JP3591289B2

JP3591289B2 - Airbag device for automobile side collision

Info

Publication number: JP3591289B2
Application number: JP08452198A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 勉 ▲高▼野
Original assignee: Nissan Motor Co Ltd
Current assignee: Nissan Motor Co Ltd
Priority date: 1998-03-30
Filing date: 1998-03-30
Publication date: 2004-11-17
Anticipated expiration: 2018-03-30
Also published as: JPH11278195A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
この発明は、自動車の側突用エアバッグ装置に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
自動車のエアバッグ装置には、車両の側突時に、乗員の車外側方向に位置する内装材の一部であるシートバックの側部からバッグ本体を前方から上方へ展開させ、該バッグ本体により乗員を保護するようにした側突用のエアバッグ装置がある（類似技術として米国特許第５５８６７８２号、特開平９−３９７１０号、同１３６６００号そして登録実用新案公報第３０３８４７９号など参照）。
【０００３】
この種のバッグ本体は、概略Ｌ形をしていて、内部に設けられた隔壁部材により上側の頭部保護部と下側の胸部保護部とに区画されている。バッグ本体の入口にはインフレータが設けられていて、該インフレータ側面の噴出口から噴出されたガスは、まず胸部保護部に入って胸部保護部を前方へ展開させつつ充填し、その後、隔壁部材に設けられた絞り込み手段から頭部保護部に入って、該頭部保護部を上方へ展開させつつ充填するようになっている。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
このような従来の技術にあっては、展開した時のバッグ本体が、隔壁部材によって偏平状となって、前方へ展開し、次に上方に展開する時に、自動車の側面構造物、即ち、上方ほど車室内側へ倒れ込んだサイドウインドパネルや、ルーフサイドトリムなどに干渉しながら展開する。即ち、側突用のエアバッグ装置の場合は、配設された位置と車体側壁との間隔が小さいため、車体の側面構造物の形状や材質により展開性能が異なるため、個々の車体の側面構造物の形状や材質により展開性能の確認実験を必要とする。また、個々の車体の側面構造物の形状や材質をデータにインプットして最適なバッグ本体のあり方をシュミレーションする必要がある。つまり、その分開発の期間に多くの時間を必要とし、開発費が嵩むことになり、他の産業上の発展に寄与する技術の進歩への時間を割かれることとなり、新たなエアバッグ装置の提案が望まれている。
【０００５】
この発明は、このような要請に応じてなされたものであり、個々の車体の側面構造物の形状や材質に影響を受けることのない自動車の側突用エアバッグ装置を提供するものである。
【０００６】
【課題を解決するための手段】
請求項１に記載の発明は、乗員の車外側方向に位置する内装材の側部から少なくとも上方へ向けて展開されるバッグ本体を備え、該バッグ本体を、該バッグ本体の内部に設けられてなる隔壁部材により、上側の頭部保護部と下側の胸部保護部とに区画し、インフレータの噴出口から噴出されるガスを、まず前記胸部保護部内に充填させて後に前記頭部保護部へ導入するようにしてなる自動車の側突用エアバッグ装置において、前記隔壁部材は、上下に開く略くの字状に形成され、その略中央の一個所が前記バッグ本体の車外側の面に固設され、その上下の端部二個所が前記バッグ本体の車室内側の面に固設されてなることを特徴とする。
【０００７】
請求項１に記載の発明によれば、隔壁部材の略中央の一個所が前記バッグ本体の車外側の面に固設され、その上下の端部二個所が前記バッグ本体の車室内側の面に固設されてなるため、胸部保護部が膨張展開した後に、該隔壁部材に囲まれた空間の室内側のみが球状に展開し、該球状に展開した隔壁部材に囲まれた空間及び隔壁部材の略中央の一個所双方を基部にして頭部保護部が展開するので、該頭部保護部は室内側に傾いて膨張展開する。従って、車体の側面構造物に干渉しないで、膨張展開を終了するので、個々の車体の側面構造物の形状や材質に影響を受けない、少なくとも受け難いことになる。また、個々の車体の側面構造物の形状や材質に応じて、前記隔壁部材のバッグ本体への固設位置を変更するだけで、容易に調整できる。
【０００８】
請求項２に記載の発明は、請求項１記載の自動車の側突用エアバッグ装置であって、前記バッグ本体が膨張した状態での隔壁部材の車外側の一個所が、自動車のドアウエスト部と略同等の位置に配されてなることを特徴とする。
【０００９】
請求項２に記載の発明によれば、サイドウインドパネルなど車体の側面構造物の形状が内側に倒れこんでくる仕様のものでも、隔壁部材のバッグ本体への車外側の一個所の固設部位が、ドアウエスト部と略同等の位置であるため、バッグ本体の展開が、該ドアウエスト部を中心に内側に倒れこむことになり、バッグ本体の膨張時の形状予測が容易且つ確実にできる。
【００１０】
