JP2023071556A - Curtain airbag device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a curtain airbag device for a vehicle, capable of inhibiting a sub chamber in the process of inflation and deployment from getting on the upper face of a door trim.SOLUTION: A curtain airbag device 40 for a vehicle includes: a curtain airbag 50 having a sub chamber 52 which, by the supply of gas through a main chamber 54 for protecting the head PfH of an occupant Pf at least in the event of rollover of a vehicle 10, is inflated and deployed to a vehicle front side relative to the main chamber 54; and a temporarily sewn part 80 which is provided in the lower end part of the sub chamber 52, and which is not broken at the initial stage of inflation and deployment, but is broken by the time of completion of the inflation and deployment.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle curtain airbag device.

A curtain air system equipped with a sub-chamber that receives gas from the main chamber that restrains the occupant's head when the vehicle rolls over, and inflates and deploys in front of the vehicle and below the door belt line. A bag device is conventionally known (see, for example, Patent Literature 1).

JP 2012-106669 A

However, in recent years, the design trend has been to widen the upper surface of the door trim, increasing the possibility that the sub-chamber, which is in the process of being expanded and deployed, rides on the upper surface of the door trim. If the auxiliary chamber rides on the upper surface of the door trim, the curtain airbag moves outward in the vehicle width direction (in a direction away from the occupant's head), thereby deteriorating the performance of restraining the occupant's head.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle curtain airbag device capable of preventing the sub-chamber, which is in the middle of being inflated and deployed, from riding on the upper surface of the door trim.

In order to achieve the above objects, a curtain airbag device for a vehicle according to claim 1 of the present invention is provided in which gas is supplied through a main chamber for protecting the head of an occupant at least when the vehicle rolls over. a curtain airbag having a sub-chamber that inflates and deploys toward the front side of the vehicle from the main chamber; and have.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the lower end of the auxiliary chamber that inflates and deploys toward the front side of the vehicle with respect to the main chamber is provided with a temporary sewn portion that is not cut at the initial stage of inflation and deployment and is cut at the completion of inflation and deployment. there is Therefore, at the initial stage of inflation and deployment, it is difficult for gas to flow into the lower side of the vehicle than the temporary sewn portion, and the thickness of a portion of the sub chamber on the lower side of the vehicle than the temporary sewn portion is greater than the thickness of the temporary sewn portion on the upper side of the vehicle. It expands toward the lower side of the vehicle while remaining thinner than the thickness of the sub chamber. As a result, the lower end portion of the sub-chamber that is in the process of being inflated and deployed is prevented from riding on the upper surface of the door trim.

Further, the vehicle curtain airbag device according to claim 2 is the vehicle curtain airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the temporary sewn portion is formed along the vehicle vertical direction or the vehicle front-rear direction. ing.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the temporary sewn portion is formed along the vehicle up-down direction or the vehicle front-rear direction. Therefore, at the initial stage of inflation and deployment, the inflow of gas to the lower side of the vehicle than the temporary sewn portion is effectively suppressed.

Further, the vehicle curtain airbag device according to claim 3 is the vehicle curtain airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the temporary sewn portions are formed two vertically along the vehicle front-rear direction. The length of the upper side is longer than the length of the lower side.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, two temporary sewn portions are formed vertically along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and the length of the upper side is longer than the length of the lower side. Therefore, when folding the curtain airbag, it is possible to fold the curtain airbag inward in the vehicle width direction along an imaginary straight line connecting the ends of the upper and lower temporary sewn portions. As a result, when the sub-chamber is inflated and deployed, the folded portion is deployed from the vehicle width direction inner side toward the vehicle width direction outer side, so that the lower end of the sub-chamber during inflation and deployment touches the upper surface of the door trim. Riding is effectively suppressed.

Further, the vehicle curtain airbag device according to claim 4 is the vehicle curtain airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the temporary sewn portion includes the sub-chamber is provided at a position away from the lower edge of the vehicle toward the upper side of the vehicle.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the temporary sewn portion is provided at a position away from the lower edge portion of the auxiliary chamber toward the upper side of the vehicle. In other words, a channel for gas flow is ensured between the temporary sewn portion and the lower edge portion of the sub-chamber. Therefore, compared to the case where a flow path for gas flow is not secured between the temporarily sewn portion and the lower edge portion of the sub chamber, the temporarily sewn portion is more likely to be cut by the time the curtain airbag is completely inflated and deployed. .

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the sub-chamber, which is in the middle of being inflated and deployed, from riding on the upper surface of the door trim.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing a state in which the curtain airbag of the vehicle curtain airbag device according to the first embodiment is inflated and deployed; FIG. 2 is a developed view showing an enlarged curtain airbag of the vehicle curtain airbag device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is an expanded view showing an enlarged curtain airbag of the vehicle curtain airbag device according to the modified example of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the curtain airbag of the vehicle curtain airbag device according to the first embodiment while it is being inflated and deployed, as viewed from the front. FIG. 10 is an expanded view showing an enlarged curtain airbag of the vehicle curtain airbag device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in the middle of inflation and deployment of the curtain airbag of the vehicle curtain airbag device according to the second embodiment, as viewed from the front; FIG. 11 is an expanded view showing an enlarged curtain airbag of the vehicle curtain airbag device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in the middle of inflation and deployment of the curtain airbag of the vehicle curtain airbag device according to the third embodiment, as viewed from the front.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. For convenience of explanation, the arrow UP shown in each drawing is the upward direction of the vehicle, the arrow FR is the forward direction of the vehicle, and the arrow RH is the right direction of the vehicle. Therefore, in the following description, when directions such as up/down, front/rear, and left/right are indicated unless otherwise specified, they indicate up/down, front/rear, and left/right of the vehicle. Moreover, the left-right direction is synonymous with the vehicle width direction.

