Airbag device

Abstract

To provide an air bag that can improve occupant restraint performance and spread stably.SOLUTION: A second airbag body part 31 is positioned at least partially overlapping a first airbag body part 30 in a vehicle width direction. An attachment part 32 includes a first attachment part 65 disposed on the first airbag body part 30 at a position where the first airbag body part 30 and the second airbag body part 31 do not overlap in the vehicle width direction. The attachment part 32 includes a second mounting part 66 disposed on the second airbag body part 31 at a position where the first airbag body part 30 and the second airbag body part 31 overlap in the vehicle width direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an airbag that is deployed in a vehicle cabin by supplying gas from a folded state. An airbag device comprising Regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known an airbag device equipped with an airbag that expands and deploys when gas is introduced, which is a so-called curtain airbag device that deploys a longitudinal airbag in the front and rear direction along a specific surface including the pillar portion on the side of the passenger compartment of an automobile and the window portion of the door. The airbag of such an airbag device is normally folded into a long and thin shape and arranged along the roof side portion at the upper edge of the window portion. When an impact such as a side collision or rollover occurs, gas is supplied from an inflator, and the airbag expands and deploys downward along the side window glass, etc., to restrain the occupant and protect the head, etc.

[0003] In such airbags, a configuration is known in which a sub-inflatable section is provided on the exterior side of the vehicle from a main inflatable section located on the interior side of the vehicle, the sub-inflatable section having an internal space connected to the main inflatable section via an air vent (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-46175 A (Pages 5-7, Figures 1-3) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the case of the above-mentioned configuration, although the stroke is partially increased, since the main expansion section and the sub expansion section are connected to each other, it is difficult to produce an effective change in the internal pressure.

[0006] In addition, since the sub-inflation part is set with an attachment part to the vehicle body provided on the upper side of the main inflation part, there is a risk that the main inflation part may be pushed up around the setting position of the sub-inflation part, making it difficult to stabilize the deployment of the airbag.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of such points, and an airbag capable of improving the occupant restraint performance and enabling stable deployment An airbag device comprising is provided.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The airbag according to claim 1 Device is an airbag that is deployed in the vehicle interior by supplying gas from a folded state, And an inflater for supplying the gas to the airbag, the airbag a bag-shaped first airbag main body part that deploys on the side of the occupant, one or more bag-shaped second airbag main body parts that are non-communicating with the first airbag main body part and deploy outside the vehicle body with respect to the first airbag main body part, and an attachment part attached to the vehicle body side, and the second airbag main body part is arranged such that at least a part thereof overlaps the first airbag main body part in the vehicle width direction. Is located between the first airbag main body portion and the window portion of the vehicle body in the deployed state The attachment part has a first attachment part arranged on the first airbag main body part at a position where the first airbag main body part and the second airbag main body part do not overlap in the vehicle width direction, and a second attachment part arranged on the second airbag main body part at a position where the first airbag main body part and the second airbag main body part overlap in the vehicle width direction. And due to the supply of the gas from the inflater, the first airbag main body portion expands and deploys after the deployment of the second airbag main body portion It is such.

[0009] The airbag according to claim 2 Device is the airbag according to claim 1 Device wherein at least one of the first airbag main body part and the second airbag main body part is fixed to each other.

Effects of the Invention

[0010] According to the airbag according to claim 1 Device According to The second airbag main body portion is deployed earlier than the first airbag main body portionWhile effectively utilizing the energy absorption strokes of the first airbag main body portion and the second airbag main body portion that overlap in the vehicle width direction to increase the energy absorption stroke, the head of the occupant can be protected with a low load, the occupant restraint performance is improved, and the attachment positions of the first airbag main body portion and the second airbag main body portion to the vehicle body side can be made linear, enabling the first airbag main body portion and the second airbag main body portion to be stably deployed.

[0011] The airbag according to claim 2 Device According to this, the airbag according to claim 1 Device In addition to the effects of the airbag according to claim 1, tension can be applied to the second airbag main body portion in the same manner as the first airbag main body portion during inflation and deployment, and the occupant restraint performance can be further improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 10 denotes an airbag. The airbag device 11 equipped with the airbag 10 is also called a curtain airbag device, and is disposed at the roof side portion 15 which is a storage position of the passenger compartment 14 of the vehicle body 13 of an automobile which is a vehicle. The airbag 10 is also called a curtain airbag, a side impact airbag, an inflatable curtain, or a head protection airbag, etc., and when receiving an impact of a side collision or during a rollover, etc., it expands substantially in a planar shape in a downward direction which is a predetermined direction to the side of an occupant as an object to be protected, and is configured to protect the head of the occupant, etc.

[0015] Incidentally, hereinafter, directions such as the longitudinal direction, both side directions which are the vehicle width direction, and the vertical direction are based on the straight-ahead direction of the vehicle, and the front side direction (arrow F direction), the rear side direction (arrow R direction), the upper side (arrow U direction), the lower side (arrow D direction), the outer side of the passenger compartment 14 (arrow W direction), the inner side of the passenger compartment 14 (arrow C direction), etc. will be described.

