JP6849947B2 - Center airbag device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a center airbag device that deploys an airbag between the left and right seats of a vehicle.

Conventionally, as one of the occupant safety devices, there is an airbag device (side airbag device) in which an airbag is deployed on the side of the seat. This airbag device generally includes an airbag that can be expanded and deployed between the occupant and the door trim (side door) by gas ejected from an inflator fixed to the frame of the seat back (or door trim). Then, when an impact is applied to the vehicle due to a side collision or the like, the airbag device expands and deploys the airbag to protect the occupant from the impact due to the side collision.

In recent years, in the event of a vehicle collision (for example, a side collision), an airbag deployed between the left and right seats is provided to protect the occupant seated on the seat opposite to the collision side. An airbag device (center airbag device) has been proposed. This airbag device protects the occupant seated on the seat opposite to the collision side from the impact of the collision by deploying the airbag between the left and right seats in the event of a vehicle collision ( For example, see Patent Document 1).

JP-A-2009-067330

By the way, it is desirable that the reaction force (internal pressure) when the occupants come into contact with the airbag, which is expanded and deployed between the left and right seats, is appropriately adjusted according to the number of occupants. Specifically, there are cases where the occupant is seated in only one of the left and right seats (driver's seat or passenger seat), and cases where the occupant is seated in each of the left and right seats. It is desirable to adjust the reaction force (internal pressure) of the airbag appropriately for each of the above.

The reaction force of the airbag can be adjusted to some extent by providing an outer vent (vent hole) that communicates with the outside of the airbag. However, it is difficult to appropriately adjust the reaction force of the airbag according to the number of occupants simply by providing the outer vent on the airbag.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a center airbag device capable of appropriately adjusting the reaction force of an airbag according to the number of occupants.

One aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems includes an airbag and a gas introducing means for introducing gas into the airbag, and the airbag is expanded and deployed between the left and right seats by the gas introducing means. It is a center airbag device for making the airbag, and the airbag is composed of a plurality of chambers arranged in a row in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and each chamber is such that the boundary portion with the adjacent chamber is bent in the vehicle width direction. A center airbag device, characterized in that at least one of the adjacent chambers is provided with an outer vent that communicates the internal space with the outside on a contact surface with which the other chamber is in contact. is there.

In the present invention, when the airbag is expanded and expanded and the boundary portion (connection portion) of each chamber is not bent, the outer vent is substantially blocked by the adjacent chamber, and the reaction force (internal pressure) of the airbag is obtained. ) Is kept relatively high. On the other hand, when the occupant comes into contact with the airbag and the connection portion of each chamber is bent, the outer vent opens and the gas flows out to the outside, and the reaction force (internal pressure) of the airbag decreases. As a result, the reaction force (internal pressure) of the airbag when the occupant comes into contact with the occupant can be appropriately adjusted.

Here, an inner vent for communicating the internal spaces of the adjacent chambers is provided in each chamber at a predetermined distance in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the outer vent is provided between the inner vents. Is preferable. As a result, the reaction force (internal pressure) of the airbag when the occupant comes into contact with the occupant can be adjusted more appropriately.

Further, it is preferable that the outer vent has a larger opening area as it is provided on the upper side of the vehicle. As a result, the reaction force of the airbag near the occupant's face (head) can be suppressed to a small value. The opening area of each outer vent may be constant, and the number of outer vents may be increased toward the upper chamber of the vehicle.

Further, it is preferable that a shield member covering the boundary portion (connection portion) of each chamber is provided on the outer surface of the airbag in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the gas discharged from the outer vent flows in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, so that it is possible to prevent the gas from directly hitting the occupant.

Further, the airbag includes, as the chamber, a lower chamber to which the gas introduction means is connected, a middle chamber connected to the upper part of the lower chamber, and an upper chamber connected to the middle chamber. The chamber and the upper chamber have a substantially rectangular cross section in the vehicle width direction, the middle chamber has a substantially circular cross section in the vehicle width direction, and the outer vent is the lower chamber and the upper chamber. It is preferably provided in the chamber.

As a result, when the connection portion of each chamber is not bent, the outer vent is more closed by the middle chamber, and the reaction force (internal pressure) of the airbag is kept relatively high. Further, when the connection portion of each chamber is bent, the outer vent opens larger and the reaction force (internal pressure) of the airbag is appropriately reduced.

