JP4078632B2

JP4078632B2 - Side airbag device and its deployment method

Info

Publication number: JP4078632B2
Application number: JP2002023877A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 昌巳田中; 等井田
Original assignee: Mitsubishi Motors Corp
Current assignee: Mitsubishi Motors Corp
Priority date: 2002-01-31
Filing date: 2002-01-31
Publication date: 2008-04-23
Anticipated expiration: 2022-01-31
Also published as: JP2003220919A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、自動車等の車両において、該車両の衝突時に、インフレータからの噴出ガスによりエアバッグを車室内の乗員と車体側部との間に展開して乗員を衝撃から保護するように構成されたサイドエアバッグ装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
図４には自動車におけるサイドエアバッグ装置の従来の一例が示されている。
図において、１２は車室、１１は乗員、１０はシートバック、０１は内部を低強度の隔膜０４にて２つのチャンバ０１ａ及び０１ｂに区画されたエアバッグ（サイドエアバッグ）、０３はインフレータである。
前記インフレータ０３及びエアバッグ０１は前記シートバック１０に内蔵されており、自動車の側部への衝突時に衝突センサ（図示省略）からの衝突検出信号を受けて前記インフレータ０３のガス噴出口からエアバッグ０１の下側チャンバ０１ａにガスを噴出して該下側チャンバ０１ａを展開し、該下側チャンバ０１ａの圧力が一定圧力以上になると前記隔膜０４が破られて上側チャンバ０１ｂが展開することにより、該エアバッグ０１が車室１２内の乗員１１とドアあるいはセンターピラー等の車体側部との間に展開して乗員１１を衝撃から保護するようになっている。
【０００３】
また特開平９−１３６５９５号公報において開示されている技術は、乗員の胸部近傍に展開する胸部用エアバッグと該胸部用エアバッグの上部に独立して乗員の頭部近傍に展開する頭部用エアバッグとを連結シートを介して結合し、該胸部用エアバッグ及び頭部用エアバッグの夫々にガス噴出用のインフレータを設け、該連結シートにより展開後の該頭部用エアバッグを車両外側へ移動不能に保持している。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
図４に示される従来技術にあっては、先ずインフレータ０３から下側チャンバ０１ａにガスを噴出して該下側チャンバ０１ａを展開し、該下側チャンバ０１ａの圧力が一定圧力以上になると前記隔膜０４が破られて上側チャンバ０１ｂが展開するように構成されているため、後に展開する上側チャンバ０１ｂの展開圧力は下側チャンバ０１ａの展開圧力によって決まることとなり、比較的軟弱な胸部を保護し展開圧力の微妙な調整を要する上側チャンバ０１ｂの展開圧力を個別にかつ所要の圧力に調整することが困難である。
【０００５】
またかかる従来技術にあっては、下側チャンバ０１ａから中間の隔膜０４が破られて上側チャンバ０１ｂへと展開するため、該下側チャンバ０１ａと上側チャンバ０１ｂとの間に存在するドアトリムやアームレストにエアバッグが干渉することとなり、エアバッグの展開性能、殊に上側チャンバ０１ｂの展開性能に前記干渉の影響が出て所要の展開性能が得られ難い。
【０００６】
上記特開平９−１３６５９５号公報記載の技術は、下部側の胸部用エアバッグと上部側の頭部用エアバッグとの間に連結シートを介在させて両者を結合しているため、下部側の胸部用エアバッグが展開したとき前記連結シートの存在により上部側の頭部用エアバッグも該胸部用エアバッグの影響を受けることから、該胸部用エアバッグと頭部用エアバッグとを同時に展開させる必要があり、前記２つのエアバッグの展開タイミングの調整が実質的に不可能であり、また前記２つのエアバッグの展開圧力を相関連させて調整する機能も備えていない。
【０００７】
また本公報記載の技術にあっては、頭部用エアバッグとこれよりも容積の大きい胸部用エアバッグが同時に展開することとなるため、衝突時に胸部用エアバッグが先に骨格が比較的軟弱な胸部に当って胸部に最初の強い衝撃が作用することとなり、胸部を安全に保護し難い。
等の問題点を有している。
【０００８】
