JP2008179223A - Curtain airbag device - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a curtain airbag device capable of facilitating attachment of an airbag bag body and obtaining a smooth deployment of the airbag bag body without causing a complicated structure.
An airbag bag body 16 is accommodated in a folded state in a bag cover 24 having a substantially U-shaped cross section, and the bag cover 24 is attached to the vehicle body so that an opening 25 faces substantially vertically downward. The fixing piece 31 at the upper end of the airbag bag body 16 is pulled out to the outside from the position of the bag cover 24 that is offset from the center in the width direction to the vehicle body inward side, and is coupled to the vehicle body.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a curtain airbag device that is mounted on a side upper wall of a vehicle body in a folded state and that is deployed between a vehicle body side wall and an occupant to protect the occupant when an impact is input during a collision or the like.

The curtain airbag device is housed over the roof side rail from the front pillar with the airbag body folded, and when the impact is input, the high pressure gas is ejected from the inflator so that the airbag body is deployed. Yes. The folded airbag body is guided by a bag cover having a substantially L-shaped or U-shaped cross section, and in that state, is fixed to the upper wall of the vehicle body by bolting or the like (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-67860

  However, in this conventional curtain airbag device, the bag cover and the upper end portion of the airbag bag body are coupled to the vehicle body at a position offset to the outside of the vehicle interior of the bag cover. This position becomes a position deeper from the vehicle interior side to the back side of the bag cover, making it difficult to attach the airbag bag body.

  Further, in the case of the above-described conventional curtain airbag device, the upper end portion of the airbag bag body is coupled to the vehicle body at a position offset to the outside of the bag cover on the vehicle interior side. The design for avoiding the interference of the side wall member becomes difficult, and it becomes difficult to sufficiently open the side wall of the bag cover on the vehicle interior side when the airbag bag body is deployed. For this reason, in order to fully open the side wall of the bag cover on the vehicle interior side, a complicated structure such as connecting the side wall of the bag cover on the vehicle interior side to the cover bag body via a hinge must be adopted. I will have to.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides a curtain airbag device capable of facilitating attachment of an airbag bag body and capable of obtaining a smooth deployment of the airbag bag body without incurring a complicated structure. It is what.

The invention according to claim 1, which solves the above problem, is an airbag bag body that is deployed between a side wall of a vehicle body and an occupant by introduction of high-pressure gas when an impact is input (for example, an airbag in an embodiment described later). A bag cover (for example, a bag cover 24 in an embodiment described later) for guiding the folded airbag bag, and a fixed piece (for example, described later) on the upper portion of the airbag bag body. In the curtain airbag device (for example, the curtain airbag device 20 in the embodiment described later) in which the fixed piece 31) in the embodiment is extended and the fixed piece is attached to the upper side wall of the vehicle body together with the bag cover. The bag cover is formed to have a substantially U-shaped cross section, and the bag cover is attached to the vehicle body so that the opening faces substantially vertically downward. The fixing piece of Tsu grayed bag, out of the airbag cover, the drawer outwardly from a position offset to the vehicle body inner side from the widthwise center, characterized in that attached to the vehicle body side on the wall.
Thus, the upper end of the airbag bag body is coupled to the upper side wall of the vehicle body at a position where the upper end of the airbag cover is offset to the vehicle body inward side. For this reason, when the airbag bag body is attached to the vehicle body from the vehicle interior side, the coupling position of the fixed piece is positioned on the front side of the back portion of the bag cover. Further, the airbag bag body is guided by the side wall of the bag cover and deployed substantially vertically downward when an impact is input. At this time, since the upper end of the airbag bag body is fixed to the vehicle body at a position offset toward the vehicle body inward side of the bag cover, the airbag bag body is less likely to interfere with the side wall member of the vehicle body, and the airbag bag body The side wall of the bag cover toward the interior of the vehicle is pushed open by a large force at the initial stage of deployment.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the curtain airbag device according to the first aspect, a restraining means for restraining the airbag bag body in the bag cover in a folded state (for example, a tape 34 in an embodiment described later). And a notch (for example, a notch 33 in an embodiment described later) is formed in the lower end of the side wall of the bag cover, and the airbag bag body is restrained by the restraining means through the notch. And
As a result, the restraining means is passed through the notch to the lower end of the side wall of the bag cover, so that the airbag bag body is restrained in a close contact state by the restraining means.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the curtain airbag device according to the second aspect, the notch is formed only on a side wall of the bag cover inside the vehicle interior.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the curtain airbag device according to any one of the first to third aspects, a restraining means (for example, described later) that restrains the airbag bag body in a folded state in the bag cover. The restraint piece 40) in the embodiment is formed integrally with the bag cover.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the curtain airbag device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, a side wall (for example, a side wall 128 in an embodiment described later) of the bag cover outside the vehicle compartment, A band-like restraint piece (for example, a restraint piece 40 in an embodiment described later) constituting the restraint means is integrally formed, and the opening angle of the restraint piece is restricted at a substantially vertical position when the airbag bag body is deployed. The control means (for example, the stopper pin 45 in embodiment mentioned later) to provide is provided.
As a result, the restraint piece integral with the bag cover restrains the airbag bag body in the bag cover until the airbag bag body is deployed, and when the airbag bag body is deployed by an impact input from this state, The restraint piece is pushed open by the momentum that the bag bag body develops. At this time, when the restraining piece reaches a substantially vertical position, the opening angle is restricted by the restricting means, and in this state, the airbag bag body is guided to be deployed.

