Airbag and air bag folding method

Abstract

To provide an air bag and an air bag folding method which can simplify the folding of an air bag body.SOLUTION: In an air bag 1, which comprises an air bag body 3 arranged in a state of being folded in a vehicle arrangement member to protect a vehicle occupant by expanding a gas inflow, the air bag body 3 has an occupant side base cloth 5 arranged on the occupant side in an expansion state, a vehicle side base cloth 7 arranged on the arrangement member side, and an intermediate base cloth 9 which couples with the outer peripheral edges of the occupant side base cloth 5 and the vehicle side base cloth 7. The occupant side base cloth 5 has a vehicle lap part 27 lapped on the vehicle side base cloth 7 in a state that the air bag body 3 is folded, and the intermediate base cloth 9 has an occupant lap part 29 lapped on an opposite side of the vehicle side base cloth 7 in a state that the air bag body 3 is folded with respect to the occupant side base cloth 5.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an airbag and a method for folding an airbag. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, airbags have been known that include an airbag main body that is folded and placed in a placement member of a vehicle and inflates with the inflow of gas to protect a vehicle occupant (see Patent Document 1). In this airbag, when the airbag main body is inflated, it has a third base fabric as an occupant-side base fabric that is placed on the occupant side, a second base fabric as a vehicle-side base fabric that is placed on the placement member side, and a first base fabric as an intermediate base fabric that connects the outer edges of the third base fabric and the second base fabric. In this type of airbag, gas flows into the folded airbag main body from the second base fabric side, and the airbag main body inflates and deploys so that the third base fabric side protrudes toward the occupant. By including the first base fabric, the airbag main body deploys more three-dimensionally when deployed, compared to airbag main bodies that are composed of the second base fabric and the third base fabric, and can flexibly respond to the occupant's subtle movements. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-121965 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the airbag of Patent Document 1, the airbag body is arranged on the arrangement member in a folded shape in which the occupant-side base fabric is folded inside the intermediate base fabric, the intermediate base fabric is folded in a roll shape, and the outer periphery of the vehicle-side base fabric is folded in an accordion-like shape. However, compared to the folding method of an airbag body that does not have an intermediate base fabric, this folding method of the airbag body is complicated, for example, by folding the occupant-side base fabric and then folding the intermediate base fabric in a roll shape. This makes the airbag body thicker overall, making it impossible to apply conventional equipment and work processes, and requiring the design of new equipment and work processes, which increases costs.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the problems inherent in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an airbag and a method for folding an airbag that can simplify the folding of the airbag body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The airbag of this embodiment comprises an airbag main body that is placed in a folded state on a positioning member of the vehicle and inflates due to the inflow of gas to protect the vehicle occupant, and when the airbag main body is inflated, it has an occupant side base fabric that is placed on the occupant side, a vehicle side base fabric that is placed on the positioning member side, and an intermediate base fabric that connects the outer edges of the occupant side base fabric and the vehicle side base fabric, and the occupant side base fabric has a vehicle overlapping portion that is overlapped on the vehicle side base fabric when the airbag main body is folded, and the intermediate base fabric has an occupant overlapping portion that is overlapped on the side opposite to the vehicle side base fabric with respect to the occupant side base fabric when the airbag main body is folded.

