JP5368779B2 - Air bag and air bag folding method - Google Patents
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- JP5368779B2 JP5368779B2 JP2008304277A JP2008304277A JP5368779B2 JP 5368779 B2 JP5368779 B2 JP 5368779B2 JP 2008304277 A JP2008304277 A JP 2008304277A JP 2008304277 A JP2008304277 A JP 2008304277A JP 5368779 B2 JP5368779 B2 JP 5368779B2
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- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 claims description 61
- 238000005192 partition Methods 0.000 claims description 15
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 claims description 14
- 238000004148 unit process Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 40
- 210000003127 knee Anatomy 0.000 description 14
- 238000009958 sewing Methods 0.000 description 8
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000004904 shortening Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000002759 woven fabric Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000009825 accumulation Methods 0.000 description 3
- 210000002414 leg Anatomy 0.000 description 3
- 238000004220 aggregation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000002776 aggregation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000004745 nonwoven fabric Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000001012 protector Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000452 restraining effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003111 delayed effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002496 gastric effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002452 interceptive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000002787 reinforcement Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009423 ventilation Methods 0.000 description 1
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Abstract
Description
本発明は、狭小な場所においても迅速かつ円滑に膨張、展開が可能なエアバッグ及びエアバッグの折り畳み方法に関する。 The present invention relates to an airbag that can be quickly and smoothly inflated and deployed even in a narrow place, and a method for folding an airbag.
自動車等の車両が衝突した際の衝撃を吸収するエアバッグ装置は、車両が衝突した際インフレータより噴出される高圧ガスにより膨張展開されるエアバッグを備えている。 An airbag apparatus that absorbs an impact when a vehicle such as an automobile collides includes an airbag that is inflated and deployed by high-pressure gas ejected from an inflator when the vehicle collides.
このエアバッグは、コンパクトに折り畳まれた状態でインフレータとともにユニット化されて所定の場所、例えばインストルメントパネル等の内側や、ステアリングホイールの中央部等に設置されており、エアバッグ装置の上面はカバー体により覆われている。 This airbag is unitized together with an inflator in a compactly folded state and is installed at a predetermined location, for example, inside an instrument panel or the center of a steering wheel. The upper surface of the airbag device is a cover. Covered by the body.
一方エアバッグ装置に使用されているエアバッグは、ナイロン等の織布を所定の形状に裁断して単一又は複数枚の基布を製作し、これら基布を袋状に縫製してエアバッグ本体を形成しており、エアバッグ本体の形状は、エアバッグ装置を設置する場所等に応じて種々の形態のものが製作されている。 On the other hand, an airbag used in an airbag device is made by cutting a woven fabric such as nylon into a predetermined shape to produce a single or a plurality of base fabrics, and sewing these base fabrics into a bag shape. The main body is formed, and the shape of the airbag main body is manufactured in various forms depending on the place where the airbag apparatus is installed.
例えばステアリングホイールの下方に設置して、車両の衝突時運転者の膝を保護するエアバッグ装置の場合、運転者の膝がインストルメントパネルやコラムカバーに近接している上、エアバッグ本体が展開するためのスペースも狭いため、車両の衝突時狭小な場所でも迅速に展開が可能なエアバッグ装置が要求される。 For example, in the case of an airbag device that is installed under the steering wheel and protects the driver's knee when the vehicle collides, the driver's knee is close to the instrument panel and column cover, and the airbag body is deployed. Since the space for doing so is also small, an airbag device that can be quickly deployed even in a small space at the time of a vehicle collision is required.
かかる要求に答えるエアバッグ装置として、例えば特許文献1に記載された膝保護用エアバッグ装置のエアバッグ収納方法(折り畳み方法)が提案されている。 As an airbag apparatus that answers such a request, for example, an airbag storage method (folding method) of a knee protection airbag apparatus described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed.
前記特許文献1に記載のエアバッグ装置は、膨張完了時乗員側に配置される乗員側壁部(乗員拘束面)と、膨張完了時車体側に配置される車体側壁部(車体側面)とを備えた複数枚の基布を袋状に縫製することにより、エアバッグ本体が形成されている。 The airbag device described in Patent Document 1 includes an occupant side wall portion (occupant restraint surface) disposed on the occupant side when inflation is completed, and a vehicle body side wall portion (vehicle body side surface) disposed on the vehicle body side when inflation is completed. The airbag body is formed by sewing a plurality of base fabrics into a bag shape.
またエアバッグ本体の下部側には、車両衝突時インフレータより噴出される高圧ガスを導入するガス導入口が形成されており、さらに膨張完了時の左右方向の幅寸法を、乗員の左右両膝の前方側を覆うことができ、かつ収納部位の左右方向の幅寸法より大きくなるようにエアバッグ本体が形成されている。 A gas inlet for introducing high-pressure gas ejected from the inflator at the time of a vehicle collision is formed on the lower side of the airbag body. The airbag main body is formed so as to be able to cover the front side and to be larger than the width dimension in the left-right direction of the storage part.
そしてエアバッグ本体の収納時には、平らに展開した状態から上端側を下端側に接近させるように折り畳んで上下方向折り畳み部位を形成し、その後車体側の収納部位に収納可能となるように収納部位の左右方向の幅寸法に対応させて、上下方向の折り畳み部位の左右方向の幅寸法を狭めるように折り畳んで、車体側の収納部位に収納するように構成されている。 When the airbag body is stored, the upper end side is folded so as to approach the lower end side from the flat deployed state to form a vertically folded portion, and then the storage portion of the storage portion can be stored in the storage portion on the vehicle body side. Corresponding to the width dimension in the left-right direction, it is configured to be folded so as to narrow the width dimension in the left-right direction of the folding part in the vertical direction and stored in the storage part on the vehicle body side.
前記構成された特許文献1のエアバッグ装置のエアバッグ収納方法では、エアバッグ本体内に高圧ガスが流入されると、折り畳み工程と逆にエアバッグ本体が展開されるため、まず収納部位の突出用開口から車両後方にエアバッグ本体が突出することにより、左右方向に幅を狭めた折を解消し、その後左右方向の幅寸法を広げて突出用開口とその周辺を覆うように展開するため、乗員の膝を的確に保護することができる等の効果が得られる。
前記特許文献1に記載のエアバッグ収納方法では、車両の衝突時インフレータより噴出される高圧ガスがガス導入口よりエアバッグ本体内へ導入されると、まずロール状に巻かれたエアバッグ本体の先端部側が左右に展開されるが、ロール状に巻かれた先端部は、高圧ガスがロール状部を押し広げながら左右へ展開させる動作が必要となる。 In the airbag storage method described in Patent Document 1, when the high-pressure gas ejected from the inflator at the time of a vehicle collision is introduced into the airbag body from the gas introduction port, first, the airbag body wound in a roll shape is used. Although the tip end side is developed left and right, the tip portion wound in a roll shape needs to be operated to expand left and right while the high-pressure gas expands the roll-like portion.
しかしロール状に巻かれたエアバッグ本体の先端部は、基布にほとんど弛みがないため、高圧ガスにより基布が緊張された状態で先端部の展開動作が行われるようになる。 However, since the base fabric has almost no slack at the front end portion of the airbag body wound in a roll shape, the front end portion is deployed while the base fabric is tensioned by the high-pressure gas.
その結果先端部のロール部分が高圧ガスにより締付けられて、展開動作に遅延が生じたり、挙動が不安定となって所定の方向へ展開されない可能性がある。 As a result, there is a possibility that the roll portion at the front end portion is tightened by the high-pressure gas, the development operation is delayed, the behavior becomes unstable, and the development is not performed in a predetermined direction.
本発明はかかる問題を改善するためになされたもので、エアバッグ本体の展開動作が一層迅速かつ円滑に行えるエアバッグ及びその折り畳み方法を提供することを目的とするものである。 The present invention has been made to remedy such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an airbag and a folding method thereof in which the airbag body can be deployed more quickly and smoothly.
本発明のエアバッグは、車両が衝突した際に乗員を保護するエアバッグであって、展開時乗員側となる乗員拘束面と、展開時車体側となる車体側面とを有し、かつインフレータが収容された基部側のインフレータ収納部の左右方向の幅に対し、膨張室が形成された先端側の左右方向の幅が大きく形成されたエアバッグ本体と、前記エアバッグ本体を先端側から折り畳む際に、前記膨張室と前記インフレータ収納部との間を、前記エアバッグ本体の左右方向に長い稜線状となるよう襞状に折り畳むことにより形成された緩衝部とを具備し、前記インフレータからの高圧ガスの上流に位置する前記緩衝部に前記高圧ガスの下流側に位置する前記膨張室を連通させて、車両の衝突時前記インフレータより前記エアバッグ本体内に噴出される高圧ガスが前記膨張室に流入する前に前記緩衝部を展開させて、高圧ガスが前記膨張室へ流入しやすくし、前記膨張室を前記緩衝部に沿わせた状態で膨張展開させるように構成したものである。
An airbag according to the present invention is an airbag that protects an occupant when a vehicle collides, and has an occupant restraint surface that becomes an occupant side when deployed, a vehicle body side that becomes a vehicle body side when deployed, and an inflator An airbag body formed with a width in the left-right direction on the distal end side where the expansion chamber is formed larger than the width in the left-right direction of the inflator housing section on the base side accommodated, and when the airbag body is folded from the distal end side A buffer portion formed by folding the expansion chamber and the inflator storage portion into a bowl shape so as to form a long ridgeline in the left-right direction of the airbag body, and a high pressure from the inflator and communicates the expansion chamber positioned downstream of the high pressure gas to the buffer unit located upstream of the gas, high-pressure gas ejected from the inflator upon collision of the vehicle in the airbag body Said the buffer unit is deployed prior to entering the expansion chamber, which high pressure gas is likely to flow into the expansion chamber, and configuring the expansion chamber so as to inflate and deploy in a state in which along with the buffer unit It is.
前記構成により、車両の衝突時インフレータからエアバッグ本体内に噴出された高圧ガスは、ロール状に折り畳まれた膨張室内に流入する前に、エアバッグ収納部と膨張室との間に形成された緩衝部へ流入して緩衝部を先に展開させるため、緩衝部が形成された基布に弛みが生じて高圧ガスが膨張室内へ流入しやすくなる。 With the above-described configuration, the high-pressure gas ejected from the inflator into the airbag body at the time of a vehicle collision is formed between the airbag storage portion and the expansion chamber before flowing into the expansion chamber folded into a roll shape. Since the buffer portion flows into the buffer portion and is deployed first, the base fabric on which the buffer portion is formed is slackened, and the high-pressure gas easily flows into the expansion chamber.
これによってエアバッグ本体が従来のものに比べて、一層迅速かつ円滑に展開されることから、狭小なスペースでも確実にかつ短時間でエアバッグ本体を所定形状に展開させることができる。 As a result, the airbag body can be deployed more quickly and smoothly than the conventional one, so that the airbag body can be deployed in a predetermined shape reliably and in a short time even in a narrow space.
またエアバッグ本体を折り畳む際、膨張室とインフレータ収納部との間を襞状に折り畳むだけで緩衝部を形成することができるため、エアバッグ本体に別部材を設けたり、手間のかかる縫製方法を採用する必要がないので、エアバッグが安価に得られるようになる。 In addition, when the airbag body is folded, the cushioning portion can be formed simply by folding the space between the expansion chamber and the inflator storage portion into a bowl shape. Since it is not necessary to adopt, an airbag can be obtained at a low cost.
