Airbag

Abstract

The present invention provides an airbag that can be expected to appropriately protect vehicle occupants. The airbag according to the embodiment has: an inner airbag having an opposing surface facing the vehicle occupant in the deployed state; an outer airbag disposed to expose the opposing surface and surround the outer periphery of the inner airbag; and two protrusions provided on the outer airbag, respectively located on the left and right sides in the vehicle width direction of the opposing surface and protruding rearward. For example, the inner airbag and the outer airbag are separated by a common partition wall, and an air vent can be formed in the partition wall. Additionally, for example, the inner airbag and the outer airbag are separate bag bodies, air vents are respectively formed on the inner airbag and the outer airbag, and the inner airbag and the outer airbag can be joined around the air vents.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an airbag mounted on a vehicle to protect an occupant. Background Art

[0002] In a currently widespread airbag system, after detecting an impact when a vehicle collides, a gas generator generates gas and sends the gas into the airbag to expand and deploy it. The expanded and deployed airbag can effectively prevent an occupant from colliding with an interior structure of the vehicle.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes an airbag for protecting an occupant, which is provided with a left half airbag and a right half airbag. In such an airbag, in order to sew the inner plates of the left half airbag and the right half airbag, at least one of the left inner plate and the right inner plate has a sewing margin. By this sewing margin, the expansion of the airbag in the vertical direction can be suppressed.

[0004] Patent Document 2 describes an occupant protection device equipped with a driver's seat airbag that expands forward of the driver's seat, a front passenger seat airbag that expands forward of the front passenger seat, and a center airbag that expands between the driver's seat airbag and the front passenger seat airbag.

[0005] Prior Art Documents

[0006] Patent Documents

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-018936

[0008] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-157602 Summary of the Invention

[0009] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0010] Although an airbag can protect an occupant from colliding with other interior structures of a vehicle when the vehicle collides, it is desirable to further alleviate the impact force exerted on the occupant by the airbag.

[0011] In view of the above-described circumstances, the present invention has been developed, and an object thereof is to provide an airbag that can be expected to appropriately protect vehicle occupants.

[0012] Means for Solving the Problems

[0013] The airbag according to the present invention has: an inner airbag having an opposing surface facing the vehicle occupant in the deployed state; an outer airbag disposed to expose the opposing surface and surround the outer periphery of the inner airbag; and two protruding portions provided on the outer airbag, respectively located on the left and right sides in the vehicle width direction of the opposing surface and protruding rearward.

[0014] Moreover, in the airbag according to the present invention, the inner airbag and the outer airbag are separated by a common partition wall, and a vent hole is formed in the partition wall.

[0015] Furthermore, in the airbag according to the present invention, the outer airbag has: left and right outer plates constituting the outer side surfaces on the left and right sides and a part of the protruding portion; and an intermediate plate provided between the partition wall and the outer plate and constituting a portion different from the part of the protruding portion.

[0016] Moreover, in the airbag according to the present invention, the outer airbag has: left and right outer plates constituting the outer side surfaces on the left and right sides and a part of the protruding portion; and an intermediate plate provided between the inner airbag and the outer plate and constituting a portion different from the part of the protruding portion.

[0017] Furthermore, in the airbag according to the present invention, the intermediate plate is provided to surround at least a part of the exposed portion of the opposing surface of the inner airbag.

[0018] Moreover, a pocket portion is provided in the airbag according to the present invention, and the pocket portion is formed by recessing an upper portion of the exposed portion of the inner airbag and a peripheral portion of the upper portion.

[0019] Furthermore, the airbag according to the present invention has an internal strap, and the strap is connected to the inner surface of the partition wall and the outer plate and is laid in the left - right direction inside the outer airbag.

[0020] Moreover, in the airbag according to the present invention, the inner airbag and the outer airbag are separate bag bodies, vent holes are respectively formed in the inner airbag and the outer airbag, and the inner airbag and the outer airbag are joined around the vent holes.

[0021] Furthermore, in the airbag according to the present invention, the vent holes are respectively formed on the left and right sides of the inner airbag.

[0022] Moreover, in the airbag according to the present invention, when inflated, gas is sent from an inflator into the inner airbag, and through the vent holes, the gas is sent from the inner airbag into the outer airbag.

[0023] Furthermore, in the airbag of the present invention, a second vent hole communicating the inside and outside of the outer airbag is formed on at least one of the left and right outer surfaces of the outer airbag.

