JP2006347501A - Airbag device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an airbag device capable of protecting an airbag body deploying at the outside of a vehicle body. <P>SOLUTION: In a hood airbag device 10, a hood outer panel 16 is broken at a notch part 44 and an opening part is formed by pressing a door part 42 provided at the hood outer panel 16 as an inside part of the rectangular frame-shaped notch part 44 by the airbag body 14 in the inflation process, and the airbag body 14 inflated to the outside of the vehicle through the opening part is deployed at the outside of the vehicle. A notch cover part 64 is provided between an upper end 36C of a front wall 36B of a case 36 housing the airbag body 14 and a front part 44A of the notch part 44 in the hood outer panel 16 to guide the airbag body 14 so that the airbag body 14 deploys through the opening part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an airbag apparatus including an airbag bag body that is deployed outside a vehicle body such as a hood airbag apparatus.

In order to protect a collision object that collides with the rear portion of the engine hood or the front windshield glass at the time of a vehicle collision, a technique for inflating and deploying an airbag bag body outside the engine hood or the front windshield glass is known (for example, Patent Document 1). In this technique, an airbag bag body or the like is accommodated and the lid that closes the opening end of the case that opens to the outer surface of the vehicle body is moved to the deployment position by the airbag bag body that inflates, and the airbag bag body is moved to the outside of the case, that is, the outside of the vehicle body. It is supposed to be deployed in. The lid covers projections such as a rear edge of the hood of the vehicle body and a wiper at the deployed position, and prevents the airbag bag body from being caught on these projections.
JP 2003-200800 A

  However, in the conventional technology as described above, since the deployed lid covers other protrusions, the edge of the lid itself or the edge of the opening where the lid opens and opens damages the airbag bag body. It is also possible to do.

  In view of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain an airbag device that can protect an airbag bag body that is deployed outside the vehicle body.

  In order to achieve the above object, an airbag device according to the invention described in claim 1 is provided integrally with the vehicle body outer plate as an inner portion of a frame-like thin portion recessed on the inner surface side of the vehicle body outer plate. A door portion that opens toward the inner surface of the door portion, and is accommodated in the case and expands by a gas pressure of gas supplied in a predetermined case to press the door portion, and An airbag bag body that is separated from the door portion by breaking the plate at the thin-walled portion and is deployed outside the vehicle body through an opening formed in the vehicle body outer plate, an opening end of the case, and the vehicle body outer plate A guide portion that is provided between the thin-wall portion and guides the airbag bag body that expands in the predetermined case to the outside of the vehicle body through the opening.

  In the airbag device according to the first aspect, when the airbag bag body is inflated by operating, the airbag body is inflated from the case and presses the door portion, so that the vehicle body outer plate is broken at the thin portion. Thereby, the door part separated from the vehicle body outer plate is further pressed by the airbag bag body, so that an opening through which the airbag bag body passes is formed in the vehicle body outer plate and passes through the opening in the airbag bag body. The unfolded part expands outside the body skin. Here, the guide portion is provided between the opening end of the case and the frame-shaped thin portion, that is, between the opening end of the case and the inner edge portion of the opening formed by separating the door portion. The portion of the airbag body that is about to pass through the opening passes through the opening while being guided by the guide. As a result, the airbag bag body can be properly deployed so as not to contact the inner edge of the opening, for example, and so as not to enter between the opening end of the case and the inner surface of the vehicle body outer plate.

  Thus, in the airbag device according to the first aspect, the airbag bag body deployed outside the vehicle body can be protected.

  The airbag device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the airbag device according to the first aspect, wherein the guide portion has one side of the thin portion formed in a rectangular frame shape and the airbag bag body in the case. On the other hand, the air bag extends beyond the straight line connecting the opening edge located on the same side as one side of the thin wall portion.

  In the airbag device according to claim 2, between the one side of the thin portion located on the same side of the airbag bag body and the opening edge of the case, from an imaginary straight line that connects these one side and the opening edge at the shortest Also, the guide portion that protrudes toward the side of the airbag bag body (the side near the frame center of the frame-like thin portion) is formed by breaking the thin portion as viewed along the imaginary straight line from the opening edge of the case. Therefore, the guide bag prevents the airbag bag body from contacting the inner edge of the opening. Thereby, even when a sharp portion is formed at the edge of the opening due to the breakage of the thin-walled portion, the airbag bag body is protected. Note that the rectangular frame-shaped thin portion and the open end of the case may have the same size and shape, and either one may be alerted to be larger than the other.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the airbag apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the guide portion is provided on a guide member supported by the vehicle body outer plate.