本発明のエアバッグは、前記膨張室内を、通気孔を有する仕切り壁により複数の膨張室に区画してなるようにしてもよい。 In the airbag of the present invention, the expansion chamber may be divided into a plurality of expansion chambers by a partition wall having a vent hole.
前記構成により、複数に区画された膨張室が仕切り壁の通気孔より流入する高圧ガスにより順次展開されるため、狭小なスペースにも所定の形状に展開が可能なエアバッグが得られるようになり、乗員の特に膝付近を保護するエアバッグに好適である。 With the above-described configuration, since the plurality of expansion chambers are sequentially deployed by the high-pressure gas flowing from the ventilation holes of the partition wall, an airbag that can be deployed in a predetermined shape in a narrow space can be obtained. It is suitable for an airbag that protects an occupant particularly in the vicinity of the knee.
本発明のエアバッグの折り畳み方法は、車両が衝突した際に乗員を保護するエアバッグのエアバッグ本体が、展開時乗員側となる乗員拘束面と、展開時車体側となる車体側面とを有し、かつ、基部側に形成されたインフレータ収納部の左右方向の幅に対し先端側に形成された膨張室の左右方向の幅が大きく形成して構成されている場合における前記エアバッグの折り畳み方法であって、前記エアバッグ本体の前記インフレータ収納部内に、前記インフレータを収納する工程と、前記膨張室を前記エアバッグ本体の先端側から基端側へロール状に折り畳む工程と、前記インフレータ収納部を折り畳まれた前記膨張室側へスライドさせて、前記インフレータ収納部と前記膨張室との間を襞状に折り畳むことにより、前記エアバッグ本体の左右方向に長い稜線状となって前記インフレータからの高圧ガスの上流側の位置する緩衝部を形成する工程と、前記緩衝部を前記高圧ガスの下流側に位置する前記膨張室の上側に沿わせて折り重ねる工程と、前記インフレータ収納部を前記緩衝部上に沿わせて折り重ねる工程と、前記膨張室の両端部を蛇腹状に折り畳む工程とを具備して、前記インフレータからの高圧ガスの上流に位置する前記緩衝部に前記高圧ガスの下流側に位置する前記膨張室を連通させて、車両の衝突時前記インフレータより前記エアバッグ本体内に噴出される高圧ガスが前記膨張室に流入する前に前記緩衝部を展開させて、高圧ガスが前記膨張室へ流入しやすくし、前記膨張室を前記緩衝部に沿わせた状態で膨張展開させるように構成してもよい。
According to the airbag folding method of the present invention, an airbag main body of an airbag that protects an occupant when a vehicle collides has an occupant restraint surface that becomes an occupant side when deployed and a vehicle body side that becomes a vehicle body side when deployed. In addition, the airbag folding method when the lateral width of the expansion chamber formed on the distal end side is formed larger than the lateral width of the inflator storage portion formed on the base side. The step of storing the inflator in the inflator storage portion of the airbag body, the step of folding the expansion chamber from the distal end side to the proximal end side of the airbag body, and the inflator storage portion the folded the slide into the expansion chamber side, by folding between the expansion chamber and the inflator housing portion in pleated, the left-right direction of the airbag body Forming a buffer portion which is located on the upstream side of the high pressure gas from the inflator becomes long ridge-like, folded and placed along the buffer section in the upper side of the expansion chamber positioned downstream of the high pressure gas and process, comprising the steps of folding in and along the inflator housing portion on the buffer unit, and a step of folding the ends of the expansion chamber in a bellows, is located upstream of the high pressure gas from the inflator The expansion chamber located on the downstream side of the high-pressure gas is communicated with the buffer portion so that the high-pressure gas ejected from the inflator into the airbag body at the time of a vehicle collision flows into the expansion chamber before flowing into the expansion chamber. The high-pressure gas may easily flow into the expansion chamber by expanding the portion, and the expansion chamber may be configured to expand and expand in a state along the buffer portion .
前記方法により、車両の衝突時インフレータからエアバッグ本体内に噴出された高圧ガスは、ロール状に折り畳まれた膨張室内に流入する前に、エアバッグ収納部と膨張室との間に形成された緩衝部へ流入して緩衝部を先に展開させるため、緩衝部が形成された基布に弛みが生じて高圧ガスが膨張室内へ流入しやすくなる。 By the above method, the high-pressure gas ejected from the inflator into the airbag body at the time of the collision of the vehicle is formed between the airbag storage portion and the expansion chamber before flowing into the expansion chamber folded into a roll shape. Since the buffer portion flows into the buffer portion and is deployed first, the base fabric on which the buffer portion is formed is slackened, and the high-pressure gas easily flows into the expansion chamber.
これによってエアバッグ本体が従来のものに比べて、一層迅速かつ円滑に展開されることから、狭小なスペースでも確実にエアバッグ本体を所定形状に展開させることができる。 As a result, the airbag body can be deployed more quickly and smoothly than the conventional one, so that the airbag body can be reliably deployed in a predetermined shape even in a narrow space.
またエアバッグ本体を折り畳む際、膨張室とインフレータ収納部との間を襞状に折り畳むだけで緩衝部を形成することができるため、複雑な折り畳み方法を必要とせずにエアバッグの折り畳みが可能となり、折り畳み時間の短縮によりエアバッグ装置の組み立て作業の能率化が図れるようになる。 In addition, when the airbag body is folded, the cushioning section can be formed simply by folding the space between the expansion chamber and the inflator storage section into a bowl shape, so that the airbag can be folded without requiring a complicated folding method. In addition, the efficiency of assembling the airbag device can be improved by shortening the folding time.
本発明のエアバッグの折り畳み方法は、車両が衝突した際に乗員を保護するエアバッグのエアバッグ本体が、展開時乗員側となる乗員拘束面と、展開時車体側となる車体側面とを有し、かつ、基部側に形成されたインフレータ収納部の左右方向の幅に対し先端側に形成された膨張室の左右方向の幅が大きく形成して構成されている場合における前記エアバッグの折り畳み方法であって、前記エアバッグ本体の前記インフレータ収納部内に、前記インフレータを収納する工程と、前記膨張室を前記エアバッグ本体の先端側から基端側へ蛇腹状に折り畳む工程と、前記インフレータ収納部を折り畳まれた前記膨張室側へスライドさせて、前記インフレータ収納部と前記膨張室との間を襞状に折り畳むことにより、前記エアバッグ本体の左右方向に長い稜線状となって前記インフレータからの高圧ガスの上流側に位置する緩衝部を形成する工程と、前記緩衝部を前記高圧ガスの下流側に位置する前記膨張室の上側に沿わせて折り重ねる工程と、前記インフレータ収納部を前記緩衝部上に折り重ねる工程と、前記膨張室の両端部をさらに蛇腹状に折り畳む工程とを具備して、前記インフレータからの高圧ガスの上流に位置する前記緩衝部に前記高圧ガスの下流側に位置する前記膨張室を連通させて、車両の衝突時前記インフレータより前記エアバッグ本体内に噴出される高圧ガスが前記膨張室に流入する前に前記緩衝部を展開させて、高圧ガスが前記膨張室へ流入しやすくし、前記膨張室を前記緩衝部に沿わせた状態で膨張展開させるように構成してもよい。
According to the airbag folding method of the present invention, an airbag main body of an airbag that protects an occupant when a vehicle collides has an occupant restraint surface that becomes an occupant side when deployed and a vehicle body side that becomes a vehicle body side when deployed. In addition, the airbag folding method when the lateral width of the expansion chamber formed on the distal end side is formed larger than the lateral width of the inflator storage portion formed on the base side. A step of storing the inflator in the inflator storage portion of the airbag body, a step of folding the expansion chamber in a bellows shape from a distal end side to a proximal end side of the airbag body, and the inflator storage portion the folded the slide into the expansion chamber side, between the expansion chamber and the inflator housing portion by folding the corrugated, in the lateral direction of the airbag body Forming a buffer portion located upstream of the high pressure gas from the inflator to gastric ridge-like, folded and placed along the buffer section in the upper side of the expansion chamber positioned downstream of the high pressure gas The buffer located upstream of the high-pressure gas from the inflator, comprising: a step of folding the inflator storage portion on the buffer portion; and a step of folding both ends of the expansion chamber into a bellows shape. The expansion chamber located on the downstream side of the high-pressure gas is communicated with a portion, and the buffer portion is placed before the high-pressure gas ejected from the inflator into the airbag body at the time of a vehicle collision flows into the expansion chamber. The expansion chamber may be expanded so that the high-pressure gas easily flows into the expansion chamber, and the expansion chamber may be inflated and expanded in a state along the buffer portion .
前記方法により、車両の衝突時インフレータからエアバッグ本体内に噴出された高圧ガスは、蛇腹状に折り畳まれた膨張室内に流入する前に、エアバッグ収納部と膨張室との間に形成された緩衝部へ流入して緩衝部を先に展開させるため、緩衝部が形成された基布に弛みが生じて高圧ガスが膨張室内へ流入しやすくなる。 By the above method, the high-pressure gas ejected from the inflator into the airbag body at the time of the collision of the vehicle is formed between the airbag storage portion and the expansion chamber before flowing into the expansion chamber folded in a bellows shape. Since the buffer portion flows into the buffer portion and is deployed first, the base fabric on which the buffer portion is formed is slackened, and the high-pressure gas easily flows into the expansion chamber.
これによってエアバッグ本体が従来のものに比べて、一層迅速かつ円滑に展開されることから、狭小なスペースでも確実にエアバッグ本体を所定形状に展開させることができる。 As a result, the airbag body can be deployed more quickly and smoothly than the conventional one, so that the airbag body can be reliably deployed in a predetermined shape even in a narrow space.
またエアバッグ本体を折り畳む際、膨張室とインフレータ収納部との間を襞状に折り畳むだけで緩衝部を形成することができるため、複雑な折り畳み方法を必要とせずにエアバッグの折り畳みが可能となり、折り畳み時間の短縮によりエアバッグ装置の組み立て作業の能率化が図れるようになる。 In addition, when the airbag body is folded, the cushioning section can be formed simply by folding the space between the expansion chamber and the inflator storage section into a bowl shape, so that the airbag can be folded without requiring a complicated folding method. In addition, the efficiency of assembling the airbag device can be improved by shortening the folding time.
