JP4365285B2 - Side airbag device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an airbag device applied to a vehicle such as an automobile.

Many vehicles such as automobiles are provided with an airbag device that protects an occupant from an impact caused by a collision by deploying an airbag between the occupant and the vehicle body by gas pressure at the time of the collision. As such an airbag device, a device in which a breathable fabric is sewn to the airbag so as to divide the airbag (bag body) into a space on the gas supply side and a space on the passenger side is known (for example, , See Patent Document 1). In this configuration, the function of restricting the inflation of the airbag is performed by the breathable fabric without providing a strap.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-1013 Japanese Patent No. 2873784

  However, the conventional airbag apparatus as described above has a problem that the time required for the deployment becomes longer because the airbag is deployed as a whole by the gas that has passed through the breathable fabric. For this reason, this technique is difficult to apply to an airbag apparatus disposed in a space where the distance between the passenger and the vehicle body is small.

  In view of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain an airbag device that can deploy an airbag in a short time while having a structure that divides a space in the airbag.

In order to achieve the above object, a side airbag device according to a first aspect of the present invention is an outer airbag that is deployed and contacts a vehicle occupant, and is smaller than the outer airbag, An inner airbag provided in a deployable manner, a first gas supply unit that supplies gas to the outer airbag when the vehicle collides, and deploys the outer airbag, and supplies gas to the inner airbag when the vehicle collides A second gas supply part for deploying the inner airbag and a housing formed in a cylindrical shape, and open ends at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the housing are the first gas supply parts, respectively. , and a gas supply device which is a portion extending through the cylindrical wall of the housing and the second gas supply unit in the longitudinal direction intermediate portion of said housing, said outer air bag and inner Airbag is in the vehicle width direction outer side with respect to the occupant of the vehicle seat, constitutes a side airbag to be deployed forward of the vehicle, in the deployed state of the outer air bag and the inner air bag, said outer air bag and the inner air The sizes of the first gas supply unit and the second gas supply unit are determined so that the internal pressure of the inner airbag is higher than the internal pressure of the outer airbag according to the amount of gas supplied to the bag. And the occupant support in a state in which the occupant support portion compresses and supports the load between the gas inlet portion from the second gas supply portion and the occupant support portion of the inner airbag . said than the occupant support portion in order to suppress the discharge of gas via the gas inlet portion by providing the narrowed portion aperture cross-section is rot small from parts, decreased internal pressure of the inner airbag is suppressed It was configured to be.

In the side airbag device according to the first aspect, when the vehicle collides, the first gas supply unit supplies gas to the outer airbag, and the second gas supply device supplies gas to the inner airbag. As a result, the inner airbag is deployed in the deployed outer airbag in a short time (instantly) after the vehicle collision. When a vehicle occupant collides with the outer airbag and the outer airbag contacts the inner airbag, the portion of the outer airbag that is supported from the inner side by the inner airbag acts on the occupant compared to the other portions. Reaction force increases.

Thus, in the side airbag device according to the first aspect, the airbag can be deployed in a short time while having a structure for partitioning the space in the airbag. And by providing the inner airbag in the outer airbag that is in direct contact with the occupant, the reaction force acting on the occupant when protecting the occupant against impact can be partially varied, and the occupant protection Can be improved.
Further, in this side airbag device, when the inner airbag reaches a state of supporting the outer airbag at the time of a vehicle collision, the gas in the inner airbag that receives the compressive load is pushed out from the inner airbag. Here, since the throttle portion is provided at the gas inlet of the inner airbag, the discharge resistance when the gas is discharged from the inner airbag is increased, and soot discharge is suppressed. For this reason, it becomes possible to increase the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the inner airbag, or to maintain a state in which there is an internal pressure difference greater than or equal to a predetermined value inside and outside the inner airbag. That is, the reaction force difference and the maintenance time of the reaction force difference can be increased to improve occupant protection. In addition, the gas discharge resistance function can be realized by the shape of the inner airbag (setting of the throttle portion), and the structure is simple compared to a configuration in which a throttle member, which is a separate member, is attached.
And in this side airbag apparatus, the gas supply apparatus which act | operated at the time of the vehicle collision supplies gas to an outer side airbag from the 1st gas supply part each provided in the longitudinal direction both ends. Gas is supplied to the inner airbag from the second gas supply unit provided in the middle portion in the direction. Thereby, gas can be supplied with good balance to the inside and outside of the inner airbag by one gas supply device, and the inner and outer airbags are deployed in a predetermined shape in a short time when the vehicle collides.

