JP7524740B2 - Partition device for vehicles - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a partition device for vehicles.

Some vehicles are equipped with a partition device that separates the front and rear seats inside the vehicle (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Patent Document 1 discloses the provision of a partition device having a partition member made of a screen in order to create a private space for passengers in the vehicle. The partition device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a projector in addition to the partition member, and is capable of projecting an image emitted from the projector onto the partition member.

Patent document 2 discloses a partition device having a partition plate that separates the front seat of a taxi from the rest of the building. The partition plate has a strength that can withstand a bladed object, and is intended to protect the driver from a bladed object if a passenger sitting in the back seat attacks the driver.

JP 2018-203227 A JP 2004-67051 A

Some recent vehicles are equipped with curtain airbags to protect occupants from impacts during side collisions. Curtain airbags are attached to the roof side rails of the vehicle, and inflate and deploy to interpose between the window and the occupant when an impact is applied from the side. Vehicles are not provided with curtain airbags for the front seats and curtain airbags for the rear seats, but rather with a single curtain airbag on each of the left and right sides that spans from the front seats to the rear seats.

However, when a conventional partition device as described above is installed to separate the front and rear seats, it is conceivable that the curtain airbag will inflate and deploy unevenly. That is, when the vehicle receives a side impact, the curtain airbag inflates and deploys, but when a conventional partition device is installed between the front and rear seats, it is conceivable that the partition device will partially hinder the curtain airbag from inflating and deploying, causing it to inflate and deploy unevenly. This may result in the curtain airbag not being able to fully function as it is, protecting the occupant against side impacts.

It is possible to consider installing separate curtain airbags for the front seats and curtain airbags for the rear seats in the vehicle, but in that case, existing curtain airbags cannot be used, and the increased number of parts would lead to higher manufacturing costs for the vehicle.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a partition device that can prevent the curtain airbag from unevenly inflating and deploying, even when installed in a vehicle equipped with a single curtain airbag that spans from the front seat to the rear seat.

A partition device according to one aspect of the present invention is a partition device that divides the passenger compartment of a vehicle in which a curtain airbag that inflates and deploys in an area extending from the side of the front seat to the side of the rear seat by the drive of an inflator is attached to a roof side rail, into an area in which the front seats are located and an area in which the rear seats are located, and the partition device has a membrane-like or plate-like partition member provided between the area in which the front seats are located and the area in which the rear seats are located, a central fixing member that extends in the vehicle width direction along the roof of the vehicle, and end fixing members that are separate members from the central fixing member and are provided outside the central fixing member in the vehicle width direction, and the partition member is fixed to a roof interior member that is arranged to cover the inside of the passenger compartment of the roof of the vehicle, and and a roof fixing member arranged so that its outer end in the vehicle width direction is adjacent to the roof side rail, wherein the partition member has a deformation portion in an area adjacent to the roof side rail that is capable of deforming to receive the force caused by the curtain airbag abutting against it when the curtain airbag is inflated and deployed, and to allow the curtain airbag to inflate and deploy, and the roof fixing member is formed to be deformable so that the outer end is displaced toward the inside of the vehicle compartment as the curtain airbag inflates and deploys, and the outer end of the end fixing member in the vehicle width direction is the outer end of the roof fixing member, and is displaced downward in the vehicle compartment as the curtain airbag inflates and deploys .

In the partition device according to the above aspect, the partition member has a deformation portion. The deformation portion of the partition member is formed to be deformable so as to allow the curtain airbag to inflate and deploy when the curtain airbag abuts against the deformation portion. Therefore, the partition device according to the above aspect partitions between the front and rear seats of a vehicle equipped with a single curtain airbag spanning from the front to the rear seats, and is less likely to hinder the curtain airbag from inflating and deploying when the curtain airbag inflates and deploys due to a side impact or the like.
In addition, in the partition device according to the above aspect, the outer end of the roof fixing member is deformable so as to be displaced toward the inside of the vehicle compartment when the curtain airbag is inflated and deployed. Therefore, in the partition device according to the above aspect, the outer end of the roof fixing member is displaced toward the inside of the vehicle compartment when the curtain airbag is inflated and deployed, which is further advantageous in preventing the curtain airbag from inflating and deploying unevenly.
Furthermore, in the partition device according to the above aspect, the roof fixing member is constituted by the central fixing member and the end fixing member which are separate members. Therefore, in the partition device according to the above aspect, when the end of the end fixing member in the vehicle width direction (the outer end of the roof fixing member) is displaced downward in the vehicle cabin when the curtain airbag is inflated and deployed, the displacement is unlikely to be restricted by the central fixing member which is a separate member.
It is preferable that the central fixing member and the end fixing members are not joined or connected to each other because the ends are easily displaced when the curtain airbag is inflated and deployed, but they may be connected by a low-rigidity material (such as a thin metal plate, resin, or rubber).

