JP4573443B2 - Side impact airbag device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a side collision airbag apparatus that restrains an occupant by deploying an airbag from a side portion of a seat back to the front of a vehicle interior with high-pressure gas generated by an inflator during a side collision of a vehicle.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Such a side collision airbag device is known, for example, from Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-152011. The airbag of the airbag device includes a lower chamber that extends forward from the side portion of the seat back, and an upper chamber that extends upward from the upper end of the lower chamber, and a partition wall that partitions the lower chamber and the upper chamber It has a structure in which communication holes are formed. Therefore, the high-pressure gas generated by the inflator when the airbag is deployed first flows into the lower chamber and deploys the lower chamber forward, and then the upper chamber is delayed from the lower chamber by the high-pressure gas that has passed through the communication hole. This prevents the upper chamber from interfering with the seat belt when the airbag is deployed.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the side collision airbag device in which the airbag is deployed in the vehicle interior from the opening formed by breaking the side portion of the seat back, the airbag that has passed through the opening is deployed toward the door side. It is easy, and there is a possibility that the airbag is strongly rubbed against the inner surface of the door in the process of deployment and smooth deployment is hindered. In order to prevent this, it is desirable to deflect the airbag that has passed through the opening of the seat back toward the front of the vehicle body so as not to strongly interfere with the inner surface of the door. Therefore, in the past, a belt-like cloth was placed inside the airbag to control the flow of high-pressure gas generated by the inflator to adjust the deployment direction, and the deployment shape was adjusted by the tension of the belt-like cloth that was fully extended by the inflation of the airbag. However, the work of attaching the belt-like cloth to the inside of the airbag is troublesome and causes a cost increase.
[0004]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to prevent an airbag of a side collision airbag device from being rubbed strongly against the inner surface of a door during the deployment process to prevent smooth deployment. .
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a folded airbag is disposed on a side portion of a seat back, and an airbag that is inflated with a high-pressure gas generated by an inflator at the time of a vehicle collision is provided. In a side collision airbag device that deploys from the side of the seat back to the front of the vehicle body between the passenger and the inner surface of the door, a deployment guide cloth is provided that covers the outer surface of the airbag on the passenger side with the base end fixed to the seat back The airbag is in a folded state in which a predetermined range from the distal end portion thereof is folded inward toward the base end portion, and the position of the distal end portion of the airbag newly formed by the folding is set on the deployment guide cloth. It is overlaid on the deployment guide cloth so that it substantially coincides with the position of the tip, and is further wound in a roll with the deployment guide cloth in the superimposed state. Air bag device for a side collision, wherein it is proposed to be folded-back in the side.
[0006]
According to the above configuration, when the airbag of the side collision airbag device starts to be inflated and unfolds, the deployment guide cloth is positioned so as to be along the side surface of the airbag in the middle of deployment. Therefore, the deployment direction of the airbag is deflected toward the occupant side by the frictional force acting between the deployment guide cloth and the airbag, so that the airbag is strongly rubbed against the inner surface of the door and the smooth deployment is prevented. be able to. Moreover, since the deployment guide cloth is disposed outside the airbag, the assembly cost can be reduced as compared with the case where the deployment guide cloth is incorporated inside the airbag.
[0007]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the side impact airbag device is characterized in that the front end of the deployment guide cloth is a free end that is not fixed to the airbag. Proposed.
[0008]
According to the above configuration, since the tip of the deployment guide cloth is a free end and is not fixed to the airbag, the airbag in the middle of deployment is deflected by the frictional force received from the deployment guide cloth, and the airbag is used as the deployment guide cloth. It can be deployed in the approaching direction.
[0009]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the front end of the deployment guide cloth is a fixed end fixed to the airbag, and the side collision airbag apparatus is characterized in that Is proposed.
[0010]
According to the above configuration, since the distal end of the deployment guide cloth is a fixed end and is fixed to the airbag, the deployment guide cloth is fully extended during the deployment of the airbag to generate tension, thereby completing the deployment. The deployment shape of the airbag can be curved toward the fixed end side of the deployment guide cloth.
[0011]
In addition, the right front door of an Example respond | corresponds to the door of this invention.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the embodiments of the present invention shown in the accompanying drawings.
[0013]
1 to 6 show a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a seat provided with a side collision airbag device. FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an action when the airbag is deployed, FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an airbag folding sequence, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an airbag deployment sequence. .