  In the airbag device according to the third aspect, since the guide member having the guide portion is provided on the vehicle body outer plate, the strength (rigidity) around the opening formed in the vehicle body outer plate is expected to increase. . Further, the structure of the portion that supports the vehicle body outer plate is not complicated by providing the guide member.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the airbag apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the guide portion is supported by a portion of the vehicle body that supports the vehicle body outer plate. The guide member is provided.

  In the airbag device according to the fourth aspect, it is not necessary to adopt a structure in which the guide member is supported on the vehicle body outer plate, and the structure on the vehicle body outer plate side is simplified.

  The airbag device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the airbag device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the guide portion supports the vehicle body outer plate and the vehicle body outer plate in the vehicle body. It is provided in the guide member each supported by the part to carry out.

  In the airbag device according to the fifth aspect, the vehicle body outer plate is connected to the vehicle body via the guide member. As a result, the strength (rigidity) around the opening formed in the outer plate of the vehicle body is increased, and an effect of reliably breaking the thin-walled portion by pressing the door portion by the airbag bag body is expected. On the contrary, in the configuration in which the guide part is provided in the existing part that connects the vehicle body outer plate and the vehicle body, the existing part is grasped as a guide member, and the effect that the guide part can be provided without increasing the number of parts is obtained. .

  An airbag apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the airbag apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the airbag apparatus is provided on an inner surface side of the door portion and separated from the vehicle body outer plate. A cover member covering the outer edge of the door portion was further provided.

  In the airbag device according to the sixth aspect, since the edge of the door portion separated from the outer plate of the vehicle body by being pressed by the airbag bag body is covered from the inner surface side by the cover member, the airbag bag body has the door portion. Contact with the edge is prevented. Thereby, even when a sharp part is formed in the edge part of the door part by the fracture | rupture of a thin part, an airbag bag body is protected.

  In order to achieve the above object, an airbag device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is provided integrally with the vehicle body outer plate as an inner portion of a frame-like thin portion recessed on the inner surface side of the vehicle body outer plate. The door portion is disposed in the vehicle body and is expanded by a gas pressure of gas supplied in a predetermined case to press the door portion, and the vehicle body outer plate is broken at the thin portion to An airbag bag body that is separated and deployed outside the vehicle body through an opening formed in the vehicle body outer plate, and a cover that is provided on the inner surface side of the door portion and covers the outer edge of the door portion separated from the vehicle body outer plate And a member.

  In the airbag device according to the seventh aspect, when the airbag bag body is inflated by operating, the outer body plate of the vehicle body is broken at the thin portion by pressing the airbag bag body door portion. Thereby, the door part separated from the vehicle body outer plate is further pressed by the airbag bag body, so that an opening through which the airbag bag body passes is formed in the vehicle body outer plate and passes through the opening in the airbag bag body. The unfolded part expands outside the body skin. Here, since the edge part of the door part pressed from the airbag bag body and separated from the outer plate of the vehicle body is covered from the inner surface side by the cover member, the airbag bag body may contact the edge part of the door part. Is prevented. Thereby, even when a sharp part is formed in the edge part of the door part by the fracture | rupture of a thin part, an airbag bag body is protected.

  Thus, in the airbag device according to the seventh aspect, the airbag bag body deployed outside the vehicle body can be protected.

  As described above, according to the present invention, there is an excellent effect that the airbag bag body deployed outside the vehicle body can be protected.

  A hood airbag device 10 as an airbag device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. In addition, arrow FR, arrow UP, and arrow LE appropriately described in each figure respectively indicate the forward direction (traveling direction), the upward direction, and the left direction of the automobile S to which the hood airbag device 10 is applied.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the automobile S to which the hood airbag device 10 is applied. As shown in this figure, the hood airbag device 10 deploys an airbag bag body 14 accommodated in an engine hood 12 as a hood member in a predetermined case described later on the outside of the engine hood 12. This is a device that covers the front windshield glass G and the left and right front pillars P. This will be specifically described below.

  FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a schematic structure of the front portion of the automobile S to which the hood airbag device 10 is applied. FIG. 1 is an enlarged sectional view of the main part of the hood airbag device 10. It is shown. As shown in these drawings, the main portion of the hood airbag device 10 (hereinafter, also simply referred to as the hood airbag device 10) is disposed at the rear end portion of the engine hood 12 that covers the engine room of the automobile S from above. It is arranged. The engine hood 12 is formed by joining a hood outer panel 16 as a vehicle body outer plate and a hood inner panel 18 as a vehicle body. The hood outer panel 16 and the hood inner panel 18 are each made of a metal plate (for example, an aluminum alloy, an iron alloy, or the like). An arrangement space R for arranging the hood airbag device 10 is formed between the hood outer panel 16 and the hood inner panel 18 at the rear end 12A of the engine hood 12.

  The rear end of the engine hood 12 is supported from below by the cowl portion 20. The cowl portion 20 is configured by joining a cowl outer panel 24 that opens upward to the front side of a cowl inner panel 22 joined to an upper portion of a dash panel (not shown), and a closed section 20A that forms a vehicle body skeleton at the rear portion. Is formed. The front and lower ends of the front windshield glass G are fixed to the upper side of the closed section 20A by bonding or the like. Further, the cowl box portion 20B opened upward is covered with a resin cowl louver 26 at its open end. The cowl louver 26 is provided with a plurality of slits (not shown) so as to introduce air into the cowl box portion 20B. The cowl louver 26 supports the rear end portion 12A of the engine hood 12 through a seal member 28 at the front end 26A. And the hood airbag apparatus 10 is arrange | positioned in the vicinity (this embodiment substantially right above) of this support part.

  A mounting hole 18 </ b> A communicating with the installation space R is provided around the support portion of the hood inner panel 18 by the cowl portion 20, and the mounting hole 18 </ b> A is blocked by the lid member 30. Yes. In the lid member 30, bolts 34 passing through the lid member 30 and the hood inner panel 18 are screwed into a plurality of weld nuts 32 fixed to the inner surface side of the hood inner panel 18 (a base portion 48 of a hinge member 46 described later). This is fixed to the hood inner panel 18.

  The hood airbag device 10 arranged in the arrangement space R includes a case 36 that opens upward, and the bottom plate 36 </ b> A of the case 36 is fixed to the upper surface side of the lid member 30. An inflator 38 and an airbag bag body 14 are accommodated in the case 36. The inflator 38 is configured to contain an igniter, an igniting agent, a gas generating agent (one that burns to generate a gas, or one that burns to open a flow path of a compressed inert gas), and the like. . In the inflator 38, when the igniter is ignited by the igniter, the gas generating agent burns to generate a large amount of gas. In this embodiment, a pair of left and right (two) inflators 38 are provided.

  The airbag bag body 14 accommodates each inflator 38 in an airtight state at a base end portion thereof so as to be expanded and deployed by the gas generated by the pair of inflators 38. The airbag 14 is fixed to the bottom plate 36A of the case 36 together with each inflator 38, and is folded in a bellows shape and stored in the case 36. As shown in FIG. 2, a door portion 42 is provided in the engine hood 12 in order to form an opening 40 for deploying the airbag bag body 14 on the upper side (outside the vehicle body) of the engine hood 12.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the door portion 42 is formed integrally with the hood outer panel 16 as a part of the hood outer panel 16. Specifically, a notch portion (tear line) 44 as a thin portion is provided on the inner surface of the hood outer panel 16. As shown in FIG. 5, the notch portion 44 is formed in a frame shape (long ring) that is long in the vehicle width direction, and a portion surrounded by the notch portion 44 in the hood outer panel 16 is a door portion 42. The door portion 42 is pressed from the lower side by the inflating airbag bag body 14 and the notch portion 44 is broken, so that the door portion 42 is separated from the hood outer panel 16 to form the opening 40 as shown in FIG. Has been. Note that the position of the door portion 42 shown in FIG. 2 is referred to as an open position.

