Airbag device

Abstract

To provide an air bag device which can stably inflate and expand an air bag by regulating movement of the air bag relative to an inflator.SOLUTION: An air bag device comprises an air bag which is inflated and expanded by a gas from a cylinder type inflator, and a regulation member provided in the air bag. The air bag has a first base cloth, a second base cloth facing the first base cloth, an inflator fitting part, and an end part which is positioned on a side opposite to an expansion direction with respect to the inflator fitting part. The regulation member has a first fixed part fixed to the first base cloth, a second fixed part fixed to the second base cloth, and a contact part which contacts the inflator when inflating and expanding the air bag. The contact part is positioned between the inflator and the end part when inflating and expanding the air bag, and a length from the first fixed part to the second fixed part of the regulation member is shorter than a length from a first fixed part to a second fixed part of the air bag.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an airbag device, and more particularly to an airbag device for vehicles such as automobiles, and particularly to an airbag device using a cylindrical inflator. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known an airbag device in which a cylindrical inflator is housed within the airbag and the airbag is fixed to a seatback frame by stud bolts attached to the inflator (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this airbag device, when the inflator is activated, the airbag is inflated and deployed in the deployment direction by gas generated from the inflator, with the center being the part attached to the seat frame. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-094079 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram of an airbag device according to a comparative embodiment attached to a vehicle seat, viewed from the side of the vehicle, showing the airbag inflating and deploying (particularly after inflation and deployment is complete and the airbag is restraining an occupant). Fig. 15 is a schematic diagram of the vicinity of the inflator of the airbag device shown in Fig. 14, viewed from the side of the vehicle, showing the airbag before inflation and deployment and before folding. Fig. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line DD shown in Fig. 15, showing the airbag inflating and deploying (particularly after inflation and deployment is complete and the airbag is restraining an occupant). Fig. 16 shows the state as viewed from below the vehicle.

[0005] 14 to 16, an airbag device 100 according to a comparative embodiment is a far side airbag device that inflates and deploys on the vehicle widthwise inner side of an occupant in the event of a side collision of a vehicle such as an automobile, and is attached to a vehicle seat 130 by fixing an inflator 110 to a side frame 133 of a seat back 131 of the vehicle seat 130 with an airbag 120 sandwiched between the inflator 110. The inflator 110 is attached to the side frame 133 by a pair of attachment members 112 such as bolts. The attachment member 112 is attached to a position offset to one side of the longitudinal center of the inflator 110, in this case, offset toward the upper side of the vehicle.

[0006] The presence of the inflator 110 prevents the airbag 120 from moving in the deployment direction XX when the airbag 120 is inflated and deployed, but the airbag 120 moves in the deployment direction XX due to the momentum of deployment in the portion where there is no inflator 110. As a result, the airbag 120 cannot be inflated and deployed in an appropriate position, and there is a risk that the occupant 40 will not be protected appropriately.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned current situation, and has as its object to provide an airbag device that can stably inflate and deploy by restricting the relative movement of the airbag with respect to the inflator. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, one aspect of the present invention is an airbag device including: a cylindrical inflator that ejects gas from one side in a longitudinal direction; a bag-shaped airbag that contains the inflator and is inflated and deployed in a predetermined deployment direction by the gas from the inflator; and a restricting member provided within the airbag, wherein the airbag has a first base fabric, a second base fabric arranged opposite to the first base fabric, an inflator mounting portion to which the inflator is attached, and an end portion located on the opposite side of the deployment direction from the inflator mounting portion, and the restricting member has a first fixing portion fixed to the first base fabric, a second fixing portion fixed to the second base fabric, and an abutting portion that abuts against the inflator when the airbag is inflated and deployed, the abutting portion being located between the inflator and the end portion when the airbag is inflated and deployed, and the length from the first fixing portion to the second fixing portion of the restricting member is shorter than the length from the first fixing portion to the second fixing portion of the airbag. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an airbag device that can stably inflate and deploy by restricting the relative movement of the airbag with respect to the inflator. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an airbag device according to a first embodiment attached to a vehicle seat, viewed from the side of the vehicle, showing the initial state of the airbag device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the airbag device shown in FIG. 1 as seen from the front of the vehicle. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA shown in FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram of an airbag device according to embodiment 1 attached to a vehicle seat as viewed from the side of the vehicle, showing the airbag inflating and deploying (particularly after inflation and deployment is complete and the airbag is restraining an occupant). [Figure 5]FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the airbag device shown in FIG. 4 as seen from the front of the vehicle. [Figure 6] 5 is a schematic diagram of the vicinity of the inflator of the airbag device shown in FIG. 4 as seen from the side of the vehicle, showing the airbag before it is inflated, deployed, and folded. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 6, showing the airbag before it is inflated and deployed and before it is folded. [Figure 8] FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 6, showing the airbag when it is inflated and deployed (particularly when the airbag has completed inflation and deployment and is restraining an occupant). [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic diagram of the vicinity of an inflator of an airbag device according to a first modification of the first embodiment, as viewed from the side of the vehicle, showing the airbag before inflation and deployment and before folding. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 9, showing the airbag when it is inflated and deployed (particularly when the airbag has completed inflation and deployment and is restraining an occupant). [Figure 11] 10 is a cross-sectional view of an airbag device according to a second modification of the first embodiment, showing the airbag when it is inflated and deployed (particularly when the airbag has completed inflation and deployment and is restraining an occupant). FIG. [Figure 12] 10 is a cross-sectional view of an airbag device according to a third modification of the first embodiment, showing the airbag inflating and deploying (particularly after inflation and deployment is complete and when the airbag is restraining an occupant). FIG. [Figure 13] 10 is a cross-sectional view of an airbag device according to a fourth modification of the first embodiment, showing the airbag when it is inflated and deployed (particularly when the airbag has completed inflation and deployment and is restraining an occupant). FIG. [Figure 14] 1 is a schematic diagram of an airbag device according to a comparative example attached to a vehicle seat, viewed from the side of the vehicle, showing the airbag inflating and deploying (particularly after inflation and deployment is complete and the airbag is restraining the occupant). FIG. [Figure 15] 15 is a schematic diagram of the vicinity of the inflator of the airbag device shown in FIG. 14 as viewed from the side of the vehicle, showing the airbag before inflation and deployment and before folding. FIG. [Figure 16]FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. 15, showing the airbag when it is inflated and deployed (particularly when the airbag has completed inflation and deployment and is restraining an occupant). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Unless otherwise specified, directions in this specification are based on the vehicle, and the arrow FR shown as appropriate in each drawing indicates the front direction of the vehicle, the arrow RE indicates the rear direction of the vehicle, the arrow UP indicates the upper direction of the vehicle, the arrow DOWN indicates the lower direction of the vehicle, the arrow IN indicates the inner direction in the vehicle width direction, and the arrow OUT indicates the outer direction in the vehicle width direction. Note that members arranged inside the vehicle seat are illustrated in a perspective view of the vehicle seat.