本発明のエアバッグの折り畳み方法は、車両が衝突した際に乗員を保護するエアバッグのエアバッグ本体が、展開時乗員側となる乗員拘束面と、展開時車体側となる車体側面とを有し、かつ、基部側に形成されたインフレータ収納部の左右方向の幅に対し先端側に形成された膨張室の左右方向の幅が大きく形成して構成されている場合における前記エアバッグの折り畳み方法であって、前記エアバッグ本体の前記インフレータ収納部内に、前記インフレータを収納する工程と、前記膨張室を前記エアバッグ本体における前記乗員拘束面側を外側にしてその先端側から基端側へ複数回ロール状に折り畳んでロール状折り畳み部を形成する工程と、前記ロール状折り畳み部より前記インフレータ収納部側における前記膨張室を山折り状に折り畳んで山折り状折り畳み部を形成して前記ロール状折り畳み部に重ねる工程と、前記インフレータ収納部と前記膨張室との間における前記エアバッグ本体の前記乗員拘束面側又は前記車体側面側を襞状に折り畳むことにより、前記エアバッグ本体の左右方向に長い稜線状となって前記インフレータからの高圧ガスの上流側に位置する緩衝部を形成する工程と、前記緩衝部を前記高圧ガスの下流側に位置する前記ロール状折り畳み部及び前記山折り状折り畳み部に沿わせて折り重ねて前記ロール状折り畳み部および前記山折り状部と共に折り畳み集積部を形成する工程と、前記インフレータ収納部における前記エアバッグ本体の前記乗員拘束面側の弛み部を前記折り畳み集積部に折り重ね置く工程と、前記折り畳み集積部の両端部を前記弛み部と共に前記エアバッグ本体の車体側面側に蛇腹状に折り畳み蛇腹状折り畳み部を形成する工程とを具備して、前記インフレータからの高圧ガスの上流に位置する前記緩衝部に前記高圧ガスの下流側に位置する前記折り畳み集積部を連通させて、車両の衝突時前記インフレータより前記エアバッグ本体内に噴出される高圧ガスが前記折り畳み集積部に流入する前に前記緩衝部を展開させて、高圧ガスが前記折り畳み集積部へ流入しやすくし、前記折り畳み集積部を前記緩衝部に沿わせた状態で膨張展開させるように構成してもよい。
According to the airbag folding method of the present invention, an airbag main body of an airbag that protects an occupant when a vehicle collides has an occupant restraint surface that becomes an occupant side when deployed and a vehicle body side that becomes a vehicle body side when deployed. In addition, the airbag folding method when the lateral width of the expansion chamber formed on the distal end side is formed larger than the lateral width of the inflator storage portion formed on the base side. And a step of storing the inflator in the inflator storage portion of the airbag main body, and a plurality of the expansion chambers from the front end side to the base end side with the occupant restraining surface side of the airbag main body facing outward. A step of forming a roll-like folded portion by folding in a roll shape, and folding the expansion chamber on the inflator storage portion side from the roll-like folded portion into a mountain fold shape A step of forming a mountain fold-shaped folded portion and overlapping the roll-shaped folded portion, and the occupant restraint surface side or the vehicle body side surface side of the airbag main body between the inflator storage portion and the expansion chamber are in a bowl shape Folding the airbag body into a long ridgeline in the left-right direction to form a buffer portion positioned upstream of the high pressure gas from the inflator; and positioning the buffer portion downstream of the high pressure gas a step of forming the rolled folded portion and along a said mountain fold shape folded portion folded together with the rolled folded portion and the convex fold-like portion folded over the integrated unit to the air bag body in the inflator housing portion Folding the slack portion on the occupant restraint surface side of the folding and accumulating portion, and connecting both ends of the folding and accumulating portion with the slack portion. And a step of forming a bellows-shaped folded portion folded like bellows on the vehicle body side surface of the airbag body, located on the downstream side of the high pressure gas to the buffer unit located upstream of the high pressure gas from the inflator The folding and accumulating part is communicated, and the high-pressure gas that is ejected from the inflator into the airbag main body by the inflator at the time of a vehicle collision is expanded before flowing into the folding and accumulating part, so that the high-pressure gas is You may make it easy to flow in into a folding accumulation | aggregation part, and you may comprise so that the said folding accumulation | aggregation part may be inflate-deployed in the state along the said buffer part .
前記方法により、膨張室の両端部における蛇腹状折り畳み部がエアバッグ本体の展開時車体側となる車体側面側に配置されているために、かかる蛇腹状折り畳み部は、インフレータから発生した発生ガスの下流側に位置することになって、当該発生ガスによって蛇腹状折り畳み部の間に存在する緩衝部、山状折り畳み部、ロール状折り畳み部の順に展開した部分が膨張室の両端部の蛇腹状折り畳み部を車体側に押付けることになる。 According to the above method, the bellows-like folded portions at both ends of the expansion chamber are arranged on the side of the vehicle body that is the vehicle body side when the airbag body is deployed, so that the bellows-like folded portion is formed of the generated gas generated from the inflator. The portions that are located downstream of the bellows-like folding part due to the generated gas and that are developed in the order of the buffer-like folding part, the mountain-like folding part, and the roll-like folding part are bellows-like foldings at both ends of the expansion chamber. Will be pressed against the vehicle body.
この結果、エアバッグ本体展開初期時に、上記のように蛇腹状折り畳み部の間に存在する緩衝部、山状折り畳み部及びロール状折り畳み部が、膨張展開して乗員側に突出して乗員保護部を形成することになる。 As a result, at the initial deployment of the airbag body, the cushioning portion, the mountain-like folding portion, and the roll-like folding portion that exist between the bellows-like folding portions as described above are inflated and deployed to protrude toward the passenger side, thereby Will form.
この時点では、膨張室におけるロール状折り畳み部、山状折り畳み部及び緩衝部の両端部に形成されている蛇腹状折り畳み部の間には、既に膨張室における上記ロール状折り畳み部、山状折り畳み部及び緩衝部が膨張展開して乗員保護部を形成していることから、蛇腹状折り畳み部は、車体側を擦りながら車体両側部側に向かって突出展開することにより、乗員の膝や脚部と干渉することがなく、結果的に、乗員の両脚部を拡げてしまう股開き現象を確実に防止することができる。 At this time, the roll-like folding part, the mountain-like folding part in the expansion chamber is already between the roll-like folding part, the mountain-like folding part and the bellows-like folding part formed at both ends of the buffer part in the expansion chamber. Since the cushioning part is inflated and deployed to form an occupant protection part, the bellows-like folded part projects and deploys toward the both sides of the vehicle body while rubbing the vehicle body side, thereby As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent a crotch opening phenomenon that causes both legs of the occupant to expand.
また前記方法により、インフレータ収納部におけるエアバッグ本体の車体側面側の弛み部を折り畳み集積部に折り重ね置くことにより、インフレータ収納部の車体側基布の余分な弛み部がエアバッグ本体を車体側に装着するためのリテーナやエアバッグ収納ケースとの間に挟まることを無くすことができる。 Further, according to the above method, the slack portion on the side of the vehicle body side of the airbag body in the inflator storage portion is folded and placed on the folding stack portion, so that the excess slack portion of the vehicle body side base fabric in the inflator storage portion causes the airbag body to move to the vehicle body side. It is possible to eliminate pinching between the retainer and the airbag storage case for attaching to the bag.
更に前記方法により、エアバッグ本体を折り畳む際、膨張室とインフレータ収納部との間を襞状に折り畳むだけで緩衝部を形成することができるため、複雑な折り畳み方法を必要とせずにエアバッグの折り畳みが可能となり、折り畳み時間の短縮によりエアバッグ装置の組み立て作業の能率化が図れるようになり、しかも、車両の衝突時インフレータからエアバッグ本体内に噴出された高圧ガスは、ロール状に折り畳まれた膨張室内に流入する前に、エアバッグ収納部と膨張室との間に形成された緩衝部へ流入して緩衝部を先に展開させるため、緩衝部に形成された基布に弛みが生じて高圧ガスが膨張室内へ流入しやすくなり、結果的に、エアバッグ本体が、従来のものに比して、一層迅速かつ円滑に展開されることになるから、狭小のスペースでも確実にかつ短時間にエアバッグ本体を所定の形状に展開させることができる。 Further, when the airbag main body is folded by the above method, the buffer portion can be formed by simply folding the space between the expansion chamber and the inflator storage portion in a bowl shape, so that a complicated folding method is not required. Folding is possible, and it is possible to improve the efficiency of the assembly work of the airbag device by shortening the folding time, and the high-pressure gas ejected from the inflator into the airbag body at the time of collision of the vehicle is folded into a roll shape. Before flowing into the inflated chamber, it flows into the buffer portion formed between the airbag housing portion and the inflatable chamber and deploys the buffer portion first. As a result, the air bag body can be deployed more quickly and smoothly than the conventional one, so that the high-pressure gas easily flows into the expansion chamber. It may be deployed airbag body into a predetermined shape reliably and in a short time in the scan.
本発明のエアバッグ及びエアバッグの折り畳み方法によれば、高圧ガスがロール状に折り畳まれた膨張室内に流入する前に、エアバッグ収納部と膨張室との間に形成された緩衝部へ流入して緩衝部を先に展開させるため、緩衝部が形成された基布に弛みが生じて高圧ガスが膨張室内へ流入しやすくなり、これによってエアバッグ本体が従来のものに比べて、一層迅速かつ円滑に展開されることから、狭小なスペースでもエアバッグ本体を確実に所定形状に展開させることができる。 According to the airbag and the airbag folding method of the present invention, before the high-pressure gas flows into the expansion chamber folded in a roll shape, the high-pressure gas flows into the buffer portion formed between the airbag storage portion and the expansion chamber. Then, since the buffer part is deployed first, the base fabric on which the buffer part is formed becomes slack and the high-pressure gas tends to flow into the expansion chamber, which makes the airbag body faster than the conventional one. And since it is deployed smoothly, the airbag body can be reliably deployed in a predetermined shape even in a narrow space.
本発明の第1の実施の形態を、図面を参照して説明する。 A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
図1はエアバッグ本体を平面状態で展開させて描画した展開図、図2は同膨張、展開した状態の縦断面図、図3ないし図11はエアバッグ本体の折り畳み工程を示す説明図、図12は図11のA−A線に沿う拡大断面図、図13は図11のB−B線に沿う拡大断面図、図14はエアバッグ本体の折り畳みが完了した状態の斜視図である。 FIG. 1 is a developed view in which an airbag body is developed in a flat state, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the inflated and deployed state, and FIGS. 3 to 11 are explanatory views showing a folding process of the airbag body. 12 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 11, FIG. 13 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 11, and FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a state in which the folding of the airbag body is completed.
図1は、運転席前方に設置して車両が衝突した際、乗員の主として膝付近を保護するエアバッグ装置に使用するエアバッグ本体1を示すもので、ナイロン等の織布を裁断して1枚の基布1aを形成し、この基布1aをほぼ中央(頂部1bとなる)から2つ折りして互いに重ねた状態を示している。 FIG. 1 shows an airbag main body 1 used in an airbag device that protects mainly the vicinity of a knee of an occupant when a vehicle collides with the vehicle installed in front of a driver's seat. A sheet of base fabric 1a is formed, and the base fabric 1a is folded in half from the center (becomes the top portion 1b) and overlapped with each other.
エアバッグ本体1の展開状態では、頂部1b付近が幅方向に細長い長方形状となっていて、長方形部分の左右方向の全幅は乗員の両膝の上方を十分に覆える幅となっており、頂部1bとほぼ平行する底辺部1cは、頂部1bに比べて十分に幅が狭くなっている。 In the deployed state of the airbag body 1, the vicinity of the top portion 1 b has a rectangular shape elongated in the width direction, and the full width in the left-right direction of the rectangular portion is a width that sufficiently covers the upper part of both knees of the occupant. The bottom part 1c substantially parallel to 1b is sufficiently narrower than the top part 1b.
そして長方形部から底辺部1cにかけては、エアバッグ本体1の両側縁が底辺部1c側へ順次幅狭となるようにほぼ逆台形に形成されていて、底辺部1cを除く周辺全体が縫い糸4により縫着されて袋状となっている。 Then, from the rectangular part to the bottom part 1c, both side edges of the airbag body 1 are formed in a substantially trapezoidal shape so that the width gradually decreases toward the bottom part 1c, and the entire periphery excluding the bottom part 1c is formed by the sewing thread 4. The bag is sewn.
