JP2006151139A - Occupant crash protection device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an occupant crash protection device certainly preventing a sun visor from being brought into contact with an occupant at deployment of a front airbag and safely and gently protect the occupant by fitting it to the occupant regardless of body conditions of the occupant to be protected. <P>SOLUTION: A front airbag device 4 for protecting the occupant from impact at collision is installed at a front side of a seat 14 and the sun visor 8 is further installed on a roof panel 2, i.e., a ceiling part. Further, an airbag device 10 for the sun visor having an independent constitution from the front airbag device 4 is provided near an upper part of a storage part 7a for storing the sun visor 8. When the front airbag device 4 is operated to inflate/deploy the front airbag 5 at collision of the automobile, the sun visor 8 is moved in a direction avoiding the occupant by the airbag device 10 for the sun visor and a head part or the like of the occupant is protected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention includes a front airbag device that protects an occupant in the event of a car collision, and can reliably prevent the sun visor of the sun visor device that blocks glare from the front of the vehicle from coming into contact with the occupant. The present invention relates to an occupant protection device including a bag device.

  In a conventional vehicle, for example, an automobile, a front airbag device is attached to a steering handle or an instrument panel in front of the driver seat or the passenger seat in order to protect a passenger seated in the driver seat or the passenger seat at the time of a collision accident. Equipped with.

  On the other hand, if a sun visor that shields glare from the windshield glass of an automobile is installed in front of the ceiling of the automobile, and if glare such as sunlight is incident from the front when driving the automobile, The wing is rotated toward the windshield glass to block glare, thereby protecting passengers from the viewpoint of safe driving.

  However, for example, when using the sun visor, when the automobile has a collision accident and the front airbag of the front airbag device is inflated and deployed, the front airbag is placed between the sun visor and the windshield glass. In this case, the sun visor may move to the occupant side due to the deployment action of the front airbag, and as a result, the sun visor may be interposed between the occupant and the front airbag. is there.

Therefore, conventionally, for example, Patent Literature 1 proposes an airbag device suitable for preventing the sun visor from interposing between the front airbag and the occupant when the front airbag is inflated and deployed.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 4-91552.

  In the airbag device described in Patent Document 1, an airbag device is installed in an overhead console installed on the head of an occupant, and the airbag is windshield glass by high-pressure gas generated from an inflator when an automobile collides. In this case, the airbag is inflated and deployed to capture and protect the occupant while pushing the sun visor provided on the lower side of the overhead console to the windshield glass side. ing.

  However, in the above-described conventional airbag device, the airbag deployment direction is downward due to the installation in the overhead console, and the airbag deployment direction depends on the setting position for the sun visor to block glare. Because the airbag is inflated and deployed, the sun visor is rotated and moved to the occupant side. At this time, the occupant's head may come into contact with the sun visor.

  Furthermore, since the conventional airbag apparatus is configured to simultaneously perform the movement of the sun visor and the capture and protection of the occupant using a single airbag, the seat height of the occupant to be protected is low and high. Regardless of the conditions, the inflation hardness of the airbag will be set uniformly.For example, if the inflation hardness of the airbag is adapted to an occupant with a high seating height, for an occupant with a low seating height, The bag can be too hard.

  In view of the above, the present invention reliably prevents the sun visor from coming into contact with the occupant when the front airbag is deployed, and safely and gently protects the occupant regardless of the physical condition of the occupant to be protected. It is an object of the present invention to provide an occupant protection device that has been made appropriately.

  An occupant protection device according to the present invention includes a front airbag device that protects an occupant from an impact when a vehicle collides, and a sun visor is installed on the ceiling, and the sun visor is installed near the ceiling. An occupant protection device configured by installing a sun visor airbag to be moved in an avoiding direction, wherein the sun visor is inflated and deployed when the front airbag device is activated by a collision of the vehicle. The airbag apparatus is configured as a mechanism independent of the front airbag apparatus.

