JP3127683B2 - Airbag system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To unfold an air bag outside a vehicle for lightening an impact to a pedestrian. CONSTITUTION:An air bag system has a pedestrian collision detecting means 13 arrangedly provided in front end of a vehicle body 11 and a hood air bag which expands to unfold over a hood 15 in front of the vehicle body when the collision detecting means 13 detects a collision against the pedestrian. In addition, a bumper sensor to detect force inputted from the front of the vehicle body 11 and a hood sensor to detect an input acting downward onto the hood are provided, and when both the above sensors severally detect the input, the collision against the pedestrian is judged to occur, and the hood air bag is therefore unfolded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for absorbing a shock caused when a running vehicle falls on a hood in front of a vehicle body when the vehicle collides with a pedestrian and makes a secondary collision with the upper surface of the hood. And an airbag system for protecting pedestrians.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a running vehicle collides with a pedestrian, the pedestrian colliding with the pedestrian may hit the upper body and the head against the upper surface of a hood at the front of the vehicle body by lowering the lower body by the front of the vehicle body.

Therefore, a method has been proposed in which when a collision with a pedestrian is detected, the hood is elastically lifted to give a cushioning effect to the hood portion to buffer a pedestrian falling down on the hood. ing.

For example, FIG. 12 shows US Pat. No. 4,249,963.
FIG. 2 shows a safety device for protecting a pedestrian disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2 (1993). The airbag 6 installed at the lower rear end of the pedestrian 4 is inflated and deployed, the rear end of the hood 5 is lifted upward, and the rear end of the hood 5 is elastically supported by the cushioning action of the airbag 6 to provide a pedestrian 4. Is designed to reduce the impact when a secondary collision with the hood 5 occurs.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional safety device for protecting a pedestrian, the air bag provided at the rear end of the hood 5 is inflated.
In order to raise the rear end side of the hood 5 upward, a large amount of gas is required, and it is necessary to increase the size of the inflator.
Further, in order to raise the rear end of the hood 5, after the collision with the pedestrian is alleviated, when the vehicle collides with another obstacle, the colliding load pushes the hood 5 to the rear side of the vehicle body. There is a possibility that so-called zone intrusion may occur which interferes with glass.

A sensor 3 for detecting a collision with a pedestrian
However, since it is attached to the bumper 2 at the front end of the vehicle body, the bumper sensor 3 alone determines whether the detected collision is a collision with a pedestrian or an unnecessary malfunction such as a light collision with a utility pole or the like. It was difficult.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an airbag for reliably detecting a collision with a pedestrian and deploying the airbag on the hood upper surface and the roof upper surface to mitigate the impact on the pedestrian. It aims to provide a system.

[0008]

According to the present invention, there is provided a pedestrian collision detecting means for detecting a collision with a pedestrian, and a collision detecting means for detecting the collision with the pedestrian. And an airbag that expands on the upper surface side of a hood provided at the front of the vehicle body when the airbag is folded. At the front end of the
The hood is deployed toward the rear end of the hood when the hood is deployed, and the pedestrian collision detecting means is disposed on a bumper of the vehicle body, and the pedestrian is positioned in front of the vehicle body.
A bumper sensor for detecting an input of a load upon collision with a vehicle body , and a bumper sensor disposed on the hood and colliding with a front portion of the vehicle body.
A hood sensor for detecting an input of a load when the pedestrian falls down on the hood, wherein the hood sensor is disposed on a front side of the airbag in the hood, and the hood sensor is disposed. Has a function of detecting a collision between the hood and the pedestrian by a downward load, and when the bumper sensor and the hood sensor both detect the collision of the pedestrian, the airbag is deployed. It is characterized by having such a configuration.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pedestrian collision detecting means for detecting a collision with a pedestrian; An airbag system having an airbag that is deployed on the upper surface side of the hood, wherein the airbag has a configuration that covers the entire area on the upper surface side of the hood when the airbag is deployed, and the pedestrian collision detection unit is , Installed on the bumper of the body, and a pedestrian collided with the front of the body
And a pedestrian arranged on the hood and colliding with the front of the vehicle body.
A food sensor that detects an input of a load when the airbag falls down on the hood, wherein the hood sensor is disposed on a front side of the airbag in the hood, and the hood sensor is directed downward. It has a function of detecting a collision between the hood and the pedestrian by a load, and is configured so that the airbag is deployed when both the bumper sensor and the hood sensor detect the collision of the pedestrian. It is characterized by having.