請求項３に記載の発明は、請求項２記載の自動車の側突用エアバッグ装置であって、前記隔壁部材は、前記インフレータの噴出口から噴出されるガスを、胸部保護部が充填する前に頭部保護部内に流出しないように絞り込ませてなることを特徴とする。
【００１１】
請求項３に記載の発明によれば、隔壁部材は、前記バッグ本体の膨張時の形状を決める要素と、インフレータからのガスをまず確実に胸部保護部に充填させるように制御する要素とを併せもっていることになる。従って、他の要素をバッグ本体内に持ちこまなくてよい分安価な製造原価を得られる。
【００１２】
請求項４に記載の発明は、請求項３に記載の自動車の側突用エアバッグ装置であって、前記絞り込ませる手段は、前記バッグ本体と前記隔壁部材との間隙により形成されてなることを特徴とする。
【００１３】
請求項４に記載の発明によれば、バッグ本体内にあって隔壁部材の施さない間隙でもって、インフレータからのガスの流通の絞り込みをしているので、胸部保護部へのガスの充填が確実になるし、他の部材を用いている訳ではないので、その分安価な製造原価が得られる。また、製造段階での簡単な加工で良いので、複雑な構造物をバッグ本体内に持ち込まなくてよいことになる。
【００１４】
請求項５に記載の発明は、請求項３に記載の自動車の側突用エアバッグ装置であって、前記絞り込ませる手段は、前記隔壁部材に形成されてなる貫通穴よりなることを特徴とする。
【００１５】
請求項５に記載の発明によれば、バッグ本体内にあって隔壁部材の貫通穴でもって、インフレータからのガスの流通の絞り込みをしているので、胸部保護部へのガスの充填が確実になるし、頭部保護部へのガスの流入制御も容易である。また、製造段階での簡単な加工で良いので、複雑な構造物をバッグ本体内に持ち込まなくてよいことになる。
【００１６】
請求項６に記載の発明は、請求項２〜５のいずれか１項に記載の自動車の側突用エアバッグ装置であって、前記隔壁部材の上部には、該隔壁部材と略同一の形状の第２の隔壁部材を少なくとも配設してなることを特徴とする。
【００１７】
請求項６に記載の発明によれば、バッグ本体の膨張時に、隔壁部材を中心に頭部保護部が車室内側へ傾いて曲がるのではなく、更に第２隔壁部材の上で車室内側へ傾いて曲がるため、バッグ本体の展開時形状制御をきめ細かく行え、バッグ本体の膨張展開時の室内への倒れこみ量の調整の自由度が大きくなる。
【００１８】
請求項７に記載の発明は、請求項２〜６のいずれか１項に記載の自動車の側突用エアバッグ装置であって、前記隔壁部材を構成する下部材の長さは、該隔壁部材を構成する上部材の長さより長く形成されてなることを特徴とする。
【００１９】
請求項７に記載の発明によれば、バッグ本体の膨張時に、隔壁部材より上側の頭部保護部の車室内側への傾きは、より大きくなり、車体の側面構造物に干渉する可能性はより少なくなるので、個々の車体の側面構造物の形状や材質に影響を受けないことになる。
【００２０】
【発明の効果】
請求項１に記載の発明によれば、隔壁部材の略中央の一個所が前記バッグ本体の自動車外側の面に固設され、その上下の端部二個所が前記バッグ本体の自動車室内側の面に固設されてなるため、胸部保護部が膨張展開した後に、該隔壁部材に囲まれた空間の室内側のみが球状に展開し、該球状に展開した隔壁部材に囲まれた空間及び隔壁部材の略中央の一個所双方を基部にして頭部保護部が展開するので、該頭部保護部は室内側に傾いて膨張展開する。従って、車体の側面構造物に干渉しないで、膨張展開を終了するので、個々の車体の側面構造物の形状や材質に影響を受けない、少なくとも受け難いことになる。
【００２１】
請求項２に記載の発明によれば、サイドウインドパネルなど車体の側面構造物の形状が内側に倒れこんでくる仕様のものでも、隔壁部材のバッグ本体への自動車外側の一個所の固設部位が、ドアウエスト部と略同等の位置であるため、バッグ本体の展開が、該ドアウエスト部を中心に内側に倒れこむことになり、バッグ本体の膨張時の形状予測が容易且つ確実にできる。
【００２２】
請求項３に記載の発明によれば、隔壁部材は、前記バッグ本体の膨張時の形状を決める要素と、インフレータからのガスをまず確実に胸部保護部に充填させるように制御する要素とを併せもっていることになる。従って、他の要素をバッグ本体内に持ちこまなくてよい分安価な製造原価を得られる。
【００２３】
請求項４に記載の発明によれば、バッグ本体内にあって隔壁部材の施さない間隙でもって、インフレータからのガスの流通の絞り込みをしているので、胸部保護部へのガスの充填が確実になるし、他の部材を用いている訳ではないので、その分安価な製造原価が得られる。また、製造段階での簡単な加工で良いので、複雑な構造物をバッグ本体内に持ち込まなくてよいことになる。
【００２４】
請求項５に記載の発明によれば、バッグ本体内にあって隔壁部材の貫通穴でもって、インフレータからのガスの流通の絞り込みをしているので、胸部保護部へのガスの充填が確実になるし、頭部保護部へのガスの流入制御も容易である。また、製造段階での簡単な加工で良いので、複雑な構造物をバッグ本体内に持ち込まなくてよいことになる。
【００２５】
請求項６に記載の発明によれば、バッグ本体の膨張時に、隔壁部材を中心に頭部保護部が車室内側へ傾いて曲がるのではなく、更に第２隔壁部材の上で車室内側へ傾いて曲がるため、バッグ本体の展開時の形状制御がきめ細かく行え、バッグ本体の膨張展開時の室内への倒れこみ量の調整の自由度が大きくなる。
【００２６】
