Airbags and airbag systems

Abstract

To provide an air bag and an air bag device which can avoid, with a simple structure, interference with obstacles.SOLUTION: An air bag device 1 comprises: an air bag 2 which is folded up and then accommodated within an instrument panel I at normal time and expands to be deployed in a front of a crew member M who is seated on a seat Z of a vehicle by gas being supplied in an emergency; an inflator 3 which supplies the gas into the air bag 2; a retainer 4 which retains the air bag 2 and the inflator 3; and an air bag cover 5 which covers up the air bag 2 and also composes a part of the instrument panel I. The air bag 2 includes a control sewing part 2a which controls an expanded deployed shape of the air bag 2, which is formed along a height direction of obstacles in a position adjoining the obstacles (for example, a display D) existing in a lateral direction of the expanded deployed air bag 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an airbag and an airbag device, and more particularly to an airbag and an airbag device suitable for a vehicle having an obstacle around an airbag that is inflated and deployed.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, vehicles such as automobiles are equipped with an airbag device for absorbing the impact generated on an occupant by inflating and deploying an airbag inside the vehicle in an emergency such as at the time of a collision. Such an airbag device generally includes an airbag that is folded during normal times and inflated and deployed during an emergency, an inflater that supplies gas to the airbag, a retainer that holds the airbag and the inflater, and an airbag cover that covers the airbag.

[0003] In recent years, vehicles often have a center cluster equipped with a display of a navigation system, switches for air conditioning equipment, etc. at the center of the instrument panel. Such a center cluster (particularly, the display portion) often has a shape protruding from the instrument panel and is likely to interfere with the inflation and deployment of the airbag.

[0004] When an obstacle exists around an airbag that is inflated and deployed, such as a center cluster, the posture (e.g., orientation and position) of the airbag during inflation and deployment may collapse. Also, depending on the collision direction of the vehicle, an occupant may move toward an obstacle such as a center cluster. Therefore, as described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, countermeasures for avoiding interference between the airbag and the obstacle have been proposed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

[0006] However, if a second airbag that inflates and deploys is installed in front of the display, as in the invention described in Patent Document 1, or if a tether is placed inside the airbag, as in the invention described in Patent Document 2, the structure of the airbag becomes more complex, and problems such as increased weight and a larger folded shape arise.

[0007] This invention was conceived in view of the aforementioned problems, and aims to provide an airbag and airbag device that can avoid interference with obstacles with a simple structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to the present invention, in an airbag that is normally folded and stored within the vehicle structure and inflates and deploys in front of an occupant seated in a vehicle seat when gas is supplied in an emergency, a control stitch portion is formed along the height direction of the obstacle adjacent to the side of the inflated and deployed airbag to control the inflated and deployed shape of the airbag. The panel constituting the airbag includes a rear panel positioned on the vehicle structure side, a front panel positioned on the occupant side, and side panels positioned on the sides, and the control suture portion is formed by the suture portion between the rear panel and the side panel. An airbag characterized by the following is provided.

[0009] The control suture portion may be configured so as not to come into contact with the obstacle when the airbag inflates and deploys.

[0011] The side panel may be composed of a single panel and may include a first side portion positioned on the first side of the airbag, a second side portion positioned on the second side of the airbag, and an upper portion connecting the first side portion and the second side portion and positioned on the top of the airbag.

[0012] The side panel may be composed of multiple panels and may include a first side panel positioned on the first side of the airbag and a second side panel positioned on the second side of the airbag.

[0013] The front panel may include a tongue-shaped portion that forms the lower surface of the airbag, and the tongue-shaped portion may have an opening for connecting an inflator that supplies gas to the airbag.

[0014] The front panel includes a first tongue-shaped portion that forms the lower surface of the airbag and a second tongue-shaped portion that forms the upper surface of the airbag, the first tongue-shaped portion having an opening for connecting an inflator that supplies gas to the airbag, and the rear panel may be composed of a plurality of panels.

