Air bag device

Abstract

To provide an effective technique for preventing twisting of an air bag during the assembly work and suppressing deterioration in workability during the assembly in an air bag device mounted on a roof side portion of a vehicle.SOLUTION: An air bag device 10 comprises: an air bag 20; a plurality of cases 31, 32, 33 mounted to a roof side portion 2 in a state of respectively accommodating air bag divided sections 21, 22, 23 along a longitudinal direction X1 of the air bag 20; and a connecting body 25 that connects the air bag divided section 21 accommodated in the case 31 and the air bag divided section 22 accommodated in the case 32 which is adjacent to the rear side of the case 31 with a gap. The connecting body 25 is configured to be subjected to tensile load and interfere with the twisting motion when the air bag divided section 21 and the air bag divided section 22 are relatively rotated and twisted around the longitudinal direction X1 during installation of the case 31 and the case 32.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an airbag device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a conventional head protection airbag device (hereinafter simply referred to as "airbag device"). This airbag device is mounted to the roof side of a vehicle and includes an airbag that inflates and deploys to the side of the occupant to cover the vehicle's side window, and multiple cases made of synthetic resin that house the airbag in a folded state. In the assembly work of this airbag device, each case is attached to an inner panel of the roof side with each case housing a different portion of the airbag in a folded state. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-184056 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The airbag device of the above configuration employs a structure in which two adjacent cases are connected by a connecting piece, thereby preventing an incorrect assembly in which the airbag stored in a folded state in the case is twisted so as to rotate around the longitudinal direction and assembled to the body. However, the assembly work of this airbag device requires an operation in which each case is attached to the inner panel in order in a state in which the whole is stretched out in a long shape in the vehicle length direction. In this case, the two adjacent cases are directly connected by the connecting piece, and the degree of freedom of movement of each case is restricted by the connecting piece, resulting in a problem of poor workability. Therefore, in the design of this type of airbag device, in addition to preventing an incorrect assembly in which the airbag is assembled in a twisted state, a technology is required that can suppress a decrease in workability during assembly.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and aims to provide a technology that is effective in preventing twisting of an airbag during assembly work and suppressing a decrease in workability during assembly in an airbag device that is assembled to a roof side portion of a vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is An airbag device to be mounted on a roof side portion of a vehicle, an airbag that is provided so as to extend in a longitudinal direction in a folded state and that covers a side window of the vehicle in an inflated and deployed state; a plurality of cases attached to the roof side portion in a state in which each of the plurality of airbag division portions in the longitudinal direction of the airbag is accommodated in the case; a connector that connects a first airbag divided portion, which is housed in a front case, and a second airbag divided portion, which is housed in an adjacent rear case and separated by a gap from the rear of the front case, to each other, among the plurality of airbag divided portions; Equipped with the connecting body is configured to receive a tensile load and hinder a twisting motion when the first airbag divided portion and the second airbag divided portion rotate relatively around the longitudinal direction and twist when the front case and the rear case are attached to each other; is located. Effect of the Invention

[0007] In the airbag device of the above aspect, the connector is provided to connect two adjacent airbag sections among the multiple airbag sections of the airbag in a folded state. When the two airbag sections rotate relatively around the longitudinal direction and twist when the front case and the rear case are attached to each other, the connector can receive a tensile load and hinder the twisting motion.

[0008] During the assembly work of assembling an airbag to a roof side portion, when a worker tries to rotate one adjacent airbag divided portion relative to another airbag divided portion in the longitudinal direction, the connecting body receives a tensile load in response to the rotation and acts to brace the airbag divided portion. As a result, the connecting body serves to physically prevent the twisting action of rotating the two airbag divided portions relative to one another, or to allow the twisting action but to inform the worker that the twisting action is not in accordance with the normal assembly procedure by applying a reaction force to the worker. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an incorrect assembly in which the airbag is assembled in a twisted state. In addition, since the front case and the rear case are not directly connected to each other, the freedom of movement of each case is ensured, and therefore it is possible to suppress a decrease in the workability when attaching each case to the roof side portion.

