JP2008037246A - Pedestrian protective airbag device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pedestrian protective airbag device capable of preventing a leg of a pedestrian from being caught while setting an appropriate approach angle. <P>SOLUTION: The pedestrian protective airbag device 10 is arranged in the vicinity of a front bumper 1 of a vehicle, and comprises an undercover 1c which is arranged at the lower side of the vehicle of the front bumper 1 to form an approach angle θ, and an airbag module 3 having an inflator 3a for generating gas and an airbag 3b developed by introducing the gas therein, and mounted to a bumper reinforcement 1d or a side member 2 along the undercover 1c. When the vehicle is collided with a pedestrian, the airbag 3b is developed forward of the vehicle and developed obliquely downward of the vehicle. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a pedestrian protection airbag device that protects a pedestrian at the time of a vehicle collision, for example.

Conventionally, there is known a safety shock absorber that deploys an airbag attached below a bumper reinforcement (horizontal bar) to the front of the vehicle and obliquely below the vehicle in the event of a collision with a pedestrian (for example, Patent Documents) 1). At the time of a collision with a pedestrian, the airbag is deployed forward and obliquely downward of the vehicle to prevent the pedestrian's legs from being caught (submitted) under the front bumper.
Japanese translation of PCT publication No. 2002-542110

  By the way, a so-called approach angle is set in the vehicle, which is an angle formed by a horizontal line and a line connecting the ground point of the front wheel and the lower end and front end (or rear end) of the front bumper. For example, when driving on a rough road surface (bad road), to avoid contact between the under cover below the front bumper and the road surface unevenness, the front bumper position is increased to increase the approach angle. It is desirable to set. On the other hand, if the approach angle is set high, when the pedestrian collides with the front bumper, the pedestrian's leg may be easily caught under the front bumper.

  In the conventional safety shock absorber, in order to prevent the entrainment, the airbag is deployed forward of the vehicle and obliquely downward of the vehicle, but the airbag is simply attached below the bumper reinforcement. As described above, it cannot be said that setting an appropriate approach angle is considered.

  The present invention is intended to solve such problems, and a main object thereof is to prevent the pedestrian's leg from being caught while setting an appropriate approach angle.

In order to achieve the above object, one embodiment of the present invention provides:
A pedestrian protection airbag device disposed near a front bumper of a vehicle,
An under cover disposed below the vehicle of the front bumper and forming an approach angle;
An inflator for generating gas, and an airbag for introducing and deploying the gas inside, and an airbag module attached to a bumper reinforcement or a side member along the under cover,
When the vehicle collides with a pedestrian, the airbag is deployed in front of the vehicle and obliquely downward of the vehicle.

  In this aspect, the case where the vehicle collides with a pedestrian includes, for example, the case where the vehicle is predicted to collide with a pedestrian.

  According to this aspect, the airbag module is attached to the bumper reinforcement or the side member along the under cover forming the approach angle. Thus, a large approach angle is set in a normal state before the vehicle collides with a pedestrian. Further, when the vehicle collides with a pedestrian, the airbag is deployed forward of the vehicle and obliquely downward of the vehicle, so that the leg portion of the colliding pedestrian can be prevented from being caught under the front bumper. That is, it is possible to prevent the pedestrian's leg from being caught while setting an appropriate approach angle.

  In this aspect, when the vehicle collides with a pedestrian, the airbag may be deployed forward of the vehicle and obliquely downward of the vehicle, and may also be deployed forward of the bumper reinforcement. As a result, the airbag is deployed in front of the vehicle and obliquely downward of the vehicle, thereby preventing the leg portion of the colliding pedestrian from being caught under the front bumper as described above. The impact energy acting on the front bumper can be absorbed by deploying to the vehicle front side of the bumper reinforcement.

  In this one aspect, the inflator may be accommodated in the bumper reinforcement. Thereby, the attachment space of an airbag module can be made small.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the pedestrian's leg from being caught while setting an appropriate approach angle.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  Fig.1 (a) is a figure which shows the outline of the pedestrian protection airbag apparatus which concerns on one Example of this invention, and is a figure which shows the state before an airbag expand | deploys. Moreover, FIG.1 (b) is a figure which shows the outline of the pedestrian protection airbag apparatus which concerns on one Example of this invention, and is a figure which shows the state after an airbag expand | deploys.