[0012] [Embodiment 1] An airbag device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0013] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an airbag device according to a first embodiment attached to a vehicle seat, as viewed from the side of the vehicle, showing the initial state of the airbag device. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the airbag device shown in Fig. 1, as viewed from the front of the vehicle. Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in Fig. 1.

[0014] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the airbag device 1 of embodiment 1 is a far side airbag device that inflates and deploys on the vehicle widthwise inner side of an occupant 40 in the event of a side collision of a vehicle such as an automobile, and is fixed to a vehicle seat (vehicle seat) 30.

[0015] The vehicle seat 30 includes a seat back (backrest portion) 31 that supports the back of the occupant 40, and the seat back 31 has a seat frame 32 that functions as the framework of the entire seat back 31, and the seat frame 32 includes side frames 33 that are located on the sides of the seat back 31. An airbag device 1 is fixed to the side frames 33, and a cushion pad 34 is provided between the side frames 33 and the occupant 40.

[0016] The vehicle seat 30 may be, for example, a driver's seat, a passenger seat, or the like of a vehicle.

[0017] The airbag device 1 includes a cylindrical inflator 10 and an airbag 20.

[0018] In this specification, the term "initial state" refers to the state before the inflator is activated, i.e., before the airbag is inflated and deployed.

[0019] The inflator 10 is contained within the airbag 20. That is, the entire inflator 10 is provided inside the airbag 20. The inflator 10 is a cylindrical (columnar) gas generating device, and is arranged along the extension direction (height direction) of the seatback 31. The inflator 10 is provided with a mounting member 12 for attaching the inflator 10 to the airbag 20. In this example, a pair of bolts are provided as the mounting member 12. The pair of bolts protrude from the inflator 10 and penetrate the airbag 20. The inflator 10 is fixed to a side frame 33 on a side portion of the seatback 31 (a side portion on the inner side in the vehicle width direction) by such mounting member 12 (for example, a pair of bolts).

[0020] Moreover, the mounting member 12 is attached to a position offset to one side of the longitudinal center of the inflator 10, in this case, toward the upper side of the vehicle. More specifically, one of the pair of bolts is provided on one side of the longitudinal direction of the inflator 10 (the upper side of the vehicle), and the other of the pair of bolts is provided near the longitudinal center of the inflator 10.

[0021] The inflator 10 is activated when the vehicle experiences a side collision. Specifically, when a collision detection sensor mounted on the vehicle detects a side collision of the vehicle, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) calculates a signal sent from the collision detection sensor and determines the level of the collision. If the determined level of the collision corresponds to a level that requires the airbag 20 to be inflated, the inflator 10 is ignited, and gas is generated by a chemical reaction caused by the combustion of the internal explosive. As a result, the generated gas is ejected from one longitudinal side of the inflator 10, specifically from the gas ejection hole 10a, and is introduced into the airbag 20. In this case, the gas ejection hole 10a is provided at the upper end of the inflator 10. Note that gas does not eject from the other longitudinal side of the inflator 10.

