JP2015110368A - Frontal crash airbag device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a frontal crash airbag device capable of deploying an airbag in front of a passenger in a short time at a time of an oblique crash or a small overlap crash.SOLUTION: A driver seat airbag device 10 includes: an airbag 20 supported by a steering column 16 in front of a driver seat 12, and inflated and deployed toward the driver seat 12 by supplying gas to the airbag 20 from an inflator 24; and a movable support structure 28 provided between the steering column 16 and the airbag 20. The movable support structure 28 vibrates the airbag 20 toward a crash side in a vehicle width direction relative to the steering column 16 by using a backward force acting on the airbag 20 in response to inflation and deployment of the airbag 20 by the gas supplied to the airbag 20 during an oblique crash or a small overlap crash.

Description

  The present invention relates to a front collision airbag apparatus.

  There is known an occupant protection device that changes the deployment direction of an airbag to the occupant side by tilting a steering column by a forward airbag case pressing force due to a moment due to the lateral G and / or an inertial force of the occupant (for example, , See Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses an occupant protection device including an airbag case pushing device that tilts the airbag case toward the occupant side with respect to the steering column prior to the deployment of the airbag.

JP 2010-179664 A

  For example, in an oblique collision in which the opponent vehicle collides obliquely from the front, the steering column may move to the anti-collision side with respect to the occupant due to rotation or deformation of the vehicle body. In this case, in the configuration in which the steering column that supports the airbag is tilted, the deployment position of the airbag is easily affected by the deformation of the vehicle body. On the other hand, in the configuration in which the airbag is deployed after the airbag case is tilted with respect to the steering column by the airbag case extrusion device, there is room for improvement from the viewpoint of early deployment of the airbag.

  It is an object of the present invention to obtain a front collision airbag apparatus that can deploy an airbag in front of an occupant in a short time during an oblique collision or a minute lap collision.

  An airbag device for a frontal collision according to the invention of claim 1 is supported by a support member in front of the vehicle in the front-rear direction with respect to the seat, and is inflated and deployed toward the seat by gas supply from an inflator. A rearward force provided between the support member and the airbag, and when the airbag is subjected to an oblique collision or a micro-lap collision, the rearward force received by the gas supply in association with the inflation and deployment, and from the inflator to the outside of the airbag And a movable structure that moves the airbag toward the collision side in the vehicle width direction or the rear of the vehicle using at least one of the gas ejection force to the vehicle.

  In the case of an oblique collision or a minute lap collision, for example, the vehicle body rotates to the anti-collision side, while the occupant moves forward due to inertia. For this reason, the occupant moves to the collision side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the vehicle body. Here, since the airbag device for frontal collision includes a movable structure, the airbag is relatively displaced relative to the support member on the collision side in the vehicle width direction or on the rear side, that is, on the side approaching the occupant. Thereby, compared with the structure which is not provided with a movable structure, the position shift to the vehicle width direction of the deployment position with respect to a passenger | crew is suppressed.

  Further, the movable structure has at least one of a rearward force that the airbag receives as the airbag is inflated and deployed by supply of gas from the inflator, and a gas ejection force from the inflator to the outside of the airbag. Use to move against. For this reason, it is possible to complete the deployment of the airbag in a short time compared to a configuration in which the inflator is operated after the airbag deployment direction is changed by an actuator or the like. In addition, examples of the backward force that the airbag receives as the airbag is inflated and deployed due to the gas supply from the inflator include the backward deployment force due to the gas pressure, and its own inertia (inertial force) due to the deployment. it can.

  Thus, in the configuration of claim 1, the airbag can be deployed in front of the occupant in a short time in the case of an oblique collision or a minute lap collision.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a front collision airbag apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the movable structure is capable of rotating the airbag about an axis along a vehicle vertical direction with respect to the support member. Alternatively, it is configured to include a support structure that is movably supported in the vehicle width direction.

  In this frontal collision airbag device, for example, the airbag deployed rearward with respect to the support member on the vehicle body rotating on the anti-collision side receives a force that maintains the deployment direction due to inertia or the like. In contrast, the vehicle moves to the collision side in the vehicle width direction. Thereby, with a simple configuration, the airbag can be deployed in front of the occupant in a short time during an oblique collision or a minute lap collision.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a front collision airbag apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the movable structure includes a support structure that supports the airbag so as to be separable in the vehicle front-rear direction with respect to the support member. And an ejection structure for ejecting the gas of the inflator out of the airbag toward the front of the vehicle.

