Passenger seat airbag device and method for manufacturing a passenger seat airbag device

Abstract

The objective is to provide a passenger airbag device that maintains an independent position on the instrument panel and can efficiently restrain the occupant. The airbag cushion (108) of the passenger seat airbag device (100) inflates and deploys while in contact with the upper surface of the instrument panel (102). The airbag cushion (108) has a pair of side panels (120) and a strip-shaped main panel (118) connecting the edges of the pair of side panels (120) to each other. The side panels (120) have an acute-angled portion (128) that extends forward in an acute-angled shape. The airbag cushion (108) also has an inner seam (148) in which the edge of the main panel (118) and the edge of the side panel (120) are joined in a curved state toward the inside of the airbag cushion (108), and an outer seam (144) in which the end (138a, 138b) of the main panel (118) is joined in a state in which it extends further forward from the acute angle (128) of a pair of side panels (120).

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a passenger seat airbag device equipped with an airbag cushion that inflates and deploys between the instrument panel of a vehicle and a passenger seat occupant, and a method for manufacturing a passenger seat airbag device. Background Technology

[0002] Most modern vehicles are equipped with airbag systems as standard equipment. Airbags are safety devices that activate in emergencies, such as collisions, protecting occupants by utilizing airbag cushions that inflate and deploy using gas pressure. There are various types of airbag systems depending on their installation location and purpose. For example, a front airbag is installed in the center of the steering wheel in the driver's seat. Additionally, a passenger airbag is installed in the instrument panel or surrounding area in the front passenger seat.

[0003] The airbag cushion of various airbag devices is designed to have a shape that allows the occupant to be restrained efficiently according to surrounding structures, etc. For example, the airbag (1) described in Patent Document 1 is a passenger seat airbag, and is configured such that the front inflation part (11) is pressed and contacts the instrument panel (l) and the window shield (W) so that it can stand on its own on the instrument panel (l). Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2012-144201. In cited document 1, it is stated that the foremost end (B) of the bottom part (11a) of the front expansion part (11) may be in the shape of an arc (see paragraph 0036). However, depending on the degree of the arc shape of the foremost end (B), there is a concern that it may affect the support of the airbag (1) in a self-standing position. For example, if the radius of curvature of the arc shape of the foremost end (B) is large, the front part (11b) also protrudes significantly toward the window shield (W), and the front part (11b) interferes more strongly with the window shield (W). In such cases, for example, the front expansion part (11) may interfere with the window shield (W) and rise up, and the bottom part (11a) may be lifted away from the instrument panel (l), making it difficult for the airbag (1) to obtain a reaction force from the instrument panel (l), or a concave part with an inwardly folded shape may form on the front part (11b), making it difficult to absorb the load from the occupant. The problem to be solved

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a passenger seat airbag device capable of maintaining an independent posture on an instrument panel and efficiently restraining a passenger, and a method for manufacturing a passenger seat airbag device, in consideration of such problems. means of solving the problem

[0006] To solve the above problem, a representative configuration of a passenger seat airbag device according to the present invention comprises an airbag cushion that inflates and deploys upward from the instrument panel and between the instrument panel and the passenger seat occupant while in contact with the upper surface of the instrument panel of a vehicle, and an inflator fixed to the inner side of the instrument panel to supply gas to the airbag cushion, wherein the airbag cushion has a pair of side panels forming the side portions of the airbag cushion in the vehicle width direction, and a main panel in the shape of a strip connecting the edges of the pair of side panels to each other, wherein the pair of side panels have acute angle portions extending in an acute angle shape toward the front of the vehicle along the upper surface of the instrument panel, and the airbag cushion also has an inner seam portion where the edge of the main panel and the edge of the pair of side panels are joined in a curved state toward the inner side of the airbag cushion, and an outer seam portion where the ends of both sides in the longitudinal direction of the main panel are joined by overlapping vertically in a state extending further toward the front of the vehicle from the acute angle portions of the pair of side panels. It is characterized by having a seam allowance.

