JP2001063499A - Impact relaxation device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a impact relaxation device for a vehicle capable of securely relaxing impact against obstacles such as a pedestrian, bicycle or the like by expanding and deploying an air bag in a desired range when a vehicle collision is predicted. SOLUTION: An air bag 1 which expands and deploys when a vehicle collision is predicted has a support point at the both ends of a car body constituting member 6 in a car width direction on its expansion and deployment, and is capable of expanding and deploying over a desired range covering almost all car width forward of the car body constituting member 6 on the air bag unit operation, thus making it possible to cover the desired rang by the air bag 1 of an usual size. The lifting up of the air bag 1 due to the wind resistance on the deployment of the air bag 1 can be prevented. Accordingly, an impact against obstacles such as a pedestrian, bicycle or the like, can be relaxed because the air bag 1 is can be kept deployed in the desired range.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a shock absorbing device for a vehicle, and more particularly to an apparatus for inflating and deploying an airbag toward the outside of a vehicle at the time of predicting a collision of the vehicle, thereby providing an impact against obstacles such as pedestrians and bicycles outside the vehicle. The present invention relates to an impact mitigation device capable of alleviating a shock.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional shock absorbing structure for a vehicle such as an automobile, there is known a structure as shown in FIGS. 9 (a) and 9 (b) (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 06-144154).

In the conventional example shown here, an airbag 6 as a shock absorbing member is housed and mounted in a front bumper 11.

When a vehicle collision is predicted, the airbag cover 61 is detached, and the airbag 6 is inflated and deployed downward in the vehicle traveling direction so as to cover the front surface of the bumper 11, so that a pedestrian or bicycle in front of the airbag 6 is inflated. It is designed to reduce the impact on obstacles.

[0005]

However, according to the conventional structure described above, the airbag 6 is inflated and deployed from the front of the bumper 11 downward in the vehicle traveling direction. From the upper surface of the hood to the front end portion of the hood, there is a problem that a sufficient cushioning effect cannot be obtained against an impact applied from obliquely above the vehicle.

Further, in order to sufficiently cover the above-mentioned range from the upper surface of the bumper 11 to the front end portion of the hood, in order to obtain a sufficient cushioning action against an impact applied from obliquely above the vehicle, The size of the airbag 6 and the inflator for inflating and deploying the airbag 6 must be increased, resulting in a problem that the weight increases.

Further, when the airbag 6 itself is enlarged, there is a problem that the airbag 6 is lifted up due to wind resistance during traveling, and it is difficult to deploy the airbag 6 in a desired range.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a vehicle impact mitigation structure that can inflate and deploy an airbag to a desired range when a vehicle collision is predicted, and can reliably alleviate the impact against obstacles such as pedestrians and bicycles. Is provided.

[0009]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, an airbag unit containing an airbag that expands and deploys forward or rearward when a vehicle collision is predicted is provided at a front end or a rear end of the vehicle. A structure provided on a vehicle body component, wherein the airbag has support points at both ends in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body component when inflated and deployed, and the front or rear of the vehicle body component when the airbag unit is activated. Thus, it is characterized in that it can be inflated and deployed over a desired range substantially in the entire vehicle width direction.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a guide portion extending in the vehicle width direction is provided at a front end portion or a rear end portion of the vehicle according to the first aspect, and the vehicle is slidably engaged with the guide portion. The joint portion is provided at both ends in the vehicle width direction of the airbag, and the support point is constituted by the guide portion and the engaging portion.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the guide portion according to the second aspect is provided along the vicinity of the upper surface of a bumper disposed in front of or behind the vehicle body component from the mounting position of the airbag unit. It is characterized by that.

