Vehicular airbag device

Abstract

To provide a vehicular airbag device which realizes both improvement of occupant restraint force and reduction of load on a windshield.SOLUTION: An airbag cushion 108 has: a main inflating part 120 which inflates as far as a more downward position than an upper surface 102a of an instrument panel 102; a front protection part 128 which is formed in a range facing an occupant 112 in the main inflating part 120 and restrains the occupant 112 from the front side of the vehicle; a pair of rearward protrusion parts 130, 132 which are provided to both sides in the vehicle width direction of the front protection part 128 and inflate in such a manner that they are protruded in the vehicle's rearward direction; and a sub-chamber 220 which inflates from a position in the side part of the main inflating part 120 which is close to a center part of the instrument panel 102 in the vehicle width direction. The airbag cushion 108 is capable of maintaining self-standing attitude because the main inflating part 120 and the sub-chamber 220 come into contact with a part of a rear surface 102b of the instrument panel 102 which extends in a vertical direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle airbag device including an airbag cushion that expands and deploys between an instrument panel of a vehicle and an occupant sitting in a front row seat.

Background Art

[0002] Current vehicles are almost standardly equipped with airbag devices. An airbag device is a safety device that operates in an emergency such as a vehicle collision, and uses an airbag cushion that expands and deploys by the force of gas to receive and protect an occupant. There are various types of airbag devices depending on the installation location and usage. For example, at the driver's seat, a front airbag is provided in the center of the steering wheel. Also, at the passenger seat, a passenger airbag is provided on the instrument panel or its peripheral part.

[0003] The airbag cushions of various airbag devices are devised in consideration of the installation location and the like so that the occupant can be fully restrained. For example, the airbag 2 described in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1 is for the passenger seat, and the contact portion 2a with the upper surface of the instrument panel 3 is formed wide so that it can stand on its own on the instrument panel 3.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the technology of Patent Document 1 only relates to the contact portion 2a in front of the inflator 4, leaving room for improvement in increasing the contact area with the instrument panel 3 to stabilize the posture of the airbag cushion. On the other hand, the instrument panel is also equipped with interior parts such as a display section and instruments. Increasing the capacity of the airbag cushion excessively may touch these interior parts, which is not preferable.

[0006] In view of such problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle airbag device capable of improving the occupant restraint force while suppressing the capacity of the airbag cushion.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To solve the above problems, a typical configuration of the vehicle airbag device according to the present invention is a vehicle airbag device including an airbag cushion that expands and deploys between the instrument panel of a vehicle and an occupant sitting in a regular posture in the front row seat, and an inflator fixed inside the upper surface of the instrument panel that supplies gas to the airbag cushion. The airbag cushion has an inflator connection portion into which a part of the inflator is inserted, a main inflation portion formed rearward of the vehicle relative to the inflator connection portion and expanding to a position below the upper surface of the instrument panel, a front protection portion formed in a range facing the occupant of the main inflation portion to restrain the occupant from the front of the vehicle, a pair of rear protruding portions provided on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the front protection portion and expanding in a state of protruding rearward of the vehicle, and a sub-chamber bulging out from a portion of the side portion of the main inflation portion near the center portion in the vehicle width direction of the instrument panel and contacting the instrument panel. The airbag cushion is characterized in that it can maintain a self-standing posture by the main inflation portion and the sub-chamber contacting a portion of the rear surface of the instrument panel that extends in the vertical direction.

[0008] According to the above configuration, by using the sub-chamber, the airbag cushion can expand the contact area with the rear surface of the instrument panel without increasing the volume of the main inflation part. In particular, the sub-chamber is provided at a position near the center in the vehicle width direction of the instrument panel among the side parts of the main inflation part. Therefore, even when the occupant enters obliquely toward the center side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the front protection part of the main inflation part, the main inflation part can maintain its self-standing posture by the sub-chamber and can preferably restrain the occupant. As described above, according to the above configuration, it is possible to improve the occupant restraint force by stabilizing the posture of the airbag cushion during occupant restraint while suppressing the volume of the airbag cushion.

[0009] The above main inflation part has a bent part configured such that the main inflation part bends and expands along the upper surface and the rear surface of the instrument panel, and the sub-chamber may be provided near the bent part among the side parts of the main inflation part.

[0010] According to the above configuration, it is possible to realize a sub-chamber that easily contacts the instrument panel.

