JP3385905B2 - Installation structure of vehicle occupant protection system - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention ejects gas from an inflator when a predetermined high load is applied to a side portion of a vehicle body and causes the bag to bulge like a curtain along the pillar portion and the roof side rail portion. The present invention relates to an arrangement structure of a vehicle occupant protection device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A bag stored in a folded state extending from a front pillar portion to a roof side rail portion in order to improve the protection performance of a passenger's head when a predetermined high load is applied to a vehicle body side portion, An occupant protection device that expands in a curtain shape along a windshield has already been proposed.
In the following, WO 96/2 disclosing an occupant protection device of this type
The configuration shown in Japanese Patent No. 6087 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 16, this occupant protection system 100 has a long duct 1 extending from a front pillar portion 102 to a roof side rail portion 104.
06, a bag 112 that is stored in a folded state from the front pillar portion 102 along the roof side rail portion 104 and is fixed to the vehicle body side at a front end fixing point 108 and a rear end fixing point 110, and a hose 114. Duct 1
06 is connected to the rear end of the vehicle body and ejects gas when a predetermined high load is applied to the vehicle body side, and one end is fixed to the vehicle body side and the other end is the bag 112.
The belt-shaped strap 118 fixed to the rear end of the rear end is a main component. Further, the above-mentioned bag 112 is configured by connecting a plurality of cells 120 each formed in a substantially cylindrical shape and arranged substantially in the vehicle vertical direction as a longitudinal direction.

With the above structure, when a predetermined high load is applied to the side portion of the vehicle body, gas is ejected from the inflator 116. For this reason, the gas ejected from the hose 114
And the bag 112 in a folded state via the duct 106
Flow into each cell 120. As a result, each cell 12
0 expands in a substantially cylindrical shape with the vehicle vertical direction as the longitudinal direction, and the bag 112 expands in a curtain shape along the windshield 122. In addition, the bag 112
Since the rear end portion is connected to the vehicle body side via the strap 118, a predetermined tension is applied to the line connecting the front end fixing point 108 and the strap 118 rear end fixing point, and the rear end of the bag 112 is also attached. The side is surely arranged inside the upper portion of the center pillar portion 124.

[0005]

By the way, for example, R
Considering a case where the above-described passenger protection device is provided for a vehicle such as a V-car having an assist grip for improving the entry / exitability at the front pillar portion, the pillar garnish in the front pillar portion is considered. Since the assist grip exists on the deployment trajectory of, the pillar garnish is expected to interfere with the assist grip when the pillar garnish is deployed, and the amount of deployment of the pillar garnish is reduced.

In view of the above facts, the present invention is for an automobile capable of swelling the bag satisfactorily when a predetermined high load acts on the side of the vehicle body even when the pillar is provided with an assist grip. The purpose is to obtain an arrangement structure for an occupant protection device.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an inflator disposed at a predetermined portion of a vehicle body and ejecting gas when a predetermined high load acts on a side portion of the vehicle body, a pillar portion and a roof side. The present invention is applied to an automobile provided with an occupant protection device including a bag that is stored along a rail portion in a folded state and that is inflated in a curtain shape when gas ejected from an inflator flows in. An arrangement structure of an automobile occupant protection device,
The pillar portion includes a pillar main body that constitutes the vehicle body side, and a pillar garnish that is arranged inside the vehicle interior of the pillar main body with a predetermined bag storage space and that includes a mounting seat portion for mounting an assist grip. And then
It is characterized in that a separating means is provided for separating the pillar garnish from the pillar main body by separating the mounting seat portion from the mounting member for mounting the assist grip by the inflation pressure of the bag when the bag is inflated.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle occupant protection system according to the present invention, wherein:
The separating means is a fragile portion that deforms the attachment tool insertion hole in the attachment seat portion or breaks the periphery of the attachment tool insertion hole in the attachment seat portion.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the inflator is arranged at a predetermined portion of the vehicle body and ejects gas when a predetermined high load is applied to a side portion of the vehicle body, and is folded along the pillar portion and the roof side rail portion. Of a vehicle occupant protection device applied to a vehicle equipped with an occupant protection device configured to include a bag that is stored in a state and is inflated in a curtain shape when gas ejected from an inflator flows in. An arrangement structure, a pillar main body constituting a vehicle body side, and a pillar arranged to have a predetermined bag storage space inside the pillar main body in a vehicle interior and detachably fixed from the pillar main body by bag inflation pressure. The pillar portion is configured to include a garnish, and further, an assist grip fixed to the pillar body is inserted into the pillar garnish. Provided tubular spacing means for spacing from the pillar main body while guiding the pillar garnish by the bag inflation pressure, it is characterized in that.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automobile occupant protection system according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the pillar garnish or
The assist grip is provided with a bag swelling space expanding unit that increases a separation distance of the pillar garnish from the pillar body when the pillar garnish is separated from the pillar body by the separating unit.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle occupant protection system according to the present invention, wherein the assist grip is substantially orthogonal to the inner surface of the pillar garnish. A pair of leg portions extending in the indoor direction, and a grip portion connecting the tip portions of these leg portions,
The pillar garnish is configured to include, at the site of interference with the grip of the assist grip in the pillar garnish when the pillar garnish is separated from the pillar body, by providing a recess that is fitted to the grip, the bag The swelling space expanding means is configured.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle occupant protection system according to the invention, wherein the assist grip is substantially orthogonal to the inner surface of the pillar garnish. A pair of first leg portions extending in the interior direction, a pair of second leg portions held in a state of extending substantially rearward of the vehicle along the interior surface of the pillar garnish, and a pair of these first leg portions. And a grip portion that connects the tip portions of the two leg portions to each other, and the second leg portion includes the first leg portion.
It is characterized in that the bag bulging space expanding means is configured by being rotatably connected to the legs.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the vehicle occupant protection system according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the pillar garnish has at least a portion on the bag storage space side. Is composed of a soft resin material.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when a predetermined high load is applied to the side portion of the vehicle body, gas is ejected from the inflator arranged at a predetermined portion of the vehicle body. Therefore, the gas flows into the bag stored in the folded state along the pillar portion and the roof side rail portion, and the bag bulges like a curtain along the pillar portion and the roof side rail portion.

