JPH1196868A - Collision sensor and air bag operation control device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide with simple structure a collision sensor for detecting the severity of shock in a vehicle collision, and to provide with simple structure an air bag operation control device capable of developing and expanding an air bag according to the severity of the shock and low production cost by using this collision sensor. SOLUTION: A collision sensor is constituted with a ball 3, which is moved by a shock in vehicle collision, and at least two contacts S1, S2 which are successively closed by the contact with the ball 3 which is made to move. The more severe the shock in vehicle collision is the larger the moving distance of the ball 3 becomes and therefore, the severity of shock is, detected by the number of the contacts S1, S2 closed by the ball 3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a collision sensor suitable for detecting a collision used in an airbag operation control device for protecting an occupant of a vehicle, and an airbag control device using the collision sensor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An example of a conventional collision sensor for detecting a collision of an automobile or the like is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 3-121639. The collision sensor includes a flying element made of a magnetic material attracted by a magnet, a cylinder that guides the movement of the flying element, and a contact made of a pair of elastic pieces that are closed by contact with the flying element that is moved. It is configured. The collision sensor closes the contact point when the flying element moves by overcoming the attractive force of the magnet due to the impact of the vehicle collision and comes into contact with the elastic piece. As a result, a current flows through the closed contacts, and the ignition device of the gas generator of the airbag operation control device is operated, and the airbag is rapidly deployed and inflated by a large amount of gas released from the gas generator. .

In recent years, it has been desired to deploy and inflate an airbag in a mode most suitable for the severity of the impact due to the collision of a vehicle. This is because, regardless of the type of collision (low-speed collision, high-speed collision, etc.) as in the past, when the airbag is rapidly deployed and inflated in a constant deployment form, the occupant of the vehicle moves close to the steering wheel. This is because the occupant may be impacted by a rapidly deployed airbag (punching phenomenon) in a non-severe collision mode, and the occupant may be injured by the airbag.

[0004]

However, in the conventional collision sensor, since the airbag is deployed and inflated only by detecting the presence or absence of a vehicle collision, it is necessary to detect the severity of the impact due to the collision. , A plurality of collision sensors corresponding to the detection mode are required. Therefore, in order to deploy and inflate the airbag in accordance with the severity of the impact, a plurality of collision sensors are required, so that the configuration of the airbag operation control device for deploying and inflating the airbag becomes complicated, This has led to an increase in manufacturing costs.

The present invention has been made to solve this problem. A collision sensor capable of detecting the severity of the impact of a vehicle collision with a simple structure and a simple structure using the collision sensor are provided. An object of the present invention is to provide an airbag operation control device capable of deploying and inflating an airbag according to the severity of impact while reducing manufacturing costs.

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the collision sensor of the present invention comprises two or more contacts which are sequentially electrically closed by contact with an inertial body which is moved by an impact at the time of a vehicle collision. Since the moving distance of the inertial body increases as the impact at the time of collision becomes severe (increases), the severity of the impact can be detected by the number of contacts closed by contact with the inertial body being moved.

Further, when a single collision sensor having two or more contacts is applied to the airbag operating device of the present invention, the start of combustion of a gas generating agent in a gas generator having two gas generating chambers can be controlled. It is possible to deploy the airbag according to the severity of the impact. In particular, since the severity of the impact can be detected without arranging a plurality of conventional collision sensors, the structure of the airbag operating device can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

Further, if the start of combustion of the gas generating agent in each gas generating chamber of the gas generator is controlled by the closing of each contact and the time until the closing, respectively, it is most suitable for the severity of collision. It is possible to deploy the airbag in such a manner.

In an airbag operation control device using a collision sensor having two or more contacts, the operation of a gas generator having a single gas generation chamber is controlled so as to be most suitable for the severity of impact. To deploy the airbag.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a collision sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention and an airbag operation control device using the collision sensor will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, two types of collision sensors shown in FIGS. 1 and 6 will be described. The collision sensor X shown in FIG.
A sensor housing 1 made of a synthetic resin;
A cylinder 2, a ball 3 of a magnetic material (inertia body), and contacts 4 and 5 forming contacts S1 and S2;
And a magnet 6 for attracting the ball 3.

The sensor housing 1 made of synthetic resin has a structure in which the lid 8 is inserted from the opening end of the cup-shaped main body 7 and positioned to form a sealed space U. The cylinder 2 and the ball 3 are arranged in the space U. The cylinder 2 has a sealing member 9
And is positioned by the engagement between the bottom 8a of the lid 8 and the step 7a of the main body 7. Inside the cylinder 2, a cylinder hole 10 flush with the inner periphery of the main body 7 is formed, and the ball 3 is movably housed in the cylinder hole 10. The ball 3 is attached to the bottom 8 of the lid 8.
The magnet 8 is attracted by the annular magnet 6 externally fitted to the projection 11 protruding outward from the axis a, and is located in the spherical groove 13 formed in the bottom 8 a of the lid 8. Reference numeral 18 denotes a synthetic resin cup member externally fitted to the main body 7 from the side of the lid 8, which holds the magnet 6 on the lid 8 by forming a magnetic field of the magnet 6 and sandwiching the same with the metal external fitting member 20. Have the function to let.