Therefore, the partition device according to the above aspect can prevent the curtain airbag from inflating and deploying unevenly even when installed in a vehicle equipped with a single curtain airbag that spans from the front seat to the rear seat.

In addition, the partition device according to the above aspect prevents uneven inflation and deployment even when using existing curtain airbags that inflate and deploy from the front seat to the rear seat. This is advantageous in reducing the manufacturing costs of the vehicle.

In the partition device according to the above aspect, the deformation portion of the partition member may be a breaking portion that breaks as the curtain airbag inflates and deploys.

In the partition device according to the above aspect, a breaking portion is used as the deformation portion of the partition member. The breaking portion is a portion that breaks as the curtain airbag inflates and deploys. Therefore, when the curtain airbag inflates and deploys, the breaking progresses as the curtain airbag inflates and deploys, so that it is possible to suppress the application of a reaction force to the curtain airbag in the opposite direction to the direction of inflation and deployment. As a result, the partition device according to the above aspect is even more advantageous in suppressing uneven inflation and deployment of the curtain airbag when the curtain airbag inflates and deploys.

In the partition device according to the above aspect, the breaking portion of the partition member may be configured so that the breaking proceeds downwardly in the vehicle compartment as the curtain airbag inflates and deploys.

In the partition device according to the above aspect, the breaking portion of the partition member is formed so that the breaking proceeds downward in the vehicle cabin as the curtain airbag inflates and deploys. Therefore, when the curtain airbag inflates and deploys, the breaking of the breaking portion proceeds in a manner that matches the direction in which the curtain airbag inflates and deploys. This makes the partition device according to the above aspect even more advantageous in preventing the curtain airbag from inflating and deploying unevenly when the curtain airbag inflates and deploys.

Note that in the above, "below" is used to include diagonally below.

In the partition device according to the above aspect, the breaking portion of the partition member may be formed on the outer edge of the partition member, starting from a position adjacent to the roof side rail.

In the partition device according to the above aspect, the starting point of the breaking portion is the outer edge of the partition member, and is located at a position adjacent to the roof side rail. Therefore, in the partition device according to the above aspect, when the curtain airbag inflates and deploys, it is possible to prevent a part of the partition member from remaining and being interposed between the inflating curtain airbag and the breaking portion where the breaking is progressing. As a result, the partition device according to the above aspect is even more advantageous in preventing the curtain airbag from inflating and deploying unevenly when the curtain airbag inflates and deploys.

The partition device according to the above aspect may further include a side fixing member that fixes the partition member to a trim that is arranged to cover the inside of the passenger compartment of a pillar that is provided on the outer side in the vehicle width direction between the front seat and the rear seat of the vehicle, and the deformation portion of the partition member is formed on the outer edge of the partition member, starting from a position adjacent to a point between the outer end of the roof fixing member and the upper end of the side fixing member.

In the partition device according to the above aspect, the deformation portion of the partition member is formed starting from the outer edge of the partition member, adjacent to the location between the roof fixing member and the side fixing member. Therefore, in the partition device according to the above aspect, when the curtain airbag is inflated and deployed, the outer end of the roof fixing member is displaced in the above direction, greatly widening the gap between the outer end of the roof fixing member and the upper end of the side fixing member (the upper end portion of the side fixing member in the vertical direction of the vehicle). As a result, the partition device according to the above aspect is even more advantageous in preventing the curtain airbag from inflating and deploying unevenly when the curtain airbag is inflated and deployed.

The partition device according to each of the above aspects can prevent the curtain airbag from inflating and deploying unevenly even when installed in a vehicle equipped with a single curtain airbag that spans from the front seat to the rear seat.