[0016] The vehicle body 13 of the automobile is provided with a front seat and a rear seat which are seats where the occupant H can be seated in the passenger compartment 14. Corresponding to these front and rear seats, doors are provided which are each provided with (first and second) window portions (side windows) 18, 19 covered by glass that can be opened at the top. Further, on both sides of the passenger compartment 14, in order from the front side, a front pillar 21 as a (first) columnar body also called an A pillar, a center pillar 22 as a (second) columnar body also called a B pillar, and a rear pillar 23 as a (third) columnar body also called a C pillar are provided. The window portion 18 is located behind the front pillar 21 and in front of the center pillar 22, and the window portion 19 is located behind the center pillar 22 and in front of the rear pillar 23. And, by these window portions 18, 19, the doors, and the respective pillars 21, 22, 23, a predetermined surface 24 where the airbag 10 is deployed is configured on both side portions of the passenger compartment 14. Further, on the upper side of these pillars 21, 22, 23, that is, on the upper edge portion which is one edge portion of the window portions 18, 19, a vehicle body panel 25 that constitutes an attachment member also called a roof side rail or the like is provided, and a ceiling panel as a ceiling portion is supported via this vehicle body panel 25. Further, a front glass (front windshield) is provided on the front side of the front pillars 21 on both sides, and a rear glass is provided on the rear side of the rear pillars 23 on both sides. And, the roof side portion 15 as a storage position is set to a portion that extends over substantially the entire length of the front pillar 21 and the rear pillar 23 that extend in a direction that intersects with this edge portion from the edge portions on both sides of the ceiling panel, and the predetermined surface 24 is set inside an arc virtually configured by these edge portions of the ceiling panel and the front pillar 21 and the rear pillar 23.

[0017] Note that the center pillar 22 indicates a pillar portion covered by the deployed airbag 10, not the pillar portions at the front and rear ends. Also, depending on the type of vehicle, there may be a case where, for example, four or more pillar portions are provided on one side, but the pillar portions from the third one onwards from the front are described as the rear pillar 23.

[0018] The airbag device 11 is a so-called front and rear seat airbag device capable of protecting the front seat and rear seat occupants, and includes an airbag 10 and an inflater 27 which is a gas generator that supplies gas to the airbag 10. Further, the airbag device 11 includes a bracket for attaching the airbag 10 to the vehicle body panel 25, a sleeve as a shape retaining member for retaining the shape of the folded airbag 10, a tether belt 29 as a tether portion connected to the front end portion of the airbag 10, and the like. Further, the inner side of each passenger compartment 14 of each pillar 21, 22, 23 is covered with a pillar garnish which is a cover body as a structure, that is, a covering interior material.

[0019] The airbag 10 is stored in a folded and elongated manner along the upper edge of the door opening of the vehicle body 13, that is, the roof side portion 15 surrounded by a headlining which is a ceiling covering member as an interior material continuous from the upper ends of the vehicle body panel 25 and each pillar 21, 22, 23 to the ceiling. In the present embodiment, the airbag 10 is set with a first airbag main body portion 30, one or more second airbag main body portions 31, and an attachment portion 32 for attaching the airbag 10 to the vehicle body 13 side.

[0020] The first airbag main body portion 30 is a portion also called a main air chamber, a main cushion, etc. The first airbag main body portion 30 is formed in a flat bag shape in the vehicle width direction. The first airbag main body portion 30 is composed of a single or a plurality of base fabrics, and the outer edge portions of the base fabrics are joined by sewing or the like to form a bag shape. Further, the first airbag main body portion 30 is disposed on the side of the occupant H in the deployed state. The first airbag main body portion 30 covers a region corresponding to the window portions 18, 19 on the predetermined surface 24 and is a portion that expands in the front-rear region extending from the front seat to the side of the rear seat. The first airbag main body portion 30 is formed with a longitudinal direction in the front-rear direction. The first airbag main body portion 30 extends longer in the front-rear direction than the second airbag main body portion 31. Further, the first airbag main body portion 30 is set to have a larger volume than the second airbag main body portion 31. Furthermore, the front end portion of the first airbag main body portion 30 is attached to the vehicle body 13 side by a tether belt 29, for example.

[0021] In addition, a non-inflation part 35, which is a plurality of regulating parts for regulating the flow of gas, is arranged in the first airbag main body part 30. By these non-inflation parts 35, the first airbag main body part 30 is partitioned into a plurality of inflation parts 36. Further, a first gas introduction part 37 into which gas is introduced from the inflator 27 is formed in the first airbag main body part 30. Here, the first gas introduction part 37 is located on the upper side which is the deployment proximal end side of the first airbag main body part 30. In the present embodiment, the first gas introduction part 37 is of a center mount type that protrudes from the center part in the front-rear direction of the upper part of the first airbag main body part 30. However, it is not limited to this, and it may be of a rear mount type in which the first gas introduction part 37 protrudes from the rear part side of the first airbag main body part 30.

[0022] The non-inflation part 35 regulates the inflation stroke in the vehicle width direction of the first airbag main body part 30. The non-inflation part 35 is formed as a joint part to which the base fabric constituting the first airbag main body part 30 is joined. The non-inflation part 35 may be arbitrarily set according to the shape of the first airbag main body part 30, the region to be protected, etc. The non-inflation parts 35 are each formed in a linear shape, and a protection part in which the base fabric is joined in a circular shape is formed at the tip. By providing such a protection part, it is possible to ensure the elongation of the base fabric and prevent the generation of wrinkles during inflation deployment, and to obtain sufficient strength against the stress concentration generated at the end of the non-inflation part 35 during the inflation deployment of the first airbag main body part 30. In the present embodiment, first to fourth non-inflation parts 40, 41, 42, 43 are set in the non-inflation part 35. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a front main chamber 45, a front sub-chamber 46, a front communication passage 47, a rear main chamber 48, a rear sub-chamber 49, a rear supply passage 50, and a rear communication passage 51 are set in the inflation part 36.

