JP6847800B2 - Vehicle shock absorber - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle shock absorber.

Patent Document 1 discloses an airbag device provided on the front surface of a bumper reinforcement extending in the vehicle width direction at the front portion of a vehicle and absorbing a collision load of the vehicle through deformation of the airbag.

This airbag device includes an airbag made of a high-strength composite material and an inflator that supplies high-pressure gas to the airbag. Further, in this airbag device, an inflator, a pressure sensor, a check valve for adjusting the pressure in the airbag, and an exhaust turbine are provided at the base end of the airbag, which is fixed to the structure of the vehicle. ing.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-308147

By the way, in the airbag device described in Patent Document 1, a check valve and an exhaust turbine are provided at a base end portion of the airbag, which is fixed to a vehicle structure. However, since a vehicle structure such as the bumper reinforcement described above is located behind the base end portion, there is a possibility that smooth exhaust may be hindered by interference of such a structure. Therefore, there is room for improvement in stably absorbing the collision load on the vehicle.

An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle shock absorbing device capable of stably absorbing a collision load on a vehicle.

The vehicle shock absorber for achieving the above object extends the airbag fixed to the vehicle structure by the high-pressure gas supplied from the gas generator when the vehicle collides, and applies the collision load to the vehicle to the air. Absorbs through the deformation of the bag. The airbag has a tubular shape, has an insertion hole through which the gas generator is inserted, and has a base end wall fixed to the vehicle structure and a pressure of the high pressure gas extending from the base end wall. A side wall having an extension portion extending toward the tip end side and a tip wall provided at the tip end of the side wall are provided, and the side wall is provided with a pressure regulating valve for adjusting the pressure in the airbag. There is.

According to the same configuration, a pressure regulating valve for adjusting the pressure inside the airbag is provided on the side wall of the airbag. Therefore, the pressure can be smoothly adjusted by the pressure regulating valve. Therefore, it is possible to stably absorb the collision load on the vehicle.

In the shock absorbing device of the vehicle, the side wall is provided adjacent to the extension portion in the extension direction of the side wall, and has a general portion having a higher rigidity in the extension direction than the extension portion. The pressure regulating valve is preferably provided on the general portion of the side wall.

According to the same configuration, when the high pressure gas is supplied from the inflator, the extension portion extends toward the tip side. After that, when the collision load on the vehicle acts on the airbag, the extension portion is first deformed in preference to the general portion.

Here, according to the above configuration, since the pressure regulating valve is provided in the general portion of the side wall, when absorbing the collision load on the vehicle through the deformation of the airbag, the pressure adjusting function by the pressure regulating valve is provided in the airbag. It is possible to suppress inhibition due to deformation. Therefore, it is possible to secure a time during which the pressure in the airbag can be smoothly adjusted by the pressure regulating valve. Therefore, the collision load on the vehicle can be absorbed more stably.

In the shock absorbing device of the vehicle, it is preferable that the general portion is provided between the tip wall and the extending portion.
For example, when the pressure regulating valve is provided close to the inflator, if the pressure regulating valve is a valve that opens according to the pressure acting on itself, the pressure in the vicinity of the pressure regulating valve is instantaneous immediately after the start of injection of high pressure gas. As a result, the pressure regulating valve opens even though the pressure inside the airbag is not so high, which may hinder the pressure rise inside the airbag.

In this regard, according to the above configuration, the pressure regulating valve is provided in the general portion provided between the tip wall and the extending portion of the side wall, and the pressure regulating valve can be arranged apart from the inflator. Therefore, the occurrence of the above-mentioned inconvenience can be avoided.

According to the present invention, it is possible to stably absorb the collision load on the vehicle.

A schematic diagram showing a structure of a front part of a vehicle to which the device is applied to one embodiment of a vehicle shock absorber. A plan view showing the outer shape of the shock absorbing device of the same embodiment. A vertical sectional view showing an internal structure of the shock absorbing device of the same embodiment. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a seal structure of a gas generator for the shock absorber of the same embodiment.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the shock absorbing device of the vehicle will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.
In the following, the front side and the rear side in the front-rear direction of the vehicle will be simply referred to as the front side and the rear side, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 1, the front portion of the vehicle 10 is provided with a pair of side members 21 extending along the front-rear direction and arranged at intervals in the vehicle width direction. A bumper reinforcement 20 extending in the vehicle width direction is connected to the front end of each side member 21 via a shock absorbing device 30. Further, on the front side of the bumper information 20, a front bumper 11 constituting the front surface of the vehicle 10 is arranged.

