JP2004075046A - Improvement of airbag - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem that, if a seating position is not normal, an airbag hits a seated occupant and may damage the occupant when the airbag is inflated. <P>SOLUTION: An airbag 1 is fitted to a seat belt 51 of a seat belt mechanism of an automobile. The airbag 1 has an inflatable chamber 2 and a gas feed duct to feed gas to inflate the chamber 2. How to fold the airbag 1 is devised. When the airbag is inflated, the airbag 1 is inflated outwardly toward an automobile door nearby, and inflated forward, and finally inflated inwardly toward the seated occupant. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an airbag, and more particularly, to an airbag that is directly attached to an automobile seatbelt to protect a vehicle occupant wearing a seatbelt in the event of an accident. Things.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Providing an airbag that is initially attached to a portion of a seat belt mechanism has been proposed. As one example, airbags originally attached to pouches or pockets attached to the lap portion of a conventional "wrap and shoulder" (diagonal) seat belt are known. When an accident occurs, the airbag inflates. Since the airbag is attached to the lap belt portion of the seat belt, the airbag is automatically located in a region in front of the seat occupant.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The airbag starts to inflate from the side of the occupant, and jumps out of the housing of the airbag with a considerable force at the start of inflation. Then, there is a danger of hitting the seated person and giving an impact.
[0004]
A problem arises when using an airbag attached to a safety belt, especially when a seated person has a child on his knee. In such a situation, the inflating airbag may hit the child's body or head, possibly causing harm.
[0005]
[Specific means for solving the problem]
The present invention provides an improved air bag.
[0006]
According to the present invention, the airbag is attached to a seatbelt of a seatbelt mechanism of an automobile to protect a occupant using the seatbelt. A gas supply duct for supplying the airbag, when the airbag is inflated, the airbag is first outwardly directed toward a door of a car door, which is close to a seat belt occupant. It has a shape that bulges inward, then bulges forward, and finally bulges inward toward the occupant, completely inflates and protects the occupant.
[0007]
Preferably, the airbag comprises a main inflatable chamber, the main inflatable chamber being associated with an extended spout connected to a gas supply duct, wherein the spout includes a gas deflector. The gas deflector extends into the main inflatable chamber, and at the start of inflation, when the airbag is fully inflated, it is far from the occupant. It is arranged in such a direction that the gas first flows into the region of the chamber that is being formed.
[0008]
The spout is connected to a gas supply duct via a mounting and connecting element, the element having a mounting portion, which is adapted to engage a seat belt and attach the airbag to the seat belt. Advantageously.
[0009]
Conveniently, the airbag is first folded in the main inflatable chamber along a first folding axis and a second parallel folding axis, whereby the folded airbag is Folded in a consantina (hexagonal accordion) shape between the parallel axes to overlap the mounting and connecting element; then a portion of the airbag is folded into the first and second folds Folded into a consantina along a spaced-apart fold axis transverse to the axis, so that it overlaps the mounting and connecting element; and finally, the remaining fold of the airbag is removed from the spaced-apart fold axis. Is folded in a consantina-like manner and overlapped with the mounting / connection element.
[0010]
Preferably, the folded airbag is retained in a sleeve, the mounting element protruding from the sleeve, such that the airbag is attached to a seat belt.
[0011]
Advantageously, the airbag is provided attached to a seat belt.
[0012]
Conveniently, the seat belt is provided with at least one anti-twist element.
[0013]
Preferably, said anti-twist element is a tube of plastics material.
[0014]
Advantageously, a cover is provided, which covers the seat belt, the airbag and the or each anti-twist element.
[0015]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the invention may be more readily understood and further features recognized, the invention will be described by way of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
[0016]
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring first to FIG. 1, an airbag 1 is provided, which is adapted to be attached to a seat belt. The airbag 1 comprises a main inflatable chamber 2, which is formed from two woven fabrics of the same size and shape superimposed and joined by a peripheral seam 3.
