Curtain airbag device

Abstract

To improve a curtain airbag device.SOLUTION: A curtain airbag device includes: a bag body which is inflated and deployed by supply of inflation gas; and an inner tube which has at least a part arranged in the bag body and controls a flow of inflation gas into the bag body by supply of inflation gas from the outside. The bag body has a first inflation chamber which alleviates impact to a protection object in a movable body by being inflated by inflation gas, a first orifice through which inflation gas flowing into the first inflation chamber circulates, a first auxiliary chamber which is provided to adjust the way of inflation of the first inflation chamber and receives inflation gas, and a second orifice through which inflation gas flowing into the first auxiliary chamber circulates. The inner tube is arranged at a position to face the first orifice and has a first inflation chamber opening for discharging inflation gas.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The technology of the present disclosure relates to a curtain airbag device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are curtain airbag devices that protect occupants when a vehicle is hit in the side by another vehicle or when the vehicle rolls over. The curtain airbag device of Patent Document 1 includes an inflator that supplies inflation gas, and an airbag that is inflated and deployed between the occupant and the sidewall of the vehicle from above the sidewall of the vehicle by being supplied with inflation gas. The airbag includes a bag body and an inner tube. The bag body includes a connection portion. The inner tube includes a tube body that is disposed within the bag body and has a gas outlet, and an insertion portion that is disposed within the connection portion of the bag body and into which a part of the inflator is inserted. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-42944 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, curtain airbags are required to satisfy the required specifications for multiple parameters, such as the distance from a reference position in the vehicle, the deployment time, the maximum load, and the amount of energy absorption, at each of the many impact points defined on the airbag. However, for example, if inflation gas is supplied to the bag body at a speed fast enough to inflate the entire bag body early, the reaction force acting on the protected object may become large at the part of the bag body that should absorb the impact on the protected object, and the required specifications for the maximum load may not be satisfied. Thus, it is not easy for a curtain airbag to satisfy high requirements for multiple parameters at each impact point defined on the airbag. Also, in some cases, a large amount of inflation gas is supplied to all impact points in order to satisfy the requirements for multiple parameters. For this reason, there is room for further improvement in the configuration of the curtain airbag device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The technology of the present disclosure can be realized in the following forms.

[0006] (1) According to one embodiment of the technique disclosed herein, there is provided a curtain airbag device for a moving body. The curtain airbag device for a moving body includes a bag body that is inflated and deployed by being supplied with inflation gas, and an inner tube at least a part of which is disposed within the bag body and that receives the inflation gas from the outside and controls the flow of the inflation gas into the bag body. The bag body includes a first expansion chamber that is inflated with the inflation gas to cushion an impact on a protected object within the moving body, a first orifice through which the inflation gas flowing into the first expansion chamber flows, a first sub-chamber that is provided to adjust the manner in which the first expansion chamber expands and receives the inflation gas, and a second orifice through which the inflation gas flowing into the first sub-chamber flows. The inner tube is disposed in a position facing the first orifice and includes a first expansion chamber opening that discharges the inflation gas. In this embodiment, the following effect can be obtained by adjusting the size of the opening of the first expansion chamber of the inner tube and the shapes of the first orifice, the second orifice, and the first sub-chamber. That is, the amount of inflation gas flowing into the first expansion chamber and the amount of inflation gas flowing into the first sub-chamber can be adjusted over time from the start of the supply of inflation gas. As a result, the manner in which the first expansion chamber expands over time from the start of the supply of inflation gas can be appropriately controlled. (2) In the curtain airbag device of the above aspect, the inner tube may further include a first sub-chamber opening disposed at a position facing the second orifice and for discharging inflation gas. In this embodiment, by adjusting the sizes of the first expansion chamber opening and the first sub-chamber opening of the inner tube, and the shapes of the first orifice, the second orifice, and the first sub-chamber, the following effect can be obtained: Namely, the amount of inflation gas flowing into the first expansion chamber and the amount of inflation gas flowing into the first sub-chamber can be more appropriately adjusted over time from the start of the supply of inflation gas. (3) In the curtain airbag device of the above embodiment, the bag body may further include a second expansion chamber that is inflated with inflation gas to cushion an impact on a protected object within the moving body, the second expansion chamber being arranged forward of the first expansion chamber, and a third expansion chamber that is inflated with inflation gas to cushion an impact on a protected object within the moving body, the third expansion chamber being arranged rearward of the first expansion chamber, and the inner tube may further include a second expansion chamber opening that discharges inflation gas into the second expansion chamber, and a third expansion chamber opening that discharges inflation gas into the third expansion chamber. In this embodiment, the following effect is obtained by adjusting the sizes of the first expansion chamber opening and the first sub-chamber opening of the inner tube, and the shapes of the first orifice, the second orifice, and the first sub-chamber, as well as the sizes of the second expansion chamber opening and the third expansion chamber opening. That is, the amount of expansion gas flowing into the first expansion chamber, the amount of expansion gas flowing into the second expansion chamber, the amount of expansion gas flowing into the third expansion chamber, and the amount of expansion gas flowing into the first sub-chamber can be adjusted. As a result, the manner in which the first expansion chamber, the second expansion chamber, and the third expansion chamber expand can be appropriately controlled. (4) In the curtain airbag device of the above embodiment, the bag body may further include a communication orifice communicating the first expansion chamber with the second expansion chamber, a second sub-chamber for receiving inflation gas, the second sub-chamber being connected to the first expansion chamber and having a smaller capacity than the first sub-chamber, and a second sub-chamber orifice through which the inflation gas flowing into the second sub-chamber flows, the second sub-chamber orifice being disposed on the opposite side of the communication orifice from the first orifice. In such an embodiment, by further adjusting the size and arrangement of the communicating orifice, the size and arrangement of the second sub-chamber, and the size and arrangement of the second sub-chamber orifice, it is possible to more appropriately control the manner in which at least the first expansion chamber and the second expansion chamber expand. (5) In the curtain airbag device of the above embodiment, the first expansion chamber may be located closer to a pillar supporting at least one of the roof of the moving body and the door of the moving body in the fore-and-aft direction of the moving body than the second expansion chamber and the third expansion chamber. In such an embodiment, by appropriately controlling the manner in which the first expansion chamber expands, it is possible to prevent the object to be protected within the movable body from colliding with the support pillar. (6) In the curtain airbag device of the above embodiment, the depth of the first sub-chamber along the direction of the flow of the inflation gas may be greater than the width of the second orifice, and the depth of the second sub-chamber along the direction of the flow of the inflation gas may be greater than the width of the second sub-chamber orifice. By adopting such an embodiment, the manner in which the first expansion chamber and the second expansion chamber expand can be appropriately controlled for a longer period of time compared to an embodiment in which the depth of each sub-chamber is smaller than the width of each sub-chamber orifice. (7) In the curtain airbag device of the above aspect, the depth of the first sub-chamber along the direction of the flow of the inflation gas may be greater than the width of the second orifice. By adopting this embodiment, it is possible to appropriately control the manner in which the first expansion chamber expands for a longer period of time, compared to an embodiment in which the depth of the first sub-chamber is smaller than the width of the second orifice. (8) In the curtain airbag device of the above embodiment, the first sub-chamber may have a first portion extending rearward from a position below the inner tube, a second portion disposed below the first portion and extending rearward from a position below the inner tube, and a third portion connecting a rear end of the first portion and a rear end of the second portion. By adopting such an embodiment, the depth dimension of the first sub-chamber is secured, making it possible to appropriately control the manner in which the first expansion chamber expands over a long period of time, while the first sub-chamber can receive the object to be protected within the moving body over a wide range in both the front-to-back and up-to-down directions. The technology of the present disclosure can be realized in various forms other than the curtain airbag device, for example, in the form of a manufacturing method for a curtain airbag device, a design method for a curtain airbag device, a computer program for realizing the control method thereof, a non-transitory recording medium on which the computer program is recorded, etc. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a curtain airbag device 100 for a vehicle MV. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section of a bag body 110 in a folded state. [Diagram 3] 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of an inner tube 120. FIG. [Figure 4]2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining details of the internal configuration of a bag body 110. FIG. [Diagram 5] 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the detailed configurations of a first expansion chamber MC1, a first sub-chamber SC1, and a second sub-chamber SC2. FIG. [Figure 6] 13 is a photograph showing the state in which the bag body 110 has been completely inflated and deployed. [Figure 7] 13 is a photograph showing a state in which the inflation and deployment of the bag body 110 has started and is not yet completed. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a curtain airbag device 100b according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a curtain airbag device 100c according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] A. First embodiment: FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a curtain airbag device 100 for a vehicle MV. The curtain airbag device 100 shown in FIG. 1 is a curtain airbag device 100 that is deployed along the right side wall of the vehicle MV. In the vehicle MV, a curtain airbag device having a configuration substantially symmetrical to the curtain airbag device 100 shown in FIG. 1 is deployed along the left side wall of the vehicle MV. In FIG. 1, the internal structure of the curtain airbag device 100 is shown. In FIG. 1, the outline of the vehicle MV is indicated by a broken line.