In this embodiment, a sedan-type automobile 10 is taken as an example of a vehicle, and an occupant P is seated in a vehicle seat 12 as a front seat and a vehicle seat 14 as a rear seat. take to Each occupant P is a dummy for a crash test, and this dummy is, for example, a World Side Impact Dummy (World SID) AM50 (50th percentile of American adult males).

Each occupant P is seated on each vehicle seat 12, 14 by a seating method specified in the side collision test method. 14 is constrained. Further, hereinafter, the occupant P seated in the front vehicle seat 12 is referred to as "front seat occupant Pf", and the occupant P seated in the rear vehicle seat 14 is referred to as "rear seat occupant Pr ” may be called.

<First Embodiment>
First, the first embodiment will be explained. As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle curtain airbag device 40 according to the present embodiment mounted on an automobile 10 includes a curtain airbag 50 that is inflated and deployed by gas supply, and a curtain airbag 50 that is inflated and deployed. It has an inflator 42 that supplies gas to the inside and a control device 30 that controls the operation of the inflator 42 .

The curtain airbag 50 and the inflator 42 are provided on both left and right sides of the automobile 10, respectively. That is, the vehicle curtain airbag device 40 includes a pair of left and right curtain airbags 50 and a pair of left and right inflators 42 . 1 to 8 show the vehicle curtain airbag device 40 provided on the right side of the automobile 10, and the right vehicle curtain airbag device 40 will be described below as an example. .

The curtain airbag 50 is configured to inflate and deploy along the front side glass 16 , the substantially upper half of the center pillar (hereinafter referred to as “B pillar”) 28 , and the rear side glass 18 . Therefore, the longitudinal direction of the curtain airbag 50 is the front-rear direction. A specific configuration of the curtain airbag 50 will be described in detail later.

The inflator 42 is a gas generator for instantaneously supplying gas to the interior of the curtain airbag 50, and is arranged near the substantially longitudinal middle portion of the curtain airbag 50 (near the B-pillar 28). Specifically, the inflator 42 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and constitutes the roof side portion 20 via a bracket (not shown) such that its axial center portion is disposed substantially along the front-rear direction. It is fixed to the roof side rail 22 .

A gas ejection port 44 provided at one axial end (in this case, the front end) of the inflator 42 is inserted from the rear side into a connection passage 48 formed substantially in the longitudinal middle of the curtain airbag 50 . connected by As a result, the inside of the gas ejection port 44 and the inside of the curtain airbag 50 can communicate with each other. The outer peripheral surface of the gas ejection port 44 and the inner peripheral surface of the connection passage 48 are in close contact with each other so that the gas does not leak from there.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1 , the left and right inflators 42 are electrically connected to an airbag ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 32 provided in the automobile 10 . A side impact sensor 34, an oblique impact sensor 36, and a rollover sensor 38 provided in the automobile 10 are electrically connected to the airbag ECU 32, respectively.

The side impact sensor 34 is configured to detect or predict a side impact of the automobile 10 and output a side impact signal to the airbag ECU 32 . The oblique collision sensor 36 is configured to detect or predict oblique collision of the automobile 10 and output an oblique collision signal to the airbag ECU 32 . The rollover sensor 38 is configured to detect or predict rollover (overturn) of the automobile 10 and output a rollover signal to the airbag ECU 32 .

The airbag ECU 32 is configured to operate the inflator 42 on the side collision side or the oblique collision side (near side) when a side collision signal or an oblique collision signal is input. As a result, the near-side curtain airbag 50 is supplied with gas and inflated and deployed. Further, the airbag ECU 32 is configured to operate the left and right inflators 42 when a rollover signal is input.

When a rollover signal is input after a side collision or an oblique collision, the airbag ECU 32 activates the inflator 42 opposite to the already activated near side (far side). A control device 30 is configured by the airbag ECU 32 , the side impact sensor 34 , the oblique impact sensor 36 and the rollover sensor 38 .

The curtain airbag 50 is integrally hollow-woven by, for example, a One Piece Woven (abbreviated as OPW) method. In the OPW method, a jacquard loom is used to weave two base fabrics at the same time, and multiple weaves are applied to necessary portions to form a seamless bag body.