[0009] According to the above-described aspect, in an airbag device to be mounted on a roof side portion of a vehicle, it is possible to provide a technique that is effective in preventing twisting of the airbag during assembly work and suppressing a decrease in workability during assembly. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view of the airbag device of the first embodiment when viewed from the vehicle interior space side without interior material. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a partial enlarged view of region A of the airbag device in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2 . [Figure 4] 3 is a diagram showing a state of the connector when the airbag in FIG. 2 twists; FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an initial state of the airbag inflated and deployed in FIG. 3; [Figure 6] 3 is a diagram showing a state of the connector when the airbag in FIG. 2 is inflated and deployed; FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged view showing a state of a connector when the airbag in the airbag device of the second embodiment twists. [Figure 8]FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged view showing a state of a connector when the airbag in the airbag device of the third embodiment twists. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a partially enlarged view showing a state of a connector when the airbag in the airbag device of the fourth embodiment twists. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a partially enlarged view showing a state of a connector when the airbag in the airbag device of the fifth embodiment twists. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Preferred embodiments of the above aspects are described below.

[0012] In this specification, "inflation" refers to the state in which the airbag expands and becomes larger due to the supply of gas to the internal space of the airbag, and "deployment" refers to the state in which the airbag, which is folded in advance into a predetermined shape, expands so as to release the folded state during the process of inflation. In this way, the deployment of the airbag essentially involves inflation, and in this specification, this state is referred to as "inflation and deployment."

[0013] The airbag device of the above aspect preferably includes a restricting portion that restricts the movement of the connecting body when the airbag twists. According to this airbag device, in addition to the connecting body receiving a tensile load in response to the twisting movement of the airbag, the restricting portion restricts the movement of the connecting body, thereby enhancing the effect of preventing the airbag from twisting.

[0014] In the airbag device of the above aspect, it is preferable that the restricting portion is composed of at least one of one or more fixing portions that fix the connecting body to the roof side portion and a bridging portion around which the connecting body is bridging. According to this airbag device, it is possible to restrict the movement of the connecting body during the twisting action of the airbag by utilizing at least one of the fixing portions and the bridging portion.

[0015] In the airbag device of the above aspect, the regulating portion is preferably configured by both the fixing portion and the hanging portion, and the fixing portion is provided at least one of the front and rear sides in the longitudinal direction with respect to the hanging portion. According to this airbag device, the movement of the connecting body during the twisting action of the airbag during assembly can be regulated by using both the hanging portion and the fixing portion provided at the front or rear side in the longitudinal direction with respect to the hanging portion. In addition, since the tensile load received by the connecting body when the airbag is inflated and deployed can be shared between the hanging portion and the fixing portion, the load on the fixing portion can be reduced accordingly.

[0016] In the airbag device of the above aspect, it is preferable that the fixing portion and the bridging portion are disposed on a virtual straight line extending parallel to the longitudinal direction. According to this airbag device, the tensile load received by the connecting body during the twisting motion and the inflation and deployment of the airbag can be shared approximately equally between the fixing portion and the bridging portion.

[0017] In the airbag device of the above aspect, the bridging portion is preferably disposed on an imaginary line passing through the fixing portion provided on the front side in the longitudinal direction of the bridging portion and the fixing portion provided on the rear side in the longitudinal direction of the bridging portion, or above the imaginary line. According to this airbag device, the load applied to the two fixing portions can be shared between the bridging portion and the bridging portion.

[0018] In the airbag device of the above aspect, the bridging portion is preferably an assist bracket for fixing the assist grip to the roof side portion. According to this airbag device, the bridging portion can be configured by utilizing the assist bracket of an existing assist grip, so that the structure of the device can be simplified compared to the case where a dedicated bridging portion is provided.

[0019] Hereinafter, a number of embodiments of an airbag device mounted in a vehicle will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] In the drawings used in this description, the front of the vehicle is indicated by an arrow FR, the upper side of the vehicle is indicated by an arrow UP, and the inside of the vehicle is indicated by an arrow IN. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the front-rear direction X of the airbag device corresponds to the vehicle length direction, the left-right direction Y of the airbag device corresponds to the vehicle width direction, and the up-down direction Z of the airbag device corresponds to the vehicle height direction.

[0021] (Embodiment 1) 1. Overall structure of the airbag device As shown in Fig. 1, the airbag device 10 of the first embodiment is mounted in the internal space 2a of the left and right roof side portions 2 of a vehicle 1. The internal space 2a of the roof side portion 2 is covered from the passenger compartment space 6 side by an interior material 4 (see Fig. 3). Since the left and right roof side portions 2 have the same structure, only the right roof side portion 2 will be described below.

