Airbag system

Abstract

The present invention provides an airbag system that can prevent the airbag from getting caught on a protruding part of the cowl top panel when it deploys. [Solution] The airbag device 10 includes an airbag 30 that is folded and stored inside the vehicle 50, inflates and deploys when inflation gas is supplied, and is extended out of the vehicle 50 through the gap 50h between the hood panel 59 and the cowl top panel 58, and deploys towards the rear so as to abut and overcome the protruding portion 58x of the cowl top panel 58, and when inflation is complete, covers at least a part of the left front pillar 55 from above. The cowl contact portion 30w1a of the airbag 30 that abuts the protruding portion 58x when it deploys from its folded state is roll-folded when the airbag 30 is folded.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an airbag device mounted on a vehicle, which receives and protects a pedestrian or the like outside the vehicle by an airbag.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as in the configuration described in Patent Document 1, an airbag is deployed from near the rear end of a hood panel when a vehicle collides, and an airbag device that receives and protects a pedestrian or the like outside the vehicle that is about to collide with a pillar of the vehicle is known. This airbag is stored inside the vehicle in a folded state before the start of inflation, and when inflation gas is supplied during a vehicle collision or the like, it expands while deploying and is extended outside the vehicle, and is configured to cover the pillar of the vehicle when inflation is completed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In Patent Document 1, the entire airbag before the start of inflation is stored inside the vehicle in a bellows-folded state. In such a bellows-folded portion of the airbag, when inflation gas is supplied to the airbag and it expands, it tends to expand linearly.

[0005] Also, in a vehicle, a cowl top panel is provided between the front windshield and the hood panel. The cowl top panel may be provided with a protruding portion that protrudes upward in order to prevent rainwater from entering the vehicle interior through the gap between the hood panel and the cowl top panel.

[0006] In this case, if the cowl top panel has the aforementioned protrusion, and the entire airbag is folded in an accordion-like manner as in Patent Document 1, the airbag may unfold linearly when it inflates and get caught on the protrusion of the cowl top panel. In that case, the airbag may unfold in an unintended manner, and the timing of when the airbag covers the front pillar may be delayed.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide an airbag device that can prevent the airbag from getting caught on a protruding part of the cowl top panel when it deploys. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A typical configuration of the airbag device according to the present invention for solving the above problems is an airbag device mounted on a vehicle having a front windshield, front pillars arranged on both sides of the front windshield in the left-right direction, a hood panel arranged in front of the front windshield, and a cowl top panel arranged between the front windshield and the hood panel in the front-rear direction and having a protruding portion that protrudes upward, comprising: an airbag that is folded and stored inside the vehicle, inflates and deploys when inflation gas is supplied, and is extended out to the outside of the vehicle from the gap between the hood panel and the cowl top panel, deploys towards the rear so as to abut and overcome the protruding portion, and is configured to cover at least a part of the front pillar from above when inflation is complete; and an inflator that releases the inflation gas supplied to the airbag, wherein the contact portion of the airbag that abuts the protruding portion when it deploys from its folded state is roll-folded when the airbag is folded.

[0009] According to the present invention, in an airbag system, it is possible to prevent the airbag from getting caught on a protruding part of the cowl top panel when it deploys. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a schematic plan view of a vehicle equipped with an airbag system. [Figure 2] This is a schematic plan view of the vehicle, showing the airbag system in a fully inflated state. [Figure 3] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vehicle cut along the A1-A1 section shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vehicle cut along the A2-A2 section. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of the area around the gas vent of a vehicle with the airbags inflated. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view of the area around the gas vent of a vehicle with the airbags inflated. [Figure 7] This is a diagram showing an airbag laid flat before inflation begins. [Figure 8] This is a schematic diagram showing how the airbag folds. [Figure 9] These are schematic diagrams and cross-sectional views illustrating how the airbag folds. [Figure 10] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the behavior of an airbag during deployment. [Figure 11] This is a schematic diagram showing how the airbag folds. [Figure 12] This is a schematic diagram showing how the airbag folds. [Figure 13] This is a schematic diagram showing how the airbag folds. [Figure 14] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the behavior of an airbag during deployment. [Figure 15] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing how the airbag folds. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] (First Embodiment) Hereinafter, an airbag device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described 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 specifically stated otherwise.

