JP4775587B2 - Vehicle shock absorption structure - Google Patents

Vehicle shock absorption structure Download PDF

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JP4775587B2
JP4775587B2 JP2007033377A JP2007033377A JP4775587B2 JP 4775587 B2 JP4775587 B2 JP 4775587B2 JP 2007033377 A JP2007033377 A JP 2007033377A JP 2007033377 A JP2007033377 A JP 2007033377A JP 4775587 B2 JP4775587 B2 JP 4775587B2
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airbag
wheel
vehicle
deployed
collision
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JP2008195261A (en
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吉明 大橋
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Mitsubishi Motors Corp
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Description

本発明は車両の衝撃吸収構造に係り、詳しくは障害物に対して車幅方向に大きくオフセットした衝突形態を想定して、車輪を介して衝突による入力を車体構造材に逃がすことにより衝撃を吸収する衝撃吸収構造に関するものである。   The present invention relates to a shock absorbing structure for a vehicle. More specifically, assuming a collision mode that is largely offset in the vehicle width direction with respect to an obstacle, the shock is absorbed by letting the input due to the collision through the wheels to the vehicle body structural material. It relates to a shock absorbing structure.

車両の衝突形態には種々のものがあり、その中には相手車両等の障害物に対して車幅方向に大きくオフセットした前突や後突がある。この種の衝突形態では自車両と障害物とのラップ量が小さいことから、肝心のサイドメンバは直接的に障害物と衝突することなく、より車幅方向外側に位置するバンパリンフォースの端部が障害物と衝突して片持ち支持的に変形するだけのため、衝撃吸収作用に関して改良の余地があった。   There are various types of vehicle collisions, including front and rear collisions that are greatly offset in the vehicle width direction with respect to obstacles such as the counterpart vehicle. In this type of collision, since the amount of lap between the vehicle and the obstacle is small, the important side member does not directly collide with the obstacle, and the end of the bumper reinforcement located further outside in the vehicle width direction However, there is room for improvement in terms of shock absorption, because it collides with an obstacle and deforms in a cantilevered manner.

そこで、この種の衝突形態を想定した対策として、前突時の入力を車輪に伝達することにより衝撃吸収作用を得るものが提案されている(例えば、特許文献1参照)。当該特許文献1の技術では、バンパリンフォースの両端後面に板金製のタイヤ荷重伝達部材を取り付け、バンパリンフォースの後方への変形に伴って前突時の入力をタイヤ荷重伝達部材を介して車輪側に逃がして衝撃吸収作用を得ている。
特開2005−119537号公報
In view of this, as a countermeasure assuming this type of collision, an apparatus that obtains an impact absorbing action by transmitting the input at the time of the front collision to the wheels has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). In the technique of Patent Document 1, tire load transmission members made of sheet metal are attached to the rear surfaces of both ends of a bumper reinforcement, and an input at the time of a front collision is generated via the tire load transmission member as the bumper reinforcement is deformed rearward. It has escaped to the side and has a shock absorbing effect.
JP 2005-119537 A

しかしながら、上記特許文献1のタイヤ荷重伝達部材を用いた衝撃吸収構造では、以下に述べる問題がある。
前突時の入力を車輪に伝達したときの衝撃吸収作用は、入力を車輪からサスペンションを介してサイドメンバなどの車体構造材に逃がすことで発揮されるため、高い衝撃吸収作用を得るには、タイヤ荷重伝達部材を車輪中心、即ち十分な剛性を有するホイール部に衝突させて効率よく入力伝達する必要がある。
However, the impact absorbing structure using the tire load transmitting member of Patent Document 1 has the following problems.
Since the impact absorption action when the input at the time of the front collision is transmitted to the wheel is exhibited by releasing the input from the wheel to the vehicle body structural material such as the side member via the suspension, in order to obtain a high shock absorption action, It is necessary to efficiently transmit the input by colliding the tire load transmitting member with the wheel center, that is, a wheel portion having sufficient rigidity.

ところが、特許文献1の発明では、車輪の操舵や上下動を妨げない程度のクリアランスを確保するようにタイヤ荷重伝達部材が設置されるため、クリアランス相当だけタイヤ荷重伝達部材が空走した後に車輪に衝突することになる。そして、空走中のタイヤ荷重伝達部材の挙動は、衝撃を入力したときのバンパリンフォースの後方への変形状態に依存し、その挙動に応じて車輪に対するタイヤ荷重伝達部材の衝突位置が変動してしまう。   However, in the invention of Patent Document 1, since the tire load transmission member is installed so as to ensure a clearance that does not hinder the steering or vertical movement of the wheel, the tire load transmission member is idled by the amount corresponding to the clearance before the wheel is driven. It will collide. The behavior of the tire load transmission member during idling depends on the rearward deformation state of the bumper reinforcement when an impact is input, and the collision position of the tire load transmission member with respect to the wheel varies depending on the behavior. End up.