本発明は、かかる従来技術の課題に鑑み、腰部近傍保護用の上部エアバッグと胸部近傍保護用の下部エアバッグとの上下２つのインフレータ付きエアバッグの展開圧力を相関連させて調整可能とするとともに、該２つのエアバッグの展開タイミングを自在に調整可能として、衝突時における腰部近傍の保護と胸部近傍の保護とを殊に胸部近傍に強い衝撃を与えることなく確実に行い得るサイドエアバッグ装置及びその展開方法を提供することを目的とする。
【０００９】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明はかかる課題を解決するため、請求項１記載の発明として、車両の衝突時に、インフレータからの噴出ガスによりエアバッグを車室内の乗員と車体側部との間に展開して乗員を衝撃から保護するように構成されたサイドエアバッグ装置において、前記エアバッグは乗員の腰部近傍に展開する第１エアバッグと第１エアバッグとは独立して設けられ乗員の胸部近傍に展開する第２エアバッグとにより構成されるとともに、前記インフレータはシートバック側部に内蔵されて前記第１エアバッグに噴出ガスを供給する第１インフレータと前記第２エアバッグに噴出ガスを供給する第２インフレータとにより構成され、さらに前記車両の衝突を検出する衝突センサからの衝突検出信号が入力されたとき前記第１インフレータを前記第２インフレータの作動圧力より高い圧力で作動させて第１エアバッグを展開させた後前記第２インフレータを作動させて第２エアバッグを展開させるエアバッグ作動制御装置を備え、さらに前記第１インフレータは車体側部から見たときに、ガス噴出口を下端部に有しガス噴出方向線が前記第１エアバッグの断面積を２等分するように設けられるとともに腰部近傍に向かい、前記第２インフレータは車体側部から見たときに、ガス噴出口を上端部に有しガス噴出方向線が前記第２エアバッグの断面積を２等分するように設けられるとともに胸部近傍に向かうことを特徴とするサイドエアバッグ装置を提案する。
【００１０】
さらに、本発明は、前記第１インフレータあるいは第２インフレータは、ガス噴出口をその噴出方向線が前記第１エアバッグあるいは第２エアバッグの容積を車体側部から見たときに、ほぼ２等分するように設けられる。
【００１１】
請求項２記載の発明は、前記サイドエアバッグ装置を乗員の腰部近傍及び胸部近傍の展開方法に係り、シートバック側部に内蔵されて、第１インフレータからの噴出ガスにより乗員の腰部近傍に展開する第１エアバッグと該第１エアバッグとは独立して設けられ第２インフレータからの噴出ガスにより乗員の胸部近傍に展開する第２エアバッグとにより構成され、車両の衝突時に前記第１、第２エアバッグを車室内の乗員と車体側部との間に展開して乗員を衝撃から保護するように構成されたサイドエアバッグ装置の展開方法において、前記車両の衝突を検出し、その衝突検出信号を受けて前記第１インフレータを前記第２インフレータの作動圧力より高い圧力で作動させて、該第１インフレータは車体側部から見たときに、下端部に設置されたガス噴出口からのガス噴出方向線が前記第１エアバッグの断面積を２等分するとともに腰部近傍に向って噴出して前記第１エアバッグを展開させ、調整可能な所定時間差をおいて前記第２インフレータを作動させて、第２インフレータは車体側部から見たときに、上端部に配設されたガス噴出口からのガス噴出方向線が前記第２エアバッグの断面積を２等分するとともに胸部近傍に向って噴出して前記第２エアバッグを展開させることを特徴とする。
【００１２】
かかる発明によれば、衝突センサにより車両の衝突を検出してその衝突検出信号がエアバッグ作動制御装置に入力されると、該エアバッグ作動制御装置においては、先ず第１インフレータを高い圧力で作動させて第１エアバッグを乗員の腰部近傍に展開せしめて衝突の初期衝撃を該第１エアバッグで受けて腰部近傍を保護し、次いで該エアバッグ作動制御装置に予め設定されている所定の時間差を置いて前記第２インフレータを第１インフレータよりも低い圧力で作動させて第２エアバッグを展開せしめて前記第１エアバッグでの衝撃緩和後の２次的衝撃を第２エアバッグ受けて胸部近傍を保護する。
【００１３】
従ってかかる発明によれば、腰部近傍を保護する第１エアバッグと胸部近傍を保護する第２エアバッグの展開圧力を相互に関連させて調整することができるとともに、前記第１エアバッグと第２エアバッグとの展開時間差を自在に調整することが可能となる。
【００１４】
これにより、衝突時に先ず第１エアバッグを高い展開圧力で腰部近傍に展開せしめて衝突の初期衝撃を該第１エアバッグを介して骨格の強固な腰部近傍で受けることにより該腰部近傍を保護し、次いで所定の時間差を置いて第２エアバッグを低い展開圧力で胸部近傍に展開せしめて前記第１エアバッグで衝撃が緩和された２次的衝撃力を該第２エアバッグを介して骨格が比較的軟弱な胸部近傍で受けることにより、該胸部近傍に過大な衝撃力を与えるのを回避できる。