  In this front collision airbag device, the airbag supported by the support structure so as to be separable from the support member receives a jetting force generated by jetting gas out of the airbag toward the front of the vehicle by the jetting structure. Then, the airbag moves rearward with respect to the support member and is separated from the support member. After this separation, the airbag is deployed in front of the occupant without being affected by the movement of the support member, which is the vehicle body side member, to the anti-collision side. That is, in the airbag device for frontal collision, the positional deviation in the vehicle width direction between the airbag and the occupant can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the airbag is not separated from the support member. It can be deployed in front of the occupant while suppressing displacement.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a frontal collision airbag apparatus that receives a gas supply from an inflator, inflates and deploys an airbag, and separates the airbag from the vehicle body and injects the airbag forward. And.

  Since the front collision airbag apparatus includes the injection mechanism, the airbag is prevented from being separated from the vehicle body and affected by the movement of the vehicle body. For this reason, the airbag can be deployed at a position suitable for protecting the occupant with respect to the occupant. Thereby, a passenger | crew can be protected appropriately with respect to front collision of various forms.

  As described above, the airbag device for frontal collision according to the present invention has an excellent effect that the airbag can be deployed in front of the occupant in a short time in the case of an oblique collision or a minute lap collision.

1 is a plan sectional view showing a schematic overall configuration of a driver's seat airbag device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing an essential part of a driver's seat airbag device according to a first embodiment of the present invention in an exploded manner. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure which shows typically the deployment state of the airbag which comprises the airbag apparatus for driver's seats concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (A) is a plane sectional view which shows the back deployment state, B) is a plan sectional view showing a swinging state with respect to the steering column. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure which shows typically the driver | operator's protection aspect by the airbag apparatus for driver's seats concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (A) is a plane sectional view which shows the contact state with the driver | operator of an airbag. (B) is a plane sectional view showing a driver's restraint state by an air bag. It is a figure which shows typically the airbag apparatus for driver's seats concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (A) is a plane sectional view which shows the state before isolation | separation from the steering column of an airbag, (B). FIG. 3 is a plan sectional view showing a state where the airbag is separated from the steering column. It is a figure which shows typically the protection aspect of the driver | operator by the driver's seat airbag apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (A) is a plane sectional view which shows the contact state with the driver | operator of an airbag. (B) is a plane sectional view showing a driver's restraint state by an air bag. It is a figure which shows typically the driver | operator's protection aspect by the airbag apparatus for driver's seats concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (A) is a side view before the expansion | deployment of an airbag, (B) is an airbag. (C) is a side view of a separated state of an airbag, (D) is a side view of a restraint start state of the driver by the airbag, and (E) is a restraint state of the driver by the airbag. FIG. 9F is a plan view of the restrained state of the driver by the airbag. It is a disassembled perspective view which decomposes | disassembles and shows typically the injection mechanism of the airbag apparatus for driver's seats concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the airbag apparatus for driver's seats concerning the 3rd Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (A) is a plane sectional view which shows the state before isolation | separation from the steering column of an airbag, (B). FIG. 3 is a plan sectional view showing a state where the airbag is separated from the steering column. It is a figure showing typically the modification of the airbag which constitutes the driver's seat airbag device concerning each embodiment of the present invention, and (A) is a plane sectional view showing the airbag concerning the 1st modification, (B) is a plane sectional view showing an airbag according to a second modification.

  A driver's seat airbag apparatus 10 as a front collision airbag apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. It should be noted that an arrow FR, an arrow UP, and an arrow LH, which are appropriately described in each drawing, indicate the left side that is one side of the front direction, the upward direction, and the vehicle width direction of the automobile V to which each is applied. In the following description, when using the front / rear, up / down, and left / right directions, unless otherwise indicated, the front / rear direction of the vehicle, the up / down direction of the vehicle, the left / right direction of the vehicle (when facing the front) To do.

(Schematic configuration inside the automobile V)
FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing a part including a front portion in a cabin C of an automobile V to which a driver's seat airbag device 10 is applied. As shown in this figure, in the cabin C, a driver's seat 12 is installed as a seat. The driver seat 12 in this embodiment is disposed on the left side with respect to the center of the vehicle V in the vehicle width direction.

