Airbag unit and protection device

Abstract

An airbag unit including: an airbag that inflates from a folded state; an inflation source supply part including an inflation source that inflates the airbag; a holding mechanism that holds the inflated airbag at a position corresponding to a predetermined protection target location; and a housing that accommodates the inflation source supply part, the airbag, and the holding mechanism, and that is detachably attached to protective equipment that can be worn on a human body.

Description

Airbag unit and protection device

[0001] The present invention relates to an airbag unit and a protection device.

[0002] Conventionally, helmets with airbags attached have been developed. In Patent Document 1, a protection device has been developed in which a bag that inflates immediately before impact is provided integrally with a helmet.

[0003] Japanese Patent Translation Publication No. 2022-525260

[0004] In a protection device in which an airbag device for deploying an airbag to protect the human body is provided integrally with a helmet, for example, when replacing either the airbag device or the helmet due to a failure on the airbag device side or damage to the helmet, the entire unit may need to be replaced.

[0005] The technology of the present disclosure aims to provide a technology that allows an airbag device to be detachable from a protective gear.

[0006] The present disclosure for solving the above problems is an airbag unit, comprising an airbag that inflates from a folded state, an inflation source supply unit including an inflation source for inflating the airbag, a holding mechanism for holding the inflated airbag at a position corresponding to a predetermined protected target site, and a housing that houses the inflation source supply unit, the airbag, and the holding mechanism and is detachably attached to a protective gear wearable on the human body.

[0007] Further, the holding mechanism is a string-like tether having a connection portion on one side connected to the airbag and a fixing portion on the other side fixed to the housing, and the tether may restrict the movement of the airbag in a direction away from the protected target site when the airbag is deployed outside the housing together with the airbag as the airbag is deployed.

[0008] Further, the tether may have an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the length from the fixing portion to the connection portion.

[0009] Further, the fixing portion of the tether may be fixed inside the housing so that the tether can rotate around a rotation axis provided on the fixing portion.

[0010] Furthermore, the protective device may be a helmet that can be worn on the wearer's head, and the retention mechanism may hold the inflated airbag in a position corresponding to the wearer's posterior neck.

[0011] Furthermore, the housing may be detachably attached to the rear side of the helmet.

[0012] Furthermore, the housing has an opening for deploying the airbag to the outside of the housing when the inflation source supply unit is activated, and a cover portion that covers the opening before the inflation source supply unit is activated, and the cover portion may open the opening due to the inflation pressure of the airbag.

[0013] Furthermore, the lid may be connected to the housing via a hinge.

[0014] Furthermore, the retaining mechanism may include the lid portion having a defined maximum opening degree relative to the housing, and the airbag may be restricted from moving away from the protected area at least when the lid portion reaches the maximum opening degree.

[0015] Furthermore, the housing may be equipped with a restricting mechanism that prevents the lid from opening beyond a predetermined angle.

[0016] Furthermore, the expansion source supply unit may include a cylinder filled with pressurized gas, and the cylinder may be detachably attached to the housing.

[0017] Furthermore, the housing may be provided with a discharge valve for discharging the gas filled inside the airbag after the airbag has been deployed.

[0018] Furthermore, the technology of this disclosure can also be identified as a protective device comprising the above-described airbag unit. In this case, the protective device may comprise the above-described airbag unit and the protective device having a detachable portion that allows the housing to be attached and detached.

[0019] According to this disclosure, a technology is available that allows an airbag system to be detached from protective equipment.

[0020] Figure 1 is a side view showing a protective device according to an embodiment in its normal state. Figure 2 is a side view showing the protective device according to an embodiment in an activated state. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the airbag unit as seen from the front before the airbag deploys. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the airbag unit as seen from the front after the airbag has deployed. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the airbag unit as seen from the rear before the airbag deploys. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the airbag unit as seen from the rear after the airbag has deployed. Figure 7 is an enlarged view showing the gas generator. Figure 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of the control unit. Figure 9 is a side view (part 1) of the airbag deploying as seen from the side. Figure 10 is a side view (part 2) of the airbag deploying as seen from the side. Figure 11 is a side view showing a protective device to which an airbag unit equipped with a regulating part that restricts the maximum opening of the lid is attached. Figure 12 is a perspective view from the rear of a helmet without an airbag unit attached. Figure 13 is a rear perspective view of a helmet without an airbag unit installed.

[0021] The airbag unit and protective device according to embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the configurations and combinations thereof in the embodiments are examples, and additions, omissions, substitutions, and other modifications are possible as appropriate without departing from the spirit of this disclosure. This disclosure is not limited by the embodiments, but is limited only by the claims.