[0012] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the second and third aspects are provided.
Is characterized in that the guide portion is constituted by a rail portion provided to be accommodated in the vehicle.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the rail portion according to the fourth aspect is formed on a bumper retainer provided in a vehicle width direction at a front end or a rear end of the vehicle.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the airbag according to the first aspect is disposed on the upper part of the vehicle body component, and both ends of the airbag are disposed at both ends in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body component member. It is characterized in that the support point is formed by fixing to the upper surface.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the airbag according to the sixth aspect is disposed between the vehicle body component and a hood disposed above the vehicle body component, and the airbag is provided. A release means for releasing a required amount of a hood lock that locks the hood when the hood is inflated and deployed is provided, and the airbag can be inflated and deployed through an opening between the hood and a vehicle body constituent member.

In the invention of claim 8, claims 1 to 7
The inflator for inflating and deploying the airbag described in (1) is provided facing outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0017]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, an airbag unit containing an airbag that expands and deploys forward or rearward when a vehicle collision is predicted is provided at the front end or the rear end of the vehicle. Wherein the airbag has support points at both ends in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body component when inflated and deployed, and the vehicle is substantially in front of or behind the vehicle body component when the airbag unit is activated. Since the airbag can be inflated and deployed over a desired range in the entire width direction, the desired range can be covered with an airbag of a normal size. Since it is possible to prevent the bag from being lifted and to deploy and maintain the airbag in a desired range, it is possible to reduce the impact on obstacles such as pedestrians and bicycles.

According to the invention of claim 2, according to claim 1,
In addition to the above effects, a guide portion extending in the vehicle width direction is provided at a front end portion or a rear end portion of the vehicle, and engagement portions slidably engaged with the guide portion are provided at both ends in the vehicle width direction of the airbag. The support point is formed by these guide portions and engagement portions, so that when the airbag is inflated and deployed, the airbag is reliably inflated and deployed in the vehicle width direction along the guide, When the airbag is deployed, the airbag can be prevented from lifting due to wind resistance during traveling, and the airbag can be deployed and maintained in a desired range, so that the airbag can be reliably protected against obstacles such as pedestrians and bicycles. Impact can be reduced.

According to the invention of claim 3, according to claim 2,
In addition to the effect of the above, since the guide portion is provided along the vicinity of the upper surface of a bumper disposed in front of or behind the vehicle body constituent member from the mounting position of the airbag unit,
The end of the airbag can be accurately guided from the mounting position of the airbag unit toward both ends in the vehicle width direction.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, in addition to the effects of the second and third aspects, since the guide portion is constituted by the rail portion provided to be accommodated in the vehicle, a simple structure is provided. Can form a guide part, and can be obtained advantageously in terms of cost.

According to the invention set forth in claim 5, according to claim 4,
In addition to the effects described above, the rail portion is formed on a bumper retainer provided in the vehicle width direction at the front end portion or the rear end portion of the vehicle, so that the number of parts can be reduced and assemblability can be improved. Thus, the weight can be reduced.

According to the invention of claim 6, according to claim 1,
In addition to the above effects, the airbag is disposed above the vehicle body component, and both ends of the airbag are fixed to upper surfaces of both ends in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body component to form the support points. Therefore, when the airbag is inflated and deployed, it is possible to prevent the airbag from floating due to wind resistance during traveling, to maintain and deploy the airbag in a desired range, and to assure pedestrians and bicycles. Can be reduced.

According to the invention of claim 7, according to claim 6,
In addition to the above effects, the airbag is disposed between the vehicle body component and a hood disposed above the vehicle body component, and a hood lock that locks the hood when the airbag is inflated and deployed is provided. Since the release means for releasing the required amount is provided, and the airbag can be inflated and deployed from the opening of the hood and the vehicle body component, the airbag is disposed above the vehicle body component and the vehicle body component. , The airbag can be properly inflated and deployed.

According to the invention described in claim 8, according to claim 1,
In addition to the effects of (1) to (7), since the inflator for inflating and deploying the airbag is provided toward the outside in the vehicle width direction, it is ensured that the end of the airbag is deployed in the vehicle width direction during inflation and deployment. Can be.