  Note that the first gas supply unit and the second gas supply unit may be independent gas supply devices, or may have a common gas generation source. The outer airbag and the inner airbag may be integrated by sewing or the like, and may be supported by the vehicle body (gas supply device). Further, a plurality of inner airbags may be provided.

Side air bag device according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the side airbag apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inner air bag is an open end is sewn to the open end of the outer airbag outer side air bag Partitioning the space.

3. The side airbag device according to claim 2, wherein the outer airbag and the inner airbag, whose open ends are sewn together, are a double bag in which a space in the outer airbag is partitioned into a space inside and outside the inner airbag. Make up structure. For this reason, it is possible to set a pressure difference between the inside and outside of the inner airbag, and it is possible to set the reaction force difference itself based not only on the position where the reaction force difference occurs but also on the inside pressure difference between inside and outside the inner airbag. In order to increase the reaction force difference according to the collision position with the occupant, the internal pressure in the inner airbag is set to be larger than the internal pressure outside the inner airbag.

  In addition, since the outer airbag and the inner airbag are stitched together to form a double bag structure, in other words, the inner airbag is fixed to the outer airbag. There is no misalignment with respect to the bag.

Side air bag device according to the invention of claim 3, wherein, in the side airbag device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said outer air bag has a vent hole for lowering the internal pressure, the inner air bag , Does not have a vent hole.

A side airbag device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the side airbag device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the longitudinal direction of the housing constituting the gas supply device is in the vehicle vertical direction. The second gas supply unit is disposed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the occupant so that the second gas supply unit faces the front of the vehicle and the deployment position of the inner airbag coincides with the shoulder position of the occupant.

The side airbag device according to the fourth aspect is disposed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the occupant, and is, for example, a side airbag device that deploys the inner and outer airbags at the time of a vehicle side collision. Here, since the deployment position of the inner airbag matches the position (height) of the occupant's shoulder, the deployed inner airbag supports the occupant's shoulder via the outer airbag. That is, the reaction force acting on the occupant's shoulder at the time of a collision such as a side collision is increased, and the movement of the shoulder to the outside in the vehicle width direction is surely restricted, and the reaction force acting on other parts of the occupant is suppressed It is done. For this reason, the occupant protection during a side collision is good. In addition, since the side airbag device is required to deploy the inner and outer airbags in a short time because the distance between the occupant and the side of the vehicle body is small, gas is supplied to the inner and outer airbags as described above. This requirement is met.

As described above, the side airbag device according to the present invention has an excellent effect that the airbag can be deployed in a short time while having a structure for partitioning the space in the airbag.

  A side airbag device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The side airbag device 10 is provided at the vehicle width direction outer side (door side) end portion of the seat back of the vehicle seat and is deployed at the time of the vehicle side collision and enters between the upper body of the passenger and the door or the vehicle body, It is an airbag device that mainly protects a portion from the shoulder portion to the elbow portion of an occupant.

  FIG. 1 shows a side airbag device 10 in a deployed state in a side sectional view. In the figure, arrow A indicates the front direction of the vehicle, and arrow B indicates the upward direction. As shown in FIG. 1, an airbag 12 as a bag constituting the side airbag device 10 has a double bag structure in which an inner bag 16 as an inner airbag is provided in an outer bag 14 as an outer airbag. It is assumed to be a body.