Since the separating means is provided in the present invention, the mounting seat portion for mounting the assist grip, which is provided on the pillar garnish, is detached from the mounting tool for mounting the assist grip by the bag inflation pressure. As a result, the pillar garnish is released from the restraining force of the mounting tool for mounting the assist grip, so that it can be easily and sufficiently separated from the pillar body. As a result, good bag swelling performance can be obtained even when the assist grip is attached to the pillar portion.

In addition, since the present invention has a structure in which the mounting seat portion of the pillar garnish is detached from the mounting member for mounting the assist grip, the mounting state of the assist grip is maintained. Therefore, the pillar garnish separated from the pillar body interferes with (the gripping portion of) the assist grip, so that the pillar garnish does not fall out toward the vehicle interior.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the above-mentioned separating means is constituted by the fragile portion that deforms the attachment tool insertion hole in the attachment seat portion or breaks the periphery of the attachment tool insertion hole in the attachment seat portion. Therefore, the structure is simple, and the load for separating the pillar garnish can be arbitrarily changed by adjusting the strength of the fragile portion.

Among the operations of the present invention as set forth in claim 3, the operations up to the bag swelling are the same as those of the invention as set forth in claim 1 and will therefore be omitted.

Here, in the present invention, the pillar garnish is arranged inside the pillar body with a predetermined bag storage space inside the pillar body, and the pillar garnish is detachable from the pillar body by the bag inflation pressure. Assuming that it is fixed to, the following effects are obtained.

That is, in the present invention, since the pillar-shaped garnish is provided with the cylindrical separating means, when the pillar garnish is separated from the pillar body by the bag inflation pressure, the pillar garnish is guided by the cylindrical separating means while being guided by the cylindrical separating means. Easily and fully separated from. As a result, good bag swelling performance can be obtained even when the assist grip is attached to the pillar portion.

In the present invention as well, as in the first aspect of the present invention, since the mounting state of the assist grip is maintained, the pillar garnish separated from the pillar body interferes with (the gripping portion of) the assist grip. Thus, the pillar garnish is prevented from slipping out into the vehicle interior.

According to the present invention of claim 4, the pillar
-The bag swelling space expansion means is provided in the garnish or the assist grip to increase the separation distance of the pillar garnish from the pillar body when the pillar garnish is separated from the pillar body by the separation means described above, so that the bag swelling The space is further expanded.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the assist grip has a pair of leg portions extending in an indoor direction substantially orthogonal to the indoor side surface of the pillar garnish, and the tip portions of these leg portions. The following action is obtained on the premise that the holding portion that connects the two is included.

That is, in the present invention, when the pillar garnish is separated from the pillar main body, a recess is provided in a portion of the pillar garnish that interferes with the grip of the assist grip, and when the pillar garnish is separated from the pillar main body, The recess is fitted into the grip of the assist grip. Therefore, the bag swelling space is expanded by the amount corresponding to the depth of the recess.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the assist grip has a pair of first legs extending in a room direction substantially orthogonal to a surface of the pillar garnish on the indoor side, and the assist grip on the indoor side of the pillar garnish. A pair of second leg portions that are held in a state of being extended substantially rearward of the vehicle along the surface, and a grip portion that connects the tip end portions of these second leg portions to each other. As a premise, the following actions are obtained.

That is, according to the present invention, when the bag is in the non-bulging state (normal state), the assist grip is extended substantially toward the rear side of the vehicle, that is, the pair of second legs are on the indoor surface of the pillar garnish. It is held in a state of being extended substantially rearward along the vehicle. Therefore, it is possible to ensure good boarding / alighting properties.

On the other hand, in the present invention, the second leg portion is the first.
Since the pillar garnish is rotatably connected to the leg portion, when the pillar garnish separates from the pillar body and interferes with the second leg portion, the second leg portion and the grip portion are pressed against the first leg portion. Is rotated in the direction. This increases the distance between the pillar garnish and the pillar body. Therefore, the bag swelling space is expanded, as in the fifth aspect of the invention.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since at least the portion of the pillar garnish on the side of the bag storage space is made of a soft resin material, the portion on the side of the bag storage space is flexible from the stage where the bag inflation pressure is relatively low. Be deployed to.

[0029]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[First Embodiment] The first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the interior of a vehicle (for example, an RV vehicle). As shown in this figure, an airbag device 10 as a vehicle occupant protection device is arranged near a connecting portion between a front pillar portion (A pillar portion) 12 and an instrument panel 14 to operate so as to generate gas. An inflator 16 that ejects,
The front pillar portion 12 connected to the inflator 16
And a bag 20 stored in a folded state along the roof side rail portion 18.

