JPH07108902A - Air bag system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To unfold an air bag outside a vehicle for lightening an impact to a pedestrian. CONSTITUTION:An air bag system has a pedestrian collision detecting means 13 arrangedly provided in front end of a vehicle body 11 and a hood air bag which expands to unfold over a hood 15 in front of the vehicle body when the collision detecting means 13 detects a collision against the pedestrian. In addition, a bumper sensor to detect force inputted from the front of the vehicle body 11 and a hood sensor to detect an input acting downward onto the hood are provided, and when both the above sensors severally detect the input, the collision against the pedestrian is judged to occur, and the hood air bag is therefore unfolded.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention absorbs and alleviates the impact when a running vehicle collides with a pedestrian and falls on the hood at the front of the vehicle body to make a secondary collision with the upper surface of the hood. , Relates to an airbag system for protecting pedestrians.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a running vehicle collides with a pedestrian, the collided pedestrian sometimes blows the lower half of the body by the front of the vehicle body and hits the upper half of the body and the head against the upper surface of the hood at the front of the vehicle.

Therefore, a method has been proposed in which, when a collision with a pedestrian is detected, the hood is elastically lifted to impart a cushioning action to the hood portion and cushion a pedestrian who falls on the hood. ing.

For example, FIG. 12 shows US Pat. No. 4,249,963.
2 shows a safety device for pedestrian protection disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2 specification, in which a hood 5 is detected when a collision of a pedestrian 4 is detected by a sensor 3 provided on a bumper 2 at a front end portion of a vehicle 1. The airbag 6 installed at the lower rear end of the hood inflates and deploys, lifts the rear end of the hood 5 upward, elastically supports the rear end of the hood 5 by the cushioning action of the airbag 6, and allows the pedestrian 4 to move. The impact of the secondary collision with the hood 5 is alleviated.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional safety device for protecting pedestrians, by inflating the airbag provided at the rear end of the hood 5,
In order to lift the rear end side of the hood 5 upward, a large amount of gas is required and the inflator needs to be upsized.
Further, since the rear end of the hood 5 is lifted, when the vehicle collides with another obstacle after the collision with the pedestrian is mitigated, the collision load pushes the hood 5 to the rear side of the vehicle body and the front side. There was a risk of causing so-called zone intrusion, which interferes with the glass.

A sensor 3 for detecting a collision with a pedestrian
However, since it is attached to the bumper 2 at the front end of the vehicle body, it is possible to determine whether the detected collision is a collision with a pedestrian or an unnecessary malfunction, for example, a light collision with a utility pole or the like, with only the sensor 3 of the bumper. It was difficult.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an airbag that reliably detects a collision with a pedestrian and deploys the airbag on the hood upper surface and the roof upper surface to reduce the impact on the pedestrian. The purpose is to provide a system.

[0008]

As a means for solving the above problems, the present invention provides a pedestrian collision detection means for detecting a collision with a pedestrian, and a collision detection by the pedestrian collision detection means. It is characterized by having an airbag that is inflated and deployed on the hood of the vehicle body.

Further, the pedestrian collision detecting means comprises a bumper sensor arranged on a bumper of a vehicle body and a hood sensor arranged on the hood, and the pedestrian collision detecting means walks by inputting to both sensors of the bumper sensor and the hood sensor. It is characterized in that a collision of a person is detected and the airbag is deployed.

Further, the airbag is provided with an airbag which is deployed on the hood when the vehicle is at a predetermined speed or more and is input to at least one of the bumper sensor and the hood sensor. .

Further, a pedestrian collision detection means for detecting a collision with a pedestrian, and an airbag which is inflated in response to the collision detection of the pedestrian collision detection means and inflates on the roof of the vehicle body are deployed on the hood. It is characterized by having an air bag that does.

[0012]

With the above-described structure, when the pedestrian collision detection means arranged on the vehicle body detects a collision with a pedestrian, an operation signal is output to the airbag and the airbag is inflated. When the pedestrian who collides with the front part of the vehicle falls down on the hood, the impact when the pedestrian's head or upper body collides with the hood secondarily is mitigated.