  The outer bag 14 is a bag body that has an opening 14 </ b> A and that expands and comes into direct contact with an occupant, and is configured to have substantially the same size and shape as a normal side airbag that does not include the inner bag 16. The outer bag 14 is formed in a bag shape having an opening 14A, for example, by stitching the peripheries of a perforated cloth and a holeless cloth constituting the opening 14A. The outer bag 14 is provided with a vent hole 18 for venting gas.

  The inner bag 16 has an opening 16 </ b> A, is sufficiently small with respect to the outer bag 14, and is a bag body that can be deployed in the outer bag 14. The inner bag 16 is configured such that the deployed portion does not come into contact with the outer bag 14 in an unloaded (not in contact with an occupant) deployed state. The inner bag 16 has a stitched portion S in which the edge of the opening 16A is sewn to the edge of the outer bag 14 near the opening 14A. That is, in the airbag 12, the inner bag 16 provided inside the outer bag 14 is fixed at the stitching portion S. Thereby, in the airbag 12, the space in the outer bag 14 is partitioned by the inner bag 16. A space outside the inner bag 16 in the outer bag 14 is a space R1, and a space inside the inner bag 16 is a space R2. The inner bag 16 is formed with a constricted portion 16B, which will be described later.

  A gas supply device 20 is disposed in the airbag 12 described above. The gas supply device 20 includes a substantially cylindrical housing 22 using a pipe material or the like. An inflator 24 is provided in the housing 22. The inflator 24 is configured to accommodate an igniter, an igniting agent, a gas generating agent (one that burns to generate a gas, or one that burns to open a flow path of a compressed inert gas), and the like.

  In the inflator 24, when the igniter is energized by a signal generated by a side collision sensor (not shown), the igniter is ignited by the igniter, and the gas generating agent burns to generate a large amount of gas. This gas is configured to be discharged out of the inflator 24 from a gas outlet 24 </ b> A provided at the longitudinal end of the inflator 24. Although any structure can be employed as the inflator, the side airbag device 10 is preferably formed in a substantially rod shape that can be arranged with its longitudinal direction aligned in the vertical direction.

  The housing 22 has both opening ends in the longitudinal direction serving as an outer bag gas outlet 22A as a first gas supply section. Both the outer bag gas outlets 22 </ b> A communicate with each other with the inflator 24 disposed in the housing 22. Further, an inner bag gas outlet 22B as a second gas supply unit is formed in the middle portion of the housing 22 in the longitudinal direction by cutting out (through) the cylindrical wall. As a result, the gas discharged from the gas outlet 24A of the inflator 24 is guided to the housing 22 and is discharged out of the gas supply device 20 from the outer bag gas outlet 22A and the inner bag gas outlet 22B. It has become so.

  For example, the gas supply device 20 is configured to appropriately squeeze the housing 22 with the inflator 24 inserted into the housing 22 made of a pipe material, so that the gas flow penetrating in the longitudinal direction between the housing 22 and the inflator 24 is achieved. An inflator 24 is fixed to the housing 22 while forming a path. The fixing structure between the housing 22 and the inflator 24 may be other structures such as a structure using a fastening member such as a bolt.

  The gas supply device 20 described above is accommodated in the airbag 12 as described above. Specifically, the gas supply device 20 has an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction disposed in the inner bag 16, and both longitudinal end portions thereof penetrate the inner bag 16 and protrude into the outer bag 14. Each outer bag gas outlet 22A opens inside the outer bag 14 and outside the inner bag 16 (space R1), and the inner bag gas outlet 22B opens inside the inner bag 16 (space R2). In this state, the opening end side portion of the airbag 12 is fixed to the gas supply device 20 (not shown).

