JPH06211098A - Ignition mechanism of air bag device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To operate an inflator completely by making the second wiring conductive at the time of collision. CONSTITUTION:The first wiring 15 which operates an inflator by passing electric current through a squib at the time of collision, and the second wiring 16 under a non-conductive condition in a normal state are mounted respectively. In the second wiring 16, a pair of electrodes 16a, 17a which are made conductive by the deformation or movement of a side door 11 at the time of collision are opposingly-arranged at the lower side of the side door 11 and a side sill 5 on the vehicle body side.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an inflator ignition mechanism for inflating an airbag of an airbag device which protects an occupant from a secondary collision when a vehicle collides.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in the case of a side collision of a vehicle, an airbag of a side airbag device that protects an occupant from a secondary collision by inflating and deploying between a side wall of a passenger compartment and the occupant is It is generally housed in a case together with an inflator for inflating the same, and is housed in a side door facing the vehicle compartment, an armrest, or the like.

An acceleration sensor for detecting a vehicle collision is, for example, in the floor pan 2 of the monocoque body 1 in the airbag device described in the specification attached to the application of Japanese Patent Application No. 4-10124. On the floor tunnel 3 formed substantially on the center line of the vehicle body, and at right angles to the center line of the vehicle body so as to join the side sills 5, 5 formed on both sides of the floor pan 2 substantially parallel to the floor tunnel 3. One acceleration sensor 7 is provided at a position where the axes of the cross members 6 and 6 provided in the intersection.

The acceleration sensor 7 detects an input of a load larger than a predetermined value from the right side or the left side of the vehicle body, detects which side of the vehicle body is collided with a single collision sensor, and detects the acceleration of the vehicle body. Inflator squib (electric detonator) of airbag device installed in the input direction
An electric current is applied to the inflator to ignite the gas generating agent contained in the inflator, and the side airbag is inflated by the generated gas, which is inflated between the passenger and the side wall of the passenger compartment,
Protects passengers from secondary collisions.

[0005]

However, when the acceleration sensor 7 is installed on the floor tunnel 3 on the vehicle body side and the airbag and the inflator are arranged in the side door, as in the side airbag device described above. As shown in FIG. 12, when the acceleration sensor 7 detects a collision, a current is passed through the squib of the inflator 9 to ignite the gas generating agent. Therefore, the acceleration sensor 7 on the vehicle body side and the inside of the side door 8 are The electric wire W needs to be connected to the inflator 9 (see FIG. 12). Therefore, conventionally, the wiring from the acceleration sensor 7 is bridged from the vehicle body side to the side door side in the vicinity of the hinge of the side door 8 which is the least moved when the door is opened and closed, and is housed in the side door 8 together with the airbag 10. It was connected to the inflator 9.

Therefore, the vehicle body and the side doors 8 attached to the vehicle body by hinges so as to be opened and closed.
Since the electric wire W is laid across the vehicle, for example, when another vehicle collides with the outside of the side door 8,
When the side door 8 is deformed or moved due to a collision load, for example, the electric wire W may be caught between the side door 8 and the vehicle body side and cut. To prevent this, the electric wire W itself has been conventionally used to prevent this. There was a structure to protect the. However, in the case where the structure that strongly protects the electric wire W itself is used, there is a problem that the burden of cost, space, weight, etc. increases.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. It is possible to surely ignite a current by flowing a current through a squib of an inflator without a structure that strongly protects the first wiring by a load at the time of collision. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ignition mechanism for an airbag device that can be used.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION As a means for solving the above problems, the present invention provides a collision in an ignition mechanism of an airbag device for energizing a squib of an inflator to ignite a gas generating agent in the inflator. When the sensor detects a collision, a first wiring that constantly connects the collision sensor and the squib so that an ignition current flows through the squib, and a contact that also connects the collision sensor and the squib and that is closed at the time of the collision is interposed. And a second wiring which is provided and causes the ignition current from the collision sensor to flow to the squib by closing the contact at the time of collision.