[0009] In FIG. 1, the up direction is indicated by an arrow UD, and the down direction is indicated by an arrow DD. The forward direction of the vehicle MV is indicated by an arrow FD, and the rearward direction of the vehicle MV is indicated by an arrow BD. The arrows UD, DD, FD, and BD shown in other figures correspond to the arrows UD, DD, FD, and BD in FIG. 1. Up and down, front and rear, and left and right referred to in this specification refer to up and down, front and rear, and left and right of the vehicle MV as a moving body. In this specification, the up and down direction is indicated by the symbol "UD / DD". The front and rear direction is indicated by the symbol "FD / BD".

[0010] The protected object PO1 shown in FIG. 1 is an occupant sitting in the front seat of the vehicle MV (see the middle left and middle right parts of FIG. 1). The protected object PO2 shown in FIG. 1 is an occupant sitting in the rear seat of the vehicle MV. When an impact is applied to the vehicle MV, the curtain airbag device 100 deploys from the ceiling of the vehicle MV along the side walls and windows of the vehicle MV. The protected objects PO1 and PO2 in the vehicle MV move relatively toward the side walls and windows of the vehicle MV due to the impact applied to the vehicle MV and their own inertial force. The protected objects PO1 and PO2 collide with the deployed curtain airbag device 100 without directly colliding with the side walls and windows. As a result, the impact that may be applied to the protected objects PO1 and PO2 is mitigated.

[0011] The curtain airbag device 100 includes a bag body 110, an inner tube 120, and an inflator .

[0012] Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section of the bag body 110 in a folded state. The bag body 110 is inflated and deployed from the state shown in Fig. 2 by being supplied with inflation gas IG (see the upper left part of Fig. 1). The shape and positional relationship of each part when the bag body 110 of the curtain airbag device 100 is in an unfolded state will be described below.

[0013] The bag body 110 is constructed by overlapping and sewing two approximately rectangular pieces of polyethylene terephthalate fabric together. In Fig. 1, the sewn portion of the bag body 110 is shown as a seam 112. In Fig. 1, the seam 112 that defines the outer edge of the portion of the bag body 110 into which the inflation gas IG is introduced is shown as an outer edge seam 112o. The details of the configuration of the bag body 110 will be described later.

[0014] 3 is a plan view showing the configuration of the inner tube 120. The inner tube 120 receives inflation gas IG from the outside and supplies the inflation gas IG into the bag body 110 (see the upper center part of FIG. 1). The inner tube 120 controls the flow of the inflation gas IG inside the bag body 110 when supplying the inflation gas IG into the bag body 110. The inner tube 120 has a bifurcated tubular structure. The tip of the bifurcated tube of the inner tube 120 is disposed outside the bag body 110 (see the upper center part of FIG. 1). The other part of the inner tube 120 is disposed inside the bag body 110.

[0015] The inner tube 120 is formed by overlapping and sewing two pieces of polyethylene terephthalate fabric together. The inner tube 120 has a first expansion chamber opening 121, a second expansion chamber opening 122, a third expansion chamber opening 123, a first sub-chamber opening 126, and a connection opening 129.

[0016] The connection opening 129 is located at the tip of the portion of the inner tube 120 that is disposed outside the bag body 110 (see the upper center part of FIG. 1). The connection opening 129 is located at the tip of one of the branched tubes of the inner tube 120. The connection opening 129 is connected to the inflator 130. In FIG. 1, the connection opening 129 and the inflator 130 are shown separately for ease of understanding of the technology. The connection opening 129 receives the inflation gas IG supplied from the inflator 130 into the inner tube 120 (see the upper center part of FIG. 1 and the upper right part of FIG. 3).

[0017] The first expansion chamber opening 121, the second expansion chamber opening 122, the third expansion chamber opening 123, and the first sub-chamber opening 126 are located in a portion of the inner tube 120 that is disposed inside the bag body 110 (see the lower part of FIG. 3 and the center part of the upper part of FIG. 1). The first expansion chamber opening 121, the second expansion chamber opening 122, the third expansion chamber opening 123, and the first sub-chamber opening 126 discharge the inflation gas IG from inside the inner tube 120.

[0018] The second expansion chamber opening 122 is located at the front end of the inner tube 120 and opens forward (see the left part in FIG. 3). The second expansion chamber opening 122 discharges the expansion gas IG to the second expansion chamber MC2 of the bag body 110 (see the arrow Fm2 in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3). The second expansion chamber MC2 of the bag body 110 will be described in detail later.

[0019] The third expansion chamber opening 123 is located at the rear end of the inner tube 120 and opens toward the rear (see the left part in FIG. 3). The third expansion chamber opening 123 is located at the other end of the branched tube of the inner tube 120. The third expansion chamber opening 123 discharges the inflation gas IG to the third expansion chamber MC3 of the bag body 110 (see the arrow Fm3 in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3). The third expansion chamber MC3 of the bag body 110 will be described in detail later.

[0020] The first expansion chamber opening 121 and the first sub-chamber opening 126 are located between the second expansion chamber opening 122 and the third expansion chamber opening 123 in the front-rear direction FD / BD, and both open downward (see the lower center part of FIG. 3). The first expansion chamber opening 121 is located further forward FD than the first sub-chamber opening 126. The first expansion chamber opening 121 is larger than the first sub-chamber opening 126.

[0021] The first expansion chamber opening 121 and the first sub-chamber opening 126 discharge the expansion gas IG into the connecting chamber CC of the bag body 110. Thereafter, the expansion gas IG discharged from the first expansion chamber opening 121 mainly flows into the first expansion chamber MC1 (see arrow Fm1 in Figs. 1 and 3). The expansion gas IG discharged from the first sub-chamber opening 126 mainly flows into the first sub-chamber SC1 (see arrow Fs1 in Figs. 1 and 3). The connecting chamber CC of the bag body 110, the first expansion chamber MC1, and the first sub-chamber SC1 will be described in detail later.

