JP2005280530A - Airbag device for side collision of automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an airbag device for a side collision of an automobile which can surely deploy the airbag to the inside of a cabin without forming a guide wall to a garnish and facilitate mounting operation and dismounting operation of the airbag on/from a vehicle body. <P>SOLUTION: Since the airbag 1 is drawn out to the cabin inside R by the amount of a stroke width S secured between an expansion working point P and a head part 16 of an insertion piece 15 by a repulsive force in inflating the airbag 1, the airbag 1 deploys from the position further displaced to the cabin inside R than the conventional one downward of the airbag 1 and the airbag 1 does not intrude in the clearance between a center pillar garnish 21 and the vehicle body. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an airbag device for a side impact of an automobile.

  A side roof rail is arranged at a position higher than the passenger's head in the body of the automobile, and an airbag for protecting the passenger at the time of a side collision is provided along the side roof rail. The airbag has a front-rear length extending in the front-rear direction beyond the center pillar, and an upper end portion of the airbag is fixed to the side rail by bolt means in a folded state.

  In the event of a side collision of the automobile, the gas of the inflator is injected into the air bag, so that the air bag expands downward while pushing the lower end of the head lining toward the passenger compartment, The head is protected.

However, a center pillar garnish is installed as an interior material on the vehicle interior side of the center pillar, and this center pillar garnish is pushed out to the vehicle interior side in the event of a side collision of the automobile. Instead, there is a risk of entering the gap between the center pillar garnish and the vehicle body. For this reason, conventionally, a guide wall for preventing the airbag from entering between the center pillar garnish and the vehicle body is formed at the upper end of the center pillar garnish. It leads to the indoor side (for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent No. 3125729 (FIGS. 5 and 6)

  However, in such a conventional technique, in order to prevent the airbag from entering between the center pillar garnish and the vehicle body, a guide wall is formed at the upper end of the center pillar garnish, The structure of the center pillar garnish is complicated, making it difficult to form the center pillar garnish, and the formation of guide walls causes sink marks and distortion on the surface of the center pillar garnish, and the appearance quality of the center pillar garnish as an interior material. It also has an adverse effect.

  In addition, since the upper end of the folded airbag is fixed to the side roof rail by the bolt means, the attachment strength to the vehicle body when the airbag is inflated is high, but the work of attaching the airbag to the vehicle body first, The work for removing the airbag from the vehicle body for maintenance is troublesome.

  The present invention has been made by paying attention to such a conventional technique, and can reliably deploy the airbag to the vehicle interior side without forming a guide wall in the garnish. Provided is an automobile side-impact airbag device that can be easily attached to and detached from a vehicle.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a folded airbag is accommodated between a rigid base member located on the vehicle body side and a flexible cover member attached to the vehicle interior side of the base member. Forming an airbag module having a length extending in the front-rear direction beyond the center pillar garnish, and engaging a plurality of clips installed in the longitudinal direction of the base member with the opening of the inner wall of the vehicle body An airbag device for a side impact of an automobile in which an airbag that is detachably attached to an inner wall of a vehicle body and expands in a curtain shape downward while pushing open a cover member while the airbag is inflated at a side collision of the automobile, The structure is such that the divided part can be expanded and deformed outward, and an insertion piece having a bulging head is coupled to the end of the airbag. The piece is inserted inside the clip with the base member penetrated, and the air bag is pulled out to the vehicle interior side by the repulsive force when the airbag is inflated on the opposite surface of the portion engaged into the opening of the clip. An expansion action point is formed that abuts against the head of the inserted piece to cause the clip to expand and deforms, and a predetermined position is established between the expansion action point and the head of the insertion piece when the airbag is not inflated. The stroke width is secured.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, an insertion hole is formed in the base member to allow the insertion piece to pass therethrough, and a clip separate from the base member is slid along the surface of the base member in the insertion hole portion of the base member. The holding part to hold is formed.

  The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the clip is integrally formed with the base member.

  The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that an end portion of the airbag is sandwiched between two panels connected via a hinge, and an insertion piece is formed on one of the panels.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the airbag is pulled out to the vehicle interior side by the repulsive force when the airbag is inflated by the stroke width secured between the expansion action point and the head of the insertion piece. Therefore, the airbag is deployed downward from the position displaced toward the interior of the vehicle, and the airbag does not enter the gap between the center pillar garnish and the vehicle body, and is reliably deployed downward on the interior of the vehicle. To do. Since the clip does not expand when the airbag is not inflated, the airbag module can be attached by engaging the clip with the opening on the inner wall of the vehicle body, and the airbag module can be removed by removing the clip from the opening. Can be removed for maintenance. Also, when the airbag is pulled out to the vehicle interior side and the head of the insertion piece pushes open the clip expansion point, the clip expands and deforms, increasing the engagement force with the clip opening, Removal from the opening can be reliably prevented.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the clip is separated from the base member, it is possible to avoid complication of the shape of the base member and to facilitate the molding of the base member.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the clip is integrally formed with the base member, the mounting strength of the clip is improved as compared with the case of a separate body.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, since the end portion of the airbag is sandwiched between the two panels and the insertion piece is formed on one of the panels, the coupling force between the airbag and the insertion piece is high.

