JP2004106772A - Airbag device of vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an airbag device of a vehicle capable of protecting an occupant against the shocks from multiple directions while effectively utilizing the upward space in the cabin. <P>SOLUTION: An inflator and the airbag are formed as an integrally modulated airbag unit 7, and the airbag unit 7 is disposed inside the cabin of a roof 6 at the position corresponding to the above the occupant's seat disposed in the cabin. The airbag is constituted to develop so as to surround the occupant sitting on the occupant's seat. Since the airbag is constituted to develop so as to surround the occupant sitting on the occupant's seat, the occupant can be protected against the shocks from multiple directions. Since the airbag unit 7 is disposed at the inner side the cabin of the roof 6 above the position corresponding to the above the occupant's seat disposed in the cabin, the upper space inside the cabin can be effectively utilized, and both layout property of the airbag unit 7 and safety for the occupant are secured. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an airbag device for a vehicle, and more particularly to an airbag device that can be deployed from above an occupant.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an airbag device of this type, a front airbag which is housed in a steering wheel or the like and is deployed in front of an occupant to protect the occupant when an impact acts on the front side of the vehicle, and JP-A-11-115684. As shown in the publication, 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 deploys in a curtain shape downward 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 and the side window side of the occupant to protect the occupant, but the airbag is not provided on the side window opposite to the occupant and on the rear side of the occupant. However, the protection of occupants against impacts from all directions was not always sufficient.
[0004]
In a vehicle having seats in the second and third rows, the passenger seats in the second and third rows are also provided for protecting the occupants against impact from the front of the occupant, as in the case of the front seat. Although it is desired to dispose the airbag, the space for disposing the airbag cannot be secured, and the protection for the occupants sitting in the occupant seats in the second and third rows is not always sufficient.
[0005]
By the way, in recent years, a vehicle with a high roof has been proposed in accordance with an increase in a living space in a vehicle compartment and a demand for improvement in getting on and off. In the vehicle having the roof set high as described above, the vertical dimension of the door window arranged on the side of the vehicle can be set large with the height of the roof. The feeling of opening is improved, and a comfortable living space can be provided.
In a vehicle having such a high roof, there is a space above the cabin, and it is desired to effectively use this space.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to protect an occupant against impacts from multiple directions while effectively utilizing a space above a vehicle cabin. An object of the present invention is to provide an airbag device for a vehicle.
Here, the periphery of the occupant in the present invention means a case including at least two of the front, rear, left, and right of the occupant.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following as a solution. That is, in the first configuration of the present invention, collision detection means for detecting a collision of a vehicle, an inflator for generating gas when the collision of the vehicle is detected by the collision detection means, and gas generated by the inflator In the airbag device for a vehicle provided with an airbag that extends toward the vehicle interior, the inflator and the airbag are formed as an integrally modularized airbag unit, and the airbag unit is provided in the vehicle interior. And the airbag is arranged to surround the occupant seated in the occupant seat.
According to the first configuration of the present invention, since the airbag is configured to be deployed so as to surround the occupant seated in the occupant seat, the occupant can be protected from impacts from multiple directions.
In addition, since the airbag unit is disposed on the roof interior side in a position corresponding to the position above the occupant seat disposed in the interior of the vehicle, the space above the interior of the vehicle is high in a vehicle having a high height in the vertical direction of the interior of the vehicle. The airbag unit can be disposed by effectively using the airbag unit, and both the layout of the airbag unit and the safety of the occupant can be achieved.
[0008]
In the second configuration of the present invention, the airbag is configured to surround the occupant by one airbag when deployed.
According to the second configuration of the present invention, it is possible to surround the occupant with one airbag, and it is possible to protect the occupant against impacts from multiple directions.
[0009]
In the third configuration of the present invention, the airbag is configured to surround both sides of the occupant during deployment.
According to the third configuration of the present invention, since the airbag is configured to surround both sides of the occupant, the occupant can be protected from impact from both sides of the occupant.
[0010]
In the fourth configuration of the present invention, the airbag is configured to surround the entire circumference of the occupant during deployment.
According to the fourth configuration of the present invention, since the airbag is configured to surround the entire occupant, the occupant can be protected from impacts from multiple directions.
[0011]
Further, in the fifth configuration of the present invention, the airbag is configured in a bell shape surrounding the entire circumference of the occupant when deployed, and the opening of the airbag formed in the bell shape has a front side of the occupant as described above. The passenger seat is located near the seat cushion, and the rear side of the passenger is located near the headrest of the passenger seat.
