Curtain airbag device

Abstract

To provide a curtain airbag device capable of efficiently reducing an injury value of an occupant in an emergency.SOLUTION: An airbag cushion 124 of a curtain airbag device 100 includes: an intermediate chamber 142; a second front chamber 140 on a vehicle front side of the intermediate chamber 142; a rear chamber 144 on a vehicle rear side of the intermediate chamber 142; a pair of slits 160, 162 provided respectively between the intermediate chamber 142 and the second front chamber 140, and between the intermediate chamber 142 and the rear chamber 144; a patch 150 that passes through a vehicle outer side of the intermediate chamber 142 and spans between the second front chamber 140 and the rear chamber 144, and is shaped to be tensioned between the second front chamber 140 and the rear chamber 144 when the airbag cushion 124 is inflated and deployed; and a lower joint 154 that connects a lower edge portion 152 of the intermediate chamber 142 and the patch.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Curtain airbag systems are equipped with airbag cushions that cover the side windows of the vehicle interior side walls in an emergency, and catch and restrain occupants from the sides. The airbag cushions of curtain airbag systems are required to adequately cover the openings for the side windows to prevent occupants from being thrown out of the vehicle, even if the vehicle transitions from a side collision to a rollover.

[0003] Currently available curtain airbag systems include airbag cushions that use an inflatable portion that inflates with gas to restrain the occupant, as well as those that use a cloth-like non-inflatable portion to restrain the occupant. For example, the airbag 19 shown in FIG. 2 of Patent Document 1 has a cloth-like tension cloth 38 on the front end side. In paragraph 0037 and FIG. 5 of Patent Document 1, it is stated that the tension cloth 38 is used to support the end-side inflatable portion 26 while bending it, thereby enabling the occupant MP to be adequately protected. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-6895 Summary of the Invention

[0005] In a side collision involving a vehicle, if the impact speed is high, the door trim may be displaced toward the interior of the vehicle, while the occupant's head may tend to fall toward the exterior of the vehicle, i.e., toward the door trim, due to inertia. In particular, if the occupant's body is pushed toward the interior of the vehicle by the door trim, the position of the airbag cushion of the curtain airbag device may become separated from the occupant, and when the occupant leans toward the exterior of the vehicle, the head may come into contact with the lower end of the airbag cushion more than it would otherwise. In this case, if the occupant's head position were to fall further, there is a risk that the head would come into contact with the door trim. [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a curtain airbag device that can efficiently reduce the injury level of an occupant in an emergency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a typical configuration of a curtain airbag device according to the present invention is a curtain airbag device including an airbag cushion that is attached to an upper part of a side wall of the vehicle compartment in a stored form that is long in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and an inflator that supplies gas to the airbag cushion, wherein the airbag cushion has: a middle chamber that inflates and deploys to cover a side window opening in the side wall of the vehicle compartment; a front chamber that inflates and deploys adjacent to the front side of the middle chamber; a rear chamber that inflates and deploys adjacent to the rear side of the middle chamber; a pair of slits provided between the middle chamber and the front chamber and between the middle chamber and the rear chamber, respectively, to separate the middle chamber from the front chamber and the rear chamber in a free end state; a patch that passes through the outer side of the middle chamber and spans between the front chamber and the rear chamber, and is shaped to be tensioned between the front chamber and the rear chamber when the airbag cushion inflates and deploys; and one or more lower joints that connect a lower edge portion of the middle chamber to the patch, or that connect the lower edge portion of the middle chamber to the lower edge portion of the front chamber and the lower edge portion of the rear chamber, respectively.

[0008] Because the intermediate chamber is in a free state, it can inflate and deploy at a position closer to the interior of the vehicle than the front chamber, etc., by rebounding against the patch. This intermediate chamber inflates and deploys at a position closer to the occupant's head, thereby achieving early head restraint and fully preventing the occupant from being thrown out of the vehicle. In addition, because the intermediate chamber is positioned more inward, it can cover the top of the door trim even if the door trim is displaced toward the interior of the vehicle due to a side collision, etc., and can prevent the occupant's head from coming into contact with the door trim if they try to fall toward the exterior of the vehicle. Therefore, this configuration makes it possible to efficiently reduce the injury level of the occupant in an emergency.

[0009] The lower edge portion of the intermediate chamber may extend lower than the lower edge portions of the front chamber and the rear chamber, and the lower joint may connect the lower end of the lower edge portion of the intermediate chamber to the patch.

[0010] According to this configuration, by connecting the lower end of the lower edge portion of the intermediate chamber to the patch, the position of the intermediate chamber can be displaced toward the inside of the vehicle while suppressing the oscillation of the intermediate chamber and stabilizing its deployment behavior, making it possible to quickly inflate and deploy the intermediate chamber to the desired range.

