Air bag apparatus

(12) PATENT DESCRIPTION (19) PL (11) 206786 (13) B1 (21) Application number: 362983 (51) Int.Cl.

(22) Filing date: 27.12.2001 B60R 21/16 (2006.01) (86) Date and number of the international application:

27.12.2001, PCT / IB01 / 002692 (87) Date and publication number of the international application:

04.07.2002, WO02 / 51671 The patent description was reprinted due to the errors noticed (54) Airbag unit for the vehicle

<td>(30) Priority:</td><td>(73) The right holder of the patent:</td>

<td>27/12/2000, JP, 2000-398692</td><td>TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA,</td>

<td>2001-06-07, JP, 2001-172112</td><td>Toyota-shi, JP</td>

<td>(43) Application was announced:</td><td>(72) Inventor (s):</td>

<td>02.11.2004 BUP 22/04</td><td>ISAMU TAKAHARA, Toyota-shi, JP</td>

<td>(45) The grant of the patent was announced:</td><td>(74) Representative:</td>

<td>September 30, 2010 WUP 09/10</td><td>item. stalemate. Anna Słomińska-Dziubek</td>

PL 206 786 B1

Description of the invention

The invention relates to an airbag assembly for a vehicle. The invention relates to an airbag assembly made in such a way that an airbag placed in a vehicle part in a folded state inflates and unfolds by supplying gas from a gas charge to protect a person.

Such an airbag has, for example, a structure in which the airbag located along the roof rail is inflated and unfolded in a curtain shape along the side wall of the vehicle compartment by means of a gas supplied from a gas charge to protect the head area and the structure. wherein the dashboard airbag deploys towards the interior of the vehicle compartment by means of a gas supplied from a gas charge to protect the head and chest parts.

The known airbag assembly mentioned above has a structure in which an inner tube of the airbag is provided along the gas flow channel (upstream portion) to limit damage to the cushion by gas supplied from a gas charge, as for example described in Japanese Patent Application 11-321536, and a structured body used along the length of the airbag. airbag gas flow channel to limit damage to the airbag caused by gas supplied from the gas charge, as for example described in Japanese Patent Application Nos. 11-301394 and 2000-127886.

In such airbags, since an inner tube or cylindrical body (protective member) is provided in the airbag gas flow channel to limit damage to the airbag by gas supplied from a gas charge, there is a risk that the above-mentioned inner tube or cylindrical body hinders the folding of the airbag in the vehicle and will increase the cost of the airbag module.

Rather, in this embodiment, different requirements for inflating and deploying the airbag must be met (requiring equal or shorter time after starting inflation and unfolding to completion, and requiring an equal or longer initial pressure increase to begin inflating and deploying to completion than a preset high pressure. , a requirement to maintain an internal pressure equal to or greater than the low pressure for a specified period of time after an initial predetermined time after completion of filling and unwinding, etc.).

In general, countermeasures are made to increase the gas volume delivered by the gas charge to shorten the airbag inflation and deployment times and to increase the initial internal pressure. As the gas volume supplied by the gas charge increases, the damage to the cushion increases, and it is not possible to increase the internal pressure retention time. Accordingly, it is necessary to apply a sufficient coating to maintain tightness, for example by applying to the surfaces of an airbag, to limit damage to the cushion and to increase the tightness of the cushion, or it is necessary, in addition to increasing the tightness, to increase the volume of gas supplied from the gas charge. Thus, an improvement in the inflation and deployment of the airbag and a reduction in cost are in contrast. Said problem can be solved by limiting damage to the airbag by means that can be realized at a low cost.

According to the invention, an airbag assembly for a vehicle comprising an airbag positioned along a curtain-shaped side inflation and deployment slat along a compartment sidewall, a gas charge connected to an inlet strainer for delivering gas to the airbag, the airbag having a front seat expansion portion. and an expansion part of the rear seat and a gas flow duct connecting the upper parts of these two expansion parts, characterized in that the outlet strainer faces the gas flow channel of the airbag for diffusing the gas delivered from the gas charge in a three dimensional direction to the gas flow channel of the airbag.

Preferably, the outlet strainer has a plurality of injection openings.

The outlet strainer may be hemispherical in shape with a plurality of injection openings in its spherical surface.

The injection openings of the inlet strainer are arranged symmetrically with respect to the central point of the outlet strainer.

PL 206 786 B1

The outlet strainer has injection openings for the expansion part of the front seat and the expansion part of the rear seat, which are adapted to the capacities of the chambers of the expansion part of the front seat and the expansion part of the rear seat.

The outlet strainer may be formed of a mesh. Preferably, the outlet strainer is hemispherical.

The outlet strainer may be made of a porous body. Preferably, the outlet strainer is hemispherical.

The outlet strainer may be located at the front end of a diffuser tube mounted in the gas charge.

The outlet strainer may be integral with the gas load.

The outlet strainer may be placed in a direction for supplying gas to the gas flow channel in a crosswise fashion.

The outlet strainer may be located outside the gas flow channel of the airbag. Preferably, the outlet strainer is positioned in a central portion in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

The gas charge is placed in the longitudinal direction along the side roof rail above the airbag.

A gas charge may be placed on the vehicle in the width direction of the vehicle along the roof plate above the airbag.

The gaseous charge may be connected to a diffuser tube which is generally J-shaped.

Preferably, the outlet strainer is positioned coaxially with the longitudinal direction of the gas flow channel communicating with the compartments of the expansion part of the front seat and the expansion part of the rear seat. A gas charge may be connected to the outlet strainer at the front or rear of the vehicle airbag. The exhaust strainer may be located in the gas flow duct in the part of the airbag communicating with the expansion chamber of the front seat expansion part or the rear seat expansion part.

The injection ports are preferably arranged in the outlet strainer concentrically to the center of the front end of the outlet strainer to form a plurality of lines. The inner and outer gates may be arranged concentrically and side by side in a radial direction to form a zigzag-shaped line.

The outlet strainer may be stepped in shape with a plurality of steps that get smaller and smaller towards the front end, and the plurality of injection openings in the respective stepped portions may be inclined.

Preferably, the injection openings are fan-shaped and widen towards the front end.

The outlet strainer may have an asymmetrical shape with respect to its axis of symmetry and the injection openings may be formed in an asymmetric surface. The injection opening is preferably made in a stepped shape.

The injection openings provided in the front wall of the outlet strainer may be inclined with respect to the surface of this wall.

The outlet strainer is preferably shaped like a closed cylinder or polygonal tube and the injection openings are formed in the front wall of the outlet strainer and extend through the front wall and the peripheral wall of the outlet strainer.

The front end of the diffuser tube is reduced in diameter and the outlet strainer is positioned and attached to the outer periphery of the front end portion of the diffuser tube.

A gas supply conduit forming part of the air cushion may be attached to the stepped portion formed by the front end portion of the diffuser tube and the outlet strainer.

Preferably, the outlet strainer has injection openings for the compartments of the expansion part of the front seat and the expansion part of the rear seat, their diameters being different, and the opening surfaces of the injection openings of the compartments of the expansion part of the front seat and the expansion part of the rear seat are selected according to the capacity of the chambers of the expansion part of the front seat. the seat and the rear seat backrest.

The injection ports of the chambers of the expansion part of the front seat and the expansion part of the rear seat constitute a plurality of injection ports the diameter of which gradually decreases towards the center of the front end of the outlet strainer.

Preferably, the numbers of injection holes are different for the injection holes of the expansion part chambers of the front seat and the expansion part of the rear seat, and the area of ​​the holes is injected

The capacity of the compartments of the expansion part of the front seat and the expansion part of the rear seat is selected depending on the capacity of the compartments of the expansion part of the front seat and the expansion part of the rear seat.

An additional expansion chamber is connected to the gas flow channel located at the upper end below the front end of the outlet strainer and extending in a vertical direction through the air cushion.

The lower end of the additional expansion chamber is connected to at least one of the expansion part of the front seat and the expansion part of the rear seat.

The additional expansion chamber may be connected to the expansion part of the front seat and the expansion part of the rear seat through an opening the area of ​​which is matched to the capacity of the expansion part of the front seat and the expansion part of the rear seat.

The outlet strainer may have injection openings of the expansion portion of the front seat and the expansion portion of the rear seat having different distributions in the longitudinal direction with respect to the center of the front end of the outlet strainer.

The outlet strainer may have an injection opening defining a longitudinal opening in the longitudinal direction.

The outlet strainer has an injection port farthest longitudinally from the center of the front end of the outlet strainer, the area of ​​which is larger than that of any other injection opening of the outlet strainer.

The outlet strainer has injection openings the surfaces of which are different for the inner part and the outer part towards the width of the vehicle.

Preferably, the outlet strainer has injection openings, the number of which is different for the inner part and the outer part in the width direction of the vehicle.