[0012] The airbag device 10 is mounted on the vehicle 50 and is configured to receive and protect a person such as a pedestrian M outside the vehicle 50 with the airbags 30 and 40. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the left-right direction means the left direction and the right direction with respect to the vehicle 50, the front-rear direction means the front direction and the rear direction with respect to the vehicle 50, and the up-down direction means the upward direction and the downward direction in the vertical direction. That is, the left-right direction means the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 50, and the front-rear direction means the forward direction or the backward direction when the vehicle 50 is moving straight ahead.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of the vehicle 50 equipped with the airbag device 10. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the vehicle 50, showing the state in which the airbags 30 and 40 of the airbag device 10 have completed inflation. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vehicle 50 cut along the A1-A1 cross-section shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vehicle 50 cut along the A2-A2 cross-section shown in FIG. 2.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the vehicle 50 includes a front windshield 54 at its front portion, a hood panel 59 that covers an engine room (not shown), and a cowl top panel 58 disposed between the front windshield 54 and the hood panel 59 in the front-rear direction. The vehicle 50 also includes a left front pillar 55 disposed on the left side of the front windshield 54 and a right front pillar 56 disposed on the right side of the front windshield 54.

[0015] The hood panel 59 is composed of two panels, an inner panel 59x1 arranged on the inner side of the vehicle and an outer panel 59x2 arranged on the outer side of the vehicle. In a normal state where the airbag device 10 is not operating, the rear end portion 59a of the hood panel 59 is arranged slightly above the front end portion 58c of the cowl top panel 58, and thereby a minute gap 50h is provided between the rear end portion 59a of the hood panel 59 and the front end portion 58c of the cowl top panel 58. Further, on the cowl top panel 58, a protruding portion 58x protruding upward is provided to prevent rainwater from entering the interior of the vehicle 50 from this gap 50h or the like. Further, on the upper surface of the cowl top panel 58, a wiper 57 for scraping off water droplets adhering to the front windshield 54 is attached.

[0016] The airbag device 10 includes an airbag 30 mounted on the left side of the vehicle 50, an inflater 12 that discharges inflation gas supplied to the airbag 30, and a case 13 that houses the airbag 30 in a folded state. Further, the airbag device 10 includes an airbag 40 mounted on the right side of the vehicle 50, an inflater (not shown) that discharges inflation gas supplied to the airbag 40, and a case (not shown) that houses the airbag 40 in a folded state.

[0017] Here, the airbag 40, the inflater that supplies inflation gas to the airbag 40, and the case that houses the airbag 40 have the same configuration arranged at positions symmetric with the airbag 30, the inflater 12, and the case 13, and are attached to the vehicle 50 by the same attachment configuration and operate symmetrically left and right. Therefore, hereinafter, the airbag 30, the inflater 12, and the case 13 will be described in detail, and the description of the airbag 40, the inflater that supplies inflation gas to the airbag 40, and the case that houses the airbag 40 will be omitted as appropriate.

[0018] Furthermore, the airbag device 10 includes an acceleration sensor 17 used for detecting collisions of the vehicle 50, an actuator (not shown) that lifts the rear end 59a of the hood panel 59 upward, and a control device (not shown) that controls the operation of an inflator 12, an inflator (not shown) that supplies inflation gas to the airbag 40, and the actuator, according to the detection results of the acceleration sensor 17.

[0019] The acceleration sensor 17 is mounted on the front bumper 53 of the vehicle 50 and detects the impact caused by a collision or other event involving the vehicle 50 as acceleration. A control device (not shown) is configured with a CPU, memory, etc., and is mounted in a predetermined location inside the vehicle 50. This control device is electrically connected to the inflator 12, an inflator (not shown) that supplies inflation gas to the airbag 40, and an actuator (not shown), and transmits operating signals to these components according to the detection results of the acceleration sensor 17.