  The pedestrian protection airbag device 10 is a device that protects a collision object such as a pedestrian (especially a leg) by deploying the airbag 3b at the time of a vehicle collision such as when a pedestrian collides with the front bumper 1 of the vehicle. It is.

  The pedestrian protection airbag device 10 is disposed in front of the vehicle and is disposed in the vicinity of the front bumper 1 extending in the vehicle width direction.

  The front bumper 1 includes a bumper cover 1a, an impact absorbing member 1b accommodated in the bumper cover 1a, an under cover 1c connected to the bumper cover 1a and extending obliquely rearward of the vehicle and obliquely behind the vehicle, and an impact absorbing member 1b. And bumper reinforcement 1d connected to the.

  The bumper cover 1a and the under cover 1c are made of, for example, a thin synthetic resin that is a member that deforms when a predetermined impact load is applied. The impact absorbing member 1b is made of, for example, urethane foam, and absorbs an impact when an object collides with the front bumper 1 by its elastic force.

  The bumper reinforcement 1 d extends in the vehicle width direction along the front bumper 1 and has a function of reinforcing the front bumper 1. Further, the cross-sectional shape of the bumper reinforcement 1d is, for example, an eye shape, but is not limited to this, and any cross-sectional shape such as a daily shape can be applied.

  One end of a pair of side members 2 extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction is connected to the left and right sides of the bumper reinforcement 1d. The side member 2 has a crash box 2a that is connected at one end to the bumper reinforcement 1d and absorbs shock by being crushed at the time of a vehicle collision, and a front side member 2b connected to the other end of the crash box 2a. is doing.

  A grill 12 that extends in the vehicle width direction and takes in outside air into the engine room 11 is disposed on the vehicle upper side of the front bumper 1. An engine hood 13 that covers the engine room 11 and can be opened and closed is disposed on the grill 12 above the vehicle.

  The pedestrian protection airbag device 10 includes an airbag module 3 attached to the bumper reinforcement 1d along the under cover 1c of the front bumper 1. The airbag module 3 includes an inflator (gas generator) 3a that generates gas and an airbag 3b that introduces and deploys the gas therein.

  The inflator 3a is housed in an inflator housing and the inside of the inflator housing, and contains a gas generating agent that generates gas when burned.

  For example, when a pedestrian collides with the front bumper 1, the impact is detected by an impact sensor. Then, the igniting agent is ignited by the detonator, and the gas generating agent starts burning. The gas generant generates gas when combusted. The generated gas is introduced into the interior of the airbag 3b, and the airbag 3b is deployed to protect a pedestrian. As the impact sensor, for example, an acceleration sensor is used.

  The inflator 3a is attached to the lower part of the bumper reinforcement 1d. The airbag 3b is normally attached to the inflator 3a in a folded state (before a vehicle collision). In addition, although the airbag 3b is a structure attached to the bumper reinforcement 1d via the inflator 3a, the structure where the inflator 3a and the airbag 3b are each attached to the bumper reinforcement 1d may be sufficient.

  The inflator 3a and the airbag 3b are attached to the lower portion of the bumper reinforcement 1d so that the airbag 3b is deployed forward of the vehicle and obliquely downward of the vehicle when the vehicle collides (FIG. 1B).

  In addition, a set of inflator 3a and airbag 3b (one airbag module 3) is attached to the lower part of bumper reinforcement 1d at the approximate center in the vehicle width direction.

  As described above, when the airbag 3b is deployed forward of the vehicle and obliquely downward of the vehicle, the expansion force of the airbag 3b is applied to the back surface of the under cover 1c. Due to the inflating force of the airbag 3b, the under cover 1c is broken along a groove formed like a single door.

  For example, the one-sided door portion 1e broken from the under cover 1c is configured to open in a clockwise direction around a hinge 1f formed on the front side of the vehicle (FIG. 1 (b)).

  By the way, the vehicle has an angle formed by a horizontal line L and a line OP (hereinafter referred to as an approach angle line) OP connecting the ground point O of the front wheel F and the lower end and front end (or rear end) P of the front bumper 1. A so-called approach angle θ is set. In general, as the approach angle θ increases, the rough road performance increases as described later.

  For example, in an off-road vehicle such as an SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) designed to travel on a relatively uneven road surface (bad road), the front bumper 1 is disposed at a relatively high position. The approach angle θ is set to be large (for example, set to about 30 to 40 °). This is because the approach angle θ is set so as to prevent the under cover 1c of the front bumper 1 from coming into contact with the uneven surface of the road surface when the vehicle travels on an uneven rough road.