The airbag preferably has a gas supply conduit in which the outlet strainer is disposed, the gas supply conduit having a shape that widens at a predetermined angle towards the gas flow conduit, and the outlet strainer is adapted to feed gas with a dispersion angle equal to or less than a predetermined angle. .

An additional expansion chamber extending vertically in the air cushion is connected to the gas flow channel at the upper end and downstream of the front end of the outlet strainer, and the outlet strainer is adapted to feed gas in the longitudinal direction with a dispersion angle equal to or less than a given angle and to inject the gas further forward than the end point of the front part of the upper end of the additional plenum chamber, and further back than the end point of the back of the top end.

Preferably, the outlet strainer is adapted to disperse gas with a forward gas scatter angle different from the gas back scatter angle.

In the airbag apparatus of the invention, the airbag located in the vehicle part inflates and unfolds in a complex manner by supplying gas from a gas charge to protect a person, while the gas supplied from the gas charge disperses in a three-dimensional direction to supply the gas flow channel in the cushion. airborne. Accordingly, in an early stage of inflation and deployment of the airbag, the gas flow channel of the collapsed airbag rapidly expands, thereby increasing the gas pressure receiving area of ​​the airbag, sufficiently securing the effective gas flow field in the gas flow channel.

Accordingly, the part of the gas flow passage in the air cushion does not bear a large load from the incoming gas, and it is possible to limit damage to the cushion in the above-mentioned part. Thus, the countermeasures used in the gas flow conduit can be simplified, i.e. the measures for counteracting the pressure in the airbag, the compact folding of the airbag can be facilitated, the airbag can be placed in the vehicle more easily, and the cost of the airbag can be reduced. Moreover, the gas supply in the flow channel can be improved by providing an effective flow area, and the filling and deployment of the airbag can be improved.

According to the first aspect, the gas fed from the gas charge can be dispersed in a three-dimensional direction in the gas injection conduit exposed to the air cushion gas flow. In this case, it is also possible to use means for varying the flow of gas supplied from the gaseous charge, or it is possible to use flow division means to split the flow of gas supplied from the gaseous charge into multiple sections. According to the construction mentioned above, it is possible to create a working effect by dispersing the gas above in a three-dimensional direction.

The use of a hemispherical outlet strainer with multiple injection openings on a spherical surface ensures easy gas injection and feeding, which improves the efficiency of gas supply. According to this structure, it is also possible to improve the inflation and deployment of the airbag. When the injection openings of the inlet strainer are symmetrical with respect to the center point of the outlet strainer, even when the outlet strainer is rotatably mounted about its center, it is possible to obtain consistent gas injection. Accordingly, where the outlet strainer is integrally mounted in the gas charge, flexibility is obtained to mount the gas charge to the vehicle.

According to this structure according to the invention, the gas supplied from the gas charge to the flow channel is dispersed in a three-dimensional direction by means of an outlet strainer in the gas flow channel of an airbag provided with an expansion part of a front seat and an expansion part of a rear seat. Accordingly, in addition to being able to achieve the operating effect provided by dispersing the gas in a three-dimensional direction, the gas can be properly distributed and delivered towards the front seat expansion portion and the rear seat expansion portion, and the front seat expansion portion and the rear seat expansion portion can be properly inflated and unfolded. seats.

By selecting the surfaces of the front seat injection holes and rear seat injection holes according to the capacity of the front seat expansion chamber and the rear seat expansion chamber, it is possible to adjust the filling and unfolding time of the expansion part for the front seat over the time for the expansion part of the rear seat in the airbag, whereby it is possible to shorten the time after the inflation has started and to deploy to completion, and it is possible to improve the movement when inflating and deploying the airbag.

The mesh or porous body outlet screen also provides a three-dimensional gas dispersion effect. In these cases, it is possible to easily change the dispersion by changing the material of the outlet strainer.

Moreover, by means of the shape of the diffuser tube, gas can be fed in an optimal position to the gas flow channel by means of an outlet strainer placed in the front end of the diffuser tube mounted in the gas charge, which allows unification of the gas charge applied.

In this case, the outlet strainer may be integral with the gas charge, which allows the length of the gas flow channel from the gas charge to the gas flow channel to be reduced and the time for inflation and deployment of the airbag to be reduced.

When the outlet strainer is positioned so that gas can flow into the gas flow channel in a cross pattern, the incoming gas from the gas charge is dispersed in a three-dimensional direction by the outlet strainer in the gas flow conduit. which provides the gas diffusion effect in the three dimensional direction mentioned above, and can properly distribute and deliver the gas towards the expansion portion of the front seat and the expansion portion of the rear seat, and can properly inflate and unfold the expansion portion of the front seat and the expansion portion of the rear seat.

If the exhaust strainer is positioned outside the airbag gas passage, it is possible to prevent the collapsed airbag from being blocked by the exhaust strainer and it is possible to fold the airbag compactly without obstructing the placement of the airbag in the vehicle.

The placement of the gas charge in the middle part in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle makes it possible to reduce the length of each gas flow channel from the gas charge to the expansion part of the front seat and the expansion part of the rear seat in the airbag, thereby reducing the time to fill and unfold both of these expansion parts.

If the gas charge is in the longitudinal direction along the side roof screed above the airbag or in the direction along the roof plate above the airbag, great flexibility is provided for mounting the gas charge.

A substantially J-shaped diffuser tube ensures that the gas charge is positioned in the longitudinal direction along the side roof screed, or the vehicle gas charge is positioned along the roof plate, while maintaining the same airbag, gas charge and diffuser tube designs, reducing cost by using unified parts.

PL 206 786 B1

The effect of dispersing the gas in the three-dimensional direction mentioned above is also ensured when the outlet strainer is located at the front end of a diffuser tube mounted in the gas charge, or the outlet strainer integrally made in the gas charge can be aligned with the longitudinal direction of the gas flow channel communicating with the expansion chamber. airbag.

On the other hand, by placing the outlet strainer in the gas flow conduit in the part of the airbag communicating with the expansion chamber, it is possible to lead a portion of the gas dispersed in three directions through the outlet strainer directly into the expansion chamber of the airbag.

The concentric arrangement of the injection openings of the strainer allows the gas dispersion to be adjusted based on the pattern of the injection ports, and enables the cushion damage to be reduced and the gas delivery efficiency to be improved with a good balance. The formation of a zigzag shape in the circumferential direction prevents mutual interference when injecting gas from a plurality of inner and outer injection openings concentrically arranged and adjacent to each other in a radial direction, which allows the gas to be dispersed into the air cushion gas flow channel from the respective injection openings of the exhaust strainer and allows further reduction of cushion damage and improves gas delivery efficiency.

The outlet strainer made in a stepped shape having a plurality of steps with a diameter decreasing towards the front end of the outlet strainer allows the gas pressure to be maintained at the front end of the outlet strainer and to equalize the gas pressure as the gas flows to the respective injection openings and it is possible to equalize the gas flow through the respective injection openings. Moreover, since the plurality of injection openings are formed in the respective stepped portions in an inclined manner, a substantially conical downward flow of gas in a multiplied concentric shape can be obtained and the gas flow can be dispersed with a good balance.

Fan-shaped injection orifices widening towards the front end provide an increase in pressure loss due to an increase in shear resistances (wall surface resistances) compared to a completely circular injection port and a reduction in the gas flow dispersion angle. Accordingly, by appropriately selecting the fan angle of the opening, it is possible to adjust the gas flow to take advantage of the unfolding properties and directivity of the airbag.

The asymmetric front end of the outlet strainer with respect to its central axis ensures that the gas flow is adjusted to take advantage of the expansion and directivity characteristics of the airbag.

In addition, the injection port may have a stepped shape, creating a small minimum thickness of the hole portion. According to this construction, it is possible to drop the pressure at the injection ports while maintaining the strength of the outlet strainer.

The injection holes formed in the front wall of the outlet strainer with an inclination relative to the wall surface at the front end reduce the apparent area of ​​the slanted holes, which increases the pressure loss. Moreover, it is possible to adjust the gas flow by changing the distribution or the inclination angle of the injection ports, and it is possible to adjust the deployment and directivity properties of the airbag.

Forming an outlet strainer at the closed end of the cylinder or at the closed end of a polygonal tube and making injection holes in the front wall of the outlet strainer to pass through the front wall of the outlet strainer and the peripheral wall allows the gas to be diffused (diffused) in numerous directions on a simple shape ( construction). In addition, the injection openings through the wall at the front end and the peripheral wall in the outlet strainer are easily produced by bevelling the front end of the outlet strainer, which simplifies the manufacture of the outlet strainer and allows the cost of the outlet strainer to be reduced.

Making the front end portion of the diffuser tube small in diameter and arranging and securing the outlet strainer to the outer periphery of the front end portion of the diffuser tube helps to vary the gas dispersion, for example to accommodate the shape, size, etc., of the airbag. Moreover, since the outlet strainer can be independently manufactured, it is easy to process the injection openings in the outlet strainer, unify the use of the diffuser tube, and greatly reduce the cost.

