JP4244863B2

JP4244863B2 - Passenger airbag

Info

Publication number: JP4244863B2
Application number: JP2004147761A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 和彰尾藤; 量敏林
Original assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co Ltd
Current assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co Ltd
Priority date: 2004-05-18
Filing date: 2004-05-18
Publication date: 2009-03-25
Anticipated expiration: 2024-05-18
Also published as: JP2005329749A

Description

本発明は、助手席前方のインストルメントパネル（以下、インパネと略す）の上面側に配置されるトップマウントタイプの助手席用エアバッグ装置のエアバッグに関する。 The present invention relates to an airbag for a top mount type airbag device for a passenger seat disposed on the upper surface side of an instrument panel (hereinafter, abbreviated as instrument panel) in front of a passenger seat.

従来、助手席用エアバッグでは、膨張用ガスを流入させるガス流入口部を備えるとともに助手席に着座した乗員と干渉可能な乗員保護部を備える第１膨張部と、第１膨張部を介して膨張用ガスを流入させる構成の第２膨張部と、を備える構成のものがあった（例えば、特許文献１参照）。 Conventionally, in an airbag for a passenger seat, a first inflatable portion including a gas inlet portion through which an inflating gas is introduced and an occupant protection portion capable of interfering with an occupant seated in the passenger seat is provided via the first inflatable portion. There has been a configuration including a second expansion portion configured to allow an expansion gas to flow (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

従来の助手席用エアバッグでは、第１膨張部は、膨張完了時において左右方向に略沿って配設される貫通孔を有した略筒状とされ、第１膨張部の貫通孔内に、第２膨張部が配設される構成であった。そして、第２膨張部は、膨張完了時における前端側に配設される排気弁を介して第１膨張部と連結されており、乗員が乗員保護部と干渉して、第１膨張部の内圧が所定以上に上昇した場合にのみ、排気弁を介して、第１膨張部から膨張用ガスを流入させる構成であった。
実開昭４８−７５３４５号公報 In the conventional passenger seat airbag, the first inflating portion has a substantially cylindrical shape having a through-hole disposed substantially along the left-right direction when the inflating is completed, and in the through-hole of the first inflating portion, The second inflating part was arranged. And the 2nd expansion part is connected with the 1st expansion part via the exhaust valve arranged by the front end side at the time of completion of expansion, a crew member interferes with a crew member protection part, and the internal pressure of the 1st expansion part Only when the temperature rises above a predetermined level, the expansion gas is allowed to flow from the first expansion portion via the exhaust valve.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 48-75345

しかし、従来の助手席用エアバッグでは、第１膨張部における貫通孔内に第２膨張部を膨張させる構成であることから、第２膨張部の膨張によって、実質的に容積を増大させるものではない。すなわち、従来の助手席用エアバッグでは、第１膨張部の膨張完了時と第２膨張部の膨張完了時とにおいて、膨張完了時の外形形状が略同一となっていた。そのため、従来の助手席用エアバッグでは、第１膨張部の膨張完了後に、乗員が乗員保護部と干渉する場合には、乗員を安定して保護できるが、仮に、乗員がインパネに近接している状態で、エアバッグが展開膨張した場合、膨張する第１膨張部により、不必要に乗員を押圧してしまい、近接乗員を適切に保護する点に改善の余地があった。 However, in the conventional passenger seat airbag, since the second inflating portion is inflated in the through hole in the first inflating portion, the volume is not substantially increased by the expansion of the second inflating portion. Absent. That is, in the conventional passenger seat airbag, the outer shape at the time of completion of inflation is substantially the same when the first inflation portion is completely inflated and when the second inflation portion is inflated. Therefore, in the conventional passenger-side airbag, when the occupant interferes with the occupant protection unit after the first inflating portion has been inflated, the occupant can be stably protected. When the airbag is deployed and inflated in this state, the occupant is unnecessarily pressed by the inflating first inflating portion, and there is room for improvement in that the adjacent occupant is appropriately protected.

本発明は、上述の課題を解決するものであり、乗員の着座位置が異なっても、膨張を完了させたエアバッグにより、乗員を安定して保護可能な助手席用エアバッグを提供することを目的とする。 The present invention solves the above-described problems, and provides a passenger seat airbag that can stably protect an occupant with an airbag that has been inflated even if the occupant is in a different seating position. Objective.

本発明に係る助手席用エアバッグは、車両の助手席前方におけるインストルメントパネルの上面側に折り畳まれて収納され、膨張用ガスの流入時に、上方へ突出するとともに、インストルメントパネル上面とインストルメントパネル上方のウィンドシールドとの間を塞ぐように、車両の後方側へ展開膨張する構成とされて、
膨張完了時の前端付近となる位置に、膨張用ガスを流入させるガス流入口を備えるとともに、膨張完了時における後端側となる位置に、助手席に着座した乗員と干渉可能な乗員保護部を備える構成の第１膨張部と、
第１膨張部を介して膨張用ガスを流入させる構成の第２膨張部と、
を有して構成される助手席用エアバッグにおいて、
第２膨張部が、膨張完了時における後部側に、乗員保護部から膨張用ガスを流入させて第２膨張部を膨張させるための連通孔を配設させるとともに、エアバッグの膨張完了時、乗員保護部を、第２膨張部を介して前記インストルメントパネルに支持させるように、乗員保護部とインストルメントパネルとの間に介在されて、前部側にインストルメントパネルに接触して支持される支持面を備えて、構成されていることを特徴とする。 An airbag for a passenger seat according to the present invention is folded and housed on the upper surface side of an instrument panel in front of a passenger seat of a vehicle, and protrudes upward when an inflating gas flows in, and further includes an upper surface of the instrument panel and an instrument. It is configured to expand and expand to the rear side of the vehicle so as to block between the windshield above the panel,
A gas inflow port for allowing the inflation gas to flow in is located near the front end when the inflation is completed, and an occupant protection unit capable of interfering with a passenger seated in the passenger seat is located at the rear end when the inflation is completed. A first inflatable portion configured to comprise:
A second inflating portion configured to flow inflating gas through the first inflating portion;
In the passenger airbag configured to have
The second expansion portion, the rear side of the completely inflated, causes disposed a communicating hole for inflating the second inflatable portion by inflow of inflation gas from the occupant protection unit, completely inflated airbag, passenger the protective portion, is interposed, is supported in contact with the instrument panel on the front side are between so as to be supported on the instrument panel via a second expansion portion, a passenger protection unit and the instrument panel It is characterized by comprising a support surface.

本発明の助手席用エアバッグでは、エアバッグが、第１膨張部と第２膨張部とを備える構成であり、第２膨張部は、第１膨張部を介して、後部側の連通孔から膨張用ガスを流入させるとともに、膨張完了時に、第１膨張部の乗員保護部と、インパネと、の間となる位置に、介在される構成である。すなわち、本発明の助手席用エアバッグでは、第１膨張部の膨張完了後に、第２膨張部が、第１膨張部を介して膨張することとなる。そして、第２膨張部は、前部側にインパネに接触して支持される支持面を備えており、この支持面をインパネに支持させて、膨張を完了させることとなる。そのため、本発明の助手席用エアバッグでは、エアバッグの膨張完了時に、助手席に着座した乗員が、乗員保護部と干渉した場合、第２膨張部がインパネに支持されるような態様となる。すなわち、乗員保護部が、第２膨張部を介して、インパネに支持されることとなる。そのため、乗員を、乗員保護部により、安定して保護することができる。 In the passenger seat airbag according to the present invention, the airbag includes a first inflatable portion and a second inflatable portion, and the second inflatable portion extends from the communication hole on the rear side via the first inflatable portion. The inflation gas is allowed to flow in, and at the completion of the inflation, the inflation gas is interposed at a position between the occupant protection portion of the first inflation portion and the instrument panel. That is, in the passenger seat airbag of the present invention, the second inflating part is inflated via the first inflating part after the first inflating part has been inflated. And the 2nd expansion part is provided with the support surface supported in contact with an instrument panel in the front part side, this instrumentation panel is made to support this support surface, and expansion will be completed. Therefore, in the passenger seat airbag according to the present invention, when the occupant seated in the passenger seat interferes with the occupant protection portion when the inflation of the airbag is completed, the second inflatable portion is supported by the instrument panel. . That is, the occupant protection part is supported by the instrument panel via the second inflating part. Therefore, the occupant can be protected stably by the occupant protection unit.