[0011] The above-mentioned patch may extend below the lower edge portion of the front chamber and the lower edge portion of the rear chamber, and the lower joint may connect the lower end of the lower edge portion of the intermediate chamber to a portion of the patch that is below the lower edge portions of the front chamber and the rear chamber.

[0012] With this configuration, the position of the intermediate chamber can be displaced toward the inside of the vehicle while suppressing the oscillation of the intermediate chamber and stabilizing its deployment behavior, thereby enabling the intermediate chamber to be inflated and deployed quickly to the desired range.

[0013] The lower edge portion of the intermediate chamber may be folded up or folded in the vertical direction when the airbag cushion is in the stored state.

[0014] According to the above configuration, by folding back or otherwise storing the lower edge portion of the intermediate chamber, the lower edge portion can be smoothly deployed together with the inflation and deployment of the intermediate chamber.

[0015] The airbag cushion may further have a tuck portion that is folded so as to compress the area between the front chamber and the rear chamber in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and the front chamber and the rear chamber may be inflated and deployed so close together that a portion of each overlaps the outer side of the intermediate chamber.

[0016] According to the above configuration, the front chamber and rear chamber support the intermediate chamber from the outside of the vehicle, so that it is possible to displace the intermediate chamber toward the inside of the vehicle while improving the restraining force of the intermediate chamber.

[0017] The front and rear chambers may be inflated and deployed close to each other by the patch cloth so that a portion of each chamber overlaps the outer side of the intermediate chamber.

[0018] With the above configuration, the front and rear chambers support the intermediate chamber from the outside of the vehicle, making it possible to displace the intermediate chamber toward the inside of the vehicle while improving the restraining force of the intermediate chamber.

[0019] The lower edge portion of the intermediate chamber extends lower than the lower edge portion of the front chamber and the lower edge portion of the rear chamber, and the airbag cushion further has a front protrusion that protrudes toward the front of the vehicle from a location on the lower edge portion of the intermediate chamber that is lower than the lower edge portion of the front chamber, and a rear protrusion that protrudes toward the rear of the vehicle from a location on the lower edge portion of the intermediate chamber that is lower than the lower edge portion of the rear chamber, and one or more lower joints may be provided in plurality, and the plurality of lower edge connecting portions may include a first lower joint that connects the front protrusion and the lower edge portion of the front chamber, and a second lower joint that connects the rear protrusion and the lower edge portion of the rear chamber.

[0020] With the above configuration, by connecting the lower edge portion of the intermediate chamber to the lower edge portion of the front chamber and the lower edge portion of the rear chamber, the position of the intermediate chamber can be displaced toward the inside of the vehicle while suppressing the oscillation of the intermediate chamber and stabilizing its deployment behavior, making it possible to quickly inflate and deploy the intermediate chamber to the desired range. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a curtain airbag device that can efficiently reduce the injury level of an occupant in an emergency. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an outline of a curtain airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the airbag cushion of FIG. 1(b) by itself. [Figure 3] 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating a process of attaching the patch of FIG. 2A to an airbag cushion. [Figure 4] 2(c) is a diagram illustrating a process in which the airbag cushion of FIG. 2(c) restrains an occupant during a side collision. [Figure 5] 4 is a first modified example of the airbag cushion illustrated in FIG. 3. [Figure 6]4 is a second modified example of the airbag cushion illustrated in FIG. 3. [Figure 7] 4 is a third modified example of the airbag cushion illustrated in FIG. 3. [Figure 8] This shows the state of the airbag cushion when inflated and deployed, corresponding to each cross section in FIG. 7(d). [Figure 9] 4 is a fourth modified example of the airbag cushion illustrated in FIG. [Figure 10] 5 is a fifth modified example of the airbag cushion illustrated in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an airbag cushion following FIG. 10. [Figure 12] 10 is a sixth modified example of the airbag cushion illustrated in FIG. [Figure 13] 7 is a seventh modification of the airbag cushion illustrated in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dimensions, materials, and other specific values ​​shown in the embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention and, unless otherwise specified, do not limit the present invention. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are designated by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanation, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

[0024] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an example of an outline of a curtain airbag device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1A is a diagram illustrating the state of the curtain airbag device 100 before activation. The curtain airbag device 100 illustrated in the figure is for the left side of the vehicle cabin, but a curtain airbag device for the right side (not shown) also has a similar symmetrical structure.

[0025] 1(a) and other drawings, the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle is indicated by arrows F (Forward) and B (Back), the left and right directions in the vehicle width direction are indicated by arrows L (Left) and R (Right), and the up-down direction of the vehicle is indicated by arrows U (Up) and D (Down). In particular, "up" refers to the direction of the head of an occupant normally seated in a seat, and "down" refers to the direction of the lower legs of the occupant.

[0026] The vehicle 102 is assumed to be a two-row vehicle with a front row of seats 104 and a rear row of seats 106 arranged from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle 102 is provided with a plurality of pillars that support the roof. The plurality of pillars include, from the front of the vehicle, an A-pillar 108, a B-pillar 110, and a C-pillar 112.