[0025]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show an embodiment of an automobile impact mitigation structure to which the present invention is applied. In particular, the first embodiment expands and deploys forward when a vehicle collision is predicted, and walks forward. An airbag unit containing an airbag 1 for reducing the impact on an obstacle such as a person or a bicycle mounted on a substantially central portion of a front grill 16 which is one of the vehicle body components at the front end of the vehicle. It is.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views showing an operating state of the airbag 1 when the airbag 1 is inflated and deployed, wherein FIG. Is shown.

The airbag 1 has support points at both ends in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body components such as the front grill 16 when the airbag 1 is inflated and deployed, and is provided in front of the front grill 16 when the airbag unit is activated. It is designed to expand and deploy over a desired range substantially in the entire vehicle width direction.

Here, the desired range is the upper part of the bumper 4 and the vicinity of the front end of the front hood 8 where the impact is input from obliquely above when the vehicle collides.

Specifically, guide portions 2a and 2b extending in the vehicle width direction are provided at the front end of the vehicle, and the guide portions 2a and 2b are provided.
The airbag 1 is provided with engaging portions 3a and 3b which are slidably engaged with the airbag 1a and 2b, and the support points are formed by the guide portions 2a and 2b and the engaging portions 3a and 3b. It is composed.

Further, the guide portions 2a and 2b are provided along the vicinity of the upper surface of the bumper 4 disposed in front of the front grill 16 which is a vehicle body component from the mounting position of the airbag unit.

In addition, the guides 2a and 2b are constituted by rails 2 provided to be accommodated in the vehicle, and the rails 2 are provided at the front end of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction. The bumper retainer 1 which is one of the components of the bumper 4
0 is formed.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of the main part of the present embodiment as viewed from the side. Specifically, the rail part 2 is formed by extending the upper part of the bumper retainer 10 and forming the bumper retainer 10 alone. Things (FIG. 2A), the bumper retainer 10
And the lower surface of the peripheral portion of the headlamp 7 (FIG. 2B).

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
Inflators 5a, 5 for inflating and deploying the airbag 1
b is provided toward the outside in the vehicle width direction.

According to the structure of the above embodiment, the airbag unit that houses the airbag 1 that expands and deploys forward or rearward when a collision of the vehicle is predicted can be mounted on the front end of one of the vehicle body components at the front end of the vehicle. The airbag 1 has a support point at both ends in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body component when inflated and deployed, and is substantially in front of the vehicle body component when the airbag unit is activated. Since the airbag 1 can be inflated and deployed over a desired range in the entire width direction of the vehicle, the desired range can be covered by the airbag 1 having a normal size, and as shown by a virtual line in FIG. It is possible to prevent the airbag 1 from being lifted up due to wind resistance during traveling when the airbag 1 is deployed, and to maintain the airbag 1 in a desired range. Impact can be alleviated against persons or obstacles such as a bicycle.

In particular, according to the structure of this embodiment, guide portions 2a and 2b extending in the vehicle width direction are provided at the front end of the vehicle, and the engaging portions 3a slidably engage with the guide portions 2a and 2b. , 3b are provided at both ends in the vehicle width direction of the airbag 1, and the support points are connected to the guide portions 2a, 2b.
And the engaging portions 3a and 3b, when the airbag 1 is inflated and deployed, the airbag 1 is directed along the guides 2a and 2b in the vehicle width direction as shown by arrows in the drawing. The airbag 1 can be reliably inflated and deployed, and when the airbag 1 is deployed, the airbag 1 can be prevented from lifting due to wind resistance during traveling, and the airbag 1 can be deployed and maintained in a desired range. Impacts on obstacles such as people and bicycles can be reduced.

The guide portions 2a and 2b are provided along the vicinity of the upper surface of the bumper 4 disposed in front of or behind the vehicle body component from the mounting position of the airbag unit. The portion can be accurately guided from the airbag unit mounting position to both ends in the vehicle width direction.

