Curtain airbag device

Abstract

To provide a curtain airbag device that can improve the efficiency and versatility of an installation space.SOLUTION: A curtain airbag device 100 includes: a roof bracket 138 which connects a roof side rail 114 to a frame member 142; an airbag cushion 102 which is mounted on the roof side rail 114 below the roof bracket 138; and an inflator 116 which supplies gas. The curtain airbag device 100 further includes: an inflator bracket 140 having connection sections 146a, 146b connected to the roof bracket 138 and gripping sections 144a, 144b which are brought into contact with a prescribed longitudinal range of the inflator 116 and can hold the inflator 116 between the gripping sections and the roof bracket 138; and band members 150a, 150b which bundle the gripping sections 144a, 144b of the inflator bracket 140 and the inflator 116.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a curtain airbag device for protecting an occupant in the event of a side collision or rollover of a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, airbag devices have become standard equipment for vehicles as a safety device. A typical airbag device detects an impact with a sensor, activates an inflator, which is a gas generator, and inflates and deploys an airbag cushion with the gas pressure. For example, the airbag cushion is stored folded in the center of the steering wheel in the case of a front airbag device, and is stored rolled up or otherwise in the vicinity of the upper part of the side door in the passenger compartment in the case of a curtain airbag device.

[0003] A typical curtain airbag device mainly uses a cylindrical inflator. This inflator is often fixed to the roof side rail at the upper part of the side wall of the vehicle interior using a metal bracket, but the space around the roof side rail where it can be installed is limited. Therefore, for example, in paragraph 0028 and Figure 5 of Patent Document 1, the inflator 43 is fixed to the roof side rail 13 using a load transmission member 30 that supports the center frame 20, which is a reinforcing member of the roof. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-171977 A Summary of the Invention

[0005] As described in paragraph 0028, Figure 5, etc., the load transmission member 30 of Patent Document 1 is provided with an inflator support part 38 that extends in an upward curve, and an inflator 43 is attached to this inflator support part 38 using a band 44. However, since the inflator support part 38 is integrally molded with the load transmission member 30, when making changes according to specifications or situations, it becomes necessary to newly manufacture the entire load transmission member 30. [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In view of the above problems, the present invention has an object to provide a curtain airbag device that can improve the efficiency of installation space and versatility. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a typical configuration of a curtain airbag device according to the present invention is a curtain airbag device comprising: a roof bracket connecting a roof side rail extending along the side edge of the vehicle roof and a frame member extending in the vehicle width direction along the underside of the roof; an airbag cushion that is rolled up or folded to take a long stored form in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle and is attached to the roof side rail below the roof bracket; and a cylindrical inflator that supplies gas to the airbag cushion, the curtain airbag device further comprising: an inflator bracket having a connection portion connected to the roof bracket and a gripping portion that contacts a predetermined range of the inflator in the longitudinal direction and is capable of clamping the inflator between the roof bracket and the inflator; and a band member that bundles the gripping portion of the inflator bracket and the inflator.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the roof bracket is a member that connects the lower frame member of the roof to the roof side rail, and by using the roof bracket as a fixing member for the inflator, it is possible to efficiently use the limited space in the upper part of the side wall of the vehicle compartment to install the curtain airbag device. In addition, in the above configuration, the roof bracket and the inflator bracket are combined to form a bracket unit, and it is possible to change the design of only the inflator bracket, for example. Therefore, it is possible to realize a highly versatile curtain airbag device that can easily be adapted to vehicles with different specifications and inflators with different dimensions.

[0009] The roof bracket may be attached to the roof side rail in a state where it is integrated with the inflator bracket by a connecting portion of the inflator bracket.

[0010] According to the above-mentioned configuration, the roof bracket can be integrated with the inflator bracket before the curtain airbag device is mounted on the vehicle, which facilitates the installation of the curtain airbag device on the vehicle.

[0011] The inflator may be mounted on the upper side of the roof bracket with a portion of the inflator inserted into the airbag cushion in the stored configuration.

[0012] According to the above-mentioned configuration, the inflator is installed in the space above the roof bracket, so that the space above the side wall of the vehicle compartment can be used efficiently.

[0013] The gripping portion may have a tapered end in the circumferential direction of the inflator.

[0014] According to the above configuration, the outer corner portion of the end of the gripping portion is tapered in shape, thereby making it possible to avoid localized force being applied to the band member when the band member is wrapped around the gripping portion, thereby preventing damage to the band member. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a curtain airbag device capable of improving the efficiency of the installation space and the versatility.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] [Figure 1] It is a figure which illustrates the outline | summary of the curtain airbag apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. [Diagram 2] It is the figure which expanded and illustrated the vicinity of the inflater of Fig.1 (a). [Diagram 3] It is the figure which illustrated the vicinity of the inflater of Fig.2 (a) seen from another direction. [Figure 4] It is the sectional view taken on the line A-A of the vicinity of the inflater of Fig.3 (a).

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values shown in such embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In the present specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals to omit redundant description, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a curtain airbag device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 (a) is a diagram illustrating a state before the operation of the curtain airbag device 100. The curtain airbag device 100 illustrated in the figure is for the right side surface of the passenger compartment, but the one for the left side surface (not shown) also has a similar symmetric structure.

[0019] 1(a) and other drawings, the front-rear direction of the vehicle is indicated by arrows F (Forward) and B (Back), the left and right directions in the vehicle width direction are indicated by arrows L (Left) and R (Right), and the top-bottom directions of the vehicle are indicated by arrows U (Up) and D (Down). In particular, "up" refers to the direction of the head of an occupant normally seated in a seat, and "down" refers to the direction of the lower legs of the occupant.

[0020] The vehicle is assumed to have two rows of seats, with a front row seat 104 and a rear row seat 106 arranged from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle is provided with a number of pillars that support the roof. The pillars include, from the front of the vehicle, an A-pillar 108, a B-pillar 110, and a C-pillar 112.

[0021] The airbag cushion 102 is wound or folded into a long roll-like storage form extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and is installed on a roof side rail 114 on the upper part of the side wall of the vehicle compartment. The installed airbag cushion 102 is covered with a roof trim (not shown), and is stored in the space between the roof side rail 114 and the roof trim.

[0022] The curtain airbag device 100 includes an inflator 116, which is a gas generating device, on an upper portion of the airbag cushion 102. The airbag cushion 102 inflates by the pressure of gas supplied from the inflator 116 to restrain the occupant.

[0023] In this embodiment, a cylinder type (cylindrical type) is used as the inflator 116. Currently popular inflators include a type filled with a gas generating agent that is burned to generate gas, a type filled with compressed gas that supplies gas without generating heat, and a type that is equipped with both a gas generating agent and compressed gas. Any type can be used as the inflator 116.

[0024] When the vehicle experiences a side collision or rollover, a sensor mounted on the vehicle detects the impact, which causes a signal to be sent to the inflator 116. This activates the inflator 116, which supplies gas to the airbag cushion 102.

[0025] Fig. 1(b) is a diagram illustrating a state after activation of the curtain airbag device 100. When the airbag cushion 102 receives gas from the inflator 116, it inflates and deploys downward along the side wall of the vehicle compartment such as a side window 118 (see Fig. 1(a)), thereby protecting the occupant.

[0026] The inflatable region of the airbag cushion 102 is divided into a number of small compartments called chambers, taking into consideration the positions where an occupant may come into contact. For example, a chamber 120 that protects an occupant in a front row seat 104 is provided at the front side of the vehicle. Also, a chamber 122 that protects an occupant in a rear row seat 106 is provided at the rear side of the vehicle. These chambers are divided by seams 124, which are linear non-inflatable regions, etc.

[0027] The airbag cushion 102 is for a curtain airbag and has a large shape that spreads along the side of the vehicle interior. The airbag cushion 102 is formed into a bag shape by overlapping and sewing or bonding two pieces of base fabric that make up the surface, or by weaving using OPW (One-Piece Woven).

[0028] An inflator insertion section 128 is provided near the upper center of the upper edge 126 of the airbag cushion 102. The inflator insertion section 128 is provided in a shape that protrudes upward from the other part of the upper edge 126 of the airbag cushion 102, and is attached with the gas ejection hole side of the inflator 116 (see FIG. 2(b)) inserted therein.

[0029] The inflator insert portion 128 communicates with a duct portion 130 extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and gas from the inflator 116 is supplied to each chamber via the duct portion 130.

[0030] The airbag cushion 102 is provided with tabs 132 at various locations on the upper edge 126 as attachment portions to the vehicle. The tabs 132 are strip-shaped and can be manufactured from the same material as the inflatable portion of the airbag cushion 102. The tabs 132 are fixed to the roof side rail 114 using members such as clips and bolts.

[0031] A strap 134 is also provided on the front end side of the airbag cushion 102. The strap 134 is string-like and connects the airbag cushion 102 to the A-pillar 108. The strap 134 stabilizes the deployment behavior by suppressing rocking of the airbag cushion 102 when it is inflated and deployed, and also applies tension to the airbag cushion 102 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0032] Fig. 2 is an enlarged view illustrating the vicinity of the inflator 116 in Fig. 1(a) and Fig. 2(a) is a perspective view illustrating the vicinity of the inflator 116 in Fig. 1(b) as viewed obliquely from the upper rear side inside the vehicle.

[0033] In this embodiment, the cylindrical inflator 116 is fixed to the roof side rail 114 in a direction longitudinally in the front-rear direction of the vehicle by using a bracket unit 136 including a roof bracket 138 and an inflator bracket 140. In particular, the roof bracket 138 is also a member that supports a frame member 142 on the lower side of the roof. In this embodiment, the roof bracket 138 is used not only as a support member for the frame member 142 but also as a fixing member for the inflator 116, thereby reducing the number of components and saving space.

[0034] The roof bracket 138 functions as a member connecting the frame member 142 and the roof side rail 114. The frame member 142 is a member that extends in the vehicle width direction along the underside of the roof, and is often used in vehicles that have fixed skylights, sunroofs, moonroofs, or other openings that can be opened and closed on the roof. Both ends of the frame member 142 in the vehicle width direction are connected to the left and right roof side rails 114 via the roof brackets 138.

[0035] The roof side rail 114 is a member extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle along the side edge of the roof and forms the upper part of the side wall of the vehicle compartment. The airbag cushion 102 in the stored form (see FIG. 3(a)) is installed on the roof side rail 114 so as to cross below the roof bracket 138.

[0036] The inflator bracket 140 is joined to the upper side of the roof bracket 138 and holds the inflator 116. The inflator bracket 140 has connection portions 146a, 146b that are connected to the roof bracket 138, and holding portions 144a, 144b that come into contact with a predetermined range of the inflator 116 in the longitudinal direction.

[0037] The connecting portions 146a, 146b contact the upper side of the roof bracket 138, and are joined to the roof bracket 138 by fasteners such as bolts 148a, 148b, or by other means such as welding.

[0038] The gripping portions 144a, 144b are in contact with two longitudinal positions of the inflator 116. The gripping portions 144a, 144b are curved along the outer periphery of the inflator 116, and contact the inflator 116 from above, sandwiching the inflator 116 between themselves and the roof bracket 138 below.

[0039] The band members 150a, 150b are wrapped around the gripping portions 144a, 144b of the inflator bracket 140 and the inflator 116, and bind them together to fix the inflator 116. The band members 150a, 150b may be made of metal or resin.

[0040] FIG. 2(b) is a diagram showing the roof bracket 138 in FIG. 2(a) with the inflator 116, the inflator bracket 140, and the frame member 142 removed.

[0041] The roof bracket 138 has a leg 152 fixed to the roof side rail 114, from which a base 154 extends inwardly of the vehicle. The leg 152 can be fixed to the roof side rail 114 by fastening with bolts or by welding. The base 154 has flanges 156, 158 on the front and rear sides, and has a downwardly convex hat-shaped cross section as a whole, supporting the frame member 142 (see FIG. 3(a)) from below.

