JP6330576B2 - Curtain airbag device for vehicle - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a curtain airbag device for a vehicle.

  The curtain airbag device described in Patent Document 1 below is for a front seat inflating and deploying inside the front seat side window and a rear seat inflating and deploying inside the rear seat side window. And an inflating part. The front seat expansion portion is partitioned into five vertical cells arranged in the vehicle front-rear direction. These five vertical cells include one that expands and expands to the side of the head of the front seat occupant (front seat main chamber), and the two vertical cells provided behind the front seat main chamber in the vehicle. The (delay chamber) is set so as to overlap with the B pillar in a side view of the vehicle. A part of the gas supplied from the inflator to the front seat main chamber is supplied to these delay chambers through the throttle passage, and these delay chambers expand and develop behind the front seat main chamber.

JP 2014-54954 A

  By the way, for example, when the opposite vehicle of the side collision is a vehicle having a high vehicle height such as a so-called sports utility vehicle (hereinafter referred to as SUV), if the vehicle height of the own vehicle is low, the front end portion of the SUV and the own vehicle The occupant's head may wrap in the height direction. In such a case, improvement of the restraining performance of the occupant's head by the curtain airbag is required. In particular, when the SUV collision speed is high, further improvement in the head restraint performance of the front seat occupant is required.

  In consideration of the above-described facts, an object of the present invention is to provide a curtain airbag device for a vehicle that contributes to an improvement in head restraint performance of a front seat occupant against a side collision.

A curtain airbag device for a vehicle according to the first aspect of the present invention includes an inflator disposed on a B pillar side in a roof side portion of a vehicle, a diffuser for ejecting a gas generated by the inflator from a jet port, An upper end portion is fixed to the roof side portion, and the gas ejected from the ejection port is supplied from a front seat gas supply port that opens toward the ejection port side, and the front seat occupant's head and the vehicle body side portion A front seat main chamber that is inflated and deployed between the front seat main line and a vehicle lower side of the door belt line, and a gas ejected from the jet outlet is connected to the rear side of the front seat main chamber. toward supplied from the opening to B Piragasu supply port, wherein while B-pillar deployed and inflated in the widthwise direction, the central non-inflatable portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the B-pillar in an inflated deployed state Therefore and a, and B-pillar chamber partitioned into a front and rear.

  In the first aspect of the invention, for example, when a side collision is detected or predicted, the inflator disposed on the B pillar side in the roof side portion of the vehicle is operated. Then, the gas generated by the inflator is ejected from the ejection port of the diffuser. The gas ejected from the ejection port is supplied to the front seat main chamber and the B pillar chamber from the front seat gas supply port and the B pillar gas supply port that open toward the ejection port side. Thereby, gas can be supplied to the front seat main chamber and the B pillar chamber at an early stage.

The front seat main chamber has an upper end fixed to the roof side, receives gas supply, expands and deploys between the front seat occupant's head and the vehicle body side, and a lower end from the door belt line. Also goes down the vehicle. The B pillar chamber is connected to the rear side of the front seat main chamber of the vehicle, and expands and deploys inward in the vehicle width direction of the B pillar upon receiving gas supply. Since this B pillar chamber expands and deploys at an early stage together with the front seat main chamber, when the head of a front seat occupant who moves inertially outward in the vehicle width direction due to the impact of a side collision hits the front seat main chamber, In addition to receiving reaction force from the roof side portion and the door belt line, the seat main chamber receives reaction force from the B pillar via the B pillar chamber. Thereby, since the displacement of the front seat main chamber to the vehicle width direction outer side can be suppressed, the restraint start time of the head of the front seat occupant by the front seat main chamber can be advanced. From the above, it contributes to the improvement of the head restraint performance of the front seat occupant against a side collision.
In addition, in the present invention, the B pillar chamber is partitioned into the front part and the rear part by the central non-expanding part extending in the longitudinal direction of the B pillar in the inflated and deployed state of the B pillar chamber. The expansion thickness can be reduced on the central non-expandable portion side. Thereby, since the capacity | capacitance of a B pillar chamber can be made small, it contributes to the early stage of expansion | deployment expansion | deployment of a B pillar chamber.

  The curtain airbag device for a vehicle according to a second aspect of the present invention is the curtain air bag device for a vehicle according to the first aspect, wherein the B pillar chamber is in the inflated and deployed state by the front non-inflatable portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the B pillar. And partitioned.

  In the invention according to claim 2, since the B pillar chamber and the front seat main chamber are partitioned by the front non-expanding portion as described above, the expansion thickness of the B pillar chamber in the vehicle width direction is set to the front non-expanding portion side. Can be made thin. Thereby, since the capacity | capacitance of a B pillar chamber can be made small, it contributes to the early stage of expansion | deployment expansion | deployment of a B pillar chamber.

A curtain airbag device for a vehicle according to a third aspect of the present invention is the vehicle curtain airbag device according to the first or second aspect , wherein the gas generated by the inflator is supplied through a rear outlet formed in the diffuser, and A rear seat main chamber that expands and expands between the head of the seat occupant and the vehicle body side, and a gas generated by the inflator is supplied through a throttle passage formed between the front seat main chamber, A front seat delay chamber that expands and deploys in front of the front seat main chamber and a gas generated by the inflator is supplied through a throttle passage formed between the B pillar chamber and the B pillar chamber; A rear seat delay chamber that expands and deploys between the rear seat main chamber.

