JP2002240674A - Head protecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a head protecting device which assures a uniform inflating flow, does not hinder quick inflation, and allows preservation of the form of the inflation process. SOLUTION: The head protecting device is structured so that a bag 9 is installed on a roof side and is inflated downward at a vehicle collision by actuating an inflator 11 in conformity to the signal given by an acceleration sensor, and thereby the seat occupant is protected. The bag 9 is equipped with a plurality of cells 23-1, 2, 3 and 24-1, 2, 3 extending radially, and the gas from the inflator 11 flows into the cells 23-1, 2, 3 or 24-1, 2, 3. This constitution assures uniformity of gas flow, which suppresses the detriment of quick inflation effectively and assures good applicability as side air bag for wide application area.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a head protection device (head protection airbag), and more particularly, to a head protection device disposed at an opening of a door to protect an occupant's head in a side collision. Related to the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Airbags are widely used to protect occupants in a small cabin space. As the airbag, a frontal collision airbag and a side collision airbag are known. The installation of a side collision airbag is important together with a frontal collision airbag. As a side collision airbag, for example, a side airbag attached to a seat back to protect the body of a front seat occupant and the body of a rear seat occupant in a side collision, and a front airbag and a rear seat occupant 2. Description of the Related Art A head protection device that protects a head in a side collision is known. Such a head protection device is disposed at the side of the ceiling of the vehicle body when not in operation, and is extended downward in a curtain shape along the vehicle body inner surface in a wide area of both the front door area and the rear door area during operation. An inflatable inflation bag is provided on the roof side in the area around the opening of the door. Japanese Patent No. 3082140 discloses an inflation bag in which the internal space is divided into compartments and cells so that inflation-like expansion can be smoothly performed over a wide area. As shown in FIG. 8, the inflatable bag 101 is unfolded long in the front and rear directions. Expansion bag 10
A gas flow path 102 extending in the horizontal direction is formed in the internal space of the first gas turbine. The gas flow path 102 is divided and connected to a plurality of gas distribution paths 103 which are substantially orthogonal to the gas flow path 102 and flow downward. Each of the plurality of gas distribution channels 103 is formed into a private room by a partition cloth 104. Such a single chamber has the advantage of preserving the shape of the expansion process and increasing the efficiency of absorbing impact energy.

[0003] Such a multi-compartment has the effect of effectively limiting the lateral expansion width of the inflation bag 101 when inflated and increasing the impact energy absorption efficiency. 103 provides an unpredictable resistance to the inflationary flow diffusion, which may cause the wake to overtake the wake, and hinders rapid expansion.

It is desirable that the inflation flow be more uniform throughout and not hinder rapid expansion.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a head protection device in which the inflation flow becomes more uniform and does not hinder rapid expansion.

[0006]

Means for solving the problem are described as follows. The technical items appearing in the expression are appended with numbers, symbols, and the like in parentheses (). The numbers, symbols, and the like are technical items that constitute at least one embodiment or a plurality of the embodiments of the present invention, in particular, the embodiments or the examples. Corresponds to the reference numerals, reference symbols, and the like assigned to the technical matters expressed in the drawings corresponding to the above. Such reference numbers and reference symbols clarify the correspondence and bridging between the technical matters described in the claims and the technical matters of the embodiments or examples. Such correspondence / bridge does not mean that the technical matters described in the claims are interpreted as being limited to the technical matters of the embodiments or the examples.

In the head protection device according to the present invention, a bag (9) is provided on the roof side, and when a vehicle collides, an inflator (11) is ignited in response to a signal from an acceleration sensor (not shown). In this manner, in the head protection device for protecting the occupant by deploying the bag (9) downward, a plurality of cells (23-
1, 2, 3 or 24-1, 2, 3)
Gas from the inflator (11) is applied to these cells (23
-1, 2, 3 or 24-1, 2, 3).

The bag (9), into which the high-pressure gas discharged from the inflator (11) is introduced and inflated and expanded, has a plurality of cells (23-1, 2, 3, 24-) formed therein.
A plurality of flow paths are formed by (1, 2, 3). The plurality of flow paths are formed in a radial direction from a common area where a high pressure is introduced. The common zone is formed as a region between the radiation center line (18) or the radiation center point (19) and the quadrant surface (21 or 22), and this region is maintained widely, and the gas inflow at the beginning of expansion is maintained. Maintain the cross-sectional area properly and protect the area from tearing. The plurality of flow paths may be sewn or separated (2
3-1-3 or 24-1-3). The radiating flow path is compatible with gas diffusivity, does not suppress the rate of diffusion, and preserves the overall shape of the expansion process.