Further, since the guide portions 2a and 2b are constituted by the rail portions 2 provided to be accommodated in the vehicle,
The guide portions 2a and 2b can be configured with a simple structure, and can be obtained in an advantageous manner in terms of cost. In addition to the above, the rail portion 2 is provided with a bumper 4 provided at the front end of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction. Since it is formed on the bumper retainer 10 which is a constituent member, there is no need to newly provide a guide rail, so that the number of parts is reduced and the number of parts is reduced without increasing the number of parts and the number of assembling steps. be able to.

Further, since the inflators 5a and 5b for inflating and deploying the airbag 1 are provided toward the outside in the vehicle width direction, the ends of the airbag are securely held at the time of inflation and deployment as shown by arrows in the drawing. It can be deployed in the width direction.

4 to 6 show a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the airbag 1 is disposed between a vehicle body component and a hood 8 disposed above the vehicle body component. It is.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the airbag 1 is disposed above a radiator core support 6 and headlamps 7a and 7b, which are one of the vehicle body components. Are fixed to the upper surfaces of both ends in the vehicle width direction of the headlamps 7a, 7b to form the support points.

In particular, in the second embodiment, there is provided a release means 14 for releasing a required amount of a hood lock (not shown) for locking the hood 8 when the airbag 1 is inflated and deployed, and the hood 8 and the radiator core support 6 are provided. An opening 9 is provided between the headlights 7a and 7b, and the airbag can be inflated and deployed from the opening 9.

As the release means 14, for example, when a conventional hood lock structure that is unlocked by pulling the wire cable 13 is used, the deployment force of the airbag 1 is used when the airbag 1 is inflated and deployed. For example, the wire cable 13 may be pulled.

Specifically, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a link mechanism 14 having a fulcrum 15 is provided, and when the airbag 1 is inflated and deployed, the wire cable 13 is used by utilizing the deployment force of the airbag 1. I try to draw.

That is, a receiving portion 14a for receiving the deploying force of the airbag 1 is provided at one end of the link mechanism 14, and the deploying force at the time of inflation of the airbag 1 received by the receiving portion 14a (arrow A) is applied via the fulcrum 15. To the rotational force, and link mechanism 1
4 and a connection portion 14 with the wire cable 13 provided at the other end
b, the wire cable 13 is pulled (arrow B), and the hood lock is released.

In this case, the link mechanism 14 utilizes the deployment force at the time of inflation and deployment of the airbag 1, but it goes without saying that an actuator or the like may be separately provided.

As shown in FIG. 5, also in the second embodiment, inflators 5a and 5b for inflating and deploying the airbag 1 are provided outward in the vehicle width direction.

According to the structure of the second embodiment, the airbag 1 is disposed above the radiator core support 6 and the headlamps 7a and 7b, which are vehicle body components, and both ends of the airbag 1 are provided. Since the supporting points 11a and 11b are fixed to the upper surfaces of both ends of the headlamps 7a and 7b in the vehicle width direction, and the supporting points are formed, the airbag 1 is inflated by the wind resistance during traveling when the airbag 1 is inflated and deployed. Since the airbag can be prevented from being lifted up and the airbag can be deployed and maintained in a desired range, it is possible to reliably reduce the impact on obstacles such as pedestrians and bicycles.

Further, according to this embodiment, the airbag 1 is moved between the vehicle body components such as the radiator core support 6 and the headlamps 7a and 7b and the hood 8 disposed above the vehicle body components. Along with
A release means 14 for releasing a required amount of a hood lock for locking the hood 8 when the airbag 1 is inflated and deployed is provided, and the airbag 1 can be inflated and deployed from an opening 9 between the hood 8 and a vehicle body component. , The airbag 1
Is disposed between the vehicle body constituent member and the hood 8 disposed above the vehicle body constituent member as described above, the airbag 1 can be properly inflated and deployed.

