Curtain airbag device

Abstract

To reduce labor in a step in which an inflator is inserted into an insertion port of an airbag.SOLUTION: A curtain airbag device for a movable body includes: an airbag which is supplied with an expansion gas from the inflator to inflate and deploy and has an insertion port into which the inflator is inserted; and a reinforcement part which reinforces the insertion port so as to maintain an opening state of the insertion port which is open in a cylindrical shape.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] With regard to a curtain airbag device for a moving body, Patent Document 1 discloses that an inflator is inserted into an insertion opening formed by the base fabric of the airbag. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-232664 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the process of inserting an inflator into an airbag, it is necessary to widen the insertion opening so that the inflator can be inserted, and then insert the inflator into the widened insertion opening, which results in a time-consuming insertion process. [Means for solving the problem]

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

[0006] (1) According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a curtain airbag device for a vehicle, the curtain airbag device including: an airbag that is inflated and deployed by being supplied with inflation gas from an inflator and has an insertion opening through which the inflator is inserted; and a reinforcing portion that reinforces the insertion opening so as to maintain the insertion opening in a cylindrically opened state. According to this aspect, the reinforcing portion maintains the open state, so that the labor required for the insertion step of inserting the inflator into the insertion opening can be reduced. (2) In the above embodiment, the reinforcing portion may be formed of a ring-shaped member, and at least a portion of the ring-shaped member may be disposed within the insertion opening. According to this embodiment, the ring-shaped member more appropriately maintains the open state, thereby effectively reducing the labor required for the insertion process. (3) In the above embodiment, the ring-shaped member may have a first ring-shaped portion and a second ring-shaped portion connected to the first ring-shaped portion in the axial direction of the ring-shaped member, the first ring-shaped portion being disposed inside the airbag through the insertion opening, and the second ring-shaped portion being disposed outside the airbag. According to this embodiment, the ring-shaped member can be easily inserted into the insertion opening by inserting the first ring-shaped portion into the airbag through the insertion opening while holding the second ring-shaped portion. Therefore, the process of inserting the ring-shaped member into the insertion opening can be simplified. (4) In the above embodiment, a recess may be provided on an outer surface of a side wall of the second ring-shaped portion. According to this embodiment, the recess can be used to grip the second ring-shaped portion in the step of inserting the ring-shaped member into the insertion opening, thereby improving workability. (5) In the above embodiment, the second ring-shaped portion may have a polygonal shape when viewed in the axial direction. This embodiment makes it easier to stably grip the second ring-shaped portion, thereby improving workability in the step of inserting the ring-shaped member into the insertion opening. (6) In the above embodiment, the ring-shaped member may have a ring shape with both ends. According to this embodiment, the ring-shaped member can be more easily placed in the insertion opening. (7) In the above embodiment, the reinforcing portion may be made up of a plurality of layers of fabric that are overlapped with each other. According to this embodiment, the reinforcing portion can be more easily formed. (8) In the above embodiment, the reinforcing portion may be provided at a mouth portion of the airbag that includes a tip end on the insertion opening side, and the number of layers of the base fabric at the mouth portion may be greater than the number of layers of the base fabric at a portion of the airbag other than the mouth portion. According to this embodiment, the insertion opening can be reinforced more effectively while the portion of the airbag other than the mouth portion can be configured to be more space-saving. (9) In the above embodiment, the reinforcing portion may include a layer of a base fabric made of recycled resin. According to this embodiment, the base fabric made of recycled resin can be effectively utilized. (10) In the above-described embodiment, the airbag may include a layer of a base fabric made of a cured resin. According to this embodiment, the reinforcing portion can be configured in a more space-saving manner. The present disclosure can be realized in various forms other than the above-described curtain airbag device, such as a manufacturing method for a curtain airbag device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram of a curtain airbag device for a moving body according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an inner tube. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the arrangement of an inner tube relative to a bag body. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the vicinity of a receiving portion in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the vicinity of a receiving portion in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a first perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a ring-shaped member. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a second perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the ring-shaped member. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart of a preliminary process. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart of an insertion process. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a receiving section in a second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is an explanatory view of an inner tube in a second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a receiving section in the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A. First embodiment: Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a curtain airbag device 100 for a moving body in a first embodiment. Fig. 1 shows the right curtain airbag device 100 of a pair of left and right curtain airbag devices 100 attached to a vehicle 200 as a moving body. "Left and right" in this embodiment means the left and right when the vehicle 200 is viewed from the rear side to the front side of the vehicle 200. The left and right direction in this embodiment corresponds to the vehicle width direction.

[0009] The curtain airbag device 100 includes an airbag 105, an inflator 130, and a reinforcing portion 160. The airbag 105 has a receiving portion 150 including an insertion opening 190. A tip portion 131 of the inflator 130 is inserted into the insertion opening 190.

[0010] When the curtain airbag device 100 is activated, the airbag 105 is inflated and deployed by being supplied with inflation gas from the inflator 130. The state in which the airbag 105 is deployed is also referred to as the deployed state. In the following, "when the curtain airbag device 100 is activated" will also be simply referred to as "activated." The airbag 105 is in a folded state when the curtain airbag device 100 is not activated and is normally not activated. The folded state means a state in which the airbag 105 is not deployed and is folded. FIG. 1 shows an airbag 105f in a folded state and an airbag 105t in a deployed state. Specifically, as indicated by arrow Af in FIG. 1, the airbag 105 is in a folded state by having a portion including the lower end rolled upward from the deployed state and having another portion including the upper end folded in a zigzag pattern.

