Airbag system

Abstract

The present invention provides an airbag device that can reduce the load on the actuator from the connecting member when the airbag inflates while the actuator is not operating. [Solution] The airbag device 10 includes an actuator 70 that controls the inflation state of the airbag 50 by switching between holding and releasing the other end 55b of a connecting belt 55, one end 55a of which is connected to the airbag 50, and a bracket 80 that holds the actuator 70 and fixes the actuator 70 to the case 15. The actuator 70 includes a squib 71, a cap 73 that holds the other end 55b of the connecting belt 55, and a housing 72 that locks the cap 73. The bracket 80 includes a belt hanger portion 80b3 that contacts the middle portion 55c of the connecting belt 55 when the squib 71 is not operating, and supports the connecting belt 55 while bending it.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an airbag device that receives and protects an occupant using an airbag.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in an airbag device, as described in Patent Document 1, there is a configuration including an actuator that holds the other end of a connecting member having one end connected to an airbag and releases the holding of the other end by operating. This actuator switches the presence or absence of the tension of the connecting member acting on the airbag by switching between holding and releasing the connecting member as described above, thereby controlling the inflated state of the airbag.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the configuration of Patent Document 1, the intermediate portion between the one end connected to the airbag and the other end held by the actuator in the connecting member is not in contact with other members. Therefore, when the airbag inflates while the actuator is not operating, the tension of the connecting member directly acts on the actuator. In such a configuration, when the gas output of the inflater that supplies inflation gas to the airbag is large, an excessive load is applied to the actuator, causing the actuator to deform and the holding state of the connecting member to be unintentionally released. Therefore, there are restrictions on the selection of the inflater.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide an airbag device that can reduce the load on the actuator from the connecting member when the airbag inflates while the actuator is not operating. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A typical configuration of an airbag device according to the present invention for solving the above problems is an airbag device mounted in a vehicle, comprising: an airbag that is folded and stored, inflated by the supply of inflation gas to catch the occupants of the vehicle; an inflator that releases the inflation gas supplied to the airbag; a connecting member with one end connected to the airbag; and an actuator that controls the inflation state of the airbag by switching between holding and releasing the other end of the connecting member, comprising a squib, a cap positioned opposite the squib and holding the other end of the connecting member, and The present invention relates to an actuator comprising: a housing that locks a cap to maintain the state in which the cap holds the other end, wherein the locking between the cap and the locking portion is released by gas generated when the squib is activated, thereby releasing the other end from being held by the cap; and a bracket that holds the actuator and fixes the actuator to the vehicle including the airbag device, wherein the bracket is characterized in that, when the squib is not activated, it has a support portion that contacts the intermediate portion between the one end and the other end of the connecting member and supports the connecting member while bending it.

[0007] According to the present invention, in an airbag system, the load on the actuator from the connecting member can be reduced when the airbag inflates while the actuator is not operating. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view of the instrument panel. [Figure 2]This is a view of the area around the passenger seat of the vehicle, seen from the left side. [Figure 3] This is a view from the left side of the area around the passenger seat with the airbag fully inflated. [Figure 4] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of an airbag system. [Figure 5] This is a schematic perspective view of the area around the airbag flap. [Figure 6] This is a schematic perspective view of the actuator. [Figure 7] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the actuator. [Figure 8] This is a schematic perspective view of the actuator and bracket. [Figure 9] This is a schematic perspective view of the case. [Figure 10] This is a schematic perspective view of the area around the actuator in the case. [Figure 11] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the area around the actuator when the airbag inflates while the actuator is not activated. [Figure 12] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the area around the actuator when the actuator is activated and the airbag inflates. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The following description of an airbag device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be made with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensions, materials, shapes, etc., of the components described below are not intended to limit the scope of this invention to those unless otherwise specified.

[0010] Furthermore, in the following explanation, unless otherwise specified, the left-right direction refers to the left and right directions as seen from the perspective of occupant M seated in passenger seat 3 of vehicle 1, and the front-rear direction refers to the front and rear directions as seen from the perspective of occupant M seated in passenger seat 3. The up-down direction refers to the vertical upward and downward directions.