The front bumper 11 extends in the vehicle width direction and has a curved shape so as to be located rearward toward the outside in the vehicle width direction, and covers the entire bumper information 20 in the vehicle width direction.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the shock absorbing device 30 includes an airbag 40 and a gas generator 70 that extends the airbag 40 by supplying high-pressure gas to the airbag 40.

Next, the airbag 40 will be described.
The airbag 40 has a square tubular shape and has a substantially rectangular plate-shaped base end wall 41 having a circular insertion hole 41a, and extends forward from the base end wall 41 and is moved to the tip side by the pressure of high pressure gas. It includes a side wall 43 having a bellows-shaped extending portion 44 extending toward the side, and a substantially rectangular plate-shaped tip wall 48 provided at the tip of the side wall 43. The entire airbag 40 is made of a metal material such as stainless steel.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the rear surface of the base end wall 41 is provided with an annular recess 42 that is connected to the insertion hole 41a and is concentric with the insertion hole 41a. A portion of the base end wall 41 that surrounds the recess 42 from the outer peripheral side is connected to a metal fixing plate 51 connected to the front end of the side member 21 by a bolt (not shown). The fixing plate 51 is provided with a central hole 51a.

As shown in FIG. 4, a first step portion 42a that is connected to the insertion hole 41a and has a substantially square outer edge is provided on the inner peripheral side of the recess 42.
On the inner peripheral side of the first step portion 42a, a second step portion 42b that is connected to the insertion hole 41a and has a circular outer edge is provided.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the side wall 43 has a bellows-shaped extension portion 44 and a square tubular rear side general connected to the rear side of the extension portion 44 and fixed to the front surface of the base end wall 41. It has a portion 46 and a square tubular front side general portion 47 connected to the front side of the extension portion 44, and is integrally formed. The thickness of the side wall 43 is thinner than the thickness of the base end wall 41.

The rear end of the rear general portion 46 is welded to the proximal end wall 41 over the entire circumference, and there is no gap between the rear general portion 46 and the proximal end wall 41.
The front end of the front general portion 47 is located on the rear side toward the outside in the vehicle width direction, and is along the rear surface of the bumper information 20. Therefore, the inner portion 47a of the front general portion 47 located inside in the vehicle width direction has a longer front-rear length than the outer portion 47b located outside. The inner portion 47a is provided with a female screw hole 47c.

The general portions 46 and 47 have higher rigidity in the front-rear direction than the extension portion 44.
At the front end of the front general portion 47, a tip wall 48 which has a curved plate shape along the rear surface of the bumper reinforcement 20 and covers the front opening 43a of the side wall 43 (front general portion 47) is fixed. The outer peripheral edge of the tip wall 48 is located on the outer peripheral side of the outer peripheral edge of the front general portion 47.

The tip wall 48 is welded to the front end of the front general portion 47 over the entire circumference, and there is no gap between the tip wall 48 and the front general portion 47.
The bumper reinforcement 20 is fixed to the tip wall 48 with a bolt (not shown).

Next, the pressure regulating valve 60 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, a pressure regulating valve 60 for adjusting the pressure in the airbag 40 is attached to the female screw hole 47c provided in the front general portion 47 of the side wall 43.

The pressure regulating valve 60 includes a tubular case 61. The case 61 has a main body portion 61a having a square tubular shape, and a reduced diameter portion 61b having an outer diameter and an inner diameter smaller than those of the main body portion 61a. A male screw portion 61c is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the reduced diameter portion 61b.

A support plate 62 having a discharge hole 62a in the center is attached to the opening of the main body 61a on the side opposite to the reduced diameter portion 61b.
The valve body 63 for switching the communication state between the inside of the main body 61a and the reduced diameter portion 61b is located in the main body 61a between the valve body 63 and the support plate 62, and the valve body 63 is on the male screw portion 61c side. A spring 64 and a spring 64 for urging toward the surface are housed.

