JP3609037B2

JP3609037B2 - Airbag device

Info

Publication number: JP3609037B2
Application number: JP2001140476A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 忠長江; 正光齋藤; 浩新国
Original assignee: Araco Corp; Toyota Motor Corp
Current assignee: Araco Corp; Toyota Motor Corp
Priority date: 2001-05-10
Filing date: 2001-05-10
Publication date: 2005-01-12
Anticipated expiration: 2021-05-10
Also published as: JP2002331900A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、自動車等に使用するエアバッグ装置，特に頭部の保護に適したエアバッグ装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
この種のエアバッグ装置としては特開２０００−３３５３５６号公報に開示されたものがあり、これをさらに具体化したものとして図３に示すようなエアバッグ装置がある。このエアバッグ装置のエアバッグ２０は主として、前後方向に延びるガス導入流路２３と、セル流入口２４ａを介して上端がガス導入流路２３の前部に連通されて下方に延びる複数のセル２２ａを有する前席膨張部２１ａと、セル流入口２４ｂを介して上端がガス導入流路２３の後部に連通されて下方に延びる複数のセル２２ｂを有する後席膨張部２１ｂよりなるものであり、各セル２２ａ，２２ｂおよびガス導入流路２３は袋状となり、それ以外となる前後の布部２５ａ，２５ｂ、上下の縁部２５ｃ，２５ｄ、前後の膨張部２１ａ，２１ｂの間の中間布部２５ｅおよび各セル２２ａ，２２ｂの間の仕切布部２５ｆは１枚の布状となっている。
【０００３】
このエアバッグ２０を取り付ける自動車のボデー１０は、ルーフパネル１１と、フロントピラー１２と、センタピラー１３と、センタピラー１３前後のドア開口１４を開閉するフロントおよびリヤドア１５，１６を備えている。エアバッグ２０は、上縁部２５ｃに設けた複数の取付部２６により、ドア開口１４の上側となるルーフパネル１１の内側部分に取り付けられ、前後の布部２５ａ，２５ｂの各先端部は前後の取付ベルト２７，２８によりフロントピラー１２およびボデー１０後部に取り付けられ、ガス導入流路２３の後端にはボデー１０に取り付けられたインフレータ２９が接続されている。このエアバッグ２０は、不作動状態では前後に細長い形状となるように折り畳んで、二点鎖線２０Ａに示すように、フロントピラー１２およびドア開口１４の上側となるルーフパネル１１内側部分に沿って取り付けられている。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
この種のエアバッグ装置は、ＲＶ車やミニバンのような車高が高く従って窓の上下幅が大きい車両に適用する場合には、エアバッグの上下幅を大きくする必要があるのでエアバッグの展開完了までの時間が長くなり、このため衝撃防止効果が充分でなくなるおそれがある。また、前席および後席の両方を保護するエアバッグの場合は、通常は後部に設けるインフレータからの距離が遠い前席のセルが展開完了するまでの時間が長くなるので、衝撃防止効果が充分でなくなるおそれがある。本発明はこのような問題を解決することを目的とする。
【０００５】
【課題を解決するための手段】
このために、本発明によるエアバッグ装置は、前後方向に延びてインフレータに接続されるガス導入流路と、セル流入口を介して上端がガス導入流路の前部に連通されて下方に延びる少なくとも１つのセルを有する前席膨張部と、セル流入口を介して上端がガス導入流路の後部に連通されて下方に延びる少なくとも１つのセルを有する後席膨張部よりなるエアバッグを備えてなり、エアバッグはその上縁部を自動車のボデーのドア開口の上側部分に沿って取り付けるとともに不作動状態では上側部分に沿った細い形状となるように折り畳んでなるエアバッグ装置において、エアバッグには両膨張部の間に中央流入口を介してガス導入流路の中央部に連通されて下方に延び前後幅が各膨張部の各セルより大で上下および前後方向から見た膨張時の厚さが両端部を除きほゞ一定の中央セルを設けるとともに、膨張時における中央セルの胴体部水平断面積に対する中央流入口の開口面積の比を各膨張部の各セルの胴体部水平断面積に対する各セル流入口の開口面積の比よりも大としてなり、インフレータからのガスが導入された際に、折り畳み状態のエアバッグは先ず中央セルが膨張して下方に展開することによりその前後の両膨張部を下方に展開させるようにし、さらに前席膨張部の各セル、後席膨張部の各セル、中央セルの間が仕切布部により仕切られ、また中央セルは、前席膨張部の後側および後席膨張部の前側にそれぞれ接近して配置され上端が中央流入口を介してガス導入流路に連通されて下方に延びる前後１対の縦セル部と、この両縦セル部の下端部を連通する横セル部と、各縦セル部および横セル部の間に位置して厚さ方向両側の布部を接合連結する中央布部よりなることを特徴とするものである。