As described above, according to the center airbag device of the present invention, the reaction force (internal pressure) of the airbag is appropriately adjusted according to the contact state of the occupant with the airbag. For example, even if there is a occupant only in the driver's seat (when riding alone) or when the occupant is in the driver's seat and passenger seat (when two people are riding), the airbag depends on each situation. The reaction force of the bag is adjusted appropriately. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately protect each occupant in the event of a vehicle collision regardless of whether the vehicle is a single passenger or a two passenger.

It is a figure which shows the schematic structure of the vehicle which mounted the center airbag device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the schematic structure of the airbag which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an airbag according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA'in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the schematic structure of the airbag which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, and is the sectional view of BB'of FIG. It is a figure which schematically explains the deployed state of the airbag which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which schematically explains the deployed state of the airbag which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle provided with a center airbag device according to the present embodiment, and shows a state in which the airbag is expanded and deployed.
As shown in FIG. 1, the center airbag device 10 is a bag-shaped member formed of a base cloth, and expands and expands between the left and right seats 1 (1A, 1B) on which the occupants C (C1, C2) are seated. The airbag 20 is provided. As shown in FIG. 2, in the airbag 20, an inflator (gas introduction means) 30 for introducing gas into the entire inside of the airbag 20 is arranged in the airbag 20. The inflator 30 does not necessarily have to be provided in the airbag 20, and may be provided separately from the airbag 20 and connected to the airbag 20.

Although not shown, the airbag 20 and the inflator 30 are housed on the side surface of the seat back 2 of the seat 1, for example. Of course, the position for accommodating the airbag 20 and the inflator 30 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, in the center console 4 arranged between the seats 1A and 1B.

The center airbag device 10 is activated when a vehicle collision (for example, a side collision) is detected by, for example, a G sensor, and gas is ejected from the inflator 30 to bring the left seat 1A and the right seat 1B together. The airbag 20 is expanded and deployed in the space between them. In the present embodiment, the airbag 20 has a size that expands and expands above the center console 4 provided between the left seat 1A and the right seat 1B and reaches the head of the occupant C. The occupant C can be protected by alleviating the impact received by the occupant C when the vehicle collides with the airbag 20 expanded and deployed in this way.

Here, the airbag 20 is composed of a plurality of chambers arranged in a row in the vertical direction of the vehicle in an expanded and deployed state. In the present embodiment, the airbag 20 corresponds to the height near the abdomen of the occupant having the inflator 30 inside, and the height near the shoulder of the occupant connected to the upper part of the lower chamber 21. The middle chamber 22 is provided, and the upper chamber 23 connected to the upper part of the middle chamber 22 and corresponding to the height near the head of the occupant is provided. The lower chamber 21 and the upper chamber 23 are formed in a substantially square columnar shape extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle in a deployed and expanded state. The middle chamber 22 is formed in a substantially columnar shape extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle in a deployed and expanded state, and has a structure in which the substantially columnar chamber is sandwiched between the substantially square columnar chambers when viewed from the front. ing.

In the present embodiment, since the inflator 30 is housed in the lower chamber 21, the lower chamber 21 is extended downward from the main body 24 in addition to the substantially square columnar main body 24, and the inflator 30 is housed in the lower chamber 21. The accommodating portion 25 is provided. The accommodating portion 25 is provided on the vehicle rear side of the main body portion 24, and is formed so that the width in the vehicle front-rear direction (longitudinal direction) becomes wider toward the main body portion 24 side.

Here, the lower chamber 21, the middle chamber 22, and the upper chamber 23 are connected to the adjacent chambers in a state of being expanded and deployed so that a part thereof is in surface contact (the base cloth is sewn together). ). Specifically, the lower chamber 21 and the middle chamber 22 are connected so that a part thereof is in surface contact, and the middle chamber 22 and the upper chamber 23 are connected so that a part thereof is in surface contact. ing.