In the invention according to claim 3 , the gas generated by the inflator is supplied to the rear seat main chamber through the rear outlet formed in the diffuser, and the rear seat main chamber is connected to the head of the rear seat occupant and the side of the vehicle body. Inflate and deploy at an early stage. Thus, the head of the rear seat occupant can be restrained by the rear seat main chamber against a side collision.

  Further, the gas generated by the inflator is supplied to the front seat delay chamber through a throttle passage formed between the front seat main chamber and the front seat delay chamber, and the front seat delay chamber includes the front seat main chamber, the rear seat main chamber, and the rear seat main chamber. The front seat main chamber is inflated and deployed forward of the front seat main chamber with respect to the seat main chamber and the B pillar chamber. As a result, the head of the front seat occupant can be restrained by the front seat delay chamber against an oblique collision or rollover of the vehicle.

  Further, the gas generated by the inflator is supplied to the rear seat delay chamber through a throttle passage formed between the B pillar chamber and the rear seat delay chamber, and the rear seat delay chamber includes the front seat main chamber and the rear seat main chamber. It expands and develops between the B pillar chamber and the rear seat main chamber with a delay from the chamber and the B pillar chamber. Accordingly, the head of the rear seat occupant can be restrained by the rear seat delay chamber against an oblique collision or rollover of the vehicle.

  As described above, the vehicle curtain airbag device according to the present invention contributes to the improvement of the head restraint performance of the front seat occupant against a side collision.

It is the side view which looked at the outline whole composition of the curtain airbag device for vehicles concerning the embodiment of the present invention from the vehicle width direction inside, and is a figure showing the state of expansion and deployment of a curtain airbag. It is an expanded sectional view which expands and shows the cut surface along the F2-F2 line | wire of FIG. 1, and is a figure which shows the state before expansion | swelling of a rear seat delay chamber. It is a perspective view of a diffuser with which the curtain airbag device for vehicles is provided. It is a top view which shows the motor vehicle and MDB truck which concern on embodiment of this invention. It is a side view corresponding to FIG. 1 which shows the structure of the principal part of the curtain airbag apparatus for vehicles which concerns on a comparative example.

  A curtain airbag device 10 for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that arrows FR, UP, and OUT that are appropriately described in each figure indicate the forward direction (traveling direction), the upward direction, and the vehicle width direction outside of the automobile (vehicle) 12 to which the vehicle curtain airbag device 10 is applied, respectively. Is shown. Hereinafter, when simply using the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions, unless otherwise specified, the front-rear direction of the vehicle, the left-right direction of the vehicle left-right direction (vehicle width direction), and the up-down direction of the vehicle are shown. To do.

(Overall configuration of curtain airbag device)
As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle curtain airbag device 10 is mounted on, for example, a sedan type automobile 12 and includes a curtain airbag 14, an inflator 16, and a diffuser 18. The curtain airbag 14 is formed so as to be inflated and deployed in a curtain shape along the front and rear side window glasses 20 and 22 and the B pillar (center pillar) 26 provided on the side of the passenger compartment. The front side window glass 20 is provided on the front side door 30 located on the side of the front seat (only the headrest 21 of the front seat is shown in FIG. 2). The rear side window glass 22 is provided on a rear side door 32 positioned on the side of the rear seat (only the headrest 23 of the rear seat is shown in FIG. 2). The side window glasses 20 and 22 are configured to be covered from the inner side in the vehicle width direction by the curtain airbag 14.

  Although not shown, the curtain airbag 14 is folded in a predetermined folding method including at least one of roll folding and bellows folding, and is provided at the upper end of the vehicle compartment side. The roof side portion 34 is housed (arranged) together with the inflator 16 and the diffuser 18. In this stored state, the elongated curtain airbag 14 extends from the A pillar (front pillar) 24 to the C pillar (rear pillar) 28 across the roof side portion 34. The roof side portion 34 includes a roof side rail 36 and a roof head lining (not shown), and the curtain airbag 14, the diffuser 18 and the inflator 16 are disposed between the roof side rail 36 and the roof head lining. Stored.

  The inflator 16 is a gas generating means for supplying gas into the curtain airbag 14, and for example, a combustion type or a cold gas type is adopted. The inflator 16 is disposed on the B pillar 26 side of the roof side portion 34 (in the present embodiment, in the vicinity of the rear side of the B pillar 26), and is fixed to the roof side rail 36 via a bracket (not shown). The gas ejection portion of the inflator 16 is communicated with the interior of the curtain airbag 14 via a connection channel 14G and a diffuser 18 which will be described later. When the inflator 16 is operated, the gas ejected from the gas ejection section is supplied into the curtain airbag 14, and the curtain airbag 14 is inflated and deployed downward along the side surface of the vehicle compartment.

  The curtain airbag 14 and the inflator 16 described above are provided on both sides of the automobile 12 in the vehicle width direction. That is, the vehicle curtain airbag device 10 includes a pair of left and right curtain airbags 14 and a pair of left and right inflators 16. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle curtain airbag device 10 includes an airbag ECU 44 that is electrically connected to each of the side collision sensor 38, the rollover sensor 40, and the oblique collision sensor 42.

