JP4267876B2

JP4267876B2 - Head protection airbag device

Info

Publication number: JP4267876B2
Application number: JP2002220288A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 雅夫木野
Original assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co Ltd
Current assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co Ltd
Priority date: 2002-07-29
Filing date: 2002-07-29
Publication date: 2009-05-27
Anticipated expiration: 2022-07-29
Also published as: JP2004058848A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、車両の車内側における窓の上縁側に折り畳まれて収納されて、膨張用ガスの流入時に、前記窓の車内側を覆うように、下方へ展開膨張するエアバッグを備える構成の頭部保護エアバッグ装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術とその課題】
従来、頭部保護エアバッグ装置としては、特開２０００−５２９０７に示す構成のものがあった。この頭部保護エアバッグ装置では、エアバッグが、流入する膨張用ガスをエアバッグの前後方向の略全域に供給可能に、エアバッグの上縁側において略全長にわたって車両の前後方向に沿うように配設される供給路部と、供給路部の下部側においてエアバッグの下縁近傍にかけて配設されるとともに、供給路部から膨張用ガスを流入可能に構成されてエアバッグの展開膨張時に窓の車内側を覆うこととなる膨張本体部と、を備える構成であった。そして、上記公報の頭部保護エアバッグ装置では、エアバッグを、膨張本体部の部位を蛇腹折りし、この蛇腹折り部位を、二つ折りした供給路部の車内側に配設させるようにして、折り畳んで、収納していた。
【０００３】
上記構成の頭部保護エアバッグ装置では、エアバッグの膨張初期において、供給路部が、膨張用ガスを流入させて、膨張本体部の折り畳み部位を車内側に押圧するように、膨張し、その後、膨張本体部が、折りを解消しつつ展開し、膨張用ガスを流入させて、膨張する構成であった。
【０００４】
しかし、従来の頭部保護エアバッグ装置では、膨張本体部が蛇腹折りされていることから、膨張した供給路部に押圧された際に、膨張本体部、特に、その下縁側が、車内側に大きく突出するようにして、折りを解消し、展開膨張することとなっていた。そのため、エアバッグを、窓に沿うように展開膨張させることが困難であった。
【０００５】
本発明は、上述の課題を解決するものであり、エアバッグの展開膨張時における車内側への突出を抑えて、極力、窓に沿うように、展開膨張させることが可能な頭部保護エアバッグ装置を提供することを目的とする。
【０００６】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明に係る頭部保護エアバッグ装置は、車両の車内側における窓の上縁側に折り畳まれて収納されて、膨張用ガスの流入時に、窓の車内側を覆うように、下方へ展開膨張するエアバッグと、
エアバッグに膨張用ガスを供給するインフレーターと、
エアバッグ及びインフレーターの車内側を覆うエアバッグカバーと、
を備えて構成され、
エアバッグが、上縁側を車両のボディ側に取付固定させるとともに、車内側壁部と車外側壁部とを離すようにして膨張用ガスを流入させて膨張するガス流入部を備え、
ガス流入部が、
エアバッグの上縁側において、流入する膨張用ガスをエアバッグの前後方向の略全域に供給可能に、エアバッグの略全長にわたって車両の前後方向に沿うように配設されるとともに、エアバッグの膨張初期において、膨張用ガスを流入させる供給路部と、
供給路部の下方側において、エアバッグの下縁近傍にかけて配設されるとともに、供給路部から膨張用ガスを流入可能に構成され、エアバッグの展開膨張完了時に窓の車内側を覆うこととなる膨張本体部と、
を備える構成の頭部保護エアバッグ装置において、
供給路部が、前後方向の中間部位において、上方へ突出するとともに、インフレーターと接続される流入口部を、備え、
エアバッグが、
膨張本体部の部位を、下縁側から車外側に向かって巻くロール折りさせて折り畳むロール折り部位として、
供給路部の部位を、膨張用ガスの流入時にロール折り部位よりも展開を容易とするように、車外側壁部と車内側壁部とを重ねて平らに展開した状態から、膨張完了時の上部側と下部側との位置に、それぞれ、前後方向に沿う折目を付けて、蛇腹状に折り重ねるとともに、縦断面形状を略逆Ｕ字形状とするように、折り畳む逆Ｕ字状折り畳み部位として、
ロール折り部位を、逆Ｕ字状折り畳み部位の下方側に配設させるようにして、
折り畳まれて、収納され、
逆Ｕ字状折り畳み部位が、膨張完了時における供給路部の上部側に位置する折目を、ロール折り部位の車内側に位置させ、膨張完了時における供給路部の下部側に位置する折目を、ロール折り部位の車外側に位置させ、供給路部における膨張完了時の上部側に配置される車内側の折目と、供給路部における膨張完了時の下部側に配置される車外側の折目との間の部位で、ロール折り部位を包むように、配設されていることを特徴とする。
【０００７】
本発明の頭部保護エアバッグ装置では、エアバッグの膨張初期において、膨張本体部の折り畳み部位が、膨張した供給路部により、車内側に向かって大きく押圧されることとなっても、膨張本体部の部位が、車外側に向かうようにロール折りされていることから、膨張本体部は、ロール折りの巻きを解消しつつ、窓の車内側に沿うように、展開し、窓の車内側を覆うように膨張することとなる。すなわち、本発明の頭部保護エアバッグ装置では、膨張本体部の部位は、ロール折りの巻きを解くように、車外側に向かって突出するようにして、折りを解消しつつ、展開することとなる。そして、膨張本体部の車外側には、窓が配設されることから、膨張本体部は、窓に沿うように、展開することとなる。そのため、エアバッグの展開膨張時に、膨張本体部の車内側への突出を極力抑えた状態で、膨張本体部を展開させることができる。
【０００８】
従って、本発明の頭部保護エアバッグ装置では、エアバッグの展開膨張時における車内側への突出を抑えて、極力、窓に沿うように、展開膨張させることが可能となる。
【０００９】
また、本発明の頭部保護エアバッグ装置では、エアバッグにおける供給路部は、膨張用ガスの流入時にロール折りよりも展開が容易な非ロール折りにより、折り畳まれていることから、エアバッグの膨張初期において、迅速に膨張用ガスを流入させて膨張することとなる。そのため、エアバッグの膨張初期において、エアバッグの車内側を覆うエアバッグカバーを迅速に押し開くことができ、エアバッグを、迅速に展開膨張させることができる。
【００１１】