[0022] The airbag device 10 includes an airbag 20, three cases 31, 32, and 33, two connectors 25 and 26, and two inflators 28 and 29.

[0023] 2. Airbag Structure The airbag 20 is an airbag-formed body formed by overlapping a plurality of sheet-like airbag fabrics and forming them into a bag shape by joining them by sewing, bonding, or the like. The airbag 20 is folded in a predetermined procedure to a folded state C1. When an impact occurs, gas for inflation and deployment is supplied to the internal space of the airbag 20, and the airbag 20 expands and deploys so as to be unfolded. The gas is generated in inflators 28, 29 as gas supply units. The inflators 28, 29 are disposed above the airbag 20 in the folded state C1.

[0024] 1, the airbag 20 is provided so as to extend in a longitudinal direction X1 in a folded state C1, and is configured so as to cover a side window 7 of the vehicle 1 from the vehicle interior space 6 in a curtain-like manner in an inflated and deployed state C2. The airbag 20 has three airbag divisional portions 21, 22, 23 corresponding to the three cases 31, 32, 33, respectively. The longitudinal direction X1 is the elongate direction of the airbag 20 in the folded state C1, and is a direction along the vehicle length direction X. The airbag 20 of this embodiment is also called a "curtain airbag" or a "curtain shield airbag".

[0025] The airbag divided portion 21 is attached to the roof side portion 2 by fixing its mounting tab 21a and connecting body 25 to the roof side portion 2 with the fixing portion 24. The airbag divided portion 22 is attached to the roof side portion 2 by fixing each of the two connecting bodies 25, 26 to the roof side portion 2 with the fixing portion 24. The airbag divided portion 23 is attached to the roof side portion 2 by fixing its mounting tab 23a and connecting body 26 to the roof side portion 2 with the fixing portion 24. In this embodiment, a case in which a resin clip is used as the fixing portion 24 is illustrated (see FIG. 3).

[0026] 3. Case Structure As shown in FIG. 1, the three cases 31, 32, and 33 are attached to the roof side portion 2 with each case housing one of the three airbag division portions 21, 22, and 23 of the airbag 20. That is, the case 31 houses the airbag division portion 21, the case 32 houses the airbag division portion 22, and the case 33 houses the airbag division portion 23. At this time, the three cases 31, 32, and 33 are arranged in the longitudinal direction X1 with a gap G between them. Although not shown in particular, each case and each airbag division portion are temporarily integrated and temporarily held by wrapping tape around them. The tape is configured to break when the airbag 20 is inflated and deployed, thereby releasing the temporary holding state of each case and each airbag division portion.

[0027] When case 31 of the two cases 31, 32 is defined as the front case, case 32 adjacent to the rear of case 31 with gap G between them is the rear case relative to case 31. Similarly, when case 32 of the two cases 32, 33 is defined as the front case, case 33 adjacent to the rear of case 32 with gap G between them is the rear case relative to case 32.

[0028] The case 31 is attached to the roof side portion 2 by fixing its mounting piece 31a to the roof side portion 2 with the fixing portion 34. The case 32 is attached to the roof side portion 2 by fixing its mounting piece 32a to the roof side portion 2 with the fixing portion 34. The case 33 is attached to the roof side portion 2 by fixing its mounting piece 33a to the roof side portion 2 with the fixing portion 34. In this embodiment, a resin clip similar to the fixing portion 24 is used as the fixing portion 34.

[0029] 4. Structure of the connector As shown in FIG. 1, the connectors 25, 26 are configured to connect two airbag divisions adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction X1 of the airbag 20. In this embodiment, the connectors 25, 26 are configured by a belt-shaped member made of the same material as the airbag base fabric of the airbag 20. Both ends of the connector 25 are joined to the airbag divisions 21, 22 of the airbag 20 by a method such as sewing. Similarly, both ends of the connector 26 are joined to the airbag divisions 22, 23 of the airbag 20 by a method such as sewing. On the other hand, the material and shape of the connectors 25, 26 are not limited to these and can be appropriately changed as necessary. For example, a material different from the airbag base fabric may be used as the material of the connectors 25, 26. Also, the connectors 25, 26 may be configured by a string-shaped member instead of the belt-shaped member.

