Airbag system

Abstract

To improve the protection of the occupants. [Solution] The airbag system comprises a curtain airbag that deploys on the side of the vehicle's passenger compartment, having a first chamber that contacts a first vehicle body structure located diagonally in front of the vehicle occupants when deployed, and a second chamber connected to the rear of the first chamber and deployed toward the rear of the vehicle, a first tether connecting the curtain airbag to the second vehicle body structure, a second tether connected to 12 connection points located on the upper part of the second chamber of the curtain airbag, an inflator that supplies gas to the curtain airbag when a first or second collision of the vehicle is detected, a cutting device that cuts the first tether when a first collision is detected, and a retraction device that pulls the second tether toward the front of the vehicle when a first collision is detected, wherein a first collision is a collision in which it is predicted that the occupants will be directed toward the first vehicle body structure as a result of the collision of the vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an airbag device.

Background Art

[0002] Vehicles are equipped with airbag devices to protect occupants in the vehicle cabin in the event of a vehicle collision. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an airbag device provided with a curtain airbag that deploys on the side surface of the vehicle cabin when the vehicle undergoes a side collision.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] There is a demand for the development of a technology that can improve the occupant protection performance provided by a curtain airbag deployed on the side surface of a vehicle cabin.

[0005] In view of such problems, the present invention aims to provide an airbag device capable of improving occupant protection performance.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, an airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a curtain airbag that deploys on the side surface of the vehicle cabin, the curtain airbag having a first air chamber that comes into contact with a first vehicle body structure provided diagonally forward of a vehicle occupant when deployed, and a second air chamber connected to a rear portion of the first air chamber and deployed toward the rear of the vehicle from the first air chamber side; and a first tether that connects the curtain airbag and a second vehicle body structure. A second tether connected to at least one connection point located at the top of the second chamber of the curtain airbag, When the occurrence of a first collision and a second collision of the vehicle is detected, an inflator supplies gas to the curtain airbag, A cutting device for cutting the first tether when the occurrence of the first collision is detected, When the occurrence of the first collision is detected, a retraction device pulls the second tether toward the front of the vehicle, Equipped with, The first collision is a collision in which it is predicted that the occupants will be directed toward the first vehicle body structure as a result of the collision of the vehicle. The second collision is a side collision of the vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the protection performance of the occupants. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a first schematic diagram showing the general configuration of an airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a second schematic diagram showing the general configuration of the airbag device according to the same embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the operation flow of the airbag device according to the same embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a third schematic diagram showing the general configuration of the airbag device according to the same embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of the second air chamber in the first modified example. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of the second air chamber in the second modified example. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of the second air chamber in the third modified example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. The specific dimensions, materials, numerical values, etc., shown in these embodiments are merely examples to facilitate understanding of the invention and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanations, and elements not directly related to the present invention are omitted from the illustrations.

[0010] [1. Airbag System Configuration] First, an overview of the airbag device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 is a first schematic diagram showing the general configuration of the airbag device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 shows the airbag device 100 before deployment.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the airbag system 100 is installed in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 comprises a roof 20, a front pillar 22, a center pillar 24, a C-pillar 26, a front side window 32, a front door trim 34, a rear side window 42, and a rear door trim 44.

[0012] The roof 20 is the part of the vehicle body structure that forms the roof of the vehicle 10. The front pillar 22 (first vehicle body structure), the center pillar 24 (first vehicle body structure), and the C pillar 26 (second vehicle body structure) are pillars that support the roof 20 within the vehicle body structure. The front pillar 22 is located at the front of the vehicle 10. The front pillar 22 is located diagonally in front of the driver's seat and passenger seat occupants of the vehicle 10. The front pillar 22 is also called the A pillar. The center pillar 24 is located in the center of the vehicle 10. The center pillar 24 is located diagonally in front of the rear seat occupants of the vehicle 10. The center pillar 24 is also called the B pillar. The C pillar 26 is located at the rear of the vehicle 10.

[0013] The front side window 32 is a window provided at the front portion of the vehicle 10 among the windows provided on the side surface of the vehicle 10. The front side window 32 is provided between the front pillar 22 and the center pillar 24. The front door trim 34 is provided below the front side window 32 and forms part of the side wall of the vehicle cabin. The rear side window 42 is a window provided at the rear portion of the vehicle 10 among the windows provided on the side surface of the vehicle 10. The rear side window 42 is provided between the center pillar 24 and the C-pillar 26. The rear door trim 44 is provided below the rear side window 42 and forms part of the side wall of the vehicle cabin.