The pressure regulating valve 60 is attached to the airbag 40 by screwing the male screw portion 61c into the female screw hole 47c. It is preferable to apply a sealant between the male screw portion 61c and the female screw hole 47c.

Next, the gas generator 70 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, the gas generator 70 includes an explosive-type inflator 71 that generates high-pressure gas and a casing 72 that houses the inflator 71.

The casing 72 includes a bottomed cylindrical rear casing 73 having an opening at the front and a bottomed cylindrical front casing 74 having an opening at the rear and covering the opening of the rear casing 73. The inner peripheral surface of the front casing 74 and the outer peripheral surface of the rear casing 73 are joined by welding, and there is no gap between the rear casing 73 and the front casing 74.

The inflator 71 is fixed to the bottom surface of the rear casing 73. A filter (not shown) for collecting slag generated when the explosive is burned is provided in the casing 72.

A flange portion 74a is provided on the peripheral edge of the opening of the front casing 74 over the entire circumference. The outer peripheral edge of the flange portion 74a has a substantially square shape in front view. On the side wall of the front casing 74, a plurality of injection holes 74b for injecting high-pressure gas generated from the inflator 71 into the airbag 40 are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction.

Next, the mounting structure of the gas generator 70 and the seal structure between the gas generator 70 and the airbag 40 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the casing 72 of the gas generator 70 is inserted from the rear side into the insertion hole 41a of the base end wall 41 of the airbag 40. The flange portion 74a of the casing 72 is housed in the first step portion 42a of the base end wall 41. Further, the thickness of the flange portion 74a is set to be the same as or slightly larger than the height of the first step portion 42a.

A backup ring 82 that holds an O-ring 81 and an O-ring 81 that seal between the base end wall 41 and the flange portion 74a between the second step portion 42b and the flange portion 74a of the base end wall 41 from the outer peripheral side. Is provided.

More specifically, the O-ring 81 is fitted on the side wall of the front casing 74, and is sandwiched between the front surface of the flange portion 74a and the second step portion 42b facing the same front surface. Further, the backup ring 82 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the second step portion 42b. The O-ring 81 is made of a heat-resistant elastic material such as rubber or elastomer. Further, the backup ring 82 is made of a resin material that is harder than the O-ring 81 and has heat resistance. In the present embodiment, the seal member is composed of the O-ring 81 and the backup ring 82.

A circular plate-shaped back plate 53 having a central hole 53a is fixed to the recess 42 of the base end wall 41. The diameter of the central hole 53a is made larger than the outer diameter of the rear casing 73.

The back plate 53 and the base end wall 41 are provided with a plurality of bolt holes 41b, 53b penetrating in the front-rear direction at intervals in the circumferential direction. A bolt 90 is inserted into each of the bolt holes 41b and 53b from the rear side, and a nut 91 is screwed into the bolt 90. The back plate 53 is fixed to the base end wall 41 by these bolts 90 and nuts 91. Therefore, the flange portion 74a is sandwiched by the first step portion 42a of the base end wall 41 and the back plate 53 over the entire circumference. The fixing plate 51 is provided with a plurality of relief holes 51b corresponding to each bolt 90 for releasing the head of each bolt 90.

Although not shown, the four corners of the flange portion 74a and the base end wall 41 are each provided with bolt holes penetrating the front and rear. A bolt is inserted into each bolt hole from the rear side, and a nut is screwed into the bolt. The flange portion 74a is fixed to the base end wall 41 by these bolts and nuts. The back plate 53 is provided with a relief portion for releasing the head of each of the bolts.