[0020] The inflator 12 is a substantially cylindrical component located inside the airbag 30, and has a gas outlet (not shown) at one end in the left-right direction for releasing inflation gas. The inflator 12 is activated when an activation signal is input from a control device (not shown) to generate inflation gas, and releases the inflation gas from the gas outlet to supply it inside the airbag 30.

[0021] Furthermore, the inflator 12 is attached to the inner panel 59x1 of the hood panel 59 together with the airbag 30 and case 13 by a metal bolted clamp 18. Specifically, the bolted clamp 18 comprises a retractable annular clamp portion 18a and a bolt portion 18b that protrudes upward from the outer circumferential surface of the clamp portion 18a. The clamp portion 18a is wrapped around the outer circumference of the inflator 12. The bolt portion 18b is inserted through a screw hole (not shown) formed in the airbag 30, case 13, and inner panel 59x1 with the clamp portion 18a wrapped around the inflator 12, and fastened with a nut 19. When the nut 19 is fastened, the clamp portion 18a is retracted in diameter to hold the inflator 12, and the inflator 12, airbag 30, and case 13 are integrally fixed to the inner panel 59x1.

[0022] The airbag 30 is a bag-shaped component that is stored in a folded state inside the case 13 of the vehicle 50 before inflation gas is supplied. When inflation gas is supplied to the inside, it inflates and deploys from its folded state to the outside of the vehicle 50. In this embodiment, the airbag 30 is formed from a bag-shaped woven fabric made of polyester yarn.

[0023] When fully inflated, the airbag 30 is located outside the vehicle 50 and includes a cowl cover portion 30a that is wide in the left-right direction and covers from above the area around the left end 58a of the cowl top panel 58 and the front end 55a of the left front pillar 55, and a connecting portion 30b that is located inside the vehicle 50 and connects the cowl cover portion 30a to the portion that houses the inflator 12. Furthermore, when fully inflated, the airbag 30 includes a pillar cover portion 30c that is wide in the front-rear direction and extends rearward from the cowl cover portion 30a and covers from above almost the entire area of ​​the left front pillar 55 except for the front end 55a, and a gas discharge portion 30d that extends to the left from the left end of the pillar cover portion 30c. The tip of the gas discharge portion 30d is a gas discharge port 30x that opens when an external pressure exceeding a predetermined level is applied to the airbag 30 after the airbag 30 has fully inflated, and discharges excess inflation gas from inside the airbag 30 to the outside.

[0024] Case 13 is a roughly rectangular box-shaped member made of sheet metal with an open rear end. As described above, Case 13 is fixed to the inner panel 59x1 of the hood panel 59 by a bolted clamp 18. In this embodiment, Case 13 is used with an open rear end, but in order to protect the airbag 30 from rainwater, etc., the rear end may be deformed or ruptured when the airbag 30 inflates, forming an opening, and the airbag 30 may be ejected to the outside of Case 13 through this opening.

[0025] Next, the protective operation of the airbag system 10 for pedestrian M will be described. First, when the vehicle 50 and pedestrian M collide, the acceleration sensor 17 detects this collision as acceleration. If the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 17 is above a predetermined level, the control device (not shown) determines that the vehicle 50 has collided and sends an activation signal to the inflator 12, an inflator (not shown) that supplies inflation gas to the airbag 40, and an actuator (not shown).

[0026] Next, the actuator, activated upon receiving the activation signal, lifts the rear end 59a of the hood panel 59. This widens the gap 50h between the hood panel 59 and the cowl top panel 58 of the vehicle 50. Also, the inflator 12, activated upon receiving the activation signal, supplies inflation gas into the airbag 30. Similarly, an inflator (not shown), activated upon receiving the activation signal, supplies inflation gas into the airbag 40.

[0027] Next, the airbag 30, which has been supplied with inflation gas and begun to inflate, deploys from its folded state and is ejected from the gap 50h to the outside of the vehicle 50. It then deploys towards the rear, overcoming the protrusion 58x of the cowl top panel 58. Subsequently, when more inflation gas is supplied to the airbag 30, it inflates to cover almost the entire area around the left end 58a of the cowl top panel 58 of the vehicle 50 and the left front pillar 55 from above, completing its inflation.

