airbag device

Abstract

The objective is to provide an airbag device that can adequately protect an occupant in vehicles employing so-called irregularly shaped steering wheels, even when the occupant applies significant pressure to the deployed airbag cushion. The airbag device of the present invention is mounted on a vehicle steering wheel having a rim shaped such that the distance from the center of rotation to the upper edge is shorter than the distance to the left and right edges, and includes: a gas generator fixed to the steering wheel and generating inflating gas; and an airbag cushion that inflates and deploys towards the occupant side by the inflating gas. The airbag cushion has an exhaust port for discharging the inflating gas. Furthermore, the exhaust port is positioned such that when the occupant abuts against the deployed airbag cushion, the airbag cushion deforms forward of the vehicle, and a portion of the upper region of the airbag cushion is pushed forward of the rim of the steering wheel, it comes into contact with and is blocked by automotive interior trim.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a vehicle airbag device, and more particularly to a driver airbag device housed in a steering wheel. Background Technology

[0002] It is known that one or more airbags are installed in a vehicle to protect occupants in the event of a vehicle accident. Airbags include various forms, such as a so-called driver's airbag that deploys from near the center of the steering wheel to protect the driver; a curtain airbag that deploys downwards from the inside of the window to protect occupants in the event of a lateral collision, rollover, or rollover accident; and a side airbag that deploys at the side of the occupant, i.e., at the side of the seat, to protect the occupant in the event of a lateral collision.

[0003] In driver safety airbag systems housed within the steering wheel, the airbag cushion needs to deploy rapidly to reliably restrain the occupant. Therefore, the stability of the airbag cushion's deployment shape and posture is crucial. In driver safety airbag systems, the steering wheel rim acts as a reaction surface when the airbag cushion deploys, helping to stabilize the airbag cushion's deployment shape and posture.

[0004] However, it is well known that steering wheels, besides the usual circular shape, can also be irregularly shaped, like an aircraft joystick, with either a missing upper (12 o'clock) side or a missing lower (6 o'clock) side. For example, compared to a standard steering wheel with a circular rim, in an irregularly shaped steering wheel with a missing upper (12 o'clock) side, the upper portion of the airbag cushion facing the occupant's head cannot receive the rim's reaction force. When the occupant's head enters the inflated airbag cushion, the airbag cushion may be pushed forward or deformed significantly, thus affecting restraint performance.

[0005] On the other hand, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the airbag vent is located between the rim and spokes of the steering wheel, the inflated gas inside the airbag continuously escapes from the vent. Therefore, when the occupant applies significant pressure, the airbag will indent deeply. Consequently, if the driver is large, the occupant's head may compress the airbag and come into contact with the dashboard or other components, resulting in a collision.

[0006] Focusing on the lower part of the steering wheel, the airbag cushion, which deploys from near the center of the steering wheel, needs to quickly deploy downwards towards the driver's abdomen to prevent the driver from hitting the steering wheel. Furthermore, compared to a standard steering wheel with a rounded rim, an irregularly shaped steering wheel with a missing rim at the 6 o'clock position requires the lower part of the airbag cushion to deploy rapidly to restrain the occupant's abdomen.

[0007] Existing technical documents

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-160528 Summary of the Invention

[0009] The problem the invention aims to solve

[0010] In view of the above, the present invention aims to provide an airbag device that can adequately protect the occupant even when the occupant applies significant pressure to the inflated airbag cushion in a vehicle employing a so-called irregularly shaped steering wheel.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide an airbag device that stabilizes the deployment posture of the airbag cushion and helps to improve occupant restraint performance in vehicles employing so-called irregular steering wheels.

[0012] Problem Solving Methods

[0013] To achieve the above objectives, the airbag device of the present invention is mounted on the steering wheel of a vehicle. The steering wheel has a rim with a shape in which the distance from the center of rotation to the upper edge is shorter than the distance to the left and right edges. The device includes: a gas generator fixed to the steering wheel and generating inflating gas; and an airbag cushion that expands and deploys towards the occupant side by the inflating gas. The airbag cushion has an exhaust port for discharging the inflating gas. Furthermore, the exhaust port is positioned such that when an occupant comes into contact with the expanded airbag cushion, and the airbag cushion deforms forward of the vehicle, a portion of the upper region of the airbag cushion is pushed forward to the front of the rim of the steering wheel and is blocked by contact with interior trim.