In the above-mentioned case, the gas supply conduit forming part of the airbag is attached to the stepped portion formed by the front end portion of the diffuser tube and the outlet strainer. Because the stepped part formed by the tube can be used

By using the diffuser and the outlet strainer to fix the diffuser tube and the outlet strainer to the airbag, it is possible to improve the assembly operation and increase the strength of the attachment.

The variation in diameter between the front seat injection hole and the rear seat injection hole made in the outlet strainer allows the front seat injection hole and rear seat injection hole to be selected according to the capacity of the expansion chambers in the expansion part for the front seat and the expansion part for the rear seat. According to this structure, it is possible to basically adjust the inflation and unfolding time of the expansion part for the front seat with the time for the expansion part of the rear seat in the airbag, shortening the time to complete the deployment of the airbag, and can improve the movement of inflating and deploying the airbag without increasing the processing of the strainer injection holes. outlet.

In the case mentioned above, the injection holes for the front seat and the injection holes for the rear seat may be selected from a plurality of injection holes, with the diameter of any of the holes gradually decreasing towards the center of the front end of the outlet strainer. According to this structure, it is possible to gradually reduce the flow of injected gas according to the diameter of the injection ports, it is possible to impart gas directionality, and it is possible to adjust the movement during inflation and deployment of the airbag.

Moreover, the differentiation of diameters between the injection hole for the front seat and the injection hole for the rear seat made in the outlet strainer allows the area of ​​the injection hole for the front seat and the injection hole for the rear seat to be determined according to the capacity of the expansion chambers in the expansion part of the front seat and the expansion part of the rear seat. . According to this structure, it is possible to basically adjust the filling and unfolding time of the expansion part for the front seat over time for the expansion part of the rear seat in the airbag by machining the injection holes with the same tool (machining to increase the number of injection holes on the side of increasing the opening area). whereby it is possible to shorten the time after starting the filling and unfolding to completion while reducing the damage due to increasing the number of injection holes (reducing the gas flow rate), and it is possible to improve the movement during the inflation and deployment of the air bag.

The use of an additional expansion chamber that connects the gas flow channel at the upper end below the front end of the outlet strainer, thus passing in a vertical direction in the air cushion, causes the gas to also flow into the additional air cushion expansion chamber during the inflation and deployment of the air bag and thus supports downward deployment of the airbag.

Accordingly, it is possible to shorten the inflation and deployment time of the airbag. It is possible to supply gas to at least the expansion portion of the front seat and the expansion portion of the rear seat via the additional expansion chamber, and it is possible to further reduce the inflation and deployment time of the airbag.

Diversification of the distribution in the longitudinal direction relative to the center of the front end of the outlet strainer between the front seat injection hole and the rear seat injection hole, made in the exhaust strainer allows you to set the injection pressure of gas passing through the injection hole for the front seat and the injection hole for the rear seat, and you can set the time of filling and unfolding the expansion part for the front seat and the expansion part for the rear seat in the airbag.

Making an injection port in the outlet strainer longer in the longitudinal direction and making it in such a way that the area of ​​the injection opening farthest in the longitudinal direction from the center of the front end of the outlet strainer among the plurality of injection openings made in the outlet strainer is larger than the area of ​​other injection openings allows for increased flow gas in the longitudinal direction, correctly inflate and deploy the airbag through a smooth gas flow, and inflate and deploy the airbag while maintaining directionality in the longitudinal direction.

Making injection openings in the outlet strainer in such a way that their surfaces are different for the inner part and outer part in the direction of the vehicle width, or that the number of injection openings made in the outlet strainer is different for the inner and outer part in the direction of the vehicle width, allows the cushion to be inflated and rolled out in the part where the inlet strainer is directed towards the inside or outside in the width direction

Vehicle. Accordingly, for example, in the case of such an arrangement so that the inflation and deployment of the airbag occurs to the inside of the vehicle width, it is possible to prevent the airbag from engaging during inflation and roll-out through the upper end part of the decorative molding, pillar, etc., and with the airbag inflating and deployed outwardly to the width of the vehicle, it is possible to inflate and deploy the airbag along the surface of the door pane.

When the gas supply channel in the air cushion in which the outlet strainer is placed has a shape that widens at a given angle towards the gas flow channel and the gas dispersion angle of the gas fed from the outlet strainer is equal to or less than the given angle, damage to the gas supply channel is reduced and provides better gas dispersion.

Properly shaping the auxiliary plenum and connecting it to the gas flow conduit provides favorable gas distribution to the front and rear parts of the gas flow conduit while maintaining gas flow into the auxiliary plenum chamber and better gas distribution towards the front, rear, and lower portions of the outlet strainer.

If the angle of front scattering of gas from the outlet strainer was different from the angle of back scattering, the gas distribution to the front and rear of the gas flow channel can be changed according to the shape of the airbag (for example, the ratio of the front seat expansion chamber to the rear seat expansion chamber) and can be inflated and deploy the airbag in optimal condition. The subject of the invention is illustrated in the drawings in which Fig. 1 shows an embodiment according to the present invention related to an outlet strainer of an airbag assembly in a side view; Fig. 2 is an enlarged side view of the airbag module shown in Fig. 1; Figures 3A to 3C show the three types of airbag according to Figure 2 in side views; Figures 4A through 4C show three types of tension fabric including the tension fabric shown in Figs. 2, in side views; Fig. 5 is a side view of the diffuser tube and gas charge shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 6 shows the diffuser tube and the outlet strainer shown in Figs. 2 and 5 in an enlarged perspective view; Fig. 7 is a diffuser strainer according to Fig. 6, enlarged vertical section; Fig. 8 is an enlarged bottom view of the outlet strainer according to Fig. 7; Fig. 9 shows the airbag in its folded-in and retracted state and the gas charge, enlarged rear view of the airbag according to Figs. 1 and 2; fig. 10 - the airbag in its folded up and retracted state and part of the pillar, an enlarged cross section in a rear view according to figures 1 and 2; Fig. 11 is an altered embodiment of the outlet strainer shown in Fig. 8 in a bottom view; Fig. 12 is a bottom view of another altered example of the outlet strainer shown in Fig. 8; Fig. 13 is a vertical section of another altered example of the outlet strainer shown in Fig. 7; Fig. 14 shows a vertical section of an embodiment of a mesh outlet screen; fig. 15 - the outlet strainer shown in Fig. 14 in a bottom view; Fig. 16 is an altered example of the outlet strainer shown in Fig. 14, in vertical section; Fig. 17 shows an embodiment of a porous body outlet screen in a vertical section; Fig. 18 is a modified example of the outlet strainer shown in Fig. 17 in a vertical section; Fig. 19 is a side view of an embodiment where the outlet strainer forms an integral part with the gas charge; fig. twenty - a main part showing an embodiment in which the invention is applied to an airbag having a gas supply channel in the rear end part in a side view; Fig. 21 is an altered example showing the outlet strainer integral with the gaseous load, detail in a side view; Fig. 22 is a modified example of the diffuser tube, in an enlarged sectional rear view of Fig. 9; fig. 23 - an altered example of a diffuser tube showing the post where the front end of the diffuser tube covers a part of the post, an enlarged cross section in rear view, taken through the vertical part of the post; Figure 24 shows an embodiment in which a plurality of injection openings are concentrically arranged in the outlet strainer to form a plurality of lines, in a bottom view; fig. 25 an embodiment in which a plurality of injection holes are concentrically arranged in the outlet strainer to form a plurality of interior lines and the exterior injection holes adjacent in a radial direction form a zigzag shape in the circumferential direction, viewed from below; fig. 26 - an embodiment in which the outlet strainer has a multi-step shape having a smaller diameter towards the front end and a plurality of injection openings are obliquely formed in the respective stepped portions in vertical section; Fig. 27 is a bottom view of the example shown in Fig. 26; fig. 28 - an embodiment in which the outlet strainer has a multi-step shape having a smaller diameter towards the front end and the plurality of injection openings are formed in the respective stepped portions in a fan shape projecting towards the front end in a vertical section; Fig. 29 is a bottom view of the example shown in Fig. 28; Fig. 30 shows an embodiment in which the outlet screen has an asymmetric shape

