JP4679982B2 - Air bag and air bag device - Google Patents

Description

  The present inventor relates to an airbag and an airbag apparatus for absorbing an impact caused by a collision.

  In general, an airbag is inflated and deployed upon introduction of gas generated by an inflator at the time of a vehicle collision or the like. And it is comprised so that the impact from a passenger | crew or a pedestrian may be received in the state which expand | deployed.

  In addition, a vent hole for releasing air is formed in the airbag. When an occupant or a pedestrian comes into contact with the airbag in the inflated and deployed state, the air is gradually extracted from the vent hole. Thereby, it is the structure which receives the impact from a passenger | crew softly.

  In addition, there exists a thing of patent document 1 as a technique which disclosed the airbag apparatus for pedestrian protection.

JP 2003-63334 A

  However, depending on the method of introducing air into the airbag and the shape of the airbag, if the vent hole is formed as described above, the air will escape before the shock absorbing operation, and appropriate shock absorbing characteristics are particularly suitable at the initial stage. There is a problem that you can not get.

  Therefore, in such a case, air is introduced into the airbag in a sealed manner. However, in that case, after the shock absorbing object comes into contact with the airbag, the airbag is deformed so as to be dented and becomes harder than the original, so that appropriate shock absorbing characteristics cannot be obtained.

  In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide an appropriate shock absorbing characteristic in an airbag in which air is introduced in an enclosed state.

The present invention relates to an air bag that is attached to a vehicle and air is introduced in an encapsulated form to alleviate an impact at the time of a collision, and the bag body that encloses air in an encapsulated form, and the bag body internal space is divided into a plurality of spaces. And a plurality of the space regulating means provided at intervals in the bag body, and the space regulating means is provided between the plurality of space regulating means. A partition member that is harder to tear than the bag body is provided so as to partition the space inside the bag body, and the interval regulating means is broken in accordance with a load change applied to the bag body.

  The present invention is based on the above-mentioned airbag, air supply / exhaust means for sending air into the airbag, or exhausting the air in the airbag, means for acquiring a vehicle condition, and the vehicle condition Control means for controlling the air intake / exhaust means.

  In this case, when the collision of the shock absorbing object is predicted based on the vehicle situation, the control means sends air to the airbag and avoids the collision of the shock absorbing object. The air supply / exhaust means may be controlled so that the air in the airbag is exhausted when it is determined.

  According to the airbag according to the present invention, since it includes a bag body that stores air in an encapsulated manner, and a space regulating means that divides the internal space of the bag body into a plurality of spaces and maintains a space width at a predetermined interval, In the state, the air can be sufficiently introduced into the airbag. Thereby, it is possible to sufficiently absorb the shock at an initial stage in the shock absorbing operation.

  Further, after the middle stage in the shock absorbing operation, a large load is applied to the airbag due to the shock absorbing object, so that the bag main body is deformed and the interval regulating means is destroyed. As a result, the internal volume of the bag main body increases, the original moderate hardness is restored, and the impact of the shock absorbing object can be softly received.

  Therefore, in an airbag in which air is introduced in an encapsulated form, appropriate shock absorbing characteristics can be obtained even in the initial stage and the middle stage of the shock absorbing operation.

  Further, the airbag device according to the present invention includes an airbag, air supply / exhaust means for sending air into the airbag, or exhausting air in the airbag, and means for acquiring vehicle status; Control means for controlling the air intake / exhaust means on the basis of the vehicle status, so that air is introduced into the airbag for deployment according to the vehicle status, and the air in the airbag is exhausted. And deflated.

  In this case, based on the vehicle status, the control means determines that collision of the shock absorbing object is avoided while air is sent to the airbag when a collision of the shock absorbing object is predicted. If the air supply / exhaust means is controlled so that the air in the airbag is exhausted in the event of a collision, the airbag can be deployed to absorb shock when predicting a collision, and the airbag can be used when avoiding a collision. It can be tempered so that it does not get in the way.