[0022] <Embodiment> Figure 1 is a side view showing the protective device 1 according to the embodiment in its normal state. Figure 2 is a side view showing the protective device 1 according to the embodiment in an activated state. The protective device 1 is a wearable type protective device worn on a person to be protected, and is a device for protecting the head and neck of the wearer, who is the person to be protected. In this embodiment, the protective device 1 is composed of a helmet 200, which is a protective device worn on the wearer's head to protect the head, and an airbag unit 300 having an airbag 310 that deploys when the protective device 1 is activated to become a protective device that protects the neck of the wearer (person to be protected). In this specification, the wearer wearing the protective device 1 and the person to be protected are treated as synonymous. In this specification, terms related to direction are to mean the directions that coincide with the front, back, left, right and up and down of the wearer when the protective device 1 is worn on the wearer. For example, when the left and right direction is referred to in this specification, it means the directions that coincide with the left and right of the wearer when the protective device 1 is worn on the wearer. Furthermore, the back of the wearer's head is called the rear side, the face side is called the front side, and the surface connecting the front and rear sides is called the side.

[0023] Furthermore, in this specification, "neck" refers to the narrow part connecting the head and torso of a human being. The part of the neck primarily located towards the back of the head is called the "posterior neck." The "posterior neck" is sometimes also called the "nape." The part of the neck located on the front side opposite the "posterior neck" is called the "anterior neck." The "anterior neck" is sometimes also called the "anterior throat."

[0024] In this embodiment, the protective device 1 has an airbag unit 300 that is provided separately from the helmet 200. Figures 1 and 2 show the helmet 200 with the airbag unit 300 attached being worn by a wearer.

[0025] In this embodiment, the helmet 200 is a protective device for protecting the wearer's head, and includes a half-type (approximately hemispherical) helmet body 210, fixing straps 220 for securing the helmet body 210 to the wearer (person to be protected), etc. The front-to-back and left-to-right directions of the helmet 200 are the same as the front-to-back and left-to-right directions of the protective device 1.

[0026] The inside of the helmet body 210 may be provided with an inner cushion to absorb impact in the event of a fall. The inner cushion may be made of expanded polystyrene, such as expanded polystyrene beads (EPS). The helmet body 210 may be made of, for example, ABS (Acrylonitrite Butadiene Styrene) resin or PC (Poly Carbonate) resin.

[0027] The fixing strap 220 is a so-called chin strap. The fixing strap 220 is a string-like body that secures the helmet body 210 to the wearer's head by being placed over the wearer's chin, and is attached to the left and right edges of the helmet body 210, respectively. The fixing straps 220 provided on both the left and right sides of the helmet body 210 may each split into two at a position corresponding to below the wearer's ears and extend toward the helmet body 210.

[0028] The fixing strap 220 may also be flexible. If the fixing strap 220 is flexible, it can be made to fit the wearer's skin. That is, the fixing strap 220 can be positioned so as to be in contact with the wearer's skin.

[0029] The rear of the helmet body 210 is provided with a detachable section 230 from which the airbag unit 300 can be attached and detached. The detachable section 230 has a shape in which the surface of the helmet body 210 that corresponds to the airbag unit 300 is recessed towards the front.

[0030] The airbag unit 300 is detachably attached to a detachable section 230 provided on the rear side of the helmet body 210. The airbag unit 300 is an airbag device that includes an airbag 310 which becomes a protective device that protects the wearer's neck when the protective device 1 is activated and deployed, an outer casing 320 (an example of a "housing" as referred to in this application), a holding mechanism 330 connecting the airbag 310 and the outer casing 320, a gas generator 340 (an example of an "inflation source supply unit" as referred to in this application) that generates gas (an example of an "inflation source" as referred to in this application) when activated, and an activation unit 350 having equipment for operating the gas generator 340. The shape of the airbag unit 300 is not limited and may be as long as it conforms to the shape of the detachable section 230. Also, the up-down, left-right, and front-back directions of the airbag unit 300 coincide with the up-down, left-right, and front-back directions of the protective device 1.

[0031] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the airbag unit 300 as seen from the helmet body 210 side before the airbag 310 deploys. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the airbag unit 300 as seen from the helmet body 210 side after the airbag 310 deploys. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the airbag unit 300 as seen from the rear side before the airbag 310 deploys. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the airbag unit 300 as seen from the rear side after the airbag 310 deploys.

[0032] The outer casing 320 is a housing that surrounds the airbag unit 300 on the top, bottom, left, right, and rear sides. The outer casing 320 does not extend to the front of the airbag unit 300 and has a shape that follows the attachment / detachment part 230. However, the outer casing 320 may extend to the front of the airbag unit 300. The airbag unit 300 is attached to the helmet body 210 by a protrusion or the like provided on the outer casing 320, which will be described later. Before the protective device 1 is activated, the airbag 310, the holding mechanism 330, the gas generator 340, and the activation unit 350 are housed in a housing space surrounded by the outer casing 320 and the attachment / detachment part 230 (i.e., a housing space formed inside the outer casing 320). The shape and material of the outer casing 320 are not particularly limited.