[0024] The structure adopted in the present invention is such that the airbag has two airbags, namely an inner airbag and an outer airbag surrounding the outer periphery of the inner airbag. An opposing surface facing the vehicle occupant is provided on the inner airbag. Two protruding portions are provided on the outer airbag, which are located on the left and right sides of the opposing surface of the inner airbag and protrude rearward. With this structure, the inner airbag can reduce the impact force of contact with the occupant, and the two protruding portions of the outer airbag can prevent the occupant from rotating in the left and right directions, etc. Moreover, since it is a two-layer structure of the inner airbag and the outer airbag, the airbag can be more appropriately inflated and deployed, and the opposing surface, the protruding portions, etc. can be inflated and deployed into a suitable shape.

[0025] Furthermore, the present invention adopts an integrated structure in which the airbag is separated by a common partition wall between the inner airbag and the outer airbag. Thereby, the amount of fabric of the airbag constituting this double-layer structure can be reduced, and weight reduction of the airbag can be expected. Moreover, a vent hole is formed in the partition wall separating the inner airbag and the outer airbag. Thereby, the gas filled into the inner airbag can be sent into the outer airbag.

[0026] Furthermore, in the outer airbag of the present invention, there are outer side plates on the left and right sides that form a part of the left and right outer surfaces and the protruding portions, and an intermediate plate provided between the partition wall and the outer side plates, and the intermediate plate forms the other part of the protruding portions. Thereby, when the airbag is inflated and deployed, the protruding portions are formed into a desired shape.

[0027] Furthermore, the outer airbag in the present invention has outer side plates on the left and right sides that form a part of the left and right outer surfaces and the protruding portions, and an intermediate plate provided between the inner airbag and the outer side plates. The intermediate plate forms the other part of the protruding portions. Thereby, when inflated and deployed, the protruding portions of the airbag are formed into a desired shape.

[0028] Furthermore, in the present invention, an intermediate plate is provided to surround at least a part of the exposed portion where the opposing surface of the inner airbag is exposed. Thereby, when the airbag is inflated and deployed, the exposed portion is formed into a desired shape.

[0029] Furthermore, in the airbag of the present invention, a pocket portion is provided, which is formed by recessing the upper side portion of the exposed portion of the inner airbag and its surrounding portion. Thereby, when restraining the occupant by the inflation and deployment of the airbag, the rotational force applied to the head of the occupant can be reduced, and the injury to the head can be alleviated.

[0030] Further, the outer airbag of the present invention has an internal strap inside. This strap is connected to the partition wall and the inner surface of the outer plate, and is installed in the left - right direction. Because of the presence of this internal strap, the outer airbag of the airbag, especially the protruding part, can be inflated and deployed appropriately.

[0031] Moreover, in the present invention, the inner airbag and the outer airbag of the airbag are respectively provided as independent bags. Vent holes are respectively formed on the inner airbag and the outer airbag, and the inner airbag and the outer airbag are joined around the vent holes. Thereby, the gas filled into the inner airbag can be sent into the outer airbag.

[0032] Also, the vent holes can be respectively provided on the left and right sides of the inner airbag. Thereby, the gas filled into the inner airbag can flow out from the vent holes on both the left and right sides and efficiently flow into the outer airbag.

[0033] Advantages of the Invention

[0034] According to the present invention, it is possible to expect appropriate protection of vehicle occupants. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0035] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram showing the state before the airbag is deployed in a vehicle equipped with the airbag according to this embodiment.

[0036] Figure 2 It is a side view showing the state after the airbag is deployed in a vehicle equipped with the airbag according to this embodiment.

[0037] Figure 3 It is a schematic top view showing the deployment state of the airbag according to this embodiment.

[0038] Figure 4 It is a schematic cross - sectional view for explaining the internal structure of the airbag according to Embodiment 1.

[0039] Figure 5 It is a schematic cross - sectional view for explaining the internal structure of the airbag according to Embodiment 1.

[0040] Figure 6 It is an external view of the airbag according to this embodiment.

[0041] Figure 7 It is an external view of the airbag according to this embodiment.

[0042] Figure 8 It is an external view of the airbag according to this embodiment.

[0043] Figure 9 It is an external view of the airbag according to this embodiment.

[0044] Figure 10 is an exploded view of the airbag related to this embodiment.

[0045] Figure 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the internal structure of the airbag related to Embodiment 2.

[0046] Figure 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the internal structure of the airbag related to Embodiment 2.

[0047] Figure 13 is an exploded view of the airbag related to Embodiment 2.

[0048] Figure 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the internal structure of the airbag related to Embodiment 3.

[0049] Figure 15 is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of the airbag related to Embodiment 3.