[0014] The airbag device 100 includes, for example, a curtain airbag 110, a first tether 150, a second tether 160, a third tether 170, an inflator 180, cutting devices 190 and 192, a retraction device 200, and a control device 210.

[0015] Before deployment, the curtain airbag 110 is stored in the vicinity of the roof 20. The first tether 150 connects the curtain airbag 110 and the C-pillar 26 (second vehicle body structure). The second tether 160 and the third tether 170 are connected to the curtain airbag 110. The cutting device 190 is provided so as to be capable of cutting the first tether 150. The cutting device 190 is provided, for example, at the C-pillar 26 or in the vicinity of the C-pillar 26. The cutting device 192 is provided so as to be capable of cutting the third tether 170. The cutting device 192 is provided, for example, at the center pillar 24 or in the vicinity of the center pillar 24. The retraction device 200 is provided so as to be capable of retracting the second tether 160 toward the front of the vehicle 10. The retraction device 200 is provided, for example, at the front pillar 22, in the vicinity of the front pillar 22, at the dashboard, or in the vicinity of the dashboard.

[0016] The control device 210 includes one or more processors 212 and one or more memories 214 connected to the processors 212. The processor 212 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The memory 214 includes, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The ROM is a storage element that stores programs, operation parameters, and the like used by the CPU. The RAM is a storage element that temporarily stores data such as variables and parameters used in processing executed by the CPU. The processor 212 of the control device 210 executes various processes related to the control device 210 by executing the programs contained in the memory 214.

[0017] The control device 210 controls the inflator 180, the cutting devices 190 and 192, and the retraction device 200.

[0018] The control device 210 detects the occurrence of a collision of the vehicle 10. For example, the control device 210 detects the occurrence of a collision of the vehicle 10 based on a detection value from an unillustrated acceleration sensor. In the present embodiment, the control device 210 detects the occurrence of a first collision and a second collision among the collisions of the vehicle 10.

[0019] The first collision is a collision in which the occupant is predicted to move toward the front pillar 22 or the center pillar 22 due to the collision of the vehicle 10. Specifically, the first collision is a collision in which the head of the occupant is predicted to move toward the front pillar 22 or the center pillar 24 due to the collision of the vehicle 10. The first collision is also referred to as an offset collision. The second collision is a side collision of the vehicle 10.

[0020] In the event of a first collision, the occupant's head will exhibit a yawing motion and move towards the front pillar 22 or center pillar 24. Therefore, in the event of a first collision, the occupant's head may collide with area 50 or area 52 shown in Figure 1. Area 50 is the area extending from the front pillar 22 to the front of the front door trim 34. Area 52 is the area extending from the center pillar 24 to the front of the rear door trim 44. For this reason, it is conceivable to increase the volume of the air chamber that contacts areas 50 and 52 when the curtain airbag 110 is deployed. However, in this case, there are problems such as the difficulty in stably deploying the air chamber, the difficulty in rapidly deploying the air chamber, and the risk of damaging the front door trim 34 or rear door trim 44 during deployment.

[0021] Therefore, by devising the shape of the curtain airbag 110, the airbag device 100 according to this embodiment can improve the occupant protection performance even if a first or second collision occurs. The details of the curtain airbag 110, first tether 150, second tether 160, third tether 170, inflator 180, cutting devices 190, 192, retraction device 200, and control device 210 will be described below.

[0022] [1.1. Overview of Curtain Airbags] Next, with reference to Figure 2, an overview of the curtain airbag 110 after deployment according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 2 is a second schematic diagram showing the general configuration of the airbag device 100 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 shows the airbag device 100 in the first state, which will be described later, after deployment.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2, the curtain airbag 110 is deployed on the side of the passenger compartment of the vehicle 10. The curtain airbag 110 is bag-shaped. The curtain airbag 110 has, for example, an upper chamber 120, a first chamber 130, and a second chamber 140.

[0024] When deployed, the upper air chamber 120 extends along the roof 20 and the front pillars 22 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 10. When deployed, the upper air chamber 120 contacts and covers the lower part of the roof 20 of the vehicle 10, and the area spanning the front pillars 22, the upper part of the front side windows 32, the center pillar 24, and the upper part of the rear side windows 42.

[0025] The first air chamber 130 is located below the upper air chamber 120 when deployed. The first air chamber 130 communicates with the upper air chamber 120, for example. In this embodiment, the first air chamber 130 has a front first air chamber 130A and a center first air chamber 130B.

