of the downstream expansion portion 64 together with each part (front) of the main fabric portions 43 and 44.

  The vertical partition 60 includes a pressure regulating valve 70 that adjusts the internal pressures of the upstream expansion portion 63 and the downstream expansion portion 64. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the vertical partition 60 is composed of two sub-fabric pieces 71 and 76 that are made of the same material as the main fabric portions 43 and 44 and are arranged in the vertical direction. Has been.

  The lower end portion of the upper sub-cloth piece 71 and the upper end portion of the lower sub-cloth piece 76 are overlapped with each other in the front-rear direction, which is the thickness direction of the vertical partition portion 60. The lower end portion of the sub-fabric piece 71 constitutes the overlapping portion 72, and the upper end portion of the sub-cloth piece 76 constitutes the overlapping portion 77.

  A portion between the two overlapping portions 72 and 77 and sandwiched between both the sub-periphery coupling portions 62 communicates the inside and outside of the upstream side expansion portion 63. In the first embodiment, the upstream side expansion portion 63 and the downstream side A communication part 81 that communicates with the expansion part 64 is configured.

  The pressure regulating valve 70 is configured by the overlapping portions 72 and 77 and the communication portion 81. Prior to the restraint of the occupant P by the upstream-side inflating portion 63, the pressure regulating valve 70 closes the communicating portion 81 by bringing the overlapping portions 72 and 77 into contact with each other, thereby allowing the expansion gas to flow through the communicating portion 81. Is limited (FIG. 10A). Further, the pressure regulating valve 70 releases the flow restriction by deforming both the overlapping portions 72 and 77 and opening the communicating portion 81 in accordance with the external force applied in accordance with the occupant restraint by the upstream expansion portion 63 (FIG. 10). (C)).

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the easy opening portions 73 and 78 are overlapped on the overlapping portions 72 and 77, and the easy opening portions 73 and 78 are overlapped by a larger amount than the easy opening portions 73 and 78. A pair of difficult-to-open parts 74 and 79 configured to be less open than 78 are provided in a state of being arranged along the vehicle width direction.

  In the first embodiment, the easy-to-open parts 73 and 78 are provided in a part including the center part in the vehicle width direction among the overlapping parts 72 and 77, and the difficult-to-open parts 74 and 79 are easy in the vehicle width direction. It is provided on both sides of the opening portions 73 and 78.

  More specifically, the overlapping portion 72 of the upper sub-cloth piece 71 is formed with an arc-shaped recess 72a that is recessed upward from its lower end edge. The degree of depression of the recess 72a is greatest at the center in the vehicle width direction, and decreases with increasing distance from the center to both sides in the vehicle width direction. In addition, the overlapping portion 77 of the lower sub-cloth piece 76 is formed with an arc-shaped recess 77a that is recessed downward from the upper edge. The degree of depression of the recess 77a is greatest at the center in the vehicle width direction, and decreases as the distance from the center increases to both sides in the vehicle width direction.

  Here, in the overlapping portions 72 and 77, the dimension in the vertical direction of the overlapped portion is defined as the overlapping amount. Then, by forming the concave portions 72a and 77a in the overlapping portions 72 and 77 as described above, the overlapping amount of the easy-opening portions 73 and 78 is the smallest in the central portion in the vehicle width direction. It increases as it moves away from both sides in the vehicle width direction. Further, the overlapping amount of the hard-to-open parts 74 and 79 is maximum at both ends in the vehicle width direction, and decreases with increasing distance from the same end to the center in the vehicle width direction.

  As described above, the pair of peripheral portions of the overlapping portions 72 and 77 constituting a part of the vertical partition portion 60 are coupled to the main fabric portions 43 and 44 by the sub-peripheral coupling portions 62. is there. Both the overlapping portions 72 and 77 are connected to each other by these sub-peripheral joint portions 62. Unlike Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, both overlapping portions 72 and 77 are not coupled to each other by another coupling portion (inner coupling portion 111 in FIG. 20).

  As shown in FIG. 6, after the gas generator 30 is in a posture extending substantially in the vertical direction, many portions except the lower portion of the gas generator 30 are expanded from the lower side through the insertion port 49 to the upstream side. It is inserted into the rear end portion in the portion 63. Further, the bolt 33 is inserted into the bolt hole 51 (see FIG. 5) of the main fabric portion 43, so that the gas generator 30 is locked in a state of being positioned with respect to the airbag body 41.

In addition, the whole gas generator 30 may be arrange | positioned in the rear-end part in the upstream expansion part 63, and the volt | bolt 33 may be penetrated by the bolt hole 51 of the main cloth part 43. FIG.
By the way, the airbag module AM is formed into a compact form (hereinafter referred to as “storage form”) by folding the airbag body 41 (see FIG. 6) in a non-inflated and deployed state. This is because the airbag module AM is suitable for storage with respect to the storage unit 18 having a limited size in the seat back 14.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the airbag module AM, a bolt 33 extending from the gas generator 30 and inserted into the bolt hole 51 of the main fabric portion 43 is inserted into the side frame portion 15, and the inserted bolt 33 is inserted into the inserted bolt 33. The nut 34 is tightened. By this tightening, the gas generator 30 is attached to the side frame portion 15 together with the airbag body 41.

  Note that the gas generator 30 may be attached to the side frame portion 15 by a member different from the bolt 33 and the nut 34 described above. Further, the inflator 31 may be directly attached to the side frame portion 15 without using the retainer 32.

