JP2008037245A - Curtain air bag device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a person easily get out to the outside of a vehicle, etc. from a window, while surely preventing the movement of a deployed curtain 20 by being pushed by an occupant, etc. of the vehicle. <P>SOLUTION: The curtain 20 is stored in a first side around a window. A supporting member 36 is provided at a second side linked with the first side around the window. A constrained part 44 constrained by the supporting member 36 in the deployment completion state of the curtain 20 is provided at a side on the side of the second side of the curtain 20 in the deployment completion state. The curtain 20 is divided into a first divided part and a second divided part by a cut-out part 20b constituted by being cut from a deploying tip toward the side of the first side in the deployment completion state. The curtain 20 is provided with a connecting tether 22 for connecting the first divided part and the second divided part to each other. At least one end of the connecting tether 22 is connected to a portion away from the cut-out part 20b in the curtain 20. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a curtain airbag device that is provided in a wind part of a vehicle such as an automobile, a train, a ship, an aircraft, a space ship, or a building such as a house, a building, or a space station, and covers the window part instantaneously. Belonging to.

  Conventionally, a curtain-like airbag is housed in the upper side of the vehicle window, and gas is supplied to the airbag at the time of a vehicle collision or rollover, so that the window is instantly expanded and deployed. A curtain airbag device is known that covers it. In the case of this device, unless tension is obtained in the curtain (airbag), it is impossible to sufficiently protect the passenger by receiving the impact force from the passenger.

  Therefore, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1, a plurality of guide members that are spaced apart at predetermined positions in the longitudinal direction of the pillar portion between the airbag and the pillar portion, and an intermediate portion includes the plurality of guides. Flexibility that is movably supported by the member and has one end fixed to the front end lower part or rear end lower part of the airbag and the other end fixed to a predetermined position on the front end side or a predetermined position on the rear end side of the airbag. A tension applying means is provided that includes a long member (strap), and pulls the front end lower part of the airbag toward the vehicle front side or the rear end lower part toward the vehicle rear side as the airbag is deployed downward. Has been proposed.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, a force direction conversion means for converting a deployment force of the airbag substantially downward in the vehicle into a tension in the vehicle longitudinal direction between the lower end portion and the vehicle body when the deployment of the curtain airbag is completed. In other words, by providing an annular wire that spans between the airbag side fulcrum and the vehicle body side upper fulcrum and the lower fulcrum, even in a vehicle with little overhang from the rear end of the airbag to the rear of the vehicle, It has been proposed to provide the necessary and sufficient tension along the lower edge of the airbag.

Furthermore, in Patent Document 3, a rod-shaped guide member extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle body along the pillar is provided, while a loop-shaped connection band is attached in the vicinity of the lower corner edge of the rear end portion of the airbag. It has been proposed that the rear end portion of the airbag is connected to the guide member by being hung around the guide member, and the airbag is deployed downward along the guide member. In this configuration, when the occupant collides with the airbag after deployment, the lower end of the airbag is held by the guide member, so that tension is generated in the airbag and the occupant can be protected.
JP 2002-347560 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-081048 JP 2004-051016 A

  However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, in the state where the curtain is completely deployed, the lower end of the curtain is held on the vehicle body by a strap or the like, so that the vehicle occupant cannot turn up the curtain and is covered by the curtain. It may be difficult to escape from the window.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a point, The place made into the objective was developed by devising the structure with respect to the curtain airbag apparatus provided in window parts, such as a vehicle. An object of the present invention is to make it possible for a person or the like to easily come out of the vehicle or the like from the window while reliably preventing the curtain from being pushed and moved by the person or the object inside the vehicle or the building.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, the curtain is accommodated in the first side portion around the window portion, and the support portion is provided in the second side portion connected to the first side portion in the periphery of the window portion. A restraint portion that is restrained by the support portion at least when the curtain is in a deployed state is provided on the side portion on the second side portion side of the curtain that is in a state, and the curtain is moved from the deployment tip to the first side portion in the deployed state. A cutout portion that is cut out toward the side is divided into a first divided portion and a second divided portion, and a connecting member that connects the first divided portion and the second divided portion to each other is provided on the curtain. At least one end of the connecting member is coupled to a portion of the curtain that is spaced from the notch.

  Specifically, the invention of claim 1 is directed to a curtain airbag device provided in a window portion having one or two or more windows.

  And the curtain which has an expansion part into which gas is inject | poured, is accommodated in the 1st edge part around the said window part, and expand | deploys so that the said window part may be covered by the expansion | swelling by the said gas injection | pouring of the said expansion part, A gas supply device for supplying the gas to the inflating portion of the curtain; a support portion provided on a second side connected to the first side in the periphery of the window; and the second of the curtain in a deployed state Provided on a side portion of the side portion, and at least a restraining portion restrained by the support portion in a deployed state of the curtain, wherein the curtain is directed from the deployment tip to the first side side in the deployed state. A notch portion that is cut out and divided into a first divided portion and a second divided portion by the notch portion, and the curtain includes the first divided portion and the second divided portion. Connecting parts to each other Wood is provided, at least one of the both end portions of the connecting member, and being coupled to a site remote from the notch in the curtain.