以上により、骨格が比較的軟弱な胸部近傍を過大な衝撃力を与えることなく安全に保護することができる。
【００１５】
さらに、第１インフレータ付きの第１エアバッグと第２インフレータ付きの第２エアバッグとを独立して設けてモジュール化したことにより、下方に位置する腰部近傍保護用の第１エアバッグの展開指向性を下方部位に集中させることができ、エアバッグ展開の安定性が向上する。
【００１６】
さらに、本発明によれば、第１インフレータあるいは第２インフレータからのガスが第１エアバッグあるいは第２エアバッグのほぼ中央部に噴出されるため、該比較的大容積の第２エアバッグが支持部材等の案内を要することなく自立して展開可能となり、支持部材等が不要となってエアバッグの構造が簡単化される。
【００１７】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明を図に示した実施例を用いて詳細に説明する。但し、この実施例に記載される構成部品の寸法、材質、形状、その他相対配置などは特に特定的な記載が無い限り、この発明の範囲をそれのみに限定する趣旨ではなく、単なる説明例に過ぎない。
【００１８】
図１は本発明の実施例に係る自動車用サイドエアバッグ装置の制御操作ブロック図、図２は側面構成図である。図３はエアバッグの他の実施例を示す側面構成図である。
【００１９】
本発明の実施例に係る自動車用サイドエアバッグ装置を示す図２において、１２は車室、１１は乗員、１０はシートバックである。
１は第１エアバッグ、２は第２エアバッグ、３は前記第１エアバッグ１に噴出ガスを供給する第１インフレータ、４は前記第２エアバッグ２に噴出ガスを供給する第２インフレータであり、前記第１エアバッグ１及び第１インフレータ３と前記第２エアバッグ２及び第２インフレータ４とは連結手段を備えることなく独立して設けられている。
また、該第１エアバッグ１と第１インフレータ３、及び第２エアバッグ２と第２インフレータ４は通常時には前記シートバック１０に内蔵されており、図１に示すように、自動車の側部への衝突（以下側突という）時にドアあるいはセンターピラー内に設置された衝突センサ６からの衝突検出信号を受けると、エアバッグ作動制御装置５が後述する動作を行うことにより、乗員１１とドアあるいはセンターピラー等の車体側部との間に展開して乗員１１を衝撃から保護するようになっている。
【００２０】
次に自動車の側突時においては、前記衝突センサ６により車両の側突が検出されると、その衝突検出信号はエアバッグ作動制御装置５に入力される。
該エアバッグ作動制御装置５においては、第１インフレータ３の作動圧力即ち第１エアバッグ１の展開圧力と第２インフレータ４の作動圧力即ち第２エアバッグ２の展開圧力、及び第１インフレータ３と第２インフレータ４との作動時間差が、夫々調整可能（変更可能）な状態で設定されている。
通常、前記第１エアバッグ１の展開圧力は第２エアバッグ２の展開圧力よりも高い圧力に設定されている。
【００２１】
そして前記衝突検出信号が入力されると、該エアバッグ作動制御装置５は先ず第１インフレータ３を高い作動圧力で作動させ作動ガスを高圧で第１エアバッグ１に供給し、これにより第１エアバッグ１は高い展開圧力で乗員１１の腰部近傍とドアあるいはセンターピラー等の車体側部との間に展開して、乗員１１の腰部近傍を保護する。
次いで該エアバッグ作動制御装置５は前記のように予め設定された作動時間差を置いて第２インフレータ４を前記第１インフレータ３よりも低い作動圧力で作動させ作動ガスを低圧で第２エアバッグ２に供給せしめる。これにより第２エアバッグ２は低い展開圧力で乗員１１と前記車体側部との間に展開する。従って高圧側の第１エアバッグで強い初期衝撃を受けて衝撃が緩和された後の２次的衝撃を第１エアバッグ１よりも低い展開圧力で展開する第２エアバッグで受けて乗員１１の胸部近傍を保護することとなり、乗員１１の胸部近傍への衝撃が低減される。
【００２２】
かかる実施例によれば、エアバッグ作動制御装置５によって乗員１１の腰部近傍を保護する第１エアバッグ１と胸部近傍を保護する第２エアバッグ２の展開圧力を相互に関連させて調整することができるとともに、前記第１エアバッグ１と第２エアバッグ２との展開時間差を自在に調整することが可能となる。
【００２３】
これにより、側突時に先ず第１エアバッグ１を前記エアバッグ作動制御装置５に予め設定された高い展開圧力で乗員１１の腰部近傍に展開せしめて衝突の初期衝撃を該第１エアバッグ１を介して骨格の強固な腰部近傍で受けることにより該腰部近傍を保護し、次いで前記エアバッグ作動制御装置５に予め設定された所定の時間差を置いて第２エアバッグを該エアバッグ作動制御装置５に予め設定された低い展開圧力で胸部近傍に展開せしめて、前記第１エアバッグ１で衝撃が緩和された２次的衝撃力を該第２エアバッグ２を介して骨格が比較的軟弱な胸部近傍で受けることにより、該胸部近傍に過大な衝撃力を与えるのを回避できる。