また、本発明の助手席用エアバッグでは、第２膨張部は、膨張を完了させた第１膨張部から、インパネ側となる前方側に向かって突出するように、膨張を完了させることとなる。そのため、例えば、乗員がインパネに近接している状態でエアバッグが展開膨張した場合、本発明の助手席用エアバッグでは、第１膨張部が、乗員保護部の後面側を乗員と当接させるようにして、膨張を完了させることとなる。そして、第１膨張部の膨張完了後に、第２膨張部が、前方側に向かって突出することとなるが、乗員保護部の後面側が乗員と当接していることから、第２膨張部は、インパネと第１膨張部との間で膨張を規制されて、最大容積分より小さい容積として膨張を完了させることとなる。そのため、本発明の助手席用エアバッグでは、乗員がインパネに近接している状態でエアバッグが展開膨張した場合にも、乗員を不必要に押圧することなく、乗員保護部により、保護することができる。なお、この場合にも、エアバッグ内に流入した膨張用ガスは、第２膨張部に向かうように、乗員保護部から前方側に向かって流入することから、膨張用ガスが乗員に向かって流入せず、乗員を大きく押圧しない。また、このような場合にも、第２膨張部の前部側がインパネにより支持されることから、乗員保護部が、第２膨張部を介して、インパネに支持されることとなり、乗員を、乗員保護部により、安定して保護することができる。 Further, in the passenger seat airbag according to the present invention, the second inflating part completes the inflation so as to protrude toward the front side which is the instrument panel side from the first inflating part which has been inflated. . Therefore, for example, when the airbag is deployed and inflated while the occupant is in close proximity to the instrument panel, in the passenger seat airbag of the present invention, the first inflatable portion causes the rear surface side of the occupant protection portion to abut against the occupant. In this way, the expansion is completed. And after the completion of expansion of the first expansion part, the second expansion part will protrude toward the front side, but since the rear side of the occupant protection part is in contact with the occupant, the second expansion part is Expansion is restricted between the instrument panel and the first expansion part, and the expansion is completed with a volume smaller than the maximum volume. Therefore, in the passenger seat airbag according to the present invention, even when the airbag is deployed and inflated in the state where the occupant is close to the instrument panel, the occupant is protected by the occupant protection unit without unnecessarily pressing the occupant. Can do. In this case as well, the inflation gas that has flowed into the airbag flows from the occupant protection portion toward the front side so as to go to the second inflation portion, so that the inflation gas flows toward the occupant. Do not push the occupant greatly. Also in such a case, since the front side of the second inflating portion is supported by the instrument panel, the occupant protection portion is supported by the instrument panel via the second inflating portion, and the occupant is The protection part can be stably protected.

従って、本発明の助手席用エアバッグでは、乗員の着座位置が異なっても、膨張を完了させたエアバッグにより、乗員を安定して保護することができる。 Therefore, in the passenger seat airbag of the present invention, even if the seating position of the occupant is different, the occupant can be stably protected by the airbag that has been inflated.

また、本発明の助手席用エアバッグでは、まず、乗員保護部を備えた第１膨張部が展開膨張し、第１膨張部が膨張を完了させた後に、第２膨張部が膨張して、膨張を完了させることとなる。そのため、複数の膨張部を備えない構成のエアバッグと比較して、エアバッグの膨張完了時に後端側に配設される乗員保護部を、迅速に、保護エリアを広く確保できるように、展開させることができる。 Further, in the passenger seat airbag of the present invention, first, the first inflatable part including the occupant protection part is inflated, and after the first inflating part completes the inflating, the second inflating part is inflated, Expansion will be completed. Therefore, compared to airbags that do not have multiple inflatable parts, the occupant protection part that is arranged on the rear end side when the airbag is completely inflated can be quickly deployed so that a large protection area can be secured. Can be made.

さらに、上記構成の助手席用エアバッグにおいて、第１膨張部を、側方から見て略逆Ｕ字形状に膨張する構成とし、
第２膨張部を、第１膨張部における逆Ｕ字形状の凹部となる部位に、配設させた構成とすることが好ましい。 Further, in the passenger seat airbag having the above-described configuration, the first inflatable portion is configured to inflate in a substantially inverted U shape when viewed from the side,
It is preferable that the second inflating portion is arranged in a portion that becomes an inverted U-shaped concave portion in the first inflating portion.

上記構成の助手席用エアバッグでは、エアバッグの展開膨張当初の第１膨張部が、インパネとの間に隙間を設けた状態で、上方から下方に向かって展開膨張する構成である。そのため、例えば、頭部側をインパネに近接させたチャイルドシートを助手席にセットしている状態で、エアバッグが膨張しても、エアバッグの展開膨張当初において、膨張する第１膨張部とインパネとの間の隙間に、チャイルドシートの頭部が侵入するような態様となって、展開する第１膨張部が、チャイルドシートの頭部に干渉することを、抑えることができる。また、第１膨張部の膨張完了後には、第２膨張部が、第１膨張部の乗員保護部から前方に向かって突出するものの、この第２膨張部は、チャイルドシートの頭部と干渉して、上方に押し上げられるような態様となり、エアバッグ全体が上方に向かって押し上げられるように、膨張を完了させることとなる。そのため、上記構成の助手席用エアバッグでは、助手席に、頭部側をインパネに近接させたチャイルドシートがセットされていても、チャイルドシートへの干渉を極力抑えた状態で、展開膨張させることが可能となる。 In the passenger seat airbag having the above-described configuration, the first inflating portion at the beginning of the inflation of the airbag is configured to be deployed and inflated from the top to the bottom with a gap provided between the airbag and the instrument panel. Therefore, for example, even if the airbag is inflated in a state where the child seat with the head side close to the instrument panel is set in the passenger seat, the first inflatable portion and the instrument panel that inflate at the beginning of the inflation of the airbag It can suppress that the 1st expansion | deployment part which expand | deploys the 1st expansion | deployment part which expand | deploys the 1st expansion part of a child seat to the clearance gap between them, and the child seat's head. Moreover, after the completion of the expansion of the first expansion portion, the second expansion portion protrudes forward from the passenger protection portion of the first expansion portion, but this second expansion portion interferes with the head of the child seat. Therefore, the inflation is completed such that the airbag is pushed upward and the entire airbag is pushed upward. Therefore, in the passenger seat airbag with the above configuration, even if a child seat with the head side close to the instrument panel is set in the passenger seat, it can be deployed and inflated with minimal interference with the child seat. It becomes.

さらにまた、上記構成の助手席用エアバッグにおいて、第２膨張部を、周壁を第１膨張部の周壁と別体として形成されるとともに、連通孔の周縁のみを第１膨張部と連結させた構成とすることが好ましい。 Furthermore, in the passenger seat airbag configured as described above, the second inflating portion is formed with the peripheral wall as a separate body from the peripheral wall of the first inflating portion, and only the periphery of the communication hole is connected to the first inflating portion. A configuration is preferable.

助手席用エアバッグを上記構成とすれば、エアバッグの展開膨張時に、第２膨張部が、第１膨張部に対して、相互にずれ移動可能となる。そのため、エアバッグの展開膨張時に、仮に、第２膨張部の部位に干渉物が配置されていても、第２膨張部が、第１膨張部に対して上方や左右方向にずれることが可能となって、第２膨張部を円滑に膨張させることができる。特に、乗員がインパネに近接している状態でエアバッグが展開膨張した場合、第２膨張部を、インパネと乗員保護部との間で、インパネに沿って上下・左右方向に拡がるように膨張させることができる。すなわち、第２膨張部が乗員保護部を押圧するように膨張することを極力抑えることができることから、乗員への押圧力を一層抑えた状態で、乗員を、乗員保護部により保護することが可能となる。 If the passenger seat airbag has the above-described configuration, the second inflatable portion can be displaced relative to the first inflatable portion when the airbag is deployed and inflated. Therefore, when the airbag is deployed and inflated, even if an interfering object is disposed at the site of the second inflating part, the second inflating part can be displaced upward or in the left-right direction with respect to the first inflating part. Thus, the second inflating part can be smoothly inflated. In particular, when the airbag is deployed and inflated while the occupant is close to the instrument panel, the second inflatable part is inflated between the instrument panel and the occupant protection part so as to expand vertically and horizontally along the instrument panel. be able to. That is, since it is possible to suppress the second inflating portion from expanding so as to press the occupant protection portion as much as possible, it is possible to protect the occupant with the occupant protection portion while further suppressing the pressing force on the occupant. It becomes.