The inflator 16 is connected to a center control unit (not shown) arranged below the console box. Further, the center control unit is connected to a sensor (for example, an acceleration sensor) (not shown) arranged near the lower end of the center pillar portion (B pillar portion) 22. Therefore, when a predetermined high load acting state on the vehicle body side portion is detected by the sensor, the inflator 16 is operated by the center control unit. Further, as a specific configuration of the inflator 16, a gas generant enclosed type in which gas is ejected by burning a gas generant enclosed therein, or a high pressure gas is generated by breaking a partition wall provided inside A high-pressure gas-filled type that ejects gas is applicable. In the present embodiment, the inflator 16 is arranged near the connecting portion between the front pillar portion 12 and the instrument panel 14, but the inflator is arranged in a predetermined portion of the vehicle body other than this and the bag 20 is connected to the bag 20 with a tube or the like. It may be connected to the front end.

Briefly referring to the structure of the bag 20, the bag 20 is accommodated in a long case 50, which will be described later, in a folded state. In this state, the bag 20 extends from the front pillar portion 12 to the roof side rail portion 18. It is stored. Specifically, the front end portion of the bag 20 is connected to the inflator 16 so that gas can flow in, and the middle portion of the bag 20 extends from the front pillar portion 12 to the roof side rail portion 1.
8 and the rear end portion is arranged near a quarter pillar portion (C pillar portion) (not shown).
Further, the bag 20 is formed such that the expanded shape in a side view is a substantially parallelogram shape. Specifically, by folding a single piece of base cloth that is cut so that both sides of the fold line have a substantially parallelogram shape, and sewn the peripheral edges thereof, or a substantially parallelogram shape. By stitching the peripheral portions of the two base fabrics cut into
The outer shell of the bag 20 is configured.

Here, FIGS. 1 and 2 show the cross-sectional structure of the above-mentioned front pillar portion 12 (the cross-sectional structure at the mounting position of the assist grip 52 described later), and in FIG. 3 it will be described later. An enlarged sectional view of the mounting structure of the pillar garnish 26 is shown.

As shown in these figures, the front pillar portion 12 includes a front pillar 24 that constitutes the vehicle body side.
And a long pillar garnish 26 that is disposed inside the front pillar 24 and functions as an interior material,
It is configured to include. The front pillar 24 includes a pillar outer panel 28 having a substantially hat-shaped cross section arranged on the outside of the passenger compartment, a substantially flat pillar inner panel 30 arranged on the passenger compartment side, and the pillar outer panel 28 and the pillar inner panel 30. The pillar reinforce 32 having a substantially hat-shaped cross section, which is disposed in a sandwiched state, has a closed cross-section structure. The front pillar 2
An opening weather strip 34 is elastically fitted to the rear end flange portion of the front pillar 24.
A molding 38 for sealing the end of the windshield glass 36 is disposed in contact with the front end flange portion side of the.

On the other hand, the pillar garnish 26 is formed in a convex curved shape protruding toward the vehicle interior side, and is arranged with a predetermined bag storage space 40 (see FIG. 1) between the pillar garnish 26 and the pillar inner panel 30. Garnish rear part 26A
And a garnish front portion 26B that covers the front end flange portion of the front pillar 24. The pillar garnish 26 is made of a soft resin material, and an inner surface of the pillar garnish 26 is attached to an inner surface thereof. Further, the end portion of the garnish rear portion 26A is elastically locked to the above-mentioned opening weather strip 34.

The lower end of the pillar garnish 26 is inserted and locked to the side end of the instrument panel 14. Further, the clip seats 42 are provided at appropriate intervals on the back surface of the middle portion of the pillar garnish 26 (the surface outside the vehicle compartment).
(See FIG. 3 (B)) is integrally formed, and the clip 44 (in a broad sense, a fixing member or a fixing means) attached to the clip seat 42 is engaged with the pillar inner panel 30, so that the pillar garnish is formed. A pillar 26 is detachably fixed to the pillar inner panel 30.

At a predetermined upper position in the widthwise middle portion of the above-mentioned pillar garnish 26, a pair of bottomed cylindrical assist grip mounting portions 46 which are recessed into the pillar inner panel 30 side in a substantially prismatic shape are arranged vertically. There is. In the state where the pillar garnish 26 is temporarily fixed to the pillar inner panel 30 by the clip 44, the mounting seat portion 46A forming the bottom portion of the assist grip mounting portion 46 is parallel to the pillar inner panel 30 with a predetermined distance therebetween. It is arranged. The mounting seat portion 46A and the pillar inner panel 3
The fixed pieces 20A and 50A of the bag 20 and the case 50 housed in the bag storage space 40 described above are inserted into the gap 48 formed between the bag storage space 40 and the space 0.

Specifically, tongue-shaped fixing pieces 20A are integrally formed on the bag 20 at appropriate intervals, and correspondingly, a resin case 50 for accommodating the folded bag 20 is also formed. A tongue-shaped fixing piece 50A is integrally formed. Then, in a state in which these fixing pieces 20A and 50A are superposed, the mounting seat portion 46A and the pillar inner panel 30 are
It is inserted in the gap 48 between. The case 50
The corner portion 50B on the outer side of the rear end is thin, and is configured to be rupturable at a predetermined bag inflation pressure.