[0014]
As shown in FIG. 1, a seat S for a driver of an automobile is provided at a seat cushion 1 that is disposed substantially horizontally, a seat back 2 that extends rearward and upward from the rear end of the seat cushion 1, and an upper end of the seat back 2. The headrest 3 is formed. An airbag module M housed in a module case 4 is disposed inside the right side surface of the seat back 2, and when the airbag module M is operated, the airbag 5 opens the module case 4 and is seated on the seat S. It is developed obliquely forward so as to block between the right side of the occupant and the left side of the right front door 6 (see FIG. 4).
[0015]
As is clear from the cross section of the seat back 2 shown in FIG. 2, a plate-like seat frame 12 is fixed to a pipe-like seat frame 11 extending in the vertical direction along the right side portion of the seat back 2, and this plate-like seat. The module case 4 is fixed to the right side surface of the frame 12 with bolts 14 and 14 and nuts 15 and 15. A spring 16 is stretched on the inner periphery of the pipe-shaped seat frame 11, and a shape retaining material 17 made of a coarse blanket and a pad 18 made of a sponge are arranged from the front surface of the spring 16 to the periphery of the module case 4. .
[0016]
The front center portion of the seat back 2 is covered with the first covering material 22, and the left and right side portions of the first covering material 22 to the front side surface of the seat back 2 are sewn to the first covering material 22 at the sewing portion 20. The second covering member 23 is covered with the third covering member 24 sewn on the second covering member 23 at the sewing portion 25 from the rear side to the rear side of the seat back 2. The first to third covering materials 22, 23, 24 have substantially the same structure, and are integrally coupled to the inner wadding covers 22a, 23a, 24a and the outer surfaces of the wadding covers 22a, 23a, 24a, respectively. The waddings 22b, 23b, and 24b are made of a thin sponge, and the trim covers 22c, 23c, and 24c are made of leather or cloth superimposed on the outer surfaces of the wadings 22b, 23b, and 24b. However, only the first covering material 22 has a wading 22b divided into two layers, and a single wading cover 22a and a heater 26 are sandwiched therebetween. In addition, a synthetic resin plate 27 for maintaining the form of the third covering material 24 is superimposed on the front surface of the wading cover 24a.
[0017]
A hanging bag 28 in which a belt-like material having strength such as tricot is folded in half is integrally sewn on the sewing portion 20 of the first covering material 22 and the second covering material 23. A stainless steel wire 29 is housed inside the hanging bag 28, and the other ends of the plurality of hooks 30, with one end locked to the wire 29, are locked to the spring 16.
[0018]
Next, the structure of the airbag module M will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0019]
The metal retainer 31 includes a main body portion 31a having a J-shaped cross section and a pair of clamp portions 31b and 31b extending from one side edge of the main body portion 31a. The main body portion 31a and the clamp portions 31b and 31b. A substantially cylindrical inflator 32 filled with propellant is supported on the circular cross-section formed by the above. The retainer 31 and the inflator 32 are stored so as to be wrapped in the base end portion of the folded airbag 5. The bolts 14 and 14 pass through the clamp portions 31b and 31b, the main body portion 31a and the side plate 33 of the retainer 31 and are fastened by nuts 34 and 34, and further pass through the plate-like seat frame 12 and by nuts 15 and 15. It is concluded. At this time, the base end portion of the deployment guide cloth 42 formed of a belt-like cloth is sandwiched and fixed between the base end portion of the airbag 5 and the side plate 33, and the deployment guide cloth 42 is the airbag. Fold with 5
[0020]
The retainer 31, the side plate 33, the inflator 32, the airbag 5, and the deployment guide cloth 42 are accommodated in a module case 4 that is integrally formed of synthetic resin. The module case 4 includes a tray-like case body 36 that opens toward the right side of the vehicle body, and a lid 37 that is connected to the rear portion of the case body 36 via a hinge portion 38. The five hooks 36a provided on the front edge and the lower edge are engaged with the five hook engaging holes 37a provided on the upper edge, the front edge and the lower edge of the lid 37, thereby opening the case body 36. The lid 37 is fixed so as to cover. The module case 4 is fixed by sandwiching the case main body 36 between the side plate 33 and the plate seat frame 12.