さらに、本発明の頭部保護エアバッグ装置では、エアバッグの膨張初期において、供給路部が膨張用ガスを流入させて膨張する際に、縦断面形状を略逆Ｕ字系状とするように折り畳まれている供給路部が、エアバッグカバーを押し開くとともに、ロール折り部位を、下方に向かって押圧するように膨張することとなる。そのため、ロール折り部位が、供給路部の膨張に伴って、極力、車内側に押圧されず、ロール折り部位としていた膨張本体部の車内側への突出を、一層、抑えることができる。
【００１４】
さらにまた、本発明の頭部保護エアバッグ装置では、供給路部を折り畳んで構成される逆Ｕ字状部位は、膨張完了時における上部側に位置する折目を、ロール折り部位の車内側に位置させ、膨張完了時における供給路部の下部側に位置する折目を、ロール折り部位の車外側に位置させるように、構成されている。すなわち、本発明の頭部保護エアバッグ装置では、供給路部の部位は、平らに展開した状態で、展開膨張完了時の上部側となる部位が車内側に位置し、展開膨張完了時の下部側となる部位が車外側に位置するように、前後方向に沿った折目をつけて折り畳まれることとなる。すなわち、平らに展開した状態のエアバッグにおいて、膨張本体部を下縁側から巻くようにロール折りしてロール折り部位を形成した後、供給路部を、折目を付けて、ロール折り部位の車内側に位置させるように折り返して、エアバッグを、折り畳めばよいことから、供給路部の部位の折り畳み作業が、容易となる。
【００１５】
そして、本発明の頭部保護エアバッグ装置では、供給路部における展開膨張完了時の上部側となる部位を車内側に位置させ、展開膨張完了時の下部側となる部位を車外側に位置させるようにして、エアバッグを折り畳んでいることから、エアバッグの膨張初期において、供給路部における展開膨張完了時の上部側となる部位（車内側となる部位）に、まず、膨張用ガスが流入して、上部側部位の車外側に位置するエアバッグにおける他の部位を、折り畳み収納時のエアバッグの車外側に配設されるボディ側の部位に押圧しつつ、供給路部における展開膨張完了時の下部側となる部位に膨張用ガスが流入することとなる。そのため、供給路部が、膨張初期において、車内側に向かって大きく突出して膨張することを抑えた状態で、エアバッグカバーを押し開くこととなる。その結果、ロール折り部位が、極力、車内側へ突出することを抑えることができる。
【００１６】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の一実施形態を図面に基づいて説明する。
【００１７】
実施形態の頭部保護エアバッグ装置Ｍは、図１に示すように、エアバッグ１１を、車両Ｖにおける車内側のドアや窓Ｗ（Ｗ１・Ｗ２）の上縁側周縁におけるフロントピラー部ＦＰの下縁側、ルーフサイドレール部ＲＲの下縁側、及び、リヤピラー部ＲＰの上方側にわたって、折り畳んで収納させている。
【００１８】
エアバッグ装置Ｍは、エアバッグ１１、インフレーター３３、取付ブラケット３０・３４、及び、エアバッグカバー８を、備えて構成されている。
【００１９】
エアバッグカバー８は、図１に示すように、フロントピラー部ＦＰに配置されるフロントピラーガーニッシュ４と、ルーフサイドレール部ＲＲに配置されるルーフヘッドライニング５と、のそれぞれの下縁４ａ・５ａ側から構成されている。そして、エアバッグカバー８は、折り畳まれて収納されたエアバッグ１１の車内側Ｉを覆うように配設されるとともに（図２参照）、展開膨張時のエアバッグ１１を車内側Ｉへ突出可能とするために、エアバッグ１１における後述する供給路部１５に押されて、車内側Ｉへ開き可能な構成とされている。
【００２０】
センターピラー部ＣＰとリヤピラー部ＲＰには、それぞれ、ボディ１側の板金製のインナパネル２を覆うように、合成樹脂製のピラーガーニッシュ６・７が、配設されている。センターピラーガーニッシュ７は、図２に示すごとく、折り畳まれたエアバッグ１１の下方に配設されることとなる上端７ａ付近の部位を車内側Ｉに向かって傾斜させるように、構成されている。これは、周囲に配設される窓Ｗ（Ｗ１・Ｗ２）より車内側に突出しているピラーガーニッシュ７が配設されるセンターピラー部ＣＰの部位において、エアバッグ１１を、ピラーガーニッシュ７に干渉せずに、円滑に展開させるためである。なお、リヤピラーガーニッシュ６も、図示しないが、センターピラーガーニッシュ７と同様な構成とされている。
【００２１】
エアバッグ１１は、ポリアミド糸等を使用した袋織りにより製造されて、図１・３に示すように、インフレーターからの膨張用ガスＧを流入させて、折り畳み状態から展開して、上縁１１ａ側を窓Ｗ（Ｗ１・Ｗ２）の上縁側における車両Ｖのボディ１側に固定させた状態として、窓Ｗ（Ｗ１・Ｗ２）やリヤピラー部ＲＰ・センターピラー部ＣＰにおけるピラーガーニッシュ６・７の車内側を覆うように、板状に展開膨張する構成である。また、エアバッグ１１は、車内側壁部１３ａと車外側壁部１３ｂとを離すようにして、膨張用ガスＧを内部に流入可能なガス流入部１３と、膨張用ガスＧを流入させない非流入部２４と、から構成されている。
【００２２】
ガス流入部１３は、流入する膨張用ガスＧをエアバッグ１１の前後方向の略全域に供給する供給路部１５と、供給路部１５の下方側に配設される膨張本体部１６と、を備えて構成されている。
【００２３】
供給路部１５は、エアバッグ１１の上縁１１ａ側において、略全長にわたって車両の前後方向に沿うように配設されるとともに、エアバッグ１１の膨張初期において、膨張用ガスＧを流入させて、エアバッグカバー８を押し開くこととなる。また、供給路部１５における前後方向の中間部位には、上方へ円筒状に突出して、インフレーターと接続させる流入口部１５ａが配設されている。
【００２４】
膨張本体部１６は、供給路部１５から膨張用ガスＧを流入可能に構成されて、エアバッグ１１の展開膨張時に窓Ｗ（Ｗ１・Ｗ２）の車内側を覆う部位であり、実施形態の場合、前席用流入部１７、後席用流入部１８、連通流入部２１、から構成されている。前席用流入部１７は、展開時に、窓Ｗ１の車内側を覆う構成であり、後席用流入部１８は、窓Ｗ２の車内側を覆う構成である。各前席用・後席用流入部１７・１８は、後述する区画結合部２７で区画されて、それぞれ、膨張用ガスＧを流入させて上下方向に棒状に膨らむ縦膨張部２０を複数配設させて、構成されている。これらの縦膨張部２０は、それぞれ、上端側を供給路部１５と連通されて、膨張用ガスＧを上部側から下部側に向かって流入させる構成である。また、前席用流入部１７の後端側に配置される縦膨張部２０Ａと、後席用流入部１８の前端側に配置される縦膨張部２０Ｂと、は、それぞれ、下端を連通流入部２１の前端及び後端と連通されている。他の縦膨張部２０は、全て、下端側が、非流入部２４の後述する周縁結合部２６の下縁側部２６ｂによって閉塞されている。
【００２５】
非流入部２４は、車内側壁部１３ａと車外側壁部１３ｂとを結合させたように構成されており、取付部２５、周縁結合部２６、区画結合部２７、及び、板状部２８、から構成されている。
【００２６】
取付部２５は、エアバッグ１１の上縁１１ａ側における周縁結合部２６の上縁側部２６ａや後述する三角板状部２８ａの先端から上方へ突出するように、複数（実施形態では５個）配置されている。各取付部２５には、インナパネル２に取り付けるための取付ブラケット３０が固着されることとなり、取付ボルト３１を挿通させるための取付孔２５ａが形成されている。そして、各取付部２５は、取付ボルト３１を使用して、取付ブラケット３０ごと、ボディ１側のインナパネル２に固定されている（図２参照）。
【００２７】