The bag (9) has a front part (15) and a rear part (13), and the plurality of flow paths are formed by the rear part (13).
And the front part (15) are respectively formed, and are preferably configured in a wide area. In this case, the inflator (1
1) includes a first inflator (11-1) and a second inflator (11-2), and the first inflator (11-).
1) corresponds to the rear part (13), the second inflator (11-2) corresponds to the front part (15), and allows simultaneous deployment of the front part (15) and the rear part (13).

The radiation direction can be formed by a combination of a front oblique direction, a rear oblique direction, and a direct downward direction, and the combination of the directions is determined by a single / plural arrangement relationship of the inflator (11), a wide area / a narrow area. It is designed appropriately according to the development. The formation of a plurality of flow paths is possible by partial compartmentalization.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Corresponding to the drawings, an embodiment of a head protection device according to the present invention is provided on a side surface of an automobile body to protect an occupant from a side impact. As shown in FIG. 1, the automobile 1 has a front seat 2
And a rear seat 3. A front door 4 and a rear door 5 are arranged beside the front seat 2 and the rear seat 3. A head protection device according to the present invention is provided between the front pillar 6 and the rear pillar 7 on the roof side defining a ceiling side line along the upper edge of each of the window glasses of the front door 4 and the rear door 5. 10 are arranged. An area 8 indicated by a one-dot chain line frame in FIG. 5 shows an operation area that develops in a curtain shape from top to bottom along a wide area of the vehicle including the vehicle.

FIG. 3 shows an expanded state of the inflation bag 9 which is a main part of the head protection device 10. Head protection device 1
Reference numeral 0 denotes an inflatable bag 9 and an inflator 11. The inflation bag 9 includes a gas inflow portion 12, a rear inflation portion 13, a non-inflation portion 14, and a front inflation portion 15. The non-expandable portion 14 is a connection cloth that connects the rear inflatable front surface portion 16 b of the rear inflatable portion 13 and the rear inflated rear surface portion 16 f of the front inflatable portion 15. The separation distance between the side expansion front portion 16b can be regulated to a constant value. Front side inflation part 15
The front-side inflatable front portion 1d is provided with a triangular shape regulating cloth 14-a that expands forward when inflated.
6d is formed integrally. The shape regulating cloth 14-a is
The shape of the front-side inflatable portion 15 at the time of inflation can be regulated and held constant. A triangular shape regulating cloth 14-b that expands rearward when inflated is formed integrally with the front inflated rear surface of the rear inflatable portion 13 at the front inflated rear surface. The shape regulating cloth 14-b is used for the rear inflatable portion 13 when inflated.
Can be regulated and held constant. The gas discharge port of the rear end inflator 11 is joined to the gas inflow section 12, and the working gas rapidly generated therein is supplied to the gas inflow section 12.
Supply instantaneously. The internal space of the gas inflow section 12 is continuous with the internal space of the rear expansion section 13. The internal space of the rear inflatable portion 13 is continuous with the internal space of the front inflatable portion 15 via a linear communication flow path 17 whose length is defined by the non-inflatable portion 14. The inflator 11 forms a single space inside.

[0013] Such an internal space is sewn into a bag shape,
Alternatively, it is formed of a base fabric 16 woven seamlessly (such as jacquard weave). For example, the final shape in the inflated state shown in FIG.
Sewing line, shape regulating cloth 14-a, and shape regulating cloth 14
-B, and the inflatable bag 9 stores its final shape in the contracted state, and physically has a type of shape memory. The inflation bag 9 swells in a drum-like shape when viewed from the side.

FIG. 3 shows a cell pattern for dividing the internal space formed by the base cloth 16 into compartments. Rear inflatable part 13
, An upper edge portion of the inner space of the front inflatable portion 15, a linear communication flow path 17 connecting the inner space of the rear inflatable portion 13 and the inner space of the front inflatable portion 15, Form one continuous linear gas flow path inflated. FIG. 3 shows two virtual lines and two virtual quadrant cylindrical surfaces. The rear virtual line 18 is a central axis H of the linear gas flow path.
L is set at the front end of the gas inflow section 12 in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction, and the front virtual line 19 is set in the front end of the linear communication flow path 17 so as to be orthogonal to the central axis HL of the linear gas flow path in the horizontal direction. I have. The rear-side virtual quadrant cylindrical surface 21 is the rear-side inflated portion 1
3 is set in the internal space at the time of expansion, and the back virtual line 18 is the center line thereof. Front virtual quadrant cylindrical surface 22
Is set in the internal space when the front inflatable portion 15 is inflated, and the front virtual line 19 is the center line.