[0007] The method for folding an airbag according to this embodiment includes an airbag body having an occupant-side base fabric arranged on the occupant side of the vehicle, a vehicle-side base fabric arranged on the placement member side of the vehicle, and an intermediate base fabric connecting the outer peripheral edges of the occupant-side base fabric and the vehicle-side base fabric, and includes a first step of overlapping the occupant-side base fabric over the vehicle-side base fabric, and a second step of folding and overlapping the intermediate base fabric over the occupant-side base fabric. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an airbag and a method for folding an airbag that can simplify the folding of the airbag body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front view of the airbag according to the present embodiment, in which an occupant-side base fabric is superimposed on a vehicle-side base fabric. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the occupant side base fabric of FIG. 1 with a forming jig placed thereon. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a front view of the airbag according to the present embodiment, in which an intermediate base fabric is overlapped with an occupant-side base fabric to form a pair of upper and lower overlapping portions. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a front view of the airbag according to the present embodiment, in which a pair of left and right overlapping portions are formed by overlapping an intermediate base fabric on an occupant-side base fabric. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a front view of the airbag according to the embodiment when it is in a pre-folded shape. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a front view of the airbag according to the embodiment when it is in a fully folded shape. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a development view of an occupant-side base fabric of the airbag according to the present embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a development view of a vehicle-side base fabric of the airbag according to the present embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a development view of an intermediate base fabric of the airbag according to the present embodiment. [Figure 10] 1 is a side view of the airbag according to the embodiment when the airbag body is inflated and deployed. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The airbag and the method for folding the airbag according to this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional proportions in the drawings are exaggerated for the sake of explanation and may differ from the actual proportions.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 10 , an airbag 1 according to this embodiment is mounted on a mounting member P, such as an instrument panel, disposed in the passenger compartment of a vehicle. The airbag 1 has an airbag body 3 stored in a folded state in the mounting member P. An inflator I, which is a device for introducing gas (inflation gas) into the airbag body 3, is mounted on the mounting member P. The inflator I includes, for example, an igniter and a gas generating agent. The inflator I rapidly introduces gas into the airbag body 3 by causing the igniter to combust the gas generating agent based on an electrical signal transmitted by an electronic control unit (not shown) mounted on the vehicle when it detects or predicts a vehicle collision or the like. When the vehicle collides, gas flows into the airbag body 3 from the inflator I, causing the airbag body 3 to inflate and deploy, thereby protecting the occupant C from the impact caused by the vehicle collision.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 to 10, the airbag body 3 includes an occupant side base fabric 5, a vehicle side base fabric 7, and an intermediate base fabric 9. The airbag body 3 is formed into a bag shape by joining the occupant side base fabric 5, the vehicle side base fabric 7, and the intermediate base fabric 9 together by sewing, bonding, welding, or the like.

[0013] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, 7 and 10, the occupant-side base cloth 5 is disposed on the occupant C side of the airbag main body 3 when the airbag main body 3 is inflated and deployed. The occupant-side base cloth 5 has a circular outer circumferential edge 11. The occupant-side base cloth 5 restrains the occupant C from the chest (abdomen) to the head when the airbag main body 3 is deployed.

[0014] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, 8 and 10, the vehicle-side base fabric 7 is disposed on the arrangement member P side of the airbag body 3 when the airbag body 3 is inflated and deployed. The vehicle-side base fabric 7 is formed in a circular shape so that the outer peripheral edge 13 has a larger diameter than the outer peripheral edge 11 of the occupant-side base fabric 5. A disposition hole 15, which is a through-hole to which an inflator I is attached, is provided in the center of the vehicle-side base fabric 7. When the vehicle collides, for example, gas flows into the arrangement hole 15 from the inflator I into the inside of the folded airbag body 3, causing the airbag body 3 to inflate and deploy. The vehicle-side base fabric 7 is disposed on the occupant C side of the disposition member P when the airbag body 3 is deployed.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, 9, and 10, the intermediate base fabric 9 is disposed in the airbag main body 3 between the occupant C and the placement member P when the airbag main body 3 is inflated and deployed. The intermediate base fabric 9 is formed in a strip shape with both longitudinal sides inclined and having an occupant-side edge 17 that is set shorter on one widthwise side and a vehicle-side edge 19 that is set longer on the other widthwise side. The intermediate base fabric 9 is formed into a cylindrical shape by joining both longitudinal sides by sewing, bonding, welding, etc. The outer peripheral edge 11 of the occupant-side base fabric 5 is joined to the annular occupant-side edge 17 of the cylindrically formed intermediate base fabric 9 by sewing, bonding, welding, etc., and the occupant-side edge 17 of the intermediate base fabric 9 is closed by the occupant-side base fabric 5. The outer peripheral edge 13 of the vehicle-side base fabric 7 is joined to the annular vehicle-side edge 19 of the cylindrically formed intermediate base fabric 9 by sewing, bonding, welding, or the like, and the vehicle-side edge 19 of the intermediate base fabric 9 is closed by the vehicle-side base fabric 7. The intermediate base fabric 9 is provided with exhaust holes 21 that penetrate the intermediate base fabric 9. The exhaust holes 21 exhaust gas that flows into the airbag body 3 to the outside and reduce the impact when the airbag body 3 restrains the occupant C. The intermediate base fabric 9 is disposed between the occupant-side base fabric 5 and the vehicle-side base fabric 7 when the airbag body 3 is deployed. Because the airbag body 3 has the intermediate base fabric 9, the airbag body 3 deploys more three-dimensionally when deployed, and can flexibly respond to the subtle movements of the occupant C.