  Therefore, in the pedestrian protection airbag apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the under cover 1c of the front bumper 1 is along the approach angle line OP (for example, substantially parallel to the approach angle line OP so as to form the approach angle θ). In). Furthermore, the airbag module 3 is attached to the lower part of the bumper reinforcement 1d along the under cover 1c. By arranging efficiently in this way, the approach angle θ can be set larger while ensuring a sufficient space for arranging the airbag module 3. Therefore, the rough road running performance can be improved.

  On the other hand, conventionally, when the approach angle is set large as described above, when a pedestrian collides with the front bumper, the leg portion of the pedestrian may be easily caught under the front bumper.

  Therefore, in the pedestrian protection airbag device 10 according to the present embodiment, when the pedestrian collides with the front bumper 1, the airbag 3b is deployed forward of the vehicle and obliquely downward of the vehicle (FIG. 1 (b)). Thereby, it can prevent reliably that a leg part of a pedestrian is caught in the lower side of the front bumper 1 by the airbag 3b expand | deployed ahead of the vehicle and diagonally below the vehicle.

  Next, the operation of the pedestrian protection airbag device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.

  For example, when a pedestrian's leg collides with the bumper cover 1a of the front bumper 1 of the vehicle and the impact is detected by an impact sensor, the inflator 3a generates gas. The gas generated from the inflator 3a is introduced into the airbag 3b, and the airbag 3b is inflated and deployed forward of the vehicle and obliquely downward of the vehicle. Due to the inflating force of the airbag 3b, the under cover 1c of the front bumper 1 is pressed, and the one-sided door portion 1e opens toward the front of the vehicle (clockwise in FIG. 1) with the hinge portion 1f as a center to be in an open state. At this time, for example, the bumper cover 1a of the front bumper 1 is in contact with the upper side (upper knee) of the leg part of the pedestrian, and the opened under cover 1c is on the lower side (lower knee). The single door part 1e contacts. Thereby, it can prevent that a pedestrian's leg part is caught in the lower side of the front bumper 1. FIG.

  As described above, in the pedestrian protection airbag device 10 according to the present embodiment, the under cover 1c of the front bumper 1 is disposed along the approach angle line OP, and the airbag module 3 is disposed along the under cover 1c. It is attached to the lower part of bumper reinforcement 1d. Thereby, approach angle (theta) can be set larger. Further, when a pedestrian collides with the front bumper 1, the airbag 3b is deployed forward of the vehicle and obliquely downward of the vehicle. Thereby, it can prevent reliably that a leg part of a pedestrian is caught in the lower side of the front bumper 1. FIG. That is, it is possible to reliably prevent the pedestrian's leg from being caught while setting an appropriate approach angle θ.

  Note that when the airbag 3b is deployed in front of the vehicle and obliquely below the vehicle, the one-sided door portion 1e of the under cover 1c may be maintained for a certain period of time in a substantially vertical direction. (FIG. 1 (b)). Thereby, when a pedestrian collides with the front bumper 1, the impact by the collision can be received substantially evenly on the entire one-sided door portion 1e of the under cover 1c. Therefore, since the local collision with a pedestrian can be avoided, the impact with respect to a pedestrian can be relieve | moderated effectively.

  Moreover, the airbag 3b receives a pedestrian's leg part via the one side door part 1e of the under cover 1c, and prevents a pedestrian's leg part from being caught in the lower side of the front bumper 1. FIG. As a result, a small number (for example, one) of airbag modules 3 applies equal force to the legs of pedestrians that collide with any position in the vehicle width direction via the single door part 1e of the under cover 1c. Can be received at. Therefore, the airbag module 3 is operated efficiently, and the cost of the device 10 is reduced.

  As mentioned above, although the best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described using one embodiment, the present invention is not limited to such one embodiment, and within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention, Various modifications and substitutions can be made to the above-described embodiment.

  In the above embodiment, at the time of a vehicle collision, the airbag 3b is deployed forward of the vehicle and obliquely downward of the vehicle. However, the airbag 3b may be deployed forward of the vehicle and obliquely downward of the vehicle while being deployed forward of the vehicle.