  In this embodiment, the door portion 42 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view in which the lengths in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction are substantially the same as the corresponding lengths of the opening ends of the case 36, and the rear edge 42A is As shown in FIG. 5, it is formed in a straight line along the vehicle width direction. Note that the notch portion 44 that is recessed on the inner surface side of the hood outer panel 16 is not exposed to the outside of the vehicle body, so that the shape of the door portion 42 cannot be viewed from the outside of the vehicle body. In this embodiment, the notch portion 44 forms a substantially isosceles triangular recess in a cross-sectional view with the upper side at the top and opening downward so that each portion breaks at the center of the cross section along the plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. Is configured to do.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 1, the hood airbag device 10 includes a hinge member 46 for preventing the door portion 42 separated from the hood outer panel 16 from falling off the hood outer panel 16. The hinge member 46 is formed in a substantially “U” shape that opens forward in a side sectional view as a whole, and a base portion 48 positioned at the lower end thereof is fixedly supported by the hood inner panel 18. In this embodiment, the base 48 is fastened together with the lid member 30 to the hood inner panel 18 by a bolt 34 that is screwed into the weld nut 32.

  On the other hand, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 4A, the hinge portion 50 located at the upper end of the hinge member 46 is a lid fixing portion 50A whose front end side is fixed to the rear end portion of the door portion 42. The rear portion of the lid fixing portion 50A is a panel fixing portion 50B fixed to the hood outer panel 16. Therefore, the hinge portion 50 of the hinge member 46 is fixed to both sides of the hood outer panel 16 across the rear edge (notch portion 44) of the door portion 42. In this embodiment, both the lid fixing part 50A and the panel fixing part 50B are laser welding from the vehicle body inner side.

  A bent portion 50C is formed between the lid adhering portion 50A and the panel adhering portion 50B of the hinge portion 50 so as to protrude downward (inward of the vehicle body) directly below the notch portion 44. . The bent portion 50C located between the lid fixing portion 50A and the panel fixing portion 50B is a deformation portion that is mainly plastically deformed when the door portion 42 moves to the open position, and easily deforms due to this shape. However, as shown in FIG. 4B, a configuration that allows the door portion 42 to rotate in the arrow A direction is realized. That is, the hinge member 46 has a rear hinge structure for the door portion 42 with respect to the hood outer panel 16, and guides the door portion 42 from the state before breaking of the notch portion 44 shown in FIG. It is like that.

  In this embodiment, three hinge members 46 are provided at substantially equal intervals along the vehicle width direction as shown in FIG. Therefore, the rotation of the door portion 42 in the direction of arrow A is the rotation around the rotation axis along the vehicle width direction, and the rear edge 42A of the door portion 42 is formed in a straight line parallel to the rotation axis. It can be said that Note that two or more hinge members 46 may be provided, and the number of installations can be changed as appropriate according to the dimensions of the door portion 42.

  Further, in this embodiment, each hinge member 46 is suspended from the lower half 46 </ b> A having the base portion 48 and the connecting portion 52 erected from the rear end of the base portion 48, and the hinge portion 50 and the rear end of the hinge portion 50. The upper half 46 </ b> B having the connecting portion 53 is divided. The lower half 46 </ b> A and the upper half 46 </ b> B are connected mainly with a play in the front-rear direction by a stepped bolt 54 that penetrates the connecting portions 52, 53 and a nut 55 that is screwed to the stepped bolt 54. Yes. Thereby, the dimensional error of the hinge member 46 fixed to the vehicle body side at the base portion 48 and the panel fixing portion 50B is absorbed. The hinge member 46 functions to improve the strength (rigidity) of the hood outer panel 16 in the vertical direction by connecting the hood inner panel 18 immediately after the door portion 42 (opening 40) of the hood outer panel 16. It should be noted that the base member 48 is fixed last when the hinge member 46 is assembled.

  1 and 2, the hood airbag device 10 includes a notch cover member 60 as a guide member in the present invention. The front part of the notch cover member 60 is a fixed part 62 fixed to the front of the door part 42 on the inner surface of the hood outer panel 16, and the rear part is a notch cover part 64 as a guide part. In this embodiment, the fixing portion 62 is fixed to the inner surface of the hood outer panel 16 by laser welding. The notch cover portion 64 is formed between the upper end 36C of the front wall 36B that forms the front portion of the rectangular opening edge of the case 36 and the front portion 44A that forms the front side of the rectangular notch portion 44. The hood outer panel 16 is disposed in a non-contact manner.

