Airbag device

Abstract

Disclosed is an airbag device capable of holding an airbag cushion by an approach different from existing holding methods.　This airbag device comprises a bracket that comes into contact with the airbag cushion and is fixed to a portion of a vehicle, and a coupling member that holds the airbag cushion so as to sandwich the airbag cushion with the bracket. The coupling member has, at a first end and a second end, a first fastening part and a second fastening part that are fastened to the bracket. The coupling member is configured such that inflation and deployment of the airbag cushion cause at least one of (1) tearing of a portion between the first end and the second end and (2) detachment of the first fastening part and / or the second fastening part from the bracket.

Description

Airbag device

[0001] The present invention relates to an airbag device.

[0002] As an airbag device provided in an automobile, there is known one in which a protector is arranged along an airbag folded in a long and narrow shape, and the airbag is held at a plurality of locations on the protector by a plurality of tapes (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-30717

[0004] In a conventional airbag device, it is premised that a tape is used to hold the airbag to the protector, but there is a need to consider a holding method other than the tape.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an airbag device capable of holding an airbag cushion by an approach different from an existing holding method.

[0006] An airbag device according to an aspect of the present invention includes an airbag cushion that expands and deploys by being supplied with gas for inflation and deployment, a bracket that contacts the airbag cushion and is fixed to a part of the vehicle, and at least one coupling member that holds the airbag cushion between the bracket and the bracket. The coupling member has a first fastening portion fastened to the bracket at a first end portion, and a second fastening portion fastened to the bracket at a second end portion different from the first end portion. The coupling member is configured such that, by the inflation and deployment of the airbag cushion, at least one of (1) a portion between the first end portion and the second end portion is broken, and (2) the first fastening portion and / or the second fastening portion is detached from the bracket is made.

[0007] In this embodiment, before inflation and deployment, the airbag cushion is positioned between the bracket and the connecting member, and is held in place by the bracket when the first and second fastening portions of the connecting member are fastened to the bracket. When the airbag cushion inflates and deploys, the connecting member ruptures or breaks due to this inflation and deployment. As a result, the airbag cushion is released from being held by the connecting member and can proceed with inflation and deployment while receiving a reaction force from the contact portion with the bracket.

[0008] Figure 1 shows an airbag device according to an embodiment mounted on a vehicle, where (a) shows the state before the airbag device is activated and (b) shows the state after the airbag device is activated. Figure 1 is an exploded view of the airbag device according to an embodiment. With respect to the airbag device according to an embodiment, (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a B-B cross-sectional view of (a), and (c) is an unfolded view of the connecting member before it is fixed to the protector. With respect to the airbag device according to an embodiment, (a) is an enlarged front view and a schematic E-E cross-sectional view of the enlarged front view, respectively, showing the state before the airbag cushion is inflated and deployed, (b) is the initial state of the airbag cushion's inflation and deployment, and (c) is the state after the airbag cushion has further inflated and deployed and the connecting member has broken. This figure shows a method for manufacturing an airbag device according to an embodiment, where (a) shows the state when the bracket is installed on the jig, (b) shows the state when the airbag cushion is installed on the bracket, (c) shows the state when the first and second holes are formed in the bracket by the needle, (d) shows the state when both ends of the connecting member are passed through the first and second holes, (e) shows the state when the needle is removed from the first and second holes, and (f) shows the state when the airbag cushion held by the bracket and connecting member is removed from the jig. This is an enlarged view of the area near the needle in Figure 5(d).

[0009] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In this document, up and down, left and right, and front and back are defined as follows. When an occupant is seated in a normal posture, the direction the occupant is facing is referred to as the front, and the opposite direction is referred to as the rear, and when indicating the axis of the coordinate system, it is referred to as the front-rear direction or the vehicle front-rear direction. Similarly, when an occupant is seated in a normal posture, the right side of the occupant is referred to as the right direction, and the left side of the occupant is referred to as the left direction, and when indicating the axis of the coordinate system, it is referred to as the left-right direction or the vehicle width direction. Likewise, when an occupant is seated in a normal posture, the direction of the occupant's head is referred to as the up direction, and the direction of the occupant's waist is referred to as the down direction, and when indicating the axis of the coordinate system, it is referred to as the up and down direction.

