JP4760587B2 - Curtain airbag device - Google Patents

Description

  TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a curtain airbag device that is provided in a wind part of a vehicle such as an automobile, a train, a ship, an aircraft, a space ship, or a building such as a house, a building, or a space station, and covers the window part instantaneously. Belonging to.

  Conventionally, a curtain-like airbag is housed in the upper side of the vehicle window, and gas is supplied to the airbag at the time of a vehicle collision or rollover, so that the window is instantly expanded and deployed. A curtain airbag device is known that covers it. In the case of this device, unless tension is obtained in the curtain (airbag), it is impossible to sufficiently protect the passenger by receiving the impact force from the passenger.

  Therefore, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1, a plurality of guide members that are spaced apart at predetermined positions in the longitudinal direction of the pillar portion between the airbag and the pillar portion, and an intermediate portion includes the plurality of guides. Flexibility that is movably supported by the member and has one end fixed to the front end lower part or rear end lower part of the airbag and the other end fixed to a predetermined position on the front end side or a predetermined position on the rear end side of the airbag. A tension applying means is provided that includes a long member (strap), and pulls the front end lower part of the airbag toward the vehicle front side or the rear end lower part toward the vehicle rear side as the airbag is deployed downward. Has been proposed.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, a force direction conversion means for converting a deployment force of the airbag substantially downward in the vehicle into a tension in the vehicle longitudinal direction between the lower end portion and the vehicle body when the deployment of the curtain airbag is completed. In other words, by providing an annular wire that spans between the airbag side fulcrum and the vehicle body side upper fulcrum and the lower fulcrum, even in a vehicle with little overhang from the rear end of the airbag to the rear of the vehicle, It has been proposed to provide the necessary and sufficient tension along the lower edge of the airbag.

Furthermore, in Patent Document 3, a rod-shaped guide member extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle body along the pillar is provided, while a loop-shaped connection band is attached in the vicinity of the lower corner edge of the rear end portion of the airbag. It has been proposed that the rear end portion of the airbag is connected to the guide member by being hung around the guide member, and the airbag is deployed downward along the guide member. In this configuration, when the occupant collides with the airbag after deployment, the lower end of the airbag is held by the guide member, so that tension is generated in the airbag and the occupant can be protected.
JP 2002-347560 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-081048 JP 2004-051016 A

  However, in the above-mentioned Patent Document 2, the wire is greatly bent at the fulcrum while maintaining high tension, and slides on the fulcrum, so that the sliding resistance between the wire and the fulcrum is large, and the curtain This is disadvantageous for improving the deployability.

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 1, since the guide member is constituted by a guide roller or the like so as to rotate, the sliding resistance between the flexible elongated member such as a strap is considered to be small. Similarly to Patent Document 2, since the flexible long member is largely bent by the guide member while maintaining high tension, the guide member is not likely to rotate smoothly. The sliding resistance between the members increases.

  Furthermore, in Patent Document 3, since the connecting band is slid and moved almost constantly with high tension with respect to the guide member, the sliding resistance between the connecting band and the guide member increases, It becomes easy to influence the developability.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a point, The place made into the objective was developed by devising the structure with respect to the curtain airbag apparatus provided in window parts, such as a vehicle. It is intended to easily and surely prevent the curtain from being pushed and moved by a person or an object inside a vehicle or a building, and to improve the deployability of the curtain as much as possible.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, the curtain is accommodated in the first side portion around the window portion, and the support portion is provided in the second side portion connected to the first side portion in the periphery of the window portion. When the curtain leading end moves in the curtain unfolding direction on the side of the curtain in the state where the curtain is unfolded, the curtain moves from the first side toward the support. An engaging portion that engages with the support portion is provided, with respect to the support portion, a curtain developing direction intermediate portion of the side portion on the second side portion side of the curtain in the unfolded state, and one end portion on the developing tip portion side. Engaging the middle part of the string-like member joined to the other end, respectively, and the engagement position of the string-like member with the support part is changed as the deployment tip of the curtain moves in the curtain deployment direction. By moving to one end side, the above string shape The engagement portion provided at the coupling portion of the one end of the material or the one end of the curtain is configured to move toward the support and engage the support. The string-like member in the support portion extends in the direction in which the second side extends or the curtain unfolding direction and the engagement position of the string-like member with the support portion moves toward the one end side. The engagement position is allowed to move in the extending direction of the support portion.

  Specifically, the invention of claim 1 is directed to a curtain airbag device provided in a window portion having one or two or more windows.

  And the curtain which has an expansion part into which gas is inject | poured, is accommodated in the 1st edge part around the said window part, and expand | deploys so that the said window part may be covered by the expansion | swelling by the said gas injection | pouring of the said expansion part, A gas supply device for supplying the gas to the inflating portion of the curtain; a support portion provided on a second side connected to the first side in the periphery of the window; and the second of the curtain in a deployed state It is provided on the side part of the side part, and is positioned closer to the first side part than the support part in the accommodated state of the curtain, and the expansion tip of the curtain moves in the curtain expansion direction due to the expansion of the expansion part. And an engagement portion that moves from the first side to the support portion and engages with the support portion, and the curtain is provided with a string-like member, One end of the string member In the curtain in the open state, the curtain is connected to the intermediate portion of the side of the second side of the curtain in the curtain development direction, and the other end is joined to the one end of the side of the curtain on the side of the second side. And the intermediate portion is engaged with the support portion in the accommodated state of the curtain, and the engaging portion is the one end portion of the string-like member or the one end portion of the curtain. The engagement position of the string-like member with the support portion is changed to the one end portion as the deployment tip of the curtain moves in the curtain deployment direction due to the expansion of the expansion portion. And moving toward the support portion so as to engage with the support portion, and the support portion extends in the direction in which the second side portion extends or in the curtain unfolding direction. And above When the engagement position of the support member with the support portion moves toward the one end, the engagement position of the support portion with the string-like member is allowed to move in the extending direction of the support portion. It shall be comprised so that it may do.

