Vehicle pedestrian airbag system

Abstract

To improve the deployment of the bag in a vehicle's pedestrian airbag system. [Solution] The vehicle pedestrian airbag system, which deploys from between the vehicle's hood and windshield, comprises a bag body housed in a case located below the hood, a left inflator, and a right inflator. The bag body has a central transverse deployment section that deploys in the vehicle width direction, a left rear deployment section and a right rear deployment section connected to the left and right ends of the central transverse deployment section, and a left upright deployment section and a right upright deployment section that deploy within the case. The left upright deployment section is connected to at least the left rear deployment section. The right upright deployment section is connected to at least the right rear deployment section.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application mainly discloses a pedestrian airbag device for vehicles.

Background Art

[0002] On the roads where vehicles such as automobiles travel, there are pedestrians, cyclists, riders, etc. The vehicle may collide with these pedestrians. Patent Document 1 discloses a pedestrian airbag device that covers the left and right A-pillars of the vehicle by deploying left and right bag bodies from under the hood of the vehicle to the rear. However, in Patent Document 1, between the hood and the windshield, the bag body is not deployed. In this case, pedestrians or the like who collide with the vehicle can avoid direct contact with the left and right A-pillars, but cannot avoid direct contact with the rear part of the hood or the windshield. Patent Document 2 discloses deploying a bag body in a substantially U-shaped manner at the rear side of the hood. In this case, pedestrians or the like who collide with the vehicle can avoid direct contact not only with the left and right A-pillars but also with the rear part of the hood and the windshield.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, a bag body that covers between the hood and the windshield and the left and right A-pillars, like that in Patent Document 2, is of a large capacity compared to the bag bodies of other airbag devices used inside the vehicle. As a result, even when using multiple inflators, a bag like the one in Patent Document 2 takes a long time to unfold.

[0005] Furthermore, in Patent Document 2, the rightmost of the multiple inflators is preferentially used for deploying the central portion between the hood and the windshield. In this case, the bag first unfolds in its central section, and then high-pressure gas is sent through the central section to the left and right rear unfolding sections. As a result, the flow of high-pressure gas in the left and right rear unfolding sections is basically outward in the direction of the vehicle's width. The left and right rear unfolding sections tend to open outwards to the left and right before unfolding towards the rear. Also, the left and right rear unfolding sections tend to flap around during unfolding because their front sections unfold first, followed by their rear sections. In particular, in Patent Document 2, the inner bag located in the central part of the bag is preferentially deployed by the inflator on the right side. As a result, the flow of high-pressure gas from the inflator on the left side is obstructed by the deployed inner bag, and the deployment of the right rear deployment section lags not only behind the deployment of the central part, but also behind the deployment of the left rear deployment section.

[0006] Thus, improvements are needed in the deployment of the airbag in pedestrian airbag systems for vehicles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A pedestrian airbag device for a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention is a pedestrian airbag device for a vehicle that deploys from between the vehicle hood and the windshield, comprising: a case provided below the hood and long in the vehicle width direction; a bag body housed in the case; and a left inflator and a right inflator provided side by side in the vehicle width direction for ejecting high-pressure gas into the bag body housed in the case, wherein the bag body has a left rear deployment section that can be deployed along the left edge of the windshield in the vehicle width direction, a right rear deployment section that can be deployed along the right edge of the windshield in the vehicle width direction, and deploys between the hood and the windshield in the vehicle width direction, with the left rear The device comprises a central transverse deployment section connected to the right rear deployment section, a left fixing section fixed to the case in a state where it is connected to the left inflator and deploys within the case, a right fixing section fixed to the case on the right side of the left fixing section in the vehicle width direction in a state where it is connected to the right inflator and deploys within the case, a first left rising deployment section connecting at least the left rear deployment section and the left fixing section within the central transverse deployment section and the left rear deployment section, and a first right rising deployment section connecting at least the right rear deployment section and the right fixing section within the central transverse deployment section and the right rear deployment section, wherein the first left rising deployment section and the first right rising deployment section deploy above the upper edge of the case. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the pedestrian airbag device has a bag-like structure with a left rear deployment section and a right rear deployment section connected to the left and right ends of the central transverse deployment section in the vehicle width direction. The left rear deployment section and the right rear deployment section can be deployed along both edges of the windshield in the vehicle width direction. The bag-like structure is fixed to the case at a left fixing section and a right fixing section to the right of the left fixing section in the vehicle width direction. The first left rising deployment section connects at least the left rear deployment section and the left fixing section within the central transverse deployment section and the left rear deployment section. The first right rising deployment section connects at least the right rear deployment section and the right fixing section within the central transverse deployment section and the right rear deployment section. The first left rising deployment section and the first right rising deployment section extend above the upper edge of the case. Due to this bag structure, the high-pressure gas from the left inflator flows preferentially to the left rear deployment section through the first left rising deployment section, rather than to the central transverse deployment section. The left rear deployment section has improved rearward deployment capability from immediately after deployment begins. The left rear deployment section can deploy to the desired shape immediately after deployment begins. Similarly, the high-pressure gas from the right inflator flows preferentially to the right rear deployment section through the first right rising deployment section, rather than to the central transverse deployment section. The right rear deployment section has improved rearward deployment capability from immediately after deployment begins. The right rear deployment section can deploy to the desired shape immediately after deployment begins. As a result, in one embodiment of the present invention, when the unfolding of the bag is initiated, the central transverse unfolding section, the left rear unfolding section, and the right rear unfolding section are expected to unfold into the desired overall shape.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, it is expected that the unfolding of the bag will be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram of an automobile according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the collision between the car and pedestrian shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the pedestrian protection device for the automobile shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram of the pedestrian airbag device and surrounding parts shown in Figure 3. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the unfolded state of the bag shown in Figure 4. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the unfolded bag from Figure 5, viewed from the AA cross-section in Figure 5. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of the deployed bag body of the pedestrian airbag device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the A-A cross-section of FIG. 5. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of the deployed bag body of the pedestrian airbag device according to the third embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the A-A cross-section of FIG. 5. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of the deployed bag body of the pedestrian airbag device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the A-A cross-section of FIG. 5. [Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The first embodiment will describe the outline of the first embodiment, specific examples such as the basic configuration of the pedestrian airbag device of the vehicle, and specific examples of the stored state and deployed state of the bag body. The second to fourth embodiments will describe the outline of each embodiment and specific examples of the deployed state of the bag body of each embodiment. Note that the following description of the embodiments and the drawings are examples of the invention disclosed in the present application and do not limit the invention disclosed in the present application.

[0012] [First Embodiment] [Overview] Some bag bodies are deployed from between the hood and the windshield of the vehicle for pedestrian protection. And, before deployment, the bag body for pedestrian protection is stored in a case between the hood and the windshield of the vehicle. Also, some bag bodies for such pedestrian protection are deployed in a substantially U-shaped manner in which a left rear deployment portion and a right rear deployment portion are connected to the left and right of a central transverse deployment portion that deploys in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle. And, the bag body for pedestrian protection is larger in volume than the bag body of the airbag device for occupant protection used inside the vehicle, and it is likely to take time to deploy into a desired shape. Although the bag body that deploys in a substantially U-shaped manner functions for pedestrian protection, there is a possibility that the deployment of the left rear deployment portion and the right rear deployment portion may be delayed or it may take time until the deployment becomes stable. Therefore, in addition to the portion that expands into a substantially U-shaped form, the bag body according to the embodiment of the present invention has a standing-up expansion portion. The standing-up expansion portions are provided in plural numbers, dividing the bag body into left and right. The standing-up expansion portion connects a fixing portion fixed to the case for the bag body and a substantially U-shaped portion of the bag body that is expanded outside the case. The left standing-up expansion portion is connected to at least the left rear expansion portion among the central transverse expansion portion and the left rear expansion portion. The right standing-up expansion portion is connected to at least the right rear expansion portion among the central transverse expansion portion and the right rear expansion portion. By expanding such that the standing-up expansion portion stands up within the case, the portion of the bag body that expands into a substantially U-shaped form can be expanded above the case. Further, the central transverse expansion portion, the left rear expansion portion, and the right rear expansion portion can be expanded into a substantially U-shaped form so as to cover the A pillars at both left and right edges of the front glass from the hood. Also, by the bag body expanding into a substantially U-shaped form above the upper surface of the hood during expansion, the bag body can have a front expansion portion that expands above the upper surface of the hood. Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described while referring to the drawings.

[0013] (Basic configuration: Substantially U-shaped bag body for pedestrian protection) FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of an automobile 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the following embodiments of the present invention, up / down, left / right, front / rear are used based on FIG. 1. And the vehicle width direction of the automobile 1 is the left-right direction of the automobile 1.

[0014] The automobile 1 in FIG. 1 has a vehicle body 2 having a passenger compartment 3 in which a passenger rides, a front glass 5 in front of the passenger compartment 3, and a hood 4 that constitutes the upper surface of the vehicle body 2 on the front side of the front glass 5. Left and right A pillars 9 are provided at both left and right edges in the vehicle width direction of the front glass 5. And in FIG. 1, the automobile 1 is traveling forward. There is a pedestrian in front of the automobile 1.