[0011] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of the instrument panel 2 (hereinafter referred to as "instrument panel 2") of vehicle 1. Figure 2 is a view of the area around the passenger seat 3 of vehicle 1 from the left side, showing the instrument panel 2 and airbag device 10 in cross-section cut along the A1-A1 section shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a view of the area around the passenger seat 3 from the left side when the airbag 50 has finished inflating, showing the instrument panel 2 and airbag device 10 in cross-section cut along the A1-A1 section shown in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the airbag device 10. Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of the area around the flap 51 of the airbag 50.

[0012] The airbag system 10 of this embodiment is installed in a vehicle 1 and protects an occupant M seated in the passenger seat 3 of the vehicle 1 by receiving the airbag 50. As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the airbag 50 of the airbag system 10 is installed on the instrument panel 2 located in front of the passenger seat 3 of the vehicle 1. The instrument panel 2 has a driver's side section 2a located in front of the driver's seat (not shown), a passenger side section 2b located in front of the passenger seat 3, and a central section 2c in front of the center console located between the driver's seat and the passenger seat 3. The airbag 50 is installed on the passenger side section 2b.

[0013] The airbag device 10 includes an airbag 50, an inflator 14 that supplies inflation gas to the airbag 50, a case 15 that holds the airbag 50 and the inflator 14, an actuator 70 that controls the exhaust of inflation gas from the airbag 50, and an airbag cover 20 that covers the airbag 50 when folded. The airbag device 10 also includes a control device 18 that controls the operation of the inflator 14 and the actuator 70, an acceleration sensor 19, and a weight sensor 25.

[0014] The acceleration sensor 19 is mounted at a predetermined position on the body of the vehicle 1 and detects the impact caused by a collision or other event involving the vehicle 1 as acceleration. The weight sensor 25 (weight detection unit) is mounted on the passenger seat 3 and detects the weight of the occupant M sitting in the passenger seat 3.

[0015] The control device 18 (control unit) is composed of a CPU, a memory, etc., and is attached to a predetermined position of the body of the vehicle 1. It is electrically connected to the acceleration sensor 19, the weight sensor 25, the inflator 14, and the actuator 70 by cables not shown in the figure. The control device 18 transmits an operation signal for operating the inflator 14 to the inflator 14 according to the detection result of the acceleration sensor 19. Further, the control device 18 transmits an operation signal for operating the squib 71 (Fig. 7) of the actuator 70 to the squib 71 according to the detection result of the weight sensor 25.

[0016] The inflator 14 is a substantially cylindrical member that generates and discharges inflation gas. The inflator 14 has an outlet 14a for discharging the inflation gas at the upper part, and the part where the outlet 14a is formed is arranged inside the airbag 50. Further, as a part connected to the case 15, the inflator 14 includes a flange portion 14b that extends in the radial direction of the cylindrical shape from the surface where the outlet 14a is formed. The inflator 14 operates to generate inflation gas when an operation signal is input from the control device 18.

[0017] The airbag 50 is a bag-shaped member formed of a flexible woven fabric such as a polyester yarn, and is stored inside the passenger seat side portion 2b of the instrument panel 2 in a folded state. The lower surface of the airbag 50 in the folded state has an opening (not shown) for inserting the part where the outlet 14a of the inflator 14 is formed. Further, inside the airbag 50, a retainer 12 for fixing the airbag 50 and the inflator 14 to the case 15 is accommodated.

[0018] The airbag 50 inflates to seal the space between the instrument panel 2 and the windshield 8 of the vehicle 1 when inflation gas is supplied from the inflator 14. Specifically, when fully inflated, the airbag 50 is positioned at the rear and has a rear wall portion 50a that catches the occupant M as it moves forward due to the impact of a collision of the vehicle 1. The airbag 50 also has an upper wall portion 50b positioned above, extending along the windshield 8 of the vehicle 1 and connected to the upper end 50a1 of the rear wall portion 50a at the rear; a lower wall portion 50c positioned below, connected to the lower end 50a2 of the rear wall portion 50a at the rear; and a left wall portion 50d and a right wall portion 50e positioned on the left and right sides, respectively. The lower wall portion 50c is resting on and supported on the instrument panel 2.

