Airbag

Abstract

An airbag includes a chamber that inflates by introduction of gas upon deployment and a non-inflating region that does not inflate upon deployment. Deployment is by introduction of gas into the chamber. A first portion of the chamber located peripherally of the non-inflating region includes a closed front end that, upon deployment, applies a load to and contacts a second portion of the chamber located peripherally of the non-inflating region and opposite the front end.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an airbag comprising a chamber that expands upon deployment by the introduction of gas and a non-expanding region that does not expand upon deployment, the airbag being deployed by introducing gas into the chamber. Background Technology

[0002] In the past, various airbags have been proposed and installed in vehicles to protect occupants during collisions. The placement and deployment locations of these airbags vary depending on their purpose and function. Japanese Patent No. 6613855 discloses an airbag that relates to a side curtain airbag for protecting rear-seat occupants. The airbag's chamber deploys inwards towards the occupants, providing protection not only from the side but also from the front (face). Summary of the Invention

[0003] In curtain airbags and the like, a large airbag with a wide protection range is required to accommodate the facial protection portion. Furthermore, even if facial protection is not required, in curtain airbags like those described above, if the rear seat occupant is a short woman, the vertical width of the curtain airbag needs to be increased to prevent the occupant from passing under the airbag. In particular, in the event of an offset frontal collision (where only part of the front of the vehicle is involved in a frontal collision), due to vehicle rotation, there is a possibility that the occupant may be thrown around and pass under the curtain airbag.

[0004] Therefore, in order for the airbag to deploy more fully, more gas is needed, which requires a high output of the gas generator.

[0005] The airbag of the present invention includes a chamber that expands upon deployment by the introduction of gas and a non-expanding region that does not expand upon deployment. It is deployed by introducing gas into the chamber. A first portion of the chamber located around the non-expanding region includes a closed front end. Upon deployment, the front end applies a load and contacts a second portion of the chamber located around the non-expanding region and opposite to the front end.

[0006] Preferably, a recess is formed in the opposing portion of the second portion, and the front end portion contacts the recess in such a way that it enters the recess.

[0007] Preferably, during deployment, the chambers surrounding the non-expanding region expand, thereby applying tension to the non-expanding region in a direction of peripheral expansion.

[0008] Preferably, the first part is U-shaped at one end when unfolded, and the second part is located at the position that closes the opening of the U-shape of the first part, and the interior surrounded by the two is the non-expansion region.

[0009] Preferably, the airbag is a curtain-type protective airbag disposed inside the passenger compartment and deployed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0010] The airbag according to the present invention can expand the coverage area without excessively increasing the volume of the chamber. Attached Figure Description

[0011] The features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals denote like elements, and wherein:

[0012] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the shape of the airbag in its deployed state according to the embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2A It means Figure 1 A diagram of the AA section in an airbag.

[0014] Figure 2B This is a cross-sectional view of the airbag of the comparative example without non-expansion regions 40-4 and 40-1, corresponding to section AA.

[0015] Figure 3A It means in Figure 2A The diagram illustrates a situation where, in an offset collision (asymmetric collision) or similar event where only a portion of the front surface of the vehicle collides, the head of a rear-seat occupant is thrown to the side of the window.

[0016] Figure 3B It means in Figure 2B The diagram shows a situation where, in a comparative example, the head of a rear-seat occupant is thrown to the side of the window during an offset collision (asymmetric collision) in which only a portion of the front surface of the vehicle is impacted.

[0017] Figure 4A This is a diagram showing the state in which the non-inflated region 40-1 of the airbag 10 involved in the embodiment is taut and supports the head.

[0018] Figure 4B This diagram illustrates the state of a head collision when the non-expanded region 40-1 is wrinkled rather than taut. Detailed Implementation

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0020] "Overall structure"

[0021] Figure 1This diagram shows the shape of the airbag in its deployed state according to the embodiment. The airbag is a curtain airbag (also called a curtain airbag: CSA) located at the position of the window covering the inner side of the vehicle's passenger compartment. Furthermore, in the deployed state, the airbag 10 also inflates in the thickness direction.

[0022] The airbag 10 is generally a long rectangle in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and is positioned above the front and rear side windows of the vehicle. That is, the upper part of the airbag 10 is fixed to the side end of the roof (the part above the window).

[0023] The airbag 10 is formed by shaping an airtight base fabric (usually synthetic fiber) into a bag shape to create a chamber 20, and inflates by introducing air from the gas generator 12 into the chamber 20. In addition, the chamber 20 is divided into multiple compartments, and non-inflatable regions 40, made of the base fabric and not into which air is introduced, are appropriately provided between the multiple compartments.

[0024] The inlet 14 is the portion that receives gas from the gas generator 12 and is connected to a conduit from the gas generator 12. The inlet chamber 22 of the chamber 20 is connected to the inlet 14. The inlet chamber 22 is a transversely elongated chamber with the inlet 14 connected to its upper center. A rear chamber 24 is connected to the rear side of the inlet chamber 22. The rear chamber 24 is approximately square in shape and extends rearward and downward from the connecting portion located at the upper rear end that communicates with the inlet chamber 22.

