JP5034552B2 - Rear structure of vehicle with curtain airbag device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention belongs to a technical field relating to a rear structure of a vehicle including a curtain airbag device having a curtain member that is deployed so as to cover a side window portion including at least a rear side window of the vehicle.

Conventionally, as shown in Patent Document 1, for example, a curtain-like airbag (curtain member) is folded and accommodated at the upper edge of a side window portion of a vehicle, and the curtain is struck during a vehicle collision or rollover. 2. Description of the Related Art A curtain airbag device is known in which a gas is supplied to a member so that the side window portion is instantaneously covered by inflating and deploying the gas. In this apparatus, the curtain member in the accommodated state extends in the vehicle front-rear direction along the vehicle roof side rail with the passenger compartment side covered with a roof trim, and when the curtain is deployed, By deforming the roof trim, the curtain member moves from the roof trim to the side lining or weather strip provided on the upper edge of the side window (at the pillar, between the roof trim and the pillar trim). Expands into the room and covers the side window.
JP 2001-88650 A

  By the way, in the curtain airbag device, the curtain member in the accommodated state may be configured such that the vehicle rear side end portion of the curtain member in the rear pillar depends on the shape of the rear pillar or the rear side window adjacent to the vehicle front side of the rear pillar. There is a case where it is disposed in a space between the rear pillar trim and the vehicle body. In this case, the portion disposed in the space deforms the pillar trim made of a member harder than the roof trim, and extends between the pillar trim and the side window and expands into the vehicle interior.

  However, if the vehicle rear side end portion of the curtain member is disposed in the space between the rear pillar trim and the vehicle body in the rear pillar as described above, it is necessary to deform the pillar trim made of a member harder than the roof trim. In particular, there is a high possibility that the rear pillar trim is damaged particularly at low temperatures.

  Therefore, in Patent Document 1, the rear portion of the vehicle in the rear seat inflatable portion that covers the rear side window is shaped to be foldable with respect to the front portion, and the rear portion of the vehicle in the rear seat inflatable portion is the front portion. The rear seat inflatable part is folded in the vertical direction, and the passenger compartment side is covered with a roof trim so that the rear seat inflated part becomes the rear pillar trim when the curtain member is deployed. This prevents contact with the rear pillar trim.

  However, in the method of folding the rear seat expansion portion as in Patent Document 1, the development of the entire rear seat expansion portion tends to be delayed. In particular, the head of an occupant seated in the rear seat is usually at a position corresponding to the rear side of the vehicle in the rear side window (the rear portion of the vehicle in the inflating portion for the rear seat). In order to satisfy this requirement, the vehicle rear side portion of the rear seat inflating portion is placed in the space between the rear pillar trim and the vehicle body in the rear pillar. It is preferable to arrange.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and an object of the present invention is to provide a rear inflating portion that covers a vehicle rear side portion in a rear side window in a deployed state in a curtain member, and a rear pillar trim in a rear pillar. Even when the vehicle is housed in a space between the vehicle body and the vehicle body, the rear pillar trim can be prevented from being damaged.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, at least a part of the rear expansion portion of the curtain member is disposed and accommodated in a space between the rear pillar trim and the vehicle body in the rear pillar, and is disposed in the space. The installed part is configured to expand between the vehicle front side edge of the rear pillar trim and the rear side window on the vehicle front side, and when the curtain member is expanded, when viewed from the vehicle width direction vehicle side, The vehicle rear side edge of the rear expansion portion of the curtain member is separated from the vehicle front side edge of the rear pillar trim.

  Specifically, in the first aspect of the invention, the vehicle compartment side is covered with a roof trim on the upper edge of the side window part including at least the rear side window adjacent to the vehicle front side of the rear pillar of the vehicle side part. A rear structure of a vehicle including a curtain airbag device having a curtain member that is accommodated so as to extend in the vehicle front-rear direction and that expands so as to cover the side window portion by deforming the roof trim by inflation by gas injection. set to target.

  And the vehicle rear side edge part of the curtain member in the said accommodation state comprises the vehicle front side edge vicinity of the upper end of the rear pillar trim which comprises the vehicle interior side surface of the said rear pillar, and consists of a member harder than the said roof trim. The curtain includes a pillar trim / inter-vehicle arrangement portion which extends so as to incline downward toward the rear side of the vehicle and is disposed in a space between the rear pillar trim and the vehicle body in the rear pillar, The member has a rear inflating portion that expands by injecting the gas and covers at least a vehicle rear side portion in the rear side window in a state where the curtain member is completely deployed, and the rear inflating portion of the curtain member is at least partially Is housed in a state where the pillar trim is disposed between the vehicle body, and the portion where the pillar trim is disposed between the vehicle body is the vehicle of the rear pillar trim. The curtain member is configured to expand to the vehicle front side through the side edge and the rear side window, and when the curtain member is deployed, the curtain member rear inflated portion as viewed from the vehicle width direction cabin side The rear edge of the vehicle is separated from the front edge of the rear pillar trim.