Further, the pedestrian collision detection means is composed of a bumper sensor for detecting an input to the bumper, a hood sensor for detecting an input to the hood, and a sensor for detecting an input to the hood. When the inputs to these two sensors are detected and the airbag is deployed when an actuation signal is sent to the airbag, the bumper sensor attached to the bumper detects the inputs because the bumper is kicked by mischief, for example. However, since the input to the other hood sensor is not detected, the operation signal is not output, and thus the malfunction of the airbag is prevented.

Further, an airbag is provided so as to cover the roof, and when the pedestrian collision detection means detects a collision with a pedestrian, an operation signal is output to the airbag and the airbag is laid on the roof. Since the bag is unfolded, the impact can be mitigated by the airbag when a pedestrian jumped up on the roof makes a secondary collision with the roof.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment in which the airbag system of the present invention is applied to a front engine vehicle will be described below with reference to FIGS.
It will be described based on.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention. In a vehicle equipped with an airbag system, a front bumper 12 provided at a front end of a vehicle body 11 of the vehicle has a frontmost protruding portion. The pedestrian collision detection sensor 13
Is provided. This pedestrian collision detection sensor 13
A touch sensor whose contacts conduct when compressed by a collision load input from the front. The touch sensor is mounted on the front surface of the front bumper 12 substantially horizontally over the entire width direction of the vehicle body. It is possible to detect a collision with a pedestrian or the like in almost the entire area.

Further, an engine hood 15 (hereinafter referred to as a hood 15) that covers an upper part of the engine room 14 at the front of the vehicle body.
An opening 16 for inflating the airbag is formed by cutting the hood 15 into a rectangular shape in the center near the front end of the. In the opening 16, a folded hood airbag 17a and an inflator 17 for inflating the hood airbag are provided.
b, the hood airbag 17a, and a hood airbag module 17 including a backup plate 17c integrally attached to the hood airbag module 17, and the backup plate 17c is bolted to a reinforcing member 15a provided on the back surface of the hood 15. It is fastened and fixed.
The opening 16 is openably and closably covered by a lid 16a attached so as to be flush with the surface of the hood 15.

Next, the operation of this embodiment configured as described above will be described. When a running vehicle collides with a pedestrian, when the pedestrian collision detection sensor 13 mounted on the front bumper 12 is compressed by a collision load, its contacts are brought into conduction and the inflator of the hood airbag module 17 is inflated. An electric current is sent to the squib (electric detonator).
As a result, the gas generating agent in the inflator is ignited to generate a large amount of gas, and the generated gas is the hood airbag 1
7a is filled. The hood airbag 17a filled with gas is inflated, and the inflation pressure causes the lid 16a to
Is pushed to the outside to open the opening 16 and bulges from the opening to expand the hood 15 so as to cover the upper surface (see FIG. 2).

Therefore, a pedestrian collided with a vehicle is
The front half of the vehicle body 11 displaces the lower half of the body and rolls over, and the upper half of the body falls down on the hood 15. However, since the hood airbag 17a is deployed on the hood 15, a pedestrian can use the hood airbag 17a to remove the hood 15. The impact of the secondary collision with is absorbed and relaxed.

FIGS. 4 to 8 show a second embodiment of the airbag system according to the present invention. In the first embodiment, the pedestrian collision detection means has a length substantially the same as the vehicle body width. Although the pedestrian collision detection sensor is horizontally attached to the front bumper, the airbag system according to the second embodiment serves as a bumper sensor for detecting a pedestrian collision when the vehicle 21 is traveling at a predetermined speed or higher. When the two types of sensors, the hood sensor and the hood sensor, are turned on, an ignition signal is transmitted from the airbag control device 29 to the inflator of the airbag module 27, so that a low speed traveling at a predetermined speed or less or a collision other than a pedestrian collision. It is a system that can prevent unnecessary operation of the hood airbag during operation and can reliably detect a pedestrian collision.

A vehicle equipped with this airbag system has a plurality of bumper sensors 23 for detecting a pedestrian collision, which are arranged on a front bumper 22 at the front end of a vehicle body 21 of the vehicle.
The rear hinge-type hood 25 is provided with two types of sensors, a hood sensor 28a provided in each of a pair of rubber stoppers 28, 28 attached to both sides of the front lower surface of the hood 25.

