Motorcycle airbag device

Abstract

To provide an air bag device for a motorcycle that can provide improved restraint performance for a rider of the motorcycle.SOLUTION: The present invention is an air bag device mounted in a motorcycle, the air bag device including: a gas generator configured to generate expansion gas; and an air bag cushion configured to be expanded and deployed by the expansion gas to restrain a forward movement of a rider. In addition, the air bag cushion includes a lower limb protective cushion configured to restrain the lower limb of the rider.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an airbag device for a motorcycle. [Background technology]

[0002] It is becoming standard for automobiles (four-wheeled vehicles) to be equipped with one or more airbags to protect the occupants in the event of an accident. Similarly, airbag systems for motorcycles (two-wheeled vehicles) have been proposed and are in practical use.

[0003] In an airbag device installed in an automobile, the steering wheel, instrument panel, etc. can be used as a support surface (reaction surface) for the deployed airbag, making it relatively easy to stabilize the deployment behavior and deployment posture of the airbag.

[0004] On the other hand, airbags installed on motorcycles have few support parts when deployed, making it difficult to stabilize the airbag's deployment behavior and deployment posture. Furthermore, motorcycle riders are not typically restrained to the vehicle by means such as a seat belt, and the direction in which they are thrown varies depending on the type of collision and their riding posture. This makes it difficult to adequately restrain and protect motorcycle riders. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an airbag device for a motorcycle that can improve the restraint performance of a motorcycle occupant. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides an airbag device mounted on a motorcycle, comprising: a gas generator that generates inflation gas; and an airbag cushion that is inflated and deployed by the inflation gas to restrain the forward movement of a rider. The airbag cushion includes a lower leg protection cushion that restrains the rider's lower legs.

[0007] The present invention is applicable to all types of motorcycles, including scooters, adventure bikes, tourers, sport tourers, scramblers, classic (retro), American (cruisers), naked bikes, street fighters, off-road supermotards, super sports bikes, street bikes, and mini bikes, and is particularly suitable for scooter-type motorcycles.

[0008] The lower leg protection cushion is preferably formed so as to restrain at least the knees of the occupant.

[0009] When a motorcycle collides head-on, the occupant is thrown forward, but if we focus on the lower legs, the knees protrude the furthest forward, so the lower leg protection cushion can quickly restrain the occupant's knees.

[0010] The lower leg protection cushion can include a right chamber that mainly restrains the area around the right knee of the occupant, and a left chamber that mainly restrains the area around the left knee of the occupant.

[0011] The right chamber and the left chamber can be formed and arranged separately on the left and right.

[0012] The lower leg protection cushion can be provided at a height that is roughly the same as the seat height and configured to inflate and deploy toward the rider's legs, since the rider's knees are usually positioned at a height that is roughly the same as the seat height when riding a motorcycle.

[0013] The airbag cushion may include a head protection cushion that protects the head of an occupant.

[0014] The lower limb protecting cushion is preferably structured so as to begin inflation and deployment earlier than the head protecting cushion.

[0015] When a motorcycle collides, the rider's knees move forward first, followed a short time later by the head being thrown forward. For this reason, by providing a head protection cushion in addition to a lower leg protection cushion, the rider's lower legs can be quickly restrained in the early stages of the collision, and the rider's head can also be appropriately restrained.

[0016] The head protection cushion may be structured to inflate and deploy upward from the vicinity of the handlebars of the motorcycle.

[0017] The lower limb protecting cushion and the head protecting cushion are configured to inflate and deploy independently of each other, and the gas generators can be provided separately for the lower limb protecting cushion and the head protecting cushion.

[0018] By deploying the lower limb protection cushion and the head protection cushion separately, it is possible to optimally control the deployment speed and deployment behavior.

[0019] The airbag cushion may include a duct connecting the lower limb protection cushion and the head protection cushion, and may be configured so that gas flows from one of the lower limb protection cushion and the head protection cushion to the other through the duct.

[0020] The lower leg protection cushion, the head protection cushion, and the duct can be integrally formed.

[0021] The gas generator can be disposed inside the head protection cushion or the lower limb protection cushion. When the gas generator is disposed inside the head protection cushion, a large amount of gas can be quickly introduced into the head protection cushion, which has a relatively large capacity. On the other hand, when the gas generator is disposed inside the lower limb protection cushion, the lower limb protection cushion can be deployed more quickly.

[0022] A check valve for preventing backflow of gas may be provided near the boundary between the duct and the lower leg protection cushion or near the boundary between the duct and the head protection cushion.