[0021]
Next, the folding order of the airbag 5 is demonstrated based on FIG. Here, let the side in which the inflator 32 of the airbag 5 is accommodated be a base end side, and let the opposite side be a front end side.
[0022]
First, from a state in which the airbag 5 is crushed flat (see FIG. 5A), a predetermined range from the distal end portion a of the airbag 5 is turned inward toward the base end portion b (FIG. 5B )reference). In this state, the deployment guide cloth 42 is along the occupant side surface of the airbag 5 (that is, the side surface opposite to the right front door 6), and the annular tip of the airbag 5 newly formed by the inward folding is provided. The position of the part c substantially coincides with the position of the tip part d of the deployment guide cloth 42. Subsequently, the airbag 5 and the deployment guide cloth 42 are overlapped with each other in a roll shape (see FIG. 5C), and the folding is completed (see FIG. 5D).
[0023]
Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention having the above-described configuration will be described.
[0024]
When a lateral acceleration of a predetermined value or more is detected at the time of a side collision of the vehicle, the inflator 32 of the airbag module M ignites to generate high-pressure gas, and the airbag 5 supplied with the high-pressure gas starts to inflate. When the inflating airbag 5 presses the inner surface of the lid 37 of the module case 4, the hook engaging hole 37 a at the front edge of the lid 37 is disengaged from the case body 36 hook 36 a, and the lid 37 removes the hinge portion 38 at the rear edge. Turn right as a fulcrum. As a result, the lid 37 presses the inner surface of the third covering material 24 to break the sewn portion 25 with the second covering material 23, and the opening 43 formed on the side surface of the seat back 2 due to the breakage of the sewn portion 25 (FIG. 4), the airbag 5 is deployed so as to block between the occupant and the inner surface of the right front door 6.
[0025]
The inflating process of the airbag 5 is shown in FIG. When the roll-like fold can be unwound at the initial stage of inflation of the airbag 5, the direction of the inertial force F1 is directed to the front of the vehicle body (see FIG. 6A). In the process of unfolding the roll-like folding of the airbag 5, the airbag 5 pushes and opens the lid 37 of the module case 4 in the right direction and passes through the opening 43 formed by breaking the sewing portion 25 of the second covering material 23. Therefore, the direction of the inertial force F1 is deflected rightward toward the right front door 6 (see FIG. 6B). However, since the annular distal end c of the airbag 5 receives the leftward frictional force F2 toward the occupant at the portion where it contacts the deployment guide cloth 42, the airbag 5 has the rightward inertial force F1 and the leftward frictional force F2. In the direction of the resultant force F (see FIG. 6C). As described above, the airbag 5 can be deflected toward the occupant side by the leftward frictional force F2 received by the airbag 5 from the deployment guide cloth 42, so that the airbag 5 is strongly rubbed against the right front door 6. Smooth deployment is not hindered, and it is possible to reliably deploy in a space between the passenger and the right front door 6 (see FIGS. 6D and 6E). Moreover, since the deployment guide cloth 42 is disposed outside the airbag 5, the assembly cost can be reduced as compared with the case where it is housed inside the airbag 5.
[0026]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
[0027]
The second embodiment is Ru der those provided by superimposing deployment guide fabric 42 of two.
[0028]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
[0029]
In the first embodiment, the leading end d of the deployment guide cloth 42 is a free end that is not fixed to the airbag 5. However, in the third embodiment, the leading end d of the deployment guide cloth 42 is sewn to the airbag 5, for example. It is fixed by S. Until the deployment guide cloth 42 is fully extended in the process of deploying the airbag 5, the deployment guide cloth 42 performs the same function as that of the first embodiment, and imparts a leftward frictional force to the airbag 5 to the right. Strong contact with the front door 6 is prevented. Thereafter, when the deployment guide cloth 42 is fully extended, the airbag is curved toward the vehicle compartment (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 8) due to the tension of the deployment guide cloth 42 and smoothly deployed forward without interfering with the inner surface of the door 6. be able to.
[0030]
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
[0031]
In the fourth embodiment, two deployment guide cloths 42 having a tip end d sewn on the airbag 5 are provided, whereby the effects of the third embodiment can be more effectively exhibited. That is, the deployment shape of the airbag 5 can be more finely adjusted by changing the length of the two deployment guide cloths 42 or the timing of extending the two.
[0032]
As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention can perform a various design change in the range which does not deviate from the summary.