[0022] The openings through which the inflation gas IG is discharged from the inner tube 120 are limited to the first expansion chamber opening 121, the second expansion chamber opening 122, the third expansion chamber opening 123, and the first sub-chamber opening 126. As a result, the flow of the inflation gas IG from the inner tube 120 into the bag body 110 is controlled (see Fm1 to Fm3 and Fs1 in FIG. 1).

[0023] In addition to the second expansion chamber opening 122 and the third expansion chamber opening 123 that discharge the expansion gas IG to the expansion chambers MC2 and MC3, the inner tube 120 has a first expansion chamber opening 121 and a first sub-chamber opening 126 that discharge the expansion gas IG to other than the expansion chambers MC2 and MC3. This makes it possible to prevent a situation in which a large amount of expansion gas IG is supplied to the second expansion chamber MC2 and the third expansion chamber MC3 at an early stage after the supply of the expansion gas IG starts, causing the second expansion chamber MC2 and the third expansion chamber MC3 to expand significantly, and the reaction force that the second expansion chamber MC2 and the third expansion chamber MC3 apply to the protected objects PO1 and PO2 becomes excessive.

[0024] The inflator 130 is connected to the connection opening 129 of the inner tube 120. The inflator 130 receives a signal from a control unit (not shown) and ejects inflation gas IG. The inflation gas IG ejected from the inflator 130 causes the bag body 110 to inflate and deploy from the state shown in Fig. 2 (see Fig. 1).

[0025] 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining details of the internal configuration of the bag body 110. The bag body 110 includes a first expansion chamber MC1, a second expansion chamber MC2, a third expansion chamber MC3, a first sub-chamber SC1, a second sub-chamber SC2, and a connection chamber CC. The bag body 110 further includes a first non-inflatable portion 112A, a second non-inflatable portion 112B, a third non-inflatable portion 112C, a fourth non-inflatable portion 112Sp, and a fifth non-inflatable portion 112Tp.

[0026] The bag body 110 further includes a first orifice MO11, a second orifice SO11, a first expansion chamber orifice MO12, a second expansion chamber orifice MO2, a third expansion chamber orifice MO3, communication orifices CO1, CO2, a first sub-chamber orifice SO12, and a second sub-chamber orifice SO2.

[0027] In this specification, an "orifice" is a structure for controlling the flow of inflation gas IG, and is a structure in which the cross-sectional area of ​​a flow passage in a cross section perpendicular to the direction of the flow of inflation gas IG is narrower than the cross-sectional area of ​​the space connected to the upstream and downstream of the structure. The orifice determines the relationship between the pressure difference between the upstream and downstream of the orifice and the flow rate per unit time of the fluid flowing from the upstream of the orifice to the downstream of the orifice. In the bag body 110, the orifice is defined by a stitched portion 112.

[0028] The first expansion chamber MC1 is inflated with the inflation gas IG to cushion the impact on the protected objects PO1 and PO2 in the vehicle MV (see the lower center part of FIG. 4). The first expansion chamber MC1 is located closer to the support pillar MVp2 of the vehicle MV in the front-rear direction FD / BD of the vehicle MV than the second expansion chamber MC2 and the third expansion chamber MC3.

[0029] The pillar MVp2 of the vehicle MV supports the roof MVr of the vehicle MV and the door MVd2 for the rear seat of the vehicle MV (see the lower center part of FIG. 1). When the vehicle MV is subjected to a side impact, the pillar MVp2 of the vehicle MV also functions to receive the impact and prevent the internal space of the vehicle MV from shrinking. In order to perform such a function, the pillar MVp2 is provided thick. As a result, the pillar MVp2 protrudes into the internal space of the vehicle MV. However, in the internal space of the vehicle MV, the surface of the pillar MVp2 is covered with a resin member. To facilitate understanding of the technology, FIG. 1 shows a window MVw2 provided in the door MVd2 for the rear seat of the vehicle MV, a door MVd1 for the front seat of the vehicle MV, and a window MVw1 provided in the door MVd1 (see the lower part of FIG. 1).

[0030] Since the first expansion chamber MC1 is positioned as described above, by appropriately controlling the manner in which the first expansion chamber MC1 expands, it is possible to prevent the protected objects PO1, PO2 within the vehicle MV from directly colliding with the support pillar MVp2 protruding into the internal space of the vehicle MV.

[0031] The inflation gas IG supplied to the connection opening 129 of the inner tube 120 is supplied to the first expansion chamber MC1 through the first expansion chamber opening 121 of the inner tube 120, the first orifice MO11, and the first expansion chamber orifice MO12 (see arrow Fm1 in FIG. 4). Therefore, in the curtain airbag device 100, the first expansion chamber MC1 deployed near the pillar MVp2 can be inflated earlier than in an embodiment in which the first expansion chamber opening 121 and the first orifice MO11 facing the first expansion chamber opening 121 are not provided. Therefore, even if the protected objects PO1 and PO2 move relatively toward the pillar MVp2 due to an impact applied to the vehicle MV, their kinetic energy can be absorbed more reliably.

[0032] The second expansion chamber MC2 is inflated by the inflation gas IG to cushion the impact on the protected object PO1 in the vehicle MV (see the middle left part of FIG. 4 and the middle left part of FIG. 1). The second expansion chamber MC2 is disposed on the forward FD side with respect to the first expansion chamber MC1. Note that the second expansion chamber MC2 being "disposed on the forward FD side with respect to the first expansion chamber MC1" means that the front end of the second expansion chamber MC2 is located forward of the front end of the first expansion chamber MC1. In the curtain airbag device 100 shown in FIG. 1, the second expansion chamber MC2 is located on the right side of the front seat of the vehicle MV.

[0033] The third expansion chamber MC3 is inflated by the inflation gas IG to cushion the impact on the protected object PO2 in the vehicle MV (see the middle right part of FIG. 4 and the middle right part of FIG. 1). The third expansion chamber MC3 is disposed on the rear BD side of the first expansion chamber MC1. Note that the third expansion chamber MC3 being "disposed on the rear BD side of the first expansion chamber MC1" means that the rear end of the third expansion chamber MC3 is located behind the rear end of the first expansion chamber MC1. In the curtain airbag device 100 shown in FIG. 1, the third expansion chamber MC3 is located on the right side of the rear seat of the vehicle MV.

[0034] With this configuration, the following effects can be obtained by adjusting the sizes of the first expansion chamber opening 121 and the first sub-chamber opening 126 of the inner tube 120, the shapes of the first orifice MO11, the second orifice SO11, and the first sub-chamber SC1, as well as the sizes of the second expansion chamber opening 122 and the third expansion chamber opening 123. That is, the amount of the expansion gas IG flowing into the first expansion chamber MC1, the amount of the expansion gas IG flowing into the second expansion chamber MC2, the amount of the expansion gas IG flowing into the third expansion chamber MC3, and the amount of the expansion gas IG flowing into the first sub-chamber SC1 can be adjusted. As a result, the manner in which the first expansion chamber MC1, the second expansion chamber MC2, and the third expansion chamber MC3 expand can be appropriately controlled. The first orifice MO11, the second orifice SO11, and the first sub-chamber SC1 will be described in detail later.

[0035] In bag body 110, expansion chambers MC2, MC3 that deploy to the side of the seats of vehicle MV have outer edges defined by seams 112 and have one or two orifices that communicate between the inside and outside. Therefore, by adjusting the shape of the outer edges of those expansion chambers and the shape of the orifices of the expansion chambers, it is possible to adjust the way those expansion chambers are inflated over time from the start of the supply of inflation gas IG.

