JP3713637B2 - Airbag device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an airbag apparatus that protects an occupant with an airbag that is deployed by gas generated from a gas generator, for example, in the event of a car collision, and in particular, to ensure airtightness in the airbag with a relatively simple configuration. It relates to a structure for holding.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a side collision airbag device, an airbag accommodated in a vehicle seat back is inflated with a gas filled from a gas generator at the time of a side collision of a vehicle, and a passenger and a vehicle door are disposed in a vehicle interior. There is something that protects the occupant by deploying between.
[0003]
The airbag is formed into a bag shape as a whole by sewing a base fabric cut into three pieces in a required shape, for example, at each required location. The gas generator is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape and is mounted in the airbag. A plurality of gas outlets are provided along the circumferential direction on the outer surface of the gas generator.
[0004]
In such a side collision airbag device, the gas generator generates gas based on a signal from a sensor or the like accompanying deformation of the door at the time of a side collision of the vehicle, and the airbag is filled with the gas. As a result, the airbag is instantly deployed between the occupant and the vehicle door, catches the occupant's body, and is gradually contracted by discharging gas into the passenger compartment, thereby reducing the impact of the occupant on the body.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional side collision airbag device described above, the structure of the gas generator mounting end (the portion into which the connector for connection with the sensor or the like is inserted) is complicated, and the overall size of the device becomes large. There is a problem that it is difficult to store the seat back.
[0006]
In addition, the airbag is formed into a bag shape by sewing the base fabric cut into three pieces in the required shape at each required location, and the base fabric of different shapes can be cut while cutting the base fabric. Sewing has a complicated structure and is very difficult. Therefore, the production of the airbag requires a lot of labor and time, and there is a problem that the cost is increased.
[0007]
Further, in the assembly structure of the gas generator and the airbag, the structure in which the gas generator is attached to the outside of the airbag tends to be complicated in the mounting configuration for ensuring airtightness. On the other hand, the type in which the gas generator is mounted in the airbag has a good point that the mounting structure can be made relatively simple.
However, in the case where the gas generator is mounted in the airbag, the outer surface of the gas generator is naturally covered by the airbag. For this reason, there is a possibility that the gas outlet provided on the outer surface may be blocked by the airbag. In such a case, the gas outlet is hindered and the airbag cannot be reliably deployed. There was a problem.
[0008]
The present invention has a relatively simple configuration and can achieve cost reduction, while being able to reliably hold the airtightness in the airbag and to reliably operate the airbag. An object is to provide an airbag device.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An object of the present invention is to provide an airbag device that is mounted on a vehicle and that protects an occupant in an emergency, is filled with gas, expands and deploys, and can receive the occupant's body. In the event of an emergency of a vehicle, a gas generator that fills the airbag with gas by blowing out gas from a gas outlet provided on the outer surface, and between the outer surface of the gas generator and the inner surface of the airbag By interposing each, a bush that creates a required space between the gas outlet of the gas generator and the inner surface of the airbag, and by tightening the bush together with the airbag from the outer surface side of the airbag, This is achieved by an airbag device comprising a fastening means for maintaining airtightness.
An object of the present invention is to provide an airbag device that is mounted on a vehicle and that protects an occupant in an emergency, is filled with gas, expands and deploys, and can receive the occupant's body. When the vehicle is in an emergency, the gas generator that fills the airbag with gas is blown out from the gas outlet provided on the outer surface of the vehicle, and the airbag is tightened between the outer surface of the gas generator. Thus, the present invention is also achieved by an airbag apparatus comprising a fastening means for maintaining airtightness inside the airbag.
[0010]
In the airbag apparatus according to the present invention, the bush is interposed between the outer surface of the gas generator and the inner surface of the airbag, and is required between the gas outlet of the gas generator and the inner surface of the airbag. To create a space. The fastening means holds the airtight inside the airbag by fastening the bush together with the airbag from the outer surface side of the airbag.
Further, in another airbag apparatus of the present invention, the configuration in which the airbag is only tightened between the outer surface of the gas generator by the tightening means is provided between the gas outlet of the gas generator and the inner surface of the airbag. A required space can be generated, and airtightness inside the airbag can be well maintained by suitably tightening from the outer surface side of the airbag.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention will be described below with reference to illustrated embodiments.
1 to 3 are views showing an airbag device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state when the airbag is deployed, and FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the longitudinal direction one end part of a generator.