[0010] In this book, "occupant" refers to a dummy used for frontal crash tests (a human body dummy for frontal crash tests as defined by the Hybrid III AM50 / NHTSA [National Highway Traffic Safety Administration] standards [49CFR Part 572 Subpart E and O]), with a physique equivalent to that of an average American male, approximately 175 cm tall, 88 cm sitting, and 78 kg in weight.

[0011] The following description will use a curtain airbag system as an example of an airbag system according to the following embodiment. However, the invention is not limited to a curtain airbag system; airbag systems can be used, for example, SABs (Side Air Bags) and KABs (Knee Air Bags) attached to brackets, or any other type of airbag that is secured with tape.

[0012] Curtain airbag systems are installed, for example, in the upper interior of both the left and right sides of the vehicle. In the attached drawings, the airbag system is exemplified as a curtain airbag system for the right side of the vehicle, but a curtain airbag system for the left side of the vehicle has a similar symmetrical structure.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the airbag device 100 is installed on the upper side of the passenger compartment of the vehicle 102 and attached to the roof side rail 110. Typically, there are multiple pillars on the side of the passenger compartment, which, in order from the front, are for example, the front pillar 104, the center pillar 106, and the rear pillar 108. The airbag device 100 is installed, for example, extending from the front pillar 104 to the rear pillar 108.

[0014] The airbag device 100 comprises an inflator 120, an airbag cushion 140, a protector 180, and a connecting member 200 (see Figure 3).

[0015] The inflator 120 is configured to supply gas for inflation and deployment to the airbag cushion 140. The inflator 120 is electrically connected to a control device (not shown) and operates when the vehicle 102 is involved in a collision. For example, when the vehicle 102 is involved in a side collision or rollover, a sensor (not shown) on the vehicle 102 first detects the impact and sends a signal to the control device. The control device then sends an ignition signal to the inflator 120. As a result, the gunpowder in the inflator 120 burns, and the generated gas is supplied to the airbag cushion 140. The inflator 120 is, for example, cylindrical in shape and supplies gas to the airbag cushion 140 from a predetermined position at the upper end of the airbag cushion 140. Various types of inflators can be used, such as those filled with a gas generating agent, compressed gas, or both.

[0016] The airbag cushion 140 is formed into a bag shape by joining (e.g., sewing or bonding) multiple base fabrics, such as nonwoven fabric, at appropriate positions, or by weaving using OPW (One-Piece Woven). The airbag cushion 140 extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and is provided in a state in which at least a part of it is wound up (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "folded state"). The folded form of the airbag cushion 140 is, for example, a roll form in which the airbag cushion 140 is wound up from one end to the other. However, in other embodiments, the folded form may include a combination of a partial roll form in which a part between one end and the other end of the airbag cushion 140 is wound up and another form continuous therewith (for example, a form that folds back in an accordion shape). The airbag cushion 140 is inflated and deployed in a curtain-like manner along the side window 112, etc., below the roof side rail 110 by the supply of gas for inflation and deployment. As a result, the airbag cushion 140 protects the occupant's head during a side collision with the vehicle 102.

[0017] The protector 180 is an example of a bracket that contacts the airbag cushion 140 and is fixed to a part of the vehicle 102. The protector 180 is a long member, and its cross-section is formed from, for example, a C-shape, a U-shape, an arc shape, or a combination thereof. The protector 180 comprises a surface 181 that contacts the airbag cushion 140 at least in part, and a back surface 182 that faces the fixing point with the vehicle 102 (see Figure 3(b)). The protector 180 is fixed to the vehicle 102 in a state that it contacts the folded airbag cushion 140 so as to cover it. The length of the protector 180 in the longitudinal direction corresponds to a part of the length of the folded airbag cushion 140, but in other embodiments it may encompass the length of the folded airbag cushion 140.

[0018] The protector 180 is made of, for example, resin. For example, the material of the protector 180 is a thermoplastic elastomer, and the protector 180 has a predetermined rubber-like elasticity. The protector 180 is attached to the roof side rail 110 at multiple points along its longitudinal direction. The protector 180 prevents the folded airbag cushion 140 from interfering with surrounding parts, and also prevents the airbag cushion 140 from getting caught on surrounding garnish when inflated and deployed. In other embodiments, other brackets such as resin covers or housings may be used instead of the protector 180.