  Thus, when the inflator 24 of the gas supply device 20 is activated, gas is supplied from the outer bag gas outlets 22A to the spaces R1, and gas is supplied from the inner bag gas outlets 22B to the spaces R2. The outer bag 14 and the inner bag 16 are deployed. For this reason, as shown conceptually (schematically) in FIG. 2, in the airbag 12 in the deployed state, the installation portion of the inner bag 16 (range in which the outer bag 14 and the inner bag 16 support the collision load) H2 The reaction force F <b> 2 generated in the above is configured to be larger than the reaction force F <b> 1 generated in the portion H <b> 1 that supports the collision load only by the outer bag 14.

  In the present embodiment, the inner pressure P2 of the space R2 in the inner bag 16 is higher than the inner pressure P1 of the space R1 when the airbag 12 is deployed. That is, the inner diameter of the housing 22 and the size of the inner bag gas outlet 22B are determined so as to supply the inner bag 16 with an amount of gas whose internal pressure in the space R2 is P2. On the other hand, the internal pressure P1 of the space R1 is set by the amount of gas excluding the amount of gas supplied from the inflator 24 to the space R2 and the size of the vent hole 18 for reducing internal pressure (for discharging gas). Yes.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the inner bag 16 is provided with a constricted portion 16 </ b> B as a throttle portion for maintaining the internal pressure P <b> 2 of the space R <b> 2. The constricted portion 16B is disposed between the inner bag gas outlet 22B of the inner bag 16 and the load support portion 16C that expands and mainly supports the load, and has a smaller opening cross-sectional area than the load support portion 16C. It is configured as. The constricted portion 16B functions as a throttle in a state where the load supporting portion 16C is compressed and supports a collision load, and is configured to suppress gas discharge from the load supporting portion 16C (reduce the amount of exhaust gas).

  That is, the inner bag 16 in which the vent hole 18 for venting gas leading to the outside like the outer bag 14 is not set discharges the internal gas through the gas supply device 20 when supporting the load while being compressed. The flow resistance at the time of extraction is increased by the constricted portion 16B. Thereby, it is set as the structure by which the fall of the internal pressure P2 of the inner bag 16 inner space R2 is suppressed.

  As described above, in the side airbag device 10, as shown in FIG. 3, the internal pressure P2 in the space R2 in the inner bag 16 is set higher than the internal pressure P1 in the outer bag 14 and in the space R1 outside the inner bag 16. The state where the internal pressure P2 is high is maintained for a long time. For this reason, as shown by a solid line in FIG. 4, the airbag 12 can set a large reaction force difference ΔF (F2−F1) between the portion H2 and the portion H1 during the period of supporting the collision load. It is a possible configuration. 4 is a diagram showing a reaction force difference between the portion H2 and the portion H1 when the internal pressure is the same in the space R1 and the space R2 (when the internal pressure is indicated by the broken line in FIG. 3).

  The side airbag device 10 described above is provided in the vehicle width direction outer side portion of the seat back of the vehicle seat as described above (not shown), and the gas supply device 20 (the inflator 24) operates in the event of a vehicle side collision. Thus, the airbag 12 is deployed between the upper body of the occupant and the vehicle body or the door (toward the front). Before the airbag 12 is deployed, the gas supply device 20 has its longitudinal direction substantially coincided with the vertical direction (height direction of the seat back), and a seat back frame or the like is fixed at a fixing portion 26 provided in the housing 22. It is fixedly attached to the strength member. The fixing portion 26 is, for example, a bolt that screws a nut that sandwiches the seat back frame between the housing and the housing while penetrating the seat back frame. On the front side of the gas supply device 20, the deployed portion of the airbag 12 is appropriately folded. Further, the openings 14A and 16A side portions of the airbag 12 relative to the gas supply device 20 are also appropriately folded.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the airbag 12 is deployed so that the load support portion 16 </ b> C of the inner bag 16 is positioned at the upper portion in the outer bag 14. That is, a portion H2 that causes the occupant to apply a large reaction force F2 when the shock is absorbed in the airbag 12 is offset upward with respect to the central portion in the vertical direction of the outer bag 14. As shown in FIG. 5, the airbag 12 is arranged with respect to the vehicle seat so that the load support portion 16 </ b> C in the deployed state substantially coincides with the height of the shoulder K of the occupant P seated on the vehicle seat. ing.