しかも、一般的にバンパリンフォースは他車や歩行者との衝突を考慮して車輪中心より高い位置に設置されるため、元々タイヤ荷重伝達部材は車輪中心よりも高い位置に衝突し易い。これらの要因により、タイヤ荷重伝達部材を車輪の最適位置(例えば、車輪中心)に確実に衝突させて効率よく入力伝達することは困難であった。加えて、板金製のタイヤ荷重伝達部材は変形し難いため車輪との当接面積が小さく、この点も車輪への効率的な入力伝達を妨げる要因になっている。   Moreover, in general, the bumper force is installed at a position higher than the wheel center in consideration of a collision with another vehicle or a pedestrian, so that the tire load transmitting member originally tends to collide with a position higher than the wheel center. Due to these factors, it has been difficult to reliably input the tire load transmission member by causing the tire load transmission member to reliably collide with the optimum position of the wheel (for example, the center of the wheel). In addition, since the tire load transmission member made of sheet metal is difficult to deform, the contact area with the wheel is small, and this is also a factor that hinders efficient input transmission to the wheel.

このように特許文献1の衝撃吸収構造では前突時の入力を効率よく車輪に伝達できないため、必然的に入力を車体構造材に逃がして十分な衝撃吸収作用を得ることができないという問題があった。
本発明はこのような問題点を解決するためになされたもので、その目的とするところは、車両衝突時の入力を車輪を利用して効率よく車体構造材に逃がすことができ、もって十分な衝撃吸収作用を達成することができる車両の衝撃吸収構造を提供することにある。
As described above, the shock absorbing structure disclosed in Patent Document 1 cannot efficiently transmit the input at the time of the front collision to the wheel, so that there is a problem in that the input is inevitably released to the vehicle body structure material and sufficient shock absorbing action cannot be obtained. It was.
The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and the object of the present invention is to efficiently release the input at the time of a vehicle collision to the vehicle body structural material by using the wheels. An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle shock absorbing structure capable of achieving a shock absorbing action.

上記目的を達成するため、請求項1の発明は、車両のタイヤハウス内に設けられて、車輪とバンパリンフォースの端部との間または車輪とサイドシルとの間の少なくとも一方の領域でエアバッグ本体を展開可能なエアバッグと、車両の衝突時の衝撃を検出したときに、運転者の頭部を保護するための運転席エアバッグの展開タイミングに対して先行するタイミングでエアバッグを作動させるエアバッグ作動手段とを備えたものである。
障害物に対して車両が車幅方向の何れかに大きくオフセットした衝突形態では、衝突による衝撃がバンパリンフォースの端部に集中するため、端部が片持ち支持的に車輪に向けて変形し始める。衝突時の衝撃を検出したエアバッグ作動手段はエアバッグを作動させてエアバッグ本体を展開させる。例えば車輪とバンパリンフォースの端部との間の領域でエアバッグ本体が展開したときには、衝突時の入力がバンパリンフォースの端部及びエアバッグ本体を介して車輪に伝達され、車輪を支持するサスペンションを介してサイドメンバ等の車体構造材に逃がされる。また、車輪とサイドシルとの間の領域でエアバッグ本体が展開したときには、バンパリンフォースの変形に伴って車輪に伝達された入力がエアバッグ本体を介してサイドシル等の車体構造材に逃がされ、何れの場合も衝撃吸収作用が奏される。
In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is provided in a tire house of a vehicle, and an air bag is provided in at least one region between a wheel and an end of a bumper reinforcement or between a wheel and a side sill. The airbag is activated at a timing that precedes the deployment timing of the driver's seat airbag to protect the driver's head when an airbag that can deploy the main body and an impact at the time of a vehicle collision are detected. And an airbag operating means.
In a collision mode in which the vehicle is greatly offset in the vehicle width direction with respect to the obstacle, the impact due to the collision is concentrated on the end of the bumper force, so that the end is cantilevered and deformed toward the wheel. start. The airbag actuating means that detects the impact at the time of the collision activates the airbag and deploys the airbag body. For example, when the airbag body is deployed in the region between the wheel and the end of the bumper force, the input at the time of collision is transmitted to the wheel via the end of the bumper force and the airbag body to support the wheel. It escapes to vehicle body structural materials such as side members via the suspension. When the airbag body is deployed in the region between the wheel and the side sill, the input transmitted to the wheel as the bumper reinforcement is deformed is released to the vehicle body structural material such as the side sill via the airbag body. In either case, an impact absorbing action is exhibited.

そして、エアバッグ本体を展開させて衝突時の入力を伝達することから、バンパリンフォースが車輪に向けて変形するときの状態や車輪がサイドシルに向けて変形するときの状態に依存することなく、エアバッグ本体の展開形状に応じて車輪への当接位置を任意に設定可能となる。よって、バンパリンフォースと車輪との高低差や車輪とサイドシルとの高低差を考慮した上で、車輪の最適位置、例えば高い剛性のホイール部が位置する車輪中心にエアバッグ本体が当接するようにエアバッグ本体の展開形状を設定し、これにより車両衝突時の入力を車輪を利用して効率よく伝達可能となる。また、展開したエアバッグ本体は柔軟性を有するため、車輪に対して広い面積をもって当接し、この要因も効率的な入力伝達に貢献する。
しかも、前突により車両最前部に位置するバンパリンフォースが直ちに変形するのに対して運転者の頭部が慣性で前方移動するのは僅かに遅れるが、これに対応するように運転席エアバッグの展開に対して先行したタイミングでエアバッグが展開する。
And since the airbag body is deployed to transmit the input at the time of collision, it does not depend on the state when the bumper force is deformed toward the wheel or the state when the wheel is deformed toward the side sill, The contact position on the wheel can be arbitrarily set according to the deployed shape of the airbag body. Therefore, in consideration of the height difference between the bumper force and the wheel and the height difference between the wheel and the side sill, the airbag body should come into contact with the optimum position of the wheel, for example, the center of the wheel where the highly rigid wheel portion is located. The deployment shape of the airbag main body is set, so that the input at the time of the vehicle collision can be efficiently transmitted using the wheels. In addition, since the deployed airbag body has flexibility, it abuts against the wheels with a wide area, and this factor also contributes to efficient input transmission.
Moreover, the bumper rinsing force located at the forefront of the vehicle is immediately deformed by the front collision, but the driver's head moves slightly behind due to inertia. The airbag is deployed at a timing preceding the deployment of the airbag.

