JP4901832B2 - Vehicle occupant protection device and automobile equipped with occupant protection device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an occupant protection device for a vehicle based on the superordinate concept of claim 1, and more particularly to a curtain airbag system. Furthermore, the present invention relates to an automobile equipped with such a vehicle occupant protection device.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-151867 discloses a structure related to an occupant protection device for a vehicle of this type using an air bag inflated in a curtain shape arranged along a roof side rail of an automobile. The airbag is held by a holding member. The holding member is configured as a deformable member at least for each region at the same time, and relaxes the impact force applied to the deformable member from the vehicle interior in the event of a collision by absorbing energy. is doing. In that case, in one embodiment, the deformable member is configured such that it surrounds the folded airbag and is fixed on the A-pillar of the automobile. And the airbag is arrange | positioned near the door opening part of a vehicle rather than the deformation | transformation member normally.

In this case, in the vehicle occupant protection device known from the prior art, the device has very various components such as, for example, a deformable member, a holding member, and a storage member that accommodates the airbag in a folded state. Therefore, correspondingly, it is a disadvantage that the installation of this well-known vehicle occupant protection device is burdensome.
German Patent Publication No. 69713246

  The object of the present invention is to provide an improved implementation for an occupant protection device for a vehicle of this kind, which is characterized in particular by being easy to mount on a motor vehicle.

  This problem is solved by the device according to the independent claim 1 in accordance with the invention. The device described in the dependent claims is an advantageous implementation.

  The present invention concentrates a plurality of important functions on a single member, i.e., an integrated multi-function member, both with respect to both the mounting of the vehicle occupant protection device on a vehicle and the functional system of the vehicle occupant protection device according to the invention Based on the common technical idea of adopting Therefore, the vehicle occupant protection device according to the present invention includes the multi-functional member in which the storage member, the holding member, the deformation member, and the guide member are integrated into a single member. In this case, the storage member originally configured separately accommodates an airbag that expands in a curtain shape and extends on the roof side rail of the automobile from the A pillar to the C pillar to the C pillar. Here, the airbag is held on the roof side rail by the holding member functionally integrated into the multifunctional member. Similarly, the deformable member, which is a constituent part of the multi-functional member according to the present invention, reduces the impact force applied to the deformable member from the passenger compartment in the event of a collision from the side, while also being functionally integrated into the multi-functional member. The guide member thus made changes the direction of the inflation movement of the airbag, and in particular, contributes to inflating the airbag as fast as possible along the pillar inner panel of the B pillar. Therefore, this multi-functional member integrates the functions related to the members that have been realized separately from each other in the past, thereby clearly reducing, in particular, the burden of mounting the vehicle occupant protection device according to the present invention on the automobile, By doing so, it can be realized at low cost. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the number of parts, which reduces storage / distribution costs.

  In order to meet the object of the present invention, this multifunctional member is made of a polypropylene foam material. Polypropylene is a semicrystalline thermoplastic resin and belongs to the group of polyolefins when viewed chemically. Polypropylene is obtained from monomeric propylene using a catalyst, and in particular, the individual properties of polypropylene can be realized by controlling the molecular structure as desired. It offers the special advantage that the multi-function member, which is configured as a deformation member and a holding member at the same time, advantageously adapts as optimally as possible to the main requirements of each region, from region to region. Furthermore, the multifunctional member manufactured from polypropylene is clearly cheaper than the case where the storage member, the deformation member, the holding member, and the guide member that are conventionally used are separately configured. However, by producing the multifunctional member according to the present invention from polypropylene, it is possible to create almost arbitrarily selectable shapes, so that, for example, the multifunctional member can easily be adapted to a modified roof side rail. The decisive advantage is that it becomes possible.

  In order to meet the object of the present invention, the region constituting the holding member and / or the storage member of the multifunctional member shall surround the airbag in a U shape or C shape. In this case, in particular, the method surrounding the C-shape allows the airbag to be connected to the multifunctional member in a clipped manner, thereby making it extremely easy to attach the airbag to the multifunctional member, Thereby, it will be manufactured at low cost. Furthermore, the airbag can be reliably held in / on the multifunctional member by the two leg portions of the peripheral portion configured in a C shape. In this case, when the airbag is clipped in the region of the multi-function member configured as such, it becomes possible to elastically bend and spread the two legs of the peripheral portion configured in the C shape, Thereby, after fixing an airbag between two leg parts, these leg parts will urge and hold an airbag.