[0015] FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of a state in which the automobile 1 in FIG. 1 and the pedestrian have collided. In the situation shown in Figure 1, if car 1 continues to move forward, car 1 will collide with a pedestrian. The pedestrian falls onto Hood 4 after the collision.

[0016] In such a collision, to protect pedestrians, vehicle 1 deploys a pedestrian protection bag 23. The pedestrian protection bag 23 basically begins to unfold from between the windshield 5 and the hood 4. Furthermore, as will be described later, the pedestrian protection bag 23 in Figure 2 unfolds in a roughly U shape, consisting of a central transverse unfolding section 30 that unfolds in the vehicle width direction, and left rear unfolding sections 32 and right rear unfolding sections 31 that unfold to the rear on either side of the central transverse unfolding section 30. The left rear unfolding section 32 overlaps with the left A-pillar 9 of the windshield 5 of the vehicle 1. The right rear unfolding section 31 overlaps with the right A-pillar 9 of the windshield 5 of the vehicle 1. As a result, the head of a pedestrian who falls into the hood 4 is less likely to directly collide not only with the hood 4 but also with the left and right A-pillars 9. Furthermore, by unfolding the roughly U-shaped bag 23 shown in Figure 2 to comply with various certification and information disclosure standards, it is expected that the desired improvement in pedestrian protection performance can be achieved. In addition to pedestrians, other people who may collide with car 1 in this way include cyclists, motorcyclists, and others.

[0017] (Basic configuration: Pedestrian protection device configuration) Figure 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the pedestrian protection device 10 of the automobile 1 shown in Figure 1. The pedestrian protection device 10 in Figure 3 includes an external camera 11, a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) 12, an acceleration sensor 13, a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver 15, a pedestrian airbag device 20, and a control unit 16 to which these are connected. Each of these sensors and devices of the pedestrian protection device 10 may be connected to the control unit 16 by a vehicle network (not shown).

[0018] The external camera 11 may be a stereo camera mounted facing forward in the passenger compartment 3 of the vehicle 1, as shown in Figure 1. The external camera 11 may also be a monocular camera, a 360-degree camera, or other types of cameras. The image captured by the external camera 11 captures the area around the front of the vehicle 1, which is the direction of travel. In the case of Figure 1, the image captured by the external camera 11 may capture a pedestrian in front of the vehicle 1. As shown in Figure 1, the LiDAR 12 is mounted on the front edge of the vehicle 1. The LiDAR 12 scans the front of the vehicle 1 with laser light, receives reflected light from pedestrians outside the vehicle 1, and generates spatial information within the scanning range.

[0019] The acceleration sensor 13 detects the acceleration of the automobile 1. The acceleration sensor 13 may detect acceleration in the three axes of the automobile 1: forward / backward, left / right, and up / down. In addition, the acceleration sensor 13 may generate and output the roll, pitch, and yaw accelerations of the automobile 1 based on the detected accelerations in the three axes. When a pedestrian collides with the body 2 of car 1, the acceleration sensor 13 detects a large acceleration that does not occur during normal driving.

[0020] The GNSS receiver 15 receives radio waves from GNSS satellites and generates the position, time, speed, and acceleration of the car 1.

[0021] As shown in Figure 1, the pedestrian airbag device 20 includes a bag 23 that is deployed on top of the outer surface of the vehicle body 2 of the automobile 1, a left inflator 22, and a right inflator 21. The left inflator 22 and the right inflator 21 eject high-pressure gas into the bag 23.

[0022] The control unit 16 functions as the control unit 16 of the pedestrian protection device 10. The control unit 16 repeatedly performs pedestrian protection control.

[0023] In pedestrian protection control, the control unit 16 first determines whether or not there is a pedestrian in the vehicle's path based on newly acquired image data or spatial information. The control unit 16 may determine not only whether or not there is a pedestrian in the vehicle's path, but also whether or not the pedestrian's position is on the vehicle's path, whether or not the pedestrian's direction of movement intersects with the vehicle's path, and so on. The control unit 16 then predicts a collision with a pedestrian in the vehicle's path. For example, the control unit 16 may predict a collision with a pedestrian in the vehicle's path if the time difference between the timing of the vehicle's arrival at the pedestrian's position or intersection point and the timing of the pedestrian's arrival is less than or equal to a predetermined value. If a collision with a pedestrian in the vehicle's path is predicted, the control unit 16 begins preparations for the collision with the pedestrian in the vehicle's path. For example, the control unit 16 activates the pedestrian airbag system 20. The control unit 16 puts the pedestrian airbag system 20 into a standby state where, for example, the left inflator 22 and the right inflator 21 can eject high-pressure gas upon input of an ignition signal. The control unit 16 may also decelerate and stop the vehicle 1 using a braking device (not shown). Subsequently, the control unit 16 detects a predicted collision with a pedestrian based on the detection by the acceleration sensor 13. When a collision is detected, the control unit 16 deploys the pedestrian airbag. The control unit 16 outputs ignition signals to the left inflator 22 and right inflator 21 of the pedestrian airbag device 20. The left inflator 22 and right inflator 21 of the pedestrian airbag device 20 inject high-pressure gas into the bag body 23. The bag body 23 deploys so as to overlap the area from the hood 4 to the windshield 5 of the vehicle body 2, as shown in Figure 2. In contrast, if, for example, the acceleration sensor 13 does not detect a collision beyond the predicted period until the collision, the control unit 16 determines whether a collision with the pedestrian has been avoided based on new captured images or spatial information. For example, if the pedestrian who was predicted to collide remains in a position outside the path of the vehicle 1, if the pedestrian's direction of movement changes so as not to intersect with the path of the vehicle 1, or if the vehicle stops before the pedestrian, the control unit 16 determines that a collision with the pedestrian has been avoided. In this case, the control unit 16 may release the standby state.

[0024] As shown above, when a collision with a pedestrian is detected, the vehicle 1 in Figure 1 can activate the pedestrian airbag system 20, deploying a roughly U-shaped bag 23 from the hood 4 to the windshield 5 of the vehicle 1. This makes it difficult for a pedestrian colliding with the vehicle 1 to come into direct contact not only with the rear part of the hood 4 and the windshield 5, but also with the left and right A-pillars 9.

[0025] However, this roughly U-shaped bag 23 has a larger capacity compared to the bag used in airbag systems for occupant protection inside vehicles. As a result, even when using multiple inflators, such as the left inflator 22 and the right inflator 21, deployment is still time-consuming. Furthermore, in the roughly U-shaped bag body 23, the left rear unfolding section 32 and the right rear unfolding section 31, which unfold to the rear on either side of the central transverse unfolding section 30, are stored in a more complex and multi-layered folded state compared to the central transverse unfolding section 30. For this reason, the left rear unfolding section 32 and the right rear unfolding section 31 tend to unfold later than the central transverse unfolding section 30. As a result, the left rear deployment section 32 and the right rear deployment section 31 deploy later than the central transverse deployment section 30. Even after starting to deploy the bag body 23, it takes time for the entire bag body 23 to deploy in the desired U-shape and overlap with the left and right A-pillars 9.

[0026] Furthermore, when the inflator ejects high-pressure gas to the central transverse deployment section 30, the central transverse deployment section 30 within the bag body 23 deploys first, followed by the left rear deployment section 32 and the right rear deployment section 31. High-pressure gas is supplied to the left rear deployment section 32 and the right rear deployment section 31 through the central transverse deployment section 30. As a result, the flow of high-pressure gas in the left rear deployment section 32 and the flow of high-pressure gas in the right rear deployment section 31 are basically outward flows in the vehicle width direction. The left rear deployment section 32 and the right rear deployment section 31 tend to open outwards to the left and right before deploying towards the rear. Also, the left rear deployment section 32 and the right rear deployment section 31 tend to flap around during deployment, with the front section deploying first and the rear section deploying second by second. As a result, it takes time for the left rear deployment section 32 and the right rear deployment section 31 to stabilize in the desired state where they overlap with the left and right A-pillars 9.

[0027] Thus, improvements are desired in the deployment of the bag 23 in the pedestrian airbag device 20.

[0028] (Storage state of the bag) Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram of the pedestrian airbag device 20 and its surrounding parts shown in Figure 3. Figure 4 shows the pedestrian airbag system 20 as viewed from the left side of the automobile 1.

[0029] As shown in Figure 4, the pedestrian airbag device 20 has a case 24 that is long in the width direction of the vehicle 1. The case 24 has a bottom surface, front side surface, rear side surface, left side surface, and right side surface. The case 24 has an open top box shape.