板状部２８は、エアバッグ１１の全体形状を確保するとともに、ガス流入部１３の容積を小さくして、膨張完了までの時間を短くするために、配設されている。そして、板状部２８は、エアバッグ１１の前端側に配置される三角板状部２８ａと、前席用流入部１７と後席用流入部１８との間における供給路部１５と連通流入部２１との間に配置される長方形板状部２８ｂと、から構成されている。三角板状部２８ａは、周縁結合部２６の前縁側から前方に突出するように配設されている。また、長方形板状部２８ｂの周囲におけるガス流入部１３（前席用・後席用流入部１７・１８・連通流入部２１・供給路部１５）との間には、周縁結合部２６が配設されている。
【００２８】
区画結合部２７は、各前席用・後席用流入部１７・１８の領域内で、周縁結合部２６の下縁側部２６ｂから供給路部１５まで上方に延びるようにして、前席用・後席用１７・１８を複数の縦膨張部２０に区画して、厚さを略均等にするために、複数配設されている。
【００２９】
インフレーター３３は、エアバッグ１１に膨張用ガスを供給するもので、図１に示すように、略円柱形状の本体部３３ａと、本体部３３ａからの膨張用ガスを下方へ導く供給パイプ３３ｂと、を備えて構成され、供給パイプ３３ｂの下端に、エアバッグ１１の供給路部１５における流入口部１５ａの上端を外装させ、クランプ（図符号省略）を利用して、エアバッグ１１と連結されている。そして、インフレーター３３は、取付ブラケット３４と取付ボルト３５とを利用して、センターピラー部ＣＰの上方におけるルーフサイドレール部ＲＲのインナパネル２に、車内側をルーフヘッドライニング５の下縁５ａからなるエアバッグカバー８に覆われて、取付固定されている。
【００３０】
次に、実施形態のエアバッグ装置Ｍの車両Ｖへの搭載について説明する。まず、エアバッグ１１を折り畳む。具体的には、図３・４Ａ・４Ｂに示すように、車内側壁部１３ａと車外側壁部１３ｂとを重ねるようにして平らに展開した状態のエアバッグ１１において、膨張本体部１６となるエアバッグ１１の下縁１１ｂから区画結合部２７の上端となる位置にかけての部位を、車体側壁部１３ｂの側で、下縁１１ｂ側から、所定の治具等を利用してロール折りし、ロール折り部位３８を形成する。このとき、ロール折り部位３８は、図４Ｂに示すように、エアバッグ１１の未折り畳み部位における車外側壁部１３ｂの車外側Ｏに位置するように、折り畳まれることとなる。その後、図４Ｃに示すように、区画結合部２７の上端付近となる部位（供給路部１５の下縁付近となる部位）で、図３に二点鎖線で示す折目Ｃ１を付けて、折り畳む。このとき、折目Ｃ１の部位は、ロール折り部位３８の下端付近における車外側Ｏに、位置することとなる。そして、折目Ｃ１より上部側となる部位を、供給路部１５の上縁付近となる部位で、図３に二点鎖線で示す折目Ｃ２をつけて、折り畳み、図４Ｄに示すごとく、逆Ｕ字状折り畳み部位３９を形成する。このとき、折目Ｃ２の部位は、ロール折り部位３８の下端付近における車内側Ｉに、位置することとなる。そして、逆Ｕ字状折り畳み部位３９は、ロール折り部位３８の上方側において、車内側Ｉの折目Ｃ２と車外側Ｏの折目Ｃ１との間の部位で、ロール折り部位３８を包むように、配設されることとなる。その後、図２に示すごとく、取付部２５の部位が、図４Ｄに示す状態よりも、車外側Ｏに位置するように、周縁結合部２６の部位で折り畳んで、エアバッグ１１の折り畳みを完了し、折り畳んだエアバッグ１１の所定箇所を、適宜、破断可能な図示しない折り崩れ防止用のラッピング材でくるんでおく。
【００３１】
なお、実施形態のエアバッグ１１では、折目Ｃ１とエアバッグ１１の上縁１１ａとの間の距離Ｌ１は１００ｍｍに設定され、折目Ｃ２とエアバッグ１１の上縁１１ａとの間の距離Ｌ２は３５ｍｍに設定されている（図３参照）。また、ロール折り部位３８は、図３に示すごとく、エアバッグ１１の下縁１１ｂ付近を、下縁１１ｂからの距離Ｌ３を４０ｍｍに設定された部位で折り返し（図３の一点鎖線参照）、この折り返し部位の間に、所定の治具を挟んで、形成されることとなる。また、実施形態のエアバッグ１１は、折り畳み完了時における左右方向の幅寸法ｔ１を２８ｍｍに設定され、上下方向の幅寸法ｔ２を２５ｍｍに設定されている（図２参照）。
【００３２】
次いで、各取付部２５に、取付ブラケット３０を取り付ける。また、クランプを利用しつつ、流入口部１５ａにインフレーター３３を連結し、次いで、その周囲に、取付ブラケット３４を取り付け、インフレーター３３をエアバッグ１１に組み付けて、エアバッグ組付体を形成しておく。
【００３３】
その後、各取付部２５及びインフレーター３３を、取付ボルト３１・３５を使用してインナパネル２に取付固定すれば、エアバッグ組付体を車両Ｖのボディ１に取り付けることができる。
【００３４】
そして、インフレーター３３から延びる図示しないリード線を、所定のエアバッグ作動回路に接続させるとともに、フロントピラー部ＦＰでは、インナパネル２にフロントピラーガーニッシュ４を取付固定し、ルーフサイドレール部ＲＲでは、インナパネル２にルーフヘッドライニング５を取付固定し、さらに、センターピラー部ＣＰやリヤピラー部ＲＰのガーニッシュ６・７をボディ１のインナパネル２に固定すれば、頭部保護エアバッグ装置Ｍを車両Ｖに搭載することができる。
【００３５】
その後、インフレーター３３が作動されれば、膨張用ガスＧが、流入口部１５ａから供給路部１５内に流入して、図示しないラッピング材を破断させるとともに、エアバッグカバー８としてのフロントピラーガーニッシュ４やルーフヘッドライニング５の下縁４ａ・５ａを車内側Ｉに押し開かせることとなる。そして、さらに、膨張本体部１６における各縦膨張部２０が展開膨張して、図１・２の二点鎖線で示すように、窓Ｗ１・Ｗ２の上縁側から下方へ突出し、エアバッグ１１が、窓Ｗ１・Ｗ２やセンターピラー部ＣＰ・リヤピラー部ＲＰの車内側を覆うこととなる。
【００３６】
そして、実施形態の頭部保護エアバッグ装置Ｍでは、エアバッグ１１における供給路部１５の部位が、展開膨張完了時の上部側となる部位（上部側部位）１５ｂを車内側Ｉに位置し、展開膨張完了時の下部側となる部位（下部側部位）１５ｃを車外側Ｏに位置させるようにして、エアバッグ１１が折り畳まれている。そのため、エアバッグ１１の膨張初期において、図５Ａ・５Ｂに示すように、供給路部１５の上部側部位１５ｂ（車内側Ｉとなる部位）に、まず、膨張用ガスが流入して、上部側部位１５ｂの車外側Ｏに位置するエアバッグ１１の他の部位（下部側部位１５ｃ及びロール折り部位３８）を、車外側Ｏに配設されるインナパネル２側に押圧しつつ、供給路部１５における下部側部位１５ｃに、膨張用ガスが流入することとなる。そのため、図５Ｃに示すごとく、供給路部１５が、膨張初期において、車内側Ｉに向かって大きく突出して膨張することを抑えた状態で、エアバッグカバー８を押し開くこととなる。その結果、ロール折り部位３８が、極力、車内側Ｉへ突出することを抑えることができる。勿論、この点を考慮しなければ、図７に示すごとく、供給路部１５における上部側部位１５ｂを車外側Ｏに位置し、下部側部位１５ｃを車内側Ｉに位置させるようにして、逆Ｕ字状折り畳み部位４１を構成するように、エアバッグ１１を折り畳む構成としてもよい。
【００３７】