[0036] The first sub-chamber SC1 is a space provided for adjusting the manner in which the first expansion chamber MC1, the second expansion chamber MC2, and the third expansion chamber MC3 expand (see the lower center part of FIG. 4). The first sub-chamber SC1 is disposed rearward BD of the first expansion chamber MC1. The first sub-chamber SC1 receives the expansion gas IG. The first sub-chamber SC1 is connected to the first expansion chamber MC1. The first sub-chamber SC1 and the third expansion chamber MC3 are partitioned by a partition part 112T of the seam part 112 extending in the front-rear direction FD / BD (see the middle right part of FIG. 4).

[0037] The first sub-chamber SC1 has a first portion SC11, a second portion SC12, and a third portion SC13 (see the lower right part of FIG. 4). The first portion SC11 is a portion of the first sub-chamber SC1 that extends from a position below DD of the inner tube 120 to the rear BD. The second portion SC12 is disposed below DD of the first portion SC11. The second portion SC12 is a portion of the first sub-chamber SC1 that extends from a position below DD of the inner tube 120 to the rear BD. The third portion SC13 is a portion of the first sub-chamber SC1 that connects the rear end of the first portion SC11 and the rear end of the second portion SC12. The third portion SC13 is located behind BD of the first expansion chamber MC1.

[0038] With this configuration, the depth dimension within the first sub-chamber SC1 is secured, making it possible to appropriately control the manner in which the first expansion chamber MC1 expands for a long period of time, while the first sub-chamber SC1 can receive the protected objects PO1, PO2 within the vehicle MV over a wide range in the fore-and-aft directions FD / BD and the up-and-down directions UD / DD.

[0039] In the first sub-chamber SC1, the only communication hole that connects the inside of the first sub-chamber SC1 to the outside of the first sub-chamber SC1 is the first sub-chamber orifice SO12 provided at the front end of the first section SC11. With this configuration, the first section SC11 inflates before the second section SC12. As a result, the thickness of the bag body 110 can be secured at the central section of the bag body 110 at an early stage after the supply of the inflation gas IG starts. Therefore, the objects to be protected PO1 and PO2 in the vehicle MV can be effectively protected from impact.

[0040] 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the detailed configuration of the first expansion chamber MC1, the first sub-chamber SC1, and the second sub-chamber SC2. The depth Ls1 of the first sub-chamber SC1 along the flow direction Ds1 of the expansion gas IG is longer than the width Ws11 of the second orifice SO11 (see the middle right part and the upper center part of FIG. 5). The second orifice SO11 will be described later.

[0041] The second sub-chamber SC2 is a space provided to adjust the manner in which the first expansion chamber MC1 expands (see the lower center of FIG. 4 and the middle left of FIG. 5). The second sub-chamber SC2 is disposed in front of the first expansion chamber MC1 FD. The second sub-chamber SC2 is connected to the first expansion chamber MC1. The second sub-chamber SC2 receives the expansion gas IG from the first expansion chamber MC1. The flow of the expansion gas IG flowing from the first expansion chamber MC1 to the second sub-chamber SC2 is indicated by arrows Fs2 in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4. The second sub-chamber SC2 and the second expansion chamber MC2 are partitioned by a partition portion 112S of the seam 112 extending in the front-rear direction FD / BD (see the middle left of FIG. 4). The volume of the second sub-chamber SC2 is smaller than the volume of the first sub-chamber SC1.

[0042] The depth Ls2 of the second sub-chamber SC2 along the flow direction Ds2 of the inflation gas IG is longer than the width Ws2 of the second sub-chamber orifice SO2 (see the lower left part of FIG. 5). The second sub-chamber orifice SO2 will be described later.

[0043] By configuring the first sub-chamber SC1 and the second sub-chamber SC2 in this manner, the manner in which the first expansion chamber MC1, the second expansion chamber MC2, and the third expansion chamber MC3 expand can be appropriately controlled for a longer period of time compared to an embodiment in which the depth of each sub-chamber is smaller than the width of each sub-chamber orifice.

[0044] In the bag body 110, the auxiliary chambers SC1, SC2 have their outer edges defined by seams 112 and each have one orifice that connects the inside and outside. Therefore, by adjusting the shape and size of the outer edges of those auxiliary chambers and the shape of the orifice of those auxiliary chambers, it is possible to more appropriately adjust the way in which the expansion chambers are expanded over time from the start of the supply of inflation gas IG.

[0045] The connection chamber CC is surrounded by the first non-expansion portion 112A, the second non-expansion portion 112B, the third non-expansion portion 112C, and the fifth non-expansion portion 112Tp (see the middle center of FIG. 5). The connection chamber CC is surrounded by the first orifice MO11, the first expansion chamber orifice MO12, the second orifice SO11, and the first sub-chamber orifice SO12.

[0046] The connection chamber CC allows the inflation gas IG to flow within the bag body 110. A portion of the inflation gas IG supplied to the connection opening 129 of the inner tube 120 flows into the first expansion chamber MC1 via the first orifice MO11, the connection chamber CC, and the first expansion chamber orifice MO12. A portion of the inflation gas IG supplied to the connection opening 129 of the inner tube 120 flows into the first sub-chamber SC1 via the second orifice SO11, the connection chamber CC, and the first sub-chamber orifice SO12.

[0047] In the connecting chamber CC, an orifice that connects (i) a portion of the front FD surrounded by the third non-inflatable portion 112C, the first orifice MO11, the first non-inflatable portion 112A, and the first expansion chamber orifice MO12, and (ii) a portion of the rear BD surrounded by the third non-inflatable portion 112C, the second orifice SO11, the fifth non-inflatable portion 112Tp, the first sub-chamber orifice SO12, and the second non-inflatable portion 112B, is shown in Fig. 5 as a communicating orifice CO2. The communicating orifice CO2 is defined by the third non-inflatable portion 112C and the second non-inflatable portion 112B.

[0048] The first non-inflatable portion 112A, the second non-inflatable portion 112B, the third non-inflatable portion 112C, the fourth non-inflatable portion 112Sp, and the fifth non-inflatable portion 112Tp are all closed regions surrounded by the stitching portion 112 in the bag body 110. The first non-inflatable portion 112A, the second non-inflatable portion 112B, the third non-inflatable portion 112C, the fourth non-inflatable portion 112Sp, and the fifth non-inflatable portion 112Tp do not inflate even when inflation gas IG is supplied to the bag body 110.

[0049] The first non-inflatable portion 112A is disposed between the inner tube 120 and the second non-inflatable portion 112B in the up-down directions UD / DD (see the upper center portion of FIG. 5). The first non-inflatable portion 112A is disposed between the first expansion chamber opening 121 and the second expansion chamber opening 122 of the inner tube 120 in the front-rear directions FD / BD.

[0050] The second non-inflatable portion 112B is disposed between the first portion SC11 and the second portion SC12 of the first subchamber SC1 in the up-down directions UD / DD (see the middle center portion of FIG. 5). The second non-inflatable portion 112B separates the first portion SC11 and the second portion SC12 of the first subchamber SC1. The second non-inflatable portion 112B is disposed between the third portion SC13 of the first subchamber SC1 and the first expansion chamber MC1 in the front-rear directions FD / BD.