  The side collision sensor 38 is configured to predict or detect a side collision (inevitable) of the automobile 12 and output a side collision detection signal to the airbag ECU 44. The rollover sensor 40 is configured to predict or detect rollover (unavoidable) of the automobile 12 and output a rollover detection signal to the airbag ECU 44. The oblique collision sensor 42 is configured to predict or detect an oblique collision (unavoidable) of the automobile 12 and output an oblique collision detection signal to the airbag ECU 44.

  The airbag ECU 44 is electrically connected to the left and right inflators 16 (only the connection to one inflator 16 is shown in FIG. 1), and receives a side collision detection signal or a slant collision detection signal. The inflator 16 on the side collision side or the oblique collision side (both near side) is operated. Therefore, when a side collision or an oblique collision occurs in the automobile 12, the near-side curtain airbag 14 is inflated by receiving a gas supply and is deployed. The airbag ECU 44 is configured to operate the inflators 16 on both sides in the vehicle width direction when a rollover detection signal is input. The airbag ECU 44 operates the inflator 16 on the opposite side (far side) to the already operated near side when a rollover detection signal is input after a side collision or an oblique collision.

(Composition of curtain airbag and diffuser)
Hereinafter, specific configurations of the curtain airbag 14 and the diffuser 18 will be described. Unless otherwise specified, the configuration (shape) of the curtain airbag 14 in the inflated and deployed state will be described.

  The curtain airbag 14 is integrally woven by, for example, a One Piece Woven method abbreviated as OPW. In the OPW system, a non-sewn bag is formed by weaving two pieces of cloth at the same time using a jacquard loom while simultaneously weaving the necessary portions. The method for manufacturing the curtain airbag 14 is not limited to the above. For example, the curtain airbag 14 may be manufactured by sewing one or a plurality of base fabrics formed by cutting out a nylon or polyester fabric material into a bag shape.

  On the outer periphery of the curtain airbag 14, an outer periphery non-inflatable portion (linear coupling portion) 46 is provided. A plurality of (here, five) tabs 48 are attached to the upper portion 46A of the outer peripheral non-expandable portion 46 side by side in the vehicle front-rear direction. The curtain airbag 14 is fixed to the vehicle body skeleton (A pillar 24, roof side rail 36, C pillar 28) by fasteners such as clips and bolts / nuts penetrating the tabs 48. Further, the front end portion of the curtain airbag 14 is supported by a lower portion of the A pillar 24 via a tension belt (not shown) that is spanned between a non-inflatable portion 50 and an A pillar 24 described later. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 46 </ b> B indicates a lower part of the outer peripheral non-expanding part 46, reference numeral 46 </ b> C indicates a front part of the outer peripheral non-expanding part 46, and reference numeral 46 </ b> D indicates a rear part of the outer peripheral non-expanding part 46. Show.

  The curtain airbag 14 includes a front seat main chamber 14A, a rear seat main chamber 14B, a front seat delay chamber 14C, a rear seat delay chamber 14D, and a B pillar chamber 14E (hereinafter referred to as a BP chamber 14E). It is prepared as one. Further, the curtain airbag 14 includes a gas supply passage 14F that allows the front seat main chamber 14A and the BP chamber 14E and the rear seat main chamber 14B to communicate with each other, and a connection passage 14G to which the inflator 16 is connected. Yes.

  The front seat main chamber 14A is inflated and deployed outward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the head FH of the front seat occupant FP (see FIG. 2), and is interposed between the head FH of the front seat occupant FP and the side of the vehicle body. To do. The front seat main chamber 14A is formed so as to cover the range from the vicinity of the center in the front-rear direction of the side window glass 20 to the rear end portion from the vehicle width direction inner side (vehicle interior side) in a side view of the vehicle. A pair of the above-described tabs 48 are provided in the upper end portion of the front seat main chamber 14 </ b> A in the front-rear direction, and the upper end portion of the front seat main chamber 14 </ b> A is connected to the roof side rail 36 through the pair of tabs 48. It is fixed.

  The front seat main chamber 14A is formed so that a lower end portion thereof extends below the door belt line BL of the front side door 30 in an inflated and deployed state, and a belt line wrap is provided at the lower end portion of the front seat main chamber 14A. A portion 14A1 (hereinafter referred to as a BL wrap portion 14A1) is provided. The BL wrap portion 14A1 is set to overlap the upper end portion of the front side door 30 in a vehicle side view.

  The front seat main chamber 14A is provided with a side head protection area that protects the head FH of the front seat occupant FP against a side collision. This side protrusion head protection area is set to an area where the head of the dummy doll (AM50) for side impact test seated on the front seat in the IIHS SUV side impact test can be restrained.

  On the other hand, the rear seat main chamber 14B (not shown in FIG. 2) is inflated and deployed outward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the head RH (see FIG. 2) of the rear seat occupant RP, and the head RH of the rear seat occupant RP. Between the vehicle body and the side of the vehicle body. The rear seat main chamber 14B is formed so as to cover a range from the vicinity of the center in the front-rear direction of the side window glass 22 to the front end of the C pillar 28 from the vehicle width direction inner side (vehicle interior side) in the vehicle side view. . The rear seat main chamber 14 </ b> B is formed so that the upper side of the rear end portion overlaps the C pillar 28 in a vehicle side view. One tab 48 described above is provided at the upper end portion of the rear seat main chamber 14B, and the upper end portion of the rear seat main chamber 14B is fixed to the upper end portion of the C pillar 28 via the tab 48. .