[0050] Figure 16 is a schematic front view showing the appearance of the airbag related to Embodiment 3. Detailed Embodiment

[0051] Embodiment 1

[0052] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the state before the airbag related to this embodiment is deployed in a vehicle equipped with the airbag. The airbag module 100 including the airbag related to this embodiment is provided on the vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 has an instrument panel 11, a windshield 12, a roof 14, side doors 20, etc. And inside the vehicle 10, for example, a seat 40 on which an occupant 50 sits is provided behind the instrument panel 11. The seat 40 may include a seat, a cushion, a padding, a headrest, etc. Figure 1 shows an example of the state where the occupant 50 is properly seated on the seat 40. In this state, the positional relationship between the head 52, the torso, and the shoulders 54 of the occupant 50 is in an upright state. Hereinafter, the shoulders will be referred to as "trunk shoulders". The airbag module 100 is assembled on the instrument panel 11 in front of the seat 40.

[0053] Moreover, the terms related to directions such as front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom used in the description of this embodiment are based on the front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom directions of the vehicle 10. Also, the direction terms such as horizontal, parallel, vertical, and perpendicular are used with reference to the vehicle 10, regardless of whether the vehicle 10 is in a horizontal direction relative to the ground. Moreover, although the airbag module 100 of this embodiment is provided on the instrument panel 11 of the vehicle 10, its installation position is not limited to the instrument panel. For example, the airbag module 100 can also be provided on the steering wheel, side door, roof rail of the vehicle 10, or various other places other than these. Also, the instrument panel 11 can be referred to by an alias such as an instrument panel.

[0054] Figure 2 It is a schematic side view showing the state after the airbag is deployed in a vehicle equipped with the airbag according to this embodiment. Figure 3 It is a schematic top view showing the deployment state of the airbag 110 according to this embodiment. The airbag module 100 includes a housing 102, an inflator 104, and an airbag 110. When the vehicle 10 collides, the airbag module 100 causes the airbag 110 to expand and deploy, providing cushioning and protection to the occupant 50 seated on the seat 40. The vehicle 10 is equipped with a collision sensor or the like that triggers the deployment action of the airbag module 100.

[0055] The housing 102 of the airbag module 100 is any suitable box that can accommodate the airbag 110 in a non-deployed state. The housing 102 may also include components such as a cover. The cover is of any suitable type and may include, for example, a tear seam or a burst seam that allows the airbag 110 to deploy. The housing 102 can be installed on the instrument panel 11 of the vehicle 10 by any suitable method and fixed thereto.

[0056] The inflator 104 generates the gas that inflates the airbag 110 and may include components such as tubes and wiring. For example, the inflator 104 can be configured to send gas through a tube that communicates with the inside of the airbag 110. The inflator 104 can be configured to cause the airbag 110 to start inflating when any pre-set appropriate situation occurs, such as a collision of the vehicle 10.

[0057] The airbag 110 can be manufactured by using one-piece weaving and tailoring techniques or any other suitable method, or a combination of these methods, to join multiple components together. The airbag 110 according to this embodiment can be configured to have multiple plates that are connected to each other by seams or other methods to form an inflatable chamber, and these multiple plates are joined together to form it. The seams can be formed by methods such as sewing, adhesion, taping, high-frequency welding, ultrasonic welding, hot press fixing, or any other suitable method, or a combination of these methods.

[0058] Figure 2 The airbag 110 shown in [figures] includes a central plate 118 and multiple plates that are joined to the central plate 118 to form an inflatable chamber. Among these multiple plates, Figure 2 the left side plate 116a that constitutes the left side of the airbag 110 is shown. The airbag 110 has a right side plate 116b that is paired with this left side plate 116a. Refer to Figure 3 . The left side plate 116a faces the central side of the vehicle 10, and the right side plate 116b faces the side door 20 of the vehicle 10. The central plate 118 includes an occupant-facing surface 119 that faces the head 52 of the occupant 50 sitting on the seat 40 when the airbag 110 is inflated and deployed. The occupant-facing surface 119 is disposed in front of the seat 40 so as to receive the head 52 of the occupant 50 that moves substantially forward relative to the vehicle 10. One or more additional surfaces can also be provided adjacent to the occupant-facing surface 119 in the airbag 110. In order to receive the head of the occupant 50, the occupant-facing surface 119 of the central plate 118 can actually provide a flat surface.