With respect to its axis of symmetry, and the injection ports are formed on an asymmetric surface in a vertical section; Fig. 31 shows an example of an embodiment in which the injection orifice is made in a stepped shape and the thickness of the minimum portion of the opening is reduced in a vertical section; Fig. 32 shows a vertical section of an embodiment in which the injection opening made in the front wall of the outlet strainer is inclined with respect to the wall surface; fig. 33 - an embodiment in which the outlet strainer has the shape of a polygonal tube with a closed end, injection openings are made in the end wall of the outlet strainer so that they pass through the front portion and the peripheral wall portion of the injection strainer in the perspective view of Fig. 34 - an embodiment where the diameter of the front part of the diffuser tube is smaller and the outlet strainer is connected and attached to the outer periphery of the front part of the diffuser tube, in perspective view; Figure 35 is an embodiment where the gas supply channel forming part of the airbag is attached to the stepped portion formed in the front end portion of the diffuser tube shown in Figure 34 and the stepped portion forms the outlet strainer in vertical section; fig. 36 - an embodiment in which the diameters of the injection holes for the front seat and the injection holes for the rear seat made in the outlet strainer are different, in a bottom view; fig. 37 an embodiment in which the injection port for the front seat and the injection port for the rear seat formed in the outlet strainer form a plurality of injection ports, and the diameter of the injection ports for the front seat gradually decreases towards the center of the front end of the outlet strainer in a bottom view; fig. 38 - embodiment example in which the number of injection holes for the front seat in the outlet strainer is greater than the number of injection holes for the rear seat in the projection from the bottom; Fig. 39 is an example of an embodiment in which the number of injection holes for a front seat made in the outlet strainer is greater than the number of injection holes for a rear seat, in a bottom view; fig. 40 - an embodiment in which an additional expansion chamber in the airbag connects at its lower end to the expansion parts of the rear seat, in a side view; Fig. 41 is a side view example of an embodiment in which the lower end of the additional expansion chamber in the airbag connects to the expansion portion for a front seat and the expansion portion for the rear seat; fig. 42 - an embodiment in which the distribution in the longitudinal direction with respect to the center of the front end of the outlet strainer is different for front seat injection holes and rear seat injection holes made in the outlet strainer in a bottom view; Fig. 43 is a bottom view of the embodiment in which the injection opening in the outlet strainer forms a longer longitudinal opening in the longitudinal direction; fig. 44 an embodiment in which the area of ​​the injection opening farthest in the longitudinal direction from the center of the front end of the outlet strainer is larger than for other injection openings among the injection openings made in the outlet strainer, in a bottom view; Fig. 45 is a bottom view of an embodiment where the area of ​​the injection opening made in the outlet strainer is differentiated between the inner part and the outer part along the width of the vehicle; fig. 46 - an embodiment in which the number of injection openings made in the outlet strainer is different in the inner part and the outer part in the width direction of the vehicle, in a bottom view; Fig. 47 is an embodiment where the gas inlet channel in which the outlet strainer enters has a shape widening at a predetermined angle towards the gas flow conduit, and the dispersion angle of the gas fed from the outlet strainer is equal to or less than the predetermined angle in a side view; fig. 48 - an embodiment in which an additional expansion chamber is provided in the air cushion, the scattering angle in the longitudinal direction of the gas supplied to the outlet strainer is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and the gas is injected into the front part rather than the end point R located in the front part of the upper end in the secondary plenum and rather than the rear end portion R positioned at the rear of the top end in a side view; fig. 49 - an embodiment in which the gas dispersing means is made on the side of the airbag in a side view.

A detailed description of an embodiment of the invention is provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figures 1 to 10 show an embodiment in which the invention is applied to a headspace airbag assembly in a passenger car. An airbag assembly according to this embodiment is provided with an airbag module 10 formed by a curtain-shaped airbag 11 inflating and unfolding along the side wall of a vehicle compartment, a tensioning fabric 12 assembled to a portion at the front end of the airbag 11, and a gas charge 14 hermetically sealed in gas supply channel 11a of airbag 11 together with diffuser tube 13.

PL 206 786 B1

An airbag 11 made of a double elastic ribbon with a longitudinal and vertical texture direction has a coating on its surface to maintain tightness, it has a gas supply channel 11a, a gas flow channel 11b extending in the longitudinal direction, i.e. substantially transverse to the lower vertical end, front seat expansion portion 11c and rear seat expansion portion 11d connected to each other by gas flow channel 11b and has an intermediate expansion portion 11e, an expansion end portion 11f and four fastening tabs 11g. In this case, a mounting hole 11g1 for connection to the side roof rail 21 is made in each fastening flap 11g. The front seat expansion part 11c is made as shown in Fig. 1 and 21, to protect the head part Hf of the person Mf in the front seat Mf (seat at the post 23) and divided into four expansion chambers (chambers) 11c4, 11c5, 11c6, 11c7 in the lower part of the center, with three T-parts (non-expansion parts) 11c1, 11c2, 11c3 located centrally in the vertical direction, the respective expansion chambers 11c4 to 11c7 communicate with each other at the upper and lower ends.

The rear seat expansion part 11d, made as shown in Figures 1 and 2 to protect the head Hr of the person Mr in the rear seat Sr, is divided into three expansion chambers (chambers) 11d3, 11d4 and 11d5 in the inner part of its center by means of three parts T-shaped (non-expansion pieces) 11d1 and 11d2 positioned in the center in a vertical direction, the expansion chambers 11d3 to 11d5 connect to each other at the upper and lower ends.

The tensioning fabric 12 was made in a triangular shape (shape can be changed accordingly) of an uncoated fabric thinner and cheaper than airbag fabric 11, and sewn to the front end of the unexpanded portion 11f of the airbag 11 at the rear end portion 12a and adapted to be mounted in a pillar 22 by by means of a mounting hole 12b provided in the front end 12b (see Fig. 1).

The diffuser tube 13 as shown in Fig. 2, 5 and 9, made to be thin and generally J-shaped, sealed in the gas supply opening 11a of the airbag 11 by means of a clamp band 15 forming an integral and tight connection with the outer threaded portion 14b in the gas injection channel 14a gas charge 14 by means of a cap nut 13b, and has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the gas inlet opening 11a, whereby a certain clearance is created between the gas inlet 11a and the diffuser tube 13. The clearance is intended to create a radial gas injection at the front end of the diffuser tube 13. Furthermore, the diffuser tube 13 is positioned as shown in Fig. 1 so that its front end is diagonally downwardly along the surface of the door pane 41 (side pane), i.e. substantially parallel to the surface of the door pane 41) as shown in Fig. 9, slightly to the rear of post 23; the tube is structured such that the direction crosses from above with a gas flow channel 11b extending in the longitudinal direction of the airbag 11. Moreover, an outlet strainer 13a for diffusing (diffusing) gas from the gas charge 14 in a three-dimensional direction (radial direction) is integrally made in the front end of the diffuser tube 13 (gas injection channel of the diffuser tube 13), i.e. in the part facing the gas flow passage 11b of the airbag 11, and the length of the part at the front end of the diffuser tube 13 is adjusted such that the outlet strainer 13a does not protrude beyond the gas flow passage 11b of the airbag 11.

The outlet strainer 13a shown in detail in Figs. 6 to 8 serves to disperse the gas supplied to the airbag 11 from the gas charge 14 through the diffuser tube 13 in a three-dimensional direction and is made in a substantially hemispherical shape (see Fig. 7) from a metal raw material, with numerous injection openings 13a1 radially positioned in relation to the center 01 of its spherical surface, formed in the spherical surface symmetrically with respect to the center point (axis) of the outlet sieve 13a.

The plurality of injection ports 13a1 are formed by an injection port formed in the center of the front end and eight injection ports evenly spaced in the circumferential direction above this injection port, eight injection ports and an injection port in the center of the front end are of the same diameter. In this case, the diameter of the eight injection holes evenly spaced in the circumferential direction may be larger (or smaller) than the injection hole in the center of the front end (the center injection hole may be omitted). The outlet strainer 13a also serves as a means of changing the flow of gas supplied from the gaseous charge 14, and also as a means of dividing the flow of gas supplied from the gas charge 14 into a plurality of sections.

PL 206 786 B1

The gas charge 14 was adapted to inject and deliver gas towards the airbag 11 in a side impact or vehicle rollover, and was mounted in the side roof rail 21 by means of a clamp 14c and a bolt 16 etc. as shown in Fig. 9. 14 is positioned in the longitudinal direction along the side roof rail 21 above the airbag 11 in the middle of the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and covered with the headliner 31. In this case, the clip 14c shown in Fig. 9 corresponds to a bracket (EA bracket) made of a raw material (energy absorbing material) that easily deforms under the influence of external force and can absorb energy on the stroke S before it comes into contact with the side roof batten 21 In this case, for a significant amount of energy, an energy-absorbing pad 39 can be fitted to the rear side surface of the roof rail 31, shown in dashed line.

In the airbag assembly in the example made according to the above-described method, in the normal condition the airbag 11 and the tensioning fabric 12 take the place next to the post 22 and the side roof rail 21 in a folded state in a plurality of layers in the vertical direction and enclosed in a tear bag 17 (see 9 and 10) in a compact manner and are covered by a decorative strip of a pillar 22 (not shown) and a roof lining 31.

Fig. 10 shows a section of the decorative strip 33 of the post. A protrusion 38a to prevent inflatable and expandable airbag from entering the rear of the pillar trim 33 is provided on the underside of the top trim 33 of the pillar. In this case, the projection 38a may have the shape shown in broken lines in Fig. 10 (a shape having an inclined surface in the upwardly bent portion) and in this case, the inflation and deployment of the airbag 11 is guided over the inclined surface, which prevents the airbag 11 from being caught in the upper end of the decorative strip 33 of the post.