[0016] The airbag body 3, which is composed of the occupant-side base fabric 5, the vehicle-side base fabric 7, and the intermediate base fabric 9, is housed in a folded state in the arrangement member P. The airbag body 3 has a provisionally folded shape 23 (see FIG. 5), which is folded by hand, for example, and a final folded shape 25 (see FIG. 6), which is folded by an automatic folding machine or by hand, for example.

[0017] The occupant-side base fabric 5 has a vehicle overlapping portion 27 overlapped on the vehicle-side base fabric 7 when the airbag body 3 is in a folded state (the permanently folded shape 25 of the airbag body 3). The vehicle overlapping portion 27 is formed when the airbag body 3 is brought into the temporary folded shape 23. The vehicle overlapping portion 27 is formed by overlapping the occupant-side base fabric 5 on the vehicle-side base fabric 7 without folding it while the vehicle-side base fabric 7 is in an unfolded state. In this embodiment, the vehicle overlapping portion 27 is set over the entire area of ​​the occupant-side base fabric 5 because the outer peripheral edge 11 of the occupant-side base fabric 5 is smaller than the outer peripheral edge 13 of the vehicle-side base fabric 7 and is located inside the outer peripheral edge 13 of the vehicle-side base fabric 7. Therefore, when the vehicle overlapping portion 27 is formed, the intermediate base fabric 9 can be arranged around the occupant-side base fabric 5 inside the outer peripheral edge 13 of the vehicle-side base fabric 7. Because the occupant-side base fabric 5 has the vehicle overlapping portion 27, when the airbag body 3 is put into the temporary folded shape 23, the occupant-side base fabric 5 can be overlapped with the vehicle-side base fabric 7. This eliminates the need to fold the occupant-side base fabric 5 in a complicated manner, simplifying the folding process.

[0018] When the airbag main body 3 is in a folded state (when the airbag main body 3 is in the final folded shape 25), the intermediate base fabric 9 has an occupant overlapping portion 29 that is overlapped on the side of the occupant-side base fabric 5 opposite to the vehicle-side base fabric 7. The occupant overlapping portion 29 is formed when the airbag main body 3 is in the temporary folded shape 23. The occupant overlapping portion 29 is formed by folding the intermediate base fabric 9 located around the occupant-side base fabric 5 over the occupant-side base fabric 5 with the vehicle overlapping portion 27 formed. Since the intermediate base fabric 9 has the occupant overlapping portion 29, when the airbag main body 3 is in the temporary folded shape 23, it is sufficient to overlap the intermediate base fabric 9 with the occupant-side base fabric 5. This eliminates the need for complex folding of the intermediate base fabric 9, simplifying the folding process. In addition, in the temporary folded shape 23 of the airbag body 3, the vehicle-side base fabric 7, the occupant-side base fabric 5, and the intermediate base fabric 9 are simply overlapped, which reduces the overall thickness of the airbag body 3. Therefore, when changing the airbag body 3 from the temporary folded shape 23 to the final folded shape 25, there is no need to design new equipment or work processes, and conventional equipment, work processes, etc. can be applied, resulting in lower costs.