  With the above configuration, in the state where the curtain has been deployed, the restraining portion on the side portion on the second side of the curtain is restrained by the support portion. And the line which connects both these restraint parts becomes a tension line which tension | tensile_strength by restraining also the edge part in the position which crossed this curtain from the restraint part in a curtain. Because this tension line is formed, even if a person or an object inside a vehicle or a building collides with the curtain, the impact force does not cause the curtain to be pushed and move. be able to.

  On the other hand, the curtain is provided with a notch portion that is notched from the deployment tip toward the first side, and when the notch crosses the tension line, However, in the present invention, since the first and second divided portions are connected to each other by the connecting member, tension is generated on the tension line via the connecting member to receive the impact force. Will be able to.

  In addition, after the curtain has been unfolded, the line connecting the end on the first side of the notch and the end of the connecting member (the end away from the notch) is creased. The curtain can be turned, and as a result, a person or the like can easily come out of the vehicle or the like from the window.

  Here, the shape of the window part may be substantially triangular, substantially square, or other polygonal shape, and each side part around the window part is The shape is not limited to a straight line but may be an arc.

  In addition, the curtain may be folded in a bellows shape and accommodated in the first side portion, or may be folded in a round shape to be accommodated in the first side portion.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the support portion extends in a direction in which the second side portion extends, and the restraining portion is engaged with the support portion when the curtain is deployed. Then, it is configured to move in the extending direction of the support portion and to be restrained by the end portion of the support portion when the curtain has been deployed.

  Thereby, the restraint portion moves along the extending direction of the support portion when the curtain is deployed, and is engaged and restrained by the end portion of the support portion when the deployment is completed. Therefore, it is possible to restrain the restraint portion with a simple configuration and generate tension on the curtain.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the support portion is provided in a portion of the second side portion that is separated from the first side portion, and the restraint portion is the above-described state in the curtain accommodated state. Positioned closer to the first side than the support, and the expansion tip of the curtain moves in the curtain unfolding direction due to expansion of the expansion, from the first side toward the support. It shall be comprised so that it may restrain by moving and engaging this support part.

  With this, when the curtain is deployed, the restraint portion is provided on the second side portion from the first side portion around the window portion as the deployment tip moves to the front side in the curtain deployment direction. And is restrained by engaging with the support portion. Here, in order to ensure that the restraint portion engages with the support portion, for example, a string-like member is passed through a through-hole formed in the support member constituting the support portion, and one end of the string-like member is attached to the curtain. Coupled to the curtain deployment direction intermediate portion serving as the restraining portion on the side portion on the second side side, and the other end portion coupled to the deployment front end side rather than the intermediate portion on the second side portion side of the curtain. Just keep it. Then, as the deployment leading end of the curtain moves in the curtain deployment direction, the string-like member slides relative to the support part, and the engagement position of the string-like member with the support part is the one end. By moving to the part side, the restraint part is guided to the string-like member and engaged with the support part. Therefore, it is possible to restrain the restraint portion with a simple configuration and generate tension on the curtain.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, an edge located on the opposite side of the restraint portion across the notch portion in the curtain in the unfolded state, The curtain is configured to be restrained around the window portion located in the vicinity of the edge portion in a deployed state of the curtain, and the connecting member is the restraint portion in a front view of the curtain in the deployed state. And the edge portion of the curtain that is constrained around the window portion.

  In this way, in a front view of the curtain in the unfolded state, the straight line connecting the restraint portion and the edge portion restrained around the window portion of the curtain becomes a tension line, and the connecting member is arranged substantially along this tension line. Because it is provided, even if there is a notch that crosses the tension line, it is possible to reliably receive the impact force when a person or object inside the vehicle or building collides with the curtain.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the curtain is developed so as to cover a window portion having a plurality of windows on the vehicle side, and the second side portion is The rear pillar located on the rearmost side of the vehicle, and the notch is between the front pillar located on the frontmost side of the vehicle and the rear pillar in the curtain in the unfolded state. It shall be formed in the position spaced apart from the part corresponding to an intermediate pillar.

  Thus, even if the vehicle collides or rolls over, the vehicle occupant can be protected appropriately. In addition, the occupant can turn the curtain to the inside of the vehicle after completing the deployment of the curtain, and thus can escape from the window to the outside of the vehicle. And since the formation part of a notch part in a curtain is the part which can usually be turned up most, this crew part is located in the position away from the part corresponding to an intermediate pillar. You can easily escape from the window to the outside without being disturbed by the intermediate pillar.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, the connecting member is located in a portion other than the portion corresponding to the upper body of the seated occupant of the vehicle seat in the curtain in the unfolded state. To do.

  In other words, the portion where the connecting member and the cutout portion are provided in the curtain is a portion that is easily turned over, and thus may be crushed during deployment of the curtain. However, in the present invention, such a portion that is easily turned over is not a portion where the occupant collides, so that even if the notch is formed, the protection of the occupant is affected. There is nothing.

  In the invention of claim 7, in the invention of claim 5 or 6, the curtain has a non-expandable portion to which the gas is not supplied, and the notch is formed in a portion of the curtain including the non-expandable portion. It is assumed that

  That is, if a notch is provided in the curtain, this notch may change the flow of gas and affect the developability of the curtain. However, in the present invention, since the notch is formed in the portion including the non-expanded portion, the flow of gas does not change greatly before and after the notch is provided, and the deployability of the curtain is affected. There is almost nothing. In addition, since the non-inflatable portion is provided in a portion of the curtain in the unfolded state other than the portion corresponding to the upper body of the seated occupant of the vehicle seat, the occupant can be protected by providing a cutout portion in such a portion. Does not affect sex.

