JP3821076B2 - Vehicle airbag device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an airbag apparatus for a vehicle, and more particularly to an airbag apparatus that can be deployed from above an occupant.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as this type of airbag device, a front airbag that is stored in a steering wheel or the like and is deployed on the front side of the occupant to protect the occupant when an impact is applied to the front side of the vehicle, or Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-115674. As shown in the official gazette, a long airbag in the front-rear direction is stored in a folded state so as to straddle the roof side frame from the front pillar of the vehicle, and when an impact acts on the side of the vehicle, the airbag is moved along the side window. A side airbag that expands in a curtain shape on the lower side is known.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, according to the airbag in the above prior art, the airbag is deployed on the front side or side window side of the occupant to protect the occupant, but the airbag is not on the side window side of the occupant or on the rear side of the occupant. As a result, the occupant protection against impacts from all directions was not always sufficient.
[0004]
Further, in the vehicle having the second row and the third row seats, the passenger seats in the second row and the third row are also protected from an impact from the front side of the occupant in the same manner as the front seat. Although it is desired to provide an airbag, a space for installing the airbag cannot be secured, and protection for passengers seated in the second row and third row passenger seats is not always sufficient.
[0005]
By the way, in recent years, a vehicle with a high roof has been proposed in accordance with the expansion of the living space in the passenger compartment and the increasing demand for getting on and off. In such a vehicle with a high roof, the vertical size of the door window disposed on the side of the vehicle can be set large in accordance with the setting of the roof. The feeling is improved and a comfortable living space can be provided.
[0006]
In such a vehicle having a high roof, there is a space in the upper part of the passenger compartment, and it is desired to use this space effectively.
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described problems, and its purpose is to protect passengers against multi-directional impacts while effectively using the space above the passenger compartment. An object of the present invention is to provide an air bag device for a vehicle.
[0007]
Here, the periphery of the occupant in the present invention refers to a case including at least two of the front and rear and the left and right of the occupant.
[0008]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following solution as a solution. That is, in the first configuration of the present invention, a collision detection unit that detects a vehicle collision, an inflator that generates a gas when the collision detection unit detects a vehicle collision, and a gas generated by the inflator In the vehicle airbag device provided with an airbag that expands toward the vehicle interior, the inflator and the airbag are formed as an integrally modularized airbag unit, and the airbag unit is formed in the vehicle interior. The air bag is disposed on the roof vehicle interior side at a position corresponding to the upper part of the passenger seat, and is configured to expand so as to surround a passenger seated on the passenger seat. The back is formed in a bell shape that opens downward and surrounds at least the front and both sides of the occupant during deployment, and is formed in the bell shape. The opening of the airbag is extended to the vicinity of the seat cushion of the occupant seat and the occupant rear side to the vicinity of the headrest of the occupant seat so that the rear side is higher than the front side in a side view. The rear portion of the airbag is configured to avoid the seat bag when viewed from the rear.
[0009]
According to the first configuration of the present invention, since the airbag is configured to expand around the occupant seated in the occupant seat, the occupant can be protected against impacts from multiple directions.
[0010]
In addition, since the airbag unit is disposed on the roof interior side of the roof at a position corresponding to the upper part of the passenger seat disposed in the passenger compartment, the space above the passenger compartment in a vehicle with a high vertical height in the passenger compartment. The airbag unit can be arranged by effectively using the airbag, and both the layout of the airbag unit and the safety of the occupant can be achieved.
[0011]
Furthermore, with regard to passenger protection, it is desired to protect not only the passenger's head but also the entire passenger, and it is conceivable to increase the size of the airbag so as to cover the entire body of the passenger when seated.
[0012]
However, in the state where the occupant is seated in the occupant seat, the rear side of the occupant is protected by the seat back on the lower side than the head, so the airbag opening must be extended to the lower side than the head. If the airbag opening is extended to the lower side of the head, which is rather low in necessity, the airbag becomes larger than necessary, and the airbag deployment time becomes longer.
[0013]
On the other hand, according to the first configuration, the occupant rear portion of the airbag is configured to avoid the seat bag so that the rear side is higher than the front side in a side view. The increase in size can be suppressed, and the entire occupant can be protected while shortening the deployment time of the airbag.
[0014]
【The invention's effect】
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, a passenger | crew can be protected with respect to the impact from many directions, utilizing the space above a vehicle interior effectively.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference examples with reference to the drawings.
[0016]
FIG. 1 is a side view of a vehicle according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the vehicle according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle 1 includes a front seat row composed of a driver seat 2 and a passenger seat 3 (only the passenger seat 3 is shown in FIG. 1), and is spaced behind in the vehicle width direction. And a rear seat row composed of a right rear seat 4 and a left rear seat 5 (only the left rear seat 5 is shown in FIG. 1).
[0017]
An inflator 7a (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) and an air bag 7b (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) are provided on the vehicle interior side of the roof portion 6 at positions corresponding to the upper portions of the passenger seats 2 to 5 of the vehicle 1. An air bag unit 7 that is integrated into a module is arranged.