[0011] The vehicle airbag device may further include a front contact part that expands so as to protrude in a wedge shape forward along the upper surface of the instrument panel from the inflator connection part.

[0012] The above airbag cushion can maintain its self-standing posture by the front contact part contacting the upper surface of the instrument panel and the main inflation part and the sub-chamber contacting the rear surface of the instrument panel, and can achieve both improvement of the occupant restraint force.

[0013] The above airbag cushion further has a diffuser provided around the inflater connection part inside the airbag cushion to cover a part of the inflater. The diffuser may have a front opening for guiding the gas supplied from the inflater to the front contact part in front of the vehicle, and a rear opening for guiding the gas supplied from the inflater to the main inflation part behind the vehicle.

[0014] According to the above configuration, by sending gas to the front contact part and the main inflation part by the diffuser, the front contact part and the main inflation part can be quickly inflated and deployed to contact the instrument panel, thereby making it possible to make the posture of the airbag cushion more stable.

[0015] In the above main inflation part, a rear contact part may be formed that bulges forward from a position below the upper surface of the instrument panel and contacts the rear surface of the instrument panel.

[0016] According to the above configuration, the main inflation part is likely to contact the rear surface of the instrument panel by the rear contact part. Therefore, according to the above configuration, it is possible to use the rear surface of the instrument panel as a reaction surface to make the posture of the airbag cushion more stable.

Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle airbag device capable of improving the occupant restraint force while suppressing the capacity of the airbag cushion.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. Dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values shown in such embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In the present specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals to omit redundant description, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a figure which illustrated the outline of the vehicle airbag device 100 concerning the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1(a) is a figure which illustrated the state before the vehicle airbag device 100 moves. In the present embodiment, the vehicle airbag device 100 is implemented by being provided in front of the seat 104 on the right side of the front row as a passenger airbag for the passenger seat in a left-hand drive vehicle.

[0021] Hereinafter, in FIG. 1(a) and other drawings, the vehicle front-rear direction is illustrated by arrows F (Forward), B (Back), the left and right in the vehicle width direction are illustrated by arrows L (Left), R (Right), and the vehicle up-down direction is illustrated by arrows U (Up), D (Down), respectively. In particular, the upward direction is the direction of the head as seen from an occupant sitting in a regular posture on the seat, and the downward direction is the direction of the lower limb part as seen from the said occupant.

[0022] The airbag cushion 108 (see Fig. 1(b)) of the vehicle airbag device 100 is stored in a storage portion 106 provided in the instrument panel 102. The storage portion 106 is installed in front of the seat 104 in the vehicle, and an inflater 110 (see Fig. 2), which is a gas generator, is also stored in the storage portion 106 together with the airbag cushion 108.

[0023] Fig. 1(b) is a diagram illustrating the state of the vehicle airbag device 100 in Fig. 1(a) after movement. When a collision is predicted or detected, the airbag cushion 108 expands and deploys from the storage portion 106 (see Fig. 1(a)) toward the front of the seat 104. The airbag cushion 108 is in a bag shape and is formed by overlapping and sewing or adhering a plurality of panels constituting its surface.

[0024] Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of the airbag cushion 108 in Fig. 1(b). Fig. 2 also illustrates an occupant 112 sitting in a normal posture on the seat 104.

[0025] The occupant 112 in Fig. 2 is an example of a dummy used in a vehicle collision test. Examples of dummies applicable to the occupant 112 include AM50 and AF05 of HybridIII, which are dummies for a frontal collision test.

[0026] AM50 is a dummy that simulates a male with a height of 175 cm and a weight of 78 kg, having a physique that conforms to 50% of an average adult male in the United States. AF05 is a model of a petite female dummy that simulates a female with a height of 145 cm, a seat height of 79 cm, and a weight of approximately 45 kg. Each of these dummies is created based on the standards of NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).

[0027] The airbag cushion 108 inflates and deploys between the instrument panel 102 and the occupant 112 sitting in a normal posture on the seat 104 (see FIG. 1(b)). In particular, the airbag cushion 108 of the present embodiment inflates and deploys between the upper surface 102a and the windshield 114 and between the rear surface 102b and the occupant 112 of the seat 104 in a self-standing state while being grounded on the upper surface 102a and the rear surface 102b of the instrument panel 102, and can restrain the occupant 112 from the front of the vehicle.