  Provided is an airbag device for a side impact of an automobile that can be reliably deployed to the vehicle interior side without forming a guide wall in the garnish, and can be easily attached to and detached from the vehicle body. In the air bag module, a plurality of clips installed on the base member have a structure in which a plurality of divided portions can be expanded and deformed outward, and an end portion of the air bag has a bulging head The insertion piece is inserted into the inside of the clip with the insertion piece penetrating the base member, and the opposing surface of the portion engaged into the opening of the clip is repelled when the airbag is inflated. An expansion action point is formed that abuts against the head of the insertion piece pulled out together with the airbag by the force to cause the clip to expand, and between the expansion action point and the head of the insertion piece. In addition, By predetermined stroke width is secured in a non-inflated state of the airbag, it was realized. DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  1 to 11 show a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a view of the upper part of an automobile as seen from the vehicle interior side, and shows a state in which an airbag 1 is deployed. A side roof rail 2 as a “vehicle body inner wall” is formed at the upper part of the vehicle body along the front-rear direction. A plurality of openings 3 are formed in the side roof rail 2 along the front-rear direction.

  A base member 4 having rigidity made of polypropylene is attached along the side roof rail 2. The base member 4 is formed with insertion holes 5 at a plurality of locations in the front-rear direction, and a holding portion 6 having one side as an inlet is formed around the insertion hole 5.

  A clip 7 separate from the base member 4 is accommodated in the holding portion 6 by sliding from one side. Since the clip 7 is separated from the base member 4, the shape of the base member 4 can be prevented from becoming complicated, and the base member 4 can be easily formed.

  The clip 7 (engagement piece 7a) has a two-sheet structure facing each other, and a flange 8 is formed around the clip. The front end side of the flange 8 is engaged in the opening 3 of the side roof rail 2. A spreading action point P is set on the opposing surface of the portion of the clip 7 that is engaged into the opening 3. When another object enters between the expansion action points P and pushes the portion open, the distal end side of the clip 7 (engagement piece 7a) is expanded in the separating direction.

  The base member 4 is formed with a recess 9 having an open bottom in the front-rear direction. Further, the insertion hole 5 is formed in the recess 9. The rear end of the recess 9 coincides with the rear end of the base member 4 and is opened rearward as it is.

  The airbag 1 is entirely folded up and down, and a plurality of support pieces 10 (see FIG. 5) are formed at the upper end portion thereof. The rear end of the airbag 1 is a gas inlet 11 to which an inflator 12 is connected.

  The support piece 10 of the airbag 1 is sandwiched between two resin panels 14 connected via a hinge 13 via an adhesive. A plurality of projections are formed on the inner surface of the panel 14 to prevent the support piece 10 from falling off. A resin insertion piece 15 is integrally formed on the outer side of the two panels 14. A bulging head 16 is formed at the tip of the insertion piece 15. Since the support piece 10 of the airbag 1 is sandwiched between the two panels 14 and the insertion piece 15 is formed on one of the panels 14, the coupling force between the airbag 1 and the insertion piece 15 is high.

  The insertion piece 15 coupled to the upper end of the airbag 1 is inserted into the insertion hole 5 of the base member 4 and passes between the clips 7 (between the two engagement pieces 7a). Projecting to the tip side of the joining piece 7a). The insertion piece 15 has a sufficient length, and when it is inserted between the clips 7, a predetermined stroke width S is secured between the head 16 and the expansion action point P of the clip 7. Yes.

  The recessed portion 9 of the base member 4 has a size corresponding to the folded airbag 1, and the folded airbag 1 is set in the recessed portion 9 by being inserted from the opened rear end of the recessed portion 9. .