頂部1b側の長方形部内には、上下2段に仕切り壁2、3が設けられていて、これら仕切り壁2、3によりエアバッグ本体1の上部が第1膨張室1dと第2膨張室1eとの2室に区画されている。 In the rectangular portion on the top portion 1b side, partition walls 2 and 3 are provided in two upper and lower stages, and the upper portion of the airbag body 1 is separated from the first and second expansion chambers 1d and 1e by the partition walls 2 and 3, respectively. It is divided into two rooms.
仕切り壁2、3は、何れもエアバッグ本体1と同様な織布をほぼ同じ幅の帯状に裁断することにより形成されていて、各仕切り壁2、3の両側縁は、重ねられた状態の基布1aの内面に、縫い糸5により図2に示すように縫着されている。 Each of the partition walls 2 and 3 is formed by cutting a woven fabric similar to that of the airbag body 1 into a strip having substantially the same width, and both side edges of the partition walls 2 and 3 are overlapped. It is sewn on the inner surface of the base fabric 1a with a sewing thread 5 as shown in FIG.
また図1に示す平面的な展開状態において、エアバッグ本体1の表側の基布1aは、車両が衝突した際に乗員の膝等に当接して乗員を拘束する乗員拘束面1fとなっており、裏側の基布1aは、車両が衝突した際、インストルメントパネルやコラムカバー(何れも図示せず)等の車体側に当接する車体側面1gとなっている。
1, the front fabric 1a on the front side of the airbag body 1 is an occupant restraint surface 1f that restrains the occupant by contacting the occupant's knee or the like when the vehicle collides. The base fabric 1a on the back side is a vehicle body side surface 1g that comes into contact with the vehicle body side such as an instrument panel or a column cover (none of which is shown) when the vehicle collides.
エアバッグ本体1の上部に設けられた第1、第2膨張室1d、1eを区画する仕切り壁2、3のうち、上側の仕切り壁2には、径の小さい複数の通気孔2aが長手方向にほぼ等間隔で形成されていて、これら通気孔2aより上側の第1膨張室1dに高圧ガスが流入されるようになっている。 Among the partition walls 2 and 3 that partition the first and second expansion chambers 1d and 1e provided in the upper part of the airbag body 1, the upper partition wall 2 has a plurality of small diameter vent holes 2a in the longitudinal direction. The high-pressure gas flows into the first expansion chamber 1d above the vent holes 2a.
そして、第1膨張室1dおよび第2膨張室1eを膨張展開させることによって、乗員を保護する膨張室を構成している。 And the expansion chamber which protects a passenger | crew is comprised by expanding and developing the 1st expansion chamber 1d and the 2nd expansion chamber 1e.
下側の仕切り壁3には、仕切り壁2側よりやや径の大きい複数の通気孔3aが長手方向にほぼ等間隔で形成されていて、これら通気孔3aより下側の第2膨張室1eへ高圧ガスが流入されるようになっている。 The lower partition wall 3 has a plurality of vent holes 3a that are slightly larger in diameter in the longitudinal direction than the partition wall 2 side. The vent holes 3a are formed at substantially equal intervals in the longitudinal direction, and enter the second expansion chamber 1e below the vent holes 3a. High pressure gas is introduced.
一方、第2膨張室3の下側には、ほぼ逆台形の第3膨張室1hが形成されており、この第3膨張室1hの内側に補強と防炎を兼ねた複数枚の防炎布6と、エアバッグ本体1が所定の形状に展開されるように展開形状を規定する複数のテザーベルト7が設けられている。 On the other hand, a substantially inverted trapezoidal third expansion chamber 1h is formed on the lower side of the second expansion chamber 3, and a plurality of flameproof cloths that serve both as reinforcement and flameproofing inside the third expansion chamber 1h. 6 and a plurality of tether belts 7 that define the deployment shape so that the airbag body 1 is deployed in a predetermined shape.
防炎布6は、エアバッグ本体1と同様な織布をほぼ長方形状に裁断したもので、底辺の一部に切り欠き6aが形成されており、左右方向の幅は、後述するインフレータ収納部8に収容する棒状のインフレータ10の長さより大きく形成されていて、図2に示すように表裏基布1aの内面に縫い糸9により周囲とほぼ中間部が縫着されている。 The flameproof cloth 6 is obtained by cutting a woven cloth similar to that of the airbag body 1 into a substantially rectangular shape, and has a notch 6a formed in a part of the bottom side. 8 is formed to be larger than the length of the rod-like inflator 10 accommodated in FIG. 2, and the middle part thereof is sewn to the inner surface of the front and back base fabric 1a by a sewing thread 9 as shown in FIG.
テザーベルト7は、仕切り壁2、3の幅とほぼ同じ幅の帯状体により形成されていて、防炎布6の上縁部間に縫い糸9により両端部が縫着されており、防炎布6の左右の幅方向にほぼ等間隔で例えば3個所設けられている。 The tether belt 7 is formed of a belt-like body having a width substantially the same as the width of the partition walls 2 and 3, and both ends are sewn with sewing threads 9 between the upper edges of the flameproof cloth 6. For example, three locations are provided at substantially equal intervals in the left-right width direction.
エアバッグ本体1の膨張時車体側面1gとなる基布1aにおける防炎布6の縫着部には、インフレータ10の外周面より突設された複数の取り付け具10aを挿入するための複数の取り付け孔1jと、取り付け孔1jより径の大きいインフレータ突出口1kが横方向にほぼ一直線状に穿設されていて、この部分の各防炎布6の間にインフレータ収納部8が形成されている。
A plurality of attachments for inserting a plurality of attachments 10a projecting from the outer peripheral surface of the inflator 10 to the sewn portion of the flameproof cloth 6 on the base cloth 1a which becomes the vehicle body side surface 1g when the airbag body 1 is inflated. A hole 1j and an inflator projecting opening 1k having a diameter larger than that of the mounting hole 1j are formed in a substantially straight line in the lateral direction, and an inflator storage portion 8 is formed between each flameproof cloth 6 of this portion.
またエアバッグ本体1の底辺部1cには、底辺部1cを折り畳んだ際取付け孔1jと合致する位置に、複数の取り付け孔1iが穿設されている。 A plurality of attachment holes 1i are formed in the bottom side portion 1c of the airbag body 1 at positions that match the attachment holes 1j when the bottom side portion 1c is folded.
次に前記構成されたエアバッグの折り畳み方法を、図3ないし図11に示す工程図を参照して説明する。 Next, a method of folding the airbag configured as described above will be described with reference to the process diagrams shown in FIGS.
まず第1工程で図3に示すようにエアバッグ本体1を展開させ、底辺部1c側の開口からインフレータ10をエアバッグ本体1内のインフレータ収納部8へ挿入し、インフレータ10の外周面より突設された取り付け具10aを基布1a及び防炎布6に穿設された取り付け孔1jへ嵌挿して、取り付け具10aの先端をエアバッグ本体1の外側へ突出させると共に、インフレータ10の一端側をインフレータ突出口1kよりエアバッグ本体1の外側へ露出させる。 First, as shown in FIG. 3, in the first step, the airbag body 1 is deployed, and the inflator 10 is inserted into the inflator housing portion 8 in the airbag body 1 from the opening on the bottom side 1 c side, and protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the inflator 10. The installed fixture 10a is inserted into a mounting hole 1j drilled in the base fabric 1a and the flameproof fabric 6 so that the tip of the fixture 10a protrudes to the outside of the airbag body 1 and one end side of the inflator 10 Is exposed to the outside of the airbag body 1 from the inflator protrusion 1k.
次に第2工程でエアバッグ本体1の底辺部1cを図4に示すように折り畳んで、底辺部1cに穿設された取り付け孔1iを、前工程でエアバッグ本体1の外側に突出された取り付け具10aの先端部に嵌挿する。 Next, the bottom portion 1c of the airbag body 1 is folded as shown in FIG. 4 in the second step, and the mounting hole 1i formed in the bottom portion 1c is protruded to the outside of the airbag body 1 in the previous step. It is inserted into the tip of the fixture 10a.
そして第3工程でエアバッグ本体1の頂部1b側を、図5に示すように例えば3回ほどロール状に巻いて、第1、第2膨張室1d、1eが重なるように折り畳んだら、第4工程で第1、第2膨張室1d、1eの折り畳み部を図6に示すようにインフレータ収納部8側へスライドさせて、表裏の基布1aを同時に同じ方向へ襞状に折り畳むことにより、左右方向のほぼ全幅に渡って稜線状の緩衝部12を形成する。 Then, in the third step, the top portion 1b side of the airbag body 1 is wound in a roll shape, for example, three times as shown in FIG. 5 and folded so that the first and second expansion chambers 1d and 1e overlap, In the process, the folding parts of the first and second expansion chambers 1d and 1e are slid to the inflator storage part 8 side as shown in FIG. A ridge-line-shaped buffer portion 12 is formed over substantially the entire width in the direction.
その後第5工程で緩衝部12を図7に示すよう第1、第2膨張室1d、1eの折り畳み部上に重なるように折り畳んだら、さらに第6工程でインフレータ収納部8を折り畳んだ第1、第2膨張室1d、1eの裏面側に折り畳んで、図8に示すように上下を反転する。 After that, when the buffer portion 12 is folded so as to overlap the folding portions of the first and second expansion chambers 1d and 1e as shown in FIG. 7 in the fifth step, the first and second inflator storage portions 8 are folded in the sixth step. The second expansion chambers 1d and 1e are folded to the back side and inverted upside down as shown in FIG.
これによって図9に示すように、エアバッグ本体1全体が基布1aの幅一杯の長さ有する帯状となるので、次に第7工程で図10に示すようにエアバッグ本体1の両端側を中央部側に折り曲げ、さらに第8工程で先端部を外側へ蛇腹状に折り曲げて、図11に示す状態にする。 As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the airbag body 1 as a whole has a belt-like shape with the full width of the base fabric 1a. Next, in the seventh step, as shown in FIG. Bend toward the center, and in the eighth step, the tip is bent outward in a bellows shape to the state shown in FIG.
なおこの状態のA−A断面を図12に、またB−B断面を図13に示す。 The AA cross section in this state is shown in FIG. 12, and the BB cross section is shown in FIG.
以上のようにしてエアバッグ本体1を折り畳んだら、折り畳み形状が崩れないように、エアバッグ本体1の膨張時破断可能な素材、例えば不織布により袋状に形成したプロテクタ13内に図14に示すように収容して、エアバッグ本体1とインフレータ10がユニット化されたエアバッグ装置の組み立てを完了するもので、組み立ての完了したエアバッグ装置は、運転席前方の例えばインストルメントパネル内や、コラムカバーの下方に設置されたケース(図示せず)内に格納し、インフレータ10の取り付け具10aを車体側に固定して使用に供する。 When the airbag main body 1 is folded as described above, as shown in FIG. 14, a protector 13 formed into a bag shape by a material that can be broken when the airbag main body 1 is inflated, for example, a nonwoven fabric, so that the folded shape does not collapse. To complete the assembly of the airbag device in which the airbag body 1 and the inflator 10 are unitized. The assembled airbag device can be used, for example, in the instrument panel or in the column cover in front of the driver's seat. It is housed in a case (not shown) installed underneath, and the fixture 10a of the inflator 10 is fixed to the vehicle body side for use.