以下、本発明の一実施形態を図面に基づいて説明すると、実施形態の助手席用エアバッグ２０は、図１に示すように、インパネ１の上面２側の内部に配置されるトップマウントタイプの助手席用エアバッグ装置Ｓに使用されるものである。この助手席用エアバッグ装置Ｓは、折り畳まれたエアバッグ２０と、エアバッグ２０に膨張用ガスを供給するインフレーター１２と、エアバッグ２０及びインフレーター１２を収納保持するケース１０と、エアバッグ２０をケース１０に取り付けるためのリテーナ１６と、折り畳まれたエアバッグ２０を覆うエアバッグカバー１４と、を備えて構成されている。 DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, an airbag 20 for a passenger seat is a top mount type that is disposed inside an upper panel 2 side of an instrument panel 1. The airbag device S is used for the passenger seat. The passenger seat airbag device S includes a folded airbag 20, an inflator 12 that supplies inflation gas to the airbag 20, a case 10 that stores and holds the airbag 20 and the inflator 12, and the airbag 20. A retainer 16 for attaching to the case 10 and an airbag cover 14 covering the folded airbag 20 are provided.

なお、本明細書での上下、前後、及び、左右の方向は、車両の直進状態における上下、前後、及び、左右の方向に一致するものである。 In the present specification, the up / down, front / rear, and left / right directions correspond to the up / down, front / rear, and left / right directions in a straight traveling state of the vehicle.

エアバッグカバー１４は、合成樹脂製のインパネ１と一体的に形成されて、エアバッグ２０の展開膨張時に、前後２枚の扉部１４ａ・１４ｂをエアバッグ２０に押されて開くように構成されている。また、エアバッグカバー１４の扉部１４ａ・１４ｂの周囲には、ケース１０に連結される連結壁部１４ｃが形成されている。 The airbag cover 14 is formed integrally with the instrument panel 1 made of synthetic resin, and is configured such that when the airbag 20 is deployed and inflated, the front and rear door portions 14a and 14b are pushed by the airbag 20 and opened. ing. A connecting wall portion 14 c that is connected to the case 10 is formed around the door portions 14 a and 14 b of the airbag cover 14.

インフレーター１２は、複数のガス吐出口１２ｂを有した略円柱状の本体部１２ａと、インフレーター１２をケース１０に取り付けるためのフランジ部１２ｃと、を備えて構成されている。 The inflator 12 includes a substantially cylindrical main body portion 12 a having a plurality of gas discharge ports 12 b and a flange portion 12 c for attaching the inflator 12 to the case 10.

ケース１０は、上端側に長方形状の開口を有した板金製の略直方体形状に形成され、インフレーター１２を下方から挿入させて取り付ける略長方形板状の底壁部１０ａと、底壁部１０ａの外周縁から上方に延びてエアバッグカバー１４の連結壁部１４ｃを係止する周壁部１０ｂと、を備えて構成されている。ケース１０には、底壁部１０ａの部位に、車両のボディ側に連結される図示しないブラケットが、配設されている。 The case 10 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape made of sheet metal having a rectangular opening on the upper end side, a substantially rectangular plate-shaped bottom wall portion 10a to which the inflator 12 is inserted from below, and an outer side of the bottom wall portion 10a. And a peripheral wall portion 10b that extends upward from the peripheral edge and engages the connecting wall portion 14c of the airbag cover 14. The case 10 is provided with a bracket (not shown) connected to the vehicle body side at the bottom wall portion 10a.

なお、エアバッグ２０とインフレーター１２とは、エアバッグ２０内に配設される円環状のリテーナ１６の複数のボルト１６ａが、エアバッグ２０、インフレーター１２のフランジ部１２ｃ、及び、ケース底壁部１０ａ、を貫通して、ナット１７止めされることにより、ケース１０に取り付けられている。 Note that the airbag 20 and the inflator 12 include a plurality of bolts 16a of an annular retainer 16 disposed in the airbag 20, and the airbag 20, the flange portion 12c of the inflator 12, and the case bottom wall portion 10a. , And the nut 17 is fixed to the case 10.

エアバッグ２０は、図２〜６に示すように、第１膨張部２１と第２膨張部３０とを備えた構成とされている。第１膨張部２１は、膨張完了時の形状を、側方から見て略逆Ｕ字形状とするように、膨張完了時に前部側に配設される前側部位２２と、膨張完了時に後部側に配設される乗員保護部としての後側部位２４と、前側部位２２と後側部位２４との上端側を連結するように配設される上側部位２３と、から構成されている。エアバッグ２０の膨張完了時における前側部位２２の下端近傍となる下壁部２２ｅの部位には、膨張用ガスＧを流入させるように、円形に開口されて、周縁２５をケース１０に取り付けるガス流入口２６が、配設されている。ガス流入口２６の周縁２５には、リテーナ１６のボルト１６ａを挿通させて、流入口周縁２５を、ケース１０の底壁部１０ａに取り付けるための複数の取付孔２７が、形成されている。ガス流入口２６周縁となる部位には、３枚の補強布４４Ａ・４５・４５が、周縁となる部位と、ガス流入口２６の周縁となる部位と、を縫合されて、縫着されている。さらに、補強布４５の上面側には、縫合部位の保護を図る補強布４４Ｂが、ガス流入口２６周縁となる部位のみを縫合されて、配設されている。また、前側部位２２の前壁部２２ａの下端側を構成する部位にも、補強布４６が、縫着されている。なお、これらの補強布４４・４５・４６は、エアバッグ２０の膨張完了時において外部側に露出しないように、内部側に縫着されているが、図４に示す断面図では、省略されている。さらに、上側部位２３の左・右壁部２３ｃ・２３ｄには、余剰の膨張用ガスＧを排気するベントホール２８・２８が、配設されている。 As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the airbag 20 is configured to include a first inflating portion 21 and a second inflating portion 30. The first inflatable portion 21 has a front side portion 22 disposed on the front side when the expansion is completed, and a rear side when the expansion is completed so that the shape at the time of completion of expansion is a substantially inverted U shape when viewed from the side. The rear part 24 as an occupant protection part disposed on the upper part 23 and the upper part 23 disposed so as to connect the upper ends of the front part 22 and the rear part 24 are configured. A gas flow that is opened in a circular shape so that the inflation gas G flows into the portion of the lower wall portion 22e that is near the lower end of the front portion 22 when the airbag 20 is completely inflated, and the peripheral edge 25 is attached to the case 10 An inlet 26 is provided. A plurality of mounting holes 27 are formed in the peripheral edge 25 of the gas inlet 26 to allow the bolts 16 a of the retainer 16 to pass therethrough and attach the inlet peripheral edge 25 to the bottom wall portion 10 a of the case 10. The three reinforcing cloths 44A, 45, and 45 are sewn and sewn at the peripheral portion of the gas inlet 26 and the peripheral portion of the gas inlet 26 with the peripheral portion of the gas inlet 26. . Further, on the upper surface side of the reinforcing cloth 45, a reinforcing cloth 44B for protecting the stitched portion is disposed by stitching only the portion that becomes the periphery of the gas inlet 26. In addition, a reinforcing cloth 46 is also sewn to a portion constituting the lower end side of the front wall portion 22a of the front portion 22. These reinforcing cloths 44, 45, and 46 are sewn on the inner side so as not to be exposed to the outer side when the airbag 20 is completely inflated, but are omitted in the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. Yes. Further, vent holes 28 and 28 for exhausting excess inflation gas G are disposed in the left and right wall portions 23c and 23d of the upper portion 23.