  As described above, according to the curtain airbag device of the present invention, the curtain is accommodated in the first side part around the window part, and the support part is provided in the second side part connected to the first side part around the window part. And a restraining portion that is restrained by the support portion at least when the curtain is in a deployed state, and is provided on the side of the second side portion of the curtain that is in a deployed state. A notch portion that is divided into the second divided portion and a connecting member that connects the first divided portion and the second divided portion to each other are provided, and at least one end portion of the connecting member is separated from the notched portion in the curtain. By connecting to the part, it is possible to reliably receive the impact force when a person or object inside the vehicle or building collides with the curtain, and after the curtain has been deployed. Te, by turning the curtain, people, etc. it is possible to come out easily on the outside of the vehicle, such as from the window.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows a curtain airbag device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and this curtain airbag device is configured to cover a side window portion (hereinafter referred to as a side window portion) of a vehicle (automobile). Is. In the figure, 1 is a vehicle body, 2 is a first window (front window) formed on a door 6 next to the driver's seat 5, and 3 is a front rear seat 7 (arranged immediately after the driver's seat 5). The second window (rear window) 4 provided on the side door 16 next to the rear seat is provided next to the rear rear seat 8 (the rearmost seat located at the rearmost position in the passenger compartment). It is the third window (quarter window). 11 is a first pillar (front pillar) disposed on the front side of the door 6, 12 is a second pillar (front center pillar) on the rear side of the door 6, and 13 is between the second window 3 and the third window 4. A third pillar (rear center pillar) 14 is provided on the rear side of the third window 4 and a fourth pillar (quarter pillar) on the rear side of the third window 4.

  Each of the passenger seats 5, 7, 8 is provided with a seat belt 15 for protecting the passenger 9. The passenger seats 5, 7, and 8 have seat cushions 5a, 7a, and 8a and seat backs 5b, 7b, and 8b, respectively.

  In the present embodiment, a portion where the three windows 2 to 4 of the vehicle body 1 are arranged side by side is regarded as one side window portion. That is, the side window portion has a periphery of the side window portion from an upper side portion, a lower side portion, a first side portion (a side portion on the vehicle front side), and a second side portion (a side portion on the vehicle rear side). More specifically, the upper side portion has a substantially trapezoidal shape shorter than the lower side portion. The upper side portion is constituted by the roof side rail 32 of the vehicle body 1, the lower side portion is constituted by the doors 6 and 16 and the belt line of the vehicle body 1, the first side portion is constituted by the first pillar 11, and The two side portions are constituted by fourth pillars 14. The upper side corresponds to the first side of the present invention, and the second side corresponds to the second side connected to the first side. The first pillar 11 corresponds to a front pillar located on the foremost side of the vehicle, the fourth pillar 14 corresponds to a rear pillar located on the most rear side of the vehicle, and the second and third pillars 12. , 13 correspond to intermediate pillars between the front and rear pillars.

  The curtain airbag device includes a curtain 20 having an inflating portion that is inflated by injecting gas, an inflator 21 as a gas supply device that supplies gas to the inflating portion, and a tape-like connecting tether 22 (connecting member). Two front end support tethers 38 and 38 and a string-like member 39 are provided. In this embodiment, in the curtain 20 in the unfolded state, portions other than the portion corresponding to the upper body of the seated occupant 9 of each of the occupant seats 5, 7, 8 (the vehicle front portion, the vehicle front-rear direction substantially central portion, The non-inflatable portions 20a, 20a,... Are formed at three rear portions), and the curtain 20 has portions other than the non-inflatable portions 20a, 20a,. Each of the non-inflatable portions 20a is formed by stitching the front and back surfaces of the curtain 20 around the non-inflatable portion 20a so that gas is not supplied to the non-inflatable portions 20a.

  The curtain 20 is folded in a bellows shape (may be wound in a roll shape), and is housed in a part of the upper side portion or the first side portion around the side window portion together with the connecting tether 22. The end of the curtain 20 in the accommodated state on the second side side (vehicle rear side) (the portion corresponding to the side of the curtain 20 in the unfolded state on the second side side) is the upper side. In the vicinity of the end of the second side portion side. The curtain 20 expands so as to cover the side window part and the lower side part around the side window part by the expansion of the expansion part due to the gas injection. That is, the curtain 20 is developed from the upper side around the side window part to the lower side, which is the front side in the curtain development direction, and the developed tip part reaches the lower side part (the side window part side edge of the lower side part is slightly changed). Over)). The curtain 20 is covered with a sheet-like member (not shown) such as paper that is easily torn when unfolded so that the folded state is maintained.

