WO2012105027A1

WO2012105027A1 - Occupant protection device

Info

Publication number: WO2012105027A1
Application number: PCT/JP2011/052285
Authority: WO
Inventors: 大示加藤
Original assignee: トヨタ自動車株式会社
Priority date: 2011-02-03
Filing date: 2011-02-03
Publication date: 2012-08-09

Abstract

An occupant protection device (10a) for protecting an occupant in the vehicle by inflating a curtain shield airbag (100). A tether strap (102) for connecting the curtain shield airbag (100) and the vehicle body has a pretensioner (110) for reducing the play between the curtain shield airbag (100) and the vehicle body. Even if a play occurs between the curtain shield airbag (100) and the vehicle body due to the deformation of the vehicle body occurring in a collision, the pretensioner (110) reduces the play between the curtain shield airbag (100) and the vehicle body, and as a result, the occupant is more effectively protected.

Description

Crew protection device

The present invention relates to an occupant protection device, and more particularly to an occupant protection device that protects a vehicle occupant by inflating an airbag.

A device for protecting a vehicle occupant by inflating an airbag has been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus for deploying an airbag from above to below along a side window portion of a vehicle body. In this device, the supported portion at the lower end on the front side of the airbag body and the support position of the front pillar are connected by a strap. The strap is stored along the front pillar in a state where the airbag body is folded and stored in the roof side portion. When the airbag is deployed, the supported portion moves from the initial position to the deployed position. The separation dimension between the support position and the deployment position in the unfolded state is arranged to be substantially equal to the separation dimension between the support position and the initial position in the storage state. The strap is coupled to the lower portion of the airbag body, and is disposed so as to be inclined upward toward the support position in the deployed state. Thereby, in this apparatus, about the curtain airbag which covers the window part of the side of a motor vehicle, tension | tensile_strength is applied to an airbag with a strap, and it is developed stably.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-291717

By the way, in the above technique, the airbag is connected to the vehicle body by the strap, but the vehicle body may be deformed in the event of a collision. For this reason, there is room for improvement in that the inflated airbag is fixed at a desired position.

The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an occupant protection device capable of protecting an occupant more effectively.

The present invention is an occupant protection device that protects a vehicle occupant by inflating an airbag, and includes a connection unit that connects the airbag and the vehicle body, and the connection unit is provided between the airbag and the vehicle body. It is an occupant protection device having a slack prevention mechanism that reduces slack.

According to this configuration, in the occupant protection device that protects the vehicle occupant by inflating the air bag, the connecting unit that connects the air bag and the vehicle body reduces slack between the air bag and the vehicle body. Has a slack prevention mechanism. For this reason, even when a slack occurs between the airbag and the vehicle body due to the deformation of the vehicle body that occurs at the time of the collision, the slack prevention mechanism reduces the slack between the airbag and the vehicle body. Crew can be protected.

In this case, the slack preventing mechanism can draw the air bag and the vehicle body together in accordance with the amount of slack generated between the air bag and the vehicle body due to deformation of the vehicle body.

According to this configuration, the slack prevention mechanism pulls the airbag and the vehicle body together according to the amount of looseness generated between the airbag and the vehicle body due to the deformation of the vehicle body. For this reason, even when a slack is generated between the airbag and the vehicle body due to the deformation of the vehicle body caused at the time of the collision, the airbag is changed according to the amount of looseness generated between the airbag and the vehicle body due to the deformation of the vehicle body. And the vehicle body are attracted to each other, and the passenger can be more effectively protected.

In addition, the tension generation source that generates the tension that reduces the slack between the airbag and the vehicle body of the slack prevention mechanism is the rear cover of the vehicle body, rather than the canopy of the cabin of the vehicle body, the portion where the airbag and the vehicle body are connected. It can be assumed that it is installed in any one of the parts and the instrument panel reinforcement.

According to this configuration, the tension generation source that generates the tension that reduces the slackness between the airbag and the vehicle body of the slack prevention mechanism is from the canopy of the compartment of the vehicle body, the portion where the airbag and the vehicle body are connected. Is also installed either in the rear part of the vehicle body or in the instrument panel reinforcement. Since the canopies and the like of these passenger compartments are parts that undergo relatively little deformation even during a collision, the passengers can be more effectively protected while preventing the influence of deformation due to the collision.

Also, the airbag can be inflated and deployed along the side wall of the vehicle interior.

According to this configuration, the airbag is inflated and deployed along the side wall in the vehicle interior of the vehicle. Such an airbag is effective for protecting an occupant when a vehicle collides with an obstacle in a lateral direction or an obliquely forward direction. However, in order for such an airbag to be effective, it is necessary that the airbag and the vehicle body are firmly connected regardless of the deformation of the vehicle and the airbag is deployed at a predetermined position. Therefore, the occupant protection device provided with the slack preventing mechanism of the present invention is particularly effective when the airbag is inflated and deployed along the side wall of the vehicle interior of the vehicle.