{First embodiment}
The airbag according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

  1 is a perspective view showing an airbag, FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 1, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are sectional views showing a state when a load is applied to the airbag.

  The airbag 10 is attached to a vehicle and is used for a purpose of reducing an impact when a pedestrian or an occupant as an impact absorbing object collides with the vehicle. An example of reducing the impact on a pedestrian will be described in detail later in a second embodiment.

  The airbag 10 includes a bag main body 12 and a spacing regulating member 14.

  The bag body 12 is formed in a bag shape that can store air by enclosing it in an enclosed state. That is, unlike the general airbag incorporated in the steering wheel or the like, the bag body 12 is not formed with a vent hole for discharging air. An air pipe 16 is connected to one side of the bag main body 12, and air can be introduced into the bag main body 12 through the air pipe 16 and air can be discharged from the bag main body 12. .

  The space regulating member 14 is configured to maintain a space width at a predetermined position (a predetermined fixed position) in the bag main body 12 at a predetermined distance and to be broken in accordance with a load change applied to the bag main body 12. Yes.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the interval regulating member 14. This space | interval control member 14 is comprised with the strip | belt-shaped cloth. One end of the space regulating member 14 is attached to a predetermined attachment site on the inner surface of the bag main body 12 by sewing or the like, and the other end of the space regulating member 14 is an inner surface of the bag main body 12 to the predetermined mounting site. It is attached to the opposite attachment site by sewing or the like. In addition, here, both attachment portions of the space regulating member 14 are attached over the entire predetermined direction in the inner peripheral portion of the bag body 12. That is, the space | interval control member 14 is attached in the aspect which divides | segments the internal space of the bag main body 12 into multiple (here two).

  Further, a weakened portion 14a is formed at the intermediate portion of the interval regulating member 14 by adhesion with a weak force, a perforated cut, or the like. And when the force which pulls the space | interval control member 14 is added when a load is added to the bag main body 12, it is comprised so that it may be destroyed so that it may fracture | rupture in the weakened part 14a.

  In addition, the space | interval control member 14 does not necessarily need to be destroyed so that it may fracture | rupture. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 6, both ends of the holding piece 15B are attached to both ends of the slack portion by sewing or the like so that a slack is provided at the intermediate portion of the interval regulating member 14B and the slack state is maintained. ing. Further, a weakened portion 15Ba is formed in the intermediate portion of the holding piece 15B by weak adhesion or perforated cuts. And when the force which pulls the space | interval control member 14B according to the load fluctuation | variation applied to the bag main body 12 is added, it will fracture | rupture in the weakened part 15Ba and the said slack of the space | interval control member 14B will be removed.

  That is, the interval regulating means includes all configurations in which the state in which the internal space of the bag body 12 is maintained at a predetermined interval shifts to a state in which it cannot be maintained at the predetermined interval due to destruction.

  The operation of the airbag 10 configured as described above will be described. First, at the initial stage when air is introduced into the airbag 10, the space width at a predetermined position in the bag main body 12 is maintained at a predetermined dimension by the interval regulating member 14. For this reason, the volume of the airbag 10 is kept relatively small and relatively hard. In this state, for example, when an impact load is applied from the side of the airbag 10 (see arrow A in FIG. 2), the bag body 12 is recessed inward at the portion where the load is applied, and the internal pressure increases. The force that tries to bulge outward acts on the part. As a result, a pulling force acts on the interval regulating member 14, and the interval regulating member 14 is broken at the weakened portion 14a. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 3, the volume of the bag main body 12 expands and decompresses, and it shifts to the initial appropriate hardness state.

  According to the airbag 10 configured as described above, the impact can be sufficiently absorbed in a state where the air is sufficiently introduced into the airbag 10 at the initial stage where the impact absorbing object collides with the airbag 10. .

  Further, after the intermediate stage in the shock absorbing operation, a large load is applied to the airbag 10 by the shock absorbing object, so that the bag main body 12 is greatly deformed and the interval regulating member 14 is broken. As a result, the internal volume of the bag body 12 is increased and the pressure is reduced, and the airbag 10 is shifted to the initial appropriate hardness state, so that the impact of the shock absorbing object can be received softly.