[0014] Here, "a rim with a shape where the distance from the center of rotation to the upper edge is shorter than the distance to the left and right edges" refers to a rim that, compared to a commonly used circular or annular rim, is missing near the 12 o'clock position when the surface parallel to the rim is compared to a clock face, or that the portion extends horizontally, or is shaped as a concave shape, etc. Furthermore, the "lower region" and "upper region" of the airbag cushion can be defined, for example, the lower side of the lower end and the upper side of the upper end of the steering wheel rim.

[0015] Furthermore, "automotive interior trim" refers to all interior trim components located below the windshield and in front of the steering wheel, including parts of the dashboard and steering wheel. "The occupant coming into contact with the deployed airbag cushion" refers to the situation after a frontal collision or similar accident, where the occupant enters the airbag cushion, i.e., after the occupant's impact energy begins to be absorbed by the airbag. Additionally, "when at least a portion of the upper region of the airbag cushion is advanced to the front of the wheel rim" can mean that, upon impact with the airbag cushion, the upper part of the airbag cushion moves forward, beyond the upper end of the steering wheel rim, towards the interior trim component.

[0016] Furthermore, the "blockage" of the vent is not limited to a completely sealed state, but also includes a blockage state that can effectively suppress the discharge of expanding gas, thereby maintaining the shape of the inflated airbag.

[0017] According to the present invention, the airbag cushion is configured such that when the upper region of the airbag cushion is advanced to the front of the steering wheel due to occupant entry, the vent is abutted against and blocked by the vehicle interior trim. Therefore, for example, when a larger occupant enters and abuts against the airbag cushion, excessive gas is not expelled from the vent, maintaining the airbag cushion's deployed shape, i.e., internal pressure. As a result, collisions between the occupant and vehicle interior trim components such as the dashboard through the flattened airbag cushion can be avoided, reliably protecting the occupant. Here, "larger occupant" can be considered, for example, equivalent to or larger than AM 50 as defined in the crash safety performance evaluation standard according to FMVSS 208 (United States Collision Safety Regulations).

[0018] On the other hand, when the occupant is relatively small and the forward deformation of the airbag is minimal, the airbag can better maintain its deployment posture and shape solely through the reaction force from the steering wheel. Therefore, the vent is not blocked by interior trim, the airbag inflates and deploys normally, and the inflated gas is expelled from the vent. Furthermore, "smaller occupant" can be considered, for example, equivalent to or smaller than AF 05 as defined in the FMVSS 208 (US crash safety regulations) crash performance evaluation standard.

[0019] The vent is preferably located above the upper end (L1) of the rim and in front of the vertically extending centerline (L2) when the inflated airbag is viewed from the side. Here, the centerline (L2) refers to a vertical line passing through the center of the maximum width W1 of the inflated airbag.

[0020] When the distance on the surface of the airbag cushion is set to (A+B), the exhaust port can be formed within a range of 150 mm to 400 mm from the center of the gas generator's mounting position. Alternatively, the "center of the gas generator's mounting position" can also coincide with the rotation center of the steering wheel.

[0021] When the inflated airbag is viewed from the steering wheel side or the passenger side, the vent can be formed within a range of 10° to 170° above a line virtually drawn horizontally from the center of the gas generator's mounting location.

[0022] With the exhaust port configuration described above, the exhaust port is precisely blocked by the automotive interior trim when the upper region of the airbag cushion advances to the front of the steering wheel rim. Without this configuration, i.e., when positioned outside the 10° to 170° range, the exhaust port may not reach the automotive interior trim, or it may contact the trim at an angle, potentially resulting in insufficient blockage.

[0023] The airbag cushion may include an occupant side panel facing the occupant, a steering wheel side panel opposite the occupant side panel, and a side panel connecting the occupant side panel and the steering wheel side panel. In this case, the vent may be formed on the side panel.

[0024] Furthermore, the airbag cushion includes an occupant side panel facing the occupant and a steering wheel side panel opposite to the occupant side panel, and is configured such that at least one of the steering wheel side panel and the occupant side panel has a cutout, the cutout being formed to gradually narrow from the outer periphery towards the center, and the airbag cushion being three-dimensionally shaped by joining the opposing sides of the cutout, causing the center side to bulge out. At this time, the exhaust vent can be formed on the steering wheel side panel.