[0030] Two assist brackets 5a for fixing the assist grip 5 to the roof side portion 2 are provided near the connecting bodies 25, 26 of the roof side portion 2. The two assist brackets 5a are arranged at an interval in the front-rear direction X. The assist grip 5 is for supporting the occupant by being held by the occupant with the fingers.

[0031] The connector 25 connects the airbag divided part 21 housed in the case 31 and the airbag divided part 22 housed in the case 32 to each other. In the connection structure by the connector 25, the airbag divided part 21 housed in the case 31 corresponding to the front case becomes the first airbag divided part, and the airbag divided part 22 housed in the case 32 corresponding to the rear case becomes the second airbag divided part.

[0032] 2, the connector 25 has a front piece 25a extending upward from the airbag dividing part 21, a rear piece 25b extending upward from the airbag dividing part 22, and an upper piece 25c extending in the longitudinal direction X1 to connect the front piece 25a and the rear piece 25b. In order for the connector 25 to span the gap G, the length of the upper piece 25c in the longitudinal direction X1 is set to exceed the dimension of the gap G.

[0033] The connecting body 26 connects the airbag divided part 22 housed in the case 32 and the airbag divided part 23 housed in the case 33 to each other, and has the same shape as the connecting body 25. In the connection structure by the connecting body 26, the airbag divided part 22 housed in the case 32 corresponding to the front case becomes the first airbag divided part, and the airbag divided part 23 housed in the case 33 corresponding to the rear case becomes the second airbag divided part.

[0034] 5. Airbag device assembly work Next, the assembly work of the airbag device 10 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. The following mainly describes the procedure for attaching the two cases 31, 32 and the two airbag divided parts 21, 22 of the airbag 20. In addition, since the two connecting bodies 25, 26 have the same function, only the function of the connecting body 25 will be mentioned.

[0035] In the first stage of the assembly work, the inflator 28 (see FIG. 1), which is a heavy object, is fixed preferentially to the roof side portion 2. This is because the inflator 28 is a heavy object compared to the other elements.

[0036] In the second stage of the assembly work, the mounting piece 32a of the case 32 is fixed to the roof side part 2 by the fixing part 34, and then the upper piece 25c of the connecting body 25 extending from the airbag divided parts 21, 22 is fixed to the roof side part 2 by the fixing part 24. At this time, the resin clip which is the fixing part 24 has a head part 24a and a shaft part 24b, and the shaft part 24b is fitted into a through hole formed through the panel bracket 3a in a state where the upper piece 25c of the connecting body 25 is sandwiched between the head part 24a and the panel bracket 3a extending from the inner panel 3 (see FIG. 3). In addition, the upper piece 25c of the connecting body 25 is hung on the hanging part which is one of the two assist brackets 5a. At this time, the assist bracket 5a which is the hanging part and the fixing part 24 are arranged in a position close to each other in the vertical direction Z (see FIG. 2).

[0037] In the third stage of the assembly work, the mounting piece 31a of the case 31 is fixed to the roof side portion 2 by the fixing portion 34, and then the mounting tab 21a of the airbag divided portion 21 is fixed to the roof side portion 2 by the fixing portion 24 (see FIG. 1).

[0038] Incidentally, in the above-mentioned second stage, due to the structure in which the gap G is formed between the two cases 31, 32, the airbag dividing part 21 and the second airbag dividing part 22 are allowed to rotate and twist relatively around the longitudinal direction X1 when the two cases 31, 32 are attached to each other. For example, as shown in Fig. 4, it is assumed that the airbag dividing part 21, which is housed and integrated in the case 31, is attached in a state in which it is rotated once in the rotation direction D relative to the airbag dividing part 22. In this case, there is a concern that improper assembly may occur, in which the airbag 20 is assembled in a partially twisted state.

[0039] In this embodiment, when the two airbag divided parts 21, 22 rotate relatively around the longitudinal direction X1 and twist, the connecting body 25 receives a tensile load Fa (see FIG. 4) in response to the twisting motion at this time and braces itself to impede the twisting motion. Specific examples of this function include a function to physically prevent the twisting motion of rotating the airbag divided part 21 one turn in the rotation direction D, and a function to allow the twisting motion but notify the worker that the twisting motion is not in accordance with the normal assembly procedure by applying a reaction force to the worker.