The connect 4 is, as shown in FIG.
(ON) A pair of strip-shaped elastic pieces 12 closed by contact with
A and 12B. The connector 5 is closed by contact with the ball 3 as shown in FIG.
It consists of a strip-shaped elastic piece 12C which is closed with 2B.
Each of the connects 4 and 5 is arranged in parallel in the moving direction of the ball 3 (the axial direction of the main body 7), and each of the elastic pieces 12A and 12A
B are fixed to a fixing member 14 that is press-fitted into the main body 7 in a state of being arranged in the radial direction of the main body 7 (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3). The fixing member 14 is pressed into a cylindrical portion 15 that opens to the space U on the bottom 7 b side of the main body 7 and extends radially outward, so that the connectors 4, 5 protrude between the bottom 7 b of the main body 7 and the ball 3. Then, the space U is sealed. As a result, the distal end of the connect 4 (the distal end of the elastic pieces 12A and 12B) is opposed to the ball 3 and is a low threshold contact S1 disposed at a distance L1 from the distal end of the ball 3; Distance (the tip of the elastic piece 12C) is further away from the ball 3 by a distance L2
It is a high threshold contact S2 arranged at (L2> L1). The moving distances L1 and L2 of the ball 3 are appropriately changed depending on the magnitude of the impact of the vehicle collision to be detected. In order to change the distance, the attractive force of the magnet 6 and the fitting state of the ball 3 and the cylinder 2 are determined. (Gap) is also considered.
Each of the connectors 4 and 5 is connected to a printed circuit board 17 via a lead wire 16. As shown in FIG. 4, the contacts S1 and S2 are connected in series by a circuit on the printed circuit board 17. I have. Each of the contacts S1 and S2 is connected to a power source (not shown) and, as shown in FIG. 4, connected to each end of two resistors R1 and R2 arranged in series on the printed circuit board 17 and an intermediate portion between them. Have been.

Next, the operation of the collision sensor X will be described with reference to FIG. The collision sensor X is attached to a predetermined position of a vehicle (not shown). When the vehicle collides and an inertial force f2 (impact acceleration) that overcomes the attraction force f1 of the magnet 6 is applied to the ball 3, the ball 3 is moved toward the connectors 4 and 5. At this time, the inertial force f2 (impact acceleration) acting on the ball 3 increases as the impact due to the collision of the vehicle increases (impact becomes severer). (Severity of impact) causes a difference, and the closing (ON / OFF) of each of the contacts S1 and S2 is as follows.

When the impact of a vehicle collision is extremely small,
The inertia force f2 acting on the ball 3 is also extremely small, so that the ball 3 is not moved to the distance L1 reaching the connect 4 and the contacts S1 and S2 of the two high and low thresholds are not closed together (OFF shown in FIG. 1). Status). When the impact of the vehicle collision is small, the ball 3
As shown in (a), the ball 3 is moved to the distance L1 that reaches the connector 4 and contacts the respective elastic pieces 12A and 12B of the connector 4 to close the low threshold contact S1 (ON). The spring force f3 of each of the elastic pieces 12A and 12B deformed by the contact of the ball and the air viscous resistance f of the gap between the ball 3 and the cylinder 4
4, without being moved to the distance L2 reaching the connector 5,
The high threshold contact S2 is not closed (OFF). When the impact of the vehicle collision is moderate, as shown in FIG. 5B, the ball 3 is moved to a distance L2 reaching the connector 5 and the elastic pieces 12A and 12A of the connectors 4 and 5 are moved.
B, 12C, contact points S1, with two high and low thresholds
S2 is closed together (ON). When the impact of the vehicle collision is large, the ball 3
(C) As shown in FIG.
And contacts the elastic pieces 12A, 12B, 12C of the connectors 4, 5 to close both the high and low threshold contacts S1, S2 (O).
N).

As described above, the collision sensor X closes the contacts S1 and S2 of the two high and low threshold values in accordance with the magnitude of the impact of the vehicle collision (the severity of the impact). In the circuit of the board 17, for example, the resistance values R1 and R2 between the terminals CE and (2) When the contacts S1 and S2 are not closed together, the resistance value = R1 + R2 (Ω)... (1) (b) When only contact S1 is closed, resistance value = R2 (Ω) (2) (c) When both contacts S1 and S2 are closed, resistance value = 0 (Ω) (3), and output each current pulse (impact detection signal) based on the variation of the resistance value (Ω) in these equations (1) to (3), thereby to detect the vehicle collision. To detect a is rigors magnitude of the attack.

Next, a collision sensor Y shown in FIG. 6 includes a sensor housing 21 made of synthetic resin, a cylinder 22 disposed in the sensor housing 21, and a ball 23 of a magnetic material (inertial body).
And the connections 24 and 25 forming the contacts S1 and S2,
And a magnet 26 for attracting the ball 23.