[0017]
The main inflatable chamber 2 is shaped like a "comma" and has a main substantially circular zone 4 and a tangentially outwardly extending tail 5. . This tail 5 effectively forms a filling “spout” having an end opening 6. An internal deflector 7 is incorporated in the filling spout 5 and extends partly into the main substantially circular zone 4. The deflector 7 is of a hollow conical shape and has an opening 8 which is combined with the opening 6 of the spout 5.
This deflector 7 extends well beyond the end of the spout 5 into the main inflatable chamber 2 and, as can be seen from the following description, when the airbag is inflated, the gas enters the airbag. And protects the peripheral seam 3 from being damaged by the gas flow.
[0018]
The spout 5 is received in the conical part 9 of the mounting and connecting element 10. The mounting and connecting element 10 is made of the fabric used to form the airbag, and further comprises a conical area 9 for receiving the spout 5 of the airbag 1 and, when using the airbag, a suitable area. It also constitutes a cylindrical part 12 which receives one end of a gas supply duct 13 reaching the gas generator. The mounting and connecting element 10 is also provided with three outwardly projecting mounting legs 14, 15, 16 which, as can be seen from the description below, are used for mounting the airbag to the seat belt. What is used.
[0019]
As can be seen from FIG. 1, the imaginary axis of the spout 5 of the airbag is not along the axis of the gas supply duct 13 but is inclined with respect to said axis. In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the airbag is substantially flat, the main part of the substantially circular zone 4 of the airbag being located on the axis of the gas supply duct, A small portion is located below the axis of the gas supply duct. The deflector 7 is arranged at a position such that when the airbag is inflated, the gas flow is directed upward inside the airbag.
[0020]
When folding the airbag, the airbag is initially in the state shown in FIG. 1 and first the main inflatable chamber 2 is shown by arrow 20 along a first vertical folding axis 21. Wrap it. The first vertical folding shaft 21 traverses the innermost end of the deflector 7 and the deflector 7 is also folded back, the first folding shaft 21 being close to the end of the conical area 9 of the connection and mounting element 10 are doing.
[0021]
Referring to FIG. 2, as a second fold, half of the main inflatable chamber 2 is folded along a second vertical folding axis 23 as shown by arrow 22. The second vertical folding shaft 23 is parallel to the first folding shaft 21 and is located at a position overlapping the rightmost fixed leg 14.
[0022]
After the folding step of FIG. 2, a further folding step is performed as shown by arrow 24 (FIG. 3), with the leftmost end of the inflatable chamber 2 along the third vertical folding axis 25. The axis is turned back, and the axis actually coincides with the first bending axis 21. Thus, during the first several steps, the main inflatable chamber 2 is folded with a "zigzag" or "concertina" -like fold along the vertical axes 21, 23, 25, so that in FIG. As shown, the airbag is placed between two imaginary parallel lines constituted by the second and third vertical folding shafts 23, 25 and overlaps the connection and mounting member 10.
[0023]
The uppermost portion of the folded airbag is bent downward along a first horizontal bending axis 27 as shown by an arrow 26 in FIG. 5, and the bending axis is connected to one side edge of the connection / mounting member 10. Close to. The downwardly bent portion completely covers the unfolded portion, and the unfolded portion remains in its original state. This state is shown in FIG. 5, as can be seen, the upper region 9 of the conical portion 9 of the mounting and connecting element 10 is also folded down on the first horizontal folding axis 27. Subsequently, the uppermost part of the airbag is folded back along the second horizontal folding axis 29, as indicated by the arrow 28, together with the part of the conical area of the mounting and connecting element 10, which is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the mounting and connecting element 10 is located close to the lower legs of the mounting and connecting elements 10 which are close to the mounting legs 14, 15 and 16. Thus, the part of the airbag which is initially folded is folded in a zigzag or concertina manner within the connection and mounting element 10. This zigzag folding is continued.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 7, the upper part of the folded airbag is folded downward along a first horizontal folding axis 27 shown in FIG. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 8, the sheet is further bent as shown by an arrow 31 along a second horizontal bending axis 29 as shown in FIG.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 9, as shown by the folding arrow 32, it is folded further down along the first horizontal folding axis 27, and then along the second horizontal folding axis 29 as shown by the folding arrow 33 in FIG. 10. Fold it up.