その後、実施形態のエアバッグ装置Ｍでは、膨張本体部１６の部位が、膨張用ガスを流入させて、展開膨張することとなる。そして、実施形態のエアバッグ装置Ｍでは、膨張本体部１６の部位が、車外側Ｏに向かうようにロール折りされていることから、膨張本体部１６は、図６Ａ・Ｂに示すように、ロール折りを解消しつつ、車外側Ｏに配設されるセンターピラー部ＣＰ及び窓Ｗ（Ｗ１・Ｗ２）の車内側Ｉに沿うように、展開し、センターピラー部ＣＰ及び窓Ｗ（Ｗ１・Ｗ２）の車内側Ｉを覆うように膨張することとなる。すなわち、実施形態のエアバッグ装置Ｍでは、膨張本体部１６の部位は、車外側Ｏに向かって突出するようにして、折りを解消しつつ、展開することとなる。そして、膨張本体部１６の車外側Ｏには、センターピラーガーニッシュ７及び窓Ｗ（Ｗ１・Ｗ２）が配設されることから、膨張本体部１６は、センターピラーガーニッシュ７及び窓Ｗ（Ｗ１・Ｗ２）に沿うように、展開することとなる。そのため、エアバッグ１１の展開膨張時に、膨張本体部１６の車内側Ｉへの突出を極力抑えた状態で、膨張本体部１６を展開させることができる。なお、センターピラー部ＣＰの部位では、エアバッグ１１は、ピラーガーニッシュ７の傾斜した上端７ａに沿って展開し、ピラーガーニッシュ７に干渉しないように、車内側Ｉに突出し、ピラーガーニッシュ７の車内側Ｉに沿って展開膨張することとなる。勿論、リヤピラー部ＲＰの部位においても、エアバッグ１１は、同様に、ピラーガーニッシュ６に干渉せずに車内側Ｉに突出し、ピラーガーニッシュ６の車内側に沿って展開膨張することとなる。
【００３８】
従って、実施形態のエアバッグ装置Ｍでは、エアバッグ１１の展開膨張時における車内側Ｉへの突出を抑えて、極力、窓Ｗ１・Ｗ２やセンターピラー部ＣＰ・リヤピラー部ＲＰに沿うように、展開膨張させることが可能となる。
【００３９】
なお、実施形態のエアバッグ装置Ｍでは、供給路部１５は、車内側壁部１３ａと車外側壁部１３ｂとを重ねるようにして平らに展開した状態で、前後方向に沿った折目Ｃ１・Ｃ２を付けて折り畳まれていることから、膨張本体部１６を下縁１１ｂ側から巻くようにロール折りしてロール折り部位３８を形成した後、供給路部１５を、折目Ｃ１・Ｃ２を付けて、ロール折り部位３８の車内側Ｉあるいは車外側Ｏに位置させるように折り返して、エアバッグ１１を、折り畳めばよいことから、供給路部１５の部位の折り畳み作業が容易である。この点を考慮しなければ、図８に示すごとく、供給路部１５の部位における車内側壁部１３ａと車外側壁部１３ｂとを離すようにして、壁部１３ａ・１３ｂに、それぞれ、別々に、折目Ｃ３を付けて折り畳んで逆Ｕ字状折り畳み部位４２を形成し、車内側壁部１３ａの部位と車外側壁部１３ｂとの間に、ロール折り部位３８が配設されるように、エアバッグ１１を、折り畳む構成としてもよい。このようにエアバッグ１１を折り畳む場合、供給路部１５は、車内側壁部１３ａと車外側壁部１３ｂとにおける上下方向の中間部位に、それぞれ、前後方向に沿った折目Ｃ３・Ｃ３を配設させて、折り畳まれることとなる。
【００４０】
また、図２・７・８に示すように、エアバッグ１１を折り畳む場合、ロール折り部位３８が、逆Ｕ字状折り畳み部位３９・４１・４２により包まれて、逆Ｕ字状折り畳み部位３９・４１・４２の下方に配設されることから、エアバッグ１１の膨張初期において、供給路部１５が膨張用ガスを流入させて膨張する際に、供給路部１５が、エアバッグカバー８を押し開くとともに、ロール折り部位３８を、下方に向かって押圧するように、膨張することとなる。そのため、ロール折り部位３８が、供給路部１５の膨張に伴って、極力、車内側Ｉに押圧されず、ロール折り部位３８としていた膨張本体部１６の車内側Ｉへの突出を、抑えることができる。勿論、この点を考慮しなければ、図９に示すごとく、供給路部１５の部位を、前後方向に沿った複数の折目をつけて蛇腹折りし、この供給路部１５を折り畳んだ折り畳み部位４４の下方に、ロール折り部位３８を配設させるようにして、エアバッグ１１を折り畳む構成としてもよい。この折り畳み部位４４のごとく、供給路部１５の部位を折り畳んだ場合、エアバッグ１１の展開膨張時に、仮に、ロール折り部位３８が、膨張した供給路部１５により、車内側に向かって大きく押圧されることとなっても、ロール折り部位３８は、前述したごとく、車外側に向かって突出するようにして折りを解消することから、窓Ｗ（ピラーガーニッシュ６・７）に沿うように膨張することとなり、膨張本体部１６の車内側への突出は、極力抑えられることとなる。
【００４１】
さらに、図２・７・８・９では、エアバッグにおける供給路部１５が、膨張用ガスの流入時にロール折りよりも展開が容易な非ロール折り（逆Ｕ字状の折り畳み部位３９・４１・４２や蛇腹状の折り畳み部位４２）により折り畳まれていることから、エアバッグ１１の膨張初期において、供給路部１５が、迅速に膨張用ガスを流入させて膨張することとなる。そのため、エアバッグ１１の膨張初期において、エアバッグ１１の車内側Ｉを覆うエアバッグカバー８を、迅速に押し開くことができ、エアバッグ１１を迅速に展開膨張させることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明に係る一実施形態の頭部保護エアバッグ装置を車内側から見た正面図である。
【図２】図１のII−II部位の概略拡大断面図である。
【図３】同実施形態で使用するエアバッグを平らに展開した状態を示す正面図である。
【図４】同実施形態のエアバッグの折り畳み工程を説明する概略断面図である。
【図５】同実施形態の頭部保護エアバッグ装置において、エアバッグの展開膨張状態を示す概略図である。
【図６】同実施形態の頭部保護エアバッグ装置において、エアバッグの展開膨張状態を示す概略図であり、図５の後の状態を示す図である。
【図７】本発明の他の実施形態の頭部保護エアバッグ装置におけるエアバッグの折り畳み状態を示す概略拡大断面図である。
【図８】本発明のさらに他の実施形態の頭部保護エアバッグ装置におけるエアバッグの折り畳み状態を示す概略拡大断面図である。
【図９】本発明のさらに他の実施形態の頭部保護エアバッグ装置におけるエアバッグの折り畳み状態を示す概略拡大断面図である。
【符号の説明】
１…ボディ、
２…インナパネル、
８…エアバッグカバー、
１１…エアバッグ、
１１ａ…上縁、
１３…ガス流入部、
１５…供給路部、
１５ｂ…上部側部位、
１５ｃ…下部側部位、
１６…膨張本体部、
２５…取付部、
３３…インフレーター、
３８…ロール折り部位、
３９・４１・４２…逆Ｕ字状折り畳み部位、
Ｃ１・Ｃ２…折目、
Ｇ…膨張用ガス、
Ｉ…車内側、
Ｏ…車外側、
Ｗ（Ｗ１・Ｗ２）…窓、
Ｍ…頭部保護エアバッグ装置。[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a head having a configuration including an airbag that is folded and housed on the upper edge side of a window on the vehicle interior side and that expands and inflates downward so as to cover the vehicle interior side of the window when inflating gas flows. The present invention relates to a part protection airbag device.