また、前記第１エアバッグ１が先に高い展開圧力で腰部近傍に展開することにより乗員１１の体を車両の内方へ移動させた後に、前記第２エアバッグ２を第１エアバッグ１よりも低い展開圧力で胸部近傍に展開することによっても、胸部近傍に過大な衝撃力を与えるのを回避できる。
【００２４】
またかかる実施例によれば、前記第１インフレータ３を備えた第１エアバッグ１と第２インフレータ４を備えた第２エアバッグ２とを独立して設けてモジュール化したことにより、下方に位置する腰部近傍保護用の第１エアバッグ１の展開指向性を下方部位に集中させることができ、エアバッグ展開の安定性が向上する。
【００２５】
図３に示す第２エアバッグ２の他の実施例においては、第２インフレータ４のガス噴出口４１はその噴出方向線Ａが前記第２エアバッグ２の容積を車体側部から見たときに、ほぼ２等分（２Ａ、２Ｂ）するように設けられている。
このように構成すれば、第２インフレータ４からのガスが第２エアバッグ２のほぼ中央部に噴出されるため、比較的大容積の第２エアバッグ２が支持部材の案内を要することなく自立して展開可能となり、支持部材が不要となってエアバッグ２の構造が簡単化される。
尚、前記と同様に、第１インフレータ３からのガス噴出方向線Ａが第１エアバッグ容積をほぼ２等分するように構成してもよい。
【００２６】
【発明の効果】
以上記載のごとく本発明によれば、乗員の腰部近傍を保護する第１エアバッグを、胸部近傍を保護する第２エアバッグの展開圧力より高い展開圧力とするとともに、前記第１エアバッグを先にその後第２エアバッグを展開する。
【００２７】
これにより、衝突時に先ず第１エアバッグを高い展開圧力で腰部近傍に展開せしめて衝突の初期衝撃を該第１エアバッグを介して骨格の強固な腰部近傍で受けることにより該腰部近傍を保護し、次いで所定の時間差を置いて第２エアバッグを低い展開圧力で胸部近傍に展開せしめて前記第１エアバッグで衝撃が緩和された２次的衝撃力を該第２エアバッグを介して骨格が比較的軟弱な胸部近傍で受けることにより、該胸部近傍に過大な衝撃力を与えるのを回避できる。
以上により、骨格が比較的軟弱な胸部近傍を過大な衝撃力を与えることなく安全に保護することができる。
【００２８】
さらに、第１インフレータ付きの第１エアバッグと第２インフレータ付きの第２エアバッグとを独立して設けてモジュール化したことにより、下方に位置する腰部近傍保護用の第１エアバッグの展開指向性を下方部位に集中させることができ、エアバッグ展開の安定性が向上する。
【００２９】
さらに、本発明によれば、第１インフレータあるいは第２インフレータからのガスが第１エアバッグあるいは第２エアバッグのほぼ中央部に噴出されるため、該比較的大容積の第２エアバッグが支持部材の案内を要することなく自立して展開可能となり、支持部材が不要となってエアバッグの構造が簡単化される。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施例に係る自動車用サイドエアバッグ装置の制御操作ブロック図である。
【図２】前記実施例における側面構成図である。
【図３】エアバッグの他の実施例を示す側面構成図である。
【図４】従来技術を示す図２対応図である。
【符号の説明】
１第１エアバッグ
２第２エアバッグ
３第１インフレータ
４第２インフレータ
５エアバッグ作動制御装置
６衝突センサ
１０シートバック
１１乗員
１２車室[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In a vehicle such as an automobile, the present invention is configured to protect an occupant from an impact by deploying an airbag between an occupant in a vehicle interior and a side part of a vehicle body by a gas ejected from an inflator when the vehicle collides. The present invention relates to a side airbag device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 4 shows a conventional example of a side airbag device in an automobile.