  The inflator 21 is activated when the vehicle is in a predetermined state to generate and supply gas. The inflator 21 is substantially at the center in the vehicle front-rear direction (the direction in which the upper side extends) at the upper portion of the expansion portion of the curtain 20. The part is connected by a pipe 28. The predetermined state is, for example, when a vehicle collision (especially a side collision) is predicted, when the vehicle collision is detected, or when the vehicle rollover is determined. And a controller for operating the inflator 21 to determine the occurrence of these states by receiving the outputs of the sensors.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the upper edge of the curtain 20 is pinned by a pin-shaped fixing member 55 at a plurality of locations including the end portion on the second side portion side of the curtain 20 at the outer panel 32a and the inner panel. The roof side rail 32 made of 32b is fixed to the inner panel 32b. The vehicle interior of the folded curtain 20 is covered with a roof trim 34. The roof trim 34 is detachably engaged with the side lining 35 at its side edge, and is detached from the side lining 35 by the expansion and deployment force of the curtain 20 to form a gap with the side lining 35. Deployment into 20 vehicle compartments is allowed. That is, the curtain 20 is deployed in the vehicle interior from the gap between the roof trim 34 and the side lining 35. The side lining 35 is held by the flange portion of the roof side rail 32. The side lining 35 may be a weather strip. Further, the roof trim 34 has pillar trims constituting the passenger compartment side surfaces of the pillars at the first to fourth pillars 11 to 14 (in FIG. 3 to FIG. ) So that the curtain 20 can be detached from the pillar trim. Each of the first to fourth pillars 11 to 14 is made of a synthetic resin harder than the roof trim 34 (soft material such as foaming urethane resin) (for example, polypropylene, thermoplastic olefin (TPO)). ing.

  One end portion of the two front end support tethers 38 and 38 is provided at two positions, a lower portion and a lower end portion of the curtain deployment direction (vertical direction) intermediate portion at the vehicle front side end portion of the curtain 20 in the unfolded state. Are combined. The other end portions of the front end support tethers 38 and 38 are both rotatably connected to a connecting portion 37 provided at a lower end portion (a portion separated from the roof side rail 32) of the first pillar 11. Both front end support tethers 38, 38 are accommodated in the first side portion in the accommodated state of the curtain 20, and when the curtain 20 is unfolded, the curtain 20 rotates while rotating around the connecting portion 37 accordingly. The front end of the vehicle is supported so that its deployment is stable. When the deployment of the curtain 20 is completed, the vehicle front side end portion of the curtain 20 is fixed and restrained to the connecting portion 37 via both front end support tethers 38, 38. The upper one of the front end support tethers 38, 38 has a tension line 40 on the curtain 20 as well as support (restraint) of the side portion of the curtain 20 on the second side portion side (rear side). Play a role to form.

  As shown in detail in FIGS. 3 to 5, a support member 36 is provided on the second side portion (fourth pillar 14) connected to the upper side portion around the side window portion. The support member 36 is disposed in a portion separated from the upper side portion of the inner panel 14b of the fourth pillar 14 (the vehicle body constituting the fourth pillar 14). Both ends of the support member 36 in the vertical direction are fixedly attached to the inner panel 14 b by bolts 53, and the support member 36 is disposed between the inner panel 14 b of the fourth pillar 14 and the pillar trim 56. Become. In the present embodiment, the support member 36 is disposed in the vicinity of the side window portion side edge (third window 4 side edge) in the second side portion. In FIG. 5, 14 a is an outer panel of the fourth pillar 14, and 14 c is a reinforcement of the fourth pillar 14. Reference numeral 51 denotes a back door, and reference numeral 54 denotes a weather strip provided between the back door 51 and the vehicle body 1.

  A through hole 36a is formed at the center in the vertical direction of the support member 36, and a string-like member 39 is inserted into the through hole 36a. The string-like member 39 is provided on the curtain 20 and constitutes a part of the curtain 20.

  One end portion of the string-like member 39 is coupled to an intermediate portion in the curtain unfolding direction (vertical direction) of the side portion on the second side portion side (vehicle rear side) in the curtain 20 in the unfolded state. On the other hand, the other end of the string-like member 39 is on the side of the distal end of the curtain 20 on the side of the second side of the second side of the curtain 20 (the second side of the side in this embodiment). To the deployment tip 20c) on the side of the. In the accommodated state of the curtain 20, both end portions of the string-like member 39 are positioned on the upper side, that is, on the upper side of the support member 36, and an intermediate portion of the string-like member 39 (in this embodiment, The substantially central portion in the length direction) is engaged with the through hole 36a of the support member 36. Further, the string-like member 39 is arranged between the inner panel 14 b of the fourth pillar 14 and the pillar trim 56 in the accommodated state of the curtain 20, similarly to the support member 36. That is, the pillar trim 56 covers the support member 36 and the string-like member 39 in the accommodated state of the curtain 20.

  The portion of the string-like member 39 between the engagement portion with the through hole 36a and the one end is bent upward immediately after exiting from the opening on the side window portion side (left side in FIG. 3) of the through hole 36a. The second side portion is lifted upward as it is, and extends to the vehicle rear side end portion of the curtain 20 accommodated in the upper side portion. On the other hand, the portion of the string-like member 39 between the engagement portion with the through-hole 36a and the other end portion is supported after coming out from the opening on the side opposite to the side window portion (right side in FIG. 3) of the through-hole 36a. The vehicle rear side of the curtain 20 accommodated in the upper side after the second side part is raised upward after reaching the side window part side around the lower side of the projecting part in which the through hole 36a of the member 36 is formed. It extends to the end. The reason why the other end portion side of the engaging portion of the string-like member 39 ascends after the lower side of the protruding portion where the through hole 36a of the support member 36 is formed is as described later. The curtain 20 is unfolded until the unfolded leading end 20c (the leading end of the string-like member 39) on the side of the second side portion of the curtain 20 is positioned below the height position of the support member 36. This is to improve the developability of the curtain 20 so that the string-like member 39 is not caught by the protruding portion.