[0019] The occupant overlapping portion 29 has a pair of upper and lower overlapping portions 31, 31 arranged in the up-down direction of the occupant-side base fabric 5, and a pair of left and right overlapping portions 33, 33 arranged in the left-right direction of the occupant-side base fabric 5. The pair of upper and lower overlapping portions 31, 31 are portions that deploy the occupant-side base fabric 5 on both sides in the height direction (towards the head and chest) of the occupant C when the airbag main body 3 is inflated and deployed. The pair of left and right overlapping portions 33, 33 are portions that deploy the occupant-side base fabric 5 on both sides in the shoulder width direction (towards the left and right arms) of the occupant C when the airbag main body 3 is inflated and deployed. The pair of upper and lower overlapping portions 31, 31 and the pair of left and right overlapping portions 33, 33 have an intermediate overlapping portion 35 that overlap each other. In this embodiment, the intermediate polymerization portion 35 is formed by first forming a pair of upper and lower overlapping portions 31, 31 and then forming a pair of left and right overlapping portions 33, 33, so that the pair of left and right overlapping portions 33, 33 are superimposed on the pair of upper and lower overlapping portions 31, 31. Therefore, when the airbag main body 3 inflates and deploys, the pair of left and right overlapping portions 33, 33 deploy first, thereby stabilizing the restraint of the occupant C in the shoulder width direction by the airbag main body 3. Note that the intermediate polymerization portion 35 may also be formed by superimposing the pair of upper and lower overlapping portions 31, 31 on the pair of left and right overlapping portions 33, 33. In this case, when the airbag main body 3 inflates and deploys, the pair of upper and lower overlapping portions 31, 31 deploy first, thereby stabilizing the restraint of the occupant C in the height direction by the airbag main body 3.

[0020] The method for folding such an airbag 1 involves first fixing the vehicle-side base fabric 7 in an unfolded state on a jig stand (not shown) with a fixing jig (not shown) such as tape, and then overlapping the occupant-side base fabric 5 on top of the vehicle-side base fabric 7 (first step). Next, a rectangular forming jig 37 is placed on top of the occupant-side base fabric 5, and the intermediate base fabric 9 is folded and overlapped on top of the occupant-side base fabric 5 (forming jig 37) (second step). In the second step, in this embodiment, first, the vertical portions of the intermediate base fabric 9 are folded and overlapped on top of the occupant-side base fabric 5. Next, the horizontal portions of the intermediate base fabric 9 are folded and overlapped on top of the occupant-side base fabric 5. Next, the fixing jig and forming jig 37 are removed, and the airbag main body 3 is brought into the temporary folded shape 23. Then, the airbag body 3 in the temporary folded shape 23 is placed in an automatic folding machine (not shown), and the outer peripheral edge 13 of the vehicle-side base fabric 7 is folded inward to form the airbag body 3 into the final folded shape 25, thereby completing the folding of the airbag body 3 (third step). The final folded shape 25 of the airbag body 3 is held by a belt-shaped holding member 39 that can be broken when the airbag body 3 is inflated and deployed.

[0021] Such an airbag 1 includes an airbag main body 3 that is placed in a folded state on a placement member P of the vehicle and inflates due to the inflow of gas to protect a vehicle occupant C. The airbag main body 3 has an occupant-side base cloth 5 that is placed on the occupant C side when inflated, a vehicle-side base cloth 7 that is placed on the placement member P side, and an intermediate base cloth 9 that connects outer peripheral edges 11, 13 of the occupant-side base cloth 5 and the vehicle-side base cloth 7. The occupant-side base cloth 5 has a vehicle overlapping portion 27 that is overlapped on the vehicle-side base cloth 7 when the airbag main body 3 is folded. The intermediate base cloth 9 has an occupant overlapping portion 29 that is overlapped on the side of the occupant-side base cloth 5 opposite to the vehicle-side base cloth 7 when the airbag main body 3 is folded.