[0022] The type of inflator 10 is not particularly limited, and examples include a pyrotechnic inflator that uses gas generated by burning a gas generating agent, a stored inflator that uses compressed gas, and a hybrid inflator that uses a mixture of gas generated by burning a gas generating agent and compressed gas.

[0023] The airbag 20 is bag-shaped and is fixed in a folded state to the side frame 33 before the airbag 20 is inflated and deployed, and is stored together with the cushion pad 34 covered by a seat cover (skin, not shown) of the seat back 31.

[0024] The airbag 20 is held in a predetermined shape by a fixing member such as tape, and then fixed to a synthetic resin cover 11, thereby maintaining the outer shape of the airbag device 1 in a predetermined shape, in this case an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0025] In this embodiment, a World Side Impact Dummy (World-SID) 40 is seated in a vehicle seat 30. The seating posture of the World-SID dummy 40 is determined by the side impact test method (ECE R95) currently adopted in Japan and Europe or the side impact test method (FMVSS214) currently adopted in the United States. The position and size of the airbag 20 when inflated and deployed (hereinafter simply referred to as when inflated and deployed) are set according to the positions of the torso 41, waist 42, head 43, arms 44, shoulders 45, etc. of the World-SID dummy 40 as shown in FIG. 1 . In this specification, the World-SID dummy 40 is referred to as the "occupant 40."

[0026] In addition, in this specification, "when the airbag is inflated and deployed" means any point in time or any period during the period from when the inflator is activated until when the airbag is fully inflated and deployed (full deployment), and may be, for example, the period from when the inflator is activated until when the airbag is fully inflated and deployed (full deployment), or the time when the airbag is fully inflated and deployed (full deployment). Furthermore, multiple "times when the airbag is inflated and deployed" described in this specification may be the same point in time or period, or may be different points in time and / or periods.

[0027] The vehicle side wall 50 is not particularly limited to any part of the vehicle body located on the outer side of the vehicle width direction (opposite the console box 60) of the occupant 40 seated in the vehicle seat 30, and collectively refers to the side door, pillar, side window, etc.

[0028] The console box 60 is provided on the inner side of the vehicle seat 30 in the vehicle width direction. For example, the console box 60 is provided between the driver's seat and the passenger seat in the center of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction. The console box 60 may function as an armrest that supports the arms 44 of the occupant 40 on the inner side in the vehicle width direction.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the airbag device according to embodiment 1 attached to a vehicle seat, as viewed from the side of the vehicle, showing the airbag inflating and deploying (particularly after inflation and deployment is complete and when the airbag is restraining an occupant). FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the airbag device shown in FIG. 4, as viewed from the front of the vehicle. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the inflator and its vicinity in the airbag device shown in FIG. 4, as viewed from the side of the vehicle, showing the airbag before inflation and deployment and before folding. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 6, showing the airbag before inflation and deployment and before folding. FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 6, showing the airbag inflating and deploying (particularly after inflation and deployment is complete and when the airbag is restraining an occupant). Note that FIGS. 7 and 8 show the state as viewed from below the vehicle.

[0030] When the vehicle collides with an obstacle (e.g., another vehicle) from the side, specifically, when the obstacle collides with the vehicle side wall 50 opposite the vehicle side wall in the vehicle width direction (when the vehicle seat 30 is the driver's seat, the vehicle body portion located outside the passenger seat in the vehicle width direction), the inflator 10 is activated. Gas generated from the inflator 10 is introduced into the airbag 20, and the airbag 20 inflates while unfolding. When the seat cover of the seat back 31 is torn from a predetermined position by the force applied by the inflated airbag 20, the airbag 20 inflates and deploys in a predetermined deployment direction X, in this case, toward the front of the vehicle (or diagonally upward and forward of the vehicle), as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , to protect the occupant 40. More specifically, the airbag 20 inflates and deploys above the console box 60 and to the side of the occupant 40 seated in the vehicle seat 30, protecting the side of the occupant 40. The airbag 20 that inflates and deploys in this manner is also called a far-side airbag.