[0023] The check valve may be configured to allow gas to flow from the lower leg protection cushion to the head protection cushion, but to prevent gas from flowing from the head protection cushion to the lower leg protection cushion. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a motorcycle equipped with an airbag device for a motorcycle according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the panel shape of the airbag according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a front view showing the state in which the airbag according to the first embodiment of the present invention is deployed, where (A) shows the two airbags separately, and (B) shows the state as actually observed from the passenger side. [Figure 4] 4(A) and (B) are side views showing the state in which the airbag according to the first embodiment of the present invention is deployed, with (A) showing the state immediately after a collision (early deployment stage) and (B) showing the state after that (late deployment stage). [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a side view showing a motorcycle equipped with an airbag device for a motorcycle according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the panel shape of an airbag according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7(A) is a front view showing a deployed state of an airbag according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a modified example. [Figure 8] 8(A) and (B) are side views showing the state in which the airbag according to the second embodiment of the present invention is deployed, (A) showing the state at the beginning of a collision, and (B) showing the state at the middle of a collision. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a side view showing the airbag according to the second embodiment of the present invention in a deployed state, showing the state at the later stage of a collision. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Hereinafter, an airbag device for a motorcycle according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following explanation, the direction of travel of the motorcycle will be referred to as "forward," the opposite direction as "rear," and the coordinate axes will be referred to as "forward-backward direction." Furthermore, the right side of the direction of travel will be referred to as "rightward," and the left side as "leftward," and the coordinate axes will be referred to as "left-right direction." Furthermore, vertically upward will be referred to as "upward," and vertically downward will be referred to as "downward," and the coordinate axes will be referred to as "vertical direction."

[0026] (First Example) Fig. 1 is a side view showing a motorcycle equipped with a motorcycle airbag device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the panel shape of the airbag according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a front view showing the airbag according to the first embodiment of the present invention in a deployed state, where (A) shows two airbags separately and (B) shows the state as actually observed from the rider's side.

[0027] The airbag device (12, 14) according to this embodiment includes gas generators 12b, 14b that generate inflation gas, and airbag cushions 12a, 14a that are inflated and deployed by the inflation gas to restrain the forward movement of the occupant R. The airbag cushions 12a, 14a include a lower leg protection cushion 12a that mainly restrains the lower legs of the occupant R, and a head protection cushion 14a that mainly restrains the head of the occupant R. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 16 denotes a windshield (including a windshield and a cowling), and reference numeral 20 denotes a handlebar.

[0028] 1, the lower leg protection airbag unit 12 is located at roughly the same height as or slightly below the seat of the motorcycle 10 and is housed inside the vehicle body structure. On the other hand, the head protection airbag unit 14 is housed near the front end of the vehicle body and is configured so that the head protection cushion 14a deploys upward.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 2, the lower limb protection cushion 12a is formed by sewing the outer edges of two identically shaped panels 22a, 22b. An insertion opening 22c, which is an opening for inserting the inflator 12b (Fig. 3), is formed near the upper edge of the panel 22a on the occupant R side. The panels 22a, 22b are shaped so that they are wider at the bottom and have an area sufficient to receive at least the left and right knees of the occupant R. Note that a plurality of tethers (e.g., three) can be provided between the two panels 22a, 22b to regulate the deployment width in the front-to-rear direction.

[0030] The head protection cushion 14a is formed by sewing the outer edges of two identically shaped panels 24a, 24b. An insertion opening 24c, which is an opening for inserting the inflator 14b (FIG. 3), is formed near the lower end of the panel 24a on the occupant R side. The panels 24a, 24b are fan-shaped, gradually widening toward the top, and are formed to have an area sufficient to reliably receive the head of the occupant R. Note that multiple tethers (e.g., three) can be provided between the two panels 24a, 24b to regulate the deployment width in the fore-and-aft direction.

[0031] In Fig. 3(A), the lower leg protection cushion 12a and the head protection cushion 14a are shown separated for convenience, but this is different from their actual positional relationship. When viewed from the rider R, the lower leg protection cushion 12a and the head protection cushion 14a appear as shown in Fig. 3(B). In Fig. 3(B), the structural components of the motorcycle 10 are omitted.

[0032] In Fig. 3(B), symbols Ln and Rn of the lower leg protection cushion 12a indicate the locations where the left and right knees of the occupant R are expected to come into contact. Also, symbol HD of the head protection cushion 14a indicates the location where the head of the occupant R is expected to come into contact.

[0033] 4(A) and (B) are side views showing the state in which the airbag according to the first embodiment of the present invention is deployed, with (A) showing the state immediately after a collision (early deployment stage) and (B) showing the state after that (late deployment stage).