[0007] According to the above configuration, the airbag cushion contacts the upper surface of the instrument panel by means of a strip-shaped main panel. In particular, at the front expansion portion of the airbag cushion formed by the acute angle of the side panel, the outer seam of the main panel is formed to extend further forward from the front shear, so the front shear does not easily curl up. By efficiently forming the front expansion portion with a tapered end on the airbag cushion in this way, it fits appropriately between the instrument panel and the window shield, contacts the instrument panel, and can maintain and support the airbag cushion's self-standing position.

[0008] The above airbag cushion includes an acute angle portion of a pair of side panels and has a front expansion portion formed to expand in a wedge shape along the upper surface of the instrument panel toward the front of the vehicle, and the outer seam portion may be extended from the front end of the front expansion portion. Because the front end of this wedge-shaped front expansion portion is an outer seam portion, it is difficult to roll up and fits between the instrument panel and the window shield, allowing it to come into contact with the instrument panel as a flat surface, thereby enabling the airbag cushion to maintain and support its self-standing position.

[0009] The main panel may have a through hole formed in a portion that contacts the upper surface of the instrument panel and is connected to the inflator when a part of the inflator is inserted. By connecting the through hole of the main panel to the inflator fixed to the inside of the instrument panel, it becomes possible to efficiently ground the airbag cushion to the upper surface of the instrument panel.

[0010] The above airbag cushion may also have a diffuser installed around a through hole in the main panel on the inner side of the airbag cushion to cover the inflator and guide the gas in a predetermined direction. By installing the diffuser, it becomes possible to inflate and deploy the airbag cushion efficiently.

[0011] The upper edges of the aforementioned pair of side panels may extend in a shape that approximates a straight line. This configuration prevents the airbag cushion from expanding excessively convexly toward the window shield when inflated and deploys, and makes it possible to smoothly insert the front inflated portion of the aforementioned airbag cushion between the window shield and the instrument panel.

[0012] The upper edge of the aforementioned pair of side panels may be curved downward and concave. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress excessive convex expansion toward the window shield when the airbag cushion inflates and deploys, and to smoothly insert the front expansion portion of the aforementioned airbag cushion between the window shield and the instrument.

[0013] The above pair of side panels may also include a front area located above the instrument panel, including an acute angle portion, a restraining area located between the instrument panel and the passenger and extending downward from the front area, and a concave portion formed at the boundary between the front area and the restraining area on the lower edge of the above pair of side panels, which is curved upward and is concave.

[0014] According to the above configuration, when a passenger comes into contact with the airbag cushion, the airbag cushion bends at an angle corresponding to the passenger's entry direction starting from the concave portion of the side panel, thereby more effectively restraining the passenger.

[0015] A representative configuration of the method for manufacturing a passenger seat airbag device according to the present invention is a method for manufacturing a passenger seat airbag device having an airbag cushion that expands and deploys upward from the instrument panel and between the instrument panel and the passenger seat while in contact with the upper surface of the instrument panel of a vehicle, and is characterized by having a process of manufacturing a pair of side panels having an acute angle portion extending at an acute angle toward the front of the vehicle along the upper surface of the instrument panel; a process of connecting the edges of the pair of side panels to each other by a strip-shaped main panel and extending the ends of both sides in the longitudinal direction of the main panel further toward the front of the vehicle from the acute angle portion of the pair of side panels to form an overlapping state vertically; a process of inverting the inner and outer sides of the airbag cushion from an opening between the ends of the main panel; and a process of joining the ends of the main panel to each other.