  A driver D as an occupant is seated on the driver seat 12. An instrument panel 14 is installed in front of the driver seat 12 in the cabin C. On the other hand, the door trim 15 of the side door is located outside the driver seat 12 in the vehicle width direction.

  A steering column 16 projects rearward from the front portion of the driver's seat 12 in the instrument panel 14. A steering wheel 18 operated by the driver D is attached to the rear end of the steering column 16. The driver airbag device 10 is installed in the steering column 16 and is configured to inflate and deploy the airbag 20 behind the steering wheel 18. This will be specifically described below.

(Configuration of airbag device for driver's seat)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the driver's seat airbag device 10 in this embodiment includes an airbag 20, an airbag case 22, an inflator 24, and a steering wheel pad 26. It is configured as.

  The airbag 20 is a bag body that is accommodated in the airbag case 22 in a folded state and is inflated and deployed upon receiving a gas supply. The airbag case 22 is supported by the steering column 16 and accommodates the airbag 20 and the inflator 24. Although a detailed description is omitted, the airbag 20 is formed with a vent hole 20H (see FIG. 4B) that opens and releases the pressure when the internal pressure becomes a predetermined value or more.

  The inflator 24 generates gas by operating in response to an operation signal from the ECU 32 described later. The inflator 24 is disposed in the airbag 20 so as to supply the generated gas into the airbag 20. The airbag 20 is held by the inflator 24 at the front end thereof, and is supported (connected) to the airbag case 22 via the inflator 24.

  The steering wheel pad 26 covers an opening on the rear end side in the airbag case 22 that houses the airbag 20 and the inflator 24. The steering wheel pad 26 is torn by the inflation pressure of the airbag 20 that has been supplied with gas. Accordingly, the airbag 20 is allowed to expand and deploy rearward with respect to the steering wheel 18.

  The driver airbag device 10 in this embodiment includes a movable structure that supports the airbag 20 so that the airbag 20 can be relatively displaced with respect to the steering column 16, and a movable support structure 28 as a support structure. The movable support structure 28 supports the airbag 20 such that the airbag 20 can reciprocate in the vehicle width direction with respect to the steering column 16. In this embodiment, the movable support structure 28 supports the airbag 20 so as to be swingable about an axis along the vertical direction with respect to the steering column 16.

  Specifically, the inflator 24 holding the airbag 20 is supported by the airbag case 22 supported by the steering column 16 so as to be swingable about an axis along the vertical direction, so that the movable support structure 28 is supported. Is configured. In this embodiment, the shaft body 30 penetrating the through hole 22H formed in the top plate 22T and the bottom plate 22B of the airbag case 22 is inserted (freely fitted) into the shaft hole 24H formed above and below the inflator 24. Yes.

  As a result, the inflator 24, that is, the airbag 20, can swing (rotate) around the shaft body 30 with respect to the airbag case 22 from the neutral state shown in FIG. 3A, as illustrated in FIG. 3B. The Therefore, in this embodiment, the airbag case 22 that supports the airbag 20 and the inflator 24 while being supported by the steering column 16 may be regarded as (a part of) the support member of the present invention.

  A gap G is provided between the airbag case 22 (the holding portion 22A constituting the front portion thereof) and the inflator 24 in order to allow the inflator 24 to swing within a predetermined angular range with respect to the airbag case 22. It is formed (see FIG. 1). Although not shown, the attitude of the inflator 24 with respect to the airbag case 22 is held by the attitude holding member so as to be in a neutral state facing rearward in plan view. As will be described later, when a force that relatively displaces the airbag 20 in the vehicle width direction is applied to the steering column 16 due to a collision, the posture holding member is broken by the force.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the driver's seat airbag device 10 includes an airbag ECU 32 as a control device. The airbag ECU 32 is electrically connected to the inflator 24 and the collision sensor 34.

  The airbag ECU 32 can detect or predict a frontal collision against the applied vehicle V based on information from the collision sensor 34. In this embodiment, the airbag ECU 32 distinguishes various front collisions such as a full wrap front collision, an offset front collision, a minute lap collision, and an oblique collision based on information from the collision sensor 34 (or for each collision mode). B) Detectable or predictable. When detecting or predicting a frontal collision based on information from the collision sensor 34, the airbag ECU 32 operates the inflator 24.