In the inner space of the base cloth 16 when the base cloth 16 is inflated, a plurality of rear-side radial rectifying cloths 23-1, 2, and 3 are stitched to both side forming portions of the base cloth 16 by sewing. The rear-side plural radial rectifying cloths 23-1, 2, and 3 are connected to the linear gas flow path 17.
Has an appropriate width in the horizontal direction orthogonal to
The minimum expansion width of 3 is defined by the width. The front-side plural radial rectifying cloths 24-1, 2, 3 have an appropriate width in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the linear gas flow path 17, and the minimum expansion width of the front-side expansion portion 15 is defined by the width. .

The rear side plural radial rectifying cloths 23-1, 2, 23-2
3 is located on the rear virtual quadrant cylindrical surface 21 and is sewn to the both surface forming portions of the base cloth 16, and each other end of the rear multiple radial rectifying cloths 23-1, 2, and 3 is provided. The end is sewn to the inflatable end cloth portion of the rear inflatable portion 13 of the base cloth 16. Rear side multiple radial rectifying cloth 23-
1, 2 and 3 respectively indicate the rear virtual line 18 when inflated.
Is extended in the radial direction with the radiation center line as. In particular, the other end of the first rear radial rectifying cloth 23-1 is sewn to the rear expansion lower surface 16a of the rear expansion section 13,
The other end portions of the second and third rear radial rectifying cloths 23-2 and 3 are sewn to the rear expanding front portion 16b of the rear expanding portion 13. Rear-side plural radial rectifying cloths 23-1, 2, 2
3 are provided with an appropriate angular interval based on the rear virtual line 18 (center).

An appropriate angular interval is also provided between the first rear radial rectifying cloth 23-1 and the rear expanding rear surface 16e of the rear expanding section 13. It is preferable that the angle between adjacent effective center lines of the plurality of flow paths be equal or substantially equal. Each branch flowing into each flow path orthogonal to the quadrant cylindrical surface does not lose its rectifying property, but becomes stronger and diffuses in the radial direction. In the area inside the quarter cylinder formed by the quarter cylinder surface, the cloth is present, the portion which is rapidly developed from the folded state is prevented from being broken, and the cross-sectional area of the gas inflow path is appropriate. It is kept at a suitable size.

The front-side plural radial rectifying cloths 24-1, 2-
3 is sewn to both sides forming portion of the base cloth 16 at the front virtual quadrant cylindrical surface 22, and the other end of each of the front plural radial rectifying cloths 24-1, 2, 3 is arranged. The portion is sewn to the inflatable end fabric portion of the front inflatable portion 15 of the base fabric 16. Front side plural radial direction rectifying cloth 24-
1, 2 and 3 respectively show front virtual lines 19 when inflated.
And extends in the radial direction with the radiation center line. In particular, the other end of the first front-side radial rectifying cloth 24-1 is sewn to the front-side expanded lower surface 16c of the front-side expanded portion 15,
The other end portions of the second and third front radial rectifying fabrics 24-2 and 3 are sewn to the front expansion front portion 16d of the front expansion portion 15. Front side plural radial direction rectifying cloths 24-1, 2-
3 are provided with an appropriate angular interval based on the front virtual line 19 (center). An appropriate angular interval is also provided between the first front radial rectifying cloth 24-1 and the rear expanding rear surface 16f of the front expanding section 15.

The high-pressure gas discharged from the inflator 11 by operating the inflator 11 expands and diffuses radially around the rear virtual line 18 or one point on the line. High-pressure gas has a physical property of diffusing point-symmetrically. The high-pressure gas radially diffused from one point on the rear virtual line 18 rapidly expands and diffuses at a diffusion angle of about 90 degrees. The direction of diffusion is such that the rear-side plural radial rectifying cloths 23-1, 2, 2 and 3 radially extending (extending) from one point on the rear-side imaginary line 18 and the rear-side inflatable portion 13
And the radial directions of the four radial flow paths formed between the rear-side expansion rear surface portion 16e and the rear-side expansion rear surface portion 16e.

The effective center line R of the flow path formed by the rear-side plural radial rectifying cloths 23-1 and the rear-side expanded rear surface 16e.
RL1, two rear-side plural radial rectifying cloths 23-1,
2, the effective center line RRL2 of the flow path formed by the two rear-side plural radial rectifying cloths 23-2, 23-2, and the rear effective plural radial rectifying cloth 23-. The effective center line HL of the flow path formed by 3 and the rear-side expansion portion 13 is on the radiation surface whose center line is the rear-side imaginary line 18. In this way, the diffusion direction of the high-pressure gas naturally depends on the center lines RR1, RR2, RR3, H
Since each of the pressures corresponds to L, the high-pressure gas radially diffused from the rear virtual line 18 can rapidly expand while being rectified without receiving a large resistance.