The method of manufacturing the curtain airbag 50 is not limited to the OPW method described above. For example, the curtain airbag 50 may be manufactured by sewing one or more sheets of base cloth formed by cutting out a polyamide-based or polyester-based cloth material into a bag shape.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the curtain airbag 50 includes a front seat main chamber 54 and a rear seat main chamber 58 as main chambers, and a front seat sub chamber provided in front of the front seat main chamber 54 as a sub chamber. A chamber 52 and a rear seat sub-chamber 56 as a sub-chamber provided between the front seat main chamber 54 and the rear seat main chamber 58 (provided on the front side of the rear seat main chamber 58) there is

The curtain airbag 50 also includes a gas supply passage 55 that allows the front seat main chamber 54 and the rear seat main chamber 58 to communicate with each other. The gas supply passage 55 is formed mainly in the upper part of the curtain airbag 50 in the middle in the longitudinal direction, and allows the upper part of the front seat main chamber 54 and the upper part of the rear seat main chamber 58 to communicate with each other. The connection passage 48 extends upward and rearward from the upper end of the gas supply passage 55 .

An outer peripheral non-inflatable portion 60 is formed at the outer peripheral edge portion of the curtain airbag 50 . That is, the outer peripheral non-inflatable portion 60 continuously forms the upper edge, the lower edge, the front edge, and the rear edge of the curtain airbag 50 . Further, the curtain airbag 50 is formed with a plurality of non-inflatable portions 62 , 64 , 66 , 68 for partitioning the chambers 52 , 54 , 56 , 58 and the gas supply passage 55 .

The front seat main chamber 54 inflates and deploys between the head PfH of the front seat occupant Pf and the side portion (front side glass 16) of the passenger compartment, and restrains the head PfH of the front seat occupant Pf at least in the event of a side collision. and protection (see Figure 1). The front seat auxiliary chamber 52 inflates and deploys forward of the front seat main chamber 54 to restrain and protect the head PfH of the front seat occupant Pf in an oblique collision and rollover.

The front seat sub-chamber 52 is separated from the front seat main chamber 54 by a non-inflatable portion 62 extending in the vertical direction at substantially the center in the vertical direction on the front side of the curtain airbag 50 . Gas is supplied from the front seat main chamber 54 to the front seat sub-chamber 52 through the throttle channels 51 and 53 .

That is, between the upper end portion 62A of the non-inflatable portion 62 and the upper edge portion of the curtain airbag 50, and between the lower end portion 62B of the non-inflatable portion 62 and the lower edge portion of the curtain airbag 50, there are throttling flows. Paths 51, 53 are formed. A front seat sub-chamber 52 and a front seat main chamber 54 are communicated with each other via respective throttle channels 51 and 53 .

A front tongue portion 72 having a trapezoidal shape when viewed from the side in the vehicle width direction is formed at the front end portion of the lower edge portion of the outer peripheral non-inflatable portion 60 . extends below the door belt line BL passing through the lower edge (the upper edge of the door trim 77 of the front side door 76) (see FIG. 1).

As a result, sliding resistance (frictional force) of the front tongue portion 72 against the surface of the door trim 77 facing inward in the vehicle width direction (the surface facing the shoulder of the occupant Pf in the vehicle width direction) is obtained. The configuration is such that the outward movement in the vehicle width direction (the direction away from the head PfH of the occupant Pf) is suppressed or prevented (the reaction force of the curtain airbag 50 is ensured).

The length of the front tongue portion 72 along the vertical direction is about 100 mm. A predetermined region from the front lower end of the front seat main chamber 54 to the lower end of the front seat sub-chamber 52 protrudes to the front tongue portion 72, and the protruding portion (throttle flow path 53 is formed). part) is also part of the sub-chamber.

The rear seat main chamber 58 inflates and deploys between the head PrH of the rear seat occupant Pr and the side portion (rear side glass 18) of the vehicle compartment, and restrains the head PrH of the rear seat occupant Pr at least in the event of a side collision. and protection (see Figure 1). The rear seat auxiliary chamber 56 is inflated and deployed between the front seat main chamber 54 and the rear seat main chamber 58 to restrain and protect the head PrH of the rear seat occupant Pr during oblique collision and rollover. ing.

The rear seat sub-chamber 56 is separated from the gas supply passage 55 by a non-inflatable portion 64 extending in the front-rear direction on the upper side of the curtain airbag 50 . The rear seat sub-chamber 56 is divided into an upper chamber 56A and a lower chamber 56B by a crank-shaped non-inflatable portion 66 extending from a substantially middle portion of the non-inflatable portion 64 toward the rear lower side of the curtain airbag 50. partitioned.

A front end portion 66A of the non-inflatable portion 66 is connected to a substantially intermediate portion in the front-rear direction of the non-inflatable portion 64, and a rear end portion 66B of the non-inflatable portion 66 extends toward the lower edge portion of the curtain airbag 50. , is connected to the outer peripheral non-inflatable portion 60 . Between the rear end portion 64B of the non-inflatable portion 64 and the rear end portion 66B of the non-inflatable portion 66, a throttle passage 59 is formed. The main chamber 58 is in communication with each other. That is, gas is supplied from the rear seat main chamber 58 to the upper chamber 56A through the throttle channel 59. As shown in FIG.

On the other hand, the front end portion 64F of the non-inflatable portion 64 is curved in a substantially "C" shape, and the tip portion 64A thereof extends rearward. The lower chamber 56B is separated from the front seat main chamber 54 by a substantially reversed "V"-shaped non-inflatable portion 68 formed at a substantially middle portion of the curtain airbag 50 in the front-rear direction. A front end portion 68</b>A of the non-inflatable portion 68 extends toward the lower edge portion of the curtain airbag 50 and is connected to the outer peripheral non-inflatable portion 60 . A rear end portion 68B of the non-inflatable portion 68 extends rearward.