1 is a perspective view showing a partial configuration of a vehicle according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a partial configuration of a vehicle. FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a partial configuration of a partition device. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a mounting form of the partition device to the vehicle body. 5A to 5C are schematic diagrams showing the displacement of an end fixing member when the curtain airbag is inflated and deployed. 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams showing the structure of a breakage portion in a partition member. 10A to 10C are schematic diagrams showing how a tear progresses in a partition member as the curtain airbag inflates and deploys. 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams illustrating a configuration of a partition member according to Modification 1. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a partition member according to Modification 2. FIG.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below except for its essential configuration.

In addition, in the following, the front of vehicle 1 will be referred to as "Fr", the rear of vehicle 1 as "Re", the top of vehicle 1 as "Up", the bottom of vehicle 1 as "Lo", the left side in the vehicle width direction of vehicle 1 as "Le", and the right side in the vehicle width direction of vehicle 1 as "Ri".

[Embodiment]
1. Arrangement of the partition device 14 in the vehicle 1 The arrangement of the partition device 14 in the vehicle 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Note that Figures 1 and 2 only show a partial configuration of the vehicle 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment is configured to accommodate multiple passengers in the passenger compartment 1a. The passenger compartment 1a is configured with an area (front) 1b in which the front seats 10 are located, and an area (rear) 1c, located behind the front area 1b and in which the rear seats 11 are located.

In addition, B-pillars 13 are provided on both sides of the vehicle 1 at the boundary between the front portion 1b and the rear portion 1c. The B-pillars 13 are formed so that their upper portions extend to the roof 12. A partition device 14 is provided inside the passenger compartment 1a.

The partition device 14 is a device that separates the front 1b and rear 1c of the vehicle compartment 1a. A detailed configuration will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 2, a roof side rail (not shown in detail in FIG. 2) of the vehicle 1 is provided with a curtain airbag 15 and an inflator 16 for inflating and deploying the curtain airbag 15. When the vehicle 1 receives a side impact, the curtain airbag 15 is inflated and deployed downward on the side of the passenger compartment 1a by the drive of the inflator 16.

Here, one curtain airbag 15 is provided on each of the left and right (Le-Ri) sides of the vehicle 1, covering an area extending from the side of the front seat 10 to the side of the rear seat 11 in the longitudinal direction (Fr-Re) of the vehicle 1.

2. Configuration of the Partition Device 14 and Arrangement of the Curtain Airbag 15 The configuration of the partition device 14 and the arrangement of the curtain airbag 15 will be described with reference to Fig. 2 to Fig. 4. Note that Fig. 4 illustrates only a portion of the configuration on the right side Ri in the vehicle compartment 1a.

As shown in FIG. 3, the partition device 14 includes a partition member 140 and a window member 141. The partition member 140 is formed from a membrane-like or plate-like member. In this embodiment, the partition member 140 is formed to separate the entire area between the front seat 10 and the rear seat 11 in the vehicle width direction (Le-Ri) and the up-down direction (Up-Lo). However, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the partition member 140 is configured so that the center console 17 can extend to the rear portion 1b as well.

The window member 141 is joined to the partition member 140. The window member 141 is formed using a light-transmitting material (e.g., acrylic resin, polyvinyl chloride resin (PVC), etc.). The window member 141 is provided in the central region in the vehicle width direction (Le-Ri) relative to the partition member 140, and in a portion above (Up) the center in the up-down direction (Up-Lo).

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the partition member 140 has a break portion 140a in the upper (Up) portion on each side in the vehicle width direction (Le-Ri). The break portion 140a is, for example, a portion formed by forming a perforation in the partition member 140. The break portion 140a has a starting point 140c at the upper edge (outer edge) 140c of the partition member 140, and is formed so as to extend downward (Lo) within the vehicle interior 1a.

As shown in FIG. 4, the curtain airbag 15 is attached to the roof side rail 18. More specifically, the curtain airbag 15 is attached to the surface of the roof side rail 18 on the inside of the passenger compartment 1a. The portion of the curtain airbag 15 facing the passenger compartment 1a is covered by the interior member of the ceiling (roof interior member) when the curtain airbag 15 is not inflated and deployed.

The starting point 140b of the breaking portion 140a in the partition member 140 is located adjacent to the roof side rail 18 (adjacent to the curtain airbag 15).

3. Fixing the partition member 140 to the vehicle 1 Fixing the partition member 140 to the vehicle 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Note that Fig. 5 shows a schematic configuration of the partition device 14 including the partition member 140.