[0040] In this embodiment, to achieve these functions, the two airbag divided parts 21, 22 are connected by a connecting body 25 hung across the assist bracket 5a, and an upper piece 25c of the connecting body 25 is fixed to the roof side part 2 by a fixing part 24. At this time, it is preferable to appropriately set the length dimension of the connecting body 25 and the positions and number of the fixing parts 24 in the connecting body 25. For example, instead of or in addition to the upper piece 25c of the connecting body 25, the front piece 25a and the rear piece 25b may be fixed to the roof side part 2 by the fixing part 24.

[0041] In addition, by setting the fixing portion 24 at a position closest to the airbag dividing portion 21 among the various portions of the front piece 25a of the connecting body 25, it is possible to prevent the airbag dividing portion 21 from twisting relative to the airbag dividing portion 22. Furthermore, the allowable twist angle of the airbag dividing portion 21 can be adjusted according to the distance between the fixing position of the fixing portion 24 and the airbag dividing portion 21. Therefore, by appropriately changing the fixing position of the fixing portion 24 according to the work environment for assembling the airbag device 10 and the physique and muscle strength of the worker, it is possible to improve the ease of assembly.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 4, the connecting body 25 is deformed by bending so that the portion between the airbag divided portion 21 and the fixing portion 24 receives the tensile load Fa and forms a bracing portion 25d that braces in a generally straight line. In Fig. 4, the connecting body 25 in the initial state is shown by a two-dot chain line, and the connecting body 25 in a bending deformation state in which only the front side is partially braced is shown by a solid line. In this way, both the assist bracket 5a and the fixing portion 24 function as restricting portions that restrict the movement of the connecting body 25 when the airbag 20 twists during assembly.

[0043] In addition to the assembly mode in which the airbag dividing part 21 is twisted with respect to the airbag dividing part 22, which is the fixed side, as in this embodiment (hereinafter referred to as the "first assembly mode"), an assembly mode in which the airbag dividing part 22 is twisted with respect to the airbag dividing part 21, which is the fixed side, (hereinafter referred to as the "second assembly mode") can be assumed. In the case of the first assembly mode, a portion of the connecting body 25 between the airbag dividing part 21 and the fixing part 24 becomes the bracing part 25d (see FIG. 4). In contrast, although not particularly shown, if the second assembly mode is adopted, a portion of the connecting body 25 between the airbag dividing part 22 and the fixing part 24 becomes the bracing part 25d.

[0044] 6. Airbag inflation and deployment When a large impact is applied to a sensor (not shown) arranged in the vehicle 1 in the event of a collision or the like of the vehicle 1, the two inflators 28, 29 (see FIG. 1) are activated to generate gas for inflation and deployment at approximately the same time. This gas is supplied to the internal space of the airbag 20. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the airbag division portion 21 of the airbag 20 changes from a folded state (see the state shown by the two-dot chain line) to, for example, an initial state of inflation and deployment (see the state shown by the solid line). At this time, the interior material 4 is pushed open toward the vehicle interior space 6 by the load received from the airbag 20. As a result, the covering of the airbag 20 by the interior material 4 is partially released, and the airbag 20 becomes capable of continuing to protrude toward the vehicle interior space 6. Finally, the airbag 20 becomes in an inflated and deployed state C2 (i.e., a fully deployed state) as shown in FIG. 1.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 6, the connecting body 25 is deflected by receiving a tensile load Fb from the two airbag division parts 21, 22 when the airbag 20 is inflated and deployed. This tensile load Fb is an excessive load that exceeds the tensile load Fa during the twisting action of the airbag 20. In FIG. 4, the connecting body 25 in the initial state is shown by a two-dot chain line, and the connecting body 25 in the deflected state is shown by a solid line. In this embodiment, the upper piece 25c of the connecting body 25 is fixed by the fixing part 24 and hooked on the assist bracket 5a, so that the tensile load Fb can be shared between the fixing part 24 and the assist bracket 5a (hanging part). At this time, the bracing parts 25e that receive the tensile load Fb and extend in a substantially linear manner to brace are formed on both sides of the fixing part 24 of the connecting body 25 in the longitudinal direction X1.

[0046] 7. Effects According to the above-mentioned first embodiment, the following advantageous effects can be obtained.