  Note that the oblique collision (MDB oblique collision, oblique collision) is, for example, obliquely defined by NHSTA (for example, a collision with a relative angle of 15 ° with the collision partner and a lap amount of about 35% in the vehicle width direction). It is said that the other party's vehicle (barrier) collides. In this embodiment, an oblique collision at a relative speed of 90 km / hr is assumed as an example. Further, the micro lap collision is a collision in which the lap amount in the vehicle width direction with the counterpart vehicle (barrier) defined by IIHS is 25% or less among the front collision of the automobile V. For example, a collision to the outside in the vehicle width direction with respect to a front side member that is a vehicle body skeleton corresponds to a minute lap collision. In this embodiment, a minute lap collision at a relative speed of 64 km / hr is assumed as an example.

[Action]
Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

  The airbag ECU 32 activates the inflator 24 when detecting or predicting a frontal collision to the vehicle V based on a signal from the collision sensor 34. Then, the airbag 20 that has received the gas supply from the inflator 24 is inflated and deployed while the steering wheel pad 26 is cleaved.

  When the frontal collision to the vehicle V is a full-lap frontal collision, the airbag 20 is deployed almost straight rearward in a plan view, and restrains the driver D moving forward by inertia from the front. As a result, the driver D is protected. When the internal pressure of the airbag 20 increases, the vent hole 20H opens and the internal pressure of the airbag 20 gradually decreases. For this reason, it is suppressed that the driver D repels in the airbag 20, and favorable passenger | crew protection performance is obtained.

  When the frontal collision to the automobile V is an oblique collision or a minute lap collision, the vehicle body of the automobile V rotates to the anti-collision side, while the driver D moves forward due to inertia. For this reason, for example, in the case of an oblique collision or a minute lap collision to the left front portion of the automobile V, as shown by an arrow A in FIGS. 1 and 4A, the driver D moves forward and moves to the vehicle body. On the other hand, it moves to the left, which is the collision side in the vehicle width direction. In addition, the rear part of the steering column 16 may move to the anti-collision side with respect to the driver D due to deformation of the vehicle body (for example, a dash panel or instrument panel reinforcement) (see FIGS. 4A and 4B). (See the white arrow pointing to the right (upward on the page)). Thus, in the case of an oblique collision or a minute lap collision, the driver D moves forward while being displaced toward the collision side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the steering column 16 supporting the driver airbag device 10. Become.

  Then, the airbag 20 supported on the steering column 16, that is, the vehicle body side by the movable support structure 28 is inclined toward the driver D with respect to the steering column 16 as shown in FIG. Accordingly, as compared with the comparative example not including the movable support structure 28, the positional deviation in the vehicle width direction between the driver D and the airbag 20 is suppressed to be small, and as shown in FIG. 20 restrains the driver D from the front. That is, the driver D is appropriately protected from the diagonal collision or the minute lap collision by the airbag 20.

  Specifically, the airbag 20 is supported by a reaction force by a part or all of the steering wheel 18, the instrument panel 14, and the door trim 15 of the side door according to the displacement and deformation state (degree) of the vehicle body. The upper body (head, chest) of the driver D is restrained. As a result, the forward movement of the driver D toward the collision side is restricted. FIG. 4B illustrates a state where the reaction force is supported by the steering wheel 18. Further, the effect of improving the protection performance by adjusting the internal pressure of the vent hole 20H is the same as in the case of the full-wrap frontal collision.

  Here, a supplementary explanation will be given for a mechanism in which the airbag 20 tilts (swings) toward the moving side of the driver D in the vehicle width direction with respect to the steering column 16. In the initial stage of an oblique collision or a minute lap collision (before the start of movement of the vehicle body toward the anti-collision side or when there is little movement), the airbag 20 starts to expand and deploy backward by receiving a gas supply from the inflator 24 backward. (Receiving backward deployment force) After that, when the vehicle body moves to the anti-collision side, the airbag 20 exerts a force in a direction to maintain the rearward expansion and deployment by its own inertia (and the gas ejected from the inflator), and this posture causes The holding member is damaged. Then, the inflator 24 supported by the movable support structure 28 so as to be swingable around the shaft body 30 is allowed to swing with respect to the airbag case 22, and is relatively relative to the vehicle body moving toward the anti-collision side. Move to the collision side. As a result, the airbag 20 moves to the movement side (collision side) of the driver D in the vehicle width direction with respect to the vehicle body, that is, the steering column 16 as described above.