[0031] 4 and 5, the airbag 20 has a first base fabric 21, a second base fabric 22 disposed opposite the first base fabric 21, and an intermediate base fabric 23 therebetween, as fabrics that define the external shape of the airbag 20 when inflated and deployed. When inflated and deployed, the first base fabric 21 is located on the occupant 40 side, the second base fabric 22 is located on the opposite side of the occupant 40, and the intermediate base fabric 23 is located between the first base fabric 21 and the second base fabric 22. The first base fabric 21 and the second base fabric 22 are both substantially rectangular base fabrics, and have substantially the same width in the vehicle longitudinal direction, while the second base fabric 22 has a larger width in the vehicle height direction. One intermediate base cloth 23 is provided in each of the vehicle longitudinal directions of the airbag 20, and the outer peripheral edge of the first base cloth 21 in the vehicle longitudinal direction and one outer peripheral edge of the intermediate base cloth 23 are joined along a joining line (for example, a sewing line), and the outer peripheral edge of the second base cloth 22 in the vehicle longitudinal direction and the other outer peripheral edge of the intermediate base cloth 23 are joined along a joining line (for example, a sewing line). Thereafter, by joining the outer peripheral edge of the first base cloth 21 in the vehicle vertical direction and the outer peripheral edge of the second base cloth 22 in the vehicle vertical direction, the airbag 20 is formed into a three-dimensional bag shape as a whole when inflated and deployed.

[0032] However, the airbag 20 only needs to have at least the first base fabric 21 and the second base fabric 22 as fabrics that define the outer shape of the airbag 20 when inflated and deployed, and does not necessarily need to have the intermediate base fabric 23.

[0033] For example, fabric woven with yarns of nylon 66, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), etc. is used as each base fabric constituting the airbag 20. The surface of this fabric may be coated with an inorganic material such as silicon in order to improve heat resistance, airtightness, etc.

[0034] Each of the first base cloth 21, the second base cloth 22 and the intermediate base cloth 23 may be formed from one piece of base cloth or from a plurality of pieces of base cloth.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the first base fabric 21 is disposed in a region extending from the waist 42 of the occupant 40 seated in the vehicle seat 30 to the head 43 via the torso 41 when inflated and deployed. The second base fabric 22 is stretched from a position corresponding to the waist 42 of the occupant 40 seated in the vehicle seat 30 along the side surface 61 and top surface 62 of the console box 60 in that order, and is then disposed in a region extending through the torso 41 to the head 43 when inflated and deployed. The intermediate base fabric 23 has a protruding portion 23a above the console box 60 when viewed from the front and rear of the vehicle when inflated and deployed. Therefore, the thickness of the airbag 20 in the vehicle width direction when inflated and deployed changes at the protruding portion 23a, and the thickness is thicker in a region corresponding to the protruding portion 23a. Note that the outer peripheral edge of the first base fabric 21 and the outer peripheral edge of the second base fabric 22 may be joined together without providing the intermediate base fabric 23, and the protruding portion 23a may be omitted.

[0036] The airbag 20 inflates and deploys to have a torso protection section 24, a lumbar protection section 25, and a head protection section 26. The torso protection section 24 inflates and deploys to the side of a torso 41 of an occupant 40 seated in the vehicle seat 30, and comes into contact with the torso 41. The lumbar protection section 25 inflates and deploys between a lumbar region 42 of the occupant 40 seated in the vehicle seat 30 and a side surface 61 of the console box 60. The head protection section 26 inflates and deploys to the side of a head 43 of the occupant 40 seated in the vehicle seat 30, and comes into contact with the head 43.

[0037] In the event of a side collision of the vehicle, the airbag 20 inflates and deploys, and the torso protection section 24 receives the torso 41 of the occupant 40, i.e., the portion below the shoulders 45, thereby restraining the occupant 40. The lumbar protection section 25 receives the lumbar region 42 of the occupant 40, thereby restraining the lumbar region 42, and the head protection section 26 receives the head 43 of the occupant 40, thereby restraining the head 43.

[0038] 4 and 8, the airbag 20 has a thickness restriction portion 27 that joins the first base fabric 21 and the second base fabric 22 together. The thickness restriction portion 27 is provided at a position that corresponds to the waist region 42 of the occupant 40 when the airbag 20 is inflated and deployed, and restricts the thickness of the airbag 20 in the vehicle width direction when the airbag 20 is inflated and deployed. That is, the thickness of the airbag 20 in the vehicle width direction when the airbag 20 is inflated and deployed is smaller at the thickness restriction portion 27 than at either side of the thickness restriction portion 27. Here, the thickness restriction portion 27 is a joining line 27a (e.g., a sewing line) that directly joins the first base fabric 21 and the second base fabric 22 together, and the thickness of the airbag 20 in the vehicle width direction (the direction perpendicular to the deployment direction X) at the thickness restriction portion 27 when the airbag 20 is inflated and deployed is substantially zero.

[0039] At least a portion of the thickness restricting portion 27 may be a piece of fabric (for example, a strip-shaped tether) that indirectly joins the first base fabric 21 and the second base fabric 22 to each other.

[0040] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the airbag 20 has an inflator mounting portion 28 to which the inflator 10 is attached, and an end portion 29 located on the opposite side of the inflator mounting portion 28 (inflator 10) from the deployment direction X.