[0033] The airbag unit 300 includes an airbag 310, components necessary for the deployment of the airbag 310, and a holding mechanism 330 capable of holding the airbag 310 in a position corresponding to the area to be protected, and is separate from the helmet 200. Furthermore, the airbag unit 300 and the helmet 200 are detachable from each other. Because the airbag unit 300 and the helmet 200 are separate and detachable from each other, for example, in the event of a malfunction of the airbag unit 300 or damage to the helmet 200, either the airbag unit 300 or the helmet 200 can be replaced, allowing for repeated use. It is preferable that the specifications, such as the shape of the attachment / detachment part 230 provided on the helmet 200, be standardized with the specifications of the attachment / detachment part 230 of other helmets 200. This makes the airbag unit 300 interchangeable. As a result, the airbag unit 300 can be attached to and detached from various helmets 200 of different shapes, allowing it to be replaced with a helmet 200 of a preferred shape.

[0034] The exterior part 320 has an opening 360 on its bottom surface when the airbag unit 300 is attached to the helmet 200.

[0035] An airbag 310 is positioned below the airbag unit 300. In this embodiment, the airbag 310 is a flexible bag configured to inflate and deploy when gas is introduced from the gas generator 340 when the protective device 1 is activated.

[0036] Before the protective device 1 is activated, the airbag 310 is stored in a retracted or folded state in a storage space formed within the outer casing 320. The airbag 310 is stored, for example, sandwiched between the inner surface of the outer casing 320 and the outer surface of the helmet body 210, making it difficult for the airbag 310 to fall out of the airbag unit 300 through the opening 360 due to its own weight. When the protective device 1 is activated, the airbag 310 inflates when gas is introduced inside. When the airbag 310 inflates due to the introduction of gas, it deploys to the outside of the outer casing 320 through the opening 360, as shown in Figures 4 and 6. The inflated and deployed airbag 310 then deploys around the neck, restricting the movement of the wearer's head and neck. This prevents the head and neck from bending at a sharp angle, for example, when the wearer falls while cycling. In addition to the protection provided by the helmet 200, it reduces the impact on the wearer's head and helps to avoid or mitigate damage to the neck. The airbag unit 300 may not completely restrain the movement of the head and neck, but may also allow for some movement. That is, the airbag unit 300 may restrain the head and neck so that the bending angle remains within a range that does not affect the wearer.

[0037] Furthermore, instead of gas, a foam capable of inflating the airbag 310 may be used as the inflation source introduced into the airbag 310, or a liquid or the like may be used.

[0038] Furthermore, to prevent excessive compression of the wearer's neck when the airbag 310 inflates, the airbag 310 may be configured such that, for example, parts of the airbag 310 that do not inflate more easily than the part that comes into contact with the wearer's skin.

[0039] A gas generator 340 is provided above the airbag 310 to generate gas when the protective device 1 is activated and to introduce the gas into the airbag 310. The gas generator 340 and the top of the airbag 310 are connected, and the gas generated by the gas generator 340 is introduced into the airbag 310. Furthermore, even after the airbag 310 has inflated, it is connected to prevent it from detaching from the airbag unit 300 and falling.

[0040] The gas generator 340 is a device that generates gas to inflate the airbag 310 when the protective device 1 is activated and introduces it into the airbag 310. The gas generator 340 may be a stored type that releases pressurized gas filled inside, a known pyro type that generates gas by burning a solid gas generating agent, or a hybrid type that combines the pyro type and the stored type.

[0041] Figure 7 is an enlarged view showing the gas generator 340. The gas generator 340 has a cylinder 4GS in which gas is sealed under pressure, and a gas outlet 4GE of the cylinder 4GS, with an airbag 310 connected to one end of the gas outlet 4GE. The gas outlet 4GE of the cylinder 4GS is provided with a valve body 4GC that closes the gas outlet 4GE. Before the protective device 1 is activated, the cylinder 4GS is sealed by the valve body 4GC. When the protective device 1 is activated, the valve body 4GC of the gas generator 340 is opened, and the inside of the cylinder 4GS and the airbag 310 come into communication. As a result, the expansion gas (pressurized gas) is discharged from the cylinder 4GS and introduced into the airbag 310.

[0042] The cylinder 4GS may be detachably attached to the outer casing 320. If the cylinder 4GS is detachably attached to the outer casing 320, the airbag unit 300 can be reused repeatedly by folding the deployed airbag 310 and replacing only the cylinder 4GS portion with a new one.

[0043] Incidentally, the airbag unit 300 may be provided with a release valve 4GA capable of discharging gas to the outside after the protection device 1 is actuated. The release valve 4GA may be provided between the airbag 310 and the gas generator 340. By operating the release valve 4GA, the gas introduced into the airbag 310 in advance can be discharged before replacing the used cylinder 4GS with a new one.

[0044] An activation unit (device unit) 350 is provided above the gas generator 340. The activation unit 350 includes a power supply unit 351, a sensor 352, and a control unit 353, and is a device that inflates the airbag 310 by activating the gas generator 340. In the present embodiment, in the activation unit 350, the sensor 352 and the control unit 353 are arranged adjacent to each other, and the power supply unit 351 is arranged separated from the sensor 352 and the control unit 353. However, as long as they are attached at positions that do not prevent the inflation of the airbag 310, these positional relationships and configurations can be changed as appropriate.