The high-pressure gas that diffuses inside the non-expandable portion 14 along the central axis HL also diffuses radially from the front virtual line 19. The high-pressure gas expands and diffuses radially inflationally around a point on the front virtual line 19. The high-pressure gas radially diffused from one point on the front virtual line 19 rapidly expands and diffuses at a diffusion angle of about 90 degrees. The diffusion direction is such that a plurality of front-side radial rectifying cloths 24-1, 2, and 3 extending (extending) radially from one point on the front-side imaginary line 19 and the front-side expanding portion 1
5 and the radial direction of the four radial flow paths formed between the rear-side expansion rear surface portion 16f.

The effective center line F of the flow path formed by the front-side plural radial rectifying cloth 24-1 and the rear-side expanded rear surface 16f.
RL1, two front-side multiple radial rectifying cloths 24-1,
2, the effective center line FRL2 of the flow path formed by the two front-side plural radial rectifying cloths 24-2, 24-3, and the front plural radial rectifying cloth 24- The effective center line HL of the flow path formed by 3 and the front-side expansion portion 15 is on a radiation surface having the front-side imaginary line 19 as the center line. In this way, the diffusion direction of the high-pressure gas naturally depends on the center lines FR1, FR2, FR3, H
Since each of the pressures corresponds to L, the high-pressure gas radially diffused from the front virtual line 19 can expand rapidly while being rectified without receiving a large resistance.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the head protection device according to the present invention, and particularly shows another cell pattern for dividing the internal space formed by the base cloth 16 into compartments. This embodiment is different from the above-described embodiment in that three rear-side plural radial rectifying cloths 23-1, 2, 3, and 3 of the above-described embodiment are different.
The rear plural radial rectifying cloths 23-1, 2, 3, 4 used in one more four radiation directions are used, and the rear plural radial rectifying cloths 23-1, 2, 3, 4 are radiated. The front end portion in the direction is not sewn to the rear inflatable lower surface portion 16a and the rear inflatable front surface portion 16b, but is sewn to the front and back surface portions of the base cloth before reaching the rear inflatable lower surface portion 16a and the rear inflatable front surface portion 16b. That is, the front plural radial rectifying cloths 24-1, 2, 3, 4 in four radiation directions, which are one more than the front plural radial rectifying cloths 24-1, 2, 3, 3 of the above-described embodiment. That the front side plural radial rectifying cloth 24-
The front end portions 1, 2, 3, and 4 in the radial direction are not sewn to the front inflatable lower surface portion 16c and the front inflatable front surface portion 16d, and are not sewn to the front inflatable lower surface portion 16c and the front inflatable front surface portion 16d. It is sewn to the front and back portions of the cloth. In addition, the radiation number of the multiple radial direction rectifying cloth may be four or more.

In the present embodiment, the number of compartments is increased to promote the rectifying action and the stability of the form of the inflation process of the inflation bag 9, but the cross-sectional area of each flow path is reduced and the resistance is increased. However, since the leading end portions of the flow paths merge with each other, equalization of all the chambers is promoted at the end of the expansion, and the curtain-like deployment becomes smooth.

FIG. 5 shows still another embodiment of the head protection device according to the present invention, and in particular, shows still another cell pattern for dividing the internal space formed by the base cloth 16 into compartments.
In the present embodiment, two inflators 11-1 and 11-2 are used. The front virtual line 19 has moved to the front part of the inflatable bag 9. The positional relationship between the inflator 11 and the rear virtual line 18 is the same as that of the above-described embodiment. The high-pressure gas discharged from the inflator 11-2 directly reaches the front virtual line 19, and the high-pressure gas diffuses radially backward from the front virtual line 19 and expands.

The front side plural radial rectifying cloths 24-1, 2, 2,
The point that the start end portions of 3 and 4 are arranged on a cylindrical surface centered on the front virtual line 19 is the same as in the above-described embodiment. The effective radial center lines of four radial flow paths formed by the front-side plural radial rectifying cloths 24-1, 2, 3, 4, the front-side inflatable portion 15, and the front-side inflatable front surface portion 16d are the front-side imaginary lines 19. Is the same as the above-described embodiment. Front side plural radial direction rectifying cloth 24-
The arrangement of the terminal portions 1, 2, 3, and 4 is the same as in the embodiment of FIG. 3 or FIG. In this embodiment, the inflation bag 9 is used.
The front part and the rear part are simultaneously unfolded in the shape of a curtain, and the time until completion of inflation is shorter than those of the above-described embodiments.