[0019] Furthermore, the right wall portion 50e of the airbag 50 is provided with an exhaust port 50x for exhausting excess inflation gas supplied to the inside of the airbag 50. The exhaust port 50x is covered and closed by a flap 51 (closing member) when the airbag 50 is not inflated, and when the airbag 50 is inflated but the actuator 70 is not operating.

[0020] The flap 51 is a roughly rectangular member that covers and closes the exhaust port 50x from the outside, and in this embodiment, it is made of the same woven fabric as the airbag 50. The rear portion of the flap 51 is sewn and connected to the rear portion of the exhaust port 50x of the airbag 50 at the seam portion 51a. The portion of the flap 51 near the center is sewn and connected to one end 55a in the longitudinal direction of the connecting belt 55 at the seam portion 51b. In other words, one end 55a of the connecting belt 55 is indirectly connected to the airbag 50 via the flap 51.

[0021] The connecting belt 55 (connecting member) is a narrow strip-shaped body and, in this embodiment, is made of the same woven fabric as the airbag 50. A through hole 55b1 is formed at the other end 55b in the longitudinal direction of the connecting belt 55, penetrating in the thickness direction of the connecting belt 55. The other end 55b of the connecting belt 55 is held by the actuator 70 by inserting the cap 73 of the actuator 70, which will be described later, through this through hole 55b1. In other words, one end 55a in the longitudinal direction of the connecting belt 55 is connected to the airbag 50 via the flap 51, and the other end 55b is held by the actuator 70.

[0022] Furthermore, the middle portion 55c of the connecting belt 55, between one end 55a and the other end 55b, is mostly located inside the airbag 50. Specifically, the middle portion 55c of the connecting belt 55 is inserted into an insertion hole 50v1 formed just in front of the exhaust port 50x of the airbag 50 near the one end 55a, entering the interior of the airbag 50, and is then withdrawn to the outside of the airbag 50 through an insertion hole 50v2 (see Figure 11) formed near the actuator 70 near the other end 55b. In this way, the majority of the middle portion 55c of the connecting belt 55 is located inside the airbag 50.

[0023] The actuator 70 is fixed to the case 15 via a bracket 80. Before operation, it holds the other end 55b of the connecting belt 55, and when operated, it releases its grip on the other end 55b of the connecting belt 55. When the airbag 50 inflates, the actuator 70 switches between holding and releasing the other end 55b of the connecting belt 55, thereby switching between a state where the exhaust port 50x is covered and closed by the flap 51 and a state where it is open and uncovered. Specifically, when the airbag 50 inflates with the actuator 70 holding the other end 55b of the connecting belt 55, the connecting belt 55 is pulled by the airbag 50 and the actuator 70. This generates tension in the connecting belt 55, and this tension presses the flap 51 against the area around the exhaust port 50x of the airbag 50, closing the exhaust port 50x. As a result, the internal pressure of the airbag 50 is maintained without inflation gas being discharged from the exhaust port 50x. The detailed configuration of the actuator 70 will be described later.

[0024] On the other hand, when the airbag 50 inflates with the actuator 70 releasing the connection belt 55, no tension is generated in the connection belt 55, causing the flap 51 to open outwards as it is pushed by the expansion gas trying to escape from the exhaust port 50x. This opens the exhaust port 50x, allowing the expansion gas to be discharged and reducing the internal pressure of the airbag 50.

[0025] The case 15 comprises a rectangular plate-shaped bottom wall portion 15a and a square cylindrical side wall portion 15b extending upward from the outer edge of the bottom wall portion 15a, and is connected to the body of the vehicle 1 by a bracket (not shown). In this embodiment, the case 15 is made of sheet metal. Hook-shaped portions 15b1 are formed at the upper ends of the front and rear side wall portions 15b, respectively. Multiple hook portions 15b1 are provided on the front and rear side wall portions 15b, arranged in a left-right direction. In addition, an insertion hole (not shown) is formed in the bottom wall portion 15a through which the inflator 14 is inserted.

