Curtain airbag and curtain airbag device

Abstract

To provide a curtain airbag which reduces load on a front pillar garnish when expansion unfolding occurs by adjusting thickness and a shape of the curtain airbag expanding and unfolding according to vehicle widths of a variety of vehicles, and a curtain airbag device.SOLUTION: A curtain airbag 1 expands and unfolds downward along a side surface inside a vehicle cabin, and includes: panels 2, 3 positioned inside and outside the vehicle; coupling parts 10 along peripheral edge parts of the panels 2, 3; and an adhesive part 31 which is provided at a position covering a front pillar when expanding and unfolding, adheres the panels 2, 3, and releases adhesion when inner pressure reaches prescribed value or more.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a curtain airbag that inflates and deploys along a window or the like of a side door of an automobile, and to a curtain airbag device equipped with this curtain airbag. [Background technology]

[0002] One type of airbag used to restrain the heads of automobile occupants is a curtain airbag, which is placed near the corner where the ceiling and side of the automobile interior intersect and is configured to inflate along the side door window, etc., using gas introduced from a gas inlet.

[0003] In automobiles equipped with a curtain airbag device, in the event of an emergency such as when the automobile is hit in a side collision or rolls over, the curtain airbag inflates downward along the side of the vehicle interior (such as the door or pillar) to restrain the head of the occupant and, if the window is open, to prevent the occupant from being thrown out of the vehicle.

[0004] The curtain airbag is folded into a roughly rod-like shape and stored in the roof side rail and the front pillar (A-pillar) on the upper part of the vehicle body. When gas is supplied to the curtain airbag in an emergency, it starts to inflate, and the roof side garnish and the front pillar garnish begin to open into the passenger compartment. The curtain airbag is then released into the vehicle interior from the roof side rail and the front pillar, and inflates and deploys.

[0005] In a conventional curtain airbag, depending on the shape of the inflated and deployed curtain airbag, a large load may be applied to the front pillar garnish. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6803872 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The present invention aims to provide a curtain airbag and a curtain airbag device that reduce the load on the front pillar garnish when the curtain airbag inflates and deploys by adjusting the thickness and shape of the curtain airbag that inflates and deploys in accordance with the vehicle width of various vehicle models. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The curtain airbag of the present invention is a curtain airbag that inflates and deploys downward along the side of the vehicle cabin, and comprises a first panel located on the inside of the vehicle and a second panel located on the outside of the vehicle, a joining portion along the peripheral edges of the first panel and the second panel, and a first adhesive portion that is positioned to cover the front pillar when the airbag inflates and deploys, bonds the first panel and the second panel, and the adhesive peels off when the internal pressure reaches or exceeds a predetermined value.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first adhesive portion extends parallel to the front pillar.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, both ends of the first adhesive portion are spaced apart from the connecting portion.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, either one of both ends of the first adhesive portion is continuous with the connecting portion.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle further includes a second adhesive portion that is provided at a position where it comes into contact with a driver's airbag, bonds the first panel and the second panel, and is separated from the adhesive when the internal pressure reaches or exceeds a predetermined value.

[0013] In one aspect of the present invention, the seat cover further includes an annular connecting portion provided at a position where a driver's seat airbag comes into contact, and connecting the first panel and the second panel by sewing.

[0014] The curtain airbag device of the present invention comprises the curtain airbag of the present invention and an inflator for inflating the curtain airbag. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the curtain airbag of the present invention, the load on the front pillar garnish can be adjusted, and interference with the front pillar garnish during inflation and deployment can be suppressed. In addition, strong interference with the driver's airbag can be suppressed, and the occupant can be guided to the normal position. In addition, deployment performance can be improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a side view of the curtain airbag according to the embodiment before inflation. [Diagram 2] FIG. 11 is a side view of a curtain airbag according to another embodiment before inflation. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a side view of a curtain airbag according to another embodiment before inflation. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a side view of a curtain airbag according to another embodiment before inflation. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a side view of a curtain airbag according to another embodiment before inflation. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a side view of a curtain airbag according to another embodiment before inflation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0018] 1, a short, cylindrical gas inlet 1b extending upward and diagonally backward is provided in the center of the upper side of the main body 1a of the curtain airbag 1, and the tip of this gas inlet 1b serves as a gas inlet 1c. The tip of the inflator 9 is inserted into this gas inlet 1c and bound with a band (not shown). The inflator 9 is fixed to the roof side of the vehicle body by a mounting member (not shown).