  With the above configuration, when gas is injected into the expansion portion of the curtain, the expansion tip of the curtain moves to the front side in the curtain expansion direction due to expansion of the expansion portion. Along with this, the engaging part provided on the side part on the second side part of the curtain moves from the first side part around the window part toward the support part provided on the second side part, Engage with the support. Specifically, when the curtain is deployed, the deployment tip moves in the curtain deployment direction, so that the string-like member slides relative to the support and the engagement with the support in the string-like member. The mating position moves to the one end side. Further, the engaging position of the support portion with the string-like member moves to the side opposite to the first side portion in the extending direction of the support portion. As a result, the engaging portion is guided to the string-like member and engages with the end portion on the opposite side of the first side portion of the support portion. As a result, the engaging portion can be reliably guided to the support portion by the string-like member, and the engaging portion can be reliably restrained. When the engaging portion engages with the support portion in this manner, the side portion (engagement portion) on the second side portion side of the curtain is restrained by the support portion. And the line which connects both these restraint parts becomes a tension line which tension | tensile_strength by restraining also the edge part in the position which crossed the curtain from the engaging part in the curtain. Because this tension line is formed, even if a person or an object inside a vehicle or a building collides with the curtain, the impact force does not cause the curtain to be pushed and move. be able to.

  Further, when the curtain is deployed, the string-like member slides and moves with respect to the support part, and the engagement position of the support part with the string-like member moves in the extending direction of the support part. The member moves stably without being caught or entangled with other members, and the engaging portion is reliably guided to the support portion. Moreover, when the curtain is unfolded, the joint portions of both ends of the string-like member in the curtain are both moved to the front side in the curtain unfolding direction due to the expansion of the inflatable portion, so that a large tension is unlikely to act on the string-like member. Since the string-like member is merely for guiding the engaging part to the support part, the sliding resistance between the string-like member and the support part is small. Therefore, the tension line can be reliably formed with a simple configuration, and the deployability of the curtain can be reliably improved.

  Here, the shape of the window part may be substantially triangular, substantially square, or other polygonal shape, and each side part around the window part is The shape is not limited to a straight line but may be an arc.

  In addition, the curtain may be folded in a bellows shape and accommodated in the first side portion, or may be folded in a round shape to be accommodated in the first side portion.

  According to a second aspect of the invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the end of the support portion on the first side portion side is located within a predetermined distance from the first side portion in the second side portion. .

  As a result, the string-like member can be made as short as possible. That is, in the accommodated state of the curtain, since both ends of the string-like member are normally on the first side, the length of the string-like member is the minimum, and the first side from the first side to the first side of the support part However, if the end on the first side portion side of the support portion is brought close to the first side portion, the string-like member can be shortened accordingly. As a result, the string-like member can be more reliably prevented from being caught or entangled with other members. On the other hand, even when the string-like member is shortened, the position of the deployment leading end portion of the curtain in the unfolded state can be positioned at an appropriate position by appropriately setting the extending length of the support portion.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the end of the window portion side edge of the curtain in the housed state is opposite to the second side portion end and the first side portion of the support portion. The distance along the extending direction of the support portion between the side end and the unfolded tip of the curtain in the unfolded state on the second side portion side of the curtain and the first side portion of the support portion It is assumed that it is larger than the distance along the extending direction of the support portion between the opposite end.

  Accordingly, the position of the engaging portion engaged with the end portion on the opposite side of the first side portion of the support portion, that is, the position of the tension line can be brought as close as possible to the deployment tip of the curtain. As a result, the range in which the impact force received from a person or the like can be reliably received is widened. In other words, the part between the base end opposite to the curtain deployment tip and the tension line is the part that does not move even if the curtain is pushed by a person etc., and the tension line position is expanded as described above. When approaching the tip, it becomes possible to protect people and the like over a wide area of the curtain. Further, if the position of the end on the first side portion side of the support portion is brought closer to the first side portion as in the invention of claim 2, the string-like member can be shortened, and thus the string-like member It is possible to protect people and the like in a wide range of the curtain while improving the deployability of the curtain by shortening the length of the curtain.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, when the length of the string-like member is 2L, the side portion on the second side portion side of the curtain in the unfolded state. The distance along the extending direction of the support portion between the deployment tip and the end of the support portion opposite to the first side portion is approximately 2L, and the first side portion of the support portion The distance along the support portion extending direction between the end on the side and the engagement portion of the curtain in the housed state is set to be substantially the same as L or smaller than L. .

  That is, if the other end portion of the string-like member is joined to the leading end of the curtain, the string-like member extends substantially straight when the curtain has been deployed. The distance between the deployment tip and the engaging portion (that is, the end opposite to the first side portion of the support portion) at the side portion is substantially the same as the length 2L of the string member. Further, the distance along the extending direction of the support portion between the end of the support portion on the first side portion side and the engaging portion of the curtain in the accommodated state is approximately ½ of the length of the string-like member. , Shorter than that. That is, when this distance is approximately ½ of the length of the string-like member, the substantially central portion of the string-like member engages with the end on the first side portion side of the support portion when the curtain is accommodated. When the length is shorter than ½, the intermediate portion of the string-like member is engaged with a portion away from the end on the first side portion side of the support portion. Therefore, when the length of the string-like member and the extension length of the support portion are determined, the length of the curtain in the support portion extension direction (and thus the length of the curtain in the deployment direction) and the position of the engagement portion are determined. . Therefore, the curtain can be easily brought into a desired unfolded state by adjusting the length of the string-like member and the extending length of the support portion.

  In invention of Claim 5, in any one of Claims 1-3, when the length of the said string-like member is 2L, the said 1st edge part of the said window part side edge in the said 2nd edge part The distance along the extending direction of the support portion between the end opposite to the first end of the support portion and the end opposite to the first side portion of the support portion is approximately 2L. A distance along the extending direction of the support portion between the end on one side and the engaging portion of the curtain in the housed state is set to be substantially the same as L or smaller than L. Shall.

  Thus, the same effect as that of the invention of claim 4 can be obtained, and, as in the invention of claim 4, the deployment tip and the engaging portion (that is, the first portion of the support portion) on the second side portion side of the curtain. If the distance between the edge and the side opposite to one side is approximately 2L, the window portion can be covered over substantially the entire curtain deployment direction or support portion extending direction. .