[0019] As shown in Figure 2, the inflator 120 has a gas outlet 122 and is inserted into the inflator insertion portion 123A of the gas guide 123. After insertion, the inflator 120 is installed in a position protruding from a predetermined location on the upper end of the airbag cushion 140. The gas ejected from the gas outlet 122 is distributed and supplied in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle by the gas guide 123.

[0020] The airbag cushion 140 has cushion tabs 170 that protrude upward. Multiple cushion tabs 170 are provided along the vehicle's longitudinal direction. The cushion tabs 170 are strip-shaped members and have bolt holes 172. The protector 180 also has first tabs 180A and second tabs 180B that protrude upward. Multiple first tabs 180A and second tabs 180B are provided (two of each in this case) and are arranged alternately along the vehicle's longitudinal direction. The first tabs 180A and second tabs 180B are strip-shaped members and have bolt holes 182A and 182B, respectively.

[0021] When installing the airbag device 100, each cushion tab 170 is bolted to the roof side rail 110 via bolt holes 172. At this time, the two cushion tabs 170 are inserted through slit holes (not shown) in the protector 180 and protrude out of the protector 180, with the bolt holes 172 overlapping with the bolt holes 182A of the first tab 180A, and are bolted together with the first tab 180A to the roof side rail 110. The protector 180 is also bolted to the roof side rail 110 via the second tab 180B.

[0022] Next, the connecting member 200 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 3 and 4.

[0023] The connecting member 200 is configured to hold the airbag cushion 140 to the protector 180 by sandwiching the airbag cushion 140 between the protector 180 and the connecting member 200. The connecting member 200 is made of, for example, resin and consists of a linear, string-like, or strip-shaped member. In this case, the connecting member 200 is made of resin staples. The resin staples may be elastic and can conform to the shape of the object to be fixed (in this case, the airbag cushion 140 as the object to be held).

[0024] As shown in Figure 3(a), there are multiple (seven in this case) connecting members 200, and the connecting members 200 are provided at multiple locations (seven in this case) in the longitudinal direction of the protector 180 (the first direction in which the airbag cushion 140 extends).

[0025] As shown in Figure 3(b), the protector 180 is provided with a first insertion portion 180a and a second insertion portion 180b for inserting and fastening both ends of the connecting member 200. The first insertion portion 180a and the second insertion portion 180b are spaced apart from each other so as to be located on the outside of the folded airbag cushion 140.

[0026] The insertion portions 180a and 180b are formed as openings that penetrate the protector 180 in the thickness direction between the surface 181 and the back surface 182 of the protector 180. The insertion portions 180a and 180b are formed in a circular shape when viewed from the surface 181 side of the protector 180. In other embodiments, the insertion portions 180a and 180b may be formed in other shapes, such as polygons, ellipses, sectors, or stars, when viewed from the surface 181 side of the protector 180.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3(c), the connecting member 200 has a first end 210 and a second end 220. The connecting member 200 also has a main body portion 205 between the first end 210 and the second end 220. The main body portion 205 is the part that contacts the airbag cushion 140 so as to cover it (see Figure 3(b)). The main body portion 205 contacts the airbag cushion 140 in a portion that occupies the majority of its entire area. The main body portion 205 extends in a linear, string-like, or strip-like manner, and the connecting member 200 has the first end 210 and the second end 220 at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 205, respectively.

[0028] The connecting member 200 is provided with a first fastening portion 210a at the first end 210 and a second fastening portion 220a at the second end 220. The fastening portions 210a and 220a are provided to protrude in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 205. In this case, the fastening portions 210a and 220a are provided to protrude in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 205.

[0029] Furthermore, the fastening portions 210a and 220a each have a first portion extending in a first direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 205, and a second portion extending in a second direction different from the first direction and intersecting the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 205. For example, the first fastening portion 210a includes a first portion 210a1 extending in the first direction r1 and a second portion 210a2 extending in the second direction r2. The first portion 210a1 and the second portion 210a2 extend in opposite directions. That is, the first fastening portion 210a and one end portion of the main body portion 205 are formed in a T-shape. Similarly, the second fastening portion 220a comprises a first portion 220a1 extending in the first direction r1 and a second portion 220a2 extending in the second direction r2, with the first portion 220a1 and the second portion 220a2 extending in opposite directions. The second fastening portion 220a and the other end portion of the main body portion 205 are formed in a T-shape.