第２膨張部３０は、膨張完了時の形状を、軸方向を左右方向沿わせた略円筒状とされており、第１膨張部２１における逆Ｕ字形状の凹部２１ａ内に位置するように、乗員保護部（後側部位）２４の前部（前壁部２４ａ）側から前方側に突出するように配設されている（図２〜４参照）。そして、第２膨張部３０の後壁部３０ｂと、乗員保護部２４の前壁部２４ａと、には、乗員保護部２３から膨張用ガスＧを流入させる連通孔３２が、貫通して、形成されている。すなわち、第２膨張部３０は、図４・５に示すように、乗員保護部２４（第１膨張部２１）を介して膨張用ガスＧを流入させる構成であり、第１膨張部２１が膨張を略完了させた後に、連通孔３２から膨張用ガスＧを流入させて、展開膨張することとなる。実施形態の場合、連通孔３２は、後壁部３０ｂにおける上下方向の略中間部位に配設されるもので、略円形とされて、左右方向に沿った２箇所に、配設されている（図４・５参照）。 The shape of the second inflating part 30 at the completion of the inflating is substantially cylindrical with the axial direction aligned in the left-right direction, and is positioned in the inverted U-shaped recess 21a in the first inflating part 21. It arrange | positions so that it may protrude from the front part (front wall part 24a) side of the passenger | crew protection part (rear part) 24 to the front side (refer FIGS. 2-4). The rear wall 30b of the second inflating part 30 and the front wall 24a of the occupant protection part 24 are formed with a communication hole 32 through which the inflation gas G flows from the occupant protection part 23. Has been. That is, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the second inflating part 30 is configured to allow the inflating gas G to flow in via the occupant protection part 24 (first inflating part 21), and the first inflating part 21 is inflated. Is substantially completed, the expansion gas G is caused to flow from the communication hole 32 to expand and expand. In the case of the embodiment, the communication hole 32 is disposed at a substantially intermediate portion in the vertical direction of the rear wall portion 30b, is substantially circular, and is disposed at two locations along the left-right direction ( (See Figures 4 and 5).

また、第２膨張部３０は、連通孔３２周縁となる部位のみを、第１膨張部２１と連結させて、構成されている。実施形態の場合、第２膨張部３０は、連通孔３２の周縁となる後壁部３０ｂから上壁部３０ｅにかけての部位を、乗員保護部２４の前壁部２４ａ、及び、上側部位２３の下壁部２３ｂと、連結させた構成とされている（図４・５参照）。そして、第２膨張部３０は、図１・１１に示すように、エアバッグ２０の膨張完了時において、乗員保護部２４とインパネ１との間に介在されるように配設されることとなり、膨張完了時の前部側となる前壁部３０ａの部位を、インパネ１に接触して支持される支持面３１とされている。 Further, the second inflating part 30 is configured by connecting only the part that becomes the periphery of the communication hole 32 to the first inflating part 21. In the case of the embodiment, the second inflating part 30 has a part from the rear wall part 30b to the upper wall part 30e, which is the periphery of the communication hole 32, below the front wall part 24a of the occupant protection part 24 and the upper part part 23. The wall portion 23b is connected to the wall portion 23b (see FIGS. 4 and 5). Then, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 11, the second inflating portion 30 is disposed so as to be interposed between the occupant protection portion 24 and the instrument panel 1 when the airbag 20 has been inflated. A portion of the front wall portion 30a on the front side when the expansion is completed is a support surface 31 that is supported in contact with the instrument panel 1.

実施形態のエアバッグ２０では、第１膨張部２１と第２膨張部３０とは、それぞれ、周壁を別体として、形成されている。第１膨張部２１を構成する第１膨張部用基布３４は、実施形態の場合、図６に示すように、３枚の基布３５・３５・３６から構成されており、第１膨張部２１は、３枚の基布３５・３５・３６の周縁相互を縫着させて、構成されている。各基布３５は、それぞれ、前側部位２２の左・右壁部２２ｃ・２２ｄ、上側部位２３の左・右壁部２３ｃ・２３ｄ、及び、後側部位２４の左・右壁部２４ｃ・２４ｄ、を構成するように、略逆Ｕ字形状とされている。基布３６は、前側部位２２の前・後・下壁部２２ａ・２２ｂ・２２ｅ、上側部位２３の上・下壁部２３ａ・２３ｂ、及び、後側部位２４の前・後・下壁部２４ａ・２４ｂ・２４ｅ、を構成する略帯状とされている。各基布３５における上側部位２３の左・右壁部２３ｃ・２３ｄを構成する部位には、ベントホール２８が、形成されている。基布３６における長手方向の端部付近であって、前側部位２２の下壁部２２ｅを構成する部位には、ガス流入口２６と取付孔２７とが、形成されている。また、基布３６における後側部位２４の前壁部２４ａを構成する部位には、連通孔３２・３２が、形成されている。 In the airbag 20 of the embodiment, the first inflating portion 21 and the second inflating portion 30 are formed with the peripheral wall as a separate body. In the case of the embodiment, the first inflatable portion base fabric 34 constituting the first inflatable portion 21 is composed of three base fabrics 35, 35 and 36 as shown in FIG. 21 is configured by sewing the peripheral edges of three base fabrics 35, 35, and 36 together. Each base cloth 35 includes left and right wall portions 22c and 22d of the front portion 22, left and right wall portions 23c and 23d of the upper portion 23, and left and right wall portions 24c and 24d of the rear portion 24, respectively. It is made into the substantially reverse U shape so that it may comprise. The base fabric 36 includes front / rear / lower wall portions 22a / 22b / 22e of the front portion 22, upper / lower wall portions 23a / 23b of the upper portion 23, and front / rear / lower wall portions 24a of the rear portion 24. -It is made into the substantially strip | belt shape which comprises 24b and 24e. Vent holes 28 are formed in the portions constituting the left and right wall portions 23c and 23d of the upper portion 23 of each base fabric 35. A gas inflow port 26 and a mounting hole 27 are formed in the vicinity of the end in the longitudinal direction of the base fabric 36 and in the portion constituting the lower wall portion 22e of the front portion 22. Further, communication holes 32 and 32 are formed in a portion of the base fabric 36 that constitutes the front wall portion 24 a of the rear portion 24.

第２膨張部３０を構成する第２膨張部用基布３９は、実施形態の場合、図６に示すように、３枚の基布４０・４０・４１から構成されており、第２膨張部３０は、３枚の基布４０・４０・４１の周縁相互を縫着させて、構成されている。各基布４０は、それぞれ、第２膨張部３０の左・右壁部３０ｃ・３０ｄを構成するように、略楕円形状とされている。基布４１は、第２膨張部３０の前・後・上・下壁部３０ａ・３０ｂ・３０ｅ・３０ｆを構成する略帯状とされている。基布４１における後壁部３０ｂを構成する部位には、基布３６に対応して、連通孔３２・３２が、形成されている。これらの基布３５・３６・４０・４１は、補強布４４・４５・４６とともに、ポリエステル糸やポリアミド糸等からなる可撓性を有した織布から形成されて、シリコン等のコーティング剤を塗布しないノンコート布として、構成されている。 In the case of the embodiment, the second inflating portion base fabric 39 constituting the second inflating portion 30 is composed of three base fabrics 40, 40, 41 as shown in FIG. 30 is configured by sewing the peripheral edges of three base fabrics 40, 40, and 41 together. Each base fabric 40 has a substantially elliptical shape so as to constitute the left and right wall portions 30c and 30d of the second inflating portion 30, respectively. The base cloth 41 has a substantially band shape that forms the front, rear, upper, and lower wall portions 30 a, 30 b, 30 e, and 30 f of the second inflating portion 30. Communication holes 32 and 32 corresponding to the base cloth 36 are formed in a portion of the base cloth 41 constituting the rear wall portion 30b. These base fabrics 35, 36, 40, and 41 are formed from flexible woven fabrics made of polyester yarn, polyamide yarn, and the like together with reinforcing fabrics 44, 45, and 46, and a coating agent such as silicon is applied to the base fabrics 35, 36, 40, and 41. It is configured as an uncoated cloth.

次に、エアバッグ２０の製造について説明する。実施形態の場合、エアバッグ２０は、ポリエステル糸等の縫合糸４８を使用した縫合により、形成されている。まず、補強布４６の周縁４６ａを、基布３６の縫合部位３６ａに、縫着させる。なお、基布３６における補強布４６を縫着させた側の面が、第１膨張部２１の内周面を構成することとなる。次に、基布３６における補強布４６を縫着させた側と同一の面に、補強布４４Ａ・４５・４５を載せ、補強布４４Ａの周縁を全周にわたって縫着させるようにして、補強布４４Ａ・４５・４５を基布３６に縫合させる。その後、補強布４５の上面側に、補強布４４Ｂを載せ、ガス流入口２６周縁となる部位を縫着させるようにして、補強布４４Ａ・４４Ｂ・４５・４５を基布３６に縫合させる。その後、ガス流入口２６及び取付孔２７を、孔開け加工により、一体的に、形成する。なお、ガス流入口２６と取付孔２７とは、それぞれ、基布３６・補強布４４Ａ・４４Ｂ・４５・４５に、予め、形成しておいてもよい。 Next, manufacture of the airbag 20 will be described. In the case of the embodiment, the airbag 20 is formed by stitching using a suture thread 48 such as a polyester thread. First, the peripheral edge 46 a of the reinforcing cloth 46 is sewn to the stitched portion 36 a of the base cloth 36. Note that the surface of the base fabric 36 on which the reinforcing cloth 46 is sewn constitutes the inner peripheral surface of the first inflatable portion 21. Next, the reinforcing cloth 44A, 45, 45 is placed on the same surface of the base cloth 36 as the side to which the reinforcing cloth 46 is sewn, and the peripheral edge of the reinforcing cloth 44A is sewn over the entire circumference. 44A, 45, and 45 are sewn to the base fabric 36. Thereafter, the reinforcing cloth 44B is placed on the upper surface side of the reinforcing cloth 45, and the reinforcing cloths 44A, 44B, 45, and 45 are sewn to the base cloth 36 so that the periphery of the gas inlet 26 is sewn. Thereafter, the gas inlet 26 and the mounting hole 27 are integrally formed by drilling. The gas inlet 26 and the mounting hole 27 may be formed in advance in the base cloth 36 and the reinforcing cloths 44A, 44B, 45, and 45, respectively.