  Next, the cover member 17 is attached from the vehicle interior side to the base member 4 on which the airbag 1 is set. The cover member 17 has a shape corresponding to the base member 4, and the portions other than the recess 9 are bonded to the base member 4 in a superposed state. The cover member 17 has a structure in which a urethane foam layer and a backing layer (thermoplastic olefin elastomer / TPO) are laminated on the back surface of the cloth, and has flexibility as a whole. In addition, as long as it has flexibility, you may form the cover member 17 with each material which comprises lamination | stacking individually or in another combination. Even if the cover member 17 is formed of only a material having low shape retention such as cloth or soft foamed resin, there is no problem because the cover member 17 is polymerized in a portion other than the recess 9 of the base member 4.

  A claw portion 18 is formed at the lower end of the cover member 17, and this claw portion 18 is engaged with the lower end of the base member 4. The lip of the weather strip 19 is in contact with the lower end of the cover member 17 where the claw portion 18 is formed from below. Further, the cover member 17 has a decorative surface with a curvature that is continuous with the roof trim 20, and the cover member 17 is in a state in which the end portion of the roof trim 20 is formed in appearance.

  The upper end of the center pillar garnish 21 attached from the vehicle interior side to the center pillar of the vehicle body is arranged in a close proximity at a substantially front-rear intermediate position of the cover member 17. A portion of the lower end portion of the cover member 17 corresponding to the upper end portion of the center pillar garnish 21 is partially cut away and the claw portion 18 is omitted in order to avoid interference with the center pillar garnish 21.

  By storing the airbag 1 between the cover member 17 and the base member 4 as described above, the airbag module M whose surface is continuous with the roof trim 20 as described above is formed.

  Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, since the clip 7 is provided on the back surface of the base member 4, the airbag module M in which the airbag 1 is accommodated between the base member 4 and the cover member 17 is replaced with the clip of the base member 4. 7 (engagement piece 7a) can be easily attached to the opening 3 of the side roof rail 2, and the attachment workability is good. The head 16 of the insertion piece 15 protrudes toward the distal end side of the clip 7 and does not affect the engagement width of the clip 7 (engagement piece 7a). ) Can be easily engaged with the opening 3.

  After the attachment, the decorative surface of the cover member 17 is in a state of being continuous with the roof trim 20, so that the appearance from the vehicle interior side is good. Since the cover member 17 has flexibility, the tactile sensation (buffering property) when the occupant touches from the vehicle interior side is also good. Furthermore, since the cover member 17 of this embodiment uses TPO as the backing layer, it is excellent in low-temperature impact properties and can be prevented from being damaged at low temperatures.

  When it is necessary to remove the airbag module M for maintenance or the like, the airbag module M can be removed with the same degree of resistance as when it is attached by pulling the airbag module M to the vehicle interior R side as it is. That is, the engagement force of the clip 7 (engagement piece 7a) is not yet affected by the head 16 of the insertion piece 15.

  Next, the state at the time of a side collision of the vehicle will be described. 4, 7, and 8 are views showing the deployed state of the airbag 1 in a portion other than the center pillar garnish 21, and FIGS. 9, 10, and 11 are deployed states of the airbag 1 in the center pillar garnish 21 portion. FIG.

  First, at the time of a side collision of the vehicle, the gas in the inflator 12 is injected into the airbag 1 and the airbag 1 is inflated. Due to the inflating force, the airbag 1 strongly pushes the inner surface of the base member 4 and then moves as a whole toward the vehicle interior R side due to the repulsion. And the nail | claw part 18 of the lower end of the cover member 17 detach | leaves from the base member 4, and is pushed and opened to the vehicle interior R side as it is.

  At this time, since the cover member 17 has flexibility, the cover member 17 does not rotate as a whole, but only the lower portion of the cover member 17 is deformed to the vehicle interior R side, and the air The bag 1 is allowed to expand downward in a curtain shape. Therefore, the deployment resistance when the airbag 1 is deployed downward is small, and the airbag 1 can be deployed at an early stage even with the inflator 12 having a normal output.

  The amount by which the airbag 1 moves to the vehicle interior R side due to repulsion is determined by the stroke width S set between the head 16 of the insertion piece 15 and the expansion action point P of the clip 7. When the head 16 of the insertion piece 15 is drawn into the inside of the clip 7 (between the two engagement pieces 7a) by the movement of the airbag 1 toward the vehicle interior R side, the head 16 is expanded. The clip 7 (two engagement pieces 7a) is pushed open by abutting on the clip 7 and the clip 7 (engagement piece 7a) is expanded and deformed. At that time, since the drawing-in of the insertion piece 15 stops, the airbag 1 moves toward the vehicle interior R side by the stroke width S. The head 16 of the insertion piece 15 pushes and opens the expansion action point P to cause the clip 7 (two engagement pieces 7a) to expand and deform, thereby engaging the opening 7 of the clip 7 (engagement piece 7a). The resultant force is increased, and the clip 7 is reliably prevented from coming off from the opening 3.