請求項2の発明は、請求項1において、エアバッグがバンパリンフォースの端部の車輪への対向面に配設されて、車輪とバンパリンフォースとの間の領域でエアバッグ本体を展開するものである。
従って、車両衝突時にはバンパリンフォースの端部のエアバッグがエアバッグ作動手段により展開し、車輪とバンパリンフォースの端部との間の領域でエアバッグ本体が展開する。
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the airbag is disposed on a surface of the end of the bumper reinforcement facing the wheel, and the airbag main body is deployed in a region between the wheel and the bumper reinforcement. Is.
Accordingly, at the time of a vehicle collision, the airbag at the end of the bumper reinforcement is deployed by the airbag actuating means, and the airbag body is deployed in a region between the wheel and the end of the bumper reinforcement.

請求項3の発明は、請求項1において、エアバッグがサイドシルの車輪への対向面に配設されて、車輪とサイドシルとの間の領域でエアバッグ本体を展開するものである。
従って、車両衝突時にはサイドシルのエアバッグがエアバッグ作動手段により展開し、車輪とサイドシルとの間の領域でエアバッグ本体が展開する。
請求項4の発明は、請求項1において、エアバッグがタイヤハウスの上部に設けられ、車輪とバンパリンフォースの端部との間の領域及び車輪とサイドシルとの間の領域でエアバッグ本体を展開するものである。
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the airbag is disposed on a surface of the side sill facing the wheel, and the airbag main body is deployed in a region between the wheel and the side sill.
Therefore, when the vehicle collides, the airbag of the side sill is deployed by the airbag actuating means, and the airbag body is deployed in the region between the wheel and the side sill.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the airbag is provided at an upper portion of the tire house, and the airbag main body is disposed in a region between the wheel and the end of the bumper reinforcement and a region between the wheel and the side sill. It is something to deploy.

従って、車両衝突時にはタイヤハウスの上部のエアバッグがエアバッグ作動手段により展開し、車輪とバンパリンフォースの端部との間の領域及び車輪とサイドシルとの間の領域でエアバッグ本体が展開する。   Therefore, at the time of a vehicle collision, the airbag at the upper part of the tire house is deployed by the airbag actuating means, and the airbag body is deployed in the region between the wheel and the end of the bumper reinforcement and the region between the wheel and the side sill. .

以上説明したように本発明の車両の衝撃吸収構造によれば、車両衝突時の入力を車輪を利用して効率よく車体構造材に逃がすことができ、もって十分な衝撃吸収作用を達成できると共に、バンパリンフォースの変形と運転者の頭部の前方移動とのタイミングに対応してエアバッグ及び運転席エアバッグを展開させることができる。 As described above, according to the shock absorbing structure of the vehicle of the present invention, the input at the time of the vehicle collision can be efficiently released to the vehicle body structural material using the wheels, and thus a sufficient shock absorbing action can be achieved . It can Rukoto to deploy the air bag and the driver's seat air bag in response to the timing of deformation of the bumper reinforcement and the forward movement of the driver's head.

以下、本発明を具体化した車両の衝撃吸収構造の一実施形態を説明する。
図1は本発明の衝撃吸収構造が適用された車両の前部を示す側面図、図2は同じく衝撃吸収構造が適用された車両の前部を示す平面図である。なお、これらの図は主に車体構造材の相互関係を示しており、フロントフェンダー、ドア、ボンネット等の外装材は省略されている。
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a shock absorbing structure for a vehicle embodying the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a side view showing a front portion of a vehicle to which the shock absorbing structure of the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the front portion of the vehicle to which the shock absorbing structure is similarly applied. These drawings mainly show the interrelationships of vehicle body structural materials, and exterior materials such as front fenders, doors, and bonnets are omitted.

車両の前部には、左右方向(車幅方向)に所定間隔をおいて一対のフロントサイドメンバ1が配設されている。両フロントサイドメンバ1は閉断面構造をなして車両後方に延設され、フロントサイドメンバ1の後端はダッシュパネル2の下部に接続されると共に、フロア3の下面に設けられたサイドメンバ4に連続している。両フロントサイドメンバ1の前端には左右方向に延設されたバンパリンフォース5が固定され、バンパリンフォース5の後側において両フロントサイドメンバ1間にはフロントエンドクロスメンバ6が固定されている。   A pair of front side members 1 are arranged at a predetermined interval in the left-right direction (vehicle width direction) at the front of the vehicle. Both front side members 1 have a closed cross-sectional structure and extend rearward of the vehicle. The rear ends of the front side members 1 are connected to the lower portion of the dash panel 2 and are connected to side members 4 provided on the lower surface of the floor 3. It is continuous. A bumper force 5 extending in the left-right direction is fixed to the front ends of both front side members 1, and a front end cross member 6 is fixed between the front side members 1 on the rear side of the bumper force 5. .