[0016] A passenger seat airbag device having the aforementioned functions and effects can be manufactured by the above manufacturing method. That is, according to the above manufacturing method, a passenger seat airbag device equipped with an airbag cushion capable of efficiently restraining a passenger by appropriately maintaining and supporting an independent posture can be manufactured. Effects of the invention

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a passenger seat airbag device capable of maintaining an independent posture on an instrument panel and efficiently restraining a passenger, and a method for manufacturing a passenger seat airbag device. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0018] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a passenger seat airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a schematic AA cross-sectional view of the airbag cushion of Figure 1(b). Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an overview of the airbag cushion of Figure 2. Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the front inflation portion of the airbag cushion of Figure 3(a). Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the front expansion portion of Figure 4(b). FIG. 6 is a modified example of the side panel of FIG. 3(b). Specific details for implementing the invention

[0019] Suitable embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values ​​shown in these embodiments are merely examples to facilitate understanding of the invention and do not limit the invention unless specifically stated otherwise. Furthermore, in this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same function or configuration are given the same reference numerals to avoid redundant descriptions, and elements not directly related to the present invention are omitted from illustration.

[0020] (Passenger airbag system)

[0021] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a passenger seat airbag device (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1(a) is a diagram illustrating a vehicle before operation of the passenger seat airbag device (100). In FIG. 1(a) and other drawings, the front and rear directions of the vehicle are illustrated by arrows F (Forward) and B (Back), the left and right directions of the vehicle width are illustrated by arrows L (Left) and R (Right), and the up and down directions of the vehicle are illustrated by arrows U (Up) and D (Down), respectively.

[0022] In this embodiment, the airbag device (100) for the passenger seat is implemented as a passenger bag for the passenger seat (the seat on the right side of the front row (104)) in a left-hand drive vehicle. Since the following description assumes the seat on the right side of the front row (104), for example, the outer side of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction means the right side of the vehicle, and the inner side of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction means the left side of the vehicle. In addition, "upward" refers to the direction of the head when viewed from the passenger (114) (see FIG. 2) in a regular seated position on the seat (104), and "downward" refers to the direction of the lower body when viewed from the passenger (114).

[0023] The airbag cushion (108) (see FIG. 1(b)) of the passenger seat airbag device (100) is housed in a housing (106) installed in the instrument panel (102) of the vehicle. The housing (106) is installed in front of the seat (104) of the vehicle and houses an inflator (110) (see FIG. 2), which is a gas generating device, in addition to the airbag cushion (108).

[0024] FIG. 1(b) is a diagram illustrating a vehicle after the operation of the passenger seat airbag device (100) of FIG. 1(a). The airbag cushion (108) is formed in the shape of a pocket by overlapping and sewing or bonding several air bubbles that constitute its surface.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a schematic AA cross-sectional view of the airbag cushion (108) of FIG. 1(b). As illustrated in FIG. 2, the airbag cushion (108) is in contact with the upper surface of the instrument panel (102) and expands upward and between the instrument panel (102) and the occupant (114) of the seat (104), thereby restraining the occupant (114) from the front of the vehicle.

[0026] A part of an inflator (110), which is a gas generating device, is inserted inside the airbag cushion (108). The inflator (110) is fixed to the inside of the instrument panel (102) using stud bolts (not shown) and operates in response to an impact detection signal sent from a specific sensor, and supplies gas to the airbag cushion (108). The airbag cushion (108) begins to inflate with gas from the inflator (110) and expands toward the seat (104), such as opening the cover (107) (see FIG. 1(a)) with the inflation pressure.

[0027] In this embodiment, the inflator (110) is adopted in a disk type. Inflators currently in use include types that generate gas by burning a gas generating agent, types that supply gas without generating heat by filling in compressed gas, and hybrid types that utilize both combustion gas and compressed gas. Any type can be used as the inflator (110).

[0028] The diffuser (116) is a component that rectifies gas from the inflator (110) and is installed to cover the inflator (110) on the inside of the airbag cushion (108). The diffuser (116) has an opening installed in a predetermined part to allow gas to flow. By installing the diffuser (116), it becomes possible to efficiently inflate and deploy the airbag cushion (108).

[0029] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an overview of the airbag cushion (108) of FIG. 2. FIG. 3(a) is a perspective view of the airbag cushion (108) of FIG. 2 during inflation and deployment. The airbag cushion (108) is composed of a central main panel (118) and a pair of left and right side panels (120). The rear side of the airbag cushion (108) is a restraining part (122) that is vertically larger than the rear side.