  With the above configuration, at least a part of the rear expansion portion of the curtain member is the pillar trim / vehicle body arrangement portion in the accommodated state of the curtain member, and the portion of the rear expansion portion that is the pillar trim / vehicle body arrangement portion is The rear pillar trim extends between the front edge of the vehicle and the rear side window, and is deployed on the front side of the vehicle (in the vehicle compartment). And in the deployment completion state of the curtain member, the vehicle rear side edge of the rear expansion portion is separated from the vehicle front side edge of the rear pillar trim as viewed from the vehicle width direction cabin side, so that the rear expansion portion In the unfolded state, the rear pillar does not remain in the space between the rear pillar trim and the vehicle body. Thereby, it can be made a free state, without restraining the vehicle rear side of a rear part expansion part. That is, the rear inflating portion can be separated from the portion remaining in the space even in the state where the curtain member has been deployed, so that the rear inflating portion can be used during the period from the start of deployment of the curtain member to the completion of deployment. The rear side of the vehicle is not restrained at all, and it is difficult to apply extra tension. In this way, the rear inflating part deforms the rear pillar trim by only a small amount of gas supplied, and tries to expand to the front side of the vehicle through the space between the front edge of the rear pillar trim and the rear side window. As a result, the rear inflating portion is unexpanded and passes between the vehicle front side edge of the rear pillar trim and the rear side window and is deployed in the vehicle interior. Therefore, the deformation amount of the rear pillar trim is small, and the rear pillar trim does not receive a large force from the rear inflating portion. Therefore, even if it is a case where the rear part expansion part is arrange | positioned in the space between the rear pillar trim and vehicle body in a rear pillar in the accommodation state, damage to the rear pillar trim can be prevented. Moreover, since the rear inflating portion is smoothly deployed in the vehicle interior without receiving a large resistance from the rear pillar trim, the rear inflating portion can be deployed early.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the rear inflatable portion is formed with an expansion suppressing portion that suppresses the thickness in the vehicle width direction when the rear inflated portion is inflated to a predetermined value or less. To do.

  Thus, the expansion suppressing portion can reliably suppress the thickness in the vehicle width direction when the rear expansion portion is expanded to a value that does not damage the rear pillar trim, and more reliably prevent the rear pillar trim from being damaged. be able to.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, a limiting portion that restricts the inflow of the gas into the rear expanded portion is formed in the rear expanded portion.

  By this, it can suppress that a rear part expansion part expand | swells too much, before it passes between between the vehicle front side edge of a rear pillar trim, and a rear side window by a restriction | limiting part. In addition, the front part of the curtain member in the curtain member expands the front part of the vehicle before the rear part, thereby pulling out the rear part that is hardly inflated. Can be put in the passenger compartment. Therefore, damage to the rear pillar trim can be prevented more reliably.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the restricting portion is configured so that the gas flows into the front portion of the vehicle in the rear expansion portion and then flows into the rear portion of the vehicle in the rear expansion portion. It shall be configured.

  As a result, the rear portion of the vehicle in the rear inflating portion is normally the pillar trim / vehicle body arrangement portion, so that the rear portion of the vehicle before passing between the front edge of the rear pillar trim and the rear side window. It is possible to suppress excessive expansion. In addition, since the rear part of the vehicle in the rear inflating part is deployed while being pulled out to the front part of the vehicle that is first deployed in the rear inflating part, the rear part of the vehicle can be put out into the vehicle compartment earlier, and the rear pillar trim The amount of deformation can be further reduced. Further, even when the front part of the vehicle in the rear inflating part is a pillar trim / vehicle body arrangement part together with the rear part of the vehicle, the vehicle in the rear pillar trim is usually in front of the rear part of the vehicle in the rear inflating part. Since it passes between the front side edge and the rear side window, when the vehicle rear side part passes between the above by making the gas supply to the vehicle rear side part in the rear inflating part slower than the vehicle front side part The size (thickness in the vehicle width direction) can be made substantially the same as the size (thickness in the vehicle width direction) when the vehicle front side portion passes between the above. Therefore, damage to the rear pillar trim can be more reliably prevented, and further development of the rear inflated portion can be further accelerated.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, when the curtain member is deployed, the vehicle rear side of the rear expansion portion of the curtain member when viewed from the vehicle width direction side of the vehicle compartment It is assumed that the edge is separated from the vehicle front side edge of the rear pillar trim from the height position near the upper end of the rear pillar trim to the entire lower side.

  In this way, when the rear inflating part passes between the vehicle front side edge of the rear pillar trim and the rear side window, in addition to not applying a large force to the rear pillar trim as described above, the rear inflating part is Even after passing through, the rear inflating part does not apply a large force to the upper end part that is particularly easily damaged in the rear pillar trim.

  According to a sixth aspect of the invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects of the invention, when the curtain member is deployed, the vehicle rear side of the rear expansion portion of the curtain member as viewed from the vehicle width direction side of the vehicle compartment. It is assumed that the edge is separated from the vehicle rear side edge of the rear side window from the height position near the upper edge of the rear side window to the entire lower side.