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

  In the side airbag device 10 configured as described above, when the applied automobile reaches a side collision, the inflator 24 generates gas by a signal from the side collision sensor, and this gas is discharged into the housing 22 from the gas outlet 24A. The The housing 22 guides the gas discharged from the inflator 24 to the outer bag gas outlets 22A and the inner bag gas outlets 22B. Then, gas is supplied from the outer bag gas outlets 22A to the space R1 in the outer bag 14 and outside the inner bag 16, and from the inner bag gas outlets 22B, gas is supplied to the space R2 in the inner bag 16. Supplied.

  As a result, the airbag 12 is deployed between the upper body of the occupant seated in the vehicle seat and the vehicle body or the door, and absorbs an outward impact load acting on the occupant in the vehicle width direction. At this time, the shoulder portion of the seated person in contact with the portion H2 in the airbag 12 receives a large reaction force F2 while being supported by the outer bag 14 and the inner bag 16, and effectively suppresses movement outside in the vehicle width direction. Is done. On the other hand, the reaction force F1 that is supported by the portion H1 of the airbag 12 and acts along with shock absorption is small in the portion below the shoulder in the upper body of the occupant. This reaction force F1 is smaller than the reaction force in a side airbag device that does not include the inner bag 16 (a device that restricts the movement of the shoulder with a single airbag).

  As described above, in the side airbag device 10, since the distance from the vehicle body or the door is small, the movement of the shoulder portion that is required to be restricted (preventing collision with the vehicle body or the like) is reliably restricted with a large reaction force. On the other hand, when compared with the shoulder, the distance to the vehicle body or door (upper body tilt angle) is large, and there is room for the shock absorption stroke, reducing the reaction force, that is, the load acting on the human body, It effectively protects passengers.

  Here, in the side airbag device 10, since the airbag 12 is configured by providing the inner bag 16 inside the outer bag 14, the reaction force generated when the airbag 12 absorbs an impact is partially varied. The function was realized. That is, the airbag 12 varies the reaction force according to the contact (support) site in the human body of the occupant. More specifically, the airbag 12 can make the reaction force F2 of the installation portion H2 of the inner bag 16 in the outer bag 14 larger than the reaction force F1 of the support portion H1 due to the outer bag 14 alone.

  Moreover, since the space in the outer bag 14 is partitioned into a space R1 outside the inner bag 16 and a space R2 in the inner bag 16, the internal pressure when the airbag 12 is deployed is determined by these spaces R1 and R2. Can be different. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 4, it is realized that the reaction force difference ΔF between the portion H1 and the portion H2 of the airbag 12 is set to a desired size (accurately and greatly). And in this side airbag apparatus 10, compared with the case where the internal pressure of space R1, R2 (inner bag 16 inside and outside) shown with the broken line in FIG. 4 is the same, reaction force difference (DELTA) F can be set large.

  Moreover, since the constricted portion 16B is provided in the inner bag 16, a decrease in the internal pressure of the space R2 during the shock absorption period is suppressed, and a state where the reaction force difference ΔF is large during the shock absorption period can be maintained. The size of the reaction force F2 (stroke required for unit energy absorption) of the portion H2 of the airbag 12 can be set by the size and shape of the constricted portion 16B and the vent hole 18, and the size and shape of the vent hole 18 Since the reaction force F1 of the portion H1 of the airbag 12 is determined, a desired reaction force difference can be obtained by setting the constricted portion 16B and the vent hole 18. For this reason, the structure for obtaining a desired reaction force difference is simple. Further, the magnitude of the reaction force F2 can be set by the amount of gas supplied to the space R2, that is, the size and shape of the inner bag gas outlet 22B of the housing 22.

  Further, since the inner bag 16 is sewn and fixed to the outer bag 14 at the stitching portion S, the position of the inner bag 16 with respect to the outer bag 14 that comes into contact with the occupant first is accurately determined, and the inner bag 16 is fixed to the outer bag 14. The position is not displaced.