[0027] The roof side rails 114 are members that form the upper portions of the side walls of the vehicle interior. The roof side rails 114 are covered by roof trim (not shown). Side window openings 120, 122 for providing side windows 116, 118 are formed in the side walls of the vehicle interior as areas surrounded by the roof side rails 114 and the pillars.

[0028] Before deployment, the airbag cushion 124 of the curtain airbag device 100 is rolled or folded into a long, stored form in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle. The airbag cushion 124 is attached from the vicinity of the A-pillar 108 along the roof side rail 114. Before deployment, the airbag cushion 124 is covered by the roof trim (not shown) and is therefore not visible to the occupants.

[0029] The curtain airbag device 100 includes an inflator 126 as a gas generator that supplies gas to the airbag cushion 124. In this embodiment, the inflator 126 is a cylindrical inflator, and is fixed to the roof side rail 114 with a portion of the inflator 126 inserted into the airbag cushion 124. An inflator mounting portion 128 is provided at the upper rear portion of the airbag cushion 124 as a portion for mounting the inflator 126.

[0030] Currently available inflators include types that are filled with gas generating agent and burn it to generate gas, types that are filled with compressed gas and supply gas without generating heat, and hybrid types that use both combustion gas and compressed gas. Any of these types can be used as the inflator 126.

[0031] 1(b) is a diagram illustrating the state after activation of the curtain airbag device 100. The curtain airbag device 100 activates when various sensors predict or detect an offset collision or a side collision. The inflator 126 activates upon receiving a signal from a control unit (not shown), and the airbag cushion 124 is inflated and deployed by the pressure of gas supplied from the inflator 126, pushing aside a roof trim (not shown), thereby restraining the occupant.

[0032] The airbag cushion 124 inflates and deploys widely in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle along the side window openings 120, 122 on the vehicle exterior sides of the front row seats 104 and the rear row seats 106. The inflatable portions of the airbag cushion 124 are divided into small rooms called chambers, such as an intermediate chamber 142 (see FIG. 2(a)), depending on the gas flow and the structure of the occupant and seat.

[0033] The airbag cushion 124 has a plurality of tabs 130 on its upper edge as portions for fixing the airbag cushion 124 to the roof side rail 114. The tabs 130 are strip-shaped portions that are fixed to the roof side rail 114 using brackets, bolts, etc.

[0034] A strap 132 is provided on the front end side of the airbag cushion 124. The strap 132 is a string-like member and is connected to the A-pillar 108. The strap 132 acts to suppress shaking of the airbag cushion 124 when it inflates and deploys, thereby enabling the airbag cushion 124 to quickly cover a desired area. In addition to the front end strap 132, a similar strap can also be used to connect the rear end side of the airbag cushion 124 to the C-pillar 112.

[0035] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating the airbag cushion 124 of Fig. 1(b) alone. Fig. 2(a) illustrates the overall outline of the airbag cushion 124.

[0036] The airbag cushion 124 is formed into a bag shape by, for example, sewing the front and back of a base fabric that forms the surface of the airbag cushion 124 together, or by weaving using an OPW (One-Piece Woven) method.

[0037] The airbag cushion 124 is provided with a duct portion 136 extending in the longitudinal direction from the inflator mounting portion 128 as an inflation portion that is inflated and deployed by gas, a first front chamber 138 that restrains the occupant, a second front chamber 140, an intermediate chamber 142, a rear chamber 144, and a rear row chamber 146.

[0038] Each chamber, such as the intermediate chamber 142, is the main inflatable portion of the airbag cushion 124, and receives gas from the upper duct portion 136 to inflate and deploy so as to cover the side window openings 120, 122 (see FIG. 1(a)), restraining occupants in the vehicle cabin and preventing them from moving outside the vehicle. The first front chamber 138 to the rear chamber 144 mainly restrain occupants in the front row seats 104, and the rear row chamber 146 mainly restrains occupants in the rear row seats 106.

[0039] The intermediate chamber 142 is disposed mainly at a location to the side of the front row seats 104, and prevents the heads of occupants in the front row seats 104 from contacting the door trim 148 (see FIG. 1(a)). The second front chamber 140 inflates and deploys adjacent to the front side of the intermediate chamber 142, and the rear chamber 144 inflates and deploys adjacent to the rear side of the intermediate chamber 142.

[0040] Fig. 2(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the airbag cushion 124 of Fig. 2(a). In this embodiment, a patch cloth 150 is provided on the outer side of the intermediate chamber 142.

[0041] The patch cloth 150 is a non-inflatable cloth member that passes over the vehicle exterior side of the intermediate chamber 142 and spans between the second front chamber 140 and the rear chamber 144. The patch cloth 150 has a shape and dimensions that cause it to be stretched between the second front chamber 140 and the rear chamber 144 when the airbag cushion 124 is inflated and deployed, and is capable of supporting the intermediate chamber 142 from the vehicle exterior side.