  With the above configuration, the installation location and specifications of the sun visor airbag device are selected as appropriate regardless of the front airbag device by the airbag device for the sun visor configured as an independent mechanism with respect to the front airbag device in the event of a vehicle collision. For example, the sun visor is first moved in the direction opposite to the occupant, and then the front airbag of the front airbag device is inflated and deployed to capture and protect the occupant. Therefore, the sun visor does not contact the occupant, and the occupant can be protected more safely.

  In addition, even if the front airbag device and the sun visor airbag device are simultaneously activated in the event of a vehicle collision, the sun visor airbag on the sun visor airbag device side can be smaller than the front airbag. First, the sun visor airbag can be inflated and deployed into a predetermined shape.

  As a result, after the sun visor is moved in a direction to avoid the occupant, the front airbag can be inflated and deployed into a predetermined shape. In this case, the sun visor does not contact the occupant, and the occupant can be protected more safely. The action can be performed.

  Further, since the front airbag device and the sun visor airbag device are configured as independent mechanisms, before the front airbag of the front airbag device is inflated and deployed into a final predetermined shape, the sun visor airbag device for the sun visor The airbag can be configured to be inflated and deployed into a predetermined shape earlier.

  As a result, the sun visor airbag in which the sun visor is moved in a direction avoiding the occupant can be used to protect the occupant's head, and then the front airbag device that inflates and deploys to a predetermined shape, The entire abdomen or foot can be captured and protected.

  Therefore, even if the hardness of the front airbag after inflation is adapted to, for example, an occupant with a low seat height, the occupant with a high seat height is captured and protected by both the front airbag and the sun visor airbag, and the seat height is low. Since the occupant can be mainly protected by the front airbag device, the occupant can be safely and gently protected by adapting to any occupant regardless of the occupant's physical condition to be protected.

  The occupant protection device of the present invention is inflated and deployed along the windshield glass of the vehicle when the sun visor airbag constituting the sun visor airbag device in the invention of claim 1 is inflated and deployed. It has an air bag guide means that enables it.

  With the above configuration, the sun visor air bag is inflated and deployed along the windshield glass by the air bag guide means, so that the sun visor does not come into contact with the occupant due to the inflated deployment of the front airbag. Will protect you.

  In the occupant protection device of the present invention, the final folded shape of the sun visor airbag constituting the sun visor airbag device of the invention according to claim 1 is accommodated in an air bag case. It is formed by folding in a roll shape so that it can be expanded and deployed along the line.

  With the above configuration, the sun visor airbag is folded in a roll shape so as to be inflatable and deployable along the windshield glass in the airbag case body, so that the sun visor does not come into contact with the occupant by inflating and deploying the front airbag. , Will protect the crew more safely.

  According to the occupant protection device of the present invention, in the event of a vehicle collision, the sun visor airbag device configured as an independent mechanism with respect to the front airbag device allows the sun visor airbag device to be installed regardless of the front airbag device. For example, the sun visor is first moved in the direction opposite to the occupant, and then the front airbag of the front airbag device is inflated and deployed to capture and protect the occupant. Therefore, the sun visor does not come into contact with the occupant, so that the occupant can be protected more safely, and the front airbag device and the sun visor airbag device can be installed at the same time in the event of a vehicle collision. Even if activated, the sun visor airbag on the sun visor airbag device side is the front airbag. Therefore, the sun visor airbag can be inflated and deployed in a predetermined shape. As a result, after the sun visor is moved to the non-occupant side, the front airbag is inflated and deployed in a predetermined shape. In this case, the sun visor does not come into contact with the occupant, and the occupant can be protected more safely. Further, the front airbag device and the sun visor airbag device are configured as independent mechanisms. Therefore, before the front airbag of the front airbag device is inflated and deployed to the final predetermined shape, the sun visor airbag of the sunvisor airbag device can be inflated and deployed to the predetermined shape earlier. .

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a front part of a vehicle compartment as a vehicle, FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a sun visor airbag device, FIG. 3 is a development view of an airbag provided in the sun visor airbag device, and FIG. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the airbag apparatus for sun visors.