The above-mentioned pair of assist grip mounting portions 4
6, a pair of leg portions 52A extending in the indoor direction substantially orthogonal to the indoor surface of the pillar garnish 26.
And a grip portion 52 that connects the tip portions of the leg portions 52A to each other.
A substantially U-shaped assist grip 52 including B and B is attached. Specifically, the pair of leg portions 52A of the assist grip 52 are inserted into the corresponding assist grip attachment portions 46 and abut against the attachment seat portions 46A. Then, in this state, the fixing bolt 54 is inserted into the leg portion 52A from the indoor side, and the weld nut 5 previously welded to the outdoor side surface of the pillar inner panel 30.
When the assist grip 52 is screwed into the pillar inner panel 30 together with the bag 20 and the case 50.
Is attached to. In other words, the bag 20 and the case 50 have the fixing bolts 54 for attaching the assist grip.
And the assist nut 52 by the weld nut 56
Together (see FIGS. 1 and 3A).

Further, in this embodiment, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 4, the above-mentioned assist grip mounting portion 46 is provided.
The radial dimension of the insertion hole (circular hole) 58 for inserting the fixing bolt formed in the mounting seat portion 46A is set to be larger than the shaft diameter of the fixing bolt 54. For the dimensional relationship between the insertion hole 58 and other parts, refer to "shaft diameter of fixing bolt 54 <insertion hole 5
The radial dimension of 8 <the head diameter of the fixing bolt 5>. Further, a pair of slits 60 that cuts outward in the radial direction are integrally formed at positions of the insertion hole 58 that face each other in the radial direction. Therefore, the rigidity of the peripheral portion 62 of the insertion hole 58 in the mounting seat portion 46A is low (that is, weakened intentionally).

In the above configuration, the pillar garnish 26 is fixed to the pillar inner panel 30 by the fixing bolts 54, and the pillar garnish 26 is also fixed to the pillar inner panel 30 by the clip 44 (note that the fixing by the clip 44 does not occur. , The bag 20 and the case 50 do not have the fixing pieces 20A and 50A). However, as described above, the lower end portion of the pillar garnish 26 is the instrument panel 1
The clip 4 is inserted and locked at the side end of the clip 4.
It is sufficient to simply attach the pillar garnish 26 to the pillar inner panel 30 together with the fixing bolts 54 at the position where the assist grip 52 is provided, and to secure the attachment at the two upper and lower points.

Next, the operation and effect of this embodiment will be described. When a predetermined high load is applied to the side of the vehicle body, this state is detected by the sensor and output to the center control unit. Therefore, the center control unit applies an operating current to the inflator 16,
The inflator 16 is operated. As a result, a predetermined amount of gas is ejected from the inflator 16 and flows into the inside from the front end portion of the bag 20. As a result, bag 2
0 is the front pillar 12 to the roof side rail 1
It swells as a curtain-shaped inflatable body along 8 and is interposed between the vehicle body side part and the occupant's head part. As a result, the inflated bag 20 protects the occupant's head.

The general operation of the airbag device 10 is as described above, but the present embodiment is characterized by the behavior of the pillar garnish 26 at the initial stage of the inflation of the bag 20, which will be described in detail below.

As described above, in this embodiment, the radial dimension of the insertion hole 58 formed in the mounting seat portion 46A of the assist grip mounting portion 46 is set to be larger than the shaft diameter of the fixing bolt 54, and the insertion is performed. A pair of slits 60 in the hole 58
By forming the, the rigidity of the peripheral portion 62 of the insertion hole 58 is reduced. Therefore, when gas starts to flow into the bag 20 and the case 50 is ruptured from its corner portion 50B and deployed, and then the bag inflation pressure acting on the garnish rear portion 26A reaches a predetermined value or more, it is shown in FIG. As described above, the peripheral portion 62 of the insertion hole 58 in the mounting seat portion 46A is pulled and deformed in the direction in which the insertion hole 58 expands in diameter. As a result, the mounting seat portion 46A is separated from the fixing bolt 54, and the pillar garnish 26 is released from the restraining force of the fixing bolt 54 and the weld nut 56. As a result, the clip 44 that temporarily fixes the pillar garnish 26 to the pillar inner panel 30 is released by the pressing force received from the bag 20, and the pillar garnish 26 is separated from the pillar inner panel 30 toward the indoor side.

Since the mounting state of the assist grip 52 on the pillar inner panel 30 is still maintained, the pillar inner panel 3 of the pillar garnish 26 is maintained.
The operation of separating from 0 is regulated (restricted) by the portion of the pillar garnish 26 facing the grip portion 52B of the assist grip 52 coming into contact with the outdoor surface of the grip portion 52B of the assist grip 52. Therefore, in the case of this embodiment, the separation distance of the pillar garnish 26 is A (see FIG. 2), and the bag bulging space corresponding to this separation distance A can be secured.

As can be seen from the above description, according to this embodiment, the assist grip 52 is attached to the front pillar portion 12.
Even when the bag 20 is attached, the bag bulging space corresponding to the separation distance A can be secured when a predetermined high load acts on the vehicle body side portion, and as a result, the bag 20
Can be swelled satisfactorily.

When the pillar garnish 26 separates from the pillar inner panel 30, the mounting seat portion 46A slides along the leg portion 52A of the assist grip 52. Therefore, if the mounting seat portion 46A is made weak, a guide function for separating the pillar garnish 26 from the pillar inner panel 30 can be obtained (in other words, the mounting seat portion 46A functions as a guide means). In addition, if the mounting seat portion 46A is made weak, it is possible to prevent the pillar garnish 26 from falling off toward the vehicle interior.

