JP6327108B2 - Airbag device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an airbag device that inflates and deploys an airbag provided at a front portion of a vehicle toward the front of the vehicle.

  In Patent Document 1, a plurality of airbags are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction on the front portion of the vehicle body, and when the vehicle collides with a pedestrian, all airbags are inflated and deployed toward the front of the vehicle. ing.

JP 2009-160985 A JP 2006-035892 A JP 2006-347449 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-09079 JP 2009-160984 A

  When the vehicle described in Patent Document 1 collides with a pedestrian moving in the vehicle width direction or a bicycle occupant (referred to as a pedestrian), the pedestrian or the like is temporarily suspended by an airbag inflated and deployed in front of the vehicle. Supported. Here, since the pedestrians and the like are moving in the vehicle width direction, the inflated airbag is deformed by receiving the force in the vehicle width direction from the pedestrians and the like, and may not be able to support the pedestrians and the like. A pedestrian or the like may move to the outside of the airbag.

The present invention is an airbag device housed in a front portion of a vehicle, and includes an airbag that inflates and deploys toward the front of the vehicle in the event of a vehicle collision, and a shaft member that is attached to the vehicle, and supports the airbag And a pair of support units. A pair of support units, at the time of collision of the vehicle, projecting ahead of the vehicle with the air bag a shaft member as a base point, respectively supported at both ends of the air bag in the vehicle width direction while maintaining the projected state.

  According to the present invention, when a vehicle collides with a pedestrian or the like, the pedestrian or the like can be supported by the inflated airbag. When the pedestrian or the like moves in the vehicle width direction, the pair of support units can prevent or suppress the movement of the pedestrian or the like, and the pedestrian or the like can be continuously supported by the inflated and deployed airbag.

In 1st Embodiment, it is a top view which shows the structure of the front part of the vehicle provided with the airbag apparatus. In 1st Embodiment, it is an external appearance perspective view of the support unit in the accommodation state. In 1st Embodiment, it is an external appearance perspective view of the support unit in the expansion | deployment state. In 1st Embodiment, it is a top view which shows the front part of a vehicle when an airbag apparatus is in a deployment state. In 1st Embodiment, it is a top view which shows the state immediately after the passenger | crew of a bicycle contacted the airbag expanded and deployed. In 1st Embodiment, it is a top view which shows the state after the passenger | crew of a bicycle moved to the vehicle width direction with respect to the inflated airbag. In 2nd Embodiment, it is a top view which shows the structure of the front part of the vehicle provided with the airbag apparatus. In 2nd Embodiment, it is an external appearance perspective view of the support unit in the accommodation state. In 2nd Embodiment, it is an external appearance perspective view of the support unit in the expansion | deployment state. In 2nd Embodiment, it is a top view which shows the front part of a vehicle when an airbag apparatus is in a deployment state. In the modification of 2nd Embodiment, it is an external appearance perspective view of the support unit in an unfolded state.

(First embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 1, the airbag apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is accommodated in the front portion of the engine compartment 110 of the vehicle 100. A hood 120 is disposed above the engine compartment 110, and a part of the hood 120 is omitted in FIG.

  The airbag device 1 includes a pair of support units 10, an airbag 20, and an inflator 30. The pair of support units 10 are respectively disposed at both ends of the engine compartment 110 in the vehicle width direction (left-right direction in FIG. 1), and the inflator 30 is disposed at the center of the engine compartment 110 in the vehicle width direction. .

  The pair of support units 10 have the same structure and are arranged symmetrically with respect to an axis L extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 100. The axis L is located at the center of the pair of support units 10 in the vehicle width direction.

  The inflator 30 is fixed to members that constitute the engine compartment 110. For example, the inflator 30 can be fixed to a radiator support upper. The airbag 20 is connected to the inflator 30 and is fixed to the pair of support units 10 at both ends in the vehicle width direction.