Reference numerals 8 to 13 denote airbag sensors, which include, for example, well-known acceleration sensors. The airbag sensors 8 to 11 detect acceleration from the side of the vehicle 1, and the airbag sensors 12, 13 is configured to detect acceleration from the front side of the vehicle 1.
[0018]
Reference numeral 14 denotes an airbag control unit. When an acceleration higher than a predetermined value is detected by any of the airbag sensors 8 to 13, the gas generating agent stored in the inflator 7a is discharged by an ignition device (not shown). Ignition is performed to generate a high-pressure gas, and control is performed so that the airbag 7b is expanded by the generated gas.
[0019]
( Reference Example 1 )
Next, the airbag unit 7 relating to Reference Example 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the roof portion 6 in which the airbag unit 7 is stored includes a roof panel 6 a, a roof reinforcement 6 b and a roof panel 6 a that are joined to the interior side of the roof panel 6 a. The air bag unit 7 is attached to the roof reinforcement 6b via a mounting bracket 15 between the roof reinforcement 6b and the top ceiling 6c. .
[0020]
A break line L is formed at a position corresponding to the airbag 7b of the top sealing 6c to allow the airbag 7b to expand and deploy toward the vehicle interior.
[0021]
The airbag 7b housed in the airbag unit 7 is formed in a substantially inverted Y shape as viewed from the front of the occupant so as to cover both sides of the occupant when deployed as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. It is configured to be able to protect against an impact from both sides on the occupant.
[0022]
In addition, the airbag unit 7 includes an airbag 7b and an inflator 7a that are sequentially arranged from the vehicle interior side toward the vehicle exterior side, and is configured such that piping for connecting the inflator 7a and the airbag 7b is omitted. ing.
[0023]
Then, when a collision is detected from the front side or the side of the vehicle 1 by any of the airbag sensors 8 to 13, the airbag control unit 14 uses the ignition device to store the gas generating agent stored in the inflator 7a. Ignition is performed to generate a high-pressure gas, and the airbag 7b is developed by the generated gas as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG.
[0024]
As described above, according to the reference example 1 , the airbag 7a is configured to expand so as to surround both sides of the occupant seated in each of the occupant seats 2 to 5, so that the occupant with respect to the impact from both sides of the occupant Protection can be performed.
[0025]
Further, since the airbag unit 7 is disposed inside the roof portion 6 at a position corresponding to the upper part of each of the passenger seats 2 to 5 disposed in the vehicle interior, in a vehicle having a high height in the vehicle interior vertical direction, The airbag unit 7 can be disposed by effectively using the space above the passenger compartment, and both the layout of the airbag unit 7 and the safety of the occupant can be achieved.
[0026]
Further, since the airbag unit 7 is attached to the roof reinforcement 6b, the attachment strength of the airbag unit 7 can be ensured, and the displacement of the deployment direction due to the reaction force when the airbag 7b is deployed is prevented. be able to.
[0027]
Further, the airbag unit 7 is configured such that an airbag 7b and an inflator 7a are sequentially arranged from the vehicle interior side to the vehicle exterior side, and piping for connecting the inflator 7a and the airbag 7b is omitted. Therefore, since the gas pressure loss in the piping can be suppressed, the airbag 7b can be efficiently deployed without increasing the gas pressure of the inflator 7a more than necessary.
[0028]
In addition, by disposing a front airbag that is deployed when an impact from the front side of the vehicle 1 is detected in the front seat row, it is possible to further improve the safety of the passenger seated on the front seat.
[0029]
( Reference Example 2 )
Next, the airbag unit 7 related to the reference example 2 will be described with reference to FIGS.
In Reference Example 1 , an example in which the developed shape of the airbag 7b is configured in a substantially inverted Y shape as seen from the front of the occupant so as to surround both sides of the occupant has been shown, but in Reference Example 2 , FIGS. As shown, an example in which the deployed shape of the airbag 5b is formed into a bell shape surrounding the entire circumference of the occupant is shown.
As shown in FIG. 5, the airbag 7 b configured in the shape of a bell has an opening O of the airbag 7 b that shows only the occupant seats 2 to 5 (in FIG. 5, only the driver seat 2 and the passenger seat 3). ) Is extended to the vicinity of the seat cushions 2a and 3a, and is configured to cover the entire body of the occupant when seated.
[0030]
The mounting structure of the air bag unit 7 and the air bag development control by the air bag control unit 14 are the same as those in the first reference example, and the description thereof is omitted.
As described above, according to the reference example 2 , since the airbag 7a is configured to surround the entire circumference of the occupant seated in each of the occupant seats 2 to 5, it is possible to protect the occupant against impacts from multiple directions. it can.
[0031]
Further, since the opening O of the airbag 7b is configured to extend to the vicinity of the seat cushion when deployed, the entire body of the occupant can be protected when seated.
[0032]
( This embodiment)
Next, the airbag unit 7 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0033]
In Reference Example 2 , the example in which the deployed shape of the airbag 7b is configured to be a bell shape surrounding the entire circumference of the occupant is shown, but in this embodiment, an example in which the bell shape is partially deformed is shown.