[0019] This curtain airbag 1 is formed by overlapping two panels (base fabrics) 2, 3 of approximately the same shape and joining these panels 2, 3 together at linear joints 10 to 13 and annular joints 21 to 25. Although not shown in the figure, multiple patch cloths (base fabrics) are sewn together near the gas inlet 1b.

[0020] Each of the panels 2 and 3 may be an integral whole, or the main body portion 1a and the gas inlet portion 1b may be separate bodies.

[0021] The curtain airbag may or may not have a silicone seal.

[0022] The linear joints 10-13 and the annular joints 21-25 are formed by strong joint means that airtightly joins the panels 2, 3 together and prevents the panels 2, 3 from separating even if the internal pressure of the curtain airbag 1 rises to the design upper limit pressure. For example, the linear joints 10-13 and the annular joints 21-25 are sewn with high-strength sewing thread.

[0023] The linear joint 10 goes around the curtain airbag 1, and parts 10a, 10b thereof extend along the leading and trailing edges of the gas inlet portion 1b.

[0024] The annular joints 21 to 25 are disposed at intervals in the front-rear direction of the curtain airbag main body 1a. The annular joint 21 is located a predetermined distance forward of the rear ends 2b of the panels 2, 3. The annular joint 21 is located in the middle of the panels 2, 3 in the up-down direction.

[0025] The linear connection 11 extends so as to connect the annular connection parts 21 and 22. Specifically, the linear connection part 11 extends from the annular connection part 21 obliquely upward toward the front side of the vehicle, then extends toward the front side of the vehicle, and then extends obliquely downward toward the front side of the vehicle, and the terminal end of the extension is connected to the annular connection part 22.

[0026] The annular joint 23 is located below the gas inlet 1b and in the vertical middle of the panels 2, 3. The annular joint 24 is located above and forward of the annular joint 23. The linear joint 12 extends to connect the annular joints 23, 24. Specifically, the linear joint 12 extends from the annular joint 23 obliquely upward toward the rear of the vehicle, then extends toward the front of the vehicle, and its extending end is connected to the annular joint 24.

[0027] The annular joint 25 is located below and forward of the annular joint 24. The linear joint 13 extends downward and forward from the annular joint 25 and is continuous with the linear joint 10 at the lower edge.

[0028] An adhesive portion 31 (first adhesive portion) that bonds the panels 2, 3 together with an adhesive member is provided in an area above and in front of the annular joint 25. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the adhesive portion 31 is linear and extends in an oblique direction so as to be lower toward the front. The adhesive portion 31 corresponds to a position that covers the front pillar below the front pillar (A pillar) when the curtain airbag 1 is inflated and deployed in the vehicle cabin. In other words, the extension direction of the adhesive portion 31 when the curtain airbag 1 is inflated and deployed is approximately parallel to the extension direction of the front pillar. The adhesive member may be an adhesive or a sheet-like member such as a silicon seal.

[0029] The upper end (rear end) of the adhesive portion 31 is located a predetermined distance below the linear joint 10 at the upper edge. The lower end (front end) of the adhesive portion 31 is located a predetermined distance rearward from the linear joint 10 on the front end 2f side of the panels 2, 3.