  The side airbag device includes an impact sensor 98 and a control device 99 shown in FIG. 1 in addition to the airbag module AM described above. The impact sensor 98 is composed of an acceleration sensor or the like and is provided on the body side portion 11 of the vehicle 10 to detect an impact applied to the body side portion 11 from the outside. The control device 99 controls the operation of the inflator 31 based on the detection signal of the impact sensor 98.

  Further, the vehicle interior is equipped with a seat belt device for restraining the occupant P seated on the vehicle seat 12 to the vehicle seat 12, but this seat belt device is shown in FIGS. Is omitted.

  The side airbag device of the first embodiment is configured as described above. Next, a typical mode of operation (mode) will be described as an operation of the side airbag device.

  10 (a) to 10 (c) schematically show how the shape of the pressure regulating valve 70 and its peripheral portion in the vertical partition 60 changes with time after the supply of the expansion gas starts. The details are omitted and simplified.

  In the side airbag device of the first embodiment, when the impact sensor 98 does not detect that an impact has been applied to the body side portion 11 from the side, the control device 99 operates the inflator 31 to activate it. No signal is output and no inflation gas is ejected. The airbag body 41 continues to be stored in the storage portion 18 in the storage form.

  On the other hand, when the vehicle 10 is traveling, an impact of a predetermined value or more is applied to the body side portion 11 due to a side collision or the like, and when this is detected by the impact sensor 98, the inflator is controlled from the control device 99 based on the detection signal. The operation signal for operating this is output to 31. In response to this operation signal, the inflation gas is ejected from the inflator 31. When the inflating gas is supplied to the upstream inflating portion 63 of the airbag main body 41 in the storage form, the upstream inflating portion 63 starts to expand and inflate.

  The vertical partition 60 is pulled to both sides in the vehicle width direction by the upstream expansion portion 63 that expands and expands. The overlapping portions 72 and 77 are overlapped with each other in the easy opening portions 73 and 78 and the difficult opening portions 74 and 79. The communication part 81 is in a state of being blocked by the two overlapping parts 72 and 77. Moreover, as shown to Fig.10 (a), the internal pressure PI is added to both the overlap parts 72 and 77 from the overlap direction (thickness direction). Therefore, the two overlapping portions 72 and 77 are brought into close contact with each other over the entire surface by the internal pressure PI, and are in a self-sealing state that restricts the flow of the expansion gas in the communication portion 81.

  Here, since the vertical partition 60 is formed longer in the vertical direction than in the vehicle width direction (see FIG. 5), the vertical partition 60 has a stronger tension in the vehicle width direction than in the vertical direction. Easy to take. Since both the overlapping portions 72 and 77 extend in the vehicle width direction where the strong tension is easily applied, the overlapping portions 72 and 77 are easily closed.

  Therefore, the expansion gas in the upstream expansion portion 63 is restricted from flowing out to the downstream expansion portion 64 through the communication portion 81 between the two overlapping portions 72 and 77. The expansion gas accumulates in the upstream expansion portion 63, and the internal pressure of the upstream expansion portion 63 increases.

  When the upstream side expansion portion 63 expands while the folded state is released (expanded) due to the increase in the internal pressure, the seat pad 16 of the seat back 14 is pressed by the upstream side expansion portion 63 and the expected fracture portion 21 ( In FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 9, the upstream inflating portion 63 jumps forward from the seat back 14 through the broken portion, with a part remaining in the storage portion 18.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upstream inflating portion 63 to which the inflation gas is supplied thereafter is expanded and inflated between the rear half of the chest PT of the occupant P and the body side portion 11 forward. To do. The rear half of the chest part PT of the occupant P is restrained by the upstream inflating part 63 and is protected from the impact applied from the side.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 9, the vertical partition 60 pulled to both sides in the vehicle width direction is in a tensioned state, and regulates the expansion thickness of the upstream expansion portion 63 in the same direction.
As the body side portion 11 further enters the inside of the vehicle, the rear half of the chest portion PT of the occupant P starts to be pressed toward the inside of the vehicle by the upstream inflating portion 63. While the expansion gas continues to be supplied into the upstream expansion portion 63, the pressure regulating valve 70 starts to open due to the external force applied from the body side portion 11.

  That is, from the middle of the supply period of the inflation gas to the upstream side expansion portion 63, an external force accompanying the restraint of the rear half of the chest PT is applied from the side, and the upstream side expansion portion 63 is pressed and deformed. Along with this, the tension applied strongly in the vehicle width direction with respect to the vertical section 60 is reduced.

  Further, the internal pressure PI of the upstream inflating portion 63 further increases with the above deformation, and the vertical partition 60 is pressed toward the downstream inflating portion 64 (see FIG. 10B). The tension changes, and the difference in tension between the vertical direction and the vehicle width direction is reduced. The vertical deformation of the overlapping portions 72 and 77 is allowed.

  Due to the deformation in the vertical direction, the overlapping amount is reduced in both overlapping portions 72 and 77. When the overlapping amount is exhausted, both overlapping portions 72 and 77 are opened (FIG. 10C). In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the easy opening portions 73 and 78 that have a small overlapping amount and are easier to open than the difficult opening portions 74 and 79 open more than the easy opening portions 73 and 78 that have a large overlapping amount. It opens before the difficult open parts 74 and 79.

  Here, since the overlapping portions 72 and 77 are coupled to the main fabric portions 43 and 44 by the sub-peripheral coupling portions 62 provided at the peripheral portions on both sides in the vehicle width direction, the overlapping portions 72 and 77 are connected. In the portion close to the sub-periphery coupling portion 62, the force for maintaining the superimposed state is strong. However, this force decreases as the distance from the sub-periphery coupling portion 62 increases, and becomes minimum at the center portion in the vehicle width direction.