In the figure, 12 is a passenger compartment, 11 is an occupant, 10 is a seat back, 01 is an airbag (side airbag) that is partitioned into two chambers 01a and 01b by a low-strength diaphragm 04, and 03 is an inflator. is there.
The inflator 03 and the airbag 01 are built in the seat back 10, and receive a collision detection signal from a collision sensor (not shown) at the time of a collision with a side portion of the automobile and receive an airbag from the gas outlet of the inflator 03. 01, gas is blown into the lower chamber 01a to expand the lower chamber 01a, and when the pressure in the lower chamber 01a exceeds a predetermined pressure, the diaphragm 04 is broken and the upper chamber 01b is expanded. The airbag 01 is deployed between the occupant 11 in the passenger compartment 12 and the side of the vehicle body such as a door or a center pillar to protect the occupant 11 from impact.
[0003]
The technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-136595 is for a chest airbag that is deployed in the vicinity of the occupant's chest and a head that is deployed in the vicinity of the occupant's head independently on the chest airbag. The airbag is connected to the airbag via a connecting sheet, and an inflator for gas ejection is provided in each of the chest airbag and the head airbag, and the airbag for the head after being deployed by the connecting sheet is disposed outside the vehicle. Is kept immovable.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the prior art shown in FIG. 4, first, gas is ejected from the inflator 03 to the lower chamber 01a to expand the lower chamber 01a, and when the pressure in the lower chamber 01a becomes a predetermined pressure or more, the diaphragm Since 04 is broken and the upper chamber 01b is deployed, the deployment pressure of the upper chamber 01b to be deployed later is determined by the deployment pressure of the lower chamber 01a, and the relatively weak chest is protected and deployed. It is difficult to individually and individually adjust the development pressure of the upper chamber 01b that requires fine adjustment of the pressure.
[0005]
In this prior art, since the intermediate diaphragm 04 is broken from the lower chamber 01a and expands to the upper chamber 01b, the door trim or armrest existing between the lower chamber 01a and the upper chamber 01b is provided. The airbag interferes, and the influence of the interference is exerted on the deployment performance of the airbag, particularly the deployment performance of the upper chamber 01b, so that it is difficult to obtain the required deployment performance.
[0006]
In the technique described in the above Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-136595, a connecting sheet is interposed between the lower chest airbag and the upper head airbag so as to couple them together. When the chest airbag is deployed, the upper portion of the head airbag is also affected by the presence of the connecting sheet, so the chest airbag and the head airbag are deployed simultaneously. It is necessary to adjust the deployment timing of the two airbags, and the function of adjusting the deployment pressures of the two airbags in correlation with each other is not provided.
[0007]
In the technique described in this publication, since the head airbag and the chest airbag having a larger volume are simultaneously deployed, the chest airbag is relatively soft first in the event of a collision. The first strong impact is applied to the chest and it is difficult to protect the chest safely.
And so on.
[0008]
In view of the problems of the prior art, the present invention makes it possible to adjust the deployment pressures of the upper and lower inflator airbags of the upper airbag for protecting the vicinity of the waist and the lower airbag for protecting the vicinity of the chest. In addition, the side airbag device that can freely adjust the deployment timing of the two airbags and can reliably protect the vicinity of the waist and the vicinity of the chest at the time of collision without particularly giving a strong impact to the vicinity of the chest. It is an object to provide a deployment method.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve such a problem, according to the present invention, as claimed in claim 1, in the event of a vehicle collision, an air bag is deployed between an occupant in a vehicle compartment and a side part of the vehicle body by an ejected gas from an inflator to impact the occupant. In the side airbag device configured to protect the airbag, the airbag is provided independently of the first airbag and the first airbag that are deployed in the vicinity of the occupant's waist, and is deployed in the vicinity of the chest of the occupant. A first inflator that is built in a seat back side and supplies a jet gas to the first airbag, and a second inflator that supplies a jet gas to the second airbag. is constituted by a further said first inflator when a collision detection signal from the collision sensor detects a collision of the vehicle is inputted second inflation An air bag operation control device for deploying the second airbag is actuated the second inflator After deploying the first airbag is operated at higher pressure than the operating pressure of over data, further wherein the first inflator When viewed from the side of the vehicle body, the second inflator is provided with a gas outlet at the lower end and a gas jetting direction line is provided so as to bisect the cross-sectional area of the first airbag, and toward the waist. Is characterized in that when viewed from the side of the vehicle body, the gas ejection port is provided at the upper end, the gas ejection direction line is provided so as to bisect the cross-sectional area of the second airbag, and is directed toward the chest. A side airbag device is proposed.