ついで、第２膨張部３０を構成する基布４１を、連通孔３２の周縁となる略四角形状の縫合部位４１ａの全周にわたって、連通孔３２の位置を対応させつつ、基布３６における縫合部位３６ｂに、縫着させる。このとき、基布４１は、基布３６における補強布４４・４５・４６が縫着された面と逆側となる面側に、縫着されることとなる。なお、縫合部位４１ａは、基布４１における後壁部３０ｂを構成する部位と、上壁部３０ｅを構成する部位と、に、跨って、配設されている。また、縫合部位３６ｂは、基布３６における後側部位２４の前壁部２４ａを構成する部位と、上側部位２３の下壁部２３ｂを構成する部位と、に、跨って、配設されている。その後、基布３６が内周側に位置するようにして、基布４１における長手方向の縁部４１ｂ・４１ｃ相互を、端末が内周側に向くようにあわせ、短手方向の縁側となる部位を、幅寸法Ａ分、縫合させ、縫合部位４１ｄ・４１ｄを形成する。そして、各基布４０の外周縁４０ａを、基布４１における短手方向の縁部４１ｄ・４１ｅに、それぞれ、縫合させて、第２膨張部３０を形成する。 Subsequently, the base cloth 41 constituting the second inflatable portion 30 is made to have a stitched part in the base cloth 36 while corresponding to the position of the communication hole 32 over the entire circumference of the substantially square-shaped stitching part 41 a serving as the periphery of the communication hole 32. 36b is sewn. At this time, the base fabric 41 is sewn on the surface side opposite to the surface on which the reinforcing fabrics 44, 45, and 46 of the base fabric 36 are sewn. In addition, the stitching | suture site | part 41a is arrange | positioned ranging over the site | part which comprises the back wall part 30b in the base fabric 41, and the site | part which comprises the upper wall part 30e. In addition, the stitched portion 36b is disposed across the portion constituting the front wall portion 24a of the rear portion 24 in the base fabric 36 and the portion constituting the lower wall portion 23b of the upper portion 23. . Thereafter, the base cloth 36 is positioned on the inner peripheral side, the edges 41b and 41c in the longitudinal direction of the base cloth 41 are aligned so that the terminal faces the inner peripheral side, and the portion that becomes the edge side in the short direction Are sutured by a width dimension A to form stitched portions 41d and 41d. Then, the outer peripheral edge 40 a of each base cloth 40 is stitched to the edge parts 41 d and 41 e in the short direction of the base cloth 41 to form the second inflating part 30.

その後、縫合部位４１ｄ・４１ｄ間の開口部分Ｈから、第２膨張部３０（基布４０・４１）を、縁部が外周側に露出しないように反転させ、内周側に配置されていた基布３６を外部に露出させる。そして、第２膨張部３０を内周側に位置させるようにして、基布３６における短手方向の縁部３６ｃ・３６ｄを、各基布３５の外周縁３５ａに、それぞれ、縫合させる。ついで、基布３６における長手方向の縁部３６ｅ・３６ｆ相互を、縫合させ、第１膨張部２１を形成する。そして、ガス流入口２６から、第１膨張部２１を、縁部が外周側に露出しないように反転させ、内周側に配置されていた第２膨張部３０を外部に露出させる。その後、開口部分Ｈを塞ぐように、縁部４１ｂ・４１ｃの残りの部位を縫合させれば、エアバッグ２０を、形成することができる。 Thereafter, the second inflating portion 30 (base fabric 40, 41) is inverted from the opening H between the stitched portions 41d and 41d so that the edge portion is not exposed to the outer peripheral side, and the base disposed on the inner peripheral side The cloth 36 is exposed to the outside. Then, the edge portions 36 c and 36 d in the short direction of the base fabric 36 are sewn to the outer peripheral edge 35 a of each base fabric 35 so that the second inflating portion 30 is positioned on the inner peripheral side. Next, the edge portions 36 e and 36 f in the longitudinal direction of the base fabric 36 are stitched together to form the first inflatable portion 21. And the 1st expansion part 21 is reversed from the gas inflow port 26 so that an edge part may not be exposed to the outer peripheral side, and the 2nd expansion part 30 arrange | positioned at the inner peripheral side is exposed outside. Thereafter, the airbag 20 can be formed by sewing the remaining portions of the edges 41b and 41c so as to close the opening H.

上記のように製造したエアバッグ２０の車両への搭載を説明すると、まず、各取付孔２７からボルト１６ａを突出させるように、内部にリテーナ１６を配設させた状態で、エアバッグ２０を折り畳み、さらに、折り崩れしないように、折り畳んだエアバッグ２０を破断可能なラッピングシート１９（図１参照）でくるんでおく。そして、このエアバッグ２０の折り畳みは、予備折り工程を経た後、縦折り工程及び横折り工程を経て、折り畳む。 The mounting of the airbag 20 manufactured as described above on the vehicle will be described. First, the airbag 20 is folded with the retainer 16 disposed therein so that the bolts 16a protrude from the mounting holes 27. Further, the folded airbag 20 is wrapped with a breakable wrapping sheet 19 (see FIG. 1) so as not to collapse. The airbag 20 is folded through a preliminary folding process and then a vertical folding process and a horizontal folding process.

予備折り工程では、図７のＢに示すような予備折りエアバッグ５１を形成することとなる。この予備折りでは、非膨張の状態で、まず、図７のＡに示すように、第１膨張部２１を、一端側にガス流入口２６が配置され、他端側に後側部位２４における下壁部２４ｅ側の部位が配置されるように、略左右対称形の平らに展開させるようにする。このとき、第２膨張部３０は、上側部位２３上から後側部位２４上となる部位において、平らに展開されている。そして、長手方向の略中央となる位置において、左右方向に沿った折目Ｃ１をつけ、第２膨張部３０を、前側部位２２と後側部位２４とで挟むように、第１膨張部２１を折り畳んで、予備折りエアバッグ５１が、形成される（図７のＢ参照）。 In the preliminary folding step, a preliminary folded airbag 51 as shown in FIG. 7B is formed. In this preliminary folding, in a non-expanded state, first, as shown in FIG. 7A, the first inflatable portion 21 is arranged with a gas inlet 26 on one end side and a lower side in the rear portion 24 on the other end side. It is made to unfold flat substantially symmetrically so that the site | part by the side of the wall part 24e may be arrange | positioned. At this time, the second inflating portion 30 is flatly developed in a portion from the upper portion 23 to the rear portion 24. Then, at a position that is substantially in the center in the longitudinal direction, a fold C1 is formed along the left-right direction, and the first inflating portion 21 is sandwiched between the front side portion 22 and the rear side portion 24. The pre-folded airbag 51 is formed by folding (see FIG. 7B).