[0041] The inflator mounting portion 28 is provided with a through hole through which the mounting member 12 passes, and here a pair of through holes is provided at positions corresponding to the pair of bolts. When the pair of bolts provided on the inflator 10 passes through the pair of through holes and is fixed to the side frame 33, the airbag 20 is fixed to the side frame 33 in a state where it is sandwiched between the inflator 10 adjacent to the inflator mounting portion 28 and the side frame 33.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 6, the end 29 of the airbag 20 is a portion located on the outer periphery of the airbag 20 when viewed from the side of the vehicle. Here, the end 29 is a joint where the outer periphery of the first base fabric 21 and the outer periphery of the second base fabric 22 are joined, and as shown in Figs. 6 to 8, the end 29 is formed by joining the outer periphery of the first base fabric 21 and the outer periphery of the second base fabric 22 along a joint line 29a (for example, a sewing line).

[0043] In addition, in this embodiment, the end portion 29 is located rearward of the vehicle relative to the inflator mounting portion 28 (inflator 10) of the airbag 20 when inflated and deployed, and is located diagonally downward and rearward of the airbag 20 when viewed from the side of the vehicle when inflated and deployed.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 6, the airbag device 1 further includes a restricting member 13.

[0045] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the restricting member 13 is provided inside the airbag 20 and has a first fixing portion 14 fixed to the first base cloth 21, a second fixing portion 15 fixed to the second base cloth 22, and a contact portion 16 that contacts the inflator 10 when inflated and deployed.

[0046] The restricting member 13 is a member provided to restrict relative movement of the airbag 20 with respect to the inflator 10. The restricting member 13 is formed from a strip-shaped base cloth and is fixed to the first base cloth 21 and the second base cloth 22 at the first fixing portion 14 and the second fixing portion 15, respectively. The restricting member 13 is not fixed to either the first base cloth 21 or the second base cloth 22 in areas other than the first fixing portion 14 and the second fixing portion 15. The restricting member 13 may be formed from a single piece of base cloth or multiple pieces of base cloth. The restricting member 13 extends from the first fixing portion 14, around the periphery of the inflator 10 (more specifically, around a part of the periphery) to the second fixing portion 15.

[0047] The first fixing portion 14 and the second fixing portion 15 are provided at positions different from the end portions 29 of the airbag 20 when inflated and deployed. More specifically, they are located closer to the center of the airbag 20 than the end portions 29 when inflated and deployed.

[0048] Furthermore, the first fixing portion 14 and the second fixing portion 15 are located closer to the inflator 10 in the deployment direction X, in this case closer to the front of the vehicle, when inflated and deployed.

[0049] The first fixing portion 14 and the second fixing portion 15 are joints between the first base cloth 21 and the second base cloth 22, respectively, and are joined to the first base cloth 21 and the second base cloth 22 at a common joint line 17 (for example, a sewing line). That is, two different portions of the base cloths constituting the restricting member 150 are joined together at the joint line 17 with the first base cloth 21 and the second base cloth 22 overlapping each other. Therefore, the thickness of the airbag 20 in the vehicle width direction (direction perpendicular to the deployment direction X) at the first fixing portion 14 and the second fixing portion 15 when inflated and deployed is substantially zero.

[0050] The bonding line 17 is a part of the bonding line 27a of the thickness suppressing portion 27, that is, the bonding line 27a collectively forms the thickness suppressing portion 27, the first fixing portion 14, and the second fixing portion 15. On the other hand, the bonding line 17 may be a bonding line different from the bonding line 27a.

[0051] The joining method is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include sewing, adhesion, welding, and combinations thereof, with sewing being preferred.

[0052] 8, the contact portion 16 of the restricting member 13 is located between the inflator 10 and an end 29 of the airbag 20 during inflation and deployment. That is, the contact portion 16 is provided between the inflator mounting portion 28 and the end 29 located on the opposite side of the airbag 20 from the deployment direction X. The contact portion 16 contacts a part of the circumferential surface of the inflator 10 (however, the part located on the opposite side from the deployment direction X). Note that the contact portion 16 simply comes into contact with the inflator 10 at least during inflation and deployment, and is not fixed, for example, joined, to the inflator 10.

[0053] 6, in this embodiment, the mounting member 12 is provided at a position shifted to one side (upper side of the vehicle) from the longitudinal center of the inflator 10, but the contact portion 16 of the restricting member 13 abuts against the other side of the longitudinal center of the inflator 10, in this case the lower side of the vehicle, when inflated and deployed. In other words, the restricting member 13 abuts against the inflator 10 in an area where the mounting member 12 is not provided when inflated and deployed.

