JP2895578B2 - Energy absorption device on the side of the vehicle - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial Application Field) The present invention aims to protect occupants in a vehicle by absorbing the impact energy when a relatively large impact is applied to the vehicle body side from the outside. The present invention relates to an energy absorbing device for a vehicle body side portion.

(Prior Art) In a vehicle, when a relatively large impact is applied to a vehicle body at the time of a collision or the like, an energy absorbing bag, which is usually called an airbag, is in a contracted state in a normal state. It has been proposed to inflate the vehicle suddenly and absorb the impact energy by the energy absorbing bag in the inflated state, thereby mitigating the influence of the impact on the occupant in the vehicle and protecting the occupant. I have.

In a vehicle provided with such an energy absorbing bag, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 1-117957, the vehicle is folded inside an armrest portion provided on the passenger compartment side of a door forming a vehicle body side portion. One stored energy absorbing bag, an inert gas generating agent, and
An igniter for causing the inert gas generating agent to generate an inert gas is housed therein, and further, for example, an impact for detecting a relatively large impact applied to the side sill in a side sill of the vehicle body located below the door. A detection sensor is provided. Then, when the impact detection sensor emits an impact detection output, the ignition device is operated in response to the impact, and the inert gas generating agent generates an inert gas. Rapidly pumped into the absorbent bag, the energy absorbing bag breaks the thin portion formed in the armrest and is rapidly inflated out of the armrest. In the case where the energy absorbing bag is provided on the side of the vehicle body as described above,
For example, when an impact is applied to the side of the vehicle body due to a side collision (collision of the vehicle with the other vehicle or the like from the side), the energy absorbing bag instantaneously expands inside the vehicle interior, and the side of the vehicle body,
For example, it is interposed between a door and an occupant seated inside the door. As a result, the impact energy due to the impact applied to the side of the vehicle body is absorbed by the inflated energy absorbing bag, the impact force acting on the occupant from the side is reduced, and the occupant is protected. In addition, in order to reduce the impact received by the occupant from the energy absorbing bag when the energy absorbing bag inflates, the energy absorbing bag usually includes:
There are multiple gas vents, and after inflation is complete,
The gas filled inside is discharged from the gas vent hole.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) An occupant sitting on a seat arranged in a vehicle cabin of a vehicle is not always limited to a substantially constant position with respect to the seat. In particular, in the vehicle width direction, A state located in the center of the seat, a position biased toward one end of the seat, and consequently a state close to the vehicle body side, and a position biased toward the other end of the seat; As a result, a state in which the vehicle is separated from the side of the vehicle body is selectively taken. Therefore,
As described above, the folded energy absorbing bag, the gas generating agent, and the ignition device are housed in a part of the vehicle body side, and when a relatively large external impact is applied to the vehicle body side,
Activate the ignition device to generate gas in the gas generating agent, thereby rapidly expanding the energy absorbing bag, and interposing the inflated energy absorbing bag between the vehicle body side and the occupant to expand the impact energy. In a vehicle in which energy is absorbed by the energy absorbing bag in a state, an occupant seated inside the vehicle body side is in a state close to the vehicle body side or separated from the vehicle body side. It is conceivable that there is a difference in the effect obtained by interposing the inflated energy absorbing bag between the vehicle body side portion and the occupant when an external impact is applied to the vehicle body side portion.

That is, when an occupant seated inside the vehicle body side is in a state close to the vehicle body side portion, when an external impact is applied to the vehicle body side portion, the occupant falls down on the vehicle body side portion to the upper body. Although it is assumed that the vehicle will arrive at the side of the vehicle body in a very short time, in such a case, immediately after the external impact is applied to the side of the vehicle body, the vehicle body and the occupant immediately come into contact with each other. By interposing the inflated energy absorbing bag, the fall of the occupant's upper body toward the vehicle body side is received by the inflated energy absorbing bag, and the occupant's upper body is prevented from contacting the vehicle body side. On the other hand, if the occupant seated inside the vehicle body side is separated from the vehicle body side, it falls down to the vehicle body side when an external impact is applied to the vehicle body side The occupant's upper body will be on the side of the vehicle body at a predetermined time In such a case, even if an inflated energy absorbing bag is interposed between the vehicle body side and the occupant immediately after an external impact is applied to the vehicle body side, the expanded energy absorption When the bag actually receives the fall of the occupant's upper body to the side of the vehicle body, the energy absorbing bag is already in an inflated state, and the fall of the occupant's upper body to the side of the vehicle body is effective. It is possible that it is not suppressed.

In view of such a point, the present invention is configured such that when an impact is applied to the vehicle body side from the outside, the energy absorbing bag is interposed between the vehicle body side and the occupant seated inside the vehicle body side in an inflated state. In order to absorb the impact energy by the energy absorbing bag, when an impact is applied to the side of the vehicle body from the outside, the energy absorbing bag is seated on the side of the vehicle body by the occupant, for example, the side of the vehicle body. The vehicle can be interposed between the vehicle body side and the occupant with an appropriate inflated state, appropriately responding to either a state close to the vehicle or a state separated from the vehicle body side, thereby causing an impact on the occupant It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle body side energy absorbing device capable of effectively mitigating the influence of the above.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, an energy absorbing device for a vehicle body side according to the present invention is provided in a vehicle interior side portion of a vehicle body side, and is provided in a seat provided in the vehicle interior. An upper energy absorbing bag in an inflated state interposed between an upper body of a seated occupant and a vehicle body side, first bag inflation means in an operating state to inflate the upper energy absorbing bag, A lower energy absorbing bag arranged in the vehicle compartment side portion, which is in an inflated state interposed between the waist portion of the occupant seated on the seat and the vehicle body side portion, and a second operating state in which the lower energy absorbing bag is inflated. Bag inflation means, impact detection means for detecting an impact applied to the side of the vehicle body, and a first means corresponding to a separation distance between a cabin side portion of the side body and the upper body of an occupant seated on the seat. Detection output signal and the body side A seating state detecting means for generating a second detection output signal corresponding to a separation distance between the vehicle compartment side portion and a waist of an occupant seated on the seat; and a control unit for the first and second bag inflating means. Prepared,
When the control unit is supplied with the shock detection output signal from the shock detection means, the control unit controls the first and second bag inflation means, and the first detection output signal and the second detection output signal from the seating state detection means respectively. The upper energy absorbing bag, which is operated in accordance with the separation distance represented and is in a contracted state, is separated from the upper part of the occupant seated on the seat and the cabin side portion of the vehicle body from the time of supply of the impact detection output signal to the contracted upper energy absorbing bag. At the time when the time corresponding to the distance has elapsed, the inflated state is taken, and the lower energy absorbing bag in the contracted state is seated on the cabin side portion of the vehicle body side and the seat from the time of supply of the impact detection output signal. When the time corresponding to the separation distance from the waist of the occupant elapses, the state is assumed to be inflated and configured.

Further, in one example of the energy absorbing device on the side of the vehicle body according to the present invention, control of each of the first and second back inflation means of the control unit in accordance with the shock detection output signal from the shock detection means includes the step of detecting the shock. The time from when the shock detection output signal is obtained from the means to when the upper energy absorbing bag starts inflating, and when the shock detection output signal from the shock detecting means is obtained, the lower energy absorbing bag expands. The time until the start is set such that the larger the separation distance represented by the first detection output signal from the seating state detection means is, and the larger the separation distance represented by the second detection output signal from the sitting state detection means is. It is performed so that it is longer as it is larger.

(Operation) In the energy absorbing device for the vehicle body side according to the present invention configured as described above, when an external shock is applied to the vehicle body side, it responds to the shock detection output signal from the shock detecting means. The first and second bag inflation means are controlled in accordance with the seating state of the occupant detected by the seating state detection means, and the shock detection output signal from the shock detection means is transmitted to the control unit. The time from the time of supply until the upper energy absorbing bag starts to inflate is set according to the separation distance between the cabin-side portion of the vehicle body side and the upper body of the occupant, and the time from the impact detection means The time from when the impact detection output signal is supplied to the control unit to when the lower energy absorbing bag starts to inflate is set according to the separation distance between the passenger compartment waist and the passenger compartment side of the vehicle body. Is to be done, For example, as the distance of the upper body of the occupant from the vehicle body side portion of the occupant is longer, the time from the supply of the shock detection output signal from the shock detection means is longer, and The greater the separation distance from the vehicle compartment side portion, the longer the time from when the impact detection output signal is supplied from the impact detection means to when the lower energy absorbing bag starts inflating. Therefore, the upper energy absorbing bag and the lower energy absorbing bag are in a seated state of the occupant with respect to the cabin side portion of the vehicle body side, that is, the upper body is close to or separated from the vehicle body side portion, and the waist portion is relative to the vehicle body side portion. To be interposed between the side of the vehicle body and each of the upper body and the waist of the occupant in an appropriate inflated state, appropriately responding to any seating state of the occupant to be approached or separated from the vehicle Thus, the impact of the impact on the occupant is effectively reduced.

(Embodiment) FIG. 2 shows a cabin portion of a vehicle to which an example of an energy absorbing device for a vehicle body side according to the present invention is applied.

In the vehicle compartment shown in FIG. 2, a driver's seat side door 3 forming a right vehicle body side is provided so that an armrest 6 protrudes toward the driver's seat 8 from the vehicle compartment side. A passenger seat side door 4 forming a vehicle body side portion is provided so that an armrest 7 protrudes from a passenger compartment side portion thereof toward a passenger seat 9.

The driver's seat side door 3 includes a door panel 11 and a door glass 12, as shown in FIG.
Is formed by a door outer panel 13 arranged on the vehicle exterior side and a door inner panel 14 arranged on the vehicle interior side. A door trim 15 is attached to the door inner panel 14 on the surface on the vehicle interior side.
The door trim 15 forms a driver's seat side door 3 on the vehicle cabin side.

The door glass 12 is disposed between the door outer panel 13 and the door inner panel 14 so as to be vertically movable by a lifting mechanism such as a window regulator.

In the door panel 11, an upper position of the armrest 6, which substantially corresponds to the upper arm of the occupant when the occupant is seated in the driver's seat 8, and substantially corresponds to the waist of the occupant when the occupant is seated in the driver's seat 8. An upper bag storage portion 16 in which the folded and contracted energy absorbing bag is stored and an inflator for the energy absorbing bag is disposed, respectively, at a position below the corresponding armrest 6.
A lower bag storage portion 17 in which the energy absorbing bag similarly folded and stored is stored, and in which an inflator for the energy absorbing bag is arranged, is attached to the door inner panel 14. Accordingly, the upper bag storage section 16 and the lower bag storage section 17 are provided with the vertical position sandwiching the armrest 6 at the cabin side portion of the driver's seat side door 3.
Is provided.

Each of the upper bag storage section 16 and the lower bag storage section 17 has the same configuration as each other, and has a cup-shaped case 18 attached to the inner side of the door inner panel 14, as shown in FIG. I have. Door inner panel
An opening 14 is provided in the portion of the case 14 to which the case 18 is attached.
a is formed, and the case 18 is the door inner panel 14
Are fixed to the periphery of the opening 14a by bolting. The opening 14 of the door inner panel 14
a is closed by a closing portion 15a provided with the door trim 15, and the closing portion 15a of the door trim 15 is provided with a hinge portion 15b and a hinge portion 1 provided as extending linearly.
It is surrounded by an inner surface groove portion 15c provided so as to extend in a U-shape with respect to 5b, and is partitioned from other portions of the door trim 15. The inner groove 15c is a portion that is broken by a relatively small tensile force.

Inside the case 18, an inflator 19 is fixedly arranged on the inner surface of the case 18, and the inside of the inflator 19 is divided into two chambers by a partition wall member 20 provided with a through hole. One chamber contains igniter 2
1, a heater 22 for igniting the igniting agent 21 and a gas generating agent 23 which is burned by igniting the igniting agent 21 to generate a large amount of nitrogen gas, and accommodates another chamber in the inflator 19. Is provided with a plurality of filter portions 24 penetrating it on one side wall portion. The plurality of filter units 24 provided in such an inflator 19 include:
A plurality of gas inlets provided at the base end of an energy absorbing bag 25, which are folded and arranged between an inflator 19 and a closing portion 15a provided on a door trim 15 for closing an opening 14a of the door inner panel 14. Each is connected to the part 26,
Nitrogen gas generated in one of the two chambers partitioned by the partition wall member 20 in the inflator 19 passes through the through-hole provided in the partition wall member 20 to allow the partition wall member to pass through.
After being guided to the other of the two chambers separated by 20 and passing therefrom through a plurality of filter sections 24, it is guided into the energy absorbing bag 25 through a plurality of gas introduction ports 26. The energy absorbing bag 25 is provided with a plurality of gas vent holes 25a.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, between the door glass 12 and the door outer panel 13 in the driver's seat side door 3,
An impact sensor 30 that detects an external impact applied to the right vehicle body side portion including the driver's seat side door 3 and generates an impact detection output signal is provided.

In the driver's seat 8 disposed in the vehicle interior, load sensors 31a, 31b, and 31c are embedded in a center portion, a right portion, and a left portion of the backrest portion 8A in the left-right direction, respectively. Load sensors 32a, 32b, and 32c are embedded in a central portion, a right portion, and a left portion in the left-right direction, respectively. Each of the load sensors 31a, 31b, and 31c generates a load detection output signal corresponding to the load applied to the backrest portion 8A by the occupant sitting in the driver's seat 8,
Each of 32a, 32b and 32c generates a load detection output signal corresponding to the load applied to the seat 8B by the occupant sitting in the driver's seat 8.

As shown in FIG. 2, a heater 22, an impact sensor 30, and a load of the inflator 19 in each of the upper bag storage section 16 and the lower bag storage section 17 are provided in a console box 40 provided at the front of the center of the vehicle compartment. Sensors 31a, 31b, 31
An inflator control unit 41 electrically connected to each of c, 32a, 32b and 32c is provided. When an impact detection output signal from the impact sensor 30 is supplied, the inflator control unit 41 drives the heater 22 of the inflator 19 in the upper bag storage unit 16 and the drive signal for the heater 22 of the inflator 19 in the lower bag storage unit 17. Each of the drive signals is formed, and the drive signals are set at timing set based on the load detection output signals obtained from the load sensors 31a, 31b, 31c, 32a, 32b, and 32c, respectively.
The air is supplied to the heater 22 of the inflator 19 in each of the upper bag storage section 16 and the lower bag storage section 17.

On the other hand, the passenger side door 4 and the passenger seat 9 also have the same configuration as the driver side door 3 and the driver seat 8, respectively. At the upper position of the armrest 7, which substantially corresponds to the upper arm of the occupant when seated, and at the lower position of the armrest 7, which substantially corresponds to the waist of the occupant when the occupant sits on the passenger seat 9, respectively. The upper bag storage section in which the folded and contracted energy absorbing bag is stored and the inflator for the energy absorbing bag is disposed, and the folded and stored energy absorbing bag is also stored. A lower bag storage portion provided with an inflator for the energy absorbing bag is provided to be attached to the door inner panel. Therefore, the upper bag storage portion and the lower bag storage portion are provided at the upper and lower positions sandwiching the armrest 7 in the passenger compartment side portion of the passenger side door 4. And
The energy absorbing bag and the inflator stored in the upper bag storing section and the lower bag storing section respectively are configured similarly to the energy absorbing bag 25 and the inflator 19 shown in FIG. 4, respectively. Further, an impact sensor 33 for detecting an external impact applied to the left side of the vehicle body including the passenger side door 4 is provided inside the passenger side door 4. Further, three load sensors are embedded in the left, right, and left central portions of the backrest portion 9A in the passenger seat 9, respectively, and further, the left and right central and right portions of the seating portion 9B are further embedded. In addition, three load sensors are embedded in the left part, respectively.

Heater and impact sensor 33 of the inflator in each of the upper bag storage unit and the lower bag storage unit provided in the passenger seat side door 4, and three load sensors embedded in the backrest unit 9A in the passenger seat 9 Each of the three load sensors embedded in the seating portion 9B is also electrically connected to the inflator control unit 41, and the inflator control unit 41 is supplied with an impact detection output signal from the impact sensor 33. At this time, drive signals for the heater of the inflator in each of the upper bag storage portion and the lower bag storage portion provided in the passenger side door 4 are formed, and the drive signals are transmitted to the backrest portion 9A and the seating portion 9B in the passenger seat 9.
With the timing set based on the load detection output signals obtained from each of the six load sensors embedded in the vehicle, the heater of the inflator in each of the upper bag storage unit and the lower bag storage unit provided in the passenger side door 4 is provided. To supply.

The upper bag storage unit 16 and the lower bag storage unit 17 provided in the driver's seat side door 3, each of which incorporates the energy absorbing bag 19 and the inflator 25, and are embedded in the impact sensor 30 and the driver's seat 8. The load sensors 31a to 31c and 32a to 32c and the inflator control unit 41 arranged in the console box 40 constitute an impact energy absorbing system on the right side of the vehicle body, and include the right side including the driver's seat side door 3. When a relatively large external impact is applied to the side of the vehicle body due to a side collision or the like, the impact energy is absorbed and a function of protecting the occupant seated in the driver's seat 8 is achieved. Similarly, the upper bag storage unit and the lower bag storage unit, which are provided in the front passenger seat side door 4 and have an energy absorbing bag and an inflator therein, respectively, and are embedded in the impact sensor 33 and the passenger seat 9. The loaded six load sensors and the inflator control unit 41 arranged in the console box 40 constitute an impact energy absorbing system on the left side of the vehicle body, and include the passenger side door 4 and the left vehicle side. When a relatively large external impact due to a side collision or the like is applied to the part, the impact energy is absorbed and the passenger seat 9 is absorbed.
It functions to protect the occupant sitting in the vehicle. Hereinafter, the shock energy absorbing system on the right side of the vehicle body will be described, and the description of the shock energy absorbing system on the side of the left vehicle body will be omitted.

Under the above-described configuration, the inflator control unit 41 includes, as shown in FIG.
Backrest obtained from the load sensors 31a to 31c embedded in the
A load detection output signal representing the load applied to the center portion in the left-right direction of 8A, the right portion close to the driver's seat side door 3, and the left portion separated from the driver's side door 3 respectively.
PA, PB, and PC, a central portion in the left-right direction of the seating portion 8B obtained from the load sensors 32a to 32c embedded in the seating portion 8B of the driver's seat 8, a right side portion close to the driver's seat side door 3, and driving Load detection output signals QA, QB, and QC representing the load applied to the left portion separated from the seat side door 3 are supplied.

When a relatively large impact due to a side collision or the like is applied to the right side of the vehicle including the driver's seat side door 3, as shown in FIG. Sensor
An impact detection output signal SA is transmitted from 30 and supplied to the inflator control unit 41.

When the impact detection output SA from the impact sensor 30 is supplied, the inflator control unit 41 drives the drive signal DU for the heater 22 of the inflator 19 in the upper bag storage unit 16 and the heater signal of the inflator 19 in the lower bag storage unit 17.
22 and a load sensor.
Load detection output signals PA, PB and PC supplied from 31a to 31c
Based on the load detection output signals QA, QB, and QC supplied from the load sensors 32a to 32c, the seating state of the occupant seated in the driver's seat 8 is detected, and a driving signal corresponding to the detected occupant's seating state is detected. After setting the respective transmission timings of DU and DL, the drive signal DU is supplied to the heater 22 of the inflator 19 in the upper bag storage unit 16 at the set transmission timing, and the drive signal DL is transmitted downward at the set transmission timing. Inflator in bag storage section 17
19 heater 22 is supplied. The drive signal DU in such a case
And the transmission timing of DL, the impact detection output signal SA from the impact sensor 30 was supplied as the distance of the occupant seated in the driver's seat 8 from the driver's seat side door 3 to the cabin side was larger. Time, that is, the shock detection output signal from the shock sensor 30
It is set so that the time from the supply time of the SA becomes large.

In the inflator 19 of the upper bag storage unit 16 and the lower bag storage unit 17, when the drive signal DU or DL is supplied from the inflator control unit 41 to the heater 22, the heater 22 instantaneously generates heat and the igniter 21. To ignite. Then, the gas generating agent 23 contained in the inflator 19 is burned by the ignition of the igniting agent 21 to generate a large amount of nitrogen gas, and the generated large amount of nitrogen gas is provided in the inflator 19. Filter section 24
Through the gas inlet 26 and the energy absorbing bag
Quickly flows into the 25 and thereby energy absorbing bag
Inflate 25 rapidly. At that time, the energy absorption bag 25
When expanding, the closing portion 15a of the door trim 15 which is supposed to close the opening 14a provided in the door inner panel 14, by breaking the inner groove 15c, the hinge 15b is pivoted upward with the hinge 15b as the center of rotation. When rotated, as shown in FIG. 5, it expands toward the driver's seat 8 through an opening 14 a provided in the door inner panel 14. Then, as shown in FIG.
The inflated energy absorbing bag 25 from the driver seat 16 and the occupant M seated on the driver's seat side door 3 and the driver's seat 8 at an appropriate timing in accordance with the seating state of the occupant seated on the driver's seat 8.
The energy absorbing bag 25 inflated from the lower bag storage portion 17 is interposed between the upper body of the driver and the driver's seat 8.
The driver is interposed between the driver's seat side door 3 and the waist of the driver M seated in the driver's seat 8 at an appropriate timing appropriately according to the seating state of the passenger sitting in the driver's seat.

Therefore, the occupant M seated on the driver's seat side door 3 and the driver's seat 8
The expanded energy absorbing bag 25 interposed between the upper body and the waist effectively absorbs the impact energy due to the impact applied to the right side of the vehicle body by a side collision, etc. The impact applied to the upper body and the waist of the occupant M seated on the vehicle is reduced, and the occupant M receives a relatively large impact applied to the right side of the vehicle body including the driver's seat side door 3 by a side collision or the like. Protection is achieved.

After the inflated energy absorbing bag 25 is inflated, the nitrogen gas filled therein is released through the gas vent hole 25a.

By the inflator control unit 41, the load sensor 31a,
Load detection output signals PA, PB and P supplied from 31b and 31c
C, based on the load detection output signals QA, QB, and QC supplied from the load sensors 32a, 32b, and 32c, detecting the seating state of the occupant seated in the driver's seat 8, and detecting the detected seating state of the occupant. The setting of the transmission timing of each of the drive signals DU and DL according to is performed, for example, as follows.

Of the load detection output signals PA to PC, load detection output signal PB
Is the maximum load and the load detection output signal
When the load represented by the load detection output signal QB is the maximum among the QA to QC, it is determined that the occupant M is at a position where both the upper body and the waist are close to the driver's seat side door 3, and the drive signal DU And DL are set to a time (Ta) immediately after the supply of the shock detection output signal SA. Among the load detection output signals PA to PC, the load represented by the load detection output signal PA is the largest, and among the load detection output signals QA to QC,
When the load represented by the load detection output signal QA is the maximum, it is determined that the occupant M is on the upper body with both the upper body and the waist positioned at the center of the driver's seat 8 and the drive signal DU.
And DL are sent at a time (Tb) slightly after the time Ta immediately after the supply of the shock detection output signal SA. Load detection output signal among load detection output signals PA to PC
When the load represented by the PC is the largest and the load represented by the load detection output signal QC among the load detection output signals QA to QC is the largest, the occupant M places both the upper body and the waist on the driver's seat side door. It is determined that the vehicle is located at a position separated from the passenger seat 3 to the passenger seat 9 side, and the transmission timing of both the drive signals DU and DL is further increased from the time Tb slightly after the time Ta immediately after the supply of the shock detection output signal SA. It is assumed that the time is late (Tc).

Also, of the load detection output signals PA to PC, the load represented by the load detection output signal PB is the largest, and of the load detection output signals QA to QC, the load represented by the load detection output signal QA or QC is the largest. At one time, the occupant M places the upper body close to the driver's seat side door 3 and places his waist at the center of the driver's seat 8 or at a position separated from the driver's seat side door 3 toward the passenger seat 9. In FIG. 5, it is determined that the vehicle is in the state shown by the dashed line, and the transmission timing of the drive signal DU is set to the time Ta, and the transmission timing of the drive signal DL is set to the time between the times Tb and Tc. Furthermore, of the load detection output signals PA to PC, the load detection output signal
When the load represented by the PC is the largest and the load represented by the load detection output signal QA or QB among the load detection output signals QA to QC is the largest, the occupant M moves the upper body to the driver's seat side door 3. From the vehicle to the passenger seat 9 and the waist is located at the center of the driver's seat 8 or at a position close to the driver's seat side door 3, and it is determined that the vehicle is in the state shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. Then, the transmission timing of the drive signal DL is set to a time point Ta, and the transmission timing of the drive signal DU is set to a time point between the time points Tb and Tc.

By doing so, the drive signal supplied to the heater 22 of the inflator 19 in the upper bag storage 16
The impact detection output signal SA from the impact sensor 30 was supplied as the transmission timing of the DU was larger as the distance of the upper body of the occupant seated in the driver's seat 8 from the driver's seat side door 3 was larger. It is assumed that the time from the time becomes large, and the transmission timing of the drive signal DL to be supplied to the heater 22 of the inflator 19 in the lower bag storage section 17 is determined by the timing of the driver's seat on the waist of the occupant sitting in the driver's seat 8. The greater the distance of the door 3 from the compartment side, the greater the impact detection output signal from the impact sensor 30
The time from when the SA is supplied becomes a point in time when the time becomes large. As a result, the energy absorbing bag 25 stored in the upper bag storage section 16 becomes the upper body of the occupant sitting in the driver's seat 8. It is inflated at a timing appropriate for the position, the upper body of the occupant is received in a state where the impact is effectively reduced, and the energy absorbing bag 25 stored in the lower bag storage portion 17 is The occupant sitting on the driver's seat 8 is inflated at an appropriate timing to the position of the lumbar body of the occupant, and receives the occupant's lumbar body in a state where the impact can be effectively reduced.

Inflator control unit 41 performing the operation as described above
Is configured using, for example, a microcomputer.
And the program executed when sending DL
This will be described with reference to FIG.

In the program shown in FIG. 6, after the start, in step 51, the load detection output signals PA to PC and
Various signals including QA to QC are fetched, and in a succeeding step 52, it is determined whether or not the shock detection output signal SA has arrived. As a result, if the impact detection output signal SA has not arrived, the process returns to step 51 and the acquisition of various signals is repeated.

As a result of the determination in step 52, the impact detection output signal SA
Is detected, the drive signals DU and DL are formed in step 53, and the transmission timing of the drive signal DU is determined in step 54 based on the load detection output signals PA to PC and QA to QC. Are set, and a time point TL indicating the transmission timing of the drive signal DL is set.

Next, in step 55, it is determined whether or not the time TU is earlier than the time TL (the value of the time TU is smaller than the value of the time TL). If the time TU is earlier than the time TL, in step 56,
It is determined whether or not the time TU has been reached, and if not, the determination in step 56 is repeated. Then, as a result of the determination in step 56, when it is time TU,
In step 57, the drive signal DU is stored in the upper bag
To the heater 22 of the inflator 19 at
In step 58, it is determined whether the time TL has been reached,
If not, the determination at step 58 is repeated. Then, as a result of the determination in step 58,
If TL has been reached, in step 59 the drive signal DL
The heater of the inflator 19 in the lower bag storage section 17
Send to 22 and return to step 51.

In addition, as a result of the determination in step 55,
If not earlier than TL, in step 60, the time TU
Is determined to be equal to the time point TL. as a result,
If time TU does not match time TL, then time TU
Is later than the time point TL (the value of the time point TU is larger than the value of the time point TL), it is determined in a step 61 whether or not the time point TL has been reached, and if not, the determination in the step 61 is repeated. . If the result of determination in step 61 is that time TL has been reached, in step 62, the drive signal DL is transmitted to the inflator 19 in the lower bag storage unit 17.
Then, in step 63, it is determined whether or not the time TU has been reached, and if not, the determination in step 63 is repeated. If the result of the determination in step 63 is that the time point TU has been reached, in step 64, the drive signal DU is sent to the heater 22 of the inflator 19 in the upper bag storage unit 16, and
Return to 51.

Further, if the result of the determination in step 60 is that the time TU matches the time TL, it is determined in step 65 whether or not the time TU (= TL) has been reached. Repeat the judgment at 65. If the result of determination in step 65 is that time TU has been reached, in step 66 the drive signal DU and the drive signal
The DL is supplied to the heater 22 of the inflator 19 in the upper bag storage section 16 and the heater 22 of the inflator 19 in the lower bag storage section 17, respectively, and the process returns to step 51.

In the above example, the occupant is protected from external impact applied to the vehicle body side by two energy absorbing bags. However, the energy absorbing device for the vehicle body side according to the present invention is used. Is not limited to such a configuration.For example, a portion effective for protecting the occupant from external impact applied to the side of the vehicle body is selected, and the selected portion is provided with a predetermined expansion An arrangement may be made in which one energy absorbing bag sized is provided.

(Effects of the Invention) As is clear from the above description, according to the energy absorbing device for the vehicle body side according to the present invention, when an impact is applied to the vehicle body side from outside, the vehicle body side and the vehicle body side are not affected. Each of the upper energy absorbing bag and the lower energy absorbing bag is interposed between the upper body and the waist of the occupant seated inside in an inflated state, and the impact energy is absorbed by the upper energy absorbing bag and the lower energy absorbing bag. In this case, when an external impact is applied to the side of the vehicle body, the first bag inflation means for the upper energy absorbing bag is operated by the control unit which operates in response to an impact detection output signal from the impact detection means. The second bag inflation with respect to the lower energy absorbing bag is controlled in accordance with the distance between the cabin side portion of the vehicle body side and the upper body of the occupant. The means is controlled in accordance with a separation distance between a cabin side portion of the vehicle body side portion and a waist portion of the occupant to start inflation of the upper energy absorbing bag in a deflated state, and a lower portion in a contracted state. The inflation start timing of the energy absorbing bag is set such that the greater the distance between the upper body of the occupant and the side of the vehicle body from the cabin, the greater the energy from when the shock detection output signal is obtained from the shock detection means. The time required for the absorption bag to start inflating was lengthened, and the impact detection output signal from the impact detection means was obtained as the separation distance of the occupant's waist from the cabin side of the vehicle body side increased. The upper energy absorbing bag and the lower energy absorbing bag are set in accordance with the seating state of the occupant such that the time until the lower energy absorbing bag starts to inflate from time to time is set. Any sitting state of the occupant with respect to the vehicle compartment side portion of the side, that is, any sitting state of the occupant whose upper body approaches or separates from the vehicle body side and whose waist portion approaches or separates from the vehicle body side portion In addition, it is possible to intervene between the vehicle body side and each of the occupant's upper body and waist with an appropriate inflated state, thereby effectively reducing the impact of the impact on the occupant. It can be relaxed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block connection diagram showing a main part of an example of a body side energy absorbing device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a vehicle to which an example of a body side energy absorbing device according to the present invention is applied. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing both chamber parts, FIG. 3 is a view showing an arrangement of sensors in an example of a vehicle body side energy absorbing device according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a vehicle body side energy absorbing device according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a bag storage portion in one example, FIG. 5 is a diagram used for explaining the operation of an example of a body side energy absorbing device according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a program executed by the microcomputer when the inflator control unit in the example of the absorption device is configured by the microcomputer. In the figure, 3 is a driver side door, 4 is a passenger side door, 8 is a driver's seat, 9 is a passenger seat, 14 is a door inner panel, 15 is a door trim, 16 is an upper bag storage section, and 17 is a lower bag storage section. ,
19 is an inflator, 22 is a heater, 23 is a gas generating agent, 25 is an energy absorbing bag, 30 and 33 are impact sensors, 31a to 31c
And 32a to 32c are load sensors, and 41 is an inflator control unit.

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-2-38161 (JP, A) JP-A-2-38164 (JP, A) JP-A-1-269640 (JP, A) JP-A-4-46836 (JP) JP-A-4-46837 (JP, A) JP-A-1-117957 (JP, U) JP-A-50-131739 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB Name) B60R 21/16-21/32

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. An upper energy absorbing member in an inflated state disposed between a body of an occupant seated on a seat disposed in a vehicle cabin and a vehicle body side portion and disposed in a vehicle cabin side portion of the vehicle body. A bag, first bag inflation means for taking an operation state for inflating the upper energy absorbing bag, a waist portion of an occupant seated on the seat, and a waist portion of the occupant seated on the seat, A lower energy absorbing bag having an inflated state interposed therebetween, a second bag inflating means having an operating state for inflating the lower energy absorbing bag, and an impact detector for detecting an impact applied to the side of the vehicle body Means, a first detection output signal corresponding to a separation distance between a cabin side portion of the vehicle body side portion and an upper body of an occupant seated on the seat, and a cabin side portion of the vehicle body side portion. The waist of the occupant sitting on the above seat A seating state detecting means for generating a second detection output signal corresponding to a separation distance between the first and second bag inflation means when the shock detection output signal is supplied from the shock detection means; The first detection output signal and the second detection output signal from the seating state detection means are operated in accordance with the respective separation distances represented by the first detection output signal and the second detection output signal, and the shock detection output signal is supplied to the contracted upper energy absorbing bag. From the above, when the time corresponding to the separation distance between the cabin side portion of the vehicle body side portion and the upper body of the occupant sitting on the seat elapses, the state of inflation is taken, and the lower part in the contracted state At the time when the time corresponding to the separation distance between the cabin side portion of the vehicle body side and the waist of the occupant seated on the seat has elapsed from the time of supply of the impact detection output signal to the energy absorbing bag, Energy absorption device constructed vehicle body side provided with a control unit to assume a state of tension. 2. A time period from when the impact detection output signal is supplied from the impact detection means to when the upper energy absorbing bag starts inflating, and when the impact detection output signal is supplied from the impact detection means. , The time from when the lower energy absorbing bag starts to inflate, the larger the separation distance represented by the first detection output signal from the seating state detecting means, and the second time from the seating state detecting means. 2. An energy absorbing device for a vehicle body side according to claim 1, wherein control is performed such that the longer the separation distance represented by the detection output signal, the longer the distance.