予備折り後には、図８に示すごとく、ケース１０に収納可能な寸法とするように、左右方向の折目ＣＨを付けて前後方向の幅寸法を狭める横折り工程と、前後方向の折目ＣＶを付けて左右方向の幅寸法を狭める縦折り工程と、によって、予備折りエアバッグ５１を折り畳む。実施形態の場合には、横折り工程は、図７のＢ、及び、図８のＡ・Ｂに示すごとく、予備折りエアバッグ５１の上縁５１ａ側を、下縁５１ｂ側に配設されるガス流入口２６に接近させるように、後側部位２４における後壁部２４ｂ側でロール折りし、ロール折りした部位を、ガス流入口２６の上方に載せるようにして、行なわれる。そして、縦折り工程は、図８のＢ・Ｃに示すごとく、ロール折り部位５２における左右の縁５２ａ・５２ｂ側をガス流入口２６に接近させるように、蛇腹折りして、ガス流入口２６の上方位置に配置させるようにして、行なわれている。 After the preliminary folding, as shown in FIG. 8, a lateral folding process for attaching the left and right folds CH to narrow the width dimension in the front-rear direction and a fold line CV in the front-rear direction so as to have dimensions that can be accommodated in the case 10. The preliminary folding airbag 51 is folded by the vertical folding step of attaching the width dimension in the left-right direction to reduce the width. In the case of the embodiment, as shown in B of FIG. 7 and A and B of FIG. 8, in the horizontal folding step, the upper edge 51a side of the pre-folded airbag 51 is disposed on the lower edge 51b side. Rolling is performed on the rear wall portion 24b side of the rear portion 24 so as to approach the gas inlet 26, and the rolled portion is placed above the gas inlet 26. Then, in the vertical folding process, as shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C, the left and right edges 52a and 52b of the roll folding part 52 are folded in a bellows so as to approach the gas inlet 26, and the gas inlet 26 This is done by placing it in the upper position.

そして、縦折り工程を経てエアバッグ２０の折り畳みが完了したならば、既述したごとく、折り崩れしないように、折り畳んだエアバッグ２０を、破断可能なラッピングシート１９でくるんでおく。ちなみに、このラッピングシート１９は、適宜省略してもよい。 Then, when the folding of the airbag 20 is completed through the vertical folding process, as described above, the folded airbag 20 is wrapped with the breakable wrapping sheet 19 so as not to collapse. Incidentally, the wrapping sheet 19 may be omitted as appropriate.

そして、各ボルト１６ａをケース底壁部１０ａに挿通させつつ、折り畳んだエアバッグ２０を、ケース１０の底壁部１０ａに載置させる。ついで、インフレーター１２の本体部１２ａを、底壁部１０ａの下方から、ケース１０内に挿入させるとともに、底壁部１０ａから下方に突出している各ボルト１６ａを、インフレーター１２のフランジ部１２ｃに挿通させる。その後、インフレーター１２のフランジ部１２ｃから突出した各ボルト１６ａに、ナット１７を締結させれば、ケース１０の底壁部１０ａに対して、折り畳んだエアバッグ２０とインフレーター１２とを取り付けることができる。 Then, the folded airbag 20 is placed on the bottom wall portion 10a of the case 10 while each bolt 16a is inserted through the case bottom wall portion 10a. Next, the main body 12a of the inflator 12 is inserted into the case 10 from below the bottom wall 10a, and the bolts 16a protruding downward from the bottom wall 10a are inserted through the flange 12c of the inflator 12. . Then, if the nut 17 is fastened to each bolt 16a protruding from the flange portion 12c of the inflator 12, the folded airbag 20 and the inflator 12 can be attached to the bottom wall portion 10a of the case 10.

その後、車両に搭載されたインパネ１におけるエアバッグカバー１４の連結壁部１４ｃに、ケース１０の周壁部１０ｂを係止させ、ケース１０の図示しない所定のブラケットを、ボディ側の部位に固定させれば、助手席用エアバッグ装置Ｓを車両に搭載することができる。 Thereafter, the peripheral wall portion 10b of the case 10 is locked to the connecting wall portion 14c of the airbag cover 14 in the instrument panel 1 mounted on the vehicle, and a predetermined bracket (not shown) of the case 10 is fixed to the body side portion. Thus, the passenger seat airbag device S can be mounted on the vehicle.

エアバッグ装置Ｓの車両への搭載後、車両の前面衝突時、インフレーター１２の各ガス吐出口１２ｂから膨張用ガスＧが吐出されれば、エアバッグ２０が、膨張して、ラッピングシート１９を破断するとともに、エアバッグカバー１４の扉部１４ａ・１４ｂを図１の二点鎖線に示すように押して開かせることとなる。そして、エアバッグ２０は、図９に示すごとく、ロール折りを解消しつつ、エアバッグカバー１４における扉部１４ａ・１４ｂの開いた開口から、上方へ突出するとともに、インパネ上面２とインパネ１の上方のウィンドシールド４との間を塞ぐように、車両の後方側へ展開膨張して、図１の二点鎖線、及び、図１１に示すごとく、膨張を完了させる。 After the airbag device S is mounted on the vehicle, if the inflation gas G is discharged from each gas discharge port 12b of the inflator 12 at the time of a frontal collision of the vehicle, the airbag 20 is expanded and the wrapping sheet 19 is broken. At the same time, the door portions 14a and 14b of the airbag cover 14 are pushed and opened as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the airbag 20 protrudes upward from the opening of the door portions 14 a and 14 b in the airbag cover 14 while eliminating the roll fold, and above the instrument panel upper surface 2 and the instrument panel 1. As shown in FIG. 1 and the two-dot chain line of FIG. 1 and FIG. 11, the expansion is completed.

そして、実施形態の助手席用エアバッグ２０では、第１膨張部２１と第２膨張部３０とを備える構成であり、第２膨張部３０は、第１膨張部２１を介して、後部側の連通孔３２から膨張用ガスＧを流入させるとともに、膨張完了時に、第１膨張部２１の乗員保護部（後側部位）２４と、インパネ１と、の間となる位置に、介在される構成である。すなわち、実施形態のエアバッグ２０では、図１０に示すごとく、第１膨張部２１の膨張完了後に、第２膨張部３０が、第１膨張部２１を介して膨張することとなる。そして、第２膨張部３０は、前部側にインパネ１に接触して支持される支持面３１を備えており、この支持面３１をインパネ１に支持されて、膨張を完了させることとなる。そのため、実施形態のエアバッグ２０では、エアバッグ２０の膨張完了時に、図１１に示すごとく、助手席に着座した乗員Ｍ１が、乗員保護部２４と干渉した場合、第２膨張部３０がインパネ１に支持されるような態様となる。すなわち、乗員保護部２４が、第２膨張部３０を介して、インパネ１に支持されることとなる。そのため、乗員Ｍ１を、乗員保護部２４により、安定して保護することができる。 The passenger seat airbag 20 according to the embodiment includes the first inflating portion 21 and the second inflating portion 30, and the second inflating portion 30 is disposed on the rear side via the first inflating portion 21. The expansion gas G is caused to flow from the communication hole 32, and at the completion of the expansion, the expansion gas G is interposed at a position between the occupant protection portion (rear side portion) 24 of the first expansion portion 21 and the instrument panel 1. is there. That is, in the airbag 20 of the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the second inflating portion 30 is inflated via the first inflating portion 21 after the first inflating portion 21 has been inflated. And the 2nd expansion | swelling part 30 is provided with the support surface 31 supported in contact with the instrument panel 1 in the front part side, and this support surface 31 is supported by the instrument panel 1, and will complete | finish an expansion | swelling. Therefore, in the airbag 20 of the embodiment, when the inflation of the airbag 20 is completed, as shown in FIG. 11, when the occupant M1 seated in the passenger seat interferes with the occupant protection unit 24, the second inflatable unit 30 is connected to the instrument panel 1. It becomes the aspect which is supported by. That is, the occupant protection part 24 is supported by the instrument panel 1 via the second inflating part 30. Therefore, the occupant M1 can be stably protected by the occupant protection unit 24.