[0012]
In these drawings, a side collision airbag 10 (hereinafter referred to as an airbag 10) is inflated by being filled with gas from the gas generator 20 in response to an impact from the side of the vehicle. It is instantly deployed between an occupant (not shown) and a vehicle door or pillar (not shown). The deployed airbag 10 receives the upper body of the occupant and contracts the filled gas by exhausting it from the exhaust port (not shown) into the vehicle interior, thereby causing a secondary collision, that is, a collision of the occupant with each part of the vehicle interior. To prevent.
[0013]
The airbag 10 is cut into a required shape by cutting the base fabric 11 into a required shape in one cut, bending the resulting cut piece into two folds, and sewing them at a required sewing location 12. Except for the substantially cylindrical gas generator mounting opening 13 to be formed, it is formed in a bag shape as a whole.
The gas generator mounting opening 13 is used for mounting the gas generator 20 to the airbag 10, and the bent portion of the cut portion of the base fabric 11 is substantially a cylinder that substantially matches the shape of the outer surface 21 of the gas generator 20. It is formed by making it into a shape. The airbag 10 is inserted from the longitudinal direction into the outer housing 30 to be described later with the gas generator 20 inserted into the gas generator mounting opening 13 from the longitudinal direction, and from the outer housing 30 as shown in FIG. The protruding portion is appropriately accommodated in a state of being folded near the opening of the outer housing 30.
In addition to the gas generator mounting opening 13, the airbag 10 may be provided with an unsewn portion for an exhaust port.
[0014]
A plurality of gas outlets 22 are provided in the vicinity of the left end in FIG. 1 on the outer surface 21 of the gas generator 20 along the circumferential direction. When an operation signal from a sensor (not shown) or the like is input in response to an impact from the side of the vehicle, the gas generator 20 blows out gas from the gas outlet 22 and fills the airbag 10 with gas. In addition, the operation signal from a sensor etc. is input into the gas generator 20 through the connector insertion part 23 by which the connector and connector which are not shown in figure are fitted. The connector insertion portion 23 is provided on the left end surface of the gas generator 20 in FIG.
[0015]
A pair of bushes 24 are fitted to both ends of the gas generator 20 in the longitudinal direction via O-rings 24a (FIG. 3). Each bush 24 has a substantially C-shaped cross-sectional shape in which a slit 25 is formed in the longitudinal direction, and the outer diameter is larger than the outer diameter of the gas generator 20. Each bush 24 is interposed between both longitudinal ends of the outer surface 21 of the gas generator 20 and the inner surface of the airbag 10, thereby providing a gap between the gas outlet 22 of the gas generator 20 and the inner surface of the airbag 10. That is, a required space 26 (FIG. 3) is generated between the outer surface 21 excluding both longitudinal ends of the gas generator 20 and the inner surface of the airbag 10.
[0016]
The gas generator 20 is inserted into the gas generator mounting opening 13 of the airbag 10 from the longitudinal direction, and the airbag 10 is passed through the slit portion 31 of the outer housing 30 so that the airbag 10 is inserted into the outer housing 30 in the longitudinal direction. Is inserted from. The gas generator 20 is fixed in a predetermined posture together with the outer housing 30 to a vehicle seat frame or the like (not shown) by means of bolts 33 and nuts 34 that are fitted into the bolt mounting holes 32 of the outer housing 30. As the bolts 33 and nuts 34 are screwed together, the respective bushes 24 fitted to the gas generator 20 are fastened together with the airbag 10 from the outer surface side of the airbag 10 by the fastening portions 35 of the outer housing 30. Airtightness inside the airbag 10 is maintained.
[0017]
Each of the tightening portions 35 of the outer housing 30 has required elasticity and is formed so that the inner diameter is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the bush 24. Each tightening portion 35 is elastically deformed so that the inner diameter is larger than the outer diameter of the bush 24 in a state where the bolt 33 and the nut 34 are loosened, and the gas generator 20, the bush 24, and the airbag 10. Is smoothly inserted into the outer housing 30 from the longitudinal direction. Each tightening portion 35 is elastically deformed so that the inner diameter is reduced in a state where the bolt 33 and the nut 34 are firmly screwed together, and each bush 24 is securely tightened from the outer surface side of the airbag 10.
[0018]
The operation of this embodiment will be described.