[0030] The case 24, which is long in the width direction of the automobile 1, is provided between the hood 4 and the windshield 5, below the hood 4. If the rear edge of the hood 4 or the front edge of the windshield 5 is curved in the width direction, the case 24 may also be curved in the width direction to match their curvature. The case 24 may be provided so that its entirety is hidden below the hood 4, or so that a part of it is exposed between the hood 4 and the windshield 5. In addition, the rear edge of the hood 4 may be flipped up before the bag 23 is deployed. By flipping up the rear edge of the hood 4, the bag 23 stored in the case 24 can be easily deployed from the gap between the case 24 and the hood 4. A cover member 8 is provided on top of the case 24, which is long in the width direction of the automobile 1, to close the top opening of the case 24. The bag body 23 is then stored in the case 24 in a folded state. For example, the central transverse unfolding section 30, which unfolds in the vehicle width direction of the bag body 23, is stored in the case 24 in a folded state. The left rear unfolding section 32 and the right rear unfolding section 31, which unfold to the rear of the bag body 23, may be stored in a folded state on top of the folded central transverse unfolding section 30, etc. In this case, the left rear unfolding section 32 and the right rear unfolding section 31, which unfold to the rear, are stored in a state that is folded many times more than the central transverse unfolding section 30. Parts of the bag body 23 that are folded many times tend to unfold later than parts of the bag body 23 that are folded fewer times.

[0031] The left inflator 22 and the right inflator 21 are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction within the case 24. The left inflator 22 is located to the left of the right inflator 21. The left inflator 22 and the right inflator 21 are located inside the bag body 23 and are screwed to the vehicle body structure 7, such as brackets and stays, of the automobile 1, sandwiching the bag body 23 and the case 24.

[0032] (Unfolded state of the bag) The bag body of this embodiment has a roughly U-shaped unfolding section consisting of a central transverse unfolding section, a left rear unfolding section, and a right rear unfolding section, as well as left and right vertical unfolding sections.

[0033] Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the unfolded state of the bag 23 in Figure 4. The pedestrian airbag system 20 of the automobile 1 deploys the bag 23 from between the hood 4 and the windshield 5 of the automobile 1. The cover member 8 in Figure 4 may be torn or blown away by the deployment pressure of the bag 23. The unfolded bag 23 extends from the rear end of the hood 4 to the front of the windshield 5. Unlike in Figure 5, the hood 4 may be flipped up when the pedestrian airbag system 20 is activated, in order to ensure a gap between the hood 4 and the windshield 5. In this case, the height of the rear edge of the hood 4 when the bag 23 is deployed will be higher than in the normal state when the bag 23 is not deployed.

[0034] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the unfolded bag 23 from Figure 5, viewed from the AA cross-section in Figure 5. As shown in Figure 6, the bag body 23 has a central transverse unfolding section 30, a left rear unfolding section 32, a right rear unfolding section 31, a left fixed unfolding section 34, a right fixed unfolding section 33, a first left rising unfolding section 36, and a first right rising unfolding section 35. In Figure 6, the top surface of the hood 4 and the case 24 are shown with dashed lines. Figure 6 shows the bag 23 in its fully expanded state due to high-pressure gas.

[0035] The left fixed deployment section 34 houses the left inflator 22. As shown in Figure 5, the left fixed deployment section 34 is fixed to the body 2 of the automobile 1, sandwiched between the left inflator 22 and the body structure 7 of the automobile 1. The left inflator 22 may be inserted into a hole formed in the left fixed deployment section 34, and a portion of it may be housed in the left fixed deployment section 34. As a result, the left fixed deployment section 34 is fixed to the bottom surface of the case 24 while connected to the left inflator 22.

[0036] The right fixed deployment section 33 houses the right inflator 21. The right fixed deployment section 33 is fixed to the body 2 of the automobile 1, sandwiched between the right inflator 21 and the body structure 7 of the automobile 1, as shown in Figure 5, to the right of the left fixed deployment section 34. The right inflator 21 may be inserted into a hole formed in the right fixed deployment section 33, and a portion of it may be housed in the right fixed deployment section 33. As a result, the right fixed deployment section 33 is fixed to the bottom surface of the case 24 while connected to the right inflator 21.

[0037] The central transverse unfolding section 30 is a portion of the bag body 23 that unfolds horizontally in the vehicle width direction. The central transverse unfolding section 30 unfolds in the vehicle width direction from above the hood 4 to the windshield 5, sealing the space between them.

[0038] The left rear deployment section 32 is connected to the left end of the central transverse deployment section 30 in the vehicle width direction. The left rear deployment section 32 deploys towards the rear along the left A-pillar 9 of the windshield 5. Thus, the left rear deployment section 32 deploys from the left end of the central transverse deployment section 30 toward the rear, and can be deployed along the left edge of the windshield in the vehicle width direction.

[0039] The right rear deployment section 31 is connected to the rightmost end of the central transverse deployment section 30 in the vehicle width direction. The right rear deployment section 31 deploys towards the rear along the A-pillar 9 on the right side of the windshield 5. The central transverse deployment section 30, the left rear deployment section 32, and the right rear deployment section 31 form a single integrated gas chamber from which high-pressure gas can move relative to each other. In this way, the right rear deployment section 31 deploys from the right end of the central transverse deployment section 30 toward the rear and can be deployed along the right edge of the windshield in the vehicle width direction.

[0040] Regarding the bag body 23, the left rear unfolding section 32 and the right rear unfolding section 31 are connected to both the left and right sides in the vehicle width direction of the central transverse unfolding section 30. Furthermore, the central transverse unfolding section 30, the left rear unfolding section 32, and the right rear unfolding section 31 described above may be formed by laminating base fabrics of their respective unfolding shapes, or by laminating base fabrics in other combinations. For example, a base fabric that unfolds across the entire width of the vehicle may be joined with base fabrics that unfold to the rear on both the left and right sides. Even in this latter case, the central transverse unfolding section 30 is the part that exists in relation to the central front edge of the windshield 5. The left rear unfolding section 32 and the right rear unfolding section 31 are connected to both the left and right sides of the central transverse unfolding section 30. The left rear unfolding section 32 is the part that exists to the left of the central transverse unfolding section 30 and runs along the left A-pillar 9 of the windshield 5. The right rear unfolding section 31 is the part that exists to the right of the central transverse unfolding section 30 and runs along the right A-pillar 9 of the windshield 5. For example, in Figure 6, the central transverse unfolding section 30 is the portion between the left and right dashed lines within the part of the bag body 23 that unfolds in the vehicle width direction. The left rear unfolding section 32 is the portion to the left of the central transverse unfolding section 30 and the portion that unfolds rearward on the left side. The right rear unfolding section 31 is the portion to the right of the central transverse unfolding section 30 and the portion that unfolds rearward on the right side. Note that the boundary between the central transverse unfolding section 30 and the left rear unfolding section 32, and the boundary between the central transverse unfolding section 30 and the right rear unfolding section 31, may differ from Figure 6 and be a boundary along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in a cross-section.

[0041] The first left vertical deployment section 36 deploys along the vertical direction of the automobile 1. The first left vertical deployment section 36 connects the central transverse deployment section 30 and the left rear deployment section 32 with the left fixed deployment section 34. The first left vertical deployment section 36 is connected to the left rear deployment section 32 and the central transverse deployment section 30 in the range from the left rear deployment section 32 to the connection point between the left rear deployment section 32 and the central transverse deployment section 30. The first left vertical deployment section 36 is mainly connected to the left rear deployment section 32 among the central transverse deployment section 30 and the left rear deployment section 32.

[0042] The first right-facing extension section 35 extends along the vertical direction of the automobile 1. The first right-facing extension section 35 connects the central transverse extension section 30 and the right rear extension section 31 with the right fixed extension section 33. The first right-facing extension section 35 is connected to the right rear extension section 31 and the central transverse extension section 30 in the range from the right rear extension section 31 to the connection point between the right rear extension section 31 and the central transverse extension section 30. The first right-facing extension section 35 is mainly connected to the right rear extension section 31 of the central transverse extension section 30 and the right rear extension section 31.

[0043] The first left rising unfolding section 36 and the first right rising unfolding section 35 are parts of the bag body 23 that unfold up within the case 24. The first left rising section 36 and the first right rising section 35 then extend to a height greater than or equal to the height of the upper surface of the hood 4 when extended. In this case, the upper end of the first left rising section 36 and the upper end of the first right rising section 35 extend above the upper surface of the hood 4. Therefore, the central transverse deployment section 30, the left rear deployment section 32, and the right rear deployment section 31 can be deployed on the upper side of the upper surface of the hood 4. By deploying the first left vertical deployment section 36 and the first right vertical deployment section 35 so that they protrude upward from the case 24, the central transverse deployment section 30, the left rear deployment section 32, and the right rear deployment section 31 can be deployed while remaining away from the upper edge of the case 24. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the bag body 23 of this embodiment has a front unfolding section 49 that unfolds onto the hood 4 when unfolded. The front unfolding section 49 is the portion of the central transverse unfolding section 30, the left rear unfolding section 32, and the right rear unfolding section 31 that unfolds forward from the case 24. The front unfolding section 49 unfolds so as to protrude forward from the front wall of the case 24, thereby unfolding onto the hood 4 when unfolded. Even when the bag body 23 has a front unfolding section 49, the central transverse unfolding section 30, the left rear unfolding section 32, and the right rear unfolding section 31 unfold on top of the hood 4, so that the unfolding is not hindered by the hood 4 and the bag can be unfolded into the desired shape.