[0047] In the airbag device 10 of the first embodiment, the connectors 25, 26 are provided to connect adjacent two airbag divided portions 21, 22 or adjacent two airbag divided portions 22, 23 of the three airbag divided portions of the airbag 20 in the folded state C1. When the two airbag divided portions 21, 22 or adjacent two airbag divided portions 22, 23 rotate relatively around the longitudinal direction X1 and twist when the front case and the rear case are attached to each other, the connectors 25, 26 can receive the tensile load Fa and impede the twisting motion.

[0048] During the assembly work of assembling the airbag device 10 to the roof side portion 2, if a worker attempts to rotate one airbag divided portion 21 adjacent to another airbag divided portion 22 around the longitudinal direction X1, the connecting body 25 acts to brace itself under the tensile load Fa in response to the rotation. As a result, the connecting body 25 serves to physically prevent the twisting action of rotating the two airbag divided portions 21, 22 relatively once, or to permit the twisting action but to notify the worker that the twisting action is not in accordance with the normal assembly procedure by applying a reaction force to the worker. Therefore, it is possible to prevent erroneous assembly in which the airbag 20 is assembled in a twisted state.

[0049] As a result, it is possible to reduce the number of occasions where the vehicle 1 is moved to a location away from the production line to correct an assembly error on-site, thereby reducing the number of man-hours required for repair. In particular, by physically preventing the twisting action of rotating the two airbag divided parts 21, 22 one revolution relative to each other, it is possible to reduce the number of man-hours required for repair to zero.

[0050] Furthermore, according to the airbag device 10, cases 31 and 32, and cases 32 and 33 are not directly connected, and the freedom of movement of each case is ensured, thereby preventing a decrease in workability when attaching each case to the roof side portion 2.

[0051] As a result of the above, according to the above-mentioned embodiment 1, it is possible to provide a technology that is effective in preventing twisting of the airbag 20 during assembly work in an airbag device 10 that is assembled to the roof side portion 2 of a vehicle 1, and suppressing a decrease in workability during assembly.

[0052] According to the airbag device 10, in response to the twisting movement of the airbag 20 during assembly, the connecting bodies 25, 26 are subjected to a tensile load Fa. In addition, the movement of the connecting bodies 25, 26 is regulated by the assist bracket 5a and the fixing portion 24, which are regulating parts, thereby enhancing the effect of preventing twisting of the airbag 20.

[0053] According to the airbag device 10, the tensile load Fb received by the connecting bodies 25, 26 when the airbag 20 is inflated and deployed can be shared by the assist bracket 5a and the fixing part 24, so that the load on the fixing part 24 can be reduced accordingly. In particular, since the hanging part can be configured by using the assist bracket 5a of the existing assist grip 5, the structure of the airbag device 10 can be simplified compared to the case where a dedicated hanging part is provided. Furthermore, the structure in which the tensile load Fb is shared by the assist bracket 5a and the fixing part 24 allows for greater freedom in the layout, such as the position and number of the fixing part 24.

[0054] Next, other embodiments related to the above-mentioned embodiment 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. In the other embodiments, the same elements as those in embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals, and the description of the same elements will be omitted.

[0055] (Embodiment 2) An airbag device 10A of the second embodiment shown in Fig. 7 differs from the airbag device 10 of the first embodiment in the positional relationship between an assist bracket 5a across which a connecting body 25 is suspended and a fixing portion 24 to which the connecting body 25 is fixed. In Fig. 7, the connecting body 25 in the initial state is shown by a solid line, and the connecting body 25 in a deflected and deformed state at the time of assembly is shown by a two-dot chain line. The other structures are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0056] In the airbag device 10A, the fixing portion 24 is provided on the rear side of the assist bracket 5a in the longitudinal direction X1. Moreover, the assist bracket 5a and the fixing portion 24 are disposed on an imaginary straight line L extending parallel to the longitudinal direction X1. In other words, the assist bracket 5a and the fixing portion 24 are disposed in a straight line in the longitudinal direction X1.

[0057] According to the airbag device 10A, the movement of the connecting body 25 during the twisting motion of the airbag 20 during assembly can be restricted by utilizing both the assist bracket 5a and the fixing portion 24 provided on the rear side of the assist bracket 5a in the longitudinal direction X1.