FIG. 6 shows still another embodiment of the head protection device according to the present invention, and particularly shows still another cell pattern for dividing the internal space formed by the base fabric 16 into compartments.
In the present embodiment, one inflator 11 'is used. The front imaginary line 19 ′ is located at the front part of the inflatable bag 9 as in the embodiment of FIG. 5, but the inflator 11 ′ is located at an intermediate part between the rear imaginary line 18 and the front imaginary line 19. Have been. The inflator 11 'discharges high-pressure gas from two places, a front end and a rear end. The high-pressure gas discharged from the front end of the inflator 11 'directly reaches the front virtual line 19'. The high-pressure gas includes a radiation surface extending backward from the front virtual line 19 ′ and a front virtual line 19 ′.
The radiation diffuses in a wide area between the radiation surface and the radiation surface that goes forward.

Front side plural radial rectifying cloths 24 "-1,2"
The effective center line of the flow path formed by
The effective center line of the flow path formed by the front-side plural radial rectifying cloths 24 ″ -2, 3 is directed downward, and the effective path of the flow path formed by the front-side plural radial rectifying cloths 24 ″ -3, 4 is effective. The center line faces diagonally forward. In this embodiment, the emission angle range of the high-pressure gas in the front portion of the inflation bag 9 is wide, and the inflation completion time is short. In the present embodiment, it is designed such that the emission angle range of the high-pressure gas in the rear portion of the inflation bag 9 is also widened.

FIG. 7 shows an expansion process which is common to all the embodiments described above. As shown in FIG. 7A, the inflation bag 9 is folded so as to overlap in the vertical direction, and is arranged along the roof line in the horizontal direction. Immediately after the operation of the inflator, as shown in FIG. 7 (b), the overlapped portion near the rear virtual line 18 starts to expand, and the high-pressure gas is rectified by the rear multiple radial rectification at the next moment. Cloth 23, and further, a plurality of front-side radially rectifying cloths 24, 2
4 ', 24 "and is rectified and radially inflated in the radial direction. In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, the inflatable bag 9 is inflated with the rear inflatable portion 13 leading in time. 5 and 6, the inflation bag 9 is inflated almost simultaneously with the rear inflation portion 13 and the front inflation portion 15. As a result, the high-pressure gas further spreads downward in a substantially vertical plane in a curtain shape, as shown in FIG. 7D, as shown in FIG.

When the expansion is completed, when viewed from the side, it expands to a substantially uniform horizontal thickness width in the entire vertical region. The horizontal expansion is locally constrained by the horizontal cloth width of the rear plural radial rectifying cloths 23 and the front plural radial rectifying cloths 24, 24 ', and 24 ", and the width is also globally limited to those widths. The inflatable bag 9 is not restrained from being excessively inflated in the horizontal direction.In this way, the rear-side plural radial rectifying cloths 23 and the front-side plural radial rectifying cloths 24, 24 ', and 24 "define the inflation form. By limiting the expansion in the horizontal direction to an appropriate limit and actively guiding the diffusion of the inflation gas in the radial direction, an increase in diffusion resistance is suppressed and the expansion is made more instantaneous.

[0031]

The head protection device according to the present invention makes the inflation flow more uniform and does not hinder rapid expansion, and the shape memory during the expansion process is better preserved. In particular, it is applicable to a wide area.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective projection view showing an embodiment of a head protection device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an oblique axis projection view showing the specific area in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front sectional view showing an embodiment of the head protection device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front sectional view showing another embodiment of the head protection device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front sectional view showing still another embodiment of the head protection device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front sectional view showing still another embodiment of the head protection device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view showing an operation mode.

FIG. 8 is a front sectional view showing a known airbag.

[Explanation of symbols]

9: Bag (expansion bag) 11, 11-1, 11-2 ... Inflator 13 ... Rear part 15 ... Front part 18, 19 ... Radiation center line 21, 22 ... Quadrant cylindrical surface 23-1 to 3, 24-1 -3 ... cell (sewing line, separate cloth)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A head protection device for providing a bag on a roof side and, when a vehicle collides, responding to a signal from an acceleration sensor to ignite an inflator to deploy the bag downward so as to protect an occupant. 5. The head protection device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of radially extending cells are formed in the bag, and gas from the inflator flows into these cells.