[0026] The front first air chamber 130A extends downward from the upper air chamber 120 when deployed. When deployed, the front first air chamber 130A contacts the front pillar 22, thereby covering the front pillar 22. In this embodiment, the front first air chamber 130A covers an area spanning the front pillar 22, the front part of the front side window 32, and the front part of the front door trim 34.

[0027] The center first air chamber 130B extends downward from the upper air chamber 120 when deployed. When deployed, the center first air chamber 130B contacts the center pillar 24, thereby covering the center pillar 24. In this embodiment, the center first air chamber 130B covers an area that spans the center pillar 24, the front part of the rear side window 42, and the front part of the rear door trim 44.

[0028] The second air chamber 140 is connected to the rear of the first air chamber 130 and extends from the first air chamber 130 side toward the rear of the vehicle 10. In this embodiment, the second air chamber 140 has a front second air chamber 140A and a center second air chamber 140B.

[0029] The front second air chamber 140A is connected to the rear of the front first air chamber 130A and extends from the front first air chamber 130A side toward the rear of the vehicle 10. More specifically, the front second air chamber 140A extends from the front first air chamber 130A side toward the center pillar 24. The front second air chamber 140A covers the area spanning the lower part of the front side window 32 and the upper part of the front door trim 34.

[0030] In this embodiment, the front second air chamber 140A has three small air chambers 142a, 142b, and 142c. A communication port 144 is formed at the top of each of the three small air chambers 142a, 142b, and 142c. The three small air chambers 142a, 142b, and 142c of the front second air chamber 140A are connected to the front first air chamber 130A through the communication port 144.

[0031] The second center air chamber 140B is connected to the rear of the first center air chamber 130B and extends from the side of the first center air chamber 130B toward the rear of the vehicle 10. More specifically, the second center air chamber 140B extends from the side of the first center air chamber 130B toward the C-pillar 26. The second center air chamber 140B covers the area spanning the lower part of the rear side window 42 and the upper part of the rear door trim 44.

[0032] In this embodiment, the center second air chamber 140B, like the front second air chamber 140A, has three small air chambers 142a, 142b, and 142c. A communication port 144 is formed at the top of each of the three small air chambers 142a, 142b, and 142c. The three small air chambers 142a, 142b, and 142c of the center second air chamber 140B are connected to the center first air chamber 130B through the communication port 144.

[0033] [1.2. Overview of the First Tether, Second Tether, and Third Tether] As shown in Figure 2, the first tether 150, the second tether 160, and the third tether 170 are string-like.

[0034] The first tether 150 connects the curtain airbag 110 to the C-pillar 26. In this embodiment, the first tether 150 connects the rearmost small air chamber 142c of the center second air chamber 140B to the C-pillar 26. In this embodiment, two first tethers 150 are provided.

[0035] The second tether 160 is connected to at least one connection point 146 located at the top of the second air chamber 140 of the curtain airbag 110. In this embodiment, the second tether 160 connects the at least one connection point 146 located at the top of the second air chamber 140 of the curtain airbag 110 to the retraction device 200.

[0036] Furthermore, in this embodiment, two second tethers 160 are provided. One second tether 160 connects a connection point 146 provided on the upper part of the front second air chamber 140A to the retraction device 200. The other second tether 160 connects a connection point 146 provided on the upper part of the center second air chamber 140B to the retraction device 200. More specifically, one second tether 160 connects three connection points 146 provided on the upper part of each of the three small air chambers 142a, 142b, and 142c of the front second air chamber 140A to the retraction device 200. The other second tether 160 connects three connection points 146 provided on the upper part of each of the three small air chambers 142a, 142b, and 142c of the center second air chamber 140B to the retraction device 200. One of the second tethers 160 is connected from the retraction device 200 through the front side window 32 side of the front first air chamber 130A to the front second air chamber 140A. Similarly, the other second tether 160 is connected from the retraction device 200 through the front side window 32 side of the front first air chamber 130A and the rear side window 42 side of the center first air chamber 130B to the center second air chamber 140B.

[0037] The third tether 170 connects the front second air chamber 140A and the center first air chamber 130B. In this embodiment, the third tether 170 connects the rearmost small air chamber 142c of the front second air chamber 140A to the center first air chamber 130B. In this embodiment, two third tethers 170 are provided.

[0038] [1.3. Overview of Inflator, Cutting Device, and Retraction Device] The inflator 180 supplies gas to the curtain airbag 110 when it detects the occurrence of a first or second collision of the vehicle 10. This causes the curtain airbag 110 to inflate and deploy.