[0059] The airbag 110 can be configured to receive the front of the head 52 of the occupant 50 when the vehicle 10 collides. For example, the airbag 110 can also be provided directly in front of the seat 40 of the vehicle 10 when it is inflated and deployed. As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the occupant 50 of the vehicle 10 is in a typical or expected position where it can collide with the configured airbag 110. By activating the inflator 104, the airbag 110 is deployed from the housing 102 of the airbag assembly 100. As Figure 3As shown in the figure, the inflated airbag 110 is located on the left and right sides of the head 52 of the occupant 50, and includes two protrusions 111 protruding rearward of the vehicle 10. Each of the protrusions 111 on the left and right sides is at least partially constituted by a part of the left side plate 116a or the right side plate 116b. The protrusions 111 are adjacent to the left side plate 116a or the right side plate 116b respectively. When the airbag 110 expands and inflates, the same or substantially the same internal pressure and fabric tension as the left side plate 116a or the right side plate 116b can be obtained. The two protrusions 111 of the airbag 110 protrude rearward of the vehicle 10 above the torso shoulders 54 on the left and right sides of the head 52 of the occupant 50.

[0060] Figure 4 and Figure 5 are schematic cross-sectional views for explaining the internal structure of the airbag 110 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 4 The cross-section in the horizontal direction is shown in the figure, Figure 5 and the cross-section in the vertical direction is shown. And, Figure 4 and Figure 5 The flow direction of the gas flowing from the inflator 104 into the airbag is shown by arrows in the figure. The airbag 110 according to the present embodiment is composed of a combination of two airbags, an inner airbag 120 and an outer airbag 130. The inner airbag 120 includes components such as the above-mentioned central plate 118 and the occupant-facing surface 119. The outer airbag 130 is provided so as to surround the upper, lower, left, and right sides of the inner airbag 120 in such a manner that the exposed portion 118a of the occupant-facing surface 119 is exposed, and includes components such as the above-mentioned left side plate 116a, right side plate 116b, and their two protrusions 111. The inner airbag 120 and the outer airbag are separated by a partition plate 112 in the left-right direction and by a part of the central plate 118 in the up-down direction. The inner airbag 120 and the outer airbag 130 are joined together in a state of sharing the partition plate 112 and a part of the central plate 118.

[0061] An air vent connected to the inflator 104 is provided in the inner airbag 120. Air vents 121 are respectively formed on the left and right sides of the partition plate 112 that separates the inner airbag 120 and the outer airbag 130. And an external air vent 131 is formed on the left side plate 116a of the outer airbag 130. The inflator 104 sends gas into the inner airbag 120 of the airbag 110, rather than directly into the outer airbag 130. The gas generated by the inflator 104 quickly flows from the inner airbag 120 into the outer airbag 130 through the air vent 121, and is discharged to the outside of the airbag 110 from the external air vent 131 of the outer airbag 130. And, although in the embodiment, structurally, the external air vent 131 is only formed on the left side plate 116a, it is not limited thereto, and it can be provided only on the left side plate 116a, or only on the right side plate 116b, or can be provided on both the left side plate 116a and the right side plate 116b.

[0062] And, inside the outer airbag 130, 2 straps 140 are provided for assisting in deployment and forming two protrusions 111. The front end of each strap 140 is fixed to the outer surface of the partition plate 112, that is, the surface on the side of the outer airbag 130, and the rear end of each strap 140 is fixed to the inner surface of the protrusion 111. In the deployed state of the airbag 110, each strap 140 is spanned inside the outer airbag 130 between the outer surface of the partition plate 112 and the inner surface of the protrusion 111, and extends from the front end to the rear end in a tensioned state. And, each strap 140 extends in the left-right direction at a predetermined inclination with respect to the front-rear direction of the vehicle 10. The straps 140 are stretched and tightened when the airbag 110 expands, and form two protrusions 111 at predetermined positions on the left and right sides of the occupant facing surface 119.

[0063] Figures 6 - 9 It is an external view of the airbag 110 according to the embodiment. Figure 6 It shows a perspective view seen from the upper left rear. Figure 7 It shows a left side view. Figure 8 It shows a top view seen from above. Figure 9 It shows a view seen from the rear. And, Figure 10 It is an exploded view of the airbag 110 according to the present embodiment. However, Figure 10 The exploded view shows a simplified view of the components of the airbag 110. In addition to the multiple plates shown, various other components can also be included, and various components not shown can also be interposed at the joints between each plate.

[0064] The inner airbag 120 of the airbag 110 is composed of a central plate 118 and two partition plates 112. As in Figure 10In the disassembled state shown, the center panel 118 is in the form of an elongated strip with varying widths. The wider portion of the center panel 118 and its surrounding areas are not covered by the outer airbags 130 and are exposed to the outside as an exposed portion 118a, or passenger-facing surface 119. A vent 122, through which gas is introduced from the inflator 104, is formed in the center panel 118 at a position different from the passenger-facing surface 119.

