Air bag for front passenger seat and air bag device for front passenger seat

Abstract

To provide an air bag for front passenger seat that can be smoothly expanded and deployed even when a display is installed on an instrument panel and that allows for automated sewing.SOLUTION: An air bag 100 for front passenger seat comprises a first bag 1 that is expanded and deployed upward and rearward from the upper surface of an instrument panel 6, and a second bag 2 that is expanded and deployed when gas is introduced via the first bag 1. The lateral width or vertical width of the expanded and deployed first bag 1 is smaller than that of the second bag 2. The first bag 1 includes a first panel having a plurality of extension pieces extending radially from a central portion, and is manufactured by sewing together the side edges of adjacent extension pieces of the first panel.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a passenger airbag and a passenger airbag device for restraining an occupant of an automobile or the like in the event of a collision or the like. [Background technology]

[0002] A passenger airbag device is configured to deploy a passenger airbag in front of a passenger in the passenger seat to restrain the passenger during a vehicle collision. Conventional passenger airbags are installed in the instrument panel and inflate toward the passenger along the upper surface of the instrument panel.

[0003] In recent years, displays for displaying information mounted on vehicles have tended to become larger, which sometimes interferes with the passenger airbag when it is inflated and deployed. Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration for preventing the airbag from hitting the display when it is inflated. However, when a tether is arranged inside the airbag as in the invention described in Patent Document 1, the structure of the airbag becomes complicated, and problems such as an increase in weight and a large folded shape arise. In addition, since the panels of conventional airbags cannot be joined together flatly, it is difficult to automate sewing that does not depend on the skill of the worker. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7265179 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional situation, and has an object to provide a passenger seat airbag and a passenger seat airbag device that smoothly inflates and deploys even when a display is installed on the instrument panel, and that allows for automated sewing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The passenger airbag of the present invention is a passenger airbag that inflates in front of a passenger in the passenger seat, and comprises a first bag into which gas is first introduced and which inflates and deploys upward and rearward from the top surface of the instrument panel, and a second bag which inflates and deploys as gas is introduced through the first bag, wherein the inflated and deployed first bag has a smaller left-to-right width or top-to-bottom width than the second bag, and the first bag has a first panel including a plurality of extension pieces extending radially from a central portion, and is produced by sewing together the side edges of adjacent extension pieces of the first panel.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, each of the multiple extension pieces of the first panel has a pair of side edges and an end edge connecting the ends of the pair of side edges, and the first bag produced by sewing together the side edges of adjacent extension pieces of the first panel has a first opening surrounded by the end edges of the multiple extension pieces, and a second opening is formed in a second panel on the front side of the second bag, and the peripheral edges of the first opening and the second opening are joined to each other.

[0008] In one aspect of the present invention, a diameter of the second opening is equal to or smaller than a diameter of the first opening.

[0009] In one aspect of the present invention, an opening for an inflator is formed in the central portion of the first panel.

[0010] In one aspect of the present invention, each of the plurality of extension pieces of the first panel has a pair of side edges and an end edge connecting the ends of the pair of side edges, and the end edges of the plurality of extension pieces are sewn together, A first opening is formed in the central portion, and a second opening is formed in a second panel on the front side of the second bag, and the peripheral edges of the first opening and the second opening are joined to each other.

[0011] In one aspect of the present invention, an opening for an inflator is formed at a tip end portion of any one of the plurality of extension pieces of the first panel.

[0012] The passenger airbag of the present invention is a passenger airbag that inflates in front of a passenger, and comprises a first bag into which gas is first introduced and which inflates and deploys upward and rearward from an upper surface of an instrument panel, and a second bag that inflates and deploys as a result of gas being introduced through the first bag, wherein the inflated and deployed first bag has a smaller left-right width or top-bottom width than the second bag, the first bag has a truncated sector-shaped panel having an outer arc-shaped side, an inner side, and a pair of end edges connecting ends of the arc-shaped side and the inner side edge, the panel is folded so that the pair of end edges overlap, and the end edges are sewn together and the inner side edge is sewn together to form a first opening surrounded by the arc-shaped side, and a second opening is formed in a second panel on the front side of the second bag, and the peripheries of the first opening and the second opening are joined to each other.