[0028] The airbag cushion 108 is connected by an inflator 110 which is a gas generator and an inflator connection part 118. The inflator 110 is fixed inside the upper surface 102a of the instrument panel 102 using stud bolts (not shown), and the part having the gas ejection holes is in a state of being inserted into the airbag cushion 108 from the inflator connection part 118.

[0029] The inflator 110 moves due to a shock detection signal sent from a predetermined sensor and supplies gas inside the airbag cushion 108. The airbag cushion 108 starts to inflate due to the gas from the inflator 110, and at this time, the cover of the storage part 106 is cracked or the like by the inflation pressure and inflates and deploys toward the seat 104 (see FIG. 1(b)).

[0030] In this embodiment, the inflator 110 is of a disk type (circular disk type). Currently popular inflators include types filled with a gas generating agent that burns to generate gas, types filled with compressed gas that supply gas without generating heat, or hybrid types that utilize both combustion gas and compressed gas. Any type of inflator can be used as the inflator 110.

[0031] The diffuser 116 is a member that rectifies the gas supplied from the inflator 110. The diffuser 116 is disposed around the inflator connection portion 118 inside the airbag cushion 108 and is configured to cover the inflator 110 inserted into the airbag cushion 108.

[0032] The diffuser 116 has a front opening 116a and a rear opening 116b as openings through which the gas flows. By guiding the gas in the front-rear direction through these openings of the diffuser 116, it is possible to efficiently fill the airbag cushion 108 with gas.

[0033] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating the airbag cushion 108 at the time of inflation and deployment in FIG. 1(b) alone. FIG. 3(a) is a view illustrating the airbag cushion 108 in FIG. 1(b) as seen from the left side in the vehicle width direction.

[0034] The airbag cushion 108 is provided with an inflator connection portion 118 as a portion into which a part of the inflator 110 (see FIG. 2) is inserted. The inflator connection portion 118 is provided at a location where it overlaps the instrument panel 102 from above in the airbag cushion 108, and in this embodiment, it is provided at a location slightly in front of the center of the airbag cushion 108.

[0035] The airbag cushion 108 is provided with a main inflation portion 120 as a main inflation part. The main inflation portion 120 is a portion having a large dimension in the vertical direction formed behind the inflator connection portion 118 in the vehicle rearward direction, and widely restrains the occupant 112 (see FIG. 2).

[0036] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the main inflation portion 120 inflates such that the upper end 120a is located in the vicinity of the windshield 114 and the lower end 120b is located below the virtual line L1 extending rearward from the upper surface 102a of the instrument panel 102. Thereby, the main inflation portion 120 can widely restrain the upper body of the occupant 112 mainly from the head 172 to the chest 184 and the like.

[0037] The airbag cushion 108 is provided with a front contact portion 122 as an inflating portion for maintaining a self-standing posture. The front contact portion 122 inflates so as to protrude in a wedge shape forward of the vehicle along the upper surface 102a of the instrument panel 102 from the inflator connection portion 118. The front contact portion 122 enters the space between the instrument panel 102 and the windshield 114 and makes surface contact with the upper surface 102a of the instrument panel 102, thereby supporting the self-standing posture of the airbag cushion 108.

[0038] The main inflating portion 120 is also provided with a rear contact portion 124 as a portion for supporting the self-standing posture of the airbag cushion 108. The rear contact portion 124 is provided so as to bulge forward toward the rear surface 102b of the instrument panel 102 on the front side of the range located below the virtual line L1 (see FIG. 2) extended from the upper surface 102a of the instrument panel 102 in the main inflating portion 120. According to the bulged rear contact portion 124, the main inflating portion 120 is likely to come into contact with the design surface 232 (see FIG. 1(b)) extending particularly in the vertical direction on the rear surface 102b of the instrument panel 102.

[0039] The diffuser 116 in FIG. 2 also helps to maintain the self-standing posture of the airbag cushion 108. Specifically, the diffuser 116 has a front opening 116a opening toward the front contact portion 122 in front of the vehicle and a rear opening 116b opening toward the main inflating portion 120 in the rear of the vehicle. That is, the diffuser 116 quickly guides the gas supplied from the inflator 110 to the front contact portion 122 and the main inflating portion 120. Therefore, the airbag cushion 108 can inflate and deploy the front contact portion 122 and the main inflating portion 120 early and stand on its own early.