[0030] The front expansion portion (124) of the airbag cushion (108) on the front side of the vehicle expands to protrude forward in a wedge shape along the upper surface (102a) of the instrument panel (102) (see FIG. 2). The front expansion portion (124) enters the space between the instrument panel (102) and the window shield (112) and makes surface contact with the upper surface (102a) of the instrument panel (102) to maintain and support the self-standing position of the airbag cushion (108).

[0031] FIG. 3(b) is a diagram illustrating the side panel (120) of FIG. 3(a). A pair of side panels (120) are installed in a shape symmetrical to the vehicle width direction (left and right) of the airbag cushion (108) (see FIG. 3(a)) to form the side portion of the airbag cushion (108) on the vehicle width side.

[0032] The front area (126) of the side panel (120) is an area located above the instrument panel (102) (see FIG. 2). The front side of the vehicle in the front area (126) is an acute angle portion (128) that forms the side in the vehicle width direction of the wedge-shaped front expansion portion (124) described above. The acute angle portion (128) extends in an acute angle shape toward the front of the vehicle along the upper surface (102a) of the instrument panel (102).

[0033] The restraint area (130) of the side panel (120) forms the occupant restraint portion (122) of the airbag cushion (108) (see FIG. 2) and is located between the instrument panel (102) and the occupant (114), extending downward from the front area (126). A vent hole (132) for discharging gas from inside the airbag cushion (108) is installed in the restraint area (130).

[0034] The upper edge (134), which extends continuously from the front area (126) and the restraint area (130) of the side panel (120), is extended at an angle in a shape that approximates a straight line. By making the upper edge (134) of the side panel (120) approximate a straight line, the airbag cushion (108) (see FIG. 2) is suppressed from expanding excessively convexly toward the window shield (112) when it is inflated and deployed. With this configuration, it becomes possible to smoothly insert the front expansion portion (124) into the space between the window shield (112) and the instrument panel (102).

[0035] A concave portion (136) is formed at the boundary between the front area (126) and the restraining area (130) of the lower edge (135) of the side panel (120). The concave portion (136) is curved upward and has a concave shape. The concave portion (136) is a part located near the corner between the upper surface (102a) and the upper surface (102b) of the instrument panel (102) (see FIG. 2) when the airbag cushion (108) is inflated and deployed. By installing the concave portion (136), when a passenger (114) comes into contact with the airbag cushion (108), the passenger restraining portion (122) of the airbag cushion (108) can bend at an angle according to the direction of entry of the passenger (114) to absorb the load and more appropriately restrain the passenger (114).

[0036] FIG. 3(c) is a drawing illustrating the main panel (118) of FIG. 3(a). The main panel (118) is in the shape of a long strip and connects the edges of a pair of side panels (120) (see FIG. 3(b)) to each other by sewing or the like. The ends (138a, 138b) on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the main panel (118) gradually approach the front of the vehicle along the upper edge (134) and lower edge (135) of the side panel (120), and then are joined by sewing or the like at a position extending from the leading edge of the acute angle portion (128) of the side panel (120) to form an outer seam portion (144) (see FIG. 5(a)).

[0037] A through hole (140) connected to an inflator (110) (see FIG. 2) is installed in the main panel (118). The through hole (140) is formed in the part of the main panel (118) that contacts the upper surface (102a) of the instrument panel (102). A bolt hole (142) for inserting a stud bolt of the inflator (110) is also installed around the through hole (140). The through hole (140) is connected to the inflator (110) with a part of the inflator (110) inserted, such as by using the bolt hole (142).

[0038] By fixing the through hole (140) of the main panel (118) together with the inflator (110) (see FIG. 2) to the inside of the instrument panel (102), it becomes possible to efficiently ground the airbag cushion (108) to the upper surface (102a) of the instrument panel (102). Additionally, the diffuser (116) described above is also installed by means of sewing or the like around the through hole (140) of the main panel (118) inside the airbag cushion (108).