  That is, at the height position near the upper edge of the rear side window, there is a portion where the curtain member in the accommodated state bends downward, and in this portion, the force to expand almost directly below and the lower and front sides. Since the force to be deployed acts in a complex manner, the behavior during deployment becomes unstable, and there is a possibility that a large force is applied to the upper end portion of the rear pillar trim generally located in the vicinity of the bent portion. Get higher. However, in this invention, the vehicle rear side edge of the rear inflating portion of the curtain member is separated from the vehicle rear side edge of the rear side window from the height position near the upper edge of the rear side window to the entire lower side. (In the height position where the rear pillar trim exists, the rear pillar trim is separated from the vehicle front side edge), so that the upper end of the separation part at the vehicle rear side edge of the rear expansion part is substantially the same position as the bent part. As a result, at the bent portion, the rear side of the vehicle is in a free state, so that the vehicle is unfolded almost directly below. Therefore, the development of the bent portion is stable, and the development of the rear inflating portion is stable, thereby preventing a large force from being applied to the upper end portion of the rear pillar trim.

  As described above, according to the rear structure of the vehicle including the curtain airbag device of the present invention, at least a part of the rear inflating portion of the curtain member is arranged in the space between the rear pillar trim and the vehicle body in the rear pillar. The vehicle is accommodated as an installed portion between the pillar trim and the vehicle body, and the portion that is the pillar trim and the vehicle body disposed portion in the rear expansion portion passes between the vehicle front side edge of the rear pillar trim and the rear side window. The vehicle rear side edge of the curtain member rear inflated portion is separated from the vehicle front side edge of the rear pillar trim when viewed from the vehicle width direction cabin side when the curtain member is deployed. By doing so, even if the rear inflating part is accommodated in the space between the rear pillar trim and the vehicle body in the rear pillar, By reducing the amount of deformation of the trim, it is possible to prevent damage to the rear pillar trim, to reduce the resistance rear inflating portion receives from the rear pillar trim, it is possible to expand the rear inflating portion in an early stage.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a side portion of a vehicle (automobile) provided with a curtain airbag device A to which a rear structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. In the figure, 1 is a front side window formed on the front door 7, 2 is a rear side window formed on the rear door 8, 3 is a front pillar, 4 is a center pillar, 5 is a rear pillar, and 9 is a front side window 1. Corresponding driver seat, 10 is a rear seat corresponding to the rear side window, 11 is a driver seat belt device for restraining and protecting an occupant 13 (driver) seated on the driver seat 9. Reference numeral 12 denotes a rear seat belt device for restraining and protecting an occupant 14 seated on the rear seat 10.

  The rear pillar 5 corresponds to a rear pillar of the vehicle side portion of the present invention, and the rear side window 2 corresponds to a rear side window adjacent to the front side of the rear pillar 5 in the vehicle.

  The front pillar 3, the center pillar 4, and the rear pillar 5 are each formed with a front pillar trim 16, a center pillar trim 17, and a rear pillar trim 18 (corresponding to a rear pillar trim).

  The seat belt device 12 for the rear seat engages with a webbing 41, a retractor part 42 that winds up the webbing 41, and a webbing 41 that is pulled out upward from the retractor part 42 so that the webbing 41 is pulled out upward. A shoulder anchor portion 43 that is converted from downward to downward, a lap anchor portion (not shown) to which the tip end portion of the webbing 41 is attached, a tongue (not shown) disposed at a middle portion in the longitudinal direction of the webbing 41, and the tongue It is configured in a three-point manner having a buckle portion (not shown) that is detachably engaged. As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 4, the shoulder anchor portion 43 is disposed in a space between the rear pillar trim 18 and the vehicle body inner panel 52 (see FIG. 3) in the rear pillar 5, and the vehicle body inner portion. It is attached to the panel 52 so as to be rotatable around a rotation shaft 43a, and the orientation of the webbing 41 is changed by an insertion hole 43b through which the webbing 41 is inserted. Then, the webbing 41 converted downward is drawn out from the shoulder anchor portion 43 through the slot 18a formed in the rear pillar trim 18 into the vehicle interior. The seat belt device 11 for the driver's seat has the same configuration as the seat belt device 12 for the rear seat, and thus the description thereof is omitted (in FIG. 1, the seat belt for the rear seat is shown for the webbing, the retractor portion, and the shoulder anchor portion). The same reference numerals as those of the device 12 are attached). In FIG. 1, 17 a is a slot formed in the center pillar trim 17 and similar to the slot 18 a.

  The vehicle is equipped with a curtain airbag device A. The curtain airbag device A includes a side window portion of the vehicle (in this embodiment, a front side window 1 and a rear side window 2 are arranged in front and rear. It is configured to cover the part).

  Specifically, the curtain airbag device A is a curtain member 20 having a front inflating portion 20a and a rear inflating portion 20b that are inflated by injecting gas, and a gas supply device that supplies gas to the curtain member 20. And an inflator 21. As shown in FIG. 2, the curtain member 20 is folded in a bellows shape in the vertical direction over the entire vehicle longitudinal direction (may be folded in a roll shape), and the side window portion (the front side window 1 and The upper edge of the rear side window 2) is accommodated so as to extend in the vehicle front-rear direction along the roof side rail 32 (vehicle body). The curtain member 20 expands in a curtain shape so as to cover the side window portion by expansion of the front expansion portion 20a and the rear expansion portion 20b due to the gas injection. The curtain member 20 is covered with a sheet-like member (not shown) such as paper that is easily torn when unfolded so that the folded state is maintained.