[0042] Holes 160a, 160b used for connection to connecting parts 146a, 146b of the inflator bracket 140 (see FIG. 3(a)) are provided on the outer sides of the flanges 156, 158 in the vehicle width direction. Holes 162a, 162b used for connection to the frame member 142 are provided on the inner sides of the flanges 156, 158 in the vehicle width direction.

[0043] Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating the vicinity of the inflator 116 in Fig. 2(a) as viewed from another direction. Fig. 3(a) is a diagram illustrating the vicinity of the inflator 116 in Fig. 2(a) as viewed from the inside of the vehicle.

[0044] The airbag cushion 102 in the stowed configuration is mounted to the roof side rail 114 over and below the roof bracket 138 .

[0045] The inflator 116 is installed above the roof bracket 138 with the front end 116a having the gas ejection holes inserted into the inflator insertion portion 128 of the airbag cushion 102 in the stored form. With this configuration, the inflator 116 is installed using the space above the roof bracket 138, making it possible to efficiently use the space above the side wall of the vehicle interior.

[0046] A rear end 116b of the inflator 116 having a terminal is exposed from the airbag cushion 102, and a predetermined harness or the like is connected thereto.

[0047] FIG. 3(b) is a diagram illustrating the vicinity of the inflator 116 in FIG. 2(a) as viewed from the rear side of the vehicle.

[0048] As described above, the roof bracket 138 is configured such that the leg portion 152 is fixed to the roof side rail 114 and the base portion 154 extends from the roof side rail 114 toward the vehicle interior. The base portion 154 supports the frame member 142 from below. The leg portion 152 is also slightly curved downward, and the inflator 116 is installed in the space above.

[0049] The gripping portions 144a, 144b (see FIG. 3(a)) of the inflator bracket 140 are curved along the outer periphery of the inflator 116 and grip the inflator 116 from above. The connecting portions 146a, 146b are curved toward the inside of the vehicle while extending downward from the front side of the gripping portions 144a, 144b, and come into contact with flanges 156, 158 of the roof bracket 138 and are fixed to the flanges 156, 158 by bolts 148a, 148b, etc.

[0050] According to this embodiment, the roof bracket 138 is a member that connects the frame member 142 to the roof side rail 114, and by using the roof bracket 138 also as a fixing member for the inflator 116, it becomes possible to efficiently use the limited space at the top of the side wall of the vehicle compartment to install the curtain airbag device 100.

[0051] In this embodiment, the bracket unit 136 is formed by combining the roof bracket 138 and the inflator bracket 140, and it is possible to change the design of only the inflator bracket 140, for example. Therefore, it is possible to realize a highly versatile curtain airbag device 100 that can easily accommodate vehicles of different specifications and inflators of different dimensions.

[0052] The roof bracket 138 can be attached to the roof side rail 114 in a state where it is integrated with the inflator bracket 140 by the connection portions 146a, 146b of the inflator bracket 140. In other words, the roof bracket 138 and the inflator bracket 140 can be handled as an integrated bracket unit 136. According to this configuration, the roof bracket 138 can be integrated with the inflator bracket 140 before being mounted on the vehicle, which facilitates the assembly work of the curtain airbag device 100 to the vehicle.

[0053] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in the vicinity of the inflator 116 in Fig. 3(a). Fig. 4 shows the gripping portion 144b and the band member 150b of the inflator bracket 140 as an example, but the same configuration is also implemented in the gripping portion 144a and the band member 150a.

[0054] The gripping portion 144b of the inflator bracket 140 has a tapered shape in which the outer corners of the ends 164, 166 in the circumferential direction of the inflator 116 are reduced. In other words, the gripping portion 144b has inclined portions 168, 170 formed such that the plate thickness of the ends 164, 166 tapers along the inflator 116. Therefore, the band member 150b is prevented from being hit by the corners of the gripping portion 144b or from having a gap between the gripping portion 144b and the inflator 116.

[0055] According to the above configuration, since the outer corners of the ends 164, 166 of the gripping portion 144b are reduced, it is possible to prevent localized force from being applied to the band member 150b when the band member 150b is wound around the gripping portion 144b. In particular, since the band member 150b receives a corresponding force when the inflator 116 is activated and when the airbag cushion 102 (see FIG. 3(a)) is inflated and deployed, the configuration in which the corners of the gripping portion 144b do not come into contact with the band member 150b makes it possible to prevent damage.

[0056] As described above, in this embodiment, as illustrated in Fig. 2(a) and the like, by combining two members, the inflator bracket 140 and the roof bracket 138 to form the bracket unit 136, it is possible to easily change even the plate thickness of a specific portion, such as the ends 164, 166 of the gripping portion 144b (see Fig. 4), compared to a case in which the inflator 116 is fixed by a single bracket. Therefore, for example, while the roof bracket 138, which needs to support the frame member 142, is ensured to have a relatively large plate thickness, it is easy to partially reduce the plate thickness of the inflator bracket 140, making it possible to take measures such as reducing costs while increasing the precision of the members according to requirements.

[0057] Also, it is possible to use an existing roof bracket 138 and combine it with the inflator bracket 140 to fix the inflator 116, which also makes it possible to suppress an increase in costs and ensure installation space for the inflator 116. In particular, compared to a case where an independent dedicated bracket is used to fix the inflator 116 to the roof side rail 114, this embodiment not only reduces the installation space, but also reduces the location and labor required for welding, fastening, etc., and is therefore advantageous in terms of work efficiency and cost.

[0058] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the above-described embodiment is a preferred example of the present invention, and other embodiments can be implemented or performed in various ways. Unless otherwise specified in the present specification, the present invention is not limited to the shape, size, and configuration of the detailed parts shown in the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the expressions and terms used in the present specification are for the purpose of explanation, and are not limited thereto unless otherwise specified.

[0059] Therefore, it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that various modifications or alterations can be conceived within the scope of the claims, and it will be understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0060] The present invention can be used in a curtain airbag device for protecting an occupant during a side collision or rollover of a vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 100...curtain airbag device, 102...airbag cushion, 104...front row seat, 106...rear row seat, 108...A pillar, 110...B pillar, 112...C pillar, 114...roof side rail, 116...inflator, 116a...front end, 116b...rear end, 118...side window, 120...chamber, 122...chamber, 124...seam portion, 126...upper edge, 128...inflator insertion portion, 130...duct portion, 132...tab, 1 34...strap, 136...bracket unit, 138...roof bracket, 140...inflator bracket, 142...frame member, 144a, 144b...gripping portion, 146a, 146b...connecting portion, 148a, 148b...bolt, 150a, 150b...band member, 152...leg, 154...base, 156, 158...flange, 160a, 160b...hole, 162a, 162b...hole, 164, 166...end, 168, 170...inclined portion

Claims

1. A curtain airbag device comprising: a roof bracket that connects a roof side rail that extends along a side edge of a roof of a vehicle to a frame member that extends in a vehicle width direction along an underside of the roof; an airbag cushion that is rolled up or folded to take a long stored form in the vehicle front-rear direction and is attached to the roof side rail below the roof bracket; and a cylindrical inflator that supplies gas to the airbag cushion, The curtain airbag device further comprises: an inflator bracket having a connection portion connected to the roof bracket and a grip portion that contacts a predetermined range of the inflator in the longitudinal direction and is capable of holding the inflator between the inflator and the roof bracket; a band member that bundles the grip portion of the inflator bracket and the inflator; A curtain airbag device comprising:

2. 2. The curtain airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the roof bracket can be attached to the roof side rail in a state where the roof bracket is integrated with the inflator bracket by a connecting portion of the inflator bracket.

3. 3. The curtain airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the inflator is installed on the upper side of the roof bracket with a part of the inflator being inserted into the airbag cushion in the stored form.

4. 3. The curtain airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the grip portion has a tapered end portion in a circumferential direction of the inflator.

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