[0023] The first non-inflatable portion 40 is spaced further forward than the second to fourth non-inflatable portions 41-43. That is, the first non-inflatable portion 40 is located at the foremost part of the non-inflatable portions 35. In the present embodiment, the first non-inflatable portion 40 is disposed near the front end portion of the first airbag main body portion 30 in the deployed state of the airbag 10 (the first airbag main body portion 30), and the proximal end side is located near the upper end of the front pillar 21. The first non-inflatable portion 40 is formed along the vertical direction. In the illustrated example, the first non-inflatable portion 40 has the upper edge portion of the first airbag main body portion 30 as the proximal end portion, the tip portion is inclined forward and downward, and the tip portion further extends along the vertical direction. The first non-inflatable portion 40 divides the front sub-chamber 46 and the front communication passage 47 front and rear. The tip portion of the first non-inflatable portion 40 is spaced apart from the lower edge portion of the first airbag main body portion 30. A first communication port 53 is formed between the tip portion of the first non-inflatable portion 40 and the lower edge portion of the first airbag main body portion 30. The first communication port 53 is formed to be narrowly constricted vertically, generates a predetermined ventilation resistance, and functions as an internal vent that suppresses the rapid inflow of gas from the front communication passage 47 to the front sub-chamber 46.

[0024] The second non-inflatable portion 41 is located rearward of the first non-inflatable portion 40. In the present embodiment, the second non-inflatable portion 41 is disposed near the front portion of the first airbag main body portion 30 in the deployed state of the airbag 10 (the first airbag main body portion 30), and is located between the front pillar 21 and the center pillar 22. In the illustrated example, the front end portion of the second non-inflatable portion 41 is located rearward and apart from the first non-inflatable portion 40 via the front communication passage 47, extends obliquely downward and forward from this front end portion, the middle portion extends rearward and is inclined toward the rear upper side, and the rear end portion further extends rearward. That is, the second non-inflatable portion 41 is formed by being folded back in a U shape when viewed from the side. The rear end portion of the second non-inflatable portion 41 is in a position that contacts the center pillar 22 in the deployed state of the airbag 10 (the first airbag main body portion 30). The second non-inflatable portion 41 divides the front main chamber 45, the front communication passage 47, and the rear communication passage 51 front and rear. The inflation amount of the front main chamber 45 is regulated by the front end portion of the second non-inflatable portion 41.

[0025] The third non-inflatable portion 42 is located behind the second non-inflatable portion 41. In the present embodiment, the third non-inflatable portion 42 is disposed closer to the rear portion of the first airbag body portion 30 in the deployed state of the airbag 10 (the first airbag body portion 30), and is located between the center pillar 22 and the rear pillar 23. In the illustrated example, the third non-inflatable portion 42 extends forward and upward with the lower edge portion of the first airbag body portion 30 as the base end portion, the middle portion extends forward along the lower portion of the rear supply passage 50, and the tip end portion is inclined forward and downward at a position behind the second non-inflatable portion 41. The third non-inflatable portion 42 partitions the rear communication passage 51, the rear supply passage 50, the rear main chamber 48, and the rear sub-chamber 49. The front end portion, which is the tip end portion of the third non-inflatable portion 42, is in a position that contacts the center pillar 22 in the deployed state of the airbag 10 (the first airbag body portion 30). The tip end portion of the third non-inflatable portion 42 is spaced apart from the lower edge portion of the first airbag body portion 30. A second communication port 55 is formed between the tip end portion of the third non-inflatable portion 42 and the lower edge portion of the first airbag body portion 30. The second communication port 55 is formed to be narrowed vertically, generates a predetermined ventilation resistance, and functions as an internal vent that suppresses a rapid inflow of gas from the rear communication passage 51 to the rear sub-chamber 49.

[0026] The fourth non-inflatable portion 43 is located between the base end portion and the tip end portion of the third non-inflatable portion 42. In the present embodiment, the fourth non-inflatable portion 43 is located between the center pillar 22 and the rear pillar 23 in the deployed state of the airbag 10 (the first airbag body portion 30). In the illustrated example, the fourth non-inflatable portion 43 extends linearly rearward and upward with the lower edge portion of the first airbag body portion 30 as the base end portion, and the tip end portion is located below the middle portion of the third non-inflatable portion 42. The expansion amount of the rear sub-chamber 49 is regulated by the fourth non-inflatable portion 43.

[0027] The front main chamber 45 is configured to restrain the head of an occupant seated in the front seat by the deployment of the airbag 10 (the first airbag main body portion 30). The front main chamber 45 is partitioned at the front, lower, and rear sides by the second non-inflated portion 41, and at the upper side by the upper edge portion of the first airbag main body portion 30. The front main chamber 45 is configured to restrain the head of an occupant seated in the front seat by the front restraint surface, which is a restraint surface surrounded by the second non-inflated portion 41 and the upper edge portion of the first airbag main body portion 30. Also, the upper front side of the front main chamber 45 is directly communicated with the front communication passage 47. Further, in the present embodiment, the upper rear side of the front main chamber 45 is directly communicated with the first gas introduction portion 37.