[0010]

Further, the invention of claim 3 is characterized in that, in addition to the structure of claim 1 or 2, an airbag which is deployed on a roof of the vehicle body is provided.

[0012]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the pedestrian collision detection means disposed on the vehicle body detects a collision with a pedestrian, an operation signal is output to the airbag, and the airbag is inflated. In order to deploy the upper surface of the hood at the front of the vehicle body from the front end to the rear end, at the initial stage when a pedestrian colliding with the front of the vehicle falls on the hood, the upper body including the waist and torso of the pedestrian is Reduce the impact of secondary collision . Load is applied to both the bumper sensor and the hood sensor.
Is input, the airbag is deployed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the pedestrian collision detecting means detects a collision with a pedestrian, an activation signal is output to the airbag, and the airbag is inflated to cover the entire upper surface of the hood. Therefore, in the initial stage when the pedestrian colliding with the front part of the vehicle falls on the hood, it is possible to reduce the impact when the upper body including the waist and the torso of the pedestrian collide with the hood . Also, Bangpasen
When a load is input to both the
The bag expands.

According to the invention of claim 3, in addition to resulting the same effect as 請 Motomeko 1 or 2, because deploying the airbag on the roof, pedestrian roof and secondary thrown up on the roof When a collision occurs, the impact can be reduced by the airbag.

[0015]

1 to 11 show an embodiment in which an airbag system according to the present invention is applied to a front engine vehicle.
It will be described based on.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention. In a vehicle equipped with an airbag system, a portion of a front bumper 12 provided at the front end of a vehicle body 11 projects most forwardly. The pedestrian collision detection sensor 13
Are arranged. This pedestrian collision detection sensor 13
A touch sensor that conducts contacts when compressed by a collision load input from the front. The touch sensor is mounted substantially horizontally on the front surface of the front bumper 12 over the entire width of the vehicle body. It is possible to detect a collision with a pedestrian or the like in almost the entire area of.

An engine hood 15 (hereinafter referred to as a hood 15) covers an upper part of an engine room 14 at the front of the vehicle body.
An opening 16 for inflating the airbag is formed by cutting the hood 15 in a rectangular shape in the center near the front end of the hood 15. Inside the opening 16, a food airbag 17 a in a folded state and an inflator 17 for inflating the food airbag are provided.
b, the hood airbag 17a, and a hood airbag module 17 composed of a backup plate 17c integrally mounted with the hood 15, and the backup plate 17c is bolted to a reinforcing member 15a provided on the back surface of the hood 15. Fastened and fixed.
The opening 16 is openably and closably covered by a lid 16a mounted so as to be flush with the surface of the hood 15.

Next, the operation of this embodiment configured as described above will be described. When a running vehicle collides with a pedestrian, when a pedestrian collision detection sensor 13 attached to the front bumper 12 is compressed by receiving a collision load, its contact is conducted and the contact of the hood airbag module 17 is reduced. current is applied to <br/> Nfure data 17b of the squib (electric detonator). As a result, the gas generating agent in the inflator motor 17b is ignited to generate a large amount of gas, generated gas is filled in the hood airbag 17a. Hood airbag 17a which is filled with gas expands, the inflation pressure, together to open the opening 16 of the first lid 16a by pushing outward, or forward end of the opening 16 or we bulging hood 15
To the rear end, and finally a hood airbag 1
7a covers the entire upper surface of the hood 15 (see FIG. 2).