[0058] 7, the connecting body 25 is flexed and deformed so that the portion between the airbag dividing portion 21 and the fixing portion 24 forms the bracing portion 25d. In contrast, when the second assembling mode is adopted, the portion of the connecting body 25 between the airbag dividing portion 22 and the fixing portion 24 becomes the bracing portion 25d.

[0059] According to the airbag device 10A, by arranging the fixing part 24 and the assist bracket 5a on the imaginary straight line L, it becomes possible for the fixing part 24 and the assist bracket 5a to share approximately equally the tensile load Fa received by the connecting body 25 during the twisting motion of the airbag 20. Also, by arranging the fixing part 24 and the assist bracket 5a on the imaginary straight line L, it becomes possible for the fixing part 24 and the assist bracket 5a to share approximately equally the tensile load Fb (see FIG. 6) received by the connecting body 25 during the inflation and deployment of the airbag 20. In addition, the same effects as those of the first embodiment are achieved.

[0060] In the above airbag device 10A, the structure in which the assist bracket 5a and the fixing portion 24 are arranged in a straight line in the longitudinal direction X1 has been exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this structure. In a modification of the airbag device 10A, the assist bracket 5a and the fixing portion 24 may be arranged so that a straight line in the longitudinal direction X1 passing through the center of the assist bracket 5a is offset from a straight line in the longitudinal direction X1 passing through the center of the fixing portion 24. For example, by arranging the assist bracket 5a and the fixing portion 24 so that a straight line in the longitudinal direction X1 passing through the center of the fixing portion 24 is offset to the upper side or lower side of the vehicle with respect to a straight line in the longitudinal direction X1 passing through the center of the assist bracket 5a, the distribution ratio of the load applied to the assist bracket 5a and the fixing portion 24 can be appropriately adjusted.

[0061] (Embodiment 3) An airbag device 10B of embodiment 3 shown in Fig. 8 differs from the airbag device 10A of embodiment 2 in the positional relationship between the assist bracket 5a across which the connector 25 is suspended and the fixing portion 24 to which the connector 25 is fixed. In Fig. 8, the connector 25 in the initial state is shown by a solid line, and the connector 25 in the deflected and deformed state at the time of assembly is shown by a two-dot chain line. The other structures are the same as those in the second embodiment.

[0062] In the airbag device 10B, the fixing parts 24 are provided on both the front and rear sides of the assist bracket 5a in the longitudinal direction X1. The assist bracket 5a and the two fixing parts 24 are disposed on an imaginary straight line L extending parallel to the longitudinal direction X1. In other words, the assist bracket 5a and the two fixing parts 24 are disposed in a straight line in the longitudinal direction X1.

[0063] According to the airbag device 10B, the movement of the connecting body 25 during the twisting action of the airbag 20 during assembly can be restricted by using both the assist bracket 5a and the fixing part 24 provided on the front or rear side in the longitudinal direction X1 with the assist bracket 5a in between. In addition, the load applied to the two fixing parts 24 can be shared between the assist bracket 5a, which is the bridge part.

[0064] 8, the connecting body 25 is flexed and deformed so that the portion between the airbag dividing portion 21 and the front fixing portion 24 forms the bracing portion 25d. In contrast, when the second assembling mode is adopted, the portion of the connecting body 25 between the airbag dividing portion 22 and the rear fixing portion 24 becomes the bracing portion 25d. In addition, the same effects as those of the second embodiment are achieved.

[0065] In the above airbag device 10B, the assist bracket 5a is disposed on the imaginary straight line L passing through the two fixing portions 24 provided on the front and rear sides of the assist bracket 5a in the longitudinal direction X1, but the present invention is not limited to this structure. In a modification of the airbag device 10B, the assist bracket 5a may be disposed above the imaginary straight line L. The more the assist bracket 5a is disposed above the imaginary straight line L, the greater the load applied to the assist bracket 5a, and therefore the load applied to the fixing portions 24 can be reduced accordingly.

[0066] (Embodiment 4) An airbag device 10C of the fourth embodiment shown in Fig. 9 differs from the airbag device 10 of the first embodiment in that it does not include a bridging portion across which the connecting body 25 is bridging. In Fig. 9, the connecting body 25 in the initial state is shown by a solid line, and the connecting body 25 in the flexed and deformed state at the time of assembly is shown by a two-dot chain line. The other structures are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0067] According to the airbag device 10C, the movement of the connecting body 25 when the airbag 20 twists during assembly can be restricted only by the fixing part 24. In addition, since there is no need to bridge the connecting body 25, the assembly work can be simplified accordingly.