[0028] The front sub-chamber 46 suppresses an increase in internal pressure associated with the restraint of the head of the occupant in the front main chamber 45 by receiving a part of the gas introduced into the front main chamber 45, and maintains the front main chamber 45 at a stable constant pressure. The front sub-chamber 46 is located at the foremost part of the inflated portion 36. The front sub-chamber 46 is partitioned at the rear side by the first non-inflated portion 40, and at the upper, front, and lower sides by the upper edge portion, front edge portion, and lower edge portion of the first airbag main body portion 30. The front sub-chamber 46 is formed to have a smaller volume than the front main chamber 45.

[0029] The front communication passage 47 communicates the front main chamber 45 and the front sub-chamber 46. The front communication passage 47 is positioned sandwiched front and rear between the front main chamber 45 and the front sub-chamber 46. The front communication passage 47 is partitioned at the front side by the first non-inflated portion 40 and at the rear side by the second non-inflated portion 41, and at the upper and lower sides by the upper edge portion and lower edge portion of the first airbag main body portion 30. The front communication passage 47 is directly communicated with the front sub-chamber 46 through the first communication port 53.

[0030] The rear main chamber 48 is configured to restrain the head of an occupant sitting in the rear seat by the deployment of the airbag 10 (the first airbag main body portion 30). The rear main chamber 48 is partitioned at the front by the third non-inflatable portion 42, and the upper, rear, and lower sides are partitioned by the upper edge portion, rear edge portion, and lower edge portion of the first airbag main body portion 30, respectively. Further, the upper front portion of the rear main chamber 48 communicates with the first gas introduction portion 37 via the rear supply passage 50. Then, the rear main chamber 48 is configured to restrain the head of an occupant sitting in the rear seat by the third non-inflatable portion 42 and the rear restraint surface, which is a restraint surface surrounded by the upper edge portion, rear edge portion, and lower edge portion of the first airbag main body portion 30.

[0031] The rear sub-chamber 49 suppresses an increase in internal pressure associated with the restraint of the occupant's head in the rear main chamber 48 by receiving a part of the gas introduced into the rear main chamber 48, thereby maintaining the rear main chamber 48 at a stable and constant pressure. The rear sub-chamber 49 is partitioned at the rear, upper, and front by the third non-inflatable portion 42, partitioned at the lower side by the lower edge portion of the first airbag main body portion 30, and partitioned front and rear by the fourth non-inflatable portion 43. The rear sub-chamber 49 is partitioned at the lower part of the rear supply passage 50.

[0032] The rear supply passage 50 guides the gas introduced from the first gas introduction portion 37 into the first airbag main body portion 30 to the rear main chamber 48. The rear supply passage 50 is longitudinally partitioned in the front-rear direction between the middle portion of the third non-inflatable portion 42 and the upper edge portion of the first airbag main body portion 30. The front end portion of the rear supply passage 50 communicates directly with the first gas introduction portion 37 and the rear communication passage 51, and the rear end portion communicates directly with the rear main chamber 48.

[0033] The rear communication passage 51 communicates the rear main chamber 48 and the rear sub-chamber 49. The rear communication passage 51 is positioned sandwiched front and rear between the front main chamber 45 and the rear sub-chamber 49. The rear communication passage 51 is partitioned at the front by the second non-inflatable portion 41 and partitioned at the rear by the third non-inflatable portion 42. The rear communication passage 51 communicates directly with the rear sub-chamber 49 via the second communication port 55.

[0034] On the other hand, the second airbag body portion 31 is a part also called a sub-chamber, a sub-cushion, a separate bag, etc. The second airbag body portion 31 assists in protecting the head of an occupant sitting in the front seat at the time of a collision at particularly high speed and high energy by the first airbag body portion 30. The second airbag body portion 31 is a separate one that is non-communicating with the first airbag body portion 30. The second airbag body portion 31 is formed in a flat bag shape in the vehicle width direction. The second airbag body portion 31 is composed of one or a plurality of base fabrics, and the outer edge portions of the base fabrics are joined by sewing or the like to form a bag shape.

[0035] Further, the second airbag body portion 31 is disposed outside the vehicle of the first airbag body portion 30 in the deployed state, that is, on the side of the predetermined surface 24. That is, the second airbag body portion 31 is disposed on the opposite side in the vehicle width direction from the occupant with respect to the first airbag body portion 30. The second airbag body portion 31 is positioned such that at least a part thereof overlaps the first airbag body portion 30 in the vehicle width direction, that is, the thickness direction. When there is one second airbag body portion 31, this second airbag body portion 31 is positioned to overlap the first airbag body portion 30 in the vehicle width direction, that is, the thickness direction. When there are a plurality of second airbag body portions 31, at least any one of the second airbag body portions 31 is positioned to overlap the first airbag body portion 30 in the vehicle width direction, that is, the thickness direction. That is, the second airbag body portion 31 is positioned to overlap the first airbag body portion 30 in the approaching direction of the occupant's head. Therefore, the airbag 10 has a configuration in which two or more non-communicating multi-layer air chambers overlap with each other in the vehicle width direction or in the approaching direction of the occupant's head. The thickness and the set number of the second airbag body portion 31 can be arbitrarily adjusted. However, in the present embodiment, the second airbag body portion 31 has the same thickness as the first airbag body portion 30 and is set to one. In the illustrated example, the second airbag body portion 31 is positioned outside the vehicle of the first airbag body portion 30 at a position corresponding to the front main chamber 45 in the inflating portion 36 of the first airbag body portion 30. In the present embodiment, the vertical length of the second airbag body portion 31 is the same as that of the first airbag body portion 30, but is not limited thereto, and may be longer or shorter than the first airbag body portion 30. The second airbag body portion 31 is set to have the same volume as or larger than the front main chamber 45 of the first airbag body portion 30.