As shown in FIG. 5, the partition device 14 further includes a central fixing member 142, two end fixing members 143, and two side fixing members 144. As shown in an enlarged cross section, the central fixing member 142 and the end fixing members 143 are members that fix the partition member 140 to the roof interior member 19 by screwing together bolts 145 and nuts 146. The roof interior member 19 is a member that covers the inside of the passenger compartment 1a of the roof 12 (see FIG. 1, etc.), and is made of a resin material or the like.

The side fixing member 144 is a member that fixes the partition member 140 to the trim 20 that covers the inside of the passenger compartment 1a of the B pillar 13 by screwing together a bolt 145 and a nut 146. The trim 20 that covers the inside of the passenger compartment 1a of the B pillar 13 is also made of a resin material or the like.

Here, the central fixing member 142, the end fixing member 143, and the side fixing member 144 are each composed of a separate member. Furthermore, the central fixing member 142 and the end fixing member 143, and the end fixing member 143 and the side fixing member 144 are not connected by any member other than the partition member 140, and are not joined to each other. Note that the central fixing member 142 and the end fixing member 143 are both members that fix the partition member 140 to the roof interior member 19 that covers the inside of the passenger compartment 1a of the roof 12, so the central fixing member 142 and the end fixing member 143 can be considered to constitute a "roof fixing member."

The breakage portion 140a in the partition member 140 has a starting point 140b adjacent to the outer end (outer end) of the end fixing member 143 in the vehicle width direction (Le-Ri).

4. Displacement of the End Fixing Member 143 When the Curtain Airbag 15 is Inflated and Deployed The displacement of the end fixing member 143 when the curtain airbag 15 is inflated and deployed will be described with reference to FIG.

When the vehicle 1 is subjected to a side impact, the curtain airbag 15 inflates and deploys. As shown in FIG. 6, when the curtain airbag 15 begins to inflate and deploy, the force associated with the inflation and deployment displaces the outer end (outer end) 143a in the vehicle width direction (Le-Ri) toward the lower portion Lo within the vehicle compartment 1a. In this case, the central fixing member 142 is hardly deformed, so the outer end 143a of the end fixing member 143 rotates as shown by arrow A around the boundary point P with the central fixing member 142.

Even when the end fixing member 143 is deformed (the outer end 143a is displaced) as shown in FIG. 6, the bolt 145 and nut 146 (not shown in FIG. 6) used to fix it to the roof interior member 19 do not come loose, and the roof interior member 19 deforms along with the end fixing member 143.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the outer end 143a of the end fixing member 143 is displaced downward Lo, a gap SP is formed between the outer end 143a of the end fixing member 143 and the upper end (upper end) 144a of the side fixing member 144 on the upper Up side. The curtain airbag 15 inflates and deploys through the gap SP toward the lower Lo inside the vehicle interior 1a, as shown by arrow B.

5. Structure of break portion 140a in partition member 140 The structure of break portion 140a in partition member 140 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Note that Fig. 7 shows a schematic diagram of the partition member 140, extracting the region in which break portion 140a is provided.

As shown in FIG. 7, the break portion 140a is formed by a number of intermittently arranged notches 140f. The notches 140f are through holes that penetrate from the front surface 140d to the back surface 140e of the partition member 140.

When the partition member 140 receives force on the breaking portion 140a in a direction along the breaking portion 140a or in a direction intersecting the direction in which the breaking portion 140a extends, the adjacent notches 140f join together as shown by arrow C, and the break progresses.

6. Progression of rupture of the rupture portion 140a when the curtain airbag 15 is inflated and deployed The progression of rupture of the rupture portion 140a when the curtain airbag 15 is inflated and deployed will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 8.

As shown in Figures 6 and 8(a), when the curtain airbag 15 starts to inflate and deploy, the outer end 143a of the end fixing member 143 is displaced downward Lo due to the contact of the curtain airbag 15. Then, the curtain airbag 15 inflates and deploys toward the downward Lo inside the vehicle compartment 1a from a gap SP between the outer end 143a of the end fixing member 143 and the upper end 144a of the side fixing member 144, which is generated by the outer end 143a of the end fixing member 143 being displaced downward Lo.