[0011] The receiving portion 150 functions as an inlet for inflation gas to the airbag 105, and receives inflation gas from the inflator 130. In this embodiment, the receiving portion 150 is composed of a main body inlet portion 111, which will be described later, and a tube inlet portion 121. Hereinafter, the side of the airbag 105 closer to the insertion opening 190 will also be referred to as the "front side," and the side farther from the insertion opening 190 will also be referred to as the "rear side."

[0012] The airbag 105 in this embodiment includes a bag body 110 and an inner tube 120. The bag body 110 is a part that, upon activation, inflates and unfolds with supplied inflation gas to protect the protected object. The unfolded state in this embodiment corresponds to the unfolded state of the bag body 110. The folded state in this embodiment corresponds to the folded state of the bag body 110. The bag body 110 has a bag-like configuration with a substantially rectangular outer shape. In this embodiment, the bag body 110 is formed by a so-called one-piece woven method (OPW) and is configured as a one-piece bag body woven by an automatic loom. The bag body 110 is formed from a base fabric made of polyethylene terephthalate. Note that in other embodiments, the bag body 110 may be formed by a method other than OPW, for example, by layering and sewing multiple pieces of fabric together.

[0013] The bag body 110 has a main body inlet 111. The main body inlet 111 is a cylindrical portion that protrudes rearward and upward from the upper side of the bag body 110, which has a generally rectangular outer shape. The main body inlet 111 is a part of the bag body 110, and is configured by forming a portion of the fabric that makes up the bag body 110 into a cylindrical shape. A main body opening 112 is formed at the tip of the main body inlet 111. A tip end 131 of the inflator 130 is inserted into the main body opening 112. The "front side" described above corresponds to the side closer to the main body opening 112 within the bag body 110. Furthermore, the "rear side" corresponds to the side farther from the main body opening 112 within the bag body 110.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the vicinity of the main body inlet 111 of the bag main body 110. As shown in FIG. 2, a hole HL3 is provided at the tip of the main body inlet 111. The hole HL3 penetrates the tip of the main body inlet 111 in the thickness direction of the bag main body 110. At the tip of the main body inlet 111, two holes HL3 are provided so as to be continuous in the thickness direction of the bag main body 110. The bag main body 110 also has a fastening portion 159. The fastening portion 159 is provided near the main body inlet 111. When viewed along the thickness direction of the bag main body 110, the fastening portion 159 extends from the main body inlet 111 in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the main body inlet 111. A hole HL4 is provided in the fastening portion 159.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the inner tube 120. The inner tube 120 controls the flow of inflation gas in the airbag 105 near the receiving portion 150. The inner tube 120 is tubular and bifurcated along the way. The inner tube 120 has a tube inlet portion 121, a first outlet portion 122, and a second outlet portion 123. The first outlet portion 122 and the second outlet portion 123 are each portions that branch off from the tube inlet portion 121. A tube opening 129 is provided at the tip of the tube inlet portion 121. At least a portion of the inner tube 120 is disposed within the bag body 110. The arrangement of the inner tube 120 relative to the bag body 110 will be described in detail below.

[0016] In this embodiment, the inner tube 120 is formed from a base fabric made of polyethylene terephthalate. The inner tube 120 is formed by appropriately sewing together folded layers of the base fabric. When sewing the inner tube 120, first, the base fabric for forming the inner tube 120 is folded in two at the folded-back portion Fp shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the folded-back portion Fp forms the shoulder portion of the inner tube 120 where the base fabric is folded back. Next, the folded layers of the base fabric are sewn together to form each portion of the inner tube 120, such as the tube inlet portion 121, the first outlet portion 122, and the second outlet portion 123. As a result, the inner tube 120 has a substantially symmetrical shape when viewed from the first surface Sr1 side of the inner tube 120 and when viewed from the second surface Sr2 side opposite the first surface Sr1. FIG. 3 schematically shows the sewn portion Sw formed on the inner tube 120 by this sewing.

[0017] In this embodiment, the tube inlet section 121 has a collar portion 125 and an overlapping portion 127. The collar portion 125 is a collar-shaped portion provided at the tip of the tube inlet section 121. As shown in FIG. 3, the collar portion 125 is folded back toward the second outlet section 123. The folded collar portion 125 has a collar-like shape that covers the tip of the tube inlet section 121 and extends from the first surface Sr1 side to the second surface Sr2 side of the tube inlet section 121. In FIG. 3, the collar portion 125p in its unfolded state is schematically shown by a dashed line. The overlapping portion 127 is a portion where the folded collar portion 125 overlaps in the thickness direction of the inner tube 120. The overlapping portion 127 extends from the first surface Sr1 side to the second surface Sr2 side of the tube inlet section 121.

[0018] The collar portion 125 has a hole HL1 that penetrates the collar portion 125 in the thickness direction. The overlapping portion 127 has a hole HL2 that penetrates the overlapping portion 127 in the thickness direction of the inner tube 120. The hole HL1 of the folded collar portion 125 and the hole HL2 of the overlapping portion 127 are arranged so as to be continuous in the thickness direction of the inner tube 120. For convenience of illustration, FIG. 3 only shows the holes HL1 and HL2 provided on the first surface Sr1 side of the inner tube 120, but holes HL1 and HL2 are also provided on the second surface Sr2 side. In the curtain airbag device 100, the thickness direction of the inner tube 120 is the same as the thickness direction of the airbag 105 and the thickness direction of the bag main body 110.

