JP6580480B2 - Curtain airbag device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a curtain airbag device that inflates and deploys along a side surface in a vehicle compartment for the purpose of protecting an occupant during a side collision or rollover (rollover) of a vehicle.

  The curtain airbag device is an airbag device that protects an occupant from an impact from the vehicle width direction due to a side collision or the like. The airbag cushion of the curtain airbag device has a relatively large shape that inflates and deploys along the side window, and is housed inside an interior material such as a head lining (also referred to as a roof trim) above the side window. .

  In order to stabilize the deployment behavior and improve the performance when restraining an occupant, the current curtain airbag device has been developed to have a tether that connects the end portion of the airbag cushion and the pillar. For example, in the curtain airbag device described in Patent Document 1, the tether 5 connects the front end of the airbag body 1 and the front pillar 102. In patent document 1, the folding part 5a is provided in the middle part of the tether 5, and the length of the tether 5 is adjusted by the folding part 5a.

JP 2014-234099 A

  When the airbag cushion is assembled to the vehicle or during travel after the airbag cushion is assembled to the vehicle, a force may be applied to the tether to pull the stored-type airbag cushion. For example, when the tether is pulled with respect to the wound airbag cushion, the winding of the airbag cushion is disturbed in a spiral shape. The curtain airbag device of Patent Document 1 has a lead-out portion 1A from which the airbag main body 1 is pulled out. This lead-out portion 1A is intentionally used to respond to changes in the shape of the airbag main body 1 before and after inflation. It is provided. Unexpectedly disturbed winding or folding of the airbag cushion in the storage form is not preferable because it may affect the deployment behavior of the airbag cushion.

  In view of such problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a curtain airbag device capable of maintaining the storage form of an airbag cushion and further reducing the amount of occupant discharge from the vehicle.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a typical configuration of the curtain airbag device according to the present invention is a storage configuration that is long in the vehicle front-rear direction by folding or winding the vehicle in the vertical direction, and above the side window of the vehicle. An air bag cushion installed in the air bag, an inflator for supplying gas to the air bag cushion, and a belt that extends from the front end or rear end of the airbag cushion to a predetermined pillar further forward of the front end or further rearward of the rear end. A first tether that is handed over, and a second tether that is belt-shaped and spans from the first tether to the outer surface of the airbag cushion in the stowed configuration, and the second tether is tensioned before the inflator is in operation. By limiting the movement of the first tether, the storage configuration of the airbag cushion is prevented from being deformed.

  The above-described second tether is fastened to the airbag cushion in the storage form by appropriately pulling the first tether before the inflator is operated, that is, during normal travel or before mounting the vehicle. This prevents the first tether from being pulled out of the storage-type airbag cushion and prevents deformation of the storage-type airbag cushion. Thereby, according to the said structure, the accommodation form of an airbag cushion can be hold | maintained and it can contribute to smoothness and speeding-up of an airbag cushion expansion | deployment. In addition, even before the airbag cushion is attached to the vehicle, holding the airbag cushion in the storage form can contribute to facilitation of attachment work and transport work.

  Since the second tether fastens the first tether to the airbag cushion, the degree of freedom in setting the length and the like of the first tether is increased. For example, the first tether can be set to a length that allows an appropriate tension to be applied to the airbag cushion when restraining the occupant in order to suppress the amount of occupant release from the vehicle. In that case, even if the first tether has a relatively long configuration, the second tether can be efficiently stored in the vehicle.

  The curtain airbag device may further include a tape that joins the second tether to the outer surface of the storage-type airbag cushion. The second tether can be suitably joined to the airbag cushion by the tape, and the second tether can be efficiently released when the airbag cushion is inflated and deployed.

  The second tether may have a fragile portion that can be broken. With this configuration, the second tether can be broken when the airbag cushion is inflated and deployed, and the first tether can be efficiently released.