[0045] The control unit 353 operates by receiving power supply from the power supply unit 351 and is a control unit for activating the gas generator 340. The power supply unit 351 may be, for example, a battery or the like.

[0046] When the operating conditions for operating the protection device 1 (gas generator 340) are satisfied, the control unit 353 opens the valve body 4GC of the gas generator 340. For example, the control unit 353 may control an operating mechanism such as an actuator capable of opening the valve body 4GC of the gas generator 340 to open the valve body 4GC. The means for opening the valve body 4GC of the gas generator 340 is not limited to such a mode. For example, the valve body 4GC may be composed of a thin metal plate member, and the control unit 353 may operate a cracking mechanism that cracks the valve body 4GC to open the valve body 4GC.

[0047] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 353. The control unit 353 includes a processor 4SP, a storage unit 4SM, an input / output unit 4SG, and the like. The processor 4SP comprehensively executes various arithmetic processes in the control unit 353. The processor 4SP may have an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).

[0048] The storage unit 4SM includes, for example, a main storage unit and an auxiliary storage unit. The main storage unit of the storage unit 4SM includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory), and caches information such as programs and data used for arithmetic processing by the processor 4SP, for example. Note that the main storage unit of the storage unit 4SM may be integrally formed with the processor 4SP. The auxiliary storage unit of the storage unit 4SM is composed of a storage medium such as a volatile memory such as a RAM, a non-volatile memory such as a ROM, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), a hard disk drive (HDD, Hard Disk Drive), or a removable medium. The removable medium is an externally attachable and computer-readable recording medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or an SD card, for example. The auxiliary storage unit of the storage unit 4SM can store an operating system (Operating System: OS), various programs, various tables, and the like for executing the operation of the protection device 1. The input / output unit 4SG is an interface that inputs information (detection results, etc.) from various sensors such as the sensor 352 and outputs information (control signals, etc.) to various sensors and other devices, for example. Further, the protection device 1 may further have a power switch, and the state signal of the power switch is also input to the input / output unit 4SG.

[0049] Sensor 352 is a sensor for detecting when predetermined operating conditions are met. The predetermined operating conditions are the conditions under which the protective device 1 should be activated, and include, for example, when a wearer wearing the protective device 1 falls, or when an acceleration greater than the acceleration experienced during the wearer's normal movements is detected. Sensor 352 may be, for example, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor (angular velocity sensor), etc., and multiple types of sensors from among acceleration sensors, gyro sensors (angular velocity sensors), etc. may be used in combination. Furthermore, sensor 352 is not particularly limited as long as it can detect the operating conditions, and detection devices other than the sensors exemplified above can also be used. Because the protective device 1 is equipped with sensor 352, the activation unit 350 can activate the protective device 1 at an appropriate timing before the wearer falls and receives an impact from the ground or floor, and before the neck is affected.

[0050] Furthermore, the protective device 1 may have a wearing status detection sensor that detects the contact state with the wearer's head. Multiple wearing status detection sensors may be arranged inside the helmet 200. The control unit 353 may receive detection signals from the wearing status detection sensors via wireless communication or the like and determine whether or not the helmet 200 is being worn by the wearer. For example, the control unit 353 may determine that the helmet 200 is being worn when multiple wearing status detection sensors detect contact with the wearer's head. The wearing status detection sensors may be, for example, pressure-sensitive sensors.

[0051] The airbag unit 300 may have a flat plate-shaped cover portion 370 that covers the opening 360 before the gas generator 340 is activated. In the normal state when the airbag 310 is not deployed, the cover portion 370 covers the opening 360, preventing the airbag 310 from falling out of the airbag unit 300. It also prevents damage to the airbag 310 and prevents dust from entering the interior of the outer casing 320. Note that the cover portion 370 is not limited to a flat plate shape.

[0052] The lid portion 370 may have one longitudinal side connected to the rear lower edge of the exterior portion 320 via a hinge 371, and may be engaged with the front lower end of the exterior portion 320 by an engaging means such as a snap fit to the extent that the opening 360 is opened by the inflation pressure when the airbag 310 is deployed. Alternatively, the lid portion 370 may be biased in a direction that closes the opening 360 by spring pressure, and the opening 360 may be opened by the inflation pressure of the airbag 310. The lid portion 370 opens the opening 360 by rotating around the connection point of the hinge 371. Note that one lid portion 370 may be placed on each side of the opening 360 in the front-rear direction, and one longitudinal side of each may be connected to the exterior portion 320 via a hinge 371. In that case, each of the two lid portions 370 may rotate around the connection point of each hinge 371, and the end on the side not connected to the hinge 371 may open, making it a double-opening type.