As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 10 is equipped with a well-known sensor 12 and an electronic control device 13 that detect or predict a frontal collision of the vehicle 10.
A sensor 12 and an inflator 71 are electrically connected to the electronic control device 13. When a signal for detecting or predicting a frontal collision of the vehicle 10 is input from the sensor 12, the electronic control device 13 operates the inflator 71 to extend the airbag 40.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
When the vehicle 10 collides in front, the sensor 12 detects or predicts the collision, and when the electronic control device 13 operates the inflator 71, the airbag 40 is filled with high-pressure gas. As a result, the pressure inside the airbag 40 increases, and as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 2, the extension portion 44 of the side wall 43 extends forward. Since the collision load is applied to the extended airbag 40 from the front side, it is possible to secure a long time for the airbag 40 to be compressed and deformed toward the rear side.

On the other hand, when the airbag 40 is compressed and deformed toward the rear side, the pressure inside the airbag 40 rises. Here, in the present embodiment, since the pressure regulating valve 60 is provided on the front side general portion 47 of the side wall 43, the pressure regulating valve 60 is opened when the pressure in the airbag 40 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value. Exhaust is performed through the discharge hole 62a. In this way, the pressure in the airbag 40 is maintained at a predetermined value in the process of compression and deformation of the airbag 40. Therefore, it is possible to avoid an excessive increase in pressure in the airbag 40 and prevent the airbag 40 from being deformed in an unintended manner.

According to the vehicle shock absorber according to the present embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The airbag 40 has a tubular shape, has an insertion hole 41a through which the gas generator 70 is inserted, and has a base end wall 41 fixed to the front end of the side member 21 via a fixing plate 51, and a base end. It includes a side wall 43 having an extending portion 44 extending from the wall 41 and extending toward the tip side by the pressure of high-pressure gas, and a tip wall 48 provided at the tip of the side wall 43. The side wall 43 is provided with a pressure regulating valve 60 for adjusting the pressure in the airbag 40.

According to such a configuration, since the pressure adjusting valve 60 for adjusting the pressure in the airbag 40 is provided on the side wall 43 of the airbag 40, the pressure adjusting by the pressure adjusting valve 60 can be smoothly performed. Therefore, the collision load on the vehicle 10 can be stably absorbed.

(2) The side wall 43 has general portions 46, 47 which are provided adjacent to the extension portion 44 in the extension direction (front-back direction) of the side wall 43 and have higher rigidity in the extension direction than the extension portion 44. ing. The pressure regulating valve 60 is provided in the front general portion 47 located between the tip wall 48 and the extension portion 44 of the side wall 43.

According to such a configuration, when the high pressure gas is supplied from the inflator 71, the extension portion 44 extends toward the front side. After that, when the collision load on the vehicle acts on the airbag 40, the extension portion 44 is first deformed in preference to the general portions 46 and 47.

Here, according to the above configuration, since the pressure regulating valve 60 is provided on the front side general portion 47 of the side wall 43, the pressure regulating valve 60 is used when absorbing the collision load on the vehicle 10 through the deformation of the airbag 40. It is possible to prevent the pressure adjusting function from being hindered due to the deformation of the airbag 40. Therefore, it is possible to secure a time during which the pressure in the airbag 40 can be smoothly adjusted by the pressure regulating valve 60. Therefore, the collision load on the vehicle 10 can be absorbed more stably.

Further, if the pressure regulating valve 60 is provided in the rear general portion 46, the pressure in the vicinity of the pressure regulating valve 60 rises momentarily immediately after the start of injection of the high pressure gas, so that the pressure in the airbag 40 becomes so large. Even though the pressure is not high, the pressure regulating valve 60 may open, which may hinder the pressure rise in the airbag 40.

In this regard, according to the above configuration, the pressure regulating valve 60 is provided in the front general portion 47 provided between the tip wall 48 and the extension portion 44 of the side wall 43, and separates the pressure regulating valve 60 from the inflator 71. Can be placed. Therefore, the occurrence of the above-mentioned inconvenience can be avoided.

(3) The airbag 40 is made of a metal material.
According to such a configuration, the stretched portion 44 of the airbag 40 is stretched and compressed with plastic deformation. Therefore, when the airbag 40 is compressed and deformed toward the rear side, the collision load is absorbed by the toughness of the airbag 40 itself in addition to the internal pressure of the airbag 40, and the airbag 40 is compressed. The time when it is deformed can be lengthened. Therefore, the collision load on the vehicle 10 can be effectively absorbed.

