JP2011111038A - Vehicular airbag device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inflate a bag body to a shape in a closely contact manner with a vehicle body mounting part. <P>SOLUTION: The vehicular airbag device 10 of the present invention includes a bag body 12 fixed to a curved surface part 114A of a front fender panel 114, and inflated when detecting any collision of a vehicle with a collision body or when predicting any collision, and a large number of granular materials 32 stored inside the bag body 12. According to the constitution, even when the bag body 12 is in a contracted state with high rigidity, the bag body 12 can be curved (folded) with spaces between a large number of granular materials 32 being starting points. Thus, the bag body 12 can be fixed in a closely contact manner with the curved surface part 114A, and the bag body 12 can be inflated to a desired shape (a shape closely in contact with the curved surface part 114A). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle airbag device, and more particularly to a vehicle airbag device for absorbing an impact applied to a collision body when the collision body collides with a vehicle.

  For example, for the purpose of absorbing an impact applied to a collision body when a collision object such as a pedestrian or a bicycle collides with a vehicle, a vehicle airbag device having a bag body that is deployed toward the outside of the vehicle body has been proposed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2003-291756 A JP 2008-284935 A JP 2003-11754 A JP 2008-285110 A

  However, in this type of vehicle airbag apparatus, generally, when the bag is folded and stored, the rigidity of the bag is increased. Therefore, when this bag body is fixed to the curved vehicle body mounting portion, there is a possibility that the bag body is not fixed in close contact with the vehicle body mounting portion. And in this case, there exists a possibility that a bag body cannot expand | swell to a desired shape (shape closely_contact | adhered to a vehicle body attachment part).

  This invention is made | formed in view of the said situation, Comprising: It aims at providing the vehicle airbag apparatus which can inflate a bag body to a desired shape.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the vehicle airbag device according to claim 1 is fixed to a vehicle body mounting portion formed in a curved shape, and the internal fluid is discharged in a normal state, so that the collision between the vehicle and the collision object occurs. A bag body that is inflated at the time of detection or prediction of a collision and a large number of granular materials housed in the bag body are provided.

  According to this vehicle airbag device, a large number of granular materials are accommodated inside the bag body, and the fluid inside the bag body is discharged, so the bag body is contracted and has high rigidity. Even if it is in a state, the bag body can be bent (bent) starting from among the numerous granular materials. Therefore, even if the vehicle body attachment portion is formed in a curved shape, the bag body can be fixed in a state of being in close contact with the vehicle body outer surface portion. Thereby, the bag body can be inflated into a desired shape (a shape in close contact with the vehicle body mounting portion).

  A vehicle airbag device according to a second aspect is the vehicle airbag device according to the first aspect, wherein each of the plurality of granular materials is made of an elastic body.

  According to this vehicle airbag device, since the large number of granular materials are each constituted by an elastic body, in addition to the bag body, the large number of granular materials allow the collision body at the time of collision between the collision body and the vehicle. The impact to the vehicle can be absorbed, and the collision body can be prevented from bottoming on the outer surface of the vehicle body.

  A vehicle airbag device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the vehicle airbag device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the vehicle airbag device turns into the bag body when a collision between the vehicle and a collision body is detected or when a collision is predicted. A gas generator is further provided for inflating the inflatable cloth by introducing gas so as to generate a flow.

  According to this vehicle airbag device, when gas is inserted into the bag body by the gas generator, a swirling flow of gas is generated inside the bag body. The granular material can be dispersed substantially uniformly within the bag.

  The vehicle airbag device according to claim 4 is the vehicle airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the bag body includes a front fender portion or a front pillar portion of a vehicle body. It is set as the structure fixed to the said vehicle body attaching part to comprise.

  According to this vehicle airbag device, since the inflatable fabric is inflated to the outside of the vehicle body with respect to the front fender portion or the front pillar portion, the front fender portion or the front pillar portion, which is generally a relatively rigid portion in the vehicle body. And collision with the collision object can be suppressed.

  As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the bag body can be inflated into a desired shape (a shape in close contact with the vehicle body mounting portion).

It is a figure explaining the mounting state to the vehicle of the vehicle airbag apparatus and collision judgment apparatus which concern on 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state which the internal fluid of the bag body (expanded cloth) shown by FIG. 1 is discharged | emitted, and the bag body is shrink | contracted. It is a figure which shows the initial state when a collision body hits the bag body shown by FIG. It is a figure which shows the state of the latter term when a collision body hits the bag body shown by FIG. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the ratio (space factor) which the granular material shown by FIG. 2A-FIG. 2C occupies for the internal space of a bag body, and the energy absorption efficiency of a bag body. It is a figure which shows the modification of the airbag apparatus for vehicles which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the modification of the airbag apparatus for vehicles which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the airbag apparatus for vehicles which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the contracted state of an inflatable cloth. It is a figure which shows the inflated state of the inflatable cloth shown by FIG. 6A.