請求項７に記載の発明によれば、バッグ本体の膨張時に、隔壁部材より上側の頭部保護部の車室内側への傾きは、より大きくなり、車体の側面構造物に干渉する可能性はより少なくなるので、個々の車体の側面構造物の形状や材質に影響を受けないことになる。
【００２７】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、この発明の好適な実施形態を、図面に基づいて説明する。
【００２８】
図１〜図４は、この発明の第１の実施形態を示す図である。尚、図２中において、ＲＭが車室内側、ＯＭが車外側を示している。
【００２９】
図１は、運転席側（右側）のフロントシートのシートバック１を右側（車外側）から見た図である。このシートバック１の右端部には、エアバッグモジュール２が内蔵されていて、該エアバッグモジュール２内には、折りたたまれたバッグ本体３と、該バッグ本体３を展開させるためのガスＧを噴出可能なるインフレータ４が収納されている。
【００３０】
前記インフレータ４は、バッグ本体３の入口に設けられていて、シートバック１の長手方向に沿った状態で配置されている。そして、このインフレータ４の側面下端部に形成された噴出口５から、該インフレータ４の長手方向に対する直交方向Ｙへ向けてガスＧを噴出できるようになっている。
【００３１】
バッグ本体３は、概略Ｌ形をしていて、内部にはバッグ本体３の空間を、下側の胸部保護部８と、上側の頭部保護部９とに区画する隔壁部材６が設けられている。この隔壁部材６は、バッグ本体３の左右両側の面３ａ，３ｂに対して縫製Ｈされている。従って、この隔壁部材６は、バッグ本体３を胸部保護部８と頭部保護部９に区画する機能だけでなく、展開した際におけるバッグ本体３の左右方向への膨らみを規制して偏平にする機能も有する。
【００３２】
この隔壁部材６は、上下に開く略くの字状に形成され、その略中央の一個所６ａが前記バッグ本体３の車外側の面３ａに縫製Ｈにより固設され、その上下の端部二個所６ｂ、６ｃが前記バッグ本体３の車室内側の面３ｂに縫製Ｈにより固設されてなる。
【００３３】
前記一個所６ａは、前記バッグ本体３の前後幅に相応する幅を有し、前記バッグ本体３が膨張した状態で、後端６ｆが乗員Ｍの肩Ｓ付近に位置していると共にて、自動車のドアＤＲのドアウエスト部１２と略同等の位置に配されてなる。
【００３４】
前記上端部６ｂは、該後端６ｆからインフレータ４の長手方向に対する直交方向Ｙよりも下向きの角度θ１で前方へ延びていて、前記インフレータ４の噴出口５から噴出されるガスＧを、胸部保護部８が充填する前に頭部保護部９内に流出しないように、最先端まで配されることで、頭部保護部９への入り口となる通気穴７が絞り込ませてなる。つまり、前記絞り込ませる手段である通気穴７は、インフレータ４から胸部保護部Ａ内に噴出されたガスＧを、頭部保護部Ｂに導くためのものであるが、前記バッグ本体３と前記隔壁部材６との間隙により形成されてなる。
【００３５】
前記下端部６ｃは、前記インフレータ４の長手方向に対する直交方向Ｙよりも、更に下向きの角度θ２の位置に配されている。この下向きの角度θ２は、乗員Ｍとしてのダミー（ＥＣＥＲｅｇｕｌａｔｉｏｎＮｏ．９５ＥＵＲＯＳＩＤ−１）の上腕Ｒに沿った角度となっている。尚、このダミー（ＥＵＲＯＳＩＤ−１）の上腕Ｒの下向き角度θ２は、上腕Ｒの規定角度（上腕Ｒが肋骨前面に接する面に対して３５〜４５°）から求められる。該下端部６ｃの前端部には、未縫製部である通気穴７が形成されてなる。
【００３６】
前記隔壁部材６を構成する下部材６ｅの長さＤは、該隔壁部材６を構成する上部材６ｄの長さｄより長く形成されてなる。
【００３７】
次に、車両の側突時におけるバッグ本体３の展開状態を説明する。車両が側突を起こすと、インフレータ４内部の薬剤が爆発し、発生したガスＧが噴出口５からインフレータ４の直交方向Ｙへ噴出される。
【００３８】
噴出されたガスＧは、折り畳まれたバッグ本体３の胸部保護部８内にまず入ることで、該胸部保護部８の折り畳まれた状態が解除されて急速に展開し、胸部保護部８が膨張することによって、シートバック１の表皮カバーを開裂して前方へ展開する。
【００３９】
この時、通気穴７は、隔壁部材６の後端部６ｆにあるので、頭部保護部９は折り畳まれた状態に維持されて、該頭部保護部９にガスＧが流れることはない。
【００４０】
そして、胸部保護部８内にガスＧが充填されて、通気穴７が開成されると、ガスＧは、頭部保護部９に流れ込む。しかし、この膨張の過程で、隔壁部材６の略中央の一個所６ａが前記バッグ本体３の車外側の面３ａに固設され、その上下の端部二個所６ｂ、６ｃが前記バッグ本体３の車室内側の面３ｂに固設されてなるため、該隔壁部材６に囲まれた空間１７の車室内側の面１７ａのみが球状に展開し、該隔壁部材６に囲まれた球状に展開した空間１７及び隔壁部材６の略中央の一個所６ａ双方を基部にして頭部保護部９が展開するので、該頭部保護部９は室内ＲＭ側に傾いて膨張展開し、この頭部保護部９により乗員Ｍの頭部を保護することができる。つまり、バッグ本体３が球状に展開する特性を利用しただけで、かかる形状制御を可能にしている。
【００４１】
従って、車体の側面構造物であるサイドウインドパネル１５やルーフサイドトリム１６に干渉しないで、膨張展開を終了するので、個々の車体の側面構造物のサイドウインドパネル１５やルーフサイドトリム１６などの形状や材質に影響を受けない、少なくとも受け難いことになる。また、車種毎に異なるサイドウインドパネル１５やルーフサイドトリム１６などの形状や材質に応じて、前記隔壁部材６のバッグ本体３への固設位置を変更するだけで、容易に調整できる。