  As described above, according to the curtain airbag device of the present invention, the engagement portion is engaged with the support portion to form a tension line and the support in the string-like member engaged with the support portion. The engagement portion is guided to the support portion by the movement of the engagement position with the portion, and this support portion is extended in the direction in which the second side portion extends or the curtain unfolding direction, and is engaged with the support portion in the string-like member. When the position is moved, the engagement position of the support portion with the string-like member is allowed to move in the extending direction of the support portion. It is possible to surely prevent the curtain from being pushed and moved by a person or an object, and to reduce the sliding resistance between the string-like member and the support portion, thereby reliably improving the deployability of the curtain. it can.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows a curtain airbag device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and this curtain airbag device is configured to cover a side window portion (hereinafter referred to as a side window portion) of a vehicle (automobile). Is. In the figure, 1 is a vehicle body, 2 is a first window (front window) formed on a door 6 next to the driver's seat 5, and 3 is a front rear seat 7 (arranged immediately after the driver's seat 5). The second window (rear window) 4 provided on the side door 16 next to the rear seat is provided next to the rear rear seat 8 (the rearmost seat located at the rearmost position in the passenger compartment). It is the third window (quarter window). 11 is a first pillar (front pillar) disposed on the front side of the door 6, 12 is a second pillar (front center pillar) on the rear side of the door 6, and 13 is between the second window 3 and the third window 4. A third pillar (rear center pillar) 14 is provided on the rear side of the third window 4 and a fourth pillar (quarter pillar) on the rear side of the third window 4.

  Each of the passenger seats 5, 7, 8 is provided with a seat belt 15 for protecting the passenger 9. The passenger seats 5, 7, and 8 have seat cushions 5a, 7a, and 8a and seat backs 5b, 7b, and 8b, respectively.

  In the present embodiment, a portion where the three windows 2 to 4 of the vehicle body 1 are arranged side by side is regarded as one side window portion. That is, the side window portion has a periphery of the side window portion from an upper side portion, a lower side portion, a first side portion (a side portion on the vehicle front side), and a second side portion (a side portion on the vehicle rear side). More specifically, the upper side portion has a substantially trapezoidal shape shorter than the lower side portion. The upper side portion is constituted by the roof side rail 32 of the vehicle body 1, the lower side portion is constituted by the doors 6 and 16 and the belt line of the vehicle body 1, the first side portion is constituted by the first pillar 11, and The two side portions are constituted by fourth pillars 14. The upper side corresponds to the first side of the present invention, and the second side corresponds to the second side connected to the first side.

  The curtain airbag device includes a curtain 20 having an inflating portion that is inflated by injecting gas, an inflator 21 as a gas supply device that supplies gas to the inflating portion, a tape-shaped transverse tether 22, and two front ends. Supporting tethers 38 and 38 and a string-like member 39 are provided. In the present embodiment, substantially the entire curtain 20 is the inflatable portion, but only the portion corresponding to the occupant 9 seated on each of the occupant seats 5, 7, 8 is configured to be the inflatable portion. May be.

  The curtain 20 is folded in a bellows shape (or may be folded in a roll shape), and is housed in the upper side portion or the first side portion portion around the side window portion together with the transverse tether 22. The end of the curtain 20 in the accommodated state on the second side side (vehicle rear side) (the portion corresponding to the side of the curtain 20 in the unfolded state on the second side side) is the upper side. In the vicinity of the end of the second side portion side. The curtain 20 expands so as to cover the side window part and the lower side part around the side window part by the expansion of the expansion part due to the gas injection. That is, the curtain 20 is developed from the upper side around the side window part to the lower side, which is the front side in the curtain development direction, and the developed tip part reaches the lower side part (the side window part side edge of the lower side part is slightly changed). Over)). The curtain 20 is covered with a sheet-like member (not shown) such as paper that is easily torn when unfolded so that the folded state is maintained.

  The inflator 21 is activated when the vehicle is in a predetermined state to generate and supply gas. The inflator 21 is substantially at the center in the vehicle front-rear direction (the direction in which the upper side extends) at the upper portion of the expansion portion of the curtain 20. The part is connected by a pipe 28. The predetermined state is, for example, when a vehicle collision (especially a side collision) is predicted, when the vehicle collision is detected, or when the vehicle rollover is determined. And a controller for operating the inflator 21 to determine the occurrence of these states by receiving the outputs of the sensors.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the upper edge of the curtain 20 is pinned by a pin-shaped fixing member 55 at a plurality of locations including the end portion on the second side portion side of the curtain 20 at the outer panel 32a and the inner panel. The roof side rail 32 made of 32b is fixed to the inner panel 32b. The vehicle interior of the folded curtain 20 is covered with a roof trim 34. The roof trim 34 is detachably engaged with the side lining 35 at its side edge, and is detached from the side lining 35 by the expansion and deployment force of the curtain 20 to form a gap with the side lining 35. Deployment into 20 vehicle compartments is allowed. That is, the curtain 20 is deployed in the vehicle interior from the gap between the roof trim 34 and the side lining 35. The side lining 35 is held by the roof side rail 32 flange portion. The side lining 35 may be a weather strip. Further, the roof trim 34 has pillar trims constituting the passenger compartment side surfaces of the pillars at the first to fourth pillars 11 to 14 (in FIG. 3 to FIG. ) So that the curtain 20 can be detached from the pillar trim. Each of the first to fourth pillars 11 to 14 is made of a synthetic resin harder than the roof trim 34 (soft material such as foaming urethane resin) (for example, polypropylene, thermoplastic olefin (TPO)). ing.