[0036] In addition, a non-inflating portion 57, which is a restricting portion for restricting the flow of gas, is disposed in the second airbag main body 31. The second airbag main body 31 is partitioned into a plurality of inflating portions 58 by the non-inflating portion 57. Further, a second gas introduction portion 59 through which gas is introduced from the inflator 27 is formed in the second airbag main body 31. Here, the second gas introduction portion 59 is located above the second airbag main body 31 on the side of the deployment base end. In the present embodiment, the second gas introduction portion 59 is of a center mount type protruding from the center in the front-rear direction of the upper part of the second airbag main body 31. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be of a rear mount type in which the second gas introduction portion 59 protrudes from the rear side of the second airbag main body 31.

[0037] The non-inflating portion 57 restricts the inflation stroke of the second airbag main body 31 in the vehicle width direction. The non-inflating portion 57 is formed as a joining portion to which the base fabric constituting the second airbag main body 31 is joined. The non-inflating portion 57 may be arbitrarily set according to the shape of the second airbag main body 31, the region to be protected, and the like. The non-inflating portion 57 is formed linearly, and a protective portion where the base fabric is joined in a circular shape is formed at the tip. By providing such a protective portion, it is possible to ensure the elongation of the base fabric during inflation deployment and prevent the generation of wrinkles, and to obtain sufficient strength against the stress concentration generated at the end of the non-inflating portion 57 during the inflation deployment of the second airbag main body 31. In the present embodiment, one non-inflating portion 57 is set. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a main chamber 60 and a sub-chamber 61 are set in the inflating portion 58 in the front-rear direction.

[0038] In the present embodiment, the non-inflated portion 57 is located between the front end portion and the rear end portion of the second non-inflated portion 41 of the first airbag main body portion 30 when viewed from the side in the deployed state of the airbag 10 (second airbag main body portion 31). In the illustrated example, the non-inflated portion 57 is located close to the rear portion of the front end portion of the second non-inflated portion 41 of the first airbag main body portion 30 when viewed from the side in the deployed state of the airbag 10 (second airbag main body portion 31). The non-inflated portion 57 has the upper edge portion of the second airbag main body portion 31 as its base end portion, and its tip portion extends linearly downward along the vertical direction. The lower end portion, which is the tip portion of the non-inflated portion 57, is separated from the lower edge portion of the second airbag main body portion 31. A communication port 63 is formed between the tip portion of the non-inflated portion 57 and the lower edge portion of the second airbag main body portion 31. The communication port 63 is formed to be narrowly constricted vertically, generates a predetermined ventilation resistance, and functions as an internal vent that suppresses the rapid inflow of gas from the main chamber 60 to the sub-chamber 61.

[0039] The main chamber 60 supports the first airbag main body portion 30 that restrains the head of the occupant sitting in the front seat from the outside of the vehicle compartment when the airbag 10 (second airbag main body portion 31) is deployed. The main chamber 60 is located between the front pillar 21 and the center pillar 22 in the deployed state of the airbag 10 (second airbag main body portion 31). In the illustrated example, the main chamber 60 is adjacent to the front portion of the center pillar 22 and is in a position overlapping the front main chamber 45 of the first airbag main body portion 30 when viewed from the side in the deployed state of the airbag 10 (second airbag main body portion 31). The main chamber 60 is set at approximately the central portion of the window portion 18 of the front seat. The main chamber 60 is partitioned at the front side by the non-inflated portion 57, and is partitioned at the upper side, rear side, and lower side by the upper edge portion, rear edge portion, and lower edge portion of the second airbag main body portion 31. Further, the upper side of the main chamber 60 is directly communicated with the second gas introduction portion 59.

[0040] The sub-chamber 61 suppresses an increase in internal pressure caused by the support of the front main chamber 45 of the first airbag main body 30 in the main chamber 60 by receiving a part of the gas introduced into the main chamber 60, and maintains the main chamber 60 at a stable constant pressure. The sub-chamber 61 is adjacent to the front side of the main chamber 60 via the non-inflatable portion 57. In the illustrated example, the sub-chamber 61 is located at a position overlapping the front end of the second non-inflatable portion 41 of the first airbag main body 30 when viewed from the side in the deployed state of the airbag 10 (second airbag main body 31). The rear side of the sub-chamber 61 is partitioned by the non-inflatable portion 57, and the upper side, the front side, and the lower side are partitioned by the upper edge portion, the front edge portion, and the lower edge portion of the second airbag main body 31. The sub-chamber 61 is formed with a smaller volume than the main chamber 60.

[0041] The attachment portion 32 is a portion attached to the vehicle body 13 side via a bracket. The attachment portion 32 is set at the upper edge portions of the first airbag main body 30 and the second airbag main body 31, respectively. The attachment portion 32 is formed in a tab shape protruding from the outer edge of the first airbag main body 30 and the outer edge of the second airbag main body 31. The attachment portion 32 is provided with a first attachment portion 65 and a second attachment portion 66.