[0026] The airbag 50 and inflator 14 are fixed to the bottom wall 15a of the case 15 via a retainer 12 inside the airbag 50. Specifically, the periphery of an opening (not shown) of the airbag 50 is held between the lower surface of the retainer 12 and the upper surface of the bottom wall 15a of the case 15. Also, the upper surface of the flange portion 14b of the inflator 14 is pressed against the lower surface of the bottom wall 15a of the case 15. In this state, bolts 5 are inserted through screw holes formed in the periphery of the opening of the airbag 50, the bottom wall 15a of the case 15, and the flange portion 14b of the inflator 14, and nuts 13 are fastened. This fixes the airbag 50 and inflator 14 to the bottom wall 15a of the case 15.

[0027] The airbag cover 20 covers the top of the airbag 50 to prevent the folded airbag 50 from being exposed to the outside. Furthermore, the airbag cover 20 partially ruptures when the airbag 50 inflates, forming an opening 20a for the airbag 50 to deploy to the outside. In this embodiment, the airbag cover 20 is made of synthetic resin and consists of a base material 21 and a connecting portion 22 connected to the back surface of the base material 21 by screws or the like. The base material 21 is a component of the instrument panel 2 and extends to the driver's side portion 2a and the central portion 2c. In other words, the instrument panel 2 also serves as a part of the airbag cover 20.

[0028] The connecting portion 22 extends substantially horizontally along the base material 21 and has a top surface portion 22a connected to the back surface of the base material 21, and a substantially rectangular cylindrical side wall portion 22b extending downward from the top surface portion 22a and positioned adjacent to the side wall portion 15b of the case 15. The front and rear side wall portions 22b have a plurality of engagement holes 22b1 into which a plurality of hook portions 15b1 formed on the side wall portion 15b of the case 15 engages. The airbag cover 20 and the case 15 are connected when the hook portions 15b1 catch and engage with these engagement holes 22b1.

[0029] A recess 22a1 is formed in the center of the front-to-back direction on the back surface of the top surface 22a, such that the thickness is reduced. The front portion of the recess 22a1 on the top surface 22a forms a door portion 22a2 that rotates forward and upward around a corner 22a4 formed between it and the front side wall portion 22b when the airbag 50 inflates. Similarly, the rear portion of the recess 22a1 on the top surface 22a forms a door portion 22a3 that rotates rearward and upward around a corner 22a5 formed between it and the rear side wall portion 22b when the airbag 50 inflates.

[0030] Next, the operation of the airbag system 10 in protecting occupant M will be described. First, when an impact occurs due to a collision of vehicle 1, the acceleration sensor 19 detects this impact as acceleration. If the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 19 is above a predetermined level, the control device 18 sends an activation signal to the inflator 14. As a result, the inflator 14 activates, and inflation gas is supplied to the inside of the airbag 50, causing the airbag 50 to begin inflating.

[0031] When the airbag 50 begins to inflate, it first makes contact with the top surface 22a of the connecting portion 22 of the airbag cover 20, pushing the top surface 22a upward. As a result, the top surface 22a ruptures, starting from the fragile recess 22a1 of the top surface 22a, and consequently, the portion of the base material 21 connected to the top surface 22a ruptures.

[0032] Next, the pressure from the airbag 50 deforms the corners 22a4 and 22a5 of the top surface 22a, causing the door portions 22a2 and 22a3 of the top surface 22a to be pushed upward by the airbag 50 along with the fractured base material 21, and rotate upward, thereby forming the opening 20a. The dashed line shown in Figure 4 indicates the state in which the door portions 22a2 and 22a3 of the top surface 22a and the base material 21 have rotated upward.

[0033] Next, the airbag 50 is deployed from the opening 20a toward the occupant M seated in the passenger seat 3, that is, toward the rear of the vehicle 1, and completes its inflation. As occupant M moves forward in the event of a collision with the vehicle 1, they are caught and protected by the rear wall 50a of the inflated airbag 50.

[0034] Furthermore, when the airbag 50 inflates, if the weight of the occupant M detected by the weight sensor 25 is above a predetermined level, the control device 18 will maintain the state in which the other end 55b of the connecting belt 55 is held without activating the actuator 70. As a result, the exhaust port 50x is closed by the flap 51 and the internal pressure of the airbag 50 is kept high, so that a large occupant M can be accurately caught by the airbag 50.