[0040] The upper cushion surface portion 126 is the upper surface of the airbag cushion 108 extending from the front contact portion 122 to the main inflation portion 120. The airbag cushion 108 can also be configured to inflate and deploy in a state where the upper cushion surface portion 126 is separated from the windshield 114. According to this configuration, the burden that the airbag cushion 108 can impose on the windshield 114 can be reduced.

[0041] Figure 3(b) is a view illustrating the airbag cushion 108 of Figure 3(a) as seen from above. The main inflation portion 120 is provided with a front protection portion 128 that restrains the occupant 112 (see Figure 2) from the front, and a pair of rear protruding portions 130, 132 that restrain the head from the side.

[0042] The front protection portion 128 is a region formed in the range facing the occupant 112 (see Figure 2) on the rear side of the vehicle in the main inflation portion 120 and extending in the vertical direction. The front protection portion 128 restrains the range from the head 172 to the chest 184 and abdomen 190 of the occupant 112 from the front of the vehicle.

[0043] The pair of rear protruding portions 130, 132 are portions that inflate in a state of protruding rearward from the upper part of the main inflation portion 120. The rear protruding portions 130, 132 are provided on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the front protection portion 128 and mainly restrain the temporal head portions 174 of the occupant 112 (see Figure 6(b)).

[0044] Referring to Figure 3(a) again. The airbag cushion 108 is provided with a sub-chamber 220 as an inflation portion that supports the posture of the main inflation portion 120. The sub-chamber 220 bulges out from a location near the center portion in the vehicle width direction of the instrument panel 102 (see Figure 2) among the side portions of the main inflation portion 120 and contacts a portion extending in the vertical direction of the rear surface 102b of the instrument panel 102.

[0045] The main inflatable portion 120 has a bent portion 222 configured to bend and inflate along the upper surface 102a and the rear surface 102b of the instrument panel 102 (see FIG. 2). The sub-chamber 220 is provided at a location near the bent portion 222 among the side portions of the main inflatable portion 120. As a result, the sub-chamber 220 is configured to easily contact the instrument panel 102.

[0046] In the airbag cushion 108, the front contact portion 122 contacts the upper surface 102a of the instrument panel 102 (see FIG. 2), and the rear contact portion 124 of the main inflatable portion 120 and the sub-chamber 220 contact the portion of the rear surface 102b of the instrument panel 102 that extends in the vertical direction, so that the upper surface 102a and the rear surface 102b can be used as reaction surfaces during occupant restraint.

[0047] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating each panel member forming the airbag cushion 108 of FIG. 3.

[0048] FIG. 4(a) is a diagram illustrating the main panel 134 of the airbag cushion 108 of FIG. 3(b) spread out and placed in a plane. The main panel 134 is a panel member that forms the upper cushion surface portion 126, the front protection portion 128, and the lower surface of the airbag cushion 108 from the main inflatable portion 120 to the front contact portion 122 among the airbag cushion 108.

[0049] The main panel 134 is in a long strip shape, and the side edges 136, 138 are joined to the edges of the side panels 152, 154 in FIGS. 4(b) and 4(c) by sewing or the like for use. The end portions 140, 142 of the main panel 134 are joined to each other by sewing or the like.

[0050] Curved portions 144, 146 are provided at a part of the side edges 136, 138 of the main panel 134. Inner lobe panels 160, 162 (see FIGS. 4(d) and 4(e)) that form the inside of the rear protrusions 130, 132 (see FIG. 3(b)) are joined to the curved portions 144, 146.

[0051] The main panel 134 is provided with an inflater connection portion 118 into which an inflater 110 (see FIG. 2) is inserted. The inflater connection portion 118 is formed at a position that overlaps the upper surface 102a of the instrument panel 102 from above among the main panel 134.

[0052] The inflater connection portion 118 includes an opening 148 into which a portion having a gas ejection hole of the inflater 110 (see FIG. 2) is inserted, a bolt hole 150 into which a stud bolt extending from a retainer ring (not shown) to which the inflater 110 is attached is inserted, and the like. The airbag cushion 108 is fixed inside the storage portion 106 by connecting the inflater connection portion 118 to the inflater 110.

