Airbag device and manufacturing method thereof

Abstract

To provide an airbag device which can keep an airbag in a proper compression state, and to provide a manufacturing method of the airbag device.SOLUTION: An airbag device according to a first embodiment of the invention protects an occupant of a vehicle or a pedestrian and includes: an airbag which is expanded and deployed by a gas; and a plastic wire-like holding member installed at the airbag. The airbag is formed into a predetermined housing shape by deforming the wire-like holding member in a state that the airbag is compressed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an airbag device that protects vehicle occupants and pedestrians by inflating and deploying an airbag, and to a method for manufacturing the same. [Background technology]

[0002] It is well known that vehicles are equipped with one or more airbag devices to protect occupants in the event of a vehicle accident. Airbag devices come in a variety of forms, including a driver's airbag device that deploys near the center of the steering wheel to protect the driver, a curtain airbag device that deploys downward inside the window to protect occupants in the event of a lateral impact or a rollover or overturning accident, and a side airbag device that deploys to the side of the occupant (the side of the seat) to protect the occupant in the event of a lateral impact. Airbag devices are also installed in motorcycles in addition to automobiles. The present invention is applicable to various airbag devices.

[0003] The space available to house an airbag system is limited, so it is necessary to compress and house the airbag compactly. It is also important to create an efficient housing shape that fits the space available. For example, in the case of a curtain airbag system, the airbag must be compressed and housed in the narrow, complexly shaped space above the window frame. In the case of motorcycle airbag systems, the housing space is even more limited than in automobiles, so the reality is that there are many restrictions on the shape of the airbag to be compressed.

[0004] If the compressed shape and storage state of the airbag are inappropriate, not only is the storage process time-consuming, but there is also the risk of the airbag's deployment behavior being adversely affected. To address this issue, methods have been proposed in which the compressed airbag is held in place with a resin cover or tape, or the airbag folded in a thermal compression process is forced into the desired shape.

[0005] However, when a method using a resin cover or tape or a thermal compression process is adopted, the manufacturing cost increases due to additional material costs and a more complicated manufacturing process. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and has an object to provide an airbag device that has a simple structure yet is capable of maintaining an airbag in an appropriate compressed shape, and a method for manufacturing the airbag device.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide an airbag device that contributes to stabilizing the deployment behavior of the airbag, and a method for manufacturing the airbag device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, an airbag device according to a first aspect of the present invention is an airbag device for protecting a vehicle occupant or a pedestrian, and includes an airbag that is inflated and deployed by gas, and a plastic wire-like retaining member installed on the airbag. The airbag is configured to assume a predetermined storage shape by deforming the wire-like retaining member while the airbag is compressed.

[0009] The term "vehicle" may refer to any vehicle equipped with an airbag, such as a car, a motorcycle, or an electric skateboard.

[0010] The term "occupant or pedestrian" refers to not only the occupants of the vehicle, but also pedestrians, cyclists, and the like who may be hit by the vehicle.

[0011] The "plastic wire-shaped holding member" may include, for example, a metal or resin wire that is strong enough to be deformed by human force using a tool.

[0012] "Laying" means a state in which the wire-shaped retaining member is held in contact with the airbag, and can include a state in which one part is fastened to the airbag and the other part is simply in contact with the airbag, or a state in which the wire-shaped retaining member is held in a state in which it is inserted into a tunnel-shaped space formed in the airbag. Therefore, the wire-shaped retaining member does not need to be stretched over the entire surface of the airbag, and does not need to be completely fixed to the airbag.

[0013] In the present invention as described above, the storage shape of the compressed airbag can be adjusted by deforming the wire-shaped retaining member, so that it is possible to store the airbag in an appropriate shape for the required space with a simple structure without adding any special processes.

[0014] Furthermore, by devising a structure for the wire-shaped retaining member, it is possible to restrict the deployment direction of the airbag and allow it to deploy in a preferred direction, which contributes to stabilizing the deployment behavior of the airbag.

[0015] The airbag may be a curtain airbag that deploys downward from the upper part of the window frame of the automobile. The airbag according to the present invention may be applied to passenger airbags, side airbags, motorcycle airbags, etc.

[0016] The concept of the present invention is extremely effective since the curtain airbag must be accommodated in a narrow, elongated, and limited space.

[0017] The wire-shaped retaining member may be disposed along the longitudinal direction of the airbag.

[0018] By arranging the wire-shaped retaining member along the length of the airbag, it is possible to adjust the compressed shape of the airbag along the entire length. For example, it is possible to bend or dent the elongated compressed airbag at the pillar position.

[0019] The wire-shaped holding member may have an upper end fixing portion that is fixed to a vehicle structural portion of the automobile.