[0039] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the front expansion portion (124) of the airbag cushion (108) of FIG. 3(a). FIG. 4(a) illustrates the front expansion portion (124) of FIG. 3(a) from the left side in the vehicle width direction. An outer seam (144) is formed at the front end of the front expansion portion (124). The outer seam (144) is a part where the ends (138a, 138b) of the main panel (118) (see FIG. 5(a)) are joined vertically by sewing or the like. In conventional airbag cushions, the seam is formed on the inside, but in the front expansion portion (124) of the airbag cushion (108), the outer seam (144) is deliberately formed on the outside so that the front end of the front expansion portion (124) can expand and unfold at a more acute angle without being rolled up.

[0040] FIG. 4(b) is a perspective view of the front expansion portion (124) of the airbag cushion (108) of FIG. 3(b) viewed from an upwardly inclined forward angle. The outer seam portion (144) is formed by overlapping and joining the ends (138a, 138b) on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the main panel (118) so that they extend further forward from the acute angle portion (128) of a pair of side panels (120). In this way, the outer seam portion (144) is formed to extend in the vehicle width direction at the front end of the front expansion portion (124).

[0041] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the front expansion portion (124) of FIG. 4(b). FIG. 5(a) is a BB cross-sectional view of the front expansion portion (124) of FIG. 4(b). By installing an outer seam portion (144), the front expansion portion (124) expands and unfolds in a wedge shape without being rolled up. Because of this, the bottom surface (146) of the front expansion portion (124) becomes flatter and can widely make surface contact with the upper surface (102a) of the instrument panel (102) (see FIG. 2). As a result, the airbag cushion (108) can stand upright efficiently on the instrument panel (102).

[0042] FIG. 5(b) is a CC cross-sectional view of the front expansion portion (124) of FIG. 4(b). An inner seam (148) is formed in the portion of the front expansion portion (124) other than the front end. The inner seam (148) is formed such that the edge of the main panel (118) and the edge of the side panel (120) are joined in a curved state toward the inside of the airbag cushion (108). The inner seam (148) is formed over the entire joint portion of the main panel (118) and the side panel (120). That is, except for the outer seam (144) at the front end of the front expansion portion (124), the seam is formed on the inside of the airbag cushion (108), and the seam is configured so that it does not come into contact with the passenger (114) (see FIG. 2) or other structures.

[0043] As described above, in the front expansion portion (124) formed by the acute angle portion (128) of the side panel (120) and the end side of the main panel (118), the outer seam portion (144) of the end portion (138a, 138b) of the main panel (118) is formed to extend further forward from the front end, so that the front end of the front expansion portion (124) is not easily rolled up. Therefore, the front expansion portion (124) expands and unfolds into a wedge shape with a narrow end. With this shape of front expansion portion (124), it can be suitably inserted between the instrument panel (102) (see FIG. 2) and the window shield (112) to form a flat bottom surface (146) (see FIG. 5(a)), allowing surface contact with the instrument panel (102) and supporting the self-standing position of the airbag cushion (108). By doing so, the airbag cushion (108) can maintain a self-supporting posture, making it possible to efficiently restrain the passenger (114).

[0044] (Method for manufacturing a passenger seat airbag device)

[0045] A method for manufacturing a passenger seat airbag device (100) equipped with the airbag cushion (108) described above is explained below.

[0046] The above manufacturing method consists of a process of first manufacturing a pair of side panels (120) (see FIG. 3(b)). The side panels (120) are manufactured to have an acute portion (128) that extends at an acute angle toward the front of the vehicle along the upper surface (102a) of the instrument panel (102) (see FIG. 2).

[0047] In the next process, the edges of a pair of side panels (120) are connected by a strip-shaped main panel (118) (see FIG. 3(c)). At this time, the ends (138a, 138b) on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the main panel (118) are processed to extend further forward from the acute angle portion (128) of the pair of side panels (120) and overlap vertically.