  Another configuration of the curtain airbag device according to the present invention is an airbag cushion installed above the side window of the vehicle in a storage form elongated in the vehicle longitudinal direction by folding or winding in the vehicle vertical direction, An inflator that supplies gas to the airbag cushion, a cushion bracket that fixes the airbag cushion to the vehicle, and a predetermined pillar that is belt-shaped and that is further forward from the front end or rear end of the airbag cushion to the front end or further rearward of the front end And a second tether that is belt-shaped and extends from the first tether to the cushion bracket. In the state before the inflator is operated, the second tether Limiting the movement of one tether and preventing deformation of the storage form of the airbag cushion And features.

  The second tether is fastened to the cushion bracket by appropriately pulling the first tether before the inflator is operated, that is, during normal travel or before mounting the vehicle. This prevents the first tether from being pulled out of the storage-type airbag cushion and prevents deformation of the storage-type airbag cushion. Thereby, according to the said structure, the accommodation form of an airbag cushion can be hold | maintained and it can contribute to smoothness and speeding-up of an airbag cushion expansion | deployment. In addition, even before the airbag cushion is mounted on the vehicle, holding the airbag cushion in the storage form can contribute to facilitating transportation work and the like.

  The curtain airbag device may further include a tape that joins the second tether to the cushion bracket. The second tether can be suitably joined to the cushion bracket by the tape, and the second tether can be efficiently released when the airbag cushion is inflated and deployed.

  The second tether may have a fragile portion that can be broken. With this configuration, the second tether can be broken when the airbag cushion is inflated and deployed, and the first tether can be efficiently released.

  Said 2nd tether may be joined to the location exposed from the airbag cushion of a storage form among 1st tethers. By joining the second tether to the first tether at this location, the first tether can be efficiently pulled by the second tether.

  The 2nd tether may be joined to the part surrounded by the air bag cushion of a storage form among the 1st tethers. By joining the second tether to the first tether at this location, the first tether can be efficiently pulled by the second tether.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the curtain airbag apparatus which can maintain the storage form of an airbag cushion and can also aim at reduction of the passenger | crew's discharge | release amount outside a vehicle can be provided.

It is the figure which illustrated the curtain airbag apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view which expanded the front end vicinity of the cushion of the storage form of Fig.1 (a). It is the figure which expanded the front end of the cushion which carried out the expansion | deployment of FIG.1 (b). It is the figure which illustrated the conventional curtain airbag device provided only with the 1st tether. It is the figure which illustrated the 1st modification of 2nd tethers, such as Drawing 2. It is the figure which made the storage form the cushion of FIG. It is the figure which illustrated the 2nd modification of 2nd tethers, such as Drawing 2. It is the figure which illustrated the 3rd modification of 2nd tethers, such as Drawing 2.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values shown in the embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In the present specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not illustrated. To do.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a curtain airbag device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a view of the vehicle interior as viewed from the vehicle inner side in the vehicle width direction, and illustrates a state before the curtain airbag device 100 is operated. In the present embodiment, the curtain airbag device 100 is implemented for the right side wall of the vehicle body. In the present application, the expression “upper” indicates the vehicle ceiling direction as viewed from the point of interest, and the expression “lower” indicates the vehicle floor direction as viewed from the point of interest.

  FIG. 1A illustrates a state before an airbag cushion (hereinafter referred to as a cushion 102) is operated. The cushion 102 is wound from the lower side of the vehicle and is mounted on the roof side rail 104 on the upper side of the front side window 110 or the like in a roll-shaped storage form that is long in the vehicle front-rear direction. Usually, the roof side rail 104 is covered with a head lining (not shown) which is an interior material. The cushion 102 before operation is accommodated in the space inside the headlining, and is not visible from the passenger compartment. Therefore, it should be noted that even if there is an explanation “viewing the cushion 102 from the vehicle interior” in the text, the cushion 102 that is originally invisible from the vehicle interior is visualized by omitting the headlining. The storage form of the cushion 102 can also be realized by folding it in a bellows shape from below the vehicle.

  The curtain airbag 100 includes an inflator 106, which is a gas generator, on an upper portion of the cushion 102. The cushion 102 is inflated by the pressure of the gas supplied from the inflator 106 to restrain the occupant. The inflator 106 employed in this embodiment is a cylinder type and has a long cylindrical shape. Inflators that are currently popular are types that are filled with a gas generating agent and burn it to generate gas, types that are filled with compressed gas and supply gas without generating heat, and There are types including both a gas generating agent and a compressed gas. Any type of inflator 106 can be used.