Here, with regard to occupant protection, it is desired to protect not only the occupant head but also the entire occupant, and it is conceivable to increase the size of the airbag so as to cover the entire occupant when seated.
However, in the state where the occupant is seated in the occupant seat, the rear side of the occupant is protected by the seatback below the head, so it is necessary to extend the airbag below the head. If the airbag is extended to the lower side of the head, which is lower, but rather less necessary, the airbag becomes larger than necessary and the airbag deployment time becomes longer.
On the other hand, according to the fifth configuration, the occupant front side at the opening of the airbag is:
In addition to being located near the seat cushion of the occupant seat, the rear side of the occupant in the opening of the airbag is configured to be located near the headrest of the occupant seat. The entire occupant can be protected while reducing the deployment time.
[0012]
In the sixth configuration of the present invention, a plurality of the airbag units are provided for one occupant seat so as to surround the occupant sitting on the occupant seat.
According to the sixth configuration of the present invention, since a plurality of airbags are provided for one occupant seat so as to surround the occupant seated in the occupant seat, the occupant protection against impact from multiple directions is provided. Can be performed for each occupant.
[0013]
Further, in the seventh configuration of the present invention, a plurality of occupant seats are provided in the vehicle interior, and the airbag unit is configured to be provided at a position corresponding to each of the plurality of occupant seats. .
According to the seventh configuration of the present invention, since a plurality of airbags are provided for each occupant seat so as to surround the occupant seated in the occupant seat, occupant protection against impact from multiple directions is provided. This can be done for each crew.
[0014]
Further, in the eighth configuration of the present invention, the upper portion of the vehicle is covered with a roof panel, and a roof panel reinforcement is joined to the interior side of the roof panel, wherein the airbag unit is provided. Is mounted on the roof panel reinforcement via a mounting bracket, and the interior of the cabin of the airbag unit is covered by a top sealing covering the interior of the roof panel.
Normally, when the airbag is deployed, the reaction force associated with the gas pressure generated by the inflator is applied to the location where the inflator is installed, but if the strength of the location where the inflator is installed is weak, the direction of the inflator shifts and the deployment direction of the airbag. Is deviated from the direction of request development.
According to the eighth configuration of the present invention, when the airbag unit is arranged above the vehicle cabin, the airbag unit can be attached to the roof panel reinforcement to secure the mounting strength of the airbag unit, and the airbag unit can be mounted when the airbag is deployed. Of the airbag in the deployment direction due to the reaction force of the airbag.
[0015]
In the ninth configuration of the present invention, the airbag unit is configured such that the airbag and the inflator are sequentially arranged from the vehicle interior side to the vehicle exterior side.
According to the ninth configuration of the present invention, the airbag and the inflator are modularized, and the airbag and the inflator are configured to be sequentially arranged from the vehicle interior side to the vehicle exterior side. The piping connecting the inflator becomes unnecessary, and the gas pressure loss in the piping can be suppressed, so that the airbag can be efficiently deployed without increasing the gas pressure of the inflator more than necessary.
[0016]
【The invention's effect】
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, an occupant can be protected against the impact from multiple directions, effectively utilizing the space above the vehicle interior.
[0017]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a vehicle side view according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a vehicle plan view according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a vehicle 1 has a front seat row including a driver's seat 2 and a passenger seat 3 (only the passenger seat 3 is shown in FIG. 1), and is spaced apart from the rear in the vehicle width direction. A rear seat row including a right rear seat 4 and a left rear seat 5 (only the left rear seat 5 is shown in FIG. 1) is provided.
An inflator 7a (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) and an airbag 7b (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) are provided on the vehicle cabin side of the roof portion 6 at positions corresponding to above the occupant seats 2 to 5 of the vehicle 1. (Not shown) are integrated into an airbag unit 7.
Numerals 8 to 13 denote airbag sensors, which are composed of, for example, well-known acceleration sensors. Airbag sensors 8 to 11 detect acceleration from the side of the vehicle 1 and airbag sensors 12 and 13. Reference numeral 13 is configured to detect acceleration from the front side of the vehicle 1.
Reference numeral 14 denotes an airbag control unit which, when any of the airbag sensors 8 to 13 detects an acceleration equal to or more than a predetermined value, ignites a gas generating agent stored in the inflator 7a by an ignition device (not shown). The ignition is performed to generate a high-pressure gas, and the generated gas is controlled so that the airbag 7b is deployed.