The connecting unit includes a tether strap that connects the front side of the airbag and the front pillar of the vehicle, a tether strap that connects the rear side of the airbag and the center pillar of the airbag, and a rear side of the airbag. It has at least one of tether straps that connect the rear pillars of the vehicle body, and the loosening prevention mechanism can generate tension by pulling the tether straps toward the vehicle body side.

According to this configuration, the connection unit includes a tether strap that connects the front side of the airbag to the front pillar of the vehicle, a tether strap that connects the rear side of the airbag and the center pillar of the airbag, and the airbag. It has at least one of a tether strap that connects the rear side of the vehicle body and the rear pillar of the vehicle body, and the loosening prevention mechanism generates tension by pulling the tether strap toward the vehicle body side. For this reason, the passenger | crew can be protected more effectively by reducing the looseness between the front pillar, center pillar, or rear pillar of the vehicle body and the airbag.

Moreover, the slack prevention mechanism can generate tension between the airbag and the vehicle body in advance.

According to this configuration, the slack prevention mechanism generates tension between the airbag and the vehicle body in advance. For this reason, even when deformation occurs in the vehicle body due to the collision, loosening between the airbag and the vehicle body can be effectively prevented.

Also, the loosening prevention mechanism can generate a tension between the airbag and the vehicle body when the vehicle collides.

According to this configuration, the loosening prevention mechanism generates tension between the airbag and the vehicle body when the vehicle collides. For this reason, loosening between the airbag and the vehicle body caused by the deformation of the vehicle body at the time of a collision can be effectively prevented.

In addition, the loosening prevention mechanism can reduce the distance between the airbag and the vehicle body, and once the distance between the airbag and the vehicle body is reduced, the distance between the airbag and the vehicle body cannot be increased. It can be made impossible.

According to this configuration, the loosening prevention mechanism can reduce the distance between the airbag and the vehicle body, and after reducing the distance between the airbag and the vehicle body, the distance between the airbag and the vehicle body is reduced. It is impossible to increase it. For this reason, even if slack occurs between the airbag and the vehicle body due to the deformation of the vehicle body due to the collision, the distance between the airbag and the vehicle body once reduced does not return to the original, so the slack is more effectively removed. Can be prevented.

The occupant protection device of the present invention can protect the occupant more effectively.

It is a perspective view showing an outline of composition of an occupant protection device concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a side view showing composition of an occupant protection device concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the aspect which replaced the pretensioner of FIG. 2 with the retractor with a reverse rotation prevention mechanism. It is a figure which shows the aspect which replaced the pretensioner of FIG. 2 with the spring mechanism. It is a side view which shows the operation | movement at the time of the collision of the occupant protection device of FIG. It is a side view which shows the structure of the conventional passenger | crew protection apparatus. It is a side view which shows the operation | movement at the time of the collision of the passenger | crew protection apparatus of FIG. It is a side view which shows the operation | movement at the time of the collision of the passenger | crew protection apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a side view showing operation at the time of a collision of an occupant protection device concerning a 3rd embodiment. It is a top view which shows the operation | movement at the time of the collision of the passenger | crew protection apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment.

Hereinafter, an occupant protection device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, an occupant protection device 10 a according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes an A pillar (front pillar) 12, B that configures a curtain shield airbag 100 as a side wall of a vehicle compartment when a vehicle collides. It expands along the pillar (center pillar) 14, the C pillar (rear pillar) 16 and the roof side reinforcement 18 while being expanded. The deployed curtain shield airbag (CSA) 100 protects the passengers seated in the front seat 22 and the rear seat 24 from impacts from the side and diagonally forward of the vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 2, the curtain shield airbag 100 is normally folded and stored along the roof side reinforcement 18 at the vehicle canopy side end. A tether strap 102 for connecting the curtain shield airbag 100 and the vehicle body extends from the side end of the curtain shield airbag 100 along the A pillar 12. The lower end portion of the tether strap 102 is installed at the lower portion of the A pillar 12 and is connected to a pretensioner 110 that pulls the tether strap 102 with a force such as explosives when the vehicle collides. When the tether strap 102 is slack at the time of collision, the pretensioner 110 applies tension to the tether strap 102 to reduce the slack. The tether strap 102 and the pretensioner 110 constitute a connecting unit in the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, the pretensioner 110 may be replaced with a retractor 120 with a reverse rotation prevention mechanism. The retractor 120 with the reverse rotation prevention mechanism winds the tether strap 102 with a reel in advance and applies a tension. When the tether strap 102 is slackened at the time of collision, the retractor 120 with the reverse rotation prevention mechanism winds up with the reel as much as the tether strap 102 is slackened. The retractor 120 with a reverse rotation prevention mechanism prevents the tether strap 102 once wound around the reel from returning to its original length by preventing the reel from rotating backward by a ratchet mechanism or the like. The retractor 120 with the reverse rotation prevention mechanism can keep the tether strap 102 at an appropriate length while preventing the tether strap 102 from being broken due to excessive tension at the time of collision.

As shown in FIG. 4, the pretensioner 110 may be replaced with a spring mechanism 130. The spring mechanism 130 applies tension to the tether strap 102 with a spring in advance. The spring mechanism 130 reduces the slackness of the tether strap 102 due to the tension of the spring when the tether strap 102 is slackened at the time of collision. The spring mechanism 130 has a simple structure and can prevent the tether strap 102 from being broken due to an impact at the time of collision.

Hereinafter, the operation of the occupant protection device 10a of the present embodiment will be described. When the vehicle collides with an obstacle from diagonally forward and side, as shown in FIG. 5, the A pillar 12 may be deformed by the impact S, and the tether strap 102 may be slack. However, in this embodiment, the pretensioner 110 applies tension to the tether strap 102 at the time of collision, and prevents the tether strap 102 from slackening. Therefore, the deployed curtain shield airbag 100 is firmly connected to the vehicle body by the tether strap 102 even if the vehicle body is deformed, and can protect the occupant at a predetermined position.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the conventional occupant protection device 1, the tether strap 102 is fixed to the vehicle body by a tether strap fixing portion 150. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, when the A pillar 12 is deformed by the impact S, the tether strap 102 may be loosened.

On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, in the occupant protection device 10a that protects the vehicle occupant by inflating the curtain shield airbag 100, the tether strap 102 that connects the curtain shield airbag 100 and the vehicle body of the vehicle A pretensioner 110 for reducing slack between the shield airbag 100 and the vehicle body is provided. For this reason, even when a slack occurs between the curtain shield airbag 100 and the vehicle body due to the deformation of the vehicle body that occurs at the time of the collision, the pretensioner 110 reduces the slack between the curtain shield airbag 100 and the vehicle body. Therefore, the passenger can be protected more effectively.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the pretensioner 110, the retractor 120 with the reverse rotation prevention mechanism, and the spring mechanism 130 are provided in accordance with the amount of looseness generated between the curtain shield airbag 100 and the vehicle body due to the deformation of the vehicle body. The curtain shield airbag 100 and the vehicle body are drawn together. For this reason, even when a slack occurs between the curtain shield airbag 100 and the vehicle body due to the deformation of the vehicle body that occurs at the time of the collision, the slackness that occurs between the curtain shield airbag 100 and the vehicle body due to the deformation of the vehicle body. The curtain shield airbag 100 and the vehicle body are attracted to each other according to the amount, and the passenger can be more effectively protected.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the pretensioner 110 generates a tension between the curtain shield airbag 100 and the vehicle body when the vehicle collides. For this reason, loosening between the curtain shield airbag 100 and the vehicle body caused by deformation of the vehicle body at the time of a collision can be effectively prevented, and the response is excellent.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, the retractor 120 with the reverse rotation prevention mechanism and the spring mechanism 130 generate tension between the curtain shield airbag 100 and the vehicle body in advance. For this reason, even when deformation occurs in the vehicle body due to the collision, loosening between the curtain shield airbag 100 and the vehicle body can be effectively prevented. Further, it is possible to prevent the tether strap 102 from being broken by an impact.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the retractor 120 with the reverse rotation prevention mechanism can reduce the distance between the curtain shield airbag 100 and the vehicle body, and once reduces the distance between the curtain shield airbag 100 and the vehicle body. After this, it is impossible to increase the distance between the curtain shield airbag 100 and the vehicle body. For this reason, even when a slack occurs between the curtain shield airbag 100 and the vehicle body due to deformation of the vehicle body due to a collision, the distance between the curtain shield airbag 100 and the vehicle body once reduced does not return to the original. Sag can be prevented more effectively.

In this embodiment, the curtain shield airbag 100 is inflated and deployed along the side wall of the vehicle interior of the vehicle. Such a curtain shield airbag 100 is effective for protecting an occupant when a vehicle collides with an obstacle in a lateral direction or an obliquely forward direction. However, in order for the curtain shield airbag 100 to be effective, the curtain shield airbag 100 and the vehicle body are firmly connected regardless of the deformation of the vehicle, and the curtain shield airbag 100 is deployed at a predetermined position. Need to be. Therefore, the occupant protection device 10a provided with the pretensioner 110 of the present invention is particularly effective when the airbag is inflated and deployed along the side wall in the vehicle interior of the vehicle, such as the curtain shield airbag 100. To demonstrate.

