JP2007001362A - Airbag device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To properly develop an airbag device according to a physique of an occupant and a seating posture. <P>SOLUTION: An bag-like airbag 1 is blocked into an upper air space 1e and a lower air space 1f by a partition 1d, and an inflator 3 for emitting high-pressure gas is installed on the lower air space 1f side. A pressure control valve 4a having a membrane part 4b is installed to the partition 1d. The membrane 4b of the pressure control valve 4a is broken when the pressure in the lower air space 1f reaches a setting value, so as to communicate the lower air space 1f with the upper air space 1e. Even when occupants have physiques smaller than normal physiques such as small persons or children, or even when a head of the occupant comes into direct contact with an occupant restraining face 1g of the lower air space 1f because of a bad seating posture, a shock force given to the head can be significantly loosened, so as to easily obtain the airbag device which is properly developed according to the physiques of the occupants and the seating posture. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an airbag apparatus that protects an occupant from the impact of an automobile, and more particularly to an airbag apparatus that includes an airbag that is appropriately deployed according to the physique and seating posture of the occupant.

  Conventional airbag devices that protect an occupant from impact when a car collides are mounted in the center of the steering wheel, in the instrument panel, in the seat back side of the seat, etc., depending on the seating position of the occupant to be protected. ing.

  The shape of the air bag that absorbs the impact at the time of collision varies depending on the location and position, but the air bag that protects the occupant seated in the driver's seat or passenger seat is usually made of woven fabric such as nylon in a substantially circular shape. It is formed by sewing a plurality of cut base fabrics into a bag shape, and when the automobile collides, it is inflated and deployed instantaneously to the occupant side by the high pressure gas ejected from the inflator, and the occupant is removed from the impact at the time of the collision. Configured to protect.

  On the other hand, in the conventional airbag device, since there is usually a single air chamber in the airbag, the occupant restraint surface of the airbag instantaneously inflated and deployed by the high-pressure gas ejected from the inflator is directly It comes into contact with the chest, abdomen and the like.

  However, since the human body has a smaller head mass than the chest and abdomen, the inertia generated during a collision is smaller in the head than in the chest and abdomen, and the head is placed on an airbag deployed at the same pressure. When the chest and abdomen collide simultaneously, the impact force received by the head tends to increase.

  In consideration of this point, for example, Patent Literature 1 to Patent Literature 3 propose an airbag system in which an airbag is partitioned into two or more air chambers.

  In the airbag system described in Patent Document 1, an airbag is partitioned into two upper and lower air chambers by a separate panel having an opening, and first a lower air chamber is generated by a high-pressure gas ejected from an inflator at the time of an automobile collision. The chest and abdomen of the occupant are restrained to expand and deploy, and then the upper chamber is inflated and expanded by high-pressure gas flowing from the opening of the separate panel to protect the occupant's head.

  Further, the airbag system described in Patent Document 2 relates to a side collision airbag device that is deployed between a vehicle body side portion and an occupant, and divides the airbag into an upper airbag and a lower airbag, A pressure control valve is interposed in the partition portion, and the lower airbag is advanced earlier than the upper airbag, so that the lower airbag is inflated first.

In addition, the airbag system described in Patent Document 3 relates to a head protection airbag device relating to a curtain airbag, and a cushion chamber that is inflated when gas is introduced, and a gas pressure in the cushion chamber is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. An internal pressure control chamber into which gas is introduced from the cushion chamber, and the cushion chamber and the internal pressure control chamber are partitioned by a sheet bonded with an adhesive, and the gas pressure in the cushion chamber is When the pressure exceeds a predetermined value, the bonding of the sheet with the adhesive is disconnected, and the cushion chamber and the internal pressure control chamber are communicated to introduce the gas pressure in the cushion chamber into the internal pressure control chamber.
JP-T-2003-528758 JP-A-10-67297 JP 2003-320920 A

  However, in the case where the airbag system described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 is used as a system such as a passenger-side airbag, the physique is smaller than a normal person such as a small person or a child. Even when a person with a normal physique is positioned near the chest in a normal sitting posture due to a deviation in the sitting posture, the head of the occupant directly contacts the occupant restraint surface of the lower chamber inflated and expanded by high-pressure gas. That is, the effect of dividing the airbag into two upper and lower chambers cannot be obtained sufficiently.