[First embodiment]
First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In addition, arrow UP, arrow FR, and arrow OUT in each figure have each shown the vehicle up-down direction upper side, the vehicle front-back direction front side, and the vehicle width direction outer side.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle airbag device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a bag body 12 and a gas generator 14, and is mounted on a front fender portion 112 of a vehicle body. Yes.

  The front fender portion 112 includes a front fender panel 114, and the front fender panel 114 has a front hood 116 side, as shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, as a vehicle body attachment portion. A curved surface portion 114A is formed. The curved surface portion 114A is formed in a three-dimensional curved surface shape so as to go downward in the vehicle width direction from the front hood 116 side toward the vehicle width direction outer side.

  The bag body 12 is provided on the curved surface portion 114 </ b> A and includes a base cloth 16 and an inflatable cloth 18. The base fabric 16 is disposed on the outer side of the vehicle body with respect to the curved surface portion 114A, and extends along the curved surface portion 114A. Both end portions 16A in the extending direction of the base fabric 16 are fixed to the curved surface portion 114A by, for example, adhesion. Further, an inflow port 34 is formed at the center of the base fabric 16 to communicate a gas outlet of the gas generator 14 described later and the inside of the bag body 12.

  The inflatable cloth 18 is provided outside the vehicle body with respect to the base cloth 16. The inflatable cloth 18 is joined to the base cloth 16 at the peripheral edges thereof, and forms a bag shape with the base cloth 16. Further, the inflatable cloth 18 is made of an inflatable material, and is set to have a higher expansibility than at least the base cloth 16.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2A, the inflatable cloth 18 is configured to form a cloth shape with the base cloth 16 in a contracted state where the internal fluid is discharged and the pressure is reduced. That is, the bag body 12 is configured to be an integral cloth and integrated with the front fender panel 114 when the inflatable cloth 18 is in a contracted state. Further, on the outer surface of the inflatable cloth 18, for example, a design surface 20 is formed on which the same coating as the front fender panel 114 is applied.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, the expansion side portion 18 </ b> A of the inflatable cloth 18 and the base cloth 16 are connected by a connecting band 22. And in this bag body 12, when the expansion | swelling cloth 18 is expanded, the part 18A of the expansion | swelling side of the expansion | swelling cloth 18 becomes a substantially planar shape by the tension | pulling effect | action of this connection band 22. FIG.

  Further, a large number of granular materials 32 are accommodated in the bag body 12. The large number of granular materials 32 are each made of an elastic body such as polystyrene foam or rubber, and are formed in a solid or hollow spherical shape.

  The gas generator 14 is activated when a collision determination signal output from a control unit 144 (see FIG. 1) of the collision determination device 140 described later is input, and gas is inserted into the bag body 12. The inflatable cloth 18 is inflated.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the collision determination device 140 includes a collision object detection sensor 142 and a control unit 144.

  The collision object detection sensor 142 is disposed in the front part of the vehicle body (for example, the front bumper 118), emits laser light or radio waves toward the front of the vehicle 110, and reflects the laser light reflected from the front of the vehicle 110. It is configured to receive radio waves. The collision object detection sensor 142 outputs a signal corresponding to the incident laser light or radio wave to the control unit 144 when a laser beam or radio wave reflected in front of the vehicle 110 is incident. Has been.

  The control unit 144 determines a collision between the vehicle 110 and the collision body 120 based on a signal output from the collision body detection sensor 142 or other vehicle speed sensor, and predicts a collision between the vehicle 110 and the collision body 120. In this case, a collision determination signal is output to the gas generator 14.

  Next, the operation and effect will be described together with the operation of the vehicle airbag device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the vehicle airbag device 10, when the control unit 144 predicts a collision between the vehicle 110 and the collision body 120, a collision determination signal is output from the control unit 144 to the gas generator 14. Actuated.