[0039] The cutting device 190 cuts the first tether 150 when it detects the occurrence of a first collision of the vehicle 10. The cutting device 190 does not cut the first tether 150 when it detects the occurrence of a second collision. The cutting device 192 cuts the third tether 170 when it detects the occurrence of a first collision. The cutting device 192 does not cut the third tether 170 when it detects the occurrence of a second collision. The cutting devices 190 and 192 include, for example, an inflator and a cutting blade.

[0040] The retraction device 200 retracts the second tether 160 toward the front of the vehicle 10 when it detects the occurrence of a first collision of the vehicle 10. The retraction device 200 does not retract the second tether 160 when it detects the occurrence of a second collision. The retraction device 200 includes, for example, an inflator.

[0041] [2. Operation of the airbag system] Next, the operation of the airbag device 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the operation flow of the airbag device 100 according to this embodiment. Figure 4 is a third schematic diagram showing the general configuration of the airbag device 100 according to this embodiment. Figure 4 shows the airbag device 100 in the second state, which will be described later, after deployment.

[0042] The processing flow shown in Figure 3 is repeated, for example, at a predetermined time interval, for example, 6 msec.

[0043] In step S110, the control device 210 determines whether or not it has detected the occurrence of a first or second collision of the vehicle 10. If the control device 210 determines that it has detected the occurrence of a first or second collision of the vehicle 10 (YES in step S110), it proceeds to step S112. On the other hand, if the control device 210 determines that it has not detected the occurrence of a first or second collision of the vehicle 10 (NO in step S110), it terminates the processing flow shown in Figure 3.

[0044] In step S112, the control device 210 activates the inflator 180. This supplies gas from the inflator 180 to the curtain airbag 110, causing the curtain airbag 110 to inflate. In this way, the curtain airbag 110 deploys to the first state shown in Figure 2.

[0045] Following step S112, in step S114, the control device 210 determines whether the collision detected in step S110 was a first collision of vehicle 10. If the control device 210 determines that it was a first collision of vehicle 10 (YES in step S114), it proceeds to step S116. On the other hand, if the control device 210 determines that it was not a first collision of vehicle 10, that is, a second collision (NO in step S114), it terminates the processing flow shown in Figure 3.

[0046] In step S116, the control device 210 activates the cutting devices 190 and 192. This disconnects the first tether 150 and the third tether 170. As a result, the connection between the center second air chamber 140B and the C-pillar 26 is released, and the connection between the front second air chamber 140A and the center first air chamber 130B is released.

[0047] In step S118, the control device 210 activates the retraction device 200. This causes the second tether 160 to be retracted toward the front of the vehicle 10.

[0048] As a result, as shown in Figure 4, one of the second tethers 160 is pulled forward towards the front of the vehicle 10, causing the upper parts (connection point 146) of the three small air chambers 142a, 142b, and 142c of the front second air chamber 140A to be pulled toward the front first air chamber 130A. On the other hand, the lower parts of the three small air chambers 142a, 142b, and 142c of the front second air chamber 140A are not pulled toward the one of the second tethers 160. As a result, the upper parts of the three small air chambers 142a, 142b, and 142c of the front second air chamber 140A converge toward the front first air chamber 130A.

[0049] To explain in more detail, when one of the second tethers 160 is retracted, first the upper part of the small air chamber 142a, which is located furthest forward among the three small air chambers 142a, 142b, and 142c, is retracted toward the front first air chamber 130A. As a result, the gas in the upper part of small air chamber 142a moves to the front first air chamber 130A through the communication port 144, and the upper part of small air chamber 142a contracts. Then, when the other second tether 160 is retracted further, the upper part of the small air chamber 142b, which is located in the center among the three small air chambers 142a, 142b, and 142c, is retracted toward the front first air chamber 130A. As a result, the gas in the upper part of small air chamber 142b moves to the front first air chamber 130A through the communication port 144, and the upper part of small air chamber 142b contracts. Then, as the second tether 160 is further retracted, the upper part of the small air chamber 142c, which is the rearmost of the three small air chambers 142a, 142b, and 142c, is drawn towards the front first air chamber 130A. As a result, the gas in the upper part of small air chamber 142c moves to the front first air chamber 130A through the communication port 144, and the upper part of small air chamber 142c contracts.

[0050] Additionally, the gas in the three small air chambers 142a, 142b, and 142c moves to the front first air chamber 130A, causing the pressure in the front first air chamber 130A to increase. This pushes the lower parts of the three small air chambers 142a, 142b, and 142c back down by the front first air chamber 130A. Furthermore, the upper parts of the three small air chambers 142a, 142b, and 142c in the front second air chamber 140A contract, causing the gas in the upper parts of the three small air chambers 142a, 142b, and 142c to move to the lower parts of the three small air chambers 142a, 142b, and 142c. As a result, the pressure at the bottom of the three small air chambers 142a, 142b, and 142c of the front second air chamber 140A increases, and the bottoms of the three small air chambers 142a, 142b, and 142c repel each other. In this way, the front second air chamber 140A deforms into a roughly triangular pyramidal shape. More specifically, the front second air chamber 140A deforms into a roughly triangular pyramidal shape with its apex facing upwards and its base facing downwards.