[0025] The inflated airbag cushion may be configured to be located behind the wheel rim of the steering wheel before the occupant comes into contact with it. Here, "before the occupant comes into contact with the inflated airbag cushion" refers to the initial state of the airbag cushion during its deployment.

[0026] In the stage before the occupant comes into contact with the inflated airbag, the airbag may be configured such that, when viewed from the side, the thickness D1 of the upper end of the airbag is greater than the thickness D2 of the lower end in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the steering wheel.

[0027] Here, the thicknesses D1 and D2 of the upper and lower ends of the airbag cushion are measured from the surface of the steering wheel rim and can be defined as the thickness of the upper end (the highest part) and the lower end (the bottom part) of the airbag cushion in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the steering wheel.

[0028] As described above, in the stage before the occupant comes into contact with the inflated airbag, the thickness of the airbag in the longitudinal direction is configured such that the upper region is thicker than the lower region. Therefore, when the occupant's head enters the upper part of the inflated airbag, the sufficiently thick airbag provides better protection for the occupant's head. Furthermore, the airbag's deployment posture is stable, and the airbag's vents accurately reach and contact the vehicle's interior trim.

[0029] When the inflated airbag is viewed from the side, the length H2 of the lower portion of the steering wheel's rotation center can be configured to be longer than the length H1 of the upper portion. Here, lengths H2 and H1 can be defined as the lengths extending in a direction perpendicular to the steering wheel's rotation axis and parallel to the surface of the wheel rim when the inflated airbag is viewed from the side.

[0030] As described above, by making the lower part of the deployed airbag cushion longer, the occupant's abdomen can be effectively protected, thereby avoiding adverse situations such as the abdomen colliding with the steering wheel.

[0031] The interior trim may include a portion of the steering wheel or the dashboard. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Figure 1 This is a side view showing the state of the airbag device according to the present invention being activated and the airbag cushion just beginning to inflate and deploy.

[0033] Figure 2 (A), (B) and (C) are top views illustrating examples of the steering wheel shape suitable for vehicles according to the present invention.

[0034] Figure 3 This is a side view showing the state in which the airbag device according to the present invention is activated and the occupant enters and comes into contact with the inflated airbag cushion.

[0035] Figure 4 This is a plan view showing the panel structure of the airbag cushion according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 5 This is an explanatory diagram showing the dimensions of the airbag cushion of the airbag device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, schematically showing the airbag cushion in its inflated and deployed state.

[0037] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram, i.e., a side view, showing the unfolded shape of the airbag cushion involved in the present invention.

[0038] Figure 7 This is a plan view showing the panel structure of the airbag cushion according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 8 It is shown Figure 7 A side view of the airbag cushion of the panel structure in the deployed state.

[0040] Figure 9 This is a plan view showing the panel structure of the airbag cushion according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 10 Show Figure 9A side view of the airbag cushion of the panel structure in the deployed state.

[0042] Figure 11 (A) and (B) are plan views illustrating the panel structure of the airbag cushion according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11 (C) is a perspective view showing the inflated and deployed state of the airbag.

[0043] Figure 12 These are front view (A) and side view (B) showing the deployed state of the airbag cushion according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 13 This is a side view showing the deployed state of the airbag according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, wherein (A) is the initial deployed state and (B) is the fully deployed state.

[0045] Figure 14 This is a side view showing the interior of a vehicle in the state of the airbag device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention, i.e., the airbag cushion is inflated and deployed. Detailed Implementation

[0046] The airbag device according to the present invention will now be described based on the accompanying drawings. In this description, when an occupant is seated in a proper posture, the direction the occupant is facing is referred to as "forward," and the opposite direction is referred to as "rear," which are used as "front-back direction" when representing coordinate axes. Furthermore, when an occupant is seated in a proper posture, the occupant's right side is referred to as "right direction," and the occupant's left side is referred to as "left direction," which are used as "left-right direction" when representing coordinate axes. Additionally, when an occupant is seated in a proper posture, the direction of the occupant's head is referred to as "above," and the direction of the occupant's waist is referred to as "below," which are used as "up-down direction" when representing coordinate axes.

[0047] In addition, the 12 o'clock, 3 o'clock, 6 o'clock, and 9 o'clock positions are relative to the steering wheel when comparing it to a clock face. With the direction of the steering wheel when the vehicle is driving straight as the reference, when viewing the steering wheel from the driver's side, the upper part or the direction of travel is 12 o'clock. The position 90 degrees clockwise from this 12 o'clock position is 3 o'clock, the position 180 degrees is 6 o'clock, and the position 270 degrees is 9 o'clock.