[0019] Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of the inner tube 120 relative to the bag body 110. Fig. 4 shows the vicinity of the receiving portion 150 of the airbag 105. Fig. 4 shows the airbag 105 in a state in which the inflator 130 and a ring-shaped member 170 serving as a reinforcing portion 160, which will be described later, are not arranged.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the first outlet 122 and the second outlet 123 are disposed within the bag body 110. The tube inlet 121 is disposed so that the tip of the tube inlet 121 is positioned at approximately the same position as the tip of the main body inlet 111. In this embodiment, the tube inlet 121 is disposed so that the tip of the tube inlet 121 slightly protrudes outside the bag body 110 through the main body opening 112. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the overlapping portion 127 of the inner tube 120 is disposed within the main body inlet 111 so as to overlap the tip of the main body inlet 111. The collar 125 is folded back so as to overlap the tip of the main body inlet 111 and the overlapping portion 127 disposed within the main body inlet 111. When the collar 125 is folded back in this manner, the holes HL1, HL2, and HL3 are connected in the thickness direction of the airbag 105. Specifically, two holes HL1, two holes HL2, and two holes HL3 are connected in the thickness direction of the airbag 105.

[0021] 1 and 4, in this embodiment, the insertion opening 190 is formed by the main body opening 112 of the bag main body 110 and the tube opening 129 of the inner tube 120. With this configuration, in this embodiment, the tip end 131 of the inflator 130 is inserted into the tube opening 129, and thereby inserted into the main body opening 112. As a result, the tip end 131 is inserted into the insertion opening 190. The inflation gas ejected from the inflator 130 inserted into the insertion opening 190 is supplied into the bag main body 110 along the tube inlet portion 121, and then flows toward the back of the bag main body 110 along the first outlet portion 122 or the second outlet portion 123.

[0022] 1 has a function of inflating the bag body 110. The inflator 130 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The inflator 130 receives a signal from a control unit (not shown) of the vehicle 200 and ejects inflation gas from a tip end 131.

[0023] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the vicinity of the receiving portion 150 of the curtain airbag device 100. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, in this embodiment, the inflator 130 is fixed to the body 201 of the vehicle 200 using a bracket 141 and a bracket 142. Also, in this embodiment, the tip portion 131 of the inflator 130 is fixed to the airbag 105 by the bracket 141. The bracket 141 has a bracket main body 141a and a bundling portion 141b. The bundling portion 141b is configured as a band-shaped clamp member. The bundling portion 141b is wrapped around the outside of the receiving portion 150 to bundle and fix the main body inlet portion 111, the bracket main body 141a, the tube inlet portion 121, and the tip portion 131. The bundling portion 141b ensures airtightness between the inflator 130 and the airbag 105 to an extent that the airbag 105 can be appropriately inflated and deployed by inflation gas. Bracket body 141a is fixed to vehicle body 201 via fasteners (not shown) such as screws or bolts. Bracket 142 is configured similarly to bracket 141, and is fastened to a rear end portion of inflator 130 that is different from tip end portion 131, and is fixed to vehicle body 201 via fasteners.

[0024] Fig. 6 is a front view showing the vicinity of the receiving portion 150 of the curtain airbag device 100. Fig. 6 shows the receiving portion 150 in a state where the inflator 130 is not disposed.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, the insertion opening 190 is provided with a reinforcing portion 160. In this embodiment, the reinforcing portion 160 is configured by a ring-shaped member 170. The reinforcing portion 160 reinforces the insertion opening 190 so as to maintain the insertion opening 190 in an open state. The "open state" refers to a state in which the insertion opening 190 is open in a cylindrical shape. Specifically, the reinforcing portion 160 maintains the insertion opening 190 in an open state when the inflator 130 is not inserted into the insertion opening 190 and no external force is applied to the insertion opening 190. The term "cylindrical" includes various cylindrical shapes such as a cylindrical shape and a rectangular tube.

[0026] The size of the opening of the insertion opening 190, which is maintained in an open state by the reinforcing portion 160, is preferably large enough to allow the tip portion 131 of the inflator 130 to be smoothly inserted into the insertion opening 190. Specifically, for example, the diameter of the opening of the insertion opening 190, which is maintained in an open state by the reinforcing portion 160, is preferably equal to or larger than the maximum diameter d1 of the tip portion 131. The opening diameter of the insertion opening 190 refers to the diameter of the narrowest portion of the insertion opening 190 when viewed in the direction of the axis AX2. The "maximum diameter of the tip portion" refers to the diameter of the thickest portion of the tip portion 131 in the direction of the axis AX2.

[0027] Fig. 7 is a first perspective view showing a schematic configuration of ring-shaped member 170. Fig. 8 is a second perspective view showing a schematic configuration of ring-shaped member 170. Ring-shaped member 170 is made of olefin-based elastomer (TPO). In other embodiments, ring-shaped member 170 may be made of various materials other than TPO, such as various resin materials such as ABS resin or polypropylene (PP), or various metals.