[0054] 7 and 8, the length from the first fixing portion 14 to the second fixing portion 15 of the restricting member 13 is shorter than the length from the first fixing portion 14 to the second fixing portion 15 of the airbag 20. In this specification, "the length from the first fixing portion to the second fixing portion of the restricting member" means the length of the restricting member from the first fixing portion via the abutment portion to the second fixing portion, and "the length from the first fixing portion to the second fixing portion of the airbag" means the length of the airbag from the first fixing portion via the end of the airbag (the end located on the opposite side of the deployment direction from the inflator mounting portion) to the second fixing portion. Furthermore, "the length from the first fixing portion to the second fixing portion of the regulating member" and "the length from the first fixing portion to the second fixing portion of the airbag" refer to the lengths measured when looking at a cross section (preferably a cross section perpendicular to the inflator 10, for example, the cross sections of Figures 7 and 8) passing through an arbitrary point on the first fixing portion (which may be a point on each point of the first fixing portion), an arbitrary point on the second fixing portion (which may be a point on each point of the second fixing portion), and an arbitrary point on the abutment portion of the regulating member.

[0055] The ratio of the "length from the first fixing portion to the second fixing portion of the restricting member" to the "length from the first fixing portion to the second fixing portion of the airbag" is not particularly limited, and can be set appropriately so that the airbag inflates and deploys at the desired appropriate position.

[0056] Next, the operation of the airbag device according to the first embodiment, particularly the behavior of the vicinity of the restricting member 13 when the airbag device is inflated and deployed, will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 3, in the initial state, the airbag 20 is folded and the inflator 10 is fixed to the side frame 33, and the airbag device 1 is stored together with the cushion pad 34 covered by the seat cover of the seat back 31.

[0058] In the initial state, the airbag 20 is folded into a rectangular parallelepiped shape by folding the upper part of the airbag 20 downward in the center of the vehicle in the vertical direction, folding the lower end of the airbag 20 upward, and then rolling it from the front of the vehicle toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0059] When the inflator 10 is activated, gas flows into the airbag 20 from the gas outlet holes 10a (see FIG. 1, etc.) of the inflator 10, causing the airbag 20 to begin to inflate, and the seat cover of the seat back 31 is ruptured by the force applied by the inflated airbag 20. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the airbag 20 inflates and deploys in a predetermined deployment direction X, in this case toward the front of the vehicle (or diagonally upward and forward of the vehicle), to protect the occupant 40.

[0060] 8, the restricting member 13 has a first fixing portion 14 fixed to the first base cloth 21 and a second fixing portion 15 fixed to the second base cloth 22, so that the restricting member 13 moves integrally with the airbag 20. When the inflator 10 generates gas and the airbag 20 inflates and deploys, the momentum of the inflation and deployment causes the airbag 20 to move in the deployment direction X from the inflator mounting portion 28 as a base point.

[0061] However, the restricting member 13 has a contact portion 16 that contacts the inflator 10 during inflation and deployment, the contact portion 16 is located between the inflator 10 and the end 29 of the airbag 20 during inflation and deployment, and the length from the first fixing portion 14 to the second fixing portion 15 of the restricting member 13 is shorter than the length from the first fixing portion 14 to the second fixing portion 15 of the airbag 20. Therefore, when the first fixing portion 14 and the second fixing portion 15 of the restricting member 13 move in the deployment direction X of the airbag 20 due to inflation and deployment of the airbag 20, the contact portion 16 of the restricting member 13 contacts the inflator 10 before the end 29 of the airbag 20 contacts the inflator 10, and tension is applied to the restricting member 13 in the deployment direction X, stopping the movement of the restricting member 13. Accordingly, movement of the first base fabric 21 and the second base fabric 22 around the first fixing portion 14 and the second fixing portion 15 of the restricting member 13 is also restricted. Therefore, excessive relative movement of the airbag 20 with respect to the inflator 10 is restricted, and the airbag 20 is stably inflated and deployed at a predetermined position. Also, the end 29 of the airbag 20 (for example, the joining line 29a between the first base fabric 21 and the second base fabric 22) is prevented from coming into contact with the inflator 10.

[0062] Furthermore, the length from the first fixing portion 14 to the second fixing portion 15 of the restricting member 13 is shorter than the length from the first fixing portion 14 to the second fixing portion 15 of the airbag 20, and therefore, when inflated and deployed, the airbag 20 around the restricting member 13 inflates so as to form a gap between the end portion 29 and the restricting member 13. Therefore, as described above, contact between the end portion 29 and the inflator 10 is effectively prevented.

[0063] As described above, in this embodiment, the regulating member 13 is provided within the airbag 20 and has a first fixing portion 14 fixed to the first base cloth 21, a second fixing portion 15 fixed to the second base cloth 22, and a contact portion 16 that contacts the inflator 10 when inflated and deployed, and the contact portion 16 is located between the inflator 10 and the end 29 of the airbag 20 when inflated and deployed, and the length from the first fixing portion 14 to the second fixing portion 15 of the regulating member 13 is shorter than the length from the first fixing portion 14 to the second fixing portion 15 of the airbag 20, so that the relative movement of the airbag 20 with respect to the inflator 10 can be restricted and the airbag 20 can be stably inflated and deployed. In addition, the movement of the first base fabric 21 and the second base fabric 22 around the first fixing portion 14 and the second fixing portion 15 of the regulating member 13 can also be regulated, thereby preventing the end 29 of the airbag 20 (for example, the joining line 29a between the first base fabric 21 and the second base fabric 22) from coming into contact with the inflator 10.