[0068] 9, the connecting body 25 is flexed and deformed so that the portion between the airbag dividing portion 21 and the fixing portion 24 forms the bracing portion 25d. In contrast, when the second assembling mode is adopted, the portion of the connecting body 25 between the airbag dividing portion 22 and the fixing portion 24 becomes the bracing portion 25d. In addition, the same effects as those of the first embodiment are achieved.

[0069] (Embodiment 5) An airbag device 10D of the fifth embodiment shown in Fig. 10 differs from the airbag device 10 of the first embodiment in that it does not include a fixing portion for fixing the connecting body 25 to the roof side portion 2. In Fig. 10, the connecting body 25 in the initial state is shown by a solid line, and the connecting body 25 in the deflected and deformed state at the time of assembly is shown by a two-dot chain line. The other structures are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0070] According to the airbag device 10D, the movement of the connecting body 25 when the airbag 20 twists during assembly can be restricted only by the assist bracket 5a. Also, since there is no need to fix the connecting body 25, the assembly work can be simplified accordingly.

[0071] 10, in the first assembly mode, the upper piece 25c of the connector 25 can slide relative to the assist bracket 5a, and the connector 25 is deformed to become the bracing portion 25d as a whole. The same applies when the second assembly mode is adopted. In addition, the same effects as those of the first embodiment are achieved.

[0072] The present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment described above, and various applications and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the following embodiments can be embodied by applying the above embodiment.

[0073] In the above embodiment, an airbag device having three cases has been exemplified, but the characteristic structure of this embodiment may be applied to an airbag device having two cases or four or more cases. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1...vehicle, 2...roof side portion, 5...assist grip, 5a...assist bracket (restraint portion, hanging portion), 7...side glass, 10,10A,10B,10C,10D...airbag device, 20...airbag, 21,22,23...airbag division portion, 21,22...airbag division portion (first airbag division portion), 22,23...airbag division portion (second airbag division portion), 24...fixing portion (restraint portion), 25,26...connecting body, 31,32,33...case, 31,32...case (front case), 32,33...case (rear case), C1...folded state, C2...inflated and deployed state, Fa,Fb...tensile load, G...gap, L...imaginary straight line, X1...longitudinal direction

Claims

1. An airbag device to be mounted on a roof side portion of a vehicle, an airbag that is provided so as to extend in a longitudinal direction in a folded state and that covers a side window of the vehicle in an inflated and deployed state; a plurality of cases attached to the roof side portion in a state in which each of the plurality of airbag division portions in the longitudinal direction of the airbag is accommodated in the case; a connector that connects a first airbag divided portion, which is housed in a front case, and a second airbag divided portion, which is housed in an adjacent rear case and separated by a gap from the rear of the front case, to each other, among the plurality of airbag divided portions; Equipped with the connecting body is configured to receive a tensile load and interfere with the twisting movement when the first airbag partition and the second airbag partition rotate relatively around the longitudinal direction and twist when the front case and the rear case are attached to each other.

2. 2. The airbag device according to claim 1, further comprising a restricting portion that restricts movement of the connecting body during the twisting motion of the airbag.

3. 3. The airbag device according to claim 2, wherein the restricting portion is configured by at least one of one or a plurality of fixing portions that fix the connecting body to the roof side portion and a bridging portion around which the connecting body is bridgingly stretched.

4. 4. The airbag device according to claim 3, wherein the restriction portion is constituted by both the fixed portion and the bridging portion, and the fixed portion is provided on at least one of a front side and a rear side of the bridging portion in the longitudinal direction.

5. The airbag device according to claim 4 , wherein the fixed portion and the bridging portion are disposed on an imaginary straight line extending parallel to the longitudinal direction.

6. 6. The airbag device according to claim 5, wherein the suspension portion is disposed on an imaginary line passing through the fixing portion provided on a front side of the suspension portion in the longitudinal direction and the fixing portion provided on a rear side of the suspension portion in the longitudinal direction, or above the imaginary line.

7. The airbag device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the bridging portion is an assist bracket for fixing an assist grip to the roof side portion.

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