JP2631300B2 - Airbag - Google Patents

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】 （産業上の利用分野） 本発明は、車輌衝突等の緊急時にガス発生器から放出
されるガスの圧力により瞬時に膨張し、衝撃を吸収して
乗員の保護を図るエアバッグの改良に関するものであ
る。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial Application Field) The present invention instantaneously expands due to the pressure of gas released from a gas generator in an emergency such as a vehicle collision, absorbs impact, and protects occupants. The present invention relates to improvement of an airbag.

（従来の技術） 従来、第５図に見られるように、車輌乗員（Ｐ）の胴
部，頭部等の保護を図るべく、ステアリングホイル
（Ｓ）にエアバッグ（Ｂ）を装置して用いることは周知
である。しかし、従来のエアバッグ構造にあってはステ
アリングホイル（Ｓ）中央部に取り付けられた楕円形状
のバッグ（Ｂ）は車輌衝突時などにおいて、その変動を
検知し膨張展開すると、その時点で第５図に示す如く乗
員（Ｐ）に対し上方に逃げ、折角のバッグ（Ｂ）が不適
性になる傾向がある。(Prior Art) Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 5, an airbag (B) is installed and used on a steering wheel (S) in order to protect a body, a head and the like of a vehicle occupant (P). It is well known. However, in the conventional airbag structure, the elliptical bag (B) attached to the center portion of the steering wheel (S) detects the change and inflates and deploys it at the time of a vehicle collision or the like. As shown in the figure, the occupant (P) escapes upward, and the bent bag (B) tends to be unsuitable.

これはステアリングホイルと乗員上半身とのなす上向
き開き角度（トルソー角度）が一般に24〜26度位で乗員
胸部の空間が狭いこと、エアバッグがその膨張過程でガ
ス噴出方向に初め伸張し、ゴムまりのようにバウンド現
象を起こし不安定なことにより上方に逃げ易くなるため
である。そしてこの傾向は、乗員拘束が進むにつれて加
速され、上記の如き既存のステアリングホイルの場合に
はバッグによりホイル上部がねじ曲げられ、バッグは上
部前方に逃げて結局、保護の用をなさなくなる。This is because the upward opening angle (torso angle) between the steering wheel and the upper body of the occupant is generally about 24 to 26 degrees, and the space in the occupant's chest is narrow. The airbag first expands in the gas ejection direction during the inflation process, This is because it is easy to escape upward due to the instability caused by the bouncing phenomenon as described above. This tendency is accelerated as the occupant restraint progresses, and in the case of the existing steering wheel as described above, the upper part of the wheel is twisted by the bag, and the bag escapes to the front upper part and eventually does not provide any protection.

この現象は乗員とステアリングホイルの位置関係が一
般乗用車の場合、大差ないところから殆ど同様である
が、唯、前記トルソー角度が大きくなれば、この現象は
より一層大きくなり乗員の拘束を悪くする。This phenomenon is almost the same in a general passenger car in which the positional relationship between the occupant and the steering wheel is not so different. However, if the torso angle is increased, this phenomenon is further increased and the restraint of the occupant is worsened.