The bumper sensors 23 are touch sensors whose contacts are brought into conduction when compressed, and a plurality of bumper sensors 23 are provided at a predetermined interval at the most projecting portion of the front bumper 22. Each bumper sensor 23 can detect a collision. So that the wiring is connected. Also, the hood sensor 2
As shown in FIG. 6, 8a is disposed in the hollow portion of the rubber stopper 28 having a columnar shape and having a hollow portion opened downward, and when the stopper 28 is compressed, When the hood 25 is pressed downward, a downward load is applied to the hood 25, the stopper 28 is compressed and the internal hood sensor 28a is electrically connected.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the vehicle speed signal from the vehicle speed sensor 30 input to the airbag control device (hereinafter referred to as ECU) 29 is faster than a preset lower limit speed (for example, 20 km / hour). An ignition signal is sent to the hood airbag module 27 when the bumper sensor 23 and the hood sensor 28a are turned on and a collision detection signal is sent while indicating the vehicle speed.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described based on the control flowchart of FIG. 8 showing the control of the ECU 29. First, in step 1, it is judged whether or not the vehicle speed is 20 km / h or more, which is a predetermined lower limit speed, and if it is 20 km / h or less, the process returns to the start. When the vehicle speed is 20 km / h or more, the routine proceeds to step 2, where it is judged whether or not the bumper sensor 23 is conducting, and if not, the routine returns to start. Then, if the bumper sensor 23 is conductive, proceed to step 3,
It is determined whether or not the hood sensor 28a is conducting, and if it is not conducting, the process returns to the start. And
When the hood sensor 28a is in conduction, that is, when the bamba sensor 23 and the hood sensor 28a are both in conduction at a speed of 20 km / h or more, the process proceeds to step 4, and the hood airbag module is used to deploy the hood airbag. A signal indicating that the food airbag is ON is transmitted to 27. As a result, gas is generated in the inflator in the hood airbag module 27, and the hood 2
The hood airbag 27a is deployed on the upper part of the container 5.

At the time of a collision with the vehicle, the bumper sensor 23 is compressed and becomes conductive, but since there is no downward input to the hood sensor 28a, the process returns from step 3 to the start and the airbag system does not operate.

When a collision with a pedestrian cannot be avoided, the hood airbag 27a is manually operated.
It is also possible to provide a manual operation switch 31 for deploying the hood airbag, for example, when the vehicle is traveling at a relatively low speed even at a predetermined lower limit speed of 20 km / h or more, before manually colliding with the pedestrian. You may let me.
Further, in this embodiment, the hood airbag 27a is deployed when input is made to both the bumper sensor 23 and the hood sensor 28a. However, at least one of the bumper sensor and the hood sensor is running while traveling at a predetermined speed or higher. The hood airbag may be inflated when input is made to either one.

9 to 11 show a third embodiment of the airbag system of the present invention, which is for deploying the roof airbag on the roof in the event of a collision with a pedestrian. It will be explained based on.

In the roof portion 32 of the vehicle body 31, a rectangular opening portion 35 for inflating the roof airbag 34 is provided in the vicinity of a roof front end 32a which is in contact with the upper edge portion of the windshield 33.
Are formed. In the opening 35, a folded roof airbag 34 and an inflator 36 for inflating the roof airbag 34 are provided as a backup plate 3
A roof airbag module 38 that is integrally assembled to the vehicle 7 is installed. The backup plate 37 has its open portion facing upward, and the bottom lower surface of the backup plate 37 is attached to the header panel 39 on the front side and the roof reinforcement 40 on the back side via the attachment stays 38, 38. There is. A lid 41 is provided in the opening 35 so as to be openable and closable on the rear side of the vehicle body by being connected to an opening frame 45 attached to the entire circumference of the opening 35 by a plastic deformation hinge 42 made of mild steel or aluminum alloy. With this lid 41
Is a stopper locking portion 43 provided on the lower surface on the front side of the vehicle body.
The lower part of the resin breaking pin 44 whose head is locked to is screwed to the opening frame 45 and is fixed in a closed state.

Next, the operation of this embodiment configured as described above will be described.