According to the first aspect of the invention, since the upper end of the airbag bag body is coupled to the upper portion of the vehicle body side wall at a position offset toward the vehicle body inward side of the bag cover, the airbag bag body from the vehicle interior side The attachment work is facilitated and the airbag bag body can be deployed in a substantially vertical direction at a position where it is difficult to interfere with the side wall of the vehicle body. Therefore, as a result, productivity can be improved, and the contact area with the occupant can be increased to further enhance the protection effect for the occupant.
Further, according to the present invention, since the side wall of the bag cover inside the vehicle interior can be easily pushed open by a large force at the initial stage of deployment of the airbag bag body, the airbag bag body can be made without causing a complicated structure. It can be deployed smoothly.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the airbag bag body can be restrained in a close contact state by the restraining means through the notch formed in the lower end of the side wall of the bag cover. The body can be further downsized, and the weight of the bag cover can be reduced by the notch.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the cutout is not formed in the side wall outside the vehicle compartment of the bag cover, the airbag bag body can be satisfactorily slipped on the vehicle compartment outer side, and the airbag bag body can be developed. Further, since the side wall in the vehicle interior is lightened by forming a notch in the side wall in the vehicle interior of the bag cover, the vehicle at the time of deployment of the airbag bag body can be reduced. Pushing the indoor side wall can be further facilitated.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, since the restraining means is formed integrally with the bag cover, the manufacturing cost can be reduced by reducing the number of parts.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the restraint piece functions as a guide member that guides the deployment of the airbag bag body in a substantially vertical direction when the airbag bag body is deployed, so that the number of parts does not increase. Rapid deployment of the airbag bag body in a substantially vertical direction can be obtained. Thus, since the airbag bag body can be rapidly deployed in the substantially vertical direction, the initial restraining ability for the occupant at the time of impact input can be enhanced.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, “upper” and “lower” mean upper and lower in the state of being attached to the vehicle body, and the direction of the arrow RI in the figure indicates the direction in the vehicle interior.

First, the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 will be described.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the vehicle 10 as viewed obliquely from the right rear. The vehicle 10 includes left and right sides that constitute the upper edge of the window 14 above the side door 13 at both ends of the roof 12 of the vehicle body 11. A pair of roof side rails 15 are provided so as to extend in the vehicle longitudinal direction. A curtain airbag device 20 according to the present invention is attached to the vehicle interior side of the left and right roof side rails 15 of the vehicle body. The curtain airbag device 20 includes an airbag bag body 16 that is elongated in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body and extends downward along the window 14 on the side of the vehicle body at the time of impact input such as a vehicle collision, and an airbag bag body at the time of impact input. 16 and an inflator 17 for supplying and supplying a high-pressure gas for deployment.

  2 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the AA cross section of FIG. 1, in which 21 is a center pillar, 22 is a pillar garnish that covers the back side (vehicle compartment side) of the center pillar 21, and 23 is This is roofing that covers the ceiling of the passenger compartment. The pillar garnish 22 has an upper bent wall 22b that is bent toward the outside of the passenger compartment extending from the upper portion of the vertical wall 22a that is exposed to the vehicle interior side, and a terminal of the roof lining 23 at the upper end of the vertical wall 22a. A locking portion 22c that locks the portion protrudes.