次に車両が衝突した際にエアバッグ本体1が展開される動作について説明すると、車両が衝突した際の衝撃を図示しない衝突センサが感知すると、インフレータ10より高圧ガスがエアバッグ本体1の第3膨張室1h内へ噴出される。 Next, the operation of deploying the airbag main body 1 when the vehicle collides will be described. When a collision sensor (not shown) detects an impact when the vehicle collides, high-pressure gas is supplied from the inflator 10 to the third of the airbag main body 1. It is ejected into the expansion chamber 1h.
これによってエアバッグ本体1を包装するプロテクタ13が膨張圧により破断されて、まず第3膨張室1hの膨張が開始される。 As a result, the protector 13 that wraps the airbag body 1 is broken by the inflation pressure, and first, the expansion of the third expansion chamber 1h is started.
そして第3膨張室1hへ噴出された高圧ガスは、第3膨張室1hに連続する第2膨張室1eへと向かうが、第3膨張室1hと第2膨張室1eの間には、エアバッグ本体1を折り畳む際に予め稜線状の緩衝部12が形成されているため、高圧ガスは先にこの緩衝部12に流入して、緩衝部12を展開させる。 The high-pressure gas ejected to the third expansion chamber 1h is directed to the second expansion chamber 1e that is continuous with the third expansion chamber 1h, but there is an airbag between the third expansion chamber 1h and the second expansion chamber 1e. Since the ridge line-shaped buffer portion 12 is formed in advance when the main body 1 is folded, the high-pressure gas first flows into the buffer portion 12 to expand the buffer portion 12.
これによって第1、第2膨張室1d、1eの折り畳み部と第3膨張室1hの間の基布1aに弛みが生じて第2膨張室1eへ高圧ガスが流入しやすくなるため、第2膨張室1eの展開動作が従来のエアバッグに比べて、一層、迅速かつ円滑に展開されるようになる。 As a result, the base cloth 1a between the folded portions of the first and second expansion chambers 1d and 1e and the third expansion chamber 1h is loosened, and the high-pressure gas easily flows into the second expansion chamber 1e. The deployment operation of the chamber 1e can be deployed more quickly and smoothly than the conventional airbag.
その後第2膨張室1eから第1膨張室1dへ高圧ガスが流入して第1膨張室1dの展開動作が行われるが、第2膨張室1eの展開と同じ理由で第1膨張室1dの展開も迅速かつ円滑に行われる。 Thereafter, the high-pressure gas flows from the second expansion chamber 1e into the first expansion chamber 1d and the first expansion chamber 1d is expanded. For the same reason as the expansion of the second expansion chamber 1e, the expansion of the first expansion chamber 1d is performed. Also done quickly and smoothly.
以上のようにして展開されたエアバッグ本体1は、乗員の膝付近全体を覆い、エアバッグ本体1の乗員拘束面1fが乗員の膝付近に当接し、エアバッグ本体1の車体側面1gが車体側へと当接されて乗員の膝付近を拘束するため、衝突時の衝撃から乗員を確実に保護することができると共に、エアバッグ本体1が従来のものに比べて、一層迅速かつ円滑に展開されることから、ブレーキ操作や慣性により乗員の膝が前方へせり出したために展開するためのスペースが狭小となった場合でも、エアバッグ本体1を所定形状に確実に展開させることができる。 The airbag body 1 deployed as described above covers the entire vicinity of the occupant's knee, the occupant restraint surface 1f of the airbag body 1 contacts the vicinity of the occupant's knee, and the vehicle body side surface 1g of the airbag body 1 is the vehicle body. Since it is abutted to the side and restrains the vicinity of the occupant's knee, the occupant can be reliably protected from the impact at the time of collision, and the airbag body 1 can be deployed more quickly and smoothly than the conventional one. Therefore, even when the space for deployment is narrowed because the occupant's knees protrude forward due to brake operation and inertia, the airbag body 1 can be reliably deployed in a predetermined shape.
一方図15ないし図30は、本発明の第2の実施の形態を示すもので、次にこの第2の実施の形態を図面を参照して説明する。 15 to 30 show a second embodiment of the present invention. Next, the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
なお第2の実施の形態は前記第1の実施の形態とエアバッグの折り畳み方法およびエアバッグ本体の開口側底辺部に予めほぼT字形のカバーを縫着された点を除き同様な構成をなしているので、エアバッグ本体1の構成は前記第1の実施の形態とほぼ同様のため、同一部分は同一符号を付して、その説明を省略する。 The second embodiment has the same configuration as the first embodiment except that the airbag folding method and a substantially T-shaped cover are sewn in advance on the opening side bottom of the airbag body. Therefore, since the structure of the airbag main body 1 is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.
第2の実施の形態になるエアバッグの折り畳み方法を、図15ないし図30に示す工程図を参照して説明すると、まずエアバッグ本体1が膨張展開された際に車体側となる車体側面1gを上に、また乗員側となる乗員拘束面1fを下にして図15に示すようにエアバッグ本体1を平面的に展開させる。 The airbag folding method according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the process diagrams shown in FIGS. 15 to 30. First, the vehicle body side surface 1g that becomes the vehicle body side when the airbag body 1 is inflated and deployed. With the occupant restraining surface 1f on the occupant side facing down, the airbag body 1 is deployed in a plane as shown in FIG.
なお図15中16は、エアバッグ本体1の開口側の底辺部1cに予め縫着されたほぼT字形のカバーで、インフレータ突出口1kと合致する位置に同様な口径のインフレータ突出口16aが開口されている。 Reference numeral 16 in FIG. 15 denotes a substantially T-shaped cover that is pre-sewn on the bottom portion 1c on the opening side of the airbag body 1, and an inflator protrusion 16a having the same diameter is opened at a position that matches the inflator protrusion 1k. Has been.
エアバッグ本体1の平面的展開が完了したら、第1工程で底辺部1c側の開口からインフレータ10をエアバッグ本体1内のインフレータ収納部8へ挿入し、インフレータ10の外周面より突設された取り付け具10aを基布1a及び防炎布6に穿設された取り付け孔1jへ嵌挿して、取り付け具10aの先端を図15に示すようにエアバッグ本体1の外側へ突出させると共に、インフレータ10の一端側をインフレータ突出口1kよりエアバッグ本体1の車体側面1gより外側へ露出させる。 When the flat deployment of the airbag main body 1 is completed, the inflator 10 is inserted into the inflator storage portion 8 in the airbag main body 1 from the opening on the bottom side 1c side in the first step, and is projected from the outer peripheral surface of the inflator 10. The attachment tool 10a is fitted into the attachment hole 1j formed in the base cloth 1a and the flameproof cloth 6, and the tip of the attachment tool 10a protrudes to the outside of the airbag body 1 as shown in FIG. Is exposed to the outside of the vehicle body side surface 1g of the airbag body 1 from the inflator protrusion 1k.
次に第2工程でエアバッグ本体1の底辺部1cを図16に示すように折り畳んで、底辺部1cに穿設された取り付け孔1iに、前工程でエアバッグ本体1の外側に突出された取り付け具10aの先端部を嵌挿し、この状態でエアバッグ本体1の上下面を図17に示すように反転する。 Next, in the second step, the bottom portion 1c of the airbag body 1 is folded as shown in FIG. 16, and the mounting hole 1i formed in the bottom portion 1c is protruded to the outside of the airbag body 1 in the previous step. The distal end portion of the fixture 10a is inserted, and in this state, the upper and lower surfaces of the airbag body 1 are reversed as shown in FIG.
そして第3工程でエアバッグ本体1の頂部1b側を、図18に示すように例えば乗員側に3回ほど蛇腹状に折り畳んで第1、第2膨張室1d、1eがほぼ40mm程度の幅となるように折り重ね、図19に示す状態にする。 Then, in the third step, the top portion 1b side of the airbag body 1 is folded into a bellows shape, for example, about three times on the passenger side as shown in FIG. 18, and the first and second expansion chambers 1d and 1e have a width of about 40 mm. Fold up as shown in FIG.
第4工程で第1、第2膨張室1d、1eの折り畳み部を図20に示すようにインフレータ収納部8側へスライドさせて表裏の基布1aに襞を形成し、この襞の先端を図21の矢印に示すよう上下方向へ引っ張り上げることにより、左右方向のほぼ全幅に渡って稜線状の緩衝部12を形成する。 In the fourth step, the folding portions of the first and second expansion chambers 1d and 1e are slid toward the inflator storage portion 8 as shown in FIG. By pulling up and down as indicated by the arrow 21, the ridge-line-shaped buffer portion 12 is formed over almost the entire width in the left-right direction.
その後第5工程で緩衝部12を図23に示すよう第1、第2膨張室1d、1eの折り畳み部上に重なるように折り畳んで図22に示す状態にしたら、さらに第6工程で図25に示すようにインフレータ10の上下面を覆う部分の基布1aを上方へ引張り上げて図24に示す状態にし、第7工程でインフレータ10の上下面を覆う部分の基布1aを上方へ引張り上げたまま、図26に示すようにエアバッグ本体1の両端側を中央部側に折り曲げ、さらに第8工程で先端部を外側へ蛇腹状に折り曲げて、図27に示す状態にする。 Then, in the fifth step, the buffer portion 12 is folded so as to overlap the folding portions of the first and second expansion chambers 1d and 1e as shown in FIG. As shown, the portion of the base fabric 1a covering the upper and lower surfaces of the inflator 10 is pulled upward to the state shown in FIG. 24, and the portion of the base fabric 1a covering the upper and lower surfaces of the inflator 10 is pulled upward in the seventh step. As shown in FIG. 26, the both ends of the airbag main body 1 are bent toward the center, and the tip is bent into a bellows shape in the eighth step to obtain the state shown in FIG.
なおこの状態のF−F断面を図28に示す。 In addition, the FF cross section of this state is shown in FIG.
以上のようにしてエアバッグ本体1を折り畳んだら、折り畳み形状が崩れないように、エアバッグ本体1の膨張時破断可能な素材、例えば不織布によりほぼT字形に形成されたカバー16の各辺部分を図29に示すローマ数字表記の番号順に折り畳んで、カバー16により図30に示すようにエアバッグ本体1を包装することにより、エアバッグ本体1とインフレータ10がユニット化されたエアバッグ装置の組み立てを完了するもので、組み立ての完了したエアバッグ装置は、運転席前方の例えばインストルメントパネル内や、コラムカバーの下方に設置されたケース(図示せず)内に図中上方が乗員側になると共に下方側が車体方向になるように格納し、インフレータ10の取り付け具10aを車体側に固定して使用に供する。 When the airbag body 1 is folded as described above, each side portion of the cover 16 formed in a substantially T shape by a material that can be broken when the airbag body 1 is inflated, for example, a nonwoven fabric, so that the folded shape is not collapsed. 29, the airbag main body 1 and the inflator 10 are assembled into a unit by assembling the airbag main body 1 as shown in FIG. The assembled airbag device is, for example, in the instrument panel in front of the driver's seat or in a case (not shown) installed below the column cover, with the upper side in the figure being the occupant side. The lower side is stored in the vehicle body direction, and the fixture 10a of the inflator 10 is fixed to the vehicle body side for use.