左右のフロントサイドメンバ1の上方にはアッパフレーム7がそれぞれ配設され、両アッパフレーム7の前端はフロントエンドクロスメンバ6の上部の左右両側に接続されている。両アッパフレーム7は後方に延設されてダッシュパネル2の上部に接続され、このダッシュパネル2によりエンジンルームE1と車室E2とが区画されている。また、左右のアッパフレーム7とフロントサイドメンバ1との間には図示しないインナパネルがそれぞれ形成され、このインナパネルによりエンジンルームE1の左右両側にタイヤハウスE3が区画されている。   Upper frames 7 are disposed above the left and right front side members 1, and the front ends of both upper frames 7 are connected to the left and right sides of the upper part of the front end cross member 6. Both upper frames 7 extend rearward and are connected to the upper portion of the dash panel 2, and the engine room E 1 and the vehicle compartment E 2 are partitioned by the dash panel 2. In addition, inner panels (not shown) are formed between the left and right upper frames 7 and the front side member 1, and tire houses E3 are defined on the left and right sides of the engine room E1 by the inner panels.

エンジンルームE1内には図示しないエンジンが搭載され、エンジンはエンジンマウントを介してフロントサイドメンバ1上に固定されている。タイヤハウスE3内には図示しないサスペンションに支持されて前輪8が収容され、サスペンションのロアアームの基端は、両フロントサイドメンバ1間に架設されたサスペンションメンバ9に連結され、サスペンションのストラットの上部はアッパフレーム7に連結されている。   An engine (not shown) is mounted in the engine room E1, and the engine is fixed on the front side member 1 via an engine mount. In the tire house E3, a front wheel 8 is accommodated by being supported by a suspension (not shown). It is connected to the upper frame 7.

アッパフレーム7の後端はダュシュパネル2の箇所でAピラーアッパ10及びAピラーロア11に接続され、Aピラーアッパ10は後方斜め上方に延設されてルーフと連続している。また、Aピラーロア11はダッシュパネル2の左右両側に沿って下方に延設されて、フロア3の左右両側で閉断面構造をなすサイドシル12の前端と接続されている。
バンパリンフォース5の左右両端の後面には前輪8と相対向するように前部エアバッグ15が設けられ、左右のサイドシル12の前面には同じく前輪8と相対向するように後部エアバッグ16が設けられている。これらのエアバッグ15.16は、乗員保護を目的としてステアリング17に備えられた運転席エアバッグ18と同じく、内蔵したインフレータから噴射されるガス圧を利用して図1,2に示すようにエアバッグ本体15a,16aを展開し、且つ展開直後にガス圧をベントホールから逃がして収縮するように構成されており、展開時には前輪8のタイヤ外周面に前方及び後方から当接する。また、エアバッグ本体15a,16aの材質も運転席用エアバッグ18と同様の一般的なものが選択されている。
The rear end of the upper frame 7 is connected to the A-pillar upper 10 and the A-pillar lower 11 at the location of the dust panel 2, and the A-pillar upper 10 extends rearward and obliquely upward and continues to the roof. The A pillar lower 11 extends downward along the left and right sides of the dash panel 2 and is connected to the front end of the side sill 12 having a closed cross-sectional structure on both the left and right sides of the floor 3.
Front airbags 15 are provided on the rear surfaces of the left and right ends of the bumper force 5 so as to face the front wheels 8, and rear airbags 16 are also provided on the front surfaces of the left and right side sills 12 so as to face the front wheels 8. Is provided. These airbags 15.16 use the gas pressure injected from the built-in inflator as shown in FIGS. The bag main bodies 15a and 16a are deployed, and the gas pressure is released from the vent hole to be contracted immediately after deployment, and the bag body 15a abuts against the tire outer peripheral surface of the front wheel 8 from the front and the rear during deployment. Further, the material of the airbag main bodies 15a and 16a is selected from the same general material as that of the driver airbag 18.

ここで、図1に示すように、前部エアバッグ15のエアバッグ本体15aは略水平から下方に亘る領域で展開するように形状設定されている。また、後部エアバッグ16のエアバッグ本体16aは上方及び下方に亘る領域で展開するが、下方に比較して上方に大きく展開するように形状設定されている。
前部エアバッグ15、後部エアバッグ16及び運転席エアバッグ18はエアバッグコントローラ19に接続され、エアバッグコントローラ19は車両の前後方向の加速度を検出する加速度センサ20に接続されている。本実施形態では、これらのエアバッグコントローラ19及び加速度センサ20によりエアバッグ作動手段が構成されている。
Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the airbag body 15 a of the front airbag 15 is set so as to be deployed in a region extending from substantially horizontal to downward. In addition, the airbag body 16a of the rear airbag 16 is deployed in a region extending upward and downward, but is shaped so as to expand largely upward compared to the downward direction.
The front airbag 15, the rear airbag 16, and the driver's seat airbag 18 are connected to an airbag controller 19, and the airbag controller 19 is connected to an acceleration sensor 20 that detects acceleration in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In the present embodiment, the airbag controller 19 and the acceleration sensor 20 constitute an airbag operating means.