  In this regard, as described above, the easy-opening portions 73 and 78 are provided at the portion including the central portion in the vehicle width direction of the two overlapping portions 72 and 77, so that the opening is further facilitated. In addition, the hard-to-open parts 74 and 79 are provided on both sides of the easy-to-open parts 73 and 78 in the vehicle width direction, so that it is more difficult to open.

  When the central portion in the vehicle width direction is opened at the communication portion 81, the expansion gas in the upstream side expansion portion 63 starts to flow out from the open portion to the downstream side expansion portion 64. When the difficult-to-open parts 74 and 79 are opened behind the easy-to-open parts 73 and 78, more communication parts 81 are opened than when only the easy-to-open parts 73 and 78 are opened, and more in the upstream-side expansion part 63. An amount of the expansion gas flows out to the downstream expansion section 64 through the communication section 81. And by the said outflow of the gas for expansion, the internal pressure of the upstream expansion part 63 falls, and the internal pressure of the downstream expansion part 64 rises.

  The downstream inflatable portion 64 starts to be pressed against the front half of the chest PT of the occupant P by the body side portion 11 entering the vehicle interior side. In addition to restraining the rear half of the chest PT by the upstream inflating portion 63, the front half of the chest PT is restrained by the downstream inflating portion 64.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, in the pressure regulating valve 70, the pair of overlapping portions 72 and 77 are merely coupled to the main fabric portions 43 and 44 by the pair of sub-peripheral coupling portions 62. Absent. Both overlapping portions 72 and 77 are not coupled to each other by another coupling portion (inner coupling portion 111 in FIG. 20) provided separately from both sub-peripheral coupling portions 62. Nevertheless, the pressure regulating valve 70 performs the same operation as that in which both the overlapping portions 72 and 77 are coupled by the sub-periphery coupling portion 62 and another coupling portion (inner coupling portion). Accordingly, the restraining performance of the occupant P is maintained. In addition, the structure of the pressure regulating valve 70 is simplified because the connection by the other connecting portion (inner connecting portion 111) is eliminated.

According to the first embodiment described in detail above, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The vertical partition portion 60 (sub-fabric portion) is disposed between the main fabric portions 43 and 44, and each main fabric portion 43 is formed by a pair of sub-peripheral joint portions 62 provided at the peripheral portion of the vertical partition portion 60. , 44. As the pressure regulating valve 70 constituted by a part of the vertical partition 60, a pair of overlapping portions 72 and 77 that are overlapped with each other in the thickness direction of the vertical partition 60, and an upstream expansion portion 63 provided therebetween. The thing provided with the communication part 81 which connects inside and outside of is employ | adopted. In the pressure regulating valve 70, the overlapping portions 72 and 77 are connected to each other only by being connected to the main fabric portions 43 and 44 by the both sub-periphery connecting portions 62 (FIG. 5).

  Therefore, the passenger airbag performance equivalent to the case where another coupling portion (inner coupling portion 111 in FIG. 20) is provided separately from the sub-peripheral coupling portion 62 can be exhibited in the side airbag device. Moreover, the structure of the pressure regulation valve 70 can be simplified by eliminating the coupling | bonding by another coupling | bond part (inner coupling | bond part 111).

  (2) The vertical partition 60 (sub-cloth portion) is constituted by a pair of sub-cloth pieces 71 and 76. The pair of overlapping portions 72 and 77 are both sub-fabric pieces 71 and 76, and are constituted by end portions that are overlapped with each other in the thickness direction of the vertical partition portion 60. And the part pinched | interposed by the both sub-periphery coupling | bond part 62 between both the overlapping parts 72 and 77 is made into the communication part 81 (FIG. 5).

  Therefore, before the occupant is restrained by the upstream side inflating portion 63, the overlapping portions 72 and 77 are overlapped with each other so that the communicating portion 81 is closed, thereby restricting the flow of the inflation gas ( FIG. 10 (a)).

  Further, when the occupant is restrained by the upstream inflating portion 63, the overlapping portions 72 and 77 are deformed to eliminate the overlapping amount so as to open the communicating portion 81 and to communicate the expansion gas in the upstream inflating portion 63. It can flow out from the open part of the part 81 (FIG.10 (c)).

  (3) Downstream expansion that expands and expands with the expansion gas flowing out from the upstream expansion portion 63 through the pressure regulating valve 70 on the downstream side of the upstream expansion portion 63 across the vertical partition 60 (sub-cloth portion). A portion 64 is provided (FIG. 6).

  Therefore, before the occupant is restrained by the upstream inflatable portion 63, the communication portion 81 is closed, so that the upstream inflatable portion 63 is expanded and inflated exclusively in the expansion chamber 46. The latter half of PT can be restrained and protected from impact.

  Further, when the occupant is restrained by the upstream inflatable portion 63, the communication portion 81 is opened to expand and inflate the downstream inflatable portion 64 in addition to the upstream inflatable portion 63, and the occupant P is restrained by both the inflatable portions 63 and 64. And can be protected from impact.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment in which the airbag device is embodied as a vehicle side airbag device will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.

  In the second embodiment, the vertical partition 60 (sub-cloth portion) is constituted by the sub-main body cloth portion 82 and the auxiliary auxiliary cloth portion 83. In the sub-body cloth portion 82, a communication portion 84 formed of a long hole extending in the vehicle width direction is provided in the vicinity of the central portion in the vertical direction. The sub main body cloth part 82 has the same outer shape as the vertical partition 60 (sub cloth part) in the first embodiment.