[0051] Similarly, as the other second tether 160 is drawn forward of the vehicle 10, the upper parts (connection point 146) of the three small chambers 142a, 142b, and 142c of the center second air chamber 140B are drawn toward the center first air chamber 130B. On the other hand, the lower parts of the three small chambers 142a, 142b, and 142c of the center second air chamber 140B are not drawn toward the other second tether 160. As a result, the upper parts of the three small chambers 142a, 142b, and 142c of the center second air chamber 140B converge toward the center first air chamber 130B. Also, as the gas from the three small chambers 142a, 142b, and 142c moves toward the center second air chamber 140B, the pressure in the center second air chamber 140B increases. As a result, the lower parts of the three small air chambers 142a, 142b, and 142c are pushed back by the central second air chamber 140B. Also, the gas in the upper parts of the three small air chambers 142a, 142b, and 142c of the central second air chamber 140B moves to the lower parts of the three small air chambers 142a, 142b, and 142c. This increases the pressure in the lower parts of the three small air chambers 142a, 142b, and 142c of the central second air chamber 140B, causing the lower parts of the three small air chambers 142a, 142b, and 142c to repel each other. In this way, the central second air chamber 140B deforms into a roughly triangular pyramidal shape. More specifically, the central second air chamber 140B deforms into a roughly triangular pyramidal shape with its apex facing upwards and its base facing downwards.

[0052] Thus, when the occurrence of a first collision is detected, the airbag device 100 according to this embodiment deforms the curtain airbag 110 in the first state shown in Figure 2 into a curtain airbag 110 in a second state having a weight-shaped front second air chamber 140A and a cone-shaped center second air chamber 140B.

[0053] [3. Effectiveness of Airbag Systems] The airbag device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

[0054] The airbag device 100 according to this embodiment has a first chamber 130 that, when deployed, contacts a first vehicle body structure (front pillar 22, center pillar 24) located diagonally in front of the occupants of the vehicle 10, and a second chamber 140 connected to the rear of the first chamber 130 and deployed toward the rear of the vehicle 10 from the side of the first chamber 130, and a curtain airbag 110 that deploys toward the side of the passenger compartment of the vehicle 10, a first tether connecting the curtain airbag 110 to the second vehicle body structure (C pillar 26), and at least one part provided on the upper part of the second chamber 140 of the curtain airbag 110. The system includes a second tether 160 connected to two connection points 146, an inflator 180 that supplies gas to the curtain airbag 110 when a first collision and a second collision of the vehicle 10 are detected, a cutting device 190 that cuts the first tether 150 when a first collision is detected, and a retraction device 200 that pulls the second tether 160 toward the front of the vehicle 10 when a first collision is detected. The first collision is a collision in which the occupants are expected to move toward the first vehicle body structure as a result of the collision of the vehicle 10, and the second collision is a side collision of the vehicle 10.

[0055] As a result, the airbag device 100 according to this embodiment can suitably protect occupants when a second collision, which is a side collision of the vehicle 10, is detected. Furthermore, the airbag device 100 according to this embodiment can move the second air chamber 140 toward the first vehicle body structure when a first collision is detected in which it is predicted that the occupants will move toward the first vehicle body structure due to the collision of the vehicle 10. Therefore, when a first collision is detected in the airbag device 100 according to this embodiment, the thickness of the second air chamber 140 that contacts the region 50 spanning from the front pillar 22 to the front part of the front door trim 34, or the region 52 spanning from the center pillar 24 to the front part of the rear door trim 44, can be increased. As a result, the airbag device 100 can obtain a reaction force from region 50 or region 52 through the second air chamber 140, and can suitably protect occupants even when a first collision occurs. Thus, the airbag device 100 according to this embodiment can suitably protect occupants whether a first collision or a second collision is detected, thereby improving occupant protection performance.

[0056] The cutting device 190 does not need to cut the first tether 150 when the occurrence of a second collision is detected, and the retraction device 200 does not need to retract the second tether 160 when the occurrence of a second collision is detected.