そのため、上述の如き不都合に対処すべくエアバッグ
の内部におけるガス発生器挿入孔の周縁部と、乗員当接
部中央の内面とを複数本の吊紐で連結し、エアバッグの
膨張方向をコントロールすることによりエアバッグ全体
が球状もしくは、ステアリングホイルの表面に接する円
板状に膨張するようにしたエアバッグが提案されて来
た。（例えば特公昭58−41216号公報，実開昭49−37934
号公報，実開昭51−63337号公報など参照） ところが、上述の如き膨張方向規制用の吊紐を使用し
たエアバッグでは、前記吊紐をエアバッグに止着するた
めの作業工程、即ち、工業用ミシンによる縫製または接
着作業等の工程が複雑になり、生産性が悪化し、製造コ
ストの高騰を招くと共に、吊紐の寸法にバラツキが生じ
易く、均一な張力が負荷され難い問題があり、この点に
ついて更に改善すべき余地を残していた。そこで、更に
改良が加えられ、上記従来の吊紐を使用したエアバッグ
を構成する上部基布の中央部内面と、下部基布のガス発
生器挿入孔の周縁部とを複数のガス流通孔を備え、か
つ、膨張時円筒形状を呈する膨張方向規制布によって連
結し、従来の如き吊紐を撤廃したエアバッグが本出願人
によってさきに提案された。（実開昭61−182353号） （発明が解決しようとする課題） しかし、その後、引き続き上記提案したエアバッグに
ついて検討を重ねたところ、上記の如き円筒状形状を呈
する膨張方向規制布では膨張時、第４図（ロ）に示す如
く規制布（11′）が横方向に平行移動し、これに伴って
上部基布（８′），下部基布（７′）が偏移して、エア
バッグ（３′）全体の変形を起こし、結果としてエアバ
ッグ（３′）が上方へ逃げ、第５図の如くなって充分な
保護効果を挙げるに至らないことを知見した。Therefore, in order to cope with the above-mentioned inconveniences, the peripheral portion of the gas generator insertion hole inside the airbag and the inner surface at the center of the occupant abutment portion are connected by a plurality of suspension strings to control the inflation direction of the airbag. There have been proposed airbags in which the entire airbag is inflated into a spherical shape or a disk shape in contact with the surface of the steering wheel. (For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 58-41216, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 49-37934)
However, in an airbag using a suspension string for regulating the direction of inflation as described above, an operation process for fixing the suspension string to the airbag, that is, Processes such as sewing or bonding work using an industrial sewing machine become complicated, productivity is deteriorated, and manufacturing costs are increased.Also, there is a problem that the dimensions of the hanging string are easily varied, and it is difficult to apply uniform tension. This leaves room for further improvement. Therefore, further improvements have been made, and the inner surface of the central portion of the upper base fabric and the peripheral portion of the gas generator insertion hole of the lower base fabric constituting the airbag using the above-mentioned conventional suspending string are formed with a plurality of gas flow holes. The present applicant has previously proposed an airbag which is provided and connected by an inflation direction regulating cloth having a cylindrical shape when inflated, and in which a conventional hanging string is eliminated. (Problem to be Solved by the Invention) However, when the airbag proposed above was continuously examined, the cloth for restricting the expansion direction having the cylindrical shape as described above was inflated. As shown in FIG. 4 (b), the regulating cloth (11 ') moves in the horizontal direction, and accordingly, the upper base cloth (8') and the lower base cloth (7 ') are displaced, and the air is removed. It has been found that the entire bag (3 ') is deformed, and as a result, the airbag (3') escapes upward, resulting in insufficient protection effect as shown in FIG.

本発明は、かかる知見に対処し、更に上記膨張方向規
制布の構成ならびにその取り付けに着目して規制布によ
る連結において膨張時の移動を止め、エアバッグの逃げ
をなくし、もって乗員保護の安定を図ることを目的とす
るものである。The present invention addresses such a finding, and further focuses on the configuration and attachment of the inflation direction regulating cloth, stops movement during inflation in connection with the regulating cloth, eliminates escape of the airbag, and thereby stabilizes occupant protection. The purpose is to achieve it.