[0018]
(1st Embodiment)
Next, the airbag unit 7 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the roof portion 6 in which the airbag unit 7 is housed includes a roof panel 6a, a roof reinforcement 6b joined to the interior side of the roof panel 6a, and a roof panel 6a and a roof reinforcement. The airbag unit 7 is attached to the roof reinforcement 6b via a mounting bracket 15 between the roof reinforcement 6b and the top ceiling 6c.
A break line L is formed at a position corresponding to the airbag 7b of the top ceiling 6c to allow the airbag 7b to expand and deploy toward the vehicle interior.
The airbag 7b stored 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. , So as to be able to protect against occupant impact from both sides.
Further, the airbag unit 7 is provided with an airbag 7b and an inflator 7a sequentially arranged from the vehicle interior side to the vehicle exterior side, and is configured such that piping connecting the inflator 7a and the airbag 7b is omitted. ing.
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 causes the gas generating agent stored in the inflator 7a to be ignited by the ignition device. The gas is ignited to generate a high-pressure gas, and the generated gas causes the airbag 7b to expand as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG.
[0019]
As described above, according to the first embodiment, since the airbag 7a is configured to be deployed so as to surround both sides of the occupant seated in each of the occupant seats 2 to 5, impacts from both sides of the occupant are provided. Occupant protection can be provided.
Further, since the airbag unit 7 is disposed inside the roof portion 6 at a position corresponding to above each of the occupant 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 utilizing the space above the vehicle cabin, and both the layout of the airbag unit 7 and the safety of the occupant can be achieved.
Further, since the airbag unit 7 is mounted on the roof reinforcement 6b, the mounting strength of the airbag unit 7 can be ensured, and the displacement of the airbag 7b in the deployment direction due to the reaction force when the airbag 7b is deployed can be prevented. be able to.
In addition, the airbag unit 7 is configured such that an airbag 7b and an inflator 7a are sequentially disposed from the vehicle interior side to the vehicle exterior side, and a pipe connecting the inflator 7a and the airbag 7b is omitted. Therefore, since the gas pressure loss in the pipe can be suppressed, the airbag 7b can be efficiently deployed without increasing the gas pressure of the inflator 7a more than necessary.
By arranging a front airbag which is deployed when an impact from the front side of the vehicle 1 is detected in the front seat row, the safety of the occupant sitting on the front seat can be further improved.
[0020]
(2nd Embodiment)
Next, an airbag unit 7 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the first embodiment, an example is shown in which the deployed shape of the airbag 7b is configured to be a substantially inverted Y-shape as viewed from the front of the occupant so as to surround both sides of the occupant. In the second embodiment, FIGS. As shown in FIG. 5, an example is shown in which the deployment shape of the airbag 5b is configured to be a bell shape surrounding the entire circumference of the occupant.
As shown in FIG. 5, the airbag 7b configured in the shape of a bell has the opening O of the airbag 7b when the occupant seats 2 to 5 are deployed (only the driver seat 2 and the passenger seat 3 are shown in FIG. 5). ) Are extended to the vicinity of the seat cushions 2a, 3a, and are configured to cover the entire body of the occupant when seated.
The mounting structure of the airbag unit 7 and the control of the deployment of the airbag by the airbag control unit 14 are the same as in the first embodiment.
[0021]
As described above, according to the second embodiment, since the airbag 7a is configured to surround the entire circumference of the occupant seated in each of the occupant seats 2 to 5, the occupant can be protected from impacts from multiple directions. Can be.
Further, the opening O of the airbag 7b is configured to extend to the vicinity of the seat cushion at the time of deployment, so that the entire body of the occupant at the time of sitting can be protected.
[0022]
(Third embodiment)
Next, an airbag unit 7 according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the second embodiment, 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 has been described. In the second embodiment, an example in which the bell shape is partially deformed is shown.
Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the opening O of the airbag 7 b formed in a bell shape has a passenger front side of each of the passenger seats 2 to 5 (in FIG. 7, only the passenger seat 3 is provided). (See FIG. 1), the seat cushion 3a is extended to the vicinity of the headrest 3b of each of the occupants' seats 2-5.
The mounting structure of the airbag unit 7 and the control of the deployment of the airbag by the airbag control unit 14 are the same as those in the first and second embodiments, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0023]
As described above, according to the third embodiment, when the airbag 7b is configured in a bell shape, the opening O of the airbag 7b is positioned such that the front portion of the occupant is located near the seat cushion of each of the occupants' seats 2 to 5. In addition, the rear portion of the occupant seat is configured to be located near the headrest of each of the occupant seats 2 to 5, so that the size of the airbag 7b can be suppressed, and the entire time of the occupant can be protected while the airbag deployment time is reduced. It can be carried out.