[0028] In this embodiment, the ring-shaped member 170 has a first ring-shaped portion 171 and a second ring-shaped portion 172 in the axial AX1 direction of the ring-shaped member 170. The second ring-shaped portion 172 is connected to the first ring-shaped portion 171 in the axial AX1 direction. At least a portion of the ring-shaped member 170 is disposed within the insertion opening 190. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6 , the first ring-shaped portion 171 is disposed within the airbag 105 through the insertion opening 190. More specifically, the first ring-shaped portion 171 is disposed within the inner tube 120 in the bag main body 110 through the main body opening 112 and the tube opening 129. The second ring-shaped portion 172 is disposed outside the airbag 105. That is, the ring-shaped member 170 is disposed such that a tip end of the second ring-shaped portion 172 protrudes outside the airbag 105 through the insertion opening 190.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 , in this embodiment, the ring-shaped member 170 is ring-shaped with both ends. Specifically, when viewed along the axis AX1, the ring-shaped member 170 is not a complete ring but is C-shaped. That is, when viewed along the axis AX1, the ring-shaped member 170 has two ends 170a, and the ring-shaped member 170 is discontinued at each end 170a. Thus, in this disclosure, the term “ring-shaped” includes not only a continuous annular shape but also a ring-shaped shape with both ends. The term “ring-shaped with both ends” includes a ring-shaped shape with both ends extending in the same direction (e.g., a semicircular shape), a ring-shaped shape in which one end intersects with the other end when extended, and a ring-shaped shape in which each end intersects with the other end when extended. In this embodiment, the ends 170a are arranged so that the end faces of the ends 170a face each other.

[0030] In this embodiment, the second ring-shaped portion 172 has a polygonal outer shape when viewed in the direction of the axis AX1. Specifically, the second ring-shaped portion 172 has an octagonal outer shape when viewed in the direction of the axis AX1. In addition, in this embodiment, the maximum diameter of the outer shape of the second ring-shaped portion 172 is larger than the maximum diameter of the outer shape of the first ring-shaped portion 171.

[0031] In this embodiment, a recess 174 is provided on the outer surface of the side wall 173 of the second ring-shaped portion 172. The "recess" is a portion of the outer surface of the side wall 173 that is recessed inward toward the axis AX1 side, and includes a recess with a bottom and a recess without a bottom. The "recess without a bottom" corresponds to a through-hole that penetrates the side wall 173 in the thickness direction of the side wall 173. The recess 174 is configured as a through-hole.

[0032] In this embodiment, six recesses 174 are provided on the outer surface of the side wall 173. The recesses 174 are arranged so that one recess 174 faces the other recess 174. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the side wall 173 has side walls 173a, 173b, 173c, 173d, 173e, 173f, and 173g corresponding to the seven sides of the octagonal outer shape. One recess 174 is provided on each of the side walls 173a to 173f. The side walls 173a and 173d each have an end 170a. The side wall 173b is adjacent to the side wall 173a. The side wall 173c is adjacent to the side wall 173b and faces the side wall 173d. The side wall 173e is adjacent to the side wall 173d and faces the side wall 173c. Side wall 173f is adjacent to side wall 173e and faces side wall 173a. Of the seven side walls, side wall 173g is located farthest from the two end portions 170a and faces side walls 173c and 173f. Side wall 173g can also be said to be positioned so as to face the discontinued portion of the side wall of second ring-shaped portion 172. Note that for convenience of illustration, only some of the six recesses 174 are shown in each of FIGS. 5 to 7.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 , the ring-shaped member 170 in this embodiment has a protrusion 179. Note that FIG. 5 shows a stopper 178 in which the protrusion 179 is deformed into a stopper shape. The protrusion 179 is provided on the outer surface of the side wall of the ring-shaped member 170 and protrudes outward from the ring-shaped member 170, i.e., toward the side opposite the axis AX1. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , in this embodiment, two protrusions 179 are provided on the side wall of the first ring-shaped portion 171. The protrusions 179 are provided at positions corresponding to the side walls 173b and 173e, respectively, and protrude in opposite directions. The protrusions 179 are used to connect the ring-shaped member 170 to the bag body 110 and the inner tube 120. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6 , the protrusions 179 are inserted through holes HL1, HL2, and HL3, thereby connecting the ring-shaped member 170 to the bag body 110 and the inner tube 120. 6, the fastening portion 159 of the bag body 110 is further fastened to one of the protrusions 179. Specifically, in addition to holes HL1, HL2, and HL3, hole HL4 of the fastening portion 159 is also inserted into one of the protrusions 179. The fastening portion 159 is folded back so as to cover the collar portion 125 that overlaps the tip of the main body inlet 111, and fastened to the protrusion 179. Thereafter, the protrusion 179 is deformed into a plug shape by, for example, frictional heat due to vibration or heat from a heater, thereby forming the plug portion 178 shown in FIG. 5. The plug portion 178 connects the bag body 110 and the inner tube 120 together to the ring-shaped member 170 and prevents the ring-shaped member 170 from coming off the bag body 110 and the inner tube 120.

[0034] 9 is a flowchart of the preliminary step. The preliminary step is a step for arranging the ring-shaped member 170 as the reinforcing portion 160. The preliminary step is performed prior to the insertion step. The insertion step is a step for inserting the inflator 130 into the insertion opening 190. The preliminary step and the insertion step each correspond to at least a part of the manufacturing method for the curtain airbag device 100 in this embodiment. The insertion step will be described in detail later.