  The airbag bag body 16 of the curtain airbag device 20 includes a roof side rail 15 and an upper wall 15a of a front pillar (not shown) together with a plurality of bag covers 24 made of metal, hard resin or the like on the back side of the roof lining 23. (Side upper wall).

  2 and 3, the bag cover 24 is attached to the vehicle body so that its longitudinally continuous cross section is formed in a substantially U-shape, and the opening 25 of the substantially U-shaped cross section faces substantially vertically downward. It has been. That is, side walls 27 and 28 having the same length extend vertically downward from the vehicle interior and outside of the substantially horizontal ceiling wall 26 of the bag cover 24, and are formed between the side walls 27 and 28. The opening 25 faces substantially vertically below the vehicle body.

  Inside the bag cover 24, a part in the longitudinal direction of the airbag bag body 16 folded in a plurality of stages in a substantially Z shape in the vertical direction is accommodated so as to be deployed vertically downward. A plurality of long holes 29 are formed in the ceiling wall 26 of the bag cover 24 along the longitudinal direction of the bag cover 24, and a substantially L-shaped bracket 30 is adjacent to the inside of the long hole 29 in the vehicle width direction. Is extended. Each elongated hole 29 is a portion into which a string-like fixing piece 31 extending to the upper end portion of the airbag bag body 16 is inserted, and is drawn out to the upper side of the ceiling wall 26 of the bag cover 24. It is formed at a position offset from the center in the width direction (center line C) to the inside of the vehicle body. The fixing pieces 31 drawn out from the long holes 29 of the ceiling wall 26 are superposed on the mounting surfaces of the adjacent brackets 30, and are coupled to the roof side rail 15 and the upper wall 15 a of the front pillar together with the brackets 30 by bolts 32. Has been. Therefore, the upper end portion of the airbag bag body 16 is fixed to the upper wall 15 on the vehicle body side at a position offset from the center in the width direction of the bag cover 24 together with the bracket 30 to the inside of the vehicle body. The mounting surface of the bracket 30 is bent toward the vehicle interior side, and when the bag cover 24 is attached to the upper wall 15a, the bolt 32 is fastened at a position offset to the vehicle interior side with respect to the main body portion of the bag cover 24. It can be done.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, notches 33 are formed at the lower ends of the side walls 27 and 28 of the bag cover 24, and the airbag bag body 16 accommodated in the bag cover 24 is restrained in a folded state. A tape 34 (restraining means) is wound around the bag cover 24 through the notch 33. Therefore, the airbag bag body 16 in the bag cover 24 is pushed upward by the tape 34 that bypasses the lower ends of the side walls 27 and 28 of the bag cover 24 through the notch 33 and is restrained in that state. Restraints by the notches 33 and the tapes 34 are provided at a plurality of locations in the longitudinal direction of the side walls 27 and 28 of the bag cover 24.

  In the above configuration, when the inflator 17 is actuated by receiving an impact such as a collision, high-pressure gas is introduced from the inflator 17 to the airbag bag body 16, and as a result, the airbag bag body 16 breaks the tape 34 and the bag. It bulges out of the cover 24, pushes open the terminal of the roof lining 23 and expands toward the vehicle interior.

At this time, since the fixing piece 31 at the upper end of the airbag bag body 16 is fixed to the upper wall 15a of the vehicle body through the long hole 29 at a position offset from the center in the width direction of the bag cover 24 to the vehicle body inner side, The airbag bag body 16 inflates almost symmetrically in the vehicle width direction around the vicinity of the long hole 29 offset to the inside of the vehicle body of the bag cover 24, and the side wall 27 of the bag cover 24 adjacent to the long hole 29 is an airbag bag body. At the initial stage of the deployment of 16, it is pushed and opened in the direction toward the passenger compartment with a large force. At this time, since a large tension due to expansion acts in the vicinity of the fixed piece 31, the inflation direction of the airbag bag body 16 is restricted to a treasure that is substantially vertical with respect to the fixed piece 31 that passes through the long hole 29. Due to the regulating action by the vehicle outer side wall 28, the airbag bag body 16 is deployed in a substantially vertical direction as shown in the figure. At this time, the airbag bag body 16 is pulled out to the outside from the position where the fixed piece 31 attached to the vehicle body is offset from the center in the width direction of the bag cover 24 toward the vehicle interior. The distance from the center to the pillar garnish 22 can be sufficiently separated to eliminate interference when the airbag bag body 16 is deployed, and the side wall 27 of the bag cover 24 can be greatly opened at the initial stage of deployment to provide sufficient space in the vehicle interior direction. The development width can be secured.
Therefore, in the curtain airbag device 20, the airbag bag body 16 can be stably deployed substantially in the vertical direction to increase the contact area with the occupant.