[0033]
For example, in addition to the deployment guide cloth 42 provided outside the airbag 5, a deployment cloth and a deployment shape of the airbag 5 are further finely adjusted by arranging a belt-like cloth inside the airbag 5. be able to. That is, by fixing the base end of the belt-like cloth to one side of the inflator, there is a difference in the amount of high-pressure gas distributed to the left and right inside the airbag 5, and the deployment direction of the airbag 5 can be changed to an arbitrary direction on the left and right. In addition, the base end of the belt-like cloth is fixed in the vicinity of the inflator 32, and the tip is fixed to the inner surface of the intermediate portion of the airbag 5, so that the airbag can be adjusted with the tension when the belt-like cloth is fully extended. 5 development shapes can be adjusted.
[0034]
In the embodiment, the airbag 5 and the deployment guide cloth 42 are folded in a roll shape, but they can be folded in a zigzag shape or a bellows shape.
[0035]
Further, in the embodiment, the side collision airbag apparatus on the driver's seat side is illustrated, but the present invention can also be applied to a side collision airbag apparatus on the passenger seat side.
[0036]
Further, the lid 37 of the module case 4 of the embodiment is covered with the third covering material 24. However, the lid 37 may be directly exposed to the side surface of the seat back 2 by forming an opening in the third covering material 24 in advance. .
[0037]
In the embodiment, the base end portion of the deployment guide cloth 42 is directly fixed to the base end portion of the airbag 5. However, if the base end portion of the deployment guide cloth 42 is close to the base end portion of the airbag 5, the seat It can be fixed at any position on the back 2.
[0038]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the airbag of the side collision airbag device starts to inflate and unfolds, it follows the side surface on the occupant side of the airbag being deployed. Thus, the deployment guide cloth is positioned so that the direction of deployment of the airbag is deflected toward the occupant by the friction force acting between the deployment guide cloth and the airbag, and the airbag is rubbed strongly against the inner surface of the door. It can be avoided that smooth deployment is hindered. Moreover, since the deployment guide cloth is disposed outside the airbag, the assembly cost can be reduced as compared with the case where the deployment guide cloth is incorporated inside the airbag.
[0039]
Further, according to the invention described in claim 2, since the distal end of the deployment guide cloth is a free end and is not fixed to the airbag, the airbag in the middle of deployment is deflected by a frictional force received from the deployment guide cloth, The airbag can be deployed in a direction approaching the deployment guide cloth.
[0040]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the distal end of the deployment guide cloth is a fixed end and is fixed to the airbag, the deployment guide cloth is fully extended during the deployment of the airbag to generate tension. Thereby, the deployment shape of the airbag that has been deployed can be curved toward the fixed end of the deployment guide cloth.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1 is a perspective view of a seat provided with a side collision airbag device. FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of the folding order of the airbag. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of the deployment order of the airbag. FIG. 7 is a view showing the second embodiment of the invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a third embodiment of the invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the invention.
a ...... Air bag tip
b: Base end of airbag
c. Tip part newly formed by folding the airbag
d …… The leading end 2 of the deployment guide cloth 2 Seat back 5 Air bag 6 Right front door (door)
32 Inflator 42 Deployment guide cloth

Claims (3)

The folded airbag (5) is disposed on the side of the seat back (2), and the airbag (5) inflated by the high pressure gas generated by the inflator (32) at the time of a vehicle collision is disposed on the side of the seat back (2). In the side collision airbag device that is deployed forward from the vehicle body through the occupant and the inner surface of the door (6),
A deployment guide cloth (42) is provided , the base end of which is fixed to the seat back (2) and covers the outer surface of the airbag (5) on the passenger side ,
The airbag (5) is in a folded state in which a predetermined range from the distal end portion (a) thereof is folded inward toward the base end portion (b), and the airbag (5) newly formed by the folding back. Is superimposed on the deployment guide fabric (42) so that the position of the distal end portion (c) thereof substantially coincides with the position of the distal end portion (d) of the deployment guide fabric (42). 42) A side-impact airbag device that is wound in a roll together with 42) and folded into a side portion of the seat back (2) .   The airbag device for side collision according to claim 1, wherein a tip of the deployment guide cloth (42) is a free end not fixed to the airbag (5).   The airbag device for side collision according to claim 1, wherein a tip of the deployment guide cloth (42) is a fixed end fixed to the airbag (5).

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