  Therefore, in the airbag 10 in which air is introduced in an enclosed state, appropriate shock absorbing characteristics can be obtained even in the initial stage and the middle stage of the shock absorbing operation.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 4, when a load is applied to the airbag 10 at a position where the space regulating member 14 is provided (see arrow B), a force that pulls it on the space regulating member 14. Since it is difficult to act, there is a possibility that the distance regulating member 14 at that position will not be damaged.

  Therefore, as in the airbag 10C according to the first modified example of FIG. 7, a plurality of interval regulating members 14C may be provided at intervals. In the example shown in FIG. 7, two interval regulating members 14 </ b> C are provided in the bag main body 12 </ b> C at intervals. More specifically, a plurality (here, two) of spacing restriction members 14C are provided in a manner that equally divides the internal space of the bag body 12C into a plurality of (here, three) spaces.

  In this airbag 10C, as shown in FIG. 8, when a load is applied to the airbag 10C at the position where the one-side spacing regulating member 14C is provided (see arrow C), the bag body 12C is recessed at that portion. Therefore, the one-side spacing regulating member 14C is difficult to break. However, since the other part of the bag body 12C tends to swell outward, a force for pulling it acts on the spacing regulating member 14C on the other side. As a result, the distance regulating member 14C is broken. Thereby, similarly to the case shown in FIG. 3, the volume of the bag body 12 </ b> C expands and is reduced in pressure, becomes relatively soft, and returns to the initial appropriate hardness state. For this reason, in the same manner as described above, it is possible to obtain appropriate shock absorbing characteristics even in the initial stage and the middle stage of the shock absorbing operation.

  FIG. 9 shows an airbag 10D according to a second modification. The airbag 10D is provided with a plurality of interval regulating members 14D (1) and 14D (2) at intervals in the bag body 12D. Further, a partition member 15D is disposed between the space regulating members 14D (1) and 14D (2). The partition member 15D is made of a uniform cloth or the like, and is not easily broken by a load variation applied to the bag body 12D. This partition member 15D partitions the space in the bag body 12D. However, it is preferable that air can be circulated in both partitioned spaces. Here, the bag main body 12D is partitioned into four divided spaces by disposing one partition member 15D between the two spacing regulating members 14D (1) and 14D (2).

  In the airbag 10D, when a load is applied at a position where the interval regulating member 14D (1) on one side is provided and in the vicinity thereof (see arrows D1, D2, D3), the bag body 12D is in the vicinity thereof. Since it is dented, the distance regulating member 14D (1) on one side is difficult to break. On the other hand, when the bag main body 12D is recessed at the location, air flows into a portion of the bag main body 12D surrounded by the partition member 15D and the other-side spacing regulating member 14D (2), and the internal pressure rises to swell. . Thereby, the force which pulls it acts on the distance regulating member 14D (2) on the other side, and the distance regulating member 14D (2) is divided.

  On the other hand, when a load is applied at the position where the distance regulating member 14D (2) on the other side is provided and in the vicinity thereof (see arrows D5, D6, D7), on the other hand, The interval regulating member 14D (1) is divided.

  Furthermore, when a load is applied to the airbag 10 at the position where the partition member 15D is provided (see arrow D4), the partition member 15D itself is compressed, but the internal pressure rises and expands at both side portions thereof. It becomes like this. Thereby, the force which pulls it acts on both space | interval control members 14D (1) and 14D (2), and at least one of them will eventually be divided.

  For this reason, when an impact load is applied to the airbag 10D, the spacing regulating members 14D (1) and 14D (2) are broken, the volume of the bag body 12D is expanded and reduced in pressure, and the initial appropriate hardness state is obtained. Become. For this reason, it is possible to obtain appropriate shock absorbing characteristics even in the initial stage of the shock absorbing operation and after the intermediate stage.