[0048] Figure 1 This is a side view showing the interior of a vehicle with the airbag device according to the present invention activated and the airbag pads inflated and deployed. Figure 2 (A), (B) and (C) are top views showing a variation of the steering wheel applicable to the present invention. Figure 3 This is a side view showing the state in which the airbag device according to the present invention is activated and the occupant enters and comes into contact with the inflated airbag cushion.

[0049] In the airbag device involved in this invention, for example, such as Figure 2 As shown in (A), (B) and (C), it is mounted on an irregularly shaped steering wheel 12, which has a rim 12a with a distance d2 from the center of rotation to the upper edge shorter than the distance d1 to the left and right edges, that is, it has a shape that is flattened vertically or upward compared to a circle.

[0050] Figure 2 (A) The steering wheel 12 shown has a shape that is missing the area around 12 o'clock compared to the commonly used circular or annular rim. Figure 2 (B) The steering wheel 12 shown has a shape that extends horizontally without curving into a convex shape near the 12 o'clock position. Furthermore, Figure 2 (C) The steering wheel 12 shown has a shape that is not convex but concave near the 12 o'clock position. The steering wheels applicable to the present invention are not limited to the three types mentioned above, but can be applied to steering wheels of various shapes where sufficient reaction force cannot be obtained near the 12 o'clock position of the rim when the airbag deploys.

[0051] like Figure 1 As shown, the airbag device according to the present invention includes a gas generator 14 for generating inflatable gas and an airbag cushion 16 that expands and deploys towards the occupant, i.e., the driver D, using the inflatable gas. The airbag cushion 16 has a pair of left and right exhaust ports 20 for discharging the inflatable gas. The pair of left and right exhaust ports 20 are formed above the upper end (L1) of the wheel rim and in front of a vertically extending centerline (L2) when the inflated airbag cushion is viewed from the side. Furthermore, the centerline (L2) is a vertical line passing through the center position of the maximum width W1 of the inflated airbag cushion 16.

[0052] like Figure 3 As shown, when the occupant comes into contact with the inflated airbag cushion 16, which deforms forward of the vehicle, and a portion of the upper region 16U of the airbag cushion 16 is pushed forward of the rim of the steering wheel 12, the exhaust port 20 comes into contact with interior trim such as the dashboard 18, thereby blocking the exhaust port 20.

[0053] By setting the time point at which the upper region 16U of the airbag cushion 16 abuts against the dashboard 18 located in front of the steering wheel 12 as described above, the exhaust port 20 of the airbag cushion 16 contacts the dashboard 18 at the optimal time point and is blocked.

[0054] According to the present invention, the air vent 20 is blocked by contact with the dashboard 18 when the upper region 16U of the airbag cushion 16 is further advanced to the front of the steering wheel 12 due to the entry of the occupant D. Therefore, for example, when a larger passenger enters and contacts the airbag cushion 16, the deployed shape of the airbag cushion 16 can be maintained without releasing more than necessary gas. As a result, a collision between the occupant and the dashboard 18 through the flattened airbag cushion 16 can be avoided, thereby reliably protecting the occupant. Here, "larger passenger" can be considered, for example, equivalent to or larger than AM 50 as defined in the crash safety performance evaluation standard according to FMVSS 208 (United States Collision Safety Regulations).

[0055] On the other hand, when the occupant is relatively small and the forward deformation of the airbag cushion 16 is small, the airbag cushion 16 can better maintain its deployment posture and shape solely through the reaction force from the steering wheel 12. Therefore, the exhaust port 20 is not blocked by the dashboard 18, the airbag cushion 16 inflates and deploys normally, and the inflated gas is discharged from the exhaust port 20. Here, "smaller occupant" can be considered, for example, as equivalent to or smaller than AF 05 as defined in the FMVSS 208 (French Collision Safety Regulations).

[0056] Figure 4 This is a plan view showing the panel structure of the airbag cushion 16 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 This is an explanatory diagram showing the size and dimensions of the airbag pad 16 of the airbag device according to the present invention, and showing the airbag pad in the inflated and deployed state.

[0057] In addition, in the first to seventh embodiments shown below, the same or corresponding components will be given the same symbols, and repeated explanations will be omitted.