[0035] In step S100, the bag body 110, the inner tube 120, and the ring-shaped member 170 are prepared. In step S110, the inner tube 120 is inserted into the bag body 110. Specifically, in step S110, the inner tube 120 is inserted into the bag body 110 so that the first outlet portion 122 and the second outlet portion 123 are disposed within the bag body 110 and the collar portion 125p protrudes outside the bag body 110 through the body opening 112. In step S120, the collar portion 125 is folded back as shown in FIG. 4. By performing steps S110 and S120, the inner tube 120 is set in the bag body 110, and the body opening 112 and the tube opening 129 form an insertion opening 190.

[0036] In step S130, the ring-shaped member 170 is inserted into the insertion opening 190. Specifically, the first ring-shaped portion 171 of the ring-shaped member 170 is inserted into the tube opening 129 of the inner tube 120, and the protrusions 179 are inserted into the holes HL1, HL2, and HL3, causing the protrusions 179 to protrude from the inside to the outside of the airbag 105 through the holes HL1, HL2, and HL3. The step of inserting the ring-shaped member 170 into the insertion opening 190, as in step S130, is also referred to as a preliminary insertion step.

[0037] In step S140, fastening portion 159 is fastened to protrusion 179. Specifically, in step S140, fastening portion 159 is folded back so as to cover collar portion 125, as shown in Fig. 6, and protrusion 179 is inserted into hole HL4 provided in fastening portion 159. Thereafter, protrusion 179 is deformed to form plug portion 178, as described above.

[0038] 10 is a flowchart of the insertion process. In step S200, the airbag 105 in an open state, the inflator 130, and the brackets 141 and 142 are prepared. Specifically, in step S200 in this embodiment, the airbag 105 prepared is the airbag 105 in a state in which step S130 in FIG. 9 has been completed. In step S210, the inflator 130 is inserted into the insertion opening 190 reinforced by the ring-shaped member 170 serving as the reinforcing portion 160. Thereafter, the brackets 141 and 142 are fastened to the inflator 130.

[0039] According to the curtain airbag device 100 of the present embodiment described above, the insertion opening 190 is reinforced by the reinforcing portion 160 so as to maintain the open state, thereby reducing the amount of work required in the insertion process. For example, when the insertion process is performed manually in another embodiment in which the reinforcing portion 160 is not provided, it is necessary to widen the insertion opening 190 and insert the inflator 130, which is a relatively heavy member, into the widened insertion opening 190. Furthermore, when the insertion process is performed without the intervention of an operator in another embodiment in which the reinforcing portion 160 is not provided, it is necessary to widen the insertion opening 190 using a device such as a robot or a work machine, which requires relatively complex operational control. In contrast, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10 , in the insertion process, it is sufficient to simply insert the inflator 130 into the insertion opening 190 reinforced by the reinforcing portion 160. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount of work required in the insertion process in both the case in which the insertion process is performed manually and the case in which the insertion process is performed without the intervention of an operator.

[0040] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the reinforcing portion 160 is configured by a ring-shaped member 170 at least a portion of which is arranged inside the insertion opening 190. In this way, the open state is more appropriately maintained by the ring-shaped member 170 serving as the reinforcing portion 160. Specifically, for example, compared to when the ring-shaped member 170 is arranged outside the insertion opening 190 so as to surround the periphery of the insertion opening 190, the closure of the insertion opening 190 is more easily restricted by the ring-shaped member 170. This effectively reduces the effort required in the insertion process.

[0041] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first ring-shaped portion 171 of the ring-shaped member 170 is disposed inside the airbag 105 via the insertion opening 190, and the second ring-shaped portion 172 is disposed outside the airbag 105. In this manner, the ring-shaped member 170 can be easily inserted into the airbag 105 by inserting the first ring-shaped portion 171 into the airbag 105 through the insertion opening 190 while holding the second ring-shaped portion 172. This simplifies the preliminary insertion step. In particular, in this embodiment, the maximum diameter of the outer shape of the second ring-shaped portion 172 is larger than the maximum diameter of the outer shape of the first ring-shaped portion 171, so that only the first ring-shaped portion 171 can be easily inserted into the airbag 105.

[0042] Furthermore, in this embodiment, recesses 174 are provided on the outer surface of the side wall 173 of the second ring-shaped portion 172, and thus the second ring-shaped portion 172 can be grasped using the recesses 174 in the preliminary insertion step. For example, the second ring-shaped portion 172 can be grasped by hooking the fingers of an operator into the recesses 174, or by hooking the tip of an end effector of a robot into the recesses 174. This improves the workability in the preliminary insertion step. In particular, in this embodiment, one recess 174 and another recess 174 are provided opposite each other, and thus the second ring-shaped portion 172 can be easily pinched and grasped from the outside using each recess 174. This further improves the workability in the preliminary insertion step.

[0043] In this embodiment, the second ring-shaped portion 172 has a polygonal outer shape when viewed in the direction of the axis AX1. This makes it easier to hold the second ring-shaped portion 172 stably than when the outer shape of the second ring-shaped portion 172 is a curved shape such as a circle or an ellipse. As a result, the workability of the preliminary insertion step can be improved.