  Further, since the gas supply device 20 discharges the gas from the outer bag gas outlet 22A and the inner bag gas outlet 22B almost simultaneously, the outer bag 14 and the inner bag 16 are both deployed in a short time. To do. For this reason, the airbag 12 can be deployed in a predetermined shape in a narrow space (small shock absorption stroke) between the occupant upper body and the vehicle body or the door, and the occupant protection is further improved. . Further, since the housing 22 has the outer back gas outlet 22A and the inner bag gas outlet 22B, the outer bag 14 and the inner bag 16 can be deployed together by one gas supply device 20. In particular, since the gas supply device 20 has the outer back gas outlet 22A at the upper and lower ends and the inner bag gas outlet 22B at the middle in the vertical direction, the outer bag 14 and the The inner bag 16 can be deployed in a short time with good balance.

  Thus, in the side airbag device 10 according to the present embodiment, the airbag 12 is deployed in a short time while having a structure in which the space in the airbag 12 is partitioned into the space R1 and the space R2 by the inner bag 16. can do.

1 is a side sectional view showing a schematic overall configuration of a side airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a diagram which shows notionally the relationship between the position and reaction force of the airbag which comprises the side airbag apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a diagram which shows the internal pressure inside and outside the inner bag in the outer bag which comprises the side airbag apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention, respectively. It is a diagram which shows the relationship between the position and reaction force of the airbag which comprise the side airbag apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the positional relationship of the height direction of the airbag which comprises the side airbag apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and a passenger | crew.

Explanation of symbols

10 Side airbag device (airbag device)
14 Outer bag (outer air bag)
16 Inner bag (inner air bag)
16B Constriction (throttle part)
20 Gas supply device 22A Outer bag gas outlet (first gas supply unit)
22B Gas outlet for inner bag (second gas supply unit)

Claims (4)

An outer airbag that is deployed and contacts the vehicle occupant;
An inner airbag that is smaller than the outer airbag and is provided so as to be deployable in the outer airbag;
A first gas supply unit for supplying gas directly to the outer airbag at the time of a vehicle collision to deploy the outer airbag;
A second gas supply unit for supplying gas directly to the inner airbag at the time of a vehicle collision to deploy the inner airbag;
A housing formed in a cylindrical shape, with the opening ends at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the housing serving as the first gas supply portions, and penetrating through the cylindrical wall of the housing at the longitudinal middle portion of the housing; A gas supply device whose portion is the second gas supply unit;
With
The outer airbag and the inner airbag constitute a side airbag that is deployed toward the front of the vehicle on the outer side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the seated occupant of the vehicle seat,
In the deployed state of the outer airbag and the inner airbag, the inner pressure of the inner airbag is higher than the inner pressure of the outer airbag according to the amount of gas supplied to the outer airbag and the inner airbag . The sizes of the first gas supply unit and the second gas supply unit are determined ,
And, between the gas inlet portion from the second gas supply portion and the occupant support portion in the inner airbag , the occupant support portion compresses the load from the occupant support portion while supporting the load. by providing the narrowed portion aperture cross-section is rot smaller than the occupant support portion in order to suppress the discharge of gas via the gas inlet portion, the side where the structure pressure drop of the inner air bag is suppressed Airbag device.   The side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein an opening end of the inner airbag is stitched to an opening end of the outer airbag to partition a space in the outer airbag. The outer airbag has a vent hole for lowering the internal pressure,
The side airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the inner airbag does not have a vent hole. The longitudinal direction of the housing constituting the gas supply device coincides with the vehicle vertical direction, the second gas supply portion faces the front of the vehicle, and the deployed position of the inner airbag coincides with the position of the shoulder of the occupant. Thus, the side airbag apparatus of any one of Claims 1-3 arrange | positioned in the vehicle width direction outer side with respect to the said passenger | crew .

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