The airbag 10 is housed in the vicinity of the opening of the outer housing 30 so as to wrap around the outer surface 21 of the gas generator 20 when the vehicle is not colliding (see FIG. 12). In some cases, the gas generator 20 is filled with a gas and expands, and from the opening 36 opened between the bolt mounting holes 32 in the outer housing 30, the bag is instantly developed into a bag shape in the vehicle interior. The deployed airbag 10 receives the upper body of the occupant and contracts by discharging the filled gas from the exhaust hole into the passenger compartment, thereby preventing a secondary collision.
[0019]
At this time, the airbag 10 is kept airtight inward by being fastened together with the bushes 24 from the outer surface side by the fastening portion 35 of the outer housing 30. Further, the intervention of the bush 24 creates a required space 26 between the outer surface 21 excluding both ends in the longitudinal direction of the gas generator 20 and the inner surface of the airbag 10, whereby the gas outlet 22 of the gas generator 20 is formed. The air bag 10 is not blocked. Therefore, the airbag 10 is reliably inflated and deployed by the gas blown from the gas blowout port 22 of the gas generator 20.
[0020]
4 and 5 are views showing an airbag device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing one longitudinal end portion of the gas generator.
[0021]
In these drawings, a diffuser 41 is fitted to the right end in FIG. 5 of the bush 40 fitted to the left end in FIG. 5 of the gas generator 20. Similar to the bush 40, the diffuser 41 has a substantially C-shaped cross-sectional shape in which a slit 42 is formed in the longitudinal direction, and sandwiches the gas outlet 22 of the gas generator 20 and the required space 26. It arrange | positions in the position which opposes. The diffuser 41 prevents the gas blown from the gas blowout port 22 of the gas generator 20 from directly hitting the inner surface of the airbag 10. Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment.
[0022]
6-8 is a figure which shows the airbag apparatus which is 3rd Embodiment of this invention, FIG. 6 is a disassembled perspective view, FIG. 7 is AA sectional drawing, FIG. 8 is FIG. It is B arrow sectional drawing.
[0023]
In these drawings, the outer housing 50 is provided with a total of four bolt mounting holes 51 and 52. A fastening bolt 53 for fastening the bush 24 is fitted in each of the bolt mounting holes 51 on the outer side in the longitudinal direction of the outer housing 50. A fixing bolt 54 for fixing the outer housing 50 to a vehicle seat frame or the like (not shown) is fitted in each of the bolt mounting holes 52 on the inner side in the longitudinal direction of the outer housing 50. Furthermore, the opening 55 for deploying the airbag 10 in the vehicle interior is formed on the outer housing 50 on the opposite side to the bolt mounting holes 51 and 52. Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment.
[0024]
As described above, according to each of the above embodiments, the bushes 24 and 40 having a larger outer diameter than the gas generator 20 are respectively provided between the both longitudinal ends of the outer surface 21 of the gas generator 20 and the inner surface of the airbag 10. By being interposed, the gas outlet 22 provided on the outer surface 21 of the gas generator 20 can be reliably prevented from being blocked by the airbag 10. Thereby, the airbag 10 can be reliably deployed by the gas from the gas generator 20.
[0025]
The bushes 24 and 40 are tightened together with the airbag 10 from the outer surface side of the airbag 10 by the tightening portion 35 of the outer housing 30, thereby maintaining the airtightness inside the airbag 10. Therefore, the airtightness in the airbag 10 can be reliably maintained while the configuration is relatively simple and the cost can be reduced. That is, it is possible to simplify the structure for attaching the gas generator 20 to the airbag 10 while reliably maintaining the airtightness in the airbag 10, thereby reducing the number of parts and the number of assembling steps, thereby reducing the cost. be able to.
Moreover, it is possible to ensure sufficient airtightness inside the airbag 10 by the airbag 10 formed by sewing one base fabric 11 cut into a required shape at one required location. Therefore, the conventional cutting and sewing of the base fabric are not required. Therefore, cutting and sewing of the base fabric 11 can be simplified, and the airbag 10 can be easily manufactured at low cost.
[0026]
Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, since the diffuser 41 is provided at a position facing the gas blowout port 22 of the gas generator 20 with the required space 26 interposed therebetween, the blowout from the gas blowout port 22 of the gas generator 20 is performed. It is possible to reliably avoid the gas to be applied directly against the inner surface of the airbag 10. Thereby, even when gas is high temperature, the bad influence to the airbag 10 can be prevented as much as possible.