[0044] In this embodiment, the ring-shaped member 170 has a ring shape with both ends. This allows the ring-shaped member 170 to be inserted into the insertion opening 190 while being temporarily deformed so that the ends 170a of the ring-shaped member 170 approach each other during the preliminary insertion step. Therefore, compared to a ring-shaped member 170 that has no ends, the ring-shaped member 170 can be more easily positioned in the insertion opening 190. After the tip end 131 of the inflator 130 is inserted into the insertion opening 190, a pin for filling the inflator 130 with inflation gas can be easily inserted into the insertion opening 190 through the gap between the ends 170a. Therefore, even if a filling opening for filling inflation gas is provided in the tip end 131, the inflator 130 inserted into the insertion opening 190 can be easily filled with inflation gas.

[0045] B. Second embodiment: FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a receiving portion 150b in the second embodiment. Unlike the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, a ring-shaped member 170 is not provided at the insertion opening 190 of the receiving portion 150b. Furthermore, the reinforcing portion 160b is not formed by the ring-shaped member 170, but is formed by a plurality of overlapping layers of base fabric. Hereinafter, the base fabric layers will also be referred to as base fabric layers. The configuration of the curtain airbag device 100 in the second embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment unless otherwise described.

[0046] The reinforcing portion 160b is provided at the mouth 106 of the airbag 105b. The mouth 106 is a portion of the airbag 105b that includes the tip on the insertion opening 190 side. In this embodiment, the mouth 106 is composed of a main body tip portion 113 of the bag main body 110 and a tube tip portion 126 of the inner tube 120b. The main body tip portion 113 is a portion of the receiving portion 150 of the bag main body 110 that includes the tip on the main body opening 112 side. The tube tip portion 126 is a portion of the tube inlet portion 121b that includes the tip on the tube opening 129 side. In FIG. 11, the area where the reinforcing portion 160b is provided is schematically shown by hatching.

[0047] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the inner tube 120b in the second embodiment. FIG. 12 shows the inner tube 120b and the unsewn inner tube 120bp. The unsewn inner tube 120bp is configured as a base fabric for forming the inner tube 120b. As shown in the lower part of FIG. 12, at the tube tip portion 126, a reinforcing layer 161 is disposed on top of the base fabric layer that forms the entire inner tube 120b. The reinforcing layer 161 includes one or more base fabric layers. In this embodiment, the reinforcing layer 161 is sewn to the base fabric of the tube tip portion 126 and disposed inside the tube tip portion 126. Here, "inside" means the inside in the radial direction of the tube tip portion 126.

[0048] The process of forming the reinforcing layer 161 in this embodiment will be described below. The process of forming the reinforcing layer 161 corresponds to at least a part of the manufacturing method of the curtain airbag device 100 in the second embodiment. In the process of forming the reinforcing layer 161, first, as shown in the upper part of FIG. 12 , one or more reinforcing base fabrics 161p for forming the reinforcing layer 161 are overlapped on the tip forming portion 126p. The tip forming portion 126p is a portion of the unsewn inner tube 120bp that forms the tube tip portion 126 of the inner tube 120b. Next, the reinforcing base fabric 161p overlapped on the tip forming portion 126p is sewn to the tip forming portion 126p. Thereafter, the unsewn inner tube 120bp to which the reinforcing base fabric 161p is sewn is folded in two at the folded-back portion Fp, and the base fabric layers of the folded unsewn inner tube 120bp are sewn together. As a result, the inner tube 120b is formed with the reinforcing layer 161 sewn to the inside of the tube tip portion 126. In FIG. 12, the area where the reinforcing layer 161 is provided and the area where the reinforcing base fabric 161p is provided are each indicated by hatching.

[0049] In this embodiment, the reinforcing base fabric 161p is made of recycled base fabric. As a result, the reinforcing layer 161 and the reinforcing portion 160b in this embodiment include a recycled base fabric layer, which is a layer of recycled base fabric. The recycled base fabric is a base fabric formed from fibrous recycled resin. Specifically, the recycled base fabric is formed by weaving fibrous recycled resin. The recycled resin is a recycled resin material. The recycled resin may be prepared, for example, by reusing a resin base fabric, or by reusing various resin products such as containers.

[0050] In this embodiment, the number of fabric layers in the mouth portion 106 shown in Fig. 11 is greater than the number of fabric layers in a portion of the airbag 105 other than the mouth portion 106. Specifically, the mouth portion 106 includes a fabric layer that forms the entire bag body 110, a fabric layer that forms the entire inner tube 120, and a reinforcing layer 161. On the other hand, for example, the base portion 107 shown in Fig. 11 does not include the reinforcing layer 161. The base portion 107 is a portion of the airbag 105 other than the mouth portion 106, and is a portion that does not include the tip of the airbag 105 on the insertion opening 190 side. As a result, the number of fabric layers in the mouth portion 106 is greater than the number of fabric layers in the base portion 107.

[0051] According to the curtain airbag device 100 in the second embodiment described above, the reinforcing portion 160b is made up of a plurality of overlapping fabric layers, which makes it possible to more simply configure the reinforcing portion 160b.