  In another advantageous embodiment of the solution according to the invention, the multifunctional member is designed as a tubular body with a longitudinal cut. Such a configuration of the multi-functional member makes it possible to realize a fixing portion that extends over a certain distance in the longitudinal direction of the airbag, thereby holding the airbag gripped only at a conventional point. It will clearly be better retained in / on the multifunctional member than if it could be achieved with the member. In this case, the tubular body cut in the longitudinal direction allows the airbag to be inflated without any problem at the time of a collision. For this purpose, the airbag is cut into the longitudinal direction by using the tubular body cut in the longitudinal direction. And easily spread along the direction intersecting the notch.

  In a further advantageous embodiment of the solution according to the invention, the multi-function member is firmly connected to the roof side rail of the motor vehicle, in particular it is clipped or screwed. In particular, the clip connection between the multifunctional member and the roof side rail provides an inexpensive and simple and therefore economically manufactured connection means, which can also be made by a suitable screw connection. Is possible. Compared to the vehicle occupant protection device known from the prior art, in which the airbag must be held by a number of holding members along its longitudinal extension, the solution according to the invention is relatively less advantageous. Provides the great advantage that three multifunctional members can be used to securely fix the airbag on the roof side rail. By doing so, it is possible to streamline the mounting process as well and thereby make it cheaper to configure.

  Further important features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the drawings and the following description based on the drawings.

  It will be appreciated that the features described above and further described below can be used not only in the respective combinations presented, but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Advantageous embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be explained in more detail in the following description, wherein identical or similar or functionally identical components are provided with the same reference numerals.

  Corresponding to FIG. 1, a vehicle occupant protection device 1 according to the present invention has an airbag 2 folded in a tube shape, and the airbag can be inflated in a curtain shape, and other parts are It extends from the A pillar 3 to the C pillar 5 over the B pillar 4 on the roof side rail 6 of the automobile not shown. In this case, the area of the A pillar 3 is connected to a corresponding collision sensor (not shown), and gas is blown into the airbag 2 by an impact force from a predetermined side of the automobile, thereby expanding the gas. A generator 7 is arranged. In the present invention, the vehicle occupant protection device 1 includes at least one multifunctional member in which the storage member 10, the holding member 11, the deforming member 15, and the guide member 12 that are separately realized in the past are integrated into a single member. 8 is deployed (see FIG. 2). In this case, in FIG. 1, three multifunctional members are deployed, one is deployed in the region of the B pillar 4, while the other two multifunctional members 8 are located between the A pillar 3 and the B pillar 4. And between the B pillar 4 and the C pillar 5.

  Accordingly, the airbag 2 is held on the roof side rail 6 by using the multifunction member 8 shown in detail in FIG. 2, and at the same time, the airbag is surrounded by the multifunction member at least in the region of the multifunction member 8. As a result, the conventional storage member 10 that is separately configured can be omitted. At the same time, the multi-functional member 8 can reduce the impact force applied from the vehicle interior to the roof side rail 15 in the form of absorbing energy at the time of a collision from the side surface at least in the region of the B pillar 4. The member 15 is configured. Furthermore, the multi-function member 8 is a guide that contributes to inflating the airbag 2 as fast as possible along the pillar inner panel by changing the direction of the inflation movement of the airbag at the time of collision in another region. The member 12 is configured.

  In this case, the multifunction member 8 is advantageously advantageous because it can be configured as easily as possible on the one hand and can be optimally adapted for many functions on the other hand. Are manufactured as foamed plastic parts, in particular from polypropylene foam.

  FIG. 2 shows a possible implementation of the multi-function member 8, and the members 10, 11, 12, 15 shown in the circles in the alternate long and short dash line must be configured separately in the prior art. In this case, it is integrated into the multifunctional member 8 in the present invention.