  When the gas generator 14 is actuated, gas is inserted into the bag body 12 by the gas generator 14, and the inflatable cloth 18 constituting the bag body 12 is curved as shown in FIG. 2B. Inflated to the outside of the vehicle body with respect to the portion 114A. When the impacting body 120 hits the inflatable cloth 18, the internal gas of the bag body 12 is discharged from a vent hole or the like (not shown), and the inflatable cloth 18 is contracted, whereby the impacting body 120 and the vehicle 110 are in collision. The impact on the collision body 120 is absorbed.

  In addition, since a plurality of granular materials 32 made of an elastic body are accommodated in the bag body 12, in addition to the inflatable cloth 18, the large number of granular materials 32 allow the collision body 120 and the vehicle 110 to be connected. The impact on the collision body 120 at the time of the collision can be absorbed, and the collision body 120 can be prevented from bottoming on the curved surface portion 114A.

  Here, FIG. 3 shows the relationship between the ratio (space factor) of the granular material 32 shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C to the internal space of the bag body 12 and the energy absorption efficiency of the bag body 12.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the ratio of the granular material 32 to the internal space of the bag body 12 (space ratio) is set to about 50% to 60%, the energy absorption efficiency of the bag body 12 is maintained high. can do.

  In general, the front fender portion 112 is a relatively stiff portion of the vehicle body by arranging a vehicle body skeleton member inside the vehicle body of the front fender panel 114 shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C. ing.

  However, according to the vehicle airbag device 10, since the inflatable cloth 18 is inflated to the outside of the vehicle body with respect to the front fender portion 112, the collision between the highly rigid front fender portion 112 and the collision body 120 can be suppressed. it can.

  Further, as described above, since a large number of granular materials 32 are accommodated inside the bag body 12 and the fluid inside the bag body 12 is discharged, as shown in FIG. Even if the bag is in a contracted state and is in a high rigidity state, the bag body 12 can be bent (bent) starting from the plurality of granular materials 32. Accordingly, the bag body 12 can be fixed in close contact with the curved surface portion 114A. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2B, the bag body 12 is inflated to a desired shape (shape in close contact with the curved surface portion 114A). Can do.

  In the above embodiment, the base fabric 16 has both ends 16A in the extending direction fixed to the curved surface portion 114A, but the entire peripheral portion including both end portions 16A in the extending direction is fixed to the curved surface portion 114A. Alternatively, the entire base fabric 16 may be fixed to the curved surface portion 114A.

  In addition, the bag body 12 is fixed to the curved surface portion 114A that is a part of the front fender panel 114. For example, the bag body 12 is configured separately from the front fender panel 114 and is provided on the front fender panel 114. You may fix to the support plate etc. as an attaching part.

  Further, although the bag body 12 is fixed to the curved surface portion 114A which is a part of the front fender panel 114, it may be fixed to other vehicle body mounting portions formed in a curved surface shape.

  In this case, the bag body 12 may be fixed to the vehicle body attachment portion formed in a convex curved surface shape, or may be fixed to the vehicle body attachment portion formed in a concave curved surface shape.

  When a large number of granular materials 32 are accommodated inside the bag body 12, as shown in FIG. 4, when the fluid inside the bag body 12 is discharged and the inflatable cloth 18 is in a contracted state, When the inflatable cloth 18 comes into close contact with a large number of granular materials 32, the inflatable cloth 18 has irregularities. Therefore, when the convex portion 126A having a large curvature is formed on the vehicle body attachment portion 126, the bag body 12 may be bent using the concave and convex portions, and the inflatable cloth 18 may be placed along the convex portion 126A.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although it was set as the structure by which gas is inserted with the gas generator 14 toward the center part of the bag body 12 from the inflow port 34 formed in the center part in the base fabric 16, FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the gas generator 14 may be configured to insert gas into the bag body 12 from the inlet 34 formed at a position shifted from the center of the base fabric 16 toward the end side. good.

  With this configuration, a swirling flow can be generated inside the bag body 12, so that a large number of granular materials 32 housed inside the bag body 12 are distributed substantially uniformly inside the bag body 12. Can be made.

  In addition, the granular material 32 does not need to be formed of an elastic body for the purpose of bringing the base fabric 16 into close contact with the curved surface portion 114A (that is, not used for shock absorption). Or a rigid body such as

  Moreover, the granular material 32 may be formed in, for example, a hemispherical shape in addition to the spherical shape.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The vehicle airbag device 80 according to the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B includes a bag body 82 and a gas generator 84, and is mounted on the front pillar portion 128 of the vehicle body. Yes.

  The front pillar portion 128 is configured to have a front pillar 130. The front side wall portion 130A of the front pillar 130 is formed in a curved surface shape. 6A and 6B, the front pillar portion 128 is shown in a simplified manner.

  The bag body 82 includes a base cloth 86 and an inflatable cloth 88. The base fabric 86 is disposed outside the vehicle body with respect to the front side wall portion 130A of the front pillar 130, and extends along the front side wall portion 130A.

  The inflatable cloth 88 is provided outside the vehicle body with respect to the base cloth 86, and forms a bag shape with the base cloth 86. The inflatable cloth 88 is made of a material having expansibility, and is set to have a higher expansibility than at least the base cloth 86. In addition, on the outer surface of the inflatable cloth 88, for example, a design surface 90 is formed on which the same coating or the like as the front pillar 130 is applied.

  A plurality of tongue-shaped fixing pieces 89 are formed at a plurality of locations on the peripheral edge of the bag body 82, and the fixing pieces 89 are passed through the front side wall portion 130A serving as a vehicle body attachment portion and formed on the front side wall portion 130A. It is fixed.

  A large number of granular materials 92 are accommodated in the bag body 82. Each of the large number of granular materials 92 is composed of an elastic body.

  The gas generator 84 is disposed inside the front pillar 130. The gas generator 84 is activated when the collision determination signal output from the above-described control unit 144 (see FIG. 1) is input, and gas is inserted into the bag body 82 to inflate the inflatable cloth 88. It is configured to expand.

  Further, the gas generator 84 is disposed on the end side of the center portion of the base fabric 86. The gas generator 84 is configured to insert gas into the bag body 82 so that a swirling flow of gas is generated inside the bag body 82.

  Next, the operation and effect of the vehicle airbag device 80 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described together with the operation thereof.

  In the vehicle airbag device 80, when the gas generator 84 is activated, gas is inserted into the bag body 82 by the gas generator 84, and as shown in FIG. The inflatable cloth 88 is expanded to the outside of the vehicle body with respect to the front side wall portion 130A. When the impact body 120 hits the inflatable cloth 88, the gas inside the bag body 82 is discharged from a vent hole or the like (not shown), and the inflatable cloth 88 is contracted, whereby a collision occurs when the impact body 120 and the vehicle collide. The impact on the body 120 is absorbed.

  In addition, since a large number of granular materials 92 each made of an elastic material are accommodated in the bag body 82, in addition to the inflatable cloth 88, the large number of granular materials 92 allow the collision body 120, the vehicle, It is possible to absorb the impact on the collision body 120 at the time of the collision, and to prevent the collision body 120 from bottoming on the front side wall portion 130A.

  In general, the front pillar portion 128 is a relatively rigid portion of the vehicle body.

  However, according to the vehicle airbag device 80, since the inflatable cloth 88 is inflated to the outside of the vehicle body with respect to the front pillar portion 128, the collision between the highly rigid front pillar portion 128 and the collision body 120 can be suppressed. it can.

  Further, as described above, since a large number of granular materials 92 are accommodated in the bag body 82 and the fluid inside the bag body 82 is discharged, as shown in FIG. 6A, the bag body 82. Even if the bag is in a contracted state and has a high rigidity, the bag body 82 can be bent (bent) starting from the plurality of granular materials 92. Therefore, since the bag body 82 can be fixed in close contact with the front side wall portion 130A, as shown in FIG. 6B, the bag body 82 is expanded to a desired shape (shape in close contact with the front side wall portion 130A). Can be made.

  Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above, and other various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It is.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10,80 Vehicle airbag apparatus 12,82 Bag body 14,84 Gas generator 32,92 Granular material 112 Front fender part 114 Front fender panel 114A Curved surface part (vehicle body attachment part)
128 Front pillar part 130 Front pillar 130A Front side wall part (vehicle body attaching part)

Claims (4)

A bag body that is fixed to a vehicle body mounting portion formed in a curved shape, and in which the internal fluid is discharged in a normal state, and is inflated when a collision between the vehicle and a collision body is detected or predicted;
A number of granular materials housed inside the bag,
A vehicle airbag device comprising: Each of the plurality of granular materials is composed of an elastic body.
The airbag apparatus for vehicles of Claim 1. A gas generator for inflating the inflatable cloth by inserting gas so that a swirling flow is generated inside the bag body at the time of collision detection or prediction of collision between the vehicle and the collision body;
The airbag apparatus for vehicles of Claim 1 or Claim 2. The bag body is fixed to the vehicle body mounting portion constituting the front fender portion or the front pillar portion of the vehicle body,
The airbag apparatus for vehicles as described in any one of Claims 1-3.

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