  In these first and second modified examples, since a plurality of spacing regulating means 14C, 14D (1), 14D (2) are provided, the spacing regulation is more reliably performed when a load is applied to the airbags 10C, 10D. There is an advantage that the means 14C, 14D (1), 14D (2) can be broken.

  In particular, in the second modified example, since the partition member 15D is disposed between the spacing regulating members 14D (1) and 14D (2), the spacing regulating members 14D (1) and 14D (2) are broken. However, there is an advantage that the airbag 10D can be easily maintained in a certain form.

{Second Embodiment}
An airbag device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing an application example of the airbag device, and FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the airbag device.

  The airbag device includes an airbag 110, an air supply / exhaust device 120, a detection sensor 122, and a control unit 124.

  The airbag 110 has the same configuration as that described in the first embodiment, and is configured to store the introduced air in a sealed shape. The airbag 110 is attached in front of the vehicle 102, here, the front bumper. When air is introduced into the airbag 110, the airbag 110 is configured to expand so as to spread toward the front side of the bumper. It should be noted that in a state where the airbag 110 is deflated, that is, in a state before air is introduced and in a state where air is once exhausted and then exhausted, it is preferably accommodated in a part of the vehicle 102 (for example, a bumper). .

  The air supply / exhaust device 120 includes a combination of an air cylinder and an electromagnetic valve, an air compressor, and the like, and is incorporated in the vehicle 102. The air supply / exhaust device 120 is connected to each air chamber of the airbag 110 through a predetermined pipe 121. Then, by the air supply operation of the air supply / exhaust device 120, air is introduced into the airbag 110 through the pipe 121, and the airbag is inflated and deployed in a sealed manner. Moreover, the air in the air bag 110 is exhausted to the outside by the exhaust operation of the air supply / exhaust device 120, and the air bag 110 is in a deflated state.

  The detection sensor 122 is a means for acquiring the vehicle 102 situation. Examples of the vehicle 102 situation include a sensor that detects the speed and acceleration of the vehicle 102, the presence or absence of a nearby object, and the like. A detection result by the detection sensor 122 is given to the control unit 124.

  The control unit 124 controls the air supply / exhaust device 120 based on the detection result from the detection sensor 122. That is, based on the detection result from the detection sensor 122, the control unit 124 determines whether or not a pedestrian collision as an impact absorbing object is predicted. For example, it is determined that a collision is predicted when the vehicle 102 exceeds a certain speed and the proximity of an object estimated to be a pedestrian is detected. Then, when a collision is predicted, an air supply command is given to the air supply / exhaust device 120. Thus, air is supplied from the air supply / exhaust device 120 to the airbag 110, and the airbag 110 is deployed and inflated before the front bumper. In this state, as shown in FIG. 12, when an object collides with the airbag 110, as shown in FIG. 13, the interval regulating member 114 is broken, so that the volume of the bag body 112 increases, and gradually Reduced pressure to soften and return to the original moderate hardness. Thereby, the impact impact of a pedestrian can be softened gradually and can be received softly.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating changes in time, G (acceleration), and P (internal pressure) when a collision load is applied to the airbag 110. In the figure, a solid curve indicates a change in G (acceleration) of the force applied to the airbag 110, and a two-dot chain line indicates a change in P (internal pressure) of the airbag 110.

  As shown in the figure, when a collision impact having G (acceleration) characteristics as indicated by the solid line curve is applied to the airbag 110, each spacing regulating member 114 is moved away from the one near the collision site. Break sequentially in order. For this reason, as indicated by the two-dot chain line curve, P (internal pressure) of the airbag 110 is kept approximately constant regardless of the passage of time (regardless of the degree of deformation of the airbag 110). For this reason, even if it receives the impact impact of a pedestrian, the airbag 110 can be received softly, without becoming extremely hard. By the way, when considering a configuration in which the distance regulating member 114 does not break, as time passes (that is, as the airbag 110 is greatly deformed), P (internal pressure) increases and the airbag 110 gradually increases. Hardens.