[0015] The panels constituting the airbag may include a base panel, separate from the rear panel, front panel, and side panel, which has an opening for connecting an inflator that supplies gas to the airbag.

[0016] Furthermore, according to the present invention, in an airbag that is normally folded and stored within the vehicle structure and inflates and deploys in front of an occupant seated in a vehicle seat when gas is supplied in an emergency, the airbag has a control stitch portion that controls the inflated and deployed shape of the airbag, formed along the height direction of the obstacle adjacent to the obstacle located to the side of the inflated and deployed airbag. The control suture portion is formed by sewing together the notches formed in the panels constituting the airbag. An airbag is provided characterized by the following. Furthermore, the control suture portion may be configured so as not to come into contact with the obstacle when the airbag inflates and deploys.

[0017] Furthermore, the present invention provides an airbag device characterized by having any of the above-described configurations. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the airbag and airbag device of the present invention described above, by forming a control suture portion that controls the inflated and deployed shape of the airbag along the height direction of an obstacle located to the side of the inflated and deployed airbag, a recess or constriction can be formed in the inflated and deployed shape of the airbag at a position adjacent to the obstacle, and the airbag can be inflated and deployed in a way that avoids interference with the obstacle with a simple structure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] It is an overall configuration diagram showing an airbag device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a top view showing the inflated and deployed shape of the airbag shown in FIG. 1, where (A) shows the case where there is an obstacle on the first side surface of the airbag, and (B) shows the case where there is an obstacle on the second side surface of the airbag. [Figure 3] It is a perspective view showing the inflated and deployed shape of the airbag according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing the component deployment shape of the panel constituting the airbag shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] It is a plan view of the panel constituting the airbag shown in FIG. 4, where (A) shows the front panel, (B) shows the side panel, and (C) shows the rear panel. [Figure 6] It is a perspective view showing the inflated and deployed shape of the airbag according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing the component deployment shape of the panel constituting the airbag shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] It is a plan view of the panel constituting the airbag shown in FIG. 7, where (A) shows the front panel, (B) shows the side panel, and (C) shows the rear panel. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing the component deployment shape of the panel constituting the airbag according to the third embodiment. [Figure 10] It is a plan view of the panel constituting the airbag shown in FIG. 9, where (A) shows the front panel, (B) shows the side panel, and (C) shows the rear panel. [Figure 11] It is a diagram showing the component deployment shape of the panel constituting the airbag according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 12] It is a plan view of the panel constituting the airbag shown in FIG. 11, where (A) shows the front panel, (B) shows the side panel, and (C) shows the rear panel. [Figure 13]This figure shows the unfolded shape of the panel components that make up the airbag according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 14] This figure shows the unfolded shape of the panel components constituting the airbag according to the sixth embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0020] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 14. Herein, Figure 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an airbag device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a top view showing the inflated and deployed shape of the airbag shown in Figure 1, where (A) shows the case where there is an obstacle on the first side surface of the airbag, and (B) shows the case where there is an obstacle on the second side surface of the airbag.

[0021] As shown in Figure 1, the airbag device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises an airbag 2 that is normally folded and housed within the instrument panel I and inflates and deploys in front of an occupant M seated in a vehicle seat Z when gas is supplied in an emergency; an inflator 3 that supplies gas to the airbag 2; a retainer 4 that holds the airbag 2 and the inflator 3; and an airbag cover 5 that covers the airbag 2 and forms part of the instrument panel I.

[0022] The vehicle shown in Figure 1 has a center cluster C in the center of the instrument panel I. The center cluster C is equipped with a display D used for the navigation system, switches for the air conditioning system, etc. The instrument panel I is an example of a vehicle structure in which airbags 2 are located.