[0010]
Further, according to the present invention, the first inflator or the second inflator has a gas ejection port whose ejection direction line is almost equal to 2 when the volume of the first airbag or the second airbag is viewed from the side of the vehicle body. It is provided to divide.
[0011]
According to a second aspect of the invention, the side relates to air bag device deployment method of the occupant's waist and near the chest near built into the seat back side, expand the occupant near the waist by ejecting gas from the first inflator And a first airbag that is provided independently of the first airbag and that is deployed in the vicinity of the chest of the occupant by the gas ejected from the second inflator. In a deployment method of a side airbag device configured to deploy a second airbag between an occupant in a vehicle interior and a vehicle body side portion to protect the occupant from impact, the collision of the vehicle is detected, and the collision and it receives the detection signal actuates the first inflator at a pressure higher than the operating pressure of the second inflator, when the first inflator as seen from the vehicle body side portion, is disposed at the lower end Gas jetting direction line from the gas ejection port is ejected toward the waist near together bisects the cross-sectional area of the first air bag to deploy the first airbag, at an adjustable predetermined time difference When the second inflator is actuated and the second inflator is viewed from the side of the vehicle body, the gas ejection direction line from the gas ejection port disposed at the upper end portion reduces the sectional area of the second airbag to 2 etc. And the second airbag is deployed by being ejected toward the vicinity of the chest .
[0012]
According to this invention, when a collision of the vehicle is detected by the collision sensor and the collision detection signal is input to the airbag operation control device, the airbag operation control device first operates the first inflator at a high pressure. The first airbag is deployed in the vicinity of the waist of the occupant, the initial impact of the collision is received by the first airbag to protect the vicinity of the waist, and then a predetermined time difference preset in the airbag operation control device The second inflator is actuated at a pressure lower than that of the first inflator to deploy the second airbag, and the second airbag receives the second airbag after the impact is reduced by the first airbag. Protect the neighborhood.
[0013]
Therefore, according to this invention, the deployment pressures of the first airbag protecting the vicinity of the waist and the second airbag protecting the vicinity of the chest can be adjusted in relation to each other, and the first airbag and the second airbag can be adjusted. It is possible to freely adjust the difference in deployment time with the airbag.
[0014]
Thus, at the time of collision, the first airbag is first deployed in the vicinity of the waist with a high deployment pressure, and the initial impact of the collision is received in the vicinity of the strong waist of the skeleton through the first airbag, thereby protecting the vicinity of the waist. Then, the second airbag is deployed in the vicinity of the chest with a low deployment pressure with a predetermined time difference, and the skeletal structure receives a secondary impact force that is reduced in impact by the first airbag via the second airbag. By receiving in the vicinity of a relatively soft chest, it is possible to avoid applying an excessive impact force in the vicinity of the chest.
As described above, it is possible to safely protect the vicinity of the chest with a relatively weak skeleton without applying an excessive impact force.
[0015]
Further, the first airbag with the first inflator and the second airbag with the second inflator are independently provided and modularized, so that the first airbag for protecting the vicinity of the waist located below is directed to deploy. Therefore, the stability of airbag deployment is improved.
[0016]
Furthermore, according to the present invention, since the gas from the first inflator or the second inflator is ejected to the substantially central portion of the first airbag or the second airbag, the second airbag having a relatively large volume is supported. The air bag can be deployed independently without requiring guidance of members and the like, and the structure of the airbag is simplified because a support member is not required.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and other relative arrangements of the components described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to specific examples unless otherwise specified. Not too much.
[0018]
FIG. 1 is a control operation block diagram of a side airbag device for an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side configuration diagram. FIG. 3 is a side view showing another embodiment of the airbag.
[0019]
In FIG. 2 which shows the side airbag apparatus for motor vehicles based on the Example of this invention, 12 is a vehicle interior, 11 is a passenger | crew, 10 is a seat back.