また、実施形態のエアバッグ２０では、第２膨張部３０は、膨張を完了させた第１膨張部２１から、インパネ１側となる前方側に向かって突出するように、膨張を完了させることとなる。そのため、例えば、図１２に示すごとく、小柄な乗員Ｍ２がインパネ１に近接している状態でエアバッグ２０が展開膨張した場合、実施形態のエアバッグ２０では、第１膨張部２１が、乗員保護部２４の後面側（後壁部２４ｂ）を乗員Ｍ２と当接させるようにして、膨張を完了させることとなる。そして、第１膨張部２１の膨張完了後に、第２膨張部３０が、前方側に向かって突出することとなるが、乗員保護部２４の後壁部２４ｂが乗員Ｍ２と当接していることから、第２膨張部３０は、インパネ１と第１膨張部２１との間で膨張を規制されて、最大容積分より小さい容積として膨張を完了させることとなる（図１２参照）。そのため、実施形態のエアバッグ２０では、乗員Ｍ２がインパネ１に近接している状態でエアバッグ２０が展開膨張した場合にも、乗員Ｍ２を不必要に押圧することなく、乗員保護部２４により、保護することができる。なお、図１２に示す二点鎖線は、乗員Ｍ２が干渉しない状態でエアバッグ２０を膨張させた際の乗員保護部２４の後壁部２４ｂの位置である。 Moreover, in the airbag 20 of the embodiment, the second inflating part 30 completes the inflation so as to protrude from the first inflating part 21 that has been inflated toward the front side that is the instrument panel 1 side. Become. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, when the airbag 20 is deployed and inflated in a state where the small occupant M2 is close to the instrument panel 1, in the airbag 20 of the embodiment, the first inflating portion 21 has the occupant protection. Expansion is completed by bringing the rear surface side (rear wall portion 24b) of the portion 24 into contact with the occupant M2. And after the completion of the expansion of the first expansion portion 21, the second expansion portion 30 protrudes toward the front side, but the rear wall portion 24b of the occupant protection portion 24 is in contact with the occupant M2. The second inflating portion 30 is restricted in expansion between the instrument panel 1 and the first inflating portion 21 and completes inflating as a volume smaller than the maximum volume (see FIG. 12). Therefore, in the airbag 20 of the embodiment, even when the airbag 20 is deployed and inflated while the occupant M2 is close to the instrument panel 1, the occupant protection unit 24 does not unnecessarily press the occupant M2, Can be protected. The two-dot chain line shown in FIG. 12 is the position of the rear wall portion 24b of the occupant protection portion 24 when the airbag 20 is inflated without the occupant M2 interfering.

そして、乗員Ｍ２がインパネ１に近接している場合にも、エアバッグ２０内に流入した膨張用ガスＧは、図４・５の二点鎖線に示すごとく、第２膨張部３０に向かうように、乗員保護部２４から、連通孔３２を介して、前方側に向かって流入することから、膨張用ガスＧが乗員Ｍ２に向かって流入せず、乗員Ｍ２を大きく押圧しない。また、このような場合にも、第２膨張部３０の前壁部３０ａ側がインパネ１により支持されることから、乗員保護部２４が、第２膨張部３０を介して、インパネ１に支持されることとなり、乗員Ｍ２を、乗員保護部２４により、安定して保護することができる。 Even when the occupant M2 is close to the instrument panel 1, the inflation gas G that has flowed into the airbag 20 is directed toward the second inflatable portion 30 as indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIGS. The inflow gas G does not flow toward the occupant M2 from the occupant protection part 24 via the communication hole 32, and does not press the occupant M2 greatly. Also in such a case, since the front wall 30a side of the second inflating part 30 is supported by the instrument panel 1, the occupant protection part 24 is supported by the instrument panel 1 through the second inflating part 30. Thus, the occupant M2 can be stably protected by the occupant protection unit 24.

従って、実施形態の助手席用エアバッグ２０では、乗員Ｍ１・Ｍ２の着座位置が異なっても、膨張を完了させたエアバッグ２０により、乗員Ｍ１・Ｍ２を安定して保護することができる。 Therefore, in the passenger seat airbag 20 of the embodiment, even if the seating positions of the occupants M1 and M2 are different, the occupants M1 and M2 can be stably protected by the airbag 20 that has been inflated.

また、実施形態のエアバッグ２０では、まず、乗員保護部２４を備えた第１膨張部２１が展開膨張し、第１膨張部２１が膨張を完了させた後に、第２膨張部３０が膨張して、膨張を完了させることとなる。そのため、複数の膨張部を備えない構成のエアバッグと比較して、エアバッグ２０の膨張完了時に後端側に配設される乗員保護部２４を、迅速に、保護エリアを広く確保できるように、展開させることができる。 Further, in the airbag 20 of the embodiment, first, the first inflatable part 21 including the occupant protection part 24 is inflated and inflated, and then the second inflatable part 30 inflates after the first inflatable part 21 completes the inflating. Thus, the expansion is completed. Therefore, as compared with an airbag that does not include a plurality of inflatable portions, the occupant protection portion 24 disposed on the rear end side when the airbag 20 is completely inflated can be quickly and widely secured. , Can be deployed.

さらに、実施形態のエアバッグ２０では、第１膨張部２１を、側方から見て略逆Ｕ字形状に膨張する構成とし、第２膨張部３０を、第１膨張部２１における逆Ｕ字形状の凹部２１ａとなる部位に、配設させた構成である。すなわち、実施形態のエアバッグ２０では、エアバッグ２０の展開膨張当初の第１膨張部２１が、図９・１０に示すごとく、インパネ１との間に隙間を設けた状態で、上方から下方に向かって展開膨張する構成である。そのため、例えば、図１３に示すごとく、頭部６ａ側をインパネ１に近接させたチャイルドシート６を助手席にセットしている状態で、エアバッグ２０が膨張しても、エアバッグ２０の展開膨張当初において、膨張する第１膨張部２１とインパネ１との間の隙間に、チャイルドシート６の頭部６ａが侵入するような態様となって、展開する第１膨張部２１が、チャイルドシート６の頭部６ａに干渉することを、抑えることができる。また、第１膨張部２１の膨張完了後には、第２膨張部３０が、第１膨張部２１の乗員保護部２４から前方に向かって突出するものの、この第２膨張部３０は、チャイルドシート６の頭部６ａと干渉して、上方に押し上げられるような態様となり、エアバッグ２０全体が上方に向かって押し上げられるように、膨張を完了させることとなる。そのため、実施形態のエアバッグでは、助手席に、頭部６ａ側をインパネ１に近接させたチャイルドシート６がセットされていても、チャイルドシート６への干渉を極力抑えた状態で、展開膨張させることが可能となる。 Furthermore, in the airbag 20 of the embodiment, the first inflatable portion 21 is configured to inflate in a substantially inverted U shape when viewed from the side, and the second inflatable portion 30 is in an inverted U shape in the first inflatable portion 21. It is the structure arrange | positioned in the site | part used as the recessed part 21a. That is, in the airbag 20 of the embodiment, the first inflating portion 21 at the beginning of the inflation and inflation of the airbag 20 has a gap with the instrument panel 1 as shown in FIGS. It is the structure which expand | swells and expands toward. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 13, even when the airbag 20 is inflated in a state where the child seat 6 with the head 6 a close to the instrument panel 1 is set in the passenger seat, the airbag 20 is initially deployed and inflated. In this embodiment, the head 6a of the child seat 6 enters the gap between the first inflating portion 21 and the instrument panel 1, and the first inflating portion 21 to be deployed is the head 6a of the child seat 6. Can be prevented from interfering with. Further, after the completion of the expansion of the first inflatable portion 21, the second inflatable portion 30 protrudes forward from the passenger protection portion 24 of the first inflatable portion 21. Interference with the head 6a results in an aspect in which the air bag 20 is pushed upward, and the inflation is completed so that the entire airbag 20 is pushed upward. Therefore, in the airbag according to the embodiment, even if the child seat 6 with the head 6a side close to the instrument panel 1 is set in the passenger seat, the airbag can be deployed and inflated in a state where interference with the child seat 6 is suppressed as much as possible. It becomes possible.

勿論、このような点を考慮しなければ、第１膨張部の膨張完了形状を略逆Ｕ字形状としなくてもよく、例えば、第１膨張部を、膨張完了時における前後左右の中央付近に、上下方向に沿った貫通孔を備える環状体として、第２膨張部を、膨張完了時に、膨張を完了させた第１膨張部の後端側に配設される乗員保護部とインパネとの間に介在されるように、貫通孔の下端近傍となる位置に配設させ、乗員保護部と後部側を連通させた構成としてもよい。 Of course, if such a point is not taken into consideration, the expansion completion shape of the first expansion portion does not have to be a substantially inverted U shape. For example, the first expansion portion is located near the center of the front, rear, left and right at the completion of expansion. As an annular body having a through hole extending in the vertical direction, the second inflating portion is disposed between the passenger protection portion and the instrument panel disposed on the rear end side of the first inflating portion that has been inflated when the inflating is completed. It is good also as a structure which is arrange | positioned in the position used as the lower end vicinity of a through-hole so that it may be interposed, and a passenger | crew protection part and the rear part were connected.