As shown in Figures 8(b) and (c), as the curtain airbag 15 continues to inflate and deploy, the rupture of the rupture portion 140a progresses. The curtain airbag 15 continues to inflate and deploy downward Lo between the tears 140g caused by the rupture of the rupture portion 140a.

In the partition member 140a according to this embodiment, the breaking portion 140a is formed only halfway up and down (Up-Lo), but it can also be provided to a length that matches the range of inflation and deployment of the curtain airbag 15. Also, in the partition member 140, when the curtain airbag 15 is inflated and deployed, not only the portion where the breaking portion 140a is provided breaks, but depending on the material strength of the partition member 140, the breaking may progress continuously to the breaking of the breaking portion 140a.

7. Effects In the partition device 14 according to this embodiment, the partition member 140 has a breaking portion 140a. The breaking portion 140a of the partition member 140 is formed so that the breaking progresses to allow the curtain airbag 15 to inflate and deploy when the curtain airbag 15 abuts against the breaking portion 140a (see FIG. 8). Therefore, in the partition device 14, in the vehicle interior 1a of the vehicle 1 in which a single curtain airbag 15 is mounted on each of the left and right (Le-Ri) sides so as to extend from the side portion of the front portion 1b to the side portion of the rear portion 1c, the partition device 14 partitions between the front portion 1b and the rear portion 1c, and is unlikely to hinder the curtain airbag 15 from inflating and deploying when the curtain airbag 15 inflates and deploys due to a lateral impact or the like.

Therefore, the partition device 15 according to this embodiment can prevent the curtain airbags 15 from inflating and deploying unevenly even when the partition device 15 is installed to partition the passenger compartment 1a of a vehicle 1 equipped with a single curtain airbag 15 on each of the left and right (Le-Ri) sides, spanning from the side portions of the front 1b to the side portions of the rear 1c.

In addition, the partition device according to this embodiment prevents uneven inflation and deployment even when using an existing curtain airbag 15 that inflates and deploys from the front seat 10 to the rear seat 11. This is advantageous in reducing the manufacturing costs of the vehicle 1.

In the partition device according to the above aspect, the deformation portion of the partition member may be a breaking portion that breaks downwardly in the vehicle compartment as the curtain airbag inflates and deploys.

In addition, in the partition device 14 according to this embodiment, as shown in the enlarged portion of FIG. 3, the starting point 140b of the breaking portion 140a is the outer edge 140c of the partition member 140, and is located adjacent to the roof side rail 18 as shown in FIG. 4. In other words, the starting point 140b of the breaking portion 140a is the outer edge 140c of the partition member 140, and is located adjacent to the roof side rail 18 to which the curtain airbag 15 is attached. Therefore, in the partition device 14, when the curtain airbag 15 is inflated and deployed, it is possible to prevent a part of the partition member 140 from being interposed between the inflating curtain airbag 15 and the breaking portion 140a where the breaking is progressing. As a result, in the partition device 14, when the curtain airbag 15 is inflated and deployed, it is possible to prevent the curtain airbag 15 from inflating and deploying unevenly.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the partition device 14 according to this embodiment is formed so that the outer end 143a of the end fixing member 143 is deformable so as to be displaced downward Lo within the vehicle compartment 1a when the curtain airbag 15 is inflated and deployed. Therefore, in the partition device 14, a gap SP is generated between the outer end 143a of the end fixing member 143 and the upper end 144a of the side fixing member 144 when the curtain airbag 15 is inflated and deployed, which allows the curtain airbag 15 to be smoothly inflated and deployed. Therefore, this also makes it possible to prevent the curtain airbag 15 from being unevenly inflated and deployed in this embodiment.

In addition, in the partition device 14 according to this embodiment, the roof fixing member is made up of a central fixing member 142 and an end fixing member 143, which are separate members. Therefore, in the partition device 14, when the outer end 143a of the end fixing member 143 displaces toward the downward position Lo in the vehicle compartment 1a when the curtain airbag 15 is inflated and deployed, the displacement is unlikely to be restricted by the central fixing member 142.

In this embodiment, the central fixing member 142 and the end fixing member 143 are not connected to each other by any other member except the partition member 140. As a result, in this embodiment, the outer end 143a of the end fixing member 143 is not restrained when it is displaced when the curtain airbag 15 is inflated and deployed.