  When the curtain 20 is deployed, the deployment tip thereof moves to the lower side, which is the front side in the curtain deployment direction, and the other end portion (hereinafter referred to as the tip portion) of the string-like member 39 is also moved downward. . At this time, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 5, the third window 4 side edge portion of the pillar trim 56 is deformed to the vehicle inner side (vehicle compartment side) by the tip portion of the string-like member 39, thereby The leading end of the member 39 comes into the vehicle compartment through the gap between the pillar trim 56 and the third window 4. Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the third window 4 side edge of the pillar trim 56 is located on the vehicle outer side than the vicinity of the vehicle rear side edge on the vehicle outer edge of the curtain 20 in the housed state, An angle θ between the third window 4 side edge of the pillar trim 56 and the vicinity of the vehicle rear end at the vehicle outer edge of the curtain 20 in plan view is an acute angle. As a result, the edge of the pillar trim 56 on the side of the third window 4 is easily deformed toward the vehicle interior side, and the leading end of the string-like member 39 is easily brought out into the vehicle interior. In addition, since the inflator 21 is connected to the substantially central portion of the curtain 20 in the vehicle front-rear direction, the curtain 20 starts to unfold from the substantially central portion of the vehicle front-rear direction. Tending to be pulled toward the center of the direction), which makes it easier for the tip of the string-like member 39 to go out into the vehicle compartment.

  When the deployment tip 20c (the tip of the string-like member 39) on the side portion on the second side portion side of the curtain 20 is positioned below the height position of the support member 36, the deployment tip As the portion 20c further moves downward, the string-like member 39 slides and moves with respect to the through-hole 36a of the support member 36, and the engagement position of the string-like member 39 with the through-hole 36a is as described above. Move to one end (hereinafter referred to as the base end) side. As a result, the base end portion of the string-like member 39 or the base end joint portion of the curtain 20 moves toward the support member 36 and eventually enters the through hole 36a of the support member 36, but without entering. It will be in the state contact | abutted and engaged with the opening peripheral part of this through-hole 36a (refer FIG. 6). It should be noted that both the base end joint portion and the tip end joint portion of the curtain 20 move to the front side (that is, the lower side) in the curtain deployment direction due to the expansion of the gas, so that a large tension acts on the string-like member 39. hard. Further, the base end portion of the string-like member 39 or the base end portion connecting portion of the curtain 20 is fourth from the gap between the pillar trim 56 and the third window 4 immediately before the engagement with the through hole 36 a of the support member 36. It enters into the pillar 14 and engages with the support member 36.

  The base end portion of the curtain 20 is joined in the state where the curtain 20 has been deployed by engaging the base end portion of the string-like member 39 or the base end joining portion of the curtain 20 with the through hole 36a of the support member 36. The part or its vicinity is restrained by the support member 36. Thus, the base end portion of the string-like member 39 or the base end portion coupling portion of the curtain 20 constitutes a restraining portion 44 (see FIG. 6) that is engaged with and restrained by the support member 36. (In particular, the through hole 36a) constitutes a support portion.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the curtain 20 is fully deployed, the deployment tip of the curtain 20 reaches the lower side, and the curtain 20 covers the entire curtain deployment direction (vertical direction) of the side window portion. At this time, the said string-like member 39 exists in the state extended substantially linearly in the substantially up-down direction. Further, the restraining portion 44 is engaged with the support member 36 as described above.

  On the other hand, the vehicle front side end portion of the curtain 20 is supported by the two front end support tethers 38. Due to this support and the engagement of the restraining portion 44 with the support member 36, the restraining portion 44 and the connecting portion 37 (or the restraining portion 44 and the curtain 20 are viewed in front view (vehicle side view) of the curtain 20 in the unfolded state. The tension line 40 of the curtain 20 is a straight line connecting the upper front end support tether 38 at the upper side of the curtain 20, and even if an external force is applied to the curtain 20 on the tension line 40, the curtain 20 is not beaten. In this way, the tension line 40 is formed on the curtain 20 at a position away from the curtain base end portion (upper end portion) fixed to the inner panel 32b of the roof side rail 32, so that the occupant 9 This is advantageous in preventing jumping out of the windows 2-4.