  Further, in the airbag system described in Patent Document 3, since the cushion chamber and the internal pressure control chamber are partitioned and configured by a sheet joined by an adhesive, the timing at which the cushion chamber and the internal pressure control chamber communicate with each other is It is related to how to choose the adhesive strength of the adhesive, especially in the case of passenger airbags, etc., passengers smaller than normal people like small people and children, Even a person with a normal physique has a biased seating posture, so in order to obtain the inflation shape of the airbag at an ideal timing, select a predetermined adhesive force using any adhesive, It is very difficult to manage the design of the sheet that separates the internal pressure control chamber, and the adhesive tends to have unstable fracture characteristics with respect to temperature. Yes, the adhesive force that had been initially set must also be considered to be degraded by the use for many years.

  The present invention has been made to improve such a point, and an object of the present invention is to provide an airbag apparatus including an airbag that is appropriately deployed in accordance with the physique and seating posture of an occupant.

  An airbag apparatus according to the present invention divides a bag-shaped airbag into at least two air chambers by a partition wall, and provides an inflator for ejecting high-pressure gas into one of the two air chambers. In addition, a pressure regulating valve having a thin film portion is provided on the partition wall, and the thin film portion of the pressure regulating valve is ruptured when the pressure in the one air chamber reaches a set value, so that the one air chamber and the other The air chamber is configured to communicate with the air chamber.

  With the above configuration, when the pressure in one air chamber reaches a set value, the thin film portion constituting the pressure regulating valve is ruptured so that one air chamber communicates with the other air chamber. In order to communicate the air chambers at the expected timing, the material and film thickness of the thin film portion should be selected as appropriate, which is excellent in terms of design management. Because it is less likely to deteriorate due to characteristics, it will be able to perform its intended function even after many years, and it may be smaller than normal people, such as small people and children, Even in the case of a person with a bad seating posture, the head is positioned around the chest of the normal seating posture and the head of the occupant directly contacts the occupant restraint surface of one air chamber. Since the pressure in the air chamber has not reached the set value, Obtain an impact force can be greatly reduced, thereby the air bag device for properly deployed be readily obtained as in accordance with the physical structure of the occupant and seating posture.

  Further, according to the above configuration, the pressure in one air chamber reaches a set value when the occupant contacts the occupant restraining surface of one air chamber, or the pressure in one air chamber is set by the high-pressure gas continuously ejected from the inflator. When the value reaches the value, the thin film part ruptures, and the other air chamber starts to expand due to the high-pressure gas flowing in from one air chamber, so that the passengers of the normal physique and those who are seated in the seat in the correct posture The head can be reliably protected by the other air chamber, and the pressure in the other air chamber does not rise above the set value, so that the repulsive force of the other air chamber places an excessive burden on the occupant's neck. There is no such thing.

  Furthermore, with the above configuration, the inflator power is introduced into one air chamber and communicated with the other air chamber, and gas is not diffused outside the airbag in this process. Since it can be selected and applied, it is not necessary to adopt a large-capacity, high-power inflator that includes loss. Therefore, the cost of the inflator is reduced, and in addition, since the heat of the injection gas and the impact load in the vicinity of the inflator are alleviated, no strict reinforcement is required, so the cost for that amount. Is also lowered.

  The airbag device of the present invention is characterized in that the thin film portion in the above invention is formed of silicone rubber.

  With the above configuration, since the set value of the pressure in one air chamber can be set arbitrarily by simply changing the film thickness of the thin film portion, the design of the airbag is facilitated, and the pressure adjusting means can be obtained at a low cost. Cost can be reduced.