[0053] Multiple hinges 371 may be provided between the lid portion 370 and the outer casing portion 320, or there may be only one. Because the lid portion 370 is connected to the outer casing portion 320 by the hinges 371, the loss of the lid portion 370 is suppressed. Therefore, after the airbag 310 is deployed, the air inside the airbag 310 is expelled, the airbag 310 is folded and stored inside the outer casing portion 320, and the opening 360 is covered with the lid portion 370, allowing the airbag unit 300 to be used repeatedly.

[0054] In the airbag unit 300, which is provided with a lid portion 370, after gas is generated by the gas generator 340, the airbag 310 inflates, and the airbag 310 pushes open the lid portion 370 with its inflation pressure, opening the opening 360. Once the opening 360 is opened, the airbag 310 deploys to the outside of the outer casing portion 320 through the opened opening 360, as shown in Figures 2 and 4.

[0055] The lid portion 370 is not required. The lower part of the airbag 310 may be supported by a string or the like fixed inside the airbag unit 300 to prevent the airbag 310 from falling out of the airbag unit 300 when the airbag 310 is not deployed.

[0056] The left and right sides of the airbag 310 and the outer casing 320 are connected via a retaining mechanism 330. The retaining mechanism 330 can hold the inflated airbag 310 so that it does not shift from a position corresponding to a predetermined protected area. In this embodiment, the predetermined protected area is, for example, the back of the wearer's neck or the boundary between the head and the back of the neck. The retaining mechanism 330 can also suppress the movement of the airbag 310 when it is deployed and fix the protected area of ​​the wearer so that it is difficult for the area to move. By suppressing the movement of the protected area of ​​the wearer, if the wearer's head is tilted backward, the degree of tilting of the head or neck can be reduced, and the burden on the neck, such as bending of the neck, can be suppressed and neck injury can be avoided.

[0057] The retaining mechanism 330 is, for example, a string-like tether, having a connecting portion 331 on one longitudinal side that connects to the airbag 310, and a fixing portion 332 on the other side that is fixed to the exterior portion 320. The connecting portion 331 and the fixing portion 332 may be located at the end of the retaining mechanism 330 (tether) in the longitudinal direction, or near the end. The connecting portion 331 and the fixing portion 332 are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the retaining mechanism 330 (tether). The connecting portion 331 may be connected to the airbag 310 by known joining means.

[0058] The fixing portion 332 may be fixed inside the outer casing 320 so that the holding mechanism 330 can pivot rotatably around the rotation axis of the fixing portion 332. By making the holding mechanism 330 rotatable around the rotation axis of the fixing portion 332, even if the airbag 310 is deployed multiple times, the fixing portion 332 and its surrounding area are less likely to be subjected to load, and the airbag 310 can be deployed repeatedly.

[0059] In this embodiment, both the left and right sides of the airbag 310 are connected to the helmet body 210 via a retaining mechanism 330. When the airbag 310 inflates and deploys to the outside through the opening 360, the retaining mechanism 330, which is connected to both the left and right sides of the airbag 310, also deploys to the outside from the outer part 320. At this time, because the retaining mechanism 330 is connected to both the left and right sides of the airbag 310, it is possible to suppress the airbag 310 from shifting position in the lateral direction. It also acts to press the airbag 310 against the back of the neck, which is the part of the wearer to be protected. As a result, the retaining mechanism 330 can hold the deployed airbag 310 in a position corresponding to the part to be protected.

[0060] Furthermore, when the airbag 310 is deployed, the holding mechanism 330 restricts excessive deployment of the airbag 310 in the direction away from the area to be protected. As described above, the airbag unit 300 according to this embodiment can suppress displacement of the airbag 310 with the holding mechanism 330 and hold the deployed airbag 310 in place of the area to be protected. The extent to which the rearward movement of the airbag 310 during deployment is permitted can be easily adjusted by the length of the holding mechanism 330 (tether).

[0061] Furthermore, the retaining mechanism 330 (tether) may have an adjustment mechanism 335 that allows adjustment of the longitudinal length from the fixing portion 332 to the connecting portion 331. The adjustment mechanism 335 may adjust the length of the retaining mechanism 330 by changing, for example, the engagement position of an engaging member such as a button or hook. Depending on the type of helmet 200 and the wearer's physique, the relative position of the airbag unit 300 and the neck may change. Controlling the longitudinal length of the retaining mechanism 330 is important for suppressing the movement of the airbag 310 in the front-to-back direction. When the airbag unit 300 is attached to and detached from multiple helmets 200, some helmets 200 may not provide sufficient restraining force to fix the airbag 310 in a position corresponding to the area to be protected. If the retaining mechanism 330 has an adjustment mechanism 335, the airbag 310 can be suitably held in the area to be protected of the wearer, even if the type of helmet 200 to which the airbag unit 300 is attached or the wearer changes.

[0062] The retaining mechanism 330 may include a lid portion 370, or it may consist only of the lid portion 370. The lid portion 370 is connected to the outer casing portion 320, and can function as the retaining mechanism 330 by defining a maximum opening degree relative to the outer casing portion 320. By defining a maximum opening degree relative to the outer casing portion 320 when the lid portion 370 is opened, the movement of the airbag 310 away from the protected area can be restricted by the lid portion 370, at least when the lid portion 370 is open to its maximum degree. Therefore, the lid portion 370 can suppress displacement of the airbag 310 and retain the airbag 310 in place of the protected area.