[0051] The third non-inflatable portion 112C is disposed between the inner tube 120 and the second non-inflatable portion 112B in the up-down directions UD / DD (see the upper center of FIG. 5). The third non-inflatable portion 112C is disposed rearward BD of the first non-inflatable portion 112A in the front-to-rear directions FD / BD. The third non-inflatable portion 112C is disposed between the first expansion chamber opening 121 and the first sub-chamber opening 126 of the inner tube 120 in the front-to-rear directions FD / BD.

[0052] The fourth non-expanding portion 112Sp is connected to the rear end of the partition portion 112S that separates the second expansion chamber MC2 and the second sub-chamber SC2 (see the middle center of FIG. 5). The fifth non-expanding portion 112Tp is connected to the front end of the partition portion 112T that separates the third expansion chamber MC3 and the first sub-chamber SC1 (see the upper center of FIG. 5).

[0053] The first orifice MO11 is defined by a first non-expansion portion 112A and a third non-expansion portion 112C (see the upper center of FIG. 5). The expansion gas IG flowing into the first expansion chamber MC1 flows through the first orifice MO11 (see arrow Fm1 in FIG. 4). The first expansion chamber opening 121 of the inner tube 120 is disposed in a position facing the first orifice MO11.

[0054] A portion of the inflation gas IG introduced from the connection opening 129 passes through the inner tube 120 and flows through the first orifice MO11 (see arrow Fm1 in FIG. 4). Another portion of the inflation gas IG introduced from the connection opening 129 passes through the inner tube 120 and temporarily flows into the second expansion chamber MC2 (see arrow Fm2 in FIG. 4). Thereafter, that portion of the inflation gas IG leaves the second expansion chamber MC2 and passes through the inner tube 120 or flows through the first orifice MO11 without passing through the inner tube 120 (see arrow Fm1 in FIG. 4).

[0055] The second orifice SO11 is defined by the third non-inflatable portion 112C and the fifth non-inflatable portion 112Tp (see the upper center of FIG. 5). The inflation gas IG flowing into the first sub-chamber SC1 flows through the second orifice SO11 (see arrow Fs1 in FIG. 4). The first sub-chamber opening 126 of the inner tube 120 is disposed in a position facing the second orifice SO11.

[0056] A portion of the inflation gas IG introduced from the connection opening 129 passes through the inner tube 120 and flows through the second orifice SO11 (see arrow Fs1 in FIG. 4). Another portion of the inflation gas IG introduced from the connection opening 129 passes through the inner tube 120 and temporarily flows into the third expansion chamber MC3 (see arrow Fm3 in FIG. 4). Thereafter, that portion of the inflation gas IG leaves the third expansion chamber MC3 and passes through the inner tube 120 or flows through the second orifice SO11 without passing through the inner tube 120 (see arrow Fs1 in FIG. 4).

[0057] In this configuration, the following effects can be obtained by adjusting the sizes of the first expansion chamber opening 121 and the first sub-chamber opening 126 of the inner tube 120, and the shapes of the first orifice MO11, the second orifice SO11, and the first sub-chamber SC1. That is, the amount of inflation gas IG flowing into the first expansion chamber MC1 and the amount of inflation gas IG flowing into the first sub-chamber SC1 can be appropriately adjusted over time from the start of the supply of inflation gas IG. As a result, the manner in which the first expansion chamber MC1 expands over time from the start of the supply of inflation gas IG can be appropriately controlled.

[0058] As described above, the depth Ls1 of the first sub-chamber SC1 along the flow direction Ds1 of the inflation gas IG is longer than the width Ws11 of the second orifice SO11 (see the upper center and right parts of FIG. 5). In this specification, the "width of an orifice" refers to the width of the narrowest part of the flow passage of the orifice. In the drawings of the present application, in order to facilitate understanding of the technology, the width of each orifice is shown as a double-headed arrow drawn on the paper, regardless of the three-dimensional positions of two points on the inner wall of the orifice that face each other at the narrowest part of the flow passage of the orifice.

[0059] The first expansion chamber orifice MO12 is defined by a first non-inflatable portion 112A and a second non-inflatable portion 112B (see the middle center of FIG. 5). The first expansion chamber orifice MO12 is located on the opposite side of the first orifice MO11 from the connection opening 129 of the inner tube 120. The inflation gas IG flowing into the first expansion chamber MC1 flows through the first expansion chamber orifice MO12 (see arrow Fm1 in FIG. 4). The inflation gas IG flowing from the connection opening 129 into the inner tube 120 and the bag body 110 passes through the first orifice MO11, then passes through the first expansion chamber orifice MO12, and flows into the first expansion chamber MC1.

[0060] The width Wm11 of the first orifice MO11 is smaller than the width Wm12 of the first expansion chamber orifice MO12 (see the upper center part of FIG. 5). Therefore, in an early stage after the supply of the expansion gas IG starts, the shape and size of the first orifice MO11 are more dominant in the amount of gas flowing into the first expansion chamber MC1 than the shape and size of the first expansion chamber orifice MO12.

[0061] The second expansion chamber orifice MO2 is defined by the outer edge stitched portion 112o and the first non-expandable portion 112A (see the upper center portion of FIG. 4). The second expansion chamber orifice MO2 is located forward FD with respect to the first orifice MO11 and the second orifice SO11. The second expansion chamber orifice MO2 is ventilated with the expansion gas IG that flows into the second expansion chamber MC2. The second expansion chamber orifice MO2 is also ventilated with the expansion gas IG that flows out from the second expansion chamber MC2. The expansion gas IG that passes through the second expansion chamber orifice MO2 includes the expansion gas IG that passes through the inner tube 120 and the expansion gas IG that passes outside the inner tube 120.

[0062] The third expansion chamber orifice MO3 is defined by the outer edge stitched portion 112o and the fifth non-expansion portion 112Tp (see the upper center portion of FIG. 4). The third expansion chamber orifice MO3 is located rearward BD with respect to the first orifice MO11 and the second orifice SO11. The third expansion chamber orifice MO3 is passed through by the inflation gas IG that flows into the third expansion chamber MC3. The third expansion chamber orifice MO3 also passes through the inflation gas IG that flows out from the third expansion chamber MC3. The inflation gas IG that passes through the third expansion chamber orifice MO3 includes the inflation gas IG that passes through the inner tube 120 and the inflation gas IG that passes outside the inner tube 120.

[0063] The tubular portion of the inner tube 120 where the connection opening 129 is provided is formed to be inclined downward with respect to the DD so that the inflation gas IG flows forward. In the bag body 110, the width of the third expansion chamber orifice MO3 is smaller than the width of the second expansion chamber orifice MO2. As a result, in an early stage after the supply of the inflation gas IG starts, more inflation gas IG flows into the second expansion chamber MC2 than into the third expansion chamber MC3.

[0064] The communication orifice CO1 communicates between the first expansion chamber MC1 and the second expansion chamber MC2 (see the middle center of FIG. 4). The communication orifice CO1 is located rearward BD with respect to the second sub-chamber SC2. The expansion gas IG flows from the second expansion chamber MC2 to the first expansion chamber MC1 through the communication orifice CO1.

[0065] The first sub-chamber orifice SO12 is defined by the fifth non-inflatable portion 112Tp and the second non-inflatable portion 112B (see the upper center of FIG. 5). The first sub-chamber orifice SO12 is located on the opposite side of the second orifice SO11 from the connection opening 129 of the inner tube 120. The inflation gas IG flowing into the first sub-chamber SC1 passes through the first sub-chamber orifice SO12 (see arrow Fs1 in FIG. 4). The inflation gas IG flowing from the connection opening 129 into the inner tube 120 and the bag body 110 passes through the second orifice SO11, then passes through the first sub-chamber orifice SO12, and flows into the first sub-chamber SC1.