[0002]
[Prior art and its problems]
Conventionally, as a head protection airbag device, there has been a configuration shown in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-52907. In this head protection airbag device, the airbag is arranged so as to be able to supply the inflating gas flowing in substantially the entire area in the front-rear direction of the airbag so as to follow the vehicle front-rear direction over substantially the entire length on the upper edge side of the airbag. The supply path section is provided near the lower edge of the airbag on the lower side of the supply path section, and is configured to allow inflation gas to flow in from the supply path section. And an expansion main body that covers the inside of the vehicle. And in the head protection airbag device of the above-mentioned publication, the airbag is folded at the portion of the inflated main body portion, and the bellows folded portion is arranged on the vehicle inside of the supply path portion folded in half. It was folded and stored.
[0003]
In the head protection airbag device configured as described above, in the initial stage of inflation of the airbag, the supply path portion inflates so that the inflation gas flows in and presses the folded portion of the inflation main body portion toward the vehicle interior, and thereafter The expansion main body portion was expanded while eliminating the folding, and the expansion gas flowed in to expand.
[0004]
However, in the conventional head protection airbag device, since the inflated main body portion is accordion-folded, when the inflated supply passage portion is pressed, the inflated main body portion, in particular, the lower edge side thereof is located on the inside of the vehicle. It was supposed to protrude greatly, so that the folding was canceled and expanded. Therefore, it is difficult to deploy and inflate the airbag along the window.
[0005]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described problems, and suppresses protrusion of the airbag toward the inside of the vehicle when the airbag is deployed and inflated so that the head protecting airbag can be deployed and inflated along the window as much as possible. An object is to provide an apparatus.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The head protection airbag device according to the present invention is folded and housed on the upper edge side of the window on the vehicle interior side, and is expanded and inflated downward so as to cover the vehicle interior side of the window when the inflation gas flows in. An airbag,
  An inflator for supplying inflation gas to the airbag;
  AirbagAnd inflatorsAn airbag cover covering the inside of the vehicle,
  Configured with
  The airbag includes a gas inflow portion that causes the upper edge side to be attached and fixed to the body side of the vehicle, and inflates by inflating the inflation gas so as to separate the vehicle inner wall portion and the vehicle outer wall portion,
  The gas inlet
  On the upper edge side of the airbag, the inflating gas that flows in can be supplied to substantially the entire area in the front-rear direction of the airbag, and is disposed along the front-rear direction of the vehicle over substantially the entire length of the airbag. In the initial stage, a supply passage for flowing in the expansion gas;
  It is arranged on the lower side of the supply passage portion and near the lower edge of the airbag, and is configured to allow the inflation gas to flow in from the supply passage portion, covering the inside of the window when the airbag has been deployed and inflated. An expanding body part,
  In the head protection airbag device configured to include:
  The supply path portion protrudes upward at an intermediate portion in the front-rear direction and includes an inlet portion connected to the inflator,
  Airbag
  The part of the expansion body partFrom the bottom edgeFold the roll to the outside of the car and fold itAs a roll folding part,
  Fold the part of the supply path section when the expansion gas flows inPartFrom the state where the vehicle outer side wall and the vehicle inner side wall are overlapped and flattened to facilitate the deployment., At the position of the upper side and the lower side when the expansion is completed,As an inverted U-shaped folding part that folds along the front-rear direction, folds in a bellows shape, and folds so that the longitudinal cross-sectional shape is a substantially inverted U shape,
  The roll folding part is arranged below the inverted U-shaped folding part,
  Folded, stowed,
  A fold located on the upper side of the supply path when the inverted U-shaped folding part is completed is positioned on the inner side of the roll folding part and located on the lower side of the supply path when the expansion is completed On the outside of the roll folding part,Arranged on the upper side when expansion is completed in the supply passageWith the fold inside the car, Disposed on the lower side of the supply path when the expansion is completedIt is arranged so as to wrap the roll folding part at a part between the folds on the outside of the vehicle.
[0007]
In the head protecting airbag device according to the present invention, even when the folded portion of the inflating main body portion is largely pressed toward the vehicle inner side by the inflated supply path portion in the initial stage of inflating the air bag, Since the part of the part is rolled so as to go to the outside of the vehicle, the expansion body part is unfolded so as to follow the inside of the window while eliminating the roll folding, and the inside of the window is It will expand to cover. That is, in the head protection airbag device of the present invention, the part of the inflating main body part is projected toward the outside of the vehicle so as to unwind the roll fold, and is unfolded and deployed. Become. And since a window is arrange | positioned at the vehicle outer side of an expansion | swelling main-body part, an expansion | swelling main-body part will be expand | deployed so that a window may be followed. Therefore, when the airbag is deployed and inflated, the inflated main body can be deployed in a state where the protrusion of the inflated main body to the vehicle interior is suppressed as much as possible.
[0008]
Therefore, in the head protection airbag device of the present invention, the airbag can be deployed and inflated so as to extend along the window as much as possible while suppressing the protrusion to the inside of the vehicle when the airbag is deployed and inflated.
[0009]
Further, in the head protection airbag device of the present invention, the supply path portion in the airbag is folded by non-roll folding that is easier to deploy than roll folding when the inflating gas flows in. In the initial stage of expansion, the expansion gas is quickly introduced to expand. Therefore, at the initial stage of inflation of the airbag, the airbag cover that covers the inside of the airbag can be quickly pushed open, and the airbag can be quickly deployed and inflated.
[0011]
  Furthermore, the present inventionHead protection airbag deviceThenIn the initial stage of inflation of the airbag, when the supply path portion is inflated by inflating the inflation gas,Folded so that the vertical cross-sectional shape is a substantially inverted U-shapeThe supply passage portion inflates to push the airbag cover open and press the roll folding portion downward. Therefore, the roll folding part is not pressed to the inside of the vehicle as much as possible with the expansion of the supply passage part, and the protrusion of the expansion main body part, which was the roll folding part, to the inside of the car can be further suppressed.
[0014]
  Furthermore, according to the present inventionHead protection airbag deviceThen, the inverted U-shaped part formed by folding the supply path part is located on the inner side of the roll folding part at the upper side when the expansion is completed, and the lower part of the supply path part when the expansion is completed The fold located on the side is configured to be positioned on the vehicle outer side of the roll folding part. That is, in the head protection airbag device of the present invention,The part of the supply path part is in a flatly deployed state, and the part on the upper side when the expansion and expansion is completed is in the vehicle.On the sidePositioned and the lower part when deployment expansion is completed is outside the vehicleOn the sideIt will be folded with a crease along the front-rear direction so as to be positioned. That is, in the airbag in a flatly deployed state, after the inflated main body portion is roll-folded so as to be wound from the lower edge side to form a roll fold portion, the supply path portion is creased and the interior of the roll fold portion isOn the sideSince the airbag is folded so as to be positioned and the airbag is folded, the folding operation of the portion of the supply path portion is facilitated.