[0024]
(Fourth embodiment)
Next, an airbag unit 7 according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
According to the first to third embodiments, an example is shown in which the airbag 7b is configured to be deployed so as to surround the occupant by a single airbag 7b. However, according to the fourth embodiment, the periphery of the occupant is formed by a plurality of airbags. An example is shown in which the surroundings are enclosed.
Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, three airbags 7b formed in a vertical wall shape are provided for one occupant seat so as to cover three directions of the front and both sides of the occupant. Is established.
[0025]
As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, since a plurality of airbags 7b are provided for one occupant seat so as to surround the occupant seated in the occupant seat, the first to third airbags are provided. As in the embodiment, occupant protection against collision from multiple directions can be performed.
In the fourth embodiment, an example is shown in which three airbags 7b are provided so as to cover the three directions of the front and both sides of the occupant. However, the four airbags 7b are provided so as to cover the four directions of the occupant. It may be arranged.
[0026]
(Fifth embodiment)
Next, an airbag unit 7 according to a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
In the first to fourth embodiments, an example in which the present invention is applied to a vehicle having two rows of seats including a front seat row and a rear seat row has been described. In the fifth embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a vehicle having three rows of seats. Show.
As shown in FIG. 10, the vehicle 1 includes a front row of seats including a driver's seat 2 ′ and a passenger seat 3 ′, a middle row of seats including a bench seat 16 in which three occupants are allowed to sit, and two occupants. And a rear row of bench seats 17 that allow seating of the passenger seats, and the airbags 7b are respectively disposed at positions corresponding to above all occupant seats.
Note that the airbag 7b in the fifth embodiment has the bell shape shown in the third embodiment, but may be changed to any of the types shown in the first, second, and fourth embodiments. Good.
[0027]
As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, even in a vehicle having three rows of seats, occupant protection against impact from multiple directions can be performed for all occupants.
[0028]
In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the airbag unit 7 is attached to the roof reinforcement 6b. However, the airbag unit 7 may be attached directly to the roof panel 6a.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view of a vehicle according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the vehicle according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an airbag according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a view showing an airbag according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a view showing an airbag deployment state according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a view showing an airbag according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an airbag deployed state according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an airbag according to a fourth embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an airbag deployed state according to a fourth embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a plan view of a vehicle according to a fifth embodiment.
[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 (roof)
6a: roof panel 6b: roof panel reinforcement 6c: top ceiling 7: airbag unit 7a: inflator 7b: airbags 8 to 13: airbag sensors (collision detecting means)
15: Mounting bracket 16: Middle seat (passenger seat)
17: Rear seat (passenger seat)

Claims (9)

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,
An airbag device for a vehicle, comprising: an airbag that is deployed toward a vehicle interior by gas generated by the inflator.
The inflator and the airbag are formed as an integrally modularized airbag unit, and the airbag unit is disposed on the roof vehicle cabin side at a position corresponding to above a passenger seat disposed in the vehicle cabin. Along with
The airbag device for a vehicle, wherein the airbag is configured to be deployed so as to surround the occupant seated in the occupant seat. The airbag device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the airbag is configured to surround the occupant by one airbag when deployed. The airbag device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the airbag is configured to surround both sides of the occupant when deployed. The airbag device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the airbag is configured to surround the entire circumference of the occupant when deployed. The airbag is configured in the shape of a bell that surrounds the entire circumference of the occupant at the time of deployment. 5. The airbag device for a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein a front side of the occupant is located near a headrest of the occupant seat. 5. The airbag unit according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the airbag units are provided for one occupant seat so as to surround an occupant seated in the occupant seat. Vehicle airbag device. 7. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of occupant seats are provided in the cabin, and the airbag unit is provided at a position corresponding to each of the plurality of occupant seats. An airbag device for a vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims. The upper part of the vehicle is covered with a roof panel, and a roof panel reinforcement is joined to the interior side of the roof panel,
The airbag unit is mounted on the roof panel reinforcement via a mounting bracket, and a vehicle interior side of the airbag unit is configured to be covered by a top ceiling covering the vehicle interior side of the roof panel. The airbag device for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The airbag according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the airbag unit is provided with the airbag and the inflator sequentially from a vehicle interior side to a vehicle exterior side. apparatus.

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