In other words, the region from the front end 64F to the tip 64A of the non-inflating portion 64 and the region from the upper end 68U to the rear end 68B of the non-inflating portion 68 are arranged substantially parallel vertically. Between the upper end portion 68U of the non-inflatable portion 68 and the front end portion 64F of the non-inflatable portion 64, a throttle passage 57 is formed. 54 are in communication with each other. That is, gas is supplied from the front seat main chamber 54 to the lower chamber 56B through the throttle channel 57. As shown in FIG.

A rear tongue portion 74 having a trapezoidal shape when viewed from the side in the vehicle width direction is formed at a portion corresponding to the lower end portion of the rear sub-chamber 56 (lower chamber 56B) of the outer peripheral non-inflatable portion 60 . Like the front tongue portion 72, the rear tongue portion 74 extends below the door belt line BL (see FIG. 1). The vertical length of the rear tongue portion 74 is also about 100 mm. A predetermined region at the lower end of the rear seat sub-chamber 56 (lower chamber 56B) protrudes to the rear side tongue portion 74, and the protruding portion is also part of the sub-chamber.

A plurality of fixing tabs 46 extend upward from the upper edge of the curtain airbag 50 . Each fixing tab 46 is formed by cutting a base cloth similar to the base cloth of the curtain airbag 50 into a substantially rectangular shape, and is sewn to the outer peripheral non-inflatable portion 60 at the upper edge of the curtain airbag 50 . are connected by Note that each fixing tab 46 may be configured to integrally extend from the outer peripheral non-inflatable portion 60 at the upper edge portion of the curtain airbag 50 .

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, each fixing tab 46 is positioned on the roof side portion 20 which is the upper end portion of the side portion of the passenger compartment, and the front pillar (hereinafter referred to as "A pillar") 24 The rear end portion (the boundary portion between the A-pillar 24 and the roof side rail 22) and the front end portion of the rear pillar (hereinafter referred to as “C-pillar”) 26 (the boundary portion between the C-pillar 26 and the roof side rail 22) It is fixed to the roof side rail 22 which contains.

That is, each fixing tab 46 is fixed to the roof side rail 22 from the rear end of the A pillar 24 to the front end of the C pillar 26 by fasteners such as clips, bolts and nuts (not shown). The curtain airbag 50 is configured to be stored in the roof side portion 20 together with the inflator 42 in a state in which the curtain airbag 50 is folded into a roll having an axial direction substantially in the front-rear direction and formed into a long shape.

In the vehicle curtain airbag device 40 configured as described above, when the inflator 42 is actuated, the gas ejected from the inflator 42 passes through the connection passage 48 and the gas supply passage 55 and passes through the front seat main chamber 54 and the rear seat. It is fed into the main chamber 58 . As a result, the front seat main chamber 54 is inflated and deployed between the front seat passenger Pf's head PfH and the front side glass 16, and the rear seat main chamber 58 is expanded between the rear seat passenger Pr's head PrH and the rear side glass 18. It expands and expands between

Further, part of the gas supplied to the front seat main chamber 54 is supplied to the front seat sub-chamber 52 through the throttle channels 51 and 53, and is supplied to the rear seat sub-chamber 56 through the throttle channel 57. It is supplied to the lower chamber 56B. Part of the gas supplied to the rear seat main chamber 58 is supplied to the upper chamber 56A of the rear seat sub-chamber 56 through the throttle channel 59 . As a result, the front seat sub-chamber 52 and the rear seat sub-chamber 56 begin to expand later than the front seat main chamber 54 and the rear seat main chamber 58 .

This is because, in an oblique collision and rollover, the timing at which the head PfH of the front seat occupant Pf and the head PrH of the rear seat occupant Pr come into contact with the curtain airbag 50 is delayed compared to the case of a side collision. Because. That is, in the event of a side collision, before the expansion of the front seat sub-chamber 52 and the rear seat sub-chamber 56 is completed, the head PfH of the front seat occupant Pf and the head PrH of the rear seat occupant Pr are displaced into the front seat main chamber 54 and the rear seat sub-chamber 56. It is configured to be restrained and protected by coming into contact with the rear seat main chamber 58 .

Thus, at the timing when the head PfH of the front seat occupant Pf and the head PrH of the rear seat occupant Pr are restrained and protected by the front seat main chamber 54 and the rear seat main chamber 58, The internal pressure of the seat main chamber 58 is higher than the internal pressures of the front seat sub-chamber 52 and the rear seat sub-chamber 56 .

Further, as shown in FIG. 2 , temporary sewn portions 80 are provided at the lower end of the front seat sub-chamber 52 and the lower end of the lower chamber 56B of the rear seat sub-chamber 56 . Specifically, in a predetermined region of the lower end portion of the front seat sub-chamber 52 including the portion projecting to the front tongue portion 72, two temporary sewing portions 80 extending in the vertical direction with a predetermined length are provided. are formed at predetermined intervals in the front-rear direction (parallel to each other). The predetermined distance in this case is, for example, the length along the front-rear direction from the lower end 62B of the non-inflatable portion 62 to the front edge of the front seat sub-chamber 52 (the frontmost portion into which gas flows). It is an interval that divides into approximately three equal parts.

Similarly, in a predetermined region of the lower end of the lower chamber 56B including the portion projecting to the rear tongue portion 74, two vertical stitches 84 extending in the vertical direction for a predetermined length as temporary stitching portions 80 are provided. are formed at predetermined intervals in the front-rear direction (in parallel). The predetermined interval in this case is, for example, from the front edge of the lower chamber 56B (the portion on the front side where the gas flows in) to the rear edge (the rear side where the gas flows in) in the portion projecting to the rear tongue portion 74. It is an interval that divides the length along the front-rear direction up to the part) into approximately three equal parts. Further, the vertical stitched portion 82 and the vertical stitched portion 84 are formed at positions straddling the door belt line BL (see FIG. 1).

Further, the vertical stitching portion 82 and the vertical stitching portion 84 as the temporary stitching portion 80 are not cut at the initial stage of inflation/deployment (when the front side door 76 comes into contact with the door trim 77), but are cut at the completion of inflation/deployment. It is sewn with a sewing pitch larger than the sewing pitch of the outer peripheral non-inflatable portion 60, or is sewn with a thin thread. That is, the vertical stitched portion 82 and the vertical stitched portion 84 are configured so as not to be cut until the curtain airbag 50 is inflated to a certain extent, in other words, to be cut when the curtain airbag 50 exceeds a predetermined degree of inflation. there is

As shown in FIG. 3, only one vertical stitching portion 82 and one vertical stitching portion 84 may be provided as the temporary stitching portion 80 . In this case, the vertical sewn portion 82 may be formed, for example, at a position substantially midway along the longitudinal direction from the lower end portion 62B of the non-inflatable portion 62 to the front edge portion of the front seat sub-chamber 52 . Similarly, the vertical sewn portion 84 in this case is formed, for example, at a position approximately midway along the length along the front-rear direction from the front edge to the rear edge of the lower chamber 56B in the portion overhanging the rear tongue portion 74. All you have to do is

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lower end of the vertical sewn portion 82 is separated upward by a predetermined width W from the lower edge of the front seat sub-chamber 52 (the lowermost portion into which gas flows). position. That is, between the lower end portion of the vertical sewn portion 82 and the lower edge portion of the front seat sub-chamber 52, a passage of a predetermined width W continuing from the throttle passage 53 is secured.

Similarly, the lower end of the vertical sewn portion 84 is provided at a position separated by a predetermined width W upward from the lower edge of the lower chamber 56B (the lowest portion into which gas flows). In other words, a channel of a predetermined width W continuing from the throttle channel 57 is secured between the lower end portion of the vertical sewn portion 84 and the lower edge portion of the lower chamber 56B. The predetermined width W may be the same width on the front seat auxiliary chamber 52 side and the lower chamber 56B side, or may be different widths.

Next, the operation of the vehicle curtain airbag device 40 according to the first embodiment configured as described above will be described. Since the same applies to the front seat side and the rear seat side, the front seat side will be described here as an example. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 2, the case where two vertical sewn parts 82 are formed side by side with a predetermined interval in the front-rear direction is taken as an example.

For example, when the rollover sensor 38 detects that the vehicle 10 has rolled over, a rollover signal is sent from the rollover sensor 38 to the airbag ECU 32 . When a rollover signal is input to the airbag ECU 32, the airbag ECU 32 activates the left and right inflators 42 to instantaneously eject gas into the left and right curtain airbags 50. - 特許庁

Thereby, as shown in FIG. 4, the curtain airbag 50 begins to inflate and deploy. That is, first, the front seat main chamber 54 is inflated and deployed by the gas supplied through the gas supply passage 55 . Next, gas is supplied from the front seat main chamber 54 through the throttle passages 51 and 53 to the front seat sub-chamber 52, and the front seat sub-chamber 52 tries to inflate and deploy.

Here, a vertical sewn portion 82 as a temporary sewn portion 80 is provided at the lower end portion of the front seat auxiliary chamber 52 . The vertical stitched portion 82 is formed so as not to be cut at the initial stage of inflation and deployment, but to be cut at the completion of inflation and deployment. Therefore, at the initial stage of inflation and deployment, it is difficult for gas to flow between the vertical seams 82 and below the vertical seams 82. As exaggeratedly shown in FIG. A part (lower end) of the chamber 52 has a thickness equal to the thickness of the front seat sub-chamber 52 on the upper side of the vertical sewn portion 82 and the thickness of the lower end when the vertical sewn portion 82 is not provided (indicated by phantom lines). ) in a thinner state (with a smaller bulge).

As a result, it is possible to suppress or prevent the lower end of the front seat sub-chamber 52 during inflation and deployment from riding on the upper surface of the door trim 77 of the front side door 76 . That is, the lower end portion of the front seat sub-chamber 52 is arranged on the surface side of the door trim 77 facing inward in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the curtain airbag 50, which has the final inflated and deployed shape due to the cutting of the vertical seams 82, is restrained or prevented from moving outward in the vehicle width direction (direction away from the head PfH of the occupant Pf). A decrease in the restraint performance for the head PfH is suppressed or prevented.