  One end portion of the two front end support tethers 38 and 38 is provided at two positions, a lower portion and a lower end portion of the curtain deployment direction (vertical direction) intermediate portion at the vehicle front side end portion of the curtain 20 in the unfolded state. Are combined. The other end portions of the front end support tethers 38 and 38 are both rotatably connected to a connecting portion 37 provided at the lower end portion of the first pillar 11. Both front end support tethers 38, 38 are accommodated in the first side portion in the accommodated state of the curtain 20, and when the curtain 20 is unfolded, the curtain 20 rotates while rotating around the connecting portion 37 accordingly. The front end of the vehicle is supported so that its deployment is stable. The upper one of these front end support tethers 38, 38 has a tension line 40 on the curtain 20 together with support (restraint) of the side portion of the curtain 20 on the second side portion side (vehicle rear side), which will be described later. Play a role to form.

  As shown in detail in FIGS. 3 to 5, a support member 36 is provided on the second side portion (fourth pillar 14) connected to the upper side portion around the side window portion. The support member 36 is disposed in a portion separated from the upper side portion of the inner panel 14b of the fourth pillar 14 (the vehicle body constituting the fourth pillar 14). Both ends of the support member 36 in the vertical direction are fixedly attached to the inner panel 14 b by bolts 53, and the support member 36 is disposed between the inner panel 14 b of the fourth pillar 14 and the pillar trim 56. Become. In the present embodiment, the support member 36 is disposed in the vicinity of the side window portion side edge (third window 4 side edge) in the second side portion. In FIG. 5, 14 a is an outer panel of the fourth pillar 14, and 14 c is a reinforcement of the fourth pillar 14. Reference numeral 51 denotes a back door, and reference numeral 54 denotes a weather strip provided between the back door 51 and the vehicle body 1.

  The support member 36 has a guide bar 36a extending in the direction in which the second side extends (in the present embodiment, substantially the same vertical direction as the curtain unfolding direction), and the guide bar 36a has a string shape. The member 39 is hung and engaged. The string-like member 39 is provided on the curtain 20 and constitutes a part of the curtain 20.

  One end portion of the string-like member 39 is coupled to an intermediate portion in the curtain unfolding direction (vertical direction) of the side portion on the second side portion side (vehicle rear side) in the curtain 20 in the unfolded state. On the other hand, the other end portion of the string-like member 39 is coupled to the deployment tip portion side (in this embodiment, the deployment tip portion) with respect to the one end joint portion of the side portion on the second side portion side of the curtain 20. Has been. In the accommodated state of the curtain 20, both end portions of the string-like member 39 are positioned on the upper side, that is, on the upper side of the support member 36, and an intermediate portion of the string-like member 39 (in this embodiment, The substantially central portion in the length direction) is engaged with the upper side end (upper end) of the guide bar 36a of the support member 36. Further, the string-like member 39 is arranged between the inner panel 14 b of the fourth pillar 14 and the pillar trim 56 in the accommodated state of the curtain 20, similarly to the support member 36.

  In the string-like member 39, the portion between the engagement portion with the guide bar 36a and the one end portion is bent upward from the side window portion side (left side in FIG. 3) of the guide bar 36a, and the second side side as it is. The part is raised upward and extends to the end of the curtain 20 accommodated in the upper side on the vehicle rear side. On the other hand, the portion of the string-like member 39 between the engaging portion with the through hole 36a and the other end is slightly bent downward from the side opposite the side window portion of the guide bar 36a. After reaching the side window portion side through the inside, the second side portion is raised upward and extends to the vehicle rear side end portion of the curtain 20 accommodated in the upper portion. As described above, the other end side of the engagement portion of the string-like member 39 is not bent upward from the side window portion side so that the upper end portion of the guide bar 36a protrudes toward the inside of the vehicle. Therefore, as described later, the curtain 20 is deployed, and until the deployment tip of the curtain 20 (the tip of the string-like member 39) is positioned below the height position of the support member 36, This is to improve the deployability of the curtain 20 so that the string-like member 39 is not caught by the protruding portion.

  When the curtain 20 is deployed, the deployment tip thereof moves to the lower side, which is the front side in the curtain deployment direction, and the other end portion (hereinafter referred to as the tip portion) of the string-like member 39 is also moved downward. . At this time, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 5, the third window 4 side edge portion of the pillar trim 56 is deformed to the vehicle inner side (vehicle compartment side) by the tip portion of the string-like member 39, thereby The leading end of the member 39 comes into the vehicle compartment through the gap between the pillar trim 56 and the third window 4. Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the third window 4 side edge of the pillar trim 56 is located on the vehicle outer side than the vicinity of the vehicle rear side edge on the vehicle outer edge of the curtain 20 in the housed state, An angle θ between the third window 4 side edge of the pillar trim 56 and the vicinity of the vehicle rear end at the vehicle outer edge of the curtain 20 in plan view is an acute angle. As a result, the edge of the pillar trim 56 on the side of the third window 4 is easily deformed toward the vehicle interior side, and the leading end of the string-like member 39 is easily brought out into the vehicle interior. In addition, since the inflator 21 is connected to the substantially central portion of the curtain 20 in the vehicle front-rear direction, the curtain 20 starts to unfold from the substantially central portion of the vehicle front-rear direction. Tending to be pulled toward the center of the direction), which makes it easier for the tip of the string-like member 39 to go out into the vehicle compartment.

  When the deployment tip of the curtain 20 (tip of the string-like member 39) is positioned below the height of the support member 36, the deployment tip of the curtain 20 is further moved downward. Accordingly, the string-like member 39 slides and moves with respect to the guide bar 36a of the support member 36, and the engagement position of the string-like member 39 with the guide bar 36a is the one end (hereinafter referred to as the base end). Move to the side. During this movement, the engagement position of the guide bar 36a with the string-like member 36 moves to the side opposite to the upper side of the extending direction of the guide bar 36a (that is, the lower side). As a result, the base end portion of the string-like member 39 or the base end connecting portion of the curtain 20 moves toward the end portion (lower end portion) opposite to the upper side portion of the guide bar 36a. It will be in the state contact-engaged with the lower end part of 36a (refer FIG. 6). Since both the base end joint portion and the tip end joint portion of the curtain 20 move to the front side (that is, the lower side) in the curtain unfolding direction due to the expansion of the expansion portion by the gas, a large tension is applied to the string-like member 39. Is hard to act. Further, the base end portion of the string-like member 39 or the base end portion connecting portion of the curtain 20 is connected to the fourth pillar from the gap between the pillar trim 56 and the third window 4 immediately before the engagement with the lower end portion of the guide bar 36a. 14 is engaged with the lower end of the guide bar 36a.