Therefore, a pedestrian hit by a vehicle
It has been taken to lower body overturned by the front end portion of the vehicle body 11, but the upper body collapses on the hood 15, Fu Doeaba'
17a is deployed from the front end of the hood 15 toward the rear end,
And the upper surface of the hood 15 by the hood airbag 17a.
Because the whole area is covered, in the early stage of the fall of the pedestrian,
Shock of a secondary collision between the lower body and off over de 15 comprising waist and torso of the pedestrian, is absorbed alleviated by the hood airbag 17a.

FIGS. 4 to 8 show a second embodiment of the airbag system according to the present invention. In the first embodiment, the pedestrian collision detecting means has a length substantially equal to the width of the vehicle body. Although the pedestrian collision detection sensor is mounted horizontally on the front bumper, the airbag system according to the second embodiment includes a bumper sensor for detecting a pedestrian collision when the vehicle 21 is running at a predetermined speed or higher. When the two types of sensors, namely the hood sensor and the hood sensor, conduct, an ignition signal is transmitted from the airbag control device 29 to the inflator of the airbag module 27. This is a system that can prevent unnecessary operation of the hood airbag at the time of detection and can reliably detect a pedestrian collision.

The vehicle equipped with the airbag system includes a plurality of bumper sensors 23 for detecting a pedestrian collision, which are disposed on a front bumper 22 at the front end of the vehicle body 21.
There are two types of sensors, a hood sensor 28a provided in a pair of rubber stoppers 28, 28 respectively attached to both sides of the front lower surface of the back hinge type hood 25 . This hood sensor 28a is shown in FIG.
As such, the airbag module 27 for the hood 14
It is arranged on the front side of the arrangement position.

A plurality of bumper sensors 23 are provided at predetermined intervals in a portion most protruding forward of the front bumper 22, and each bumper sensor 23 can detect a collision. In this way, they are connected by wiring. Further, the hood sensor 2
As shown in FIG. 6, 8a is disposed in the hollow portion of the cylindrical rubber stopper 28 having a hollow portion opened downward, and when the stopper 28 is compressed, the vehicle body When a downward load is applied to the hood 25, the stopper 28 is compressed and the internal hood sensor 28a conducts.

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 7, the vehicle speed signal from the vehicle speed sensor 30 inputted to the airbag control device (hereinafter referred to as ECU) 29 is faster than a preset lower limit speed (for example, 20 km / h). The ignition signal is sent to the hood airbag module 27 when the vehicle speed is indicated and the bumper sensor 23 and the hood sensor 28a are respectively turned on and a collision detection signal is sent.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the control flowchart of FIG. First, in step 1, it is determined whether or not the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined lower limit speed of 20 km / h. When the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than 20 km / h, the routine proceeds to step 2, where it is determined whether or not the bumper sensor 23 is conducting. If not, the routine returns to the start. If the bumper sensor 23 is conducting, the process proceeds to step 3,
It is determined whether or not the hood sensor 28a is conducting. If not, the process returns to the start. And
When the hood sensor 28a is conducting, that is, at a speed of 20km or more, when the Banbasensa 23 and hood sensor 28a is conducting together, the process proceeds to stearyl-up 4, the hood air for Ruru is deployed hood airbag A signal of the hood airbag ON is transmitted to the bag module 27. As a result, gas is generated in the inflator in the hood airbag module 27 and the hood 2
5. The hood airbag 27a is deployed on the top 5.

At the time of collision with the vehicle, the bumper sensor 23 is compressed to conduct, but since there is no downward input to the hood sensor 28a, the process returns from step 3 to the start, and the airbag system does not operate.

When a collision with a pedestrian cannot be avoided, the hood air bag 27a is manually operated.
The can also deployed to manual operation switch (not shown) the setting <br/> kick, speed 20 for example, a predetermined lower limit speed
The hood airbag may be manually deployed before colliding with a pedestrian, for example, when traveling at a relatively low speed even at a distance of more than km. Further, in this embodiment, the bumper sensor 2
3 and the hood sensor 28a, the hood airbag 27a is deployed. However, when the vehicle is running at a predetermined speed or more, the hood airbag 27a is input to at least one of the bumper sensor and the hood sensor. The food airbag may be configured to be deployed.