The sensor housing 21 made of a synthetic resin is connected to the lid 28 from the opening end of a cup-shaped main body 27 having a stepped hole 29.
Is inserted and positioned via a sealing material 30 (O-ring) to form a sealed space U. Then, in this empty space U, the cylinder 22 and the ball 23
And are arranged. The cylinder 22 is press-fitted into the bottom 27 a side of the main body 27 of the stepped hole 29 via a seal member 40, and the ball 23 is movably stored in the cylinder hole 31. The ball 23 is an annular magnet 2 fitted externally to a projection 32 projecting outward from the bottom 27 a of the main body 27.
6 and is located in the spherical groove 33 formed in the bottom 27 a of the main body 27. Reference numeral 38 denotes a U-shaped metal part fitted into the protrusion 32, which fixes the magnet 23 by forming a magnetic field of the magnet 26 and caulking the tip of the protrusion 32.

As shown in FIG. 7, each of the connects 24 and 25 is composed of a pair of strip-shaped elastic pieces 39A and 39B which are closed (ON) by contact with the ball 23. Then, each of the connections 24 and 25 is moved in the moving direction of the ball 23 (the main body 27
(In the axial direction) with a phase of an angle of 90 degrees, and each elastic piece 39A, 39B is fixed to the lid 28 in a state of protruding toward the ball 23 in a C shape. This allows
The distal end of the connect 24 (the distal end of the elastic pieces 39A and 39B) faces the ball 23 and is a low threshold contact S1 disposed at a distance L1 from the distal end of the ball 23. (Tips of elastic pieces 39A, 39B)
Is further away from the ball 23 by a distance L2 (L2> L1).
Is a high threshold contact S2. The moving distances L1 and L2 of the ball 23 are appropriately changed depending on the magnitude of the impact of the detected vehicle collision, and the manner of change is the same as that of the collision sensor X in FIG. Also, each contact S1, S2
Is connected to a power supply (not shown) and is connected to the printed circuit board 17 in the same manner as shown in FIG. 4 to form a circuit with the resistors R1 and R2.

Next, the operation of the collision sensor Y will be described with reference to FIG. The collision sensor Y is attached to a predetermined position of a vehicle (not shown). When an inertia force f2 (impact acceleration) that overcomes the attraction force f1 of the magnet 26 is applied to the ball 23 when the vehicle collides, the collision sensor X shown in FIG.
Similarly, the ball 23 is moved toward the connect 24 in accordance with the magnitude of the impact of the vehicle collision (the severity of the impact). That is, when the impact of the vehicle collision is extremely small, the ball 23 moves the distance L1
, Contacts S1 and S2 with two high and low thresholds
Are not closed together (OFF). When the impact of the vehicle collision is small, the ball 23
As shown in (a), each elastic piece 39A, 3
9B to close only the threshold contact S1 (O
N). When the impact of the vehicle collision is moderate, the ball 23
As shown in FIG. 8B, the contacts S1 and S2 of the two high and low thresholds are closed together by contacting the respective elastic pieces 39A and 39B of the respective connections 24 and 25 (ON). When the impact of a vehicle collision is large, the ball 23
As shown in (c), move quickly and connect 2
4 and 25, each of the elastic pieces 39A and 39B,
The two threshold contacts S1 and S2 are closed together (O
N).

The collision sensor Y closes the contacts S1 and S2 depending on the magnitude (severity of the impact) of the impact of the vehicle collision, so that the resistance value (Ω) in the circuit of the printed board 17 shown in FIG. By changing each of the above equations (1) to (3) and outputting each current pulse (impact detection signal) based on the variation of the resistance value (Ω), the severity of the impact of the vehicle collision is determined. Is detected.

FIG. 9 shows the results of numerical analysis of the collision sensors X and Y of the present invention using the equation of motion. The impact acceleration used in the analysis is the impact acceleration (G) of a vehicle that has made a frontal collision with a fixed barrier at a speed of 30 mph. In FIG.
When the collision acceleration (G) elapses from zero to time t1, the ball 3 (23) is moved from the movement distance L1 to L2, and closes in the order of the low threshold contact S1 and the high threshold contact S2. (ON). In this state, when the impact acceleration (G) elapses until time t2, the ball 3 (23) is returned to the low threshold contact S1 side to release the close of the high threshold contact S2 (OFF). . When the impact acceleration (G) elapses again until the time t3, the ball 3 (23) moves again to the movement distance L2, closes the high threshold contact S2 (ON), and thereafter, the impact acceleration (G) Decreases over time, the ball 3 (23) is returned and each contact S
1 and S2 are released (OFF). In FIG. 9, if the impact acceleration (G) increases or decreases over time,
With the closing or releasing (ON / OFF) of each contact,
It can be seen that the resistance value (Ω) between the terminals CE in the circuit of the printed board 17 shown in FIG. 4 is also changed to R1 + R2, R2 or zero. As a result, the high and low levels are set in the collision sensors X and Y.
The structure in which the contact points S1 and S2 of the two threshold values are provided,
Depending on the magnitude of the impact acceleration (G) applied to the ball 3 (23), each of the contacts S1, S2 is closed or released (ON / OFF).
OFF), the magnitude (severity of the impact) of the impact of the vehicle collision can be detected.