During side impact, rollover etc. of the vehicle, if gas is injected from the gas charge and the airbag 11 is supplied through the gas flow conduit 11b from the outlet strainer 13a through the diffuser tube 13, the airbag 11 deforms the relevant part of the headliner 31 into the interior of the vehicle compartment and thus unfolds it downwards, and the tensioning fabric 12 deforms the relevant part of the decorative strip of the pillar towards the inner part of the vehicle compartment and thus unfolds downwards, whereby the airbag 11 inflates and unfolds in a curtain shape along the side wall inside the vehicle compartment as shown in fig. 1. The present respective expansion portions 11c and 11d of the airbag 11 inflate and unfold towards the head-brace area of ​​the side portions parts of the heads Hf and Hf of passengers Mf and Mr.

Here, in this embodiment, the vehicle-matched airbag 11 comprises: an airbag module 10 of the three types of airbags 11A, 11B, 11c shown in Figs. 3A to 3C, a vehicle-selected tensioning fabric of the three tensioning fabrics 12A, 12B and 12C shown in Figs. 4A through 4C, the airbag 11 and the tensioning fabric 12 connected by one type of diffuser tube 13 (provided with an outlet strainer 13a at the front end) shown in Fig. 5 and a gas charge 14 to form the airbag module 10.

The three types of airbags 11A, 11B, and 11c shown in Figs. 3A to 3C are selected based on the distance between the front and rear seats in all types of passenger cars (exactly as shown in Figs. 1, distance Lo between the passengers' hip Mf and Mr on the front and rear seats Sf, Sr at the front and rear displacement reference points, often referred to as the pair distance), the cushion has a front seat expansion portion 11c (which may be equal to or equal to that of the relevant airbags) 11a, 11B and 11c) covering the entire scope of front seat protection of numerous types of cars covered by the respective types (three types) and the rear seat expansion part 11d (which may be common or equal among airbags 11A, 11B and 11c) covering the entire range of rear seat protection. In this case, Fig. 1 also shows the amount of longitudinal travel Lf of the front seat Sf.

The area of ​​protection mentioned above corresponds to the extent of the headgear of the occupants of the respective seats, including at least short stature women (AF05) among American females and tall men (AM95) among American males, as shown in Fig. 2. In this case, a short woman of short stature (AF05) is shown in the extreme front normal seated position (AF05) and a tall man (AM95) in the extreme rear normal seated position. The shape and dimensions of the three types of tension fabrics 12A, 12B, and 12C shown in Figs. 4A to 4C were selected on the basis of the longitudinal distances between the respective airbags 11A, 11B and 11c and the respective pillars 22 of numerous types of cars equipped with airbags.

PL 206 786 B1

Accordingly, it is possible to list the components of the airbag module 10 for all kinds of passenger cars (there are about twenty to thirty car types from a manufacturer producing many types of passenger cars) from three types of airbags 11A, 11B and 11c, three types of tension fabrics 12A , 12B and 12C, one type of diffuser roller 18 and one type of gas charge, thereby reducing the parts needed to manufacture for the airbag module 10 used for all types of passenger cars (the number of parts supplied) and it is possible to reduce the cost by reducing the number of these parts.

Moreover, in the airbag assembly according to this example, the gas supply duct 11a of the airbag 11 is provided between the expansion portion for the front seat 11c and the expansion portion for the rear seat 11d. which allows gas to be supplied to the expansion part of the front seat 11c and the expansion part of the rear seat 11d in the airbag 11 substantially simultaneously and allows the expansion part for the front seat 11c and the expansion part for the rear seat 11d in the airbag 11 to be inflated and unfolded at substantially the same short time . Moreover, in the airbag assembly according to this embodiment, since the dimensions in the vertical direction of the respective airbags 11A, 11B and 11c are the same, it is possible to make the same dimensions in the vertical direction from the airbag materials and reduce the cost of the airbag itself.

Moreover, according to this example, the gas supplied from the gas charge 14 is dispersed in the gas flow passage 11b of the airbag 11 in a three-dimensional direction (radial direction of the outlet strainer 13a, diffusion in the direction of gas flow) by means of the outlet strainer 13a in the diffuser tube 13. Accordingly, at the initial time of inflation and deployment of the airbag 11, the gas flow passage 11b of the complexly arranged airbag 11 rapidly expands vertically, thereby increasing the area of ​​the airbag 11 when subjected to gas pressure, sufficiently securing the effective gas flow field. in the gas flow channel 11b. Accordingly, a part of the gas flow passage 11 in the air cushion 11 is not heavily loaded by the gas supply, which will allow the damage to the cushion in that part to be limited. Accordingly, there is no need for a gas pressure protection member in the gas flow channel 11b of the airbag 11 (or it is possible to reduce the number of protecting members), which allows the airbag to be simplified, allowing the compact airbag 11 to be easily folded, allowing the cushion 11 to be easily accommodated. airbag 11 in the vehicle and thus reducing the cost of the airbag 11. Moreover, by preserving the effective flow field in the gas flow channel 11b, it is possible to improve the inflation and deployment of the airbag 11, and it is possible to shorten the inflation and deployment time of the airbag 11.

Moreover, in this embodiment, since the outlet strainer 13a is formed in a hemispherical shape with a plurality of radially extending injection openings 13a1 on its hemispherical surface, it is possible to radially inject and feed gas to increase the efficiency of gas dispersion and delivery, thereby increasing the reduction of airbag damage. 11 and improving the inflation and deployment of the airbag 11. Moreover, since the injection openings 13a1 of the outlet sieve 13a are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center point (axis) of the outlet sieve 13a, constant gas injection can be achieved even after the mounted outlet sieve is rotated about its center. Accordingly, it is possible to change the mounting direction of the outlet strainer 13a, the diffuser tube 13 and the gas charge 14 in the vehicle with a slight variation in the gas injection method, which has increased the possibilities for mounting the gas charge 14 to the vehicle.

Moreover, according to this example, since the outlet strainer 13a is positioned butt to the gas flow passage 11b of the airbag 11, the gas delivered from the gas charge 14 expands in a three-dimensional direction by the outlet strainer 13 in the gas flow conduit 11b of the airbag 11.

Accordingly, it is possible to accurately distribute and feed the gas towards the expansion portion of the front seat 11c relative to the expansion portion of the rear seat 11d of the airbag 11, and it is possible to inflate and unfold the expansion portion of the front seat 11c and the expansion portion of the rear seat 11d in a short time. Moreover, in this embodiment, since the outlet strainer 13a does not protrude into the flow passage 11b of the airbag, the folding of the airbag 11 is not limited by the outlet strainer 13a, which allows for a compact folding.

Airbag 11 without major difficulties in placing the airbag 11 in the vehicle. In addition, since the gas charge 14 is positioned at a central position in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, it is possible to shorten the length of each gas flow channel from the gas charge 14 to the expansion portion of the front seat 11 c and the expansion portion of the rear seat 11d of the expansion cushion 11, and it is possible to shorten the inflation and deployment times front seat expansion portion 11c and rear seat expansion portion 11d of airbag 11. Moreover, according to this embodiment, since the diffuser tube 13 is substantially J-shaped, it is possible to place the gas charge 14 along the side roof rail 21 in the longitudinal direction, it is possible to place the gas charge 14 along the roof plate 25 shown in Fig. 9 in the width direction of the vehicle while keeping the airbag 11, the gas charge 14 and the diffuser tube 13 unchanged, which allows cost reduction by unifying the parts.

Moreover, according to this embodiment, since the outlet strainer 13a is positioned at the front end of the diffuser tube 13 embedded in the gas charge 14, it is possible to adjust the diffuser tube 13 during gas delivery to the optimal position of the gas flow channel 11b of the airbag 11, which allows a unified charge application gas 14.

In the embodiment mentioned above, a cushion made of a double elastic web is used, however, this structure can be made with a sewn or bonded cushion (heat welded). Moreover, according to the above-mentioned example, the construction is made by using all eight injection openings 13a1 evenly spaced towards the housing of the outlet screen 13a, which have the same diameter, however, as shown in Fig. 11 and 12 for the case where the injection holes for the front seat (three injection holes 13a on the left-hand side of the figure) are larger than the injection holes for the rear seat (three injection holes on the right-hand side of the figure) and the opening areas are adjusted to the respective capacities of the front expansion part seat 11c and resilient part of rear seat 11d (total capacity of multiple expansion chambers), which enables the inflation and deployment times of the front seat expansion 11c and the rear seat expansion portion 11d of the airbag 11 to be substantially aligned, thereby reducing the time from starting to inflate and deploying the airbag 11 to completion, and improving the movement when inflating and deflating the airbag 11.