[0035] Furthermore, when the airbag 50 inflates, if the weight of the occupant M detected by the weight sensor 25 is less than a predetermined amount, the control device 18 activates the actuator 70 to release the holding of the other end 55b of the connecting belt 55. This opens the exhaust port 50x, and the inflation gas inside the airbag 50 is discharged from the exhaust port 50x. As a result, the risk of a small-statured occupant M being injured by the reaction force of the airbag 50 is suppressed.

[0036] In this embodiment, the actuator 70 and the inflator 14 operate at approximately the same time, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the actuator 70 may operate before the inflator 14 operates to release the other end 55b of the connecting belt 55, or the actuator 70 may operate after the inflator 14 operates to release the other end 55b of the connecting belt 55.

[0037] Next, the detailed configuration of the actuator 70 will be described. Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of the actuator 70, in which the other end 55b of the connecting belt 55 is indicated by a dashed line. Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the actuator 70 cut along the A2-A2 section shown in Figure 6.

[0038] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the actuator 70 comprises a squib 71, a cap 73 positioned opposite the squib 71 and holding the other end 55b of the connecting belt 55, and a housing 72 that holds the squib 71 inside and locks the cap 73 to maintain the state in which the cap 73 holds the other end 55b of the connecting belt 55. In this embodiment, the housing 72 and the cap 73 are made of synthetic resin, but they may be made of other materials.

[0039] The squib 71 comprises a metal gas generating section 71a that generates gas when activated, and a pair of conductive pins 71b to which a cable (not shown) electrically connects the control device 18 and the squib 71 is connected. A gas generating agent (not shown) is contained inside the gas generating section 71a. The squib 71 activates upon receiving an activation signal from the control device 18, burning the gas generating agent inside the gas generating section 71a. This causes gas to be released from the gas generating section 71a toward the cap 73, and this gas releases the locking of the cap 73 by the housing 72, causing the cap 73 to detach from the housing 72. This releases the cap 73 from holding the other end 55b of the connecting belt 55.

[0040] The housing 72 is a substantially cylindrical member that holds the squib 71 and includes a base portion 72a for holding the squib 71. In this embodiment, the base portion 72a of the housing 72 is integrally molded with the squib 71 by insert molding, thereby holding the gas generating portion 71a and the conductive pin 71b of the squib 71. In addition, a positioning projection 72c used for positioning with respect to the bracket 80 is provided on the outer circumference of the base portion 72a of the housing 72.

[0041] Furthermore, the housing 72 extends from the base 72a toward the cap 73 and includes a cylindrical side wall portion 72b that covers the sides of the gas generating portion 71a of the squib 71 around its entire circumference, leaving a gap. The inner circumference of the side wall portion 72b is provided with a recessed locking recess 72b1 that extends around its entire circumference. The cap 73 is locked into the locking recess 72b1 as described later.

[0042] The cap 73 holds the other end 55b of the connecting belt 55 and maintains the state of holding the other end 55b by being locked to the housing 72. The cap 73 comprises a substantially disc-shaped top portion 73a positioned opposite the squib 71 and a substantially cylindrical leg portion 73b extending from the periphery of the top portion 73a toward the squib 71. The tip portion 73b1 of the leg portion 73b is inserted into the gap between the side wall portion 72b of the housing 72 and the gas generating portion 71a of the squib 71.

[0043] Furthermore, the portion of the leg portion 73b that is exposed at the base end 73b2 side and not inserted into the gap between the side wall portion 72b of the housing 72 and the gas generating portion 71a of the squib 71 is inserted through the through hole 55b1 of the connecting belt 55 and holds the other end 55b of the connecting belt 55. The dimensions of the through hole 55b1 of the connecting belt 55 are set so that the leg portion 73b can be inserted through it, but the top portion 73a cannot. Therefore, when the cap 73 is locked to the housing 72, the through hole 55b1 does not come off the leg portion 73b, thereby maintaining the hold of the other end 55b of the connecting belt 55 by the cap 73. When the locking of the cap 73 by the housing 72 is released, the leg portion 73b comes out of the through hole 55b1, and the hold of the other end 55b of the connecting belt 55 by the cap 73 is released.