[0064] In this embodiment, the airbag device 1 has a mounting member 12 that mounts the inflator 10 to the airbag 20, and the mounting member 12 is mounted at a position shifted to one side from the longitudinal center of the inflator 10, and the contact portion 16 of the restricting member 13 preferably contacts the other side from the longitudinal center of the inflator 10 when inflated and deployed. This makes it easier for the contact portion 16 to come into contact with the inflator 10.

[0065] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first fixing portion 14 and the second fixing portion 15 are located closer to the deployment direction X than the inflator 10 during inflation and deployment. This effectively applies tension to the restricting member 13 in the deployment direction X during inflation and deployment, thereby effectively restricting movement of the restricting member 13 and the associated movement of the airbag 20.

[0066] Other modifications of this embodiment will be described below.

[0067] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of the vicinity of the inflator of an airbag device according to Modification 1 of Embodiment 1 as viewed from the side of the vehicle, showing the airbag before inflation and deployment and before folding. Fig. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line CC shown in Fig. 9, showing the airbag when it is inflated and deployed (particularly after inflation and deployment is complete and when the airbag is restraining the occupant). Fig. 10 shows the state as viewed from below the vehicle.

[0068] 9 and 10, the airbag device 1 may further include a positioning member 18. One end of the positioning member 18 is connected to the restricting member 13, and the other end is connected to an end 29 of the airbag 20, connecting the restricting member 13 to the end 29. By providing the positioning member 18, it is possible to restrict the restricting member 13 from moving in the longitudinal direction of the inflator 10. Therefore, when inserting the inflator 10 into the airbag 20, it is possible to prevent the restricting member 13 from shifting, making insertion difficult, or to prevent the inflator 10 from being inserted incorrectly. It is also possible to prevent the restricting member 13 from coming off the inflator 10 during inflation and deployment.

[0069] The positioning member 18 is provided inside the airbag 20 and is formed from a base fabric having a curved shape (for example, a J-shape) that is smaller than the restricting member 13. Here, the positioning member 18 is integrally formed from the same base fabric as the restricting member 13, and one end thereof is connected to the restricting member 13. However, the positioning member 18 may be formed from a base fabric different from that of the restricting member 13, and may be connected, for example, by having one end thereof joined to the restricting member 13. The other end of the positioning member 18 is connected to an end 29 of the airbag 20 by being joined to the outer circumferential edge of the first base fabric 21 and the outer circumferential edge of the second base fabric 22 at joining lines 29a.

[0070] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an airbag device according to a second modification of the first embodiment, showing the airbag inflating and deploying (particularly after inflation and deployment is complete and the airbag is restraining an occupant). FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of an airbag device according to a third modification of the first embodiment, showing the airbag inflating and deploying (particularly after inflation and deployment is complete and the airbag is restraining an occupant). FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of an airbag device according to a fourth modification of the first embodiment, showing the airbag inflating and deploying (particularly after inflation and deployment is complete and the airbag is restraining an occupant). Note that FIGS. 11 to 13 correspond to FIG. 8, which is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 6, and show the state as viewed from below the vehicle.

[0071] 11 to 13, the first fixing portion 14 and the first base cloth 21 may be joined to each other independently of the second fixing portion 15 and the second base cloth 22. That is, the first base cloth 21 may be joined to the restricting member 150 at the first fixing portion 14, and the second base cloth 22 may be joined to the restricting member 150 at the second fixing portion 15 at a location different from the first fixing portion 14, and the airbag 20 may be inflated and deployed to have a predetermined thickness in the vehicle width direction (direction perpendicular to the deployment direction X) in the region where the first fixing portion 14 and the second fixing portion 15 are provided.

[0072] In the case shown in FIG. 11, similarly to the case of FIG. 8, the first fixing portion 14 and the second fixing portion 15 are located closer to the deployment direction X than the inflator 10 when inflated and deployed, in this case closer to the front of the vehicle.

[0073] 12, of the first fixing portion 14 and the second fixing portion 15, only the second fixing portion 15 may be located closer to the deployment direction X (toward the front of the vehicle) than the inflator 10 when inflated and deployed. In this case, the first fixing portion 14 will be located on the opposite side of the deployment direction X (toward the rear of the vehicle) than the inflator 10 when inflated and deployed.

[0074] Conversely, of the first fixing portion 14 and the second fixing portion 15, only the first fixing portion 14 may be located closer to the deployment direction X (toward the front of the vehicle) than the inflator 10 when inflated and deployed. In this case, the second fixing portion 15 will be located on the opposite side of the deployment direction X (toward the rear of the vehicle) than the inflator 10 when inflated and deployed.

[0075] In either case, similar to the case of FIG. 8, the movement of the restricting member 13 during inflation and deployment, and the accompanying movement of the airbag 20, can be effectively restricted.