[0020] Curtain airbags are usually fixed to the vehicle structure at multiple points on their upper end, so by similarly fixing the upper end of the wire-shaped retaining member, it is possible to stably hold the compressed airbag.

[0021] The airbag is compressed by folding or rolling it in the short direction from bottom to top, and the wire-shaped retaining member can have a downward curved portion that curves from the upper end fixed portion along the outer periphery of the compressed airbag and is located in a range that includes at least the lower end of the airbag.

[0022] In this case, it is preferable that the wire-shaped holding member is formed so as to extend from the upper end fixing portion through the window side of the automobile to the lower end of the airbag, and then extend upward on the passenger compartment side.

[0023] It is also preferable that the downward curved portion of the wire-shaped holding member is configured to be released from its curved state when the curtain airbag is deployed.

[0024] By configuring the wire-shaped retaining member to extend from the top of the window frame to the window side (opposite the cabin) and along the outer periphery of the rolled airbag to the cabin side, when the airbag deploys, the downward curved portion of the wire-shaped retaining member extends and acts as a cover to close the gap between the trim and the window, for example. As a result, the airbag does not get caught in the gap and deploys reliably inside the vehicle compartment.

[0025] The wire-shaped retaining member may be formed so as to extend from the upper end fixing portion to the passenger compartment side and below the airbag.

[0026] The wire-shaped retaining member may be configured to restrict upward deployment of the airbag.

[0027] By molding the wire-shaped retaining member so that it extends from the upper end fixing portion through the passenger compartment side to below the airbag compressed into a roll, when the airbag deploys, the wire-shaped retaining member presses down on the top of the airbag, making it possible to reliably deploy the airbag downward.

[0028] The airbag may be an airbag for a motorcycle, and the wire-shaped retaining member may be configured to regulate the outer peripheral shape of the airbag when stored.

[0029] "Regulating the outer peripheral shape" includes making the outer peripheral shape of the compressed airbag and the outer peripheral shape of the wire-shaped retaining member roughly coincident with or roughly similar to each other when viewed in a plane. For example, if a wire-shaped retaining member having a rectangular outer shape in a plane is used, this includes making the outer peripheral shape of the compressed airbag also rectangular along the rectangular shape of the wire-shaped retaining member.

[0030] In motorcycles, the capacity and shape of the space for accommodating an airbag are more limited than in automobiles, so it is effective to employ the wire-shaped retaining member according to the present invention.

[0031] A patch covering the wire-shaped retaining member may be provided on the surface of the airbag.

[0032] Here, the "patch" can be expressed as a piece of cloth, such as a patch, that is smaller in area than the airbag when laid flat. The patch can be formed into a bag shape by sewing to the surface of the airbag, and the wire-shaped retaining member can be housed inside the bag.

[0033] A manufacturing method for an airbag device according to a second aspect of the present invention can include the steps of: laying the wire-shaped retaining member on the airbag; compressing the airbag by rolling or folding it; and deforming the wire-shaped retaining member to form the airbag into a predetermined storage shape. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0034] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the passenger compartment of an automobile equipped with a curtain airbag device according to the present invention, showing the state in which the airbag is deployed. [Figure 2] 2 is a plan view showing a storage state in which the airbag is compressed in the curtain airbag device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3A is a front view and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the main part of the airbag device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4(A) is an explanatory diagram showing the housed state of the airbag device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4(B) is an explanatory diagram showing another aspect of this embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5A is a front view and cross-sectional views (B) and (C) showing the structure of the main part of an airbag device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6A is a front view and cross-sectional views (B) and (C) showing the structure of the main part of an airbag device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a side view showing a state in which an airbag device for a motorcycle according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is activated. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the structure of a motorcycle airbag device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, showing the airbag in a compressed state. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B1-B1 in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on first to fourth embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0036] 1 is a cross-sectional view of the passenger compartment of an automobile equipped with a curtain airbag device 10 according to the present invention, showing the deployed state. As shown in Fig. 1, an airbag 12 is fixed to an inner panel covered by a headlining above the window glass on one side of the passenger compartment by bolts using a plurality of mounting tabs 14.

[0037] The reference numeral 11 denotes an A-pillar. A strap 15 connects the front edge of the airbag 12 to the A-pillar 11. of The strap 15 is made of the same material (fabric) as the airbag 12 and is formed in a uniform width. Shape The strap 15 itself can also be made of a material (such as synthetic resin) different from that of the airbag.

[0038] 2 is a front view showing the structure of the curtain airbag device 10 according to the present invention. In the curtain airbag device 10 according to this embodiment, the airbag 12 is folded or compressed into a roll. As shown in FIG. 1, a tab 14 extending from the airbag 12 is provided at the upper edge of the airbag 12.