FIGS. 9 to 11 show a third embodiment of the airbag system according to the present invention, in which a roof airbag is deployed on a roof at the time of a collision with a pedestrian. It will be described based on the following.

The roof portion 32 of the vehicle body 31 has a rectangular opening 35 for inflating a roof airbag 34 near a roof front end 32a bordering the upper edge of the windshield 33.
Are formed. In the opening 35, a folded roof airbag 34 and an inflator 36 for inflating the roof airbag 34 are provided with a backup plate 3.
7, a roof airbag module 38 integrally mounted is provided. The backup plate 37 has its open portion facing upward, and the lower surface of the bottom of the backup plate 37 is attached to the header panel 39 via the mounting stays 38, 38, and the rear side is attached to the roof reinforcement 40, respectively. I have. In the opening 35, a lid 41 is connected to an opening frame 45 attached to the entire periphery of the opening 35 by a plastically deformable hinge 42 made of mild steel or an aluminum alloy so that the lid 41 can be opened and closed. And this lid 41
Is a stopper locking portion 43 provided on the lower surface on the front side of the vehicle body.
The lower portion of a resin breaking pin 44 whose head is locked at the bottom is screwed into an opening frame 45 and fixed in a closed state.

Next, the operation of this embodiment configured as described above will be described.

When a running vehicle collides with a pedestrian, a pedestrian collision detection sensor attached to the front bumper is compressed by the collision load and when the contact is conducted, a current is supplied to the inflator 36 of the roof airbag module 38. Swept away. Therefore, the roof airbag module 38
The inflator 36 is ignited and the inflator 36
The gas generated in the above is filled in the roof airbag 34.
Then, due to the pressure of the inflating roof airbag 34, the breaking pin 44 fixing the lid 41 closing the opening 35 breaks from the constricted portion, and this lid 41 is formed by a plastic deformation hinge on the rear side. The opening 35 is opened by rotating rearward about the fulcrum 42. At this time, lid 4
Since 1 deforms and opens the plastically deformable hinge 42, it does not return to the state before the deformation, so that the lid 41 is maintained in the open state, and the lid 41 does not return in the direction to close the opening 35. The roof airbag 34 inflated from the opening 35 is deployed so as to cover from the upper portion of the windshield near the front end 32 a of the roof portion 32 to the rear of the opening 35.

Therefore, when the vehicle collides with the pedestrian, the vehicle falls down on the hood airbag, and then flies upward and collides with the roof portion 32. Further, when the vehicle collides with a bicycle or the like other than a pedestrian, the occupant of the bounced bicycle or the like may have a high position, and thus may directly collide with the roof portion 32 without falling over the hood airbag. In the case of the embodiment, the roof airbag 34 is inflated and is deployed so as to cover the upper portion of the roof portion 32 from the front end of the roof to the rear of the opening portion 35 for inflating the airbag. The impact of the secondary collision with the roof part 32 can be reduced.

In each of the above embodiments, the airbag system has been described in which the airbag is deployed on the hood or roof of the vehicle body when a collision with a pedestrian is detected. The roof airbag may be deployed simultaneously with the food airbag. In each of the above embodiments, the case where the airbag system of the present invention is mounted on a front engine vehicle has been described. However, in addition to the front engine vehicle, a rear engine vehicle, a midship engine vehicle, or a power source other than the internal combustion engine is used. It can also be suitably implemented for various vehicles.