[0076] 13, both the first fixing portion 14 and the second fixing portion 15 may be located on the opposite side of the inflator 10 in the deployment direction X (toward the rear of the vehicle) during inflation and deployment. Even in this case, tension is applied to the restricting member 13 during inflation and deployment, so that movement of the restricting member 13 during inflation and deployment and the accompanying movement of the airbag 20 can be restricted.

[0077] Although the above description has been given of the case where the first base fabric 21 and the second base fabric 22 are made of different base fabrics, in the present embodiment, the first base fabric 21 and the second base fabric 22 may be made of a single piece of base fabric. For example, the airbag 20 may be formed by folding a single piece of base fabric in half and using the folded portion as the end 29 of the airbag 20, and joining the outer peripheral edges of the folded base fabric in a region excluding the end 29, or by joining the intermediate base fabric 23 to the outer peripheral edge of the folded base fabric. In this case, the end 29 of the airbag 20 is made up of the folded portion of the base fabric folded in half.

[0078] In the above description, one intermediate base fabric 23 is provided in each of the longitudinal directions of the vehicle of the airbag 20. However, in the present embodiment, the intermediate base fabric 23 may be formed into a cylindrical shape by joining both longitudinal ends of a single strip-shaped base fabric. In this case, the entire outer peripheral edges of the first base fabric 21 and the second base fabric 22 are joined to the outer peripheral edge of the intermediate base fabric 23, and the end 29 of the airbag 20 is formed from the intermediate base fabric 23.

[0079] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the airbag device 1 is described as a far-side airbag device, but the airbag device of the present invention may also be, for example, a near-side airbag device or a knee airbag device. In the former case, the airbag device is fixed to a side frame on the outer side of the seat back in the vehicle width direction, and the airbag inflates and deploys toward the front of the vehicle (or diagonally upward and forward of the vehicle) and between the side wall on the interior side of the vehicle and the occupant seated in the seat. In the latter case, the airbag device is installed inside the lower part of the instrument panel, and the airbag inflates and deploys toward the rear of the vehicle and between the lower part of the instrument panel and the knees of the occupant seated in the driver's seat or passenger seat.

[0080] As described above, in the present invention, the predetermined deployment direction in which the airbag inflates and deploys is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, the front of the vehicle (or diagonally upward and forward of the vehicle) (for example, in the case of a far side airbag device or a near side airbag device), or the rear of the vehicle (or diagonally upward and rear of the vehicle) (for example, in the case of a knee airbag device). [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 1, 100: Airbag device 10, 110: Inflator 10a: Gas vent 11: Cover 12, 112: Mounting parts 13: Regulating member 14: 1st fixed part 15:Second fixed part 16: Contact part 17: Joint line 18: Positioning member 20, 120: Airbag 21: 1st base fabric 22:Second base fabric 23: Intermediate base fabric 23a: Convex part 24: Torso protection part 25: Waist protection part 26:Head protection part 27: Thickness control section 27a: Joint line 28: Inflator mounting part 29:End 29a: Joint line 30, 130: Vehicle seats 31, 131: Seat back (backrest) 32: Seat frame 33, 133: Side frame 34, 134: Cushion pad 40: Occupant (Internationally Harmonized Side Impact Dummy) 41: Torso 42: Lower back 43:Head 44: Arm 45:Shoulder 50: Vehicle side wall 60, 160: Console box 61: Side 62:Top surface X, XX: Development direction

Claims

1. a cylindrical inflator that ejects gas from one side in the longitudinal direction; a bag-shaped airbag containing the inflator and inflated and deployed in a predetermined deployment direction by gas from the inflator; a restricting member provided within the airbag, The airbag includes a first base fabric and a second base fabric disposed opposite the first base fabric; an inflator mounting portion to which the inflator is mounted; an end portion located on the opposite side of the inflator mounting portion in the deployment direction, The regulating member includes a first fixing portion fixed to the first base fabric; a second fixing portion fixed to the second base fabric; a contact portion that contacts the inflator when the airbag is inflated and deployed, the abutment portion is located between the inflator and the end portion when the airbag is inflated and deployed, The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the length from the first fixing portion to the second fixing portion of the restricting member is shorter than the length from the first fixing portion to the second fixing portion of the airbag.

2. 2. The airbag device according to claim 1, The inflator further includes a mounting member for mounting the inflator to the airbag. the mounting member is attached to a position offset to one side from the center of the inflator in the longitudinal direction, The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the contact portion contacts the inflator on the other side of the longitudinal center thereof when the airbag is inflated and deployed.

3. 3. The airbag device according to claim 1 or 2, An airbag device further comprising a positioning member having one end connected to the restricting member and the other end connected to the end portion, the positioning member connecting the restricting member to the end portion.

4. The airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, An airbag device, wherein at least one of the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion is located on the deployment direction side of the inflator when the airbag is inflated and deployed.

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