  The curtain member 20 is composed of two cloths that form both sides in the vehicle width direction, and the two cloths are formed in a bag shape in which the front inflatable portion 20a and the rear inflatable portion 20b can be gas-injected. They are stitched together. The front inflating portion 20a is inflated by the gas injection, and the rear side portion of the front side window 1 (the head of the occupant 13 seated on the driver's seat 9) mainly in the state where the curtain member 20 is fully deployed. The rear inflatable portion 20b is inflated by the gas injection, and the rear portion of the vehicle in the rear side window 2 (the occupant seated on the rear seat 10) when the curtain member 20 is fully deployed. 14). The front inflating portion 20a and the rear inflating portion 20b are connected to each other at the substantially center portion in the vehicle front-rear direction of the upper portion of the curtain member 20 in the unfolded state. Gas is not injected around 20a and the rear inflating part 20b, and even if the curtain member 20 is deployed, the two cloths are in non-inflating parts in contact with each other. The rear inflating portion 20b may cover the entire rear side window 2 when the curtain member 20 is fully deployed, or may cover at least the vehicle rear side portion of the rear side window 2.

  The inflator 21 is operated to generate and supply gas when the vehicle is in a predetermined state. The inflator 21 is connected to a connecting portion between the front expansion portion 20a and the rear expansion portion 20b in the upper part of the curtain member 20. They are connected by a pipe 28. Thereby, the gas from the inflator 21 is supplied to the front part expansion part 20a and the rear part expansion part 20b substantially simultaneously. Here, the predetermined state is, for example, when a collision (particularly a side collision) of the vehicle is predicted, when a collision of the vehicle is detected, or when a rollover of the vehicle is determined, The vehicle is provided with a sensor for detecting these states and a controller that receives the output of the sensor to determine the occurrence of those states and activates the inflator 21.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper end (non-inflatable portion) of the curtain member 20 includes an end portion on the second side portion side of the curtain member 20 by a pin-shaped fixing member 55. At a plurality of locations, the roof side rail 32 including the outer panel 32a and the inner panel 32b is fixed to the inner panel 32b. Then, the passenger compartment side of the folded curtain member 20 is covered with a roof trim 34. The side edge of the roof trim 34 is detachably engaged with the side lining 35, and is deformed by the expansion / deployment force of the curtain member 20 to be detached from the side lining 35. A gap is formed between the curtain members 20 to allow the curtain member 20 to be deployed in the passenger compartment. That is, the curtain member 20 is deployed in the vehicle interior from the gap between the roof trim 34 and the side lining 35. The side lining 35 is held by the flange portion of the roof side rail 32. The side lining 35 may be a weather strip.

  The roof trim 34 is detachably engaged with the front pillar trim 16, the center pillar trim 17 and the rear pillar trim 18 at the pillars 3 to 5, respectively. The pillar trims 16 to 18 come off. Each of the pillar trims 16 to 18 is made of a member harder than the roof trim 34 (soft material such as foaming urethane resin) (for example, synthetic resin such as polypropylene or thermoplastic olefin (TPO)).

  One end of the support tether 38 is coupled to the front end of the curtain member 20 in the unfolded state. The other end portion of the support tether 38 is rotatably connected to a connecting portion 37 provided on a vehicle body inner panel (not shown) of the front pillar 3. The support tether 38 is accommodated in the space between the front pillar trim 16 and the vehicle body inner panel in the front pillar 3 in the accommodated state of the curtain member 20, and when the curtain member 20 is deployed, the connecting portion 37 is associated therewith. The vehicle front side end portion of the curtain member 20 is supported so as to be stably developed while being rotated around the vehicle. When the curtain member 20 is deployed, the support tether 38 presses the front pillar trim 16 toward the passenger compartment, and thus exits into the passenger compartment through a gap generated between the front pillar trim 16 and the front side window 1.

  The vehicle rear side end portion of the curtain member 20 in the housing state extends along the vehicle rear side edge of the rear side window 2 so as to incline downward toward the vehicle rear side. That is, the vehicle rear side end portion of the curtain member 20 in the housed state bends downward from the corner portion between the upper edge portion of the rear side window 2 and the vehicle rear side edge portion, and at the vehicle rear side edge portion of the rear side window 2. The rear pillar trim 18 extends so as to incline downward toward the vehicle rear side through the vicinity of the vehicle front side edge at the upper end (at a position lower than the upper edge of the rear side window 2). For this reason, the vehicle rear side end of the curtain member 20 is arranged between the pillar trim and the vehicle body disposed in the space between the rear pillar trim 18 and the vehicle body (vehicle body inner panel 52 (see FIG. 3)) in the rear pillar 5. It has the installation part 20c. In FIG. 3, 51 is an outer panel that constitutes the vehicle body of the rear pillar 5 together with the vehicle body inner panel 52, and 53 is a weather strip.