[0026]
FIG. 11 shows a final downward bending step along the first horizontal bending axis 27 as shown by the bending arrow 34. In this step, the second downward bending step shown by the bending arrow 35 in FIG. The horizontal folding axis 29 is followed by a final folding step upwards. Thus, the uppermost part of the airbag and the part of the airbag which will become the main inflatable area 2 will be folded in a zigzag or concertina form surrounded by the mounting and connecting element 10.
[0027]
Subsequently, the part of the main inflatable chamber 2 that extends downwardly from the mounting and connecting element 10 is folded in a zigzag or concertina manner and overlaps the mounting and connecting element 10, first of all by the FIG. At first, as shown by an arrow 36, it is bent upward first, and then, as shown by an arrow 37 in FIG. 14, bent downward along a first horizontal bending axis 27. Folding of the airbag itself ends with a last upward fold along a second horizontal fold axis 29, as shown by the fold arrow 38 in FIG. In this way, the airbag is folded and placed in the connection and mounting element, as shown in FIG. Finally, the fully folded airbag is folded downward along a second horizontal folding axis 29, as shown by the folding arrow 39, and as shown in FIG. Lying on.
[0028]
A sleeve (not shown) is provided, which is worn over the folded airbag, which sleeve is made of, for example, the usual material used to hold the airbag. Have been. The sleeve has a plurality of slits, and the mounting legs 14, 15, and 16 protrude from the sleeve through the slits to hold the airbag in a folded state.
[0029]
FIG. 18 shows the airbag in a folded state in the sleeve 50. The mounting legs 14, 15, 16 protruding from the airbag via the sleeve are connected to a portion of the seat belt 51. A gas supply duct 13 extends along the seat belt 51 and reaches a gas generator or inflator 52. At least one anti-twist element in the form of a rectangular and elongated plastic tube 53 is provided, which is located along the combined seat belt, airbag and gas supply duct, Prevent the seat belt from twisting. The airbag, the anti-twist element 53 and the gas supply duct 13 in the sleeve 50 are wrapped in a cover 54 made of fabric as used to make the seat cover.
[0030]
As described above, the air bag is attached to the seat belt 51. In this case, the partial action of the lap belt of the seat belt that crosses the knee (lap) of the occupant wearing the seat belt is the seat belt. This is accomplished by a cover 54 through which the 51 passes. The cover 54 and its contents do not protrude and do not interfere with the use of the seatbelt. The anti-twist element 53 ensures that the airbag in the sleeve 50 is on the outer surface of the seatbelt 51 and that the seatbelt is connected so that the airbag does not enter between the seatbelt and the seatbelt wearer. Therefore, a great danger caused by the airbag entering the seat belt and the wearer of the seat belt can be reliably prevented.
[0031]
When an accident occurs and the airbag is inflated, the gas inflates the airbag from the inflator 52 through the gas supply duct 13. When inflated, the airbag breaks the sleeve 50 and breaks the cover 54 to inflate the airbag. First, during inflation, the airbag starts to be deployed from the folded state, and then to the left along the first vertical bending axis 21. The gas from the gas generator 52 flows through the deflector 7 as indicated by the arrow 60, and flows upward and inside the airbag. Due to this gas flow, the uppermost part of the airbag starts to inflate first, as shown in FIG. 19, and then the gas flows along the outer periphery of the airbag constituted by the seam 3 along the arrows 61-63. Flows as indicated by. Thus, the gas is contained in the main circular region 4 but flows towards the region 64 of the airbag which is below the part where the spout 5 leads to the interior of the airbag. Thus, as a result of this, the airbag rotates toward the occupant, but when the zigzag or consantina-folded one is unfolded, the airbag inflates quietly. , Do not shock the occupant. The region 64 functioning as a support region for the airbag is located between the both side flanks and the belly of the occupant wearing the seat belt. This area of the airbag will fit tightly between the occupant's thighs and belly, as the occupant's torso will lean forward as a result of an impact or deceleration in the event of an accident. The region 64 thus supports the airbag and holds the airbag in place for the occupant. Even if the occupant hits the airbag in a motion inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the car, the airbag does not move away from the occupant, and the occupant does not deviate from the airbag. In addition, the seated person comes into contact with the airbag, and an appropriate protective action is performed.