【００４２】
また、サイドウインドパネル１５など車体の側面構造物の形状が内側に倒れこんでくる仕様のものでも、隔壁部材６のバッグ本体３への自動車外側の一個所の固設部位６ａが、ドアウエスト部１２と略同等の位置であるため、バッグ本体３の展開が、該ドアウエスト部１２を中心に内側に倒れこむことになり、バッグ本体３の膨張時の形状予測が容易且つ確実にできる。
【００４３】
また、隔壁部材６は、前記バッグ本体３の膨張時の形状を決める要素、つまりバッグ本体３を左右方向に扁平なるように膨張することで乗員と車体の側面構造物との間を急速に膨張させる要素と、インフレータ４からのガスＧをまず確実に胸部保護部８に充填させるように制御する要素とを併せもっていることになる。従って、他の要素をバッグ本体３内に持ちこまなくてよい分、安価な製造原価を得られる。
【００４４】
また、バッグ本体３内にあって隔壁部材６の施さない間隙、即ち通気穴７でもって、インフレータ４からのガスＧの流通の絞り込みをしているので、胸部保護部８へのガスＧの充填が確実になるし、他の部材を用いている訳ではないので、その分、安価な製造原価が得られる。また、製造段階での簡単な加工で良いので、複雑な構造物をバッグ本体３内に持ち込まなくてよいことになる。
【００４５】
更に、バッグ本体３の膨張時に、隔壁部材６より上側の頭部保護部９の車室内ＲＭ側への傾きは、より大きくなり、車体の側面構造物であるサイドウインドパネル１５やルーフサイドトリム１６に干渉する可能性はより少なくなるので、個々の車体の側面構造物であるサイドウインドパネル１５やルーフサイドトリム１６の形状や材質に影響を受けないことになる。
【００４６】
前記説明では、前記絞り込ませる手段が、隔壁部材９の端部に未縫製手段を施すことで、ガスＧの通り抜ける通気穴７を通路状に形成する旨の説明をしたが、それに限らず、前記隔壁部材６そのものに形成されてなる貫通穴でもよい。
【００４７】
かかる構成であるから、バッグ本体３内にあって隔壁部材６の貫通穴でもって、インフレータ４からのガスＧの流通の絞り込みをしているので、胸部保護部８へのガスＧの充填が確実になるし、頭部保護部９へのガスＧの流入制御も容易である。また、製造段階での簡単な加工で良いので、複雑な構造物をバッグ本体３内に持ち込まなくてよいことになる。
【００４８】
図５は、この発明の第２の実施形態を示す図である。図５は、図２相当図である。この第２実施形態は、前記隔壁部材６の上部に、該隔壁部材６と略同一の形状の第２の隔壁部材１４を配設してなるものである。
【００４９】
即ち、バッグ本体３の膨張時に、隔壁部材６の中央部６ａに対して車外側の面３ａの上方向に離間した位置に第２の隔壁部材１４の中央部１４ａが配され、該中央部１４ａに対して上下端部１４ｂ、１４ｃが上下に離間して前記バッグ本体３の車室側の面３ｂに固設されてなるので、前記空間１７の上に、隔壁部材６の上部材６ｄと第２の隔壁部材１４の下部材１４ｅとで第２空間１８が形成され、該第２空間１８の上に、隔壁部材１４の上部材１４ｄと下部材１４ｅとで第３空間１９が形成される。つまり、前記空間１７、第２空間１８、第３空間１９が交互に形成されることにより、バッグ本体３の展開時形状制御をきめ細かく行え、バッグ本体３の膨張展開時の室内ＲＭへの倒れこみ量の調整の自由度が前記第１の実施形態に比較して大きくなる。
【００５０】
尚、上記の実施の形態では、シートバックに内蔵させたエアバッグを例示したが、これに限らず、ドアＤＲの車室内側のドアトリムに内蔵させて上方に展開し得るエアバッグでも同様の構成とすることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】この発明の第１の実施形態に係る側突用エアバッグ装置を示す側面図である。
【図２】図１のＡ−Ａ線に沿う断面図である。
【図３】図２の要部詳細図である。
【図４】図１のバッグ本体の分解正面図である。
【図５】この発明の第２の実施形態に係る図２相当断面図である。
【符号の説明】
１シートバック
３バッグ本体
３ａ車外側の面
３ｂ車内側の面
４インフレータ
５噴出口
６隔壁部材
６ａ中央部
６ｂ、６ｃ上下端部
６ｄ上部材
６ｅ下部材
６ｆ後端部
７通気穴
８胸部保護部
９頭部保護部
１２ドアウエスト部
１４第２の隔壁部材
Ｇガス[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a side collision airbag device for an automobile.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a vehicle airbag device, when a vehicle side impacts, the bag body is deployed upward from the front side from the side of a seat back, which is a part of the interior material located in the vehicle exterior direction, and the occupant uses the bag body. (See U.S. Pat. No. 5,586,782, JP-A-9-39710, JP-A-136600, and registered utility model publication No. 3038479) as similar techniques.