[0015]
  And in the head protection airbag device of the present invention,Fold the airbag so that the upper part of the supply channel when deployment is completed is positioned on the inside of the vehicle, and the lower part when deployment is completed is positioned on the exterior of the vehicle.BecauseIn the initial stage of inflation of the airbag, the inflation gas first flows into the upper portion of the supply passage portion when the inflation and inflation are completed (the portion on the vehicle inner side), and is located outside the upper portion of the vehicle. While the other part of the airbag is pressed against the body-side part disposed outside the airbag when folded and stored, the inflation gas is applied to the lower part of the supply path when the inflation is completed. Will flow in. Therefore, in the initial stage of inflation, the airbag cover is pushed open in a state in which the supply path portion is prevented from greatly projecting toward the vehicle inner side and inflating. As a result, it is possible to suppress the roll folding part from protruding to the inside of the vehicle as much as possible.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 1, the head protection airbag apparatus M according to the embodiment is configured so that the airbag 11 is placed under the front pillar portion FP on the upper edge side periphery of the door or window W (W1 · W2) inside the vehicle V. It is folded and stored over the edge side, the lower edge side of the roof side rail portion RR, and the upper side of the rear pillar portion RP.
[0018]
The airbag device M includes an airbag 11, an inflator 33, mounting brackets 30 and 34, and an airbag cover 8.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 1, the airbag cover 8 has lower edges 4a and 5a of a front pillar garnish 4 disposed in the front pillar portion FP and a roof head lining 5 disposed in the roof side rail portion RR. It is composed from the side. The airbag cover 8 is disposed so as to cover the inside I of the airbag 11 that is folded and stored (see FIG. 2), and the airbag 11 at the time of deployment can be projected to the inside I. Therefore, the air bag 11 is pushed by a supply path portion 15 to be described later and can be opened to the vehicle interior side I.
[0020]
The center pillar portion CP and the rear pillar portion RP are provided with synthetic resin pillar garnishes 6 and 7 so as to cover the inner panel 2 made of sheet metal on the body 1 side. As shown in FIG. 2, the center pillar garnish 7 is configured so that a portion near the upper end 7 a to be disposed below the folded airbag 11 is inclined toward the vehicle interior side I. This is because the air bag 11 interferes with the pillar garnish 7 at the center pillar portion CP where the pillar garnish 7 projecting inward from the surrounding windows W (W1 and W2) is disposed. This is for the purpose of smooth development. The rear pillar garnish 6 is also configured in the same manner as the center pillar garnish 7 although not shown.
[0021]
The airbag 11 is manufactured by bag weaving using polyamide yarn or the like, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the inflation gas G from the inflator is introduced and expanded from the folded state. Is fixed to the body 1 side of the vehicle V on the upper edge side of the window W (W1 and W2), and the inside of the pillar garnish 6 and 7 in the window W (W1 and W2), the rear pillar portion RP, and the center pillar portion CP. It is the structure which expand | deploys and expands in plate shape so that it may cover. The airbag 11 includes a gas inflow portion 13 through which the inflating gas G can flow in, and a non-inflow portion through which the inflating gas G does not flow in such a manner that the inner side wall portion 13a and the outer side wall portion 13b are separated from each other. 24.
[0022]
The gas inflow portion 13 includes a supply passage portion 15 that supplies the inflowing inflation gas G to substantially the entire front-rear direction of the airbag 11, and an inflating main body portion 16 that is disposed below the supply passage portion 15. It is prepared for.
[0023]
The supply path portion 15 is disposed on the upper edge 11a side of the airbag 11 so as to be substantially along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle over the entire length, and inflate the inflation gas G at the initial stage of inflation of the airbag 11, The airbag cover 8 is pushed open. In addition, an inflow port portion 15 a that protrudes upward in a cylindrical shape and is connected to an inflator is disposed at an intermediate portion in the front-rear direction of the supply passage portion 15.
[0024]
The expansion main body 16 is configured to be able to flow the inflation gas G from the supply passage 15 and covers the vehicle interior side of the window W (W1, W2) when the airbag 11 is deployed and inflated. , The front seat inflow portion 17, the rear seat inflow portion 18, and the communication inflow portion 21. The front seat inflow portion 17 is configured to cover the vehicle inner side of the window W1 when deployed, and the rear seat inflow portion 18 is configured to cover the vehicle inner side of the window W2. Each of the front seat and rear seat inflow portions 17 and 18 is partitioned by a partition coupling portion 27 to be described later, and a plurality of longitudinal expansion portions 20 that inflate expansion gas G and expand in a vertical bar shape are provided. Let it be configured. Each of the vertical expansion portions 20 is configured such that the upper end side is communicated with the supply path portion 15 and the expansion gas G flows from the upper side toward the lower side. Further, the vertical expansion portion 20A disposed on the rear end side of the front seat inflow portion 17 and the vertical expansion portion 20B disposed on the front end side of the rear seat inflow portion 18 each have a lower end communicating with the communication inflow portion. 21 is communicated with the front end and the rear end. The other vertical expansion portions 20 are all closed at the lower end side by a lower edge side portion 26b of the peripheral joint portion 26 described later of the non-inflow portion 24.
[0025]
The non-inflow portion 24 is configured such that the vehicle interior side wall portion 13a and the vehicle exterior wall portion 13b are coupled to each other, and includes a mounting portion 25, a peripheral edge coupling portion 26, a partition coupling portion 27, and a plate-like portion 28. It is configured.
[0026]
A plurality (five in the embodiment) of the mounting portions 25 are arranged so as to protrude upward from the upper edge side portion 26a of the peripheral edge coupling portion 26 on the upper edge 11a side of the airbag 11 or the triangular plate-like portion 28a described later. ing. A mounting bracket 30 for mounting to the inner panel 2 is fixed to each mounting portion 25, and a mounting hole 25a through which the mounting bolt 31 is inserted is formed. And each attachment part 25 is being fixed to the inner panel 2 by the side of the body 1 with the attachment bracket 30 using the attachment bolt 31 (refer FIG. 2).
[0027]
The plate-like portion 28 is disposed in order to secure the overall shape of the airbag 11 and reduce the volume of the gas inflow portion 13 to shorten the time until completion of inflation. The plate-like portion 28 is connected to the triangular plate-like portion 28a disposed on the front end side of the airbag 11, the supply passage portion 15 and the communication inflow portion 21 between the front seat inflow portion 17 and the rear seat inflow portion 18. The rectangular plate-shaped part 28b arrange | positioned between these. The triangular plate-shaped portion 28 a is disposed so as to protrude forward from the front edge side of the peripheral edge coupling portion 26. Further, a peripheral edge coupling portion 26 is arranged between the gas inflow portion 13 (front seat / rear seat inflow portions 17 and 18, communication inflow portion 21 and supply passage portion 15) around the rectangular plate portion 28 b. It is installed.
[0028]
The partition coupling portion 27 extends upward from the lower edge side portion 26b of the peripheral edge coupling portion 26 to the supply path portion 15 in the area of each of the front seat and rear seat inflow portions 17 and 18. The rear seats 17 and 18 are divided into a plurality of vertically inflatable portions 20, and a plurality of rear seats 17 and 18 are arranged in order to make the thickness substantially uniform.