[0057] Thus, the cutting device 190 and retraction device 200 according to this embodiment operate when a first collision of the vehicle 10 is detected but a second collision of the vehicle 10 is not detected. The cutting device 190 and retraction device 200 do not operate when a second collision of the vehicle 10 is detected but a first collision of the vehicle 10 is not detected. For this reason, the airbag device 100 according to this embodiment can increase the thickness of the second air chamber 140 only when a first collision is detected. In other words, the airbag device 100 according to this embodiment does not increase the thickness of the second air chamber 140 when a second collision is detected. As a result, when the curtain airbag 110 is deployed by the inflator 180, the airbag device 100 according to this embodiment can stably and quickly deploy the curtain airbag 110. In addition, the airbag device 100 according to this embodiment can suppress damage to the front door trim 34 or the rear door trim 44 when deployed.

[0058] The second air chamber 140 may be deformed into a conical shape when the second tether 160 is retracted by the retraction device 200.

[0059] As a result, the airbag device 100 according to this embodiment can increase the thickness of the second air chamber 140 that contacts the region 50 spanning from the front pillar 22 to the front part of the front door trim 34, or the region 52 spanning from the center pillar 24 to the front part of the rear door trim 44, when the occurrence of a first collision is detected. This allows the airbag device 100 to efficiently obtain reaction force from region 50 or region 52, and to more effectively protect the occupant even when a first collision occurs.

[0060] The second chamber 140 of the curtain airbag 110 may be connected to the first chamber 130 of the curtain airbag 110 through a communication port 144 formed at the top of the second chamber 140.

[0061] As a result, the airbag device 100 according to this embodiment can deploy the first chamber 130 and the second chamber 140 in a pre-designed deployment sequence. Therefore, the airbag device 100 according to this embodiment can more effectively protect occupants whether a first collision or a second collision is detected. Furthermore, the airbag device 100 according to this embodiment can easily converge the upper part of the second chamber 140 into the first chamber 130 using the retraction device 200. As a result, the airbag device 100 according to this embodiment can suitably deform the second chamber 140 into a conical shape.

[0062] The second air chamber 140 of the curtain airbag 110 has a plurality of small air chambers 142a, 142b, and 142c, and a communication port 144 may be formed at the top of each of the multiple small air chambers 142a, 142b, and 142c.

[0063] As a result, the airbag device 100 according to this embodiment can deploy the multiple small air chambers 142a, 142b, and 142c of the first air chamber 130 and the second air chamber 140 in a pre-designed deployment order. Therefore, the airbag device 100 according to this embodiment can more effectively protect occupants whether a first collision or a second collision is detected. Furthermore, the airbag device 100 according to this embodiment can easily converge the upper parts of each of the multiple small air chambers 142a, 142b, and 142c of the second air chamber 140 into the first air chamber 130 using the retraction device 200. As a result, the airbag device 100 according to this embodiment can suitably deform the multiple small air chambers 142a, 142b, and 142c of the second air chamber 140 into a conical shape.

[0064] The first vehicle body structure includes a front pillar 22 and a center pillar 24. The first chamber 130 of the curtain airbag 110 has a front first chamber 130A that contacts the front pillar 22 when deployed and a center first chamber 130B that contacts the center pillar 24 when deployed. The second chamber 140 of the curtain airbag 110 may have a front second chamber 140A connected to the rear of the front first chamber 130A and deployed from the front first chamber 130A side toward the rear of the vehicle 10, and a center second chamber 140B connected to the rear of the center first chamber 130B and deployed from the center first chamber 130B side toward the rear of the vehicle 10.

[0065] As a result, the airbag system 100 according to this embodiment can more effectively protect the occupants of the driver's seat, passenger seat, and rear seat, whether a first collision or a second collision is detected.

[0066] [4. Variant] The above describes an example in which the second tether 160 is connected to three connection points provided on the upper part of the second air chamber 140. However, the second tether 160 only needs to be connected to one or more connection points 146 provided on the upper part of the second air chamber 140. Even in this case, the second air chamber 140 can be deformed into a conical shape by the second tether 160 being retracted by the retraction device 200.

[0067] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of the second air chamber 140 according to the first modified example. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of the second air chamber 140 according to the second modified example. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of the second air chamber 140 according to the third modified example. Note that Figures 5 to 7 illustrate the front second air chamber 140A, but it is also applicable to the center second air chamber 140B.

[0068] As shown in Figure 5, in the first modified example, the second tether 160 is connected only to a connection point 146 located at the top of the rearmost of the three small air chambers 142a, 142b, and 142c of the front second air chamber 140A.

[0069] In the first modified example, the front second air chamber 140A is deformed into a roughly triangular pyramidal shape with its top facing upwards and its bottom facing downwards. This allows for a greater increase in the thickness of the front second air chamber 140A that contacts the region 50 spanning from the front pillar 22 to the front of the front door trim 34 when the occurrence of the first collision is detected. Therefore, the first modified example can efficiently obtain a reaction force from region 50 and can more favorably protect the occupants even when the first collision occurs.

[0070] As shown in Figure 6, in the second modification, annular insertion rings 148 are provided at the top of each of the small air chambers 142a and 142b of the front second air chamber 140A. In the second modification, similar to the first modification, the second tether 160 is connected only to a connection point 146 provided at the top of the small air chamber 142c, which is the rearmost of the three small air chambers 142a, 142b, and 142c of the front second air chamber 140A. In the second modification, the second tether 160 connected to the connection point 146 provided at the top of the small air chamber 142c is inserted through an insertion ring 148 provided in the small air chamber 142b, then through an insertion ring 148 provided in the small air chamber 142a, and is connected to the retraction device 200.

[0071] In the second modification, the front second air chamber 140A is also deformed into a roughly triangular pyramidal shape with its top facing upwards and its bottom facing downwards. This allows for a greater increase in the thickness of the front second air chamber 140A that contacts the region 50 spanning from the front pillar 22 to the front of the front door trim 34 when the occurrence of the first collision is detected. Therefore, the second modification can efficiently obtain a reaction force from region 50 and can more favorably protect the occupants even when the first collision occurs.

[0072] Furthermore, in the second modification, the top of the front second air chamber 140A can be concentrated in one place. As a result, in the second modification, the lower part of the front second air chamber 140A can be made to protrude further into the passenger compartment. Therefore, in the second modification, the thickness of the front second air chamber 140A that contacts region 50 can be further increased.

[0073] As shown in Figure 7, in the third modification, unlike the second modification, annular insertion rings 148 are provided at the top of each of the small air chambers 142b and 142c of the front second air chamber 140A. In the third modification, the second tether 160 is connected only to a connection point 146 provided at the top of the small air chamber 142a, which is the furthest forward of the three small air chambers 142a, 142b, and 142c of the front second air chamber 140A. Furthermore, in the third modification, the second tether 160 connected to the connection point 146 provided at the top of the small air chamber 142a is inserted through the insertion ring 148 provided in the small air chamber 142b, then through the insertion ring 148 provided in the small air chamber 142c, and is connected to the retraction device 200.

[0074] In the third modification, the front second air chamber 140A is also deformed into a roughly triangular pyramidal shape with its top facing upwards and its bottom facing downwards. This allows for a greater increase in the thickness of the front second air chamber 140A that contacts the region 50 spanning from the front pillar 22 to the front of the front door trim 34 when the occurrence of the first collision is detected. Therefore, the third modification can efficiently obtain a reaction force from region 50 and can more favorably protect the occupants even when the first collision occurs.

[0075] Preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications or alterations can be conceived within the scope of the claims, and these will naturally also fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0076] For example, the configuration of the airbag system 100 was described above with reference to Figure 1. However, some components of the airbag system 100 may be omitted, and components may be added.

[0077] In the above, an example was described in which the first chamber 130 has a front first chamber 130A and a center first chamber 130B, and the second chamber 140 has a front second chamber 140A and a center second chamber 140B. However, the curtain airbag 110 may have a front first chamber 130A and a front second chamber 140A, or a center first chamber 130B and a center second chamber 140B. If the curtain airbag 110 does not have a center first chamber 130B and a center second chamber 140B, but has a front first chamber 130A and a front second chamber 140A, the first tether 150 connects the front second chamber 140A to the center pillar 24 (second body structure). Furthermore, the curtain airbag 110 may have a first air chamber 130 that, when deployed, contacts the first vehicle body structure other than the front pillar 22 and center pillar 24, located diagonally in front of the occupants of the vehicle 10, and a second air chamber 140 that is connected to the rear of the first air chamber 130 and deploys toward the rear of the vehicle 10 from the side of the first air chamber 130.

[0078] The above describes an example in which the second chamber 140 of the curtain airbag 110 has three small chambers 142a, 142b, and 142c. However, the second chamber 140 may have two small chambers 142, or four or more small chambers 142. Alternatively, the second chamber 140 may consist of a single chamber. Even in such cases, the second chamber 140 can be deformed into a conical shape by retracting the second tether 160 with the retraction device 200.