  In the present embodiment, the occupant 9 seated on the occupant seats 5, 7, and 8 has the average physique of an American adult male, and the height position of the center of gravity of the head of the occupant 9 is the above tension. It is made higher than the line 40. In this embodiment, the height position of the tension line 40 becomes higher toward the rear side of the vehicle, so that the seating position is made higher toward the passenger seat on the rear side of the vehicle. Thereby, the head of the occupant 9 is reliably protected by the curtain 20. It should be noted that the lower end of the curtain 20 in the unfolded state is positioned below the side edge of the lower side around the side window even if the passenger is smaller than the average size of an American adult male. Thus, since a high tension is generated in the curtain 20 from the upper end to the lower end, the curtain 20 can be reliably protected.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the curtain 20 has a notch 20b that is notched toward the upper side (upper side) from the leading end (lower end) of the unfolded state. By 20b, the vehicle is divided into a vehicle rear side portion (first division portion) including the restraint portion 44 and a vehicle front side portion (second division portion) not including the restraint portion 44. This notch portion 20b is a non-inflatable portion of the curtain 20 in the unfolded state other than the portion corresponding to the upper body of the seated occupant 9 of each of the occupant seats 5, 7, 8; It is provided in the part including the part 20a. The notch 20 b crosses the tension line 40, and an end (upper end) on the upper side is located on the upper side of the tension line 40. For this reason, although tension is not generated on the tension line 40 as it is, in the present embodiment, the rear side portion and the front side portion of the vehicle are placed on the rear surface (the vehicle outer surface) of the curtain 20 in the unfolded state. Connection tethers 22 are provided to be connected to each other, and tension is generated on the tension line 40 via the connection tethers 22.

  The connecting tether 22 is provided substantially along the tension line 40 in the curtain 20. One end portion (vehicle rear side end portion) of the connection tether 22 is coupled to the back surface of the curtain 20 in the vicinity of the restraining portion 44, and the other end portion (vehicle front side end portion) is the upper front end of the curtain 20. The support tether 38 is coupled to the back surface in the vicinity of the coupling site. Here, the vehicle front side end of the curtain 20 corresponds to an edge located on the opposite side of the restraint 44 across the notch 20b in the curtain 20 in the unfolded state, and this edge is the edge. Since it is restrained by the 1st pillar 11 (connection part 37) located in the vicinity of a part, the other end part of the connection tether 22 is couple | bonded with the vicinity part of the said edge part restrained by the 1st pillar 11. become. Thereby, the connection tether 22 is a straight line connecting the restraint portion 44 and the edge portion restrained around the window portion of the curtain 20 in a front view (vehicle side view) of the curtain 20 in the unfolded state. It is provided substantially along. The other end of the connecting tether 22 is coupled to the coupling portion of the upper front end support tether 38 on the curtain 20 (the edge located on the opposite side of the restraining portion 44 across the notch 20b in the curtain 20). Alternatively, each front end support tether 38 may be coupled to the connecting portion 37 to which the front end support tether 38 is coupled.

  After the deployment of the curtain 20 is completed, the occupant 9 can escape from any of the windows 2 to 4 by turning the curtain 20. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the occupant 9 can turn up the deployment front end side of the vehicle rear side portion by folding a line L1 connecting the upper end portion of the notch portion 20b and one end portion of the connection tether 22. At the same time, the line L2 connecting the upper end portion of the notch portion 20b and the other end portion of the connection tether 22 can be creased to turn up the front end side of the vehicle front side portion. Thus, by turning up the curtain 20, it is possible to escape from the vehicle.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, since the notch part 20 is provided in the part including the non-expanding part 20a of the front-back direction substantially center part in the curtain 20, the flow of gas before and after providing the notch part 20a. Is not greatly changed, and the cutout portion 20 can be provided without affecting the deployability of the curtain 20. Moreover, since the non-inflatable portion 20a is provided at a portion other than the portion corresponding to the upper body of the seated occupant 9 of each of the occupant seats 5, 7, and 8 in the curtain in the unfolded state, it is notched at such a portion. By providing the portion 20b, the protection of the occupant 9 is not affected.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the notch 20 is formed at a position separated from the portion corresponding to the second and third pillars 12 and 13 in the curtain 20 in the unfolded state. Escape to the outside of the vehicle is easy. That is, in the curtain 20, the portion where the notch 20 is formed can be turned up the most, and the portion where the notch 20 is formed is separated from the second and third pillars 12, 13. Can be easily escaped from the second window 3 to the outside without being obstructed by the second and third pillars 12 and 13.

  Further, since the connection tether 22 is coupled to the back surface (surface outside the vehicle) of the curtain 20 in the unfolded state, interference between the occupant 9 and the connection tether 22 is prevented and the protection of the occupant 9 is improved. However, the occupant 9 can escape more reliably from the vehicle.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the line L1 that becomes a fold when turning up the vehicle rear side portion of the curtain 20 passes through the non-inflatable portion 20a of the vehicle rear portion, so that the curtain 20 can be easily folded along the line L1. .

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the configuration of the support member 36 is different from that of the first embodiment, and the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. That is, in the present embodiment, the support member 36 that constitutes the support portion has a pin shape extending substantially in the vehicle width direction, and is fixed to the inner panel 14b of the fourth pillar 14 so as to protrude inward of the vehicle. Has been. The support member 36 is provided at the same height as that in the first embodiment. In the accommodated state of the curtain 20, both end portions of the string-like member 39 are positioned on the upper side side of the support member 36, and a substantially central portion in the length direction of the string-like member 39 is a lower portion of the support member 36. It is in a state of being wound around and engaged.

  When the curtain 20 is deployed, the string-like member 39 is slid relative to the support member 36 as in the first embodiment, and the engagement position of the string-like member 39 with the support member 36 moves toward the base end side. After the movement, the restraint portion 44 is restrained by being brought into contact with and engaged with the support member 36. As a result, as in the first embodiment, a tension line that connects the restraining portion 44 and the connecting portion 37 is formed, and the transverse tether 22 is stretched along the tension line. Therefore, also in this embodiment, the passenger | crew 9 can be reliably protected similarly to the said Embodiment 1. FIG.