さらにまた、実施形態のエアバッグ２０では、第２膨張部３０を、周壁を第１膨張部２１の周壁と別体として形成されるとともに、連通孔３２の周縁（後壁部３０ｂの周縁）のみを第１膨張部２１と連結させた構成である。すなわち、実施形態のエアバッグ２０では、展開膨張時に、第２膨張部３０が、第１膨張部２１に対して、相互にずれ移動可能となる。そのため、エアバッグ２０の展開膨張時に、仮に、第２膨張部３０の部位に干渉物が配置されていても、第２膨張部３０が、第１膨張部２１に対して上方や左右方向にずれることが可能となって、第２膨張部３０を円滑に膨張させることができる。特に、図１２に示すごとく、乗員Ｍ２がインパネ１に近接している状態でエアバッグ２０が展開膨張した場合、第２膨張部３０を、インパネ１と乗員保護部２４との間で、インパネ１に沿って上下・左右方向に拡がるように膨張させることができる（図１２参照）。すなわち、第２膨張部３０が、乗員保護部２４を押圧するように膨張することを、極力、抑えることができることから、乗員Ｍ２への押圧力を一層抑えた状態で、乗員Ｍ２を、乗員保護部２４により保護することが可能となる。なお、実施形態のエアバッグ２０では、第２膨張部３０は、連通孔３２の周縁となる後壁部３０ｂから上壁部３０ｅにかけての部位を、第１膨張部２１と連結させた構成とされているが、第２膨張部３０を第１膨張部２１に対して一層大きくずれ可能とするために、例えば、第２膨張部３０を、後壁部３０ｂの部位のみで、第１膨張部２１と連結させる構成としてもよい。 Furthermore, in the airbag 20 of the embodiment, the second inflatable portion 30 is formed with the peripheral wall as a separate body from the peripheral wall of the first inflatable portion 21, and only the peripheral edge of the communication hole 32 (the peripheral edge of the rear wall portion 30b). Is connected to the first inflatable portion 21. That is, in the airbag 20 of the embodiment, the second inflatable portion 30 can be displaced relative to the first inflatable portion 21 during deployment and inflation. For this reason, when the airbag 20 is deployed and inflated, the second inflating portion 30 is displaced upward or in the left-right direction with respect to the first inflating portion 21 even if an interference object is disposed at the site of the second inflating portion 30. It becomes possible, and the 2nd expansion part 30 can be expanded smoothly. In particular, as shown in FIG. 12, when the airbag 20 is deployed and inflated while the occupant M <b> 2 is close to the instrument panel 1, the second inflatable part 30 is placed between the instrument panel 1 and the occupant protection part 24. Can be expanded so as to expand vertically and horizontally (see FIG. 12). That is, since it is possible to suppress the second inflating part 30 from expanding so as to press the occupant protection part 24 as much as possible, the occupant M2 is protected from the occupant while further suppressing the pressing force on the occupant M2. It can be protected by the unit 24. Note that, in the airbag 20 of the embodiment, the second inflating portion 30 is configured such that a portion from the rear wall portion 30b to the upper wall portion 30e, which is the periphery of the communication hole 32, is connected to the first inflating portion 21. However, in order to allow the second inflating part 30 to be further displaced with respect to the first inflating part 21, for example, the second inflating part 30 is arranged only at the rear wall part 30b. It is good also as a structure linked with.

なお、実施形態では、エアバッグ２０を膨張させるために１つのインフレーター１２が使用されているが、例えば、膨張用ガスを２段階で吐出可能なインフレーターを使用して、第１膨張部の膨張完了時に第２膨張部を最大容積分膨張させる場合にのみ、インフレーターから再度膨張用ガスを吐出させる構成としてもよい。 In the embodiment, one inflator 12 is used to inflate the airbag 20, but for example, an inflator capable of discharging inflation gas in two stages is used to complete the expansion of the first inflatable portion. Only when the second inflating part is inflated by the maximum volume sometimes, the inflating gas may be discharged again from the inflator.

本発明の一実施形態である助手席用エアバッグが使用された助手席用エアバッグ装置の車両搭載状態を示す概略縦断面図である。It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the vehicle mounting state of the airbag apparatus for passenger seats where the airbag for passenger seats which is one Embodiment of this invention was used. 実施形態のエアバッグを単体で膨張させた状態の車両後方側から見た斜視図である。It is the perspective view seen from the vehicles back side of the state where the air bag of an embodiment was inflated alone. 実施形態のエアバッグを単体で膨張させた状態の車両前方側から見た斜視図である。It is the perspective view seen from the vehicles front side of the state where the air bag of an embodiment was inflated alone. 実施形態のエアバッグの前後方向に沿った縦断面図である。It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view along the front-back direction of the airbag of embodiment. 実施形態のエアバッグの横断面図であり、図４のＶ−Ｖ部位に対応する。It is a cross-sectional view of the airbag of the embodiment, and corresponds to the VV part of FIG. 実施形態のエアバッグを構成する部材を示す平面図である。It is a top view which shows the member which comprises the airbag of embodiment. 実施形態のエアバッグの折り畳み工程を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the folding process of the airbag of embodiment. 実施形態のエアバッグの折り畳み工程を示す図であり、図７の後の工程を示す。It is a figure which shows the folding process of the airbag of embodiment, and shows the process after FIG. 実施形態のエアバッグを使用状態を説明する図であり、エアバッグの展開膨張を車両の側方から見た状態を示す。It is a figure explaining the use condition of the airbag of an embodiment, and shows the state where the expansion and inflation of an airbag was seen from the side of vehicles. 実施形態のエアバッグの展開膨張を車両の側方から見た状態の図であり、図９の後の状態を示す図である。It is a figure of the state which looked at the expansion | swelling expansion | deployment of the airbag of embodiment from the side of a vehicle, and is a figure which shows the state after FIG. 実施形態のエアバッグの膨張完了時において、乗員が干渉する状態を説明する図である。It is a figure explaining the state which a passenger | crew interferes at the time of completion of expansion | swelling of the airbag of embodiment. 実施形態のエアバッグの膨張完了時において、小柄な乗員が干渉した状態を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the state which the small passenger | crew interfered at the time of completion of expansion | swelling of the airbag of embodiment. 実施形態のエアバッグの膨張完了時において、チャイルドシートが配設されている状態を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the state by which the child seat is arrange | positioned at the time of completion of expansion | swelling of the airbag of embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

１…インストルメントパネル（インパネ）、
２０…エアバッグ、
２１…第１膨張部、
２１ａ…凹部、
２４…後側部位（乗員保護部）、
２６…ガス流入口、
３０…第２膨張部、
３１…支持面、
３２…連通孔、
Ｇ…膨張用ガス、
Ｍ１・Ｍ２…乗員、
Ｓ…助手席用エアバッグ装置。 1 ... Instrument panel (instrument panel),
20 ... Airbag,
21 ... 1st expansion part,
21a ... recess,
24 ... rear part (occupant protection part),
26 ... Gas inlet,
30 ... the second expansion part,
31 ... support surface,
32 ... Communication hole,
G ... expansion gas,
M1, M2 ... Crew,
S: Passenger seat airbag device.

Claims

Folded to the top side of the instrument panel in front of the passenger seat of the vehicle and protrudes upward when the inflation gas flows in, and between the top surface of the instrument panel and the windshield above the instrument panel It is configured to expand and expand to the rear side of the vehicle so as to close it,
An occupant protection part that can interfere with a passenger seated in the passenger seat is provided at a position near the front end when the inflation is completed, and a gas inflow port for allowing the inflation gas to flow in, and at a rear end side when the inflation is completed. A first inflatable portion configured to comprise:
A second inflating portion configured to flow inflating gas through the first inflating portion;
In the passenger airbag configured to have
The second inflating portion is provided with a communication hole for inflating the second inflating portion by introducing an inflating gas from the occupant protection portion on the rear side when the inflating is completed, and the airbag is inflated. When completed, the occupant protection part is interposed between the occupant protection part and the instrument panel so that the instrument panel is supported by the instrument panel via the second inflating part, and the instrument part is disposed on the front side. A passenger seat airbag comprising a support surface supported in contact with a ment panel.

The first expansion portion is configured to expand in a substantially inverted U shape when viewed from the side,
2. The passenger seat airbag according to claim 1, wherein the second inflatable portion is disposed in a portion that becomes an inverted U-shaped concave portion in the first inflatable portion.

The second inflating part is configured such that a peripheral wall is formed as a separate body from the peripheral wall of the first inflating part, and only the periphery of the communication hole is connected to the first inflating part. The airbag for a passenger seat according to claim 1 or 2.