[0065] The partition plate 112 is a common component of the inner airbag 120 and the outer airbag 130. The partition plate 112 is surrounded by appropriate curves and straight lines, and has appropriate concave and convex shapes, and is a polygon with relatively rounded corners. Figure 10 Although depicted as bilaterally symmetrical, they maintain the same shape when superimposed. The center plate 118 is joined at both ends in the longitudinal direction, forming a ring. Furthermore, the long sides of the left and right sides of the center plate 118 are joined together, each wrapping around the perimeter of the partition plate 112. This creates the bag-shaped inner airbag 120.

[0066] The outer airbag 130 of the airbag 110 is composed of an outer central panel 132, a connecting panel 133, a left side panel 116a and a right side panel 116b. Figure 10 In the disassembled state shown in FIG, the outer center panel 132 is an elongated rectangular or strip-shaped structure, with recesses 132a provided at each longitudinal end. A vent 134 is formed on the outer center panel, through which gas is introduced from the inflator 104. The outer center panel 132 is configured to cover the center panel 118 of the inner airbag 120, but does not cover the exposed portion 118a, including the occupant-facing surface 119. The outer center panel 132 of the outer airbag 130 and the center panel 118 of the inner airbag 120 are joined around the vents 122 and 134.

[0067] The left and right panels 116a, 116b have shapes similar to those of the partition panel 112 and include tongue-shaped portions 117 that form the protrusion 111. These tongue-shaped portions 117 are bent and joined together to form the outer portion and a portion of the inner portion of the protrusion 111. While the left and right panels 116a, 116b have essentially the same shape when superimposed, they differ in that the left panel 116a has an external vent 131, while the right panel 116b does not.

[0068] The connection plate 133 is constructed as follows: Figure 10In the disassembled state shown, two tongue-shaped portions 133a are provided on the long side of one side of the slender rectangle, and a tongue-shaped portion 133b is provided on the long side of the other side. The connecting plate 133 is interposed between the inner airbag 120 and the outer airbag 130. The long side portion on the side of the tongue-shaped portion 133b provided with the connecting plate 133 surrounds the periphery of the exposed portion 118a, that is, the occupant-facing surface 119, exposed on the outside of the inner airbag 120, and is joined to the partition plate 112 of the inner airbag 120. The long side portions on the side of the two tongue-shaped portions 133a provided with the connecting plate 133 are joined to the outer airbag 130. Further, the two tongue-shaped portions 133a of the connecting plate 133 are respectively joined to the tongue-shaped portions 117 of the left side plate 116a and the right side plate 116b of the outer airbag 130, thereby forming a part of the protruding portion 111.

[0069] One end in the longitudinal direction of the outer central plate 132 of the outer airbag 130 and the front upper end of the occupant-facing surface 119 of the inner airbag 120 sandwich the connecting plate 133 therebetween and are joined to the connecting plate 133. The other end of the outer central plate 132 and the rear lower end of the occupant-facing surface 119 of the inner airbag 120 sandwich the connecting plate 133 therebetween and are joined to the connecting plate 133. A part of the peripheral portions of the left side plate 116a and the right side plate 116b, that is, the portions other than the portion where the protruding portion 111 is formed, are joined to the long side of the outer central plate 132. The remaining portions of the left side plate 116a and the right side plate 116b and the left and right ends of the occupant-facing surface 119 of the inner airbag 120 sandwich the connecting plate 133 therebetween and are joined to the connecting plate 133.

[0070] And although Figure 10 not shown in the figure, the airbag 110 includes components constituting two straps 140. The straps 140 are assembled into the inside of the outer airbag 130 before the outer central plate 132 of the outer airbag 130 is joined to the left side plate 116a and the right side plate 116b. The strap 140 has a shape such as a rectangle, one side of which is joined to a predetermined position on the partition plate 112, and the other side of which is joined to a predetermined position on the left side plate 116a or the right side plate 116b.