[0066] The width Ws11 of the second orifice SO11 is smaller than the width Ws12 of the first subchamber orifice SO12 (see the upper center part of FIG. 5). Therefore, in an early stage after the supply of the inflation gas IG starts, the shape and size of the second orifice SO11 are more dominant in the amount of gas flowing into the first subchamber SC1 than the shape and size of the first subchamber orifice SO12.

[0067] The second sub-chamber orifice SO2 is defined by the outer edge sewn portion 112o and the fourth non-inflatable portion 112Sp (see the lower center portion of FIG. 4). The inflation gas IG flowing into the second sub-chamber SC2 flows through the second sub-chamber orifice SO2 (see arrow Fs2 in FIG. 4). The second sub-chamber orifice SO2 is disposed on the opposite side of the communication orifice CO1 from the first orifice MO11. That is, in a plan view of the bag body 110, when a straight line perpendicularly intersecting a line segment that defines the narrowest portion of the flow path of the communication orifice CO1 at its midpoint is defined, the second sub-chamber orifice SO2 is on one side of the straight line, and the first orifice MO11 is on the other side.

[0068] The bag body 110 includes the communication orifice CO1, the second sub-chamber SC2, and the second sub-chamber orifice SO2, each having the above-described configuration. Therefore, by adjusting the size and arrangement of the communication orifice CO1, the size and arrangement of the second sub-chamber SC2, and the size and arrangement of the second sub-chamber orifice SO2, it is possible to more appropriately control the manner in which at least the first expansion chamber MC1 and the second expansion chamber MC2 expand.

[0069] Fig. 6 is a photograph showing a state in which the inflation and deployment of the bag body 110 has been completed. Fig. 7 is a photograph showing a state in which the inflation and deployment of the bag body 110 has started and has not yet been completed. The curtain airbag device shown in Figs. 6 and 7 is different from the curtain airbag device 100 shown in Figs. 1 to 5, and is a curtain airbag device 100 that is deployed along the left side wall of the vehicle MV. To facilitate understanding of the technology, the curtain airbag device shown in Figs. 6 and 7 will also be referred to as the curtain airbag device 100.

[0070] 6 and 7 show the first expansion chamber MC1, the second expansion chamber MC2, the third expansion chamber MC3, the first sub-chamber SC1, and the second sub-chamber SC2. A probe Pim for impactor evaluation is shown in Fig. 6 and 7. The probe Pim measures the distance from a reference position in the vehicle MV, the deployment time, the maximum load, the amount of energy absorption, etc. for each impact point IP of the bag body 110 (see IP in Fig. 1).

[0071] It can be seen from FIG. 7 that the first expansion chamber MC1, the second expansion chamber MC2, and the third expansion chamber MC3 are inflated at an earlier stage than the first sub-chamber SC1 and the second sub-chamber SC2. After the state shown in FIG. 7, the excess inflation gas IG supplied to the first expansion chamber MC1, the second expansion chamber MC2, and the third expansion chamber MC3 moves to the first sub-chamber SC1 and the second sub-chamber SC2 through the orifices. As a result, the amount of inflation gas IG flowing into the first expansion chamber MC1, the amount of inflation gas IG flowing into the second expansion chamber MC2, and the amount of inflation gas IG flowing into the third expansion chamber MC3 are adjusted over time from the start of the supply of the inflation gas IG. The curtain airbag device 100 of this embodiment is configured so that, as a result of these adjustments, the distance from a reference position in the vehicle MV, the deployment time, the maximum load, the amount of energy absorption, and the like are appropriate values ​​for each impact point IP of the bag body 110.

[0072] As described above, in this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained by adjusting at least the size of the first expansion chamber opening 121 of the inner tube 120 and the shapes of the first orifice MO11, the second orifice SO11, and the first sub-chamber SC1 (see the center of the middle part of FIG. 4). That is, the amount of the expansion gas IG flowing into the first expansion chamber MC1 and the amount of the expansion gas IG flowing into the first sub-chamber SC1 can be adjusted over time from the start of the supply of the expansion gas IG. As a result, the manner in which the first expansion chamber MC1 expands over time from the start of the supply of the expansion gas IG can be appropriately controlled.

[0073] In this embodiment, the vehicle MV is also referred to as a "mobile body." The second expansion chamber MC2 of the bag body 110 is also referred to as a "main chamber" or a "front main chamber." The third expansion chamber MC3 of the bag body 110 is also referred to as a "main chamber" or a "rear main chamber." The seam 112 of the bag body 110 is also referred to as a "joint."

[0074] B. Second embodiment: FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for showing the configuration of the curtain airbag device 100b of the second embodiment. Among the configurations of the curtain airbag device 100b of the second embodiment, the same reference numerals as those of the curtain airbag device 100 of the first embodiment are assigned to the same components as those of the curtain airbag device 100. Among the configurations of the curtain airbag device 100b, those that are not the same as those of the curtain airbag device 100 but correspond to those of the curtain airbag device 100 and have similar functions are assigned reference numerals according to the following rules. That is, such configurations are assigned reference numerals with "b" added to the end of the reference numerals assigned to the components of the curtain airbag device 100 (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 8).

[0075] The bag body 110b of the curtain airbag device 100b includes a sixth non-inflatable portion 112Up, a communicating orifice CO11b, a communicating orifice CO12b, and a partition portion 112U instead of the communicating orifice CO1 (see the lower center portion of FIG. 8). The curtain airbag device 100b further includes a first sub-chamber orifice SO13. The curtain airbag device 100b is otherwise the same as the curtain airbag device 100.

[0076] The curtain airbag device 100b includes a sixth non-inflatable portion 112Up, a communication orifice CO11b, and a communication orifice CO12b at a position corresponding to the communication orifice CO1 of the curtain airbag device 100. The communication orifice CO12b, the sixth non-inflatable portion 112Up, and the communication orifice CO11b are arranged in that order between the fourth non-inflatable portion 112Sp and the first non-inflatable portion 112A in a direction from the fourth non-inflatable portion 112Sp to the first non-inflatable portion 112A.

[0077] The communication orifice CO11b communicates between the first expansion chamber MC1b and the second expansion chamber MC2 (see the middle center of FIG. 8). The communication orifice CO12b communicates between the second expansion chamber MC2 and the second sub-chamber SC2 and first sub-chamber SC1b (see the middle center of FIG. 8).

[0078] The sixth non-expanding portion 112Up is connected to the second non-expanding portion 112B by a partition portion 112U that is part of the sewn portion 112 (see the lower center portion of FIG. 8). The partition portion 112U defines part of the outer edge of the first expansion chamber MC1b.

[0079] The first subchamber SC1b of the curtain airbag device 100b has a first portion SC11, a second portion SC12, and a third portion SC13b (see the lower right part of FIG. 8). The inside of the third portion SC13b of the first subchamber SC1b communicates with the outside of the third portion SC13b via the first subchamber orifice SO13 (see the lower center part of FIG. 8).

[0080] In the curtain airbag device 100b of the second embodiment, by adjusting at least the size of the first expansion chamber opening 121 of the inner tube 120, as well as the shapes of the first orifice MO11, the second orifice SO11, and the first sub-chamber SC1, it is possible to appropriately control the manner in which the first expansion chamber MC1 expands over time from the start of the supply of the inflation gas IG.