  The airbag apparatus of the present invention uses an inflator that ejects high-pressure gas with a time difference in the inflator according to the present invention.

  With the above configuration, the module does not require high strength compared to the case where the airbag is inflated and deployed instantaneously with a single inflator, and the inflator can be downsized, thereby reducing the overall size and weight of the airbag device and reducing the cost. Can be planned.

  According to the airbag device of the present invention, when the pressure in one air chamber reaches a set value, the thin film portion constituting the pressure regulating valve is ruptured so that the one air chamber communicates with the other air chamber. Therefore, in order to allow the air chambers to communicate with each other at the expected timing, the material and film thickness of the thin film portion should be appropriately selected. As a small person or a child, the physique is smaller than a normal person, or even a normal physique is biased so that the head is normal. Even if the occupant's head is directly in contact with the occupant restraint surface of one air chamber, the pressure in one air chamber does not reach the set value Can significantly reduce the impact force applied to the Airbag apparatus to properly deploy in accordance with the physique or sitting position can be easily obtained.

  Further, according to the airbag device of the present invention, when the occupant contacts the occupant restraining surface of one of the air chambers, the pressure in one of the air chambers reaches a set value, or the one of the air pressure is continuously ejected from the inflator by the When the pressure in the air chamber reaches the set value, the thin film part ruptures, and the other air chamber starts to expand due to the high-pressure gas flowing in from one air chamber. The head of the seated occupant can be reliably protected by the other air chamber, and the pressure in the other air chamber does not rise above the set value. There is no excessive burden on the department.

  Furthermore, according to the airbag apparatus of the present invention, the inflator power is introduced into one air chamber and communicated with the other air chamber, and gas is not diffused outside the airbag in this process, so that it is necessary and sufficient. Since an inflator encapsulating a drug can be selectively applied, it is not necessary to employ a large capacity, high output inflator that allows for loss. Therefore, the cost of the inflator is reduced, and in addition, since the heat of the injection gas and the impact load in the vicinity of the inflator are alleviated, no strict reinforcement is required, so the cost for that amount. Is also lowered.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  1 is a side view showing the airbag apparatus in a state where the airbag is deployed, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a plan view of the pressure regulating valve, and FIG. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are cross-sectional views taken along the line -B, illustrating the operation.

  The airbag device shown in FIG. 1 has a case 2 that accommodates the airbag 1, is formed by bending a steel plate or by injection molding of a resin, and the airbag 1 is folded in the case 2. Contained.

  The airbag 1 is composed of a plurality of, for example, two base fabric panels 1a and 1b formed by cutting a woven fabric such as nylon into a rectangle, a triangle, or the like, or an assembly thereof. The base fabric panel 1a which is the upper side of the airbag 1 and the base fabric panel 1b which is the lower side of the airbag 1 are sewn together at the periphery, thereby forming a shape as shown in FIG. Thus, the airbag 1 is formed.

  A gas inlet 1c is opened at substantially the center of the lower base fabric panel 1b, and this gas inlet 1c is connected to a gas outlet (not shown) of the inflator 3 provided at the bottom of the case 2. Are airtightly connected.

  A partition wall 1d is provided in the airbag 1 at a position along the joint portion between the upper and lower base fabric panels 1a and 1b, as shown by a broken line in FIG. Are divided into two air chambers, that is, a lower air chamber 1f as one air chamber and an upper air chamber 1e as the other air chamber.

  The partition wall 1d is also formed of a nylon woven fabric similar to the base fabric panels 1a and 1b, and the peripheral edge of the partition wall 1d is sewn to the inner surfaces of the base fabric panels 1a and 1b as shown in FIG. By providing the partition wall 1d above the gas inlet 1c, the lower air chamber 1f has a sufficiently larger volume than the upper air chamber 1e, and the passenger restraint surface of the lower air chamber 1f that is inflated and deployed first. The chest and abdomen of an occupant having a normal physique are restrained by 1g, and the occupant's head is restrained by an occupant restraint surface 1h of the upper air chamber 1e that is inflated and deployed later.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a pressure adjusting means 4 is provided at a substantially central portion of a partition wall 1d that divides the inside of the airbag 1 into an upper air chamber 1e and a lower air chamber 1f.