[0013] The passenger seat airbag device of the present invention includes the passenger seat airbag of the present invention, and an inflator that supplies gas to the first bag of the passenger seat airbag. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, even when a display is installed on the instrument panel, the seat cushion can be smoothly inflated and deployed, and sewing can be automated. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a passenger seat airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an inflated airbag. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the first panel. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a first bag. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the panel configuration of the second bag. [Figure 6] 11A and 11B are diagrams showing an example of joining a first bag and a second panel. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between an inflated and deployed airbag and a display. [Figure 9] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing modified examples of a panel that constitutes the first bag. [Figure 10] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing modified examples of a panel that constitutes the first bag. [Figure 11] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing modified examples of a panel that constitutes the first bag. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a first bag according to a modified example. [Figure 13] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing modified examples of a panel that constitutes the first bag. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a side view of a passenger airbag according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the front-rear, up-down, and left-right directions correspond to the front-rear, up-down, and left-right directions of an automobile equipped with a passenger airbag, respectively.

[0017] 1 shows the configuration of a passenger seat airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention. This passenger seat airbag device includes a passenger seat airbag 100 (hereinafter referred to as "airbag 100") that can be inflated in front of an occupant, a container-shaped retainer 3 having an opening on the upper surface for inflating the airbag, and an inflator 4 for inflating the airbag 100.

[0018] The retainer 3 is installed in an opening (not shown) for installing an airbag device, which is provided on the upper surface of an instrument panel 6 in front of a passenger seat (not shown) of a vehicle body. A flange 4a protrudes from a side peripheral surface of the inflator 4. The inflator 4 is installed penetrating the bottom surface of the retainer 3 so that the flange 4a overlaps along the bottom surface of the retainer.

[0019] The airbag 100 has a first bag 1 whose base end (lower end) is connected to a retainer 3 and which is inflatable rearward between the upper surface of an instrument panel 6 and a windshield 7, and a second bag 2 which is connected to the rear surface of the first bag 1 and which is inflatable rearward so as to face the upper body of an occupant.

[0020] 2 is a perspective view of the inflated and deployed airbag 100, seen from the front and above. The left-right width of the first bag 1 is smaller than the left-right width of the second bag 2. In addition, the top-to-bottom width of the first bag 1 is smaller than the top-to-bottom width of the second bag 2.

[0021] 3 is a plan view of the first panel 10 constituting the first bag 1. The first panel 10 is generally cross-shaped and has four extension pieces 12, 13, 14, and 15 extending radially from a central portion 11. An opening 16 for an inflator is formed in the central portion 11. A plurality of bolt insertion holes (not shown) are formed around the opening 16 for the inflator.

[0022] The extension piece 12 has a pair of side edges 12a, 12b and an end edge 12c connecting the ends of the side edges 12a, 12b. The extension piece 13 has a pair of side edges 13a, 13b and an end edge 13c connecting the ends of the side edges 13a, 13b. The extension piece 14 has a pair of side edges 14a, 14b and an end edge 14c connecting the ends of the side edges 14a, 14b. The extension piece 15 has a pair of side edges 15a, 15b and an end edge 15c connecting the ends of the side edges 15a, 15b.

[0023] The side edges of adjacent extension pieces of the first panel 10 are sewn together to form the first bag 1. Specifically, the side edge 12b of extension piece 12 is sewn together with the side edge 13a of extension piece 13. The side edge 13b of extension piece 13 is sewn together with the side edge 14a of extension piece 14. The side edge 14b of extension piece 14 is sewn together with the side edge 15a of extension piece 15. The side edge 15b of extension piece 15 is sewn together with the side edge 12a of extension piece 12.

[0024] 4, the side edges of the extension pieces are sewn together at seams 18 to form the first bag 1 having a generally truncated cone shape. One end of the first bag 1 becomes an opening 17 (first opening) surrounded by end edges 12c, 13c, 14c, and 15c of the extension pieces 12, 13, 14, and 15.

[0025] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the second panel 20 and the third panel 22 which constitute the second bag 2. As shown in FIG.

[0026] The second panel 20 and the third panel 22 are substantially circular, and a substantially circular opening 21 (second opening) is formed slightly above the center of the second panel 20. The diameter of the opening 21 is smaller than the diameter of the opening 17 of the first bag 1. The third panel 22 is an occupant-side panel that constitutes an occupant restraint surface.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 6, the opening 17 of the first bag 1 is aligned to surround the opening 21 of the second panel 20, and the periphery of the opening 17 is sewn to the second panel 20. The first bag 1 and the second panel 20 are joined together by a stitched portion 31 (see Fig. 7).

[0028] The second panel 20 to which the first bag 1 is joined and the third panel 22 are sewn together at seams 23 (see FIG. 7) along their peripheries to form the second bag 2, thereby obtaining the airbag 100. The openings 17 and 21 serve as communication ports that communicate between the interiors of the first bag 1 and the second bag 2.