[0003]
This type of bag body is generally L-shaped, and is divided into an upper head protection part and a lower chest protection part by a partition member provided inside. An inflator is provided at the entrance of the bag body, and the gas ejected from the ejection port on the side of the inflator first enters the chest protection part and fills the chest protection part while developing it forward, and then fills the partition member. The head protection part is entered from the provided narrowing means, and the head protection part is filled while being expanded upward.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
According to such a conventional technique, when the bag body is unfolded, the bag body is flattened by the partition wall member, unfolds forward, and then expands upward. It unfolds while interfering with the side window panel and roof side trim that have fallen into the cabin. That is, in the case of an airbag device for side collision, the deployment performance differs depending on the shape and material of the side structure of the vehicle body because the distance between the disposed position and the side wall of the vehicle body is small. An experiment to confirm the deployment performance is required depending on the shape and material of the object. In addition, it is necessary to input the shape and material of the side structure of each vehicle body into data to simulate an optimal bag body. In other words, a lot of time is required for the development period, the development cost increases, and time is spent on the technological advancement that contributes to other industrial development. A proposal is desired.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in response to such a request, and an object of the present invention is to provide an airbag device for a side collision of an automobile which is not affected by the shape or material of a side structure of each vehicle body.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 includes a bag body that is deployed at least upward from a side portion of an interior material located in a vehicle exterior direction of an occupant, and the bag body is provided inside the bag body. The partition member is divided into an upper head protection part and a lower chest protection part, and the gas ejected from the outlet of the inflator is first filled in the chest protection part, and then to the head protection part. In the airbag device for a side collision of an automobile to be introduced, the partition member is formed in a substantially rectangular shape that opens up and down, and a substantially central portion thereof is fixed to an outer surface of the bag body. And two upper and lower end portions thereof are fixed to a surface of the bag body on the vehicle interior side.
[0007]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, a substantially central portion of the partition member is fixed to the outer surface of the bag main body, and two upper and lower end portions thereof are the inner surface of the bag main body on the vehicle interior side. After the chest protector is inflated and deployed, only the indoor side of the space surrounded by the partition member expands spherically, and the space surrounded by the spherically expanded partition member and the partition member The head protection portion is deployed with both of the substantially central portions as bases, and the head protection portion is inflated and deployed inclining toward the indoor side. Therefore, since the expansion and deployment are completed without interfering with the side structure of the vehicle body, the shape and material of the side structure of each vehicle body are not affected, or at least hardly affected. Further, it can be easily adjusted only by changing the fixed position of the partition member on the bag body in accordance with the shape and material of the side structure of each vehicle body.
[0008]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an airbag device for a side collision of an automobile according to the first aspect, wherein one part of the partition wall member outside the vehicle when the bag body is inflated is a door waist portion of the automobile. It is characterized by being arranged at a position substantially equivalent to.
[0009]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, even when the side structure of the vehicle body such as the side window panel is of a type in which the shape of the side structure falls down inward, the partition member is fixed to the bag body at one location outside the vehicle. However, since the bag body is located at substantially the same position as the door waist portion, the bag body expands and falls inward around the door waist portion, and the shape of the bag body when inflated can be easily and reliably predicted.
[0010]
The invention according to claim 3 is the side airbag device for an automobile according to claim 2, wherein the partition member fills the gas ejected from the ejection port of the inflator with the chest protection portion. Characterized by being narrowed down so as not to flow into the head protection part.
[0011]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the partition member combines an element for determining the shape of the bag body when inflated and an element for controlling gas to be surely filled into the chest protection portion first from the inflator. You have it. Therefore, a low manufacturing cost can be obtained because other elements do not need to be brought into the bag body.