  Next, the structure of the support unit 10 is demonstrated using FIG. 2 and FIG.

  The support unit 10 includes a shaft member 11 and five column members 12 to 16. When the airbag apparatus 1 is not operating, the support unit 10 is stored in the engine compartment 110 in the storage state shown in FIG. When the support unit 10 is in the storage state, the column members 12 to 16 are folded as shown in FIG.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the column members 12 to 16 of each support unit 10 are folded toward the inside of the engine compartment 110 in the vehicle width direction. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, when viewed from above the vehicle 100, the support unit 10 disposed on the right side in the traveling direction of the vehicle 100 has a column counterclockwise with respect to the shaft member 11. The members 12-16 are folded. Further, in the support unit 10 disposed on the left side in the traveling direction of the vehicle 100, the column members 12 to 16 are folded clockwise with respect to the shaft member 11.

  On the other hand, when the airbag apparatus 1 is operated, the support unit 10 is in the deployed state shown in FIG. 3, and the column members 12 to 16 are arranged in front of the vehicle 100 from the shaft member 11. Thereby, the support unit 10 protrudes toward the front of the vehicle 100.

  The shaft member 11 extends in the vertical direction of the vehicle 100, and a lower end portion 11 a of the shaft member 11 is fixed to a member constituting the engine compartment 110. For example, the lower end part 11a can be fixed to a radiator support lower or a floor cross member. The upper end portion 11 b of the shaft member 11 faces the hood 120 in the vertical direction of the vehicle 100, but is not fixed to the hood 120. Thereby, the hood 120 can be opened and closed.

  Each column member 12-16 extends in the up-down direction of the vehicle 100, and is formed in a triangle in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the column members 12-16. That is, each pillar member 12-16 has three top parts.

  Note that the shape of the column members 12 to 16 in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the column members 12 to 16 may be a shape other than a triangle. Here, by forming the column members 12 to 16 as in the present embodiment, the column members 12 to 16 can be easily put together in a compact manner when the support unit 10 is brought into the housed state.

  The top portion 12 a of the column member 12 is fixed to the shaft member 11. The top portion 12 b of the column member 12 is connected to the top portion 13 a of the column member 13, and the column member 13 can rotate with respect to the column member 12 with reference to the connecting portion of the top portions 12 b and 13 a. For example, the column member 13 can be rotated with respect to the column member 12 by connecting the top portions 12 b and 13 a using a hinge.

  A stopper 12c protruding from the top 12b is provided on the top 12b of the column member 12. The stopper 12c is disposed in the same plane as the wall surface 12d including the top portions 12a and 12b.

  The top portion 14 a of the column member 14 is connected to the top portion 13 b of the column member 13, and the column member 14 can rotate with respect to the column member 13 with reference to the connecting portion of the top portions 14 a and 13 b. For example, the column member 14 can be rotated with respect to the column member 13 by connecting the top portions 14 a and 13 b using a hinge. The top portion 13b of the column member 13 is provided with a stopper 13c protruding from the top portion 13b, and the stopper 13c is disposed in the same plane as the wall surface 13d including the top portions 13a and 13b.

  When the support unit 10 is in the unfolded state shown in FIG. 3, the stopper 12c is in contact with the wall surface 13d. That is, since the stopper 12c is located outside the column member 13 with respect to the wall surface 13d, when the column member 13 rotates with respect to the column member 12, the wall surface 13d contacts the stopper 12c. Thereby, rotation of the column member 13 is prevented, and the column members 12 and 13 are arranged in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 100 as shown in FIG.

  The top portion 15 a of the column member 15 is connected to the top portion 14 b of the column member 14, and the column member 15 can rotate with respect to the column member 14 with reference to the connecting portion of the top portions 15 a and 14 b. For example, the column member 15 can be rotated with respect to the column member 14 by connecting the top portions 15 a and 14 b using a hinge. The top portion 14b of the column member 14 is provided with a stopper 14c protruding from the top portion 14b, and the stopper 14c is disposed in the same plane as the wall surface 14d including the top portions 14a and 14b.