Further, in the present embodiment, the outer surface of the airbag 20 in the vehicle width direction, that is, the surface on the left and right seat 1 side on which the occupant C is seated, is a shield member 40 (40A, 40A, which covers the boundary portion (connection portion) of each chamber. 40B) is provided. Specifically, the shield member 40A is joined to the lower chamber 21 and the middle chamber 22 to close the connecting portion between the lower chamber 21 and the middle chamber 22. Further, the shield member 40B is connected to the middle chamber 22 and the upper chamber 23, and closes the connecting portion between the middle chamber and the upper chamber 23. The shield member 40 is joined in a loosened state so that the connecting portion of each chamber can be bent.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the contact surface between the lower chamber 21 and the middle chamber 22 is an inner vent which is a communication hole for communicating the internal space 21a of the lower chamber 21 and the internal space 22a of the middle chamber 22. 26 is formed. More specifically, for example, substantially circular openings are formed in the connection portion between the lower chamber 21 and the middle chamber 22, and the lower chamber 21 and the middle chamber 22 are joined around these openings. (For example, by sewing the base fabrics together), the lower chamber 21 and the middle chamber 22 are connected and an inner vent 26 connecting the internal spaces is formed. The inner vents 26 are provided on the front side and the rear side (near the end portion in the longitudinal direction) of the lower chamber 21 and the middle chamber 22 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, respectively.

Further, in the present embodiment, the lower chamber 21 and the middle chamber 22 are also joined at both ends of the airbag 20 in the vehicle front-rear direction (longitudinal direction) (for example, the base fabrics are sewn together). In other words, the lower chamber 21 and the middle chamber 22 are in contact with each other but are in a separable state except for the portion corresponding to the inner vent 26 and both ends in the vehicle front-rear direction (longitudinal direction).

By connecting the lower chamber 21 and the middle chamber 22 in this way, that is, by connecting the periphery of the inner vent 26, the lower chamber 21 and the middle chamber 22 are connected in a state where a part thereof is in surface contact. ing. Further, the airbag 20 can be bent in the vehicle width direction at the connecting portion between the lower chamber 21 and the middle chamber 22.

Similarly, an inner vent 27 that communicates the internal space 22a of the middle chamber 22 and the internal space 23a of the upper chamber 23 is formed on the contact surface between the middle chamber 22 and the upper chamber 23. That is, openings are formed in the connecting portions between the middle chamber 22 and the upper chamber 23, and the middle chamber 22 and the upper chamber 23 are joined around these openings (for example, the base fabrics are sewn together). The middle chamber 22 and the upper chamber 23 are connected to each other, and an inner vent 27 connecting the internal spaces is formed. The inner vent 27 is provided at the center of the middle chamber 22 and the upper chamber 23 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

Further, the middle chamber 22 and the upper chamber 23 are joined not only around the inner vent 27 but also at both ends of the airbag 20 in the vehicle front-rear direction (for example, the base fabrics are sewn together). In other words, the middle chamber 22 and the upper chamber 23 are in contact with each other but are separable except for the portion corresponding to the inner vent 26 and both ends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

By connecting the middle chamber 22 and the upper chamber 23 in this way, that is, by connecting the periphery of the inner vent 27, the middle chamber 22 and the upper chamber 23 are connected in a state where a part thereof is in surface contact. ing. Further, the airbag 20 can be bent in the vehicle width direction at the connecting portion between the middle chamber 22 and the upper chamber 23.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, an outer vent 28, which is a communication hole for communicating the internal space 21a and the outside, is formed on the contact surface of the lower chamber 21 with the middle chamber 22. Further, an outer vent 29, which is a communication hole for communicating the internal space 23a and the outside, is also formed on the contact surface of the upper chamber 23 with the middle chamber 22.

These outer vents 28 and 29 are provided between the inner vents 26 and 27. The sizes of the outer vents 28 and 29 are not particularly limited, but in the present embodiment, they are formed smaller than the inner vents 26 and 27.

Neither the periphery of the outer vent 28 of the lower chamber 21 nor the periphery of the outer vent 29 of the upper chamber 23 is joined to the middle chamber 22. Therefore, when the airbag 20 is expanded and expanded, the gas introduced from the inflator 30 is discharged to the outside from the outer vents 28 and 29. When gas is introduced from the inflator 30 into the lower chamber 21 (internal space 21a), the gas is introduced into the middle chamber 22 (internal space 22a) via the inner vent 26, and further through the inner vent 27 to the upper chamber 23. It is introduced in (internal space 23a). After that, when the internal pressure of each chamber becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure, gas is discharged to the outside from the outer vents 28 and 29. By discharging the gas from the outer vents 28 and 29 in this way, the reaction force (internal pressure) of the airbag 20 is appropriately adjusted.