[0053] FIG. 4(b) is a view illustrating the side panel 152 on the left side in the vehicle width direction of FIG. 3(b) spread out and placed in a plane. The side panel 152 is a panel member that forms the side portion in the vehicle width direction of the airbag cushion 108. The side panel 152 has a symmetric shape with respect to the left and right in the vehicle width direction together with the side panel 154 (see FIG. 4(c)) on the right side in the vehicle width direction of the airbag cushion 108 (see FIG. 3(b)).

[0054] The side panel 152 forms the outside in the vehicle width direction in the range covering the main inflation portion 120, the front contact portion 122, and the rear protruding portion 130 of FIG. 3(a). The side panel 152 is also provided with a vent hole 153 for discharging gas.

[0055] When the cushion upper surface portion 126 (see FIG. 2) does not contact the windshield 114, the side panel 152 may have dimensions such that the lower edge 156 forming the lower surface of the front contact portion 122 contacts the upper surface 102a of the instrument panel 102 and the upper edge 158 does not contact the windshield 114 (see FIG. 2).

[0056] FIG. 4(c) is a view illustrating the side panel 154 on the right side in the vehicle width direction of FIG. 3(b) unfolded and placed in a plane. The side panel 154 has a shape symmetrical to the side panel 152 of FIG. 4(b) and has the same configuration as the side panel 152.

[0057] FIG. 4(d) is a view illustrating the inner lobe panel 160 on the left side in the vehicle width direction of FIG. 3(b) unfolded and placed in a plane. The inner lobe panel 160 is a panel member that forms the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the rear protrusion 130. The inner lobe panel 160 has a shape close to a semi-circular shape, and the outer peripheral portion 160a is joined to the side panel 152, and the inner peripheral portion 160b is joined to the main panel 134.

[0058] FIG. 4(e) is a view illustrating the inner lobe panel 162 on the right side in the vehicle width direction of FIG. 3(b) unfolded and placed in a plane. The inner lobe panel 162 has a shape symmetrical to the inner lobe panel 160 of FIG. 4(d) and has the same configuration as the inner lobe panel 162.

[0059] FIG. 4(f) is a view illustrating the inner sub-panel 224 of the sub-chamber 220 of FIG. 3(a) unfolded and placed in a plane. The inner sub-panel 224 is a panel member that forms the main expansion portion 120 side of the sub-chamber 220. The inner sub-panel 224 has a shape close to a circular shape with a part missing, and the outer peripheral portion 224a is joined to the outer sub-panel 226 (see FIG. 4(g)), and the curved connection portion 228a on the central side is joined to the side panel 152.

[0060] Among the side panel 152 of FIG. 4(b), the connection portion 228b to which the inner sub-panel 224 (see FIG. 4(f)) is connected is provided at a location along the bent portion 222 of the side panel 152. With this configuration, the sub-chamber 220 can be provided at a location along the bent portion 222 among the side portions of the main expansion portion 120, and it becomes possible to realize the sub-chamber 220 that is likely to come into contact with the instrument panel 102.

[0061] FIG. 4(g) is a diagram illustrating the outer sub-panel 226 of the sub-chamber 220 in FIG. 3(a) laid out flat after being expanded. The outer sub-panel 226 has a shape symmetric to the inner sub-panel 224 in FIG. 4(f), and the outer peripheral portion 226a is joined to the outer peripheral portion 224a of the inner sub-panel 162.

[0062] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the process of forming the rear protrusion 130 (see FIG. 3(b)) from the side panel 152 in FIG. 4(b).

[0063] FIG. 5(a) is a diagram illustrating the side panel 152 in FIG. 4(b). Among the side panel 152, the hatched area is the outer lobe panel portion 164 that forms the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the rear protrusion 130 (see FIG. 3(b)). The outer lobe panel portion 164 has its outer peripheral portion 166 joined to the outer peripheral portion 160a of the inner lobe panel 160 in FIG. 4(d), and together with the inner lobe panel 160, forms the rear protrusion 130.

[0064] The outer lobe panel portion 164 is configured to have a larger area than the inner lobe panel 160 (see FIG. 4(d)) when laid out flat after being expanded. And the outer lobe panel portion 164 is provided with a notch 168 that is cut out toward the center.

[0065] FIG. 5(b) is a diagram of the state where the notch 168 in the side panel 152 in FIG. 5(a) is closed. The outer peripheral portion 166 of the outer lobe panel portion 164 is joined in a closed state by sewing or the like to connect the edges of the notch 168, so that it has approximately the same shape and length as the outer peripheral portion 160a of the inner lobe panel 160 (see FIG. 4(d)). In this state, the outer peripheral portion 166 of the outer lobe panel portion 164 and the outer peripheral portion 160a of the inner lobe panel 160 are joined, and the rear protrusion 130 (see FIG. 3(a)) is formed.