なお車両が衝突した際にエアバッグ本体1が展開される動作については前記第1の実施の形態と同様なので、その説明は省略する。 Note that the operation of deploying the airbag body 1 when the vehicle collides is the same as in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.
更に図31ないし図49は、本発明の第3の実施の形態を示すもので、次にこの第3の実施の形態について図面を参照して説明する。 FIGS. 31 to 49 show a third embodiment of the present invention. Next, the third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
なお第3の実施の形態は、前記第2の実施の形態と同様に、前記第1の実施の形態とエアバッグの折り畳み方法およびエアバッグ本体の開口側底辺部に予めほぼT字形のカバーを縫着された点を除き、エアバッグ本体1の構成はほぼ第1の実施の形態と同様のため、同一部分は同一符号を付して、その説明を省略する。 As in the second embodiment, in the third embodiment, a substantially T-shaped cover is provided in advance on the opening side bottom portion of the airbag body and the airbag folding method and the airbag of the first embodiment. Except for the point of being sewn, the configuration of the airbag body 1 is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.
但し、上記2つの実施の形態においては、エアバッグ本体1は、1枚の基布1aをほぼ中央部(頂部1bとなる)から2つ折りにして互いに重ねた状態で袋状に縫製することにより形成しているが、第3の実施の形態では、ほぼ同一形状の二枚の基布1aを互いに重ね合わせて、底辺部1cを除く周辺全体を縫い糸4により縫製して袋状に形成したものを使用しており、織布の裁断歩留まりを向上すべく意図したものである。 However, in the above-described two embodiments, the airbag main body 1 is obtained by sewing a single base fabric 1a into a bag shape in a state where the base fabric 1a is folded in half from the substantially central portion (becomes the top portion 1b) and overlapped with each other. Although formed, in the third embodiment, two base fabrics 1a having substantially the same shape are overlapped with each other, and the entire periphery excluding the bottom portion 1c is sewn with a sewing thread 4 to form a bag. Is intended to improve the cutting yield of woven fabrics.
図31は本発明の第3の実施の形態になるエアバッグを折り畳みためにエアバッグ本体を平面的状態に展開させる第1工程を示す説明図、図32は同様に第3の実施の形態になるエアバッグを折り畳む際の第2工程を示す説明図、図33は同様に第3の実施の形態になるエアバッグを折り畳む際の第3工程を示す説明図、図34は同様に第3の実施の形態になるエアバッグを折り畳む際の第4工程を示す説明図、図35は図34のG−G線に沿う概略断面図、図36は本発明の第3の実施の形態になるエアバッグを折り畳む際の第5工程を示す説明図、図37は同様に第3の実施の形態になるエアバッグの折り畳みの際の第6工程を示す説明図、図38は図37のH−H線に沿う概略断面図、図39は本発明の第3の実施の形態になるエアバッグを折り畳む際の第7工程を示す説明図、図40は図39のI−I線に沿う概略断面図、図41は本発明の第3の実施の形態になるエアバッグを折り畳む際の第8工程を示す説明図、図42は図41のJ−J線に沿う概略断面図、図43は本発明の第3の実施の形態になるエアバッグを折り畳む際の第9工程を示す説明図、図44は図43のK−K線に沿う概略断面図、図45は本発明の第3の実施の形態になるエアバッグを折り畳む際の第10工程を示す説明図、図46は本発明の第3の実施の形態になるエアバッグを折り畳む際の第11工程を示す説明図、図47は同様に本発明の第3の実施の形態になるエアバッグを折り畳む際の第12工程を示す説明図、図48は同様に本発明の第3の実施の形態になるエアバッグを折り畳む際の第13工程を示す説明図、図49は同様に本発明の第3の実施の形態になるエアバッグを折り畳む際の第14工程を示す説明図である。 FIG. 31 is an explanatory view showing a first step of deploying the airbag main body in a planar state in order to fold the airbag according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 32 similarly shows the third embodiment. FIG. 33 is an explanatory view showing a third step when the airbag according to the third embodiment is folded, and FIG. 34 is a third step when the airbag is folded. Explanatory drawing which shows the 4th process at the time of folding the airbag which becomes embodiment, FIG. 35 is schematic sectional drawing in alignment with the GG line of FIG. 34, FIG. 36 is the air which becomes the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. 37 is an explanatory view showing the fifth step when folding the bag, FIG. 37 is an explanatory view showing the sixth step when similarly folding the airbag according to the third embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 39 is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line, and FIG. 39 shows an air bar according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 40 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line II of FIG. 39, and FIG. 41 is a diagram illustrating the process of folding the airbag according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 42 is a schematic sectional view taken along the line JJ of FIG. 41, and FIG. 43 is an explanatory view showing the ninth step when folding the airbag according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 44 is a schematic sectional view taken along the line KK in FIG. 43, FIG. 45 is an explanatory view showing a tenth step when folding the airbag according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows the 11th process at the time of folding the airbag which becomes this 3rd Embodiment, FIG. 47 similarly shows the 12th process at the time of folding the airbag which becomes the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. Similarly, FIG. 48 shows a case where the airbag according to the third embodiment of the present invention is folded. 13 explanatory view showing a process, FIG. 49 is an explanatory view showing a fourteenth step in folding the air bag according to a third embodiment of the present invention as well.
第3の実施の形態であるエアバッグの折り畳み方法を、図31ないし図49に示す工程図を参照して説明すると、先ず、第1工程で、エアバッグ本体1が膨張展開された際に車体方向側となる車体側面1gを上に、また乗員方向側となる乗員拘束面1fを下にして、図31に示すようにエアバッグ本体1を平面的に展開させる。この時、図31において明示するように、エアバッグ本体1における頂部1bの両端部は、角丸形状に形成されて、膨張展開時のエアバッグ本体1内のガス圧力が適宜分散するように意図していると共に、折り畳み代を可能な限り少なくなる形状にしてある。 The airbag folding method according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to the process diagrams shown in FIGS. 31 to 49. First, in the first process, when the airbag body 1 is inflated and deployed, the vehicle body With the vehicle body side surface 1g on the direction side facing up and the occupant restraint surface 1f on the occupant direction side facing down, the airbag body 1 is deployed in a plane as shown in FIG. At this time, as clearly shown in FIG. 31, both end portions of the top portion 1b of the airbag body 1 are formed in a rounded round shape so that the gas pressure in the airbag body 1 at the time of inflation and deployment is appropriately dispersed. In addition, the folding margin is reduced as much as possible.
なお図31中16は、エアバッグ本体1の底辺部1cに予め縫着されたほぼT字形のカバーで、インフレータ突出口1kと合致する位置に同様な口径のインフレータ突出口16aが開口されている。 Reference numeral 16 in FIG. 31 denotes a substantially T-shaped cover that is pre-sewn on the bottom 1c of the airbag body 1, and an inflator protrusion 16a having the same diameter is opened at a position that matches the inflator protrusion 1k. .
エアバッグ本体1の平面的展開が完了すると、底辺部1c側の開口からインフレータ10をエアバッグ本体1内のインフレータ収納部8へ挿入し、インフレータ10の外周面より突設された取り付け具10aを基布1aおよび防炎布6に穿設された取り付け孔1jへ嵌挿して、取り付け具10aの先端を図31に示すようにエアバッグ本体1のインフレータ収納部8における車体側面1gより外側へ突出させると共に、図示を省略しているがインフレータ10の一端側をインフレータ突出口1kよりエアバッグ本体1の外側へ露出させる。 When the planar deployment of the airbag main body 1 is completed, the inflator 10 is inserted into the inflator storage portion 8 in the airbag main body 1 from the opening on the bottom side 1c side, and a fixture 10a protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the inflator 10 is installed. The front end of the attachment 10a protrudes outward from the vehicle body side surface 1g in the inflator housing portion 8 of the airbag body 1 as shown in FIG. 31 by being inserted into the attachment hole 1j formed in the base cloth 1a and the flameproof cloth 6. Although not shown, one end side of the inflator 10 is exposed to the outside of the airbag body 1 from the inflator protrusion 1k.
次に第2工程でエアバッグ本体1のインフレータ収納部8側の底辺部1cをその乗員拘束面1f側が外側になるように図32に示すように折り畳んで、底辺部1cに穿設された取り付け孔1iに、前工程においてエアバッグ本体1の車体側面1gより外側に露出させた取り付け具10aの先端部を嵌挿する。 Next, in the second step, the bottom portion 1c of the airbag body 1 on the inflator housing portion 8 side is folded as shown in FIG. 32 so that the occupant restraint surface 1f side is on the outside, and the bottom portion 1c is attached to the bottom portion 1c. In the hole 1i, the tip of the attachment 10a exposed outside the vehicle body side surface 1g of the airbag body 1 in the previous step is fitted.
その後、図33に示す第3工程で、エアバッグ本体1の膨張室1dに隣接する頂部1bの端縁を乗員拘束面1fが外側になるように1回ロール状に基端側に折り畳み、続いて、図34に示す第4工程で、折り畳んだ頂部1bを乗員拘束面1fが外側になるように基端側へ更に1回ロール状に折り畳み、かかる計2回のロール状折り畳みによって、ロール状折り畳み部Vを形成する(図35を参照)。 Thereafter, in the third step shown in FIG. 33, the edge of the top portion 1b adjacent to the expansion chamber 1d of the airbag body 1 is folded once in the form of a roll so that the occupant restraint surface 1f faces outward, and then continues. In the fourth step shown in FIG. 34, the folded top portion 1b is further folded once in the form of a roll so that the occupant restraint surface 1f is on the outside, and the roll-like folding is performed twice in total. A fold portion V is formed (see FIG. 35).
かかる第4工程においては、図34に示すように、カバー16をエアバッグ本体1の車体側面1gより外側に露出させた取り付け具10aを覆うように反転させている。 In the fourth step, as shown in FIG. 34, the cover 16 is inverted so as to cover the attachment 10 a exposed outside the vehicle body side surface 1 g of the airbag body 1.
次に、図36に示す第5工程で、エアバッグ本体1のロール状折り畳み部Vより基端側における膨張室1eの乗員拘束面1fを1回山折りして、山状折り畳み部Wを形成し、山状折り畳み部Wをロール状折り畳み部Vの上に重ねる(後述の図38の状態を参照)。 Next, in a fifth step shown in FIG. 36, the occupant restraint surface 1f of the expansion chamber 1e on the base end side from the roll-shaped folded portion V of the airbag body 1 is folded once to form a mountain-shaped folded portion W. Then, the mountain-shaped folded portion W is overlaid on the roll-shaped folded portion V (see the state of FIG. 38 described later).
次に、図37に示す第6工程で、インフレータ収納部8を膨張室1d、1eに形成されたロール状折り畳み部V側へスライドさせて、インフレータ収納部8と膨張室1d、1eとの間におけるエアバッグ本体1の乗員拘束面1f側を乗員方向側に、および車体側面1g側を車体方向に、それぞれ襞状に折り畳むことによって左右方向のほぼ全幅に渡って長い稜線状の緩衝部12を形成する(図38を参照)。 Next, in the sixth step shown in FIG. 37, the inflator storage portion 8 is slid toward the roll-shaped folding portion V formed in the expansion chambers 1d and 1e, and between the inflator storage portion 8 and the expansion chambers 1d and 1e. By folding the airbag body 1 on the side of the occupant restraint surface 1f of the airbag body 1 in the occupant direction side and the side of the vehicle body side 1g in the direction of the vehicle body in a bowl shape, the buffer portion 12 having a long ridgeline shape over almost the entire width in the left-right direction is formed. Form (see FIG. 38).