[0042] The first attachment portion 65 is set on the first airbag main body 30. A plurality of first attachment portions 65 are set at intervals from the front end to the rear end of the first airbag main body 30. The first attachment portion 65 is arranged on the first airbag main body 30 at a position where the first airbag main body 30 and the second airbag main body 31 do not overlap in the vehicle width direction. The first attachment portion 65 is set on the first airbag main body 30 at a position in front of the second airbag main body 31 and at a position behind the second airbag main body 31. In the present embodiment, the first attachment portion 65 is set at the upper edge portion of a portion excluding the upper part of the front main chamber 45 in the first airbag main body 30.

[0043] The second attachment part 66 is set on the second airbag main body part 31. The second attachment part 66 is arranged at the upper edge part of the second airbag main body part 31. The second attachment part 66 is arranged on the second airbag main body part 31 at a position where the first airbag main body part 30 and the second airbag main body part 31 overlap in the vehicle width direction. The second attachment part 66 is located above the front main chamber 45 of the first airbag main body part 30.

[0044] Also, the inflater 27 is stored behind or above the rear seat and supplies gas to this airbag 10. The inflater 27 may be single or plural, but in the present embodiment, the inflater 27 is separately set with a first inflater 70 for inflating and deploying the first airbag main body part 30 and a second inflater 71 for inflating and deploying the second airbag main body part 31.

[0045] The first inflater 70 is inserted and connected to the first gas introduction part 37. Also, the second inflater 71 is inserted and connected to the second gas introduction part 59. The gas supply performance of these first inflater 70 and second inflater 71 is set according to the respective volumes of the first airbag main body part 30 and the second airbag main body part 31 and the required deployment behavior. Preferably, the gas supply performance is set so that the internal pressure when restraining the occupant's head is equal to or higher than that of the main chamber 60 of the second airbag main body part 31 in the first airbag main body part 30, particularly in the front main chamber 45, by these first inflater 70 and second inflater 71.

[0046] Then, the airbag 10 forms the first airbag main body part 30 and the second airbag main body part 31 by joining the base fabric by sewing or the like, inserts the gas injection sides of the first inflater 70 and the second inflater 71 into the first gas introduction part 37 and the second gas introduction part 59, and integrally fixes them in a state where the first inflater 70 and the second inflater 71 are exposed to the outside from the first airbag main body part 30 and the second airbag main body part 31.

[0047] Further, while bending the first airbag body portion 30 and the second airbag body portion 31 into a roll shape or the like respectively, they are lifted up and folded into a predetermined elongated shape (FIG. 3), and using a sleeve or the like, the folded shapes are respectively held so as to be releasable by the pressure at the time of deployment of the first airbag body portion 30 and the second airbag body portion 31, that is, breakable. In this way, the first airbag body portion 30 and the second airbag body portion 31 are folded into an elongated shape and the folded shapes are held, and the airbag device 11 serving as a curtain airbag module is configured.

[0048] Then, the airbag device 11 including the first airbag body portion 30 and the second airbag body portion 31 folded as described above is brought into the passenger compartment 14, and the attachment work to the vehicle body 13 is performed before the interior materials such as the headlining and the pillar garnish are attached. This attachment work is performed by attaching and fixing the first attachment portion 65 of the first airbag body portion 30 and the second attachment portion 66 of the second airbag body portion 31 to the vehicle body 13 by a fixture such as a bolt via a bracket, and attaching and fixing the tether belt 29 of the first airbag body portion 30 to the vehicle body 13 by a fixture such as a bolt. At this time, the first attachment portion 65 and the second attachment portion 66 are attached to the vehicle body 13 at positions along a predetermined straight line along the front-rear direction. Further, the first inflator 70 and the second inflator 71 are fixed at positions corresponding to above the center pillar 22. Furthermore, the harnesses led out from the respective inflators 70, 71 are connected to a control device provided on the vehicle body 13. Next, the headlining is attached to the ceiling panel of the vehicle body 13 to cover the airbag device 11, and the pillar garnishes are respectively attached to the respective pillars 21, 22, 23, and the attachment work of the airbag device 11 to the vehicle body 13 is completed. In this attached state, the airbag device 11 is isolated from the interior of the passenger compartment 14 by the headlining and the pillar garnishes, and the respective inflators 70, 71 and the first airbag body portion 30 and the second airbag body portion 31 folded in a roll shape are held at positions above the pillar garnishes.

[0049] In the event of a side collision including an oblique collision (collision from the obliquely front) or a rollover of the vehicle, the inflator 27 is actuated by the control device. Gas is supplied from the first inflator 70 to the first airbag body portion 30, and gas is supplied from the second inflator 71 to the second airbag body portion 31. As the first airbag body portion 30 expands and deploys, it deforms to push the lower end of the headlining toward the interior side of the passenger compartment 14, and the first airbag body portion 30 and the second airbag body portion 31 project into the passenger compartment 14 from the upper end of the pillar garnish and deploy downward along the predetermined surface 24. At this time, the second airbag body portion 31 having a smaller volume than the first airbag body portion 30 expands and deploys quickly along the predetermined surface 24 earlier than the first airbag body portion 30, and then the first airbag body portion 30 expands and deploys in a form offset toward the inner side of the passenger compartment 14 with respect to the second airbag body portion 31.

[0050] Regarding the second airbag body portion 31, the gas introduced from the second gas introduction portion 59 by the second inflator 71 is supplied to the main chamber 60.