[0012]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the side collision airbag device for an automobile according to the third aspect, wherein the narrowing means is formed by a gap between the bag body and the partition member. Features.
[0013]
According to the invention as set forth in claim 4, since the gas flow from the inflator is narrowed down by the gap in the bag main body where the partition member is not provided, the filling of the gas into the chest protection portion is ensured. In addition, since other members are not used, a lower manufacturing cost can be obtained. Further, since simple processing at the manufacturing stage is sufficient, a complicated structure does not have to be brought into the bag body.
[0014]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the airbag device for a side collision of an automobile according to the third aspect, wherein the narrowing means comprises a through hole formed in the partition member. .
[0015]
According to the invention as set forth in claim 5, since the flow of gas from the inflator is narrowed down by the through hole of the partition member in the bag body, the filling of the gas into the chest protection portion is ensured. In other words, it is easy to control the flow of gas into the head protection part. Further, since simple processing at the manufacturing stage is sufficient, a complicated structure does not have to be brought into the bag body.
[0016]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the side collision airbag device for an automobile according to any one of the second to fifth aspects, wherein an upper portion of the partition member has substantially the same shape as the partition member. Characterized in that at least the second partition member is provided.
[0017]
According to the invention as set forth in claim 6, when the bag body is inflated, the head protection portion does not bend and bend toward the vehicle interior centering on the partition member, but further on the second partition member toward the vehicle interior side. Since the bag body is tilted and bent, the shape of the bag body can be precisely controlled when the bag body is deployed, and the degree of freedom in adjusting the amount of the bag body falling into the room when the bag body is inflated and deployed is increased.
[0018]
The invention according to claim 7 is the side collision airbag device for an automobile according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein a length of a lower member constituting the partition member is equal to the length of the partition member. Is formed longer than the length of the upper member.
[0019]
According to the invention described in claim 7, when the bag body is inflated, the inclination of the head protection portion above the partition member toward the interior of the vehicle becomes larger, and there is a possibility that the head protection portion may interfere with the side structure of the vehicle body. Since the number is smaller, the shape and material of the side structure of each vehicle body are not affected.
[0020]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, a substantially central portion of the partition wall member is fixed to the outer surface of the vehicle of the bag main body, and two upper and lower end portions thereof are surfaces of the bag main body on the vehicle interior side. After the chest protector is inflated and deployed, only the indoor side of the space surrounded by the partition member expands spherically, and the space surrounded by the spherically expanded partition member and the partition member The head protection portion is deployed with both of the substantially central portions as bases, and the head protection portion is inflated and deployed inclining toward the indoor side. Therefore, since the expansion and deployment are completed without interfering with the side structure of the vehicle body, the shape and material of the side structure of each vehicle body are not affected, or at least hardly affected.
[0021]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, even if the side structure of the vehicle body, such as the side window panel, is designed to fall inward, one fixed portion outside the vehicle to the bag body of the partition wall member is fixed. However, since the bag body is located at substantially the same position as the door waist portion, the bag body expands and falls inward around the door waist portion, and the shape of the bag body when inflated can be easily and reliably predicted.
[0022]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the partition member combines an element for determining the shape of the bag body when inflated and an element for controlling gas to be surely filled into the chest protection portion first from the inflator. You have it. Therefore, a low manufacturing cost can be obtained because other elements do not need to be brought into the bag body.
[0023]
According to the invention as set forth in claim 4, since the gas flow from the inflator is narrowed down by the gap in the bag main body where the partition member is not provided, the filling of the gas into the chest protection portion is ensured. In addition, since other members are not used, a lower manufacturing cost can be obtained. Further, since simple processing at the manufacturing stage is sufficient, a complicated structure does not have to be brought into the bag body.
[0024]
According to the invention as set forth in claim 5, since the flow of gas from the inflator is narrowed down by the through hole of the partition member in the bag body, the filling of the gas into the chest protection portion is ensured. In other words, it is easy to control the flow of gas into the head protection part. Further, since simple processing at the manufacturing stage is sufficient, a complicated structure does not have to be brought into the bag body.
[0025]
According to the invention as set forth in claim 6, when the bag body is inflated, the head protection portion does not bend and bend toward the vehicle interior centering on the partition member, but further on the second partition member toward the vehicle interior side. Since the bag body is inclined and bent, the shape control when the bag body is deployed can be performed finely, and the degree of freedom in adjusting the amount of the bag body falling into the room when the bag body is inflated and deployed is increased.
[0026]
According to the invention described in claim 7, when the bag body is inflated, the inclination of the head protection portion above the partition member toward the interior of the vehicle becomes larger, and there is a possibility that the head protection portion may interfere with the side structure of the vehicle body. Since the number is smaller, the shape and material of the side structure of each vehicle body are not affected.
[0027]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0028]
1 to 4 are views showing a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, RM indicates the vehicle interior side, and OM indicates the vehicle exterior side.
[0029]
FIG. 1 is a view of a seat back 1 of a front seat on a driver's seat side (right side) as viewed from a right side (outside of a vehicle). At the right end of the seat back 1, an airbag module 2 is incorporated. Inside the airbag module 2, a folded bag body 3 and a gas G for expanding the bag body 3 are ejected. A possible inflator 4 is housed.