  When the support unit 10 is in the unfolded state shown in FIG. 3, the stopper 13c contacts the wall surface 14d. That is, since the stopper 13c is positioned outside the column member 14 with respect to the wall surface 14d, when the column member 14 rotates with respect to the column member 13, the wall surface 14d contacts the stopper 13c. Thereby, the rotation of the column member 14 is prevented, and the column members 13 and 14 are arranged in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 100 as shown in FIG.

  The top portion 16 a of the column member 16 is connected to the top portion 15 b of the column member 15, and the column member 16 can rotate with respect to the column member 15 with reference to the connecting portion of the top portions 16 a and 15 b. For example, the column member 16 can be rotated with respect to the column member 15 by connecting the top portions 16 a and 15 b using a hinge. The top portion 15b of the column member 15 is provided with a stopper 15c protruding from the top portion 15b, and the stopper 15c is disposed in the same plane as the wall surface 15d including the top portions 15a and 15b.

  When the support unit 10 is in the unfolded state shown in FIG. 3, the stopper 14c contacts the wall surface 15d. That is, since the stopper 14c is located outside the column member 15 with respect to the wall surface 15d, when the column member 15 rotates with respect to the column member 14, the wall surface 15d contacts the stopper 14c. Thereby, the rotation of the column member 15 is prevented, and the column members 14 and 15 are arranged in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 100 as shown in FIG.

  A flange 16c is provided on the top portion 16b of the column member 16, and an end portion of the airbag 20 is fixed to a fixing portion 16d of the flange 16c. For example, the airbag 20 can be fixed to the fixing portion 16d using a rivet.

  When the support unit 10 is in the unfolded state shown in FIG. 3, the stopper 15c contacts the wall surface 16e including the top portions 16a and 16b. That is, since the stopper 15c is positioned outside the column member 16 with respect to the wall surface 16e, when the column member 16 rotates with respect to the column member 15, the wall surface 16e contacts the stopper 15c. Thereby, the rotation of the column member 16 is prevented, and the column members 15 and 16 are arranged in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 100 as shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, five column members 12 to 16 are provided, but the number of the column members can be set as appropriate.

  When the front portion of the vehicle 100 collides, the inflator 30 is activated and the airbag 20 is inflated and deployed. Here, a known configuration can be adopted as a system for detecting the collision of the vehicle 100 and operating the inflator 30.

  In the present embodiment, the airbag 20 is inflated and deployed from the engine compartment 110 toward the front of the vehicle 100, and the support unit 10 is deployed. Here, the movement path of the airbag 20 and the support unit 10 may be secured in the front portion of the vehicle 100.

  For example, by moving the hood 120 above the vehicle 100, the airbag 20 is inflated and deployed toward the front of the vehicle 100 using the gap formed below the hood 120, The support unit 10 can be unfolded. Here, if a drive mechanism for pushing up the hood 120 above the vehicle 100 is provided, the hood 120 is moved above the vehicle 100 by operating this drive mechanism when a collision of the vehicle 100 is detected. Can do.

  On the other hand, if a cover is provided in front of the vehicle 100 relative to the airbag device 1 and the cover is removed when the airbag 20 is inflated and deployed, the airbag 20 is inflated and deployed toward the front of the vehicle 100. Or the support unit 10 can be developed toward the front of the vehicle 100.

  The operation and effect of this embodiment will be described.

  Since the end portion of the airbag 20 is fixed to the fixing portion 16 d of the column member 16, when the airbag 20 is inflated and deployed toward the front of the vehicle 100, the column members 12 to 16 are moved by the airbag 20 to the vehicle. By being pulled forward of 100, the storage state shown in FIG. 2 is changed to the unfolded state shown in FIG. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 4, the column members 12 to 16 in the pair of support units 10 protrude toward the front of the vehicle 100.