[0009]

As described above, between the squib of the inflator of the airbag device and the same collision sensor, the contactless first wiring which is always in continuity and the contact which is closed at the time of collision are provided. Since the second wire of the contact is connected,
At the time of a collision, the second wiring also conducts, and a current flows from the collision sensor to the squib even through the second wiring, so that the gas generating agent is surely ignited.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments in which the ignition mechanism of the present invention is applied to the ignition mechanism of a side airbag device will be described below with reference to FIGS.
A description will be given based on 0.

1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the present invention, in which a side airbag module 12 in which an airbag and an inflator are integrally housed in a case is provided in a side door 11 of a vehicle. It is fixedly attached to the panel. Further, on the vehicle body side, an acceleration sensor 13 is provided in a rigid body portion such as a floor tunnel. The acceleration sensor 13 and the squib 12a of the inflator provided on the side door 11 side place the side door 11 on the vehicle body side. In the vicinity of the door hinges 14, 14 that are attached so as to be openable and closable, they are connected by a first wiring 15 that is bridged to the side door 11 side.

Further, a pair of electrodes 16a and 17 are disposed to face the side door 11 and the side sill 5 located below the side door 11 in a closed state so as to face each other in a normally non-conductive state. The other ends of the second wiring 16 having one ends connected to the acceleration sensor 13 and the squib 12a of the inflator are connected to the electrodes 16a and 17, respectively. One of the electrodes 16a is formed in a columnar shape having a circular flange 16b for preventing it from coming off at its lower end, and the circular flange 16b at the lower end and the cylindrical portion are substantially perpendicular to the lower portion of the side door 11. And is electrically insulated and attached to the side door 11. The other electrode 17 is made of a steel plate bent in a hat-shaped cross section, and has an insulating material 1 on the upper surface of the side sill 5.
7a, a circular flange 16b of the electrode 16a is fitted on the lower side, and a U-shaped cutout 17b with which the cylindrical portion of the electrode 16a is engaged is provided. The electrode 16 with the door 11 closed
It is provided so as to be near the vehicle interior side of a. Then, when the side door 11 moves in the vehicle interior direction (leftward in FIG. 3) due to the load applied at the time of a vehicle collision, the electrode 16a on the side door 11 side fits into this electrode 17 on the side sill 5 side to conduct electricity. It is provided to do. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 18 is a safety sensor that prevents the airbag from being unnecessarily deployed.

Next, the operation of this embodiment configured as described above will be explained. When the vehicle collides, the acceleration sensor 13
Detects an acceleration of a predetermined value or more, an ignition current flows through the squib 12a of the inflator via the first wiring 15,
The airbag is inflated by the gas generated from the ignited gas generating agent.

Further, in the ignition mechanism of this embodiment,
A second wiring 16 is provided in addition to the first wiring 15 extending from the vehicle body side to the front portion of the side door 11 near the door hinge 14.

The second wiring 16 includes the side sill 5 on the vehicle body side and the side door 1 at a portion corresponding to the side sill 5.
A pair of electrodes 16a and 17 are provided in the lower part of 1 in a non-conducting state in a normal state, and when the side door 11 is pushed toward the vehicle interior side at the time of a collision, a columnar shape is provided on the side door 11 side. The electrode 16a is U of the electrode 17 on the side sill 5 side.
The circular flange 16b at the tip of the electrode 16a is engaged with the peripheral edge of the U-shaped notch 17b of the electrode 17 to prevent the electrode 16a from coming off while being fitted into the U-shaped notch 17b.
Even if the movement amount of the side door 11 further increases after a and 17 are engaged, the conductive state is maintained.