[0071] The airbag 110 according to this embodiment configured as described above is composed of two bags, an inner airbag 120 and an outer airbag 130. An occupant-facing surface 119 facing the head 52 of the occupant 50 of the vehicle 10 is provided on the inner airbag 120. Two protruding portions 111 are provided on the outer airbag 130, which are located on the left and right sides of the occupant-facing surface 119 of the inner airbag 120 and protrude rearward. With the airbag 110 configured in this way, the impact force of contact with the occupant 50 can be reduced by the inner airbag 120, and rotation of the occupant 50 in the left and right directions can be prevented by the two protruding portions 111 of the outer airbag 130. Further, by configuring the airbag 110 to have a two-layer structure including the inner airbag 120 and the outer airbag 130, the airbag 110 can be more appropriately inflated and deployed, and the occupant-facing surface 119 and the protruding portions 111 can be inflated and deployed into suitable shapes.

[0072] Moreover, the airbag 110 according to Embodiment 1 has an integrated structure in which the inner airbag 120 and the outer airbag 130 are separated by a common partition plate 112. Thereby, the amount of fabric constituting the airbag 110 can be reduced, and weight reduction of the airbag 110 can be expected. Further, a vent hole 121 is formed in the partition plate 112. Thereby, the gas flowing into the inner airbag 120 can quickly flow back into the outer airbag 130.

[0073] Moreover, the outer airbag 130 includes: a left side plate 116a and a right side plate 116b that form a part of the left and right outer surfaces and the protruding portions 111; and a connecting plate 133 provided between the common partition plate 112 and the left side plate 116a or between the common partition plate 112 and the right side plate 116b, and the connecting plate 133 forms the other part of the protruding portions 111. Thereby, in the inflated and deployed state, the protruding portions 111 of the airbag 110 can be formed into a desired shape.

[0074] Moreover, two restraint bands 140 are provided inside the outer airbag 130 of the airbag 110.

[0075] The restraint bands 140 are respectively connected to the outer surface of the partition plate 112 and the inner surface of the left side plate 116a or the right side plate 116b, and are arranged in the left-right direction inside the outer airbag 130. The airbag 110 has the restraint bands 140, so that the inflation and deployment of the outer airbag 130, particularly the protruding portions 111, can be appropriately carried out.

[0076] Moreover, the airbag 110 according to Embodiment 1 is configured such that the inner airbag 120 and the outer airbag 130 are separated by a common partition plate 112, but it is not limited thereto. As shown in the following Embodiment 2, the inner airbag 120 and the outer airbag 130 can be configured as separate bags. In addition, the descriptions, drawings, etc. related to the embodiments assume a vehicle with a driver's seat on the left side and a passenger seat on the right side. However, this technology can also be applied to a vehicle with a driver's seat on the right side and a passenger seat on the left side. In this case, it is only necessary to appropriately reverse the left and right in the descriptions and drawings of this embodiment.

[0077] <Embodiment 2>

[0078] Figure 11 and Figure 12 A schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the internal structure of the airbag 210 according to Embodiment 2. Figure 11 The cross-sectional view shown is a cross-sectional view in the horizontal direction, Figure 12 The cross-sectional view shown is a cross-sectional view in the vertical direction. Figure 11 and Figure 12 The flow direction of the gas flowing in from the inflator 104 is indicated by an arrow in the figure. Figure 13 This is an exploded view of the airbag 210 according to Embodiment 2. The airbag 210 according to Embodiment 2 is composed of a combination of two airbags, namely an inner airbag 220 and an outer airbag 230. The inner airbag 220 and the outer airbag 230 of the airbag 210 according to Embodiment 2 are configured as independent airbags without sharing a part of the plate. However, the appearance of the airbag 210 formed by combining the inner airbag 220 and the outer airbag 230 is substantially the same as the appearance of the airbag 110 according to Embodiment 1.

[0079] The inner airbag 220 of the airbag 210 includes a central plate 218 provided with a passenger-facing surface 219 and left and right side panels 212. The left and right side panels 212 of the inner airbag 220 can form a configuration substantially the same as the partition plate 112 of the airbag 110 according to Embodiment 1. Ventilation openings 221 are respectively formed on the left and right side panels 212. The inner airbag 220 can form a configuration substantially the same as the inner airbag 120 of the airbag 110 according to Embodiment 1.

[0080] The outer airbag 230 of the airbag 210 is composed of not only an outer central plate 232, a left plate 216a, and a right plate 216b, but also left and right inner panels 234 and an inner central plate 236 that form the inner surface. However, the airbag 210 according to Embodiment 2 may not be provided with a plate corresponding to the connecting plate 133 of the airbag 110 according to Embodiment 1.