  The upper end (non-inflatable portion) of the curtain member 20 in the accommodated state has a lower-curved portion (this portion is referred to as a curved portion 20f) and a lowermost portion (last portion) at the rear end portion of the vehicle. (The curved portion 20f is fixed to the inner panel 32b of the roof side rail 32, and the lowermost portion is fixed to the vehicle body inner panel 52 of the rear pillar 5). )

  The rear inflating portion 20b of the curtain member 20 is in a state in which a part of the vehicle rear side portion (mainly the lower portion in the unfolded state) of the rear inflating portion 20b is the pillar trim / inter-vehicle arrangement portion 20c. The remainder of the vehicle rear side portion (mainly the upper side portion in the unfolded state) and the vehicle front side portion of the rear inflatable portion 20b are the upper edge portion of the side window portion (upper edge portion of the rear side window 2) and the rear side portion. The vehicle is housed in a portion above the upper end of the rear pillar trim 18 at the vehicle rear side edge portion of the window 2 (a portion where the vehicle compartment side is covered by the roof trim 34). The front inflatable portion 20a is accommodated in the upper edge portion of the side window portion (mainly the upper edge portion of the front side window 1). Depending on the shape of the rear inflating portion 20b, the rear pillar trim 18, etc., the entire rear inflating portion 20b may be accommodated in the state of being the pillar trim / vehicle body arrangement portion 20c.

  Since the curtain member 20 is folded in a bellows shape in the up and down direction, the curtain member 20 expands substantially directly below the curved portion 20f in the curtain member 20 while the curved portion 20f. In the rear side of the vehicle, the lower side and the front side of the vehicle are to be deployed. Further, as described later, the inflow of the gas into the rear inflating portion 20b (particularly the vehicle rear side portion in the rear inflating portion 20b) is restricted, and the front inflating portion 20a is deployed earlier, so that the rear inflating portion 20b. Tends to be pulled to the front side of the vehicle by the front inflatable portion 20a, so that it tends to be deployed further to the front side of the vehicle on the vehicle rear side than the curved portion 20f. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, the portion of the rear inflatable portion 20 b that is the pillar trim / vehicle body arrangement portion 20 c is between the vehicle front side edge of the rear pillar trim 18 and the rear side window 2 (specifically, the rear pillar trim). 18 between the front edge of the vehicle 18 and the weather strip 53), and develops to the front side of the vehicle (precisely the front side and the lower side). That is, the portion of the rear inflatable portion 20b which is the pillar trim / vehicle body arrangement portion 20c is deformed by pressing the rear pillar trim 18 toward the passenger compartment, and the deformed rear pillar trim 18 (shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 3). And the rear side window 2 between the rear side window 2 and the vehicle interior.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3, in the rear pillar trim 18, the vehicle compartment side toward the vehicle rear side at the vehicle rear side position relative to the pillar trim / vehicle body arrangement portion 20 c of the curtain member 20 in the accommodated state. A curved portion 18b that bends up and down extends upward, and this curved portion 18b facilitates deformation to the vehicle compartment side when the rear pillar trim 18 is pressed toward the vehicle compartment side by the rear expansion portion 20b as described above. ing. In other words, the rear pillar trim 18 has a curved portion 18b, the vehicle front side edge of the rear pillar trim 18 being a free end, and a portion on the rear side of the vehicle with respect to the curved portion 18b (in this embodiment, the portion that protrudes most toward the passenger compartment). Can be deformed into a cantilever shape with a fixed end, and can be easily deformed to the vehicle compartment side simply by pressing the vicinity of the free end toward the vehicle compartment side with a small force.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the curtain member 20 is completely deployed, the vehicle rear side edge of the rear expansion portion 20 b of the curtain member 20 is in the vicinity of the upper edge of the rear side window 2 when viewed from the vehicle width direction cabin side. From the height position to the entire lower side, the rear side window 2 is separated from the rear edge of the vehicle by a predetermined amount. In the present embodiment, the upper end of the rear pillar trim 18 is at a lower position than the upper edge of the rear side window 2, and the vehicle front side edge of the rear pillar trim 18 is the vehicle rear side of the rear side window 2 when viewed from the vehicle side in the vehicle width direction. Since this is the same as the edge, when the curtain member 20 is fully deployed, the vehicle rear side edge of the rear expansion portion 20b of the curtain member 20 is located away from the vehicle front side edge of the rear pillar trim 18 when viewed from the vehicle width direction cabin side. It is separated by a fixed amount.