  By engaging the base end portion of the string-like member 39 or the base end connecting portion of the curtain 20 with the lower end portion of the guide bar 36a of the support member 36, the base of the curtain 20 can be obtained when the curtain 20 is fully deployed. The end joint portion or its vicinity is restrained by the guide bar 36a. Thus, the base end portion of the string-like member 39 or the base end portion coupling portion of the curtain 20 constitutes an engaging portion 44 (see FIG. 6) that engages with the support member 36, and the guide bar of the support member 36. 36a constitutes a support part.

  On the other hand, the vehicle front side end portion of the curtain 20 is supported by the two front end support tethers 38. With this support and the engagement of the engaging portion 44 with the guide bar 36a, the engaging portion 44 and the connecting portion 37 (or the upper portion of the engaging portion 44 and the curtain 20 in the front view of the curtain 20 in the unfolded state). A straight line connecting the front end support tether 38 to the tension line 40 of the curtain 20 becomes a tension line 40 of the curtain 20. Even if an external force is applied to the curtain 20 on the tension line 40, the curtain 20 is not beaten. In this way, the tension line 40 is formed on the curtain 20 at a position away from the curtain base end portion (upper end portion) fixed to the inner panel 32b of the roof side rail 32, so that the occupant 9 This is advantageous in preventing jumping out of the windows 2-4.

  In the present embodiment, the occupant 9 seated on the occupant seats 5, 7, and 8 has the average physique of an American adult male, and the height position of the center of gravity of the head of the occupant 9 is the above tension. It is made higher than the line 40. In this embodiment, the height position of the tension line 40 becomes higher toward the rear side of the vehicle, so that the seating position is made higher toward the passenger seat on the rear side of the vehicle. Thereby, the head of the occupant 9 is reliably protected by the curtain 20. It should be noted that the lower end of the curtain 20 in the unfolded state is positioned below the side edge of the lower side around the side window even if the passenger is smaller than the average size of an American adult male. Thus, since a high tension is generated in the curtain 20 from the upper end to the lower end, the curtain 20 can be reliably protected.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a crossing tether 22 is provided on the back surface (surface outside the vehicle) of the curtain 20 in the unfolded state so as to cross the curtain 20. The transverse tether 22 is provided on the tension line 40. That is, the vehicle front side end portion of the transverse tether 22 is coupled to the vicinity of the coupling portion of the upper front end support tether 38 in the curtain 20, and the vehicle rear side end portion of the transverse tether 22 is coupled to the string-like member 39 in the curtain 20. It is combined in the vicinity of the base end connecting portion (in the vicinity of the engaging portion 44). Thereby, when the curtain 20 is unfolded, the tension line 40 is formed and the transverse tether 22 is stretched along the tension line 40, thereby preventing the curtain 20 from being turned. The transverse tether 22 may be provided on the surface of the curtain 20 (the surface inside the vehicle). Further, the crossing tether 22 is not necessarily required, and the occupant 9 can be sufficiently protected only by forming the tension line 40.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the curtain 20 is fully deployed, the deployment tip of the curtain 20 reaches the lower side, and the curtain 20 covers the entire curtain deployment direction (vertical direction) of the side window portion. At this time, the said string-like member 39 exists in the state extended substantially linearly in the substantially up-down direction. Further, the engaging portion 44 is engaged with the lower end portion of the guide bar 36a of the support member 36 as described above.

  Here, the length of the string-like member 39 is 2L, and the distance along the guide bar extending direction (vertical direction) between the upper end of the guide bar 36a and the engaging portion 44 of the curtain 20 in the accommodated state. If H is H, this distance H is set to be substantially the same as L. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, in the accommodated state of the curtain 20, since the substantially central portion in the length direction of the string-like member 39 is engaged with the upper end of the guide bar 36 a, Approximately half of the distance is the distance H.

Note that the upper end position of the guide bar 36a may be closer to the upper side portion. In this case, when the curtain 20 is housed, the middle portion in the longitudinal direction of the string-like member 39 is located below the upper end of the guide bar 36a. The distance H is
H <L
Will be satisfied. Thus, the upper end of the guide bar 36a is located within a predetermined distance (approximately ½ of the length of the string-like member 39) from the upper side portion at the second side portion.

In addition, the guide bar extends between the end of the side window part side edge (lower edge) of the curtain 20 in the housed state (lower edge) and the lower end of the guide bar 36a. The distance along the direction is M (see FIG. 3), and the guide bar extending direction between the unfolding leading end of the curtain 20 in the unfolded state on the second side side and the lower end of the guide bar 36a If the distance along K is K (see FIG. 6),
M> K
It is made to satisfy. When the curtain 20 is completely deployed, as shown in FIG. 6, the string-like member 39 extends substantially straight in the vertical direction, and therefore the distance K is equal to the length 2L of the string-like member 39. Is approximately equal to

  Due to the relationship between the distances M and K described above, the position of the engaging portion 44 engaged with the lower end portion of the guide bar 36 a, that is, the position of the tension line 40 can be brought closer to the deployment tip of the curtain 20.

  The length of the curtain 20 in the developing direction is substantially equal to the length obtained by adding the sum of the distances H and K to the extended length of the guide bar 36a. As described above, the distance H is approximately L and the distance K is approximately 2L. Therefore, if the extension length of the guide bar 36a and the length of the string-like member 39 are determined, the length of the curtain 20 in the unfolding direction The height position of the engaging portion 44 is determined. As a result, by adjusting the extension length of the guide bar 36a and the length of the string-like member 39, the curtain 20 can be easily made into a desired unfolded state.