  The pressure regulating means 4 is opened when the pressure in the lower air chamber 1f exceeds a preset set value (threshold value), and is formed by a pressure regulating valve 4a made of, for example, silicone rubber.

  The pressure regulating valve 4a is composed of a thin film portion 4b made of silicone rubber and an annular thick portion 4c integrally formed on the periphery thereof, and a circular communication hole in which the inner diameter of the thick portion 4c is opened in the partition wall 1d. It is almost the same diameter as the inner diameter of 1i.

  As shown in the figure, a plurality of reinforcing cloths 5 formed by cutting a woven cloth into an annular shape are fixed to the upper and lower surfaces of the thick wall portion 4c by means of heat welding or the like. The pressure regulating valve 4a is airtightly attached to the partition wall 1d by sewing around the periphery of the hole 1i.

  The thin-film portion 4b of the pressure regulating valve 4a bursts when the pressure in the lower air chamber 1f of the airbag 1 inflated and deployed by the high-pressure gas ejected from the inflator 3 reaches a set value, and the upper air chamber 1e. The inside and the lower air chamber 1f are communicated with each other through a communication hole 1i of the partition wall 1d.

  The pressure set value in the lower air chamber 1f can be arbitrarily set by changing the film thickness of the thin portion 4b of the pressure regulating valve 4a.

  On the other hand, the inflator 3 provided at the bottom of the case 2 uses a dual-mode inflator that ejects high-pressure gas at a time lag, and a high-pressure gas discharge start time of 40 msec is relatively long. However, this is due to the following reason.

  The gas release time of an inflator normally used in an airbag is about 35 to 40 msec, and the airbag 1 is inflated instantaneously.

  Further, the lower air chamber 1f of the airbag 1 is inflated and deployed by the inflator 3 for firstly ejecting gas, and high pressure gas is ejected from the second inflator 3 immediately before the pressure in the lower air chamber 1f reaches the set pressure. Thus, the pressure regulating valve 4a is opened after the pressure in the lower air chamber 1f reaches a set value.

  Next, the operation of the thus configured airbag apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The airbag 1 is accommodated in the case 2 in a folded state, and the airbag module is assembled by attaching the inflator 3 to the case 2 3. The airbag module is, for example, inside an instrument panel (not shown). Used in assembly.

  Next, when the first inflator of the inflator 3 comprising a dual mode inflator injects high-pressure gas into the airbag 1 when the automobile collides, the inside of the lower air chamber 1f of the airbag 1 that is folded in the case 2 The high pressure gas is introduced into the gas inlet 1c, the lower air chamber 1f of the airbag 1 starts to inflate and deploy, and a part of the instrument panel that covers the upper surface of the case 2 is broken by the inflation pressure of the airbag 1 ( (Not shown).

  As a result, the airbag 1 starts to be deployed toward the upper occupant. At this time, since the pressure in the lower air chamber 1f has not reached the set value, the pressure regulating valve 4a provided on the partition wall 1d is closed, Accordingly, the upper air chamber 1e has not yet started to expand.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 5, the entire lower air chamber 1f of the airbag 1 is deployed, and the occupant restraining surface 1g of the lower air chamber 1f comes into contact with the chest and abdomen of the occupant seated in the passenger seat. The chest and abdomen are restrained to absorb the impact at the time of the collision. At this time, the lower air chamber 1f of the airbag 1 is deployed only with the high-pressure gas of the inflator 3 that injects gas first, so that the assistant If the occupant seated in the seat is a small person or a child, or if the occupant's head is in the position shown in Fig. 5 due to poor seating posture, the impact force applied to the head is greatly reduced. can do.