[0029] The sewing of the sides of adjacent extension pieces of the first panel 10, the sewing of the periphery of the opening 17 of the first bag 1 to the second panel 20, and the sewing of the second panel 20 to the third panel 22 can be performed by joining the panels together flatly, so that the airbag 100 can be produced using automatic sewing with a sewing machine.

[0030] The tip end of the inflator 4 is inserted into the inflator opening 16 of the airbag 100 thus prepared, the airbag 100 is folded, bolts are passed through the bolt insertion holes of the first bag 1, the flange 4a, and the retainer 3, and nuts are fastened, thereby mounting the airbag 100 and the inflator 4 to the retainer 3. The airbag module in which a lid (not shown) is mounted on the retainer 3 is installed on the instrument panel 6. The lid may be provided as a part of the instrument panel 6.

[0031] In the event of an emergency such as a vehicle collision, the inflator 4 is activated and gas from the inflator 4 is first introduced into the first bag 1. This gas causes the first bag 1 to inflate and push the lid open. The first bag 1 inflates upward from the top surface of the instrument panel 6 and inflates and deploys rearward along the windshield 7.

[0032] Gas introduced from the inflator 4 into the first bag 1 flows into the second bag 2 through the communication ports (opening 17 and opening 21), causing the second bag 2 to inflate. For example, by making the diameter of the opening 21 equal to or smaller than the diameter of the opening 17, the deployment speed can be easily controlled based on the diameter of the opening 21. Also, the deployment direction can be controlled by the position (up, down, left, right) and number of the openings 21.

[0033] Since the first bag 1 has a small width from side to side, it can be inflated and deployed without coming into contact with the display D, as shown in FIG.

[0034] When the first bag 1 and the second bag 2 are inflated and deployed, the joint between the first bag 1 and the second bag 2 is located at the same level as or slightly forward of the rear end of the instrument panel 6. The first bag 1 has a generally trapezoidal shape in top view, the left-right width of which increases toward the rear.

[0035] By changing the length of the side edges of the extension pieces 12 to 15 of the first panel 10, the length of the first bag 1 in the front-rear direction can be easily adjusted.

[0036] The airbag 100 smoothly inflates and deploys even when the display D is installed on the instrument panel 6.

[0037] The first bag 1 may be formed using a panel 40 shown in Fig. 9 instead of the first panel 10. The panel 40 is substantially cross-shaped and has four extension pieces 42, 43, 44, 45 extending radially from a central portion where an opening 41 (first opening) is formed. An opening 46 for an inflator is formed at the tip of one of the four extension pieces (extension piece 44 in the example of Fig. 9).

[0038] The extension piece 42 has a pair of side portions 42a, 42b and an end edge 42c connecting the ends of the side portions 42a, 42b. The extension piece 43 has a pair of side portions 43a, 43b and an end edge 43c connecting the ends of the side portions 43a, 43b. The extension piece 44 has a pair of side portions 44a, 44b and an end edge 44c connecting the ends of the side portions 44a, 44b. The extension piece 45 has a pair of side portions 45a, 45b and an end edge 45c connecting the ends of the side portions 45a, 45b.

[0039] The side edges of adjacent extension pieces of the panel 40 are sewn together to form the first bag 1. Specifically, the side edge 42b of the extension piece 42 is sewn together with the side edge 43a of the extension piece 43. The side edge 43b of the extension piece 43 is sewn together with the side edge 44a of the extension piece 44. The side edge 44b of the extension piece 44 is sewn together with the side edge 45a of the extension piece 45. The side edge 45b of the extension piece 45 is sewn together with the side edge 42a of the extension piece 42. In addition, the end edges 42c, 43c, 44c, and 45c are sewn together to make the panel 40 into a bag shape. Then, the periphery of the opening 41 is sewn to the second panel 20.

[0040] When panel 40 is used, the airbag deployment speed can be controlled by adjusting the diameter of opening 41 and / or the diameter of opening 21. In addition, the deployment direction can be controlled by setting the positions (up, down, left, right) and number of openings 41 and the positions (up, down, left, right) and number of openings 21.

[0041] 10, a substantially T-shaped panel 40A and a substantially rectangular panel 40B may be combined to form a substantially cross-shaped panel for the first bag 1. An opening 41A of the panel 40A and an opening 41B of the panel 40B are aligned and the peripheries of the openings 41A and 41B are sewn together to obtain a substantially cross-shaped panel like the panel 40 shown in FIG.