<Modification example>
The above embodiment can be changed as follows, for example.
If the length of the rear general portion 46 in the front-rear direction is secured, the pressure regulating valve 60 can be provided on the rear general portion 46.

The shape of the extension portion 44 is not limited to the bellows shape, and may have a telescopic structure, for example. In short, the extending portion may be any one that can extend the side wall 43 to the front side.

-In the above embodiment, the extension portion 44 and the general portions 46, 47 may be separated. In this case, it is preferable to provide a seal structure for preventing gas leakage at the connecting portion between the extension portion 44 and the general portions 46 and 47.

-It is also possible to omit one of the rear general portion 46 and the front general portion 47 in which the pressure regulating valve 60 is not provided.
-The general parts 46 and 47 can be omitted. In this case, the pressure regulating valve 60 may be provided in the extension portion 44.

The airbag 40 is not limited to a metal one, and may be made of, for example, a high-strength composite material as described in Patent Document 1.
-A solenoid valve can also be used as the pressure regulating valve. In this case, a pressure sensor may be provided in the airbag 40, and the solenoid valve may be controlled to open and close according to the internal pressure of the airbag 40.

-The shock absorbing device according to the present invention is not limited to the one provided between the side member 21 and the bumper information 20. Alternatively, for example, the shock absorber 30 may be fixed to the side sill of the vehicle, that is, the front end of the frame extending along the front-rear direction and forming the lower edge of the door opening. In this case, when the vehicle collides in front, the airbag 40 extending to the front side can catch the front wheels that are about to move backward due to the collision load. Further, the collision load is suitably transmitted to the side sill via the airbag 40, and is also transmitted to another frame connected to the side sill. By distributing the collision load over the entire frame in this way, deformation of the vehicle interior is suppressed.

10 ... Vehicle, 11 ... Front bumper, 12 ... Sensor, 13 ... Electronic control device, 20 ... Bampari information, 21 ... Side member, 30 ... Shock absorber, 40 ... Airbag, 41 ... Base wall, 41a ... Insertion Hole, 41b ... Bolt hole, 42 ... Recession, 42a ... First step portion, 42b ... Second step portion, 43 ... Side wall, 43a ... Front opening, 44 ... Extension part, 46 ... Rear general part, 47 ... Front side general Part, 47a ... Inner part, 47b ... Outer part, 47c ... Female screw hole, 48 ... Tip wall, 51 ... Fixed plate, 51a ... Center hole, 51b ... Relief hole, 53 ... Back plate, 53a ... Center hole, 53b ... Bolt Hole, 60 ... Pressure regulating valve, 61 ... Case, 61a ... Main body, 61b ... Reduced diameter, 61c ... Male thread, 62 ... Support plate, 62a ... Discharge hole, 63 ... Valve body, 64 ... Spring, 70 ... Gas generation Equipment, 71 ... inflator, 72 ... casing, 73 ... rear casing, 74 ... front casing, 74a ... flange, 74b ... injection hole, 81 ... O-ring, 82 ... backup ring, 90 ... bolt, 91 ... nut.

Claims (3)

A shock absorber that extends an airbag fixed to a vehicle structure by high-pressure gas supplied from a gas generator and absorbs the collision load on the vehicle through the deformation of the airbag in the event of a vehicle collision.
The airbag has a tubular shape, has an insertion hole through which the gas generator is inserted, and has a base end wall fixed to the vehicle structure and a pressure of the high pressure gas extending from the base end wall. A side wall having an extension portion extending toward the tip end side and a tip wall provided at the tip end of the side wall are provided.
A pressure regulating valve for adjusting the pressure in the airbag is provided on the side wall .
The pressure regulating valve has a valve body that switches the communication state inside and outside the airbag, and a spring that urges the valve body toward the inside of the airbag.
Vehicle shock absorber. The side wall is provided adjacent to the extension portion in the extension direction of the side wall, and has a general portion having a higher rigidity in the extension direction than the extension portion.
The pressure regulating valve is provided on the general portion of the side wall.
The vehicle shock absorber according to claim 1. The general portion is provided between the tip wall and the extension portion.
The vehicle shock absorber according to claim 2.

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