その後、一方の緩衝部12を、それぞれ膨張室1d、1eに形成されたロール状折り畳み部Vの乗員拘束面1fに重なるように折り畳むと共に、他方の緩衝部12を山状折り畳み部Wの車体側面1gに重なるように折り畳んで、折り畳み集積部Xを形成している。かかる第7工程においては、図39に示すように、エアバッグ本体1を車体方向側となる車体側面1gを下面に、また乗員方向側となる乗員拘束面1fを上面になるように反転させている(図40参照)。 Thereafter, one of the buffer portions 12 is folded so as to overlap the occupant restraint surface 1f of the roll-like fold portion V formed in each of the expansion chambers 1d and 1e, and the other buffer portion 12 is folded on the side surface of the vehicle body of the mountain-like fold portion W. Folding and stacking part X is formed by folding so as to overlap 1 g. In the seventh step, as shown in FIG. 39, the airbag body 1 is inverted so that the vehicle body side surface 1g on the vehicle body direction side is the lower surface and the passenger restraint surface 1f on the passenger direction side is the upper surface. (See FIG. 40).
かかる第7工程においては、エアバッグ本体1を、車体方向側となる車体側面1gを上面に、また乗員方向側となる乗員拘束面1fを下面になるように反転させている。 In the seventh step, the airbag body 1 is inverted so that the vehicle body side surface 1g on the vehicle body direction side is the upper surface and the passenger restraint surface 1f on the passenger direction side is the lower surface.
次に、図41に示す第8工程において、エアバッグ本体1のインフレータ収納部8における乗員拘束面1f側に存在する弛み部Yを、山折り状に摘み上げて(図42参照)、図43に示す第9工程において、インフレータ10を90°回転させてから、折り畳み集積部Xに重ね置いている(図44を参照)。 Next, in the eighth step shown in FIG. 41, the slack portion Y present on the occupant restraint surface 1f side in the inflator storage portion 8 of the airbag body 1 is picked up in a mountain fold shape (see FIG. 42), and FIG. In the ninth step shown in FIG. 4, the inflator 10 is rotated by 90 ° and then placed on the folding and stacking portion X (see FIG. 44).
その後、図45に示す第10工程で、エアバッグ本体1を、車体方向側となる車体側面1gを上面に、また乗員方向側となる乗員拘束面1fを下面になるように反転させている。 Thereafter, in the tenth step shown in FIG. 45, the airbag body 1 is inverted so that the vehicle body side surface 1g on the vehicle body direction side is the upper surface and the passenger restraint surface 1f on the passenger direction side is the lower surface.
そして、図46に示す第11工程において、エアバッグ本体1における折り畳み集積部Xの両端部を、弛み部Yと共に、エアバッグ本体1の車体側面側が車体方向側になるように蛇腹状に折り畳んで蛇腹状折り畳み部Zを形成する。 Then, in the eleventh step shown in FIG. 46, both end portions of the folding and accumulating portion X in the airbag body 1 are folded together with the slack portion Y into a bellows shape so that the side surface of the airbag body 1 is on the vehicle body side. A bellows-like folded portion Z is formed.
以上のようにしてエアバッグ本体1を折り畳んだ後、折り畳み形状が崩れないように、例えば図46に示すエアバッグ本体1の膨張時破断可能な素材、例えばエアバッグ本体1と同質材料の織布によりT字形に形成されたカバー16のうち、先ず、エアバッグ本体1における車体方向側となる側に長辺部位16bを短辺部位16cと共に図47に示すように折り畳んで、折り畳まれたエアバッグ本体1の蛇腹状折り畳み部Z上に重ねる。 After the airbag body 1 is folded as described above, for example, a material that can be broken at the time of inflation of the airbag body 1 shown in FIG. 46, for example, a woven fabric of the same material as the airbag body 1 is shown. Of the cover 16 formed in a T-shape by the above, first, the long side portion 16b is folded together with the short side portion 16c on the side of the airbag body 1 on the vehicle body direction side as shown in FIG. It is overlaid on the bellows-like folded part Z of the main body 1.
次に、長辺部位16bのエアバッグ本体1からはみ出している両端部を図48に示すようにエアバッグ本体1の乗員方向側となる側に巻込む。この時インフレータ10が長辺部位16bに形成したインフレータ突出口16aから外部に突出している。 Next, both end portions of the long side portion 16b protruding from the airbag body 1 are wound around the side of the airbag body 1 that is on the occupant direction side as shown in FIG. At this time, the inflator 10 protrudes outside from the inflator protrusion 16a formed in the long side portion 16b.
そして、次に、短辺部位16cを長辺部位16bに重ねるようにしてエアバッグ本体1の乗員方向側に巻込んでいる(図49参照)。 Then, the short side portion 16c is wound on the passenger body side of the airbag body 1 so as to overlap the long side portion 16b (see FIG. 49).
かかる図49に示す状態において、カバー16は、長辺部位16bおよび短辺部位16cにそれぞれ形成された取付け孔16dを逐次取り付け具10aに嵌入していることから、エアバッグ本体1の折り畳み形状を崩れないように保持して、車両に取り付け可能なエアバッグを構成している。 In the state shown in FIG. 49, since the cover 16 has the attachment holes 16d formed in the long side portion 16b and the short side portion 16c respectively inserted into the attachment 10a, the folding shape of the airbag body 1 is changed. The airbag that can be attached to the vehicle is configured so as not to collapse.
図49に示すエアバッグは、図中、上面側が車体方向になると共に下面側が乗員方向になるように車両に取り付けられることになる。 The airbag shown in FIG. 49 is attached to the vehicle so that the upper surface side is in the vehicle body direction and the lower surface side is in the passenger direction.
かかる構成によって、第3の実施の形態によれば、膨張室1d、1eの両端部における蛇腹状折り畳み部Z、Zがエアバッグ本体1の膨張展開時に車体方向側となる車体側面1g側に配置されているために、かかる蛇腹状折り畳み部Z、Zは、インフレータ10から発生した発生ガスの下流側に位置することになる。当該発生ガスによって蛇腹状折り畳み部Z,Zの間に存在する緩衝部12、山状折り畳み部W、ロール状折り畳み部Vの順に展開し、かかる展開した部分が膨張室1d、1eの両端部の蛇腹状折り畳み部Z、Zを車体側に押付けることになる。 With this configuration, according to the third embodiment, the bellows-like folded portions Z and Z at both ends of the expansion chambers 1d and 1e are arranged on the vehicle body side surface 1g side that is the vehicle body direction side when the airbag body 1 is inflated and deployed. Therefore, the bellows-like folded portions Z and Z are located on the downstream side of the generated gas generated from the inflator 10. The generated gas is developed in the order of the buffer part 12 existing between the bellows-like folded parts Z, Z, the mountain-like folded part W, and the roll-like folded part V, and the developed parts are located at both ends of the expansion chambers 1d and 1e. The bellows-like folded portions Z and Z are pressed against the vehicle body side.
この結果、エアバッグ本体1の展開初期時に、上記のように蛇腹状折り畳み部Z,Z間に存在する緩衝部12、山状折り畳み部W及びロール状折り畳み部Vが、膨張展開して乗員方向側に突出して乗員保護部を形成することになる。 As a result, at the initial stage of deployment of the airbag body 1, the cushioning part 12, the mountain-like folding part W, and the roll-like folding part V existing between the bellows-like folding parts Z, Z are inflated and deployed as described above, The occupant protection part is formed protruding to the side.
この時点では、膨張室1d、1eにおけるロール状折り畳み部V、山状折り畳み部W、緩衝部12の両端部に形成されている蛇腹状折り畳み部Z、Zの間には、既に膨張室1d、1eにおける上記ロール状折り畳み部Vなどが膨張展開して乗員保護部を形成していることから、蛇腹状折り畳み部Z、Zは、車体側を擦りながら車体両側部側に向かって突出展開することになり、乗員の膝や脚部と干渉することがなく、結果的に乗員の両脚部を拡げてしまう股開き現象を確実に防止することができる。 At this point, the expansion chamber 1d, 1e, the roll-like folding portion V, the mountain-like folding portion W, and the bellows-like folding portions Z, Z formed at both ends of the buffer portion 12 are already in the expansion chamber 1d, Since the roll-like folded portion V in 1e is inflated and deployed to form an occupant protection portion, the bellows-like folded portions Z and Z are projected and deployed toward both sides of the vehicle body while rubbing the vehicle body side. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the crotch-opening phenomenon in which both the legs of the occupant are expanded without interfering with the knees and legs of the occupant.
また、第3の実施の形態によれば、インフレータ収納部8におけるエアバッグ本体1の車体側面側の弛み部Yを折り畳み集積部Xの上に折り重ね置くことにより、インフレータ収納部8の車体方向側基布の余分な弛み部がエアバッグ本体1を車体に装着するためのリテーナやエアバッグ収納ケース(いずれも図示せず)との間に挟まることを無くすことができる。 Further, according to the third embodiment, the slack portion Y on the side of the vehicle body of the airbag main body 1 in the inflator storage portion 8 is folded and placed on the folding stack portion X, so that the vehicle body direction of the inflator storage portion 8 is It is possible to eliminate an excess slack portion of the side base fabric from being sandwiched between a retainer for attaching the airbag body 1 to the vehicle body and an airbag storage case (both not shown).
更に、第3の実施の形態によれば、エアバッグ本体1を折り畳む際、膨張室1d、1eとインフレータ収納部8との間を襞状に折り畳むだけで緩衝部12を形成することができるため、複雑な折り畳み方法を必要とせずにエアバッグの折り畳みが可能となり、折り畳み時間の短縮によりエアバッグ装置の組み立て作業の能率化が図れるようになる。 Furthermore, according to the third embodiment, when the airbag body 1 is folded, the buffer portion 12 can be formed simply by folding the space between the expansion chambers 1d, 1e and the inflator storage portion 8 in a bowl shape. Thus, the airbag can be folded without requiring a complicated folding method, and the efficiency of assembling the airbag device can be improved by shortening the folding time.
しかも、車両の衝突時インフレータ10からエアバッグ本体1内に噴出された高圧ガスは、膨張室1d、1eのロール状折り畳み部V内に流入する前に、インフレータ収納部8と膨張室1d、1eとの間に形成された緩衝部12へ流入して緩衝部12を先に展開させるため、緩衝部12に形成された基布1aに弛みが生じて高圧ガスが膨張室1d、1e内へ流入しやすくなる。 In addition, the high-pressure gas ejected from the inflator 10 into the airbag main body 1 at the time of the collision of the vehicle flows into the roll-like folded portions V of the expansion chambers 1d and 1e before the inflator storage portion 8 and the expansion chambers 1d and 1e. In order to flow into the buffer portion 12 formed between the two and the buffer portion 12 to expand first, the base fabric 1a formed in the buffer portion 12 is slackened, and the high-pressure gas flows into the expansion chambers 1d and 1e. It becomes easy to do.
この結果、エアバッグ本体1が、従来のものに比して、一層迅速かつ円滑に展開されることになるから、狭小のスペースでも確実にかつ短時間にエアバッグ本体1を所定の形状に展開させることができる。 As a result, the airbag body 1 can be deployed more quickly and smoothly than the conventional one, so that the airbag body 1 can be deployed in a predetermined shape reliably and in a short time even in a narrow space. Can be made.