本実施形態の車両の衝撃吸収構造は以上のように構成されており、次に車両前突時の前部エアバッグ15及び後部エアバッグ16の展開状況について説明する。
基本的に前部エアバッグ15及び後部エアバッグ16は、ステアリングホイール17の運転席エアバッグ18と連動して同一タイミングで作動する。車両の前突は加速度センサ20からの信号に基づきエアバッグコントローラ19により判定され、前突判定時にはエアバッグコントローラ19により運転席エアバッグ18のインフレータが作動してガス圧により運転席エアバッグ18が展開して乗員保護を図るが、このとき同時に、エアバッグコントローラ19は前部エアバッグ15及び後部エアバッグ16のインフレータも作動させ、それぞれのエアバッグ15,16のエアバッグ本体15a,16aを展開させる。
The vehicle impact absorbing structure of the present embodiment is configured as described above. Next, the deployment situation of the front airbag 15 and the rear airbag 16 at the time of a vehicle front collision will be described.
Basically, the front airbag 15 and the rear airbag 16 operate in synchronism with the driver airbag 18 of the steering wheel 17 at the same timing. The front collision of the vehicle is determined by the airbag controller 19 based on the signal from the acceleration sensor 20, and when the front collision is determined, the inflator of the driver airbag 18 is activated by the airbag controller 19 and the driver airbag 18 is moved by the gas pressure. At the same time, the airbag controller 19 operates the inflators of the front airbag 15 and the rear airbag 16 to deploy the airbag bodies 15a and 16a of the airbags 15 and 16, respectively. Let

そして、前部エアバッグ15及び後部エアバッグ16が展開した時点では、前突により車両の最前部に位置するバンパリンフォース5は変形し始めた段階にあり、未だ前輪8との間には十分なクリアランスが確保されている。以下、図2に示すように、障害物A(例えば、相手車両)に対して自車が右側に大きくオフセットして前突したものとして説明を続けると、前突による衝撃は主にバンパリンフォース5の左端に集中するため、左端が片持ち支持的に後方に変形し始める。前部エアバッグ15及び後部エアバッグ16を装備しない場合であれば、バンパリンフォース5の左端が前輪8とのクリアランス相当だけ空走した後に前輪8に衝突し、さらに前輪8が後方に押されてサイドシル12とのクリアランス相当だけ空走した後にサイドシル12に衝突するのであるが、これに先行するバンパリンフォース5の変形初期において前部エアバッグ15及び後部エアバッグ16のエアバッグ本体15a,16aの展開が完了し、前部エアバッグ15のエアバッグ本体15aは前方より前輪8のタイヤ外周面に当接し、後部エアバッグ16のエアバッグ本体16aは後方より前輪8のタイヤ外周面に当接する。   At the time when the front airbag 15 and the rear airbag 16 are deployed, the bumper force 5 located at the forefront of the vehicle is in a stage where it has started to deform due to the front collision, and is still sufficiently between the front wheel 8 and the front wheel 8. Clear clearance is secured. Hereinafter, as illustrated in FIG. 2, when the description is continued assuming that the host vehicle has made a large forward offset with respect to the obstacle A (for example, the opponent vehicle), the impact due to the front collision is mainly a bumper force. 5 concentrates on the left end of 5, and the left end begins to be deformed backward in a cantilevered manner. If the front airbag 15 and the rear airbag 16 are not equipped, the left end of the bumper force 5 collides with the front wheel 8 after running idle for a clearance corresponding to the front wheel 8, and the front wheel 8 is pushed backward. In this case, the vehicle collides with the side sill 12 after running as much as the clearance with the side sill 12, but in the early stage of deformation of the bumper reinforcement 5 preceding this, the airbag main bodies 15a, 16a of the front airbag 15 and the rear airbag 16 The airbag main body 15a of the front airbag 15 contacts the tire outer peripheral surface of the front wheel 8 from the front, and the airbag main body 16a of the rear airbag 16 contacts the tire outer peripheral surface of the front wheel 8 from the rear. .

結果として、バンパリンフォース5の左端と前輪8のタイヤ外周面との間には前部エアバッグ15のエアバッグ本体15aが隙間無く介在し、前輪8のタイヤ外周面と車両左側のサイドシル12との間には後部エアバッグ16のエアバッグ本体16aが隙間無く介在する。このため、前突による衝撃の入力はバンパリンフォース5の左端及び前部エアバッグ15のエアバッグ本体15aを介して前輪8に伝達されて、サスペンションのロアアームやストラットを介してサスペンションメンバ9、フロントサイドメンバ1、アッパフレーム7等の車体構造材に逃がされると共に、前輪8から後部エアバッグ16のエアバッグ本体16aを介して車両左側のサイドシル12等の車体構造材に逃がされ、これにより衝撃吸収作用が奏される。   As a result, the air bag body 15a of the front airbag 15 is interposed between the left end of the bumper force 5 and the tire outer peripheral surface of the front wheel 8 without any gap, and the tire outer peripheral surface of the front wheel 8 and the side sill 12 on the left side of the vehicle In between, the airbag main body 16a of the rear airbag 16 is interposed without a gap. For this reason, the impact input by the front impact is transmitted to the front wheel 8 via the left end of the bumper force 5 and the airbag body 15a of the front airbag 15, and the suspension member 9 and the front through the lower arm and strut of the suspension. The vehicle is released to the vehicle body structural material such as the side member 1 and the upper frame 7 and is also released from the front wheel 8 to the vehicle body structural material such as the side sill 12 on the left side of the vehicle via the airbag body 16a of the rear airbag 16. Absorption action is exerted.