  In addition, the guide bar extends between the end (the lower end (point P in FIGS. 3 and 6)) on the side opposite to the upper side of the side window portion side edge in the second side portion and the lower end of the guide bar 36a. If the distance along the direction is G, and this distance G is approximately 2L, the guide bar extending direction between the lower end of the guide bar 36a and the unfolding tip (lower end) of the curtain 20 as described above. Is about 2L, the curtain 20 can cover the side window portion over substantially the entire guide bar extending direction (curtain deploying direction) when the deployment is completed.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the engagement portion 44 is engaged with the guide bar 36a of the support member 36 and restrained to form the tension line 40 on the curtain 20, so that the occupant collides with the deployed curtain 20. Even so, the curtain 20 is not pushed and moved by the occupant. That is, since the tension line 40 is formed on the curtain 20, it is possible to receive an impact force caused by a passenger collision.

  Further, the engagement portion 44 is guided to the guide bar 36a by the movement of the engagement position with the guide bar 36a in the string-like member 39 engaged with the guide bar 36a, and the guide bar 36a is extended in the direction in which the second side portion extends. When the engagement position of the string-like member 39 with the guide bar 36a is moved, the engagement position of the guide bar 36a with the string-like member 39 is changed to the position of the guide bar 36a. Since the engagement portion 44 is engaged and restrained by the lower end portion of the guide bar 36a by allowing the movement to the lower side in the extending direction, the distance M is larger than the distance K. The position of the engaging portion 44, that is, the position of the tension line 40 can be brought closer to the deployment tip of the curtain 20, and as a result, the impact force received from the occupant can be reliably received. Range is widened. That is, the portion between the base end of the curtain 20 and the tension line 40 is a portion that does not move even when the curtain 20 is pushed by the occupant, and the position of the tension line 40 is close to the deployment tip of the curtain 20 as described above. If attached, it becomes possible to protect an occupant over a wide range of the curtain 20.

  Further, when the curtain 20 is deployed, the string-like member 39 slides and moves with respect to the guide bar 36a, and the engagement position of the guide bar 36a with the string-like member 39 moves in the extending direction of the guide bar 36a. Therefore, the string-like member 39 moves stably without being caught or entangled with other members, and the engaging portion 44 is reliably guided to the lower end portion of the guide bar 36a. In addition, when the curtain 20 is unfolded, the base end portion coupling portion and the tip end portion coupling portion of the string-like member 39 in the curtain 20 both move downward due to the expansion of the expansion portion by the gas, and thus the string-like member 39 has a large size. Since the tension is difficult to act, the sliding resistance between the string-like member 39 and the guide bar 36a is small. Therefore, the deployability of the curtain 20 can be reliably improved.

  Further, after the curtain 20 is deployed, the occupant 9 can turn up the deployment tip side portion (lower side portion) from the tension line 40 toward the inside of the vehicle, and thus escape from any one of the windows 2 to 4 to the outside of the vehicle. Will be able to. When the curtain 20 is turned up in this way, the string-like member 39 can be loosened and the engagement position of the guide bar 36a with the string-like member 39 can be shifted upward from the lower end of the guide bar 36a. The part that can be turned up is expanded, and it is easy to escape to the outside of the vehicle.

  In the first embodiment, the vehicle rear side end portion of the curtain 20 in the housed state is positioned in the vicinity of the end portion on the second side side portion side in the upper side portion around the side window portion. The portion may be extended so as to slightly enter the second side portion (inside the fourth pillar). In this case, the extended portion may or may not be fixed to the inner panel 14 b of the fourth pillar 14 by the fixing member 55. By providing such an extended portion, the length of the string-like member 39 can be further shortened.

  In the first embodiment, the lower end portion of the curtain 20 in the unfolded state covers the lower side portion of the side window portion. However, the curtain 20 is unfolded from the upper side portion to a position above the lower side portion. You may comprise.

  Furthermore, in the said Embodiment 1, the expansion | deployment direction of the curtain 20 is an up-down direction, and corresponds with the guide bar extension direction (namely, the direction where a 2nd side edge extends), For example, a 2nd side edge part Is an oblique direction with respect to the vertical direction (the angle between which the side window part between the side window part side edge of the upper side part and the side window part side edge of the second side part is sandwiched is in the range of 45 ° to 150 °. If the direction of expansion of the curtain 20 is the vertical direction and the direction in which the guide bar extends is the direction in which the second side portion extends, the directions may be different from each other ( (See Embodiment 2 below). Alternatively, even when the second side portion extends in an oblique direction with respect to the vertical direction, the guide bar extending direction can be the same as the vertical direction of the curtain 20.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 7 shows Embodiment 2 of the present invention, in which a curtain airbag device is provided in a back window portion formed on a back door 51 of a vehicle. In the present embodiment, the back window portion has one back window 58, and the periphery of the back window portion includes an upper side portion, a lower side portion, a first side side portion (a side portion on the left side of the vehicle), and a second side. A substantially rectangular shape consisting of a side portion (side portion on the right side of the vehicle), more specifically, a substantially rectangular shape whose vehicle width direction is longer than the vertical direction (strictly speaking, a substantially trapezoidal shape whose upper side portion is shorter than the lower side portion) ). The lower side portion around the back window portion is located below the upper end of the seat back 8 a of the rear rear seat 8. As in the first embodiment, the curtain airbag device includes an inflatable portion that is deployed so as to cover the back window portion by inflating the inflated portion by gas injection, and the curtain 20. And an inflator 21 that is connected to a substantially central portion in the vehicle width direction (the direction in which the upper side extends) of the upper portion of the inflating portion by a pipe 28 and supplies gas to the inflating portion. Also in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, substantially the entire curtain 20 is the inflatable portion, but only the portion corresponding to the occupant seating position in the vehicle width direction of the rear rear seat 8 is inflated. You may comprise so that it may become a part.

  The curtain 20 is accommodated in a state in which the curtain 20 is folded in a bellows shape (may be in a state of being wound in a roll shape) on the upper side portion around the back window portion. The upper side portion in which the curtain 20 is accommodated may be the rear header 59 of the vehicle body 1 or the upper portion of the back window 58 in the back door 51. In the present embodiment, the curtain 20 is fixed to the vehicle body member of the rear header 59 by the fixing member 55 and accommodated in the rear header 59. Both ends of the curtain 20 in the housed state in the vehicle width direction (portions corresponding to both sides of the curtain 20 in the unfolded state) are located in the vicinity of both ends of the upper side. The curtain 20 is developed from the upper side portion to the lower side, and the developed leading end portion reaches the lower side portion (a little exceeds the back window side edge of the lower side portion).