[0030] Let's return to Figure 3(b) for explanation. The fastening portions 210a and 220a of the connecting member 200 are inserted through the main body portion 205 on the surface 181 side of the protector 180, respectively, and fastened to the back surface 182 of the protector 180 by inserting the insertion portions 180a and 180b. "Fastened" means that in a free state, the fastening portions 210a and 220a do not come off the protector 180, or the fastening portions 210a and 220a do not come out of the insertion portions 180a and 180b.

[0031] The fastening portions 210a and 220a are fastened to the protector 180 at the opening periphery of the insertion portions 180a and 180b, respectively. Specifically, the fastening portions 210a and 220a extend in directions intersecting the insertion direction r3 to the insertion portions 180a and 180b, respectively, and are fastened by catching on the opening periphery of the insertion portions 180a and 180b on the back surface 182 of the protector 180. Here, the first fastening portion 210a is fastened by its first and second portions 210a1 and 210a2 extending in two directions r4 and r5 intersecting the insertion direction r3, respectively, and catching on the back surface 182 of the protector 180. The same applies to the first and second portions 220a1 and 220a2 of the second fastening portion 220a. When the fastening portions 210a and 220a are fastened to the protector 180, the surfaces of the fastening portions 210a and 220a on the back surface 182 side of the protector 180 come into contact with the back surface of the protector 180. Note that as long as the fastening portions 210a and 220a are positioned in a direction that intersects the insertion direction r3, their extending direction is not limited to r4 and r5, but may also be in the longitudinal direction of the protector 180 (i.e., a direction perpendicular to r4 and r5), or it may face any other direction. In any case, it is sufficient that the fastening portions are positioned so as to intersect the main body portion 205 of the connecting member 200 so that they do not come off the protector.

[0032] Figure 4 shows the state of the connecting member 200 before and after the inflation and deployment of the airbag cushion 140. As shown in Figure 4, the main body portion 205 of the connecting member 200 ruptures when the airbag cushion 140 inflates and deploys.

[0033] As shown in Figure 4(a), before the airbag cushion 140 is inflated and deployed, the connecting member 200 holds the airbag cushion 140 between itself and the protector 180, as described above. The connecting member 200 is not provided so as to wrap around the protector 180 all the way around, but rather is provided on the opposite side of the protector 180 with the airbag cushion 140 in between, and both ends are fastened to the protector 180.

[0034] As shown in Figure 4(b), when the airbag cushion 140 inflates and deploys, it inflates and deploys in direction r6, pushing the connecting member 200 outward while receiving a reaction force from the protector 180. The connecting member 200 is fastened to the protector 180 by fastening portions 210a and 220a, and the main body portion 205 is stretched to conform to the shape of the inflating airbag cushion 140. As a result, a partially thinned, vulnerable portion 205c is created in the main body portion 205. The vulnerable portion 205c may be, for example, a part that was not in contact with the airbag cushion 140 during the initial stages of its inflation and deployment.

[0035] As shown in Figure 4(c), as the airbag cushion 140 continues to inflate and deploy, the main body portion 205 is further stretched, and the weak portion 205c ruptures. As a result, the airbag cushion 140 is released from being held by the connecting member 200 and continues to inflate and deploy while receiving a reaction force from the protector 180.

[0036] In other embodiments, the connecting member 200 may release the holding of the airbag cushion 140 by another or additional method. For example, the first fastening portion 210a may detach from the protector 180 due to the inflation and deployment of the airbag cushion 140. Alternatively, the second fastening portion 220a may detach from the protector 180, or both fastening portions 210a and 220a may detach from the protector 180. In addition, at least one of the fastening portions 210a and 220a may detach in conjunction with a rupture of the main body portion 205.

[0037] Next, the manufacturing method of the airbag device 100 will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Here, we will focus particularly on how to attach the airbag cushion 140, the protector 180, and the connecting member 200.

[0038] As shown in Figure 5(a), first, the protector 180 is placed on the jig G. The jig G includes a support surface G1 for supporting the protector 180 and a needle housing G2 capable of receiving the first and second needles N1 and N2, which will be described later. The jig G supports the back surface 182 of the protector 180 with the support surface G1. The front surface 181 of the protector 180 faces upward.