このときの前輪8のタイヤ外周面に対するエアバッグ本体15a,16aの当接はエアバッグ本体自体の展開によるものであり、特許文献1のタイヤ荷重伝達部材のようにバンパリンフォースの後方への変形に伴ってタイヤ外周面に当接するものとは全く異なる。この相違により、本実施形態ではバンパリンフォース5の変形状態に依存することなく、エアバッグ本体15a,16aの展開形状に応じて前輪8への当接位置を任意に設定可能となる。ここで、バンパリンフォース5から前輪8に、さらには前輪8からサイドシル12に効率よく入力を伝達するには、前輪8の中心Cに位置する剛性の高いホイール部8aを介して行うのが望ましく、一方、前輪中心Cに対してバンパリンフォース5の上下位置は高く、前輪中心Cに対してサイドシル12の上下位置は低い。   At this time, the contact of the airbag main bodies 15a and 16a with the outer peripheral surface of the tire of the front wheel 8 is due to the development of the airbag main body itself, and the bumper reinforcement is rearwardly deformed like the tire load transmission member of Patent Document 1. Along with this, it is completely different from that in contact with the tire outer peripheral surface. Due to this difference, in this embodiment, the position of contact with the front wheel 8 can be arbitrarily set according to the deployed shape of the airbag main bodies 15a, 16a without depending on the deformation state of the bumper force 5. Here, in order to efficiently transmit the input from the bumper force 5 to the front wheel 8 and further from the front wheel 8 to the side sill 12, it is desirable to perform the transmission via the highly rigid wheel portion 8a located at the center C of the front wheel 8. On the other hand, the vertical position of the bumper force 5 is high with respect to the front wheel center C, and the vertical position of the side sill 12 is low with respect to the front wheel center C.

そこで、上記のように前部エアバッグ15のエアバッグ本体15aは略水平から下方に亘る領域で展開するように形状設定され、後部エアバッグ16のエアバッグ本体16aは下方に比較して上方に大きく展開するように形状設定されており、これにより何れのエアバッグ本体15a,16aも前輪中心Cの高さを基準として上方及び下方に略均等な長さL(換言すれば、略均等な面積)をもって当接する。しかも、エアバッグ本体15a,16aの当接状態がバンパリンフォース5の後方への変形状態や前輪8の後方への変形状態に依存しないことから、前突状況に応じてバンパリンフォース5や前輪8がどのように変形しても、その影響を受けることなくエアバッグ本体15a,15bは常に前輪8に対して所期の当接状態となる。従って、前輪8の中心Cに位置するホイール部8aを介して、バンパリンフォース5から前輪8への入力伝達、及び前輪8からサイドシル12への入力伝達が共に効率よく行われ、もって、前突時の衝撃による入力を効率的に車体構造材に逃がして、十分な衝撃吸収作用を達成することができる。   Therefore, as described above, the airbag main body 15a of the front airbag 15 is shaped so as to be deployed in a region extending from substantially horizontal to the lower side, and the airbag main body 16a of the rear airbag 16 is higher than the lower side. The shape of the airbag body 15a, 16a is set so that the airbag body 15a, 16a is largely expanded. Accordingly, the airbag body 15a, 16a has a substantially equal length L (in other words, a substantially equal area) on the basis of the height of the front wheel center C. ). In addition, since the contact state of the airbag bodies 15a and 16a does not depend on the rearward deformation state of the bumper force 5 or the rearward deformation state of the front wheel 8, the bumper force 5 or the front wheel depends on the front collision situation. No matter how the 8 is deformed, the airbag main bodies 15a and 15b are always in an intended contact state with the front wheel 8 without being affected by the deformation. Therefore, both the input transmission from the bumper force 5 to the front wheel 8 and the input transmission from the front wheel 8 to the side sill 12 are efficiently performed via the wheel portion 8a located at the center C of the front wheel 8, and the front collision is thereby achieved. The input due to the impact at the time can be efficiently released to the vehicle body structural material, and a sufficient impact absorbing action can be achieved.

なお、前輪8に対するエアバッグ本体15a,16aの当接は必ずしも上方及び下方に均等化する必要はなく、前輪中心Cに対して上方に位置する前部エアバッグ15は主に下方に向けてエアバッグ本体15aを展開させ、前輪中心Cに対して下方に位置する後部エアバッグ16は主に上方に下方に向けてエアバッグ本体16aを展開させるように形状設定すればよい。   The abutment of the airbag main bodies 15a, 16a with the front wheel 8 does not necessarily need to be equalized upward and downward, and the front airbag 15 located above the front wheel center C is mainly directed downward. The bag body 15a is deployed, and the shape of the rear airbag 16 positioned below the front wheel center C may be set so that the airbag body 16a is deployed mainly upward and downward.