  That is, when the curtain member 20 is completely deployed, a part of the rear inflated portion 20b, which is the pillar trim / vehicle body arrangement portion 20c, is part of the space between the rear pillar trim 18 and the vehicle body inner panel 52 in the rear pillar 5. The car is completely left in the passenger compartment. This is to keep the rear inflatable portion 20b as free as possible so that the development is not restrained. In the present embodiment, as described above, the vehicle rear side portion of the rear expansion portion 20b of the curtain member 20 is the pillar trim / inter-vehicle arrangement portion 20c together with the non-expansion portion fixed to the vehicle body by the fixing member 55. However, the vehicle rear side portion of the rear inflating portion 20b is not connected to the non-inflating portion fixed to the vehicle body. That is, the slit 20g is formed between the rear inflating part 20b and the non-inflating part fixed to the vehicle body. The upper end of the slit 20g is at a height position in the vicinity of the upper edge of the rear side window 2, and the slit 20g allows the curtain member 20 to be seen from the vehicle side in the vehicle width direction when the curtain member 20 is deployed. The vehicle rear side edge of the rear inflating portion 20b is separated from the vehicle rear side edge of the rear side window 2 from the height position near the upper edge of the rear side window 2 to the entire lower side (the height at which the rear pillar trim 18 exists). In the position, the rear pillar trim 18 is separated from the vehicle front side edge). The predetermined amount, which is the distance between the vehicle rear side edge of the rear expansion portion 20b of the curtain member 20 and the vehicle front side edge of the rear pillar trim 18 (the vehicle rear side edge of the rear side window 2), is equal to the rear expansion portion 20b and the vehicle body. Any amount can be used as long as it can be separated from the non-inflatable portion fixed to the vehicle. However, from the viewpoint of protecting the occupant 14, it is desirable that it be as small as possible.

  By the slit 20g, the vehicle rear side of the rear inflating portion 20b is completely free so that the portion of the rear inflating portion 20b that is the pillar trim / inter-vehicle arrangement portion 20c smoothly and quickly enters the vehicle interior. become. That is, when the rear inflating portion 20b is delayed from entering the passenger compartment, the portion of the rear inflating portion 20b that is the pillar trim / inter-vehicle arrangement portion 20c is inflated too much and the thickness in the vehicle width direction is increased. Thus, the vehicle passes between the vehicle front side edge of the rear pillar trim 18 and the rear side window 2, and therefore, the deformation amount of the rear pillar trim 18 increases and the rear pillar trim 18 is easily damaged. However, in the present embodiment, since the rear side of the vehicle is not restrained at all during the period from the start of deployment of the curtain member 20 to the completion of deployment, it is difficult to apply extra tension, and the rear pillar edge of the rear pillar trim 18 is hardly expanded. And the rear side window 2.

  The rear expansion portion 20b is formed with an expansion suppression portion 20d that suppresses the thickness in the vehicle width direction when the rear expansion portion 20b is expanded to a predetermined value or less. In the present embodiment, the expansion suppressing portion 20d is formed by sewing two cloths that respectively form both sides of the curtain member 20 in the vehicle width direction in a state where they are brought into contact with each other at a substantially central portion of the rear expansion portion 20b. Yes, even if the rear expansion portion 20b is expanded to the maximum, the thickness in the vehicle width direction is set to the predetermined value. This predetermined value is the amount by which the rear pillar trim 18 can be deformed to the maximum when the vehicle rear side portion of the rear inflating portion 20b passes between the vehicle front side edge of the rear pillar trim 18 and the rear side window 2 (maximum amount that is not damaged). Is set based on Note that the number of the expansion suppressing portions 20d is not limited to one, and a plurality of the expansion suppressing portions 20d may be provided, or two cloths may be bonded to each other with a tether having a predetermined length.

  In addition, a restricting portion 20e that restricts the inflow of the gas into the rear inflating portion 20b extends from the expansion suppressing portion 20d to the vicinity of the curved portion 20f at the upper edge of the rear inflating portion 20b. It is formed as follows. Similarly to the expansion suppressing portion 20d, the limiting portion 20e is also formed by sewing the two cloths in contact with each other. The restricting portion 20e prevents the gas from flowing into the vehicle front side portion and the vehicle rear side portion in the rear expansion portion 20b at the same time, and after flowing into the vehicle front side portion in the rear expansion portion 20b, the rear expansion portion 20b. It flows into the rear part of the vehicle inside. The restricting portion 20e also serves to suppress the thickness in the vehicle width direction when the rear inflating portion 20b (particularly the vehicle rear side portion in the rear inflating portion 20b) is inflated to a predetermined value or less, like the expansion suppressing portion 20d. Have.