Further, in the present embodiment, the pretensioner 110 has a tether strap 102 that connects the front side of the curtain shield airbag 100 to the vehicle body and the A pillar of the vehicle body, and the pretensioner 110 pulls the tether strap 102 toward the vehicle body. To generate tension. For this reason, the occupant can be protected more effectively by reducing the looseness between the A-pillar 12 of the vehicle body and the curtain shield airbag 100. In this embodiment, the tether strap 102 that connects the rear side of the curtain shield airbag 100 to the B pillar 14 of the vehicle body, or the rear side of the curtain shield airbag 100 and the C pillar 16 of the vehicle body is connected. The pretensioner 110 may include the tether strap 102 and generate tension by pulling the tether strap 102 toward the vehicle body. Thereby, the looseness between the B-pillar 14 or C-pillar 16 of the vehicle body and the curtain shield airbag 100 can be reduced, and the occupant can be protected more effectively.

Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, in the occupant protection device 10b of the present embodiment, the pretensioner 110 is provided on the roof side reinforcement 18 at the rear of the A pillar 12 where the tether strap 102 and the vehicle body are connected. Also in this embodiment, it is possible to replace the pretensioner 110 with the retractor 120 with the reverse rotation prevention mechanism and the spring mechanism 130.

According to the present embodiment, the pretensioner 110 that generates tension that reduces the slack between the curtain shield airbag 100 and the vehicle body is more vehicle body than the A pillar 12 to which the curtain shield airbag 100 and the vehicle body are coupled. The rear side of the canopy is installed on the roof side reinforcement 18 of the canopy. Since the roof side reinforcement 18 is a portion that undergoes relatively little deformation even at the time of a collision, the occupant can be more effectively protected while preventing the influence of the deformation due to the collision.

Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, in the occupant protection device 10 c of the present embodiment, the pretensioner 110 is installed in the instrument panel reinforcement 20. Also in this embodiment, the pretensioner 110 can be replaced with the retractor 120 with the reverse rotation prevention mechanism and the spring mechanism 130.

According to the present embodiment, the pretensioner 110 that generates a tension that reduces the slack between the curtain shield airbag 100 and the vehicle body is installed in the instrument panel reinforcement 20. The instrument panel reinforcement 20 is a part that is relatively less deformed even at the time of a collision, and thus can protect the occupant more effectively while preventing the influence of the deformation due to the collision.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the aspect of connecting the A pillar 12 and the front end portion of the curtain shield airbag 100 has been mainly described. However, the technique of the above embodiment uses the rear end portion of the curtain shield airbag 100 as the B end. The present invention can be similarly applied when connecting to the pillar 14 or the C pillar 16.

1

Occupant protection device

10a, 10b, 10b Occupant protection device 12 A pillar (front pillar)
14 B pillar (Center pillar)
16 C pillar (rear pillar)
18 Roof side reinforcement 20 Instrument panel reinforcement 22 Front seat 24 Rear seat 100 Curtain shield airbag 102 Tether strap 110 Pretensioner 120 Retractor with reverse rotation prevention mechanism 130 Spring mechanism 150 Tether strap fixing part

Claims

An occupant protection device for protecting an occupant of a vehicle by inflating an airbag,
A connecting unit that connects the airbag and the vehicle body;
The said connection unit is a passenger | crew protection apparatus which has a slack prevention mechanism which reduces the slack between the said airbag and the said vehicle body.
2. The occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein the slack preventing mechanism pulls the air bag and the vehicle body toward each other in accordance with a slack amount generated between the air bag and the vehicle body due to deformation of the vehicle body. .
The tension generating source for generating the tension that reduces the slack between the airbag and the vehicle body of the slack prevention mechanism is from a canopy of a cabin of the vehicle body, a portion where the airbag and the vehicle body are connected. The occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein the occupant protection device is also installed at any one of a rear part of the vehicle body and an instrument panel reinforcement.
The occupant protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the airbag is inflated and deployed along a side wall of a vehicle interior of the vehicle.
The connection unit includes a tether strap that connects the vehicle body front side of the airbag and the front pillar of the vehicle body, a tether strap that connects the vehicle body rear side of the airbag and the center pillar of the vehicle body, and the air Having at least one of tether straps connecting the rear side of the vehicle body of the bag and the rear pillar of the vehicle body,
The occupant protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the loosening prevention mechanism generates tension by pulling the tether strap toward the vehicle body.
The occupant protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the slack prevention mechanism generates a tension between the airbag and the vehicle body in advance.
The occupant protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the loosening prevention mechanism generates a tension between the airbag and the vehicle body when the vehicle collides.
The loosening prevention mechanism can reduce the distance between the airbag and the vehicle body, and once the distance between the airbag and the vehicle body is reduced, the distance between the airbag and the vehicle body is reduced. The occupant protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein it is impossible to increase the vehicle occupancy.