[0022] Because the occupant-side base fabric 5 has the vehicle overlapping portion 27, when folding the airbag main body 3, the occupant-side base fabric 5 can be simply overlapped with the vehicle-side base fabric 7. This eliminates the need for complex folding of the occupant-side base fabric 5, simplifying the folding process. Furthermore, because the intermediate base fabric 9 has the occupant overlapping portion 29, when folding the airbag main body 3, the intermediate base fabric 9 can be simply overlapped with the occupant-side base fabric 5. This eliminates the need for complex folding of the intermediate base fabric 9, simplifying the folding process. In addition, when the vehicle overlapping portion 27 and the occupant overlapping portion 29 are formed in the airbag main body 3, the vehicle-side base fabric 7, the occupant-side base fabric 5, and the intermediate base fabric 9 are simply overlapped, thereby reducing the overall thickness of the airbag main body 3. This eliminates the need to design new equipment or work processes when folding the airbag main body 3 to be placed on the placement member P, and allows the use of existing equipment and work processes, thereby reducing costs.

[0023] Therefore, in such an airbag 1, the airbag body 3 can be folded easily.

[0024] Furthermore, the outer peripheral edge 11 of the occupant side base cloth 5 is disposed inside the outer peripheral edge 13 of the vehicle side base cloth 7 when the airbag body 3 is in a folded state.

[0025] Since the outer peripheral edge 11 of the occupant-side base fabric 5 is positioned inside the outer peripheral edge 13 of the vehicle-side base fabric 7, when the vehicle overlapping portion 27 is formed, the intermediate base fabric 9 can be positioned around the occupant-side base fabric 5 inside the outer peripheral edge 13 of the vehicle-side base fabric 7. This makes it easy to form the occupant overlapping portion 29 by overlapping the intermediate base fabric 9 on the occupant-side base fabric 5, and simplifies the folding operation.

[0026] Furthermore, when the airbag body 3 is folded, the occupant overlapping portion 29 has a pair of upper and lower overlapping portions 31, 31 arranged in the up-down direction of the occupant-side base fabric 5, and a pair of left and right overlapping portions 33, 33 arranged in the left-right direction of the occupant-side base fabric 5. The pair of upper and lower overlapping portions 31, 31 and the pair of left and right overlapping portions 33, 33 have an intermediate overlapping portion 35 that overlap each other when the airbag body 3 is folded.

[0027] In the intermediate polymerization portion 35, one of the pair of upper and lower polymerization portions 31, 31 and the pair of left and right polymerization portions 33, 33 is overlapped on the other. The upper intermediate polymerization portion 35 causes the occupant-side base fabric 5 to deploy first in the vertical or horizontal direction when the airbag main body 3 is inflated and deployed. Therefore, by selecting which side of the intermediate polymerization portion 35 is upper, it is possible to select the direction in which the airbag main body 3 wants to stabilize first when restraining the occupant C.

[0028] The folding method for such an airbag 1 includes an airbag body 3 having an occupant-side base fabric 5 arranged on the occupant C side of the vehicle, a vehicle-side base fabric 7 arranged on the arrangement member P side of the vehicle, and an intermediate base fabric 9 connecting outer peripheral edges 11, 13 of the occupant-side base fabric 5 and the vehicle-side base fabric 7. The folding method includes a first step of overlapping the occupant-side base fabric 5 over the vehicle-side base fabric 7, and a second step of folding and overlapping the intermediate base fabric 9 over the occupant-side base fabric 5.