加えて、展開したエアバッグ本体15a,16aは柔軟性を有するため、例えば特許文献1の板金製のタイヤ荷重伝達部材に比較して、遥かに広い面積をもって前輪8のタイヤ外周面に当接し、この要因も効率的な入力伝達に貢献する。
しかも、前部エアバッグ15及び後部エアバッグ16のエアバッグ本体15a,16aは展開直後に収縮するため、前突時の車体変形によりバンパリンフォース5と前輪8との間のクリアランス、及び前輪8とサイドシル12との間のクリアランスが縮小する過程では、それに合せてそれぞれのエアバッグ本体15a,16aが収縮して衝撃吸収作用を奏し、これにより前突時の衝撃を一層効率的に吸収できる。
In addition, since the deployed airbag bodies 15a and 16a have flexibility, for example, compared to the tire load transmission member made of sheet metal of Patent Document 1, the airbag body 15a abuts the tire outer peripheral surface of the front wheel 8 with a much larger area, This factor also contributes to efficient input transmission.
In addition, since the airbag main bodies 15a and 16a of the front airbag 15 and the rear airbag 16 contract immediately after deployment, the clearance between the bumper force 5 and the front wheels 8 due to the deformation of the vehicle body at the time of the front collision, and the front wheels 8 In the process of reducing the clearance between the side sill 12 and the side sill 12, the airbag main bodies 15a, 16a are contracted in accordance therewith to provide an impact absorbing action, whereby the impact at the time of the front collision can be absorbed more efficiently.

また、特許文献1のタイヤ荷重伝達部材は、前突時の入力伝達に耐え得るだけの強度確保によりかなりの重量を有したが、本実施形態ではガス圧を利用して展開したエアバッグ本体15a,16aにより入力伝達する原理のため、エアバッグ本体自体はタイヤ荷重伝達部材に比較して遥かに軽量であり、インフレータ等の付属機器を含めた総合的な重量でも、特許文献1のタイヤ荷重伝達部材に比較して遥かに軽量なものとなる。よって、車両の軽量化に貢献するという効果も得られる。   Further, the tire load transmission member of Patent Document 1 has a considerable weight by securing strength sufficient to withstand the input transmission at the time of the front collision, but in the present embodiment, the airbag main body 15a deployed using gas pressure is used. 16a, the airbag body itself is much lighter than the tire load transmission member, and the tire load transmission described in Patent Document 1 is possible even with a total weight including accessories such as an inflator. It is much lighter than the member. Therefore, the effect that it contributes to the weight reduction of a vehicle is also acquired.

以上で実施形態の説明を終えるが、本発明の態様はこの実施形態に限定されるものではない。例えば、上記実施形態ではオフセット大の前突を想定して前輪8に対してエアバッグ15,16を設けた衝撃吸収構造として具体化したが、同様の原理を後輪(車輪)に適用することによりオフセット大の後突(主に自車に対する後続車の追突)に対応することもできる。具体的には、リア側のバンパリンフォースの前面及びサイドシル12の後面にそれぞれエアバッグを設けて後突時に展開させ、後突時の入力をエアバッグを介して後輪からサスペンションを経てサイドメンバ等に逃がしたり、或いは後輪からエアバッグを介してサイドシルに逃がしたりする。この場合でも、エアバッグを利用することにより上記実施形態と同様の種々の利点を得ることができる。   This is the end of the description of the embodiment, but the aspect of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, the shock-absorbing structure in which the airbags 15 and 16 are provided to the front wheel 8 is assumed assuming a front offset with a large offset, but the same principle is applied to the rear wheel (wheel). Therefore, it is possible to deal with a rear-end collision (mainly a rear-end collision of the following vehicle with respect to the own vehicle). Specifically, airbags are provided on the front surface of the rear bumper reinforcement and the rear surface of the side sill 12, respectively, and deployed at the time of rear impact, and the input at the time of rear impact is transmitted from the rear wheel via the airbag to the side member via the suspension. Or escape to the side sill from the rear wheel through the airbag. Even in this case, various advantages similar to those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained by using the airbag.

また、上記実施形態では、前輪8の前後で前部エアバッグ15及び後部エアバッグ16を展開させたが、必ずしも双方のエアバッグ15,16を要することはなく、何れか一方のエアバッグ15,16を設けるだけでもよい。例えば前部エアバッグ15のみを設けた場合にはバンパリンフォース5から前輪8に効率よく入力を伝達でき、後部エアバッグ16のみを設けた場合には前輪8からサイドシル12に効率よく入力を伝達でき、何れの場合でも特許文献1のタイヤ荷重伝達部材と比較すると十分な作用効果が得られる。   Further, in the above embodiment, the front airbag 15 and the rear airbag 16 are deployed before and after the front wheel 8, but the airbags 15 and 16 are not necessarily required. 16 may be provided. For example, when only the front airbag 15 is provided, the input can be efficiently transmitted from the bumper force 5 to the front wheel 8, and when only the rear airbag 16 is provided, the input is efficiently transmitted from the front wheel 8 to the side sill 12. In any case, sufficient effects can be obtained as compared with the tire load transmission member of Patent Document 1.

また、上記実施形態では、前部エアバッグ15及び後部エアバッグ16を独立して設けたが、図3に示すように、双方の機能を兼用する単一のエアバッグ31をタイヤハウスE3の上部(図ではアッパフレーム7)に設けてもよい。この場合のエアバッグ31は、上方より前輪8の前側及び後側に向けて展開するようにエアバッグ本体31aの形状を設定すればよく、この場合でも上記実施形態と同様の作用効果が得られる。   In the above embodiment, the front airbag 15 and the rear airbag 16 are provided independently. However, as shown in FIG. 3, a single airbag 31 having both functions is provided at the top of the tire house E3. (In the figure, the upper frame 7) may be provided. In this case, the shape of the airbag main body 31a may be set so that the airbag 31 is deployed from above toward the front side and the rear side of the front wheel 8. Even in this case, the same effect as the above embodiment can be obtained. .