  In this embodiment, the notch cover portion 64 is formed in an arc shape having a concave portion 64 </ b> A that opens upward in a side view, and the concave portion 64 </ b> A faces the front portion 44 </ b> A of the notch portion 44. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the notch cover portion 64 has an inner (rear) edge portion of the front upper end 36C of the case 36 and a center portion in the front-rear direction of the front portion 44A of the notch portion 44 (the thinnest wall portion, broken and opened The portion 40 is disposed across a virtual straight line L connecting portions). That is, the rear end 64B of the notch cover part 64 is located on the rear side (inward of the door part 42) with respect to the imaginary straight line L, and the front and rear of the front wall 36B of the case 36 and the front part 44A of the notch part 44. In this embodiment in which the positions of the directions are substantially coincident with each other, the rear wall (airbag bag body 14 side) protrudes from both the front wall 36B and the front portion 44A. A rear end 64B (plate thickness portion) of the notch cover portion 64 is smoothly rounded.

  The notch cover member 60 described above is a long member continuous in the vehicle width direction, and the front wall 36B (upper end 36C) of the case 36 and the front portion 44A of the notch portion 44 extend over substantially the entire length in the vehicle width direction. Is located between. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the notch cover portion 64 is positioned between the upper end 36C of the front wall 36B and the front edge 40A (front portion 44A) of the opening 40 in the formation state of the opening 40, While preventing the airbag bag body 14 from entering between the hood outer panel 16 and the front upper end 36C of the case 36, the airbag bag body 14 covers the front edge 40A of the opening 40 from the lower side, so that the airbag bag body 14 opens the opening 40. This prevents contact with the front edge 40A (the fracture surface of the front portion 44A). In other words, the notch cover portion 64 guides the airbag bag body 14 in an appropriate deployment direction.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the hood airbag device 10 includes a front collision sensor 56 for detecting a collision of a building, a pedestrian, and the like with the front bumper B, a front collision sensor 56, and a vehicle speed sensor (not shown). An airbag ECU 58 that operates the igniter of each inflator 38 based on the signal is provided. The front collision sensor 56 has a long shape extending from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction of the front bumper B. For example, the front collision sensor 56 detects acceleration in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle caused by a collision with the front bumper B and contact with a collision target. It is supposed to be. The airbag ECU 58 determines that the collision target is a pedestrian based on the output signal (time change) of the front collision sensor 56 and the vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined threshold (for example, 20 km / h). In addition, the igniter of each inflator 38 is operated.

  Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

  In the hood airbag apparatus 10 having the above configuration, when a pedestrian collides with the front bumper B of the applied automobile S, the airbag ECU 58 operates each inflator 38 by a signal from the front collision sensor 56, and the airbag bag body. A large amount of gas is generated in 14. The airbag bag body 14 starts to expand by the gas pressure of the gas. Then, the door part 42 provided in the hood outer panel 16 is pressed from the lower side by the airbag bag body 14, and the hood outer panel 16 is broken at the notch part 44.

  Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 2, the door portion 42 is separated from the hood outer panel 16 and is further pressed upward by the airbag bag body 14, thereby rotating in the arrow A direction while being guided by the hinge member 46. As a result, the opening 40 is opened. As shown in FIG. 6, the airbag bag body 14 inflated and deployed to the outside of the hood outer panel 16 through the opening 40 is disposed at the rear part of the engine hood 12 (upper part of the cowl part 20) and the front windshield glass G. The left and right front pillars P are covered from the front side.

  As described above, the pedestrian who collided with the front bumper B is prevented from directly colliding with the rear portion of the engine hood 12, the lower portion of the front windshield glass G, and the left and right front pillars P, and the pedestrian has developed. The impact is absorbed and protected by the airbag bag body 14.

  Here, in the hood airbag device 10, since the notch cover portion 64 is provided between the front wall 36 </ b> B of the case 36 and the front portion 44 </ b> A of the notch portion 44 of the hood outer panel 16, It is guided by the cover part 64 and is properly developed. That is, a part of the airbag bag body 14 enters between the case 36 and the hood outer panel 16, or a portion of the airbag bag body 14 that is about to pass through the opening 40 contacts the edge of the opening 40. It is prevented. In particular, the notch cover portion 64 straddling the imaginary straight line L has the rear end 64 </ b> B located on the lower rear side with respect to the front edge 40 </ b> A of the opening 40, so the airbag bag body 14 contacts the front edge 40 </ b> A of the opening 40. This can be surely prevented. For this reason, in the hood airbag device 10, even when the front edge 40 </ b> A is sharply formed or a burr or the like is generated as the notch portion 44 is broken, the airbag bag bulges from the opening 40 onto the hood outer panel 16. The body 14 is prevented from contacting and being damaged.