[0044] Furthermore, the leg portion 73b has a locking projection 73b3 that protrudes outward from its outer circumference and engages with a locking recess 72b1 of the housing 72. The locking projection 73b3 of the leg portion 73b fits into the locking recess 72b1 of the housing 72 and is locked in place, thereby locking and holding the cap 73 to the housing 72.

[0045] Next, the mounting configuration of the actuator 70 to the case 15 will be described. Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view of the actuator 70 and bracket 80. Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view of the case 15. Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view of the area around the actuator 70 in the case 15. Figure 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the area around the actuator 70 when the airbag 50 inflates with the actuator 70 not activated. Figure 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the area around the actuator 70 when the airbag 50 inflates with the actuator 70 activated.

[0046] The bracket 80 is a component that fixes the actuator 70 to the case 15. As shown in Figure 8, the bracket 80 is constructed by connecting two sheet metal plates, a housing retaining plate 80a that holds the housing 72 of the actuator 70 and a belt support plate 80b that supports the connecting belt 55, with bolts 89. Note that the bracket 80 does not necessarily have to be made of sheet metal and may be made of other materials such as synthetic resin. Also, the housing retaining plate 80a and the belt support plate 80b may be integrally molded.

[0047] The housing retaining plate 80a comprises a substantially U-shaped wrapping portion 80a1 that wraps around the outer circumference of the housing 72 to hold the housing 72, and a mounting portion 80a2 that extends planarly from near the U-shaped opening of the wrapping portion 80a1. The wrapping portion 80a1 is provided with a fitting hole 80a1a into which the positioning projection 72c of the housing 72 fits. The position of the housing 72 and the bracket 80 is determined by fitting the positioning projection 72c of the housing 72 into the fitting hole 80a1a of the wrapping portion 80a1. The mounting portion 80a2 also has a screw hole (not shown) through which a bolt 89 is inserted.

[0048] The belt support plate 80b includes a base portion 80b1 that contacts the upper surface of the housing 72 and, together with the winding portion 80a1 of the housing holding plate 80a, clamps the housing 72 from above and below, and a cap-facing portion 80b2 that extends downward from the right end of the base portion 80b1. The cap-facing portion 80b2 is positioned opposite the cap 73, with respect to the cap 73, and opposite the squib 71.

[0049] Furthermore, the belt support plate 80b has a belt hanging portion 80b3 (support portion) that bends to the left from the lower end of the cap opposing portion 80b2 and contacts the connecting belt 55 to support the connecting belt 55, and a mounting portion 80b4 that extends forward from the left end of the base portion 80b1 and has a screw hole (not shown) through which a bolt 89 is inserted. The belt hanging portion 80b3 contacts a portion of the intermediate portion 55c of the connecting belt 55 near the other end 55b, and supports the intermediate portion 55c while bending it.

[0050] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the bracket 80 is fixed to the lower surface 15a1 of the bottom wall 15a of the case 15 by bolts 89 and nuts (not shown). In this way, the actuator 70 is attached to the bottom wall 15a of the case 15 via the bracket 80.

[0051] As described above, the connecting belt 55 exits the airbag 50 through the insertion hole 50v2 of the airbag 50 to the outside of the airbag 50. The connecting belt 55 then exits the case 15 to the outside of the case 15 through a belt insertion hole 15b2 (insertion hole) formed in the side wall portion 15b of the case 15 by cutting and bending. A belt hanging portion 15b3 (belt support portion) is formed in the side wall portion 15b of the case 15, extending from the lower edge of the belt insertion hole 15b2 in the direction in which the connecting belt 55 is inserted into the belt insertion hole 15b2 and outward from the case 15. The belt hanging portion 15b3 is the portion that was cut and bent when the belt insertion hole 15b2 was formed in the side wall portion 15b.