[0028] Similarly, the airbag 40, supplied with inflation gas and beginning to inflate, deploys from its folded state and is ejected from the gap 50h to the outside of the vehicle 50. It then deploys towards the rear, overcoming the protrusion 58x of the cowl top panel 58. Next, when more inflation gas is supplied to the airbag 40, it inflates to cover almost the entire area around the right end 58b of the cowl top panel 58 of the vehicle 50 and the right front pillar 56 from above, completing its inflation. Subsequently, a pedestrian M that collides with the vehicle 50 and is thrown upward, about to strike the cowl top panel 58, the left front pillar 55, or the right front pillar 56, is caught and protected by the airbag 30 or airbag 40.

[0029] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the gas outlet 30x of the airbag 30 is sealed by the temporary suture 30x1 of the airbag 30 after the airbag 30 has finished inflating and until an external pressure exceeding a predetermined level is applied to the airbag 30. As shown in Figure 6, after the airbag 30 has finished inflating, when an external pressure exceeding a predetermined level is applied to the airbag 30, such as when the airbag 30 catches a pedestrian M, the stitching of the temporary suture 30x1 is released and the gas outlet 30x is opened.

[0030] Similarly, the gas outlet 40x of the airbag 40 is sealed by the temporary suture 40x1 after the airbag 40 has finished inflating and until an external pressure exceeding a predetermined level is applied to the airbag 40. After the airbag 40 has finished inflating, when an external pressure exceeding a predetermined level is applied to the airbag 40, such as when the airbag 40 catches a pedestrian M, the stitching of the temporary suture 40x1 is released and the gas outlet 40x is opened.

[0031] In this manner, airbags 30 and 40 maintain their internal pressure without releasing the inflation gas from the gas outlets 30x and 40x until they catch the pedestrian M. After catching the pedestrian M, the gas outlets 30x and 40x are opened to release the inflation gas and reduce the internal pressure. As a result, the pedestrian M is caught by airbags 30 and 40 while maintaining a high reaction force, and is prevented from being bounced up by the reaction force of airbags 30 and 40 and hitting the ground or other surface.

[0032] Next, the detailed configuration of the airbag 30 will be described. Figure 7 is an unfolded view of the airbag 30 laid flat before inflation begins. Figures 8 and 9A are schematic diagrams showing the folding method of the airbag 30 in sequence. Figure 9B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the airbag 30 cut along the A3-A3 section shown in Figure 9A. Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing the behavior of the airbag 30 in sequence during deployment.

[0033] As shown in Figure 7, the airbag 30 is formed into a bag shape by stitching together the outer edge of the inner panel 30w1, which constitutes the lower surface of the airbag 30 when inflation is complete, and the outer edge of the outer panel 30w2, which constitutes the upper surface of the airbag 30 when inflation is complete, at a seam 30w3. The inner panel 30w1 can be described as the panel that forms the surface of the airbag 30 facing the cowl top panel 58 and the left front pillar 55 when inflation is complete. The outer panel 30w2 can be described as the panel that is positioned above the inner panel 30w1 when inflation is complete and forms the surface that catches the pedestrian M.

[0034] The airbag 30, when deployed flat, has a cowl cover forming portion 30v1 that forms a cowl cover portion 30a when inflated, a connection forming portion 30v2 that forms a connection portion 30b, a pillar cover forming portion 30v3 that forms a pillar cover portion 30c, and a gas discharge forming portion 30v4 that forms a gas discharge portion 30d. In addition, the airbag 30 is provided with multiple tethers (not shown) which are sewn at one end to an inner panel 30w1 and an outer panel 30w2, respectively, to regulate the thickness of the airbag 30 when inflation is complete.