[0023] In this embodiment, "obstacle" refers to a protruding portion located to the side of the inflated and deployed airbag 2, for example, within the interior of a vehicle structure such as the center cluster C or instrument panel I. A preferred example of an obstacle is the display D, but it is not limited to this.

[0024] The airbag system 1 shown in Figure 1 is, for example, a passenger-side airbag system, and the airbag 2 inflates and deploys in the space enclosed by, for example, the occupant M, the windshield W, and the instrument panel I. In Figures 1 and 2(B), for the sake of explanation, components other than the airbag system 1 are shown with dashed lines. Also, in Figure 1, for the sake of explanation, a cross-sectional view is shown of a part of the airbag system 1 (part of the airbag 2, retainer 4, airbag cover 5, etc.).

[0025] The inflator 3 is fixed to the retainer 4 with its gas nozzle inserted into the airbag 2. The inflator 3 is connected to an ECU (electronic control unit) (not shown) and is controlled based on measurements from an acceleration sensor, etc. When the ECU detects an emergency such as a vehicle collision or sudden deceleration, it burns the chemical agent stored inside the inflator 3 to generate gas and supplies it to the airbag 2. The inflator 3 may be disc-shaped or cylindrical.

[0026] The retainer 4 is secured to the airbag cover 5 by, for example, a hook connected to its side, and is also connected to a vehicle structure such as a reinforcement 6 via a connecting member. The airbag 2 and inflator 3 are fixed to the retainer 4, for example, via a bucking ring. Note that the configuration of the retainer 4 is not limited to the illustrated configuration.

[0027] The airbag cover 5 includes, for example, a plate-shaped portion 51 that constitutes the interior surface of the vehicle, and an inner case 52 that is positioned on the back of the plate-shaped portion 51 and constitutes the airbag 2's discharge port. The plate-shaped portion 51 on the inner case 52 has a door portion 53 that is formed to be detachable when the airbag 2 inflates and deploys. The airbag cover 5 may be configured to fit into an opening formed in the instrument panel I, or it may be formed integrally with the instrument panel I. Note that the configuration of the airbag cover 5 is not limited to the illustrated configuration.

[0028] The airbag 2 has a control suture portion 2a that controls the inflated and deployed shape of the airbag 2, formed along the height direction of the obstacle (e.g., display D) located adjacent to the side of the inflated and deployed airbag 2. For the sake of explanation, in Figures 1 to 2(B), the suture portions of the panels constituting the airbag 2 are shown with dotted lines.

[0029] The panels constituting the airbag 2 shown in Figure 1 are divided into three parts: a rear panel 21 located on the vehicle structure (e.g., instrument panel I) side, a front panel 22 located on the occupant M side, and a side panel 23 including a portion located on the side. The airbag 2 is formed into a bag shape by a first suture (control suture 2a) that sews the rear panel 21 and the side panel 23 together, and a second suture 2b that sews the front panel 22 and the side panel 23 together.

[0030] Furthermore, the airbag 2 may be equipped with vent holes 2h for adjusting internal pressure. Figure 1 illustrates a case where the vent holes 2h are located on the rear panel 21, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the vent holes 2h may be located on the side panel 23, or multiple vent holes 2h may be provided.

[0031] The control suture portion 2a is formed adjacent to an obstacle (e.g., display D) located to the side of the inflated and deployed airbag 2, as shown in Figures 1 and 2(A). The control suture portion 2a is formed along the height direction of the obstacle, for example, from the instrument panel I toward the windshield W.

[0032] Furthermore, "along the height direction" means not only in the same direction as the height direction of the obstacle, but also in cases where the angle is inclined in the range of -45° to +45° relative to the height direction of the obstacle. The inclination angle is set to - (minus) when it is inclined towards the occupant M side, and to + (plus) when it is inclined towards the instrument panel I side.