[0052] The middle portion 55c of the connecting belt 55 that extends outside the case 15 is wrapped around the belt hanger portion 15b3 and supported by the belt hanger portion 15b3 while bending downwards, and then wrapped around the belt hanger portion 80b3 of the bracket 80 and supported by the belt hanger portion 15b3 while bending to the left and upwards. In this state, the other end 55b of the connecting belt 55 is held by the cap 73 of the actuator 70. In this embodiment, when the inflator 14 and squib 71 are not operating, the bending angle θ1 of the connecting belt 55 due to support from the belt hanger portion 15b3 of the case 15 and the bending angle θ2 of the connecting belt 55 due to support from the belt hanger portion 80b3 of the bracket 80 are each set to 90 degrees or less.

[0053] In this way, the belt mounting portion 80b3 of the bracket 80 contacts the intermediate portion 55c of the connecting belt 55, supporting the intermediate portion 55c while bending it, thereby achieving the following effect. That is, if the intermediate portion 55c of the connecting belt 55 is not in contact with any other member, when the airbag 50 inflates while the actuator 70 is not operating, the tension of the connecting belt 55 will act directly on the cap 73 of the actuator 70. In such a configuration, if the gas output of the inflation gas of the inflator 14 is large, an excessive load will be placed on the cap 73 of the actuator 70, causing the cap 73 to deform and potentially unintentionally releasing the holding state of the connecting belt 55 by the cap 73. Therefore, there are constraints on the selection of the inflator 14.

[0054] In contrast, in this embodiment, the belt attachment portion 80b3 of the bracket 80 contacts the intermediate portion 55c of the connecting belt 55, supporting it while bending the intermediate portion 55c. Therefore, as shown in Figure 11, when the airbag 50 inflates while the actuator 70 is not operating, a portion of the tension F of the connecting belt 55 is applied to the belt attachment portion 80b3 located near the other end 55b of the connecting belt 55, thereby reducing the tension of the connecting belt 55 acting on the cap 73. Thus, according to the airbag device 10 of this embodiment, the load on the actuator 70 from the connecting belt 55 can be reduced when the airbag 50 inflates while the actuator 70 is not operating.

[0055] Furthermore, the case 15 is equipped with a belt support portion 15b3 that contacts the intermediate portion 55c of the connecting belt 55 and supports the intermediate portion 55c of the connecting belt 55 while bending it. Therefore, when the airbag 50 inflates while the actuator 70 is not operating, a portion of the tension of the connecting belt 55 can be applied to the belt support portion 15b3, further reducing the tension of the connecting belt 55 acting on the cap 73.

[0056] Furthermore, the bending angle θ1 of the connecting belt 55 associated with the support of the belt hanging portion 15b3 of the case 15 and the bending angle θ2 of the connecting belt 55 associated with the support of the belt hanging portion 80b3 of the bracket 80 are both set to 90 degrees or less. Therefore, compared to configurations where the bending angles θ1 and θ2 are greater than 90 degrees, it becomes easier to apply tension to these parts of the connecting belt 55, and it becomes easier to reduce the tension of the connecting belt 55 acting on the cap 73.

[0057] Furthermore, since the belt hanging portion 15b3 is a part that was cut and bent during the formation of the belt insertion hole 15b2 in the side wall portion 15b, the belt hanging portion 15b3 can be easily formed without providing a separate belt hanging portion 15b3. If this point is not taken into consideration, the case 15 does not need to be made of metal and may be made of other materials such as synthetic resin.

[0058] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 12, when the actuator 70 is activated, gas is released from the gas generating section 71a of the squib 71. As a result, the air pressure from the gas and the internal pressure rise in the space partitioned by the gas generating section 71a and the leg section 73b release the locking projection 73b3 of the cap 73 from the locking recess 72b1 of the housing 72, causing the cap 73 to detach from the housing 72 and fly away to the opposite side of the squib 71. In this embodiment, since the bracket 80 has a cap-facing section 80b2, the scattered cap 73 can be caught by the cap-facing section 80b2, preventing the cap 73 from flying away any further.

[0059] In this embodiment, the actuator 70 is described as being fixed to the bottom wall portion 15a of the case 15 of the airbag device 10 by a bracket 80, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the member to which the actuator 70 is fixed by the bracket 80 is not limited to the case 15, but can be fixed to any member of the vehicle 1, including other members of the airbag device 10.

[0060] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a configuration in which one end 55a of the connecting belt 55 is indirectly connected to the airbag 50 via the flap 51 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and one end 55a of the connecting belt 55 may be directly connected to the right wall portion 50e of the airbag 50, etc. In other words, when we say that one end 55a of the connecting belt 55 is connected to the airbag 50, this includes a configuration in which one end 55a of the connecting belt 55 is indirectly connected to the airbag 50 via other members, and a configuration in which it is directly connected to the airbag 50 without the use of other members.

[0061] Furthermore, although this embodiment describes a configuration in which the opening and closing of the exhaust port 50x of the airbag 50 is controlled by the actuator 70, the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the actuator 70 may be used for other purposes as long as the actuator 70 controls the inflation state of the airbag 50 by switching between holding and releasing the other end 55b of the connecting belt 55. For example, the same effect as described above can be obtained by directly connecting one end 55a of the connecting belt 55 to the right wall portion 50e of the airbag 50, and changing the volume and shape of the airbag 50 when inflation is complete by switching between holding and releasing the other end 55b of the connecting belt 55 by the actuator 70.

[0062] Furthermore, although this embodiment illustrates an airbag system 10 equipped with an airbag 50 provided on the instrument panel 2, the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the same effects can be obtained even if the airbag system 10 and the airbag 50 are provided at other locations on the vehicle 1. For example, the same effects can be obtained by providing an airbag equivalent to the airbag 50 on the steering wheel (not shown) in front of the driver's seat. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1...Vehicle, 3...Passenger seat, 10...Airbag device, 14...Inflator, 15...Case, 15b2...Belt insertion hole (through hole), 15b3...Belt attachment part (belt support part), 18...Control device (control unit), 25...Weight sensor (weight detection unit), 50...Airbag, 50x...Exhaust port, 51...Flap (closing member), 55...Connecting belt (connecting member), 55a...One end, 55b...Other end, 55c...Intermediate part, 70...Actuator, 71...Squib, 72...Housing, 73...Cap, 80...Bracket, 80b2...Cap opposing part, 80b3...Belt attachment part (support part), M...Occupant

Claims

1. In an airbag system installed in a vehicle, An airbag that is folded and stored, inflates when an inflation gas is supplied, and is configured to catch the occupants of the vehicle, An inflator that releases the inflation gas supplied to the airbag, A connecting member having one end connected to the airbag, An actuator that controls the inflation state of the airbag by switching between holding and releasing the other end of the connecting member, comprising: a squib; a cap positioned opposite the squib and holding the other end of the connecting member; and a housing that locks the cap to maintain the state in which the cap holds the other end, wherein the locking between the cap and the locking part is released by gas generated when the squib operates, and the holding of the other end by the cap is released, A bracket for holding the actuator and fixing the actuator to the vehicle including the airbag device, Equipped with, The airbag device is characterized in that the bracket has a support portion that contacts the intermediate portion between one end and the other end of the connecting member when the squib is not in operation, and supports the connecting member while bending it.

2. The airbag device comprises a case that houses the folded airbag and secures the bracket, The airbag device according to claim 1, characterized in that the case includes a belt support portion that contacts the intermediate portion of the connecting member and supports the connecting member while bending it.

3. The case is made of metal and has a through hole formed by cutting and bending, through which the connecting member is inserted. The airbag device according to claim 2, characterized in that the belt support portion is the portion cut and raised in the case by the cutting and raising process.

4. The airbag device according to claim 1, characterized in that the bracket has a cap-facing portion that is positioned opposite to the cap and facing the cap, with respect to the cap.

5. The one end of the connecting member is connected to the airbag via a closing member that closes the exhaust port through which the inflation gas is discharged from the airbag. The airbag device according to claim 1, characterized in that when the airbag inflates with the cap holding the other end of the connecting member, the exhaust port is closed by the blocking member, and when the airbag inflates with the cap releasing its hold on the other end of the connecting member, the exhaust port is not closed by the blocking member and remains open.

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