[0035] Furthermore, in the airbag 30, the outer edges of the inner panel 30w1 and the outer edges of the outer panel 30w2 are not partially sutured at the suture portion 30w3, and this unsewn portion becomes the gas outlet 30x of the airbag 30. As described above, the gas outlet 30x is sealed at the temporary suture portion 30x1 from the time the airbag 30 is fully inflated until an external pressure exceeding a predetermined level is applied to the airbag 30. The temporary suture portion 30x1 is the portion where the inner panel 30w1 and the outer panel 30w2 are sutured together around the gas outlet 30x to seal the gas outlet 30x. After the airbag 30 is fully inflated, if an external pressure exceeding a predetermined level is applied to the airbag 30, such as when catching a pedestrian M, the airbag 30 deforms and the internal pressure increases. Consequently, the sutures of the temporary suture portion 30x1 break, the threads come loose, and the suture of the temporary suture portion 30x1 is released. This opens the gas outlet 30x.

[0036] Furthermore, the inner panel 30w1 of the airbag 30 has a cowl contact portion 30w1a (contact portion) that comes into contact with the protruding portion 58x of the cowl top panel 58 when it expands and unfolds from a folded state as inflation gas is supplied from the inflator 12. In this embodiment, the cowl contact portion 30w1a is the portion demarcated by two dashed lines on the inner panel 30w1 of the airbag 30 when it is laid flat as shown in Figure 7.

[0037] Furthermore, in the flat-deployed airbag 30 shown in Figure 7, the portion above the cowl contact portion 30w1a on the plane of Figure 7 is positioned behind the cowl contact portion 30w1a when the airbag 30 is fully inflated, and in the following description, this portion will be referred to as the rear inflation portion 30t1. Also, in the flat-deployed airbag 30 shown in Figure 7, the portion below the cowl contact portion 30w1a on the plane of Figure 7 is positioned in front of the cowl contact portion 30w1a when the airbag 30 is fully inflated, and in the following description, this portion will be referred to as the front inflation portion 30t2. The inflator 12 is housed inside the front inflation portion 30t2.

[0038] Next, the method for folding the airbag 30 when storing it inside the vehicle 50 will be explained. As shown in Figure 8A, when folding the airbag 30, the worker first folds the left and right ends of the flat-unfolded airbag 30 inward to make the width of the entire airbag 30 even in the left and right direction. The worker then begins folding the airbag 30 with the airbag 30 placed so that the outer panel 30w2 is on top and the inner panel 30w1 is on the bottom.

[0039] Next, as shown in Figure 8B, the worker roll-folds the rear inflation portion 30t1 and the cowl contact portion 30w1a from the end 30t1a of the rear inflation portion 30t1 of the airbag 30 toward the front inflation portion 30t2 so that the outer panel 30w2 is positioned inward, thereby forming a roll-fold portion 30r1 in the airbag 30. In other words, the roll-fold portion 30r1 is the part of the airbag 30 that, in its folded state before inflation begins, has been roll-folded integrally with the rear inflation portion 30t1 and the cowl contact portion 30w1a. To put it another way, the roll-fold portion 30r1 includes the rear inflation portion 30t1 and the cowl contact portion 30w1a.

[0040] Next, as shown in Figure 9A, the worker folds the portion of the airbag 30 from the part containing the inflator 12 on the front inflation portion 30t2 toward the roll folding portion 30r1 in an accordion fashion, thereby forming an accordion folding portion 30r2 on the airbag 30. After that, the worker aligns the roll folding portion 30r1 and the accordion folding portion 30r2 and secures them with tape (not shown) to prevent them from unraveling. In this way, the airbag 30 is folded and installed in the vehicle 50. The tape (not shown) is designed to rupture under pressure when the airbag 30 inflates, so as not to adversely affect the deployment of the airbag 30.

[0041] As described above, by folding the airbag 30, the airbag 30 unfolds as follows when it inflates. That is, when inflation gas is released from the inflator 12, the inflation gas is first supplied to the bellows-fold portion 30r2 where the front inflation portion 30t2 of the airbag 30 is folded. As a result, as shown in Figure 10A, the bellows-fold portion 30r2 expands and unfolds linearly toward the rear, and the roll-fold portion 30r1 located behind the bellows-fold portion 30r2 comes into contact with the protruding portion 58x of the cowl top panel 58. Specifically, the cowl contact portion 30w1a of the airbag 30 included in the roll-fold portion 30r1 comes into contact with the protruding portion 58x of the cowl top panel 58.