Further, since the inflators 5a and 5b for inflating and deploying the airbag 1 are provided toward the outside in the vehicle width direction, the ends of the airbag are reliably deployed in the vehicle width direction during inflation and deployment. be able to.

FIG. 7 shows a modification of the second embodiment, in which the airbag 1 of the second embodiment is provided as airbags 1a and 1b which are respectively divided into the left and right sides of the vehicle. An effect equivalent to the structure of the second embodiment can be obtained.

In the first and second embodiments, the airbag 1 is inflated and deployed in a desired range when a vehicle collision is predicted, and the impact on obstacles such as pedestrians and bicycles can be reliably reduced. In any case, as shown in FIG. 7, the vehicle is provided with a pedestrian detection unit 22 that is disposed at the front end of the vehicle body 20 and detects or predicts a collision with a pedestrian 21 as shown in FIG. The airbag 1 is inflated and deployed by a signal from the pedestrian detection means 22.

In the first and second embodiments, the airbag unit containing the airbag 1 is mounted on the vehicle body component at the front end of the vehicle, and the airbag 1 is inflated and deployed when a frontal collision of the vehicle is predicted. Although the above example has been described, the above configuration may be provided on a vehicle body component member at the rear end of the vehicle to cope with a rear collision of the vehicle.

In such a case, a pedestrian detecting means 22 for detecting or predicting a collision with a pedestrian 21 is provided at the rear end of the vehicle body 20. It is needless to say that the inflation is expanded.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing an operation at the time of inflation and deployment of an airbag according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a rail unit in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory top view showing attachment of the inflator in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing an operation at the time of inflation and deployment of an airbag according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory top view showing attachment of an inflator according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of releasing a hood lock according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a top view showing a modification of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a peripheral structure according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory view showing a shock absorbing structure in a conventional structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Airbag 2 Rail part 2a, 2b Guide part 3a, 3b Engagement part 5 Inflator 6 Radiator core support (vehicle body constituent member) 7a, 7b Headlamp (vehicle body constituent member) 9 Opening part 10 Bumper retainer 14 Release means 16 Front grille (Body components)

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A structure in which an airbag unit accommodating an airbag that expands and deploys forward or rearward when a vehicle collision is predicted is provided on a vehicle body component member at a front end or a rear end of the vehicle. Has support points at both ends in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body component during inflation and deployment, and inflates and deploys over a desired range substantially in the entire vehicle width direction in front of or behind the vehicle body component when the airbag unit is activated. An impact mitigation device for a vehicle, characterized in that it is made possible. 2. A guide portion extending in the vehicle width direction is provided at a front end portion or a rear end portion of the vehicle, and engagement portions slidably engaged with the guide portion are provided at both ends in the vehicle width direction of the airbag. The impact mitigation device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the support point is formed by the guide portion and the engagement portion. 3. The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the guide portion is provided along a vicinity of an upper surface of a bumper disposed in front of or behind a vehicle body component from a mounting position of the airbag unit. Shock absorber. 4. The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the guide section is a rail section housed in the vehicle.
The impact mitigation device for a vehicle according to any one of the above. 5. The shock absorbing device for a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the rail portion is formed on a bumper retainer provided at a front end or a rear end of the vehicle in a vehicle width direction. 6. The support point is formed by arranging the airbag above the vehicle body component and fixing both ends of the airbag to both upper surfaces of the vehicle body component at both ends in the vehicle width direction. The impact mitigation device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: 7. A hood lock for disposing the airbag between the vehicle body component and a hood disposed above the vehicle body component and locking the hood when the airbag is inflated and deployed is required. Release means for releasing the amount is provided,
7. The vehicle impact mitigation device according to claim 6, wherein the airbag is inflatable and deployable from the opening of the hood and the vehicle body component. 8. The impact mitigation device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein an inflator for inflating and deploying the airbag is provided outward in a vehicle width direction.