[0032]
As described above, when the airbag is inflated, it is inflated by a soft movement.Therefore, when the airbag is inflated, there is no danger to the child sitting on the knee by the occupant, and the airbag is straight forward. Instead of inflating, the airbag inflates around the occupant. The way to inflate the airbag is to first inflate it to the car door and then to the car windscreen (front window). Inflates, and finally inflates towards the occupant. During this final movement (bulging), the region 64 penetrates into the space between the thighs and the belly of the occupant.
[0033]
The embodiments described above are not intended to limit the present invention, and various modifications included in the claimed invention are possible.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of a state before folding an airbag in one embodiment of an airbag according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of folding the airbag of FIG.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of further folding the folded airbag shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of further bending the folded airbag shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of an operation of further folding the folded airbag shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of an operation of further folding the folded airbag shown in FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of an operation of further bending the folded airbag shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of further folding the folded airbag shown in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of further folding the folded airbag shown in FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of further folding the folded airbag shown in FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of further folding the folded airbag shown in FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of further bending the folded airbag shown in FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of further folding the folded airbag shown in FIG.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of further folding the folded airbag shown in FIG.
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of further folding the folded airbag shown in FIG.
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of further folding the folded airbag shown in FIG.
FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of further folding the folded airbag shown in FIG. 16;
FIG. 18 is an explanatory view showing an airbag and a related safety belt when attached to an automobile.
FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing an inflated state of the airbag during inflation.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Airbag 2 Inflatable chamber 3 Seam at the periphery of airbag 10 Mounting and connecting element 13 Gas supply ducts 14, 15, 16 Mounting legs 21, 23, 25 Vertical bending shaft 27, 29 Horizontal bending shaft 51 Seat belt 53 Plastic Tube-shaped torsion preventing element 54 Cover 60, 61, 62, 63 Gas flow

Claims (9)

An airbag attached to a seatbelt of a seatbelt mechanism of an automobile and protecting a occupant using the seatbelt, the airbag includes an inflating chamber and a gas that supplies a gas that inflates the chamber. A supply duct, wherein when the airbag is inflated, the airbag first inflates outwardly in the direction of the door of the car, close to the seat belted occupant, The airbag then has a shape that inflates forward and finally inflates inward toward the occupant, completely inflates and protects the occupant. The airbag includes a main inflatable chamber, the main inflatable chamber being associated with an extended spout connected to a gas supply duct, wherein the spout has a built-in gas deflector. The gas deflector extends into the main inflatable chamber and, at the beginning of inflation, is far from the occupant when the airbag is fully inflated. 2. The airbag according to claim 1, wherein the airbag is arranged in a direction in which gas first flows into the area of the chamber. The spout is connected to a gas supply duct via a mounting and connecting element, the element having a mounting portion, which is adapted to engage a seat belt and attach the airbag to the seat belt. The airbag according to claim 2, wherein The airbag is firstly folded in a main inflatable chamber along a first folding axis and a second parallel folding axis, whereby the folded airbag is folded in the parallel axis. Folded into a consantina (hexagonal accordion) shape so as to overlap the mounting and connecting element; then, the spacing of a portion of the airbag across the first and second folding axes It is folded in a consentina fashion along the opened fold axis, so that it overlaps the mounting and connecting element; and finally the rest of the airbag is consumpted between the spaced fold axes. 4. The airbag according to claim 3, wherein the airbag is folded in a tiner shape and folded so as to overlap the mounting / connection element. 5. The airbag according to claim 4, wherein the folded airbag is retained within a sleeve, the mounting element protruding from the sleeve, such that the airbag is attached to a seat belt. The airbag according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the airbag is provided attached to a seat belt. An airbag according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the seat belt is provided with at least one anti-twist element. 8. An airbag according to claim 7, wherein said anti-twist element is a tube of plastics material. 9. An airbag according to claim 7, wherein a cover is provided, said cover covering said seat belt, said airbag and said or each anti-twist element.

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