Further, in this embodiment, since the pillar garnish 26 is made of the soft resin material, the garnish rear portion 26A (portion on the bag storage space 40 side) can be flexibly expanded from a stage where the bag inflation pressure is relatively low. it can. As a result, the bulging performance of the bag 20 can be improved.

In the present embodiment, the insertion hole 58 is deformed by forming the pair of slits 60 in the mounting seat portion 46A of the assist grip mounting portion 46.
Not limited to this, any structure can be applied as long as the mounting seat is weakened. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the fixing bolt 54 is provided for the insertion hole 66 formed at the center of the mounting seat portion 64A of the assist grip mounting portion 64.
Instead of setting the diameter to be approximately the same as the shaft diameter of
Substantially L-shaped slits 68 are formed at the four corners of the periphery of 4A in a front view. According to the above configuration, when a tensile force of a predetermined value or more acts on the mounting seat portion 64A, the connecting portion 70 between the ends of the adjacent slits 68 breaks and the mounting seat portion 64 is broken.
The entire A is separated from the assist grip attachment portion 64.
Therefore, the same effect can be obtained with the above configuration.

To supplement the effect, in both the structure shown in FIG. 4 and the structure shown in FIG. 6, the fragile portion (slit 6) is formed at the same time when the pillar garnish 26 is molded.
0, 68) can be said to be a simple structure, and the structure can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.
In addition, the strength of the mounting seat portions 46A and 64A can be easily adjusted by adjusting the number of slits 60 and 68 formed, the slit width, and the like. Therefore, the separation load of the pillar garnish 26 can be arbitrarily changed, and can be set to a desired value.

Note that, instead of forming the slits 60 and 68 described above, the same effect can be obtained by adopting a structure in which only the portion of the fixing bolt 54 on which the tightening force acts is thin.

Further, in this embodiment, the fixing seat 54 of the pillar garnish 26 is fixed by using the fixing bolt 54 and the weld nut 56 for fixing the assist grip 52.
6A and the bag 20 and the case 50 are jointly fastened to the pillar inner panel 30, but in the relationship with the invention of claim 1, the bag 20 and the case 50 are separately and independently fixed to the pillar inner panel 30. Only the assist grip 52 and the mounting seat portion 46A of the pillar garnish 26 may be fastened together with the pillar inner panel 30. [Second Embodiment] The second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. 7. The same components as those of the above-described embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 7, this embodiment is characterized in that the assist grip mounting portion 74 provided on the pillar garnish 72 is formed into a cylindrical shape. That is, the mounting seat portion 46A in the first embodiment described above.
Has a configuration that does not exist in the present embodiment. Therefore, the leg portion 52A of the assist grip 52 is inserted into the assist grip attachment portion 74, and in this state, the bottom portion 76 of the leg portion 52A of the assist grip 52 is fixed to the pillar inner panel 30 together with the bag 20 and the case 50 with the fixing bolt 54.
And the weld nut 56.

In the case of this embodiment, since the restraining force of the fixing bolt 54 and the weld nut 56 does not act on the pillar garnish 72, the pillar garnish 72 is fixed to the pillar inner panel by a fixing tool such as a clip 44 or a fixing means. It will be fixed at 30. Also,
Also in this embodiment, the pillar garnish 72 is made of a soft resin material.

According to the above construction, when the bag 20 begins to expand when a predetermined high load is applied to the side of the vehicle body and a bag inflation pressure of a predetermined value or more acts on the garnish rear portion 72A, the clip 44 is removed from the pillar inner panel 30. Will be withdrawn.
As a result, the pillar garnish 72 is easily and smoothly separated from the pillar inner panel 30 while the tubular assist grip attachment portion 74 is guided by the pair of legs 52A of the assist grip 52. Since the pillar garnish 72 is separated from the pillar inner panel 30 until the indoor surface thereof interferes with the grip portion 52B of the assist grip 52, a sufficient separation distance can be obtained. As a result, similar to the above-described first embodiment, even when the assist grip 52 is attached to the front pillar portion 78, a sufficient bag swelling space is secured when a predetermined high load acts on the vehicle body side portion. Therefore, good bag swelling performance can be obtained. [Third Embodiment] A third embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. The same components as those of the above-described embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 8, the front pillar portion 82 composed of the front pillar 24 described in the first embodiment and the pillar garnish 80 according to the present embodiment mounted on the vehicle interior side of the front pillar portion 82 is provided with the assist described in the first embodiment. Grip 5
2 is shown in perspective view, and FIG.
The cross-sectional structure of the front pillar portion 82 in the grip portion 52B of the assist grip 52 is shown in FIG.

As shown in these figures, in this embodiment, a recess 84 that is recessed toward the pillar inner panel 30 is formed at a portion of the pillar garnish 80 that faces the grip portion 52B of the assist grip 52. There are features. The widthwise dimension of the recessed portion 84 is substantially matched with the widthwise dimension of the grip portion 52B, and the longitudinal dimension of the recessed portion 84 is set so as to be substantially matched with the lengthwise dimension of the grip portion 52B. In this embodiment also, the pillar garnish 80 is made of a soft resin material.