  As described above, in the driver's seat airbag device 10 according to the present embodiment, the airbag 20 is configured to utilize the force received by the airbag 20 due to the pressure of gas supplied from the inflator 24 (injection direction). It is inclined with respect to the steering column 16. For this reason, the airbag 20 can be deployed in a short time compared to a configuration in which the inflator is operated after the airbag deployment direction is changed by an actuator or the like.

  As described above, in the driver's seat airbag device 10 according to the first embodiment, the airbag 20 can be deployed in front of the driver D in a short time in the case of an oblique collision or a minute lap collision.

  In the first embodiment, an example in which the airbag 20 and the inflator 24 swing with respect to the airbag case 22 is shown. However, in the present invention, the airbag 20 has a vehicle width relative to the vehicle body side such as the steering column 16. It is sufficient if it can move in the direction, and the present invention is not limited to the above configuration. Therefore, for example, the airbag case 22 may swing around the shaft body 30 or slide in the vehicle width direction with respect to the steering column 16. Further, for example, the airbag 20 and the inflator 24 may be configured to slide in the vehicle width direction with respect to the airbag case 22.

<Second Embodiment>
A driver's seat airbag device 40 as a front collision airbag device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, about the structure fundamentally similar to the structure of 1st Embodiment, the code | symbol same as the structure of 1st Embodiment is attached | subjected, and the description and illustration may be abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the driver's seat airbag device 40 includes an injection mechanism 42 as an example of a movable structure in place of the movable support structure 28. This is different from the driver seat airbag device 10. The injection mechanism 42 includes a support structure 44 that detachably supports the inflator 24 and the airbag 20 with respect to the airbag case 22, and an ejection structure that ejects gas from the inflator 24 forward to generate a propulsive force rearward. 46 is the main part.

  The support structure 44 supports the inflator 24 and the base end portion of the airbag 20 so as to be movable rearward with respect to the airbag case 22. For example, the support structure 44 is configured by loosely fitting the base end portions of the inflator 24 and the airbag 20 to the holding portion 22A of the airbag case 22 opened rearward. The support structure 44 may include an auxiliary holding member that holds the inflator 24 and the airbag 20 in the airbag case 22. The auxiliary holding member is configured to be released or damaged when a propulsive force by the ejection structure 46 is applied.

  The ejection structure 46 is configured by providing a valve portion 48 at the base end portion (front end portion) of the airbag 20 including the inflator 24. The valve portion 48 is configured by joining a valve body 48B that closes the ejection hole 48A formed at the base end portion of the airbag 20 to the base end portion of the airbag 20 with a tear seam (not shown). In the ejection structure 46, when the inflation and deployment of the airbag 20 is completed by supplying gas from the inflator 24 (when the internal pressure becomes a predetermined value or more), the tear seam breaks and the closed state of the ejection hole 48A by the valve body 48B is eliminated. It is configured. When the closed state of the ejection hole 48A is eliminated, gas is ejected forward from the ejection hole 48A.

  The internal pressure at which the tear seam of the valve portion 48 breaks is lower than the internal pressure required to open the vent hole 20H (internal pressure when the driver D is restrained).

[Action]
Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described mainly with respect to the differences from the operation of the first embodiment.

  The airbag ECU 32 activates the inflator 24 when detecting or predicting a frontal collision to the vehicle V based on a signal from the collision sensor 34. Then, the airbag 20 that has received the gas supply from the inflator 24 is inflated and deployed while the steering wheel pad 26 is cleaved.

  The airbag 20 is inflated and deployed rearward. When the deployment of the airbag 20 is completed, the tear seam of the valve portion 48 is broken by the internal pressure of the airbag 20, and the ejection hole 48A is opened. The airbag 20 and the inflator 24 are moved rearward with respect to the airbag case 22, that is, the steering column 16, and separated from the steering column 16, which is a member on the vehicle body, by the backward propulsive force generated when the gas is ejected from the ejection hole 48 </ b> A. Is done. For rearward movement and separation of the airbag 20 and the inflator 24, refer to the white arrow pointing backward (rightward on the paper surface) shown in FIGS. 5 (B) and 6 (A).