[0033] By forming the control suture portion 2a (first suture portion), the inflation width W1 of the airbag 2 at a position adjacent to an obstacle (for example, the display D) is restricted, as shown in Figures 2(A) and 2(B). At this time, the control suture portion 2a (first suture portion) is configured so as not to come into contact with the obstacle (display D) when the airbag 2 inflates and deploys.

[0034] The second suture section 2b restricts the inflation width W2 of the airbag 2, which inflates and deploys in front of the occupant M. The inflation width W1 of the airbag 2 by the control suture section 2a (first suture section) is set to be smaller than the inflation width W2 of the airbag 2 by the second suture section 2b.

[0035] This configuration allows for the control of the airbag 2's inflation and deployment shape without the use of other components such as tethers, and makes it easy to form recesses or constrictions in the inflated airbag 2 to avoid contact with obstacles (e.g., the display D). Furthermore, the airbag 2 can be inflated and deployed in front of the obstacle (e.g., the display D), and the occupant M can be restrained to prevent collision with the obstacle in emergencies such as vehicle collisions.

[0036] Here, Figure 2(A) illustrates the configuration for a right-hand drive vehicle, and Figure 2(B) illustrates the configuration for a left-hand drive vehicle. By configuring the inflation and deployment shape of the airbag 2 to be symmetrical, it can be made compatible with both right-hand drive and left-hand drive vehicles. Furthermore, it can also be made compatible when, for example, there are obstacles on both the left and right sides of the airbag 2. In this case, the left and right positions and inclination angles of the control suture portion 2a (first suture portion) may be made different depending on the position and height of the obstacle.

[0037] Next, the panel configuration of the airbag 2 described above will be explained with reference to Figures 3 to 5(C). Here, Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the inflated and deployed shape of the airbag according to the first embodiment. Figure 4 is a diagram showing the unfolded shape of the panel components that make up the airbag shown in Figure 3. Figure 5 is a plan view of the panel components that make up the airbag shown in Figure 4, where (A) is the front panel, (B) is the side panel, and (C) is the rear panel.

[0038] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the airbag 2 shown in Figure 1. Also, the vent hole 2h is omitted in Figures 3 to 5(C). As shown, an opening 2g for connecting the inflator 3 that supplies gas to the airbag 2 is formed on the lower surface of the airbag 2. Before the airbag 2 is sutured at the control suture section 2a (first suture section) and the second suture section 2b, the components can be unfolded into the rear panel 21, front panel 22 and side panel 23, as shown in Figure 4.

[0039] The rear panel 21 is composed of a panel having a roughly Y-shaped outer shape, as shown in Figure 5(C), for example. The rear panel 21 includes a main body portion 21a having an opening 2g, a first protrusion 21b configured to extend from the main body portion 21a toward the front panel 22, and a second protrusion 21c and a third protrusion 21d configured to extend from the main body portion 21a in the left-right direction.

[0040] The inner edge 21e of the second protrusion 21c and the inner edge 21f of the third protrusion 21d are sewn to the first edge 21g of the main body 21a. Also, the end edge 21h of the second protrusion 21c and the end edge 21i of the third protrusion 21d are sewn to each other. Through these sewn connections, the rear panel 21 is configured in a substantially columnar shape with one side open, as shown in Figure 4. The rear panel 21 also includes a second edge 21j that is sewn to the front panel 22, and a third edge 21k and a fourth edge 21m that are sewn to the side panel 23.

[0041] The front panel 22 is composed of a panel having a substantially polygonal shape, as shown in Figure 5(A), for example. The front panel 22 has a first side 22a that is positioned on the upper surface of the airbag 2, a second side 22b that is positioned on the lower surface of the airbag 2, and a third side 22c and a fourth side 22d that are positioned on the sides of the airbag 2. The second side 22b of the front panel 22 is sewn to the second side 21j of the rear panel 21. In addition, the first side 22a, the third side 22c and the fourth side 22d of the front panel 22 are sewn to the side panel 23.