  When gas is supplied from the inflator 21 to the curtain member 20 in the accommodated state, the gas flows into the front inflatable portion 20a and the rear inflatable portion 20b, and the front inflatable portion 20a and the rear inflatable portion 20b. The curtain member 20 expands substantially directly below the curved portion 20f on the vehicle front side, while the curtain member 20 expands downward and forward on the vehicle rear side of the curved portion 20f. At this time, the rear inflating portion 20b is deployed in a free state where the rear side of the vehicle is not restrained by the slit 20g. Further, the inflow of the gas into the rear inflating portion 20b (particularly the rear side portion of the vehicle in the rear inflating portion 20b) is restricted, and the front inflating portion 20a develops earlier, while the rear inflating portion 20b has a vehicle. The front part expands earlier than the vehicle rear part. Accordingly, the portion of the rear inflatable portion 20b, which is the pillar trim / inter-vehicle arrangement portion 20c, is not inflated so that the thickness in the vehicle width direction does not reach the predetermined value. While being pulled to the vehicle front side by the vehicle front side portion of the inflating portion 20b, the vehicle passes through the vehicle front side edge of the rear pillar trim 18 and the rear side window 2 at an early stage and expands to the vehicle front side (vehicle interior). At this time, the portion of the rear inflatable portion 20b which is the pillar trim / inter-vehicle arrangement portion 20c deforms the rear pillar trim 18 toward the passenger compartment, but the amount of deformation is considerably small, and therefore the rear pillar trim 18 is damaged. Can be prevented. Further, even if the portion of the rear expansion portion 20b that is the pillar trim / inter-vehicle arrangement portion 20c is considerably expanded before passing between the vehicle front side edge of the rear pillar trim 18 and the rear side window 2, the expansion is suppressed. By the portion 20d, the thickness in the vehicle width direction becomes the predetermined value at the maximum, and the rear pillar trim 18 is not damaged. Further, since the rear inflating portion 20b is smoothly deployed in the vehicle interior without receiving a large resistance from the rear pillar trim 18, the rear inflating portion 20b can be deployed early.

  In the present embodiment, when the curtain member 20 is fully deployed, the vehicle rear side edge of the rear expansion portion 20b of the curtain member 20 is located near the upper edge of the rear side window 2 when viewed from the vehicle width direction cabin side. Since the rear side window 2 is separated from the vehicle rear side edge from the height position to the entire lower side (that is, the upper end of the slit 20g is at a height position near the upper edge of the rear side window 2), the rear pillar trim 18 It is possible to prevent a large force from being applied to the upper end of the. That is, when the curved portion 20f of the curtain member 20 in the accommodated state exists at the height position in the vicinity of the upper edge of the rear side window 2, and the slit 20g is not provided, the curved portion 20f is to be developed almost directly below. And the force to expand the lower side and the front side act in a complicated manner, so that the behavior at the time of deployment becomes unstable, and the upper end portion of the rear pillar trim 18 located relatively near the curved portion 20f. On the other hand, it is considered that the possibility of applying a large force is increased. However, since the rear portion of the vehicle is free in the curved portion 20f due to the slit 20g, the curved portion 20f is deployed almost directly below. As a result, the curved portion 20f is expanded, and further the rear expanded portion 20b is expanded. Smoothness can be achieved, and no large force is applied to the upper end of the rear pillar trim 18. Therefore, damage to the rear pillar trim 18 can be more effectively prevented.

  In the above embodiment, the upper end of the slit 20g is set to a height position near the upper edge of the rear side window 2. However, the slit 20g may be set to a height position near the upper end of the rear pillar trim 18. That is, when the curtain member 20 is fully deployed, the vehicle rear side edge of the rear expansion portion 20b of the curtain member 20 is lower than the height position near the upper end of the rear pillar trim 18 as viewed from the vehicle width direction cabin side. As a whole, the rear pillar trim 18 is separated from the vehicle front side edge. Even in this case, when the portion of the rear inflating portion 20b that is the pillar trim / vehicle body arrangement portion 20c passes between the vehicle front side edge of the rear pillar trim 18 and the rear side window 2, the rear pillar trim as in the above embodiment. In addition to hardly deforming 18, the rear inflatable portion 20 b is particularly damaged in the rear pillar trim 18 even after the portion of the rear inflated portion 20 b which is the pillar trim / vehicle body arrangement portion 20 c passes between the above. A large force is not applied to the upper end, which is easy.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, in the vehicle rear side edge part of the curtain member 20 in the accommodation state, although it fixed to the vehicle body in the location of the curved part 20f and a lowermost part, as shown in FIG. The pillar trim / inter-vehicle arrangement portion 20c may be fixed to only the portion 20f so as not to be fixed to the vehicle body (see the housing state indicated by the two-dot chain line). In this case, the pillar trim / vehicle body arrangement portion 20c does not include a non-inflatable portion, and is configured only by the rear inflatable portion 20b. In addition, when the curtain member 20 is fully deployed, when the portion of the rear inflated portion 20b, which is the pillar trim / inter-vehicle arrangement portion 20c, enters the vehicle interior, the space between the rear pillar trim 18 of the rear pillar 5 and the vehicle body inner panel 52 is increased. The curtain member 20 does not remain in the space. That is, as in the above-described embodiment, the slit 20g that separates the rear inflating portion 20b and the non-inflating portion fixed to the vehicle body is not necessary. Even in this case, the vehicle rear side edge of the rear inflated portion 20b of the curtain member 20 is separated from the vehicle front side edge of the rear pillar trim 18 when viewed from the vehicle width direction cabin side in the unfolded state. do it.