[0042] Figure 2(c) is a BB cross-sectional view of the airbag cushion 124 in Figure 2(a). The intermediate chamber 142 is supported from outside the vehicle by a taut patch 150, and therefore inflates and deploys at a position closer to the interior of the vehicle than the second front chamber 140 (see Figure 2(b)) and the rear chamber 144. The intermediate chamber 142 can inflate and deploy at a position closer to the occupant's head, making it possible to restrain the occupant earlier.

[0043] A non-inflatable lower edge portion 152 along the lower edge of the intermediate chamber 142 is connected to the lower end of the patch 150 by a lower joint 154. The lower joint 154 may be connected to the lower edge portion 152 and the patch 150 by sewing, welding, gluing, or the like.

[0044] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the process of attaching the patch of Figure 2(a) to the airbag cushion 124. Figure 3(a) is a diagram of the airbag cushion 124 of Figure 2(a) with the patch 150 omitted.

[0045] A pair of slits 160, 162 are provided in a front seam 156 and a rear seam 158 of the intermediate chamber 142. The seams 156, 158 are non-inflatable sections that define the chamber and are formed by joining the exterior panel and interior panel of the airbag cushion 124 by sewing, welding, or the like. The slits 160, 162 are provided by cutting the seams 156, 158 from the bottom end of the airbag cushion 124 toward the duct portion 136 at the top.

[0046] Figure 3(b) is a diagram showing the state in which the intermediate chamber 142 in Figure 3(a) is raised. Slits 160, 162 are provided between the intermediate chamber 142 and the second front chamber 140, and between the intermediate chamber 142 and the rear chamber 144, respectively. The intermediate chamber 142 is a free end separated from the second front chamber 140 and the rear chamber 144 by the front and rear slits 160, 162.

[0047] Fig. 3(c) is a diagram showing a state in which the patch 150 has been attached to the airbag cushion 124 of Fig. 3(b). The patch 150 can be placed on the rear edge portion 164 of the second front chamber 140 and the front edge portion 166 of the rear chamber 144 from the inside of the vehicle, and attached by joining at a front joining portion 170 and a rear joining portion 172 by sewing, welding, or the like. In this case, the efficiency of the attachment work can be improved by providing positioning holes 168 at various locations on the patch 150 and the rear edge portion 164 and front edge portion 166, which are the attachment locations.

[0048] The patch 150 can also be attached by being positioned on the exterior side of the vehicle relative to the second front chamber 140 and the rear chamber 144. The patch 150 can also be attached by being joined to the panels of the inflatable portions of the second front chamber 140 and the rear chamber 144, in addition to the rear edge portion 164 of the second front chamber 140 and the front edge portion 166 of the rear chamber 144.

[0049] Fig. 3(d) is a diagram showing a state in which a lower joining portion 154 is provided at the lower edge portion 152 of the intermediate chamber 142 in Fig. 3(c). The lower joining portion 154 can be provided by joining the lower end side of the lower edge portion 152 of the intermediate chamber 142 to the patch cloth 150 by sewing, welding, or the like.

[0050] 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating the process by which the airbag cushion 124 of Fig. 2C restrains the occupant 176 during a side collision. Fig. 4A is a diagram illustrating the state before the airbag cushion 124 restrains the occupant 176.

[0051] When a vehicle 102 (see FIG. 1(a)) predicts or detects a collision such as a side collision via various sensors and a predetermined electronic control unit (ECU), it activates the curtain airbag device 100. This causes the airbag cushion 124 to inflate and deploy, and the intermediate chamber 142 to inflate and deploy so as to cover the side window opening 120.

[0052] 4(b) is a diagram illustrating a state when a side collision has progressed further than that shown in FIG. 4(a). When a force is applied from the side to the vehicle 102 (see FIG. 1(a)) due to a side collision, the door trim 148 is displaced toward the inside of the vehicle. The force of the collision also moves the body of the occupant 176 along with the vehicle, while inertia causes the head 178 to fall toward the outside of the vehicle. This creates the possibility that the head 178 of the occupant 176 will come into contact with the door trim 148 from above.

[0053] In the curtain airbag device 100, the intermediate chamber 142 is in a free end state, and by rebounding against the patch cloth 150, the intermediate chamber 142 is inflated and deployed at a position closer to the interior of the vehicle than the second front chamber 140 (see FIG. 2(b)), etc. According to this intermediate chamber 142, since it is positioned closer to the interior of the vehicle, it can cover the top of the door trim 148 even if the door trim 148 is displaced toward the interior of the vehicle due to a side collision or the like, and can prevent the head 178 of the occupant 176 from coming into contact with the door trim 148 when the occupant tries to fall toward the exterior of the vehicle.

[0054] Furthermore, the intermediate chamber 142 inflates and deploys at a position closer to the head 178 of the occupant 176, thereby achieving early restraint of the head 178 and completely preventing the occupant 176 from being thrown out of the vehicle. As described above, the curtain airbag device 100 can efficiently reduce the injury level of the occupant 176 by utilizing the intermediate chamber 142 and the patch cloth 150, particularly in the event of a high-speed side collision that causes displacement of the door trim 148.

[0055] (Variation) Modified examples of each of the above-mentioned components will be described below. In Figure 5 and subsequent figures, the same components as those already described will be assigned the same reference numerals, and explanations of these components will be omitted. Furthermore, in the following description, components with the same names as those already described will have the same functions unless otherwise specified, even if they are assigned different reference numerals.

[0056] Fig. 5 shows a first modified example (airbag cushion 200) of the airbag cushion 124 illustrated in Fig. 3. The airbag cushion 200 differs in configuration from the airbag cushion 124 of Fig. 3(a) in that the lower edge portion 202 of the intermediate chamber 142 is extended.

[0057] The lower edge portion 202 of the intermediate chamber 142 is elongated in dimension such that it extends below the lower edge portion 180 of the second front chamber 140 and the lower edge portion 182 of the rear chamber 144 .

[0058] 5(b) is a diagram showing a state in which a lower joining portion 204 is provided on the lower edge portion 202 of FIG. 5(a). The lower joining portion 204 connects the lower end of the lower edge portion 202 of the intermediate chamber 142 and the pad 150.

[0059] Figure 5(c) is a CC cross-sectional view of the lower edge portion 202 of Figure 5(b). The lower edge portion 202 of the intermediate chamber 142 can be folded up or folded in the vertical direction when the airbag cushion 200 is in the stored state. For example, in this embodiment, the lower edge portion 202 is folded up at fold line 206 and then folded down at fold line 208. Even if the lower edge portion 202 has an extended dimension, by folding it up or storing it, it can be smoothly deployed together with the inflation and deployment of the intermediate chamber 142.

[0060] Figure 5(d) shows the state of the intermediate chamber 142 when it is inflated and deployed, corresponding to the CC cross section in Figure 5(b). The intermediate chamber 142 can inflate and deploy so as to bulge further toward the vehicle interior because the lower edge portion 202 is extended. At this time, the lower end of the lower edge portion 202 is connected to the patch cloth 150 by the lower joint portion 204, which suppresses rocking of the intermediate chamber 142 and stabilizes its deployment behavior, allowing the intermediate chamber 142 to be inflated and deployed to the desired range quickly.

[0061] Fig. 6 shows a second modified example (airbag cushion 220) of the airbag cushion 124 illustrated in Fig. 3. The airbag cushion 220 differs in configuration from the airbag cushion 124 of Fig. 3(a) in that the patch 222 is extended in addition to the lower edge portion 202 of the intermediate chamber 142.

[0062] The patch 222 is extended in dimension to such an extent that it extends below the lower edge portion 180 of the second front chamber 140 and the lower edge portion 182 of the rear chamber 144. The lower joint portion 204 connects the lower end of the lower edge portion 202 of the intermediate chamber 142 to a portion of the patch 222 that is below the lower edge portion 180 of the second front chamber 140 and the lower edge portion 182 of the rear chamber 144.

[0063] Figure 6(b) shows the state of the airbag cushion 220 when it is inflated and deployed, corresponding to the cross section DD in Figure 6(a). The intermediate chamber 142 can inflate and deploy so as to bulge further toward the interior of the vehicle because the lower edge portion 202 and the patch cloth 222 are extended. At this time, the lower end of the lower edge portion 202 is connected to the patch cloth 222 by the lower joint portion 204, which suppresses rocking of the intermediate chamber 142 and stabilizes its deployment behavior, allowing the intermediate chamber 142 to inflate and deploy to the desired range quickly.

[0064] Fig. 7 shows a third modified example (airbag cushion 240) of the airbag cushion 124 illustrated in Fig. 3. The airbag cushion 240 differs in configuration from the airbag cushion 124 in Fig. 3(a) in that a tuck portion 242 is formed.

[0065] Figure 7(a) is a diagram illustrating the state of the airbag cushion 240 corresponding to Figure 3(a). In the airbag cushion 240, the slits 160 and 162 also make the middle chamber 142 a free end.

[0066] Fig. 7(b) is a diagram showing a state in which a tuck portion 242 is provided on the airbag cushion 240 of Fig. 7(a). The tuck portion 242 is formed in the range of the airbag cushion 240 between the second front chamber 140 and the rear chamber 144 in the vehicle longitudinal direction, for example, by providing a fold 244 extending in the vertical direction in the intermediate chamber 142 and the duct portion 136. The tuck portion 242 can bring the second front chamber 140 and the rear chamber 144 into close proximity by folding the airbag cushion 240 so as to compress it in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0067] Fig. 7(c) is a diagram showing a state in which a patch cloth 246 is attached to the airbag cushion 240 of Fig. 7(b). The patch cloth 246 has a reduced dimension in the vehicle front-rear direction compared to the patch cloth 150 of Fig. 3(b), and is attached with the second front chamber 140 and the rear chamber 144 pulled together.

[0068] 7(d) is a diagram showing a state in which a lower joining portion 154 is provided at the lower edge portion 152 of the intermediate chamber 142 in FIG. 7(c). The lower end side of the lower edge portion 152 of the intermediate chamber 142 is joined to the patch cloth 246 by the lower joining portion 154.

[0069] Figure 8 shows the state of the airbag cushion 240 when inflated and deployed, corresponding to the cross sections of Figure 7(d). Figure 8(a) shows the state of the airbag cushion 240 when inflated and deployed, corresponding to the E-E cross section of Figure 7(d).

[0070] The second front chamber 140 and the rear chamber 144 are inflated and deployed close enough to overlap a portion of each of them on the vehicle exterior side of the intermediate chamber 142 due to the tuck portion 242 and the patch cloth 246. Therefore, the intermediate chamber 142 is inflated and deployed in a state where it is supported by the second front chamber 140 and the rear chamber 144 from the vehicle exterior side.

[0071] Figure 8(b) shows the state of the airbag cushion 240 when inflated and deployed, corresponding to the FF cross section of Figure 7(d). The intermediate chamber 142 is supported from the outside of the vehicle by the second front chamber 140 and the rear chamber 144, and can be inflated and deployed while positioned closer to the inside of the vehicle. With this configuration, the intermediate chamber 142 is positioned closer to the inside of the vehicle, achieving early restraint of the occupant 176 (see Figure 4(b)), while the second front chamber 140 and the rear chamber 144 are used to support the intermediate chamber 142, improving its restraining force.

[0072] Fig. 9 shows a fourth modified example (airbag cushion 260) of the airbag cushion 124 illustrated in Fig. 3. The airbag cushion 260 differs from the airbag cushion 260 in Fig. 3(b) in terms of the shape of the patch cloth 262 (see Fig. 9(b)).

[0073] Figure 9(a) is a diagram illustrating the state of the airbag cushion 260 corresponding to Figure 3(b). In the airbag cushion 260, the slits 160 and 162 also leave the middle chamber 142 in a free state.

[0074] 9(b) is a diagram showing the state in which the second front chamber 140 and the rear chamber 144 in FIG. 9(a) are pulled together. The patch 262 used in this modification has a reduced shape and dimensions compared to the patch 150 in FIG. 3(b).

[0075] Figure 9(c) is a diagram showing the airbag cushion 260 of Figure 9(b) with a patch 262 attached. By attaching the patch 262, the second front chamber 140 and the rear chamber 144 are held in a state where they are drawn together.

[0076] 9(d) is a diagram showing a state in which a lower joining portion 154 is provided on the lower edge portion 152 of the intermediate chamber 142 in FIG.

[0077] In the airbag cushion 260, similarly to the airbag cushion 240 in Figure 8(a), the second front chamber 140 and the rear chamber 144 are pulled together by the patch cloth, causing them to inflate and deploy close enough to overlap a portion of the intermediate chamber 142 on the outer side of the vehicle.

[0078] 8(a), the airbag cushion 260 also inflates and deploys the intermediate chamber 142 while it is supported from the outside of the vehicle by the second front chamber 140 and the rear chamber 144. The airbag cushion 260 also makes it possible to position the intermediate chamber 142 closer to the inside of the vehicle to achieve early restraint of the occupant 176 (see FIG. 4(b)), while using the second front chamber 140 and the rear chamber 144 to support the intermediate chamber 142 and improve the restraining force.

[0079] Fig. 10 shows a fifth modified example (airbag cushion 280) of the airbag cushion 124 illustrated in Fig. 3. The airbag cushion 280 differs in configuration from the airbag cushion 280 in Fig. 3(a) in the shape of a lower edge portion 282.

[0080] The lower edge portion 282 of the intermediate chamber 142 extends downward further than the lower edge portion 180 of the second front chamber 140 and the lower edge portion 182 of the rear chamber 144. The lower edge portion 282 is provided with a front protrusion 284 and a rear protrusion 286. The front protrusion 284 is a portion of the lower edge portion 282 that protrudes toward the front of the vehicle from a position below the lower edge portion 180 of the second front chamber 140. The rear protrusion 286 is a portion of the lower edge portion 282 that protrudes toward the rear of the vehicle from a position below the lower edge portion 182 of the rear chamber 144.

[0081] Fig. 10(b) is a diagram illustrating the state of the airbag cushion 280 corresponding to Fig. 3(b). The patch cloth 288 used in the airbag cushion 280 has a reduced vertical dimension compared to the patch cloth 150 in Fig. 3(b).

[0082] 10(c) is a diagram showing the state in which a patch 288 is attached to the airbag cushion 280 of FIG. 10(b). The patch 288 is also attached so as to span across the second front chamber 140 and the rear chamber 144.

[0083] Figure 10(d) is a diagram showing the state in which the intermediate chamber 142 of Figure 10(c) is lowered. The patch cloth 288 has a reduced vertical dimension and is provided across the center of the intermediate chamber 142 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0084] Figure 11 is a diagram illustrating an airbag cushion 280, following Figure 10. Figure 11(a) is a diagram showing a state in which a first lower joining portion 290 and a second lower joining portion 292 are provided on the lower edge portion 282 of the intermediate chamber 142 of Figure 10(c).

[0085] The lower edge portion 282 is provided with a first lower joint portion 290 and a second lower joint portion 292 with the lower end side folded upward. Of these, the first lower joint portion 290 connects the front protrusion 284 and the lower edge portion 180 of the second front chamber 140, and the second lower connection portion 292 connects the rear protrusion 286 and the lower edge portion 182 of the rear chamber 144.

[0086] Figure 11(b) shows the state of the airbag cushion 280 when inflated and deployed, corresponding to the cross section GG in Figure 11(a). The intermediate chamber 142 is supported from the outside of the vehicle near the center in the vertical direction by the patch cloth 288, and can inflate and deploy so that this center portion bulges further toward the inside of the vehicle. The airbag cushion 280 also makes it possible to position the intermediate chamber 142 further toward the inside of the vehicle, thereby achieving early restraint of the occupant 176 (see Figure 4(b)), while also improving the restraining force of the intermediate chamber 142 by utilizing the second front chamber 140 and the rear chamber 144.

[0087] FIG. 12 shows a sixth modification (airbag cushion 300) of the airbag cushion 124 illustrated in FIG.

[0088] Figure 12(a) is a diagram corresponding to Figure 11(a) and illustrating the state of the airbag cushion 300. The airbag cushion 300 has a similar configuration to the airbag cushion 300 in Figure 11(a), but the lower edge portion 282 is in a folded state.

[0089] Figure 12(b) is a diagram illustrating an example of the state of the airbag cushion 300 when inflated and deployed, corresponding to the HH cross section of Figure 12(a). In the stored state of the airbag cushion, the lower edge portion 282 of the intermediate chamber 142 is folded upward at fold line 302 and then folded downward at fold line 304. Even if the lower edge portion 282 has an extended dimension, by storing it in a folded state, it can be smoothly deployed together with the inflation and deployment of the intermediate chamber 142.

[0090] FIG. 13 shows a seventh modification (airbag cushion 320) of the airbag cushion 124 illustrated in FIG.

[0091] Figure 13(a) is a diagram illustrating an example of an airbag cushion 320 corresponding to Figure 2(a). The airbag cushion 320 has, from the front of the vehicle, a front chamber 322, a first intermediate chamber 324, a second intermediate chamber 326, and a rear chamber 328 as inflation sections that inflate and deploy with gas to restrain an occupant. Of these, the airbag cushion 320 uses a patch cloth 330 to enable the first intermediate chamber 324 and the second intermediate chamber 326 to be inflated and deployed at positions biased toward the interior of the vehicle.

[0092] In the airbag cushion 320, a slit 334 is provided in a seam 332 between the front chamber 322 and the first intermediate chamber 324, and a slit 338 is provided in a seam 336 between the second intermediate chamber 326 and the rear chamber 328. The patch 330 passes through the outer sides of the first intermediate chamber 324 and the second intermediate chamber 326 and is stretched between the front chamber 322 and the rear chamber 328, and is configured to be tensioned between the front chamber 322 and the rear chamber 328.

[0093] Figure 13(b) shows the state of airbag cushion 320 when inflated and deployed, corresponding to cross section II in Figure 13(a). Airbag cushion 320 allows a wide area including first intermediate chamber 324 and second intermediate chamber 326 to repel patch cloth 330, allowing it to inflate and deploy at a position closer to the interior of the vehicle than rear chamber 328, etc.

[0094] In this way, the airbag cushion according to the present invention can be provided with multiple intermediate chambers that can be inflated and deployed toward the vehicle interior using patches. With these configurations, by inflating and deploying a wide range of inflation sections in close proximity to the occupant 176 (see FIG. 4(b)), it is possible to reduce the chances of the occupant 176 coming into contact with the door trim 148 and to achieve early restraint of the occupant 176, thereby completely preventing ejection from the vehicle, thereby efficiently minimizing the injury level of the occupant 176.

[0095] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the above-described embodiments are merely preferred examples of the present invention, and other embodiments may be implemented or performed in various ways. Unless otherwise specified in the present specification, the present invention is not limited to the detailed shapes, sizes, and configurations of parts shown in the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the expressions and terms used in the present specification are for the purpose of explanation and are not intended to be limiting unless otherwise specified.

[0096] Therefore, it is clear that a person skilled in the art can think of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0097] The present invention can be used in a curtain airbag device that protects occupants in the event of a side collision or rollover of a vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 100...curtain airbag device, 102...vehicle, 104...front row seat, 106...rear row seat, 108...A pillar, 110...B pillar, 112...C pillar, 114...roof side rail, 116...side window, 120...side window opening, 124...airbag cushion, 126...inflator, 128...inflator mounting portion, 130...tab, 132...strap, 136...duct portion, 138... First front chamber, 140...second front chamber, 142...intermediate chamber, 144...rear chamber, 146...rear row chamber, 148...door trim, 150...pattern, 152...lower edge portion, 154...lower joint portion, 156...seam portion, 158...seam portion, 160, 162...slit, 164...rear edge portion, 166...front edge portion, 168...hole, 170...front joint portion, 172...rear joint portion, 176...occupant, 178 ...head, 180...lower edge portion, 182...lower edge portion, 200...airbag cushion, 202...lower edge portion, 204...lower joint portion, 206...fold, 208...fold, 220...airbag cushion, 222...pad, 240...airbag cushion, 242...tuck portion, 244...fold, 246...pad, 260...airbag cushion, 262...pad, 280...airbag cushion, 282...lower edge portion , 284...front protrusion, 286...rear protrusion, 288...pattern, 290...first lower joint, 292...second lower connection, 300...airbag cushion, 302...fold, 304...fold, 320...airbag cushion, 322...front chamber, 324...first intermediate chamber, 326...second intermediate chamber, 328...rear chamber, 330...pattern, 332, 336...seam portion, 334, 338...slit

Claims

1. A curtain airbag device includes an airbag cushion that is stored in a long length in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle and is attached to an upper portion of a side wall of a vehicle compartment, and an inflator that supplies gas to the airbag cushion, The airbag cushion is an intermediate chamber that inflates and deploys to cover the side window opening in the vehicle compartment side wall; a front chamber that inflates and deploys adjacent to the vehicle front side of the intermediate chamber; a rear chamber that inflates and deploys adjacent to the vehicle rear side of the intermediate chamber; a pair of slits provided between the intermediate chamber and the front chamber and between the intermediate chamber and the rear chamber, respectively, to separate the intermediate chamber from the front chamber and the rear chamber, and to form a free end of the intermediate chamber; a patch that passes through the vehicle exterior side of the intermediate chamber, spans between the front chamber and the rear chamber, and is shaped to be tensioned between the front chamber and the rear chamber when the airbag cushion is inflated and deployed; one or more lower joining portions connecting a lower edge portion of the intermediate chamber to the patch, or connecting a lower edge portion of the intermediate chamber to a lower edge portion of the front chamber and a lower edge portion of the rear chamber; A curtain airbag device comprising:

2. a lower edge portion of the intermediate chamber extends lower than a lower edge portion of the front chamber and a lower edge portion of the rear chamber, 2. The curtain airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the lower joint portion connects a lower end of a lower edge portion of the intermediate chamber and the patch cloth.

3. The patch extends below a lower edge portion of the front chamber and a lower edge portion of the rear chamber, 3. The curtain airbag device according to claim 2, wherein the lower joint portion connects a lower end of the lower edge portion of the intermediate chamber to a portion of the patch that is lower than the lower edge portions of the front chamber and the rear chamber.

4. 4. The curtain airbag device according to claim 2, wherein a lower edge portion of the intermediate chamber is folded up or folded in the vertical direction when the airbag cushion is in the stored state.

5. the airbag cushion further includes a tuck portion that is folded so as to compress a range between the front chamber and the rear chamber in the vehicle longitudinal direction, in the vehicle longitudinal direction; 2. The curtain airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the front chamber and the rear chamber are inflated and deployed so close to each other that a portion of each chamber overlaps the outer side of the intermediate chamber.

6. 2. The curtain airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the front chamber and the rear chamber are drawn together by the patch cloth and inflated and deployed so close together that a portion of each chamber overlaps the outer side of the intermediate chamber.

7. a lower edge portion of the intermediate chamber extends lower than a lower edge portion of the front chamber and a lower edge portion of the rear chamber, the airbag cushion further comprises: a front protrusion that protrudes forward of the vehicle from a location of a lower edge portion of the intermediate chamber that is lower than the lower edge portion of the front chamber; a rear protruding portion protruding rearward from a location of a lower edge portion of the intermediate chamber that is lower than a lower edge portion of the rear chamber; and The one or more lower joint portions are provided in plurality, 2. The curtain airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of lower edge connection portions include a first lower joint portion that connects the front protrusion and a lower edge portion of the front chamber, and a second lower joint portion that connects the rear protrusion and a lower edge portion of the rear chamber.

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