[0042] The side panel 23 is composed of a single panel having a roughly crescent shape, as shown in Figure 5(B), for example. The side panel 23 also includes a first side portion 23a positioned on the first side of the airbag 2, a second side portion 23b positioned on the second side of the airbag 2, and an upper portion 23c that connects the first side portion 23a and the second side portion 23b and is positioned on the top of the airbag 2.

[0043] The side panel 23 comprises a curved inner edge 23d having a relatively short length and a curved outer edge 23e having a relatively long length. The inner edge 23d of the side panel 23 is sewn to the third edge 21k and the fourth edge 21m of the rear panel 21. The outer edge 23e of the side panel 23 is sewn to the first edge 22a, the third edge 22c and the fourth edge 22d of the front panel 22.

[0044] The control suture section 2a (first suture section) described above is formed by the suture between the inner edge 23d of the side panel 23 and the third edge 21k and fourth edge 21m of the rear panel 21. The second suture section 2b is formed by the suture between the outer edge 23e of the side panel 23 and the first edge 22a, third edge 22c and fourth edge 22d of the front panel 22.

[0045] In this way, by gradually varying the circumference in a plane substantially perpendicular to the inflation and deployment direction of the airbag 2 (the longitudinal direction of the vehicle) using the control suture portion 2a (first suture portion) and the second suture portion 2b, as shown in Figure 2(A), the inflation widths W1 and W2 of the airbag 2 can be restricted to control the inflation and deployment shape of the airbag 2, making it easy to form recesses or constricted portions that avoid contact with obstacles (for example, the display D).

[0046] Next, an airbag 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 8(C). Here, Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the inflated and deployed shape of the airbag according to the second embodiment. Figure 7 is a diagram showing the deployed shape of the panel components that make up the airbag shown in Figure 6. Figure 8 is a plan view of the panel components that make up the airbag shown in Figure 7, where (A) is the front panel, (B) is the side panel, and (C) is the rear panel.

[0047] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the sutured airbag 2, with the vent hole 2h omitted. As shown, an opening 2g for connecting the inflator 3 that supplies gas to the airbag 2 is formed on the lower surface of the airbag 2. Before the airbag 2 is sutured at the control suture section 2a (first suture section) and the second suture section 2b, the components can be unfolded into the rear panel 21, front panel 22 and a pair of side panels 23, as shown in Figure 7.

[0048] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the airbag 2 according to the second embodiment is a modified version of the airbag 2 according to the first embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4, in which the front panel 22 and side panels 23 are connected.

[0049] The rear panel 21 is composed of a panel having a roughly Y-shaped outer shape, as shown in Figure 8(C), for example. The configuration of the rear panel 21 is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, so a detailed explanation is omitted. Note that a portion of the edge (upper and lower) formed by the third side 21k and the fourth side 21m of the rear panel 21 is sewn to the front panel 22, and a portion of the edge formed by the third side 21k and the fourth side 21m of the rear panel 21 is sewn to the side panel 23.

[0050] The front panel 22 includes, for example, a first side 22a positioned on the upper surface of the airbag 2, a second side 22b positioned on the lower surface of the airbag 2, and a third side 22c and a fourth side 22d positioned on the side of the airbag 2, as shown in Figure 8(A). Compared to the front panel 22 shown in the first embodiment, the front panel 22 has a protrusion 22e that extends so that the portion positioned on the upper surface of the airbag 2 reaches the rear panel 21. The first side 22a is formed by the end edge of the protrusion 22e.

[0051] The side panel 23 is composed of a pair of approximately semicircular panels, as shown in Figure 8(B), for example. The side panel 23 also includes a panel that constitutes the first side 23a, which is located on the first side of the airbag 2, and a panel that constitutes the second side 23b, which is located on the second side of the airbag 2.