[0025] The rear chamber 24 has a connecting portion in the middle of its front side, where it connects to the rear chamber 26. The rear chamber 26 is a rectangular chamber that extends forward and terminates, and is closed except for the connecting portion that connects to the rear chamber 24 (front end closed).

[0026] The front side of the entrance chamber 22 is connected to the upper rear end of the front chamber 28. The front chamber 28, like the rear chamber 24, has a nearly square shape. It is divided into a small chamber 28 (28-1) on the upper side and a large chamber 28 (28-2) on the lower side by a non-expansion region 40 (40-6) located inside. The small chamber 28-1 and the large chamber 28-2 communicate on opposite sides at the rear and front ends.

[0027] A front chamber 30 is connected to the anterior side of the smaller chamber 28-1 of the anterior chamber 28. The front chamber 30 is a longitudinally elongated rectangle extending forward and downward, and its lower rear end communicates with the larger chamber 28 (28-2). The front chamber 30 is separated from the larger chamber 28-2 by a non-expansion region 40-5.

[0028] An intermediate end chamber 32 is connected to the middle part behind the anterior chamber 28. The intermediate end chamber 32 tapers after the base 32 (32-1) that extends to both sides (up and down in the figure) from the connecting part that communicates with the anterior chamber 28, and has a U-shaped extension 32 (32-2) that extends downward, then rearward, and then upward and terminates.

[0029] Furthermore, the front end portion 32a of the elongated portion 32-2 of the intermediate end chamber 32 abuts against the lower side of the root of the rear end chamber 26 (the connecting portion communicating with the rear chamber 24). An upwardly recessed recess 26a is formed on the lower side of the root of the rear end chamber 26, and the front end portion 32a of the intermediate end chamber 32 is embedded in the recess 26a. In particular, in the unfolded state, the chamber 20 is filled with pressurized gas (compressed gas) and is in an expanded state. In addition, the intermediate end chamber 32 corresponds to the first part of the chamber 20 surrounding the non-expanded region 40, and the rear end chamber 26 corresponds to the second part of the chamber 20 surrounding the non-expanded region 40. More specifically, the front end portion 32a corresponds to the first part, and the recess 26a corresponds to the second part.

[0030] Furthermore, because the front end portion 32a is embedded in the recess 26a with a small gap, the front end portion 32a contacts (presses against) the rear end chamber 26 surrounding the recess 26a under a load. In particular, since the rear end chamber 26 surrounds the front end portion 32a, the rear end chamber 26 can adequately withstand the force of the front end portion 32a expanding when the intermediate end chamber 32 is pressed. Therefore, in the event of a collision between the occupant's head and the intermediate end chamber 32, the impact can be adequately withstood.

[0031] In addition, the front end (front side) 26b of the rear end chamber 26 abuts against the rear side of the base 32-1 of the intermediate end chamber 32, and the two abut against each other under pressure in the expanded state.

[0032] The intermediate end chamber 32 is U-shaped in general, which becomes the structure for the rear end chamber 26 to close the open part of the U. In addition, the space enclosed by the U-shaped intermediate end chamber 32 and the rear end chamber 26 becomes a non-expanded region 40 (40-1) formed by one or more overlapping base fabrics that do not allow air to enter.

[0033] When compressed air enters the intermediate end chamber 32, the volume of the intermediate end chamber 32 (especially the elongated portion 32-2) increases, expanding outwards towards the U-shape. Therefore, an outward pulling force is applied to the non-expansion region 40-1. Furthermore, the front end portion 32a of the intermediate end chamber 32 and the front end portion 26b of the rear end chamber 26 abut against their respective portions, maintaining sufficient tension in the non-expansion region 40-1. Therefore, in the event of a collision between the occupant's head and the non-expansion region 40-1, the tension in the non-expansion region 40-1 can counteract the impact.

[0034] The intermediate end chamber 32 is connected to the front chamber 28 via a relatively narrow connecting portion, and then expands once. As a result, although the intermediate end chamber 32 is small in volume, the area covered by the collision relative to the occupant is larger. In addition, on both sides of the root portion of the intermediate end chamber 32, between the rear of the front chamber 28, there are circular and relatively small non-expanding regions 40 (40-2) and 40 (40-3).

[0035] A non-expansion region 40 (40-4) in the shape of a horizontally elongated rectangle is provided between the rear end chamber 26 and the entrance chamber 22, thereby allowing the rear end chamber 26 to deform independently. In addition, the front end of the non-expansion region 40-4 is connected to the non-expansion region 40-3 via an extension of the root of the intermediate end chamber 32.

[0036] In this way, by dividing the space into multiple compartments, the movement of each compartment can be restricted to a certain extent, allowing for appropriate responses to the actions of the occupants.

[0037] In addition, non-expansion regions 40 (40-5) and 40 (40-6) are provided in the separation part between the anterior chamber 28 and the front chamber 30, and in the separation part between the small chamber 28-1 and the large chamber 28-2 of the anterior chamber 28, and are set so that the expansion of each chamber and the response to collision are appropriate.