[0042] Next, as more inflation gas is released from the inflator 12, the inflation gas reaches the roll-fold portion 30r1 of the airbag 30. As a result, as shown in Figure 10B, the roll-fold portion 30r1 expands and rotates (backward) in the direction of arrow R, gradually unfolding while eliminating the roll fold. At this time, the airbag 30 overcomes the protruding portion 58x of the cowl top panel 58 due to the above rotation of the roll-fold portion 30r1. Subsequently, as shown in Figure 10C, as more inflation gas is released from the inflator 12, the roll-fold portion 30r1 similarly expands and rotates gradually while unfolding, and finally the airbag 30 completes its inflation.

[0043] In this embodiment, the airbag 30 has a cowl contact portion 30w1a that contacts the protruding portion 58x of the cowl top panel 58 when deployed from a folded state, which is roll-folded when the airbag 30 is folded. As a result, after the cowl contact portion 30w1a contacts the protruding portion 58x of the cowl top panel 58, the roll-folded portion 30r1 including the cowl contact portion 30w1a rotates and unfolds, allowing the airbag 30 to overcome the protruding portion 58x when deployed. Therefore, the airbag device 10 of this embodiment can prevent the airbag 30 from getting caught on the protruding portion 58x of the cowl top panel 58 when it is deployed. As a result, the left front pillar 55 can be quickly covered by the airbag 30.

[0044] Furthermore, the front inflation section 30t2 of the airbag 30 is folded in an accordion fashion when the airbag 30 is folded. This allows the front inflation section 30t2 to be folded more compactly compared to a configuration where the front inflation section 30t2 is roll-folded. Therefore, the size of the airbag 30 in its folded state can be reduced. If this point is not considered, the entire airbag 30 may be configured to be roll-folded. (Second Embodiment) Next, an airbag device 10 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Parts that overlap with the description of the first embodiment will be described using the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

[0045] The airbag device 10 according to this embodiment differs from the airbag device 10 according to the first embodiment only in the method of folding the airbag 30 when it is installed in the vehicle 50. Since the other configurations of the airbag device 10 according to this embodiment are the same as those of the airbag device 10 of the first embodiment, the method of folding the airbag 30 will be described below.

[0046] Figures 11, 12, and 13 are schematic diagrams sequentially showing the folding method of the airbag 30 according to this embodiment. Figure 14 is a schematic diagram sequentially showing the behavior of the airbag 30 when deployed according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 11A, when folding the airbag 30, the worker first folds the left and right ends of the flat-unfolded airbag 30 inward to make the width of the entire airbag 30 even in the left and right direction. Unlike the first embodiment, in this embodiment the worker starts folding the airbag 30 with the airbag 30 placed so that the inner panel 30w1 is on the upper side and the outer panel 30w2 is on the lower side.

[0047] Next, as shown in Figure 11B, the worker roll-folds the rear inflatable portion 30t1 of the airbag 30 from its end 30t1a toward the cowl contact portion 30w1a so that the inner panel 30w1 is positioned on the inside. This creates a roll-fold portion 30r3 in the airbag 30. In other words, the roll-fold portion 30r1 is the part of the rear inflatable portion 30t1 that has been roll-folded in the folded state of the airbag 30 before inflation begins. Next, as shown in Figure 12A, the worker reverses the front and back of the airbag 30 as shown in Figure 11B.

[0048] Next, as shown in Figures 12B and 13A, the worker wraps the cowl contact portion 30w1a of the airbag 30 around the outer circumference of the roll folding portion 30r3 to form a wrapped portion 30r4 on the airbag 30. The wrapping direction K2 of the cowl contact portion 30w1a in the wrapped portion 30r4 relative to the roll folding portion 30r3 is opposite to the rolling direction K1 (Figure 11B) of the roll folding portion 30r3. In other words, the wrapped portion 30r4 is formed by wrapping the cowl contact portion 30w1a of the airbag 30 around the outer circumference of the roll folding portion 30r3.