[0052] The side panel 23 has a relatively short, substantially straight inner edge 23d and a relatively long, curved outer edge 23e. The inner edge 23d of the side panel 23 is sewn to the third edge 21k and the fourth edge 21m of the rear panel 21. The outer edge 23e of the side panel 23 is sewn to the third edge 22c and the fourth edge 22d of the front panel 22.

[0053] Next, the airbag 2 according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 9 to 10(C). Here, Figure 9 is a diagram showing the unfolded shape of the panel components constituting the airbag according to the third embodiment. Figure 10 is a plan view of the panel constituting the airbag shown in Figure 9, where (A) is the front panel, (B) is the side panel, and (C) is the rear panel.

[0054] As shown in Figure 9, the airbag 2 according to the third embodiment is a modified version of the airbag 2 according to the second embodiment shown in Figure 7, in which the lower surface of the airbag 2 is connected. Specifically, the front panel 22 includes a tongue-shaped portion 22f that forms the lower surface of the airbag 2, and the tongue-shaped portion 22f has an opening 2g for connecting the inflator 3 that supplies gas to the airbag 2.

[0055] The front panel 22 includes, for example, as shown in Figure 10(A), a first side 22a located on the upper surface of the airbag 2 and formed by the end edge of the protrusion 22e, a second side 22b located on the lower surface of the airbag 2 and formed by the end edge of the tongue-shaped portion 22f, a third side 22c and a fourth side 22d located on the side of the airbag 2, and a fifth side 22g and a sixth side 22h formed by the side edges of the tongue-shaped portion 22f.

[0056] The rear panel 21 is composed of a panel having a substantially polygonal outer shape, as shown in Figure 10(C), for example. The rear panel 21 includes a first side 21n sewn to the second side 22b of the front panel 22, a second side 21o sewn to the first side 22a of the front panel 22, a third side 21p and a fourth side 21q sewn to the side panel 23, a fifth side 21r sewn to the fifth side 22g of the front panel 22, and a sixth side 21s sewn to the sixth side 22h of the front panel 22.

[0057] As shown in Figure 10(B), for example, the side panel 23 is made of a panel having a rounded shape on the underside of the side panel 23, since there is no seam (suture) between the front panel 22 and the rear panel 21 on the underside of the side panel 23. The inner edge 23d of the side panel 23 is sutured to the third edge 21p and the fourth edge 21q of the rear panel 21.

[0058] Next, the airbag 2 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 11 to 12(C). Here, Figure 11 is a diagram showing the unfolded shape of the panel components constituting the airbag according to the fourth embodiment. Figure 12 is a plan view of the panel constituting the airbag shown in Figure 11, where (A) is the front panel, (B) is the side panel, and (C) is the rear panel.

[0059] As shown in Figure 11, the airbag 2 according to the fourth embodiment is a modified version of the airbag 2 according to the third embodiment shown in Figure 9, in which the upper surface of the airbag 2 is connected. Specifically, the front panel 22 includes a first tongue-shaped portion 22i that forms the lower surface of the airbag 2 and a second tongue-shaped portion 22j that forms the upper surface of the airbag 2, and the first tongue-shaped portion 22i has an opening 2g for connecting an inflator 3 that supplies gas to the airbag 2.

[0060] The front panel 22 includes, for example, as shown in Figure 12(A), a first side 22a located on the upper surface of the airbag 2 and formed by the end edge of the second tongue-shaped portion 22j, a second side 22b located on the lower surface of the airbag 2 and formed by the end edge of the first tongue-shaped portion 22i, a third side 22c and a fourth side 22d located on the side of the airbag 2, a fifth side 22g and a sixth side 22h formed by the side edge of the first tongue-shaped portion 22i, and a seventh side 22k and an eighth side 22m formed by the side edge of the second tongue-shaped portion 22j.