Furthermore, in the partition device 14 according to this embodiment, the breaking portion 140a of the partition member 140 is formed on the outer edge 140b of the partition member 140 as shown in FIG. 3, and is formed starting from a position adjacent to the location between the end fixing member and the side fixing member as shown in FIG. 5. Therefore, in the partition device according to the above aspect, when the curtain airbag is inflated and deployed, the outer end of the roof fixing member is displaced in the above direction, greatly widening the gap between the outer end of the roof fixing member and the upper end of the side fixing member. As a result, the partition device according to the above aspect is even more advantageous in preventing the curtain airbag from inflating and deploying unevenly when the curtain airbag is inflated and deployed.

[Modification 1]
The configuration of the partition member 240 according to the first modified example will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Note that the partition device according to this modified example has the same configurations as the partition device 14 according to the above embodiment with respect to the members other than the partition member 240.

As shown in FIG. 9, the partition member 240 according to this modified example also has a break portion 240a. The structure of the break portion 240a is the same as that of the break portion 140a according to the above-described embodiment described with reference to FIG. 7. However, in the break portion 240a according to this modified example, the starting point 240b located on the upper side Up is disposed below the outer edge 240c of the partition member 240 Lo. The break portion 240a is formed between the starting point 240a and a point 240h on the lower side Lo.

When a force is applied to the partition member 240 according to this modified example due to the inflation and deployment of the curtain airbag 15, the rupture portion 240a ruptures so as to open in the left-right direction (Le-Ri), and then the rupture progresses in the up-down direction (Up-Lo) as shown by the arrows G1 and G2. Therefore, even in a partition device including the partition member 240 according to this modified example, when the curtain airbag 15 is inflated and deployed, the rupture of the rupture portion 240a progresses, thereby preventing the curtain airbag 15 from inflating and deploying unevenly.

[Modification 2]
The configuration of the partition member 340 according to the second modified example will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Note that the partition device according to this modified example has the same configurations as the partition device 14 according to the above embodiment with respect to the other members except for the configuration of the partition member 340.

As shown in FIG. 10, the partition member 340 according to this modified example also has a break portion 340a. The break portion 340a of the partition member 340 according to this modified example is composed of a single notch 340f provided along the direction of inflation and deployment of the curtain airbag 15.

The thickness T2 of the portion where the notch 340f is formed is thinner than the thickness T1 of the other portions of the partition member 340. Therefore, when a force is applied due to the abutment of the curtain airbag 15 during inflation and deployment of the curtain airbag 15, the rupture of the rupture portion 340a progresses as shown by the arrow H. Therefore, even in the partition device including the partition member 340 according to this modified example, when the curtain airbag 15 is inflated and deployed, the rupture of the rupture portion 340a progresses, thereby preventing the curtain airbag 15 from inflating and deploying unevenly.

[Other Modifications]
In the above embodiment and the above modified examples 1 and 2, the breakage of the breakage parts 140a, 24a, and 340a formed in the partition members 140, 240, and 340 progresses when the curtain airbag 15 is inflated and deployed, thereby suppressing uneven inflation and deployment of the curtain airbag 15, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a part of the partition member can be made of a material (e.g., rubber or elastomer) that is softer than other parts, so that the partition member can be deformed to allow the curtain airbag 15 to inflate and deploy. In other words, a deformation part can be provided in a part of the partition member. By providing a deformation part in such a part of the partition member, it is possible to suppress uneven inflation and deployment of the curtain airbag 15 when the curtain airbag 15 is inflated and deployed.

The entire partition member may be made of a flexible, deformable material such as rubber.

Furthermore, the breakage portions 140a, 240a, and 340a of the partition members 140, 240, and 340 in the above embodiment and modified examples 1 and 2 can also be considered deformation portions in that breakage progresses.

In the above embodiment and modified examples 1 and 2, one break portion 140a, 240a, 340a is provided on each of the left and right (Le-Ri) sides of the partition members 140, 240, 340, but the present invention can also provide two or more break portions on each side. This can further prevent the curtain airbag 15 from expanding and deploying unevenly when the curtain airbag 15 is inflated and deployed.

In the above embodiment and modified examples 1 and 2, the breaking portions 140a, 240a, 340a of the partition members 140, 240, 340 are designed to break toward the lower portion Lo of the vehicle compartment 1a when the curtain airbag 15 is inflated and deployed. However, the present invention is not limited to this in terms of the direction in which the breaking progresses. For example, it is also possible to form the breaking portions so that the breaking progresses in the vehicle width direction (Le-Ri).