[0052] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the number of fabric layers in the reinforcing portion 160b is greater than the number of fabric layers in the base portion 107. Therefore, the reinforcing portion 160b can more effectively reinforce the insertion opening 190 while preventing an increase in the thickness of the base portion 107. Furthermore, a decrease in the flexibility of the base portion 107 due to an increase in the thickness of the base portion 107 can be prevented. As a result, for example, compared to a configuration in which the number of fabric layers in the base portion 107 is equal to or greater than the number of fabric layers in the reinforcing portion 160b, the airbag 105 can be inflated and deployed more smoothly, improving the storability of the airbag 105 in the folded state. Furthermore, compared to a configuration in which the number of fabric layers in the base portion 107 is equal to or greater than the number of fabric layers in the reinforcing portion 160b, the amount of fabric can be saved.

[0053] In this embodiment, the reinforcing portion 160b includes a recycled fabric layer. The durability of the recycled fabric formed from recycled resin may be lower than that of a non-recycled fabric, which is a fabric not made from recycled resin, due to denaturation or impurities that may occur when the resin material is recycled. In this embodiment, the recycled fabric is used as the reinforcing portion 160b, which does not directly affect the protective performance of the airbag 105, and therefore the recycled fabric can be effectively used.

[0054] C. Third embodiment: FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a receiving portion 150c in the third embodiment. Unlike the first and second embodiments, in the third embodiment, the reinforcing portion 160c includes a hardened base fabric layer. The hardened base fabric layer is a layer of hardened resinous base fabric. In this embodiment, the reinforcing portion 160c is provided in the mouth portion 106c of the airbag 105c, as in the second embodiment. However, unlike the second embodiment, the reinforcing layer 161 is not arranged in the mouth portion 106c in this embodiment. Of the configuration of the curtain airbag device 100 in the third embodiment, points that are not particularly described are the same as those in the second embodiment.

[0055] FIG. 13 shows the receiving portion 150c as well as the receiving portion 150cp in a state where the reinforcing portion 160c is not provided. The receiving portion 150cp includes the mouth portion 106cp in a state where the reinforcing portion 160c is not provided. In this embodiment, the reinforcing portion 160c is formed by heating the mouth portion 106cp. Specifically, while the insertion opening 190 is kept in a cylindrical open state, the base fabric of the mouth portion 106cp is hardened by heat Ht, thereby forming the mouth portion 106c provided with the reinforcing portion 160c including the hardened base fabric layer. Note that in FIG. 13, the area where the reinforcing portion 160c is provided is schematically indicated by hatching.

[0056] In addition, in the mouth portion 106c, for example, only one of the main body tip portion 113 and the tube tip portion 126 may be hardened, or both the main body tip portion 113 and the tube tip portion 126 may be hardened. In other words, the "hardened resinous base fabric layer" may include, for example, a layer formed by hardening the base fabric layer of the bag main body 110, or may include a layer formed by hardening the base fabric layer of the inner tube 120. In other embodiments, the hardened base fabric layer may be formed by hardening the base fabric of the mouth portion 106cp with ultraviolet light, for example.

[0057] According to the curtain airbag device 100 of the third embodiment described above, the reinforcing portion 160 includes a hardened base fabric layer. By providing the hardened base fabric layer in this way, the reinforcing portion 160c can be configured in a more space-saving manner. Furthermore, the reinforcing portion 160c can be configured without using the ring-shaped member 170 and while saving on base fabric.

[0058] D. Other Embodiments: (D1) In the first embodiment, a portion of the ring-shaped member 170 is disposed within the airbag 105 via the insertion opening 190, but this is not limited to this. For example, the entire ring-shaped member 170 may be disposed within the airbag 105. Also, the entire ring-shaped member 170 may be disposed within the insertion opening 190. Also, the ring-shaped member 170 may be disposed on the outside of the tip of the receiving portion 150 so as to surround the periphery of the insertion opening 190.

[0059] (D2) In the first embodiment, the recess 174 is provided on the outer surface of the side wall 173 of the second ring-shaped portion 172, but the recess 174 does not have to be provided.

[0060] (D3) In the first embodiment, the second ring-shaped portion 172 has a polygonal outer shape when viewed in the direction of the axis AX1, but this is not limiting. The second ring-shaped portion 172 may have an outer shape of various shapes when viewed in the direction of the axis AX1, such as a circle, an ellipse, a semicircle, or a shape that combines a straight line and a curved line, as long as it is annular as a whole.

[0061] (D4) In the first embodiment, the ring-shaped member 170 has a ring shape with both ends. In contrast to this, the ring-shaped member 170 may have, for example, a continuous ring shape without both ends.

[0062] (D5) In the second embodiment, the reinforcing layer 161 is provided at the tube tip portion 126 of the inner tube 120b. However, the reinforcing layer 161 does not have to be provided at the tube tip portion 126, and may be provided at, for example, the main body tip portion 113 of the bag body 110. Specifically, for example, the reinforcing layer 161 may be sewn to the main body tip portion 113. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the reinforcing layer 161 does not have to be provided, and for example, the reinforcing portion 160b may be formed by a single fabric layer that forms the main body tip portion 113 and a single fabric layer that forms the tube tip portion 126. Even in this case, the reinforcing portion 160b can be formed by a plurality of fabric layers that overlap each other.

[0063] (D6) In the second embodiment, the multiple fabric layers in the reinforcing portion 160b are each made of a different fabric. However, this is not limiting, and at least some of the multiple fabric layers in the reinforcing portion 160b may be made by, for example, folding a single fabric.

[0064] (D7) In the second embodiment, the reinforcing portion 160b does not have to include a recycled fabric layer.