[0058] like Figure 4 As shown, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the airbag cushion 16 includes an occupant side panel 32 facing the occupant D, a steering wheel side panel 34 opposite to the occupant side panel 32, and a fan-shaped side panel 38 connecting the occupant side panel 32 and the steering wheel side panel 34. An opening 36 for mounting the gas generator 14 is formed in the center of the steering wheel side panel 34. Two exhaust holes 20 are formed in the side panel 38 at symmetrical positions.

[0059] The stitching 32a of the passenger side panel 32 and the stitching 38a of the side panel 38 are sewn together. Furthermore, the stitching 34a of the steering wheel side panel 34 and the stitching 38b of the side panel 38 are sewn together. Thus, a structure is formed as follows: Figure 5The airbag cushion 16 is shown in its deployed shape. In this embodiment, the side panel 38 is disposed on the entire circumference of the occupant side panel 32 and the steering wheel side panel 34.

[0060] like Figure 5 As shown, when the distance on the surface of the airbag cushion 16 is set to (A+B), the exhaust port 20 is formed within a range of 150 mm to 400 mm from the center of the mounting position of the gas generator 14. Furthermore, the "center of the mounting position of the gas generator" coincides with the rotation center of the steering wheel 12.

[0061] Furthermore, when the inflated airbag cushion 16 is viewed from the steering wheel 12 side or the passenger side, the exhaust port 20 is formed within a range of 10° to 170° above a line L 4 virtually drawn horizontally from the center X of the gas generator 14 mounting position.

[0062] like Figure 1 and 5 As shown, by carefully configuring the exhaust port 20, it is precisely blocked by the instrument panel 18 when the upper region 16U of the airbag cushion 16 is advanced to the front of the rim of the steering wheel 12. Without this configuration, the exhaust port 20 would not reach the instrument panel 18, or it would contact the instrument panel 18 at an angle, potentially preventing it from being adequately blocked.

[0063] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram, i.e., a side view, illustrating the deployed shape of the airbag cushion involved in this invention. For example... Figure 6 As shown, in the stage before the occupant D comes into contact with the inflated airbag cushion 16, the thickness D2 of the lower region 16L of the airbag cushion 16 is less than the thickness D1 of the upper region 16U. Thicknesses D1 and D2 are measured from the surface 12x of the rim of the steering wheel 12 and can be defined as the thickness of the uppermost part (the highest part 100U) and the lowermost part (the lowest part 100L) of the airbag cushion 16 in a direction parallel to the rotation axis X of the steering wheel 12. Here, the upper part 100U and the lower part 100L of the airbag cushion 16 can be the positions furthest from the upper and lower sides in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the steering wheel 12.

[0064] Furthermore, the ratio of thicknesses D1 and D2 is preferably in the range of 1.1:1 to 2.3:1. For example, thickness D1 can be 350 mm to 400 mm, preferably 355 mm, and thickness D2 can be 250 mm to 320 mm, preferably 300 mm. Additionally, the difference D3 between thicknesses D1 and D2 can be approximately 50 mm. Furthermore, the thickness D0 at the position corresponding to the rotation axis of the steering wheel control system 2 is preferably set to a value that satisfies the relationship D1 > D0 > D2.

[0065] In this embodiment, the thicknesses D1 and D2 of the airbag cushion 16 are set as described above. However, if the thickness D1 of the upper region 16U is greater than the thickness of the lower region 16L, the capacity of the airbag cushion 16 may increase, or the protection of the occupant D's torso may become insufficient. On the other hand, if the thickness D1 of the upper region 16U of the airbag cushion 16 is less than the thickness of the lower region 16L, the front surface of the upper region 16U may not receive sufficient reaction force even if it contacts the instrument panel 18. In other words, by setting the thicknesses D1 and D2 of the airbag cushion 16 in the longitudinal direction as described above, the restraint performance of the occupant D can be better maintained.

[0066] Furthermore, in the inflated airbag cushion 16, the length H2 of the lower portion of the rotation center X of the steering wheel 12 is set to be longer than the length H1 of the upper portion. For example... Figure 3 As shown, by making the length H2 of the lower part 16L of the deployed airbag cushion 16 longer, the abdomen of the occupant D can be effectively protected, thereby avoiding adverse situations such as the abdomen colliding with the steering wheel 12.

[0067] Figure 7 This is a plan view showing the panel structure of the airbag cushion 116 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 It is shown Figure 7 A side view of the airbag cushion 116 of the panel structure in its deployed state.