[0039] The airbag 12 is constructed by stacking two substantially identical sheets of flexible material, such as a woven fabric, one over the other, with the aligned edges interconnected by a perimeter seam to form a large interior inflatable portion between the sheets that receives inflation gas from an inflator 20, such as a gas generator. The airbag 12 can also be constructed by folding a single sheet of flexible material in half to form the two overlapping layers, interconnected by a perimeter seam. Alternatively, the airbag 12 can be woven using a so-called "one-piece weaving (OPW)" technique, in which warp and weft yarns that form the inflatable and non-inflatable regions are interwoven at selected locations to form a multi-sheet woven structure that forms the inflation chamber and the perimeter bond where the sheets interconnect.

[0040] The fabric from which the airbag 12 is made is preferably a plastic fabric, such as a fabric formed by interweaving warp and weft threads of polyamide fibers. The fabric may be coated with a thermoplastic material. As shown in FIG. 2, the airbag 12 is formed with an opening for inserting an inflator 20 into the airbag 12. For example, a cylindrical inflator extends through the opening, with the majority of its length residing within the airbag 12.

[0041] To package the airbag 12 for installation in a vehicle, the airbag 12 is first rolled and / or folded from bottom to top to form a rod. The package may be formed by folding the airbag 12, forming the airbag 12 into two or more rolls, or by a combination of airbag rolling and folding techniques known per se. In the case of the rolling technique, the airbag 12 may be wound around a mandrel (not shown) and the resulting package may be drawn axially.

[0042] (First Example) 3A and 3B are a front view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, showing the structure of a main part of an airbag device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The airbag device according to this embodiment is an airbag device for protecting a vehicle occupant or a pedestrian, and includes an airbag 12 that is inflated and deployed by gas, and a plastic wire-like retaining member 18 installed in the airbag 12. The airbag 12 is configured to assume a predetermined storage shape by deforming the wire-like retaining member 18 while the airbag 12 is compressed.

[0043] As shown in Figures 3(A) and (B), the wire-shaped holding member 18 extends longitudinally along the upper edge of the compressed airbag 12, and is inserted between the stitching 16 that forms the inflation chamber and the stitching 14a that forms the tab 14. The upper end of the wire-shaped holding member 18 is bent to conform to the shape of the tab 14. In Figure 3(A), the wire-shaped holding member 18 teeth Although it is not actually visible due to the airbag 12, it is shown by a solid line for convenience.

[0044] 3(B), the wire-shaped retaining member 18 has a bent portion 22 formed near the boundary between the tab 14 and the chamber portion of the airbag 12. This bent portion 22 makes it possible to easily connect the tab 14 to the vehicle structure and stabilize the stored posture of the airbag 12.

[0045] The wire-shaped holding member 18 may be, for example, a metal or resin wire that is strong enough to be deformed by human force using a tool.

[0046] The wire-shaped holding member 18 is held in contact with the airbag, but does not need to be stretched over the entire surface of the airbag 12 laid flat, nor does it need to be completely fixed to the airbag 12.

[0047] 4A is an explanatory diagram showing the stored state of the airbag device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram showing another aspect of this embodiment. In FIGS. 4A and 4B, the wire-shaped holding member 18 is indicated by a dashed line.

[0048] As shown in Figure 4(A), when a wire-shaped retaining member 18 is provided along the upper edge portion of the airbag 12 compressed into a roll, the airbag 12 can also be deformed along the wire-shaped retaining member 18 by bending the wire-shaped retaining member 18.

[0049] 4(B), wire-shaped retaining members 18a, 18b are provided along two opposing edges of the airbag 12 compressed into a roll, and by pressing the wire-shaped retaining member 18b on one edge toward the center of the airbag roll, a recess (depression) 26 can be formed in the airbag 12. For example, by forming the recess 26 at a location corresponding to a pillar, it is possible to eliminate the protrusion of the airbag 12 toward the passenger compartment.

[0050] (Second Example) 5A is a front view and FIGS. 5B and 5C are cross-sectional views showing the structure of the main part of an airbag device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the same or corresponding components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0051] 5(A) and (B), in this embodiment, the wire-shaped holding member 118 is curved from the position of the tab 14 along the outer periphery of the airbag 12, and has a downward curved portion 118c located in a range including the lower end of the airbag 12. The wire-shaped holding member 118 is formed so that it passes from its upper end toward the window 121 of the automobile, reaches the lower end of the airbag 12, and extends upward on the passenger compartment side.

[0052] The upper end of the wire-shaped holding member 118 passes through the inside of the tab 14, extends from a starting point 118a to the outside of the airbag 12, curves along the outer periphery of the airbag 12, and reaches a tip end 118b. As shown in Fig. 5(B), the range from the starting point 118a to the tip end 118b is preferably, for example, about 270°. In the figure, reference numeral 122 denotes a roof lining, and reference numeral 124 denotes a trim.