  FIG.1 (b) is the figure which illustrated the mode after the expansion | deployment expansion | deployment of the cushion 102 of Fig.1 (a). When a side collision or rollover (rollover) occurs in the vehicle 108, a sensor (not shown) provided in the vehicle 108 first detects an impact, and a signal is transmitted to the inflator 106 due to this. Upon receiving this signal, the inflator 106 operates and supplies gas to the cushion 102. When the gas from the inflator 106 is received, the cushion 102 expands and develops downward along the side wall of the vehicle body (such as the front side window 110 in FIG. 1A) to restrain the occupant.

  The cushion 102 is for a curtain airbag and has a large shape that can expand along the side surface of the vehicle interior. The cushion 102 is formed into a bag shape by sewing and bonding two base fabrics constituting the surface thereof, sewing or bonding using OPW (One-Piece Woven).

  The inflating region of the cushion 102 is partitioned into a plurality of chambers in consideration of the position where the occupant can come into contact. For example, a front chamber 114 that protects an occupant of the front seat 112 is provided on the front side of the vehicle, and a rear chamber 120 that protects an occupant of the rear seat 118 is provided on the rear side of the vehicle. In some cases, a linear non-inflatable region is provided to divide the chamber into smaller chambers.

  A plurality of cushion brackets 122 are provided at various locations on the upper edge of the cushion 102 as an attachment portion of the cushion 102 to the vehicle. The cushion bracket 122 is mainly a metal member, and is fixed to the roof side rail 104 with a bolt or the like. The cushion bracket 122 is attached to the cushion 102 via, for example, a strip-shaped tab 124 (see FIG. 3) provided on the cushion 102.

  A belt-shaped first tether 126 is provided at the front end of the cushion 102 on the vehicle front side. The first tether 126 is a member that connects the cushion 102 to the front pillar 105. The first tether 126 functions to stabilize the deployment behavior by suppressing the swinging of the cushion 102 when the cushion 102 is inflated and deployed. It has the function of reducing the amount of passengers released from the vehicle by applying appropriate tension.

  In the present embodiment, two tethers (the first tether 126 and the second tether 128) are provided, whereby both the holding state of the cushion 102 and the reduction of the amount of passengers released from the vehicle are achieved. I am trying. Hereinafter, a further configuration of the curtain airbag device 100 will be described focusing on each tether.

  FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the front end of the cushion 102 in the storage configuration of FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the second tether 128 is joined to the middle portion (region E <b> 1) of the first tether 126. The second tether 128 is a band-shaped member, and extends from the first tether 126 to the outer surface of the cushion 102 in the storage form.

  The second tether 128 holds the first tether 126 on the cushion 102 in the storage form by appropriately pulling the first tether 126 before the inflator 106 is operated, that is, during normal travel or before vehicle installation. This prevents the first tether 126 from being pulled out of the storage-type cushion 102 and prevents the storage-type cushion 102 from being deformed.

  The second tether 128 is joined to the outer surface of the storage-type cushion 102 with a tape 130. The tape 130 fastens the second tether 128 to the cushion 102 by an adhesive force or the like, and when the cushion 102 is inflated and deployed, the tape 130 is peeled off or broken to efficiently release the second tether 128.

  FIG. 2B is a diagram in which the tape 130 of FIG. 2A is omitted. The second tether 128 is joined to the region E1 of the first tether 126 exposed from the cushion 102 in the storage form by sewing. As a result, the second tether 128 efficiently pulls the first tether 126 and holds it to the cushion 102.

