JPH10244902A - Air bag device for assistant driver's seat - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure the expansion region of an air bag body in the direction along the front windshield, even in the case where only a part of the air bag body is expanded. SOLUTION: An air bag device is constituted in such a way that when it is not necessary to expand the whole of the air bag body 20, only the inflater on one side of an inflater unit 18 is started by an air bag control circuit 51. Further, the air bag body 20 is divided by a partition cloth 20A into an upper chamber 20B and a lower chamber 20C, and when the gas jetted from the inflater is supplied to the upper chamber 20B of the air bag body 20, only the upper chamber 20 is expanded along the front windshield 15.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a passenger airbag device, and more particularly, to a passenger airbag device disposed on an instrument panel of a motor vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an example of an airbag device for a passenger seat provided on an instrument panel of an automobile is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,186,941.

[0003] As shown in FIG. 8, in this airbag device for a passenger's seat, a capacity expansion portion (tear seam) 102 is formed so as to be pinched above the airbag bag 100. The capacity expansion unit 102 is configured to expand by increasing the gas pressure when the gas ejection output of an inflator (not shown) becomes high. As a result, when there is a person, an object, or the like in the vicinity of the airbag device, the gas injection output of the inflator is set to a low output, so that the airbag body 100 is developed small as shown by a solid line in FIG. It has become. On the other hand, when there is no person, object, or the like near the airbag device, the gas inflation output of the inflator is increased to expand the capacity expansion section 102, and the entire airbag body 100 is shown in FIG. It expands greatly as shown by the dotted line.

[0004]

However, in this passenger airbag device, the overall expanded shape of the airbag body 100 when the capacity expanding portion 102 is expanded (two-dot chain line in FIG. 8) and the capacity expansion. The partially expanded shape (solid line in FIG. 8) of the airbag 100 when the part 102 is not expanded is similar. For this reason, in a partially deployed shape in which the capacity expansion unit 102 is not deployed, the deployment area of the airbag body 100 in the direction along the front windshield glass surface is reduced.

[0005] In view of the above facts, the present invention can secure the deployment area of the airbag bag in the direction along the front windshield glass surface even when only a part of the airbag bag is deployed. The aim is to obtain a dual-use airbag device.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided an airbag device for a passenger seat, which is disposed on an upper surface of an instrument panel facing a front windshield glass, wherein an upper room and a lower room are separated by a partition portion. An airbag bag divided into rooms, an upper gas supply unit for supplying gas to an upper room of the airbag bag, and a lower room gas supply unit for supplying gas to a lower room of the airbag bag. , And gas ejection control means for operating only the upper gas supply unit when it is not necessary to deploy the entire airbag body.

Therefore, when it is not necessary to deploy the entire airbag bag, only the upper chamber gas supply unit of the gas ejection means is operated by the gas ejection control means. Thereby, the upper chamber of the airbag bag body is developed along the front windshield glass surface by the inflow of gas from the upper chamber gas supply unit of the gas blowing means. As a result, even when only a part of the airbag bag is deployed, a deployment area of the airbag bag in the direction along the front windshield glass surface can be secured.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the airbag device for a passenger seat according to the first aspect, the gas jetting means is divided into two chambers by a partition formed at an intermediate portion, and is disposed in each chamber. An inner case having injection nozzles for injecting gas from the respective inflators at both ends, an upper room gas supply opening disposed on an outer peripheral portion of the inner case and communicating with the upper room, and communicating with the lower room. A lower-chamber gas supply opening, and a diffuser having an upper-chamber gas blowing passage disposed between the inner case and the diffuser and communicating with one of the injection nozzles and the upper-chamber gas supply opening. A seal member is provided for partitioning the lower chamber gas supply passage that communicates the other of the injection nozzles with the lower chamber gas supply opening.

Therefore, gas ejected from the two inflators provided in the inner case is supplied from the injection nozzles located at both ends of the inner case by the sealing members to the upper and lower chamber gas blowing paths. Sent between the inner case and the diffuser,
Through the upper room gas supply opening and the lower room gas supply opening,
It is supplied to the upper and lower rooms of the airbag body. For this reason, the configuration of the gas ejection means is simplified, and the size of the device can be reduced.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of an airbag device for a passenger seat according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the drawings, arrow FR indicates the forward direction of the vehicle, and arrow UP indicates the upward direction of the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 6, an instrument panel 1 is provided in front of a passenger seat 10 of a vehicle.
2 are installed, and an airbag device 14 is installed inside the instrument panel 12.