  In the auxiliary auxiliary cloth portion 83, the dimension in the vertical direction is set larger than that of the communication part 84, and the dimension in the vehicle width direction is set to be the same as that of the auxiliary main body cloth part 82. The auxiliary auxiliary cloth part 83 is overlapped from the front with respect to a part of the auxiliary main body cloth part 82 in a state where the communication part 84 is closed and the pair of peripheral edge parts are matched with both peripheral edge parts of the auxiliary main body cloth part 82. Yes. Both the peripheral edge portions of the auxiliary auxiliary cloth portion 83 are coupled to both the main cloth portions 43 and 44 together with the sub main body cloth portion 82 by the both auxiliary peripheral edge coupling portions 62. The sub main body cloth part 82 and the sub auxiliary cloth part 83 are connected to each other by both sub peripheral edge coupling parts 62. Unlike the patent document 1 and the patent document 2, the sub main body cloth part 82 and the sub auxiliary cloth part 83 are not connected to each other by another connecting part (the inner connecting part 111 in FIG. 20).

The plurality of overlapping portions forming part of the pressure regulating valve 70 are configured by the auxiliary auxiliary cloth portion 83 and a portion of the auxiliary main body cloth portion 82 where the auxiliary auxiliary cloth portion 83 is overlapped.
Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment. For this reason, the same elements as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  Next, the operation of the side airbag device of the second embodiment will be described. 12 (a) to 12 (c) schematically show how the shape of the pressure regulating valve 70 and its peripheral portion in the vertical section 60 changes with time by supplying the expansion gas. Is omitted and simplified.

  Before the occupant P is restrained by the upstream inflating portion 63, in the pressure regulating valve 70, as shown in FIG. 12A, the auxiliary auxiliary cloth portion 83 is provided with the communication portion 84 in the auxiliary main body cloth portion 82. Overlapped in place. The communication part 84 of the sub-main body cloth part 82 is closed by the auxiliary auxiliary cloth part 83, and the outflow of the expansion gas from the upstream side expansion part 63 to the downstream side expansion part 64 is restricted.

  When an external force is applied to the upstream inflatable portion 63 as the occupant is restrained by the upstream inflatable portion 63, at least the sub-main body cloth portion 82 is deformed as shown in FIG. The communication portion 84 is deformed in the same direction as the sub-body cloth portion 82 is deformed in the vertical direction. The overlapping amount of the sub main body cloth part 82 and the auxiliary auxiliary cloth part 83 is reduced. And as shown in FIG.12 (c), when the overlapping amount is lost and the communication portion 84 is opened, that is, when a portion of the communication portion 84 that is not blocked by the auxiliary auxiliary cloth portion 83 is generated. The expansion gas in the upstream expansion portion 63 flows out from the open portion.

Therefore, according to the second embodiment, the same effect as the above (1) and (3) can be obtained, and the following effect can be obtained instead of the above (2).
(4) The auxiliary section in which the vertical partition 60 (sub-cloth portion) is overlapped with the sub-body cloth portion 82 provided with the communication portion 84 and a part of the sub-body cloth portion 82 in a state where the communication portion 84 is closed. The cloth portion 83 is used. The pair of peripheral edge portions of the auxiliary auxiliary cloth portion 83 are coupled to the main cloth portions 43 and 44 together with the auxiliary main body cloth portion 82 by the both auxiliary peripheral edge coupling portions 62. The plurality of overlapping portions are configured by the auxiliary auxiliary cloth portion 83 and a portion of the auxiliary main body cloth portion 82 where the auxiliary auxiliary cloth portion 83 is overlapped (FIG. 11).

Therefore, before the passenger is restrained by the upstream inflating portion 63, the auxiliary auxiliary cloth portion 83 can be overlapped with the sub main body cloth portion 82 to block the communicating portion 84, thereby restricting the flow of the inflation gas.
Further, when the occupant is restrained by the upstream side inflating portion 63, at least the sub-main body cloth portion 82 is deformed in the vertical direction, and the communication portion 84 is deformed in the same direction. It is possible to eliminate the overlapping amount of the sub main body cloth part 82 and the auxiliary auxiliary cloth part 83 to open the communication part 84, and to allow the inflation gas in the upstream side expansion part 63 to flow out from the open part of the communication part 84.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment in which the airbag device is embodied as a vehicle side airbag device will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the third embodiment, the vertical partition 60 (sub-cloth portion) is constituted by a pair of sub-main body cloth portions 82 a and 82 b and a sub-auxiliary cloth portion 83. Both the sub main body cloth portions 82a and 82b are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction at a constant interval. A communication portion 85 is formed between the two sub-main body cloth portions 82a and 82b. The communication portion 85 is provided over the entire width in the vehicle width direction in the vertical partition portion 60 (sub-cloth portion), and is longer in the vehicle width direction than the communication portion 84 in the second embodiment.

  In the auxiliary auxiliary cloth part 83, the dimension in the vertical direction is set larger than that of the communication part 84, and the dimension in the vehicle width direction is set to be approximately the same as that of the communication part 85. The auxiliary auxiliary cloth portion 83 is overlapped from the front with respect to the auxiliary main body cloth portions 82a and 82b in a state in which the communication portion 85 is closed and the pair of peripheral edge portions are matched with both peripheral edge portions of the auxiliary main body cloth portions 82a and 82b. ing. Both the peripheral edge portions of the auxiliary auxiliary cloth portion 83 are coupled to both the main cloth portions 43 and 44 together with the sub main body cloth portions 82a and 82b by the both auxiliary peripheral edge coupling portions 62. The sub main body cloth portions 82 a and 82 b and the sub auxiliary cloth portion 83 are connected to each other by both sub peripheral edge coupling portions 62. Unlike the patent document 1 and the patent document 2, the sub body cloth parts 82a and 82b and the auxiliary auxiliary cloth part 83 are not connected to each other by another connecting part (inner connecting part 111 in FIG. 20).