Moreover, according to the above-mentioned example, the outlet strainer 13a is formed by forming a hemispherical shape as shown in Fig. 13, the outlet strainer 13a may have a shape including an oblique chamfer (conical portion) 13a2 at the front end with radial injection openings 13a1 arranged therein.

In this case, the diameter of the injection hole 13a1 in the center of the first end is the same as that of the other injection holes 13a1.

Moreover, according to the above-mentioned example, the strainer 13a was made by forming a hemispherical shape and providing radial gaps 13a1, however, as shown in Figs. 14 and 15, this could be achieved by forming a radially protruding portion 13c downwards in the front end of the diffuser tube 13 forming the strainer. Outlets 13a of a mesh (metal mesh) and a substantially hemispherical-shaped front end portion. In this case, since the injection openings 13a1 are formed by a mesh sheet, it is possible to easily change and set the dispersion (mesh size and number) of the outlet strainer 13a. Moreover, it is possible to inject and supply gas with due balance in the entire three-dimensional direction from the substantially hemispherical mesh outlet screen 13a. In this case, when forming the mesh outlet strainer 13a (metal mesh), the construction can be made by forming a radially protruding portion 13c downward at the front end of the diffuser tube 13 and applying the mesh outlet strainer 13a in a flat manner as shown in Fig. 16. as shown in Fig. 17, the construction can be made by forming the outlet screen 13a in the porous body, allowing a hemispherical flow. In this case, since it is possible to form a large number of openings in the porous body forming the injection openings 13a1, it is easy to vary and adjust the gas dispersion capacity by changing the raw material material in the outlet strainer 13a. Furthermore, it is possible to inject and supply gas with due balance in the entire three-dimensional direction from the outlet strainer 13a of the hemispherical porous body. In this case, when forming the outlet sieve 13a from the porous material, the construction can be made by shaping a circular lamellar shape. Moreover, in the example mentioned above, the construction is made by integrally placing the screen out 14

At the front end of the diffuser tube 13, however, as shown in Fig. 19, the outlet strainer 13a is integrally formed at the gas injection port (on the circumferential surface of the cylindrical charge of the gaseous charge 14. In this case, it is possible to reduce the length of the gas flow conduit from the gas charge 14 to the gas flow conduit 11b of the airbag 11 to reduce the inflation and deployment time of the airbag 11 In this case, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 19, the gas supply conduit 11a of the airbag 11 mounted on the outer periphery of the central part of the gas charge in an airtight manner by means of a clamp 15. Moreover, in the embodiment mentioned above, the structure is made in an airbag 11 having a gas supply channel 11a in the central upper part of the airbag, however, as shown in Fig. 20, this can be achieved in a cushion having a gas supply channel 11a in the rear extreme part of the airbag. 11, and this example can be implemented in a cushion having a gas supply channel (not shown) in the front end portion of the airbag.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 20, the outlet strainer 13 formed in the front end of the straight diffuser tube 13 is positioned coaxial with the axial direction of the gas flow channel 11b communicating with the expansion chambers (the corresponding expansion chambers in the expansion part for the front seat and the expansion part for the rear seat) in the airbag 11. Moreover, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 20, since the exhaust strainer 13a is positioned in the gas flow conduit 11b in the portion communicating with the expansion chamber 11d5 at the rear extreme portion of the airbag 11, it is possible to directly feed a portion of the gas dispersed in a three-dimensional direction through the exhaust strainer 13a into the expansion chamber 11d5 of the airbag 11 , whereby it is possible to increase the gas dispersion effect (reduce cushion damage) and shorten the filling and unfolding time of the rear seat expansion part 11d.

In the example shown in Fig. 20, the outlet strainer 13a is positioned in the front end of the straight diffuser tube 13, however, as shown in Fig. 21, this construction can be made without the diffuser tube 13 and by integrally forming the outlet strainer 13a in the gas injection port. at the front end of the cylindrical gas charge 13. In this case, by omitting the diffuser tube 13, it is possible to reduce the length of the gas flow conduit from the gas charge to the gas flow conduit 11b of the airbag 11 to shorten the inflation and deployment time of the airbag 11. Moreover, by omitting the diffuser tube 13, it is possible to make a compact airbag module. and cost reduction.

Moreover, in the example mentioned above, the diffuser tube 13 is made substantially J-shaped whereby, as shown in Fig. 9, the gas charge 14 mounted in the side roof rail 21 becomes substantially parallel to the surface of the door pane 41, however, as shown in Fig. 22, this structure can also be made by curving the central part of the diffuser tube 13 to the outer body part of the vehicle (right side in Fig. 22) by a predetermined size and shaped such that the front end of the diffuser tube 13 is substantially parallel to the surface of the door pane 41.

Moreover, in the above-mentioned embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, the structure has been formed by molding so that the front end of the diffuser tube 13 is positioned at the rear post 23, however the arrangement of the diffuser tube 13 can be changed accordingly and the front end of the diffuser tube 13 will coincide. with a post 23. The arrangement is shown in Fig. 23, where the sloping surface of the projection 33a on the decorative strip of the post 33 faces a portion at the front end of the diffuser tube 13.

Moreover, in the embodiment mentioned above, the structure forming the plurality of injection openings 13a1 in the outlet strainer 13a simultaneously forms one opening in the center of the front end and eight openings in the circumferential direction in a line, for example as shown in Fig. 8, however, this construction can be made by forming the outlet screen 13a, for example, cylindrical with a closed end (by forming a polygonal shape other than cylindrical) and by making a plurality of injection openings 13a1 in the bottom wall (which may be flat or spherical) as shown in Fig. 24 or 25. In this case, the injection ports 13a1 in Figures 24 and 25 have the same diameter.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 24, a plurality of injection openings 13a1 are arranged concentrically to the center of the front end of the screen 13a in a two-line arrangement such that each line includes eight holes, and one hole is also provided in the center of the front end of the outlet screen 13a. The two-line arrangement of Fig. 24 can be replaced by a three-line arrangement or more, and the number of holes in each line is not limited to eight, and may be increased or

PL 206 786 B1 reduced. In the example mentioned above, it is possible to adjust the gas dispersion based on the pattern of the injection ports 13a1 and reduce the damage to the cushion and improve the gas delivery efficiency, with a good balance.

Conversely, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 25, the inner and outer gaps 13a1 are arranged concentrically in two lines side by side in the radial direction, creating a circumferential zigzag pattern (alternate positioning along the inner and outer circumference in the circumferential direction without radial collision as shown in Fig. 24). Accordingly, in the embodiment mentioned above, it is possible to avoid braking during the flow of gas from the inner and outer injection ports 13a1, concentrically arranged in two lines and adjacent to each other in the radial direction, and it is possible to disperse the gas with good balance from the respective injection ports 13a1 of the outlet strainer 13a into gas flow channel 11b of airbag 11, which enables further reduction of cushion damage and increases gas delivery efficiency.

Moreover, in the above-mentioned embodiment, as shown in Figs. 6 to 8, the construction is made by forming the outlet strainer 13a in the shape of a hemisphere, however, as shown in Figs. 26 and 27 or as shown in Figs. 28 and the construction can be made by forming the outlet strainer 13a at the closed end of a stepped cylindrical shape (other polygonal tubular shapes than cylindrical can be used) having a plurality of steps descending towards the front end, or as shown in Fig. 30, by forming the front end of the outlet strainer 13a in a shape asymmetric with respect to its central axis and the creation of a plurality of injection openings 13a1 (13a1 and 13a3 in Fig. 28 and 29) on its bottom face.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 26 and 27, injection ports 13a1 are formed in the center of the front end of the bottom wall (stepped bottom wall having two steps) 13a in the axial direction, and a plurality of injection ports 13a1 (having the same diameter as the injection port 13a1 in the center of the front end). end) is formed in the respective stepped portions provided on the underside in an inclined manner. In the example mentioned above, since the outlet strainer 13a is made in a stepped shape having a plurality of steps with a diameter decreasing towards the front end, it is possible to maintain the gas pressure at the front end of the outlet strainer 13a, it is possible to equalize the gas pressure as the gas flows to the respective injection openings 13a1 and it is possible to equalize the gas flow through the respective injection openings 13a1. Moreover, by forming a plurality of injection openings 13a1 in the respective stepped portions in an inclined manner, it is possible to concentrically form a substantially conical downward flow of gas in a multiplied manner and it is possible to disperse the gas flow with a good balance. Moreover, at the outlet of each injection port 13a1, the gas flow is straightened by limiting the diffusion (scattering) caused by the surface of the L-section stepped wall and the outflow in the desired direction and at the desired scattering angle.