[0049] Next, as shown in Figure 13B, the worker accordion-folds the portion of the airbag 30 from the part containing the inflator 12 on the front inflation portion 30t2 toward the winding portion 30r4 toward the roll fold portion 30r3 and the winding portion 30r4. This forms a bellows-fold portion 30r5 on the airbag 30. After that, the worker aligns the roll fold portion 30r3, the winding portion 30r4, and the bellows-fold portion 30r5 and secures them with tape (not shown) to prevent them from unraveling. In this way, the airbag 30 is folded and installed in the vehicle 50. The tape (not shown) is designed to rupture under pressure when the airbag 30 inflates, so as not to adversely affect the deployment of the airbag 30.

[0050] As described above, by folding the airbag 30, the airbag 30 unfolds as follows when it inflates. That is, when inflation gas is released from the inflator 12 to the airbag 30 in the state shown in Figure 14A, the inflation gas is first supplied to the bellows-fold portion 30r2 where the front inflation portion 30t2 of the airbag 30 is folded. As a result, as shown in Figure 14B, the bellows-fold portion 30r2 expands and unfolds linearly toward the rear, and the winding portion 30r4 located behind the bellows-fold portion 30r2 comes into contact with the protruding portion 58x of the cowl top panel 58. In other words, since the winding portion 30r4 is the part where the cowl contact portion 30w1a of the airbag 30 is wrapped around the roll-fold portion 30r3, the cowl contact portion 30w1a comes into contact with the protruding portion 58x of the cowl top panel 58.

[0051] Next, as more inflation gas is released from the inflator 12, the inflation gas reaches the winding portion 30r4 of the airbag 30. As a result, as shown in Figure 14C, the winding portion 30r4 expands and rotates (backward) in the direction of arrow R, unfolding while releasing its winding from the roll folding portion 30r3. At this time, the airbag 30 overcomes the protruding portion 58x of the cowl top panel 58 due to the above rotation of the winding portion 30r4. Subsequently, as more inflation gas is released from the inflator 12, the inflation gas reaches the roll folding portion 30r3, causing the roll folding portion 30r3 to gradually unfold, and finally the airbag 30 completes its inflation.

[0052] In this embodiment, the airbag 30 has a cowl contact portion 30w1a that contacts the protruding portion 58x of the cowl top panel 58 when deployed from a folded state, which in turn constitutes a winding portion 30r4 that wraps around the outer circumference of the roll folding portion 30r3 when the airbag 30 is folded. As a result, after the cowl contact portion 30w1a contacts the protruding portion 58x of the cowl top panel 58, the winding portion 30r4 rotates to release the winding around the roll folding portion 30r3, allowing the airbag 30 to overcome the protruding portion 58x when deployed. Therefore, the airbag device 10 of this embodiment can prevent the airbag 30 from getting caught on the protruding portion 58x of the cowl top panel 58 when it is deployed. Consequently, the left front pillar 55 can be quickly covered by the airbag 30.

[0053] Furthermore, the front inflation section 30t2 of the airbag 30 is folded in an accordion fashion when the airbag 30 is folded. This allows the front inflation section 30t2 to be folded more compactly compared to a configuration where the front inflation section 30t2 is roll-folded. As a result, the size of the airbag 30 in its folded state can be reduced.

[0054] In this embodiment, the folding process shown in Figure 11B describes a configuration in which the rear inflatable portion 30t1 of the airbag 30 is roll-folded toward the cowl contact portion 30w1a to form a roll-fold portion 30r3. However, as shown in Figure 15, instead of forming a roll-fold portion 30r3 in this process, the rear inflatable portion 30t1 of the airbag 30 may be bellows-folded toward the cowl contact portion 30w1a to form a bellows-fold portion 30r6, and the winding portion 30r4 may be wrapped around the outer circumference of the bellows-fold portion 30r6.

[0055] Even with this configuration, after the cowl contact portion 30w1a contacts the protruding portion 58x of the cowl top panel 58, the winding portion 30r4 rotates in the same manner as described above, unwinding from the winding around the bellows-fold portion 30r6 as it deploys, allowing the airbag 30 to move over the protruding portion 58x. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the airbag 30 from getting caught on the protruding portion 58x of the cowl top panel 58 when it deploys.