However, since the outer vent 28 is formed on the contact surface with the middle chamber 22 of the lower chamber 21, and the outer vent 29 is formed on the contact surface with the middle chamber 22 of the upper chamber 23, the airbag In the state where 20 is linearly expanded and deployed toward the upper side of the vehicle, the outer vents 28 and 29 are substantially closed by the middle chamber 22.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the cross sections of the lower chamber 21 and the upper chamber 23 in the vehicle width direction are formed in a substantially rectangular shape, and the cross section of the middle chamber 22 is formed in a substantially circular shape. Therefore, the lower chamber 21 and the middle chamber 22 are formed. When the connecting portion of the upper chamber 23 is not bent, the middle chamber 22 slightly enters the outer vents 28 and 29, and the outer vents 28 and 29 are more reliably closed. Therefore, the amount of gas discharged from the outer vents 28 and 29 is relatively small. Therefore, the reaction forces (internal pressure) of the lower chamber 21, the middle chamber 22, and the upper chamber 23 are all maintained in a relatively high state.

On the other hand, when the connection portion between the lower chamber 21 and the middle chamber 22 and the connection portion between the middle chamber 22 and the upper chamber 23 are bent, the outer vents 28 and 29 blocked by the middle chamber 22 are opened, and the airbag 20 is opened. The reaction force (internal pressure) decreases. In particular, the reaction force (internal pressure) of the lower chamber 21 and the upper chamber 23 is reduced. In this way, the reaction force (internal pressure) of the airbag 20 is reduced, so that the occupant is appropriately protected.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5A, when another vehicle 100 collides with the side of the own vehicle when riding alone, the reaction force (internal pressure) of the airbag 20 is relatively large immediately after the collision. It is held high. Therefore, the lateral movement of the occupant C can be suppressed. When the impact due to the side collision is relatively small, it is possible to prevent the occupant from colliding with the side door 5 or the like by suppressing the movement of the occupant to the side (right side in the drawing) in this way.

Further, for example, when the impact due to the side collision is relatively large and the occupant C further moves to the side (right side in the figure) as shown in FIG. 5 (b), the lower chamber 21 and the middle chamber 22 having different shapes are formed. The connection portion with and the connection portion between the middle chamber 22 and the upper chamber 23 having different shapes are bent, and the outer vents 28 and 29 are opened.

As a result, the amount of gas discharged from the outer vents 28 and 29 of the upper chamber 23 and the lower chamber 21 increases, and the reaction force (internal pressure) of the airbag 20 is greatly reduced. The overall reaction force of the airbag 20 is reduced, but in particular, the reaction force of the lower chamber 21 and the upper chamber 23 is reduced. As a result, for example, even if the head of the occupant C is about to come into contact with the side door 5 or the like of the own vehicle, the impact can be softened by the airbag 20, and the occupant C can be appropriately protected.

Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, when two passengers are on board, another vehicle 100 collides with the side of the own vehicle, the airbag 20 is sandwiched by two occupants C, and the lower chamber 21 and the middle chamber 22 are connected to each other. When the connecting portion between the middle chamber 22 and the upper chamber 23 is bent, the gas discharged from the outer vents 28 and 29 of the upper chamber 23 and the lower chamber 21 even immediately after the airbag 20 is expanded and deployed. The amount increases, and the reaction force (internal pressure) in the airbag 20 greatly decreases. Thereby, for example, the impact due to the contact between the heads of the two occupants C can be appropriately suppressed, and the two occupants C can be appropriately protected.

The sizes of the outer vents 28 and 29 are not particularly limited, but the outer vent 29 formed in the upper chamber 23 near the head of the occupant C has an opening area larger than that of the outer vent 28 formed in the lower chamber 21. It is preferably formed large. As a result, when the connection portion between the lower chamber 21 and the middle chamber 22 and the connection portion between the middle chamber 22 and the upper chamber 23 are bent as described above, the reaction force (internal pressure) of the upper chamber 23 is greatly reduced. The impact on the head of the occupant C can be suppressed more reliably.