As shown in FIG. 1, the airbag device 14
The airbag case 16 has a substantially U-shaped side cross section,
The opening is on the upper surface of the instrument panel 12,
It is arranged facing the front windshield glass surface 15. An inflator unit 18 as a gas blowing means is provided at the bottom of the airbag case 16, and an airbag 20 is accommodated in a folded state near the opening of the airbag case 16. The airbag bag body 20 is inflated when the inflator unit 18 generates gas, and the head 22 of the occupant (adult) 22 sitting on the passenger seat 10 through the opening of the instrument panel 12.
It is designed to be deployed in the A direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, the air bag 20
Is divided into an upper room 20B and a lower room 20C by a partition cloth 20A serving as a partition disposed slightly above a substantially central portion in the vertical direction.

As shown in FIG. 3, an inner case 24 is provided inside the inflator unit 18.

[0015] As shown in FIG.
Has a cylindrical shape divided into two chambers by a partition wall 24A formed at an intermediate portion, and an injection nozzle 26 for injecting gas from two inflators 26 and 28 disposed in each chamber.
A and 28A are formed at both ends. Each of these inflators 26 and 28 can separately control generation of gas by an external control signal.

As shown in FIG. 5, a cylindrical diffuser 30 is provided on the outer periphery of the inner case 24. The diffuser 30 has upper chamber gas supply openings 32, 3 and 3 communicating with the upper chamber 20B of the airbag bag 20.
4, 36, 38 and lower room 20C of airbag body 20
Gas supply openings 40, 42, 44, 46 communicating with
And are drilled. Upper chamber gas supply openings 32, 34,
36 and 38 are formed at a predetermined interval along the axial direction of the diffuser 30, and the areas of the opening portions each having a reverse trapezoidal shape gradually increase from the side closer to the injection nozzle 26 </ b> A of the inflator 26 to the side farther. It is getting bigger. The lower chamber gas supply openings 40, 42, 44, 46 are also formed at predetermined intervals along the axial direction of the diffuser 30, and each have an inverted trapezoidal shape from the side closer to the injection nozzle 28A of the inflator 28 to the side farther. The area of the formed opening gradually increases. In addition, upper room gas supply opening 3
2, 34, 36, 38 and lower chamber gas supply openings 40, 4
2, 44 and 46 are formed at positions approximately 90 degrees apart along the outer periphery of the diffuser 30.

A seal rubber 48 is provided between the inner case 24 and the diffuser 30 as a seal member. The sealing rubber 48 is provided in the upper chamber gas supply opening 3.
2, 34, 36, 38 and lower chamber gas supply openings 40, 4
2, 34, 46, and a first partitioning them.
The wall 48A and the inner case 2 are formed from the first wall 48A.
A second wall portion 48B that separates the upper room gas supply openings 32, 34, 36, 38 and the lower room gas supply openings 40, 42, 44, 46 at a position 180 degrees apart along the outer circumference of
A semi-arc-shaped third wall portion 48C for partitioning the injection nozzle 26A of the inflator 26 from the lower chamber gas supply openings 40, 42, 44, 46, and the injection nozzle 28 of the inflator 28
A and a semicircular fourth wall portion 48D that partitions the upper chamber gas supply openings 32, 34, 36, and 38 from each other.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, between the inner case 24 and the diffuser 30, the injection nozzle 26A of the inflator 26 (see FIG. 4) and the upper chamber gas supply openings 32, 34, 36, 38 are provided. , The upper chamber gas blowing passage 50, the injection nozzle 28A of the inflator 28 (see FIG. 4), and the lower chamber gas supply openings 40, 42, 44, 46.
And a lower chamber gas ventilation path 52 communicating with the lower chamber.

As shown in FIG. 1, the inflator unit 18 is connected to an airbag control circuit 51 serving as a gas ejection control means including a microcomputer. A collision speed sensor 53 for detecting an impact acting on the vehicle is connected.

The passenger seat 10 of the instrument panel 12
A proximity sensor 56 composed of, for example, an ultrasonic sensor is provided on the surface 12A facing the
Are connected to the airbag control circuit 51. The proximity sensor 56 includes a transmission / reception sensor (not shown) provided toward the rear of the vehicle, and is turned on when the distance to the detection target becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value.

That is, the proximity sensor 56 includes a child seat (CRS) 60 placed rearward on the seat cushion 10A of the passenger seat 10, an infant (not shown) standing in front of the seat cushion 10A, and a seat cushion 10A. An occupant (adult) (not shown) that is seated at a predetermined position and leans forward is detected and turned on.

The seat cushion 10 of the passenger seat 10 is also provided.
A load sensor 62 in the form of a sheet is provided in A, and detects a load to be detected on the seat cushion 10A. The load sensor 62 is a well-known pressure sensor, and is connected to the airbag control circuit 51.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the airbag device for the passenger seat of the present embodiment, whether or not the load sensor 62 is turned on in the airbag control circuit 51 based on a signal from the load sensor 62 disposed in the seat cushion 10A of the passenger seat 10. Is determined (S (step) 200).

