TETHER STRUCTURE FOR AIRBAG

Abstract

An airbag is provided with first and second tethers and attached to the inner surface of the ceiling. The first tether extends towards the left side of the back face side from the center portion of the front face side facing a rider. The second tether extends towards the right side of the back face side from the center portion of the front face side. The first and second tethers are arranged into a substantially V-shape with the bottom on the rider's side. When the airbag is compressed in the back and forth direction by receiving a forward momentum of the rider, the expansion of the airbag is regulated by the first and second tethers on the front face side. The expansion in the right and left direction is not regulated by the first and second tethers on the back face side of the airbag. Accordingly, the airbag expands in the right and left direction on the back face side so as to have a wide width.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top view of an airbag for two-wheeled vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present invention in a state where the airbag is deployed and inflated;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the airbag for two-wheeled vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present invention at the time when the airbag restrains the rider;

FIG. 3 is a top view of an airbag for two-wheeled vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention in a state where the airbag is deployed and inflated;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the airbag for two-wheeled vehicle according to the second embodiment of the present invention at the time when the airbag restrains the rider;

FIG. 5 is a top view of an airbag of a conventional technique in a state where the airbag is deployed and inflated; and

FIG. 6 is a top view of the airbag of the conventional technique at the time when the airbag restrains the rider.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, descriptions will be given in detail of embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a top view of an airbag for two-wheeled vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and shows the airbag in a state where the airbag is deployed and inflated with gas generated by gas generating source (not shown).

An airbag 1 includes first and second tethers 11 and 12, both of which are attached to the inner surface of the ceiling of the airbag 1 in the deployed and inflated state. The first tether 11 extends towards the left side of the back face side of the airbag 1 from the center portion of the front face side, which faces a rider 2. On the other hand, the second tether 12 extends towards the right side of the back face side from the same center portion. The first and second tethers 11 and 12 are arranged in a substantially “V” shape with the bottom on the rider's side.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the airbag 1 in the following state. Specifically, when the airbag 1 restrains the rider 2, the airbag 1 receives a forward momentum of the rider 2. Accordingly, the airbag 1 is compressed in the back and forth direction, and is then deformed with an increased internal pressure.

In this embodiment, when the airbag 1 is compressed in the back and forth direction by receiving the forward momentum of the rider 2, the expansion of the airbag 1 in the right and left direction is regulated by the first and second tethers 11 and 12 on the front face side. As a result, a region 3 sandwiched by the first and second tethers 11 and 12 becomes more planar than a region 4 on the outer side of the first and second tethers 11 and 12. Accordingly, it is possible to securely restrain the rider with the substantially planar region 3.

Moreover, in this embodiment, even when the airbag 1 is compressed in the back and forth direction, the expansion of the airbag 1 in the right and left direction is not regulated by the first and second tethers 11 and 12 on the back face side. For this reason, a part of the airbag 1 on the back face side expands in the right and left direction so as to have a wider width than other parts. As a result, the back face side of the airbag 1 abuts on the side of the vehicle body in a wide area. Accordingly, it is possible to securely retain the airbag 1 even without a planar portion that supports the airbag 1 on the side of the vehicle body, the side facing the back face side of the airbag 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of an airbag for two-wheeled vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention in a state where the airbag is deployed and inflated.

An airbag 1 includes first, second and third tethers 11, 12 and 13, all of which are attached to the inner surface of a ceiling of the airbag 1 in a state where the airbag is deployed and inflated. The first tether 11 extends from the center portion of the front face side, which faces a rider 2, of the airbag 1 towards the left side of the back face side of the airbag 1. The second tether 12 extends from the same center portion towards the right side of the back face side. The third tether 13 extends from the ends, on the rider's side, of the first and second tethers 11 and 12 to the rider's side. The first, second and third tethers 11, 12 and 13 are arranged so as to form a general Y shape with the bottom on the rider's side.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the airbag in the following state. Specifically, when the airbag restrains the rider 2, the airbag 1 receives a forward momentum of the rider 2. Thereby, the airbag 1 is compressed in the back and forth direction, and is deformed with an increased internal pressure.

In this embodiment, when the airbag 1 is compressed in the back and forth direction by receiving the forward momentum of the rider 2, the expansion of the airbag 1 in the right and left direction is regulated by the first, second and third tethers 11, 12 and 13 on the front face side. In addition, since a region 5 which includes the first, second and third tethers 11, 12 and 13 becomes substantially planar, it is possible to securely restrain the rider with the planar region 5.

Moreover, in this embodiment, even when the airbag 1 is compressed in the back and forth direction, the expansion of the airbag 1 in the right and left direction is not regulated by the first and second tethers 11 and 12 on the back face side. For this reason, a part of the airbag 1 on the back face side expands in the right and left direction so as to have a wide width. As a result, the back face side of the airbag 1 abuts on the side of the vehicle body in a wide area. Accordingly, it is possible to securely retain the airbag 1 even without a planar portion that supports the airbag 1 on the side of the vehicle body, the side facing the back face side of the airbag 1.

In this detailed description of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and within which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments by which the invention may be practiced. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A tether structure for an airbag that is deployed and inflated with gas generated by a gas generating source, the tether structure comprising: a first tether, which is attached to an inner surface of a ceiling of the airbag in a deployed and inflated state, and which extends towards a left side of a back face side of the airbag from a center portion of a front face side facing a rider; anda second tether, which is attached to said inner surface of said ceiling of the airbag in said deployed and inflated state, and which extends towards a right side of said back face side of the airbag from said center portion of said front face side facing the rider.

2. The tether structure for the airbag according to claim 1, wherein said first and second tethers are disposed so as to form a substantial V-shape with a bottom thereof facing said rider in a top view of the airbag in said deployed and inflated state.

3. The tether structure for the airbag according to claim 2, further comprising a third tether, which is attached to said inner surface of said ceiling of the airbag in said deployed and inflated state, and which extends to said front face side from a lower end portion of said first and second tethers arranged into said substantial V-shape.

4. The tether structure for the airbag according to claim 3, wherein said first, second and third tethers are disposed so as to form a substantial Y-shape with a bottom thereof facing said rider in a top view of the airbag in said deployed and inflated state.

5. The tether structure for the airbag according to claim 1, wherein the airbag is disposed in a two-wheeled vehicle or a three-wheeled vehicle.