また上記いずれの実施の形態では、運転席の前方にエアバッグ装置を設置して、乗員の膝付近を保護するエアバッグに適用した例について説明したが、狭小なスペースにエアバッグを瞬時に展開させる必要があるエアバッグ装置全般に適用できるものである。 In any of the above-described embodiments, the example in which the airbag device is installed in front of the driver's seat and applied to the airbag protecting the vicinity of the occupant's knee has been described, but the airbag is instantaneously deployed in a narrow space. The present invention can be applied to all types of airbag devices that need to be used.
本発明のエアバッグ装置は、緩衝部が形成された基布に弛みが生じて膨張室内へ高圧ガスが流入しやすくなり、これによってエアバッグ本体を一層迅速かつ円滑に展開させることができることから、狭小なスペースでもエアバッグ本体を確実に所定形状に展開させることが必要なエアバッグ装置に最適である。 In the airbag device of the present invention, the base fabric in which the buffer portion is formed is slackened, and high-pressure gas easily flows into the expansion chamber, whereby the airbag body can be deployed more quickly and smoothly. It is most suitable for an airbag device that requires the airbag body to be reliably deployed in a predetermined shape even in a narrow space.
1 エアバッグ本体
1a 基布
1d 第1膨張室
1e 第2膨張室
1f 乗員拘束面
1e 車体側面
2 仕切り壁
2a 通気孔
3 仕切り壁
3a 通気孔
6 防炎布
7 テザーベルト
8 インフレータ収納部
10 インフレータ
12 緩衝部
V ロール状折り畳み部
W 山状折り畳み部
X 折り畳み集積部
Y 弛み部
Z 蛇腹状折り畳み部
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Airbag main body 1a Base cloth 1d 1st expansion chamber 1e 2nd expansion chamber 1f Passenger restraint surface 1e Car body side surface 2 Partition wall 2a Vent hole 3 Partition wall 3a Vent hole 6 Flameproof cloth 7 Tether belt 8 Inflator storage part 10 Inflator 12 Buffer Part V Roll-like folding part W Mountain-like folding part X Folding accumulation part Y Slack part Z Bellows-like folding part
Claims (5)
前記エアバッグ本体の前記インフレータ収納部内に、前記インフレータを収納する工程と、前記膨張室を前記エアバッグ本体の先端側から基端側へロール状に折り畳む工程と、前記インフレータ収納部を折り畳まれた前記膨張室側へスライドさせて、前記インフレータ収納部と前記膨張室との間を襞状に折り畳むことにより、前記エアバッグ本体の左右方向に長い稜線状となって前記インフレータからの高圧ガスの上流側の位置する緩衝部を形成する工程と、前記緩衝部を前記高圧ガスの下流側に位置する前記膨張室の上側に沿わせて折り重ねる工程と、前記インフレータ収納部を前記緩衝部上に沿わせて折り重ねる工程と、前記膨張室の両端部を蛇腹状に折り畳む工程とを具備して、前記インフレータからの高圧ガスの上流に位置する前記緩衝部に前記高圧ガスの下流側に位置する前記膨張室を連通させて、車両の衝突時前記インフレータより前記エアバッグ本体内に噴出される高圧ガスが前記膨張室に流入する前に前記緩衝部を展開させて、高圧ガスが前記膨張室へ流入しやすくし、前記膨張室を前記緩衝部に沿わせた状態で膨張展開させるように構成したことを特徴とするエアバッグの折り畳み方法。 An airbag main body of an airbag that protects an occupant when a vehicle collides has an occupant restraint surface that becomes an occupant side when deployed, and a vehicle body side that becomes a vehicle body side when deployed, and is formed on a base side The airbag folding method in the case where the left and right width of the expansion chamber formed on the distal end side is larger than the left and right width of the inflator storage portion.
The step of storing the inflator in the inflator storage portion of the airbag main body, the step of folding the expansion chamber from the front end side to the base end side of the airbag main body in a roll shape, and the inflator storage portion folded. By sliding to the expansion chamber side and folding the space between the inflator storage portion and the expansion chamber in a bowl shape, a long ridge line is formed in the left-right direction of the airbag body, and the high-pressure gas from the inflator is upstream. a step of forming a buffer portion positioned on the side, a step of folding in and along the buffer section in the upper side of the expansion chamber positioned downstream of the high pressure gas, along the inflator housing portion on the buffer unit a step of folding Te Align, both ends of the expansion chamber includes the step of folding like bellows, located upstream of the high pressure gas from the inflator the The expansion chamber located downstream of the high-pressure gas communicates with the impact portion, and the buffer portion before the high-pressure gas ejected into the airbag body from the inflator at the time of a vehicle collision flows into the expansion chamber The airbag folding method is characterized in that the high-pressure gas is easily flown into the expansion chamber, and the expansion chamber is inflated and deployed along the buffer portion .
前記エアバッグ本体の前記インフレータ収納部内に、前記インフレータを収納する工程と、前記膨張室を前記エアバッグ本体の先端側から基端側へ蛇腹状に折り畳む工程と、前記インフレータ収納部を折り畳まれた前記膨張室側へスライドさせて、前記インフレータ収納部と前記膨張室との間を襞状に折り畳むことにより、前記エアバッグ本体の左右方向に長い稜線状となって前記インフレータからの高圧ガスの上流側に位置する緩衝部を形成する工程と、前記緩衝部を前記高圧ガスの下流側に位置する前記膨張室の上側に沿わせて折り重ねる工程と、前記インフレータ収納部を前記緩衝部上に折り重ねる工程と、前記膨張室の両端部をさらに蛇腹状に折り畳む工程とを具備して、前記インフレータからの高圧ガスの上流に位置する前記緩衝部に前記高圧ガスの下流側に位置する前記膨張室を連通させて、車両の衝突時前記インフレータより前記エアバッグ本体内に噴出される高圧ガスが前記膨張室に流入する前に前記緩衝部を展開させて、高圧ガスが前記膨張室へ流入しやすくし、前記膨張室を前記緩衝部に沿わせた状態で膨張展開させるように構成したことを特徴とするエアバッグの折り畳み方法。 An airbag main body of an airbag that protects an occupant when a vehicle collides has an occupant restraint surface that becomes an occupant side when deployed, and a vehicle body side that becomes a vehicle body side when deployed, and is formed on a base side The airbag folding method in the case where the left and right width of the expansion chamber formed on the distal end side is larger than the left and right width of the inflator storage portion.
The step of storing the inflator in the inflator storage portion of the airbag body, the step of folding the expansion chamber in a bellows shape from the distal end side to the proximal end side of the airbag body, and the inflator storage portion being folded By sliding to the expansion chamber side and folding the space between the inflator storage portion and the expansion chamber in a bowl shape, a long ridge line is formed in the left-right direction of the airbag body, and the high-pressure gas from the inflator is upstream. Forming a buffer portion positioned on the side, folding the buffer portion along the upper side of the expansion chamber positioned on the downstream side of the high-pressure gas, and folding the inflator storage portion on the buffer portion. the buffer in which the process, comprising the step of folding the ends of the expansion chamber further in a bellows, is located upstream of the high pressure gas from the inflator overlaying The expansion chamber located on the downstream side of the high-pressure gas is communicated with the expansion chamber before the high-pressure gas ejected from the inflator into the airbag body flows into the expansion chamber at the time of a vehicle collision. Thus, the airbag folding method is characterized in that the high-pressure gas easily flows into the expansion chamber, and the expansion chamber is inflated and deployed in a state along the buffer portion .
前記エアバッグ本体の前記インフレータ収納部内に、前記インフレータを収納する工程と、
前記膨張室を前記エアバッグ本体における前記乗員拘束面側を外側にしてその先端側から基端側へ複数回ロール状に折り畳んでロール状折り畳み部を形成する工程と、
前記ロール状折り畳み部より前記インフレータ収納部側における前記膨張室を山折り状に折り畳んで山折り状折り畳み部を形成して前記ロール状折り畳み部に重ねる工程と、
前記インフレータ収納部と前記膨張室との間における前記エアバッグ本体の前記乗員拘束面側又は前記車体側面側を襞状に折り畳むことにより、前記エアバッグ本体の左右方向に長い稜線状となって前記インフレータからの高圧ガスの上流側に位置する緩衝部を形成する工程と、
前記緩衝部を前記高圧ガスの下流側に位置する前記ロール状折り畳み部及び前記山折り状折り畳み部に沿わせて折り重ねて前記ロール状折り畳み部および前記山折り状部と共に折り畳み集積部を形成する工程と、
前記インフレータ収納部における前記エアバッグ本体の前記乗員拘束面側の弛み部を前記折り畳み集積部に折り重ね置く工程と、
前記折り畳み集積部の両端部を前記弛み部と共に前記エアバッグ本体の車体側面側に蛇腹状に折り畳み蛇腹状折り畳み部を形成する工程とを具備して、
前記インフレータからの高圧ガスの上流に位置する前記緩衝部に前記高圧ガスの下流側に位置する前記折り畳み集積部を連通させて、車両の衝突時前記インフレータより前記エアバッグ本体内に噴出される高圧ガスが前記折り畳み集積部に流入する前に前記緩衝部を展開させて、高圧ガスが前記折り畳み集積部へ流入しやすくし、前記折り畳み集積部を前記緩衝部に沿わせた状態で膨張展開させるように構成したことを特徴とするエアバッグの折り畳み方法。 An airbag main body of an airbag that protects an occupant when a vehicle collides has an occupant restraint surface that becomes an occupant side when deployed, and a vehicle body side that becomes a vehicle body side when deployed, and is formed on a base side The airbag folding method in the case where the left and right width of the expansion chamber formed on the distal end side is larger than the left and right width of the inflator storage portion.
Storing the inflator in the inflator storage portion of the airbag body; and
Forming the roll-shaped folded portion by folding the expansion chamber in a roll shape a plurality of times from the front end side to the base end side with the occupant restraint surface side of the airbag body as the outside;
A step of folding the expansion chamber on the inflator storage portion side from the roll-shaped folding portion into a mountain fold shape to form a mountain fold-shaped folding portion and overlapping the roll-shaped folding portion;
By folding the occupant restraint surface side or the vehicle body side face side of the airbag body in between the expansion chamber and the inflator housing portion in pleated, the become the airbag body in the lateral direction long ridge shape Forming a buffer located on the upstream side of the high pressure gas from the inflator ;
Forming the buffer portion folding together the rolled fold and the rolled folded portion folded over and along a said mountain fold shape folded portion and the mountain fold shape portion positioned on the downstream side of the high pressure gas integrated unit Process,
A step of folding the sag portion on the occupant restraint surface side of the airbag main body in the inflator storage portion on the folding stack portion; and
Forming the bellows-like folded portion by folding both ends of the folded stacking portion together with the slack portion in a bellows shape on the side of the vehicle body of the airbag body ,
The high pressure gas ejected from the inflator into the airbag body at the time of a vehicle collision is caused by communicating the folding and accumulating portion located downstream of the high pressure gas with the buffer portion located upstream of the high pressure gas from the inflator. Before the gas flows into the folding and accumulating part, the buffer part is expanded so that the high-pressure gas easily flows into the folding and accumulating part, and the folding and accumulating part is inflated and deployed along the buffer part. A method for folding an airbag, characterized by comprising:
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