[0081] C. Third embodiment: FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for showing the configuration of the curtain airbag device 100c of the third embodiment. Among the configurations of the curtain airbag device 100c of the third embodiment, the same reference numerals as those of the curtain airbag device 100 of the first embodiment are assigned to the same components as those of the curtain airbag device 100. Among the configurations of the curtain airbag device 100c, those that are not the same as those of the curtain airbag device 100 but correspond to those of the curtain airbag device 100 and have similar functions are assigned reference numerals according to the following rules. That is, such configurations are assigned reference numerals with "c" added to the end of the reference numerals assigned to the components of the curtain airbag device 100 (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 9).

[0082] The curtain airbag device 100c includes an inner tube 120c instead of the inner tube 120. The curtain airbag device 100c is the same as the curtain airbag device 100 in other respects.

[0083] The inner tube 120c does not have a first sub-chamber opening 126 (see FIG. 3). The inner tube 120c has smaller dimensions in the up-down direction UD / DD than the inner tube 120 (see the upper center part of FIG. 9). As a result, within the bag body 110, the inflation gas IG can more easily flow below the inner tube 120c from the second expansion chamber MC2 to the third expansion chamber MC3 and from the third expansion chamber MC3 to the second expansion chamber MC2.

[0084] In this embodiment, the amount of the inflation gas IG that flows into the third expansion chamber MC3, then leaves the third expansion chamber MC3, and flows through the second orifice SO11 without passing through the inner tube 120c is larger than that in the first embodiment (see arrows Fm3 and Fm4 in FIG. 9). Similarly, the amount of the inflation gas IG that flows into the second expansion chamber MC2, then leaves the second expansion chamber MC2, and flows through the first orifice MO11 without passing through the inner tube 120c is larger than that in the first embodiment (see arrows Fm2 and Fm5 in FIG. 9). To facilitate understanding of the technology, in FIG. 9, the flow of the inflation gas IG that flows from the second expansion chamber MC2 to the first expansion chamber MC1 is indicated by an arrow Fm6. The flow of the inflation gas IG that flows through the connection chamber CC toward the first sub-chamber SC1 is indicated by an arrow Fm7. Such an outflow of the inflation gas IG from the third expansion chamber MC3 and the second expansion chamber MC2 also occurs in the curtain airbag device 100 of the first embodiment and the curtain airbag device 100b of the second embodiment.

[0085] In the curtain airbag device 100c of the third embodiment, the following effects can be obtained by adjusting the size of the first expansion chamber opening 121 of the inner tube 120c and the shapes of the first orifice MO11, the second orifice SO11, and the first sub-chamber SC1. That is, the amount of the expansion gas IG flowing into the first expansion chamber MC1 and the amount of the expansion gas IG flowing into the first sub-chamber SC1 can be adjusted over time from the start of the supply of the expansion gas IG. As a result, the manner in which the first expansion chamber MC1 expands over time from the start of the supply of the expansion gas IG can be appropriately controlled.

[0086] D. Other embodiments: D1. Alternative embodiment 1: (1) In the above embodiment, the bag body 110 is formed by stacking two approximately rectangular pieces of polyethylene terephthalate cloth and sewing them together (see FIG. 1). However, the bag body may be formed of other materials as long as the material is a flexible sheet-like material. The bag body may also be manufactured by a method other than sewing, such as bonding or welding. The bag body may also be manufactured by using a combination of multiple methods, such as a combination of bonding and sewing.

[0087] (2) In the above embodiment, the inner tube 120 is formed by stacking two pieces of polyethylene terephthalate cloth and sewing them together (see Figs. 1 and 3). However, the inner tube may be formed of other materials as long as the material is a flexible sheet-like material. The inner tube may be formed of the same material as the bag body, or may be formed of a material different from the bag body. The inner tube may be manufactured by a method other than sewing, such as bonding or welding. The inner tube may also be manufactured by using a combination of multiple methods, such as a combination of bonding and sewing.

[0088] (3) In the above embodiment, the tip of the branched tube of the inner tube 120 is disposed outside the bag body 110 (see the upper center part of FIG. 1). However, the entire inner tube may be disposed inside the bag body 110.

[0089] (4) In the above embodiment, the first sub-chamber SC1 is described as being provided to adjust the manner in which the first expansion chamber MC1 expands (see the lower center part of FIG. 4). However, the first sub-chamber may have a function of adjusting the manner in which the other expansion chambers expand.

[0090] (5) In the above embodiment, the first expansion chamber MC1 is configured to be inflated with the inflation gas IG to absorb impacts on the protected objects PO1 and PO2 in the vehicle MV (see the lower center part of FIG. 4). However, the first expansion chamber may have a function of adjusting the manner in which the other expansion chambers are inflated.

[0091] (6) In the above embodiment, the expansion chambers MC2, MC3 deployed to the side of the seats of the vehicle MV have their outer edges defined by seams 112 and have one or two orifices that communicate between the inside and outside (see FIG. 4). In the expansion chambers deployed to the side of the seats, the ratio of the length of the portion that opens as an orifice to the length of the outer periphery of the expansion chambers is preferably 20 to 35%, and more preferably 22 to 25%. In such a configuration, by adjusting the shape of the orifices of the expansion chambers, it becomes easy to adjust the way in which the expansion chambers are expanded over time from the start of the supply of inflation gas.

[0092] (7) In the above embodiment, each of the auxiliary chambers SC1, SC2 has an outer edge defined by a seam 112, and is provided with one orifice as a location connecting the inside and outside (see FIG. 4). In the auxiliary chamber, the ratio of the length of the portion opening as the orifice to the length of the outer periphery of the auxiliary chamber is preferably 8 to 25%, and more preferably 10 to 20%. In such a configuration, by adjusting the shape of the orifice of the auxiliary chamber, it becomes easier to adjust the way in which the expansion chamber is expanded over time from the start of the supply of inflation gas.

[0093] (8) In the above embodiment, the support pillar MVp2 of the vehicle MV supports the roof MVr of the vehicle MV and the door MVd2 for the rear seat of the vehicle MV (see the lower center part of FIG. 1). However, the support pillar of the moving body may support only the roof or only the door. For example, the central support pillar of a four-door car with double doors supports the roof but not the door. The front support pillar of an open-top car supports the door but not the roof.

[0094] (9) In the above embodiment, the technique of the present disclosure has been described using a curtain airbag device for a vehicle MV as an example. However, the curtain airbag device may be applied to other moving bodies such as ships, airplanes, and spacecraft.

[0095] D2. Alternative embodiment 2: In the first embodiment, the inner tube 120 has the first sub-chamber opening 126 (see FIG. 3). However, as shown in the third embodiment, the inner tube may have no first sub-chamber opening (see the upper center part of FIG. 9).

[0096] D3. Alternative embodiment 3: In the above embodiment, the bag body 110 includes a second expansion chamber MC2 and a third expansion chamber MC3 (see FIG. 4). However, the bag body may be configured to not include one or more of these components. In the above embodiment, the inner tube 120 includes a second expansion chamber opening 122 and a third expansion chamber opening 123. However, the inner tube may be configured to not include one or more of these components.

[0097] D4. Alternative embodiment 4: In the first embodiment, the bag body 110 includes the second sub-chamber SC2, the connection chamber CC, the first expansion chamber orifice MO12, the communication orifices CO1 and CO2, the first sub-chamber orifice SO12, and the second sub-chamber orifice SO2 (see FIG. 4). However, the bag body may be configured without including one or more of these components. For example, the second non-inflatable portion 112B and the third non-inflatable portion 112C may be integral with each other.