[0051] On the other hand, regarding the first airbag body portion 30, the gas introduced from the first gas introduction portion 37 by the first inflator 70 is branched and supplied to the front main chamber 45 and the rear main chamber 48 from the rear supply passage 50 in the front and rear directions. Gas is supplied to the front sub-chamber 46 from the front main chamber 45 through the front communication passage 47 and the first communication port 53, and gas is supplied to the rear sub-chamber 49 through the rear supply passage 50 and the rear communication passage 51 and the second communication port 55, and these front sub-chamber 46 and rear sub-chamber 49 also expand and deploy.

[0052] The front main chamber 45 is deployed at a position overlapping the main chamber 60 of the second airbag body portion 31 that has been deployed previously, on the side of the occupant H in the vehicle width direction. And since the first attachment portion 65 and the second attachment portion 66 are attached to the vehicle body 13 along a straight line, the first airbag body portion 30 will be deployed in a state that is arcuately curved as viewed from above, where the position of the second airbag body portion 31 (main chamber 60) protrudes maximally inside the passenger compartment 14 and its front and rear are close to the predetermined surface 24. That is, the first airbag body portion 30 and the second airbag body portion 31 expand and deploy side by side on the tension line TL on the side of the predetermined surface 24 where the so-called film force from the base fabric takes effect.

[0053] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the front main chamber 45 forms a thick protection portion in the vehicle width direction together with the main chamber 60, and restrains the head HE of the occupant H sitting in the front seat from being thrown laterally or obliquely forward by the front restraint surface that deploys between the side of the head HE of the occupant H and the vehicle body 13.

[0054] When the front main chamber 45 is pressed in the width direction by restraining the head HE of the occupant H, a part of the gas gradually flows into the front sub-chamber 46 through the first communication port 53, maintaining an appropriate internal pressure. Also, when the main chamber 60 is pressed in the width direction by restraining the head HE of the occupant H by the front main chamber 45, a part of the gas gradually flows into the sub-chamber 61 through the second communication port 55, maintaining an appropriate internal pressure.

[0055] Also, in the rear main chamber 48, a rear restraint surface is formed on the side of the head of the occupant sitting in the rear seat, and the head of the occupant thrown obliquely forward by an oblique collision is restrained by the rear restraint surface. When the rear main chamber 48 is pressed in the width direction by restraining the head of the occupant, a part of the gas gradually flows into the rear sub-chamber 49 through the second communication port 55, maintaining an appropriate internal pressure.

[0056] Note that the control device may select whether to operate only the first inflator 70 or to operate both the first inflator 70 and the second inflator 71 according to the collision mode such as the collision speed or energy. For example, when the collision speed or energy is equal to or less than a predetermined value, only the first inflator 70 is operated to inflate and deploy only the first airbag body 30, so that the head of the occupant is restrained and protected by the deployment behavior and characteristics of the first airbag body 30.

[0057] As described above, in the first embodiment, the first airbag body 30 and the second airbag body 31 are made non-communicating, and the second airbag body 31 is disposed outside the passenger compartment 14 with respect to the first airbag body 30, and at least a part thereof overlaps the first airbag body 30 in the vehicle width direction for deployment.

[0058] Therefore, the first airbag body 30 and the second airbag body 31 that are independent of each other are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction and at least partially overlap, so that the first airbag body 30 (front main chamber 45) and the second airbag body 31 (main chamber 60) that overlap in the vehicle width direction function in the same manner as the coil springs connected in series in Hooke's law. By effectively utilizing these energy absorption strokes to increase the energy absorption stroke, it is possible to protect the head HE of the occupant H with a low load, and the occupant restraint performance is improved.

[0059] In particular, in the case of a high-speed and high-energy collision, the load received by the head HE of the occupant H increases due to the increase in speed. In a conventional airbag, the energy absorption stroke is insufficient, and the energy that can be absorbed is insufficient, resulting in the head of the occupant hitting the bottom. Therefore, it is conceivable to increase the energy absorption stroke by increasing the volume. In that case, it is necessary to increase the output of the inflator in order to obtain a sufficient deployment speed and internal pressure. However, even if the stroke increases, the internal pressure does not change extremely, so the generation of a high load when receiving a slow impact cannot be suppressed. In addition, a simple increase in the energy absorption stroke raises concerns about an increase in occupant harmfulness and a large change in performance in normal restraint.

[0060] In contrast, in the present embodiment, without increasing the individual energy absorption strokes of the first airbag main body 30 and the second airbag main body 31, the energy absorption stroke can be obtained by causing them to act in series in the vehicle width direction, and since the head HE of the occupant H can be protected with a low load, it is possible to provide the airbag 10 corresponding to high-speed and high-energy collisions without deteriorating the occupant harmfulness.

[0061] Further, since the first airbag main body 30 and the second airbag main body 31 are non-communicating with each other and their gas introduction parts 37 and 59 are independent of each other, there is no occurrence of the exchange of gas between them or insufficient filling of gas to either side, and the deployment by gas supply to one side does not inhibit the deployment by gas supply to the other side, and a rapid and reliable deployment behavior can be obtained.

[0062] For example, when the first airbag main body 30 (front main chamber 45) and the second airbag main body 31 (main chamber 60) are of the same hardness in the deployed state, according to Hooke's law, by arranging them in series in the vehicle width direction, a theoretical load reduction of 30% is possible.