As described above, according to the collision sensors X and Y of the present invention, the contacts S1 and S2 of two thresholds for detecting the magnitude of the impact of the vehicle collision are configured in the same structure. Therefore, the severity of a vehicle collision can be detected by one collision sensor without using a plurality of conventional collision sensors. Therefore, if the collision sensors X and Y of the present invention are used, the airbag operation control device for activating the airbag can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

Although the collision sensors X and Y according to the present invention have been described as having the two high and low threshold contacts S1 and S2, the present invention is not limited to this. Ball 3 depending on the mode of detecting
It is good also as a structure provided with three or more contacts closed by contact with (23).

Next, an airbag operation control device using the collision sensors X and Y (shown in FIGS. 1 and 6) of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. An airbag operation control device Z shown in FIG. 10 includes a collision sensor X shown in FIG. 1 (or a collision sensor Y shown in FIG. 6), a gas generator P for inflating and deploying an airbag (not shown), and a collision sensor. Controller 5 connected to X and gas generator P
0 (control means).

The collision sensor X is connected to the controller 50 via a circuit such as the resistors R1 and R2 of the printed circuit board 17, and has two thresholds depending on the magnitude (severity of the impact) of the vehicle collision. By closing (ON) the contacts S1 and S2, each current pulse (hereinafter, "collision detection signal")
The controller 50 according to the magnitude of the impact.
Output to

When each of the collision detection signals from the collision sensor X is input, the controller 50 determines the magnitude (severity of the impact) of the vehicle collision based on the data table shown in FIG. Controls the operation of. The controller 50 is connected to a timer 52, which measures the time from when the ball 3 (23) closes the low threshold contact S1 to when the ball 3 (23) closes the high threshold contact S2 (ON). Time T.

The gas generator P is divided into two gas generating chambers 62, 63 (82, 83) by a partition member 64 (87), and each gas generating chamber 62, 63 (82, 83).
Are filled with a gas generating agent 65 (85).
Further, two igniters 67, 68 (87, 88) are provided, and each of the igniters 67, 68 (82, 83) is provided with each of the gas generating chambers 62, 63 by an ignition signal from the controller 50.
The (82, 83) gas generating agents 65 (85) are burned respectively. As such a gas generator P, one for deploying a passenger airbag for protecting a passenger in a passenger seat of a vehicle and one for deploying a driver airbag for protecting a driver in a driver seat are deployed. The following two of these
The specific configuration of the two types of gas generators P will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, a gas generator P for a passenger airbag shown in FIG. 12 includes a long cylindrical housing 61 and a partition member 64 defining the inside of the housing 61 into two gas generating chambers 62 and 63. The gas generating agent 65, the inner cylinder 72 and the filter 66 housed in the gas generating units 62 and 63, and the ignition devices 67 and 68 for burning the gas generating agent 65 in the gas generating chambers 62 and 63, respectively. Have. Housing 61
Is composed of a bottomed outer cylinder 69 having an open end, and a lid member 70 for covering the open end of the outer cylinder 69.
By joining the annular rib 70a formed on the outer peripheral end of the outer cylinder 69 and the opening end of the outer cylinder 69 by friction welding and joining,
The closed space W is formed. The outer cylinder 69 is formed with a projection 69c projecting inward from the bottom 69b, and on the peripheral surface of the body, extends along the axial direction of the housing 61 in the passenger seat airbag (hereinafter simply referred to as "airbag"). Are formed. Each gas discharge hole 69a is closed by a thin cylindrical burst plate 71 attached to the inner periphery of the outer cylinder 69,
The burst plate 71 is for controlling moisture in the sealed space W and adjusting the internal pressure during combustion.

The sealed space W of the housing 61 is defined by a partition member 64 into two sealed gas generating chambers 62 and 63. The partition member 64 is located in the outer cylinder 69 and divides the sealed space W into two in the axial direction of the housing 61 at a predetermined volume ratio (for example, 7: 3, 6: 4, etc.), and the gas generation chambers 62, 63. And a central disk portion 64a in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 72, and a flange portion 64b in contact with the inner surface of the outer cylinder 69 at the outer peripheral portion of the disk portion 64a. Each gas generation chamber 6 partitioned by the partition member 64
The gas generating agent 65, the inner cylinder 72, and the cylindrical filter 66 extend radially outward from the axial center of the housing 61.
Are stored in the order of