[0042] The first bag may be formed using a panel 50 shown in Fig. 11 instead of the first panel 10. The panel 50 is generally truncated sector-shaped and has an inner peripheral side 50c, an outer peripheral arc side 50d, and a pair of end sides 50a, 50b connecting the ends of the side 50c and the arc side 50d. An opening 56 for an inflator is formed near the side 50c.

[0043] Panel 50 is folded so that end edges 50a and 50b overlap, and end edges 50a and 50b are sewn together, and edges 50c are sewn together to form a first bag 1A having an approximately truncated cone shape with one end serving as an opening 17A (first opening) surrounded by arcuate side 50d, as shown in FIG. 12.

[0044] The opening 17A of the first bag 1A is positioned so as to surround the opening 21 of the second panel 20, and the periphery of the opening 17A is sewn to the second panel 20.

[0045] Since the sewing of end edges 50a and 50b, the sewing of edges 50c together, and the sewing of the periphery of opening 17A to second panel 20 can be performed by joining the panels together flatly, airbag 100 can be produced using automatic sewing with a sewing machine.

[0046] By changing the length of the end sides 50a, 50b of the panel 50, the length of the first bag 1A in the front-rear direction can be easily adjusted.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the first panel 10 shown in Fig. 3 may be composed of a plurality of panels. For example, as shown in Fig. 13, two substantially V-shaped panels 10A and 10B may be joined to form a substantially cross-shaped first panel 10. In the example shown in Fig. 13, the inflator opening 16 is not shown, but the inflator opening 16 is provided in either one of the panels 10A or 10B.

[0048] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the first panel 10 and the panel 40 are formed in a cross shape having four extending pieces, but the number of extending pieces may be three, or five or more.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 14, the first bag 1 may inflate and deploy so as to climb over the display D, and the second bag 2 may inflate and deploy behind the display D (between the display D and the passenger).

[0050] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1,1A 1st bag 2. Second Bag 3 Retainer 4 Inflator 7 Windshield 100 Passenger Air Bag D Display

Claims

1. A passenger airbag that inflates in front of a passenger seat, a first bag into which gas is first introduced and which inflates and deploys upward and rearward from an upper surface of the instrument panel; a second bag that is inflated and deployed by the introduction of gas through the first bag; Equipped with The first bag, when inflated and deployed, has a smaller left-right width or a smaller up-down width than the second bag, The first bag has a first panel including a plurality of extending pieces extending radially from a central portion, and is produced by sewing together side edges of adjacent extending pieces of the first panel.

2. Each of the plurality of extension pieces of the first panel has a pair of side edge portions and an end edge connecting end portions of the pair of side edge portions, The first bag is fabricated by sewing together the side edges of the adjacent extension pieces of the first panel, and has a first opening surrounded by the end edges of the plurality of extension pieces, A second opening is formed in a second panel on the front side of the second bag, 2. The passenger airbag according to claim 1, wherein the first opening and the second opening are joined at their peripheries.

3. 3. The passenger airbag according to claim 2, wherein a diameter of the second opening is equal to or smaller than a diameter of the first opening.

4. 3. The passenger airbag according to claim 2, wherein an opening for an inflator is formed in the central portion of the first panel.

5. Each of the plurality of extension pieces of the first panel has a pair of side edge portions and an end edge connecting end portions of the pair of side edge portions, The ends of the plurality of extension pieces are sewn together, A first opening is formed in the central portion, A second opening is formed in a second panel on the front side of the second bag, 2. The passenger airbag according to claim 1, wherein the first opening and the second opening are joined at their peripheries.

6. 6. The passenger airbag according to claim 5, wherein an opening for an inflator is formed at a tip end of any one of the plurality of extension pieces of the first panel.

7. A passenger airbag that inflates in front of a passenger seat, a first bag into which gas is first introduced and which inflates and deploys upward and rearward from an upper surface of the instrument panel; a second bag that is inflated and deployed by the introduction of gas through the first bag; Equipped with The first bag, when inflated and deployed, has a smaller left-right width or a smaller up-down width than the second bag, the first bag has a truncated sector-shaped panel having an outer peripheral arc side, an inner peripheral side, and a pair of end sides connecting ends of the arc side and the inner peripheral side, the pair of end sides of the panel being folded so as to overlap each other, the end sides being sewn together, and the inner peripheral side being sewn together to form a first opening surrounded by the arc side, A second opening is formed in a second panel on the front side of the second bag, The airbag for a passenger seat, wherein peripheral edges of the first opening and the second opening are joined to each other.

8. A passenger seat airbag according to any one of claims 1 to 7; an inflator that supplies gas to the first bag of the passenger seat airbag; A passenger seat airbag device comprising:

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