[0030] The panel bonding strength provided by the adhesive portion 31 is lower than the panel bonding strength provided by the linear joints 10 to 13 and the annular joints 21 to 25. The adhesive portion 31 is configured to be dissociated (released) from the bond when the airbag internal pressure reaches or exceeds a predetermined value.

[0031] Therefore, the expansion chamber (hereinafter referred to as the sub-chamber 1S) surrounded by the adhesive part 31 and the linearly joined part 10 located forward of the upper end (rear end) of the adhesive part 31 and above the lower end (front end) of the adhesive part 31 expands and deploys later than the other expansion chamber (hereinafter referred to as the main chamber 1M). For example, about 20 ms after the main chamber 1M starts expanding, the adhesion by the adhesive part 31 is released, and the sub-chamber 1S starts expanding.

[0032] An adhesive portion 32 that bonds the panels 2, 3 together with an adhesive member is provided below the adhesive portion 31 and in a region forward of the linear joint portion 13. The position at which the adhesive portion 31 is provided corresponds to the position at which the curtain airbag 1 comes into contact (interferes with) the inflated and deployed driver's seat airbag when it is inflated and deployed.

[0033] The panel bonding strength provided by the adhesive portion 32 is lower than the panel bonding strength provided by the linear joints 10-13 and the annular joints 21-25. The adhesive portion 32 is configured to be dissociated (released) when the airbag internal pressure reaches or exceeds a predetermined value. The adhesive material for the adhesive portion 32 can be the same as that for the adhesive portion 31.

[0034] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the adhesive portion 32 is U-shaped, but the shape of the adhesive portion 32 is not particularly limited.

[0035] A tether 50 for connecting the main body 1a to a front pillar of the vehicle body extends from the front ends 2f of the panels 2, 3. In addition, a tether (not shown) for connecting the main body 1a to a C-pillar of the vehicle body extends from the rear ends 2b of the panels 2, 3.

[0036] A number of tabs 4 for connecting the main body 1a to a roof side rail of the vehicle body are connected to the upper part of the panels 2, 3. Of the multiple tabs 4, the frontmost tab 4a is located above the adhesive part 31 and is longer than the other tabs 4. The tab 4a is connected to the inside of the front pillar. The tether 50 and the tabs 4 are components that determine the position of the curtain airbag 1 when it is inflated and deployed.

[0037] The main body 1a of the curtain airbag 1 is folded into an elongated shape by rolling or the like so as to extend in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body, and is bound and maintained in shape by binding devices (not shown). The binding devices have the strength to break or come undone when the curtain airbag 1 inflates. The binding devices are disposed at multiple locations at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the folded body.

[0038] The folded body of the curtain airbag 1 is disposed along the vicinity of the intersection between the ceiling and side of the vehicle. For example, the tab 4 is connected to a roof side rail, and the folded body is covered by a roof side garnish. In addition, the front end of the tether 50 is attached to the front pillar, and the part of the folded body including the sub-chamber 1S is covered by the front pillar garnish.

[0039] When a vehicle equipped with the thus configured curtain airbag device is involved in a side collision or rollover, the inflator is activated to eject gas, which is supplied to the curtain airbag 1, causing the curtain airbag 1 to begin to inflate, causing the lower edge of the roof side garnish to open into the passenger compartment, and the curtain airbag 1 to inflate and deploy downward along the side window. At this time, the portion of the curtain airbag 1 including the sub-chamber 1S is also released from the front pillar into the passenger compartment at the same time.

[0040] The gas supplied to the curtain airbag 1 inflates and deploys the main chamber 1M. When the internal pressure of the curtain airbag 1 reaches a predetermined value or more due to the inflation and deployment of the main chamber 1M, the adhesive at the adhesive portion 31 is peeled off, and the sub-chamber 1S inflates and deploys. The curtain airbag 1 is released into the vehicle cabin, and the sub-chamber 1S inflates and deploys later than the main chamber 1M, so interference between the front pillar garnish and the curtain airbag 1 can be suppressed.