[0053] In this embodiment, when the airbag 12 starts to deploy, the downward curved portion 118c of the wire-shaped retaining member 118 unwinds and extends linearly, as shown in Fig. 5(C). The wire-shaped retaining member 118 then acts as a cover that closes the gap between the trim 124 and the window 121. As a result, the airbag 12 does not get caught in the gap, and the airbag 12 is reliably deployed into the vehicle cabin.

[0054] (Third Example) 6A and 6B are a front view and cross-sectional views, respectively, of an airbag device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, showing the structure of a main part of the device. In this embodiment, the same or corresponding components as those in the above-described embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0055] 6(A) and 6(B), in this embodiment, the wire-shaped holding member 218 is formed so as to pass from the upper end fixing portion (14) through the passenger compartment side and extend downwardly of the airbag 12. The upper end of the wire-shaped holding member 218 passes through the inside of the tab 14, but extends outward from a starting point 218a of the airbag 12 and curves along the outer periphery of the airbag 12 to restrict the upward deployment of the airbag 12.

[0056] As shown in Figure 6(C), the wire-shaped retaining member 218 is formed so as to extend from the upper end fixing portion through the passenger compartment side to below the airbag 12 compressed into a roll, so that when the airbag 12 deploys, the wire-shaped retaining member 218 presses down on the upper part of the airbag 12, making it possible to reliably deploy the airbag 12 downward.

[0057] (Fourth Example) Fig. 7 is a side view showing the state in which the motorcycle airbag device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is activated, Fig. 8 is a plan view showing the structure of the motorcycle airbag device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, showing the state in which the airbag is compressed, and Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B1-B1 in Fig. 8.

[0058] As shown in Figure 7, when a motorcycle 310 collides with an obstacle ahead, an airbag 312 is deployed from the lower inside of a windshield 314 to protect a rider R. Reference numeral 316 denotes a handlebar.

[0059] 8 and 9, the airbag 312 is folded into a generally rectangular shape along the outer periphery of the wire-like holding member 318. The wire-like holding member 318 is actually covered with a patch 330, but is shown by a solid line in FIG.

[0060] The airbag device includes an inflator 320 that supplies inflation gas to the airbag 312. The inflator 320 is a disk-shaped inflator, and is fixed to the vehicle by stud bolts 324 that pass through the four corners of a flange portion 322. The inflator 320 is housed inside the airbag 312 near the lower end of the airbag 312.

[0061] 9, the patch 330 is a piece of cloth like a patch, is smaller than the area of ​​the folded airbag 312 when laid flat, is sewn onto the surface of the airbag 312 to form a bag shape, and accommodates the wire-like holding member 318 inside. The patch 330 is sewn to a position that overlaps the inflator 320 and covers the inflator 320.

[0062] A portion of the wire-shaped retaining member 318 is engaged so as to be wrapped around the outer periphery of the stud bolt 324 of the inflator 320. In Fig. 8, the wire-shaped retaining member 318 is formed as a single wire having two ends, but it may also be formed as an endless loop. Also, in this embodiment, the wire-shaped retaining member 318 extends in two directions as a whole, but it may also be formed as a single wire.

[0063] 8, the overall external shapes of the wire-shaped retaining member 318 and the patch 330 are roughly similar, and the wire-shaped retaining member 318 is restricted from spreading any further by a sewn portion 327 of the patch 330. The wire-shaped retaining member 318 and the patch 330 are installed on the surface opposite to the side that faces the occupant R when the airbag 312 is deployed.

[0064] In this embodiment, after folding the airbag 312, for example, a tool is used to apply an external force to the wire-shaped holding member 318 to form the bent portion 328. Then, the lower portion of the bent portion 328 can be housed in the motorcycle body, and the upper portion can be disposed below the windshield 314.

[0065] While the present invention has been described in conjunction with the above exemplary embodiments, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art given this disclosure. Accordingly, the above exemplary embodiments of the present invention are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An airbag device for protecting a vehicle occupant or a pedestrian, An airbag that inflates and deploys using gas; a flexible wire-like holding member laid on the airbag; The airbag is configured to assume a predetermined storage shape by deforming the wire-shaped holding member while the airbag is compressed, The airbag is an airbag for a motorcycle, and the wire-shaped retaining member is configured to regulate the outer peripheral shape of the airbag when it is stored, and An airbag device further comprising a patch on a surface of the airbag for covering the wire-like retaining member.

2. An airbag device as described in Claim 1, characterized in that the wire-shaped retaining member is a wire made of metal or resin.

3. In the method for manufacturing an airbag device according to claim 1, laying the wire-shaped retaining member on the airbag; compressing the airbag by rolling or folding; and a step of deforming the wire-shaped holding member to form the airbag into a predetermined storage shape.

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