  In the rear seat main chamber 14B, a side head protection area for protecting the head RH of the rear seat occupant RP against a side collision is set. This side protrusion head protection area is set to an area in which the head of the dummy doll (AM50) for side impact test seated on the rear seat in the IIHS SUV side impact test can be restrained.

  On the other hand, the front seat delay chamber 14C (not shown in FIG. 2) is connected to the front of the front seat main chamber 14A in the vehicle. The front seat delay chamber 14C is inflated and deployed in front of the front seat main chamber 14A to form a front end portion of the curtain airbag 14, and the head seat FH of the front seat occupant FP is moved to the front seat during an oblique collision and rollover. It is designed to be restrained (protected) on the front side. The front seat delay chamber 14 </ b> C has a front end portion of the front seat delay chamber 14 </ b> C that overlaps with the A pillar 24, and a lower portion that projects downward from the front seat main chamber 14 </ b> A so as to be a door belt line of the front side door 30. It is formed so as to extend below BL. One tab 48 described above is provided on the upper end portion of the front seat delay chamber 14 </ b> C, and the upper end portion of the front seat delay chamber 14 </ b> C is fixed to the upper end portion of the A pillar 24 via the tab 48. .

  The front seat delay chamber 14 </ b> C is partially partitioned (partitioned) from the front seat main chamber 14 </ b> A by a non-expandable portion (linear coupling portion) 50. The non-inflatable portion 50 extends from the lower portion 46B of the outer peripheral non-inflatable portion 46 toward the front end side and the upper end side of the curtain airbag 14. A front throttle passage 52 that is a gas supply port of the front seat delay chamber 14C is formed between the upper end portion of the non-expanding portion 50 and the upper portion 46A of the outer peripheral non-expanding portion 46. The front seat main chamber 14A and the front seat delay chamber 14C are communicated with each other via the front throttle passage 52.

  The front seat delay chamber 14C covers the most front test point among test points (impactor striking point or striking point) for hitting the impactor corresponding to the head FH of the front seat occupant FP in the rollover test (FMVSS226 standard). It is provided to do. The other test points for the front seat occupant FP in the rollover test are configured to be covered by the front seat main chamber 14A.

  On the other hand, the rear seat delay chamber 14D is connected to the front of the rear seat main chamber 14B in the vehicle. The rear seat delay chamber 14D is inflated and deployed in front of the rear seat main chamber 14B, and protects the head RH of the rear seat occupant RP on the front side of the rear seat in the event of rollover and oblique collision. . In FIG. 2, the state before expansion of the rear seat delay chamber 14D is indicated by a solid line, and the state of expansion completion of the rear seat delay chamber 14D is indicated by a two-dot chain line. In the present embodiment, the rear seat delay chamber 14D has a range extending from the rear end of the B pillar 26 to a portion slightly rearward of the center of the side window glass 22 in the vehicle width direction as viewed from the side of the vehicle. It is formed so as to cover from the indoor side.

  The rear seat delay chamber 14D is located below a gas supply passage 14F, which will be described later, and is partitioned from the gas supply passage 14F by a non-inflatable portion (linear coupling portion) 54 extending in the front-rear direction of the curtain airbag 14. (Partitioned). The front end portion of the non-expanding portion 54 is provided at a position overlapping the rear end of the B pillar 26 in a vehicle side view. A non-inflatable portion (linear coupling portion) 56 extends from the rear end portion of the non-inflatable portion 54 toward the rear end side and the lower end side of the curtain airbag 14. The lower end portion of the non-expanding portion 56 is connected to the lower portion 46 </ b> B of the outer peripheral non-expanding portion 46. The rear seat delay chamber 14D and the rear seat main chamber 14B are partitioned (partitioned) by the non-inflatable portion 56.

  Further, the front end portion of the rear seat delay chamber 14D is partially partitioned from the BP chamber 14E by a rear non-inflatable portion (linear coupling portion) 58 extending from the lower portion 46B of the outer peripheral non-inflatable portion 46 to the upper end side of the curtain airbag. (Partitioned). The rear non-inflatable portion 58 is set so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the B pillar 26 and overlap the rear end of the B pillar 26 in a side view of the vehicle. A rear throttle passage 60 that is a gas supply port of the rear seat delay chamber 14 </ b> D is formed between the upper end portion of the rear non-expanding portion 58 and the front end portion of the non-expandable portion 54.

  The rear seat delay chamber 14D is formed at an intermediate portion in the front-rear direction among test points (impactor hitting points or hitting points) corresponding to the head RH of the rear seat occupant RP in the rollover test (FMVSS226 standard) described above. It is provided to cover the test points. Then, the front and rear test points for the rear seat occupant RP in the rollover test are configured to be covered by the rear seat delay chamber 14D and the rear seat main chamber 14B.

  On the other hand, the BP chamber 14E is connected to the vehicle rear side of the front seat main chamber 14A and connected to the vehicle front side of the rear seat delay chamber 14D, and expands and deploys inward in the vehicle width direction of the B pillar 26. The BP chamber 14E is formed so as to cover the upper portion of the B pillar 26 from the vehicle width direction inner side (vehicle interior side) in the vehicle side view.