  Support members 36 and 36 are provided in the respective portions of the first and second side portions separated from the upper side portion around the back window portion. These both supporting members 36 and 36 are the same as those of the first embodiment, and in the first and second side portions, the directions in which the first and second side portions extend (relative to the vertical direction). It has guide bars 36a, 36a extending in a slightly diagonal direction (a direction approaching each other upward). As described above, the guide bars 36a, 36a may be extended in the vertical direction, which is the curtain unfolding direction.

  In the present embodiment, the upper side corresponds to the first side of the present invention, and both the first and second side sides correspond to the second side.

  The first and second side portions where the support members 36 and 36 are respectively provided are on the left and right sides of the back door 51 when the curtain 20 is accommodated in the rear header 59 as in this embodiment. When the curtain 20 is housed in the upper part of the back window 58 in the back door 51, the left and right side parts of the back window 58 in the back door 51 are configured.

  Similar to the first embodiment, in the accommodated state of the curtain 20, the upper end portion of the guide bar 36a of each support member 36 is engaged with the substantially central portion of the string-like member 39, and the support member 36 on the left side of the vehicle is engaged. Both ends of the string-like member 39 that engages with the guide bar 36a are respectively coupled to the intermediate portion of the curtain deployment direction (vertical direction) and the deployment tip portion of the left side of the curtain 20 in the deployed state. Both ends of the string-like member 39 that engages with the guide bar 36a of the right support member 36 are a curtain deployment direction (vertical direction) intermediate portion and a deployment tip portion of the vehicle right side portion of the curtain 20 in the deployed state. Are coupled to each other. The base end portions of both the string-like members 39, 39 or the base end connecting portions of the curtain 20 are the engaging portions 44, 44, respectively. Thereby, when the curtain 20 is unfolded, the engaging portions 44 and 44 are engaged with the guide bars 36a and 36a of the supporting members 36 and 36, respectively. A tension line 40 to be connected is formed. In the present embodiment, the tension line 40 is formed to extend horizontally.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, the transverse tether 22 is provided along the tension line 40 on the back surface (the vehicle rear surface) of the curtain 20 in the unfolded state. Both ends of the transverse tether 22 are coupled to the vicinity of the engaging portions 44 in the curtain 20. In the present embodiment, the crossing tether 22 may be provided on the surface of the curtain 20 (the front surface of the vehicle) or may be omitted.

  The height of the tension line 40 and the transverse tether 22 is such that the occupant seated in the rear rear seat 8 has a height of the center of gravity of the occupant's head as a person having an average physique of an American adult male. It is set to be lower than the position.

  In the present embodiment, the lengths of the two string-like members 39, 39 are the same 2L (may be different from each other), and the guide bar 36a of the support member 36 on the left side of the vehicle is the same as in the first embodiment. A distance H1 between the upper end and the engaging portion 44 on the left side of the curtain 20 in the housed state along the extending direction of the guide bar (direction oblique to the up-down direction) is substantially L. Further, in the extending direction of the guide bar between the upper end of the guide bar 36a of the support member 36 on the right side of the vehicle and the engagement portion 44 on the right side of the curtain 20 in the accommodated state (a slightly inclined direction in the vertical direction). The distance H2 along the line is also substantially L, which is substantially the same as the distance H1. Note that H1 <L and H2 <L may be satisfied, and the distances H1 and H2 may be different from each other.

And the end (the left side end of the vehicle) of the back window side edge (lower side edge) of the curtain 20 in the housed state and the lower end of the guide bar 36a of the support member 36 on the left side of the vehicle The distance along the extending direction of the guide bar in the meantime is M1 (see FIG. 3), and the unfolding tip at the side portion (the left end portion of the vehicle) on the first side side portion of the curtain 20 in the unfolded state, When the distance along the guide bar extending direction between the lower end of the guide bar 36a of the support member 36 on the left side of the vehicle is K1 (see FIG. 6), as in the first embodiment,
M1> K1
It is made to satisfy. The distance K1 is approximately 2L.

Further, the end of the back window portion side edge (lower edge) of the curtain 20 in the housed state (the right side end of the vehicle) and the lower end of the guide bar 36a of the support member 36 on the right side of the vehicle The distance along the extending direction of the guide bar in the meantime is M2 (see FIG. 3), and the deployment tip at the side portion (the vehicle right end portion) on the second side side portion of the curtain 20 in the deployed state; When the distance along the extending direction of the guide bar between the lower end of the guide bar 36a of the support member 36 on the right side of the vehicle is K2 (see FIG. 6),
M2> K2
It is made to satisfy. In the present embodiment, the distance M2 is set to be approximately the same as M1. The distance K2 is approximately 2L and is substantially the same as the distance K1.

  The length in the extending direction of the guide bar on the first side portion side of the curtain 20 is a length obtained by adding the sum of the distances H1 and K1 to the extending length of the guide bar 36a of the support member 36 on the left side of the vehicle. The length of the guide bar extending direction on the second side portion side of the curtain 20 is approximately equal to the extending length of the guide bar 36a of the support member 36 on the right side of the vehicle plus the sum of the distances H2 and K2. Approximately equal to length. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, when the extension length of the guide bar 36a of each support member 36 and the length of the string-like member 39 are determined, the length of the curtain 20 in the guide bar extension direction is extended. The length of the curtain 20 in the developing direction and the height position of the engaging portion 44 are determined.

  Further, the distance along the extending direction of the guide bar between the lower end of the back window portion side edge in the first side portion and the lower end of the guide bar 36a of the support member 36 on the left side of the vehicle is defined as G1, and the second side portion G2 is a distance along the extending direction of the guide bar between the lower end of the side edge of the back window portion and the lower end of the guide bar 36a of the support member 36 on the right side of the vehicle, and these distances G1 and G2 are approximately 2L. By doing so, as in the first embodiment, the curtain 20 can cover the entire back window portion in the guide bar extending direction (curtain deployment direction) when deployment is completed. .

