Airbag device

Abstract

The present invention relates to an airbag device, and provides an airbag device that can suppress the sliding caused by the airbag when a pedestrian or the like collides with a vehicle, and can more effectively absorb the impact. The airbag device (E) includes an airbag (100) that is deployed and inflated toward the outside of the vehicle, and a gas generator that supplies inflation gas to the inside of the airbag, wherein a deformable component (120) is provided inside the airbag (100) and is deformed by the heat of the inflation gas supplied from the gas generator.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an airbag device that is deployed toward the front side of a vehicle, and more particularly to an airbag device for protecting pedestrians or occupants of two-wheeled vehicles (hereinafter referred to as "pedestrians, etc."). Background Art

[0002] In the currently known airbag devices, when a pedestrian collides with a vehicle, the airbag will deploy and inflate toward the front side of the front pillar of the vehicle (for example, see Patent Document 1), or the airbag will deploy and inflate toward the front side of the bumper (for example, see Patent Document 2), thereby protecting the pedestrian.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-235007

[0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-229014 Summary of the invention

[0007] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] However, in airbag devices for protecting pedestrians, etc., since pedestrians, etc. are generally more susceptible to greater impact than occupants of a vehicle, more effective impact absorption when a pedestrian, etc. collides with a vehicle is desired.

[0009] In particular, when the occupants of a two-wheeled vehicle, including a bicycle, collide with a vehicle, the relative speed of the two-wheeled vehicle and the vehicle is high, and there is little time for each other to perceive danger. Therefore, there is a possibility that they will not be able to take sufficient evasive action and will collide directly. The impact force when the occupants of the two-wheeled vehicle collide with the vehicle increases, and it is necessary to reduce the injuries to pedestrians and others.

[0010] Therefore, in order to absorb the large impact force, it is considered to install a large airbag device in the front of the vehicle.

[0011] However, if the airbag body is enlarged, the impact absorption capacity will be improved, but the contact between the pedestrian and the airbag may cause the bag body to rotate in an infinite orbit centered on the internal gas, causing the pedestrian to slide relative to the vehicle.

[0012] In this case, the airbag cannot completely absorb the relative displacement between the pedestrian and the vehicle, and bounces off the vehicle, causing a secondary collision between the pedestrian and the road surface.

[0013] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an airbag device that can suppress sliding caused by the airbag when a pedestrian or the like collides with a vehicle and can more effectively absorb the impact itself.

[0014] Means of solving problems

[0015] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an airbag device, comprising an airbag that is deployed and inflated toward the outside of a vehicle and a gas generator that supplies inflation gas to the interior of the airbag, wherein a deformable component is provided inside the airbag and the deformable component is deformed by the heat of the inflation gas supplied from the gas generator.

[0016] Effects of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, in an airbag device for protecting pedestrians or the like, it is possible to suppress sliding caused by the airbag when the pedestrian or the like collides with a vehicle, and to more effectively absorb the impact itself. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle having an airbag device of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 is a side view of a vehicle when the airbag in the airbag device of the present invention is deployed;

[0020] 3(a)-(c) are explanatory diagrams showing the airbag of Embodiment 1;

[0021] 4 (a) - (d) are explanatory diagrams showing an airbag according to Embodiment 2;

[0022] 5(a)-(b) are schematic diagrams showing the deformation transfer of the airbag when the protected object collides with the airbag;

[0023] Figure 6 It is a side view of a vehicle including an airbag device according to a modified example of the first to fourth embodiments.

[0024] Explanation of symbols

[0025] 1: vehicle; 2: front bumper; 3: hood; 4: front fender; 5: windshield; 6: front pillar; 7: roof; 8: side door; 9: side mirror; 10: front grille; 11: logo; 100: airbag; 101: supply port; 111: discharge port; 120: deformation component; 130: deformation component; 131: deformation main body; 132: connecting rope DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The present invention is an airbag device that is deployed toward the front side of a vehicle and is used to reduce the damage to pedestrians or the like who are protected from collision with the vehicle.