As described above, in this embodiment, the first wiring is used as the wiring for connecting the acceleration sensor 3 on the vehicle body side and the squib 12a of the inflator on the side door 11 side and passing a current for igniting the inflator in the event of a collision. In addition to 15, since the pair of electrodes 16a and 17 are electrically connected at the time of collision and the second wiring 16 having a structure in which an ignition current flows is provided, the electrodes 16a and 17 may be in a non-conductive state in a normal state. The amount of movement when opening and closing 11 is large, wiring can be made even in places where normal wiring connection is not possible, and the opening and closing operation of the side door 11 is not hindered, and there is no hindrance to passengers getting on and off. Further, by increasing the attachment strength of the electrode 16a to the side door 11 and the attachment strength of the electrode 17 to the side sill 5, it is possible to reduce the amount of entry of the side door 11 into the vehicle compartment at the time of a vehicle side collision.

5 to 10 show a second embodiment of the present invention.
In the first embodiment, in place of the second wiring laid between the side sill and the lower surface of the side door, a pair of a center pillar and a rear portion of the side door are electrically connected in a collision. The electrodes are arranged to face each other and will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Inside the side door 21 of the vehicle, a side air bag module 22 in which an air bag and an inflator are integrally housed is attached. An acceleration sensor 23 is provided on the floor tunnel on the vehicle body side. Then, the acceleration sensor 23 and the side door 21
The squib of the inflator of the airbag module 22 provided on the side of the side door 21 is provided near the door hinges 24, 24 that openably and closably attach the side door 21 to the side of the vehicle body by the first wiring 25 bridged to the side door 21 side. It is connected.

Further, the side door 21 and the center pillar 20 positioned behind the side door 21 in the closed state.
Is a second connection that connects the acceleration sensor 23 and the squib 22a of the inflator in a normally non-conducting state.
The wiring 26 is provided. A socket 27 and a plug 28 that fits into the socket 27 are provided in the middle of the second wiring 26.
Are normally separated and provided in a non-conductive state.

The socket 27 is provided with a conductive material 27b on the inner side of a half-spindle outer shell 27a made of an insulating material.
And a semi-spindle-shaped end on the large diameter side is formed with a recess 27c formed by shaving a conductive material in a mortar shape. Further, the plug 28 is fitted in the center of the bottom of the recess 27c. A mating conical fitting hole 27d is formed. Further, a retaining engagement portion 27e is provided at the back of the fitting hole 27d.
Is formed in an annular shape, and the second wiring 26 connected to the conductive member inside extends from the end on the small diameter side of the semi-spindle shape.

On the other hand, the plug 28 has a conical shape made of an insulating material formed in a shape to be fitted in the fitting hole 27d on the socket 27 side, and has a pointed portion made of a conductive material at its tip. Shaped terminal 28a is provided, and the second end connected to the arrow-head shaped terminal 28a from the end on the large diameter side.
The wiring 26 extends.

As shown in FIG. 8, the semi-spindle type socket 27 is attached to the outside of the center pillar 20 on the vehicle body, that is, to the door stop of the sighted door 21 so that the small diameter end can be pivoted. . Also, the plug 28
It is provided on the rear side of the side door 21 at a position facing the socket 27 on the side of the center pillar 20 when the door is closed and supported by a side impact beam 29 arranged in the door. In the side door 21
When the plug is closed, the plug 28 is separated from the socket 27 and is kept in a non-conductive state.

Next, the operation of this embodiment configured as described above will be explained. In the event of a vehicle collision, the acceleration sensor 23
When the acceleration greater than or equal to a predetermined value is detected, an ignition current flows through the squib of the inflator of the airbag module 22 provided in the side door 21 via the first wiring 25 to ignite the gas generating agent in the inflator, The air bag is inflated by the generated gas.