A plurality of overlapping portions forming a part of the pressure regulating valve 70 are configured by the auxiliary auxiliary cloth portion 83 and a portion of the auxiliary main body cloth portions 82a and 82b where the auxiliary auxiliary cloth portion 83 is overlapped.
The configuration other than the above is the same as that of the second embodiment. For this reason, the same elements as those described in the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

Therefore, the side airbag device of the third embodiment operates in the same manner as the side airbag device of the second embodiment described above.
That is, before the occupant P is restrained by the upstream-side inflating portion 63, in the pressure regulating valve 70, the auxiliary auxiliary fabric portion 83 is overlapped with the opposing end portions of the pair of auxiliary main body fabric portions 82 a and 82 b. The communication portion 85 is closed by the auxiliary auxiliary cloth portion 83, and the outflow of the expansion gas from the upstream side expansion portion 63 to the downstream side expansion portion 64 is restricted.

  When an external force is applied to the upstream inflatable portion 63 in accordance with the occupant restraint by the upstream inflatable portion 63, at least both the sub main body cloth portions 82a and 82b are deformed. The communication portion 85 is deformed in the same direction along with the vertical deformation of both the sub-main body cloth portions 82a and 82b. The amount of overlap between the auxiliary body cloth portions 82a and 82b and the auxiliary auxiliary cloth portion 83 is reduced. When the overlapping amount is lost and the communication portion 85 is opened, that is, when a portion of the communication portion 85 that is not blocked by the auxiliary auxiliary cloth portion 83 is generated, The expansion gas flows out.

Therefore, according to the third embodiment, the same effect as the above (1), (3), (4) can be obtained.
(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment in which the airbag device is embodied as a vehicle side airbag device will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15.

  In the fourth embodiment, the vertical partition 60 (sub-cloth portion) is constituted by a single sub-cloth piece 86. A pair of fold lines 87 and 88 extending in the vehicle width direction are set at two locations spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction in the vicinity of the central portion in the vertical direction of the secondary cloth piece 86. Is folded twice along these fold lines 87,88. In the sub cloth piece 86, a portion surrounded by both fold lines 87 and 88 constitutes an overlapping portion 86b. The portion above the fold line 87 of the sub-fabric piece 86 and the rear portion of the overlapping portion 86b constitutes the overlapping portion 86a. The portion below the fold line 88 of the sub cloth piece 86 and in front of the overlapping portion 86b constitutes the overlapping portion 86c.

  The communication portion 89 is provided at the folded portion of the adjacent overlapping portions 86a and 86b. In the fourth embodiment, the communication portion 89 is configured by a slit provided along the fold line 87.

  Both peripheral portions in the vehicle width direction of the overlapping portions 86 a, 86 b, 86 c are coupled to both the main fabric portions 43, 44 by both sub-peripheral coupling portions 62, as in the other portions of the sub-cloth piece 86. The overlapping portions 86a, 86b, 86c are connected to each other by both sub-periphery coupling portions 62. Unlike the patent documents 1 and 2, the overlapping portions 86a, 86b, and 86c are not coupled to each other by other coupling portions (inner coupling portions 111 in FIG. 20).

Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment. For this reason, the same elements as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.
Next, the operation of the side airbag device according to the fourth embodiment will be described. FIGS. 15A to 15C schematically show how the configuration of the pressure regulating valve 70 and its peripheral portion in the vertical section 60 changes with time by supplying the expansion gas. Is omitted and simplified.

  Before the occupant P is restrained by the upstream inflating portion 63, in the pressure regulating valve 70, as shown in FIG. 15A, a plurality (three) of overlapping portions 86a, 86b, 86c are overlapped with each other. . The communication portion 89 provided at the folded portion of the adjacent overlapping portions 86a and 86b is closed by the overlapping portions 86a and 86b that are overlapped with each other, and the upstream expansion portion 63 is transferred to the downstream expansion portion 64. Outflow of the expansion gas is limited.

When an external force is applied to the upstream inflatable portion 63 as the occupant is restrained by the upstream inflatable portion 63, the vertical partition 60 (sub-cloth portion) is pressed toward the downstream inflatable portion 64 as shown in FIG. Is done.
The overlapping portions 86a, 86b, 86c are deformed, and the communicating portion 89 is deformed accordingly. When the communication portion 89 opens to some extent in the vertical direction, a part of the overlapping portions 86a and 86b (the center portion in the vehicle width direction and the vicinity thereof) passes through the communication portion 89 and is downstream as shown in FIG. It is pushed out (inverted) to the side expansion part 64. The expansion gas in the upstream expansion portion 63 flows out to the downstream expansion portion 64 through the open communication portion 89 between the two overlapping portions 86a and 86b reversed as described above.

Therefore, according to the fourth embodiment, the same effects as the above (1) and (3) can be obtained, and the following effect can be obtained instead of the above (2).
(5) The vertical partition 60 (sub-cloth portion) is constituted by a single sub-cloth piece 86. A plurality of overlapping portions 86a, 86b, 86c are formed by folding the intermediate portion of the sub cloth piece 86 a plurality of times, and a communication portion 89 is provided at the folded portion of the adjacent overlapping portions 86a, 86b (FIG. 14). ).
Therefore, before the occupant is restrained by the upstream inflating portion 63, the overlapping portions 86a and 86b are overlapped with each other, thereby closing the communication portion 89 between them and restricting the flow of the inflation gas.