Conversely, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 28 and 29 fully circular injection openings 13a1 are formed in the center of the front end of the wide wall in the outlet strainer 13a in the axial direction, and a plurality of fan-shaped injection openings 13a3 flared in the axial direction and in the circumferential direction towards the front end (a fan-shaped flared shape may be used) in one direction) was made in the stepped portions formed on the underside in an inclined manner. In the example mentioned above, the pressure drop was increased due to the increase of the shear resistance (wall surface resistance) compared to the fully circular injection port (injection port 13a1 according to the example of Figs. 26 and 27) in the fan-shaped injection ports 13a3 and the angle increased. gas flow dispersion.

Accordingly, by appropriately selecting the angle of the fan-shaped opening, it is possible to adjust the gas flow to take advantage of the unfolding properties and directivity of the airbag 11.

Moreover, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 30, the injection port 13a1 is made axially in the center of the front end on the front wall of the outlet strainer 13a, and a plurality of injection ports 13a1 (same diameter as the injection port 13a1 in the center of the front end) are made asymmetrically. surface in an inclined manner. In the example mentioned above by suitably imparting an asymmetrical shape to the front end of the outlet screen 13a

It is possible to adjust the gas flow to take advantage of the deployment and directivity characteristics of the airbag.

The relevant injection ports 13a1 mentioned above (injection ports having a completely circular shape) can be made by forming into a stepped shape in which the rear portion has a larger diameter and a reduced thickness To of the minimum portion of the opening Ho as shown in Fig. 31. According to the example mentioned above it is possible to reduce the pressure drop across the injection ports 13a1 while maintaining the strength needed for the outlet strainer 13a. Moreover, by changing the thickness To of the minimum portion of the opening Ho (length of the minimum opening), it is possible to set the amount of pressure drop.

Moreover, the respective injection openings 13a1 mentioned above (injection openings having a completely circular shape) can be made inclined with respect to the wall surface of the front end during molding on the front wall (bottom wall) of the outlet strainer 13a as shown in Fig. 32. In the example mentioned above, the reduction is reduced. apparent surface of the opening So of the inclined opening 13a1, which increased the magnitude of the pressure loss. Moreover, it is possible to adjust the gas flow by changing the distribution and the angle of inclination of the inclined injection openings 13a1, and it is possible to adjust the unfolding properties and directivity of the airbag 11. Moreover, the construction can be made by forming the outlet strainer 13a in a closed cuboidal shape (another tubular polygonal shape with closed end or cylindrical shapes with a closed end) as shown in Fig. 33 by making the completely circular injection port 13a1 in the center of the front end wall in the outlet strainer 13a, and by providing four injection openings 13a4 of substantially triangular shape and extending through the front end wall of the outlet strainer 13a and the peripheral wall. According to the example mentioned above, it is possible to disperse (diffuse) the gas in multiple directions using a simple (structural) shape. Moreover, injection openings 13a4 having a substantially triangular shape extending through the front end wall and the peripheral wall in the outlet strainer 13a are easily produced by bevelling the front end of the outlet strainer 13a, thereby making it possible to manufacture the outlet strainer 13a and reduce the cost of the outlet strainer 13a.

Moreover, in the above-mentioned embodiment, as shown in Figs. 6 to 8, the construction is made by shaping such that the inner diameter and outer diameter of the upper extreme portion in the outlet strainer 13a are substantially equal to the inner diameter and outer diameter of the lower extreme portion in the diffuser tube 13. , and connection by bonding, etc. As shown in Fig. 34 and 35, the construction can be made by making the inner and outer diameter of the lower end portion (front end) of the diffuser tube 13 smaller than the inner diameter and outer diameter of the upper end portion in the outlet strainer 13a, and connecting and securing the outlet strainer 13a to the outer periphery of, for example, the bottom part of the end tube of the diffuser 13 to form a resilient connection (or seal, bond, etc.). According to the embodiment mentioned above, by replacing the outlet strainer 13a, it is possible to easily change the gas dispersion to, for example, the shape, size etc. of the airbag 11. Moreover, since the outlet strainer 13a can be produced independently, it is easy to make the injection opening 13a1 compared to with the outlet strainer 13a, and it is possible to significantly reduce costs since a common diffuser tube 13 can be used.

Further, in an example made such that a diffuser tube 13 and an exhaust strainer 13a as shown in Figures 34 and 35 are provided, a gas supply conduit 11a forming part of the airbag 11 is attached to the stepped portion formed by the front end of the diffuser tube 13 and the inlet strainer 13a. by means of a clamp 15 as shown in Fig. 35, it is possible to fix the diffuser tube 13 and the outlet strainer 13a to the airbag 11 by means of a stepped portion formed by the outlet strainer 13 and the diffuser tube 13a, which allows improving the assembly operation and increasing the fastening strength.

Moreover, according to the above-mentioned example, the structure is made by using symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal direction (transverse direction in the drawing), for example as shown in Fig. 8, a plurality of injection openings 13a1 in the outlet strainer 13a, however, as shown in Figs. 36, 37 or The structure can be made by making a plurality of injection openings 13a1 asymmetrically with respect to the longitudinal direction (direction transverse to the drawing).

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 36, the diameter of the bore (having the same diameter as the injection opening 13a1 in the center of the front end) for the three injection openings for

The front seat 13a1 (Fr) shown in the figure on the left is greater than the diameter of the three rear seat injection holes 13a1 (Rr) shown in the figure on the right, and the surfaces of the respective front seat injection holes 13a (Fr) and rear seat injection holes 13a1 (Rr) (surface Sf of the front seat injection holes and surface Rr of the rear seat injection holes) are adapted to the capacity of the expansion chambers of the front seat expansion part 11c and the expansion part of the rear seat 11d in an airbag 11. In the example mentioned above, it is possible to substantially align the filling and unfolding times of the front seat expansion portion 11c and the rear seat expansion portion 11d of the airbag 11d without labor increase to make the respective injection openings 13a1, 13a1 (Fr) and 13a1 (Rr) in the outlet strainer 13a, to reduce the time to start inflating and deploying the airbag 11 to inflate at low cost, and it is possible to improve the movement when inflating and deploying the airbag 11.

Conversely, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 37, the bore diameter (greater than the diameter of the injection opening 13a1 in the center of the front end) for the three injection ports 13a1 (Fr) shown in the figure on the left gradually decreases towards the center of the front end of the outlet strainer 13a. (namely, the hole in the left end is larger in diameter and the two holes in the right end are medium in diameter). In the example mentioned above, it is possible to gradually reduce the injection gas flow corresponding to the diameter of the injection port 13a1 (Fr) on the left in the drawing), it is possible to produce the gas directionality, and it is possible to adjust the movement when inflating and deploying the airbag 11. In this case, in the example the embodiment shown in Fig. 37 the diameter of the three injection holes for rear seat 13a1 (Rr) shown in the figure on the right was adjusted to align with the diameter of the injection hole 13a1 in the center of the front end.

Moreover, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 38, the number (five) of injection holes 13a1 (Fr) for the front seat shown in the figure on the left is greater than the number (three) of injection holes 13a1 (Fr) for the front seat shown in the figure on the right, and the area of ​​the front seat injection holes 13a1 (Fr) and the rear seat injection holes 13a1 (Rr) (area for front seat injection holes and surface Sr for rear seat injection holes) correspond to the capacities of the expansion chambers for the front seat 11c and the expansion part for the rear seat 11d in the airbag 11 (determined as Sf&gt; Si). Moreover, the diameter of the respective injection holes for the front seat 13a1 (Fr) and the diameter of the respective injection holes for the rear seat 13a1 (Fr) are equal to the diameter of the injection hole 13a1 in the center of the outlet strainer.

In the example mentioned above, it is possible to substantially align the filling and unfolding times of the front seat expansion portion 11c and the rear seat expansion portion 11d of the airbag 11 by machining (to increase the number of injection holes on the side of increasing the opening area) of the respective injection holes 13a1, 13a1 (Fr) and 13a1 (Rr) with the same tool, it is possible to shorten the time from starting the inflation and deployment of the airbag 11 to its completion, while limiting damage to the cushion and increasing the number of injection holes (reducing the gas flow rate), and it is also possible to improve the movement during inflation and deployment of the airbag 11.

Moreover, in the above-mentioned embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the structure is made in such a way that the expansion chamber does not extend below the front end of the outlet screen 13a (directly below the gas inlet port 11a) in the airbag 11A, however, as shown in fig. 39, 40 or 41, this structure can be made by molding, thereby creating an additional plenum 11h immediately below the gas inlet channel 11a (below the front end of the outlet strainer) in the airbag 11. Here, as shown in Fig. 39, 40 or 41, the respective expansion chambers (chambers) of the expansion part of the front seat 11c and the expansion part of the rear seat 11d communicate with the gas flow channel 11b only at the flush end.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 39, an additional expansion chamber 11h of the airbag 11 communicates with the gas flow conduit 11b in the upper end immediately below the gas supply conduit 11a (below the front end of the outlet strainer), thus running in a vertical direction. In the example mentioned above, the gas flows into the additional expansion chamber 11 h of the airbag 11 during the inflation and deployment of the airbag 11

The airbag 11 is thereby assisted in the downward deployment of the airbag 11. Accordingly, it is possible to shorten the inflation and deployment times for the airbag 11.