[0039] Next, as shown in Figure 5(b), the airbag cushion 140 is placed on the surface 181 of the protector 180.

[0040] Next, as shown in Figure 5(c), two staples N1 and N2 of a stapler (not shown) are inserted into the portion of the surface 181 of the protector 180 that does not overlap with the airbag cushion 140 (hereinafter referred to as the "staple insertion portion"). The stapler can be, for example, a hammer stapler, a gun stapler, an air stapler, or an electric stapler. The staples N1 and N2 penetrate from the surface 181 to the back surface 182 of the protector 180, forming first and second insertion portions 180a and 180b in the protector 180. At this time, the staples N1 and N2 are housed in the staple housing portion G2. If the airbag cushion 140 is larger than the protector 180 and there is no staple insertion portion on the surface 181 of the protector 180, the staple insertion portion may be provided by deforming the airbag cushion 140. For example, the airbag cushion 140 may be deformed by pressing with a press machine.

[0041] Next, as shown in Figure 5(d), the needles N1 and N2 lower the connecting member 200 from above the airbag cushion 140 and fix it to the protector 180. As shown in Figure 6, the needles N1 and N2 are provided with slots S1 (not shown) and S2 through which the connecting member 200 passes. The ends 210 and 220 of the connecting member 200 are housed in slots S1 and S2, respectively. As shown in Figure 5(d), the connecting member 200 lowered by the needles N1 and N2 is positioned so as to sandwich the airbag cushion 140 between it and the protector 180, and the ends 210 and 220 are inserted into the insertion portions 180a and 180b from the surface 181 side of the protector 180 by slots S1 and S2. That is, the fastening portions 210a and 220a of the connecting member 200 are exposed on the back surface 182 of the protector 180. The inserted fastening portions 210a and 220a are secured by hooking onto the back surface 182 of the protector 180. This allows the connecting member 200 to hold the airbag cushion 140 to the protector 180.

[0042] Finally, as shown in Figures 5(e) and (f), when the needles N1 and N2 are removed from the protector 180, the airbag cushion 140, protector 180, and connecting member 200 can be carried out as a single unit.

[0043] In another embodiment, a metal bracket (hereinafter referred to as "metal bracket") may be used instead of the resin protector 180. In this case, it is preferable to provide the metal bracket with first and second insertion parts that are the same size as or larger than the needles N1 and N2. This allows the connecting member 200 to be fastened to the metal bracket in the same manner as described above.

[0044] As described above, the airbag device 100 of the present embodiment includes an airbag cushion 140 that expands and deploys when gas for inflation and deployment is supplied, a protector 180 that contacts the airbag cushion 140 and is fixed to a portion of the vehicle, and at least one coupling member 200 that holds the airbag cushion 140 between the protector 180 so as to sandwich the airbag cushion 140 between the protector 180. The coupling member 200 has a first fastening portion 210a fastened to the protector 180 at a first end portion 210, and a second fastening portion 220a fastened to the protector 180 at a second end portion 220 different from the first end portion 210. The coupling member 200 is configured such that, when the airbag cushion 140 expands and deploys, at least one of (1) a portion between the first end portion 210 and the second end portion 220 breaks, and (2) the first fastening portion 210a and / or the second fastening portion 220a comes off the protector 180 occurs.

[0045] According to such an aspect, before the airbag cushion 140 expands and deploys, it is located between the protector 180 and the coupling member 200, and is held by the protector 180 by fastening the first and second fastening portions 210a and 220a of the coupling member 200 to the protector 180. When the airbag cushion 140 expands and deploys, the coupling member 200 breaks or the like due to this expansion and deployment. As a result, the airbag cushion 140 is released from the holding by the coupling member 200 and proceeds with the expansion and deployment while receiving a reaction force from the protector 180. The coupling member 200 is a method of holding the airbag cushion 140 to the protector 180 in place of a tape. Not only can the cost be reduced compared to a tape, but also the problem of tape peeling does not occur. Further, according to the method of attaching the coupling member 200 using the tucker described above, the coupling member 200 can be attached to the protector 180 more quickly than a tape.