[0027] The following is based on Figure 1 to Figure 6, an airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention is described.

[0028] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle 1 having an airbag device E, Figure 2 It is a side view of the vehicle 1 when the airbag in the airbag device E is deployed.

[0029] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a vehicle 1 having an airbag device E has a front bumper 2 at the front end portion of the vehicle 1, a hood 3 above and to the rear of the front bumper 2, a front fender 4 on the side of the hood 3, a windshield 5 on the rear side of the hood 3, front pillars 6 on both side edges of the windshield 5, a roof 7 on the top of the vehicle 1, a side door 8 on the side portion of the vehicle 1, and a side rearview mirror 9 above the side door 8 as an external structure.

[0030] Furthermore, a front grille 10 for introducing air into the interior of the engine hood 3 and a decorative emblem 11 are provided above the front bumper 2 .

[0031] An airbag device E is provided inside (on the rear side) the front bumper 2, and the airbag 100 is folded and stored. The airbag device E may be provided inside (on the rear side) the front grille 10 instead of inside the front bumper 2.

[0032] The airbag device E includes an airbag 100 formed of a base fabric of a synthetic fiber fabric such as nylon, and a gas generator (not shown) that supplies inflation gas to the interior of the airbag 100 .

[0033] When the airbag device E detects in advance that the protected object will collide with the vehicle 1, it operates the gas generator to supply inflation gas to the inside of the airbag 100 to inflate the airbag 100. At this time, the front bumper 2 falls due to the pressure of the inflated airbag 100.

[0034] And, if Figure 2 As shown, the airbag 100 in the airbag device E is deployed and inflated from the front bumper 2 toward the front side of the vehicle 1 .

[0035] Inside the airbag 100 , a deforming member 120 that is deformed by the heat of inflation gas supplied from the gas generator is provided.

[0036] The deformable member 120 is made of a heat shrinkable member such as polystyrene, polyester, or polyvinyl chloride that shrinks due to the heat of the expanding gas.

[0037] Alternatively, the deformable member 120 may be formed of a thermal expansion member into which a foaming agent such as polypropylene, sodium bicarbonate, ammonium carbonate, diazonoaminobenzene, or dinitrosopentamethylenetetramine is mixed and which expands by the heat of the expanding gas.

[0038] The airbag 100 also has a discharge port 111 that is opened to communicate with the outside of the airbag 100 , and inflation gas supplied to the airbag 100 is discharged from the discharge port 111 .

[0039] Next, the internal structure of the airbag 100 will be described.

[0040] <Implementation Method 1>

[0041] 3(a) to (c) are explanatory diagrams showing the airbag 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0042] Figure 3(a) is a front view of the airbag 100 in the main view of the vehicle 1; Figure 3(b) is a conceptual cross-sectional view of the airbag 100 before the deformable component 120 is contracted, with the front-to-back direction of the vehicle 1 as the cross-sectional direction; Figure 3(c) is a conceptual cross-sectional view of the airbag 100 after the deformable component 120 is contracted, with the front-to-back direction of the vehicle 1 as the cross-sectional direction.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 3( a ), in a front view of the vehicle 1 , the deforming member 120 is provided on the inner wall of the center portion of the airbag 100 .

[0044] As shown in Fig. 3(b), the deformable member 120 is formed in a strip shape, and one end is connected to the inner wall of the front end of the airbag 100. In addition, the state shown in Fig. 3(b) is the state before the airbag 100 is fully inflated, and is a cross-sectional conceptual diagram before the deformable member 120 is contracted. However, in reality, when the airbag 100 starts to inflate, the deformable member 120 starts to contract.

[0045] When inflation gas is supplied from the gas generator to the interior of the airbag 100 , as shown in FIG. 3( c ), the deformable member 120 contracts into a spherical shape toward the inner wall side of the airbag 100 due to the heat of the inflation gas.