  When the frontal collision to the vehicle V is a full-lap frontal collision, the driver D contacts the airbag 20 separated from the steering column 16 and pushes the airbag 20 back to the steering wheel 18 side (forward). Accordingly, the driver D is appropriately restrained by the airbag 20 whose reaction force is supported by the steering wheel 18 and is protected against a full-wrap frontal collision.

  When the frontal collision to the automobile V is an oblique collision or a minute lap collision, the driver D moves forward while shifting its position toward the collision side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the steering column 16 that supports the driver airbag device 10. Move to. The rear part of the steering column 16 on the vehicle body side moves to the anti-collision side with respect to the driver D (refer to the white arrows shown in FIGS. 6 (A) and 6 (B) facing right (upward on the paper surface)). The driver D is protected by the airbag 20 separated from the vehicle body side. Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 7A to 7F.

  When the airbag ECU 32 operates the inflator 24, the airbag 20 is inflated and deployed in front of the driver D, as shown in FIG. 7B, from the state shown in FIG. 7A. When deployment of the airbag 20 is completed (when the internal pressure becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value), the gas ejection pressure generated by opening the ejection hole 48A of the valve portion 48 of the ejection structure 46 is used as a propulsive force, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the inflator 24 moves backward. Thereby, the airbag 20 is separated from the steering column 16 which is a vehicle body side member.

  The airbag 20 moves rearward due to the propulsive force based on the gas ejection pressure, its own inertia, and the inertia of the inflator 24. That is, after separation from the steering column 16, the airbag 20 moves toward the rear, that is, toward the driver D without being affected by the displacement and deformation of the vehicle body.

  And the airbag 20 contacts the driver | operator D who moves ahead, as FIG. 6 (A) shows, moving to back. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7D, the driver D pushes back the airbag 20 that is in contact with the driver D in the forward direction. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7E, the airbag 20 is supported by the steering wheel 18, the instrument panel 14, and the door trim 15 of the side door according to the displacement and deformation state of the vehicle body. The upper body (head, chest) of the driver D is restrained. FIGS. 6B and 7F show examples in which the reaction force is supported by the steering wheel 18 and the door trim 15 of the side door.

  As described above, the airbag 20 after being separated from the vehicle body can be suppressed from moving toward the anti-collision side. Thereby, compared with the comparative example which does not include the injection mechanism 42, the positional deviation in the vehicle width direction between the driver D and the airbag 20 is suppressed to be small, and the driver D is subjected to an oblique collision or minute collision with the airbag 20. Proper protection from lap collisions.

[Modification]
In 2nd Embodiment, although the injection mechanism 42 was provided with the support structure 44 and the ejection structure 46, this invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of the support structure 44 and the ejection structure 46, a support structure 50 and an ejection structure 52 according to a modification shown in FIG. 8 may be adopted.

  The support structure 50 is configured by supporting an airbag case 54 having a bottomed short cylindrical shape by a cylindrical portion 56A forming a rear end portion of a steering column 56 so as to be movable rearward. That is, in this modification, the airbag case 54, the inflator 24, and the airbag 20 are separated from the steering column 56.

  The ejection structure 52 supports the inflator 24 and the base end portion of the airbag 20 rotatably on the airbag case 54. For example, the base end of the inflator 24 and the airbag 20 can be rotated relative to the airbag case 54 by loosely fitting the base end of the inflator 24 and the airbag 20 to the airbag case 54 opened rearward. It is said. Further, the airbag 20 and the inflator 24 constituting the ejection structure 52 are formed with ejection holes 52A, and the airbag case 54 constituting the ejection structure 52 is formed with an opening hole 54A.

  The positions of the opening hole 54A and the ejection hole 52A coincide with each other when the rotational positions of the airbag 20 and the inflator 24 with respect to the airbag case 54 reach a predetermined position (hereinafter referred to as “ejection position”). ing. The airbag 20 and the inflator 24 are held by a holding member (not shown) at a relative position (hereinafter referred to as “closed position”) where the rotational positions of the ejection hole 52A and the opening hole 54A are shifted from the airbag case 54.

  Furthermore, the airbag 20 and the airbag case 54 are provided with stoppers 58 and 59 that prevent the airbag 20 and the inflator 24 from moving from the closed position to the airbag case 54 beyond the ejection position.