[0033]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the pedestrian collision detecting means detects a collision with a pedestrian, the airbag is moved from the front end to the rear end of the upper surface of the hood of the vehicle body. When deployed, a pedestrian who collides with the front of the vehicle can protect the lower body of the pedestrian, including the waist and torso, in the initial stage of falling on the hood, and reduce the impact of a secondary collision. I can . In addition, bumper sensors and
The airbag is deployed only after the load is input to the hood sensor
In order to open, for example, a bumper is kicked by mischief
If a load is input to the sensor, the hood sensor
Since a downward load is not detected, malfunction of the airbag may occur.
Is prevented. Also, according to the invention of claim 2, the pedestrian collision detection means detects a collision with a pedestrian, actuation signals are outputted to the air bag, to cover the entire upper surface of the hood airbag is inflated Therefore, in the initial stage in which a pedestrian who has collided with the front part of the vehicle falls on the hood, it is possible to reduce the impact when the upper body including the waist and the torso of the pedestrian collide with the hood . Also,
The first time a load is input to the
Airbags are deployed, for example,
When a load is kicked and a load is input to the bumper sensor
The hood sensor does not detect a downward load,
Malfunction of the bag is prevented. Further, according to the invention of claim 3, in addition to obtaining the same effects as those of claim 1 or claim 2, an airbag deployed on the roof is provided to detect a collision of a pedestrian or the like. If you make it unfold sometimes,
The impact of a secondary collision with a roof portion of a pedestrian or the like jumped up to a high position can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle equipped with an airbag system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the hood airbag is deployed in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of a front portion of a vehicle body showing an arrangement state of a hood airbag module in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a sensor position and a deployed state of a hood airbag according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a hood sensor and a mounting position of a hood airbag module according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the hood sensor.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a control routine according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a deployment range of a roof airbag according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a sectional side view showing a state in which a roof airbag module according to a third embodiment is housed in a roof portion.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing a state where a lid is mounted in a third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a schematic explanatory view of a vehicle provided with conventional pedestrian protection means.

[Explanation of symbols]

 13 Pedestrian Collision Detection Sensor 15 Hood 17 Hood Airbag Module 23 Bumper Sensor 28 Stopper 28a Hood Sensor 34 Roof Airbag 35 Opening 38 Roof Airbag Module 41 Lid

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-6-239198 (JP, A) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B60R 21/34

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A pedestrian collision detecting means for detecting a collision with a pedestrian, and an upper surface of a hood provided at a front portion of a vehicle body, inflated by detecting a collision with the pedestrian collision detecting means. An airbag system comprising: an airbag that deploys at a front end of a hood at a front portion of a vehicle body in a folded state, and deploys toward a rear end of the hood at the time of deployment. And the pedestrian collision detecting means is disposed on a bumper of the vehicle body, and detects a load input when the pedestrian collides with the front part of the vehicle body. > a bumper sensor to output, is arranged in the hood, and,
When a pedestrian collides with the front of the vehicle and falls on the hood
A food sensor that detects an input of a load of the airbag, wherein the food sensor is disposed on a front side of the airbag in a position before the airbag is disposed, and the food sensor is configured such that the food and the food are moved downward by a load. It has a function of detecting a collision with a pedestrian, and when the bumper sensor and the hood sensor both detect the collision of the pedestrian, the airbag is configured to be deployed. Airbag system. 2. A pedestrian collision detecting means for detecting a collision with a pedestrian, and an upper surface of a hood provided at a front portion of a vehicle body, inflated upon detection of the collision by the pedestrian collision detecting means. An airbag system comprising: an airbag that deploys to the airbag; and a configuration in which the airbag covers an entire area on the upper surface side of the hood when the airbag is deployed, and the pedestrian collision detection unit is disposed on a bumper of a vehicle body. And pedestrians
A bumper sensor for detecting an input of a load when the vehicle collides with a front part of the body, and a bumper sensor arranged on the hood and colliding with a front part of the vehicle body.
A hood sensor for detecting an input of a load when the pedestrian collides with the hood, and wherein the hood sensor is disposed on the hood at a position forward of the airbag. In addition, the hood sensor has a function of detecting a collision between the hood and the pedestrian by a downward load, and when both the bumper sensor and the hood sensor detect the collision of the pedestrian, An airbag system, wherein the airbag is configured to deploy. 3. The airbag system according to claim 1, further comprising an airbag that is deployed on a roof of the vehicle body.