[0056] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, an example was shown in which the airbag 30 covers the area around the left end 58a of the cowl top panel 58 and almost the entire area of ​​the left front pillar 55 from above, and the airbag 40 covers the area around the right end 58b of the cowl top panel 58 and almost the entire area of ​​the right front pillar 56 from above. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the shapes of the airbags 30 and 40 may be changed as appropriate, as long as either the airbag 30 or 40 covers at least a part of the left front pillar 55 or the right front pillar 56 from above. In addition, a connecting part may be provided above the cowl top panel 58 or elsewhere to connect the airbag 30 and the airbag 40, so that the airbags 30 and 40 can be configured as a single airbag. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0057] 10...Airbag device, 12...Inflator, 30...Airbag, 30r3...Roll folding section, 30r4...Wrapping section, 30r5...Bellows folding section, 30t2...Front inflation section, 30w1a...Cowl contact section (contact section), 40...Airbag, 50...Vehicle, 50h...Gap, 54...Front windshield, 55...Left front pillar, 56...Right front pillar, 58...Cowl top panel, 58x...Protruding section, 59...Hood panel

Claims

1. An airbag system mounted on a vehicle comprising a front windshield, front pillars positioned on both sides of the front windshield in the left-right direction, a hood panel positioned in front of the front windshield, and a cowl top panel positioned between the front windshield and the hood panel in the front-rear direction and having a protruding portion that projects upward, An airbag is folded and stored inside the vehicle, and when an inflation gas is supplied, it inflates and deploys, extending out to the outside of the vehicle through the gap between the hood panel and the cowl top panel, and deploys towards the rear, contacting and crossing over the protruding part, and is configured to cover at least a portion of the front pillar from above when inflation is complete. An inflator that releases the inflation gas supplied to the airbag, Equipped with, An airbag device characterized in that the contact portion that abuts the protruding portion when the airbag is deployed from a folded state is roll-folded when the airbag is in a folded state.

2. An airbag system mounted on a vehicle comprising a front windshield, front pillars positioned on both sides of the front windshield in the left-right direction, a hood panel positioned in front of the front windshield, and a cowl top panel positioned between the front windshield and the hood panel in the front-rear direction and having a protruding portion that projects upward, An airbag is folded and stored inside the vehicle, and when an inflation gas is supplied, it inflates and deploys, extending out to the outside of the vehicle through the gap between the hood panel and the cowl top panel, and deploys towards the rear, contacting and crossing over the protruding part, and is configured to cover at least a portion of the front pillar from above when inflation is complete. An inflator that releases the inflation gas supplied to the airbag, Equipped with, The aforementioned airbag in its folded state, The rolled-up section, A winding portion wrapped around the outer circumference of the roll folding portion such that the winding direction is opposite to the rolling direction of the roll folding portion. It has, An airbag device characterized in that the contact portion that abuts the protruding portion when the airbag is deployed from a folded state is configured as the winding portion when the airbag is in a folded state.

3. An airbag system mounted on a vehicle comprising a front windshield, front pillars positioned on both sides of the front windshield in the left-right direction, a hood panel positioned in front of the front windshield, and a cowl top panel positioned between the front windshield and the hood panel in the front-rear direction and having a protruding portion that projects upward, An airbag is folded and stored inside the vehicle, and when an inflation gas is supplied, it inflates and deploys, extending out to the outside of the vehicle through the gap between the hood panel and the cowl top panel, and deploys towards the rear, contacting and crossing over the protruding part, and is configured to cover at least a portion of the front pillar from above when inflation is complete. An inflator that releases the inflation gas supplied to the airbag, Equipped with, The aforementioned airbag in its folded state, The accordion-folded section, The winding portion wrapped around the outer circumference of the bellows-fold portion, It has, An airbag device characterized in that the contact portion that abuts the protruding portion when the airbag is deployed from a folded state is configured as the winding portion when the airbag is in a folded state.

4. The airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least a portion of the front inflation portion of the airbag in front of the panel contact portion when inflation is complete is accordion-folded when the airbag is folded.

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