[0065] (D8) In the third embodiment, the reinforcing portion 160c may include a recycled fabric layer. Alternatively, the reinforcing portion 160c may include multiple fabric layers.

[0066] (D9) In each of the above embodiments, the insertion opening 190 is formed by the main body opening 112 and the tube opening 129. In contrast, the insertion opening 190 does not have to be formed by the main body opening 112 and the tube opening 129, and may be formed by only one of the main body opening 112 and the tube opening 129, for example. When the insertion opening 190 is formed by only the main body opening 112, the airbag 105 does not need to have an inner tube 120.

[0067] (D10) The reinforcing portion may be formed, for example, by a single base fabric layer. For example, when the insertion opening 190 is formed only by the main body opening 112 as described above, the main body tip portion 113 may be formed to include a single base fabric layer as a base fabric layer, and the single base fabric layer of the main body tip portion 113 may function as the reinforcing portion. In this case, the single base fabric layer may be a recycled base fabric layer. Furthermore, it is preferable that the main body tip portion 113 is formed from a recycled base fabric, and the portion of the bag body 110 different from the main body tip portion 113 is formed from a non-recycled base fabric. The recycled base fabric forming the main body tip portion 113 and the non-recycled base fabric forming the portion different from the main body tip portion 113 are joined to each other by, for example, sewing or welding. In this way, the recycled base fabric can be effectively used, substantially as in the second embodiment. Furthermore, for example, when the insertion opening 190 is formed only by the tube opening 129, the tube tip portion 126 may be formed to include a single fabric layer as a fabric layer, and the single fabric layer of the tube tip portion 126 may function as a reinforcing portion. In this case, the single fabric layer may be a recycled fabric layer, similar to the case of the bag body 110 described above.

[0068] (D11) In the above embodiments, the vehicle 200 is shown as an example of a moving body. However, the moving body is not limited to the vehicle 200 and may be various moving bodies. For example, the moving body may be various moving bodies on which a passenger can board, such as a ship, an airplane, a spaceship, or a so-called flying car.

[0069] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be realized in various configurations without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the technical features in the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each aspect described in the Summary of the Invention section can be appropriately replaced or combined to solve some or all of the above-described problems or achieve some or all of the above-described effects. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 100...curtain airbag device, 105, 105b, 105c...airbag, 105f...folded airbag, 105t...deployed airbag, 106, 106c, 106cp...mouth portion, 107...base portion, 110...bag body, 111...main body inlet portion, 112...main body opening, 113...main body tip portion, 120, 120b...inner tube, 120bp...inner tube before sewing, 121, 121b...tube inlet portion, 122...first outlet portion, 123...second outlet portion, 125, 125p...collar-shaped portion, 126...tube tip portion, 126p...tip forming portion, 127...overlap portion, 129...tube opening, 130... inflator, 131... tip portion, 141... bracket, 141a... bracket body, 141b... binding portion, 142... bracket, 150, 150b, 150c, 150cp... receiving portion, 159... fastening portion, 160, 160b, 160c... reinforcing portion, 161... reinforcing layer, 161p... reinforcing base fabric, 170... ring-shaped member, 170a... end portion, 171... first ring-shaped portion, 172... second ring-shaped portion, 173, 173a, 173b, 173c, 173d, 173e, 173f, 173g... side wall, 174... recess, 178... plug portion, 179... protrusion, 190... insertion port, 200... vehicle, 201... vehicle body

Claims

1. A curtain airbag device for a vehicle, an airbag that is inflated and deployed by being supplied with inflation gas from an inflator, the airbag having an insertion opening into which the inflator is inserted; a reinforcing portion that reinforces the insertion opening so as to maintain the insertion opening in a cylindrically opened state.

2. The curtain airbag device according to claim 1, the reinforcing portion is constituted by a ring-shaped member, At least a portion of the ring-shaped member is disposed within the insertion opening.

3. The curtain airbag device according to claim 2, the ring-shaped member has a first ring-shaped portion and a second ring-shaped portion connected to the first ring-shaped portion in an axial direction of the ring-shaped member, the first ring-shaped portion is disposed in the airbag through the insertion opening, A curtain airbag device, wherein the second ring-shaped portion is disposed outside the airbag.

4. The curtain airbag device according to claim 3, The curtain airbag device further comprises a recess provided on an outer surface of the side wall of the second ring-shaped portion.

5. The curtain airbag device according to claim 3, The curtain airbag device, wherein the second ring-shaped portion has a polygonal outer shape when viewed in the axial direction.

6. The curtain airbag device according to claim 2, The curtain airbag device, wherein the ring-shaped member has a ring shape with two ends.

7. The curtain airbag device according to claim 1, The reinforcing portion is formed by a plurality of layers of base fabric overlapping each other.

8. The curtain airbag device according to claim 7, The reinforcing portion is provided at an opening portion of the airbag including a tip end on the insertion opening side, A curtain airbag device, wherein the number of layers of the base fabric at the mouth portion is greater than the number of layers of the base fabric at a portion of the airbag other than the mouth portion.

9. The curtain airbag device according to claim 1 or 7, The curtain airbag device, wherein the reinforcing portion includes a layer of base fabric formed from recycled resin.

10. The curtain airbag device according to claim 1, The reinforcing portion includes a layer of base fabric made of hardened resin.

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