[0030]
The inflator 4 is provided at the entrance of the bag body 3 and is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the seat back 1. The gas G can be ejected from an ejection port 5 formed at the lower end of the side surface of the inflator 4 in a direction Y orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the inflator 4.
[0031]
The bag body 3 has a substantially L-shape, and a partition member 6 for partitioning the space of the bag body 3 into a lower chest protection portion 8 and an upper head protection portion 9 is provided inside. I have. The partition member 6 is sewn H to the left and right surfaces 3a, 3b of the bag body 3. Therefore, the partition wall member 6 not only functions to partition the bag body 3 into the chest protection section 8 and the head protection section 9 but also restricts the bag body 3 from expanding in the left-right direction when deployed and flattening. It also has functions.
[0032]
The partition member 6 is formed in a substantially U-shape that opens up and down, and a substantially central portion 6a is fixed to the outer surface 3a of the bag body 3 by sewing H. The locations 6b, 6c are fixed to the surface 3b of the bag body 3 on the vehicle interior side by sewing H.
[0033]
The one portion 6a has a width corresponding to the front-rear width of the bag body 3, and the rear end 6f is located near the shoulder S of the occupant M when the bag body 3 is inflated. The door DR is disposed at a position substantially equivalent to the door waist portion 12.
[0034]
The upper end 6b extends forward from the rear end 6f at an angle θ1 downward from the orthogonal direction Y to the longitudinal direction of the inflator 4, and protects the gas G ejected from the ejection port 5 of the inflator 4 from the chest. The vent hole 7 serving as an entrance to the head protection part 9 is narrowed by being arranged to the forefront so that the part 8 does not flow into the head protection part 9 before filling. That is, the ventilation hole 7 serving as the narrowing means is for guiding the gas G ejected from the inflator 4 into the chest protection part A to the head protection part B. It is formed by a gap with the member 6.
[0035]
The lower end 6c is disposed at a position at an angle θ2 further downward than the direction Y perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the inflator 4. The downward angle θ2 is an angle along the upper arm R of the dummy (ECE Regulation No. 95 EUROSID-1) as the occupant M. The downward angle θ2 of the upper arm R of the dummy (EUROSID-1) is obtained from the specified angle of the upper arm R (35 to 45 ° with respect to the surface where the upper arm R contacts the front of the rib). At the front end of the lower end 6c, a ventilation hole 7, which is an unsewn portion, is formed.
[0036]
The length D of the lower member 6e constituting the partition member 6 is formed to be longer than the length d of the upper member 6d constituting the partition member 6.
[0037]
Next, the deployed state of the bag body 3 at the time of a side collision of the vehicle will be described. When the vehicle causes a side collision, the medicine inside the inflator 4 explodes, and the generated gas G is ejected from the ejection port 5 in the orthogonal direction Y of the inflator 4.
[0038]
The jetted gas G first enters the chest protection section 8 of the folded bag body 3, whereby the folded state of the chest protection section 8 is released and the gas G is rapidly expanded, and the chest protection section 8 is inflated. By doing so, the skin cover of the seat back 1 is torn and deployed forward.
[0039]
At this time, since the ventilation hole 7 is located at the rear end 6f of the partition member 6, the head protection portion 9 is maintained in a folded state, and the gas G does not flow through the head protection portion 9.
[0040]
Then, when the gas G is filled in the chest protection part 8 and the ventilation hole 7 is opened, the gas G flows into the head protection part 9. However, during this inflation process, a substantially central portion 6a of the partition wall member 6 is fixed to the outer surface 3a of the bag body 3 and two upper and lower end portions 6b and 6c of the bag body 3 are fixed. Since it is fixed to the surface 3b on the vehicle interior side, only the surface 17a on the vehicle interior side of the space 17 surrounded by the partition member 6 is expanded into a spherical shape, and is expanded into a spherical shape surrounded by the partition member 6. Since the head protection part 9 is deployed based on both the space 17 and the substantially central portion 6a of the partition member 6, the head protection part 9 expands and expands inclining toward the room RM side. 9, the head of the occupant M can be protected. In other words, such shape control is enabled only by utilizing the characteristic that the bag body 3 expands spherically.
[0041]
Therefore, the expansion and deployment are completed without interfering with the side window panel 15 and the roof side trim 16 which are the side structures of the vehicle body. And the material is not affected, at least it is hard to receive. Further, it can be easily adjusted only by changing the fixed position of the partition member 6 on the bag body 3 in accordance with the shape and material of the side window panel 15 and the roof side trim 16 which are different for each vehicle type.
[0042]
Further, even in the specification such that the side structure of the vehicle body such as the side window panel 15 is inclined inward, one fixed portion 6a of the partition member 6 outside the vehicle with respect to the bag body 3 is provided at the door waist portion. Since the position of the bag main body 3 is substantially the same as that of the bag main body 3, the bag main body 3 expands inward around the door waist portion 12, and the shape of the bag main body 3 when inflated can be easily and reliably predicted.