[0048] Next, before forming the outer seam (144) (see FIG. 4(b)), a process is performed to open the ends (138a, 138b) of the main panel (118) and to invert the inner and outer sides of the airbag cushion (108) through this opening. Through this process, the seam when the side panel (120) and the main panel (118) are connected is located on the inner side of the airbag cushion (108), and the inner seam (148) (see FIG. 5(b)) is formed.

[0049] After forming the inner seam (148) (see FIG. 5(b)), a process is performed to join the ends (138a, 138b) of the main panel (118) vertically by sewing or the like, and the outer seam (144) (see FIG. 5(a)) is formed. By doing so, the manufacture of an airbag cushion (108) capable of maintaining a self-standing posture with a wedge-shaped front expansion portion (124) is completed.

[0050] The airbag cushion (108) manufactured by the above manufacturing method is also useful for installing a diffuser (116) (see FIG. 2). Conventional airbag cushions were made by sewing each panel member and then inverting the inside and outside using a through hole (140) for an inflator (see FIG. 3(c)). However, in this method, when installing a diffuser (116) around the through hole (140), the diffuser (116) had to be inserted into the airbag cushion after inverting the airbag cushion and then sewn, and a lot of effort was required for the installation of the diffuser (116). On the other hand, with the above manufacturing method, the airbag cushion (108) is inverted by opening the front end of the front expansion part (124) rather than the through hole (140) for the inflator, so the diffuser (116) can be installed around the through hole (140) before the inversion process. That is, with the above manufacturing method, it is possible to simply install the diffuser (116) in advance using the main panel (118).

[0051] In addition, with the above manufacturing method, it is possible to install the diffuser (116) on the main panel (118) in a folded state with a temporary sealing treatment applied. The temporary sealing is a type of stitching that is resolved when a force exceeding a certain amount is applied, such as when the thread breaks or unravels. By folding the diffuser (116) and applying the temporary sealing, the position of the diffuser (116) can be prevented from shifting when the airbag cushion (108) is stored. Furthermore, when gas pressure is applied, the temporary sealing is released to expand the diffuser (116), and the airbag cushion (108) can be smoothly expanded by the gas rectification action of the diffuser (116). The above manufacturing method is highly advantageous in that, when installing the diffuser (116) with such a temporary sealing treatment, the front end of the aforementioned front expansion part (124) is opened to invert the airbag cushion (108).

[0052] (Variation Example)

[0053] Below, variations of each component described above will be explained. FIG. 6 is a variation (side panel (200)) of the side panel (120) of FIG. 3(b). In FIG. 6, components identical to those already described are given the same reference numerals, and thus, descriptions of components already described are omitted. Furthermore, in the following description, components with the same name as those already described are considered to have the same function unless specifically indicated, even if they are given different reference numerals.

[0054] In the side panel (200), the upper edge (202) is curved downward and is in a concave state. When gas is supplied, the upper surface of the airbag cushion (108) (see FIG. 2) expands to some extent in a convex, circular shape toward the window shield (112) due to the pressure. Therefore, if the side panel (200) has the upper edge (202) curved and concave in advance, it is possible to suppress the circular shape when the airbag cushion (108) expands and prevent it from becoming excessively convex toward the window shield (112). Thus, by using the side panel (200), it is possible to efficiently form a wedge-shaped front expansion part (124) and smoothly insert the front expansion part (124) into the space between the window shield (112) and the instrument panel (102).