  Also in the present embodiment, a notch 20b (not shown in FIG. 7) and a connecting tether 22 are provided in the curtain 20 at the same position as in the first embodiment. As in the first embodiment, the occupant 9 can easily escape from any one of the windows 2 to 4 by turning the curtain 20 after the curtain 20 has been deployed, while reliably protecting the occupant 9. .

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 8 shows Embodiment 3 of the present invention, and is provided with a guide member 65 that guides the side portion of the curtain 20 on the second side portion side during deployment.

  That is, in this embodiment, the guide member 65 is provided on the inner panel 14b of the fourth pillar 14. The guide member 65 is provided with a guide bar 65a extending in the direction in which the second side portion extends (the vertical direction in the present embodiment). On the other hand, one end of a guide band 66 that constitutes a part of the curtain 20 is coupled to a middle portion of the curtain 20 in the curtain developing direction (vertical direction) of the side portion on the second side portion side. The other end of the guide band 66 is formed in an annular shape so as to be hooked and engaged with the guide bar 65a. Note that the upper end of the guide bar 65 a of the guide member 65 is at the same height as the accommodated curtain 20 on the upper side, and the lower end of the guide bar 65 a is the middle position in the vertical direction of the third window 4. It is in.

  The guide band 66 is engaged with the upper end portion of the guide bar 65a in the accommodated state of the curtain 20, and when the curtain 20 is unfolded, the side portion of the curtain 20 on the second side portion side is vertically oriented. It moves downward while guiding, and engages with the lower end portion of the guide bar 65a to support and restrain the side portion in the developed state. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the guide band 66 provided on the side portion on the second side portion side of the curtain 20 forms the restraint portion 44, and the guide bar 65a extends in the direction in which the second side portion extends. The provided support part is constituted.

  Also in this embodiment, a notch 20b (not shown in FIG. 7) and a connecting tether 22 are provided at the same position on the curtain 20 as in the first embodiment. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the occupant 9 can easily escape from any one of the windows 2 to 4 by turning the curtain 20 after deployment of the curtain 20 is completed while reliably protecting the occupant 9. Can do.

  In the first to third embodiments, the connection tether 22 is provided substantially along the tension line 40. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the connection tether 22 connects the vehicle rear side portion and the vehicle front side portion of the curtain 20 to each other. It suffices that at least one of the both ends of the connection tether 22 is connected to a portion separated from the notch 20b. However, from the viewpoint of ensuring the protection of the occupant 9, the connection tether 22 is preferably provided on the tension line 40 or on the deployment tip side of the tension line 40, and the curtain 20 can be turned up largely. From the viewpoint of doing so, it is preferable that at least one of both end portions of the connection tether 22 be separated from the cutout portion 20b as much as possible. Furthermore, the connecting tether 22 is preferably provided in a portion other than the portion corresponding to the upper body of the seated occupant 9 of each of the occupant seats 5, 7, and 8 in the curtain 20 in the unfolded state together with the notch portion 20b. (See Embodiment 4 below).

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 9 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention, in which the configuration of the restraining portion 44 and the coupling positions of both end portions of the connection tether 22 are different from those of the first embodiment.

  That is, in this embodiment, the curtain 20 is accommodated in the second side portion in addition to the upper side portion and the first side portion, and is located on the second side portion in the curtain 20 in the accommodated state. The end is fixed to the inner panel 14 b of the fourth pillar 14 by a fixing member 55. The portion fixed by the fixing member 55 corresponds to a middle portion in the deployment direction of the side portion on the second side portion side of the curtain 20 in the unfolded state, and is also fixed in the unfolded state of the curtain 20. Therefore, the restraining portion 44 is configured. Moreover, the fixing member 55 constitutes a support portion. Also in the present embodiment, the straight line connecting the restraining portion 44 and the connecting portion 37 becomes the tension line 40 of the curtain 20 in a front view of the curtain 20 in the unfolded state.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the connection tether 22 is provided substantially along the tension line 40, but the upper body of the seated occupant 9 of each of the occupant seats 5, 7, and 8 in the curtain 20 in the unfolded state. One end of the connecting tether 22 is coupled to a position on the front side of the vehicle with respect to a portion corresponding to the upper body of the seated occupant 9 of the front rear seat 7 so that the other end is located. Is coupled to a position on the rear side of the vehicle with respect to the upper body of the driver's seat 5 corresponding to the upper body of the seated passenger 9.

  Thereby, the portion of the curtain 20 that can be turned up is a line L3 (or the upper end portion of the notch portion 20b and the other end portion of the connection tether 22) connecting the upper end portion of the notch portion 20b and one end portion of the connection tether 22. Line L4), an edge on the side of the notch, and a lower end edge, which is a substantially triangular portion, which is smaller than the first embodiment. However, the occupant 9 is large enough to escape from the second window 3 to the outside of the vehicle.