If it is determined in S200 that the load sensor 62 is ON, it is determined in S202 whether the load detected by the load sensor 62 is low.

If it is determined in S202 that the load detected by the load sensor 62 is low, it is determined in S204 whether or not the proximity sensor 56 is turned on, that is, the person is within a predetermined distance from the proximity sensor 56. Or, it is determined whether or not there is an object.

If it is determined in S204 that the proximity sensor 56 is ON, for example, if the CRS 60 is set backward on the seat cushion 10A of the passenger seat 10, the collision speed sensor 53 is determined in S206. It is determined whether or not the collision speed is high based on the output signal of.

If it is determined in step S206 that the collision speed is high, in step S208, the inflator 26
Only start. As a result, FIG.
, Only the upper room 20B is unfolded.

When it is determined in S206 that the collision speed is not high, in S210, both the inflators 26 and 28 are not activated and the airbag body 20 is not deployed.

In S204, the proximity sensor 56
Is determined not to be on, for example, when the infant is seated at a regular position on the seat cushion 10A of the passenger seat 10, the CRS is set forward on the seat cushion 10A of the passenger seat 10. In that case, S21
In step 2, only the inflator 26 is activated. As a result, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 1, only the upper room 20B of the airbag body 20 is deployed.

In S202, the load sensor 62
It is determined that the detected load is not a low load, for example, when the occupant (adult) 22 sitting on the seat cushion 10A of the passenger seat 10 is reading a newspaper or a magazine, etc., the seat cushion 10A of the passenger seat 10 If the occupant (adult) 22 sitting on the upper body leans forward, S
At 214, it is determined whether the collision speed is equal to or higher than the medium speed based on the output signal of the collision speed sensor.

When it is determined in S214 that the collision speed is equal to or higher than the medium speed, in S216, both the inflators 26 and 28 are activated. As a result, the airbag body 20 is moved upward as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG.
B and the entire lower room 20C are deployed.

If it is determined in S214 that the collision speed is not higher than the medium speed, then in S218,
Only the inflator 26 is activated. As a result, the airbag body 20 is moved upward as shown by a solid line in FIG.
Only B expands.

On the other hand, in S200, the load sensor 62
If it is determined that is not on, in S220, it is determined whether the proximity sensor 56 is on, that is, whether there is a person or an object within a predetermined distance from the proximity sensor 56.

In S220, when it is determined that the proximity sensor 56 is on, for example, when the infant who has left the seat cushion 10A of the passenger seat 10 moves forward due to the brake immediately before the collision, In S222, it is determined whether the collision speed is high based on the output signal of the collision speed sensor 53.

If it is determined in step S222 that the collision speed is high, in step S224, the inflator 26
Only start. As a result, FIG.
, Only the upper room 20B is unfolded.

If it is determined in S222 that the collision speed is not high, in S226, both the inflators 26 and 28 are not activated and the airbag body 20 is not deployed.

In S220, the proximity sensor 56
Is determined not to be on, for example, passenger seat 1
If there is no person or object on the seat cushion 10A and the proximity sensor 56 in step S228, in step S228, both the inflators 26 and 28 are not activated and the airbag 2
0 is not expanded.

As described above, in the airbag device for the passenger seat of the present embodiment, when it is not necessary to deploy the entire airbag body 20, the airbag control circuit 51 activates only the inflator 26. As a result, the gas ejected from the injection nozzle 26A of the inflator 26 passes through the upper room gas blowing passage 50, and the upper
Via the airbags 4, 36 and 38, the airbag bag 20 is supplied only to the upper room 20 </ b> B. As a result, as shown by a solid line in FIG. 1, the upper room 20B of the airbag bag 20 is deployed along the front windshield glass surface 15.
For this reason, the airbag bag body 20 is less likely to interfere with the CRS 60 placed rearward on the seat cushion 10A of the passenger seat 10 or an infant standing in front of the seat cushion 10A. Also, when only a part (upper room 20B) of the airbag bag body 20 is deployed, the airbag bag body 2 in the direction along the front windshield glass surface 15 is also provided.
Since the zero deployment area can be secured, it is possible to prevent secondary collision with the front windshield glass surface 15.

When the entire airbag body 20 needs to be deployed, the airbag control circuit 51
Activate both inflators 26, 28. As a result, the gas ejected from the injection nozzle 26A of the inflator 26 passes through the upper room gas blowing passage 50, and passes through the upper room gas supply openings 32, 34, 36, and 38 to the upper room 20B of the airbag bag 20. While being supplied, the gas ejected from the injection nozzle 28A of the inflator 28 passes through the lower room gas blowing passage 52, and the lower room gas supply openings 40, 42,
The lower room 20 of the airbag body 20 is provided via 44 and 48.
C. As a result, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1, the entire airbag body 20 is deployed.