[0068] In this embodiment, the airbag cushion 116 includes an occupant side panel 32 facing the occupant D, a steering wheel side panel 34 opposite to the occupant side panel 32, and a side panel 138 connecting the occupant side panel 32 and the steering wheel side panel 34. An opening 36 for mounting a gas generator 14 is formed in the center of the steering wheel side panel 34. Two exhaust holes 120 are formed in symmetrical positions on the left and right sides of the side panel 138.

[0069] The stitching 32a of the passenger side panel 32 and the stitching 138a of the side panel 138 are sewn together. Furthermore, the stitching 34a of the steering wheel side panel 34 and the stitching 138b of the side panel 138 are sewn together. Thus, a structure is formed as follows: Figure 8 The airbag cushion 116 has an expanded shape as shown. In this embodiment, the side panel 138 is provided on the entire circumference of the passenger side panel 32 and the steering wheel side panel 34. Furthermore, the width of the upper region 116U of the expanded airbag cushion 116 gradually narrows in the front-rear direction towards the lower region 116L.

[0070] Figure 9 This is a plan view showing the panel structure of the airbag cushion 216 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 It is shown Figure 9 A side view of the airbag cushion 216 of the panel structure in its deployed state.

[0071] In this embodiment, the airbag cushion 216 includes an occupant side panel 232 facing the occupant D, a steering wheel side panel 234 opposite to the occupant side panel 232, and a side panel 238 connecting the occupant side panel 232 and the steering wheel side panel 234. The side panel 238 is pupil-shaped with two arc-shaped edges. An opening 236 for mounting a gas generator 14 is formed in the center of the steering wheel side panel 234. A pair of exhaust holes 220 are formed symmetrically in the side panel 238.

[0072] The stitching 232a of the passenger side panel 232 and the stitching 238a of the side panel 238 are sewn together. Furthermore, the stitching 234a of the steering wheel side panel 234 and the stitching 238b of the side panel 238 are sewn together. Thus, a structure is formed as follows: Figure 10 The airbag cushion 216 is shown in the deployed shape. In addition, in this embodiment, the upper parts of the passenger side panel 232 and the steering wheel side panel 234 are connected by a side panel 238, while there is no side panel 238 between the lower parts of the passenger side panel 232 and the steering wheel side panel 234. Instead, the passenger side panel 232 and the steering wheel side panel 234 are directly sewn together.

[0073] Figure 11 (A) and (B) are plan views illustrating the panel structure of the airbag cushion 316 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11 (C) is a perspective view showing the inflated state of the airbag cushion 316. The airbag cushion 316 is composed of a circular occupant side panel 332 that forms the occupant-facing surface and a steering wheel side panel 334 located on the opposite side of the occupant-facing surface.

[0074] The steering wheel side panel 334 has a shape with V-shaped cutouts 350 at four positions on the periphery of the circular panel. The cutouts 350 are evenly spaced in the steering wheel side panel 334 in the circumferential direction.

[0075] The steering wheel side panel 334 has an air inflator opening 336 in the center, and small holes for bolt insertion are provided around the air inflator opening 336. Two vent holes 320 are provided at a specified distance from the periphery of the steering wheel side panel 334 to the center.

[0076] The steering wheel side panel 334 is formed into a bowl shape by sewing the sides of the cut-out portion 350 together. The diameter of the outer peripheral end of the bowl-shaped steering wheel side panel 334 is substantially the same as the diameter of the circular passenger side panel 332. The airbag cushion 316 is formed by sewing the periphery of the bowl-shaped steering wheel side panel 334 and the periphery of the passenger side panel 332 together.

[0077] Figure 12 These are front views (A) and side views (B) showing the deployed state of the airbag cushion 416 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment modifies the airbag cushion 116 of the second embodiment. Compared to the airbag cushion 116 of the second embodiment, the airbag cushion 416, for example, has an anti-slip area 414 with a coefficient of friction μ of 2.0 or higher formed at the lower end of the occupant side panel 102 facing the occupant D. This anti-slip area 414 can be formed by coating with a material with a high coefficient of friction, such as silicon, or by attaching a panel, i.e., fabric, with a high coefficient of friction to the surface. When the airbag cushion 416 inflates and deploys, the anti-slip area 414 is located near the occupant's abdomen, preventing the airbag cushion 416 from sliding and moving up and down on the occupant. In other words, the relative positional relationship between the airbag cushion 416 and the occupant can be maintained in an optimal position.