  The ejection structure 52 includes a folding structure of the airbag 20. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the airbag 20 is twisted (twisted and folded) on the base end side and then folded. The airbag 20 is unfolded and deployed opposite to the folding order, so that twisting is eliminated at the end of inflation and deployment. The base end side of the airbag 20 and the inflator 24 are rotated with respect to the airbag case 54 as the airbag 20 is untwisted so that the airbag case 54 moves from the closed position to the ejection position. It has become.

  Thereby, also by the injection mechanism 42 according to this modification, after the inflation and deployment of the airbag 20 are completed, gas is ejected forward through the ejection holes 52A and the opening holes 54A, and the airbag 20 is separated from the steering column 56. .

<Third Embodiment>
A driver's seat airbag device 60 as a front collision airbag device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, about the structure fundamentally similar to the structure of 1st, 2nd embodiment, the code | symbol same as the structure of 1st, 2nd embodiment is attached | subjected, and the description and illustration may be abbreviate | omitted. is there.

  As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the driver's seat airbag device 60 includes an actuator 62 that constitutes an injection mechanism with the support structure 50 instead of the ejection structure 46. This is different from the driver seat airbag device 40. The actuator 62 is configured to generate a driving force for separating the airbag 20 and the inflator 24 from the steering column 16 (airbag case 22) by being actuated by the ECU 32.

  Specifically, the actuator 62 includes a permanent magnet 62 </ b> A provided on the airbag 20 side and an electromagnet 62 </ b> B provided on the airbag case 22. The actuator 62 functions as a holding member that holds the airbag 20 and the inflator 24 on the steering column 16 by energizing the electromagnet 62B so that an attractive force acts between the actuator 62A and the permanent magnet 62A.

  On the other hand, the actuator 62 is configured to generate a propulsive force that separates the airbag 20 and the inflator 24 from the steering column 16 by energizing the electromagnet 62B so that a repulsive force acts between the actuator 62A and the permanent magnet 62A.

[Action]
Next, with respect to the operation of the third embodiment, the difference from the operation of the second embodiment will be mainly described.

  When the airbag ECU 32 detects or predicts a frontal collision to the vehicle V based on a signal from the collision sensor 34, the airbag ECU 32 activates the inflator 24 and switches energization to the electromagnet 62B so that the actuator 62 generates propulsive force. . Then, the airbag 20 that has received the gas supply from the inflator 24 is inflated and deployed while the steering wheel pad 26 is cleaved. The airbag 20 moves rearward with respect to the airbag case 22, that is, the steering column 16, and is separated from the steering column that is a member on the vehicle body side. For rearward movement and separation of the airbag 20 and the inflator 24, refer to the white arrow pointing backward (rightward in the drawing) shown in FIG. 9B.

  The subsequent operation is the same as that after the airbag 20 is separated from the steering column 16 in the second embodiment.

  In addition, since the driver airbag device 60 according to the present embodiment includes the actuator 62, the airbag 20 can be separated from the steering column 16 at an arbitrary timing without waiting for the airbag 20 to be deployed. it can. For this reason, the airbag 20 can be separated from the steering column 16 at an appropriate timing according to the physique of the driver D, the seating position, and the like.

  In the third embodiment, an example in which the actuator includes the permanent magnet 62A and the electromagnet 62B is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the airbag may be separated from the vehicle body using a gas pressure generated by the operation of the micro gas generator, a motor actuator, or a hydraulic actuator.

  In the second and third embodiments, the example in which the configuration including the injection mechanism is applied to the driver airbag device for frontal collision is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. The configuration provided with the injection mechanism may apply the present invention to, for example, a front passenger airbag device for a frontal collision or a rear seat airbag device. You may apply to the airbag apparatus for the passenger | crew protection from other collision forms. Here, for example, when the configuration in which the airbag is separated from the instrument panel 14 is applied to the airbag device for the passenger seat, the capacity of the airbag can be reduced as compared with a configuration in which the airbag is not separated. it can. Supplementally, a large-capacity airbag is usually required on the passenger seat side where the distance between the instrument panel 14 that supports the reaction force of the passenger airbag and the passenger is wide. The airbag 20 separated from the instrument panel 14 contacts the upper body of the occupant before the occupant starts to lean forward, and then follows the upper body and moves between the reaction force support portion of the vehicle body after moving. Sandwiched. For this reason, the passenger seat airbag separated from the instrument panel 1 can be reduced in size as compared with a normal passenger seat airbag that the occupant contacts while leaning forward. Further, for example, when a configuration in which the airbag is separated from the vehicle body is applied to the airbag device for the rear seat, a roof or a front seat is provided between the passenger and the front seat back or between passengers adjacent in the vehicle width direction. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which an airbag separated from the bag is injected.