[0038] "U-shaped middle end chamber"

[0039] Here, as described above, the intermediate end chamber 32 is generally U-shaped, with the elongated portion 32-2 protruding downwards. Figure 1 (The distance d is shown in the figure). Furthermore, the area corresponding to this distance d is served by the non-expansion region 40. Therefore, it is possible to obtain an extension 32-2 of the middle end chamber 32 that extends downward from the chamber 20 without excessively increasing the volume of the chamber 20.

[0040] Figure 2A It means Figure 1The diagram shows the AA section. Thus, a non-inflatable region 40-4 is provided between the entrance chamber 22 and the rear chamber 26, and a non-inflatable region 40-1 is provided between the rear chamber 26 and the extension 32-2. This allows the area covered by the airbag 10 to be expanded downwards. Figure 2B This is a cross-sectional view of a comparative example without non-inflatable regions 40-4 and 40-1. Compared to the airbag 10 of this embodiment, the covered area is smaller by the distance shown by L in the figure.

[0041] Figure 3A , Figure 3B This diagram illustrates the situation where, in an offset collision (asymmetric collision) where only a portion of the front surface of the vehicle is impacted, the head of a rear-seat occupant is thrown to the side of the window. Figure 3A This describes the situation in this embodiment. Figure 3B This indicates the case of a comparison example.

[0042] When a vehicle experiences an offset collision, the collision is detected, and the gas generator 12 ignites. This produces gas, which flows into the chamber 20 of the airbag 10. As a result, the chamber 20 inflates, the airbag 10 deploys, and each chamber of the chamber 20 expands.

[0043] In this offset collision scenario, the vehicle rotates due to the impact. Therefore, initially, the head of the rear passenger occupant impacts, for example, with the rear chamber 24 of the airbag 10, and bounces inwards. However, at this time, the vehicle rotates laterally, thus... Figure 3B As shown, there is a possibility that the head may bounce back and be thrown forward and downward into the vehicle, passing under the airbag 10 and moving outward, potentially colliding with the window.

[0044] In this embodiment, the airbag 10 extends downwards via the elongation portion 32-2. Therefore, as... Figure 3A As shown, the occupant's head is caught by the extension 32-2 upon rebound, preventing the occupant's head from passing through the airbag 10.

[0045] Figure 4A This indicates the state of the non-inflated region 40-1 of the airbag 10 according to the embodiment. In this example, as described above, the front end 32a of the extension 32-2 applies a load to and abuts against the recess 26a of the rear end chamber 26. In addition, the extension 32-2 expands due to its increased volume, so the non-inflated region 40-1 is in a taut state, that is, a taut state like a trampoline (trademark).

[0046] Therefore, as Figure 4AAs shown, in the event of a head collision, the head can be supported by the non-inflating region 40-1. That is, when the rear end chamber 26 and the extension portion 32-2 of the middle end chamber 32 of the airbag 10's chamber 20 come into contact with the vehicle window glass or the like, the movement of the airbag 10 stops, and the movement of the head can be stopped by the reaction force of the non-inflating region 40-1.

[0047] Additionally, a non-inflatable region 40-4 is provided on the upper side of the rear compartment 26. This non-inflatable region 40-4 is tensioned by expanding the inlet compartment 22 and rear compartment 24 during deployment, ensuring that the head can be contained even in the absence of air. Therefore, the longitudinal coverage of the airbag 10 next to the rear seat can be expanded without increasing the volume of the chamber 20.

[0048] Figure 4B This diagram illustrates an example (comparative example) where the non-expansion region 40-1 is wrinkled rather than taut. In this case, if the non-expansion region 40-1 is not taut, the occupant's head cannot be caught by the non-expansion region 40-1, and the head is more likely to collide with the vehicle window or other objects.

Claims

1. An airbag comprising a chamber that inflates upon deployment by the introduction of gas and a non-inflating region that does not inflate upon deployment, the airbag being deployed by introducing gas into the chamber, wherein... The first portion of the chamber located around the periphery of the non-expansion region includes a closed front end, which, upon unfolding, applies a load and contacts the second portion of the chamber located around the periphery of the non-expansion region and opposite to the front end. When the first part unfolds, it is generally U-shaped with a downward convex shape. When unfolded, an upwardly recessed portion is formed in the portion of the second part opposite to the front end, and the front end contacts the portion in such a way that it enters the recess.

2. The airbag according to claim 1, wherein, During deployment, the chambers surrounding the non-expanding region expand, thereby applying tension to the non-expanding region in a direction of peripheral expansion.

3. The airbag according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, When the first part unfolds, it is U-shaped at one end, which is the front end. The second part is located at the position that closes the opening of the U-shape of the first part, and the interior surrounded by the two is the non-expansion region.

4. The airbag according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The airbag is a curtain-type protective airbag located inside the passenger compartment and deploying in the forward and backward direction of the vehicle.

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