  In the passenger compartment of the automobile shown in FIG. 1, a seat 14 on which an occupant sits is installed behind the windshield glass 1, an instrument panel 3 is installed in front of the seat 14, and the instrument panel 3 A front airbag device 4 is provided on the inside.

  The front airbag device 4 has a retainer 4a formed of a metal plate, and the upper portion of the retainer 4a is a case 4b whose upper portion is fixed to the upper inner surface of the instrument panel 3 by means of vibration welding or the like. The front airbag 5 is stored in a folded state in the case 4b.

  In the lower part of the retainer 4a, an inflator 6 for ejecting high-pressure gas at the time of collision of the automobile is provided, and the high-pressure gas ejected from the inflator 6 is housed in the case 4b so that the front airbag 5 is inflated. It has become.

  The front airbag 5 inflated by the high-pressure gas breaks a tear line (not shown) formed on, for example, the inner surface of the instrument panel 3 by the inflation pressure, and opens a part of the instrument panel 3. From 3a, the front airbag 5 is deployed toward the occupant as shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, the lower surface of the roof panel 2 in the vehicle interior is covered with an interior material 7 made of a roof head lining, and a storage portion 7 a for storing the sun visor 8 is recessed on the front end side of the interior material 7.

  The sun visor 8 has a structure in which the surface of a substantially rectangular plate-like core material that is long in the vehicle width direction is covered with a soft skin (both not shown), and a roof panel 2 that is a ceiling portion whose one end is covered with an interior material 7. It is attached to a support rod 8a that is rotatably supported on the lower surface thereof, and is rotatable from a state stored in the storage portion 7a to a position indicated by an imaginary line in FIG.

  A main body (hereinafter referred to as an air bag apparatus main body) 10 of an air bag device for sun visor is installed in the vicinity of the sun visor 8, for example, between the upper surface of the interior material 7 in which the storage portion 7 a is recessed and the lower surface of the roof panel 2. Has been.

  As shown in detail in FIG. 2, the airbag apparatus main body 10 has a box-shaped airbag case body 10 a having an open bottom surface.

  The airbag case body 10a is integrally formed of, for example, resin, and the rear end of the lid body 10c that covers the opening 10b on the lower surface is hinged to the rear edge of the airbag case body 10a by a hinge 10d. It can be opened and closed downward about 10d.

  In the airbag case body 10a, an inflator 11 is housed on the rear side close to the hinge 10d side, and a sun visor airbag 12 folded in the front side is housed.

  The inflator 11, like the front airbag device 4, ejects high-pressure gas at the time of a car collision, and the high-pressure gas ejected from the inflator 11 is introduced into the folded air bag 12. Thus, the sun visor airbag 12 is inflated instantaneously.

  The sun visor airbag 12 is formed by stacking two base fabrics made of woven fabric such as nylon 66, for example, as shown in FIG. The bag is sewn in a bag shape having a gas inlet 12a on the side, has a smaller volume than the front airbag 5 of the front airbag device 4, and the gas inlet 12a is a gas outlet (not shown) of the inflator 11. )It is connected to the.

  The base fabric of the sun visor airbag 12 is sewn by a sewn portion 12b that expands in a substantially U shape in the gas inflow direction, and the sun visor airbag 12 is inflated and deployed into a predetermined shape. It is stored in the airbag case body 10a in a state of being folded in a roll shape from the front end side.

  The airbag case body 10a installed on the upper surface side of the interior material 7 is attached to a bracket 2a fixed to the lower surface of the roof panel 2 by a fixing tool such as a bolt (not shown), and the opening of the airbag case body 10 is also provided. The front edge side of the part 10b is located above the tip side of the sun visor 8 stored in the storage part 7a.

  And on the upper surface of the interior material 7 that coincides with the front edge of the opening 10b of the airbag case body 10a, the tear line 7b made of a V-shaped groove is substantially the same as or slightly longer than the width of the airbag case body 10a. Is formed.