[0046] The embodiments described above are for facilitating the understanding of the present invention and are not for limiting the interpretation of the present invention. Each element included in the embodiments and its arrangement, material, conditions, shape, size, etc. are not limited to those illustrated and can be changed as appropriate. Also, it is possible to partially replace or combine the configurations shown in different embodiments. For example, the coupling member 200 may have more than two ends.

[0047] <Additional Considerations Regarding Various Embodiments> [Embodiment 1] An airbag cushion that expands and deploys by being supplied with gas for inflation and deployment, a bracket that contacts the airbag cushion and is fixed to a part of the vehicle, and at least one coupling member that holds the airbag cushion between the bracket and the airbag cushion. The coupling member has a first fastening portion fastened to the bracket at a first end portion, and a second fastening portion fastened to the bracket at a second end portion different from the first end portion. The coupling member is configured such that, by the inflation and deployment of the airbag cushion, at least one of (1) a portion between the first end portion and the second end portion is broken, and (2) the first fastening portion and / or the second fastening portion is detached from the bracket. An airbag device.

[0048] [Embodiment 2] The bracket has a first insertion portion and a second insertion portion that penetrate in the thickness direction between a front surface and a back surface. The coupling member has a main body portion between the first end portion and the second end portion. The first and second fastening portions are respectively fastened to the back surface of the bracket by inserting through the first and second insertion portions from the main body portion of the coupling member on the front surface side of the bracket. The airbag device according to Embodiment 1.

[0049] [Embodiment 3] The first and second fastening portions respectively extend in a direction intersecting the insertion direction into the first and second insertion portions. The airbag device according to Embodiment 2.

[0050] [Embodiment 4] The airbag device according to Embodiment 3, wherein the first and second fastening portions each have a first portion extending in a first direction intersecting the insertion direction and a second portion extending in a second direction intersecting the insertion direction.

[0051] [Embodiment 5] The airbag device according to Embodiment 4, wherein the first portion and the second portion are portions that extend in opposite directions to each other.

[0052] [Embodiment 6] The airbag device according to any one of Embodiments 2 to 5, wherein the first and second fastening portions each have surfaces on the back side of the bracket that contact the back surface of the bracket.

[0053] [Embodiment 7] The airbag device according to any one of Embodiments 2 to 6, wherein the first and second fastening portions protrude in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the main body.

[0054] [Embodiment 8] The airbag device according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the bracket has a first insertion portion and a second insertion portion for inserting the first fastening portion and the second fastening portion, respectively, and the first and second fastening portions are fastened to the bracket at the opening periphery of the first and second insertion portions, respectively.

[0055] [Embodiment 9] The airbag device according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 8, wherein the connecting member has a main body portion that contacts the airbag cushion between the first end and the second end.

[0056] [Embodiment 10] The airbag device according to Embodiment 9, wherein the main body is formed to conform to the shape of the airbag cushion sandwiched between the main body and the bracket.

[0057] [Embodiment 11] The airbag device according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 10, wherein the airbag cushion is arranged to extend in a first direction, and the at least one connecting member is plurality and provided at plurality of locations in the first direction.

[0058] [Embodiment 12] The airbag device according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 11, wherein the bracket is a long protector extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and the airbag cushion is a curtain airbag that is folded and stored in the protector.

[0059] [Embodiment 13] The airbag device according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 12, wherein the connecting member is made of a resin staple.

[0060] [Embodiment 14] A method for manufacturing an airbag device, comprising: arranging an airbag cushion on the surface side of a bracket for fixing to a part of a vehicle, forming first and second insertion portions in the bracket so as to penetrate the bracket; arranging a connecting member between itself and the bracket so as to sandwich the airbag cushion, inserting first and second fastening portions at the first and second ends of the connecting member into the first and second insertion portions from the surface side of the bracket; and fastening the inserted first and second fastening portions to the back surface of the bracket, thereby holding the airbag cushion to the bracket with the connecting member.

[0061] [Embodiment 15] The method for manufacturing an airbag device according to Embodiment 14, comprising the steps of forming the first and second insertion portions, which include: with the airbag cushion placed on the surface side of the bracket, deforming the airbag cushion to provide a portion on the bracket where the airbag cushion does not overlap; and forming the first and second insertion portions in the portion.