By the way, since the temperature of the gas discharged from the outer vents 28 and 29 may be relatively high, it is desirable not to directly hit the occupants. As described above, the connecting portion between the lower chamber 21 and the middle chamber 22 is closed by the shield member 40A, and the connecting portion between the middle chamber 22 and the upper chamber 23 is covered by the shield member 40B. As a result, the gas discharged from the outer vents 28 and 29, which serves as a guide for the flow of gas, flows out toward the front side of the vehicle or the rear side of the vehicle. In particular, in the present embodiment, since the outer vents 28 and 29 are provided on the vehicle front side of the airbag 20, the gas discharged from the outer vents 28 and 29 is as shown by an arrow in FIG. It flows out toward the front side of the vehicle. Therefore, the gas discharged from the outer vents 28 and 29 can be prevented from directly hitting the occupant.

The shield member 40 does not necessarily have to be provided in the front-rear direction of the vehicle of the airbag 20, and may be provided only in a part of the regions corresponding to the outer vents 28 and 29. Further, when the gas discharged from the outer vents 28 and 29 does not directly hit the occupant, of course, the shield member 40 may not be provided.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The present invention can be appropriately modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the outer vent is provided at the center of the airbag in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the outer vent is provided between the inner vents, but the arrangement of the inner vent and the outer vent is particularly limited. It's not a thing. For example, the outer vents may be provided on the front side and the rear side of the airbag, and the inner vents may be provided between the outer vents.

Further, the number of inner vents and outer vents is not particularly limited. For example, in the above-described embodiment, two inner vents are provided at the connection portion between the lower chamber and the middle chamber, and the connection portion between the middle chamber and the upper chamber, but one or three or more inner vents are provided at each connection portion. It may be provided. Further, although one outer vent is provided in each of the lower chamber and the upper chamber, two or more outer vents may be provided. Further, although the outer vent is provided in the lower chamber and the upper chamber, it may be provided in the middle chamber.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the lower chamber and the upper chamber have a substantially square prismatic shape, and the middle chamber has a substantially cylindrical shape, but the shape of each of these chambers is not particularly limited. For example, each of the lower chamber, the middle chamber, and the upper chamber may have a substantially cylindrical shape.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the airbag includes three chambers is illustrated, but the number of chambers included in the airbag is not particularly limited, and may be two or four or more. Good.

1 Seat 2 Seat back 4 Center console 5 Side door 10 Center airbag device 20 Airbag 21 Lower chamber 22 Middle chamber 23 Upper chamber 24 Main body 25 Storage 26, 27 Inner vent 28, 29 Outer vent 30 Inflator 40 (40A, 40A, 40B) Shield member

Claims (5)

A center airbag device comprising an airbag and a gas introducing means for introducing gas into the airbag, and expanding and deploying the airbag between the left and right seats by the gas introducing means.
The airbag is composed of a plurality of chambers arranged in a row in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and each chamber is connected so that a boundary portion with the adjacent chamber is bent in the vehicle width direction.
A center airbag device characterized in that at least one of the adjacent chambers is provided with an outer vent that communicates the internal space with the outside on a contact surface with which the other chamber contacts. In the center airbag device according to claim 1,
Inner vents that communicate the internal spaces of the adjacent chambers are provided in each chamber at a predetermined distance in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.
A center airbag device in which the outer vent is provided between the inner vents. In the center airbag device according to claim 1 or 2.
The outer vent is a center airbag device characterized in that the opening area thereof is larger as the outer vent is provided on the upper side of the vehicle. In the center airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
A center airbag device characterized in that a shield member covering a boundary portion of each chamber is provided on the outer surface of the airbag in the vehicle width direction. In the center airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The airbag includes, as the chamber, a lower chamber to which the gas introduction means is connected, a middle chamber connected to the upper part of the lower chamber, and an upper chamber connected to the middle chamber.
The lower chamber and the upper chamber have a substantially rectangular cross section in the vehicle width direction, the middle chamber has a substantially circular cross section in the vehicle width direction, and the outer vent forms the lower chamber and the lower chamber. A center airbag device provided in the upper chamber.

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