[0044] Furthermore, the first left rising section 36 and the first right rising section 35 are unfolded with a flow channel cross-section smaller than the cross-sectional size of the case 24, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. Here, the cross-sectional area of ​​the first left rising section 36 may be the cross-section obtained by cutting the first left rising section 36, which is at its maximum expansion, with a cross-section perpendicular to the extension direction of the expanding first left rising section 36. The cross-sectional area of ​​the first right rising section 35 may be the cross-section obtained by cutting the first right rising section 35, which is at its maximum expansion, with a cross-section perpendicular to the extension direction of the expanding first right rising section 35. In this case, the combined area of ​​these two cross-sections is smaller than the cross-sectional size of case 24. Alternatively, the cross-sectional area of ​​the first left rising section 36 may be the cross-section obtained by cutting the first left rising section 36, which is fully extended together with the case 24, in a horizontal plane. The cross-sectional area of ​​the first right rising section 35 may be the cross-section obtained by cutting the first right rising section 35, which is fully extended together with the case 24, in a horizontal plane. The combined area of ​​these two cross-sections is smaller than the cross-sectional size of the case 24. As a result, the first left rising unfolding section 36 and the first right rising unfolding section 35 do not unfold to a cross-section larger than that of the case 24 during unfolding, thus preventing deformation or damage to the case 24. As illustrated in Figure 5, vehicle equipment such as a wiper motor 6 is arranged around the case 24. When the case 24 is deformed by the unfolding of the bag body 23, an external force acts on the vehicle equipment such as the wiper motor 6. In this embodiment, such a situation can be prevented.

[0045] In this embodiment, the left inflator 22 ejects high-pressure gas to the left, as shown by the dashed arrow in Figure 6. The high-pressure gas ejected into the bag 23 then flows through the first left rising deployment section 36 and into the central transverse deployment section 30 and the left rear deployment section 32, mainly into the left rear deployment section 32. As a result, the left rear deployment section 32, which was stored in a folded state within the case 24, can be efficiently deployed towards the rear because the high-pressure gas, which is at a high pressure immediately after deployment begins, preferentially flows into it. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the right inflator 21 ejects high-pressure gas to the right. The high-pressure gas ejected into the bag 23 then flows through the first right rising deployment section 35 and into the central transverse deployment section 30 and the right rear deployment section 31, mainly into the right rear deployment section 31. As a result, the right rear deployment section 31, which was stored in a folded state within the case 24, can be efficiently deployed towards the rear because the high-pressure gas, which is at a high pressure immediately after deployment begins, preferentially flows into it. As a result, the left rear deployment section 32 and the right rear deployment section 31 can be deployed to their respective desired shapes immediately after deployment begins. The left rear deployment section 32 and the right rear deployment section 31 can be deployed to their desired shapes immediately without a significant delay from the central transverse deployment section 30.

[0046] Furthermore, the high-pressure gas flowing from the left inflator 22 to the central transverse deployment section 30 flows to the right in the central transverse deployment section 30, as shown by the dashed arrow in Figure 6. The high-pressure gas flowing from the right inflator 21 to the central transverse deployment section 30 flows to the left in the central transverse deployment section 30. In the central transverse deployment section 30, the rightward flow of high-pressure gas from the left inflator 22 and the leftward flow of high-pressure gas from the right inflator 21 cancel each other out. As a result, the flow of high-pressure gas from the central transverse deployment section 30 to the left rear deployment section 32 and the flow of high-pressure gas from the central transverse deployment section 30 to the right rear deployment section 31 are weakened. As the outward flow of high-pressure gas weakens, the left rear deployment section 32 and the right rear deployment section 31 become less likely to open outwards to the left and right. In addition, the left rear deployment section 32 and the right rear deployment section 31 become less likely to flap around during deployment.

[0047] Due to these effects, the left rear deployment section 32 and the right rear deployment section 31 of this embodiment can deploy rearward mainly by a rearward flow rather than a flow in the vehicle width direction, and can quickly deploy to the desired state in which they overlap with the left and right A-pillars 9. Furthermore, once the deployment of the bag 23 begins, the entire bag can quickly unfold into the desired U-shape, covering the rear end of the hood 4 and the left and right A-pillars 9 of the windshield 5.

[0048] (effect) As described above, in this embodiment, the first left rising deployment section 36 is connected to at least the left rear deployment section 32 of the central transverse deployment section 30 and the left rear deployment section 32. As a result, the high-pressure gas from the left inflator 22 preferentially flows into the left rear deployment section 32. The rearward deployment speed of the left rear deployment section 32 is improved, and the left rear deployment section 32 can be deployed to the desired shape immediately after deployment begins. In addition, the first right rising deployment section 35 is connected to at least the right rear deployment section 31 of the central transverse deployment section 30 and the right rear deployment section 31. As a result, the high-pressure gas from the right inflator 21 preferentially flows into the right rear deployment section 31. The rearward deployment speed of the right rear deployment section 31 is improved, and the right rear deployment section 31 can be deployed to the desired shape immediately after deployment begins. As a result, the bag body 23 of this embodiment, including the first left rising unfolding section 36 and the first right rising unfolding section 35, allows the entire central transverse unfolding section 30 to immediately unfold into the desired shape.

[0049] In contrast, when the left inflator 22 and right inflator 21 are connected only to the central transverse deployment section 30, the central transverse deployment section 30 deploys first in the bag 23, and high-pressure gas is sent through the central transverse deployment section 30 to the left rear deployment section 32 and the right rear deployment section 31. As a result, the rearward deployment of the left rear deployment section 32 and the right rear deployment section 31 is delayed. Furthermore, the high-pressure gas flowing from the central transverse deployment section 30, which deploys first, to the left rear deployment section 32 and the right rear deployment section 31 is basically an outward flow in the vehicle width direction. Airflow in the front-to-rear direction is difficult to flow into the left rear deployment section 32 and the right rear deployment section 31, and their rearward deployment is due to repeated deployment of the front section first, then the rear section, which tends to delay the deployment. Moreover, since the left rear deployment section 32 and the right rear deployment section 31 deploy while the central transverse deployment section 30 is already deployed, their deployment direction tends to open outward or flap around. In this embodiment, not only is it possible to suppress delays in the deployment of the left rear deployment section 32 or the right rear deployment section 31, but also deviations in the deployment position and flapping during deployment.

[0050] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first left rising unfolding section 36 and the first right rising unfolding section 35 also unfold within the case 24 that houses the bag body 23. The first left rising unfolding section 36 and the first right rising unfolding section 35 unfold so as to protrude upward from the case 24, reaching above the upper surface of the hood 4. As a result, the central transverse unfolding section 30, the left rear unfolding section 32, and the right rear unfolding section 31 can unfold above the case 24, at least while remaining above the upper edge of the case 24. In other words, within the case 24, only the first left rising unfolding section 36 and the first right rising unfolding section 35 unfold, while the central transverse unfolding section 30, the left rear unfolding section 32, and the right rear unfolding section 31, which unfold significantly, do not unfold. Moreover, in this embodiment, the first left rising unfolding section 36 and the first right rising unfolding section 35 that unfold within the case 24 unfold with a flow channel cross-section smaller than the cross-sectional size of the case 24. As a result, the unfolding bag 23 does not deform or damage the case 24. The case 24 of the automobile 1 and the surrounding area of ​​the case 24 are not destroyed by the unfolding of the bag 23. Furthermore, by limiting the deployment size of the bag 23 within the case 24 in this way, the high-pressure gas from the left inflator 22 and the right inflator 21 is more easily utilized for deploying the central transverse deployment section 30, the left rear deployment section 32, and the right rear deployment section 31. Compared to the case where the bag 23 deforms or damages the case 24, the central transverse deployment section 30, the left rear deployment section 32, and the right rear deployment section 31 can be deployed more efficiently and quickly.

[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, instead of having only one vertical unfolding section, a first left vertical unfolding section 36 and a first right vertical unfolding section 35 are provided separately on the left and right sides of the bag body. As a result, the position and orientation of the unfolded bag body 23 are more easily maintained even when the weight of a pedestrian is applied, similar to when the substantially U-shaped unfolding portion of the bag body 23 is directly fixed to the case.

[0052] Thus, in this embodiment, by rapidly unfolding the bag 23 into the desired shape, an improvement in pedestrian protection performance can be expected.

[0053] In this embodiment, the first left upright unfolding section 36 and the first right upright unfolding section 35 of the bag body 23 can be unfolded on the upper surface of the hood 4 when unfolded, by unfolding the first left upright unfolding section 36 and the first right upright unfolding section 35 of the bag body 23 so that they protrude upward from the case 24. As a result, the front unfolding sections 49 of the central transverse unfolding section 30, the left rear unfolding section 32, and the right rear unfolding section 31 can be unfolded in front of the case 24 without being hindered by the hood 4, and can be unfolded on the hood 4 when unfolded. The bag body 23 can cover the area from the hood 4 to the windshield 5 of the vehicle body 2 by the front unfolding section 49. The bag body 23 can cover the rear edge portion of the hood 4 and the space between the hood 4 and the windshield 5 when unfolded, thereby improving pedestrian protection performance.

[0054] [Second Embodiment] (Overview) Next, a pedestrian protection device for an automobile according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the embodiment described above, the first left vertical deployment section and the first right vertical deployment section deploy along the vertical direction of the vehicle. The first left vertical deployment section is connected to both the central transverse deployment section and the left rear deployment section. The first right vertical deployment section is connected to both the central transverse deployment section and the right rear deployment section. As a result, it is considered that the high-pressure gas from the left inflator and the right inflator can preferentially flow to the left rear deployment section and the right rear deployment section rather than the central transverse deployment section. However, even with the embodiments described above, depending on how the first left rising deployment section and the first right rising deployment section are provided, while they may function as pedestrian protection, there is a possibility that the deployment of the left rear deployment section and the right rear deployment section will be delayed compared to the central cross deployment section, or that the time it takes for the deployment to stabilize will not be sufficiently improved. In this embodiment, an example of countermeasures for such a case will be described. In this embodiment, the first left rising deployment section is connected only to the left rear deployment section within the central transverse deployment section and the left rear deployment section. The first right rising deployment section is connected only to the right rear deployment section within the central transverse deployment section and the right rear deployment section. In this case, high-pressure gas flows more preferentially to the left rear deployment section and the right rear deployment section than to the central transverse deployment section. The left rear deployment section and the right rear deployment section can be deployed with even greater priority than the central transverse deployment section. This embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, components similar to those in the embodiments described above are shown using the same reference numerals and are not shown or described. The following description will mainly focus on the differences from the embodiments described above.

[0055] (Unfolded state of the bag) Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the deployed bag of the pedestrian airbag device 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from cross-section AA in Figure 5. In Figure 7, the pedestrian airbag device 20 is viewed from the cross-section AA in Figure 5. In Figure 7, the top surface of the hood 4 and the case 24 are shown with dashed lines. Figure 7 shows the bag 23 in its fully expanded state due to high-pressure gas. The bag 23 unfolds from the same state as in Figure 4, as shown in Figure 7. Furthermore, the bag 23 has a front unfolding section 49, similar to the bag in Figure 5.

[0056] In this embodiment, the first left-facing unfolding section 42 unfolds diagonally upward to the left within the case 24. The first left-facing unfolding section 42 is connected to the left rear unfolding section 32. Furthermore, the first right-facing extension section 41 extends diagonally upwards to the right within the case 24. The first right-facing extension section 41 is connected to the right rear extension section 31. The left inflator 22 is located within the left fixed deployment section 34 and is fixed to the bottom surface of the case 24 while connected to the left fixed deployment section 34. The right inflator 21 is located within the right fixed deployment section 33 and is fixed to the bottom surface of the case 24 while connected to the right fixed deployment section 33.

[0057] Here, the first left rising expansion section 42 and the first right rising expansion section 41 are expanded with a flow channel cross-section smaller than the cross-sectional size of the case 24, as shown in Figure 7. Furthermore, the first left rising deployment section 42 and the first right rising deployment section 41 extend to a height greater than or equal to the height of the upper surface of the hood 4 when deployed. As a result, the first left rising unfolding section 42 and the first right rising unfolding section 41 do not deform or destroy the case 24 during unfolding. As illustrated in Figure 5, vehicle equipment such as a wiper motor 6 is arranged around the case 24. If the case 24 is deformed by the unfolding of the bag 23, an external force will be applied to the vehicle equipment such as the wiper motor 6. In this embodiment, it is possible to prevent such a situation from occurring.

[0058] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, the first left rising deployment section 42 is connected only to the left rear deployment section 32 among the left rear deployment section 32 and the central transverse deployment section 30. As shown in Figure 7, the first right-side extension section 41 is connected only to the right-side extension section 31, out of the right-side extension section 31 and the central transverse extension section 30. Furthermore, the first left vertical deployment section 42 and the first right vertical deployment section 41 deploy to a height greater than or equal to the height of the top surface of the hood 4. Therefore, the central transverse deployment section 30, the left rear deployment section 32, and the right rear deployment section 31 deploy above the top surface of the hood 4. In this way, the first left rising deployment section 42 can be deployed above the upper edge of the case 24, allowing the central transverse deployment section 30 and the left rear deployment section 32 to be deployed away from the upper edge of the case 24. Furthermore, the first right-facing extension section 41 can extend upward from the upper edge of the case 24, allowing the central transverse extension section 30 and the right rear extension section 31 to extend upward away from the upper edge of the case 24.

[0059] In this embodiment, the left inflator 22 ejects high-pressure gas to the left, as shown in Figure 7. The high-pressure gas ejected into the bag 23 then flows smoothly to the upper left without accumulating in the slanted first left rising deployment section 42, and flows into the left rear deployment section 32. As a result, the left rear deployment section 32, which was folded multiple times within the case 24, can be efficiently and quickly deployed towards the rear because high-pressure gas with high pressure preferentially flows into it. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, the right inflator 21 ejects high-pressure gas to the right. The high-pressure gas ejected into the bag 23 then flows smoothly to the upper right without accumulating in the diagonal first right rising deployment section 41, and flows into the right rear deployment section 31. As a result, the right rear deployment section 31, which was folded multiple times inside the case 24, can be efficiently and quickly deployed towards the rear because high-pressure gas with high pressure preferentially flows into it. As a result, the left rear unfolding section 32 and the right rear unfolding section 31 unfold without significant delay from the central transverse unfolding section 30, and the bag body 23 can immediately unfold into the desired shape.

[0060] Furthermore, the high-pressure gas flowing from the left inflator 22 to the central transverse deployment section 30 flows to the right in the central transverse deployment section 30. The high-pressure gas flowing from the right inflator 21 to the central transverse deployment section 30 flows to the left in the central transverse deployment section 30. In the central transverse deployment section 30, the rightward flow of high-pressure gas from the left inflator 22 and the leftward flow of high-pressure gas from the right inflator 21 cancel each other out. As a result, the flow of high-pressure gas from the central transverse deployment section 30 to the left rear deployment section 32 and the flow of high-pressure gas from the central transverse deployment section 30 to the right rear deployment section 31 are weakened. As the outward flow of high-pressure gas weakens, the left rear deployment section 32 and the right rear deployment section 31 become less likely to open outwards to the left and right. In addition, the left rear deployment section 32 and the right rear deployment section 31 become less likely to flap around during deployment.

[0061] As a result of these findings, the left rear deployment section 32 and the right rear deployment section 31 of this embodiment can be deployed to stabilize early in the desired state where they overlap with the left and right A-pillars 9. Furthermore, once the deployment of the bag 23 begins, the entire bag 23 can be deployed early in the desired U-shape, overlapping with the left and right A-pillars 9 as desired.

[0062] (effect) As described above, in this embodiment, the first left rising deployment section 42, which is fixed to the bottom surface of the case 24 while connected to the left inflator 22, is connected only to the left rear deployment section 32 among the left rear deployment section 32 and the central transverse deployment section 30, and deploys diagonally to the upper left within the case 24. The high-pressure gas ejected to the left from the left inflator 22 can flow smoothly into the left rear deployment section 32 without its flow being obstructed by the first left rising deployment section 42 which deploys diagonally to the upper left. The left rear deployment section 32 can be efficiently deployed by the high-pressure gas of the left inflator 22. Furthermore, the first right-upward deployment section 41, which is fixed to the bottom surface of the case 24 while connected to the right inflator 21, is connected to the right-rear deployment section 31, one of the two sections of the right-rear deployment section 31 and the central transverse deployment section 30, and deploys diagonally to the right within the case 24. The high-pressure gas ejected to the right from the right inflator 21 can flow smoothly into the right-rear deployment section 31 without its flow being obstructed by the first right-upward deployment section 41, which deploys diagonally to the upper right. The right-rear deployment section 31 can be efficiently deployed by the high-pressure gas from the right inflator 21.

[0063] Thus, in this embodiment, an improvement in pedestrian protection performance can be expected by rapidly unfolding the bag 23 into the desired shape.

[0064] [Third Embodiment] (Overview) Next, a pedestrian protection device for an automobile according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the embodiment described above, there is one vertical extension section on each side. In this case, it is conceivable that a problem may arise where the deployment of the central cross-section is delayed due to the prioritization of deployment of the left rear deployment section and the right rear deployment section over the central cross-section deployment section. In this embodiment, an example of this countermeasure will be described. In this embodiment, multiple vertical extension sections are provided on both the left and right sides. This makes it possible to improve the deployment delay in cases where, for example, the deployment delay of the central transverse deployment section is a problem, in this embodiment. This embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, components similar to those in the embodiments described above are shown using the same reference numerals and are not shown or described. The following description will mainly focus on the differences from the embodiments described above.

[0065] (Unfolded state of the bag) Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the deployed bag of the pedestrian airbag device 20 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from cross-section AA in Figure 5. In Figure 8, the pedestrian airbag device 20 is viewed from the cross-section AA in Figure 5. In Figure 8, the top surface of the hood 4 and the case 24 are shown with dashed lines. Figure 8 shows the bag 23 in its fully expanded state due to high-pressure gas. The bag 23 unfolds from the same state as in Figure 4, as shown in Figure 8. Furthermore, the bag 23 has a front unfolding section 49, similar to the bag in Figure 5.