  Furthermore, in the said embodiment, although the expansion | extension suppression part 20d and the restriction | limiting part 20e were formed in the rear part expansion part 20b of the curtain member 20, these are not necessarily required, and even if these are eliminated, the expansion | deployment of the curtain member 20 is carried out. If the vehicle rear side edge of the rear expansion portion 20b of the curtain member 20 is separated from the vehicle front side edge of the rear pillar trim 18 when viewed from the vehicle width direction cabin side in the completed state, the rear expansion portion 20b The portion formed as the pillar trim / body arrangement portion 20c can pass between the vehicle front side edge of the rear pillar trim 18 and the rear side window 2 before it expands greatly, thereby preventing the rear pillar trim 18 from being damaged. can do.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the rear pillar trim 18 is shaped so as to be easily deformed toward the passenger compartment side by the curved portion 18b. However, such a shape is not necessarily required. For example, the center portion of the rear pillar trim 18 in the vehicle front-rear direction is provided. The shape may protrude from the vehicle front side edge and the rear side edge toward the passenger compartment.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to a vehicle having two side windows. However, the present invention is a vehicle having three side windows (three rows of seats) and a side including four or more side windows. The present invention can also be applied to a vehicle having a window portion. In this case, the rear pillar may be a pillar located at the rearmost of the pillars on the vehicle side (a quarter pillar in the case of three side windows), and the side window is located on the vehicle front side of the rear pillar. It is sufficient to include at least an adjacent rear side window (a quarter window in the case of three side windows).

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is useful for a rear structure of a vehicle including a curtain airbag device having a curtain member that extends so as to cover a side window portion including at least a rear side window of the vehicle. This is useful when the rear side end portion is disposed in the space between the rear pillar trim and the vehicle body in the rear pillar.

It is the figure seen from the compartment side of the vehicle which shows the side part of the vehicle provided with the curtain airbag device to which the rear part structure concerning the embodiment of the present invention was applied. It is the II-II sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is the III-III sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is the enlarged view seen from the vehicle interior side of the rear part of the vehicle side part which shows the deployment completion state of a curtain member. FIG. 5 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4 showing a modified example of the curtain member.

Explanation of symbols

A Curtain airbag device 2 Rear side window (rear side window)
5 Rear pillar (rear pillar)
18 Rear pillar trim 20 Curtain member 20b Rear inflating portion 20c Pillar trim / vehicle body arrangement portion 20d Expansion suppressing portion 20e Restricting portion 20f Slit 21 Inflator 34 Roof trim

Claims (6)

It is accommodated in the upper edge portion of the side window part including at least the rear side window adjacent to the vehicle front side of the rear pillar of the vehicle side part so as to extend in the vehicle front-rear direction with the vehicle compartment side covered with the roof trim. A rear structure of a vehicle including a curtain airbag device having a curtain member that expands so as to cover the side window portion by deforming the roof trim by inflating by injection,
The vehicle rear side end portion of the curtain member in the housing state passes through the vicinity of the vehicle front side edge of the upper end of the rear pillar trim, which is a member harder than the roof trim, which constitutes the vehicle interior side surface of the rear pillar. Extending to the vehicle rear side so as to incline downward, and having a pillar trim / vehicle body arrangement portion disposed in a space between the rear pillar trim and the vehicle body in the rear pillar,
The curtain member has a rear inflating portion that expands by injecting the gas and covers at least a vehicle rear side portion in the rear side window in a state where the curtain member is completely deployed.
The rear inflating portion of the curtain member is accommodated in a state where at least a part thereof is the pillar trim / vehicle body arrangement portion, and the portion of the pillar trim / vehicle body arrangement portion is the vehicle of the rear pillar trim. It is configured to deploy between the front edge and the rear side window to the front of the vehicle,
The curtain, characterized in that, when the curtain member is deployed, the vehicle rear side edge of the rear expansion portion of the curtain member is separated from the vehicle front side edge of the rear pillar trim when viewed from the vehicle width direction cabin side. A rear structure of a vehicle including an airbag device. In the rear structure of a vehicle provided with the curtain airbag device according to claim 1,
A rear structure of a vehicle provided with a curtain airbag device, wherein the rear inflating portion is formed with an inflating suppression portion that suppresses the thickness in the vehicle width direction when the rear inflating portion is inflated to a predetermined value or less. . In the rear structure of a vehicle provided with the curtain airbag device according to claim 1 or 2,
A rear structure of a vehicle including a curtain airbag device, wherein the rear inflating portion is formed with a restricting portion for restricting the inflow of the gas into the rear inflating portion. In the rear structure of a vehicle provided with the curtain airbag device according to claim 3,
The restricting portion is configured so that the gas flows into a vehicle front side portion in the rear inflatable portion and then flows into a vehicle rear side portion in the rear inflatable portion. Rear structure of the vehicle provided. In the rear structure of a vehicle provided with the curtain airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
When the curtain member is completely deployed, the vehicle rear side edge of the rear expansion portion of the curtain member extends from the height position near the upper end of the rear pillar trim to the entire lower side when viewed from the vehicle width direction cabin side. A rear structure of a vehicle provided with a curtain airbag device, wherein the rear pillar trim is spaced from a front edge of the vehicle. In the rear structure of a vehicle provided with the curtain airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
When the curtain member is fully deployed, the vehicle rear side edge of the rear inflated portion of the curtain member extends from the height position near the upper edge of the rear side window to the entire lower side when viewed from the vehicle width direction cabin side. A rear structure of a vehicle including a curtain airbag device characterized in that the rear side window is spaced apart from a rear edge of the vehicle.

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