Each filter 66 includes the inner cylinder 12 and the outer cylinder 6.
9 and the protrusion 70 b of the lid member 70, and the flange 6 at the end side extending to the partition member 64.
4b. Between the filter 66 of the gas generating chamber 62 and the flange 64b of the partition member 64, an annular filter seal member 73 is inserted into the outer cylinder 69 in a pressed state so as to close the shaft end of the filter 66. The member 73 includes a gas generating agent 65 between the respective filters 66.
It has a function to block the inflow and outflow of high-temperature gas due to the combustion of the gas. As the filter seal member 73, it is preferable to use an elastic material such as silicone rubber or silicone foam.
Each of the inner cylinders 72 has an end extending to the partition member 64 and a disk portion 64.
a, and each filter 6
A plurality of gas passage holes 72a communicating with 6 are open.
Each gas passage hole 72a is formed in each inner cylinder 12 so as to extend in the axial direction of the housing 61 and to make the axis a in the cross section thereof orthogonal to the axis b in the cross section of each gas discharge hole 9a. ing. Gas generating agent 65 and partition member 6 on the gas generating chamber 2 side
4 between the cushion members 7 contacting the disk portion 64a.
4, the cushion member 74 prevents the gas generating agent 65 from being pulverized due to the vibration, and the gas generating chamber 6
It also has a function of a heat insulating material for blocking heat transfer between the two. Therefore, as the cushion member 74,
It is preferable to use an elastic material having a heat insulating function such as ceramic fibers.

The igniters 67 and 68 are composed of a transfer agent 75 and an igniter 76, and have a projection 69 c of an outer cylinder 69 and a cover member 7.
0 are provided on both of the convex portions 70b. The transfer agent 75 of the ignition device 67 is housed in a flanged cap 77 fitted into the projection 69c.
c faces the igniter 76 with a gap h therebetween. The flanged cap 77 is inserted into the inner cylinder 72, and has a through hole 77 a through which the ignition flame of the transfer agent 75 is jetted into the inner cylinder 72 of the gas generation chamber 62. The igniter 76 of the igniter 67 is caulked and fixed to the protrusion 69c with a gap h from the transfer agent 75. The transfer agent 7 of the ignition device 68
5 is housed in a flanged cap 78 by being fitted into the convex portion 70b, and is opposed to the ignition portion 76 with a gap h between the convex portion 70b. The flange portion 78b of the flanged cap member 78 extends to an annular filter seal member 79 that closes the end of the filter 66, and the tip 78a of the flange portion 78b is formed when the outer cylinder 69 and the lid member 70 are pressed against each other. It is fixed in contact with the burr 69b. Cap member 7
8 is inserted into the inner cylinder 72, and the transfer agent 75
A through-hole 78c is formed to allow the ignition flame to be jetted into the inner cylinder 72 of the gas generation chamber 63. Ignition device 7 of ignition device 68
6 is caulked and fixed to the projection 70b with a gap h from the transfer agent 75. The igniter 76 of each of the ignition devices 67 and 68 is connected to the controller 50 shown in FIG. 10, and ignites according to an ignition signal from the controller 50, and the gas generating agent 65 of each of the gas generation chambers 62 and 63. Are burned respectively.

The gas generator P of the driver's seat airbag shown in FIG. 13 includes a short cylindrical housing 81, a partition member 84 for partitioning the housing 81 into two gas generating chambers 83 and 84, A gas generating agent 85 and a filter 86 housed in the gas generating chambers 82 and 83;
An ignition device 87 for burning the gas generating agent 85 of No. 3 respectively,
88.

The housing 81 has a structure in which the upper lid 89 is fitted into the lower lid 90 and joined by welding to form a closed space W. The upper lid 89 of the housing 81 includes a cylindrical portion 89b and an upper plate portion 89c for closing one end of the cylindrical portion 89b.
It is a cylindrical shape with a lid made of stainless steel, aluminum, or the like, and a thin steel plate made of stainless steel or the like can be integrally formed by pressing to reduce manufacturing costs. A plurality of gas discharge holes 89 a communicating with the driver's seat airbag are formed in the cylindrical portion 89 b of the upper lid 89 over the circumferential direction of the housing 81. Each of the gas discharge holes 89a is closed by a thin tubular burst plate 91 attached to the inner periphery of the tubular portion 89b, and the burst plate 91 controls the moisture in the housing 81 and the internal pressure during combustion. Things. The lower lid 90 has a cylindrical portion 90a.
And a flanged portion 90c protruding radially outward from the open end of the cylindrical portion 90a, and has a bottomed cylindrical shape. Press forming a steel sheet can be integrally formed. A groove 92 is formed in the lower plate portion 90b of the lower lid 90, and the groove portion 92 extends into the inner periphery of the tubular portion 90a so as to divide the lower plate portion 90b into two at a fixed ratio. or,
A through hole 93 communicating with the inside and outside of the sealed space W is formed in each of the two divided portions of the lower plate portion 90b.