[0041] In addition, the adhesive of the adhesive portion 32 of the curtain airbag 1 does not peel off until the internal pressure of the curtain airbag 1 reaches a predetermined value, and this portion becomes a recess, suppressing interference with the driver's seat airbag. Therefore, the driver's seat airbag can restrain the occupant in a desired position.

[0042] 2, an annular joint 26 using a stitching portion made of high-strength sewing thread may be used instead of the adhesive portion 32. The annular joint 26 joins the panels 2, 3 so that they do not separate even if the internal pressure of the curtain airbag 1 rises to the design upper limit pressure. When the curtain airbag 1 is inflated and deployed, the annular joint 26 becomes a recess (non-inflating portion), and interference with the driver's seat airbag is suppressed.

[0043] 2, the linear connection 14 extends to connect the annular connection parts 25 and 26. Specifically, the linear connection part 14 extends diagonally downward from the annular connection part 25 toward the front of the vehicle, and the end of the extension is connected to the annular connection part 26. The linear connection part 15 extends downward from the annular connection part 26 and is connected to the linear connection part 10 at the lower edge part.

[0044] In the above embodiment, a configuration was described in which both ends of the linear adhesive portion 31 separating the main chamber 1M and the sub-chamber 1S are spaced apart from the linear joint portion 10. However, as shown in FIG. 3, the upper end (rear end) of the adhesive portion 31 may be connected to the linear joint portion 10 at the upper edge portion.

[0045] Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 4, the lower end (front end) of the adhesive 31 may be connected to the linear joint 10 at the front end 2f. As shown in Fig. 5, the upper end (rear end) of the adhesive 31 may be connected to the linear joint 10 at the upper edge, and the lower end (front end) may be connected to the linear joint 10 at the front end 2f.

[0046] In the above embodiment, the extension direction of the adhesive portion 31 when the curtain airbag 1 is inflated and deployed is substantially parallel to the extension direction of the front pillar below the front pillar. However, taking into consideration the vehicle width and the deployment speed of the curtain airbag 1, the extension direction does not have to be parallel to the extension direction of the front pillar as shown in FIG. 6.

[0047] The linear adhesive portion 31 may be continuous or may be partially interrupted.

[0048] The curtain airbag 1 may be configured so that its thickness when inflated and deployed increases toward the front of the vehicle. The curtain airbag 1 deploys so as to cover the front pillars.

[0049] The above-described embodiment is merely an example of the present invention, and the present invention may be embodied in other forms than those described above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1 Curtain airbag 1a Curtain airbag body 1b Gas inlet 2,3 Panel 4 Tabs 10~15 linear joints 21~26 Circular joint 31,32 Adhesive part 50 Tether

Claims

1. A curtain airbag that inflates and deploys downward along the side of a vehicle cabin, A first panel located on an inner side of the vehicle and a second panel located on an outer side of the vehicle; a joint portion along a peripheral edge of the first panel and the second panel; a first adhesive portion that is provided at a position that covers a front pillar when the seat cushion is inflated and deployed, that adheres the first panel and the second panel together, and that peels off when the internal pressure reaches or exceeds a predetermined value; Equipped with The first adhesive portion extends parallel to the front pillar, The curtain airbag, wherein both ends of the first adhesive portion are spaced apart from the joining portion.

2. 2. The curtain airbag according to claim 1, further comprising a second adhesive portion provided at a position where the driver's seat airbag comes into contact, bonding the first panel and the second panel together, and the adhesive being peeled off when the internal pressure reaches or exceeds a predetermined value.

3. 2. The curtain airbag according to claim 1, further comprising an annular connecting portion provided at a position where a driver's seat airbag comes into contact, and connecting the first panel and the second panel by sewing.

4. 4. A curtain airbag device comprising: the curtain airbag according to claim 1; and an inflator that supplies gas to the curtain airbag.

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