[0063] Figure 9(A) shows the case where the lid portion 370 constitutes the holding mechanism 330, and is a side view of the state of the airbag 310 before deployment. Figure 9(B) is a side view of the state of the airbag 310 during deployment. Figure 9(C) is a side view of the state of the airbag 310 after deployment. In the state shown in Figure 9(A), the opening 360 is closed by the lid portion 370. Hereinafter, the opening degree of the lid portion 370 in the closed lid state shown in Figure 9(A) is defined as 0°. The opening degree of the lid portion 370 is defined as the rotation angle when the lid portion 370 rotates around the hinge 371 as the pivot point during the opening operation. That is, the opening degree (rotation angle) of the lid portion 370 is the amount of angle change from the closed lid state (opening degree 0°) when the lid portion 370 rotates around the hinge 371.

[0064] When gas is introduced from the gas generator 340 and the airbag 310 begins to inflate, the lid 370 opens due to the inflation pressure of the airbag 310, as shown in Figure 9(B), and the airbag 310 begins to deploy outward through the opening 360. Here, the lid 370 is restricted from opening beyond the maximum opening angle because a maximum opening angle relative to the outer casing 320 is defined. In other words, the lid 370 is restricted from opening beyond the angle corresponding to the maximum opening angle, using the closed lid state (opening angle 0°) as a reference. In Figure 9(C), as an example, the maximum opening angle of the lid 370 is set to 90°. When the lid 370 is opened to its maximum opening angle, the airbag 310 is restricted from moving any further away from the protected area. This allows the airbag 310 to be held in a position corresponding to the protected area. In Figure 9(C), the maximum opening of the lid 370 is shown set to 90°, but the maximum opening may be set to an opening (angle) smaller than 90° or larger than 90°.

[0065] Furthermore, the retaining mechanism 330 may be a projection provided on the edge of the opening 360 of the airbag unit 300. Figure 10(A) is a side view of the airbag 310 before deployment. Figure 10(B) is a side view of the airbag 310 during deployment. Figure 10(C) is a side view of the airbag 310 after deployment. In Figures 10(A), (B), and (C), the lid portion 370 is a double-opening type with two lid portions 370 arranged on both sides in the front-rear direction of the opening 360, but it may also be a single-opening type with one lid portion 370 arranged on one side of the opening 360. Furthermore, the lid portion 370 may not be provided at all.

[0066] The projection 334 extends downward from the edge of the opening 360 on the side away from the wearer. When gas is introduced from the gas generator 340 and the airbag 310 begins to inflate, the lid 370 opens due to the inflation pressure of the airbag 310, as shown in Figure 10(B), and the airbag 310 begins to deploy to the outside through the opening 360. When the airbag 310 deploys, the lid 370 comes into contact with the projection 334, preventing it from opening any further beyond the projection 334. In other words, the lid 370 is restricted from opening any further than the angle corresponding to the maximum opening angle defined by the projection 334, with the closed lid state (opening angle 0°) as the reference point. This allows the airbag 310 to be held in a position corresponding to the area to be protected. In Figure 10(C), the maximum opening of the lid 370 is shown set to 90°, but the maximum opening may be set to an opening (angle) smaller than 90° or larger than 90°.

[0067] Even if the airbag unit 300 is not provided with a cover portion 370, the projection portion 334 allows the airbag 310 to be held in a position corresponding to the area to be protected. For example, when the airbag 310 inflates and deploys to the outside through the opening 360, a part of the airbag 310 comes into contact with the projection portion 334, preventing it from deploying beyond the projection portion 334. Thus, the airbag 310 can be held in a position corresponding to the area to be protected.

[0068] Furthermore, the airbag unit 300 may have a restricting portion that restricts the lid portion 370 from opening beyond a predetermined angle relative to the outer casing portion 320. Figure 11 is a side view showing a protective device 1 to which an airbag unit 300 is attached, which is provided with a restricting portion 333 that defines the maximum opening degree of the lid portion 370. The restricting portion 333 is composed of a string-like body connecting the outer casing portion 320 and the lid portion 370, and the maximum opening degree of the lid portion 370 can be adjusted according to the longitudinal length of the restricting portion 333 (string-like body). By defining the maximum opening degree of the lid portion 370 with the restricting portion 333, displacement during deployment of the airbag 310 is suppressed, and the airbag 310 can be held in a position corresponding to the protected area.

[0069] The restricting portion 333 and the retaining mechanism 330 may be connected to the outer casing 320 instead of the helmet 200. By connecting the restricting portion 333 and the retaining mechanism 330 to the outer casing 320, it is possible to prevent the string-like restricting portion 333 and the retaining mechanism 330 from touching the wearer's ears, thereby improving the wearing comfort. In addition, the airbag unit 300 can be easily attached to and detached from the helmet 200.