The ignition mechanism of this embodiment is provided with a second wiring 26 in addition to the first wiring 25 extending from the vehicle body side to the front portion of the side door 21 near the door hinge 24. In the center pillar 20 and the rear portion of the side door 21 corresponding to the center pillar 20, a pair of non-conductive sockets 27 and plugs 28 are provided outside the side door 21 as shown in FIG. When another vehicle collides with (on the lower side in FIG. 9) and a load is applied, the side door 21 is deformed and pushed toward the inside of the vehicle compartment, and as a result, the plug 28 provided on the side door 21 side is pushed toward the center. Pillar 2
It moves in the direction of the fitting hole 27d of the socket 27 on the 0 side.
The barbed terminal 28a of the plug 28 is guided by the inner surface of the mortar-shaped recess 27c of the socket 27 and inserted into the central fitting hole 27d to conduct electricity, and the return claw (reverse hook) of the barbed terminal 28a. Is engaged with the retaining engagement portion 27e in the fitting hole 27d and prevented from coming off, and once fitted, the conducting state is maintained without coming off. Therefore, when the acceleration sensor 23 detects an acceleration equal to or higher than a predetermined value, a current flows through the squib of the inflator to ignite due to the generated second gas in addition to the first wire, and the air bag is inflated by the generated gas. To do.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, when the collision load is large and the amount of entry in the vehicle interior direction (upward in FIG. 10) is even greater, the plug 28 along with the side impact beam 29 entering the vehicle interior is installed. The socket 27 into which the plug 28 is fitted is drawn in toward the passenger compartment,
By oscillating in the clockwise direction in FIG. 10 with the attachment portion to the center pillar 20 as a fulcrum, breakage of the second wiring 26 is prevented. Therefore, the second wiring 26
An electric current flows through the squib of the inflator via the air, and the airbag is inflated by the generated gas.

As described above, the acceleration sensor 23 on the vehicle body side and the squib of the inflator on the side door 21 side are connected to each other as a wiring for supplying a current for igniting the inflator in the event of a collision, in addition to the first wiring 25. Since the second wiring 26 having a structure in which the socket 27 and the plug 28 are electrically connected at the time of collision and an ignition current flows, the socket 27 and the plug 28 may be in a non-conductive state in a normal state. The amount of movement at the time of opening and closing is large, wiring can be made even at locations where normal wiring connection is not possible, and the opening and closing operation of the side door 21 is not hindered.

In both of the above-mentioned embodiments, the case where the ignition mechanism is applied to the ignition mechanism of the side airbag device has been described, but it is also applied to the ignition mechanism of the airbag device for a frontal collision in a similar manner. can do.

[0028]

As described above, the ignition mechanism of the airbag device according to the present invention has the first structure in which the collision sensor and the squib are always connected so that an ignition current is supplied to the squib when the collision sensor detects a collision. A wire and a second wire that also connects the collision sensor and the squib, and that is provided with a contact that closes at the time of collision, and that causes the ignition current from the collision sensor to flow to the squib by closing the contact at the time of collision. Therefore, even if the first wiring is cut at the time of a collision, it is possible to cause a current to flow through the second wiring and operate the inflator.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an ignition mechanism according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a wiring diagram of the ignition mechanism of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts showing an arrangement state of non-conductive electrodes of the second wiring in the ignition mechanism of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an essential part showing the principle of conducting a second wiring in the case of a collision in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram of an ignition mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a pair of sockets and plugs that conduct electricity in the event of a collision in the second embodiment.

7 is a cross-sectional side view of the socket and plug of FIG.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a mounted state of sockets and plugs in the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a conduction state of the second wiring at the time of collision in the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the swinging motion of the socket at the time of a collision in the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of acceleration sensors for an airbag device.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of electric wiring in a conventional airbag device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 Side Door 12a Squib 13 Accelerometer 14 Door Hinge 15 First Wiring 16 Second Wiring 16a Electrode 17 Electrode 22 Airbag Module 23 Accelerometer 25 First Wiring 26 Second Wiring 27 Socket 28 Plug 29 Side Impact Beam

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In an ignition mechanism of an airbag device for energizing a squib of an inflator to ignite a gas generating agent in the inflator, when the collision sensor detects a collision, the collision current is passed to the squib. A first wiring that constantly connects the sensor and the squib and a contact that also connects the collision sensor and the squib and that closes at the time of collision are provided. By closing the contact at the time of collision, the ignition current from the collision sensor is reduced. An ignition mechanism for an airbag device, comprising: a second wiring flowing to a squib.