[0027]
Further, according to the third embodiment, since the fastening bolt 53 for fastening the bush 24 and the fixing bolt 54 for fixing the outer housing 50 to the vehicle seat frame or the like are provided separately, the outer housing 50 Assembling of the gas generator 20 and the airbag 10 and fixing of the outer housing 50 to the seat frame or the like can be easily performed, and workability can be improved.
[0028]
FIGS. 9-11 is a figure which shows the airbag apparatus which is 4th Embodiment of this invention, FIG. 9 is a disassembled perspective view, FIG. 10 is a perspective view which shows the state at the time of airbag deployment of an airbag apparatus, 11 is a cross-sectional view showing one longitudinal end of the gas generator of the airbag apparatus shown in FIG.
In each figure of the present embodiment, the same elements as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
In the airbag device of the present embodiment, the configuration different from that shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is a configuration in which the bush 24 (see FIG. 1) is not provided, and the airbag 10 is connected to the outer surface of the gas generator 20. By directly tightening with the tightening means 35 of the outer housing 30, the airbag 10 is held and the airtightness of the airbag 10 is secured.
In the present embodiment, instead of the bush 24, the enlarged diameter portion 30 a is provided on the opposite side of the opening 36 of the outer housing 30, and the enlarged diameter portion 30 a causes the gas blowout port of the gas generator 20. A required space can be created between the air bag 22 and the inner surface of the airbag 10.
In addition, when the airbag 10 is mounted, the above-described space can be easily formed by incorporating the fabric so that the cloth is somewhat bent in the direction of the arrow X in FIG. 9 (the center direction of the attachment portion).
[0029]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the bushes are interposed between the outer surface of the gas generator and the inner surface of the airbag, and are required between the gas outlet of the gas generator and the inner surface of the airbag. To create a space. Therefore, the gas outlet of the gas generator can be reliably prevented from being blocked by the airbag, and the airbag can be reliably deployed by the gas from the gas generator.
Further, the fastening means fastens the bush together with the airbag from the outer surface side of the airbag, thereby maintaining airtightness inside the airbag. Accordingly, the airtightness in the airbag can be reliably maintained while the configuration is relatively simple and the cost can be reduced.
Further, according to another configuration of the present invention, that is, a configuration in which the airbag is directly tightened between the outer surface of the gas generator and the tightening means of the outer housing, the airbag can be held and the airbag can be held with an extremely easy configuration. Airtightness can be secured. Further, instead of the bush, a required space can be generated between the gas outlet of the gas generator and the inner surface of the airbag by the enlarged diameter portion opposite to the opening of the outer housing.
Furthermore, when the base fabric of the airbag is manufactured by sewing one over the other, the cutting and sewing of the base fabric can be simplified, and the airbag can be easily manufactured at low cost. It can be carried out.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an airbag apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a perspective view showing a state when the airbag apparatus of FIG. 1 is deployed. FIG.
3 is a cross-sectional view showing one longitudinal end portion of a gas generator of the airbag device of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing an airbag apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a cross-sectional view showing one longitudinal end portion of the gas generator of the airbag device of FIG. 4. FIG.
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing an airbag apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a cross-sectional view of the airbag device in FIG.
8 is a cross-sectional view of the airbag device in FIG.
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing an airbag apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a perspective view showing a state when the airbag device of FIG. 9 is deployed. FIG.
11 is a cross-sectional view showing one longitudinal end of the gas generator of the airbag device of FIG.
FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view for illustrating a storage state of the airbag in the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Air bag 11 Base cloth 12 Sewing location 13 Gas generator installation opening 20 Gas generator 21 Gas generator outer surface 22 Gas generator outlet 24, 40 Bush 25, 42 Bush slit 26 Required space 30, 50 Tightening means (outer housing)
30a Expanded diameter portion 32, 51, 52 Tightening means (bolt mounting hole)
33, 53, 54 Tightening means (bolts)
34 Tightening means (nut)
35 Tightening means (tightening part)

Claims (1)

  In an airbag device that is installed in a vehicle and protects an occupant in an emergency, it is filled with gas, inflates and deploys, and can be received by the occupant's body. Gas is generated by blowing gas from the gas outlet provided on the outer surface, and interposing between the gas generator that fills the gas into the airbag and between the outer surface of the gas generator and the inner surface of the airbag. A bush that creates a required space between the gas outlet of the container and the inner surface of the airbag, and a fastening means that maintains the airtightness inside the airbag by tightening the bush together with the airbag from the outer surface side of the airbag; An airbag device comprising:

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