  The BP chamber 14E is partially partitioned (partitioned) from the front seat main chamber 14A by a front non-inflatable portion (linear coupling portion) 62 extending from the lower portion 46B of the outer peripheral non-inflatable portion 46 to the upper end side of the curtain airbag. ing. The front non-expandable portion 62 is set so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the B pillar 26 and overlap with the front end of the B pillar 26 in a side view of the vehicle. The upper end portion of the front non-inflatable portion 62 is located slightly below the center of the curtain airbag 14 in the vertical direction. A front seat gas supply port 64 that is a gas supply port of the front seat main chamber 14 </ b> A is formed between the upper end portion of the front non-expandable portion 62 and the upper portion 46 </ b> A of the outer peripheral non-expandable portion 46. The opening area of the front seat gas supply port 64 is set larger than the opening areas of the front throttle passage 52 and the rear throttle passage 60 described above.

  The BP chamber 14E is divided into a BP chamber front portion 14E1 as a front portion and a BP chamber rear portion 14E2 as a rear portion by a central non-expandable portion (linear coupling portion) 68 extending in the longitudinal direction of the B pillar 26. (Partitioned). The central non-expanding portion 68 is provided at the center in the front-rear direction of the B pillar chamber 14E, and is set so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the B pillar 26 and overlap with the center in the front-rear direction of the B pillar 26 in a side view of the vehicle. Has been. The upper end portion of the central non-inflating portion 68 is located slightly above the vertical center of the curtain airbag 14.

  A first gas supply port 70 that is a gas supply port of the BP chamber front portion 14E1 is formed between the upper end portion of the front non-expandable portion 62 and the upper end portion of the central non-expandable portion 68. Further, a second gas supply port 72 that is a gas supply port of the BP chamber rear portion 14E2 is formed between the upper end portion of the central non-expandable portion 68 and the front end portion of the rear non-expandable portion 58. The first gas supply port 70 and the second gas supply port 72 constitute a B pillar gas supply port that is a gas supply port of the BP chamber 14E.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a tension strap 74 as an extending member is disposed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction (B pillar 26 side) with respect to the inflated and deployed BP chamber 14E. The tension strap 74 is formed in a long belt shape, for example, by the same cloth material as the base fabric of the curtain airbag 14, and is arranged with the longitudinal direction of the curtain airbag 14 (vehicle longitudinal direction) as the longitudinal direction. The front end portion of the tension strap 74 is sewn to the upper end portion of the front non-expandable portion 62 by means such as sewing, and the rear end portion of the tension strap 74 is the upper end portion of the rear non-expandable portion 58 by means such as sewing. Is sewn.

  The length of the tension strap 74 is set so as to be extended in the vehicle front-rear direction by the expansion and deployment of the BP chamber front portion 14E1 and the BP chamber rear portion 14E2. As a result, the expansion of the BP chamber front portion 14E1 and the BP chamber rear portion 14E2 in the vehicle front-rear direction is limited, and the BP chamber front portion 14E1 and the BP chamber rear portion 14E2 project the central non-expandable portion 68 side inward in the vehicle width direction. It is configured to tilt. In addition, the member to which the code | symbol 27 was attached | subjected in FIG. 2 is a B pillar garnish.

  On the other hand, the gas supply passage 14 </ b> F is provided slightly rearward from the center in the front-rear direction of the upper end portion of the curtain airbag 14, and extends in the front-rear direction of the curtain airbag 14. The front seat main chamber 14A and BP chamber 14E and the rear seat main chamber 14B are communicated with each other by the gas supply passage 14F. One of the tabs 48 described above is provided at the upper end of the rear end of the gas supply passage 14F, and the upper end of the rear end of the gas supply passage 14F is connected to the roof side rail 36 via the tab 48. It is fixed.

  From the upper end of the front portion of the gas supply passage 14F, a cylindrical connection passage 14G extends toward the upper side and the rear side. The outer peripheral non-expanding portion 46 described above is divided at the front end portion (rear end portion) of the connection passage 14G, and the rear end portion of the connection passage 14G is open. A diffuser 18 (also referred to as a rectifying cloth or an inner tube) is provided inside the connection passage 14G.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the diffuser 18 is formed in a cylindrical shape that is bifurcated by a cloth material similar to the base fabric of the curtain airbag 14, and is disposed across the connection passage 14G and the gas supply passage 14F. It is installed. The diffuser 18 is formed by integrating a main body portion 18A formed in a cylindrical shape and inserted into the connection passage 14G, and a cylindrical branch portion 18B extending rearward from the lower end side of the front portion of the main body portion 18A. In preparation. The branch portion 18B is disposed in the gas supply passage 14F, and the branch portion 18B and the main body portion 18A communicate with each other.

  An inflator insertion opening 76 that opens rearward and upward is formed at the rear end of the main body 18A. The inflator insertion port 76 is exposed to the outside of the curtain airbag 14 from the rear end opening of the connection passage 14G, and the inflator 16 is inserted into the main body portion 18A from the inflator insertion port 76.

  A front ejection port 78 that opens toward the lower end side and slightly toward the front end side of the curtain airbag 14 is formed at the front end portion of the main body portion 18A, and the curtain airbag 14 has a rear end portion at the rear end portion of the branch portion 18B. A rear spout 80 that opens toward the rear end is formed. The front nozzle 78 corresponds to the nozzle according to claim 1. The opening area of the front outlet 78 is set larger than the opening area of the rear outlet 80.

  When the inflator 16 is activated, the gas ejected from the gas ejection portion of the inflator 16 is ejected from the front ejection port 78 and the rear ejection port 80 of the diffuser 18 into the curtain airbag 14. The rear jet port 80 is communicated with the rear seat main chamber 14B via the gas supply passage 14F, and the gas ejected from the rear jet port 80 is supplied to the rear seat main chamber 14B (arrow G4 in FIG. 1). reference).

  The front ejection port 78 is located above the second gas supply port 72 and is located above and behind the front seat gas supply port 64 and the first gas supply port 70 in the inflated and deployed state of the curtain airbag 14. It is set to be. The front seat gas supply port 64, the first gas supply port 70, and the second gas supply port 72 open (open the mouth) toward the front jet port 78 when the gas is jetted from the front jet port 78. Is set to That is, gas is ejected from the front ejection port 78 and the rear ejection port 80, and the folded curtain airbag 14 is unfolded, whereby the front seat gas supply port 64, the first gas supply port 70, and the second gas supply. The mouth 72 opens toward the front jet outlet 78 side. The distances between the front seat gas supply port 64, the first gas supply port 70, the second gas supply port 72, and the front jet port 78 are set to be equal or substantially equal. Further, a partition such as a non-expandable portion is not set between the second gas supply port 72 and the front jet port 78, and the front seat gas supply port 64, the first gas supply port 70, and the front jet port 78 are not set. Between the two, a partition such as a non-expandable portion is not set except that the upper end portion of the central non-expandable portion 68 exists in a part thereof.

  Therefore, the gas ejected from the front ejection port 78 is configured to be supplied substantially simultaneously and directly to the front seat main chamber 14A, the BP chamber front portion 14E1, and the BP chamber rear portion 14E2 (FIG. 1). Arrow G1, G2, G3). In this case, since the upper end portion of the front non-inflatable portion 62 is located on the lower end side of the curtain airbag 14 with respect to the upper end portion of the central non-inflatable portion 68, the gas ejected from the front outlet 78 is not inflated to the front side. Interference with the part 62 is suppressed, and gas is smoothly supplied to the front seat main chamber 14A.

(Function and effect)
Next, the operation and effect of this embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the automobile 12 according to the present embodiment and an MDB carriage 90 (Moving Deformable Barrier) for side collision test. The MDB carriage 90 is a model of an automobile having a high vehicle height such as a so-called SUV or minivan, and the barrier face 90A and the head FH of the front seat occupant FP overlap in the height direction. The effects of this embodiment will be described based on a side collision test (IIHS MDB) in which the MDB carriage 90 collides with the automobile 12 in a side collision. In this side collision test, the collision speed of the MDB carriage 90 is set to 60 km / h. In FIG. 2, the illustration of the MDB carriage 90 is omitted.

  When the side collision sensor 38 predicts or detects a side collision of the MDB carriage 90 against the automobile 12, a side collision detection signal is output from the side collision sensor 38 to the airbag ECU 44. Receiving the side collision detection signal, the airbag ECU 44 operates the inflator 16 on the side where the side collision has occurred. When the inflator 16 is activated, gas generated from the inflator 16 is ejected from the front ejection port 78 and the rear ejection port 80 of the diffuser 18.

  The gas ejected from the front ejection port 78 is supplied to the front seat main chamber 14A, the BP chamber front portion 14E1, and the BP chamber rear portion 14E2 from the front seat gas supply port 64, the first gas supply port 70, and the second gas supply port 72. Is done. Further, the gas ejected from the rear ejection port 80 is supplied to the rear seat main chamber 14B through the gas supply passage 14F. Thereby, the front seat main chamber 14A, the BP chamber front portion 14E1, the BP chamber rear portion 14E2, and the rear seat main chamber 14B are inflated, and the curtain airbag 14 is deployed downward along the side surface of the passenger compartment.

  The front seat main chamber 14A and the rear seat main chamber 14B are inflated and deployed outward in the vehicle width direction of the head FH of the front seat occupant FP and the head RH of the rear seat occupant RP. Therefore, the head FH of the front seat occupant FP and the head RH of the rear seat occupant RP that are about to be displaced outward in the vehicle width direction by the impact of the side collision are restrained by the front seat main chamber 14A and the rear seat main chamber 14B. Is done. Here, when the collision speed of the MDB carriage 90 is high (in this case, 60 km / h), it is particularly required to advance the restraint start timing of the head FH of the front seat occupant FP by the front seat main chamber 14A.

  In this regard, in the present embodiment, the front seat gas supply port 64, the first gas supply port 70, and the second gas supply port 72 are directed toward the front jet port 78 of the diffuser 18 when gas is ejected from the front jet port 78. It is set to open. Thereby, gas can be supplied to the front seat main chamber 14A, the BP chamber front portion 14E1, and the BP chamber rear portion 14E2 at an early stage.

  The front seat main chamber 14A has an upper end fixed to the roof side portion 34, receives gas supply, and expands and deploys between the head FH of the front seat occupant FP and the vehicle body side, and the lower end is the front side. The vehicle 30 extends below the door belt line BL of the door 30. Further, the BP chamber 14E is inflated and deployed inward of the B pillar 26 in the vehicle width direction upon receiving the gas supply. Since the BP chamber 14E is inflated and deployed at an early stage together with the front seat main chamber 14A, when the head FH of the front seat occupant FP that moves inertially outward in the vehicle width direction due to the impact of the side collision hits the front seat main chamber 14A. The front seat main chamber 14A receives a reaction force from the B pillar 26 via the BP chamber 14E in addition to receiving a reaction force from the roof side portion 34 and the door belt line BL. Thereby, tension can be applied to the front seat main chamber 14 </ b> A between the roof side portion 34, the door belt line BL, and the B pillar 26. As a result, since the displacement of the front seat main chamber 14A to the outside in the vehicle width direction can be suppressed, the restraint of the head FH is started before the front seat main chamber 14A receives a reaction force from the side window glass 20. Can do.

  That is, since the restraint of the head FH can be started from the same position as when the expansion thickness of the front seat main chamber 14A in the vehicle width direction is increased by the width indicated by the arrow W in FIG. The restraint start time of the head FH by the seat main chamber 14A can be advanced. From the above, it contributes to the improvement of the head restraint performance of the front seat occupant FP against a side collision.

  The above effect will be described using a vehicle curtain airbag device 100 (comparative example) shown in FIG. In the vehicle curtain airbag device 100, the curtain airbag 102 does not include the BP chamber 14E, and the front portion of the rear seat delay chamber 14D is configured to overlap the B pillar 26 in a side view of the vehicle. The other configuration is the same as that of the present embodiment. In FIG. 5, components that are basically the same as those of the present embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In this vehicle curtain airbag device 100, a part of the gas supplied to the front seat main chamber 14A is supplied to the rear seat delay chamber 14D through the rear throttle passage 60, so that the rear seat delay chamber 14D The seat main chamber 14A expands with a time delay. For this reason, for example, when the collision speed of the MDB carriage 90 is 60 km / h, the expansion of the rear seat delay chamber 14D becomes insufficient at the timing when the head FH of the front seat occupant FP hits the front seat main chamber 14A. As a result, the front seat main chamber 14A is not supported by the B pillar 26 via the rear seat delay chamber 14D, and the displacement of the front seat main chamber 14A to the outside in the vehicle width direction is not sufficiently suppressed. Accordingly, until the front seat main chamber 14A receives a reaction force from the side window glass 20, the head FH is substantially not restrained by the front seat main chamber 14A, and the restraint start timing of the head FH is delayed.

  In this regard, in this embodiment, since the restraint start time of the head FH by the front seat main chamber 14A can be advanced as described above, the head injury value (HIC: Head Injury Criterion) of the front seat occupant FP is reduced. Contributes to

  Note that if the expansion thickness of the front seat main chamber 14A in the vehicle width direction is increased by the width indicated by the arrow W in FIG. 2, the restraint start timing of the head FH can be advanced as in this embodiment. it can. However, in that case, the capacity of the front seat main chamber 14A increases, and the output of the inflator 16 must be increased in order to rapidly expand and deploy the front seat main chamber 14A having the increased capacity. In such a countermeasure, the expansion / deployment region of the front seat main chamber 14A is expanded. For example, an occupant at an out of position where the head or the like is located in the expansion / deployment region is the front seat main There is a possibility that the load received from the chamber 14A becomes high, which is contrary to ensuring the so-called OOP performance.

  In this regard, in the present embodiment, as described above, by applying tension to the front seat main chamber 14A between the roof side portion 34, the door belt line BL, and the B pillar 26, the vehicle width direction of the front seat main chamber 14A is increased. It is the structure which suppresses the outward displacement. Thereby, an increase in the capacity of the front seat main chamber 14A can be minimized, which is also preferable from the viewpoint of ensuring the OOP performance.

  In the present embodiment, the BP chamber 14E is partitioned from the front seat main chamber 14A by the front non-inflatable portion 62 that extends in the longitudinal direction of the B pillar 26 in the inflated and deployed state. For this reason, the expansion thickness of the BP chamber 14E in the vehicle width direction can be reduced on the front non-expandable portion 62 side. Thereby, since the capacity | capacitance of BP chamber 14E can be made small, it contributes to the early stage of expansion | deployment of BP chamber 14E. This also applies to the rear non-inflatable portion 58 side.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the BP chamber 14E is partitioned into a BP chamber front portion 14E1 and a BP chamber rear portion 14E2 by a central non-expandable portion 68 that extends in the longitudinal direction of the B pillar in the expanded and deployed state. For this reason, the expansion thickness of the BP chamber 14E can be reduced on the central non-expandable portion 68 side. Thereby, since the capacity | capacitance of BP chamber 14E can be made smaller, it contributes further to the early stage of expansion | deployment of BP chamber 14E. Moreover, since the expansion thickness of the BP chamber 14E can be reduced on the central non-expandable portion 68 side, it is possible to prevent or suppress the BP chamber 14E that is inflated and deployed from inadvertently interfering with the headrest 21 of the front seat.

  In the present embodiment, the front non-expanding portion 62, the central non-expanding portion 68, and the rear non-expanding portion 58 are set on both ends and the center side in the vehicle longitudinal direction in the BP chamber 14E. As a result, the BP chamber front portion 14E1 and the BP chamber rear portion 14E2 each expand in a substantially cylindrical shape with the longitudinal direction of the B pillar 26 as the axial direction (see FIG. 2). For this reason, the head FH of the front seat occupant FP can be restrained by the BP chamber front portion 14E1 against a collision from the oblique rear side (backward and outward in the vehicle width direction) with respect to the automobile 12. Similarly, the head RH of the rear seat occupant RP can be restrained by the BP chamber rear portion 14E2 with respect to a collision from the front side of the automobile 12 (frontward and outward in the vehicle width direction). This contributes to an improvement in the head restraint performance of the front and rear seat occupants FP and RP against an oblique collision.