[0061] In this embodiment, the first side 22a and the second side 22b of the front panel 22 are butted together and sewn to form an annular shape surrounding the airbag 2 in the vertical direction, and the rear panel 21 and side panel 23 are sewn to its sides. Note that the side panel 23 has the same configuration as in the third embodiment described above, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0062] The rear panel 21 is composed of a pair of panels having a roughly triangular outer shape, as shown in Figure 12(C), for example. The rear panel 21 includes a first side 21t that is sutured to the first tongue-shaped portion 22i of the front panel 22, a second side 21u that is sutured to the second tongue-shaped portion 22j of the front panel 22, and a third side 21v that is sutured to the side panel 23.

[0063] In the rear panel 21 shown on the left side of Figure 12(C), the first side 21t is sutured to the fifth side 22g of the front panel 22, and the second side 21u is sutured to the seventh side 22k of the front panel 22. Also, in the rear panel 21 shown on the right side of Figure 12(C), the first side 21t is sutured to the sixth side 22h of the front panel 22, and the second side 21u is sutured to the eighth side 22m of the front panel 22.

[0064] Next, an airbag 2 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 13. Here, Figure 13 is a diagram showing the unfolded shape of the panel components constituting the airbag according to the fifth embodiment.

[0065] As shown in Figure 13, the airbag 2 according to the fifth embodiment is a modified version of the airbag 2 according to the fourth embodiment shown in Figure 11, in which the lower surface of the airbag 2 is connected. Specifically, the panels constituting the airbag 2 include a base panel 24 in which an opening 2g for connecting an inflator 3 that supplies gas to the airbag 2 is formed, separate from the rear panel 21, front panel 22, and side panel 23.

[0066] The base panel 24 is composed of panels having a roughly rectangular outer shape. The base panel 24 includes a first side 24a that is sewn to the first side 22a of the front panel 22, a second side 24b that is sewn to the second side 22b of the front panel 22, and a third side 24c and a fourth side 24d that are sewn to the first side 21t of the rear panel 21.

[0067] The illustrated base panel 24 can also be described as a part of the first tongue-shaped portion 22i of the front panel 22 in the fourth embodiment shown in Figure 11 that has been cut off. Furthermore, although not shown, the base panel 24 may also be constructed by cutting off a part of the rear panel 21 in the first embodiment shown in Figure 4, a part of the rear panel 21 in the second embodiment shown in Figure 7, or a part of the front panel 22 in the third embodiment shown in Figure 9.

[0068] Next, an airbag 2 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 14. Here, Figure 14 is a diagram showing the unfolded shape of the panel components constituting the airbag according to the sixth embodiment.

[0069] In the first to fifth embodiments described above, the control suture portion 2a is formed by the suture portion of the side panel 23 and the rear panel 21, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the rear panel 21 or the side panel 23 may be made from a single panel, with notches formed on one or both sides thereof, and the control suture portion 2a may be formed by sutures to these notches.

[0070] For example, the sixth embodiment shown in Figure 14 is constructed by replacing the rear panel 21 and side panels 23, which are located on both the left and right sides as shown in the fourth embodiment in Figure 11, with a single side panel 25. The side panel 25 includes a rear side portion 25a that constitutes the surface corresponding to the rear panel 21, a front side portion 25b that constitutes the surface corresponding to the side panel 23, and a notch 25c formed between the rear side portion 25a and the front side portion 25b.

[0071] The rear side portion 25a includes a first side 25d sutured to the first tongue-shaped portion 22i (fifth side 22g or sixth side 22h) of the front panel 22, and a second side 25e sutured to the second tongue-shaped portion 22j (seventh side 22k or eighth side 22m) of the front panel 22. The front side portion 25b also includes a third side 25f sutured to the curved portion of the front panel 22 that includes the third side 22c or fourth side 22d.

[0072] The notch 25c is an opening formed between the rear side portion 25a and the front side portion 25b, and comprises a fourth side 25g located on the rear side portion 25a side and a fifth side 25h located on the front side portion 25b side.