[0029]
  The inflator 33Supplying inflation gas to the airbag 11,As shown in FIG. 1, a substantially cylindrical main body 33 a and a supply pipe 33 b that guides an inflating gas from the main body 33 a downward are configured. The lower end of the supply pipe 33 b is connected to the airbag 11. The upper end of the inflow port portion 15a in the supply passage portion 15 is externally mounted and connected to the airbag 11 using a clamp (not shown). Then, the inflator 33 uses the mounting bracket 34 and the mounting bolt 35 to connect the inner side of the roof side RR 5 to the inner panel 2 of the roof side rail portion RR above the center pillar portion CP.Airbag cover 8It is covered and fixed.
[0030]
  Next, the mounting of the airbag apparatus M of the embodiment on the vehicle V will be described. First, the airbag 11 is folded. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4A, and 4B, in the airbag 11 in a state where the vehicle inner side wall portion 13a and the vehicle outer side wall portion 13b are flattened so as to overlap with each other, The part from the lower edge 11b of the bag 11 to the position that becomes the upper end of the partition coupling portion 27 is roll-folded from the lower edge 11b side on the side of the vehicle body side wall portion 13b using a predetermined jig or the like. Site 38 is formed. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4B, the roll folding portion 38 is folded so as to be positioned on the vehicle outer side O of the vehicle outer side wall portion 13 b in the unfolded portion of the airbag 11. After that, as shown in FIG. 4C, a fold C1 indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 3 is attached at a portion near the upper end of the partition coupling portion 27 (a portion near the lower edge of the supply path portion 15). . At this time, the part of the fold C1 is located on the vehicle outer side O in the vicinity of the lower end of the roll folding part 38. Then, the part on the upper side from the crease C1 is a part near the upper edge of the supply path 15 and is folded with a crease C2 indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 3, and as shown in FIG. A U-shaped folded portion 39 is formed. At this time, the part of the crease C2 is positioned on the vehicle inner side I in the vicinity of the lower end of the roll folding part 38. And the reverse U-shaped folding part 39 is above the roll folding part 38,In the region between the crease C2 on the inside I and the fold C1 on the outside O,It will be arrange | positioned so that the roll folding part 38 may be wrapped. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 2, the airbag 11 is folded at the portion of the peripheral coupling portion 26 so that the portion of the attachment portion 25 is located on the vehicle outer side O than the state shown in FIG. Then, a predetermined portion of the folded airbag 11 is appropriately wrapped with a wrapping material (not shown) for preventing collapse.
[0031]
In the airbag 11 of the embodiment, the distance L1 between the fold C1 and the upper edge 11a of the airbag 11 is set to 100 mm, and the distance L2 between the fold C2 and the upper edge 11a of the airbag 11 is set. Is set to 35 mm (see FIG. 3). Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the roll folding portion 38 is folded around the lower edge 11b of the airbag 11 at a portion where the distance L3 from the lower edge 11b is set to 40 mm (see the one-dot chain line in FIG. 3). A predetermined jig is sandwiched between the folded portions. In the airbag 11 of the embodiment, the width dimension t1 in the left-right direction at the time of completion of folding is set to 28 mm, and the width dimension t2 in the up-down direction is set to 25 mm (see FIG. 2).
[0032]
Next, the attachment bracket 30 is attached to each attachment portion 25. Further, while using the clamp, the inflator 33 is connected to the inflow port portion 15a, and then the mounting bracket 34 is attached around the inflator 33, and the inflator 33 is assembled to the airbag 11 to form an airbag assembly. deep.
[0033]
Then, if each attachment part 25 and the inflator 33 are attached and fixed to the inner panel 2 using the attachment bolts 31 and 35, the airbag assembly can be attached to the body 1 of the vehicle V.
[0034]
Then, a lead wire (not shown) extending from the inflator 33 is connected to a predetermined airbag operation circuit, and the front pillar FP is attached and fixed to the inner panel 2 in the front pillar portion FP, and the inner side in the roof side rail portion RR. If the roof head lining 5 is attached and fixed to the panel 2, and the garnishes 6 and 7 of the center pillar portion CP and the rear pillar portion RP are fixed to the inner panel 2 of the body 1, the head protection airbag device M is attached to the vehicle V. Can be installed.
[0035]
Thereafter, when the inflator 33 is operated, the inflation gas G flows into the supply passage 15 from the inflow port portion 15a to break a wrapping material (not shown) and the front pillar garnish 4 as the airbag cover 8. In other words, the lower edges 4a and 5a of the roof head lining 5 are pushed and opened toward the vehicle inner side I. And each vertical expansion part 20 in expansion body part 16 expands and inflates, and as shown by the two-dot chain line of Drawing 1 and 2, it projects below from the upper edge side of windows W1 and W2, and airbag 11 is, The insides of the windows W1, W2, the center pillar portion CP, and the rear pillar portion RP are covered.
[0036]
  And in the head protection airbag device M of the embodiment, the portion of the supply path portion 15 in the airbag 11 is located on the vehicle inner side I (the upper side portion) 15b that is the upper side at the completion of deployment and inflation, The airbag 11 is folded such that a lower portion (lower portion) 15c at the time of completion of deployment and inflation is positioned on the vehicle outer side O. Therefore, in the initial stage of inflation of the airbag 11, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, first, the inflation gas flows into the upper portion 15b (the portion that becomes the vehicle interior I) of the supply passage portion 15, Part15bThe lower portion of the supply passage 15 while pressing the other portions (the lower portion 15c and the roll folding portion 38) of the airbag 11 located on the vehicle outer side O toward the inner panel 2 disposed on the vehicle outer side O. The inflation gas will flow into the side portion 15c. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5C, the airbag cover 8 is pushed open in a state in which the supply passage portion 15 is prevented from greatly projecting and inflating toward the vehicle inner side I in the initial stage of inflation. As a result, it is possible to suppress the roll folding portion 38 from protruding to the vehicle interior I as much as possible. Of course, if this point is not taken into account, as shown in FIG. 7, the upper side portion 15b of the supply path portion 15 is positioned on the vehicle outer side O, and the lower side portion 15c is positioned on the vehicle inner side I, so that the reverse U It is good also as a structure which folds the airbag 11 so that the character-shaped folding site | part 41 may be comprised.
[0037]
Thereafter, in the airbag apparatus M according to the embodiment, the portion of the inflating main body portion 16 is inflated by inflating the inflation gas. And in the airbag apparatus M of embodiment, since the site | part of the expansion | swelling main-body part 16 is roll-folded toward the vehicle outer side O, as shown to FIG. The center pillar portion CP and the window W (W1 · W2) are unfolded so as to extend along the vehicle inner side I of the center pillar portion CP and the window W (W1 · W2) disposed on the vehicle outer side O. It will expand | swell so that the vehicle inside I may be covered. That is, in the airbag apparatus M of the embodiment, the portion of the inflating main body portion 16 is expanded toward the vehicle outer side O while being unfolded. Since the center pillar garnish 7 and the window W (W1, W2) are arranged on the vehicle exterior O of the expansion body 16, the expansion body 16 has the center pillar garnish 7 and the window W (W1, W2). ) Will be deployed along. Therefore, when the airbag 11 is deployed and inflated, the inflated main body 16 can be deployed in a state where the protrusion of the inflated main body 16 to the vehicle inner side I is suppressed as much as possible. At the center pillar portion CP, the airbag 11 is deployed along the inclined upper end 7a of the pillar garnish 7 and protrudes toward the vehicle interior I so as not to interfere with the pillar garnish 7. It expands and expands along I. Needless to say, the airbag 11 also protrudes toward the vehicle inner side I without interfering with the pillar garnish 6 and expands and inflates along the vehicle inner side of the pillar garnish 6 also at the rear pillar portion RP.