The housing 81 is inserted from the opening end of the upper lid 89 so as to cover the lower lid 90, and the cylindrical portion 8 of the upper lid 89 is inserted.
After abutting the tip of 9b against the lower plate portion 90b of the lower cover 90, the outer periphery of the upper cover 89 and the flange portion 90c of the lower cover 90 are welded to form a closed space W.
The sealed space W of the housing 81 is defined by a partition member 84 into two sealed gas generating chambers 82 and 83 at a predetermined volume ratio (for example, 7: 3, 6: 4, etc.).
The partition member 84 is inserted across the groove 92 of the lower lid 90 and defines gas generation chambers 82 and 83 that divide the sealed space W into two in the radial direction of the housing 81. The housing 81 is
The upper plate 89c of the upper cover 89 is welded to the groove 92 of the lower cover 90 by welding. A gas generating agent 85 is filled in the center of each of the gas generating chambers 82 and 83 defined by the partition member 84, and a filter 86 is arranged so as to surround the gas generating agent 85.

Each filter 86 is a cylindrical body having a semicircular cross section, and forms an annular gas passage space B between the filter 86 and the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion 89b of the upper cover 89 while forming a lower plate portion of the lower cover 90. The upper lid 89 is placed on the upper cover 90c and extends until it comes into contact with the upper plate 89c of the upper lid 89. In each filter 86, a gas generating agent 85 is provided.
At the same time, a cushion member 94 is arranged. The cushion member 94 prevents the gas generating agent 85 from being pulverized due to vibration, and is provided on the upper plate 89 c of the upper lid 89.

The igniters 87 and 88 are composed of a transfer agent 95 and an igniter 96, and each holder 8 protrudes from each through hole 93.
7 respectively. Each transfer agent 95 is boulder 97
The holder 97 is housed in a cap member 98 fitted into the holder 97 and faces the holder 97 with a gap h therebetween. In the cap member 89, the ignition flame of the transfer agent 95 is supplied to each of the gas generating chambers 82,
A through hole 98a to be ejected into 83 is formed. Each igniter 98 is air-tightly fixed to the holder 87 of each through hole 93 with a seal ring 97a interposed therebetween so as to separate the gap h from the transfer agent 95. Also, each igniter 98 is shown in FIG.
Are ignited by the input of an ignition signal from the controller 50 to burn the gas generating agents 85 in the gas generating chambers 62 and 63, respectively.

Next, the airbag operation control device Z of the present invention will be described.
Will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12. For convenience, a description will be given of an airbag for a passenger seat using the gas generator P shown in FIG.

First, when the vehicle collides, the ball 3 of the collision sensor X is moved toward the connect 4 side. In this state, the collision sensor X closes the ball 3 to the two high and low contacts S1 and S2 (O) according to the magnitude of the impact (severity of the impact).
N), a collision detection signal is output to the controller 50.

The controller 50 which has received the collision detection signal from the collision sensor X determines the magnitude of the collision (the severity of the collision) based on the data table shown in FIG. The operation of the devices 67 and 68 is controlled as follows.

(1) First, unless the collision sensor X receives any of the collision detection signals from the collision sensor X when the contacts S1 and S2 are closed (ON), the controller 50 determines that the impact of the vehicle collision is extremely small, Each ignition device 6 of the generator P
No ignition signal is output to 7,68. Accordingly, when the impact is extremely small, the airbag operation control device Z does not operate the gas generator P and does not deploy or inflate the airbag.

(2) Further, the controller 50 receives only the collision detection signal from the collision sensor X by closing (ON) the contact point S1 of the low threshold value, and by closing (ON) the contact point S2 of the high threshold value. If the collision detection signal is not input, it is determined that the impact of the vehicle collision is small, and no ignition signal is output to each of the ignition devices 67 and 68 of the gas generator P. Thus, when the impact is small, the airbag operation control device Z does not operate the gas generator P and does not deploy or inflate the airbag.

(3) The controller 50 controls the collision sensor X
When a collision detection signal due to the closing (ON) of the contacts S1 and S2 of each threshold value is input together, the operation of the gas generator P is controlled by determining the impact of a vehicle collision as described below.
When the controller 50 receives a collision detection signal due to the closing (ON) of the contact S1 having the low threshold value, the controller 52
Is operated to measure the time T, and when the collision detection signal due to the closing (ON) of the contact S2 of the high threshold value is input, the timer 52 stops counting.

First, the controller 50 includes a timer 52
Is short time t1 within the predetermined time t, the ball 3 of the collision sensor X is quickly moved with a large inertial force f1 (large impact acceleration), so that the impact of the vehicle collision is extremely large. And the ignition signals of the ignition devices 76 of the ignition devices 67 and 68 of the gas generator P are output simultaneously. As a result, in FIG.
Ignition devices 67, 68 to which ignition signals are simultaneously input from
At the same time, the ignition device 76 is ignited to ignite the transfer agent 75, and a flame is jetted into each of the gas generating chambers 62 and 63, and the gas generator 65 is burned by the flame to generate a high-temperature gas. The high-temperature gas generated in both gas generation chambers 62 and 63 is
The gas flows into each filter 66 from each gas passage hole 72a of each inner cylinder 72, passes through each filter 66, collects and cools slag, and rises in the internal pressure of each gas generation chamber 62, 63 to increase the burst plate 71. Is broken and each gas discharge hole 69
a to the airbag. Then, the airbag is rapidly deployed and inflated by the gas generated in both gas generating chambers 62 and 63.