[0046] In addition, the inflation gas supplied from the gas generator is supplied to the airbag 100 through the supply port 101 , and a discharge port 111 is provided below and on the rear side of the airbag 100 .

[0047] Therefore, the inflation gas supplied to the airbag 100 is discharged from the discharge port 111 to the outside of the airbag 100 , and the shape of the inflated airbag 100 can be deformed by collision with the protection object.

[0048] As described later, when the shape of the inflated airbag 100 can be deformed by collision with the protected object, the deformable component 120 that shrinks into a spherical shape inside the airbag 100 rubs against the inner wall of the airbag 100. In addition, the deformable components rub and entangle with each other, thereby generating a large friction force, which can suppress the sliding caused by the airbag 100 when the protected object collides with the vehicle 1, and can more effectively absorb the impact itself.

[0049] Furthermore, since the central portion and the front end portion of the airbag 100 where the deformable member 120 is provided are portions of the airbag 100 that are easily contacted by the protected object, the friction force of the deformable member 120 can be generated more effectively.

[0050] In the first embodiment, the deformable member 120 is connected to the inner wall of the central portion and the front end portion of the airbag 100, but the deformable member 120 may be connected to the inner wall of substantially the entire area of ​​the airbag 100. In addition, the deformable member 120 may be installed in a specific portion other than the lower portion located on the lower side of the airbag 100 in the side view of the vehicle.

[0051] <Implementation Method 2>

[0052] 4(a) to (d) are explanatory diagrams showing an airbag 100 according to Embodiment 2, in which, instead of connecting the deformable member 120 to the inner wall of the airbag 100, a deformable member 130 that contracts due to the heat of the inflation gas is provided at a supply port 101 for supplying the inflation gas.

[0053] 4(a) to (d) are conceptual cross-sectional views of the airbag 100 with the front-rear direction of the vehicle 1 as the cross-sectional direction. In FIG. 4(a) to (d), the states of the deformable member 130 and the airbag 100 are shown in time series.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 4( a ), the deforming member 130 is provided in the vicinity of the supply port 101 for supplying the inflation gas.

[0055] The deforming member 130 is composed of a long deforming main body 131 and a thin belt-shaped connecting string 132 connected to the supply port 101 .

[0056] As shown in FIG. 4( a ), when the inflation gas starts to be supplied from the supply port 101 , the deformable main body portion 131 receives the force generated by the wind pressure of the inflation gas and expands inside the airbag 100 .

[0057] 4 (b), when a predetermined amount of inflation gas is supplied from the supply port 101 to increase the internal temperature of the airbag 100, the connecting rope 132 is cut by wind pressure and heat, and the deformed main body portion 131 is scattered inside the airbag 100.

[0058] Then, as shown in FIG. 4( c ), the deformed main body portion 131 is melted to the inner wall of the airbag 100 .

[0059] Finally, as shown in FIG. 4( d ), the deformation main body portion 131 shrinks by the heat of the expansion gas on the inner wall of the airbag 100 , and becomes a plurality of spherical shapes protruding on the surface, such as a rolled belt shape.

[0060] In embodiment 2, when the shape of the inflated airbag 100 can be deformed by collision with the protected object, the deformed main body 131 that shrinks into a spherical shape inside the airbag 100 rubs against the inner wall of the airbag 100, generating a large friction force, which can suppress the sliding caused by the airbag 100 when the protected object collides with the vehicle 1, and can more effectively absorb the impact itself.

[0061] In the second embodiment, the deformable member 130 is composed of the long deformable main body 131 and the thin belt-shaped connecting string 132, but it may be composed of only the spherical, flat or disc-shaped deformable main body 131 without the connecting string 132 connected to the supply port 101. However, the deformable main body 131 preferably has a wind receiving portion that receives the force generated by the wind pressure of the inflation gas supplied from the supply port 101.