また、上記実施形態では、運転席エアバッグ18と同一タイミングで前部エアバッグ15及び後部エアバッグ16を展開させたが、異なるタイミングで展開させてもよい。例えば前突により車両最前部に位置するバンパリンフォース5は直ちに変形するが、これに対して運転者の頭部が慣性で前方移動するのは僅かに遅れることから、運転席エアバッグ18の展開に対して先行したタイミングで前部エアバッグ15及び後部エアバッグ16を展開させるようにしてもよい。   In the above embodiment, the front airbag 15 and the rear airbag 16 are deployed at the same timing as the driver's seat airbag 18, but may be deployed at different timings. For example, the bumper force 5 located in the forefront of the vehicle is immediately deformed by a frontal collision, but the driver's head moves slightly behind due to inertia, so the driver's seat airbag 18 is deployed. Alternatively, the front airbag 15 and the rear airbag 16 may be deployed at a timing preceding the above.

また、上記説明から明らかなように、前部エアバッグ15及び後部エアバッグ16の機能としては、前突時の衝撃吸収作用よりも前輪8やサイドシル12への入力伝達作用の方がより強く要求される。そして、効率的な入力伝達を実現するには展開時のエアバッグ本体の剛性を向上させることが望ましいため、この点を鑑みて一般的なエアバッグ本体の材質に比較して展開時により高い剛性となる材質を適用してもよい。   Further, as is clear from the above description, the functions of the front airbag 15 and the rear airbag 16 are more strongly demanded by the input transmission action to the front wheels 8 and the side sill 12 than the shock absorbing action at the time of the front collision. Is done. In order to achieve efficient input transmission, it is desirable to improve the rigidity of the airbag body at the time of deployment. Therefore, in view of this point, the rigidity of the airbag body is higher than that of a general airbag body. The material which becomes may be applied.

本発明の衝撃吸収構造が適用された車両の前部を示す側面図である。It is a side view which shows the front part of the vehicle to which the shock absorption structure of this invention was applied. 同じく本発明の衝撃吸収構造が適用された車両の前部を示す平面図である。It is a top view which shows the front part of the vehicle to which the impact-absorbing structure of this invention was applied similarly. 別例の衝撃吸収構造が適用された車両の前部を示す側面図である。It is a side view which shows the front part of the vehicle to which the shock absorption structure of another example was applied.

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

5 バンパリンフォース
8 前輪(車輪)
12 サイドシル
15 前部エアバッグ
15a エアバッグ本体
16 後部エアバッグ
16a エアバッグ本体
19 エアバッグコントローラ(エアバッグ作動手段)
20 加速度センサ(エアバッグ作動手段)
5 Bumper Force 8 Front wheels (wheels)
12 Side sill 15 Front airbag 15a Airbag body 16 Rear airbag 16a Airbag body 19 Airbag controller (airbag actuating means)
20 Acceleration sensor (airbag actuating means)

Claims (4)

車両のタイヤハウス内に設けられて、車輪とバンパリンフォースの端部との間または該車輪とサイドシルとの間の少なくとも一方の領域でエアバッグ本体を展開可能なエアバッグと、
上記車両の衝突時の衝撃を検出したときに、運転者の頭部を保護するための運転席エアバッグの展開タイミングに対して先行するタイミングで上記エアバッグを作動させるエアバッグ作動手段と
を備えたことを特徴とする車両の衝撃吸収構造。
An airbag provided in a tire house of a vehicle and capable of deploying an airbag body in at least one region between a wheel and an end of a bumper reinforcement or between the wheel and a side sill;
Airbag operating means for operating the airbag at a timing preceding the deployment timing of the driver airbag for protecting the driver's head when an impact at the time of a vehicle collision is detected; A shock absorbing structure for a vehicle, comprising:
上記エアバッグは上記バンパリンフォースの端部の上記車輪への対向面に配設されて、該車輪とバンパリンフォースとの間の領域でエアバッグ本体を展開することを特徴とする請求項1記載の車両の衝撃吸収構造。   2. The airbag according to claim 1, wherein the airbag is disposed on a surface of the end of the bumper reinforcement facing the wheel, and the airbag main body is deployed in a region between the wheel and the bumper reinforcement. The shock absorbing structure of the vehicle described. 上記エアバッグは上記サイドシルの上記車輪への対向面に配設されて、該車輪とサイドシルとの間の領域でエアバッグ本体を展開することを特徴とする請求項1記載の車両の衝撃吸収構造。   2. The shock absorbing structure for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the airbag is disposed on a surface of the side sill facing the wheel, and the airbag body is deployed in a region between the wheel and the side sill. . 上記エアバッグは上記タイヤハウスの上部に設けられ、上記車輪と上記バンパリンフォースの端部との間の領域及び該車輪と上記サイドシルとの間の領域でエアバッグ本体を展開することを特徴とする請求項1記載の車両の衝撃吸収構造。   The airbag is provided at an upper portion of the tire house, and the airbag body is deployed in a region between the wheel and the end of the bumper reinforcement and a region between the wheel and the side sill. The shock absorbing structure for a vehicle according to claim 1.
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