（課題を解決するための手段） 即ち、上記目的に適合する本発明の特徴とするところ
は、前述の如き中央にガス発生器挿入孔を備えた円形の
下部基布上面に、略同形状の上部基布を重合し、両者の
外周縁全縁を互いに縫着して袋状に形成し、上部基布の
中央部内面と、下部基布の前記ガス発生器挿入孔周縁部
とを複数のガス流通孔を有する膨張方向規制布によって
連結せしめるエアバッグにおいて、その膨張方向規制布
として展開形状が円形で、中央にガス発生器挿入孔を備
え、かつ円形面を３〜16個に分割し、３本乃至16本の径
方向に延びる細巾吊布と各隣接吊布間にガス流通孔を形
成すると共に、各ガス流通孔の周縁側を一部切除せしめ
た形状の一枚布を用い、その切除部対向端を互いに突き
合わせ椀状として前記ガス発生器挿入孔周縁を下部基布
のガス発生器挿入孔周縁部に、一方、前記切除端突き合
わせ部を含む布周縁を上部基布内面に膨張時、吊布が逆
截頭円錐形壁面を形成する如く夫々縫着せしめたことに
ある。(Means for Solving the Problems) That is, the feature of the present invention that meets the above-mentioned object is that a circular lower base cloth having a gas generator insertion hole in the center as described above is provided on the upper surface of a substantially same shape. The upper base fabric is polymerized, and the entire outer peripheral edges of both are sewn together to form a bag. The inner surface of the central portion of the upper base fabric and the peripheral portion of the gas generator insertion hole of the lower base fabric are formed in a plurality. In an airbag connected by an inflation direction regulating cloth having gas flow holes, the developed shape is circular as the inflation direction regulating cloth, a gas generator insertion hole is provided at the center, and the circular surface is divided into 3 to 16 pieces, Using a single piece of cloth in which three to sixteen radially extending narrow hanging cloths and gas flow holes are formed between each adjacent hanging cloth, and a part of the peripheral side of each gas flow hole is partially cut off, The edges of the gas generator insertion hole are formed by abutting the cut-out portions with each other to form a bowl shape. When the peripheral edge of the cloth including the cut end butted portion is inflated on the inner surface of the upper substrate, the hanging cloth is sewn to the periphery of the gas generator insertion hole of the lower substrate so as to form an inverted truncated conical wall surface. That is.

ここで、吊布の数としては３本乃至16本程度が一応、
実用的であるが、好ましくは４本乃至８本である。Here, as for the number of hanging cloths, about 3 to 16 are temporarily used.
Although practical, the number is preferably four to eight.

そして、その吊布は円形の織布においてバイアス状で
作成することもできるが、通常は複数に略等分割される
関係上、互いに直交する径方向においては織布を構成す
る経糸，緯糸が直交するが、斜交する方向の吊布では何
れもバイアス状となっており、例えば上部基布と吊布の
バイアス角度は吊布４本で45゜,8本で22.5゜,16本で11.
25゜をもって作成することができる。The hanging cloth can be formed in a biased shape on a circular woven cloth. However, the warp and the weft constituting the woven cloth are orthogonal to each other in the radial direction orthogonal to each other because they are generally equally divided into a plurality. However, in the case of the hanging cloth in the oblique direction, the biasing angle is between the upper base cloth and the hanging cloth, for example, 45 ° for 4 hanging cloths, 22.5 ° for 8 hanging cloths, and 11 for 16 hanging cloths.
It can be created with 25 ゜.

（作用） 上記の如き構成からなる本発明エアバッグは円形状規
制布（11）がその周縁側の一部切除された対向端を互い
に突き合わせ、あるいは更に仮止めして上部基布に縫着
されることから中心側に向かう椀状となり、しかも上部
基布側が拡がった逆截頭円錐形状を呈して上下両基布間
を連結することになり、膨張時に際し、第４図（イ）に
見られる如く、ガス流通孔から流出した部分の吊布は縮
むことはあってもその他の吊布は互いに内方へ引き合っ
て不動であり、従来のエアバッグの如く偏位して逃げる
ことがなく、ガス噴出方向への伸張を阻止すると共にガ
スが規制布のガス流通孔から放射方向に流出し、エアバ
ッグをステアリングホイル上に平面的に膨張展開して乗
員を安定状態で保護する。(Operation) In the airbag according to the present invention having the above-described configuration, the circular regulating cloth (11) is sewn to the upper base cloth by abutting or partially temporarily fixing opposing ends on the peripheral side thereof. As a result, it becomes a bowl-like shape toward the center side, and furthermore, it has an inverted truncated conical shape in which the upper base fabric side is expanded to connect the upper and lower base fabrics. As shown, the hanging cloth of the part flowing out of the gas flow hole may shrink, but the other hanging cloths are inwardly attracted to each other and immovable, and do not run away like a conventional airbag, The gas is prevented from expanding in the gas ejection direction and the gas flows radially from the gas flow holes of the regulating cloth, and the airbag is inflated and deployed on the steering wheel in a planar manner to protect the occupant in a stable state.

（実施例） 以下、本発明の実施例を添付図面にもとづいて詳細に
説明する。Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

第１図は本発明エアバッグの一実施例を示す側断面
図、第２図は同エアバッグの平面図である。FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing an embodiment of the airbag of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the airbag.