  In the present embodiment, in the state before the inflator 106 is operated, even if the first tether 126 is pulled, the second tether 128 is tensioned so that the first tether 126 is pulled back appropriately. As a result, the movement of the first tether 126 can be limited, and deformation of the storage form of the cushion 102 can be prevented.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a conventional curtain airbag device 10 having only the first tether 16. When the first tether 16 is pulled from the storage-type cushion 12, the front end of the cushion 12 is pulled out, and a helical deformation 14 occurs in the storage form of the cushion 12. If such deformation 14 occurs, there is a possibility that the deployment behavior of the cushion 12 may be affected, which is not preferable. Further, if the deformation 14 occurs before the cushion 12 is attached to the vehicle, there is a possibility that proper attachment to the vehicle cannot be performed due to the change in dimensions.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the first tether 126 is appropriately pulled by the second tether 128 before the inflator 106 is operated, i.e., during normal travel or before the vehicle is attached, and is held on the cushion 102 in the storage form. This prevents the first tether 126 from being pulled out of the storage-type cushion 102 and prevents the storage-type cushion 102 from being deformed. Therefore, the storage form of the cushion 102 can be maintained, which can contribute to smooth and quick expansion and expansion of the cushion 102. Even before the cushion 102 is mounted on the vehicle, holding the cushion 102 in the storage form can contribute to facilitating the mounting work and the transporting work.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the front end 132 of the inflated and deployed cushion 102 in FIG. The first tether 126 is joined to a portion of the front end 132 of the cushion 102 near the center in the vehicle vertical direction and slightly below by sewing. Then, the first tether 126 is passed over the front pillar 105 (see FIG. 1B) further forward of the front end of the cushion 102.

  As described with reference to FIG. 2A and the like, in the present embodiment, the second tether 128 fastens the first tether 126 to the cushion 102. Therefore, even if the first tether 126 is set to be longer than the conventional one, the first tether 126 can be efficiently stored in the vehicle by being fastened by the second tether 128. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the degree of freedom for setting the length and the like of the first tether 126 is increased. For example, the first tether 126 can be set to a length that allows an appropriate tension to be applied to the cushion 102 when the occupant is restrained, and the amount of the occupant released from the vehicle can be suppressed. In addition, in a recent vehicle, a narrow front pillar or the like employed for the purpose of improving the forward visibility is preferably installed by collecting the first tether 126 and fastening it with the second tether 128. be able to.

  In the present embodiment, the first tether 126 is implemented on the front end side of the cushion 102. However, the first tether 126 is a predetermined pillar (for example, the rear pillar 107 () on the rear end and the rear end of the cushion 102. It is also possible to cross over (see FIG. 1 (b)).

(First modification)
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a first modification of the second tether 128 shown in FIG. Henceforth, about the same component as already demonstrated, the description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol. In addition, components having the same names as the components already described have the same functions unless otherwise specified even if they are given different reference numerals.

  The second tether 150 of the first modified example is overlapped and joined together by sewing together with a joint portion (region E2) with the front end 132 of the cushion 102 in the first tether 126.

  FIG. 6 is a view in which the cushion 102 of FIG. 5 is stored. As illustrated in FIG. 6A, the region E2 (see FIG. 5) of the first tether 126 to which the second tether 150 is joined is surrounded by the cushion 102 in the storage form. As illustrated in FIG. 6B, the second tether 150 is also joined to the outer surface of the cushion 102 in the storage form by the tape 130. The second tether 150 can also exert the same operations and effects as the second tether 128 illustrated in FIG. 2 and the like by appropriately pulling the first tether 126 and fastening it to the cushion 102.

(Second modification)
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a second modification of the second tether 128 of FIG. The second tether 160 of the second modified example is joined to the cushion bracket 122 by the tape 162 instead of the outer surface of the cushion 102.

  The tape 162 holds the second tether 160 to the cushion 102 by adhesive force or the like. Then, when the cushion 102 is inflated and deployed, a force is received through the second tether 160, and the second tether 160 is opened by causing peeling or breaking.

  The second tether 160 appropriately pulls the first tether 126 to the cushion bracket 122 before the inflator 106 is operated, that is, during normal travel before the vehicle 108 (see FIG. 1A, etc.) is subjected to an impact. It is fastened. Accordingly, the first tether 126 is prevented from being pulled out from the cushion 102 in the storage form, and the storage form of the cushion 102 is prevented from being deformed. Even with the configuration including the second tether 160 and the tape 162, it is possible to exhibit the same operations and effects as the second tether 160 illustrated in FIG.