Reference numeral 1 denotes a first airbag, 2 denotes a second airbag, 3 denotes a first inflator that supplies a jet gas to the first airbag 1, and 4 denotes a second inflator that supplies a jet gas to the second airbag 2. The first airbag 1 and the first inflator 3, and the second airbag 2 and the second inflator 4 are provided independently without any connecting means.
Further, the first airbag 1 and the first inflator 3, and the second airbag 2 and the second inflator 4 are normally built in the seat back 10 as shown in FIG. When a collision detection signal is received from the collision sensor 6 installed in the door or center pillar in the event of a collision (hereinafter referred to as a side collision), the airbag operation control device 5 performs the operation described later, thereby It deploys between the side of the vehicle body such as a center pillar to protect the occupant 11 from impact.
[0020]
Next, at the time of a side collision of the automobile, when a collision of the vehicle is detected by the collision sensor 6, the collision detection signal is input to the airbag operation control device 5.
In the airbag operation control device 5, the operation pressure of the first inflator 3, that is, the deployment pressure of the first airbag 1, the operation pressure of the second inflator 4, that is, the deployment pressure of the second airbag 2, and the first inflator 3, The operating time difference from the second inflator 4 is set such that it can be adjusted (changed).
Usually, the deployment pressure of the first airbag 1 is set higher than the deployment pressure of the second airbag 2 .
[0021]
When the collision detection signal is input, the airbag operation control device 5 first operates the first inflator 3 at a high operating pressure to supply the working gas to the first airbag 1 at a high pressure, whereby the first airbag 1 is operated. The bag 1 is deployed between the vicinity of the waist of the occupant 11 and the side of the vehicle body such as a door or center pillar with a high deployment pressure to protect the vicinity of the lumbar of the occupant 11.
Next, the air bag operation control device 5 operates the second inflator 4 at a lower operating pressure than the first inflator 3 with the operating time difference set in advance as described above, and the second air bag 2 under a low operating pressure. To supply. Thereby, the second airbag 2 is deployed between the occupant 11 and the vehicle body side portion with a low deployment pressure. Accordingly, a secondary impact after the impact is alleviated by receiving a strong initial impact at the first airbag on the high pressure side is received by the second airbag deployed at a deployment pressure lower than that of the first airbag 1, and The vicinity of the chest is protected, and the impact of the occupant 11 on the vicinity of the chest is reduced.
[0022]
According to this embodiment, the deployment pressures of the first airbag 1 that protects the vicinity of the waist of the occupant 11 and the second airbag 2 that protects the vicinity of the chest are related to each other and adjusted by the airbag operation control device 5. In addition, the deployment time difference between the first airbag 1 and the second airbag 2 can be freely adjusted.
[0023]
Thus, at the time of a side collision, the first airbag 1 is first deployed in the vicinity of the waist of the occupant 11 with a high deployment pressure preset in the airbag operation control device 5 to cause the initial impact of the collision to occur. And the vicinity of the lumbar region is protected by being received in the vicinity of the strong lumbar region of the skeleton, and then the second airbag is placed at a predetermined time difference preset in the airbag operation control device 5. The chest is deployed in the vicinity of the chest with a low deployment pressure set in advance, and the secondary impact force of which the impact has been relieved by the first airbag 1 is applied to the chest with a relatively soft skeleton through the second airbag 2. By receiving in the vicinity, it is possible to avoid applying an excessive impact force in the vicinity of the chest.
In addition, after the first airbag 1 is deployed in the vicinity of the waist with a high deployment pressure, the body of the occupant 11 is moved inward of the vehicle, and then the second airbag 2 is moved from the first airbag 1. Also, by deploying near the chest with a low deployment pressure, it is possible to avoid applying an excessive impact force near the chest.
[0024]
Further, according to this embodiment, the first airbag 1 provided with the first inflator 3 and the second airbag 2 provided with the second inflator 4 are independently provided and modularized, so that The deployment directivity of the first airbag 1 for protecting the vicinity of the lumbar region can be concentrated on the lower part, and the stability of the airbag deployment is improved.
[0025]
In another embodiment of the second airbag 2 shown in FIG. 3, the gas outlet 41 of the second inflator 4 has an ejection direction line A when the volume of the second airbag 2 is viewed from the side of the vehicle body. , So as to divide into approximately two equal parts (2A, 2B).