  Thus, in the hood airbag device 10 according to the first embodiment, the airbag bag body 14 that has the door portion 42 that cannot be visually recognized from the outside of the vehicle body and that is deployed outside the vehicle body can be protected. In other words, a configuration has been realized in which the design of the engine hood 12 is not restricted while securing the pedestrian protection performance and the protection of the airbag bag body 14.

  Further, in the hood airbag device 10, the notch cover member 60 provided with the notch cover portion 64 is fixed to the hood outer panel 16. Therefore, the notch cover member 60 functions as a reinforcing member for the hood outer panel 16, and the door portion. 42 Strength (rigidity) around the opening 40 formed after separation is improved. Further, since the notch cover member 60 is fixed to the hood outer panel 16, the hood inner panel 18 side is not required to be provided with an attachment portion for the notch cover member 60, and the structure is simple.

  Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. Parts and portions that are basically the same as those in the first embodiment or the previous configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment or the previous configuration, and description thereof is omitted (not shown). May be omitted).

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 7 shows a hood airbag device 70 according to a second embodiment of the present invention in a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. As shown in this figure, the hood airbag device 70 differs from the hood airbag device 10 according to the first embodiment in that it has a notch cover member 72 instead of the notch cover member 60.

  The notch cover member 72 has a rear part as a notch cover part 64 and a front part as a connection part 74 bent in a substantially inverted L shape. The connecting portion 74 includes an arm portion 74A that is continuous with the front end of the notch cover portion 64 and extends along the inner surface of the hood outer panel 16, and a leg piece portion 74B that is suspended from the front end of the arm portion 74A. The lower part of the leg piece 74B is fixed to the rear end of the bracket 75 whose front end is fixed to the hood inner panel 18 by fastening. Specifically, the connecting portion 74 is connected via the bracket 75 by screwing a bolt 76 penetrating the attachment piece 75A provided at the lower portion of the leg piece portion 74B and the rear end of the bracket 75 into the nut 78. It is fixed to the hood inner panel 18.

  In this embodiment, the hinge member 46 includes a bracket portion 46C instead of the lower half 46A. The bracket portion 46C is formed substantially symmetrically with the bracket 75 on the paper surface of FIG. 7, and the rear end is fixed to the hood inner panel 18 by welding or the like. A flat plate-like mounting piece 46D is provided at the front end of the bracket portion 46C, and the mounting piece 46D is joined to the connecting portion 52 with play by a stepped bolt 54 and a nut 55.

  Other configurations of the hood airbag device 70 are the same as the corresponding configurations of the hood airbag device 10. Therefore, the hood airbag device 70 according to the second embodiment can also obtain the same effects as the effects of the hood airbag device 10 according to the first embodiment. That is, the hood airbag device 70 can protect the airbag bag body 14 deployed outside the vehicle body. Further, in the hood airbag device 70, since the notch cover member 72 provided with the notch cover portion 64 is fixed to the hood inner panel 18, the structure on the hood outer panel 16 side to which the notch cover member 72 is not attached is simple. is there.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 8 shows a hood airbag device 80 according to the third embodiment in a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIGS. 1 and 7. As shown in this figure, the hood airbag device 80 differs from the hood airbag device 70 according to the second embodiment in that it has a notch cover member 82 instead of the notch cover member 72.

  The notch cover member 82 is common to the notch cover member 72 in that the notch cover member 64 and the connecting portion 74 are provided, but differs from the notch cover member 72 in that the arm portion 74A is fixed to the inner surface of the hood outer panel 16. . In this embodiment, the connecting portion 74 has its arm portion 74A fixed to the hood outer panel 16 by laser welding at the fixing portion 74C. Further, in the hood airbag device 80, the leg piece portion 74B of the notch cover member 82 and the mounting piece 75A of the bracket 75 are provided by a stepped bolt 54 penetrating them and a nut 55 screwed to the stepped bolt 54. Mainly connected with a play in the front-rear direction. By this play, a dimensional error between the notch cover member 82 fixed to the hood outer panel 16 and the bracket 75 fixed to the hood inner panel 18 is absorbed.