  In addition, when the occupant is restrained by the upstream side inflating portion 63, the overlapping portions 86a and 86b are deformed to deform the communicating portion 89. Both the overlapping portions 86a and 86b are pushed out (inverted) through the communication portion 89 to the downstream side expansion portion 64, and the expansion gas in the upstream side expansion portion 63 flows out from the open portion of the communication portion 89. it can.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment in which the airbag device is embodied as a vehicle side airbag device will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17.

  In the fifth embodiment, the vertical partition 60 (sub-cloth portion) is constituted by a single sub-cloth piece 91. Four folding lines 92, 93, 94, and 95 extending in the vehicle width direction are set at four locations spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction near the vertical center of the secondary cloth piece 91. The intermediate portion of the piece 91 is folded back four times along these folding lines 92 to 95. In the sub-fabric piece 91, a portion surrounded by a pair of adjacent folding lines 92, 93 constitutes an overlapping portion 91b, and a portion surrounded by a pair of adjacent folding lines 93, 94 constitutes an overlapping portion 91c. A portion surrounded by a pair of adjacent folding lines 94 and 95 constitutes an overlapping portion 91d. The portion above the folding line 92 of the sub-fabric piece 91 and the rear side of the overlapping portion 91b constitutes the overlapping portion 91a. The portion below the fold line 95 of the sub-fabric piece 91 and the rear side of the overlapping portion 91d constitutes the overlapping portion 91e.

  The communication part 96 is provided in the some overlapping part 91a-91e which is furthest forward from the location which is not overlapped in the subfabric piece 91 (overlapping part 91c). In the fifth embodiment, the communication portion 96 is configured by a circular hole provided in the center portion in the vehicle width direction in the overlapping portion 91c, but the position, number, shape, and the like of this hole can be changed as appropriate. It is.

  Both peripheral portions in the vehicle width direction of the overlapping portions 91 a to 91 e are coupled to both the main fabric portions 43 and 44 by both sub-peripheral coupling portions 62. The overlapping portions 91 a to 91 e are connected to each other by both sub-periphery coupling portions 62. Unlike the patent documents 1 and 2, the overlapping portions 91a to 91e are not coupled to each other by other coupling portions (the inner coupling portion 111 in FIG. 20).

Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment. For this reason, the same elements as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.
Next, the operation of the side airbag device according to the fifth embodiment will be described. 17 (a) to 17 (c) schematically show how the shape of the pressure regulating valve 70 and its peripheral portion in the vertical section 60 changes with time by supplying the expansion gas. Is omitted and simplified.

  Before the occupant P is restrained by the upstream expansion portion 63, the pressure regulating valve 70 overlaps the overlapping portion 91c among the plurality of overlapping portions 91a to 91e as shown in FIG. The matching portions 91a and 91b overlap from the rear, and the overlapping portions 91d and 91e overlap from the rear. In other words, the overlapping portions 91a and 91b are positioned between the inflator 31 and the overlapping portion 91c, and the overlapping portions 91d and 91e are positioned immediately below the overlapping portions 91a and 91b. The communicating part 96 provided in the overlapping part 91c is closed by these overlapping parts 91a, 91b, 91d, 91e, and the expansion gas from the upstream expansion part 63 to the downstream expansion part 64 is closed. Outflow is limited.

  When an external force is applied to the upstream inflatable portion 63 in accordance with the occupant restraint by the upstream inflatable portion 63, the vertical partition 60 (sub-cloth portion) is pressed toward the downstream inflatable portion 64 as shown in FIG. Is done. Each overlapping portion 91a to 91e is deformed in the vertical direction. By this deformation, the overlapping portions 91a and 91b are retracted upward, and the overlapping portions 91d and 91e are retracted downward. The overlapping amount of the other overlapping portions 91a, 91b, 91d, and 91e with respect to the overlapping portion 91c provided with the communication portion 96 is reduced. As shown in FIG. 17C, when a portion of the communication portion 96 that is not blocked by the overlapping portions 91 a, 91 b, 91 d, 91 e is generated, the expansion gas in the upstream expansion portion 63 is connected to the communication portion 96. It flows out to the downstream expansion part 64 through the open part.

Therefore, according to the fifth embodiment, the same effect as the above (1) and (3) can be obtained, and the following effect can be obtained instead of the above (2).
(6) The vertical partition 60 (sub-cloth portion) is configured by a single sub-cloth piece 91. A plurality of overlapping portions 91a to 91e are formed by turning back a part of the sub cloth piece 91 a plurality of times. And the communication part 96 is provided in the superimposition part 91c furthest away from the location which is not superimposed in the subfabric piece 91 among several superimposition part 91a-91e (FIG. 16).

  Therefore, before the occupant is restrained by the upstream expansion portion 63, the communication portion 96 provided in the overlapping portion 91c is closed by the other overlapping portions 91a, 91b, 91d, 91e, and the expansion in the upstream expansion portion 63 is performed. It is possible to restrict the working gas from flowing out to the downstream side expansion portion 64 through the communication portion 96.

  Further, when the occupant is restrained by the upstream side inflating portion 63, the overlapping portions 91a to 91e are deformed, so that the overlapping portions 91a, 91b, 91d, and 91e with respect to the overlapping portion 91c provided with the communication portion 96 are deformed. Reduce the amount of overlap. A portion that is not blocked by the overlapping portions 91a, 91b, 91d, and 91e can be formed in the communication portion 96, and the expansion gas in the upstream side expansion portion 63 can flow out from the open portion.