これらの図において、（１）は自動車のステアリング
ホイル，（２）は該ステアリングホイル（１）の中心に
固着されたガス発生器，（３）は該ガス発生器（２）周
囲のフランジ状固定部（４）に対しボルト（５）で止着
されたエアバッグである。In these figures, (1) is a steering wheel of an automobile, (2) is a gas generator fixed to the center of the steering wheel (1), and (3) is a flange-shaped fixing around the gas generator (2). The airbag is fastened to the portion (4) with bolts (5).

上記エアバッグ（３）は、中央に前記ガス発生器
（２）を挿入する孔（６）を穿設した円形の下部基布
（７）と、該下部基布（７）と略同一形状の上部基布
（８）とを重合し、各基布（７），（８）の外周縁全周
を互いに縫着（９）して袋状に作製したもので、前記下
部基布（７）のガス発生器挿入孔（６）の周縁には当て
布（10）が添着され、挿入孔（６）の補強が図られてい
る。The airbag (3) has a circular lower base cloth (7) in which a hole (6) for inserting the gas generator (2) is formed at the center, and has a shape substantially the same as that of the lower base cloth (7). The upper base fabric (8) is polymerized, and the entire outer peripheral edges of the base fabrics (7) and (8) are sewn together (9) to produce a bag-like shape. A patch cloth (10) is attached to the periphery of the gas generator insertion hole (6) to reinforce the insertion hole (6).

（11）は、前記上下部基布（７），（８）に比し、稍
短い外径を有する展開形状円形の膨張方向規制布であ
り、第３図に示す如く中央にガス発生器挿入孔（12）を
備え、かつ、周方向に該円形を複数分割する如く複数の
径方向に延びる細巾吊布（13）と隣接吊布（13）間にガ
ス流通孔（14）を有して形成されており、しかも、ガス
流通孔（14）の周縁側は一部が切除（16）された切除部
分となっている。(11) is an expansion direction regulating cloth having a development shape circular with a slightly shorter outer diameter than the upper and lower base cloths (7) and (8), and a gas generator is inserted in the center as shown in FIG. It has a hole (12) and a plurality of narrow hanging cloths (13) extending in the radial direction so as to divide the circle into a plurality of pieces in the circumferential direction, and a gas flow hole (14) between adjacent hanging cloths (13). In addition, the periphery of the gas flow hole (14) is a cut portion (16) which is partially cut.

そして、この規制布（11）は上下両基布（７）（８）
への取り付けにあたっては該切除部分（16）の両対向端
を互いに突き合わせ、或いは更に仮貼りなどによって仮
止めし、椀状に内方へ稍湾曲した形態としてその周縁を
前記上部基布（８）の内面に縫着（15）し、かつ、中心
の挿入孔部を前記下部基布（７）のガス発生器挿入孔
（６）の周縁部に縫着して取り付けられ、前記上部基布
（８）と下部基布（７）を連結する部分には複数のガス
流通孔（14），（14）・・・が形成されている。And this regulation cloth (11) consists of upper and lower base cloths (7) (8)
At the time of attachment to the upper base cloth (8), the opposite ends of the cut portion (16) are butted against each other or temporarily fixed by temporary bonding, etc., and the periphery thereof is slightly curved inward in a bowl shape. (15), and a central insertion hole is attached by sewing to the periphery of the gas generator insertion hole (6) of the lower base cloth (7). A plurality of gas flow holes (14), (14),... Are formed in a portion connecting the lower base fabric (8) and the lower base fabric (7).

この場合、上記規制布は普通、織布で構成されること
から吊布（13）はその方向によってバイアス状となり、
好ましい吊布本数である四本又は八本であれば織布の用
い方によって四本の吊布をバイアス状の布目とすること
ができ、均一な張力の負荷が可能となる。In this case, since the regulation cloth is usually made of a woven cloth, the hanging cloth (13) is biased depending on its direction,
If the number of the hanging cloths is four or eight, which is a preferable number, the four hanging cloths can be used as a biased cloth depending on how the woven cloth is used, and a uniform tension load can be achieved.