[0070] Next, the method for attaching and detaching the airbag unit 300 to the helmet 200 will be explained using Figure 12. Figure 12 is a perspective view from the rear of the helmet 200 when the airbag unit 300 is not attached. For illustrative purposes, the shapes of the helmet 200 and the airbag unit 300 are shown in a simplified manner, and some components are omitted from the illustration. Reference numeral 384 denotes the attachment portion for attaching the outer casing 320 to the attachment / detachment portion 230 of the helmet 200 (helmet body 210). The attachment portion 384 of the outer casing 320 has a shape that corresponds to (matches) the attachment / detachment portion 230. In this example, the attachment portion 384 of the outer casing 320 has a concave curved shape that matches the convex curved shape of the attachment / detachment portion 230 of the helmet 200 (helmet body 210). Of course, the shapes of the attachment / detachment portion 230 and the attachment portion 384 are just examples, and various shapes can be used.

[0071] In the example shown in Figure 12, the airbag unit 300 (outer part 320) is provided with protrusions 381 and 382 on its upper and both sides, which extend from the outer part 320 of the airbag unit 300. On the other hand, the attachment / detachment part 230 of the helmet 200 is provided with recesses 241 and 242 that can engage with the protrusions 381 and 382 when the airbag unit 300 is attached to the helmet 200. The protrusions 381 and 382 provided on the outer part 320 of the airbag unit 300 are detachably engaged with the recesses 241 and 242 of the helmet 200, respectively. The protrusion 381 provided on the upper part of the airbag unit 300 may, for example, be provided to always protrude from the outer part 320. On the other hand, the protrusions 382 provided on both sides of the airbag unit 300 may be linked to a button 390 provided on the outer part 320 near the protrusion 382, ​​and their protrusion and retraction from the outer part 320 may be switchable. The protruding portion 382 may be biased by, for example, a spring. Furthermore, when the button 390 is pressed, the protruding portion 382 may be retracted into the outer casing portion 320, and when the button 390 is released, the protruding portion 382 may be configured to protrude. This allows the protruding portions 381 and 382 provided on the outer casing portion 320 of the airbag unit 300 to be easily engaged with and disengaged from the recesses 241 and 242 of the helmet 200. In other words, the airbag unit 300 can be easily attached to and detached from the helmet body 210.

[0072] To attach the airbag unit 300 to the helmet 200, press the button 390 and insert the protruding portion 381 of the airbag unit 300 into the recess 241 of the attachment / detachment portion 230. At this time, because the button 390 is pressed, the protruding portion 382 is stored inside the airbag unit 300. Next, release the button 390 and insert the protruding portion 382 into the corresponding recess 242. This completes the attachment of the airbag unit 300 to the helmet 200.

[0073] To remove the airbag unit 300 from the helmet 200, the protruding portion 382 of the airbag unit 300 is retracted into the airbag unit 300 by pressing the button 390, and the protruding portion 381 of the airbag unit 300 can be removed from the recess 241 of the attachment / detachment portion 230.

[0074] Next, a modified example of the method for attaching and detaching the airbag unit 300 to the helmet 200 will be described using Figure 13. Figure 13 is a perspective view from the rear of the helmet 200 when the airbag unit 300 is not attached. For illustrative purposes, the shapes of the helmet 200 and the airbag unit 300 are shown in a simplified manner, and some components are not shown. The shapes of the attachment part 384 and the attachment / detachment part 230 are the same as those shown in Figure 12. In the example shown in Figure 13, protruding parts 383 extend from the airbag unit 300 (exterior part 320) to the upper part and both sides of the airbag unit 300. The protruding parts 383 extend along the periphery of the airbag unit 300 other than the opening 360, and may be provided as a single continuous part or as a plurality of parts.

[0075] The airbag unit 300 may have protruding portions 382 on both sides that extend from the airbag unit 300. The protruding portions 382 may be retractable into the airbag unit 300 by pressing a nearby button 390, similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 12.

[0076] The side surface of the attachment / detachment portion 230 of the helmet 200 is provided with recesses 242 and 243 that can engage with the protrusion 383 when the airbag unit 300 is attached to the helmet 200. The recesses 243 are formed, for example, as groove-shaped recesses, and are capable of receiving the protrusion 383 when the airbag unit 300 is attached.

[0077] When attaching the airbag unit 300 to the helmet 200, the protruding portion 383 of the airbag unit 300 may be inserted into the recess 243 of the attachment / detachment portion 230 from the opposite side (upper side) of the opening 360 while the airbag unit 300 is slid upward while the button 390 is pressed down. At this time, the protruding portion 382 is stored inside the airbag unit 300 because the button 390 is pressed down. Next, the airbag unit 300 is slid to an attachment position where its upper end contacts the upper end of the attachment / detachment portion 230, and then the pressed state is released by releasing the button 390, and the protruding portion 382 is inserted into the recess 242. This completes the attachment of the airbag unit 300 to the helmet 200. In this state, the protruding portion 382 of the airbag unit 300 is engaged with the recess 242 of the helmet 200, so the airbag unit 300 will not come off the helmet 200.