Conversely, the embodiment shown in Fig. 40 also has a forward airbag 11a gas supply duct 11a compared to Fig. 39, an additional expansion chamber 11h is positioned near the expansion portion of the front seat 11c. Moreover, an additional air chamber 11h communicates at its lower end with the lower end of the rear seat expansion portion 11d. According to the example mentioned above, it is also possible to quickly bring the gas from the gas supply channel 11a of the airbag 11 to the expansion part of the front seat 11c, it is possible to supply the gas to the lower end of the expansion part of the back seat 11d through the additional expansion chamber 11h, thereby making it possible to further shorten airbag inflation and deployment time 11. In this case, the gas supply duct 11a of the airbag 11 is rearranged compared to Fig. 39 and it is desirable to place an additional expansion chamber 11h near the expansion part 11b for the rear seat and connect its lower end to the lower end of the expansion part 11c.

Moreover, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 41, the gas supply duct 11 of the airbag 11 is moved forward compared to Fig. 39, and the additional expansion chamber 11h is located closer to the expansion portion of the front seat 11c. Moreover, an additional expansion chamber 11h communicates at its lower end with the respective lower ends of the expansion part of the front seat 11c and the expansion part of the rear seat 11d. In the embodiment mentioned above, it is also possible to quickly introduce gas from the gas supply channel 11a of the airbag 11 to the expansion part of the front seat faces, it is also possible to supply gas to the respective lower ends of the expansion part of the front seat 11c and the expansion part of the rear seat 11d through the additional expansion chamber. 11h, which allows to further shorten the time of inflation and deployment of the airbag 11.

Moreover, in the example shown in Figs. 39, 40 or 41, in the case of defining the opening area of ​​the channel connecting the additional plenum 11h with the expansion portion of the front seat 11c (i.e. the area of ​​the opening in the front part of the upper gas passage 11b in the example shown in Fig. 39 and 40 and the sum of the opening areas of the upper gas flow channel 11b and the opening areas of the lower gas flow channel 11i in the example shown in Fig. 41) and the area of ​​the opening of the connection of the additional expansion chamber 11h with the expansion part of the rear seat 11d (the area of ​​the opening of the rear part of the upper gas flow channel 11b in the example shown in Fig. 39, and the sum of the area of ​​the opening in the rear part of the upper gas flow channel 11b and the area an opening in the lower part of the gas flow channel 11i in the example shown in Fig. 40 and 41) according to the capacity of the expansion chambers in the expansion part of the front seat 11c and the expansion part of the rear seat 11d, it is possible to substantially align the inflation and deployment times of the expansion part of the front seat 11c and the expansion part of the rear seat 11d of the airbag 11, reducing the inflation and deployment time of the airbag air 11.

Moreover, when practicing the present invention as shown in Fig. 42, it is possible to vary the distribution in the longitudinal direction of the injection ports 13a1 (Fr) for the front seat and the injection ports 13a1 (Rr) for the rear seat made in the outlet strainer 13a with respect to the center (in which an injection hole 13a1) is made in the outlet strainer. In the example mentioned above, it is possible to apply the injection pressure of the gas passing through the injection holes (Fr) of the front seats and the injection holes (Rr) for the rear seats (in Fig. 42, it is possible to increase the gas injection pressure), and it is possible to adjust the filling and unfolding times. front seat expansion portion 11c and rear seat expansion portion 11d of airbag 11. In this case, the diameters of the respective injection ports 13a1, 13a1 (Fr) and 13a1 (Rr) are the same.

Further, as shown in Fig. 43, a rectangular injection opening 13a5 in the outlet strainers 13a with a length aligned with the longitudinal direction may be formed, or as shown in Fig. 44, injection openings 13a1 (Fr) and 13a1 (Rr) may be formed (injection openings after the longitudinal direction). left and right in Fig. 44) farthest in the longitudinal direction from the symmetry axis of the front end of the outlet strainer among the injection openings 13a1 in the outlet strainer 13a with a larger area (diameter) than other injection openings. According to these embodiments, the gas flow in the longitudinal direction can be increased, the inflation and deployment of the airbag 11 based on

With the same gas flow and the air cushion 11 can be inflated and unfolded using longitudinal directivity.

Moreover, as shown in Fig. 45, the area (diameter) of the injection openings 13a1 in the inlet strainer 13a may be differentiated between the inner and outer sides towards the width of the vehicle (in Fig. 45 the area of ​​the outer openings in the direction of the vehicle width is larger) or as shown in 46, it is possible to vary the number of injection openings 13a1 of the same diameter in the inlet strainer 13a between the inside and outside in the direction of the width of the vehicle (in Fig. 46 the number of external openings in the direction of the vehicle width is greater).

In the above embodiments, it is possible to inflate and unfold the airbag 11 in the part where the inlet strainer 13a faces the inward or outward direction towards the width of the vehicle. Accordingly, for example, in the case of such an arrangement so that the inflation and deployment of the airbag occurs to the inner side of the vehicle width, it is possible to prevent the airbag 11 from being gripped and deployed by the upper end part of the decorative molding of the pillar 33, etc. and further, when the inflation and deployment of the airbag 11 is oriented outwardly relative to the width of the vehicle, it is possible to inflate and deploy the airbag 11 along surface 41 of the door pane (side window).

Further, as shown in Fig. 47, the gas supply channel 11a of the airbag 11 in which the outlet strainer 13a is arranged can be formed into a flared shape at a suitable angle Θ in the direction of the gas flow channel 11b, and a scattering angle (Θί + Θ0 in the longitudinal direction of gas supply from the outlet strainer 13a equal to or smaller than the preset angle Θo. According to the example mentioned above, even when the outlet strainer 13a is placed in a new location of the gas supply channel 11a in the air cushion 11, the gas injected from the outlet strainer 13a does not come into direct contact with the gas supply conduit in the air cushion 11, which reduces damage to the gas supply conduit 11a. forming part of the airbag 11 and allows for improved dispersion.

Moreover, as shown in Fig. 48, in addition to the use of an additional expansion chamber 11h in the airbag connected to the gas flow channel 11b in the upper end below the front end of the outlet strainer 13a and projecting in the vertical direction, it is also possible to set the scattering angle (ΘΤ + Θ0 in the longitudinal direction of the gas supply from the outlet strainer 13a equal to or lower than the set point, whereby the gas will be injected towards a portion of the extreme point Pf at the front upper end of the secondary chamber and the rear portion rather than at the extreme point Pr at the rear upper end of the secondary chamber. According to the example mentioned above, in addition to providing gas to the additional expansion chamber 11h, gas may also be distributed upstream and downstream of the gas flow channel 11b, thereby improving gas distribution in the forward direction, backward direction and downstream direction from the outlet strainer 13a.

Moreover, as shown in Fig. 48, the gas dispersion angle ΘΤ from the outlet strainer 13a towards the front part is different from the scattering angle Θ r towards the rear part (in Fig. 48 ΘΤ&gt; Θr is defined as the ratio of the expansion chamber capacity between the expansion part of the front seat 11c and the expansion part of the rear seat 11d, it is possible to change the gas distribution towards the front part and towards the rear part in the gas flow conduit 11b according to the shape of the airbag (for example, the ratio of the expansion chamber capacity or the expansion chamber shape between the expansion portion of the front seat 11c and the expansion portion of the rear seat lid, it is possible to inflate and deploy the airbag 11 in an optimal condition.

Moreover, in the example mentioned above, dispersing means (exhaust strainer 13a) on the gas inlet side are used to disperse the gas fed from the gas charge 14 in the three-dimensional direction to feed the gas flow conduit 11b in the air cushion 11. construction through the use of dispersing agents (triangular corner made of basic fabrics 11j) in the airbag.

A triangular corner 11 of basic fabrics (previously coated with sealant on the front and back surfaces) is formed by gripping between the two basic fabrics and sewing along the triangular circumferential edge when sewing the airbag 11 from the two basic fabrics (covered with a sealant on the rebate surface), which the upper part projects directly below the opening of the diffuser tube 13, whereby it disperses the gas supplied from the gas charge through the diffuser tube 13 in a three-dimensional direction and supplies the gas flow channel 11b in the air cushion 11.

PL 206 786 B1

Moreover, according to the embodiment mentioned above, the present invention is applied to a head-side airbag portion of a passenger car. The present invention can of course be applied to a vehicle airbag assembly other than passenger cars, the present invention can be applied to various headgear airbag assemblies for vehicles other than a passenger car, and the present invention can be applied to various other airbag assemblies made in such a way. the way that the airbag is placed on the part of the vehicle when folded up, inflates and deploys by supplying gas from a charge gas to protect the occupant, for example as an airbag unit on an assistant driver's seat mounted in the instrument panel, an airbag unit mounted on the part of the seats concerned, etc. as appropriate modification.