[0081] The left and right inner panels 234 are plates for forming the surface facing the side panel 212 of the inner airbag 220. The inner panel 234 is the same as or slightly larger in shape and size than the side panel 212. And on the inner panel 234, a tongue-shaped portion 234a that forms part of the protrusion 211 is provided. The tongue-shaped portion 234a of the inner panel 234 is joined to the tongue-shaped portion 217 of the left plate 216a or the right plate 216b, thereby forming two protrusions 211 that are located on the left and right of the occupant-facing surface 219 and protrude rearward. And on each inner panel 234, at positions facing the vent holes 221 of the side panel 212 of the inner airbag 220, vent holes 235 are respectively formed.

[0082] The inner central plate 236 is a strip-shaped plate for forming the surface facing the central plate 218 of the inner airbag 220. However, since the occupant-facing surface 219 of the inner airbag 220 is exposed to the outside, the inner central plate 236 of the outer airbag 230 only needs to face the part other than the occupant-facing surface 219 of the central plate 218 of the inner airbag 220.

[0083] The long sides on the left and right of the inner central plate 236 are respectively joined to the peripheral portions of the left and right inner panels 234, and the short sides are respectively joined to the short sides of the outer central plate 232. The long side portions on the left and right of the outer central plate 232 are respectively joined to the peripheral portions of the left plate 216a or the right plate 216b. And the tongue-shaped portions 217 of the left plate 216a and the right plate 216b are joined to the tongue-shaped portions 234a of the left and right inner panels 234 to form two protrusions 211. And the airbag 210 according to Embodiment 2 may be provided with the same restraint belt as the airbag 110 according to Embodiment 1 inside the outer airbag 230, or may not be provided with the same restraint belt as the airbag 110 according to Embodiment 1.

[0084] The inner airbag 220 of the airbag 210 is housed inside the outer airbag 230, that is, inside the space surrounded by the inner central plate 236 and the inner side panels 234 on the left and right sides of the outer airbag 230. In this state, the vent 221 of the side panel 212 of the inner airbag 220 and the vent 235 of the inner side panel 234 of the outer airbag 230 are in an opposing position, and the inner airbag 220 and the outer airbag 230 are joined together around the vents 221, 235. Also, the inner airbag 220 and the outer airbag 230 can be joined together around the occupant-facing surface 219 of the central plate 218 of the inner airbag 220.

[0085] A vent connected to the inflator 104 is provided on the inner airbag 220. Also, an external vent 231 is provided on the left side plate 216a of the outer airbag 230. The inflator 104 directly sends gas into the inner airbag 220 of the airbag 210, but does not directly send gas into the outer airbag 230. The gas generated by the inflator 104 flows from the inner airbag 220 into the outer airbag 230 via the vents 221, 235 and is discharged to the outside of the airbag 210 via the external vent 231 of the outer airbag 230. Therefore, the gas sent by the inflator 104 causes the inner airbag 220 of the airbag 210 to expand and deploy while also causing the outer airbag 230 to expand and deploy.

[0086] The airbag 210 according to Embodiment 2 having the above-described structure is configured such that its inner airbag 220 and outer airbag 230 are separate and independent bags. Vents 221, 235 are respectively provided on the inner airbag 220 and the outer airbag 230, and the inner airbag 220 and the outer airbag 230 are joined around these vents. Thereby, the gas filled into the inner airbag 220 can flow into the outer airbag 230. Also, the vents 221, 235 are respectively provided on the left and right sides of the inner airbag 220. Thereby, the gas filled into the inner airbag 220 can flow out from the vents 221, 235 on the left and right sides and efficiently flow into the outer airbag 230.

[0087] Also, for the other structures of the airbag according to Embodiment 2, since they are the same as the structures of the airbag according to Embodiment 1, the same reference numerals are used in the same places and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0088] <Embodiment 3>

[0089] Figure 14 It is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the internal structure of the airbag 310 according to Embodiment 3. Figure 15 It is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of the airbag 310 according to Embodiment 3. Figure 16It is a schematic front view showing the appearance of the airbag 310 according to Embodiment 3. The airbag 310 according to Embodiment 3 is configured to have a pocket portion 350 that can accommodate the head 52 of the occupant 50 when deployed.

[0090] When disassembling the airbag 310 according to Embodiment 3, the component composition is substantially the same as that of the airbag 110 according to Embodiment 1 shown in Figure 10 That is, the airbag 310 according to Embodiment 3 has: a central plate 118 and two partition plates 112 that constitute the inner airbag 120; an outer central plate 132, a left plate 116a, and a right plate 116b that constitute the outer airbag 130; and a connection plate 133 that connects the central plate 118 and the outer airbag 130. However, in order to provide the above-mentioned pocket portion 350, the sizes and shapes of the respective component parts are appropriately adjusted.