  The wall surfaces 12d to 16e of the pillar members 12 to 16 are arranged along the same plane by the stoppers 12c to 15c, and the pillar members 13 to 16 are maintained in the unfolded state shown in FIG. That is, each pillar member 13-16 does not rotate to the outer side of a vehicle width direction rather than the position which contact | connected each stopper 12c-15c. When the column members 12 to 16 in the pair of support units 10 are in the deployed state illustrated in FIG. 3, the airbag 20 is positioned between the pair of support units 10 in the vehicle width direction as illustrated in FIG. 4. That is, the airbag 20 is inflated and deployed in a space formed between the pair of support units 10 in the vehicle width direction.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the vehicle 100 collides with a bicycle occupant P, the occupant P is supported by the inflated airbag 20. Here, the occupant P can be protected by the deformation of the airbag 20. When the occupant P is moving in the direction of the arrow M (vehicle width direction), the occupant P moves toward the outside of the airbag 20 while deforming the airbag 20 due to inertia.

  The deployed support units 10 are located on both sides of the airbag 20 in the vehicle width direction. Here, as described above, each support unit 10 is maintained in the deployed state, and is less likely to move outward in the vehicle width direction than the position in the deployed state. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 6, the support unit 10 can prevent the occupant P from moving in the direction of the arrow M and keep the occupant P in contact with the airbag 20. In other words, it is possible to prevent or suppress the occupant P from moving to a position outside the airbag 20.

  Even when the vehicle 100 collides with not the bicycle occupant P but the pedestrian moving in the vehicle width direction (running pedestrian), the pedestrian is brought into contact with the airbag 20 by the support unit 10. Can be left.

(Second Embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 7, the airbag apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is housed in an engine compartment 110 and includes a pair of support units 40, the airbag 20, and an inflator 30. The airbag 20 is connected to the inflator 30 and is fixed to the pair of support units 40. The pair of support units 40 have the same structure and are arranged symmetrically with respect to the airbag 20 and the inflator 30.

  The structure of the support unit 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 is a view when the support unit 40 is viewed from the direction of the arrow D1 shown in FIG. The support unit 40 includes a cylindrical member 41, a support member 42, a fixing member 43, and a slide member 44.

  The tubular member 41 extends in the vertical direction of the vehicle 100, and a pin 130 is inserted inside the tubular member 41. The pin 130 extends in the vertical direction of the vehicle 100, and the lower end 131 of the pin 130 is fixed to a member that constitutes the engine compartment 110. Thereby, the cylinder member 41 can rotate with respect to the pin 130.

  One end 42 a of the support member 42 is fixed to the cylinder member 41, and the support member 42 is moved by the rotation of the cylinder member 41. The fixing member 43 is fixed to a member constituting the engine compartment 110 at the position shown in FIG. One end 44 a of the slide member 44 is connected to the end 43 a of the fixed member 43 via a movable pin 45 extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle 100. As a result, the slide member 44 can rotate with respect to the fixed member 43 with the movable pin 45 as a reference.

  A pin 46 extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle 100 is provided at the other end 44 b of the slide member 44. End portions 46 a and 46 b of the pin 46 in the vertical direction of the vehicle 100 are engaged with a pair of guide portions 42 b and 42 c formed on the support member 42, respectively. When the support member 42 moves due to the rotation of the cylindrical member 41, the end portions 46a and 46b of the pin 46 move along the guide portions 42b and 42c. When the end portions 46 a and 46 b of the pin 46 move along the guide portions 42 b and 42 c, the slide member 44 rotates with respect to the fixed member 43 with respect to the movable pin 45.