  When the sun visor airbag 12 is inflated, the tear line 7b is opened by the inflation pressure of the sun visor airbag 12, thereby opening an opening 7c for deploying the sun visor airbag 12 in a part of the interior material 7. The sun visor airbag 12 inflated and deployed from the opening 7c into the passenger compartment is pushed and opened toward the wind shield glass 1 so as to cover the sun visor 8 in the storage portion 7a from behind, while the wind shield glass 1 is opened. It is designed to be deployed on the 1 side. Accordingly, the sun visor airbag 12 is accommodated in the airbag case body 10 in a roll shape so as to be inflatable and deployable along the windshield glass 1.

  Next, the operation of the thus configured sun visor airbag device will be described with reference to FIG.

  Since the airbag apparatus main body 10 is installed between the interior material 7 above the storage portion 7a for storing the sun visor 8 and the roof panel 2, it is not exposed to the vehicle interior side during normal times, and glare from the front. Therefore, when the sun visor 8 is rotated to the windshield glass 1 side, no trouble is caused.

  On the other hand, when the automobile collides, the airbag apparatus body 10 operates simultaneously with the front airbag apparatus 4 as follows.

  That is, when a high-pressure gas is ejected from an inflator 11 provided in the airbag apparatus main body 10 at the time of a car collision, the sun visor airbag 12 in the airbag case body 10a starts to inflate due to the high-pressure gas, and the sun visor air The lid 10c provided in the lower surface opening 10b of the airbag case body 10a is pushed downward about the hinge 10d by the inflation pressure of the bag 12.

  As a result, the front end side of the lid 10c is pressed into contact with the upper surface of the interior material 7 from above, so that a part of the interior material 7 is cleaved from the tear line 7b to form an opening 7c, and the sun visor expanded from the opening 7c. The airbag 12 is guided by the lid body 10c and deployed toward the windshield glass 1 as shown in FIG.

  At this time, when the sun visor 8 is stored in the storage portion 7a, the sun visor airbag 12 is pressed toward the windshield glass 1 so as to cover the stored sun visor 8 from the rear, and the sun visor 8 is put into use. In some cases, the used sun visor 8 is pressed toward the windshield glass 1 so as to cover the sun visor 8 from behind.

  Since these operations are performed instantaneously, the passenger's head hits the sun visor airbag 12 before the sun visor 8 even if the passenger's head located behind the sun visor 8 is suddenly moved forward. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the head of the occupant from coming into contact with the sun visor 8.

  When the seated height of the occupant seated on the seat 14 is high, the sun visor airbag 12 of the airbag apparatus body 10 receives the occupant's head that has moved forward rapidly due to inertia, and the sun visor airbag 12 While absorbing the initial impact and preventing the head of the occupant from colliding with the windshield glass 1, the front airbag 5 of the simultaneously operated front airbag device 4 is inflated forward of the occupant as shown in FIG. Since it is deployed, much of the impact at the time of collision is absorbed by the airbag of the front airbag device 4.

  As a result, for the occupant with a high seat height, the sun visor airbag 12 of the airbag apparatus body 10 prevents the occupant's head from coming into contact with the sun visor 8 and simultaneously absorbs the initial impact, and then increases the front air volume. Since the impact is absorbed by the front airbag 5 of the bag device 4, the occupant's chest and abdomen can be protected from the impact.

  As described above, since the initial impact is absorbed by the sun visor airbag 12 of the airbag device body 10 and then the impact is absorbed by the front airbag 5 of the front airbag device 4, the front airbag device is operated. Even if the inflation pressure of the front airbag 5 of 4 is lowered, sufficient shock absorbing ability can be obtained.

  Further, when the seat height is low, for example, a child is an occupant, the occupant's head does not reach the sun visor airbag 12 of the inflated airbag device main body 10, and the head directly contacts the front airbag 5 of the front airbag device 4. Although it will collide, by lowering the inflation pressure of the front airbag 5 of the front airbag device 4, it is possible to reduce the impact received by the front airbag 5.