[0091] The pocket portion 350 of the airbag 310 according to Embodiment 3 is provided in a state where the exposed portion 118a of the central plate 118, that is, the upper end portion vicinity of the occupant-facing surface 119, the joint portion of the connection plate 133, and its peripheral portion are recessed toward the inside of the airbag 310. The upper inner surface and the left and right inner side surfaces of the pocket portion 350 are part of the connection plate 133, and the lower inner surface is part of the central plate 118.

[0092] The airbag 310 according to Embodiment 3 is provided with a pocket portion 350 on the upper side of the occupant-facing surface 119. When the airbag 310 is deployed and the occupant 50 is restrained by the airbag, the pocket portion 350 is allowed to deform toward the upper part of the central plate 118 and toward the vehicle front to reduce the rotational force that bends backward applied to the head of the occupant 50, thereby being able to reduce the injury to the head.

[0093] Moreover, since the other structures of the airbag according to Embodiment 3 are the same as those of the airbag according to Embodiment 1, the same reference numerals are used in the same places, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0094] It should be understood that all the parts shown in the embodiments disclosed this time are only examples and are not limited thereto. The scope of the present invention is not as described above but is represented by the scope of the claims, including the same meaning as the scope of the claims and including all the modification matters within that scope.

[0095] Reference Signs

[0096] 10…Vehicle 11…Instrument Panel

[0097] 12…Windshield 14…Roof

[0098] 20…Side door 40…Seat

[0099] 50…Occupant 52…Head

[0100] 54…Trunk and shoulder 100…Airbag module

[0101] 102…Housing 104…Inflator

[0102] 110…Airbag 111…Projection

[0103] 112…Partition (partition wall) 116a…Left panel (outer panel)

[0104] 116b…Right panel (outer panel) 118…Center panel

[0105] 118a…Exposed part 119…Occupant-facing surface

[0106] 120…Inner airbag 121…Vent

[0107] 130…Outer airbag 131…External vent (second vent)

[0108] 132…Outer center panel 133…Connecting plate (intermediate plate)

[0109] 134…Vent 140…Band (inner band)

[0110] 210…Airbag 211…Projection

[0111] 212…Side panel 216a…Left panel

[0112] 216b…Right panel 218…Center panel

[0113] 219…Occupant-facing surface 220…Inner airbag

[0114] 221…Vent 230…Outer airbag

[0115] 231…External vent (second vent) 232…Outer center panel

[0116] 234…Inner panel 235…Vent

[0117] 236…Inner center panel 310…Airbag

[0118] 350…Pocket part

Claims

1. An airbag, which has, an inner airbag, which in the deployed state has a central plate including an opposing surface facing the vehicle occupant; an outer airbag, which is arranged to expose the opposing surface and surround the outer periphery of the inner airbag, and which has: a connecting plate, which is arranged around an exposed portion exposing at least a part of the opposing surface of the inner airbag; and two protruding portions, which are respectively located on the left and right sides in the vehicle width direction of the opposing surface and protrude rearward; and a pocket portion, which is recessed near the upper end portion of the opposing surface of the inner airbag and the joint portion of the connecting plate of the outer airbag and its peripheral portion, the connecting plate is arranged between the inner airbag and the outer airbag, and the upper inner surface and the left and right inner side surfaces of the pocket portion are a part of the connecting plate, and the lower inner surface is a part of the central plate.

2. The airbag according to claim 1, wherein, the inner airbag and the outer airbag are separated by a common partition wall, and a vent hole is formed in the partition wall.

3. The airbag according to claim 2, wherein, the outer airbag has: outer plates on the left and right sides, which constitute a part of the left and right outer side surfaces and the protruding portions; the connecting plate is arranged between the partition wall and the outer plates, and constitutes a part different from the part of the protruding portion.

4. The airbag according to claim 2, wherein, the outer airbag has: outer plates on the left and right sides, which constitute a part of the left and right outer side surfaces and the protruding portions; the connecting plate is arranged between the inner airbag and the outer plates, and constitutes a part different from the part of the protruding portion.

5. The airbag according to claim 3 or 4, wherein, the airbag is provided with an internal strap, which is connected to the inner surface of the partition wall and the outer plates, and is arranged in the left - right direction inside the outer airbag.

6. The airbag according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein, when inflated, gas is sent from an inflator to the inner airbag, and the gas is sent from the inner airbag to the outer airbag through the vent hole.

7. The airbag according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, on at least any one of the left and right outer side surfaces of the outer airbag, a second vent hole communicating the inside and the outside of the outer airbag is formed.

Images