  In addition, since the gas discharge time of the inflator 3 for ejecting gas first is set to about 40 msec and the high pressure gas in the lower air chamber 1f is not discharged by eliminating the vent hole, the oblique direction Sufficient shock absorbing effect can be obtained even from a shock from the outside.

  On the other hand, when the high-pressure gas from the inflator 3 that ejects gas secondly is introduced into the lower air chamber 1f, the pressure in the kabuki chamber 1f further increases, and the restraining force of the occupant by the lower air chamber 1f increases. Subsequently, the pressure in the lower air chamber 1f increases as the high pressure gas introduced into the lower air chamber 1f from the inflator 4 or the occupant abuts against the occupant restraining surface 1g of the lower air chamber 1f, and the lower air chamber 1f increases. When the internal pressure reaches the set value, the thin wall portion 4b of the pressure regulating valve 4a provided on the partition wall 1d is ruptured as shown in FIG. 6 and the pressure regulating valve 4a is opened, so that the high pressure in the lower chamber 1f is increased. Gas flows into the upper air chamber 1e from the communication hole 1i of the partition wall 1d.

  As a result, the upper air chamber 1e is inflated and deployed, and the occupant restraint surface 1h of the upper air chamber 1e comes into contact with the head of the occupant, so that the occupant of the normal physique or the occupant seated in the front passenger seat in the correct posture The head can be protected from impact, and a part of the high-pressure gas flows into the upper air chamber 1e, so that the pressure in the lower air chamber 1f is gradually increased or maintained near the set pressure. Since it restrains, a passenger | crew's chest and abdomen can be reliably protected from impact.

  The above is a case where a dual mode inflator having a time difference in gas ejection time is used for the inflator 3, but the same effect can be obtained even when a normal inflator 3 having a gas discharge time of about 35 to 40 msec is used.

  This will be described with reference to a first modification shown in FIG. 7. When high-pressure gas ejected from the inflator 3 is introduced into the lower air chamber 1 f of the airbag 1 when the automobile collides, the lower air chamber 1 f of the airbag 1 is introduced. Starts inflating and deploying and restrains the chest and abdomen of the occupant with the occupant restraint surface 1h of the lower air chamber 1f in the same manner as when using the dual mode inflator.

  At this time, in the case of a small person, a child, or an occupant with a poor sitting posture, the head abuts against the occupant restraint surface 1g of the lower air chamber 1f. At this time, the pressure in the lower air chamber 1f is still below the set value. The impact force applied to the head is small.

  Subsequently, when the pressure in the lower air chamber 1f rises and exceeds the set value when the high pressure gas introduced into the lower air chamber 1f from the inflator 4 or the occupant contacts the occupant restraining surface 1g of the lower air chamber 1f, The thin-film portion 4b of the pressure regulating valve 4a provided on the partition wall 1d is ruptured, and the high-pressure gas in the lower air chamber 1f flows into the upper air chamber 1e as shown in FIG. Therefore, as in the case of using the dual mode inflator, the upper air chamber 1e can protect the occupant's head from an impact.

  FIG. 8 shows a second modification in which the air bag 1 is partitioned into three chambers, an upper air chamber 1e, a lower air chamber 1f, and an intermediate air chamber 1j. Thus, the upper air chamber 1e and the lower air chamber 1 By providing the middle air chamber 1j between 1f, the lower air chamber 1f at the time of the collision of the automobile can be expanded to the vicinity of the occupant's leg. Can be protected.

  In the case of the second modification, the pressure regulating valves 4a may be provided on the partition walls 1d that partition between the upper air chamber 1e and the intermediate air chamber 1g and between the intermediate air chamber 1j and the lower air chamber 1f, respectively.