  Even when the front airbag device 4 and the airbag device main body 10 are simultaneously activated at the time of the collision of the automobile, the sun visor airbag 12 of the airbag device 10 having a small volume has been inflated and deployed first, and then the front having a large volume. Since the front airbag 5 of the airbag device 4 completes inflating and deploying, it is not necessary to provide a means for operating the front airbag device 4 and the airbag device main body 10 with a time difference, but of course a time difference is provided. The front airbag device 4 and the airbag device main body 10 may be operated.

  On the other hand, FIG. 5 shows a modification of the attachment position of the airbag apparatus main body 10, and FIG. 6 shows a modification of the attachment direction, which will be described next.

  In the modification shown in FIG. 5, the mounting position of the airbag apparatus main body 10 is further rearward than the front end of the sun visor 8 stored in the storage portion 7a, and the interior material is matched to the front end position of the airbag case body 10a. A tear line 7b is formed on the upper surface of the plate 7, and other configurations are the same as those of the above embodiment.

  In this modification, since the airbag case body 10a is further rearward than the tip of the sun visor 8 in the retracted position, the sun visor airbag 12 that is inflated and deployed to the windshield glass 1 side by tearing the tear line 7b is a sun visor. When 8 is stored in the storage unit 7a or close to the storage unit 7a, the sun visor 8 is pressed toward the roof panel 2 and held in the storage unit 7a, and the sun visor 8 is in use. At the same time as in the above-described embodiment, the sun visor 8 is pushed toward the windshield glass 1 so as to cover the sun visor 8 from the rear side, and thus the sun visor airbag 12 avoids the occupant from the sun visor 8. It will be moved in the direction.

  In the modification shown in FIG. 6, the airbag apparatus main body 10 is attached in the opposite direction to that of the above embodiment, and the lid 10c is opened further rearward than the tip of the sun visor 8 stored in the storage portion 7a. The tear line 7b is formed on the upper surface of the interior material 7 in accordance with the rear end position of the airbag case body 10a.

  In this modified example, since the opening position of the lid 10c of the airbag case body 10a is further rearward than the tip of the sun visor 8 in the retracted position, the sun visor airbag 12 is inflated and deployed in the downward direction. Even when 8 is in use, the head of the occupant contacts the sun visor airbag 12 first, so that the occupant's head can be reliably prevented from coming into contact with the sun visor.

  FIGS. 7 and 8 show a modification of the airbag apparatus main body 10. In this modification, the airbag apparatus is interposed between a pair of brackets 2b fixed to the lower surface of the roof panel 2 so as to be spaced apart in the vehicle width direction. The lower surface of both ends of the airbag case body 10a of the main body 10 is attached, and the distance between the pair of brackets 2b is slightly wider than the width of the lid body 10c that covers the lower surface opening 10b of the airbag case body 10a.

  Thus, the sun visor airbag 12 inflated in the airbag case body 10a when the vehicle collides is positioned on both sides when the vehicle interior is deployed toward the windshield glass 1 while pushing the lid 10c open. As shown in FIG. 8, the bracket 2b guides the deployment direction of the sun visor airbag 12, and at the same time, the rising portion 2c of the bracket 2b formed immediately after the airbag case body 10a serves as a stopper, so that the sun visor airbag 12 is provided. In order to support the reaction that acts on the airbag case body 10a when the airbag is deployed, the sun visor airbag 12 can be reliably deployed in the direction of the windshield glass 1, so that the bracket 26 constitutes a bag guide means. become.

  In the modification shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a bag-shaped member 15 is provided in the airbag case body 10a of the airbag apparatus main body 10, and the belt-guiding means for guiding the inflating and deploying direction of the sun visor airbag 12 by the band-shaped member 15. Both ends of the belt-like member 15 are fixed to the upper surface of the front end side of the airbag case body 10a by fixing tools 16 such as rivets.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the middle part of the belt-like member 15 is in a state of being slackened downward. However, when the airbag device body 10 is assembled between the interior material 7 and the roof panel 2, The formed pin hole 15a is locked as shown in FIG. 10 to a protrusion 10f protruding from the upper surface of the airbag case body 10a so that the belt-like member 15 does not loosen.