(Sixth embodiment)
Next, a sixth embodiment in which the airbag device is embodied as a vehicle side airbag device will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19.

  In the sixth embodiment, the folded portions of the overlapping portions 91d and 91e are overlapped from the rear with respect to the folded portions of the overlapping portions 91a and 91b. In other words, at least one folded portion is superimposed on at least one other folded portion.

The other configuration is the same as that of the fifth embodiment. For this reason, the same elements as those described in the fifth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.
Therefore, according to the sixth embodiment, the pressure regulating valve 70 basically operates in the same manner as in the fifth embodiment. That is, before the occupant P is restrained by the upstream-side inflating portion 63, in the pressure regulating valve 70, as shown in FIG. 19A, the folded portions of the overlapping portions 91d and 91e are overlapped by the overlapping portions 91a and 91b. It is overlapped from the back to the folded part. For this reason, the expansion gas in the upstream expansion portion 63 is unlikely to pass between the folded portions and reach the communication portion 96, and the outflow of the expansion gas through the communication portion 96 is well restricted. The

  When an external force is applied to the upstream inflatable portion 63 in accordance with the occupant restraint by the upstream inflatable portion 63, the vertical partition 60 (sub-cloth portion) is pressed toward the downstream inflatable portion 64 as shown in FIG. Is done. Each overlapping portion 91a to 91e is deformed in the vertical direction. By this deformation, the overlapping portions 91a and 91b are retracted upward, and the overlapping portions 91d and 91e are retracted downward. Due to these retreats, the amount of overlap of both folded portions is reduced.

  As shown in FIG. 19C, the overlapping amount of the other overlapping portions 91a, 91b, 91d, 91e with respect to the overlapping portion 91c provided with the communicating portion 96 is reduced. A portion that is not blocked by the portions 91a, 91b, 91d, and 91e is generated. Then, the expansion gas in the upstream expansion portion 63 flows out to the downstream expansion portion 64 through the open portion of the communication portion 96.

Therefore, according to the sixth embodiment, the same effects as the above (1), (3), and (6) can be obtained, and the following effects can be obtained.
(7) At least one folded portion (the folded portion of the overlapping portions 91d and 91e) is overlapped with at least one other folded portion (the folded portion of the overlapping portions 91a and 91b) (FIG. 18).

  Therefore, before the occupant P is restrained by the upstream inflating portion 63, the folded portions are overlapped with each other, restricting the flow of the inflation gas between them, It is possible to make it difficult for the inflation gas to reach the communication portion 96, and to favorably restrict the flow of the inflation gas through the communication portion 96.

In addition, said each embodiment can also be implemented as a modification which changed this as follows.
<Expansion chamber 46>
The airbag main body 41 may be substantially composed of the expansion chamber 46 as in each of the above embodiments, but a part of the non-inflatable portion that does not inflate without being supplied with the inflation gas. You may have.

  -The expansion chamber 46 in each embodiment may be comprised only by the upstream expansion part 63. FIG. In this case, the sub-fabric portion does not function as the vertical partition portion 60 that partitions the expansion chamber 46 into the upstream expansion portion 63 and the downstream expansion portion 64, but only functions as a front wall portion of the upstream expansion portion 63. is there. In this case, the pressure regulating valve 70 functions as an exhaust valve that discharges the expansion gas to the outside of the upstream side expansion portion 63.

<About the vertical section 60>
-Both the peripheral parts of the vertical division part 60 in each embodiment in the vehicle width direction may be coupled to the main cloth parts 43 and 44 in the upstream expansion part 63 or in the downstream expansion part 64. (See FIG. 6).

Further, one peripheral edge portion may be coupled to the main fabric portions 43 and 44 within the upstream expansion portion 63, and the other peripheral edge portion may be coupled within the downstream expansion portion 64.
In each embodiment, the vertical partition 60 in the folded state is disposed in the airbag body 41 in the non-inflated and deployed state with the fold line 61 positioned on the downstream inflatable portion 64 side of the sub-periphery coupling portion 62. May be provided.

<Regulation valve 70>
-As a pressure regulation valve 70 in each embodiment, it replaces with what was demonstrated in the said embodiment, on condition that the internal pressure of the upstream expansion part 63 exceeds predetermined value, and closes substantially until the condition is satisfy | filled (slightly (Including those that are open), and those that open when the same condition is satisfied may be used.

  In this case, for example, in the first embodiment, at the initial stage of supply of the expansion gas to the upstream side expansion portion 63, both the overlapping portions 72 and 77 are overlapped with each other in the pressure regulating valve 70. The communication portion 81 is blocked by the overlapping portions 72 and 77, and the expansion gas in the upstream expansion portion 63 is restricted from flowing out to the downstream expansion portion 64 through the communication portion 81. Therefore, the expansion gas is accumulated in the upstream expansion portion 63, and the internal pressure of the upstream expansion portion 63 is increased. The occupant P is restrained by the upstream inflating portion 63 whose internal pressure is increased as described above, and is protected from an impact.

  When the internal pressure of the upstream expansion portion 63 is increased by the expansion gas, both the overlapping portions 72 and 77 are deformed. Along with this deformation, the overlapping amount of both overlapping portions 72 and 77 decreases. Then, when the overlapping amount of both the overlapping portions 72 and 77 disappears and the communication portion 81 is opened, the flow restriction is released, and the expansion gas in the upstream side expansion portion 63 is released from the open portion of the communication portion 81. The internal pressure of the upstream inflating portion 63 decreases.