  Further, since the side wall 27 of the bag cover 24 in the vehicle interior can be pushed open relatively easily with a large pressing force of the airbag bag body 16 at the initial stage of deployment, the hinge for facilitating the deployment of the bag cover 24. There is no need to adopt a structure or the like, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced accordingly.

  Further, in the case of the curtain airbag device 20, the fixed piece 31 on the upper part of the airbag bag body 16 is pulled out from the position offset from the center in the width direction of the bag cover 24 to the inside of the vehicle body, and is attached together with the bracket 30 by the bolt 32. Therefore, when the airbag bag body 16 is attached to the vehicle body from the vehicle interior side, the fastening operation of the bolt 32 can be relatively easily performed at the front side position of the back portion of the bag cover 24. Therefore, the operation of attaching the curtain airbag device 20 to the vehicle body is facilitated, and the production efficiency is improved.

  In the curtain airbag device 20, a notch 33 is formed at the lower end of the side walls 27, 28 of the bag cover 24, and the folded airbag bag body 16 is restrained by the tape 34 through the notch 33. Therefore, when the airbag bag body 16 is deployed, the airbag bag body 16 in the folded state is secured to the upper side of the bag cover 24 while ensuring a reliable guide function by the side walls 27 and 28 having a sufficient length. The airbag bag body 16 in the stored state can be reduced in size by pushing it up. Furthermore, since the notches 33 are provided in the side walls 27 and 28, the entire bag cover 24 can be reduced in weight.

  In the above embodiment, the notch 33 is formed on the side walls 27 and 28 on both sides of the bag cover 24. However, the notch 33 may be formed only on the side wall 27 inside the vehicle interior. In this case, since the notch 33 is not formed outside the vehicle compartment, the airbag bag body 16 slides well outside the vehicle compartment, and the airbag bag body 16 can be deployed more smoothly.

Next, a second embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 to 9 will be described.
The curtain airbag device 120 of this embodiment has the same basic configuration as that of the first embodiment, but the configuration of the restraining means for restraining the folded airbag bag body 16 in the bag cover 124 is the first. It differs from that of the first embodiment.

  In the case of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of substantially rectangular restraint pieces 40 (restraint means) are extended at the lower end of the side wall 128 of the bag cover 124 outside the passenger compartment, and the restraint pieces 40 are in a folded state. The airbag bag body 16 is supported in the bag cover 124. A pair of cuts 41 and 41 are formed on both sides of each restraining piece 40 on the side wall 128 outside the passenger compartment, and a portion connecting the deepest portions of these cuts 41 is a bent base end 40 a of the restraining piece 40. . A long hole-like locking hole 42 extending along the longitudinal direction of the bag cover 124 is formed at the tip of each restraining piece 40.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the distal end portion of the restraining piece 40 is received at the lower end of the side wall 127 of the bag cover 124 in the vehicle interior when each restraining piece 40 is folded around the folding base end 40 a. A notch 43 is formed. A locking claw 44 that fits into the locking hole 42 of the corresponding restraining piece 40 protrudes from a substantially central position in the longitudinal direction of each notch 43. As shown in FIG. 7, the locking claw 44 has a locking projection 44a that bulges outwardly from the front end portion toward the root portion, and the locking hole 42 of the restraining piece 40 has a locking hole 42. By being fitted to the locking claw 44 beyond the locking projection 44a, it is prevented from coming off.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 8A, the bag cover 124 accommodates the airbag bag body 16 in a folded state when the restraint piece 40 is opened, and thereafter, the bag cover 124 shown in FIGS. The restraint piece 40 is bent as shown in FIG. 1, and the airbag bag body 16 is restrained in the bag cover 124 by fitting the engagement hole 42 at the tip of the restraint piece 40 into the engagement claw 44.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, a stopper pin 45 (regulating means) protruding from each notch 41 to the back side of the restraining piece 40 is provided on the side wall 128 of the bag cover 124 outside the passenger compartment. The stopper pin 45 abuts against the back portion of the restraining piece 40 to restrict the opening angle of the restraining piece 40 at a substantially vertical position.