  As described above, the connecting tether 22 is provided in a portion other than the portion corresponding to the upper body of the seated occupant 9 of each of the occupant seats 5, 7, 8 in the curtain 20 in the unfolded state, thereby ensuring the occupant 9 more reliably. To be able to protect. That is, the part that can be flipped up may be beaten during the deployment of the curtain 20, but this part is not a part where the upper body of the occupant 9 collides. Little impact on protection.

  In Embodiments 1 to 4, the lower end portion of the curtain 20 in the unfolded state covers the lower side portion of the side window portion, but the curtain 20 is positioned above the lower side portion from the upper side portion. You may comprise so that it may expand | deploy.

  Moreover, in the said Embodiment 1-4, although the curtain airbag apparatus was provided in the side window part of the vehicle, you may provide in the back window part of a vehicle, the window part of a roof, and the window part of vehicles other than a vehicle It can also be provided in the window of a building such as a house, building, or space station.

  Further, the shape of the window portion does not have to be a substantially square shape, and may be a substantially triangular shape. In this case, the third side is connected to the end of the second side opposite to the first side, and the first side is connected to the end of the third side opposite to the second side. It will be connected. Alternatively, other polygonal shapes may be used. Moreover, each side part around the window part may have any shape including a straight line shape and an arc shape.

  Further, the number of windows in the window portion may be one or two or more. When the number of windows is 2 or more, the window portion may have a polygonal shape that substantially surrounds the edge edge of the window surrounding the two or more windows.

  Furthermore, the present invention can be applied even when the curtain 20 does not have the non-inflatable portion 20a and the substantially entire curtain 20 is an inflatable portion.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is useful for a curtain airbag device provided with a curtain that covers a window portion of a vehicle or a building, and particularly useful when provided in a side window portion of a vehicle.

It is the figure seen from the vehicle interior side of the vehicle which shows the curtain airbag apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is the II-II sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is the principal part enlarged view seen from the vehicle interior side which expands and shows the rear-end part upper part part of a vehicle. It is the IV-IV sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is the VV sectional view taken on the line of FIG. FIG. 4 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3 showing a curtain completion state. It is a principal part perspective view which shows Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a principal part perspective view which shows Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is FIG. 1 equivalent view which shows Embodiment 4 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Car body 2-4 Wind 11 First pillar (front pillar)
12 Second pillar (intermediate pillar)
13 Third pillar (intermediate pillar)
14 Fourth pillar (second side) (rear pillar)
20 Curtain 20a Non-inflatable part 20b Notch part 21 Inflator (gas supply device)
22 Connection tether (connection member)
32 Roof side rail (first side)
36 Support member (support part)
39 String-like member 44 Restraining portion 55 Fixing member (supporting portion)
65a Guide bar (supporting part)

Claims (7)

A curtain airbag device provided in a window portion having one or more windows,
A curtain that has an inflating portion into which gas is injected, is accommodated in a first side portion around the window portion, and expands so as to cover the window portion by expansion of the inflating portion by the gas injection;
A gas supply device for supplying the gas to the expansion portion of the curtain;
A support portion provided on a second side portion connected to the first side portion around the window portion;
Provided on a side portion on the second side portion side of the curtain in the unfolded state, and at least a restraint portion restrained by the support portion in the unfolded state of the curtain;
The curtain has a notch portion that is notched from the deployment tip toward the first side in a deployed state, and is divided into a first divided portion and a second divided portion by the notched portion. Divided,
The curtain is provided with a connecting member for connecting the first divided portion and the second divided portion to each other,
At least one of the both end portions of the connecting member is coupled to a portion of the curtain that is separated from the notch portion. The curtain airbag device according to claim 1,
The support portion is extended in a direction in which the second side portion extends,
The restraining portion moves in the extending direction of the support portion while being engaged with the support portion when the curtain is deployed, and is restrained by the end portion of the support portion when the curtain is completely deployed. A curtain airbag device comprising: The curtain airbag device according to claim 1,
The support portion is provided at a site spaced from the first side portion of the second side portion,
The restraint portion is located closer to the first side than the support portion in the curtain housing state, and the expansion tip of the curtain moves in the curtain deployment direction due to expansion of the expansion portion. A curtain airbag device configured to be restrained by moving from the first side portion toward the support portion and engaging with the support portion. In the curtain airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
In the curtain in the unfolded state, an edge located on the opposite side of the restraining part across the notch is in the vicinity of the window part located in the vicinity of the edge in the unfolded state of the curtain. Configured to be restrained,
The connecting member is provided substantially along a straight line connecting the restraining portion and the edge portion restrained around the window portion of the curtain in a front view of the curtain in the unfolded state. Curtain airbag device characterized. In the curtain airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The curtain is deployed so as to cover a window portion having a plurality of windows on the vehicle side,
The second side portion is constituted by a rear pillar located on the rearmost side of the vehicle,
The notch is formed at a position spaced apart from a portion corresponding to an intermediate pillar between the front pillar located on the foremost side of the vehicle and the rear pillar in the curtain in the unfolded state. Curtain airbag device characterized by this. The curtain airbag device according to claim 5,
The curtain airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member is located in a portion other than a portion corresponding to an upper body of a seated occupant of the vehicle seat in the curtain in a deployed state. The curtain airbag device according to claim 5 or 6,
The curtain has a non-inflatable part to which the gas is not supplied,
The notch portion is formed in a portion of the curtain including the non-inflatable portion.

Images