[0078] The airbag unit 300 and the helmet 200 may be installed upside down (with the opening 360 facing upwards). This is because there is a risk that the protrusion 383 may come out of the recess 243 until the protrusion 382 engages with the recess 242.

[0079] To remove the airbag unit 300 from the helmet 200, press the button 390 to retract the protruding portion 382 into the airbag unit 300. With the button 390 pressed, slide the airbag unit 300 downward along the protruding portion 383 to remove the protruding portion 383 from the recess 243 of the attachment / detachment portion 230.

[0080] Furthermore, the airbag unit 300 of this embodiment can be modified in various ways. For example, although the airbag unit 300 described in the above embodiment was described in which the control unit 353 operates the gas generator 340 based on the detection result of the sensor 352 in the activation unit 350, for example, a manual operation unit that is operated manually by the wearer may be provided on the helmet body 210, and the airbag unit 300 may be activated when the wearer operates the manual operation unit. For example, in the gas generator 340 described in Figure 7, an appropriate mechanical mechanism (for example, a combination of mechanical elements such as springs and wires) may be interposed between the valve body 4GC that seals the gas outlet 4GE of the cylinder 4GS that stores the expansion gas (pressurized gas) and the manual operation unit, and the airbag unit 300 may be activated when the wearer operates the manual operation unit. The specific structure of the manual operation section is not particularly limited. For example, a manual switch or locking pin that can be operated by the wearer may be provided on the helmet body 210, and a structure may be adopted in which the gas outlet 4GE of the cylinder 4GS is opened when such a manual operation section is operated.

[0081] In this embodiment, the protective device was a helmet 200, but it can be changed as appropriate, as long as the airbag unit 300 is equipped with a detachable attachment part 230.

[0082] Furthermore, the protective device 1 may have, for example, a power switch (not shown), and may be controlled so that the gas generator 340 does not operate when the power switch is OFF.

[0083] While embodiments relating to this disclosure have been described above, each embodiment disclosed herein can be combined with any other features disclosed herein.

[0084] 1...Protective device 200...Helmet 210...Helmet body 220...Securing strap 230...Attachment part 300...Airbag unit 310...Airbag 320...Exterior part 330...Retaining mechanism 331...Connection part 332...Fixing part 333...Restriction part 334...Protrusion part 340...Gas generator 350...Activation part 351...Power supply part 352...Sensor 353...Control unit 360...Opening 370...Lid part 371...Hinge 4GA...Release valve 4GS...Cylinder 4GE...Gas outlet 4GC...Valve body

Claims

1. An airbag unit comprising: an airbag that inflates from a folded state; an inflation source supply unit including an inflation source for inflating the airbag; a holding mechanism for holding the inflated airbag in a position corresponding to a predetermined protected area; and a housing that houses the inflation source supply unit, the airbag, and the holding mechanism, and is detachably attached to a protective device that can be worn on the human body.

2. The retaining mechanism is a string-like tether, one of which is connected to the airbag and the other of which is fixed to the housing, wherein the tether, when deployed outward from the housing together with the airbag as the airbag deploys, restricts the movement of the airbag in a direction away from the protected area, as described in claim 1.

3. The airbag unit according to claim 2, wherein the tether has an adjustment mechanism that allows adjustment of the length from the fixing portion to the connecting portion.

4. The airbag unit according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the fixing portion of the tether is fixed to the inside of the housing so that the tether can rotate around a rotation axis provided on the fixing portion.

5. The airbag unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the protective device is a helmet that can be worn on the wearer's head, and the retention mechanism holds the inflated airbag in a position corresponding to the wearer's posterior neck.

6. The airbag unit according to claim 5, wherein the housing is detachably attached to the rear side of the helmet.

7. The airbag unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the housing has an opening for deploying the airbag to the outside of the housing when the inflation source supply unit is activated, and a cover portion that covers the opening before the inflation source supply unit is activated, and the cover portion opens the opening due to the inflation pressure of the airbag.

8. The airbag unit according to claim 7, wherein the lid is connected to the housing via a hinge.

9. The retaining mechanism comprises a lid portion having a defined maximum opening degree relative to the housing, wherein the airbag is restricted from moving away from the protected portion at least when the lid portion reaches the maximum opening degree, according to claim 8.

10. The airbag unit according to claim 9, further comprising a restricting portion that restricts the lid portion from opening beyond a predetermined angle relative to the housing.

11. The airbag unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the expansion source supply unit includes a cylinder filled with pressurized gas, and the cylinder is detachably attached to the housing.

12. The airbag unit according to claim 11, wherein the housing is provided with a discharge valve for discharging the gas filled in the airbag after the airbag has been deployed.

13. A protective device comprising an airbag unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and the protective device having a detachable part that allows the housing to be attached to the airbag unit.

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