  The airbag apparatus main body 10 configured as described above also operates in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment. However, the lid body 10c provided on the opening 10b of the airbag case body 10a when the sun visor airbag 12 is inflated. 9 is broken, the pin hole 15a of the belt-like member 14 locked to the projection 10f is broken, and the belt-like member 15 is in the state shown in FIG. 9, so that the vehicle interior is windshielded while pushing the lid 10b open. The belt-shaped member 15 guides the deploying direction of the sun visor airbag 12 deployed toward the glass 1, so that the sun visor airbag 12 can be reliably deployed toward the windshield glass 1. Become.

  The occupant protection device of the present invention is a sun visor airbag device configured as an independent mechanism with respect to the front airbag device in the event of a vehicle collision, regardless of the front airbag device, the installation location of the sun visor airbag device, The specification can be selected as appropriate. For example, the sun visor is first moved in a direction to avoid the occupant, and then the front airbag of the front airbag device is inflated and deployed to capture and protect the occupant. Therefore, the sun visor does not come into contact with the occupant, so that the occupant can be protected more safely, and the front airbag device and the sun visor airbag device can be installed at the same time in the event of a vehicle collision. Even if activated, the sun visor airbag on the sun visor airbag device side must be Since a smaller one can be used, the sun visor airbag can first be inflated and deployed into a predetermined shape, and as a result, after the sun visor is moved in a direction avoiding the occupant, the front airbag is moved into the predetermined shape. In this case, the sun visor does not come into contact with the occupant, and the occupant can be protected more safely. In addition, the front airbag device and the airbag device for the sun visor are independent mechanisms. Therefore, before the front airbag of the front airbag device is inflated and deployed to a final predetermined shape, the sunvisor airbag of the sunvisor airbag device can be configured to be inflated and deployed to a predetermined shape earlier. To be equipped with a front airbag device that protects the passengers in the event of a car collision The sun visor of the sun visor device for shading the glare from the front of the vehicle is suitable for passenger protection device or the like to be provided with an air bag device for a sun visor can be reliably prevented from contacting the occupant.

It is sectional drawing of the motor vehicle in which the passenger | crew protection device which becomes embodiment of this invention was installed. It is an expanded sectional view of the airbag apparatus for sun visors which becomes embodiment of this invention. It is an expanded view of the airbag for sun visors provided in the airbag apparatus for sun visors which becomes embodiment of this invention. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the passenger | crew protection apparatus which becomes embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the attachment position of the airbag apparatus for sun visors which becomes embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the attachment direction of the airbag apparatus for sun visors which becomes embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of the airbag apparatus for sun visors which becomes embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the airbag apparatus for sun visors which becomes embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of the airbag apparatus for sun visors which becomes embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the airbag apparatus for sun visors which becomes embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Windshield glass 2 Roof panel 2b Bracket 4 Front airbag apparatus 5 Front airbag 7a Storage part 8 Sun visor 10 Airbag apparatus main body (main body of the airbag apparatus for sun visors)
10a Airbag Case Body 10b Opening 10c Lid 10d Hinge 12 Sunvisor Airbag 14 Seat

Claims (3)

For a sun visor that includes a front airbag device that protects an occupant from impact when a vehicle collides, and that has a sun visor installed on the ceiling, and that moves the sun visor in a direction avoiding the occupant in the vicinity of the ceiling An occupant protection device configured by installing an airbag, wherein when the front airbag device is activated by the collision of the vehicle to inflate and deploy the front airbag, the sun visor airbag device is An occupant protection device configured as an independent mechanism from the airbag device. 2. The air bag guide device according to claim 1, further comprising an air bag guide unit that can be inflated and deployed along a windshield glass of the vehicle when the sun visor air bag constituting the sun visor air bag device is inflated and deployed. The occupant protection device described. The final folded shape housed in the airbag case body of the sun visor airbag constituting the sun visor airbag device is folded into a roll shape so that it can be inflated and deployed along the windshield glass of the vehicle. The occupant protection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the occupant protection device is provided.

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