If comprised in this way, since the gas from the 2nd inflator 4 is injected in the substantially center part of the 2nd airbag 2, the 2nd airbag 2 with comparatively large capacity is self-supporting, without requiring the support member guidance. Thus, the air bag 2 can be deployed, the support member is not required, and the structure of the airbag 2 is simplified.
Similarly to the above, the gas ejection direction line A from the first inflator 3 may be configured to divide the first airbag volume into two equal parts.
[0026]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the first airbag that protects the vicinity of the occupant's waist is set to a deployment pressure higher than the deployment pressure of the second airbag that protects the vicinity of the chest, and the first airbag is Then, the second airbag is deployed.
[0027]
Thus, at the time of collision, the first airbag is first deployed in the vicinity of the waist with a high deployment pressure, and the initial impact of the collision is received in the vicinity of the strong waist of the skeleton through the first airbag, thereby protecting the vicinity of the waist. Then, the second airbag is deployed in the vicinity of the chest with a low deployment pressure with a predetermined time difference, and the skeletal structure receives a secondary impact force that is reduced in impact by the first airbag via the second airbag. By receiving in the vicinity of a relatively soft chest, it is possible to avoid applying an excessive impact force in the vicinity of the chest.
As described above, it is possible to safely protect the vicinity of the chest with a relatively weak skeleton without applying an excessive impact force.
[0028]
Further, the first airbag with the first inflator and the second airbag with the second inflator are independently provided and modularized, so that the first airbag for protecting the vicinity of the waist located below is directed to deploy. Therefore, the stability of airbag deployment is improved.
[0029]
Furthermore, according to the present invention, since the gas from the first inflator or the second inflator is ejected to the substantially central portion of the first airbag or the second airbag, the second airbag having a relatively large volume is supported. The air bag can be deployed in a self-supporting manner without the need for guiding the member, and the support member is not required, thereby simplifying the structure of the airbag.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a control operation block diagram of an automotive side airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side configuration diagram in the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a side view showing another embodiment of the airbag.
FIG. 4 is a diagram corresponding to FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st airbag 2 2nd airbag 3 1st inflator 4 2nd inflator 5 Airbag operation control apparatus 6 Collision sensor 10 Seat back 11 Crew 12 Car interior

Claims

In a side airbag device configured to protect an occupant from an impact by deploying the airbag between an occupant in a vehicle interior and a vehicle body side portion by a jet gas from an inflator at the time of a vehicle collision, the airbag is The first airbag that is deployed in the vicinity of the occupant's waist and the second airbag that is provided independently of the first airbag and that is deployed in the vicinity of the occupant's chest, and the inflator is built in the side of the seat back which is composed of a second inflator supplying a gas injected into the second airbag first inflator for supplying gas injected into the first air bag is further collision detection from the collision sensor detects a collision of the vehicle signal deploy first airbag the first inflator is operated at a pressure higher than the operating pressure of the second inflator when entered And an airbag operation control device for operating the second inflator to deploy the second airbag, and the first inflator has a gas outlet at its lower end when viewed from the side of the vehicle body. A gas ejection direction line is provided so as to divide the cross-sectional area of the first airbag into two equal parts and toward the waist , and the second inflator has a gas ejection port at the upper end when viewed from the side of the vehicle body. A side airbag device characterized in that a gas jetting direction line is provided so as to bisect the cross-sectional area of the second airbag and is directed to the vicinity of the chest .

A first airbag that is built in the seat back side and is deployed in the vicinity of the occupant's waist by the gas ejected from the first inflator and the first airbag are provided independently, and the occupant is ejected by the gas ejected from the second inflator A second airbag that is deployed in the vicinity of the chest of the vehicle, and when the vehicle collides, the first and second airbags are deployed between the passenger in the passenger compartment and the side of the vehicle body to protect the passenger from impact. In the method for deploying the side airbag device configured as described above, a collision of the vehicle is detected, and when the collision detection signal is received, the first inflator is operated at a pressure higher than the operating pressure of the second inflator . 1 when the inflator is viewed from the vehicle body side portion, the cross-sectional area of the gas jetting direction lines the first airbag from the installed gas port in the lower end portion to the waist near with bisecting And ejected I by developing the first airbag actuates the second inflator at an adjustable predetermined time difference, the second inflator when viewed from the vehicle body side is disposed in the upper portion A side airbag device characterized in that a gas ejection direction line from the gas ejection port bisects the cross-sectional area of the second airbag and that the second airbag is deployed by being ejected toward the vicinity of the chest. Deployment method.