【０００６】
また本発明によるエアバッグ装置は、前後方向に延びてインフレータに接続されるガス導入流路と、セル流入口を介して上端がガス導入流路の前部に連通されて下方に延びる少なくとも１つのセルを有する前席膨張部と、セル流入口を介して上端がガス導入流路の後部に連通されて下方に延びる少なくとも１つのセルを有する後席膨張部よりなるエアバッグを備えてなり、エアバッグはその上縁部を自動車のボデーのドア開口の上側部分に沿って取り付けるとともに不作動状態では上側部分に沿った細い形状となるように折り畳んでなるエアバッグ装置において、エアバッグには両膨張部の間に中央流入口を介してガス導入流路の中央部に連通されて下方に延び前後幅が各膨張部の各セルより大で上下および前後方向から見た膨張時の厚さが両端部を除きほゞ一定の中央セルを設けるとともに、膨張時における中央セルの流入口の開口面積は各膨張部のセルの流入口の開口面積より大きく、インフレータからのガスが導入された際に、折り畳み状態のエアバッグは先ず中央セルが膨張して下方に展開することによりその前後の両膨張部を下方に展開させるようにし、さらに前席膨張部の各セル、後席膨張部の各セル、中央セルの間が仕切布部により仕切られ、また中央セルは、前席膨張部の後側および後席膨張部の前側にそれぞれ接近して配置され上端が中央流入口を介してガス導入流路に連通されて下方に延びる前後１対の縦セル部と、この両縦セル部の下端部を連通する横セル部と、各縦セル部および横セル部の間に位置して厚さ方向両側の布部を接合連結する中央布部よりなることを特徴とするものである。
【０００９】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下に図１および図２に示す実施の形態により本発明の説明をする。この実施の形態は、セダンタイプの乗用車の前席と後席に本発明によるエアバッグ装置を適用したものである。この乗用車のボデー１０は、ルーフパネル１１と、フロントピラー１２と、センタピラー１３と、センタピラー１３前後のドア開口１４を開閉するフロントドア１５およびリヤドア１６を備えている。
【００１０】
この実施の形態のエアバッグ装置のエアバッグ２０は、図１の実線に示すように、展開した状態ではセンタピラー１３前後のドア開口１４の上半部を覆う形状で、上部には前後方向に延びる細長いガス導入流路２３が形成され、このガス導入流路２３の下側となる前部および後部には前席膨張部２１ａおよび後席膨張部２１ｂが形成され、またこの両膨張部２１ａ，２１ｂの間には中央セル３０が形成されている。前席膨張部２１ａは、セル流入口２４ａを介して上端がガス導入流路２３の前部に連通されて下方に延びる３本の前後方向に並んだセル２２ａよりなり、後席膨張部２１ｂは、セル流入口２４ｂを介して上端がガス導入流路２３の後部に連通されて下方に延びる３本の前後方向に並んだセル２２ｂよりなるものである。
【００１１】
中央セル３０は、前席膨張部２１ａの後側および後席膨張部２１ｂの前側にそれぞれ接近して配置され上端が中央流入口３１を介してガス導入流路２３の中央部に連通されて下方に延びる前後１対の縦セル部３０ａと、この両縦セル部３０ａの下端部を連通する横セル部３０ｂと、各縦セル部３０ａおよび横セル部３０ｂの間に位置して厚さ方向両側の布部を接合連結する中央布部３０ｃよりなるものである。中央セル３０の前後幅は前後の各膨張部２１ａ，２１ｂの各セル２２ａ，２２ｂよりは大きく、上下および前後方向から見た膨張時の厚さは両端部を除きほゞ一定で、各膨張部２１ａ，２１ｂとほゞ同じである。膨張時におけるこの中央セル３０の中央流入口３１の開口面積（前後の和）は、前後の各膨張部２１ａ，２１ｂの各セル２２ａ，２２ｂの開口面積よりも大としている。また膨張時における中央セル３０の胴体部水平断面積（前後の縦セル部３０ａの胴体部水平断面積の和）に対する中央流入口３１の開口面積（前後の和）の比（０．４５〜０．７）は、前後の各膨張部２１ａ，２１ｂの各セル２２ａ，２２ｂの胴体部水平断面積に対する各セル流入口２４の開口面積の比（０．２〜０．３５）よりも大としている。
【００１２】
エアバッグ２０は、各セル２２ａ，２２ｂ，３０およびガス導入流路２３は表側と裏側が分かれる袋状となり、それ以外となる前布部２５ａ、後布部２５ｂ、上縁部２５ｃ、下縁部２５ｄ、中央セル３０とガス導入流路２３の間に形成される中央布部３０ｃおよび各セル２２ａ，２２ｂ，３０の間となる仕切布部２５ｆは表側と裏側が連結された１枚の布状となるように、袋織りにより一体的に形成されている（図２参照）。エアバッグ２０の上縁部２５ｃには、取付孔２６ａを有する複数の取付部２６が形成されている。また前布部２５ａの前端部と後布部２５ｂの後端部には、それぞれ取付孔２７ａ，２８ａを有する前取付ベルト２７および後取付ベルト２８が縫い付けられている。