[0066] In this embodiment, the bag body 23 has a first left-facing unfolding section 45 and a second left-facing unfolding section 46. The first left-upward unfolding section 45 unfolds diagonally to the upper left within the case 24. The first left-upward unfolding section 45 connects the left rear unfolding section 32 and the left fixed unfolding section 34. The second left rising unfolding section 46 unfolds vertically, closer to the center in the vehicle width direction of the automobile 1 than the first left rising unfolding section 45. The second left rising unfolding section 46 connects the central transverse unfolding section 30 and the left fixed unfolding section 34. Furthermore, the second left rising deployment section 46 deploys with a smaller flow path cross-section than the first left rising deployment section 45. As a result, high-pressure gas flows preferentially into the left rear deployment section 32 compared to the central transverse deployment section 30.

[0067] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the bag body 23 has a first right-facing unfolding section 43 and a second right-facing unfolding section 44. The first right-facing extension section 43 extends diagonally to the right within the case 24. The first right-facing extension section 43 connects the right rear extension section 31 and the right fixed extension section 33. The second right-facing extension section 44 extends vertically, closer to the center of the vehicle width direction of the automobile 1 than the first right-facing extension section 43. The second right-facing extension section 44 connects the central transverse extension section 30 and the right-fixed extension section 33. Furthermore, the second right rising deployment section 44 deploys with a smaller flow path cross-section than the first right rising deployment section 43. As a result, high-pressure gas flows preferentially into the right rear deployment section 31 compared to the central transverse deployment section 30.

[0068] The first left rising section 45, the second left rising section 46, the first right rising section 43, and the second right rising section 44 are unfolded with flow path cross-sections smaller than the cross-sectional size of case 24, as shown in Figure 8. The combined area of ​​these four cross-sections is smaller than the cross-sectional size of case 24. As a result, the first left rising unfolding section 45, the second left rising unfolding section 46, the first right rising unfolding section 43, and the second right rising unfolding section 44 do not deform or destroy the case 24 during unfolding. As illustrated in Figure 5, vehicle equipment such as a wiper motor 6 is arranged around the case 24. If the case 24 is deformed by the unfolding of the bag body 23, an external force will be applied to the vehicle equipment such as the wiper motor 6. In this embodiment, it is possible to prevent such a situation from occurring.

[0069] The first left rising unfolding section 45, the second left rising unfolding section 46, the first right rising unfolding section 43, and the second right rising unfolding section 44 extend to a height greater than or equal to the height of the upper surface of the hood 4 when it is extended. Therefore, the central transverse deployment section 30, the left rear deployment section 32, and the right rear deployment section 31 can be deployed on the upper side of the upper surface of the hood 4.

[0070] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the unfolded height of the first left rising unfolding section 45 is lower than the unfolded height of the second left rising unfolding section 46. Also, the unfolded height of the first right rising unfolding section 43 is lower than the unfolded height of the second right rising unfolding section 44. Here, the unfolded height may refer to the vertical height reached during the unfolding of the bag body 23. As a result, the central transverse deployment section 30, the left rear deployment section 32, and the right rear deployment section 31 can be deployed so as to be in close contact with the upper surface of the hood 4, which has a curved shape with both left and right edges sloping downwards from the center in the width direction of the vehicle, as shown in Figure 8. The central transverse deployment section 30, the left rear deployment section 32, and the right rear deployment section 31 can more easily obtain reaction force from the hood 4.

[0071] In this embodiment, the left inflator 22 ejects high-pressure gas to the left, as shown in Figure 8. The high-pressure gas then flows smoothly to the upper left without accumulating in the first left rising deployment section 45, and flows from the first left rising deployment section 45 to the left rear deployment section 32. As a result, the left rear deployment section 32, which was stored folded in multiple layers within the case 24, can be efficiently deployed towards the rear due to the preferential flow of high-pressure gas at high pressure. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, the right inflator 21 ejects high-pressure gas to the right. The high-pressure gas then flows smoothly to the upper right without accumulating in the first right rising deployment section 43, and flows from the first right rising deployment section 43 to the right rear deployment section 31. As a result, the right rear deployment section 31, which was stored folded in multiple layers within the case 24, can be efficiently deployed towards the rear due to the preferential flow of high-pressure gas at high pressure. As a result, the left rear deployment section 32 and the right rear deployment section 31 can be deployed without a significant delay from the central transverse deployment section 30.

[0072] Furthermore, the high-pressure gas flowing from the left inflator 22 through the left rear deployment section 32 to the central transverse deployment section 30 is directed to the right in the central transverse deployment section 30. The high-pressure gas flowing from the right inflator 21 through the right rear deployment section 31 to the central transverse deployment section 30 is directed to the left in the central transverse deployment section 30. In the central transverse deployment section 30, the rightward flow of high-pressure gas from the left inflator 22 and the leftward flow of high-pressure gas from the right inflator 21 cancel each other out. The flow of high-pressure gas from the central transverse deployment section 30 to the left rear deployment section 32 or the right rear deployment section 31 is weakened. Furthermore, the central transverse deployment section 30 is directly connected to the second left rising deployment section 46 and the second right rising deployment section 44. Therefore, the central transverse deployment section 30 can be deployed without significant delay compared to the left rear deployment section 32 and the right rear deployment section 31. As the outward flow of high-pressure gas weakens, the left rear deployment section 32 and the right rear deployment section 31 become less likely to open outwards to the left and right. In addition, the left rear deployment section 32 and the right rear deployment section 31 become less likely to flap around during deployment.

[0073] Due to these effects, the left rear deployment section 32 and the right rear deployment section 31 of this embodiment can be deployed to a desired state where they overlap with the left and right A-pillars 9, and stabilize early on. Furthermore, once the deployment of the bag 23 begins, the entire bag 23 can be deployed early in the desired U-shape, overlapping with the left and right A-pillars 9 as desired.

[0074] (effect) As described above, in this embodiment, the left rising deployment section is composed of a first left rising deployment section 45 connected to the left rear deployment section 32, and a second left rising deployment section 46 connected to the central transverse deployment section 30, located closer to the center in the vehicle width direction of the automobile 1 than the first left rising deployment section 45. The right rising deployment section is composed of a first right rising deployment section 43 connected to the right rear deployment section 31, and a second right rising deployment section 44 connected to the central transverse deployment section 30, located closer to the center in the vehicle width direction of the automobile 1 than the first right rising deployment section 43. The second left rising deployment section 46 has a smaller flow path cross-section than the first left rising deployment section 45, and the second right rising deployment section 44 has a smaller flow path cross-section than the first right rising deployment section 43. Even in this case, the rearward deployment speed of the left rear deployment section 32 and the right rear deployment section 31 is improved, allowing them to immediately deploy to the desired shape after deployment begins. Furthermore, the delay in deployment of the central transverse deployment section 30 can also be suppressed. As a result, in the bag body 23 of this embodiment, the central transverse deployment section 30, the left rear deployment section 32, and the right rear deployment section 31 can immediately deploy to the desired shape above the case 24. Furthermore, in this embodiment, within the case 24 that houses the bag body 23, only the first left rising unfolding section 45, the second left rising unfolding section 46, the first right rising unfolding section 43, and the second right rising unfolding section 44 unfold. Moreover, the sum of the cross-sectional areas of all the flow channels of the first left rising unfolding section 45, the second left rising unfolding section 46, the first right rising unfolding section 43, and the second right rising unfolding section 44 is smaller than the cross-sectional size of the case 24. As a result, the unfolding bag body 23 does not deform or damage the case 24. The case 24 of the automobile 1 and the surrounding area of ​​the case 24 are not destroyed by the unfolding of the bag body 23. Furthermore, by suppressing the deployment size of the bag 23 within the case 24 in this way, the high-pressure gas from the left inflator 22 and the right inflator 21 is more easily utilized for the deployment of the central transverse deployment section 30, the left rear deployment section 32, and the right rear deployment section 31. Compared to the case where the bag 23 deforms or damages the case 24, the central transverse deployment section 30, the left rear deployment section 32, and the right rear deployment section 31 can be deployed more efficiently and quickly.

[0075] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the unfolded height of the first left rising unfolding section 45 is lower than the unfolded height of the second left rising unfolding section 46, and the unfolded height of the first right rising unfolding section 43 is lower than the unfolded height of the second right rising unfolding section 44. As a result, the left rear deployment section 32, to which the first left rising deployment section 45 is connected, and the right rear deployment section 31, to which the first right rising deployment section 43 is connected, are less likely to lift up from the left and right A-pillars 9 located laterally in the vehicle width direction of the hood 4 and windshield 5, even when the central transverse deployment section 30 is deployed. The left rear deployment section 32 and the right rear deployment section 31 can be pressed against the curved shape of the hood 4 and the left and right A-pillars 9, which have their left and right edges sloping downwards from the center in the vehicle width direction, when the central transverse deployment section 30 is deployed. When the central transverse deployment section 30, the left rear deployment section 32, and the right rear deployment section 31 are all deployed, the bag body 23 can be deployed to cover the space between the hood 4 and the windshield 5, and the entirety of the left and right A-pillars 9. Even when a pedestrian's load is applied, the bag body 23 can easily maintain its deployed shape and state by obtaining the reaction force from the hood 4 and the left and right A-pillars 9. The bag 23 can support a pedestrian who falls into it.