[0073] The control suture portion 2a is formed by suturing the fourth side 25g and fifth side 25h that constitute the notch portion 25c. The notch portion 25c may have a portion of its peripheral edge cut off, or the fourth side 25g and Fifth side 25h The ring may be configured in a continuous, annular shape, with a portion of the periphery not being separated.

[0074] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0075] 1. Airbag system 2 airbags 2a Control suture section (first suture section) 2b Second suture 2g opening 2h Vent Hall 3 Inflators 4 retainers 5. Airbag cover 6. Reinforcement 21 Rear Panel 21a Main body 21b First protrusion 21c Second protrusion 21d Third protrusion 21e,21f inner side 21g, 21n, 21t First side 21h,21i Edge 21j, 21o, 21u Second side 21k, 21p, 21v Third side 21m, 21q Fourth side 21r Fifth side 21s Sixth side 22 Front Panel 22a First side 22b Second side 22c Third side 22d Fourth side 22e protrusion 22f tongue 22g Fifth side 22h Sixth side 22i First tongue 22j Second tongue 22k Seventh side 22m, eighth side 23 Side Panels 23a First side part 23b Second side part 23c Top part 23d inner side 23e outer edge 24 base panel 24a First side 24b Second side 24c Third side 24d Fourth side 25 Side Panels 25a Rear side section 25b Front side section 25c Notch 25d First side 25e Second side 25f Third side 25g Fourth side 25h Fifth side 51 Plate-shaped part 52 Inner Case 53 Door section

Claims

1. In an airbag that is normally folded and stored within the vehicle structure, and in an emergency, is supplied with gas and inflates and deploys in front of the occupants seated in the vehicle's seats, The inflated and deployed airbag has a control suture portion that controls the inflated and deployed shape of the airbag, formed along the height direction of the obstacle adjacent to the obstacle. The panels constituting the airbag include a rear panel positioned on the vehicle structure side, a front panel positioned on the occupant side, and side panels positioned on the side. The control suture section is formed by the suture section between the rear panel and the side panel. An airbag characterized by the following features.

2. The airbag according to claim 1, wherein the control suture portion is configured so as not to come into contact with the obstacle when the airbag inflates and deploys.

3. The airbag according to claim 1, wherein the side panel is made of a single panel and comprises a first side portion disposed on the first side of the airbag, a second side portion disposed on the second side of the airbag, and an upper portion that connects the first side portion and the second side portion and is disposed on the upper part of the airbag.

4. The airbag according to claim 1, wherein the side panel is composed of a plurality of panels, and includes a first side panel disposed on the first side surface of the airbag and a second side panel disposed on the second side surface of the airbag.

5. The airbag according to claim 1, wherein the front panel includes a tongue-shaped portion that forms the lower surface of the airbag, and the tongue-shaped portion has an opening for connecting an inflator that supplies gas to the airbag.

6. The airbag according to claim 1, wherein the front panel includes a first tongue-shaped portion that forms the lower surface of the airbag and a second tongue-shaped portion that forms the upper surface of the airbag, the first tongue-shaped portion having an opening for connecting an inflator that supplies gas to the airbag, and the rear panel is composed of a plurality of panels.

7. The airbag according to claim 1, wherein the panels constituting the airbag include a base panel having an opening for connecting an inflator that supplies gas to the airbag, separate from the rear panel, the front panel, and the side panels.

8. An airbag that is normally folded and stored within the vehicle structure, and in an emergency, is supplied with gas and inflates and deploys in front of an occupant seated in a vehicle seat, The inflated and deployed airbag has a control suture portion that controls the inflated and deployed shape of the airbag, formed along the height direction of the obstacle adjacent to the obstacle. The control suture portion is formed by sewing together the notches formed in the panels constituting the airbag. An airbag characterized by the following features.

9. The airbag according to claim 8, wherein the control suture portion is configured not to come into contact with the obstacle when the airbag inflates and deploys.

10. An airbag device characterized by comprising an airbag as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

Images