(Third Modification)
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a third modification of the second tether 160 of FIG. The second tether 170 of the third modified example is different in configuration from the above-described second tethers in that it has a fragile portion 172.

  The weak part 172 is a part having a weaker structure than other parts, and can be implemented as a slit provided in a broken line shape, for example. As illustrated in FIG. 8B, by providing the weakened portion 172, the second tether 170 is broken when the cushion 102 is inflated and deployed, and the first tether 126 can be efficiently released. Therefore, the second tether 170 can also suitably exhibit the same operations and effects as the second tether 170 illustrated in FIG. 2 and the like. The fragile portion 172 can be implemented in any of the second tethers described above.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the embodiments described above are preferred examples of the present invention, and other embodiments can be implemented by various methods. Can be carried out. The invention is not limited to the detailed shape, size, configuration, and the like of the components shown in the accompanying drawings unless otherwise specified in the present specification. In addition, expressions and terms used in the present specification are for the purpose of explanation, and are not limited thereto unless otherwise specified.

  Therefore, it is obvious for those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be conceived within the scope of the claims, and these naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention. It is understood.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for a curtain airbag device that inflates and deploys along a side surface in a vehicle compartment for the purpose of protecting an occupant during a vehicle side collision or rollover (rollover).

E1 ... A region in the middle of the first tether, E2 ... A region of a joint portion of the first tether to the cushion, 10 ... Conventional curtain airbag device, 12 ... Cushion, 14 ... Deformation, 16 ... First tether, 100 ... Curtain airbag device, 102 ... cushion, 104 ... roof side rail, 105 ... front pillar, 106 ... inflator, 107 ... rear pillar, 108 ... vehicle, 110 ... front side window, 112 ... front seat, 114 ... front chamber, 118 ... rear seat, 120 ... rear chamber, 122 ... cushion bracket, 124 ... tab, 126 ... first tether, 128 ... second tether, 130 ... tape, 132 ... front end of cushion, 150 ... second tether of the first modification 160, second tether of the second modification, 162, tape, 170, third modification. The second tether, 172 ... fragile portion of

Claims (8)

An airbag cushion installed above the side window of the vehicle in a storage form elongated in the vehicle longitudinal direction by folding or winding in the vehicle vertical direction;
An inflator for supplying gas to the airbag cushion;
A first tether that is belt-shaped and spans from a front end or a rear end of the airbag cushion to a predetermined pillar further forward of the front end or further rearward of the rear end;
A second tether that is belt-shaped and spans from the first tether to the outer surface of the airbag cushion of the storage configuration;
With
The curtain airbag device according to claim 1, wherein in a state before the inflator is operated, the movement of the first tether is restricted by the tension of the second tether to prevent deformation of the storage form of the airbag cushion. The curtain airbag device further includes
The curtain airbag device according to claim 1, further comprising: a tape that joins the second tether to an outer surface of the airbag cushion of the storage configuration.   The curtain airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the second tether has a breakable weak portion. An airbag cushion installed above the side window of the vehicle in a storage form elongated in the vehicle longitudinal direction by folding or winding in the vehicle vertical direction;
An inflator for supplying gas to the airbag cushion;
A cushion bracket for fixing the airbag cushion to the vehicle;
A first tether that is belt-shaped and spans from a front end or a rear end of the airbag cushion to a predetermined pillar further forward of the front end or further rearward of the rear end;
A second tether that is belt-shaped and spans from the first tether to the cushion bracket;
With
The curtain airbag device according to claim 1, wherein in a state before the inflator is operated, the movement of the first tether is restricted by the tension of the second tether to prevent deformation of the storage form of the airbag cushion. The curtain airbag device further includes
The curtain airbag device according to claim 4, further comprising a tape that joins the second tether to the cushion bracket.   The curtain airbag device according to claim 4, wherein the second tether has a breakable weak portion.   The curtain air according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second tether is joined to a portion of the first tether exposed from the airbag cushion in the storage form. Bag device.   The curtain air according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second tether is joined to a portion of the first tether surrounded by the airbag cushion of the storage form. Bag device.

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