[0076] In this embodiment, it is expected that pedestrian protection performance will be improved by deploying the bag 23 to the vehicle body 2 in a desired state at an early stage.

[0077] [Fourth Embodiment] (Overview) Next, a pedestrian protection device for an automobile according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the embodiment described above, the first left rising deployment section deploys to a lower height than the second left rising deployment section. Similarly, the first right rising deployment section deploys to a lower height than the second right rising deployment section. That is, the deployment height of the first left rising deployment section and the deployment height of the first right rising deployment section are lower than the deployment height of the second left rising deployment section and the deployment height of the second right rising deployment section, which are located between them. In this case, the left rear deployment section and the right rear deployment section can be expected to deploy so that the bag body is in contact with the upper surface of the hood over its entire width, as shown by the dashed lines in Figures 6 and 7, where both ends in the vehicle width direction are curved downwards from the center. When a pedestrian's load acts on the left rear deployment section or the right rear deployment section, the left rear deployment section or the right rear deployment section can support the pedestrian by receiving a reaction force from the hood or the like with which it is in contact. However, depending on the shape of the vehicle body and hood of the vehicle to which the present invention is applied, it may be desirable to extend the left rear deployment section and the right rear deployment section above the central transverse deployment section. For example, by extending the left rear deployment section and the right rear deployment section above the central transverse deployment section, it is possible to prevent a pedestrian who falls onto the central transverse deployment section of the bag from subsequently going over the left rear deployment section and the right rear deployment section and falling out in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, by deploying the left rear deployment section and the right rear deployment section above the central cross deployment section, the relative speed between pedestrians and the vehicle can be reduced earlier, which is expected to improve pedestrian protection performance when reaction forces are generated by the vehicle. In this embodiment, an example is described in which the unfolding height of the first left rising unfolding section is made higher than the unfolding height of the second left rising unfolding section, and the unfolding height of the first right rising unfolding section is made higher than the unfolding height of the second right rising unfolding section. This embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, components similar to those in the embodiments described above are shown using the same reference numerals and are not shown or described. The following description will mainly focus on the differences from the embodiments described above.

[0078] (Unfolded state of the bag) Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the deployed bag of the pedestrian airbag device 20 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from cross-section AA in Figure 5. In Figure 9, the pedestrian airbag device 20 is viewed from the cross-section AA in Figure 5. In Figure 9, the top surface of the hood 4 and the case 24 are shown with dashed lines. Figure 9 shows the bag 23 in its fully expanded state due to high-pressure gas. The bag 23 unfolds from the same state as in Figure 4, as shown in Figure 9. Furthermore, the bag 23 has a front unfolding section 49, similar to the bag in Figure 5.

[0079] In this embodiment, the bag body 23 has a first left-facing unfolding section 48 and a second left-facing unfolding section 46 as left-facing unfolding sections. The first left-upward unfolding section 48 unfolds diagonally to the upper left within the case 24. The first left-upward unfolding section 48 connects the left rear unfolding section 32 and the left fixed unfolding section 34. The second left rising unfolding section 46 unfolds vertically, closer to the center in the vehicle width direction of the automobile 1 than the first left rising unfolding section 48. The second left rising unfolding section 46 connects the central transverse unfolding section 30 and the left fixed unfolding section 34. Furthermore, the second left rising deployment section 46 deploys with a smaller flow path cross-section than the first left rising deployment section 48. As a result, high-pressure gas flows preferentially into the left rear deployment section 32 compared to the central transverse deployment section 30.

[0080] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the bag body 23 has a first right-facing unfolding section 47 and a second right-facing unfolding section 44 as right-facing unfolding sections. The first right-facing extension section 47 extends diagonally to the right within the case 24. The first right-facing extension section 47 connects the right rear extension section 31 and the right fixed extension section 33. The second right-facing extension section 44 extends vertically, closer to the center of the vehicle width direction of the automobile 1 than the first right-facing extension section 47. The second right-facing extension section 44 connects the central transverse extension section 30 and the right-fixed extension section 33. Furthermore, the second right rising deployment section 44 deploys with a smaller flow path cross-section than the first right rising deployment section 47. As a result, high-pressure gas flows preferentially into the right rear deployment section 31 compared to the central transverse deployment section 30.

[0081] The first left rising section 48, the second left rising section 46, the first right rising section 47, and the second right rising section 44 are unfolded with flow path cross-sections smaller than the cross-sectional size of case 24, as shown in Figure 9. The combined area of ​​these four cross-sections is smaller than the cross-sectional size of case 24. As a result, the first left rising unfolding section 45, the second left rising unfolding section 46, the first right rising unfolding section 43, and the second right rising unfolding section 44 do not deform or destroy the case 24 during unfolding. As illustrated in Figure 5, vehicle equipment such as a wiper motor 6 is arranged around the case 24. If the case 24 is deformed by the unfolding of the bag body 23, an external force will be applied to the vehicle equipment such as the wiper motor 6. In this embodiment, it is possible to prevent such a situation from occurring.

[0082] The first left rising unfolding section 48, the second left rising unfolding section 46, the first right rising unfolding section 47, and the second right rising unfolding section 44 extend to a height greater than or equal to the height of the upper surface of the hood 4 when it is extended. Therefore, the central transverse deployment section 30, the left rear deployment section 32, and the right rear deployment section 31 can be deployed on the upper side of the upper surface of the hood 4. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the unfolding height of the first left rising unfolding section 48 from the bottom surface of the case 24 is higher than the unfolding height of the second left rising unfolding section 46, as shown in Figure 9. Also, the unfolding height of the first right rising unfolding section 47 is higher than the unfolding height of the second right rising unfolding section 44. As a result, the left rear deployment section 32 and the right rear deployment section 31 can be deployed away from the upper surface of the hood 4, which has a curved shape with both left and right edges sloping downwards from the center in the vehicle width direction, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 9. In contrast, the central transverse deployment section 30 is in close contact with the upper surface of the hood 4.

[0083] In this embodiment, the left inflator 22 ejects high-pressure gas to the left, as shown in Figure 9. The high-pressure gas then flows smoothly to the upper left without accumulating in the first left rising deployment section 48, and flows from the diagonal first left rising deployment section 48 into the left rear deployment section 32. As a result, the left rear deployment section 32, which was stored in a folded state within the case 24, can be efficiently deployed towards the rear due to the preferential flow of high-pressure gas at high pressure. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, the right inflator 21 ejects high-pressure gas to the right. The high-pressure gas then flows smoothly to the upper right without accumulating in the first right rising deployment section 47, and flows from the diagonal first right rising deployment section 47 into the right rear deployment section 31. As a result, the right rear deployment section 31, which was stored folded in multiple layers within the case 24, can be efficiently deployed towards the rear due to the preferential flow of high-pressure gas at high pressure. As a result, the left rear deployment section 32 and the right rear deployment section 31 can be deployed without a significant delay from the central transverse deployment section 30.

[0084] Furthermore, the high-pressure gas flowing from the left inflator 22 through the left rear deployment section 32 to the central transverse deployment section 30 is directed to the right in the central transverse deployment section 30. The high-pressure gas flowing from the right inflator 21 through the right rear deployment section 31 to the central transverse deployment section 30 is directed to the left in the central transverse deployment section 30. In the central transverse deployment section 30, the rightward flow of high-pressure gas from the left inflator 22 and the leftward flow of high-pressure gas from the right inflator 21 cancel each other out. The flow of high-pressure gas from the central transverse deployment section 30 to the left rear deployment section 32 or the right rear deployment section 31 is weakened. Furthermore, the central transverse deployment section 30 is directly connected to the second left rising deployment section 46 and the second right rising deployment section 44. Therefore, the central transverse deployment section 30 can be deployed without significant delay compared to the left rear deployment section 32 and the right rear deployment section 31. As the outward flow of high-pressure gas weakens, the left rear deployment section 32 and the right rear deployment section 31 become less likely to open outwards to the left and right. In addition, the left rear deployment section 32 and the right rear deployment section 31 become less likely to flap around during deployment.

[0085] As a result, in this embodiment, the left rear deployment section 32 and the right rear deployment section 31 can be deployed to stabilize early in the desired state where they overlap with the left and right A-pillars 9. Furthermore, once the deployment of the bag 23 begins, the entire bag 23 can be deployed early in the desired U-shape, overlapping with the left and right A-pillars 9 as desired.