In the passenger airbag apparatus of the present embodiment, the gas ejected from the two inflators 26 and 28 provided in the inner case 24 is
4 from the injection nozzles 26A and 28A located at both ends.
Each is provided with a gas blowing passage 50 in the upper room by a sealing rubber 48.
Inner case 2 partitioned into the lower room gas ventilation passage 52
4 and the diffuser 30, and through the upper room gas supply openings 32, 34, 36, 38 and the lower room gas supply openings 40, 42, 44, 48, the airbag bag body 20.
Are supplied to the upper room 20B and the lower room 20C, respectively. For this reason, the configuration of the inflator unit 18 as the gas blowing means is simplified, and the size of the device can be reduced.

In the above, the present invention has been described in detail with reference to a specific embodiment. However, the airbag device for a passenger seat of the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, but falls within the scope of the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other embodiments are possible. For example, in the present embodiment, the proximity sensor 56 including an ultrasonic sensor is used, but the proximity sensor is not limited to this, and another sensor such as an infrared sensor may be used.

[0042]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an airbag device for a passenger seat disposed on an upper surface of an instrument panel facing a front windshield glass, wherein the airbag device is divided into an upper room and a lower room by a partition portion. Gas blowing means having an airbag bag, an upper gas supply unit for supplying gas to an upper room of the airbag bag, and a lower gas supply unit for supplying gas to a lower room of the airbag bag. And, when it is not necessary to deploy the entire airbag body, gas ejection control means for operating only the upper chamber gas supply unit is provided, so that even when only a part of the airbag body is deployed. This has an excellent effect that a deployment area of the airbag bag body can be secured in a direction along the front windshield glass surface. Further, there is an excellent effect that the airbag bag is less likely to interfere with a CRS placed rearward on the seat cushion of the passenger seat or an infant standing in front of the seat cushion.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the airbag device for a passenger seat according to the first aspect, the gas jetting means is divided into two chambers by a partition formed at an intermediate portion, and is disposed in each chamber. An inner case having injection nozzles at each end for injecting gas from each inflator, an upper room gas supply opening disposed on an outer peripheral portion of the inner case and communicating with the upper room, and a lower room gas communicating with the lower room A diffuser having a supply opening, and an upper-room gas blowing passage that is disposed between the inner case and the diffuser and communicates one of the injection nozzles with the upper-room gas supply opening; and the other of the injection nozzles and the lower-room gas. Since there is a seal member for partitioning the lower chamber gas ventilation path communicating with the supply opening, the configuration of the gas ejection means is simplified in addition to the effect of claim 1, and the apparatus can be downsized. When it comes Cormorant has an excellent effect.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing an airbag device for a passenger seat according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an airbag body of a passenger airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side sectional view showing a passenger seat airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing an airbag unit of the passenger airbag device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view, partially in section, showing a main part of an airbag unit of the airbag device for a passenger seat according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an arrangement of a main part of an airbag device for a passenger seat according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating control of a passenger seat airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an airbag bag of a passenger airbag device according to a conventional embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 passenger seat 12 instrument panel 14 airbag device 15 front windshield glass surface 18 inflator unit (gas blowing means) 20 airbag bag body 20A partition cloth (partition part) 20B upper room 20C lower room 24 inner case 26 inflator 26A injection Nozzle 28 Inflator 28A Injection nozzle 30 Diffuser 32 Upper room gas supply opening 34 Upper room gas supply opening 36 Upper room gas supply opening 38 Upper room gas supply opening 40 Lower room gas supply opening 42 Lower room gas supply opening 44 Lower room gas supply opening 46 Lower room gas supply opening 48 Seal rubber (seal member) 50 Upper room gas blowing path 51 Airbag control circuit (gas ejection control means) 52 Lower room gas blowing path 56 Proximity sensor

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An airbag device for a passenger seat disposed on an upper surface of an instrument panel facing a front windshield glass, comprising: an airbag bag body divided into an upper room and a lower room by a partition; Gas ejection means having an upper chamber gas supply unit for supplying gas to the upper room of the bag bag body, and a lower room gas supply unit for supplying gas to the lower room of the air bag bag body; If you do not need to expand
Gas blowing control means for operating only the upper-chamber gas supply unit; and a passenger-seat airbag device. 2. An inner case which is divided into two chambers by a partition wall formed at an intermediate portion, and has an injection nozzle at each end for injecting gas from each inflator disposed in each chamber. A diffuser disposed on the outer peripheral portion of the inner case and having an upper gas supply opening communicating with the upper room, and a lower gas supply opening communicating with the lower room; and the inner case and the diffuser. And an upper room gas blowing passage communicating one of the spray nozzles with the upper room gas supply opening, and a lower room gas blower communicating the other of the spray nozzles with the lower room gas supply opening. The airbag device for a passenger seat according to claim 1, further comprising: a seal member that partitions a road and a road.