[0034] Consider a case where the motorcycle 10 according to this embodiment collides head-on with a wall. When a collision occurs or the possibility of a collision is detected, inflation gas is supplied from the inflators 12b and 14b to the lower-leg protection cushion 12a and the head protection cushion 14a, respectively. At this time, since the lower-leg protection cushion 12a has a smaller capacity than the head protection cushion 14a, the lower-leg protection cushion 12a will deploy first. Note that by controlling the inflator 12b of the lower-leg protection airbag unit 12 to activate earlier than the inflator 14b of the head protection airbag unit 14, it is possible to more reliably deploy the lower-leg protection cushion 12a first.

[0035] In the early stages of a collision, as shown in Figure 4(A), the rider R starts to move forward due to inertia, and the knees are first restrained by the lower leg protection cushion 12a. If the motorcycle 10 were not equipped with an airbag, the timing at which the rider R's lower legs collide with the vehicle body would be approximately 40 ms, so the lower leg protection cushion 12a would need to be deployed earlier than that.

[0036] Next, as shown in Figure 4(B), when the occupant R moves forward as if diving, the head of the occupant R is restrained and protected by the head protection cushion 14a. It is preferable that the head protection cushion 14a be fully deployed no sooner than approximately 80 ms after the collision.

[0037] In this embodiment, the lower limb protection cushion 12a restrains the area around the knees of the occupant R in the early stage of the collision, thereby reducing the lower limb injury value. In addition, the lower limb protection cushion 12a can absorb the kinetic energy of the occupant R, and the moving speed of the occupant's head is reduced when the occupant's head enters the head protection cushion 14a. As a result, the head injury value of the occupant R can be efficiently reduced.

[0038] (Second Example) Fig. 5 is a side view showing a motorcycle equipped with a motorcycle airbag device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a plan view showing the panel shape of the airbag according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7(A) is a front view showing the airbag according to the second embodiment of the present invention in a deployed state, and Fig. 7(B) is a modified example.

[0039] This embodiment has many parts in common with the first embodiment described above, and therefore the corresponding components are given the same reference numerals and redundant explanations will be omitted. A feature of the airbag device 112 according to this embodiment is that the head protection cushion and the lower leg protection cushion are integrally formed.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 6, the airbag cushion 120 is formed by connecting the outer edges of two identically shaped panels 122a, 122b by sewing. As can be seen more clearly by referring to Figs. 7 and 8 in addition to Fig. 6, when the airbag cushion 120 is viewed as a chamber, it includes a lower leg protection cushion 124 that protects the lower legs of the occupant R, a head protection cushion 126 that protects the head of the occupant R, and a duct 128 that connects the lower leg protection cushion 124 and the head protection cushion 126.

[0041] A lower region 124a of the panel 122a and a lower region 124b of the panel 122b form a lower leg protection cushion 124. An upper portion 126a of the panel 122a and an upper portion 126 of the panel 122b form a head protection cushion 26. A middle region 128a of the panel 122a and a middle region 128b of the panel 122b form a duct 128.

[0042] An insertion opening 122c is formed in the duct 128 at a position closer to the head protection cushion 126 as an opening for inserting an inflator 132. The inflator 132 is inserted into the duct 128 through this insertion opening 122c and fixed therein. Note that the insertion opening 122c may be formed closer to the lower leg protection cushion 124, and the inflator may be disposed inside the lower leg protection cushion 124.

[0043] A check valve 130 is provided near the boundary between the head protection cushion 126 and the duct 128. The check valve 130 is formed by connecting a valve panel 130a of the panel 122a and a valve panel 130b of the panel 122b by sewing. The check valve 130 is configured to allow gas to flow from the lower limb protection cushion 124 toward the head protection cushion 126, and conversely, to prevent gas from flowing back from the head protection cushion 126 toward the lower limb protection cushion 124. The check valve 130 may also be located in the middle of the duct 128 or near the boundary between the lower limb protection cushion 124 and the duct 128.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 7(B), the lower leg protection cushion 224 can be shaped to have a right chamber 224R and a left chamber 224L that are separated into left and right chambers. This type of modification can also be applied to the first embodiment described above. By configuring the lower leg protection cushion 224 with separate chambers 224R and 224L in this way, it is possible to widen the left and right restraint ranges with a cushion of the same volume. Another advantage is that the cushion can be positioned in a preferred position. This is particularly effective for motorcycles, which are ridden with the fuel tank between the legs rather than scooters, where the rider R's knees are spaced farther apart.

[0045] 8(A) and (B) are side views showing the deployed state of an airbag according to a second embodiment of the present invention, with (A) showing the state at the beginning of a collision and (B) showing the state at the middle of the collision. Fig. 9 is a side view showing the deployed state of an airbag according to a second embodiment of the present invention, showing the state at the end of the collision.

[0046] Consider a case where the motorcycle 10 according to this embodiment collides head-on with a wall. When a collision occurs or the possibility of a collision is detected, as shown in Figure 8(A), inflation gas is supplied from the inflator to the head protection cushion 126 and simultaneously supplied to the lower leg protection cushion 124 via the duct 128. At this time, since the lower leg protection cushion 124 has a smaller capacity than the head protection cushion 126, the lower leg protection cushion 124 will deploy first.

[0047] In the middle stage of the collision, as shown in FIG. 8(B), the rider R begins to move forward due to inertia, and the knees are first restrained by the lower leg protection cushion 124. If the motorcycle 10 were not equipped with an airbag, the timing at which the rider R's lower legs collide with the vehicle body would be approximately 40 ms, and the lower leg protection cushion 124 would need to be deployed earlier than that. At this time, the check valve 130 inside the airbag is open, allowing gas to flow from the lower leg protection cushion 124 to the head protection cushion 126, enabling the head protection cushion 126 to be deployed quickly. It is preferable that the head protection cushion 126 be fully deployed earlier than approximately 80 ms after the collision.

[0048] 9, when the occupant R moves forward as if diving, the head of the occupant R is restrained and protected by the head protection cushion 126. When the head of the occupant R enters the head protection cushion 126, the internal pressure of the head protection cushion 126 increases, the check valve 130 is closed, and the backflow of gas from the head protection cushion 126 to the lower-limb protection cushion 124 is prevented. Therefore, the internal pressure of the head protection cushion 126 is prevented from decreasing, and the internal pressure of the cushion 126 can be maintained at a high level.

[0049] According to this embodiment, the airbag cushion has an integrated structure and a single inflator can be used, so in addition to the effects of the first embodiment described above, simplification of the device configuration and cost reduction are expected.

[0050] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and can be modified within the scope of the technical ideas set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. An airbag device mounted on a motorcycle, a gas generator for generating inflation gas; an airbag cushion that is inflated and deployed by the inflation gas to restrain the forward movement of the occupant; the airbag cushion includes a lower leg protection cushion that restrains the lower legs of an occupant, the lower leg protection cushion is formed to restrain at least the knees of the occupant, and includes a right chamber that mainly restrains the area around the right knee of the occupant, and a left chamber that mainly restrains the area around the left knee of the occupant, The right chamber and the left chamber are provided separately on the left and right.

1. An airbag device for a motorcycle.

2. 2. The motorcycle airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the lower leg protection cushion is provided at a height that is approximately the same as the height of the seat and is configured to inflate and deploy toward the legs of the rider.

3. 3. The motorcycle airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the airbag cushion includes a head protection cushion for protecting the head of a rider.

4. 4. The motorcycle airbag device according to claim 3, wherein the lower leg protection cushion is configured to start inflating and deploying earlier than the head protection cushion.

5. 5. The motorcycle airbag device according to claim 4, wherein the head protection cushion is configured to inflate and deploy upward from the vicinity of the handlebars of the motorcycle.

6. The lower limb protection cushion and the head protection cushion are configured to be inflated and deployed independently of each other, 5. The motorcycle airbag device according to claim 4, wherein the gas generators are provided separately for the lower leg protection cushion and the head protection cushion.

7. the airbag cushion includes a duct connecting the lower leg protection cushion and the head protection cushion, 5. The motorcycle airbag device according to claim 4, wherein gas flows from one of the lower leg protection cushion and the head protection cushion to the other through the duct.

8. 8. The motorcycle airbag device according to claim 7, wherein the lower leg protection cushion, the head protection cushion, and the duct are integrally formed.

9. 9. The motorcycle airbag device according to claim 8, wherein the gas generator is disposed inside the lower leg protection cushion.

10. 9. The motorcycle airbag device according to claim 8, wherein a check valve for preventing backflow of gas is provided near the boundary between the duct and the lower leg protection cushion or near the boundary between the duct and the head protection cushion.

11. 11. The motorcycle airbag device according to claim 10, wherein the check valve is configured to allow gas to flow from the lower leg protection cushion to the head protection cushion but to prevent gas from flowing from the head protection cushion to the lower leg protection cushion.

12. 2. The motorcycle airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the motorcycle is a scooter type that allows a rider to ride with their feet together.

13. An airbag device mounted on a motorcycle, a gas generator for generating inflation gas; an airbag cushion that is inflated and deployed by the inflation gas to restrain the forward movement of the occupant; The airbag cushion includes a head protection cushion that protects the head of the occupant and a lower leg protection cushion that restrains the lower legs of the occupant, The head protection cushion is configured to be deployed from a front portion of the vehicle body structure where the handle is provided, and the lower leg protection cushion is configured to be deployed from a rear portion of the vehicle body structure.

1. An airbag device for a motorcycle.

Images