[0078] Figure 13 This is a side view showing the deployed state of the airbag according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, where (A) is the initial deployment state and (B) is the fully deployed state. In this embodiment, a diffuser 500 is provided around the inflator 14 inside the airbag 16. The diffuser 500 has an opening 500a for guiding gas downward and an exhaust port 500b for discharging gas to the side.

[0079] Furthermore, in the initial stage of airbag 16 deployment, such as Figure 13 As shown in (A), the gas is directed downward by the diffuser 500, and the lower region 16L of the airbag cushion 16 deploys first. Because the lower region 16L of the airbag cushion 16 deploys first, the airbag cushion 16 reaches near the occupant's abdomen, reducing the likelihood of injury from a collision with the steering wheel 12.

[0080] After that, as Figure 13 As shown in (B), gas also flows into the upper region 16U of the airbag cushion 16, and the airbag cushion 16 fully deploys. In this embodiment, the airbag cushion 16 can deploy faster than in other embodiments, i.e., it can penetrate the occupant's abdomen. Furthermore, the diffuser 500 involved in this embodiment can be applied to all other embodiments.

[0081] Figure 14 This is a side view showing the interior of a vehicle in the state of the airbag device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention when the airbag cushion is deployed, i.e., when the airbag cushion inflates and unfolds. In this embodiment, a tether 618 is attached to the lower interior portion of the airbag cushion 616 to adjust its width, i.e., its thickness, in the front-to-back direction. By employing such a structure, appropriate, i.e., not excessive, gas flow can be directed to the area of ​​the airbag cushion 616 located near the abdomen of the occupant D, thereby optimizing the deployment speed, deployment shape, and deployment action of the entire airbag cushion 616. Furthermore, reference numeral 620 is the same as in the first embodiment for the exhaust port.

[0082] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and can be modified within the scope of the technical concept shown in the claims.

Claims

1. An airbag device mounted on a vehicle steering wheel, said steering wheel having a rim shaped such that the distance from the center of rotation to the upper edge is shorter than the distance to the left and right edges, characterized in that, have: A gas generator, which is fixed to the steering wheel and produces expanding gas; and, The airbag cushion expands and deploys towards the occupant side using the inflating gas. The upper region of the inflated airbag cushion has an exhaust port for discharging the inflated gas, and the entire upper region of the inflated airbag cushion, including the exhaust port, is located behind the steering wheel rim of the vehicle before the occupant comes into contact with it. The vent is positioned such that when an occupant comes into contact with the inflated airbag, which deforms from behind the steering wheel rim toward the front of the vehicle, and a portion of the upper region of the airbag, including the vent, is pushed forward to the front of the steering wheel rim, it comes into contact with and is blocked by the vehicle dashboard located in front of the steering wheel.

2. The airbag device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The vent is formed above the upper end (L1) of the wheel rim and in front of the vertically extending centerline (L2) when the inflated airbag is viewed from the side.

3. The airbag device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The vent is formed on the surface of the airbag in a range of 150 mm to 400 mm from the center of the installation position of the gas generator.

4. The airbag device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, When the inflated airbag is viewed from the steering wheel side or the passenger side, the vent is formed within a range of 10° to 170° above a line virtually drawn horizontally from the center of the gas generator's mounting location.

5. The airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The airbag cushion includes an occupant side panel facing the occupant, a steering wheel side panel opposite the occupant side panel, and a side panel connecting the occupant side panel and the steering wheel side panel.

6. The airbag device as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The vent is formed on the side panel.

7. The airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The airbag cushion includes an occupant side panel facing the occupant and a steering wheel side panel opposite to the occupant side panel, wherein, At least one of the steering wheel side panel and the passenger side panel has a cutout, the cutout being formed to gradually narrow from the outer periphery towards the center, and, By joining the opposing sides of the cutout, the center side of the airbag cushion protrudes and is three-dimensionally shaped.

8. The airbag device as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The exhaust vent is formed on the side panel of the steering wheel.

9. The airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, In the stage before the occupant comes into contact with the inflated airbag, when the airbag is viewed from the side, in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the steering wheel, the thickness D1 of the upper end of the airbag is greater than the thickness D2 of the lower end.

10. The airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, When the inflated airbag is viewed from the side, the length H2 of the lower portion of the steering wheel's rotation center is longer than the length H1 of the upper portion.

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