[0038]
Therefore, in the airbag apparatus M according to the embodiment, the airbag 11 is prevented from projecting toward the vehicle interior I when the airbag 11 is deployed and inflated so as to extend along the windows W1 and W2, the center pillar portion CP, and the rear pillar portion RP as much as possible. It can be inflated.
[0039]
In the airbag apparatus M according to the embodiment, the supply path portion 15 has the folds C1 and C2 along the front-rear direction in a state where the supply passage portion 15 is flattened so as to overlap the vehicle inner wall portion 13a and the vehicle outer wall portion 13b. Since the expansion main body 16 is rolled so that it is wound from the lower edge 11b side to form the roll folding portion 38, the supply path portion 15 is attached with folds C1 and C2. The airbag 11 may be folded so as to be positioned on the vehicle inner side I or the vehicle outer side O of the roll folding portion 38, and the folding operation of the portion of the supply passage portion 15 is easy. If this point is not taken into consideration, as shown in FIG. 8, the vehicle inner wall portion 13a and the vehicle outer wall portion 13b at the site of the supply path portion 15 are separated, and the wall portions 13a and 13b are separately provided. The airbag is folded with a crease C3 to form an inverted U-shaped folded portion 42, and the roll folded portion 38 is disposed between the inner wall portion 13a and the outer wall portion 13b. 11 may be configured to be folded. When the airbag 11 is folded in this way, the supply path portion 15 is provided with folds C3 and C3 along the front-rear direction at intermediate portions in the vertical direction of the vehicle inner wall portion 13a and the vehicle outer wall portion 13b, respectively. Let it be folded.
[0040]
As shown in FIGS. 2, 7 and 8, when the airbag 11 is folded, the roll folding portion 38 is wrapped by the reverse U-shaped folding portions 39, 41, 42, and the reverse U-shaped folding portion 39. 41 and 42, the supply passage portion 15 pushes the airbag cover 8 when the supply passage portion 15 is inflated by inflating the inflation gas in the initial stage of inflation of the airbag 11. At the same time as opening, the roll folding part 38 is expanded so as to press downward. Therefore, the roll folding part 38 is not pressed to the vehicle inner side I as much as possible with the expansion of the supply path 15, and the protrusion of the expansion main body part 16, which was the roll folding part 38, to the vehicle inner side I can be suppressed. it can. Of course, if this point is not taken into consideration, as shown in FIG. 9, the portion of the supply passage portion 15 is folded in a bellows with a plurality of folds along the front-rear direction, and the supply passage portion 15 is folded. A configuration may be adopted in which the airbag 11 is folded by disposing the roll folding portion 38 below 44. When the portion of the supply passage portion 15 is folded like the folded portion 44, the roll folding portion 38 is temporarily pressed toward the vehicle inner side by the inflated supply passage portion 15 when the airbag 11 is deployed and inflated. Even if this happens, the roll folding part 38 is expanded so as to protrude along the window W (pillar garnish 6 and 7), as described above. Thus, the protrusion of the expansion main body portion 16 toward the vehicle inner side is suppressed as much as possible.
[0041]
Further, in FIGS. 2, 7, 8 and 9, the supply path portion 15 in the airbag is non-roll folded (inverted U-shaped folding portions 39, 41, etc.) that is easier to deploy than roll folding when the inflation gas flows in. 42 and the bellows-like folded portion 42), the supply passage 15 is quickly inflated by inflating the inflation gas at the initial stage of inflation of the airbag 11. Therefore, in the initial stage of inflation of the airbag 11, the airbag cover 8 that covers the vehicle interior I of the airbag 11 can be quickly pushed open, and the airbag 11 can be rapidly deployed and inflated.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a head protection airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the inside of a vehicle.
2 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view taken along a line II-II in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a front view showing a state where the airbag used in the embodiment is flatly deployed.
FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the airbag folding process of the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a deployed and inflated state of the airbag in the head protecting airbag device of the embodiment.
6 is a schematic view showing a deployed and inflated state of the airbag in the head protecting airbag device of the same embodiment, and is a view showing a state after FIG. 5. FIG.
FIG. 7 is a schematic enlarged sectional view showing a folded state of the airbag in the head protecting airbag device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a schematic enlarged sectional view showing a folded state of an airbag in a head protecting airbag device according to still another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a schematic enlarged sectional view showing a folded state of an airbag in a head protecting airbag device according to still another embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... Body
2 ... Inner panel,
8 ... Airbag cover,
11 ... Airbag,
11a ... upper edge,
13: Gas inflow part,
15 ... supply path section,
15b ... upper side part,
15c ... lower side part,
16 ... Expansion body part,
25 ... Mounting part,
33 ... Inflator,
38 ... roll folding part,
39, 41, 42 ... inverted U-shaped folding part,
C1, C2 ... folds,
G ... expansion gas,
I ... Inside the car,
O ... the outside of the car,
W (W1 / W2) ... window,
M: Head protection airbag device.

Claims

An airbag that is folded and stored on the upper edge side of the window on the vehicle interior side, and that expands and expands downward so as to cover the vehicle interior side of the window when inflating gas flows;
An inflator for supplying the inflation gas to the airbag;
An airbag cover covering an inner side of the airbag and the inflator ;
Configured with
The airbag includes a gas inflow portion that allows the upper edge side to be attached and fixed to the vehicle body side, and inflates by inflating the inflation gas so as to separate the vehicle inner wall portion and the vehicle outer wall portion,
The gas inlet is
On the upper edge side of the airbag, the inflowing inflation gas can be supplied to substantially the entire region in the front-rear direction of the airbag, and is disposed along the front-rear direction of the vehicle over substantially the entire length of the airbag, In the initial stage of inflation of the airbag, a supply path section for allowing the inflation gas to flow,
A lower side of the supply path portion is disposed near the lower edge of the airbag, and is configured to allow the inflation gas to flow from the supply path portion. An expansion body that will cover the inside of the vehicle;
In the head protection airbag device configured to include:
The supply path part is provided with an inflow part connected to the inflator while projecting upward at an intermediate part in the front-rear direction,
The airbag is
As a roll folding part that folds and folds the part of the expansion main body part from the lower edge side toward the vehicle outer side ,
From the state where the vehicle outer wall and the vehicle inner wall are overlapped and flattened so that the supply passage portion is easier to expand than the roll folding portion when the inflation gas flows in , Invert U that folds in a bellows shape with a crease along the front-rear direction at the position of the upper side and the lower side at the time of completion of expansion, and folds so that the vertical cross-sectional shape is a substantially inverted U shape As a character-like folding part,
The roll folding part is arranged below the inverted U-shaped folding part,
Folded, stowed,
The inverted U-shaped folding part is located on the vehicle inner side of the roll folding part when the fold is located on the upper side of the supply path part when the expansion is completed, and the lower side of the supply path part when the expansion is completed The fold located on the roll fold is positioned outside the vehicle, and the fold inside the vehicle is disposed on the upper side of the supply path when expansion is completed, and when the expansion is completed in the supply path The head protection airbag device is disposed so as to wrap the roll folding portion at a portion between the folds on the vehicle outer side and disposed on the lower side of the vehicle.