  Other configurations of the hood airbag device 80 are the same as the corresponding configurations of the hood airbag device 70. Therefore, the hood airbag device 80 according to the third embodiment can also obtain the same effects as the effects obtained by the hood airbag devices 10 and 70 according to the first and second embodiments. That is, in the hood airbag device 80, the hood airbag device 80 can protect the airbag bag body 14 deployed outside the vehicle body.

  In particular, in the hood airbag device 80, the notch cover member 82 is supported by both the hood outer panel 16 and the hood inner panel 18. In other words, the hood outer panel 16 (the front side of the opening 40 thereof) is notched. Since it is connected to the hood inner panel 18 via the cover member 82 and the bracket 75, the strength (rigidity) in the vertical direction around the opening 40 in the hood outer panel 16 is further improved. For this reason, when the door part 42 is pressed by the airbag bag body 14, the notch part 44 fractures | ruptures reliably (with a comparatively low load).

(Fourth embodiment)
9 shows a hood airbag device 90 according to the fourth embodiment in a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 1, and FIG. 10 shows the operating state of the hood airbag device 90 corresponding to FIG. Is shown in a cross-sectional view. As shown in these drawings, the hood airbag device 90 includes a lid cover member 92 as a cover member provided at the front end of the door portion 42 and covering the front portion 44A of the notch portion 44 in the first embodiment. It differs from the hood airbag apparatus 10 which concerns on a form. The lid cover member 92 includes a lid cover portion 94 that is formed in a substantially flat plate shape and covers the front portion 44A of the notch portion 44 from the lower side in a non-contact state over substantially the entire length in the vehicle width direction. The front end (front end in the state of FIG. 9) 94A of the lid cover portion 94 is smoothly rounded.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the lid cover member 92 has a fixing portion 96 extending rearward from the rear end of the lid cover portion 94 fixed to the lower surface of the door portion 42 by laser welding, and the door portion 42 is a hood. After separation from the outer panel 16, the airbag bag body 14 is prevented from contacting the front edge 42B. In this embodiment, the notch cover portion 64 is formed in a substantially flat plate shape and covers the front portion 44 </ b> A of the notch portion 44 from the lower side of the lid cover portion 94.

  Other configurations of the hood airbag device 90 are the same as the corresponding configurations of the hood airbag device 10. Therefore, the hood airbag device 90 according to the fourth embodiment can obtain the same effects as the effects of the fourth embodiment. In other words, the hood airbag device 90 can protect the airbag bag body 14 deployed outside the vehicle body.

  In particular, in the hood airbag device 90, the lid cover member 92 (lid cover portion 94) that covers the front edge 42 </ b> B of the door portion 42 separated from the hood outer panel 16 is provided. Even when the front edge 42B is sharply formed or burrs or the like occur, the airbag bag body 14 is prevented from coming into contact with the front edge 42B, and it is more effective that the airbag bag body 14 is damaged. To be prevented. That is, the airbag bag body 14 is more effectively protected.

(Fifth embodiment)
11 shows a hood airbag device 100 according to the sixth embodiment in a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 1, and FIG. 12 shows the operating state of the hood airbag device 100 corresponding to FIG. Is shown in a cross-sectional view. As shown in these drawings, the hood airbag apparatus 100 is different from the hood airbag apparatus 90 according to the fourth embodiment in that the hood airbag apparatus 100 includes bag protection cloths 102 and 104.

  One end of each of the bag protection cloths 102 and 104 is fixed to the base end portion of the airbag bag body 14 (near the connection end with the inflator 38 and the case 36) by sewing or the like, and the other end side is fixed to the airbag bag body 14. It is folded in a bellows shape on the top (between the door part 42). The middle part of the bag protection cloth 102 is located on the front side of the airbag bag body 14, and the middle part of the bag protection cloth 104 is located on the rear side of the airbag bag body 14. The bag protection cloth 102 covers the front edge 40A of the opening 40 as the airbag bag body 14 bulges, and the bag protection cloth 104 covers the door portion 42 as the airbag bag body 14 bulges. The front edge 42B is covered.