[0066] Figure 5(c) is a cross-sectional view of the rear protruding portion 130 corresponding to the B-B cross-section of the side panel 152 in Figure 5(b). As described above, the outer lobe panel portion 164 has a larger area than the inner lobe panel 160. Moreover, when the notch 168 is closed, the outer lobe panel portion 164 assumes a three-dimensional shape. Thus, since the outer lobe panel portion 164 has a larger area and a three-dimensional shape than the inner lobe panel 160, the rear protruding portion 130 can secure a large capacity.

[0067] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the process in which the airbag cushion 108 in Figure 3(b) restrains the occupant 112. Figure 6(a) is a diagram illustrating the state immediately after the airbag cushion 108 has inflated and deployed.

[0068] The airbag cushion 108 inflates and deploys in front of the vehicle of the occupant 112 seated on the seat 104 (see Figure 1(b)). At this time, the airbag cushion 108 inflates such that not only the front protection portion 128 of the main inflation portion 120 inflates in front of the occupant 112, but also the rear protruding portions 130 and 132 protrude rearward from both sides in the vehicle width direction of the front protection portion 128.

[0069] Figure 6(b) is a diagram of the state in which the occupant 112 in Figure 6(a) has entered the airbag cushion 108. In an oblique collision, which is a collision from an oblique front, the occupant 112 may also move obliquely forward. At this time, the rear protruding portions 130 and 132 function suitably to protect the occupant 112.

[0070] As illustrated in Figure 6(b), for example, when the occupant 112 enters toward the left oblique front, the airbag cushion 108 restrains the head 172 of the occupant 112 from the front of the vehicle with the front protection portion 128, and also restrains the head 172 of the occupant 112 from the side head portion 174 side by the rear protruding portion 130.

[0071] In the case of an oblique collision or the like, when the head 172 of the occupant 112 entering obliquely forward contacts only the front protection part 128, a rotational force (rotation 176 illustrated by an arrow) clockwise about the neck when viewed from above may be generated in the head 172. Such rotation 176 of the head 172 has been found to tend to increase the injury value of the occupant 112.

[0072] In the present embodiment, the front protection part 128 and the rear protruding part 130 actively restrain the range from the front side to the side head 174 of the head 172, making it possible to reduce, cancel, or absorb the rotation 176 generated in the head 172. According to this configuration, the angular velocity of the rotation 176 of the head 172 of the occupant 112 can be reduced, and the injury value of the head 172 associated with the rotation 176 can be suppressed.

[0073] As described with reference to FIG. 5(c), the rear protruding part 130 is configured such that the area of the inner lobe panel 160 is smaller than that of the outer lobe panel part 164. Therefore, the inner lobe panel 160 is more likely to have a greater tension than the outer lobe panel part 164. The same applies to the rear protruding part 132 composed of the outer lobe panel part 165 and the inner lobe panel 162.

[0074] Due to the above configuration, the rear protruding parts 130 and 132 in FIG. 6(b) are likely to generate inward forces 180 and 182 that are pulled by the inner lobe panels 160 and 162, respectively, and can restrain the head 172 of the occupant 112 so as to wrap it from both sides. In addition to this action, by ensuring a larger capacity for the rear protruding parts 130 and 132 by the three-dimensional outer lobe panel part 164 (see FIG. 5(c)), the rear protruding parts 130 and 132 can exert a high occupant restraint force on the head 172 of the occupant 112.

[0075] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the airbag cushion 108 in FIG. 2 restrains the occupant 112. When the occupant 112 enters the front protection portion 128, a force 186 may be generated in the airbag cushion 108 such that the rear contact portion 124 of the main inflation portion 120 pushes the rear surface 102b of the instrument panel 102 forward, and a force 188 may be generated such that the front contact portion 122 pushes the upper surface 102a of the instrument panel 102 downward.

[0076] Specifically, when the occupant 112 falls forward, a force 186 that rotates downward about the inflator connection portion 118 is generated in the main inflation portion 120, whereby the rear contact portion 124 interferes with the rear surface 102b of the instrument panel 102. Further, when a force in a direction to lift the main inflation portion 120 from the occupant 112 is generated, a force 188 that rotates downward about the inflator connection portion 118 is generated in the front contact portion 122, whereby the front contact portion 122 interferes with the upper surface 102a of the instrument panel 102.

[0077] By the above actions, the airbag cushion 108 contacts the upper surface 102a and the rear surface 102b of the instrument panel 102, and uses these upper surface 102a and rear surface 102b as reaction surfaces, enabling the occupant 112 to be restrained in a stable posture. Thus, the airbag cushion 108 can maintain a self-supporting posture by widely using the instrument panel 102 without using the windshield 114 as a reaction surface when restraining the occupant.

[0078] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of the airbag cushion 108 in FIG. 6(b). As described above, the sub-chamber 220 bulges from a position in the vicinity of the center in the vehicle width direction of the instrument panel 102 among the side portions of the main inflation portion 120 and contacts the rear surface 102b of the instrument panel 102.

[0079] On the rear surface 102b of the instrument panel 102, at a slightly upper position in the center in the vehicle width direction, a display 230, which is an example of an interior part, is provided. Examples of such interior parts include, in addition to the display 230, instruments and the like.

[0080] The sub-chamber 220 of the present embodiment can come into contact with a design surface 232 that extends in the vertical direction below the display 230 on the rear surface 102b of the instrument panel 102.

[0081] Referring again to FIG. 6(b), when the occupant 112 enters toward the center side in the vehicle width direction in an oblique collision, the front protection part 128 restrains the head 172 of the occupant 112 from the front of the vehicle, and the rear protruding part 130 restrains the head 172 of the occupant 112 from the side head 174 side. At this time, a force 234 that acts from the main inflation part 120 toward the center side in the vehicle width direction is generated in the sub-chamber 220.

[0082] As illustrated in FIG. 8, when the sub-chamber 220 receives the force 234 that acts from the main inflation part 120 toward the center side in the vehicle width direction, it interferes with the design surface 232 of the instrument panel 102. By this action, the airbag cushion 108 can use the design surface 232 as a reaction surface and restrain the occupant 112 (see FIG. 6(b)) in a stable posture without overturning the main inflation part 120.

[0083] In this way, by using the sub-chamber 220, the airbag cushion 108 has an enlarged contact area with respect to the rear surface 102b of the instrument panel 102 without significantly increasing the capacity of the main inflation part 120 in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the airbag cushion 108 can avoid interference with the display 230 by suppressing the capacity of the main inflation part 120, maintain the self-standing posture of the main inflation part 120 by the sub-chamber 220, and suitably restrain the occupant. In addition, since the capacity of the airbag cushion 108 is suppressed, it can be inflated and deployed early, and the amount of panel members used is also reduced, making it easy to fold and store.

[0084] As described above, in the airbag cushion 108 of the present embodiment, the front contact portion 122 contacts the upper surface 102a of the instrument panel 102, and the rear contact portion 124 of the main inflation portion 120 and the sub-chamber 220 contact the design surface 232 while avoiding the display 230, so that the airbag cushion 108 can maintain a self-standing posture. According to this configuration, while protecting the interior parts installed on the instrument panel 102 represented by the display 230, the airbag cushion 108 can restrain the occupant 112 in a stable posture. Therefore, in the vehicle airbag device 100 of the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the occupant restraint force while suppressing the capacity of the airbag cushion 108.

[0085] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the airbag cushion 108 guides gas to the front contact portion 122 and the main inflation portion 120 by the diffuser 116, thereby rapidly inflating and deploying the front contact portion 122 and the main inflation portion 120. Also by this, it is possible to ground the airbag cushion 108 on the instrument panel 102 and stabilize the posture of the airbag cushion 108 earlier.

[0086] Furthermore, as described with reference to FIG. 6(b), the airbag cushion 108 utilizes the difference in area between the outer lobe panel portions 164, 165 and the inner lobe panels 160, 162 to generate inward forces 180, 182 on the rear protrusions 130, 132. According to the airbag cushion 108, compared with the conventional method of forming protrusions on the airbag cushion by using the tension of an internal tether or the like, the structure is simple, the materials and sewing locations used are reduced, and the cost can be suppressed. Also, by omitting the internal tether or the like, the gas can flow smoothly inside the airbag cushion 108, so that rapid inflation and deployment can be ensured.

[0087] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the embodiments described above are preferred examples of the present invention, and other embodiments can also be implemented or carried out in various ways. In particular, unless there is a description of the gist limited in the present specification, the present invention is not limited to the shapes, sizes, and configurations of the detailed components shown in the accompanying drawings. Also, the expressions and terms used in the present specification are for the purpose of explanation and are not limited thereto unless there is a description of the gist limited thereto.

[0088] Therefore, it is obvious that those skilled in the art can conceive of various modification examples or correction examples within the scope described in the claims, and it is naturally understood that those also belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

Industrial Applicability

[0089] The present invention can be used in a vehicle airbag device provided with an airbag cushion that expands and deploys between an instrument panel of a vehicle and an occupant seated in a front seat.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0090] 100…Airbag device for vehicle, 102…Instrument panel, 102a…Upper surface, 102b…Rear surface, 104…Seat, 106…Storage part, 108…Airbag cushion, 110…Inflator, 112…Occupant, 114…Windshield, 116…Diffuser, 116a…Front side opening, 116b…Rear side opening, 118…Inflator connection part, 120…Main inflation part, 120a…Upper end, 120b…Lower end, 122…Front side contact part, 124…Rear side contact part, 126…Cushion upper surface part, 128…Front protection part, 130, 132…Rear protruding part, 134…Main panel, 136, 138…Side edges, 140, 142…Ends, 144, 146…Curved parts, 148…Opening, 150…Bolt hole, 152…Side panel, 153…Vent hole, 154…Side panel, 155…Vent hole, 156…Lower edge, 158…Upper edge, 160…Inner lobe panel, 160a…Outer peripheral part, 160b…Inner peripheral part, 162…Inner lobe panel, 164…Outer lobe panel part, 165…Outer lobe panel part, 166…Outer peripheral part, 168…Notch, 170…Notch, 172…Head, 174…Temporal part, 176…Rotation, 180…Force, 182…Force, 184…Chest, 186…Force, 188…Force, 190…Abdomen, 220…Sub-chamber, 222…Flexure part, 224…Inner sub-panel, 224a…Outer peripheral part, 226…Outer sub-panel, 226a…Outer peripheral part, 228a…Connection part, 228b…Connection part, 230…Display, 232…Design surface, 234…Force, L1…Virtual line

Claims

1. An airbag device for a vehicle, comprising an airbag cushion that expands and deploys between an instrument panel of the vehicle and an occupant sitting in a regular posture in the front row seat, and an inflater that is fixed inside the upper surface of the instrument panel and supplies gas to the airbag cushion, wherein the airbag cushion includes, an inflater connection portion into which a part of the inflater is inserted, a main inflation portion formed rearward of the vehicle from the inflater connection portion and expanding to a position below the upper surface of the instrument panel, a front protection portion formed in a range facing the occupant of the main inflation portion and restraining the occupant from the front of the vehicle, a pair of rear protruding portions provided on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the front protection portion and expanding in a state of protruding rearward of the vehicle, a sub-chamber that bulges out from a location near the center portion in the vehicle width direction of the instrument panel among the side portions of the main inflation portion and contacts the instrument panel, and having, the airbag cushion is characterized in that the main inflation portion and the sub-chamber can maintain a self-standing posture by contacting a portion extending in the vertical direction of the rear surface of the instrument panel. An airbag device for a vehicle.

2. The main inflation portion has a bent portion configured such that the main inflation portion bends and expands along the upper surface and the rear surface of the instrument panel, The airbag device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the sub-chamber is provided near the bent portion among the side portions of the main inflation portion.

3. The airbag device for a vehicle further includes a front contact portion that expands so as to protrude in a wedge shape forward of the vehicle along the upper surface of the instrument panel from the inflater connection portion. The airbag device for a vehicle according to claim 1.

4. The airbag cushion further has a diffuser provided around the inflater connection portion inside the airbag cushion and covering a part of the inflater, The diffuser includes, a front opening portion that guides the gas supplied from the inflater to the front contact portion in front of the vehicle, a rear opening portion that guides the gas supplied from the inflater to the main inflation portion behind the vehicle, The airbag device for a vehicle according to claim 3, characterized by having.

5. The vehicle airbag device according to claim 1, characterized in that a rear contact portion that bulges forward from a position below the upper surface of the instrument panel and contacts the rear surface of the instrument panel is formed in the main inflation portion.

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