[0062] In the second embodiment, the contraction temperature or thermal expansion temperature is preferably higher than the internal temperature of the airbag 100 when inflation gas is supplied from the supply port 101 so that the deformable member 130 does not melt when inflation gas is supplied from the supply port 101 .

[0063] <Deformation transfer of airbag>

[0064] 5( a )-( b ) , a structure that enables the airbag 100 of the above first and second embodiments to more effectively absorb the impact when the protected object collides with the vehicle 1 will be described.

[0065] 5( a )-( b ) are schematic diagrams showing the deformation transition of the airbag 100 when a protected object collides with the airbag 100 .

[0066] As shown in FIG. 5( a ), when the protected object collides with the vehicle 1 , the protected object collides with the airbag 100 first, and the impact force from the protected object causes the shape of the airbag 100 to deform.

[0067] At this time, a deformable member 120 that contracts into a spherical shape is formed on the inner wall of the airbag 100 , and the deformable member 120 rubs against the inner wall of the airbag 100 .

[0068] Furthermore, when the deformable member 120 rubs against the inner wall of the airbag 100 , as shown in FIGS. 5( a ) and 5 ( b ), a large friction force is generated inside the airbag 100 due to the deformable member 120 .

[0069] This can suppress the sliding of the airbag 100 when the protected object collides with the vehicle 1 , and can more effectively absorb the impact, thereby reducing the damage to the protected object.

[0070] <Other Modifications>

[0071] In the above-described first and second embodiments, the airbag that is deployed and inflated toward the front side of the vehicle 1 is only one of the airbags 100 that generates a large friction force inside the airbag, but another airbag may be provided.

[0072] For example, Figure 6 As shown, a thin semi-elliptical or rectangular airbag 200 may be deployed toward the front side of the vehicle 1 and below the airbag 100 .

[0073] In addition, the front end of the airbag 200 is deployed further forward than the front end of the airbag 100 relative to the front and rear direction of the vehicle. In addition, the upper end of the airbag 200 is deployed at a height below the knee of the protected person. Thus, the airbag 200 can play a role of sweeping the legs of the protected person.

[0074] Moreover, the airbag 100 further has an airbag 200, whereby the airbag 200 first sweeps the legs of the protected object, causing the protected object to fall toward the airbag 100, and then the friction force inside the airbag 100 more effectively absorbs the impact force of the protected object.

[0075] Although there are various collision modes for the protected object, the airbag 200 acting as a sweeping leg can guide the collision mode for the protected object to fall to the side of the airbag 100, and can easily absorb the impact according to the collision mode assumed in advance.

[0076] As described above, the airbag device E of the present invention can suppress the sliding of the airbag 100 when the protected object collides with the vehicle 1 and absorb the impact more effectively, thereby reducing the damage to the protected object.

Claims

1. An airbag device comprising an airbag that is deployed and inflated toward the outside of a vehicle and a gas generator that supplies inflation gas to the inside of the airbag, wherein: There is a deformable component inside the airbag, and the deformable component shrinks toward the inner wall side of the airbag due to the heat of the expanding gas supplied from the gas generator, so that the deformable component shrunk into a spherical shape rubs against the inner wall of the airbag, thereby suppressing the sliding caused by the airbag when the protected object collides with the vehicle.

2. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein: The deformable member is connected to an inner wall of the airbag.

3. The airbag device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The deforming member is connected to an inner wall of a front end portion of the airbag.

4. The airbag device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The deformable member is connected to an inner wall of a protective contact portion that is a protective contact portion of the airbag that is likely to contact a protected object to be protected from a vehicle collision.

5. The airbag device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The deformable member is formed in a belt shape, and one end thereof is connected to the inner wall of the airbag.

6. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein: The deforming member is disposed in the vicinity of a supply port for supplying the inflation gas into the interior of the airbag.

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