  The guide part 42 b is formed along the upper end of the support member 42, and the guide part 42 c is formed along the lower end of the support member 42. As shown in FIG. 9, among the guide portions 42b and 42c, the end faces 42b1 and 42c1 located on the cylindrical member 41 side are in contact with the end portions 46a and 46b of the pin 46, respectively, and the end portions 46a and 46b move. To prevent.

  The other end portion 42 d of the support member 42 is provided with a fixing portion 42 e for fixing the end portion of the airbag 20. For example, the airbag 20 can be fixed to the fixing portion 42e using a rivet.

  The operation and effect of this embodiment will be described.

  When the airbag 20 is inflated and deployed by operating the inflator 30, the airbag 20 is fixed to the fixing portion 42 e of the support member 42. 42e moves. At this time, the cylindrical member 41 rotates relative to the pin 130 in the direction of the arrow D2 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, when the airbag 20 is inflated and deployed toward the front of the vehicle 100, the support member 42 protrudes to the front of the vehicle 100.

  While the support member 42 moves, the end portions 46a and 46b of the pin 46 move along the guide portions 42b and 42c. Here, when the end portions 46a and 46b of the pin 46 come into contact with the end surfaces 42b1 and 42c1 of the guide portions 42b and 42c, the movement of the support member 42 is prevented. Further, when the end portions 46 a and 46 b of the pin 46 move along the guide portions 42 b and 42 c, the slide member 44 rotates with respect to the fixed member 43 with the movable pin 45 as a reference.

  Thereby, the airbag apparatus 1 will be in the expansion | deployment state shown in FIG. Here, when the airbag 20 is inflated and deployed, and the end portions 46a and 46b of the pin 46 come into contact with the end surfaces 42b1 and 42c1 of the guide portions 42b and 42c, the support member 42 is in the deployed state shown in FIGS. Maintained.

When the vehicle 100 collides with a pedestrian and bicycle rider (will leave pedestrian), as shown in FIG. 10, by inflating deploy the air bag 20 toward the front of the vehicle 100, walking by the airbag 20 Can be supported.

  Further, since the support member 42 is maintained in the deployed state shown in FIG. 10 due to the inflation of the airbag 20, even if a pedestrian or the like moves in the vehicle width direction, the support member 42 causes the pedestrian in the vehicle width direction. Or the like can be prevented or suppressed. Thereby, a pedestrian etc. can be kept contacting the airbag 20, and it can prevent that a pedestrian etc. move to the position which removed from the airbag 20. FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the support member 42 and the fixing member 43 are connected by the slide member 44, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the support member 42 and the fixing member 43 can be connected by a flexible strap 47. Here, one end 47 a of the strap 47 is fixed to the fixing member 43, and the other end 47 b of the strap 47 is fixed to the support member 42.

  In the structure shown in FIG. 11, when the support unit 40 is in the housed state, the support member 42 is disposed along the fixing member 43, and the strap 47 is bent. When the support member 42 protrudes forward of the vehicle 100 due to the inflation and deployment of the airbag 20, the strap 47 is pulled by the support member 42 as shown in FIG. In the state where the strap 47 is pulled, the support member 42 is maintained in the unfolded state shown in FIG. Even with the structure shown in FIG. 11, the same effect as that of the present embodiment can be obtained.

1: airbag device, 10: support unit, 11: shaft member, 12-16: pillar member,
12c to 15c: stopper, 20: airbag, 30: inflator,
40: support unit, 41: cylindrical member, 42: support member, 43: fixing member,
44: slide member, 100: vehicle, 110: engine compartment,
120: Food

Claims (1)

An airbag device housed in the front of the vehicle,
An airbag that inflates and deploys toward the front of the vehicle when the vehicle collides;
Each comprising a shaft member attached to the vehicle, and having a pair of support units for supporting the airbag,
The pair of support units, at the time of a collision of the vehicle, projecting in front of the vehicle together with the airbag the shaft member as a base point, respectively support both ends of the airbag in the vehicle width direction while maintaining the projected state air bag device according to claim and to Turkey.

Images