In the above embodiment and the above modified examples 1 and 2, the partition device 14 is configured to include a window member 141, but the partition device according to the present invention does not necessarily have to include the window member 141.

In the above embodiment and modified examples 1 and 2, the central fixing member 142 and the end fixing members 143 are configured as separate members, and the central fixing member 142 and the end fixing members 143 are not connected to each other, except that the partition member 140 is connected between the two members 142, 143.

However, in the present invention, the partition members 140, 240, 340 may be fixed to the roof interior member 19 using a roof fixing member in which the central fixing member and the end fixing member are integrally provided. When adopting such a structure, the same effect as above can be obtained by making the end of the roof fixing member in the vehicle width direction (Le-Ri) deformable toward the inside of the vehicle compartment 1a so as not to hinder the expansion and deployment of the curtain airbag 15 when the curtain airbag 15 is inflated and deployed. For example, by providing a weak part (such as a thin part) in a part of the roof fixing member in the vehicle width direction (Le-Ri), it is possible to displace the outer end toward the lower part Lo in the vehicle compartment 1a by the force from the curtain airbag 15 acting on the curtain airbag 15 when the curtain airbag 15 is inflated and deployed.

In the above embodiment, the partition device 14 is arranged to separate the area where the first row of seats are provided from the area where the second row of seats are provided, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the partition device may be arranged to separate the areas of seats arranged in a line in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, such as separating the area where the second row of seats are provided from the area where the third row of seats are provided.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 vehicle 1a vehicle compartment 1b front portion 1c rear portion 10 front seat 11 rear seat 14 partition device 15 curtain airbag 16 inflator 18 roof side rail 140, 240, 340 partition member 140a, 240a, 340a fractured portion (deformed portion)
140b Starting point 142 Central fixing member 143 End fixing member 143a Outer end 144 Side fixing member 144a Upper end

Claims (5)

A partition device for partitioning a passenger compartment of a vehicle in which a curtain airbag that is inflated and deployed in an area extending from a side of a front seat to a side of a rear seat by the actuation of an inflator is attached to a roof side rail, into an area in which the front seats are located and an area in which the rear seats are located,
a membrane-like or plate-like partition member provided between an area in which the front seats are arranged and an area in which the rear seats are arranged ;
a roof fixing member including a central fixing member extending in a vehicle width direction along a roof of the vehicle, and an end fixing member that is a separate member from the central fixing member and is provided outside the central fixing member in the vehicle width direction, the roof fixing member fixing the partition member to a roof interior member arranged to cover the inside of the vehicle cabin of the roof of the vehicle, and arranged so that an outer end in the vehicle width direction is adjacent to the roof side rail;
Equipped with
the partition member has a deformation portion in an area adjacent to the roof side rail that is deformable to receive a force caused by the contact of the curtain airbag when the curtain airbag is inflated and deployed and to allow the curtain airbag to inflate and deploy,
The roof fixing member is formed to be deformable such that the outer end portion is displaced toward the inside of the vehicle compartment in response to the inflation and deployment of the curtain airbag,
an outer end of the end fixing member on the vehicle width direction side is the outer end of the roof fixing member, and is displaced downward in the vehicle compartment as the curtain airbag is inflated and deployed;
Partitioning device. The partitioning device according to claim 1,
The deformation portion of the partition member is a rupture portion that ruptures as the curtain airbag inflates and deploys.
Partitioning device. The partitioning device according to claim 2,
The rupture portion of the partition member is formed so that rupture proceeds downwardly in the vehicle compartment as the curtain airbag inflates and deploys.
Partitioning device. The partitioning device according to claim 2 or 3,
The breaking portion of the partition member is formed at an outer edge of the partition member, the breaking portion being formed starting from a position adjacent to the roof side rail.
Partitioning device. In the partitioning device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
The vehicle further includes a side fixing member that fixes the partition member to a trim that is arranged to cover an inner side of a vehicle interior of a pillar that is provided on an outer side in a vehicle width direction between the front seat and the rear seat of the vehicle,
The deformed portion of the partition member is formed at an outer edge of the partition member, the deformed portion being formed from a position adjacent to a portion between the outer end of the roof fixing member and an upper end of the side fixing member.
Partitioning device.

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