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, by forming the tension line 40 on the curtain 20, it is possible to receive the impact force caused by the collision of the occupant and reliably protect the occupant, and By preventing the member 39 from being caught or entangled with other members and reducing the sliding resistance between the string-like member 39 and the guide bar 36a, the deployability of the curtain can be improved reliably. .

  In the second embodiment, the both ends in the vehicle width direction of the curtain 20 in the accommodated state are positioned in the vicinity of both ends in the upper side (rear header 59) around the back window, respectively. Both end portions may be extended to slightly enter the first side portion and the second side portion.

  In Embodiment 2 described above, the lower end of the curtain 20 in the unfolded state covers the lower side of the back window, but the curtain 20 is deployed from the upper side to a position above the lower side. You may comprise. In this case, it is preferable that the curtain 20 is configured to extend from the upper side portion to a position below the upper end of the seat back 8a of the rear rear seat 8. That is, the presence of the seat back 8a of the rear rear seat 8 causes the head of the occupant to collide with the curtain 20 at the time of rearward collision of the vehicle, and the center of gravity of the head is above the tension line 40. Even if the curtain 20 does not cover the entire vertical direction of the back window, the impact force of the occupant's head can be received well.

  Furthermore, although the back window portion has one back window 58, a plurality of back windows may be provided as in the first embodiment.

  Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the curtain airbag device is provided in each of the side window portion and the back window portion of the vehicle. However, the curtain airbag device may be provided in the window portion of the roof of the vehicle. It can also be provided in a window section or a window section of a building such as a house, building, or space station.

  Further, the shape of the window portion does not have to be a substantially square shape, and may be a substantially triangular shape. In this case, the third side is connected to the end of the second side opposite to the first side, and the first side is connected to the end of the third side opposite to the second side. It will be connected. Alternatively, other polygonal shapes may be used. Moreover, each side part around the window part may have any shape including a straight line shape and an arc shape.

  Further, the number of windows in the window portion may be one or two or more. When the number of windows is 2 or more, the window portion may have a polygonal shape that substantially surrounds the edge edge of the window surrounding the two or more windows.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is useful for a curtain airbag device including a curtain that covers a window portion of a vehicle or a building, and particularly useful when provided in a side window portion or a back window portion of a vehicle.

It is the figure seen from the vehicle interior side of the vehicle which shows the curtain airbag apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is the II-II sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is the principal part enlarged view seen from the vehicle interior side which expands and shows the rear-end part upper part part of a vehicle. It is the IV-IV sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is the VV sectional view taken on the line of FIG. FIG. 4 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3 showing a curtain completion state. It is the figure seen from the vehicle outer side (vehicle rear side) which shows Embodiment 2 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Car body 2-4 Wind 14 4th pillar (2nd side)
20 Curtain 21 Inflator (Gas supply device)
32 Roof side rail (first side)
36 Support member 36a Guide bar (support part)
39 String-like member 44 Engagement part 56 Pillar trim of the fourth pillar 58 Back window

Claims (5)

A curtain airbag device provided in a window portion having one or more windows,
A curtain that has an inflating portion into which gas is injected, is accommodated in a first side portion around the window portion, and expands so as to cover the window portion by expansion of the inflating portion by the gas injection;
A gas supply device for supplying the gas to the expansion portion of the curtain;
A support portion provided on a second side portion connected to the first side portion around the window portion;
It is provided on the side of the second side of the curtain in the unfolded state, and is positioned closer to the first side of the support than the support in the accommodated state of the curtain. An engagement portion that moves from the first side portion toward the support portion and engages with the support portion as the deployment tip of the curtain moves in the curtain deployment direction;
The curtain is provided with a string-like member,
One end of the string-like member is coupled to the intermediate portion of the curtain in the unfolded state on the side of the second side of the curtain, and the other end is on the second side of the curtain. It is coupled to the deployment tip portion side of the side portion of the one end portion, and the intermediate portion is engaged with the support portion in the accommodated state of the curtain,
The engaging portion is provided at the coupling portion of the one end portion of the string-like member or the one end portion of the curtain, and the deployment leading end portion of the curtain moves in the curtain deployment direction by the expansion of the expansion portion. Accordingly, the engagement position of the string-like member with the support portion moves to the one end side, so that the string member moves toward the support portion and engages with the support portion.
The support portion extends in the direction in which the second side portion extends or the curtain unfolding direction, and when the engagement position of the string-like member with the support portion moves toward the one end side, A curtain airbag device characterized in that the engagement position of the support portion with the string-like member is allowed to move in the extending direction of the support portion. The curtain airbag device according to claim 1,
The curtain airbag device according to claim 1, wherein an end of the support portion on the first side portion side is located within a predetermined distance from the first side portion in the second side portion. The curtain airbag device according to claim 1 or 2,
Along the extending direction of the support portion between the end of the window portion side edge of the curtain in the housed state on the side of the second side portion and the end of the support portion on the side opposite to the first side portion. The supporting portion extending direction between the unfolding front end of the curtain on the second side portion side of the curtain in the unfolded state and the end of the supporting portion on the opposite side to the first side portion. A curtain airbag device characterized in that it is larger than the distance along. In the curtain airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
When the length of the string-like member is 2L, the unfolding front end of the curtain in the unfolded state on the second side portion side and the end of the support portion on the side opposite to the first side portion The distance along the extending direction of the support portion is approximately 2L,
The distance along the support portion extending direction between the end of the support portion on the first side portion side and the engagement portion of the curtain in the housed state is substantially the same as L, or from L The curtain airbag device is characterized by being set to be small. In the curtain airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
When the length of the string-like member is 2L, the end of the second side part opposite to the first side part of the window part side edge is opposite to the first side part of the support part. The distance along the extending direction of the support portion between the side ends is approximately 2L,
The distance along the support portion extending direction between the end of the support portion on the first side portion side and the engagement portion of the curtain in the housed state is substantially the same as L, or from L The curtain airbag device is characterized by being set to be small.

Images