【００１３】
このエアバッグ２０は、上縁部２５ｃに設けた複数の取付部２６により、ドア開口１４の上側となるルーフパネル１１の内側部分に取り付けられ、前後の取付ベルト２７，２８によりフロントピラー１２およびボデー１０後部に取り付けられる。またガス導入流路２３の後端には、ボデー１０に取り付けられて側方からの衝撃により作動して瞬時に高圧ガスを発生するインフレータ２９が接続されている。このエアバッグ２０は、不作動状態では上下左右幅が狭く前後に細長い形状となるように折り畳んで、インフレータ２９からのガス圧により容易に破断される布カバー（図示省略）内に入れ、二点鎖線２０Ａに示すように、フロントピラー１２およびドア開口１４の上側となるルーフパネル１１内側部分に沿って取り付けられ、フロントピラーガーニッシュおよびルーフヘッドライニング（何れも図示省略）により覆われている。
【００１４】
次に上述した実施の形態の作動の説明をする。側方からの衝撃によりインフレータ２９が作動すれば、これにより発生した高圧のガスはガス導入流路２３の後部から導入される。中央セル３０の胴体部水平断面積に対する中央流入口３１の開口面積の比は、各膨張部２１の各セル２２の胴体部水平断面積に対する各セル流入口２４の開口面積の比よりも大であるので、インフレータ２９からガス導入流路２３を通って供給されるガスは、先ず折り畳まれた細長いエアバッグ２０の長手方向中央部の中央セル３０内に入ってこれを膨張させ、中央セル３０は布カバーを破断しルーフヘッドライニングの側縁部を押し開けて長手方向と直交する方向、すなわちドア開口１４の上側部分から下方に膨張展開する。これにより中央セル３０の前後につながっている前席膨張部２１ａと後席膨張部２１ｂの各セル２２ａ，２２ｂも布カバーを破断しルーフヘッドライニングの側縁部を押し開けて強制的に引き出されてドア開口１４の上側部分から下方に展開されてのれん状に垂れ下がり、ガス導入流路２３からのガスが入りやすい状態となる。従ってエアバッグ２０の前席膨張部２１ａと後席膨張部２１ｂがドア開口１４部分を覆うように展開完了するまでの時間が短くなり、またそれぞれの展開完了までの時間差も少なくなる。これにより前席と後席の両方に対する側面衝突の際の衝撃防止効果は向上する。
【００１５】
またこの実施の形態では、中央セル３０を、前席膨張部２１ａと後席膨張部２１ｂにそれぞれ接近させた前後１対の縦セル部３０ａと、この両縦セル部の下端部を連通する横セル部３０ｂよりなるものとしたので、図３で説明した従来技術では１枚の薄い中間布部２５ｅになっていた前席膨張部２１ａと後席膨張部２１ｂの間の部分は、中央セル３０周囲の縦セル部３０ａと横セル部３０ｂの膨張により剛性が高められる。これにより、特に横セル部３０ｂによりエアバッグ２０の折れ曲がりが少なくなって乗員の頭部のすり抜けを抑制できるので、乗員の拘束性能が向上する。
【００１６】
【発明の効果】
請求項１に記載の発明のエアバッグ装置によれば、前後幅が各膨張部の各セルより大きく厚さが両端部を除きほゞ一定の中央セルは、胴体部水平断面積に対する中央流入口の開口面積の比が各膨張部の各セルの胴体部水平断面積に対する各セル流入口の開口面積の比よりも大きいので、インフレータからのガスが導入された際に、先ず中央セルにガスが導入されて膨張しドア開口の上側部分から下方に展開される。これにより、中央セルの前後につながっている前席膨張部と後席膨張部の各セルは何れもドア開口の上側部分から下方に強制的に展開され、各セルは何れもガスが入りやすい状態となる。従って、前席膨張部と後席膨張部がドア開口部分を覆うように展開完了するまでの時間が短くなるとともにそれぞれの展開完了までの時間差も少なくなるので、前席と後席の両方に対する側面衝突の際の衝撃防止効果を向上させることができる。さらにこれに加え、前席膨張部の各セル、後席膨張部の各セル、中央セルの間が仕切布部により仕切られ、また中央セルは、前席膨張部の後側および後席膨張部の前側にそれぞれ接近して配置され上端が中央流入口を介してガス導入流路に連通されて下方に延びる前後１対の縦セル部と、この両縦セル部の下端部を連通する横セル部と、各縦セル部および横セル部の間に位置して厚さ方向両側の布部を接合連結する中央布部よりなるので、前席膨張部と後席膨張部の間の中央セルは周囲が縦セル部と横セル部の膨張により剛性が高められる。これにより、特に各縦セル部の下端部を連通する横セル部によりエアバッグの折れ曲がりが少なくなって乗員の頭部のすり抜けを抑制できるので、乗員の拘束性能を向上させることができる。
【００１７】
請求項２に記載の発明のエアバッグ装置によれば、前後幅が各膨張部の各セルより大きく厚さが両端部を除きほゞ一定の中央セルは、流入口の開口面積が各膨張部のセルの流入口の開口面積より大きいので、インフレータからのガスが導入された際に、請求項１に記載の発明と同様、先ず中央セルにガスが導入されて膨張しドア開口の上側部分から下方に展開される。これにより、中央セルの前後につながっている前席膨張部と後席膨張部の各セルは何れもドア開口の上側部分から下方に強制的に展開され、各セルは何れもガスが入りやすい状態となる。従って、前席膨張部と後席膨張部がドア開口部分を覆うように展開完了するまでの時間が短くなるとともにそれぞれの展開完了までの時間差も少なくなるので、前席と後席の両方に対する側面衝突の際の衝撃防止効果を向上させることができる。さらにこれに加え、前席膨張部の各セル、後席膨張部の各セル、中央セルの間が仕切布部により仕切られ、また中央セルは、前席膨張部の後側および後席膨張部の前側にそれぞれ接近して配置され上端が中央流入口を介してガス導入流路に連通されて下方に延びる前後１対の縦セル部と、この両縦セル部の下端部を連通する横セル部と、各縦セル部および横セル部の間に位置して厚さ方向両側の布部を接合連結する中央布部よりなるので、前席膨張部と後席膨張部の間の中央セルは周囲が縦セル部と横セル部の膨張により剛性が高められる。これにより、特に各縦セル部の下端部を連通する横セル部によりエアバッグの折れ曲がりが少なくなって乗員の頭部のすり抜けを抑制できるので、乗員の拘束性能を向上させることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明によるエアバッグ装置の一実施形態の全体構成を示す図である。
【図２】図１の２−２断面図である。
【図３】従来技術によるエアバッグ装置の一例の全体構成を示す図である。
【符号の説明】
１０…ボデー、１４…ドア開口、２０…エアバッグ、２１ａ…前席膨張部、２１ｂ…後席膨張部、２２ａ，２２ｂ…セル、２３…ガス導入流路、２４ａ，２４ｂ…流入口、２５ｃ…上縁部、２９…インフレータ、３０…中央セル、３０ａ…縦セル部、３０ｂ…横セル部、３０ｃ…中央布部、３１…中央流入口。[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an airbag device used for an automobile or the like, and more particularly to an airbag device suitable for protecting the head.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As this type of air bag apparatus, there is one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-335356, and an air bag apparatus as shown in FIG. The airbag 20 of the airbag apparatus mainly includes a plurality of cells 22a that extend downward in a gas inlet passage 23 that extends in the front-rear direction and whose upper end communicates with the front portion of the gas inlet passage 23 via a cell inlet 24a. A front seat inflatable portion 21a, and a rear seat inflatable portion 21b having a plurality of cells 22b whose upper ends communicate with the rear portion of the gas introduction channel 23 through the cell inflow port 24b and extend downward. The cells 22a and 22b and the gas introduction flow path 23 are bag-like, and the front and rear cloth parts 25a and 25b, the upper and lower edge parts 25c and 25d, the intermediate cloth part 25e between the front and rear inflating parts 21a and 21b, and The partition cloth portion 25f between the cells 22a and 22b is a single cloth shape.
[0003]
An automobile body 10 to which the airbag 20 is attached includes a roof panel 11, a front pillar 12, a center pillar 13, and front and rear doors 15 and 16 that open and close the door openings 14 before and after the center pillar 13. The airbag 20 is attached to the inner portion of the roof panel 11 on the upper side of the door opening 14 by a plurality of attachment portions 26 provided on the upper edge portion 25c, and the front end portions of the front and rear cloth portions 25a and 25b are front and rear. The inflator 29 attached to the body 10 is connected to the rear end of the gas introduction flow path 23 by being attached to the front pillar 12 and the rear part of the body 10 by attachment belts 27 and 28. The airbag 20 is folded so as to be elongated in the front-rear direction when not in operation, and is attached along the inner portion of the roof panel 11 that is above the front pillar 12 and the door opening 14 as indicated by a two-dot chain line 20A. It has been.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When this type of airbag device is applied to a vehicle having a high vehicle height, such as an RV vehicle or a minivan, and therefore having a large vertical window width, it is necessary to increase the vertical width of the airbag. The time until completion becomes long, and there is a possibility that the impact prevention effect is not sufficient. Also, in the case of an air bag that protects both the front seat and the rear seat, it usually takes a long time to complete the deployment of the front seat cell that is far from the inflator provided at the rear, so the impact prevention effect is sufficient There is a risk that it will disappear. The present invention aims to solve such problems.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
For this purpose, the airbag device according to the present invention extends in the front-rear direction and is connected to the inflator, and the upper end is communicated with the front portion of the gas introduction channel via the cell inlet and extends downward. An airbag comprising a front seat inflatable portion having at least one cell, and a rear seat inflatable portion having at least one cell that extends downward through the cell inlet and communicates with the rear portion of the gas introduction flow path. In the airbag device, the upper edge of the airbag is attached along the upper part of the door opening of the body of the automobile and is folded so as to have a thin shape along the upper part in the inoperative state. Is communicated with the central part of the gas introduction flow path through the central inlet between the two expansion parts, extends downward and has a width larger than that of each cell of each expansion part, and when expanded when viewed from above and below and in the front-rear direction A central cell with a constant thickness except for both ends is provided, and the ratio of the opening area of the central inlet to the horizontal cross-sectional area of the central cell during expansion is determined by the horizontal cross-sectional area of the main body of each cell in each expansion part. When the gas from the inflator is introduced, the airbag in the folded state first expands the central cell and deploys downward so that both the front and rear The inflatable portion is expanded downward, and each cell in the front seat inflatable portion, each cell in the rear seat inflatable portion, and the central cell are partitioned by a partition cloth portion, and the central cell is located behind the front seat inflatable portion. A pair of front and rear vertical cell portions which are arranged close to the front side and the front side of the rear seat expansion portion and whose upper ends communicate with the gas introduction flow path via the central inflow port and extend downward, and lower ends of both vertical cell portions A horizontal cell portion communicating with the portion; Located between the vertical cells and horizontal cells unit is characterized in that it consists of central cloth portion joining connecting the fabric portions in the thickness direction both sides.
[0006]
The airbag apparatus according to the present invention, a gas introduction passage is connected to the inflator extends in the longitudinal direction, at least one extending in communication with the front portion of the upper end Gaga scan introduction flow path through the cell inlet downwardly a front seat inflating portion with one cell in communication with the rear portion of the upper end Gaga scan introduction flow path through the cell inlet will be provided with an air bag made of a seat inflating portion after having at least one cell extending downwardly in the air bag device comprising folded so that the thin shape along the upper portion in the inoperative with airbags are attached along the upper portion of the door opening of an automobile body the upper edge thereof, airbags during expansion longitudinal width extending downward in communication with the central portion of the gas introducing flow passage through the central inlet between the two inflatable portion is viewed from the vertical and longitudinal directions larger than the cells of the inflatable portion to The thickness of Except end ho Isuzu provided with a fixed central cell, the opening area of the inlet of the central cell in that put when inflated is larger than the opening area of the inlet of the cell of each inflatable portion, the gas from Lee Nfureta is introduced when the folded state of the airbags is so as to expand both the expansion portion of the front and rear by Chuo not a preceding cell is deployed downward expanded downward, and each cell in the front seat inflating portion, a rear seat Each cell of the inflatable part and the central cell are partitioned by a partition cloth part, and the central cell is arranged close to the rear side of the front seat inflating part and the front side of the rear seat inflating part, and the upper end is the central inlet. A pair of front and rear vertical cell portions that are communicated with the gas introduction flow path and extend downward, a horizontal cell portion that communicates with the lower end portions of both vertical cell portions, and a position between each vertical cell portion and the horizontal cell portion. The center fabric part that joins and connects the fabric parts on both sides in the thickness direction It is characterized in.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention will be described below with reference to the embodiment shown in FIGS. In this embodiment, the airbag device according to the present invention is applied to a front seat and a rear seat of a sedan type passenger car. The vehicle body 10 includes a roof panel 11, a front pillar 12, a center pillar 13, and a front door 15 and a rear door 16 that open and close a door opening 14 around the center pillar 13.
[0010]
As shown by the solid line in FIG. 1, the airbag 20 of the airbag device of this embodiment has a shape that covers the upper half of the door opening 14 before and after the center pillar 13 in the deployed state, and the upper portion in the front-rear direction. An elongated gas introduction flow path 23 is formed, and a front seat expansion portion 21a and a rear seat expansion portion 21b are formed at a front portion and a rear portion on the lower side of the gas introduction flow passage 23, and both the expansion portions 21a, A central cell 30 is formed between 21b. The front seat inflating part 21a is composed of three cells 22a whose upper ends communicate with the front part of the gas introduction channel 23 through the cell inflow port 24a and extend downward, and the rear seat inflating part 21b The upper end is connected to the rear portion of the gas introduction flow path 23 through the cell inlet 24b, and is composed of three cells 22b arranged in the front-rear direction and extending downward.
[0011]
The central cell 30 is disposed close to the rear side of the front seat expansion portion 21a and the front side of the rear seat expansion portion 21b, and the upper end thereof is communicated with the central portion of the gas introduction flow path 23 via the central inflow port 31. and vertical cells 30a of the front and rear pair of extending a horizontal cell portion 30b which communicates the lower end of the two vertical cells 30a, the thickness direction is positioned between the vertical cells 30a and the lateral cell unit 30b The center cloth part 30c is formed by joining and connecting the cloth parts on both sides. The front-rear width of the central cell 30 is larger than the cells 22a, 22b of the front and rear inflating parts 21a, 21b, and the thickness when inflated as viewed from the top and bottom and the front-rear direction is substantially constant except for both ends. It is almost the same as 21a, 21b. The opening area (the sum of the front and rear) of the central inlet 31 of the central cell 30 during expansion is larger than the opening areas of the cells 22a and 22b of the front and rear expansion portions 21a and 21b. Further, the ratio (0.45 to 0) of the opening area (sum of the front and rear) of the central inlet 31 to the horizontal cross-sectional area of the body portion of the central cell 30 during expansion (the sum of the horizontal cross-sectional areas of the front and rear vertical cell portions 30a). .7) is larger than the ratio (0.2 to 0.35) of the opening area of each cell inlet 24 to the horizontal cross-sectional area of the body portion of each cell 22a, 22b of each of the front and rear inflating portions 21a, 21b. .
[0012]
The airbag 20 has a bag shape in which the cells 22a, 22b, 30 and the gas introduction flow path 23 are separated on the front side and the back side, and the front cloth part 25a, the rear cloth part 25b, the upper edge part 25c, and the lower edge part other than that. 25d, the central cloth part 30c formed between the central cell 30 and the gas introduction flow path 23 and the partition cloth part 25f between the cells 22a, 22b, 30 are a single cloth-like structure in which the front side and the back side are connected. Thus, they are integrally formed by bag weaving (see FIG. 2). A plurality of attachment portions 26 having attachment holes 26 a are formed on the upper edge portion 25 c of the airbag 20. A front attachment belt 27 and a rear attachment belt 28 having attachment holes 27a and 28a are sewn to the front end portion of the front cloth portion 25a and the rear end portion of the rear cloth portion 25b, respectively.
[0013]
The airbag 20 is attached to an inner portion of the roof panel 11 on the upper side of the door opening 14 by a plurality of attachment portions 26 provided on the upper edge portion 25c, and the front pillar 12 and the body are attached by front and rear attachment belts 27 and 28. 10 attached to the rear. An inflator 29 is connected to the rear end of the gas introduction passage 23 and is attached to the body 10 and is operated by a side impact to generate high-pressure gas instantaneously. The airbag 20 is folded so as to be narrow in the vertical and horizontal width in the inoperative state in the inoperative state, and is placed in a cloth cover (not shown) that is easily broken by the gas pressure from the inflator 29. As indicated by a chain line 20A, the front pillar 12 and the door opening 14 are attached along the inner portion of the roof panel 11 and are covered with a front pillar garnish and a roof head lining (both not shown).
[0014]
Next, the operation of the above-described embodiment will be described. If the inflator 29 is activated by an impact from the side, the high-pressure gas generated thereby is introduced from the rear part of the gas introduction flow path 23. The ratio of the opening area of the central inlet 31 to the horizontal cross-sectional area of the body portion of the central cell 30 is larger than the ratio of the opening area of each cell inlet 24 to the horizontal cross-sectional area of the body portion of each cell 22 of each expansion part 21. Therefore, the gas supplied from the inflator 29 through the gas introduction flow path 23 first enters the central cell 30 at the center in the longitudinal direction of the folded elongated airbag 20 and inflates it. The cloth cover is broken and the side edge of the roof head lining is pushed open to inflate and deploy in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, that is, from the upper part of the door opening 14. As a result, the cells 22a and 22b of the front seat inflating portion 21a and the rear seat inflating portion 21b connected to the front and rear of the central cell 30 are also forcibly pulled out by breaking the cloth cover and pushing open the side edges of the roof head lining. As a result, it expands downward from the upper part of the door opening 14 and hangs down into a goodwill shape, so that the gas from the gas introduction channel 23 can easily enter. Therefore, the time until the front seat inflating portion 21a and the rear seat inflating portion 21b of the airbag 20 are completely deployed so as to cover the door opening 14 portion is shortened, and the time difference until each deployment is completed is also reduced. Thereby, the impact prevention effect at the time of the side collision with respect to both a front seat and a rear seat improves.
[0015]
Also in this embodiment, communicates the central cell 30, and the vertical cells 30a of the pair before and brought close respectively to the front seat inflating portion 21a and the rear seat inflating portion 21b, the lower end of both vertical cells Since it is composed of the horizontal cell portion 30b, the portion between the front seat inflating portion 21a and the rear seat inflating portion 21b, which was a single thin intermediate cloth portion 25e in the prior art described in FIG. The rigidity is increased by the expansion of the vertical cell portion 30a and the horizontal cell portion 30b around 30. Thereby, since the folding of the airbag 20 is reduced particularly by the lateral cell portion 30b and the occupant's head can be prevented from slipping through, the restraining performance of the occupant is improved.
[0016]
【The invention's effect】
According to the airbag device of the first aspect of the present invention, the central cell whose front-rear width is larger than each cell of each inflatable portion and whose thickness is substantially constant except for both end portions is a central inlet with respect to the horizontal cross-sectional area of the body portion. Since the ratio of the opening area of each cell is larger than the ratio of the opening area of each cell inlet to the horizontal cross-sectional area of the body part of each cell of each expansion part, when the gas from the inflator is introduced, first the gas enters the central cell. It is introduced and inflated and deployed downward from the upper part of the door opening. As a result, each cell of the front seat expansion part and the rear seat expansion part connected to the front and rear of the central cell is forcibly expanded downward from the upper part of the door opening, and each cell is easy to enter gas. It becomes. Accordingly, the time until the front seat inflating portion and the rear seat inflating portion are completed so as to cover the door opening portion is shortened and the time difference until each deployment is completed is reduced. The impact prevention effect at the time of a collision can be improved. In addition to this, each cell of the front seat expansion part, each cell of the rear seat expansion part, and the central cell are partitioned by a partition cloth part, and the central cell is the rear side of the front seat expansion part and the rear seat expansion part. A pair of front and rear vertical cell portions that are arranged close to the front side of each of them and that communicate with the gas introduction flow path through the central inlet and extend downward, and a horizontal cell that communicates the lower end portions of both the vertical cell portions. And the center cell between the front cell inflating part and the rear seat inflating part. The rigidity is increased by the expansion of the vertical cell portion and the horizontal cell portion. Thereby, since the folding of the airbag is reduced by the lateral cell portion communicating with the lower end portion of each vertical cell portion and the occupant's head can be prevented from slipping, the restraining performance of the occupant can be improved.
[0017]
According to the airbag device of the second aspect of the present invention, the center cell having a front and rear width larger than each cell of each inflatable portion and having a substantially constant thickness except for both end portions has an opening area of the inlet at each inflatable portion. When the gas from the inflator is introduced, the gas is first introduced into the central cell to expand when the gas from the inflator is introduced, and from the upper portion of the door opening. Expanded downward. As a result, each cell of the front seat expansion part and the rear seat expansion part connected to the front and rear of the central cell is forcibly expanded downward from the upper part of the door opening, and each cell is easy to enter gas. It becomes. Accordingly, the time until the front seat inflating portion and the rear seat inflating portion are completed so as to cover the door opening portion is shortened and the time difference until each deployment is completed is reduced. The impact prevention effect at the time of a collision can be improved. In addition to this, each cell of the front seat expansion part, each cell of the rear seat expansion part, and the central cell are partitioned by a partition cloth part, and the central cell is the rear side of the front seat expansion part and the rear seat expansion part. A pair of front and rear vertical cell portions that are arranged close to the front side of each of them and that communicate with the gas introduction flow path through the central inlet and extend downward, and a horizontal cell that communicates the lower end portions of both the vertical cell portions. And the center cell between the front cell inflating part and the rear seat inflating part. The rigidity is increased by the expansion of the vertical cell portion and the horizontal cell portion. Thereby, since the folding of the airbag is reduced by the lateral cell portion communicating with the lower end portion of each vertical cell portion and the occupant's head can be prevented from slipping, the restraining performance of the occupant can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an embodiment of an airbag apparatus according to the present invention.
2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an example of a conventional airbag apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Body, 14 ... Door opening, 20 ... Air bag, 21a ... Front seat expansion part, 21b ... Rear seat expansion part, 22a, 22b ... Cell, 23 ... Gas introduction flow path, 24a, 24b ... Inlet, 25c ... Upper edge part, 29 ... inflator, 30 ... central cell, 30a ... vertical cell part, 30b ... horizontal cell part, 30c ... central cloth part, 31 ... central inlet.

Claims

A gas introduction passage extending in the front-rear direction and connected to the inflator; and a front seat inflating portion having at least one cell that extends downward through a cell inlet and communicates with a front portion of the gas introduction passage. And an airbag comprising an inflatable portion of the rear seat having at least one cell having an upper end communicated with a rear portion of the gas introduction channel via a cell inlet and extending downward, and the airbag has an upper edge portion. Is attached along the upper part of the door opening of the body of the automobile and is folded so as to have a narrow shape along the upper part in the non-operating state. The gas inlet passage communicates with the central portion of the gas introduction flow path through the central inlet and extends downward. A central cell is provided that is substantially constant except for the portion, and the ratio of the opening area of the central inlet to the horizontal cross-sectional area of the body portion of the central cell at the time of expansion is determined with respect to the horizontal cross-sectional area of the body portion of each cell When the gas from the inflator is introduced, the folded airbag is first expanded by the central cell and deployed downward when the gas from the inflator is introduced. The front and rear inflating portions are expanded downward, and each cell of the front seat inflating portion, each cell of the rear seat inflating portion, and the central cell are partitioned by a partition cloth portion, and the central cell Are arranged close to the rear side of the front seat inflating part and the front side of the rear seat inflating part, respectively, and a pair of front and rear portions whose upper ends communicate with the gas introduction flow path through the central inlet and extend downward. Vertical A central cell part that is connected between the vertical cell part and the horizontal cell part and joined to the cloth parts on both sides in the thickness direction. An airbag device characterized by comprising:

A gas introduction passage extending in the front-rear direction and connected to the inflator; and a front seat inflating portion having at least one cell that extends downward and communicates with a front portion of the gas introduction passage through a cell inlet And an airbag comprising an inflatable portion of the rear seat having at least one cell having an upper end communicated with a rear portion of the gas introduction channel via a cell inlet and extending downward, and the airbag has an upper edge portion. Is attached along the upper part of the door opening of the body of the automobile and is folded so as to have a narrow shape along the upper part in the non-operating state. The gas inlet passage communicates with the central portion of the gas introduction flow path through the central inlet and extends downward. A central cell that is substantially constant except for the portion is provided, and the opening area of the inlet of the central cell at the time of expansion is larger than the opening area of the inlet of the cell of each expansion portion, and the gas from the inflator is introduced. At the time, the airbag in the folded state first expands the central cell and expands downward to expand both the front and rear inflated portions further downward, and each cell of the front seat inflatable portion, Each cell of the rear seat inflating part and the central cell are partitioned by a partition cloth part, and the central cell is arranged close to the rear side of the front seat inflating part and the front side of the rear seat inflating part. A pair of front and rear vertical cell portions whose upper ends communicate with the gas introduction flow path via the central inlet and extend downward, horizontal cell portions that communicate with the lower end portions of both vertical cell portions, and the vertical cells And horizontal cell sections Airbag apparatus characterized by consisting of a central cloth portion joining connecting the fabric portions in the thickness direction on both sides positioned.