[0079] The above describes an example in which a communication port 144 is formed at the top of each of the multiple small gas chambers 142a, 142b, and 142c. However, a communication port 144 may be formed in at least one of the multiple small gas chambers 142a, 142b, and 142c. Also, a communication port 144 may not be formed in any of the multiple small gas chambers 142a, 142b, and 142c. In this case, gas is supplied directly from the inflator 180 to the small gas chamber 142 in which a communication port 144 is not formed.

[0080] The above describes an example in which the second air chamber 140 is connected to the first air chamber 130 through a communication port 144 formed at the top of the second air chamber 140. However, the communication port 144 may be formed at a location other than the top of the second air chamber 140. Also, the second air chamber 140 does not need to have a communication port 144. In this case, gas is supplied directly to the second air chamber 140 from the inflator 180.

[0081] Similarly, the above describes an example in which the first air chamber 130 is connected to the upper air chamber 120 through a communication port formed at the top of the first air chamber 130. However, the communication port may be formed at a location other than the top of the first air chamber 130. Also, the first air chamber 130 does not need to have a communication port. In this case, gas is supplied directly to the first air chamber 130 from the inflator 180.

[0082] The above describes an example in which the second air chamber 140 deforms into a conical shape when the second tether 160 is retracted by the retraction device 200. However, the second air chamber 140 does not have to deform into a conical shape even when the second tether 160 is retracted by the retraction device 200. For example, the second air chamber 140 may deform into a spherical shape when the second tether 160 is retracted by the retraction device 200. In any case, the second air chamber 140 should move toward the first air chamber 130 side when the second tether 160 is retracted by the retraction device 200, thereby increasing the thickness of the portion that contacts the area spanning from the first vehicle body structure to the front of the door trim.

[0083] The above describes an example in which the cutting device 190 does not cut the first tether 150 when the occurrence of a second collision is detected, and the retraction device 200 does not retract the second tether 160 when the occurrence of a second collision is detected. However, the cutting device 190 may cut the first tether 150 when the occurrence of a second collision is detected, and the retraction device 200 may retract the second tether 160 when the occurrence of a second collision is detected. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0084] 100 Airbag System 110 Curtain airbags 130 First chamber 130A Front No. 1 Air Chamber 130B Center No. 1 Air Chamber 140 Second chamber 140A Front second air chamber 140B Second air chamber for center 142a, 142b, 142c Small air chamber 144 connecting port 146 connection points 150 First Tether 160 Second Tether 180 Inflator 190 Cutting device 192 Cutting device 200 Inlet device 22 Front pillar (first body structure) 24. Center pillar (first body structure, second body structure) 26 C-pillar (second body structure)

Claims

1. A curtain airbag having a first air chamber that, when deployed, contacts a first vehicle body structure located diagonally in front of the vehicle occupants, and a second air chamber connected to the rear of the first air chamber and deployed toward the rear of the vehicle from the side of the first air chamber, which is deployed on the side of the vehicle's passenger compartment, A first tether connecting the curtain airbag and the second vehicle body structure, A second tether connected to at least 12 connection points located at the top of the second chamber of the curtain airbag, When the occurrence of a first collision and a second collision of the vehicle is detected, an inflator supplies gas to the curtain airbag, A cutting device for cutting the first tether when the occurrence of the first collision is detected, A retraction device that, when the occurrence of the first collision is detected, retracts the second tether toward the front of the vehicle, Equipped with, The first collision is a collision in which it is predicted that the occupants will be directed toward the first vehicle body structure as a result of the collision of the vehicle. The second collision is a side collision of the vehicle with an airbag system.

2. When the occurrence of the second collision is detected, the cutting device does not cut the first tether. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the retraction device does not retract the second tether when the occurrence of the second collision is detected.

3. The airbag device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second air chamber deforms into a conical shape when the second tether is retracted by the retraction device.

4. The airbag device according to claim 3, wherein the second chamber of the curtain airbag is connected to the first chamber of the curtain airbag through a communication opening formed in the upper part of the second chamber.

5. The second chamber of the curtain airbag has a plurality of small chambers, The airbag device according to claim 4, wherein the communication port is formed at the top of each of the plurality of small air chambers.

6. The first body structure includes a front pillar and a center pillar. The first chamber of the curtain airbag is A first front air chamber that contacts the front pillar when deployed, A first center air chamber that contacts the center pillar when deployed, It has, The second chamber of the curtain airbag is A second front air chamber is connected to the rear of the first front air chamber and extends from the first front air chamber towards the rear of the vehicle, A second center air chamber is connected to the rear of the first center air chamber and extends from the first center air chamber towards the rear of the vehicle, An airbag device according to claim 1 or 2, having the following features.

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