  In addition, the tension strap 74 provided on the outer side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the B pillar chamber 14E in the inflated and expanded state is extended, so that the BP chamber front portion 14E1 and the BP chamber rear portion 14E2 pass the central non-expandable portion 68 side in the vehicle width direction. Inclined to protrude inward. Accordingly, the head FH of the front seat occupant FP can be easily received by the BP chamber front portion 14E1 and the head RH of the rear seat occupant RP can be easily received by the BP chamber rear portion 14E2 with respect to the oblique collision as described above. . Therefore, it further contributes to the improvement of the head restraint performance of the front and rear seat occupants FP and RP against an oblique collision.

  In the present embodiment, the gas generated from the inflator 16 is supplied to the front seat delay chamber 14C through the front throttle passage 52 formed between the front seat main chamber 14A and the front seat delay chamber 14C. As a result, the front seat delay chamber 14C inflates and expands with respect to the front seat main chamber 14A, the rear seat main chamber 14B, and the BP chamber 14E with a time delay. Accordingly, the head FH of the front seat occupant FP can be restrained by the front seat delay chamber 14 </ b> C against an oblique collision or rollover of the automobile 12.

  Further, the gas generated from the inflator 16 is supplied to the rear seat delay chamber 14D through the rear throttle passage 60 formed between the BP chamber 14E and the rear seat delay chamber 14D. As a result, the rear seat delay chamber 14D expands and develops with a time delay with respect to the front seat main chamber 14A, the rear seat main chamber 14B, and the BP chamber 14E. Thus, the head RH of the rear seat occupant RP can be restrained by the rear seat delay chamber 14D against an oblique collision or rollover of the automobile 12.

  Moreover, when the front seat main chamber 14A is pushed by the head FH of the front seat occupant FP, a part of the gas supplied to the front seat main chamber 14A passes through the front throttle passage 52 and the front seat delay chamber. 14C, and also supplied to the rear seat delay chamber 14D through the BP chamber rear portion 14E2 and the rear throttle passage 60. Accordingly, the internal pressure of the front seat main chamber 14A can be prevented from excessively rising, and therefore, it is possible to avoid the HIC of the front seat occupant FP from increasing due to the excessive increase of the internal pressure of the front seat main chamber 14A.

  In the above embodiment, the curtain airbag 14 includes the front seat main chamber 14A, the rear seat main chamber 14B, the front seat delay chamber 14C, and the rear seat delay chamber 14D, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The configuration of the curtain airbag 14 can be changed as appropriate. For example, in a two-seater vehicle, the rear seat main chamber and the rear seat delay chamber may be omitted.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although it was set as the structure by which the front jet outlet 78 of the diffuser 18 was formed by one opening, this invention is not limited to this. That is, for example, the front outlet 78 of the diffuser 18 may be divided into three openings, and the three openings may be respectively assigned to the front seat main chamber 14A, the BP chamber front part 14E1, and the BP chamber rear part 14E2.

  In addition, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the scope of the invention. It goes without saying that the scope of rights of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

10 Vehicle Curtain Airbag Device 12 Car (Vehicle)
14A Front seat main chamber 14B Rear seat main chamber 14C Front seat delay chamber 14D Rear seat delay chamber 14E B pillar chamber 14E1 BP chamber front (front)
14E2 BP chamber rear (rear)
16 inflator 18 diffuser 26 B pillar 34 roof side portion 52 front throttle passage 60 rear throttle passage 62 front non-expansion portion 64 front seat gas supply port 68 central non-expansion portion 70 first gas supply port (B pillar gas supply port)
72 Second gas supply port (B pillar gas supply port)
78 Front outlet (outlet)
80 rear spout

Claims (3)

An inflator disposed on the B pillar side in the roof side portion of the vehicle;
A diffuser for ejecting the gas generated by the inflator from an ejection port;
An upper end portion is fixed to the roof side portion, and gas ejected from the ejection port is supplied from a front seat gas supply port that opens toward the ejection port side, and a front seat occupant's head and vehicle body side portion are provided. A front seat main chamber that is inflated and deployed between the door belt line and the lower end portion of the vehicle, and extends below the door belt line.
Gas that is connected to the rear of the front seat main chamber and is ejected from the ejection port is supplied from a B pillar gas supply port that opens toward the ejection port side, and expands inward in the vehicle width direction of the B pillar. A B pillar chamber that expands and is partitioned into a front part and a rear part by a central non-expanding part that extends in the longitudinal direction of the B pillar in an expanded and deployed state ;
A curtain airbag device for a vehicle comprising:   2. The curtain air bag apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the B pillar chamber is partitioned from the front seat main chamber by a front non-inflatable portion extending in a longitudinal direction of the B pillar in an inflated and deployed state. A gas generated by the inflator is supplied through a rear outlet formed in the diffuser, and a rear seat main chamber that is inflated and deployed between the head of the rear seat occupant and the side of the vehicle body;
A front seat delay chamber in which gas generated by the inflator is supplied through a front throttle passage formed between the front seat main chamber and the front seat main chamber is inflated and deployed in front of the vehicle;
A rear seat delay chamber in which the gas generated by the inflator is supplied through a rear throttle passage formed between the B pillar chamber and inflated and deployed between the B pillar chamber and the rear seat main chamber. When,
The curtain airbag device for vehicles according to claim 1 or 2 provided with these.