  Other configurations of the hood airbag device 100 are the same as the corresponding configurations of the hood airbag device 90. Therefore, the hood airbag apparatus 100 according to the fifth embodiment can also obtain the same effects as the effects achieved by the hood airbag apparatus 90 according to the fourth embodiment. That is, in the hood airbag device 100, the door portion 42 can be stably moved to an open position that allows the airbag bag body 14 to be deployed, and the door portion 42 is deployed in a configuration that is integrally formed with the hood outer panel 16. The airbag bag body 14 to be protected can be protected.

  In particular, in the hood airbag device 90, since the bag protection cloths 102 and 104 are provided, the front edge 40A of the opening 40 and the front edge 42B of the door portion 42 are sharply formed or burrs or the like as the notch portion 44 is broken. Even if this occurs, the airbag bag body 14 does not come into contact with the front edges 40A, 42B, so that the airbag bag body 14 is further effectively prevented from being damaged.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, an example in which the airbag device of the present invention is applied to the hood airbag device 10 or the like has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the airbag device that is deployed outside the vehicle body is appropriately used. Can be applied. In addition, when the present invention is applied to a hood airbag device, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the example shown in the above embodiment.

1 is a side sectional view of a hood airbag device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a sectional side view which shows the operation state of the hood airbag apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a side sectional view showing a front structure of an automobile to which a hood airbag device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is a figure which expands partially and shows the hinge member which comprises the hood airbag apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention, (A) is a sectional side view before operation | movement, (B) is the side after operation | movement. It is sectional drawing. It is a perspective view which shows the door part which comprises the hood airbag apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of an automobile airbag bag body in which a hood airbag device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is a perspective view which shows the door part which comprises the hood airbag apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a sectional side view of the hood airbag apparatus which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a sectional side view of the hood airbag apparatus which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a sectional side view which shows the operation state of the hood airbag apparatus which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a sectional side view of the hood airbag apparatus which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a sectional side view which shows the operation state of the hood airbag apparatus which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

10 Hood airbag device (airbag device)
12 Engine hood (body)
14 Air bag body 16 Hood outer panel (vehicle body outer plate)
18 Hood inner panel (the part of the car body that supports the car body skin)
36 Case 40 Opening part 42 Door part 44 Notch part (frame-shaped thin part)
60 Notch cover member (guide member)
64 Notch cover part (guide part)
70/80/90/100 Hood airbag device 72/82 Notch cover member (guide member)
92 Lid cover member (cover member)

Claims (7)

As an inner part of a frame-like thin part recessed on the inner surface side of the vehicle body outer plate, a door portion provided integrally with the vehicle body outer plate;
A case that opens toward the inner surface of the door portion;
The door portion is separated by breaking the vehicle body outer plate at the thin-walled portion by pressing the door portion by being expanded by the gas pressure of the gas stored in the case and supplied in a predetermined case. An airbag bag body deployed outside the vehicle body through an opening formed in the vehicle body outer plate;
A guide portion that is provided between an opening end of the case and a thin portion of the vehicle body outer plate, and guides the airbag bag body that expands in the predetermined case to the outside of the vehicle body through the opening;
An airbag device comprising:   The guide portion has a shape that is less than a straight line connecting one side of the thin-walled portion formed in a rectangular frame shape and an opening edge located on the same side as the one side of the thin-walled portion with respect to the airbag bag body in the case. The airbag apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the airbag apparatus projects toward the bag bag body side.   The airbag apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion is provided on a guide member supported by the vehicle body outer plate.   The airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the guide portion is provided on a guide member supported by a portion of the vehicle body that supports the vehicle body outer plate.   The airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the guide portion is provided on a guide member that is supported by the vehicle body outer plate and a portion of the vehicle body that supports the vehicle body outer plate.   The airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a cover member provided on an inner surface side of the door portion and covering an outer edge of the door portion separated from the vehicle body outer plate. As an inner part of a frame-like thin part recessed on the inner surface side of the vehicle body outer plate, a door portion provided integrally with the vehicle body outer plate;
The vehicle body is disposed in a vehicle body, expands by a gas pressure of a gas supplied in a predetermined case, presses the door portion, and breaks the vehicle body outer plate at the thin-walled portion so that the door portion is separated and the vehicle body is separated. An airbag bag body that is deployed outside the vehicle body through an opening formed in the outer plate;
A cover member provided on an inner surface side of the door portion and covering an outer edge of the door portion separated from the vehicle body outer plate;
An airbag device comprising:

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