When the time T counted by the timer 52 is the predetermined time t, the controller 50 moves the ball 3 of the collision sensor X with a relatively large inertial force f1 (a relatively large impact acceleration). Then, it determines that the impact of the vehicle collision is large, and outputs an ignition signal with a time difference with respect to the igniters 76 of the ignition devices 67 and 68 of the gas generator P. Thereby, in FIG. 12, the ignition devices 67 and 6 which input the ignition signal with a time difference from the controller 50 are provided.
First, the ignition device 76 of one of the ignition devices 67 is ignited to ignite the transfer agent 75, and a flame is ejected into the gas generation chamber 62, and the flame generates the gas generation agent 65 only in the gas generation chamber 2 by the flame. To produce hot gas. Gas generation chamber 62
The high-temperature gas generated in each of the gas passage holes 72a of the inner cylinder 72
After passing through the filter 66, the slag is collected and cooled, and the burst plate 71 is broken.
a to the airbag. Also, after the generation of the high-temperature gas in the gas generation chamber 62, the other ignition device
The igniter 76 of FIG. 8 is ignited, the transfer agent 75 is ignited, and a flame is ejected into the gas generating chamber 63, and the flame burns the gas generating agent 65 of the gas generating chamber 63 to generate a high-temperature gas. The high temperature gas generated in the gas generation chamber 63 is supplied to the inner cylinder 72.
After passing through the filter 66 from each of the gas passage holes 72a, the slag is collected and cooled, and the burst plate 71 is discharged from the broken gas discharge holes 69a to the airbag with a delay from the gas generation chamber 62. . Then, the airbag is slowly deployed by the gas generated only in the gas generating chamber 62 at the initial stage of deployment, and then rapidly expanded and deployed by the gas generated in the gas generating chambers 62 and 63.

Further, the controller 50 includes a timer 52
When the time T measured by the vehicle passes a predetermined time t, the ball 3 of the collision sensor X is moved relatively slowly with a medium inertia force f1, so that it is determined that the impact of the vehicle collision is medium, and the gas is generated. The ignition signal is output only to the ignition device 67 of the gas generating chamber 62 having a large volume in the vessel P. This allows
In FIG. 12, an ignition device 67, which has received an ignition signal from a controller 50, ignites an igniter 76, ignites a transfer agent 75, ejects a flame into a gas generation chamber 62, and generates a gas generation agent 65 by the flame. To generate hot gas. The high-temperature gas generated in the gas generation chamber 62 is
The slag is collected and cooled by passing through the filter 66 through each of the gas passage holes 72a, and the burst plate 7
1 is released to the airbag from each broken gas release hole 69a. Then, the airbag is slowly deployed and inflated by the gas generated only in the gas generating chamber 62. The reason why the large-volume gas generating chamber 62 is burned is to sufficiently deploy and inflate the airbag. In some cases, the gas generating agent 65 in the small-volume gas generating chamber 63 is burned. Is also good.

In the airbag operation control device Z,
Even when the gas generator P of the driver's seat airbag shown in FIG. 13 is used, the operation of the gas generator P is controlled in the same manner as described above. That is, the controller 50 determines the magnitude of the impact (severity of the impact) of the vehicle collision based on the data table of FIG. 11, and determines the operation of each of the ignition devices 87 and 88 of the gas generator P shown in FIG. By controlling, it is possible to deploy and inflate the airbag according to the severity of the vehicle impact.

As described above, according to the airbag operation control device Z of the present invention, in accordance with the outputs from the collision sensors X and Y,
The controller 50 determines the magnitude of the impact of the vehicle collision (severity of the impact), and deploys and inflates the airbag with the severity of the various collisions. In particular, when the collision sensors X and Y described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 6 are used, the magnitude of the impact of the vehicle collision is detected and determined by one of the collision sensors X and Y, and the airbag is deployed in a mode suitable for the vehicle collision. In addition, it is possible to inflate the apparatus, thereby simplifying the structure of the entire apparatus and reducing the manufacturing cost.

The airbag operation control device Z of the present invention
Is divided into two gas generating chambers 6 by the partition member 64 (84).
One gas generator P partitioned into 2,63 (82,83)
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to a case where one or more gas generators P are used to deploy and inflate an airbag.

[0050]

According to the collision sensor of the present invention, since the collision sensor is constituted by two or more contacts which are electrically closed sequentially by contact with the inertial body which is moved by the impact at the time of the vehicle collision, the impact sensor at the time of the vehicle collision Since the moving distance of the inertial body increases as the temperature becomes severe (increases), the severity of the impact can be detected based on the number of contacts closed by the contact with the inertial body being moved. Without using a plurality of conventional collision sensors, a single collision sensor having two or more contacts can detect the severity of an impact at the time of a vehicle collision, thereby simplifying the structure and reducing costs.