[0029] In the first step, the occupant side base fabric 5 is simply overlapped over the vehicle side base fabric 7, so there is no need to fold the occupant side base fabric 5 in a complicated manner, and the folding work can be simplified. In the second step, the intermediate base fabric 9 is simply folded and overlapped over the occupant side base fabric 5, so there is no need to fold the intermediate base fabric 9 in a complicated manner, and the folding work can be simplified.

[0030] Therefore, in this method of folding the airbag 1, the folding of the airbag body 3 can be simplified.

[0031] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment.

[0032] For example, in the airbag according to this embodiment, the vehicle mounting member is the instrument panel, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the vehicle mounting member may be the steering wheel, and the airbag may be mounted on any mounting member.

[0033] Furthermore, although the occupant-side base fabric and the vehicle-side base fabric are formed in a circular shape, the occupant-side base fabric and the vehicle-side base fabric may be of any shape, such as a polygonal shape, and the shape of the intermediate base fabric may be set to match the shapes of the occupant-side base fabric and the vehicle-side base fabric. In addition, although there is one intermediate base fabric, the present invention is not limited to this, and there may be two or more intermediate base fabrics, resulting in a three-dimensional airbag body.

[0034] Furthermore, although an automatic folding machine is used to change the airbag body from the provisionally folded shape to the final folded shape, this is not limiting, and for example, the airbag body may be changed from the provisionally folded shape to the final folded shape by a worker's own procedure. Even in this case, the provisionally folded shape of the airbag body is a simple folded shape, so the airbag body can be easily changed to the final folded shape.

[0035] Furthermore, the airbag folding method according to this embodiment includes the third step of changing the airbag body from the provisionally folded shape to the final folded shape, but is not limited to this. For example, when the airbag body is placed on the placement member in the provisionally folded shape, the final folded shape of the airbag body becomes the provisionally folded shape. In this case, the airbag folding method includes the second step of changing the airbag body to the provisionally folded shape. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1 airbag 3 Airbag body 5 Passenger side base fabric 7 Vehicle side base fabric 9 Intermediate base fabric 11 Outer edge 13 Outer rim 27 Vehicle Overlay Section 29 Crew Polymerization Section 31 Upper and lower overlapping parts 33 Left and right overlapping parts 35 Intermediate polymerization section C Crew P placement member

Claims

1. an airbag body that is arranged in a folded state on a placement member of the vehicle and that inflates with an inflow of gas to protect an occupant of the vehicle; The airbag body, in an inflated state, has an occupant-side base fabric arranged on the occupant side, a vehicle-side base fabric arranged on the arrangement member side, and an intermediate base fabric connecting outer peripheral edges of the occupant-side base fabric and the vehicle-side base fabric, The occupant side base fabric has a vehicle overlapping portion that is overlapped with the vehicle side base fabric when the airbag body is folded, The intermediate base fabric has an occupant overlapping portion that is overlapped with the occupant-side base fabric on the side opposite to the vehicle-side base fabric when the airbag body is folded.

2. The airbag according to claim 1, wherein an outer peripheral edge of the occupant-side base fabric is disposed inside an outer peripheral edge of the vehicle-side base fabric when the airbag body is folded.

3. The occupant overlapping portion has, when the airbag main body is folded, a pair of upper and lower overlapping portions arranged in the up and down direction of the occupant side base fabric and a pair of left and right overlapping portions arranged in the left and right direction of the occupant side base fabric, The airbag according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pair of upper and lower overlapping portions and the pair of left and right overlapping portions have an intermediate overlapping portion that overlaps with each other when the airbag body is folded.

4. An occupant side base fabric arranged on the occupant side of the vehicle, a vehicle side base fabric arranged on the arrangement member side of the vehicle, and an intermediate base fabric connecting the outer peripheral edges of the occupant side base fabric and the vehicle side base fabric; an airbag body having A first step of overlapping the occupant side base fabric on the vehicle side base fabric; A second step of folding and overlapping the intermediate base fabric with respect to the occupant side base fabric; A method for folding an airbag comprising the steps of:

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