  As can further be seen from FIG. 2, the region 9 constituting the holding member 11 and / or the storage member 10 of the multi-function member 8 surrounds the airbag 2 in a C-shape, thereby in / on the multi-function member 8. The airbag is securely fixed. Accordingly, the region 9 includes the storage member 10 that was originally configured separately and the conventional separately configured holding member 11, and as a result, two members can be omitted here. . Similarly, the conventional separately manufactured guide member 12 is replaced by a region 14 configured as an inclined surface 13 arranged on the multifunctional member 8. Finally, the multi-functional member 8 according to the present invention also replaces the conventional separately manufactured deformable member 15, so that the multi-functional member 8 is a conventional separately constructed component 10, 11, It concentrates at least four of the functions performed by 12,15. In this case, in FIG. 2, reference numerals 10, 11, 12, and 15 are linked to corresponding constituent members by a one-dot chain line, and these members are omitted by adopting the multifunctional member 8 according to the present invention. It means that it is possible to do.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the multifunctional member 8 plays a role in securely fixing the airbag 2 on the roof side rail 6, particularly in the region located between the B pillar 4 and the C pillar 5. It will be noted that it can also be configured as a tubular body with cuts. In this case, the longitudinal cut in the multi-function member 8 creates two legs 16 and 16 ′ that surround the airbag 2 in a C-shape, which on the one hand does not deflate the airbag 2. It can be reliably held in the multifunctional member 8 in use, and on the other hand, it can be easily bent and expanded at the time of collision, so that the inflating movement of the airbag 2 is not hindered at all. In this case, FIG. 1 shows various implementation configurations of the multifunctional member 8.

  In particular, when the multi-functional member 8 can be easily connected to the roof side rail 6, for example, by being clipped or screwed, the multi-functional member 8 according to the present invention allows the multi-functional member 8 to be connected to the roof side rail 6. Furthermore, it is a further advantage that the airbag 2 can be held particularly easily. By doing so, the mounting of the airbag 2 on the roof side rail 6 can be carried out particularly economically, whereby the airbag can be fixed with fewer handles, whereas in the past Advantageously, instead of the multi-functional member 8 which can be clipped with the roof side rail 6, four separate members, namely the storage member 10, the holding member 11, the guide member 12 and the deformation member 15, are individually provided. Had to be mounted on the roof side rail 6. Furthermore, in the multi-function member 8 according to the present invention, all four members, which are conventionally separately configured, are aggregated, that is, integrated, thereby clearly reducing the number of parts and the associated logistics costs. Can be achieved with obvious reductions.

  By configuring as a foamed plastic part, it is only necessary to change the tool for imparting the shape to change the structural requirements, so that it is possible to cope with it particularly easily. Furthermore, the use of foamed plastics allows the multifunctional member 8 according to the invention to be easily controlled with respect to its properties, for example with respect to its impact mitigation behavior or strength, so that in this case as well, in some cases It becomes possible to easily adapt to changes in requirements.

  In this case, in particular, the individual regions of the multifunctional member 8 according to the invention have different material properties, for example, the regions constituting the deformable member 15 of the multifunctional member 8 have a high energy absorption capacity while being retained, for example. It is also conceivable that the region 9 constituting the member 11 is characterized by rather high strength, so that the multifunctional member 8 can be reliably connected to the roof side rail 6.

Schematic diagram of a vehicle occupant protection device according to the present invention. Detailed view of multifunctional members

Claims (6)

An airbag (2) that inflates into a curtain extending on the roof side rail (6) of the automobile from the A pillar (3) to the C pillar (5) beyond the B pillar (4);
A gas generator (7) for inflating the airbag (2) by an impact force from a predetermined side surface;
At least one storage member (10) for storing the airbag (2);
At least one holding member (11) for holding the airbag (2) on the roof side rail (6);
At least one deformable member (15) that relaxes the impact force applied to the roof side rail (6) from the vehicle interior in the form of absorbing energy in the event of a collision from the side surface;
In a vehicle occupant protection device (1) equipped with:
The functions of the storage member (10), the holding member (11), the deformation member (15), and the guide member (12) that changes the direction of the inflation movement of the airbag (2) in the event of a collision are integrated into a single member. The multi-functional member (8) has been deployed,
A region (9) constituting one or more of the holding member (11) and the storage member (10) of the multifunctional member (8) surrounds the airbag in a U-shape or C-shape;
The multifunctional member (8) is configured as a tubular body with a cut in the longitudinal direction;
The storage member (10), the holding member (11), the deformation member (15), and the guide member (12) are integrated components of the multifunctional member (8),
The multifunctional member (8) is manufactured from a polypropylene foam;
An occupant protection device for a vehicle.   2. The vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein the occupant protection device (1) is a curtain airbag system. 3. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a total of three multifunctional members (8) are provided, one of which is arranged in the region of the B pillar (4). Crew protection device. The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that the region (14) constituting the guide member (12) of the multifunctional member (8) is configured as an inclined surface (13). Occupant protection device. 2. The multi-function member (8) is rigidly connected to the roof side rail (6), is clipped to the roof side rail (6), or is screwed. The vehicle occupant protection device according to any one of 4 to 4 . An automobile comprising the vehicle occupant protection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 .

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