When a single collision sensor having two or more contacts is applied to the airbag operating device of the present invention, the start of combustion of the gas generating agent in the gas generator having two gas generating chambers can be controlled. It is possible to deploy the airbag according to the severity of the impact. In particular, since the severity of the impact can be detected without arranging a plurality of conventional collision sensors, the structure of the airbag operating device can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

Furthermore, if the start of combustion of the gas generating agent in each gas generating chamber of the gas generator is controlled by the closing of each contact and the time until the closing, respectively, it is most suitable for the severity of collision. It is possible to deploy the airbag in such a manner. Therefore, the original function of the airbag can be exhibited without causing injury to the occupant such as an automobile due to the deployment of the airbag.

In an airbag operation control device using a collision sensor having two or more contacts, the operation of a gas generator having a single gas generation chamber is controlled to optimize the severity of impact. To deploy the airbag.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a collision sensor.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a collision sensor.

FIG. 5 is a view showing an operation state of the collision sensor of FIG. 1;
(A) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the ball closes a low-threshold contact point, (b) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the ball closes a high-low two-threshold point contact, and (c) is a cross-sectional view showing the ball. High low 2
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the contacts of two thresholds are closed and the stroke ends.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of another collision sensor.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line FF of FIG. 7;

FIG. 8 is a view showing an operation state of the collision sensor of FIG. 6;
(A) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the ball closes a low-threshold contact point, (b) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the ball closes a high-low two-threshold point contact, and (c) is a cross-sectional view showing the ball. High low 2
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the contacts of two thresholds are closed and the stroke ends.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing an analysis result obtained by operating a collision sensor.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an airbag operation control device.

FIG. 11 is a data table for determining the magnitude (severity of impact) of a vehicle collision impact by the airbag operation control device.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a specific configuration of a gas generator of a passenger airbag used in the airbag operation control device.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing a specific configuration of a gas generator of an airbag for a driver seat used in an airbag operation control device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 X, Y collision sensor Z airbag operation control device P gas generator 3,23 ball (inertial body) S1, S2 contact 62,63,82,83 gas generation chamber 65,85 gas generating agent

Claims (8)

[Claims] An inertial body (3, 23) moved by an impact at the time of a vehicle collision, and two or more contacts (1, 23) electrically closed in sequence by contact with the moved inertial body (3, 23). S
1, S2) and a collision sensor comprising: 2. A collision sensor (X, 2) having two contacts (S1, S2) electrically closed in sequence by contact with an inertial body (3, 23) moved by an impact at the time of a vehicle collision.
Y) and a gas generating agent that generates gas by combustion (65, 85)
To two gas generating chambers (62, 63, 8)
And a gas generating agent (6) in each of the gas generating chambers (62, 63, 82, 83) based on closing of each of the contacts (S1, S2).
And (85) a control means (50) for controlling the start of combustion. 3. The control means (50), when the contacts (S1, S2) are closed together, the gas generating agent (65, 8) in each of the gas generating chambers (62, 63, 82, 83).
3. The airbag operation control device according to claim 2, wherein the combustion in 5) is started simultaneously. 4. When the contacts (S1, S2) are closed together at a short time (t1) within a predetermined time (t), the control means (50) controls each of the gas generators (P). The gas generating agent (65, 8) in the gas generating chamber (62, 63, 82, 83)
The airbag operation control device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the combustion of (5) is started simultaneously. 5. The control means (50), when the contacts (S1, S2) are closed together for a predetermined time (t),
Each gas generating chamber (62, 63, 8) of the gas generating chamber (P)
The airbag operation control device according to claim 2, wherein the combustion of the gas generating agent (65, 85) is started with a time difference. 6. The control means (50), when each of the contacts (S1, S2) is closed together after a lapse of a predetermined time (t), one of the gas generation chambers (P).
The airbag operation control device according to claim 2, wherein combustion of only the gas generating agent (2, 82) is started. 7. Each of the gas generating chambers (62, 63, 82, 83) of the gas generator (P) is defined to have a predetermined volume ratio, and the control means (50) When the contacts (S1, S2) are closed together after a lapse of a predetermined time (t), the gas generating agent (65, 85) of the gas generating chamber (62, 82) having a large volume of the gas generating chamber (P). The airbag operation control device according to claim 2 or 6, wherein combustion of only the airbag is started. 8. A collision sensor (X, 2) having two contacts (S1, S2) electrically closed in sequence by contact with an inertial body (3, 23) moved by an impact at the time of a vehicle collision.
Y) and 1 or 2 based on the closing of the contacts (S1, S2).
The control means (5) for controlling the operation of the above gas generator (P)
0) and an airbag operation control device comprising: