JP2933894B2 - Energy absorption structure on the side of the vehicle - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a so-called side collision countermeasure for protecting an occupant in a vehicle cabin by absorbing the impact energy due to a relatively large impact applied to the side of the vehicle body from the outside. The present invention relates to an energy absorbing structure on the side of a vehicle body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a vehicle such as an automobile is provided with an airbag device having an inflator and an airbag, and when a relatively large impact force acts on the vehicle body during a collision or the like, the airbag is normally in a contracted state. It is known that the inflated airbag reduces the impact force acting on the occupant in the passenger compartment to protect the occupant.

In such a device, as a countermeasure for side collisions, for example, as described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 1-117957, an impact sensor which is turned on by an impact force inputted from the side is provided at the side of the vehicle body. There has been proposed an apparatus in which a folded airbag and a propulsion means for inflating the airbag in response to a signal from the sensor are provided in an armrest inside a vehicle body side portion.

[0004]

However, since the conventional airbag device for countermeasures against side collisions inflates one airbag at a time, it is difficult to sufficiently absorb energy during a side collision. It is necessary to inflate the airbag for a long period of time.
The present applicant has discovered that various problems such as noise occur.

That is, in the case of a side collision, the vicinity of the waist of the occupant sitting on the seat first collides with the door and an impact is applied, and after a predetermined timing, the chest collides with the door and the impact is applied. This is due to the unusual movement. Therefore, if energy is to be absorbed only by the airbag in which the two parts having different timings are deployed at once, it is necessary to inflate the airbag at a high pressure for a long time, which causes the above problem. is there.

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a side collision airbag device that is deployed between a vehicle body side wall and a vehicle occupant that constitutes a vehicle body side portion is disposed on a seat that can be adjusted to slide in the front-rear direction. In the energy absorbing structure provided on the side of the vehicle body, an impact detecting means for detecting an impact force inputted to the vehicle body, an inflator which operates based on a signal from the impact detecting means, and the inflator fixed to the inflator And an airbag unit having an airbag that is deployed by the operation of the airbag. The airbag unit is disposed at an end of the seat on the side of the side wall of the vehicle body, and the airbag is mounted on the vehicle body of the occupant. A lower airbag portion corresponding to the side waist portion, and an upper airbag portion corresponding to the occupant's body side chest portion are integrally formed so as to form two air chambers, and Characterized in that the expansion timing delay member so that the upper air bag inflates late provided for parts airbag.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a side collision airbag device which is deployed between a vehicle body side wall portion having an armrest and a vehicle body side portion and an occupant is provided on a seat which is slidable in the front-rear direction. In the energy absorbing structure provided on the side of the vehicle body, an impact detecting means for detecting an impact force inputted to the vehicle body, an inflator which operates based on a signal from the impact detecting means, and the inflator fixed to the inflator And an airbag unit having an airbag that is deployed by the operation of the airbag. The airbag unit is disposed at an end of the seat on the side of the side wall of the vehicle body, and the airbag is located below the armrest. The lower airbag that deploys to the upper part and the upper airbag that deploys above the armrest are integrally formed, and Characterized in that the expansion timing delay member so that the upper air bag inflates late is provided for the bag.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the upper airbag is formed to have a smaller dimension in the vehicle width direction than the lower airbag. Features. Further, in the invention of claim 4, in the invention of claim 1 or 2, the airbag is
A pressure control valve is provided to regulate the amount of gas flowing from the lower airbag to the upper airbag, and the pressure control valve is disposed at the height of the armrest.

[0009]

According to the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, since the inflation timing of the upper airbag is delayed with respect to the lower airbag, the occurrence of the above problem can be suppressed while a side collision occurs. Energy can be absorbed in accordance with the collision timing of the occupant's waist and chest with a door or the like, and the occupant protection performance can be improved.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1 In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a vehicle seat, which comprises a seat cushion 2, a seat back 3, and a headrest 4, and an airbag as an airbag unit is provided on a side portion of the seat cushion 2. The device 5 is embedded.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the airbag device 5 includes an inflator 8 and an airbag 9 housed in a casing 7 to which an airbag lid 6 is attached so as to be openable and closable. Cushion material 2a
Buried inside. When the airbag lid 6 is opened, the seam 2b is cut so that the seam is cut.
c is formed. Then, when the airbag lid 6 is pressed by the deployment pressure of the airbag 9 at the time of a side collision or the like, the breaking part 2c is broken, and the lid part 2d of the seat cushion 2 is opened together with the airbag lid 6, and the airbag lid 6 is opened. 9 is configured to extend between the door 10 as the vehicle body side wall and the occupant M in the vertical direction from below to above. 11 is a seat frame, 12
Denotes an armrest formed on the door trim 14.

The air bag grid 6 is provided with guide means 15 for restricting the deployment angle shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and is constructed so as not to open more than a predetermined opening degree, so that the air bag 9 does not escape to the side. It has become. This is because if the opening angle of the airbag grid 6 is not restricted, the airbag 9 is deployed below the armrest 13 as shown by a chain line in FIG. 2 and does not extend to the chest M1 of the occupant M but the chest M1 of the occupant M.
Is not protected.

The air bag lid 6 is provided with a lid body 6a.
Has side plate portions 6b on the left and right sides thereof, and the side plate portions 6b are pivotally attached to the casing 7 together with the slide plate 16. In the side plate portion 6b, arc-shaped long holes 6c and 6d around the rotation shaft 17 are formed, and stopper pins 18 and 18 erected from the slide plate 16 can slide in the long holes 6c and 6d. Is engaged. The slide plate 16 is provided at its end with a locking portion 7 on the side edge of the casing 7 when the lid is opened.
A locking portion 16a is formed to engage with a. As shown in FIG. 6, a leaf spring member 19 having a narrowest portion 19a is attached to the end of the long hole 6c (6d) so as to regulate the relationship between the air bag lid 6 and the slide plate 16. Has become.

With the above construction, a side collision is detected by a collision detection mechanism (two independent systems disposed on the left and right sides of the vehicle) by an impact sensor S disposed on the door 10 and detecting a side collision. Then, an initiating signal for deploying the airbag 9 is sent to the inflator 8.

In response to this signal, the inflator 8 explodes and the airbag 9 inflates, pressing the airbag lid 6 in the opening direction. This pressing force breaks the break portion 2c of the seat skin 2b, and opens the airbag lid 6 together with the lid portion 2d (see the broken line in FIG. 3).

The opening of the air bag grid 6 is performed by first opening the air bag grid 6 in the side plate portion 6b and the slide plate 16 due to the engagement relationship between the long holes 6c, 6d and the stopper pins 18, 18. It is released to the degree. At this time, the stopper pin 18 is connected to the narrowest portion 19a of the leaf spring member 19.
And it is difficult to move between the narrowest portion 19a and the end portion.
Is maintained in a predetermined coupled state.

Then, the slide plate 16 rotates with the rotation of the air bag grid 6, and the locking portion 16a of the slide plate 16 rotates until the locking portion 16a of the casing 7 engages with the locking portion 7a. As a result, the opening of the air bag grid 6 changes to the second set opening and is regulated.

As a result, although the airbag device 5 is provided on the seat cushion 2 (seat seat 1) below the armrest 13, the deployment direction of the airbag 9 is regulated by the airbag grid 6, so that the armrest 1
3, the space between the door 10 and the occupant M is unfolded upward from below in the vertical direction, so that the protection of the occupant M is ensured.

In the above embodiment, the slide plate 16 is used, but it can be omitted as shown in FIG. In this case, the long holes 6e, 6
The stopper pins 18 and 18 that engage with f are erected on the casing 7. Further, a leaf spring member similar to the leaf spring member 19 is disposed at the ends of the long holes 6e and 6f so as to maintain the open state.

Also, as shown in FIG.
An airbag device (not shown) is provided at an upper position in 3,
For example, the guide means 15 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 can be applied to a structure in which the airbag is deployed from the airbag grid 13a formed on the upper portion.

Further, in order to first protect the waist M2 of the occupant M, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the airbag 2 of the airbag device 20 is disposed on the side of the seat cushion 2.
1 is divided into an upper airbag 21A and a lower airbag 21B, and a pressure control valve 22 is interposed in a partition 21C therebetween to inflate the lower airbag 21B earlier than the upper airbag 21A. You can also. In this way, the airbag 21 deployed vertically from the side of the seat cushion 2 first inflates to the height of the waist M2 of the occupant M, thereby protecting the waist M2 of the occupant M, and then the chest M1.
To the height of Accordingly, the waist M1 and the chest M2 of the occupant M correspond to the contact timing with the inner surface of the door 10.
The airbag 21 is deployed in this order, so that more efficient shock absorption can be performed. P indicates the bumper position.

Embodiment 2 This embodiment is an example in which an airbag device is provided in a seat back.

As shown in FIG. 11 and FIG.
An airbag device 31 is disposed on the side of the seat back 3 so that the airbag 32 is deployed between the door 10 and the occupant M in the front-rear direction from the rear to the front in the event of a side collision.

The airbag device 31 includes an inflator 34 housed in a casing 33 together with the airbag 32, and is buried in a cushion material 3 a of the seat back 3. The airbag 32 has a thin elliptical shape so that the side of the occupant can be sufficiently protected.

Although not specifically shown, the casing 33 is provided with an air bag grid 35, for example, as shown in FIGS.
A guide means for regulating the opening degree is provided in the same manner as shown in FIG. The casing 33 is fixed to the seat frame 37 via a reinforcing member 36 for attachment.

According to the above-described configuration, in the event of a side collision, when an initiating signal for deploying the airbag 32 is sent to the inflator 34, the inflator 34 explodes, inflating the airbag 32, and 35
Is pressed in the opening direction. The airbag lid 35 is opened by this pressing force.

At this time, the opening of the airbag lid 35 is restricted by the guide means for restricting the opening of the airbag lid 35 as described above, and only the set opening is released.

As a result, the deployment direction of the airbag 32 is regulated by the airbag grid 35, and the airbag 32 is deployed in the front-rear direction between the door 10 and the occupant M so as to be deployed toward the occupant. Becomes

Embodiment 3 In this embodiment, the airbag device is rotated to direct the airbag toward the occupant.

13 and 14, in the airbag device 41, a casing 42 is buried in the side of the seat back 3 as in the case of the second embodiment, and is attached to a seat frame 43 of the air bag device 41 via a reinforcing member 44 for attachment. It is attached to a frame 45 which is attached and fixed so that it can be displaced outward.

More specifically, in the casing 42, a shaft member 46 is provided upright on the upper and lower surfaces of the rear end portion.
Is restricted by the first restricting portion 45a of the frame 45 from moving outward by a predetermined amount or more. On the other hand, the front end portion is rotatably connected to the frame 45 via the link member 47, and is positioned outward by the engagement between the engaging portion 47a of the link member 47 and the second regulating portion 45b of the frame 45. Movement beyond a certain amount is regulated. In this manner, the guide means for rotating the airbag device 41 and deploying the airbag 48 toward the occupant when the airbag 48 is deployed is configured. Note that 49
Is an inflator and 50 is an air bag grid.

With this configuration, when the airbag is inflated, the casing 42 is expelled by the explosive force of the inflator 49.
The front end moves largely outward while the rear end moves small outward. The outward movement of the shaft member 46 by a predetermined amount or more is prevented by the first regulating portion 4 of the frame 45.
5a, the amount of outward movement of the front end by the link member 47 is also regulated by the engagement between the engaging portion 47a of the link member 47 and the second regulating portion 45b of the frame 45,
As a result, the front end of the casing 42 is displaced outward more than the rear end.

As described above, the front end of the casing 42 is displaced outward more than the rear end, and the front end of the casing 42 is directed between the door and the occupant. Since the airbag 48 is inflated and deployed, the airbag 48 is deployed between the door and the occupant in a front-to-rear direction and directed forward from the rear to the occupant side, so that the side portion of the occupant M can be protected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an energy absorbing structure of a vehicle body side portion according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a deployment direction of an airbag.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the air bag grid in a closed state.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the air bag grid in an open state.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an end of a long hole.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 4 of a modified example.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram when an airbag device is provided on an armrest.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram in a case where an airbag is configured by an upper bag and a lower bag.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a partition portion of the airbag.

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 1 for a second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the air bag grid in a closed state according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the airbag lid in an open state.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Seat seat 2 Seat cushion 3 Seat back 5,31,41 Airbag device 6,35,50 Airbag grid 8,34,49 Inflator 9,32,48 Airbag 10 Door 13 Armrest 15 Guide means S Impact sensor (impact detection) means)

Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Hideki Nishitake 3-1 Shinchi, Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima Mazda Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-60-240535 (JP, A) (JP, U) Shokai Sho 58-130850 (JP, U) Shokai Hei 2-132555 (JP, U) Shoko 47-29298 (JP, Y1) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶⁾ B60R 21/16-21/32 B60N 2/00-2/54

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A side collision airbag device, which is deployed between a vehicle body side wall portion and a vehicle occupant constituting a vehicle body side portion, is provided in a longitudinal direction.
In the energy absorbing structure of disposed slide adjustable seat vehicle body side, and the impact detection means for detecting an impact force input to the vehicle body, inflation which is operated on the basis of the signal from the shock detection means
An inflator fixed to the inflator
Airbag with airbag deployed by actuation of
The airbag unit , wherein the airbag unit is provided on the vehicle body side wall portion of the seat.
At the side end, the airbag is
Lower airbag section corresponding to the occupant's side waist
And an upper airbag section corresponding to the occupant's body side chest
And the lower chamber
The upper airbag is inflated late with respect to the bag
An energy absorbing structure for a vehicle body side portion, wherein an expansion timing delay member is provided . 2. A side collision airbag device, which is deployed between a vehicle body side wall portion and a vehicle occupant which constitutes a vehicle body side portion having an armrest, comprises a vehicle body side portion provided on a seat which is slidable in the front-rear direction . In the energy absorbing structure, an impact detecting means for detecting an impact force input to the vehicle body; and an infra-structure operated based on a signal from the impact detecting means.
An inflator fixed to the inflator
Airbag with airbag deployed by actuation of
The airbag unit , wherein the airbag unit is provided on the vehicle body side wall portion of the seat.
At the side end, the airbag is
Lower airbag that deploys below the above armrest
And the upper airbag that extends above the armrest.
Is formed integrally with the lower airbag.
Delay inflation timing so that upper airbag inflates late
An energy absorbing structure for a vehicle body side portion, wherein an extending member is provided . 3. The lower airbag according to claim 1, wherein the upper airbag is a lower airbag.
That the dimension in the vehicle width direction is smaller than
The energy absorbing structure for a vehicle body side portion according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: 4. The airbag according to claim 1, wherein the airbag is provided from a lower airbag.
A pressure control valve that regulates the amount of gas flowing into the upper airbag
The pressure control valve is provided at the height of the armrest.
The energy absorbing structure for a vehicle body side portion according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the energy absorbing structure is provided.