[0098] D5. Alternative embodiment 5: In the above embodiment, the first expansion chamber MC1 is located closer to the support pillar MVp2 of the vehicle MV in the front-rear direction FD / BD of the vehicle MV than the second expansion chamber MC2 and the third expansion chamber MC3 (see the lower center part of FIG. 4). However, the first expansion chamber MC1 may be disposed farther from the support pillar MVp2 of the vehicle MV in the front-rear direction FD / BD of the vehicle MV than the second expansion chamber MC2 or the third expansion chamber MC3.

[0099] D6. Alternative embodiment 6: In the above embodiment, the depth Ls1 of the first sub-chamber SC1 along the flow direction Ds1 of the inflation gas IG is greater than the width Ws11 of the second orifice SO11 (see the middle right and upper center of FIG. 5). In the above embodiment, the depth Ls2 of the second sub-chamber SC2 along the flow direction Ds2 of the inflation gas IG is greater than the width Ws2 of the second sub-chamber orifice SO2 (see the lower left of FIG. 5). However, the sub-chambers may be configured such that the depth of each sub-chamber is smaller than the width of each sub-chamber orifice.

[0100] D7. Alternative Embodiment 7: In the above embodiment, the first sub-chamber SC1 has a first portion SC11, a second portion SC12, and a third portion SC13 (see the lower right part of FIG. 4). The first portion SC11 is a portion of the first sub-chamber SC1 that extends rearward from a position below the inner tube 120. The second portion SC12 is a portion of the first sub-chamber SC1 that extends rearward from a position below the inner tube 120. The third portion SC13 is a portion of the first sub-chamber SC1 that connects the rear end of the first portion SC11 and the rear end of the second portion SC12. However, the first sub-chamber SC1 may be configured in a substantially straight line, similar to the second sub-chamber SC2.

[0101] The technology of the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and can be realized in various configurations without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. For example, the technical features of the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each form described in the Summary of the Invention column can be appropriately replaced or combined in order to solve some or all of the above-mentioned problems or to achieve some or all of the above-mentioned effects. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 100...curtain airbag device, 100b...curtain airbag device, 100c...curtain airbag device, 110...bag body, 110b...bag body, 112...sewn portion, 112A...first non-inflatable portion, 112B...second non-inflatable portion, 112C...third non-inflatable portion, 112S...partition portion, 112Sp...fourth non-inflatable portion, 112T...partition portion, 112Tp...fifth non-inflatable portion, 112U...partition portion, 112Up...sixth non-inflatable portion, 112o...outer edge stitch portion, 120...inner tube, 120c...inner tube, 121...first expansion chamber opening, 122...second expansion chamber opening, 123...third expansion chamber opening Expansion chamber opening, 126...first sub-chamber opening, 129...connection opening, 130...inflator, BD...rear, CC...connection chamber, CO1...communication orifice, CO11b...communication orifice, CO12b...communication orifice, CO2...communication orifice, DD...downward, Ds1...direction of inflation gas flow, Ds2...direction of inflation gas flow, FD...forward, Fm1...arrow representing inflation gas flow, Fm2...arrow representing inflation gas flow, Fm3...arrow representing inflation gas flow, Fm4...arrow representing inflation gas flow, Fm5...arrow representing inflation gas flow, Fm6...arrow representing inflation gas flow arrows representing the expansion gas flow, Fm7...arrows representing the flow of inflation gas, Fs1...arrows representing the flow of inflation gas, Fs2...arrows representing the flow of inflation gas, IG...expansion gas, IP...dot, MC1...first expansion chamber, MC1b...first expansion chamber, MC2...second expansion chamber, MC3...third expansion chamber, MO11...first orifice, MO12...first expansion chamber orifice, MO2...second expansion chamber orifice, MO3...third expansion chamber orifice, MV...automobile, MVd1...front door, MVd2...rear door, MVp2...automobile pillar, MVr...automobile roof, MVw1...front door window, MVw2...rear Seat door window, PO1...protected object, PO2...protected object, Pim...probe, SC1...first subchamber, SC11...first part, SC12...second part, SC13...third part, SC13b...third part, SC1b...first subchamber, SC2...second subchamber, SO11...second orifice, SO12...first subchamber orifice, SO13...first subchamber orifice, SO2...second subchamber orifice, UD...arrow pointing up, Wm11...width of first orifice MO11, Wm12...width of first expansion chamber orifice MO12, Ws11...width of second orifice SO11, Ws2...width of second subchamber orifice SO2

Claims

1. A curtain airbag device for a moving object, comprising: A bag body that is inflated and deployed by being supplied with inflation gas; an inner tube, at least a portion of which is disposed within the bag body and which receives inflation gas from an outside source and controls the flow of inflation gas into the bag body; The bag body includes: a first expansion chamber that is inflated with an expansion gas to absorb an impact on a protected object within the movable body; a first orifice through which the inflation gas flows into the first expansion chamber; a first sub-chamber for receiving inflation gas and for adjusting the manner in which the first expansion chamber is expanded; a second orifice through which the inflation gas flowing into the first sub-chamber passes, The inner tube is a curtain airbag device including a first expansion chamber opening disposed opposite the first orifice and discharging inflation gas.

2. 2. The curtain airbag device according to claim 1, The inner tube further comprises: a curtain airbag device comprising a first subchamber opening disposed opposite the second orifice and for discharging inflation gas.

3. 3. The curtain airbag device according to claim 2, The bag body further includes: a second expansion chamber that is inflated with an inflation gas to absorb an impact on a protected object in the movable body, the second expansion chamber being disposed forward of the first expansion chamber; a third expansion chamber that is inflated with an inflation gas to cushion an impact on a protected object within the movable body, the third expansion chamber being disposed rearward of the first expansion chamber; The inner tube further comprises: a second expansion chamber opening for discharging expansion gas into the second expansion chamber; a third expansion chamber opening for discharging expansion gas into the third expansion chamber.

4. 4. The curtain airbag device according to claim 3, The bag body further includes: a communication orifice that communicates the first expansion chamber and the second expansion chamber; a second subchamber for receiving inflation gas, the second subchamber being connected to the first expansion chamber and having a smaller volume than the first subchamber; a second sub-chamber orifice through which the inflation gas flowing into the second sub-chamber passes, the second sub-chamber orifice being disposed on an opposite side of the communication orifice from the first orifice.

5. 5. The curtain airbag device according to claim 4, A curtain airbag device, wherein the first expansion chamber is located closer to a pillar supporting at least one of a roof of the moving body and a door of the moving body in the fore-and-aft direction of the moving body than the second expansion chamber and the third expansion chamber.

6. 5. The curtain airbag device according to claim 4, a depth of the first sub-chamber along a flow direction of the inflation gas is greater than a width of the second orifice; a depth of the second subchamber along a flow direction of the inflation gas is greater than a width of the second subchamber orifice.

7. 3. The curtain airbag device according to claim 2, a depth of the first subchamber along a flow direction of the inflation gas is greater than a width of the second orifice.

8. The curtain airbag device according to claim 6 or 7, The first sub-chamber is a first portion extending rearward from a position below the inner tube; a second portion disposed below the first portion and extending rearward from a position below the inner tube; a third portion connecting a rear end of the first portion and a rear end of the second portion.

Images