  Thus, since the airbag 1 is pulled out to the vehicle interior R side by the stroke width S, the airbag 1 is deployed downward from the position displaced to the vehicle interior R side as compared with the prior art, and in particular, the center pillar garnish 21 exists. In the portion, the airbag 1 does not enter the gap between the center pillar garnish 21 and the vehicle body, and is surely deployed downward on the vehicle interior R side.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the insertion hole 5 for allowing the insertion piece 15 to penetrate is formed in the base member 23, and the clip engagement piece 22 is integrally formed with the base member 23 from the insertion hole 5 of the base member 23. A spacer 24 is interposed around the clip engaging piece 22. Since the clip engaging piece 22 is integrated with the base member 23, the mounting strength of the clip engaging piece 22 is improved as compared with the case where the clip engaging piece 22 is separate.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, the insert piece 25 and the two panels 27 connected by the hinge 26 are formed by bending a metal plate. The two panels 27 are connected by a metal hook 28. Since the insert piece 25 and the like are formed by bending with a metal plate, it is not necessary to manufacture an expensive metal mold such as injection molding with a resin, which is advantageous in terms of cost especially in the case of a small number of manufacturing.

  In each of the above embodiments, the cover member 17 is bonded to the base member 4 by bonding. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and bonding means such as welding and engagement may be used.

The vehicle interior side view which shows the state which the airbag which concerns on 1st Example of this invention developed below. The vehicle interior side view equivalent to FIG. 1 which shows the state before deployment of an airbag. The disassembled perspective view which shows the airbag module of FIG. Sectional drawing which follows the SA-SA line shown by the arrow in FIG. The disassembled perspective view which shows the periphery structure of the clip of FIG. Sectional drawing equivalent to FIG. 4 which shows the attachment and removal state of an airbag module. Sectional drawing equivalent to FIG. 4 which shows the state which the airbag moved to the vehicle interior side by repulsion. Sectional drawing which shows the state which the airbag of FIG. 7 expand | deployed below. Sectional drawing which follows the arrow SB-SB line in FIG. Sectional drawing equivalent to FIG. 9 which shows the state which the airbag moved to the vehicle interior side by repulsion. Sectional drawing equivalent to FIG. 9 which shows the state which the airbag expand | deployed below. Sectional drawing equivalent to FIG. 4 which shows 2nd Example of this invention. The perspective view of the insertion piece and panel which shows 3rd Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Air bag 2 Side roof rail (vehicle body inner wall)
3 Opening 4, 23 Base member 7, 22 Clip 13, 26 Hinge 14, 27 Panel 15, 25 Insert piece 16 Head 17 Cover member 21 Center pillar garnish M Air bag module P Expansion action point S Stroke width R Car interior

Claims (4)

A folded airbag is accommodated between a base member having rigidity located on the vehicle body side and a flexible cover member attached to the vehicle interior side of the base member, over the center pillar garnish. Forming an airbag module having a length extending in the front-rear direction;
The airbag module is detachably attached to the inner wall of the vehicle body by engaging a plurality of clips installed in the longitudinal direction of the base member with the opening of the inner wall of the vehicle body,
An airbag device for a side collision of an automobile in which an airbag inflated at the time of a side collision of the automobile expands in a curtain shape downward while pushing the cover member open,
The clip has a structure in which a divided part can be expanded and deformed outward, and an insertion piece having a bulging head is coupled to the end of the airbag, and the insertion piece penetrates the base member. And inserted inside the clip with
On the opposite surface of the portion engaged into the opening of the clip, the expansion of the clip is caused by abutting against the head of the insertion piece pulled out to the vehicle interior side together with the airbag by the repulsive force when the airbag is inflated. An opening point is formed,
A side impact airbag device for an automobile, wherein a predetermined stroke width is secured between the expansion action point and the head of the insertion piece when the airbag is not inflated. An airbag device for a side collision of an automobile according to claim 1,
Forming an insertion hole that allows the insertion piece to penetrate the base member,
A side impact air for an automobile, characterized in that a holding portion is formed in the insertion hole portion of the base member to slide and hold a clip separate from the base member in a state along the surface of the base member. Bag device. An airbag device for a side collision of an automobile according to claim 1,
A side impact airbag device for an automobile, wherein the clip is integrally formed with the base member. An airbag device for a side collision of an automobile according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An airbag device for a side impact of an automobile, wherein an end portion of an airbag is sandwiched between two panels connected via a hinge, and an insertion piece is formed on one of the panels.