Further, in the vehicle curtain airbag device 40 according to the first embodiment, the temporary sewn portion 80 is the vertical sewn portion 82 formed along the vertical direction. , it is possible to effectively suppress the inflow of gas below the vertical stitched portion 82 . That is, at the initial stage of inflation and deployment, the thickness of the portion (lower end portion) of the front seat sub-chamber 52 on the lower side than the vertical stitched portion 82 can be appropriately controlled.

In addition, the lower end of the vertical sewn portion 82 is provided at a position separated upward from the lower edge of the front seat sub-chamber 52 , between the lower end of the vertical sewn portion 82 and the lower edge of the front seat sub-chamber 52 . , a gas passage having a predetermined width W is ensured. Therefore, the lower end of the vertical sewn portion 82 is provided up to a position reaching the lower edge of the front seat sub-chamber 52 , and a gas flow occurs between the lower end of the vertical sewn portion 82 and the lower edge of the front seat sub-chamber 52 . Compared to the case where the path is not secured, the vertical stitched portion 82 is more likely to be cut by the time the curtain airbag 50 completes inflation and deployment. In other words, it is possible to suppress or prevent the occurrence of the inconvenience that the vertical stitched portion 82 is not cut and the curtain airbag 50 is not in the final inflated and deployed shape.

<Second embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In addition, the same code|symbol is attached|subjected to the site|part equivalent to the said 1st Embodiment, and detailed description (including a common effect|action) is abbreviate|omitted suitably.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the curtain airbag device 40 according to the second embodiment, the temporary sewn portions 80 formed at the lower end portion of the front seat sub-chamber 52 and the lower end portion of the lower chamber 56B are the vertical sewn portions. The only difference from the first embodiment is that instead of 82 and vertical stitching 84, horizontal stitching 86 and horizontal stitching 88 are provided.

That is, the transverse sewn portion 86 as the temporary sewn portion 80 formed at the lower end portion of the front seat sub-chamber 52 including the portion projecting to the front tongue portion 72 extends in the front-rear direction by a predetermined length. It is provided at a substantially middle portion of the length along the front-rear direction from the lower end portion 62B of the non-inflatable portion 62 to the front edge portion of the front seat sub-chamber 52 . In other words, the length along the front-rear direction from the front end portion of the transverse sewn portion 86 to the front edge portion of the front seat auxiliary chamber 52 and the length along the front-rear direction from the rear end portion of the transverse sewn portion 86 to the lower end portion 62B of the non-inflatable portion 62 and are substantially the same.

Similarly, a transverse sewn portion 88 as the temporary sewn portion 80 formed at the lower end portion of the lower chamber 56B including the portion projecting to the rear tongue portion 74 extends in the front-rear direction for a predetermined length. It is provided at a substantially middle portion of the length along the front-rear direction from the front edge to the rear edge of the lower chamber 56B in the portion projecting to the rear tongue portion 74 . In other words, the length along the front-rear direction from the front end of the transverse sewn portion 88 to the front edge of the lower chamber 56B, and the length along the front-rear direction from the rear end of the transverse sewn portion 88 to the rear edge of the lower chamber 56B. are substantially the same.

The transverse sewn portion 86 is provided at a position separated by a predetermined width W upward from the lower edge of the front seat sub-chamber 52 , and is between the transverse sewn portion 86 and the lower edge of the front seat sub-chamber 52 . , a flow path with a predetermined width W that continues from the throttle flow path 53 is ensured. Similarly, the cross-stitched portion 88 is provided at a position separated by a predetermined width W upward from the lower edge of the lower chamber 56B. A flow path with a predetermined width W that continues from the flow path 57 is ensured. The predetermined width W may be the same width on the front seat auxiliary chamber 52 side and the lower chamber 56B side, or may be different widths.

In the vehicle curtain airbag device 40 according to the second embodiment configured as described above, the front seat auxiliary chamber 52 side will be described as an example in the same manner as in the first embodiment. It becomes difficult for the gas to flow below the sewn portion 86 . Therefore, as exaggeratedly shown in FIG. 6 , a portion (lower end portion) of the front seat sub-chamber 52 on the lower side of the lateral stitching portion 86 has a thickness that is greater than the thickness of the front seat sub-chamber on the upper side of the lateral stitching portion 86 . 52 and the thickness of the lower end (indicated by the phantom line) when the cross-stitched portion 86 is not provided, it is deployed toward the lower side of the vehicle while remaining thinner (with a smaller bulge).

As a result, it is possible to suppress or prevent the lower end of the front seat sub-chamber 52 during inflation and deployment from riding on the upper surface of the door trim 77 of the front side door 76 . That is, the lower end portion of the front seat sub-chamber 52 is arranged on the surface side of the door trim 77 facing inward in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the curtain airbag 50, which has the final inflated and deployed shape due to the cutting of the transverse stitching 86, is restrained or prevented from moving outward in the vehicle width direction (direction away from the head PfH of the occupant Pf). A decrease in the restraint performance for the head PfH is suppressed or prevented.

In addition, in the vehicle curtain airbag device 40 according to the second embodiment, the temporary sewn portion 80 is the transverse sewn portion 86 formed along the front-rear direction. , it is possible to effectively suppress the inflow of gas below the transversely sewn portion 86 . That is, at the initial stage of inflation and deployment, the thickness of the portion (lower end portion) of the front seat sub-chamber 52 on the lower side than the cross stitched portion 86 can be appropriately controlled.

In addition, the transverse sewn portion 86 is provided at a position spaced upward from the lower edge of the front seat sub-chamber 52 , and a predetermined width W is provided between the transverse sewn portion 86 and the lower edge of the front seat sub-chamber 52 . and a gas flow path is ensured. Therefore, compared to a case in which a gas flow path is not secured between the transverse sewn portion 86 and the lower edge portion of the front seat sub-chamber 52, the transverse sewn portion 86 is formed by the completion of inflation and deployment of the curtain airbag 50. easier to cut. In other words, it is possible to suppress or prevent the occurrence of the problem that the cross stitched portion 86 is not cut and the curtain airbag 50 is not in the final inflated and deployed shape.

<Third Embodiment>
Finally, a third embodiment will be described. In addition, the same code|symbol is attached|subjected to the site|part equivalent to the said 2nd Embodiment, and detailed description (including a common effect|action) is abbreviate|omitted suitably.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the curtain airbag device 40 according to the third embodiment, the lateral stitching portion 86 as the temporary stitching portion 80 formed at the lower end portion of the front seat sub-chamber 52 and the lower end portion of the lower chamber 56B. The only difference from the second embodiment is that there are two horizontal sewn portions 88 and two horizontal sewn portions 88, which are formed at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction (so as to be arranged in parallel).

The upper side stitched portion 86A and the lower side stitched portion 86B of the side stitched portion 86 have different lengths along the front-rear direction. are different. That is, the upper side stitched portion 86A is longer in the front-rear direction than the lower side stitched portion 86B, and the upper side stitched portion 88A is longer in the front-rear direction than the lower side stitched portion 88B. long formed.

In addition, the upper side stitched portion 86A and the lower side stitched portion 86B of the side stitched portion 86 have the same position in the front-rear direction at the rear end portion, and different positions in the front end portion in the front-rear direction. The upper side stitched portion 88A and the lower side side stitched portion 88B of the side stitched portion 88 are positioned at different positions in the front-rear direction at the rear end and at the front end. As a result, an imaginary straight line K connecting the front end of the upper lateral sewn portion 86A and the front end of the lower lateral sewn portion 86B, and an imaginary straight line connecting the rear end of the upper lateral sewn portion 88A and the rear end of the lower lateral sewn portion 88B. K and are formed.

Also, the upper lateral sewn portion 86A is provided, for example, at a substantially middle portion of the length along the front-rear direction from the lower end portion 62B of the non-inflatable portion 62 to the front edge portion of the front seat sub-chamber 52 . In other words, the length along the front-rear direction from the front end of the upper lateral sewn portion 86A to the front edge of the front seat auxiliary chamber 52, and the length from the rear end of the upper lateral sewn portion 86A to the lower end 62B of the non-inflatable portion 62 The length along the front-rear direction is substantially the same.

Similarly, the upper lateral sewn portion 88A and the lower lateral sewn portion 88B are each approximately midway in the length along the front-rear direction from the front edge to the rear edge of the lower chamber 56B at the portion projecting to the rear tongue portion 74, for example. provided in the part. In other words, the length along the front-rear direction from the front ends of the upper side sewn portion 88A and the lower side sewn portion 88B to the front edge portion of the lower chamber 56B, and the rear ends of the upper side sewn portion 88A and the lower side sewn portion 88B. to the rear edge of the lower chamber 56B along the front-rear direction.

The lower lateral sewn portion 86B is provided at a position separated by a predetermined width W from the lower edge of the front seat sub-chamber 52 upward. A passage of a predetermined width W continuous from the throttle passage 53 is secured between the . Similarly, the lower lateral sewn portion 88B is provided at a position separated by a predetermined width W upward from the lower edge of the lower chamber 56B, between the lower lateral sewn portion 88B and the lower edge of the lower chamber 56B. , a passage of a predetermined width W continuous from the throttle passage 57 is ensured. The predetermined width W may be the same width on the front seat auxiliary chamber 52 side and the lower chamber 56B side, or may be different widths.

In the vehicle curtain airbag device 40 according to the third embodiment configured as described above, similarly to the first embodiment and the second embodiment, taking the front seat sub-chamber 52 side as an example, explanation will be made. At the initial stage of deployment, it is difficult for the gas to flow downward from the lower cross stitched portion 86B. Therefore, as exaggeratedly shown in FIG. 8 , a portion (lower end portion) of the front seat sub-chamber 52 on the lower side than the lower lateral sewn portion 86B has a thickness greater than the thickness of the front seat sub-chamber 52 on the upper side of the upper lateral sewn portion 86A. It expands toward the lower side of the vehicle while remaining thinner than the thickness of the seat sub-chamber 52 and the thickness of the lower end portion (indicated by the phantom line) when the transverse stitching portion 86 is not provided (while the bulge remains small).