[0055] Suitable embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described above are suitable examples of the present invention, and other embodiments may also be implemented or performed in various ways. Unless otherwise stated in the specification, the present invention is not limited to the shape, size, and configuration arrangement of detailed parts shown in the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, expressions and terms used in the specification are for illustrative purposes only and are not limited thereto unless otherwise stated. Therefore, it is evident to those skilled in the art that various variations or modifications can be conceived within the scope described in the claims, and these will be understood as falling within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0056] [Industrial Applicability]

[0057] The present invention can be used for a passenger seat airbag device equipped with an airbag cushion that inflates and deploys between the instrument panel of a vehicle and a passenger seat occupant, and for a method of manufacturing a passenger seat airbag device. Explanation of the symbols

[0058] 100… passenger airbag unit, 102… instrument panel, 102a… upper surface of the instrument panel, 102b… decorative surface of the instrument panel, 104… seat, 106… receiving portion, 107… cover, 108… airbag cushion, 110… inflator, 112… window shield, 114… occupant, 116… diffuser, 118… main panel, 120… side panel, 122… occupant restraint portion, 124… front inflation portion, 126… front area, 128… acute angle portion, 130… restraint area, 132… vent hole, 134… upper edge of the side panel, 135… lower edge of the side panel, 136… recess, 138a, 138b… end portion of the main panel, 140… Through hole, 142… Bolt hole, 144… Outer seam, 146… Bottom surface of front expansion, 148… Inner seam, 200… Side panel of the modified example, 202… Upper edge of the side panel

Claims

Claim 1 A passenger seat airbag device comprising an airbag cushion that expands and deploys upward from the instrument panel and between the instrument panel and the passenger seat while in contact with the upper surface of the instrument panel of a vehicle, and an inflator fixed to the inner side of the instrument panel to supply gas to the airbag cushion, wherein the airbag cushion comprises a pair of side panels forming sides on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the airbag cushion, and a strip-shaped main panel connecting the edges of the pair of side panels to each other, wherein the pair of side panels have acute angle portions extending in an acute angle shape toward the front of the vehicle along the upper surface of the instrument panel, and the airbag cushion also comprises an inner seam portion in which the edge of the main panel and the edge of the pair of side panels are joined in a curved state toward the inner side of the airbag cushion, and an outer seam portion in which the ends on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the main panel are joined by overlapping vertically in a state extending further toward the front of the vehicle from the acute angle portion of the pair of side panels. A passenger seat airbag device featuring Claim 2 A passenger seat airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the airbag cushion includes an acute angle portion of the pair of side panels and has a front expansion portion formed to expand in a wedge shape toward the front of the vehicle along the upper surface of the instrument panel, and the outer seam portion is extended from the front end of the front expansion portion. Claim 3 A passenger seat airbag device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the main panel has a through hole formed in a portion that contacts the upper surface of the instrument panel and is connected to the inflator with a portion of the inflator inserted therein. Claim 4 A passenger seat airbag device according to paragraph 3, wherein the airbag cushion also has a diffuser installed around a through hole of the main panel on the inner side of the airbag cushion to cover the inflator and guide gas in a predetermined direction. Claim 5 A passenger seat airbag device according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper edge of the pair of side panels extends in a shape approximated by a straight line. Claim 6 A passenger seat airbag device according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper edge of the pair of side panels is curved downward and is concave. Claim 7 A passenger seat airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the pair of side panels also include a front area located above the instrument panel including the acute angle portion, a restraining area located between the instrument panel and the passenger and extending downward from the front area, and a concave portion formed at the boundary between the front area and the restraining area on the lower edge of the pair of side panels and curved upward and concave. Claim 8 A method for manufacturing a passenger seat airbag device having an airbag cushion that expands and deploys upward from the instrument panel and between the instrument panel and the passenger seat while in contact with the upper surface of the instrument panel of a vehicle, the method comprising: a process of manufacturing a pair of side panels having an acute angle portion extending at an acute angle toward the front of the vehicle along the upper surface of the instrument panel; a process of connecting the edges of the pair of side panels by a strip-shaped main panel and extending the ends of both sides in the longitudinal direction of the main panel further toward the front of the vehicle from the acute angle portion of the pair of side panels to form an overlapping state vertically; a process of inverting the inner and outer sides of the airbag cushion through an opening between the ends of the main panel; and a process of joining the ends of the main panel together.

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