[0063] Also, the first airbag main body 30 is attached to the vehicle body 13 side by the first attachment part 65 at a position where the first airbag main body 30 and the second airbag main body 31 do not overlap in the vehicle width direction, and the second airbag main body 31 is attached by the second attachment part 66 at a position where the first airbag main body 30 and the second airbag main body 31 overlap in the vehicle width direction, whereby the attachment positions of the first airbag main body 30 and the second airbag main body 31 to the vehicle body 13 side can be made linear, and it becomes possible to stably deploy these first airbag main body 30 and second airbag main body 31.

[0064] Moreover, since the second airbag main body portion 31 is located closer to the vehicle body 13 side than the first airbag main body portion 30, it is possible to avoid a direct hit of the second airbag main body portion 31 on the head HE of the occupant H. Also, when the collision is of an insignificant level for the second airbag main body portion 31, the restraint performance of the occupant by the first airbag main body portion 30 will not be hindered even if the second airbag main body portion 31 is not inflated and deployed.

[0065] In addition, in the first embodiment, the second airbag main body portion 31 may be fixed to the first airbag main body portion 30. For example, the upper and lower portions of the second airbag main body portion 31 may be fixed to the first airbag main body portion 30 by sewing or the like. In this case, the airbag 10 can be arranged in a space-saving manner by folding the first airbag main body portion 30 and the second airbag main body portion 31 together in a rolled-up state. Also, when inflated and deployed, tension can be applied to the second airbag main body portion 31 in the same manner as the first airbag main body portion 30, and the occupant restraint performance can be further improved.

[0066] When fixing the second airbag main body portion 31 to the first airbag main body portion 30, the attachment positions to the vehicle body 13 may be shared by the first airbag main body portion 30 and the second airbag main body portion 31. For example, as in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5, when the second airbag main body portion 31 is fixed to the first airbag main body portion 30 by a fixing member 75, preferably, it is fixed to the attachment positions of the first airbag main body portion 30 to the vehicle body 13 at both the front and rear positions of the second airbag main body portion 31. In the illustrated example, the second airbag main body portion 31 is fixed to the first airbag main body portion 30 such that the lower end side is fixed by fixing members 75 such as a tether belt 29 and a tether at the rear attachment portion 32. This is not limiting, and the second airbag main body portion 31 may be fixed to the first airbag main body portion 30, for example, by fixing members 75 at the front and rear attachment portions 32 and the like. Thus, by fixing the lower end portion of the second airbag main body portion 31 to the first airbag main body portion 30, tension can be applied to the second airbag main body portion 31 in the same manner as the first airbag main body portion 30.

[0067] Further, the second airbag main body 31 can be directly fixed to the vehicle body 13 side by replacing the upper part and / or the lower part with the first airbag main body 30, and tension can be applied to the second airbag main body 31 during inflation and deployment.

[0068] Furthermore, in each embodiment, as in the third embodiment shown in FIG. 6, gas may be branched using a branch body 77 from a common inflator 27. The branch body 77 is, for example, a pipe, one end thereof is connected to the inflator 27, the other end is branched into a first outlet 77a and a second outlet 77b, the first outlet 77a is connected to the first gas introduction part 37, and the second outlet 77b is connected to the second gas introduction part 59. The amount of gas supplied to the first airbag main body 30 and the amount of gas supplied to the second airbag main body 31 may be the same as each other or different from each other. In the present embodiment, for example, the opening cross-sectional areas of the first outlet 77a and the second outlet 77b are set according to the respective volumes of the first airbag main body 30 and the second airbag main body 31. Thereby, the deployment speed and the internal pressure of the first airbag main body 30 and the second airbag main body 31 can be controlled. In this way, by making the inflator 27 common to the first airbag main body 30 and the second airbag main body 31, the configuration can be further simplified while achieving the same operational effects as those of the above-described embodiments.

[0069] Also, in each embodiment, the second airbag main body 31 can be set at an arbitrary position outside the vehicle compartment of the first airbag main body 30.

Industrial Applicability

[0070] The present invention can be applied to, for example, an airbag and an airbag device that are attached and deployed along a window portion on the side of an automobile to protect an occupant.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0071] 10 Airbag 11 Airbag device 13 Vehicle body 14 Passenger Compartment 27 Inflater 30 First Airbag Main Body 31 Second Airbag Main Body 32 Mounting Portion 65 First Mounting Portion 66 Second Mounting Portion H Occupant

Claims

1. An airbag that is deployed into the passenger compartment by supplying gas from a folded state, and an inflater that supplies the gas to the airbag, and the airbag is a bag-shaped first airbag main body portion that deploys to the side of the occupant, and one or more bag-shaped second airbag main body portions that are not in communication with the first airbag main body portion and deploy outside the vehicle body with respect to the first airbag main body portion, and a mounting portion attached to the vehicle body side, and the second airbag main body portion is disposed so as to at least partially overlap the first airbag main body portion in the vehicle width direction and is positioned between the first airbag main body portion and the window portion of the vehicle body in the deployed state, the mounting portion is a first mounting portion disposed on the first airbag main body portion at a position where the first airbag main body portion and the second airbag main body portion do not overlap in the vehicle width direction, and a second mounting portion disposed on the second airbag main body portion at a position where the first airbag main body portion and the second airbag main body portion overlap in the vehicle width direction, and by supplying the gas from the inflater, the first airbag main body portion expands and deploys after the second airbag main body portion is deployed An airbag device characterized by the above.

2. At least one of the first airbag main body portion and the second airbag main body portion is fixed to each other The airbag device according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

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