  As the inflating gas flows into the downstream inflating portion 64, the downstream inflating portion 64 expands and inflates following the upstream inflating portion 63. As a result, the occupant P is restrained not only by the upstream inflatable portion 63 but also by the downstream inflatable portion 64 and protected from impact.

The above operation of the pressure regulating valve 70 is similarly performed in the second to sixth embodiments.
In forming the pressure regulating valve 70, the lower end portion of the upper sub-cloth piece 71 may be overlapped with the upper end portion of the lower sub-cloth piece 76 from the front, contrary to the first embodiment. In this case, the overlapping portion 72 is located on the front side of the overlapping portion 77.

In the formation of the pressure regulating valve 70, the sub auxiliary cloth portion 83 may be overlapped with the sub main body cloth portion 82 from the rear, contrary to the second embodiment.
-When forming the pressure regulation valve 70, contrary to 3rd Embodiment, the sub auxiliary | assistant cloth part 83 may be piled up from both back with respect to both sub main body cloth parts 82a and 82b.

In the fourth embodiment, the communication portion 89 may be provided at the folded portion of the adjacent overlapping portions 86b and 86c instead of the adjacent overlapping portions 86a and 86b.
-Contrary to 4th Embodiment, the overlapping parts 86a-86c may be formed so that the overlapping part 86a may be located ahead of the overlapping part 86c.

In the fourth embodiment, the sub cloth piece 86 may be folded back three times or more so that four or more overlapping portions are formed.
In the fifth and sixth embodiments, the overlapping portions 91a to 91e may be formed on the upstream expansion portion 63 side.

  In the fifth and sixth embodiments, six or more overlapping portions may be formed so that five or more folded portions are generated. Also in this case, as in the sixth embodiment, it is preferable that at least one folded portion is overlapped with at least one other folded portion.

-Contrary to 6th Embodiment, the folding | returning part of the overlapping parts 91a and 91b may be overlaid from the back with respect to the folding | returning part of the overlapping parts 91d and 91e.
<About the storage unit 18 of the airbag module AM>
-The storage part 18 may be provided in the body side part 11 instead of the seat back 14 of the vehicle seat 12, and the airbag module AM may be incorporated therein.

<Others>
The side airbag device is configured such that in a vehicle in which the vehicle seat 12 is arranged in a posture in which the seat back 14 is different from the front of the vehicle, for example, in a sideward direction, The present invention can also be applied to a side airbag device of a type that protects the occupant P from the impact when an impact is applied from the front-rear direction.

-The site | part restrained and protected by the upstream expansion part 63 and the downstream expansion part 64 about the upper body of the passenger | crew P may be changed into the site | part different from the said embodiment.
The airbag device can be applied to a different type of airbag device from the side airbag device described above.

-Vehicles to which the airbag device is applied include not only private vehicles but also various industrial vehicles.
The airbag apparatus is also applicable to an airbag apparatus that is mounted on a vehicle other than a vehicle, such as an aircraft or a ship, and that protects an occupant seated on the vehicle seat from an impact.

  43, 44 ... main cloth part, 45 ... main peripheral edge coupling part, 60 ... vertical partition part (sub-cloth part), 62 ... sub-peripheral joint part, 63 ... upstream side expansion part (expansion part), 64 ... downstream side expansion part , 70 ... Pressure regulating valve, 71, 76, 86, 91 ... Sub-fabric piece, 72, 77, 86a, 86b, 86c, 91a, 91b, 91c, 91d, 91e ... Overlapping part, 81, 84, 85, 89, 96 ... Communication part, 82, 82a, 82b ... Sub-main body cloth part, 83 ... Sub auxiliary cloth part, P ... Crew, PI ... Internal pressure.

Claims (2)

Each main fabric is formed by a pair of main fabric portions joined to each other by a main peripheral joint portion provided at the peripheral portion and a pair of sub-peripheral joint portions provided between the main fabric portions and provided at the peripheral portion. A sub-fabric portion coupled to the portion, and is configured in a bag shape, and includes an inflating portion that expands and inflates with an inflating gas at a location close to the occupant,
The sub-fabric part includes a pressure regulating valve for adjusting the internal pressure of the inflating part in its own part,
The pressure regulating valve is configured by a part of the sub-fabric part, and is provided in a plurality of superposed parts that are superposed on each other in the thickness direction of the sub-fabric part and the adjacent superposed part, and A communication part that communicates the inside and the outside, and before the restraint of the occupant by the inflating part, or at the initial stage of supplying the inflating gas to the inflating part, The restriction is lifted by restricting the distribution and opening the communication part by deforming the overlapping part according to the external force applied in accordance with the restraint of the occupant by the inflating part or according to the increase in the internal pressure of the inflating part. Is,
The sub-fabric part is composed of a single sub-fabric piece,
The plurality of overlapping portions are formed by folding a part of the sub-cloth piece a plurality of times,
The communication part is provided in a folded part of the adjacent overlapping part,
The airbag device in which the plurality of overlapping portions are coupled to each other only by being coupled to the main fabric portion by the sub-peripheral coupling portion. The expansion part constitutes an upstream expansion part to which an expansion gas is supplied,
The downstream expansion part which expands | deploys and expand | swells by the gas for expansion which flowed out from the said upstream expansion part through the said pressure regulation valve is provided in the downstream rather than the said upstream expansion part on both sides of the said subfabric part. The airbag apparatus according to 1.