  Thus, in the airbag 110, even if a pedestrian collides with the front bumper in the front part of the vehicle 102, the collision impact can be reduced.

  On the other hand, for example, when the speed of the vehicle 102 is less than a certain speed or when the proximity of an object that is assumed to be a pedestrian is not detected, and it is determined that a pedestrian collision has been avoided, The control unit 124 gives an exhaust command to the air supply / exhaust device 120. As a result, the air supply / exhaust device 120 exhausts the air in the airbag 110 and puts the airbag 110 in a deflated state, that is, a state that does not hinder the traveling of the vehicle 102.

  When a pedestrian collision is predicted, the above operation is repeated.

  According to the airbag device configured as described above, the airbag 110, the air supply / exhaust device 120 that sends air into the airbag 110, or exhausts the air in the airbag 110, and the detection sensor 122, Since the air supply / exhaust device 120 is provided on the basis of the detection result of the detection sensor 122, air is sent into the airbag 110 depending on the situation of the vehicle 102, or the The air can be exhausted and deflated. That is, even when the collision is not surely observed, the airbag 110 is deployed based on the prior collision prediction, and when the collision is avoided, the airbag 110 is deflated so as not to get in the way. This can reduce the impact of the collision more reliably.

  The installation position of the airbag 110 is not limited to the above example. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the airbag 110 may be disposed around the lower part of the A pillar 103 of the vehicle 102. Moreover, you may make it arrange | position around the pillar of a vehicle interior. When the air is supplied and exhausted at these positions, the timing at which the air is supplied and exhausted may cause a pedestrian, a passenger, or the like to collide with the part, and the collision is avoided. It can be set as appropriate according to empirical and experimental circumstances.

1 is a perspective view showing an airbag according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is the II sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a figure which shows the state which the load was added to the airbag and the space | interval control member fractured | ruptured. It is a figure which shows the state from which a space | interval control member does not fracture | rupture although a load was added to the airbag. It is a figure which shows a space | interval control member. It is a figure which shows the other example of a space | interval control member. It is sectional drawing which shows the 1st modification of an airbag. It is sectional drawing which shows the fracture | rupture state of the space | interval control member in the said airbag. It is sectional drawing which shows the 2nd modification of an airbag. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of application of the airbag apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of an airbag apparatus same as the above. It is sectional drawing which shows an airbag. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which the space | interval regulation member of the airbag fractured | ruptured. It is a figure which shows the relationship between time and G * P when a collision load is added to the airbag. It is a figure which shows the other application example of an airbag apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

10, 10C, 10D Airbag 12, 12C, 12D Bag body 14, 14B, 14C, 14D Space regulating member 102 Vehicle 110 Air bag 112 Bag body 114 Space regulating member 120 Air supply / exhaust device 122 Detection sensor 124 Control unit

Claims (3)

An airbag that is attached to a vehicle and air is introduced in an encapsulated manner to reduce the impact at the time of a collision,
A bag body for storing air in an encapsulated form;
An interval regulating means for dividing the bag body space into a plurality of spaces and maintaining a space width at a predetermined interval;
With
A plurality of the space restricting means are provided in the bag body with a space therebetween, and a partition member that is harder to break than the space restricting means partitions the space in the bag body between the space restricting means. Provided,
The airbag in which the said space | interval control means is destroyed according to the load change added to the said bag main body. The airbag according to claim 1 installed on a vehicle body,
Air supply / exhaust means for sending air into the airbag or exhausting the air in the airbag;
Means for obtaining vehicle status;
Control means for controlling the air intake / exhaust means based on the vehicle status;
An airbag device comprising: The airbag device according to claim 2,
The control means, when a collision of an impact absorbing object is predicted based on the vehicle situation, when air is sent to the airbag and it is determined that the collision of the impact absorbing object is avoided An air bag apparatus that controls the air supply / exhaust means to exhaust air in the air bag.

Images