[0034]
Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the opening portion O of the airbag 7 b configured in a bell shape has an occupant front side of each passenger seat 2 to 5 (in FIG. 7, only the passenger seat 3 is (Shown) is extended to the vicinity of the seat cushion 3a, and the rear side of the passenger is extended to the vicinity of the headrest 3b of each passenger seat 2-5.
[0035]
The mounting structure of the air bag unit 7 and the air bag development control by the air bag control unit 14 are the same as those in Reference Examples 1 and 2, and thus the description thereof is omitted.
[0036]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the airbag 7b is formed in a bell shape, the opening portion O of the airbag 7b is positioned in the vicinity of the seat cushion of each of the passenger seats 2 to 5 in the opening portion O of the airbag 7b. In addition, since the rear portion of the passenger seat is configured to be positioned in the vicinity of the headrest of each of the passenger seats 2 to 5, the enlargement of the airbag 7b can be suppressed, and the entire body of the passenger is protected while shortening the airbag deployment time. be able to.
[0037]
( Reference Example 3 )
Next, the airbag unit 7 related to Reference Example 3 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0038]
According to the reference example 1, the reference example 2, and the present embodiment, an example is shown in which a single airbag 7b is formed so as to surround the occupant. However, according to the reference example 3 , a plurality of airbags are configured. The example which comprises so that the circumference | surroundings of a passenger | crew may be enclosed is shown.
[0039]
Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, three airbags 7 b formed in a vertical wall shape so as to cover the three directions of the front and both sides of the occupant are arranged on one occupant seat. It is installed.
As described above, according to Reference Example 3, since a plurality of air bag 7b is provided so as to surround the occupant seated in the passenger seat for one passenger seats, Reference Example 1, Reference Example 2 and the present embodiment, occupant protection against a collision from multiple directions can be performed.
[0040]
In the reference example 3 , the example in which the three airbags 7b are disposed so as to cover the three directions of the front and both sides of the occupant is shown. However, the four airbags 7b are arranged so as to cover the four directions of the occupant. You may make it install.
[0041]
( Reference Example 4 )
Next, the airbag unit 7 related to Reference Example 4 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0042]
In Reference Examples 1 to 3 and the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the present invention is applied to a vehicle having a two-row seat composed of a front seat row and a rear seat row. However, Reference Example 4 is applied to a vehicle having a three-row seat. An example is shown.
[0043]
As shown in FIG. 10, the vehicle 1 includes a front row of seats composed of a driver's seat 2 'and a passenger seat 3', a middle row of seats composed of bench seats 16 that are allowed to be seated by three passengers, and two passengers. And a rear row of seats made up of bench seats 17 that are allowed to be seated, and the airbag 7b is disposed at a position corresponding to the upper part of all passenger seats.
[0044]
The airbag 7b in the reference example 4 has the bell shape shown in the present embodiment, but may be changed to any type shown in the reference examples 1 to 3 .
[0045]
As described above, according to Reference Example 4 , even in a vehicle having a three-row seat, occupant protection against impacts from multiple directions can be performed for all occupants.
[0046]
In this embodiment, the airbag unit 7 is attached to the roof reinforcement 6b. However, the airbag unit 7 may be directly attached to the roof panel 6a.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view of a vehicle according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of a vehicle according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a view showing an airbag according to Reference Example 1 ;
4 is a view showing an airbag according to Reference Example 2. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a view showing an airbag deployment state related to Reference Example 2 ;
6 shows an air bag according to the present embodiment.
Shows the airbag deployment condition involving the 7 embodiment.
8 is a view showing an airbag according to Reference Example 3. FIG.
FIG. 9 is a view showing an airbag deployment state related to Reference Example 3 ;
10 is a plan view of a vehicle according to Reference Example 4. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1: Vehicle 2: Driver's seat (passenger seat)
3: Passenger seat (passenger seat)
4: Right rear seat 5: Left rear seat 6: Roof part (roof)
6a: Roof panel 6b: Roof panel reinforcement 6c: Top sealing 7: Air bag unit 7a: Inflator 7b: Air bags 8-13: Air bag sensors (collision detection means)
15: Mounting bracket 16: Middle seat (passenger seat)
17: Rear seat (passenger seat)

Claims (1)

A collision detection means for detecting a vehicle collision;
An inflator that generates gas when a collision of the vehicle is detected by the collision detection means;
In an airbag apparatus for a vehicle, comprising an airbag that expands toward a vehicle interior by gas generated by the inflator,
The inflator and the air bag are formed as an integrally modularized air bag unit, and the air bag unit is disposed on the roof vehicle interior side at a position corresponding to the upper part of the passenger seat disposed in the vehicle interior. And
The airbag is configured to expand so as to surround a passenger seated in the passenger seat,
The airbag is configured in a bell shape that opens downward and surrounds at least the front and both sides of the occupant when deployed, and the airbag opening formed in the bell shape has a rear side that is more than the front side in a side view. The front side of the occupant extends to the vicinity of the seat cushion of the occupant seat so that the occupant is in a high position, and the rear side of the occupant extends to the vicinity of the headrest of the occupant seat. An airbag apparatus for a vehicle, wherein the portion is configured to avoid a seat bag.

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