The curtain airbag device 120 of this embodiment can basically obtain the same effect as that of the first embodiment, but the air bag in a folded state is formed by the restraining piece 40 integrally formed on the side wall 128 of the bag cover 124. Since the bag bag body 16 can be held in the bag cover 124, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost by reducing the number of parts.
When attaching the airbag bag body 16 to the bag cover 124, it is only necessary to bend the restraining piece 40 and fit the locking hole 42 at the tip of the restraining piece 40 to the locking claw 44 in the notch 43. Therefore, there is an advantage that the work becomes easy and the production efficiency increases.

  Further, in the curtain airbag device 120 of this embodiment, a stopper pin 45 is provided on the side wall 28 of the bag cover 124 outside the vehicle compartment, and the opening angle of the restraining piece 40 is regulated by the stopper pin 45 at a substantially vertical position. Therefore, when the airbag bag body 16 is deployed, the airbag bag body 16 is guided in the substantially vertical direction by the restraining piece 40 and prompts rapid deployment of the airbag bag body 16 substantially vertically downward. be able to. Therefore, in the curtain airbag device 120, the occupant can be quickly restrained at the time of impact input.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to said embodiment, A various design change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the summary. For example, in the above embodiment, the airbag bag body is folded in a Z shape, but the folding method of the airbag bag body is not limited to the Z shape, and may be folded in a roll shape.

The perspective view of the vehicle for demonstrating 1st Embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing corresponding to the AA cross section of FIG. 1 which shows the same embodiment. The perspective view of the airbag bag body and bag cover which show the embodiment. Sectional drawing corresponding to the BB cross section of FIG. 3 which shows the same embodiment. The side view seen from the vehicle outside of the bag cover which shows 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The side view seen from the car inside of the bag cover of the embodiment. The perspective view of the bag cover of the embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows accommodation of the airbag bag body of the embodiment in order of (a), (b), (c). The perspective view of the bag cover of the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 16 ... Air bag body 20,120 ... Curtain airbag device 24, 124 ... Bag cover 25 ... Opening 27, 28, 127, 128 ... Side wall 31 ... Fixed piece 33 ... Notch 34 ... Tape (restraint means)
40: Restraint piece (restraint means)
45 ... Stopper pin (regulation means)

Claims (5)

An airbag bag body that is deployed between the side wall of the vehicle body and an occupant by introduction of high-pressure gas when an impact is input, and a bag cover that guides the folded airbag bag body,
In the curtain airbag device in which a fixed piece extends on the upper portion of the airbag bag body, and the fixed piece is attached to the upper side wall of the vehicle body together with the bag cover.
The bag cover is formed in a substantially U-shaped cross section,
While attaching this bag cover to the vehicle body so that the opening is directed substantially vertically downward,
Curtain air characterized in that a fixed piece of the airbag bag body is pulled out from a position of the bag cover that is offset from the center in the width direction to the vehicle body inward side, and is coupled to the upper side wall of the vehicle body. Bag device. While providing a restraining means for restraining the airbag bag body in the bag cover in a folded state,
Forming a notch at the lower end of the side wall of the bag cover;
The curtain airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the airbag bag body is restrained by the restraining means through the notch.   The curtain airbag device according to claim 2, wherein the notch is formed only on a side wall of the bag cover on a vehicle interior side.   The curtain airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a restraining means for restraining the airbag bag body in the bag cover in a folded state is formed integrally with the bag cover. While integrally forming a band-like restraining piece constituting the restraining means on the side wall of the bag cover outside the vehicle compartment,
The curtain airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a restricting unit that restricts an opening angle of the restraining piece at a substantially vertical position when the airbag bag body is deployed.

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