本発明のエアバッグは叙上の如き構成からなり、次に
その作用について説明すると、上記エアバッグ（３）は
車輌衝突等の緊急時においてガス発生器（２）より噴き
出すガスの圧力により先ず、ステアリングホイル（１）
の軸線方向に膨張しようとするが、このとき膨張方向規
制布（11）は上部基布（８）と下部基布（７）とを連結
し、同方向の伸びを制限すると共に、規制布（11）のガ
ス流通孔（14）を通じてガスを略々放射方向に噴出さ
せ、エアバッグ（３）をステアリングホイル（１）にお
いて第４図（イ）に示す如く偏平な球状に膨張展開させ
ることとなり、該エアバッグ（３）の下部が乗員とステ
アリングホイル（１）との狭い空間に入り込み、乗員の
胸部及び腹部を保護し、更に頭部をも拘束して保護を確
実ならしめる。The airbag according to the present invention has the above-described structure. Next, the operation of the airbag (3) will be described. The airbag (3) is firstly acted upon by the pressure of gas ejected from the gas generator (2) in an emergency such as a vehicle collision. Steering wheel (1)
At this time, the expansion direction restricting cloth (11) connects the upper base cloth (8) and the lower base cloth (7) to restrict expansion in the same direction, and at the same time restricts the expansion cloth. Gas is ejected substantially radially through the gas flow holes (11) of (11), and the airbag (3) is inflated and deployed in the steering wheel (1) into a flat spherical shape as shown in FIG. The lower part of the airbag (3) enters the narrow space between the occupant and the steering wheel (1), and protects the occupant's chest and abdomen, and also restrains the head to ensure protection.

殊に、上記膨張時において吊布（13）は第４図（ロ）
の如く移動することがなく、第４図（イ）に示すように
逆截頭円錐形状を呈して乗員当接部の吊布が縮むことは
あっても全体では互いに牽制し合って不動となり、逃げ
ることがなく乗員の保護を達成する。In particular, at the time of the above expansion, the hanging cloth (13) is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4 (a), the occupant does not move as shown in FIG. Achieve occupant protection without escaping.

（発明の効果） 以上、説明した如く、本発明エアバッグはバッグ本体
を構成する上部基布の中央部内面と、中央にガス発生器
挿入孔を備えた下部基布の挿入孔周縁部とを複数のガス
流通孔を備え、切除部分を突き合わせ膨張時、逆截頭円
錐形状を呈する膨張方向規制布によって連結し、エアバ
ッグのガス噴出方向の伸張を制限して、エアバッグをス
テアリングホイル上にて偏平球状に膨張させるようにし
たものであるから、従来の吊紐を使用したエアバッグの
如く複数本の吊紐を一本宛各上下部基布に縫着する煩わ
しさがなく、縫製の作業能率を大幅に向上し得ると共
に、円形規制布周縁に切除部分を設け、これを突き合わ
せ上部基布に縫着して上下基布を連結していることか
ら、膨張時においても平行移動するようなことがなく、
互いに牽制し合って安定した偏平球状を保持してエアバ
ッグによる乗員の保護を確実ならしめるすぐれた効果を
奏する。(Effects of the Invention) As described above, the airbag of the present invention includes the inner surface of the central portion of the upper fabric forming the bag body and the peripheral edge of the insertion hole of the lower fabric having the gas generator insertion hole in the center. With a plurality of gas flow holes, when the cut parts are butt-connected and inflated, they are connected by an inflation direction regulating cloth that exhibits an inverted truncated cone shape, restricting the expansion of the airbag in the gas ejection direction, and placing the airbag on the steering wheel. Since it is designed to be inflated into a flat spherical shape, there is no need to sew multiple suspending strings to each upper and lower base fabric one by one as in an airbag using a conventional suspending string. Work efficiency can be greatly improved, and a cutout is provided at the periphery of the circular regulating cloth, which is sewn to the upper base cloth and sewn to the upper and lower base cloths, so that the upper and lower base cloths are connected. Without anything
An excellent effect is exerted in that the occupants are protected by the airbag by maintaining a stable flat spherical shape by restraining each other.