According to the above construction, in the initial stage of inflation of the bag 20, after the gas begins to flow into the bag 20 and the case 50 is broken from its corner portion 50B and deployed, the bag is further inflated to act on the garnish rear portion 80A. When the pressure reaches a predetermined value or more, the same operation as that of the above-described first embodiment (not shown because the positions of the sectional lines are different in these figures, but the mounting seat 46A is weakened by weakening the mounting seat 46A). Is released from the fixing bolt 54, and the clip 44 that temporarily fixes the pillar garnish 80 to the pillar inner panel 30 is released), and the pillar garnish 80 is moved toward the vehicle interior side with respect to the pillar inner panel 30. Go away.

Here, in the present embodiment, the grip portion 52B of the assist grip 52 in the pillar garnish 80.
Since the recessed portion 84 that is recessed toward the pillar inner panel 30 side is formed in a portion facing the pillar inner panel 30, when the pillar garnish 80 is separated from the pillar inner panel 30 by the bag inflation pressure, the recessed portion of the pillar garnish 80 is formed as shown in FIGS. 84 is the grip portion 5 of the assist grip 52.
2B is fitted. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11, the separation distance of the pillar garnish 80 becomes B (> A), and the bag bulging space corresponding to the separation distance B can be secured. As a result, according to the present embodiment, the bag bulging space can be expanded more than in the above-described first embodiment. Therefore, according to the present embodiment,
The bag 20 can be smoothly inflated when a predetermined high load is applied to the vehicle body side portion.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the degree of expansion of the bag swelling space can be adjusted by adjusting the depth of the recess 84. [Fourth Embodiment] A fourth embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.
An embodiment will be described. The same components as those of the above-described embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a state in which the rotatable assist grip 88 according to the present embodiment is disposed on the front pillar portion 86, and FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the assist grip 88. A perspective view and the like are shown. Further, FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a state of the pillar garnish 89 and the assist grip 88 when the bag is inflated, and FIG. 15 is a transverse sectional structure of the front pillar portion 86 at the mounting position of the assist grip 88. It is shown.

As shown in these figures, in this embodiment, in the case of adopting the assist grip 88 which largely projects toward the rear side of the vehicle in order to improve the entry / exitability,
It is characterized in that a structure for expanding the bag swelling space is added as in the third embodiment described above.

More specifically, the assist grip 88 includes a pair of first leg portions 90A (see FIG. 15) and a pillar garnish 89 extending in a room direction substantially orthogonal to the indoor surface of the pillar garnish 89. A leg portion 90 divided into a pair of second leg portions 90B extending to the rear side of the vehicle along the inner surface of the vehicle, and a grip portion 92 connecting the tip portions of the second leg portions 90B. It is configured to include. First leg 90
A is provided in the pillar garnish 89 and is inserted into the assist grip mounting portion 93 having an open bottom. The fixing bolt 54 is inserted into the first leg portion 90A and screwed into the weld nut 56, so that the bag 2
0 and the case 50 are fastened together with the bottom 94 of the first leg 90A to the pillar inner panel 30.

The second leg portion 90B has the first leg portion 90A.
Is rotatably supported with a hinge pin 95 protruding from the side wall at the upper end of the as a central axis of rotation. A return spring 96, which is grasped as a biasing means or a holding means in a broad sense, is wound around the hinge pin 95, and the second leg portion 90B and the grip portion 92 of the assist grip 88 are extended substantially rearward of the vehicle. It is rotationally biased to hold it in the extended position. Further, a projection-shaped stopper 97 is integrally formed on the rear end surface of the base end portion of the second leg 90B, and is usually a lid-like member arranged below the hinge pin 95 under the biasing force of the return spring 96. Stopper plate 98 (see FIG. 15)
Contact). Therefore, in the assist grip 88, the stopper 97 has the stopper plate 9
It is impossible to further rotate in the direction opposite to the arrow D direction in FIG.

According to the above structure, in the initial stage of the inflation of the bag 20, after the gas starts to flow into the bag 20 and the case 50 is broken from the corner portion 50B to be expanded, the bag is further inflated to act on the garnish rear portion 89A. When the pressure reaches a predetermined value or more, the clip 44 that temporarily fixes the pillar garnish 89 to the pillar inner panel 30 is released. Therefore, the pillar garnish 89 is separated from the pillar inner panel 30 toward the indoor side. Here, in the present embodiment, the leg portion 90 of the assist grip 88 is provided.
Is divided into a first leg portion 90A and a second leg portion 90B which is rotatable with respect to the first leg portion 90A, and both are rotatably connected around a hinge pin 95, so that the pillar garnish is caused by bag inflation pressure. When 89 is separated from the pillar inner panel 30, the second leg portion 90B of the assist grip 88 is pressed toward the vehicle interior by the pillar garnish 89, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. Therefore, the grip portion 92 and the second leg portion 90B rotate around the hinge pin 95 toward the windshield glass 36 side (arrow D direction side in FIG. 15). As a result, as shown in the figure, the separation distance of the pillar garnish 89 becomes C (> A), and the bag bulging space corresponding to the separation distance C can be secured. As a result, according to the present embodiment, the bag bulging space can be expanded more than in the above-described first embodiment. Therefore, according to the present embodiment,
The bag 20 can be smoothly inflated when a predetermined high load is applied to the side portion of the vehicle body while ensuring good entry / exitability.

In this embodiment, the bottom portion of the assist grip mounting portion 93 provided on the pillar garnish 89 is opened, and the first leg portion 90A of the assist grip 88 is inserted into the assist grip mounting portion 93. Bottom 94 of one leg 90A and fixing piece 20A of bag 20
And the fixing piece 50A of the case 50 to the pillar inner panel 3
Although the configuration is such that it is tightened together with 0, the present invention is not limited to this, and the assist grip attachment portion including the weakened attachment seat portion as described in the first embodiment is used, and the attachment seat portion is also attached. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which they are fastened together.

In the first embodiment described above, the entire pillar garnish 26 is made of the soft resin material, but at least the portion of the pillar garnish on the bag storage space side may be made of the soft resin material (note that The same applies to the second and subsequent embodiments).

Further, in the above-described first embodiment, in the structure in which the airbag device 10 is arranged from the front pillar portion 12 along the roof side rail portion 18, the assist grip 52 is arranged in the front pillar portion 12. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and, for example, the airbag device is distributed from the front pillar portion to the roof side rail portion and further to the quarter pillar portion (C pillar portion). The configuration to be installed (ie,
In addition to protecting the head of the occupant sitting on the front seat, it also protects the head of the occupant sitting on the rear seat, and an inflator is also installed on the quarter pillar side if necessary. However, the present invention can be applied to the case where the assist grip is arranged in the quarter pillar portion (this point also applies to the second and subsequent embodiments).

[0069]

As described above, in the vehicle occupant protection system according to the first aspect of the invention, the pillar main body constituting the vehicle body side and a predetermined bag storage space inside the pillar main body are provided. The pillar portion is configured to include a pillar garnish, which is disposed and has a mounting seat portion for mounting the assist grip, and further, the mounting seat portion is mounted by the inflation pressure of the bag when the bag is inflated. Since it is provided with a separating means for separating the pillar garnish from the pillar main body by detaching it from the mounting fixture for
Even when the assist grip is arranged on the pillar portion, it has an excellent effect that the bag can be well inflated when a predetermined high load acts on the vehicle body side portion.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle occupant protection device arranging structure according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the mounting member insertion hole in the mounting seat portion is deformed or the mounting seat portion is mounted. Since the separating means is composed of the fragile portion that breaks the periphery of the insertion hole, the structure can be simplified, and the detachment load of the pillar garnish can be set to a desired value.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle occupant protection system according to the invention, in which a pillar main body constituting a vehicle body side and a predetermined bag storage space are provided inside the pillar main body. And a pillar garnish that is detachably fixed from the pillar body by the bag inflation pressure,
The pillar portion is configured to include, and further, the pillar garnish is provided with a cylindrical separating means for inserting an assist grip fixed to the pillar body and for separating the pillar garnish from the pillar body while guiding the pillar garnish by the bag inflation pressure. Therefore, as in the invention according to claim 1, even when the assist grip is provided in the pillar portion,
It has an excellent effect that the bag can be swelled well when a predetermined high load is applied to the side portion of the vehicle body.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle occupant protection system according to the present invention, wherein the pillar garnish or the pillar garnish of the invention is the same as the first aspect.
In the assist grip, when the pillar garnish is separated from the pillar body by the separating means, the bag swelling space expanding means for increasing the separation distance of the pillar garnish from the pillar body is provided, so that the bag swelling space is further increased. This has an excellent effect that the bag can be expanded and, as a result, the bag can be smoothly inflated when a predetermined high load acts on the vehicle body side portion.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle occupant protection system according to the present invention, wherein the assist grip has a structure in which the assist grip is substantially orthogonal to the inner surface of the pillar garnish. A pair of legs extending in the direction, and a gripping portion that connects the tip portions of these legs, and a configuration that includes the pillar garnish when the pillar garnish is separated from the pillar body. Since the bag swelling space expansion means is configured by providing a recessed portion that fits with the gripping portion at a portion that interferes with the gripping portion, the degree of expansion of the bag swelling space is adjusted by adjusting the depth of the recessed portion. It has an excellent effect of being able to.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle occupant protection system according to the invention, wherein in the fourth aspect of the invention, the assist grip is provided in the interior of the pillar garnish substantially orthogonal to the interior surface of the pillar garnish. A pair of first leg portions that extend in the direction, a pair of second leg portions that are retained in a state that they extend substantially rearward of the vehicle along the inner surface of the pillar garnish, and a second of these second leg portions. A grip part that connects the tip parts of the legs,
Since the bag swelling space expanding means is configured by rotatably connecting the second leg portion to the first leg portion, the side portion of the vehicle body can be secured while ensuring good entry / exitability. It has an excellent effect that the bag can be smoothly inflated when a predetermined high load is applied to the bag.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the vehicle occupant protection system according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein at least a portion of the pillar garnish on the bag storage space side is provided. Since it is made of a soft resin material, the bag storage space side can be flexibly expanded from the stage where the bag inflation pressure is relatively low, and as a result, the bag swelling performance can be improved. Have.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing a cross-sectional structure of a front pillar portion at an attachment position of an assist grip according to the first embodiment.
1 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 1-1 of FIG.

2 is a transverse sectional view corresponding to FIG. 1, showing a state where the bag is inflated from the state shown in FIG.

FIG. 3A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of a pillar garnish, showing an enlarged mounting structure at an assist grip mounting position, and FIG. 3B is a main part of an enlarged enlarged view of a pillar garnish mounting structure using a clip. It is an expanded sectional view.

FIG. 4A is an enlarged perspective view showing a mounting seat portion of a pillar garnish, and FIG. 4B is an enlarged front view of the mounting seat portion.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an exterior appearance of a vehicle equipped with an airbag device as a vehicle occupant protection device according to the first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6A is an enlarged perspective view showing another embodiment of the mounting seat portion of the pillar garnish, and FIG. 6B is an enlarged front view of the mounting seat portion.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a cross-sectional structure of a front pillar portion at an attachment position of an assist grip according to the second embodiment.
It is a cross-sectional view of the front pillar portion corresponding to.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a front pillar portion mainly showing a structure of an assist grip and a pillar garnish according to the third embodiment.

9 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8 showing the cross-sectional structure of the front pillar portion in the grip portion of the assist grip.

10 is an enlarged perspective view corresponding to FIG. 8, showing a state where the pillar garnish is separated from the state shown in FIG. 8 and the bag is inflated.

FIG. 11 is a view showing a state in which a recess is fitted in a grip portion.
11 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of a front pillar portion mainly showing structures of an assist grip and a pillar garnish according to the fourth embodiment.

13A is an enlarged perspective view showing an enlarged view of the assist grip shown in FIG. 12, and FIG. 13B is a partial enlarged view showing a return spring as a center.

14 is an enlarged perspective view corresponding to FIG. 12, showing a state where the pillar garnish is separated from the state shown in FIG. 12 and the bag is inflated.

FIG. 15 is a view showing a state in which an assist grip is rotated.
15 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 15-15 of FIG.

FIG. 16 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a vehicle occupant protection device according to a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Airbag device (vehicle occupant protection device) 12 Front pillar part (pillar part) 16 inflator 18 Roof side rail part 20 bags 24 Front pillar (pillar body) 26 Pillar garnish 40 bag storage space 46A mounting seat 52 Assist grip 52A leg 52B grip 54 Fixing bolt (mounting tool) 58 insertion hole 60 slits (separation means, fragile part) 64A mounting seat 66 insertion hole 68 slits (separation means, fragile parts) 72 Pillar garnish 74 Assist grip mounting part (separation means) 78 Front pillar part (pillar part) 80 pillar garnish 82 Front pillar part (pillar part) 84 recess (bag expansion space expansion means) 86 Front pillar part (pillar part) 88 Assist grip 89 Pillar garnish 90A First leg 90B Second leg 92 grip 95 Hinge pin (bag expansion space expansion means) 96 return spring

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. An inflator which is disposed at a predetermined portion of a vehicle body and which ejects gas when a predetermined high load is applied to a side portion of the vehicle body, and an inflator which is stored in a folded state along a pillar portion and a roof side rail portion. A bag bulging in a curtain shape by inflowing gas ejected from, and an arrangement structure of a vehicle occupant protection device applied to a vehicle including an occupant protection device including: The pillar portion includes a pillar main body that constitutes the vehicle body side, and a pillar garnish that is arranged inside the vehicle interior of the pillar main body with a predetermined bag storage space and has a mounting seat portion for mounting an assist grip. Further, when the bag is inflated, the mounting seat is detached from the mounting member for mounting the assist grip by the inflation pressure of the bag. Provided separating means for separating the over garnish from the pillar main body, mounting structure of the occupant protection device for a motor vehicle, characterized in that. 2. The separating means is a fragile portion that deforms the attachment tool insertion hole in the attachment seat portion or breaks the periphery of the attachment tool insertion hole in the attachment seat portion. Arrangement structure of vehicle occupant protection device. 3. An inflator which is arranged at a predetermined portion of a vehicle body and ejects gas when a predetermined high load acts on a side portion of the vehicle body, and an inflator which is stored in a folded state along a pillar portion and a roof side rail portion. A bag bulging in a curtain shape by inflowing gas ejected from, and an arrangement structure of a vehicle occupant protection device applied to a vehicle including an occupant protection device including: A pillar main body that constitutes the vehicle body side; and a pillar garnish that is arranged inside the vehicle interior of the pillar main body with a predetermined bag storage space and is fixed so as to be detachable from the pillar main body by bag inflation pressure. The pillar part is configured, and further, the assist grip fixed to the pillar body is inserted into the pillar garnish and the bag inflation pressure is applied. While guiding the color garnish is provided a tubular spacing means for spacing from the pillar main body, mounting structure of the occupant protection device for a motor vehicle, characterized in that. 4. The pillar garnish or the assis
The bag grip swelling space expansion means for increasing the separation distance of the pillar garnish from the pillar main body when the pillar garnish is separated from the pillar main body by the separation means , is provided in the togrip. An arrangement structure of the vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 3. 5. The assist grip comprises a pair of leg portions extending in a room direction substantially orthogonal to a room-side surface of the pillar garnish, and a grip portion that connects tip ends of the leg parts to each other. It is configured to include, in the interference portion with the grip portion of the assist grip in the pillar garnish when the pillar garnish is separated from the pillar body, by providing a recessed portion that is fitted to the grip portion, the bag The occupant protection device for a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the bulging space expansion means is configured. 6. The assist grip comprises a pair of first legs extending in an indoor direction substantially orthogonal to an indoor surface of the pillar garnish, and a substantially vehicle along the indoor surface of the pillar garnish. It is configured to include a pair of second leg portions that are held in a state of being extended to the rear side, and a grip portion that connects the tip end portions of these second leg portions to each other. The occupant protection device for a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the bag bulging space expansion means is configured by being rotatably connected to the first leg portion. 7. The vehicle occupant protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least a portion of the pillar garnish on the side of the bag storage space is made of a soft resin material. Construction.