As a result, it is possible to suppress or prevent the lower end of the front seat sub-chamber 52 during inflation and deployment from riding on the upper surface of the door trim 77 of the front side door 76 . That is, the lower end portion of the front seat sub-chamber 52 is arranged on the surface side of the door trim 77 facing inward in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, movement of the curtain airbag 50, which has the final inflated and deployed shape due to the cut of the upper lateral stitched portion 86A and the lower lateral stitched portion 86B, to the outside in the vehicle width direction (direction away from the head PfH of the occupant Pf) is suppressed. Or it is prevented, and the deterioration of the restraint performance for the head PfH of the occupant Pf is suppressed or prevented.

Further, in the vehicle curtain airbag device 40 according to the third embodiment, the temporary sewn portion 80 includes two upper and lower transverse sewn portions 86 formed along the front-rear direction, that is, an upper transverse sewn portion 86A and a lower transverse sewn portion 86B. Therefore, at the initial stage of inflation and deployment of the front seat auxiliary chamber 52, it is possible to effectively suppress the inflow of gas below the upper lateral sewn portion 86A and the lower lateral sewn portion 86B. That is, at the initial stage of inflation and deployment, the thickness of the portion (lower end portion) of the front seat sub-chamber 52 on the lower side than the cross stitched portion 86 can be appropriately controlled.

In addition, the lower side sewn portion 86B is provided at a position separated upward from the lower edge of the front seat sub-chamber 52, and is between the lower side sewn portion 86B and the lower edge of the front seat sub-chamber 52. , a gas passage having a predetermined width W is ensured. Therefore, compared to the case where a gas flow path is not secured between the lower side sewn portion 86B and the lower edge portion of the front seat sub-chamber 52, the upper side sewn portion 86A and the lower side sewn portion 86B of the curtain airbag are more effective than the case where the gas flow path is not secured. It becomes easy to cut by the time of completion of expansion and deployment of 50. In other words, it is possible to suppress or prevent the occurrence of the problem that the upper side stitched portion 86A and the lower side side stitched portion 86B are not cut and the curtain airbag 50 does not take on the final inflated and deployed shape.

In addition, the length of the upper lateral sewn portion 86A along the front-rear direction is longer than the length of the lower lateral sewn portion 86B along the front-rear direction. Therefore, when folding the curtain airbag 50, it can be easily folded inward in the vehicle width direction along the imaginary straight line K connecting the front ends of the upper side stitched portion 86A and the lower side side stitched portion 86B.

As a result, when the front seat sub-chamber 52 is inflated and deployed, the folded portion (the portion on the front and lower side of the lateral stitching portion 86) is deployed from the vehicle width direction inner side toward the vehicle width direction outer side. As a result, the lower end portion of the front seat sub-chamber 52 is more easily arranged on the side of the surface of the door trim 77 facing inward in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent or prevent the lower end portion of the front seat sub-chamber 52 , including the portion on the front lower side of the lateral stitching portion 86 , from riding on (getting caught in) the upper surface of the door trim 77 .

Although the vehicle curtain airbag device 40 according to the present embodiment has been described above with reference to the drawings, the vehicle curtain airbag device 40 according to the present embodiment is not limited to the illustrated one. The design can be changed as appropriate without departing from the gist of the invention. For example, each of the vertical seams 82 and 84 in the first embodiment and the horizontal seams 86 and 88 in the third embodiment may be formed three or more.

Also, although not shown, the temporary sewing portion 80 may be a diagonal sewing portion that is inclined with respect to the vertical direction and the front-rear direction, for example. In addition, the temporary sewing portion 80 may be a substantially "V"-shaped sewing portion obtained by joining the lower ends of the two vertical sewing portions 82 or the two vertical sewing portions 84, or the two vertical sewing portions 82 or A substantially inverted “V”-shaped sewn portion may be formed by joining the upper ends of the two vertical sewn portions 84 .

Also, the lengths of the vertical stitched portions 82, 84 and the horizontal stitched portions 86, 88 are not limited to the illustrated lengths. The lengths of the vertical seams 82 and 84 and the lengths of the horizontal seams 86 and 88 are set to such an extent that the inflow of gas to the lower end of the front seat sub-chamber 52 and the lower end of the lower chamber 56B can be suppressed at the initial stage of inflation and deployment. It may be appropriately set according to the shape of the bag 50 or the like.

10 automobiles (vehicles)
40 Curtain airbag device for vehicle 50 Curtain airbag 52 Front seat sub-chamber (sub-chamber)
54 front seat main chamber (main chamber)
80 Temporary sewing part Pf Front seat occupant (passenger)
PfH head

Claims (4)

a curtain airbag having a sub-chamber that inflates and deploys toward the front of the vehicle relative to the main chamber by supplying gas through the main chamber that protects the occupant's head at least when the vehicle rolls over;
a temporary sewn portion provided at the lower end of the auxiliary chamber, which is not cut at the initial stage of inflation and deployment and is cut at the completion of inflation and deployment;
A curtain airbag device for a vehicle. The curtain airbag device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the temporary sewn portion is formed along the vertical direction of the vehicle or the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The temporary sewing part is formed in two upper and lower parts along the vehicle front-rear direction,
2. A curtain airbag device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the length of the upper side is longer than the length of the lower side. The curtain airbag device for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the temporary sewn portion is provided at a position away from the lower edge portion of the auxiliary chamber toward the upper side of the vehicle.

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