  Further, in the second and third embodiments, the example in which the airbag 20 is simply moved backward with respect to the steering column and separated is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, after the airbag cases 22 and 54 are inclined with respect to the steering columns 16 and 56 by the actuator, the airbag 20 may be separated obliquely rearward with respect to the steering columns 16 and 56. In this configuration, even when the amount of movement of the driver D relative to the steering column is large, the positional deviation in the vehicle width direction of the driver D such as the airbag 20 can be suppressed to a small value. The actuator may be one that can select the inclination direction of the airbag case according to the generation side of the oblique collision or the minute lap collision, or may be configured to tilt the airbag case in one of the left and right directions.

[Modification of airbag]
In the first to third embodiments, the example in which the airbag 20 is inflated and deployed in an elliptical shape that is long in the vehicle width direction in a plan view is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of the airbag 20, a configuration including airbags 70 and 72 according to modifications as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B may be adopted.

  The airbag 70 according to the first modification has a pair of overhanging portions 70B projecting toward the driver D on the left and right sides of a bag body 70A having a dimension and shape similar to that of the airbag 20 in the deployed state. At the boundary between the overhanging portion 70B and the bag main body 70A, the unfolded thickness in the front-rear direction is limited by the tether 70C.

  With the shape described above, the airbag 70 has improved adhesion to the upper body of the driver D. In particular, the airbag separated from the steering column 16 is liable to change its posture or shift its position due to contact with the driver D. However, the airbag 70 has two parts, a bag body 70A and left and right overhanging portions 70B. The upper body of the driver D is thus contacted. For this reason, the airbag 70 is brought into contact with an appropriate position on the upper body of the driver D, and the protection effect of the driver D is high.

  The airbag 72 according to the second modification has a mortar shape in which the peripheral edge 72B protrudes to the driver D side from the center 72A in the deployed state. At the boundary between the central portion 72A and the peripheral portion 72B, the development thickness in the front-rear direction is limited by the tether 72C. This shape also improves the adhesion to the upper body of the driver D, and thus the same effect as that of the first modification described above can be obtained.

  In addition, it goes without saying that the present invention can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the scope of the invention.

10 Airbag device for driver's seat 12 Driver's seat (seat)
16 Steering column (support member)
20 airbag 22 airbag case (supporting member)
24 inflator 28 movable support structure (movable structure, support structure)
40.60 Airbag device for driver's seat (airbag device for frontal collision)
42 Injection mechanism 44/50 Support structure (Injection mechanism)
46.52 Jet structure (injection mechanism)
56 Steering column (support member)
62 Actuator (Injection mechanism)
70 ・ 72 Airbag

Claims (4)

An airbag that is supported by a support member in front of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction of the seat and inflated and deployed toward the seat side by gas supply from an inflator;
Provided between the support member and the airbag, and in the event of an oblique collision or a micro-lap collision, the airbag receives a rearward force accompanying expansion and deployment due to gas supply and out of the airbag from the inflator. A movable structure that moves the airbag toward the collision side in the vehicle width direction or the rear of the vehicle using at least one of the gas ejection force of
An airbag device for frontal collision, comprising:   The said movable structure is comprised including the support structure which supports the said airbag with respect to the said support member so that it can rotate to the surroundings of the axis along a vehicle up-down direction, or it can move to a vehicle width direction. The airbag apparatus for frontal collision as described.   The movable structure includes a support structure that supports the airbag with respect to the support member so as to be separable in the vehicle front-rear direction, and an ejection structure that ejects the gas of the inflator out of the airbag toward the front of the vehicle, The airbag device for a frontal collision according to claim 1, comprising: An airbag that is inflated and deployed by receiving a gas supply from an inflator; and
An injection mechanism for separating the airbag from the vehicle body and injecting the airbag forward;
An airbag device for frontal collision, comprising:

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