  In this case, in the normal state before the vehicle collision, the interior of the bumper cover 1a of the front bumper 1 is a space. In the event of a vehicle collision, the airbag 23b, which replaces the shock absorbing member 1b, is deployed inside the bumper cover 1a of the front bumper 1 to absorb the shock applied to the bumper cover 1a (see FIG. 2). Thus, the single airbag 23b can absorb not only the pedestrian's legs from being caught but also the impact energy applied to the bumper cover 1a.

  In the above embodiment, the inflator 3a and the airbag 3b (airbag module 3) are attached to the lower part of the bumper reinforcement 1d, but may be attached to the lower part of the side member 2 (FIG. 3A). ), Or a structure attached to the side portion of the side member 2 (FIG. 3B). That is, if an appropriate approach angle θ can be set, and the airbag 3b can be deployed forward of the vehicle and obliquely downward of the vehicle, it can be attached at an arbitrary position.

  In the above-described embodiment, the inflator 3a is configured to be attached to the lower part of the bumper reinforcement 1d, but may be configured to be housed inside the bumper reinforcement 1d (FIG. 4). For example, the inflator 3a may be disposed in a space below the bumper reinforcement 1d having a cross-sectional shape formed in an eye shape. Moreover, the structure accommodated in the inside of bumper reinforcement 1d may be sufficient as the inflator 3a and the airbag 3b. Thereby, the attachment space at the time of attaching the airbag module 3 can be made small.

  In the above embodiment, the under cover 1c of the front bumper 1 is formed with a single door portion 1e having a hinge 1f on the front side of the vehicle, but a single door portion 21e having a hinge 21f on the rear side of the vehicle. It may be formed (FIG. 5A). Further, the under cover 1c may be formed with a double door (open door) 31e having hinges 31f on the front side and the rear side of the vehicle (FIG. 5B).

  In the embodiment described above, a pair of inflator 3a and airbag 3b (one airbag module 3) is attached to the lower part of bumper reinforcement 1d substantially at the center of the vehicle. The number of groups 3b may be arbitrary. For example, the inflator 3a and the airbag 3b may be configured so that one set is provided on the left side and the right side of the bumper reinforcement 1d, or one set is provided on the left side, the right side, and substantially the center of the vehicle.

  The present invention can be used, for example, in a pedestrian protection airbag device that deploys an airbag to protect a pedestrian that collides with a vehicle. The appearance, weight, size, running performance, etc. of the vehicle to be mounted are not limited.

(A) It is a figure which shows the outline of the pedestrian protection airbag apparatus which concerns on one Example of this invention, and is a figure which shows the state before an airbag expand | deploys. (B) It is a figure which shows the outline of the pedestrian protection airbag apparatus which concerns on one Example of this invention, and is a figure which shows the state after an airbag expand | deploys. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure which expands to the vehicle front side, while an airbag expand | deploys the vehicle forward and diagonally vehicle downward. (A) It is a figure which shows an example of the structure by which an airbag module is attached to the lower part of a side member. (B) It is a figure which shows an example of the structure by which an airbag module is attached to the side part of a side member. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure by which an inflator is accommodated in the inside of a bumper reinforcement. (A) It is a figure which shows an example of the structure by which the single door part which makes the vehicle rear side a hinge is formed in the under cover of a front bumper. (B) It is a figure which shows an example of the structure by which the double door part which makes the vehicle front side and vehicle rear side a hinge is formed in the under cover of a front bumper.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Front bumper 1c Under cover 1d Bumper reinforcement 2 Side member 3 Air bag module 3a Inflator 3b Air bag 10 Pedestrian protection airbag apparatus

Claims (3)

A pedestrian protection airbag device disposed near a front bumper of a vehicle,
An under cover disposed below the vehicle of the front bumper and forming an approach angle;
An inflator for generating gas, and an airbag for introducing and deploying the gas inside, and an airbag module attached to a bumper reinforcement or a side member along the under cover,
When the vehicle collides with a pedestrian, the airbag is deployed forward of the vehicle and obliquely downward of the vehicle. The pedestrian protection airbag device according to claim 1,
When the vehicle collides with a pedestrian, the airbag is deployed forward of the vehicle and obliquely downward of the vehicle, and is deployed toward the front of the vehicle of the bumper reinforcement. . A pedestrian protection airbag device according to claim 1 or 2,
A pedestrian protection airbag device, wherein the inflator is housed in the bumper reinforcement.

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