  Further, as a third modification, although not shown, separate inflators 3 are connected to the upper air chamber 1e and the lower air chamber 1f of the airbag 1, and high pressure gas is ejected with a time difference from these inflators 3. In this case, the pressure regulating valve 4a of the partition wall 1d can be omitted.

  In the above-described embodiment, the airbag device for the passenger seat mounted in the instrument panel has been described. However, the airbag device for the driver seat mounted in the center portion of the steering wheel and the rear seat mounted in the seat back are described. The present invention can also be applied to an air bag apparatus.

  In the airbag device of the present invention, when the pressure in one air chamber reaches a set value, the thin film portion constituting the pressure regulating valve is ruptured so that the one air chamber communicates with the other air chamber. Therefore, in order to make both air chambers communicate with each other at the expected timing, the material and film thickness of the thin film portion may be selected as appropriate, which is very excellent in design management. Since the thin film portion is less likely to deteriorate due to temperature characteristics, it will be able to perform its intended function even if it is used for many years, and the physique is smaller than a normal person, such as a small person or a child. Or even a person with a normal physique has a poor sitting posture, so the head is positioned around the chest of the normal sitting posture and the head of the occupant directly contacts the occupant restraint surface of one air chamber Even if the pressure in one of the chambers has reached the set value Fried, it is possible to greatly reduce the impact force applied to the head, the air bag device can be easily obtained to properly deploy Thus according to the physical structure of the occupant and seating posture.

  Further, the airbag device of the present invention is configured such that the pressure in one air chamber reaches a set value when the occupant contacts the occupant restraining surface of one air chamber, or the high pressure gas continuously ejected from the inflator causes one air chamber to When the pressure reaches the set value, the thin film part ruptures, and the other air chamber begins to expand due to the high-pressure gas flowing from one air chamber. The other passenger's head can be reliably protected by the other air chamber, and the pressure in the other air chamber does not rise above the set value. There is no excessive burden.

  Furthermore, the air bag device of the present invention introduces inflator power into one air chamber and communicates with the other air chamber, and gas is not diffused outside the air bag in this process. Since the enclosed inflator can be selected and applied, it is not necessary to use a large-capacity, high-power inflator that includes loss, thus reducing the cost of the inflator. Since the heat of the injection gas and the impact load in the vicinity of the attachment portion and the inflator are alleviated, strict reinforcement is not necessary, and the cost can be reduced accordingly.

  From the above, the airbag apparatus of the present invention relates to an airbag apparatus that protects an occupant from the impact of an automobile, and particularly to an airbag apparatus equipped with an airbag that is appropriately deployed according to the physique and seating posture of the occupant. Is optimal.

It is a side view which shows the state by which the airbag of the airbag apparatus which becomes embodiment of this invention was expand | deployed. It is sectional drawing which follows the AA line of FIG. It is a top view of the pressure regulation means provided in the airbag apparatus which becomes embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which follows the BB line of FIG. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing at the time of airbag deployment of the airbag apparatus which becomes embodiment of this invention. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing at the time of airbag deployment of the airbag apparatus which becomes embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 1st modification of the airbag apparatus which becomes embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 2nd modification of the airbag apparatus which becomes embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Air bag 1a Base fabric panel 1b Base fabric panel 1d Partition wall 1e Upper air chamber (the other air chamber)
1f Lower air chamber (one air chamber)
3 Inflator 4 Pressure regulating means 4a Pressure regulating valve 4b Thin film part 4c Thick part

Claims (3)

A bag-shaped airbag is partitioned into at least two air chambers by a partition wall, and an inflator for injecting high-pressure gas into one of the two air chambers is provided, and a thin film portion is provided on the partition wall. The pressure regulating valve is provided, and the thin film portion of the pressure regulating valve is ruptured when the pressure in the one air chamber reaches a set value so that the one air chamber communicates with the other air chamber. An airbag device characterized in that it is configured as described above. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the thin film portion is formed of silicone rubber. The airbag device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an inflator that ejects high-pressure gas at a time difference is used for the inflator.

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