[0043]
The partition member 6 is an element that determines the shape of the bag body 3 when inflated, that is, the bag body 3 is inflated so as to be flattened in the left-right direction, so that the space between the occupant and the side structure of the vehicle body is rapidly inflated. That is, the element for controlling and the element for controlling the gaseous G from the inflator 4 to be surely charged into the chest protection part 8 first are combined. Therefore, since other elements do not need to be brought into the bag body 3, an inexpensive manufacturing cost can be obtained.
[0044]
Further, since the flow of the gas G from the inflator 4 is narrowed by the gap in the bag body 3 where the partition member 6 is not provided, that is, the ventilation hole 7, the gas G is charged into the chest protection portion 8. And the use of other members does not mean that a lower manufacturing cost can be obtained. In addition, since simple processing at the manufacturing stage is sufficient, a complicated structure does not need to be brought into the bag body 3.
[0045]
Further, when the bag body 3 is inflated, the inclination of the head protection portion 9 above the partition wall member 6 toward the cabin RM side becomes larger, and the side window panel 15 and the roof side trim 16 which are side structures of the vehicle body. Therefore, the shape and material of the side window panel 15 and the roof side trim 16 which are the side structures of each vehicle body are not affected.
[0046]
In the above description, it has been described that the means for narrowing down forms the ventilation hole 7 through which the gas G passes through by applying a non-sewing means to the end of the partition member 9, but is not limited thereto. A through hole formed in the partition member 6 itself may be used.
[0047]
With such a configuration, since the flow of the gas G from the inflator 4 is narrowed down by the through hole of the partition wall member 6 in the bag body 3, the filling of the gas G into the chest protection portion 8 is ensured. In addition, it is easy to control the flow of the gas G into the head protection unit 9. In addition, since simple processing at the manufacturing stage is sufficient, a complicated structure does not need to be brought into the bag body 3.
[0048]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. In the second embodiment, a second partition member 14 having substantially the same shape as that of the partition member 6 is disposed above the partition member 6.
[0049]
That is, when the bag body 3 is inflated, the central portion 14a of the second partition member 14 is disposed at a position separated from the central portion 6a of the partition member 6 in the upward direction on the vehicle outer surface 3a. The upper and lower end portions 14b and 14c are vertically fixed to the interior surface 3b of the bag body 3 so that the upper member 6d and the upper member 6d of the partition member 6 are located above the space 17. A second space 18 is formed by the lower member 14 e of the second partition member 14, and a third space 19 is formed by the upper member 14 d and the lower member 14 e of the partition member 14 on the second space 18. In other words, since the space 17, the second space 18, and the third space 19 are alternately formed, the shape of the bag body 3 can be finely controlled when the bag body 3 is deployed, and the bag body 3 falls into the room RM when the bag body 3 is inflated and deployed. The degree of freedom in adjusting the amount is greater than in the first embodiment.
[0050]
In the above-described embodiment, the airbag incorporated in the seat back is exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the airbag that can be deployed upward by being incorporated in the door trim of the door DR on the vehicle interior side has the same configuration. It can be.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view showing a side collision airbag device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a detailed view of a main part of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is an exploded front view of the bag body of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Seat back 3 Bag body 3a Outside surface 3b Inside surface 4 Inflator 5 Spout port 6 Partition member 6a Central part 6b, 6c Upper and lower end parts 6d Upper member 6e Lower member 6f Rear end part 7 Vent hole 8 Chest protection part 9 Head protection part 12 Door waist part 14 Second partition member G Gas

Claims

A bag body that is deployed at least upward from the side of the interior material located in the vehicle exterior direction of the occupant,
The bag body is partitioned into an upper head protection part and a lower chest protection part by a partition member provided inside the bag body,
In the airbag device for a side collision of an automobile, the gas ejected from the ejection port of the inflator is first filled in the chest protection portion and then introduced into the head protection portion.
The partition member is formed in a substantially U-shape that opens up and down, and a substantially central portion thereof is fixed to an outer surface of the bag body, and two upper and lower end portions thereof are attached to the vehicle body of the bag body. An airbag device for a side collision of an automobile, the airbag device being fixed to a surface on the indoor side.

2. The side airbag device for an automobile according to claim 1, wherein one portion of the partition member outside the vehicle when the bag body is inflated is disposed at a position substantially equivalent to a door waist portion of the automobile. 3. A side collision airbag device for an automobile.

3. The side airbag device for a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the partition wall member does not cause gas ejected from an ejection port of the inflator to flow into the head protection portion before the chest protection portion fills the gas. An airbag device for a side collision of an automobile characterized by being narrowed down as follows.

4. The vehicle side collision airbag device according to claim 3, wherein the narrowing means is formed by a gap between the bag body and the partition member. Bag device.

4. The side airbag device for a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein said narrowing means comprises a through hole formed in said partition member.

An automobile side collision airbag device according to any one of claims 2 to 5,
A side collision airbag device for an automobile, wherein at least a second partition member having substantially the same shape as that of the partition member is provided above the partition member.

It is a side collision airbag device of the motor vehicle according to any one of claims 2 to 6,
A side collision airbag device for an automobile, wherein a length of a lower member forming the partition member is longer than a length of an upper member forming the partition member.