しかも、本発明エアバッグは前述の如く、上部基布，
規制布，下部基布を重合状態で縫着しているため、縫製
が行い易く、エアバッグを折り畳んで格納したときの体
積が小さくなり、エアバッグ収納容積を減少してエアバ
ッグ装置のコンパクト化を図り得る効果もある。In addition, the airbag of the present invention, as described above,
Since the regulating cloth and the lower base cloth are sewn in a superposed state, sewing is easy and the volume when the airbag is folded and stored is reduced, and the airbag storage volume is reduced to make the airbag device compact. There is also an effect that can be achieved.

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief description of the drawings]

第１図は本発明エアバッグの一実施例を示す側断面図、
第２図は第１図におけるエアバッグの平面図、第３図は
本発明エアバッグの要部をなす膨張方向規制布の展開図
で、一部のみを示す。第４図（イ）（ロ）は膨張時にお
けるエアバッグの変形態様を示す図で、（イ）は本発
明、（ロ）は従来の場合である。又、第５図は従来のエ
アバッグの膨張状態を示す説明図である。 （３）……エアバッグ， （６）……ガス発生器挿入孔， （７）……下部基布， （８）……上部基布， （９）……縫着， （11）……膨張方向規制布， （12）……中心孔， （14）……ガス流通孔， （16）……切除部，FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing one embodiment of the airbag of the present invention,
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the airbag in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a development view of an inflation direction regulating cloth which is a main part of the airbag of the present invention, showing only a part thereof. FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b) are views showing a modified form of the airbag at the time of inflation. FIG. 4 (a) shows the present invention, and FIG. 4 (b) shows a conventional case. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing an inflated state of a conventional airbag. (3) ... airbag, (6) ... gas generator insertion hole, (7) ... lower base cloth, (8) ... upper base cloth, (9) ... sewing, (11) ... Expansion direction regulating cloth, (12) central hole, (14) gas flow hole, (16) cutout,

Claims (2)

(57)【特許請求の範囲】(57) [Claims] 【請求項１】中央にガス発生器挿入孔を備えた円形の下
部基布上面に、略同形状の上部基布を重合し、両者の外
周縁全縁を互いに縫着して袋状に形成すると共に、上部
基布の中央部内面と、下部基布の前記ガス発生器挿入孔
周縁部とを複数のガス流通孔を有する膨張方向規制布に
よって連結してなるエアバッグにおいて、前記膨張方向
規制布として展開形状が円形で、中央にガス発生器挿入
孔を備え、かつ円形面を３〜16個に分割し、３本乃至16
本の径方向に延びる細巾吊布と各隣接吊布間にガス流通
孔を形成すると共に、各ガス流通孔の周縁側を一部切除
せしめた形状の一枚布を用い、その切除部対向端を互い
に突き合わせ椀状として前記ガス発生器挿入孔周縁を下
部基布のガス発生器挿入孔周縁部に、一方、前記切除端
突き合わせ部を含む布周縁を上部基布内面に膨張時、吊
布が逆截頭円錐形壁面を形成する如く夫々縫着せしめた
ことを特徴とするエアバッグ。An upper base fabric having substantially the same shape is superimposed on the upper surface of a circular lower base fabric having a gas generator insertion hole in the center, and both outer peripheral edges are sewn to each other to form a bag. An airbag formed by connecting an inner surface of a central portion of an upper base fabric and a peripheral portion of the gas generator insertion hole of the lower base fabric by an inflation direction regulating cloth having a plurality of gas flow holes; The cloth has a circular developed shape, a gas generator insertion hole in the center, and a circular surface divided into three to sixteen pieces.
A gas cloth hole is formed between the narrow hanging cloth extending in the radial direction of the book and each of the adjacent hanging cloths, and a single piece of cloth in which the peripheral side of each gas circulation hole is partially cut off is used. When the edges of the gas generator insertion hole are inflated to the periphery of the gas generator insertion hole of the lower base cloth while the ends of the cloth including the cut end butt are inflated to the inner surface of the upper base cloth, the hanging cloth Are sewn so as to form an inverted truncated conical wall surface. 【請求項２】３本乃至16本の吊布のうち少なくとも一部
はバイアス状布地によって形成されている請求項１記載
のエアバッグ。2. The airbag according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the three to sixteen hanging cloths is formed of a biased cloth.