[0086] (effect) As described above, in this embodiment, the unfolded height of the first left rising unfolding section 48 is higher than the unfolded height of the second left rising unfolding section 46, and the unfolded height of the first right rising unfolding section 47 is higher than the unfolded height of the second right rising unfolding section 44. In other words, the unfolded height of the first left rising unfolding section 48 and the unfolded height of the first right rising unfolding section 47 are higher than the unfolded height of the second left rising unfolding section 46 and the second right rising unfolding section 44, which are rising unfolding sections provided between them. As a result, the left rear deployment section 32, to which the first left rising deployment section 48 is connected, and the right rear deployment section 31, to which the first right rising deployment section 47 is connected, can easily separate from the hood 4 when the central transverse deployment section 30 is deployed. The bag body 23 can be deployed so as to make contact with the central part and surrounding area of ​​the upper surface of the hood 4, which is thinly curved so that both ends in the vehicle width direction are lower than the central part. In addition, the left rear deployment section 32 and the right rear deployment section 31 lift up on both the left and right sides of the central transverse deployment section 30, and the bag body 23 as a whole deploys in a slightly bowed shape as shown in Figure 9. This prevents pedestrians from falling off the bag 23 to the left or right after falling onto it. Even when a load is applied, the second left vertical expansion section 46 and the second right vertical expansion section 44 are connected to the central transverse expansion section 30, making it difficult for the entire bag 23 to tilt to the left or right. Furthermore, because the first left rising deployment section 48 and the first right rising deployment section 47 deploy high, pedestrians can make contact with the bag 23 at an early stage. The pedestrian's relative speed to the vehicle 1 is reduced by contact with the deploying bag 23, and is expected to decrease significantly due to the early contact. The period from when the pedestrian begins to make contact with the bag 23 until they receive a reaction force from the vehicle is extended. As a result, the degree of influence of the vehicle's reaction force on the pedestrian can be reduced.

[0087] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the left rear deployment section 32 and the right rear deployment section 31 deploy above the central transverse deployment section 30. With the central transverse deployment section 30 in contact with the hood 4, the left rear deployment section 32 and the right rear deployment section 31 deploy slightly above the hood 4. As a result, a pedestrian who falls onto the bag 23 deployed on top of the hood 4 is less likely to fall over the left rear deployment section 32 or the right rear deployment section 31 and fall in the vehicle width direction. In particular, in this embodiment, a second left upright unfolding section 46 and a second right upright unfolding section 44 are provided between the first left upright unfolding section 48 and the first right upright unfolding section 47 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and these sections unfold lower than the first left upright unfolding section 48 and the first right upright unfolding section 47. Even if the pedestrian's load acts unevenly in the vehicle width direction on the left rear unfolding section 32 and the right rear unfolding section 31, which unfold as if floating away from the hood 4, the posture of the unfolded bag body 23 is less likely to change to a tilt relative to the vehicle width direction from the state shown in Figure 9. The bag body 23 can support a pedestrian who is trying to fall out in the vehicle width direction by going over the left rear unfolding section 32 and the right rear unfolding section 31.

[0088] Furthermore, by deploying the left rear deployment section 32 and the right rear deployment section 31 above the central transverse deployment section 30, it is expected that the relative speed between the pedestrian and the vehicle body 2 will be reduced at an earlier stage, and an improvement in pedestrian protection performance when reaction forces are generated by the vehicle body 2 can be expected. In vehicle body 2, the A-pillar 9 is rigider than the central windshield 5. A pedestrian falling towards the left rear extension section 32 or the right rear extension section 31 can be restrained early because the left rear extension section 32 or the right rear extension section 31 extends above the central transverse extension section 30. Subsequently, the left rear extension section 32 or the right rear extension section 31 will come into contact with the A-pillar 9 due to the pedestrian's weight and exert a reaction force, but due to the early restraint, it can be expected that the relative speed between the pedestrian and vehicle body 2 will have already begun to decrease by that point. The impact on the pedestrian when the reaction force is generated can be reduced.

[0089] Thus, in this embodiment, improved pedestrian protection performance can be expected by deploying the bag 23 to the vehicle body 2 in a desired state at an early stage. In particular, in this embodiment, early contact between the pedestrian and the left rear deployment section 32 or the right rear deployment section 31 of the bag 23 can be expected, so further improvement in pedestrian protection performance can be expected. Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is possible to prevent pedestrians from falling off the bag 23 to the left or right after falling onto it.

[0090] The embodiments described above are examples of preferred embodiments of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications or changes are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0091] (modified version) In the embodiments described above, the left rising expansion section is disclosed as consisting only of the first left rising expansion sections 36, 42, or as consisting of two sections: the first left rising expansion sections 45, 48 and the second left rising expansion section 46. The right rising expansion section is disclosed as consisting only of the first right rising expansion sections 35, 41, or as consisting of two sections: the first right rising expansion sections 43, 47 and the second right rising expansion section 44. In addition, for example, the left rising expansion section and the right rising expansion section may each be composed of three or more rising expansion sections. Furthermore, the three or more vertical extension sections on each side do not necessarily extend to the same height; instead, they may extend sequentially from the center in the vehicle width direction, with the height increasing or decreasing as they move outwards in the vehicle width direction. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0092] 1...Automobile (vehicle), 2...Vehicle body, 3...Car compartment, 4...Hood, 5...Windshield, 6...Wiper motor, 7...Vehicle body structure, 8...Cover member, 9...A-pillar, 10...Pedestrian protection device, 11...Exterior camera, 12...LiDAR, 13...Accelerometer, 15...GNSS receiver, 16...Control unit, 20...Pedestrian airbag device, 21...Right inflator, 22...Left inflator, 23...Bag body, 24...Case, 30...Center crossing Deployment part, 31...Right rear deployment part, 32...Left rear deployment part, 33...Right fixed deployment part (left fixed part), 34...Left fixed deployment part (right fixed part), 35...First right standing deployment part, 36...First left standing deployment part, 41...First right standing deployment part , 42...First left standing development part, 43...First right standing development part, 44...Second right standing development part, 45...First left standing development part, 46...Second left standing development part, 47...First right standing development part, 48...First left standing development part, 49...Front development part

Claims

1. A vehicle pedestrian airbag system that deploys from between the vehicle's hood and windshield, A case provided below the aforementioned hood and extending in the vehicle width direction, A bag stored inside the case, A left inflator and a right inflator are provided side by side in the width direction of the vehicle and spray high-pressure gas into the bag body housed in the case, It has, The bag body is A left rear extension section that can be extended along the left edge in the vehicle width direction of the windshield, A right rear extension section that can be extended along the right edge in the vehicle width direction of the windshield, A central transverse unfolding section extends along the vehicle width direction between the hood and the windshield, and the left rear unfolding section and the right rear unfolding section are connected to the left and right ends in the vehicle width direction. A left fixing part that is fixed to the case while connected to the left inflator and unfolds within the case, The right fixing part is fixed to the case on the right side of the left fixing part in the vehicle width direction, connected to the right inflator, and unfolds within the case. The central transverse unfolding section and the left rear unfolding section include a first left rising unfolding section that connects at least the left rear unfolding section and the left fixing section, The central transverse unfolding section and the right rear unfolding section include a first right rising unfolding section that connects at least the right rear unfolding section and the right fixing section, It has, The first left rising unfolding section and the first right rising unfolding section extend above the upper edge of the case. Vehicle pedestrian airbag system.

2. The first left rising unfolding section and the first right rising unfolding section unfold on the upper surface of the hood when unfolded. The central transverse unfolding section, the left rear unfolding section, and the right rear unfolding section each have a front unfolding section that unfolds in front of the case, and the front unfolding section unfolds on top of the hood when unfolded. A pedestrian airbag device for a vehicle according to claim 1.

3. The first left vertical unfolding section is connected only to the left rear unfolding section among the central transverse unfolding section and the left rear unfolding section, and unfolds diagonally to the upper left within the case. The left inflator, located to the left of the right inflator, ejects high-pressure gas to the left. The first right-upward unfolding section is connected only to the right-rear unfolding section among the central transverse unfolding section and the right-rear unfolding section, and unfolds diagonally to the upper right within the case. The aforementioned right inflator ejects high-pressure gas to the right. A pedestrian airbag device for a vehicle according to claim 1.

4. A second left-facing extension section is provided, located closer to the center in the vehicle width direction than the first left-facing extension section, connecting the central transverse extension section and the left-facing fixing section. A second right-facing extension section is provided at a position closer to the center in the vehicle width direction than the first right-facing extension section, connecting the central transverse extension section and the right-facing fixing section. It has, The second left rising expansion section has a smaller flow path cross-section than the first left rising expansion section and expands so as to protrude upward from the case. The second right-facing extension section has a smaller flow path cross-section than the first right-facing extension section and extends upward from the case. A pedestrian airbag device for a vehicle according to claim 1 or 3.

5. The unfolding height of the first left rising unfolding section is lower than the unfolding height of the second left rising unfolding section, and the unfolding height of the first right rising unfolding section is lower than the unfolding height of the second right rising unfolding section, or The unfolded height of the first left rising unfolding section is higher than the unfolded height of the second left rising unfolding section, and the unfolded height of the first right rising unfolding section is higher than the unfolded height of the second right rising unfolding section. A pedestrian airbag device for a vehicle according to claim 4.

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