[0062] 100...Airbag device, 102...Vehicle, 104...Front pillar, 106...Center pillar, 108...Rear pillar, 110...Roof side rail, 112...Side window, 120...Inflator, 122...Gas outlet, 123...Gas guide, 123A...Inflator insertion part, 140...Airbag cushion, 170...Cushion tab, 172...Bolt hole, 180...Protector, bracket, 180a...First insertion part, 180A...First tab, 180b...Second insertion part, 180B...Second tab, 181...Front surface, 182...Back surface, 182A... Bolt hole, 182B... Bolt hole, 200... Connecting member, 205... Main body, 205c... Weak part, 210... First end, 210a... First fastening part, 210a1... First part, 210a2... Second part, 220... Second end, 220a... Second fastening part, 220a1... First part, 220a2... Second part, G... Jig, G1... Support surface, G2... Needle housing part, N1... First needle, N2... Second needle, r1... First direction, r2... Second direction, r3... Insertion direction, r4... First direction, r5... Second direction, r6... Direction, S1... First slot, S2... Second slot

Claims

1. An airbag device comprising: an airbag cushion that inflates and deploys when an inflation and deployment gas is supplied; a bracket that contacts the airbag cushion and is fixed to a part of a vehicle; and at least one connecting member that holds the airbag cushion to the bracket by sandwiching the airbag cushion between the bracket, wherein the connecting member has a first fastening portion at a first end that is fastened to the bracket, and a second fastening portion at a second end different from the first end that is fastened to the bracket, and the connecting member is configured such that, upon inflation and deployment of the airbag cushion, at least one of the following occurs: (1) the portion between the first end and the second end is torn, or (2) the first fastening portion and / or the second fastening portion detaches from the bracket.

2. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the bracket has a first insertion portion and a second insertion portion that penetrate in the thickness direction between the front surface and the back surface, the connecting member has a main body portion between the first end and the second end, and the first and second fastening portions are fastened to the back surface of the bracket by inserting the first and second insertion portions from the main body portion of the connecting member located on the front surface side of the bracket.

3. The airbag device according to claim 2, wherein the first and second fastening portions each extend in a direction intersecting the insertion direction to the first and second insertion portions.

4. The airbag device according to claim 3, wherein the first and second fastening portions each have a first portion extending in a first direction intersecting the insertion direction and a second portion extending in a second direction intersecting the insertion direction.

5. The airbag device according to claim 4, wherein the first portion and the second portion are portions that extend in opposite directions to each other.

6. The airbag device according to claim 2, wherein the surfaces of the first and second fastening portions on the back side of the bracket are in contact with the back surface of the bracket.

7. The airbag device according to claim 2, wherein the first and second fastening portions protrude in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the main body.

8. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the bracket has a first insertion portion and a second insertion portion for inserting the first fastening portion and the second fastening portion, respectively, and the first and second fastening portions are fastened to the bracket at the opening periphery of the first and second insertion portions, respectively.

9. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member has a main body portion that contacts the airbag cushion between the first end and the second end.

10. The airbag device according to claim 9, wherein the main body is formed to conform to the shape of the airbag cushion sandwiched between the main body and the bracket.

11. The airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the airbag cushion is arranged to extend in a first direction, and the at least one connecting member is plurality and provided at plurality of locations in the first direction.

12. The airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the bracket is a long protector extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and the airbag cushion is a curtain airbag that is folded and stored in the protector.

13. The airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the connecting member is made of a resin staple.

14. A method for manufacturing an airbag device, comprising:

1. With an airbag cushion positioned on the surface side of a bracket for fixing to a part of a vehicle, forming first and second insertion portions in the bracket so as to penetrate the bracket; 2. Positioning a connecting member between itself and the bracket so as to sandwich the airbag cushion between them, inserting first and second fastening portions at the first and second ends of the connecting member, respectively, into the first and second insertion portions from the surface side of the bracket; and 3. Fastening the inserted first and second fastening portions to the back surface of the bracket, thereby holding the airbag cushion to the bracket with the connecting member.

15. The method for manufacturing an airbag device according to claim 14, comprising the steps of forming the first and second insertion portions, which include: with the airbag cushion placed on the surface side of the bracket, deforming the airbag cushion to provide a portion on the bracket where the airbag cushion does not overlap; and forming the first and second insertion portions in the portion.

Images