When a running vehicle collides with a pedestrian, when the pedestrian collision detection sensor mounted on the front bumper is compressed by the collision load and the contacts are brought into conduction, a current is supplied to the inflator 36 of the roof airbag module 38. Shed Therefore, the roof airbag module 38
This inflator 36 is ignited and the inflator 36
The gas generated in step 3 is filled in the roof airbag 34.
Then, due to the pressure of the inflating roof airbag 34, the breaking pin 44 fixing the lid 41 closing the opening 35 breaks from the constricted portion, and the lid 41 is a plastic deformation hinge on the rear side. The opening 35 is opened by rotating backward with 42 as a fulcrum. At this time, lid 4
1 deforms the plastic deformation hinge 42 and opens it, so that it does not return to the state before the deformation, and therefore the lid 41 is maintained in the open state, and this lid 41 does not return in the direction of closing the opening 35. Then, the roof airbag 34 bulging from the opening 35 is deployed so as to cover from the upper portion of the windshield near the front end 32a of the roof portion 32 to the rear of the opening 35.

Therefore, when a vehicle collides with a pedestrian, even if the vehicle collides with the hood airbag and then jumps upward and collides with the roof portion 32, the roof airbag 34 cushions it. Further, when a vehicle collides with a bicycle or the like other than a pedestrian, the occupant of the bounced bicycle or the like is located at a high position, and thus may collide directly with the roof portion 32 without falling on the hood airbag. In the case of the embodiment, the roof airbag 34 is inflated and is deployed so as to cover the upper portion of the roof portion 32 from the tip of the roof portion to the rear portion of the opening portion 35 for inflating the airbag. The impact of the secondary collision with the roof portion 32 can be mitigated.

In each of the above embodiments, the airbag system for deploying the airbag on the hood of the vehicle body or on the roof when the collision with the pedestrian is detected has been described. The roof airbag may be deployed simultaneously with the hood airbag. Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the airbag system of the present invention is installed in the front engine vehicle has been described. However, in addition to the front engine vehicle, a rear engine vehicle, a midship engine vehicle, or an engine other than an internal combustion engine is used as a power source. It can also be suitably implemented for various types of vehicles.

[0033]

As described above, in the airbag system of the present invention, when the pedestrian collision detection means detects a collision with a pedestrian, the airbag is deployed on the upper surface of the hood of the vehicle body and collides with the front portion of the vehicle. It is possible to mitigate the impact of a pedestrian who has made a secondary collision on the hood. The pedestrian collision detection means includes a sensor that detects an input to the bumper at the front end of the vehicle body and a sensor that detects an input to the hood.
If it is configured to operate the airbag by detecting the input to at least one of the two sensors or detecting the input to the two sensors at a predetermined speed, It is possible to prevent malfunction of the airbag when the bumper is kicked. Furthermore, by providing an airbag that deploys on the roof and deploying it when a collision of a pedestrian or the like is detected, the impact of a secondary collision with the roof part of the pedestrian or the like that has been flipped up to a high position is prevented. Can be relaxed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle equipped with an airbag system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a developed state of the hood airbag in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a sectional side view of a front portion of the vehicle body showing an arrangement state of the hood airbag module in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a sensor position and a deployed state of a hood airbag according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a hood sensor and a mounting position of a hood airbag module according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a hood sensor.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control routine in the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a deployment range of a roof airbag according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a sectional side view showing a state in which the roof airbag module of the third embodiment is stored in the roof portion.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a mounted state of a lid in the third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a schematic explanatory view of a vehicle provided with a conventional pedestrian protection means.

[Explanation of symbols]

 13 Pedestrian Collision Detection Sensor 15 Hood 17 Hood Airbag Module 23 Bumper Sensor 28 Stopper 28a Hood Sensor 34 Roof Airbag 35 Opening 38 Roof Airbag Module 41 Lid

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A pedestrian collision detection means for detecting a collision with a pedestrian, and an airbag which is inflated in response to a collision detection by the pedestrian collision detection means and is inflated on a hood of a vehicle body. An airbag system characterized by. 2. The pedestrian collision detection means includes a bumper sensor arranged on a bumper of a vehicle body and a hood sensor arranged on the hood, and an input to both the bumper sensor and the hood sensor is applied. The airbag system according to claim 1, wherein a collision of a pedestrian is detected to deploy the airbag. 3. The airbag is equipped with an airbag that is deployed on a hood when the vehicle is at a predetermined speed or higher and when the vehicle is input to at least one of the bumper sensor and the hood sensor. The airbag system according to claim 1. 4. A pedestrian collision detection means for detecting a collision with a pedestrian, and an airbag which inflates upon detection of a collision by the pedestrian collision detection means and expands on a roof of a vehicle body are deployed on a hood. An airbag system characterized by comprising: