Exterior airbag device

The present invention relates to an exterior airbag device of a motor vehicle for preventing a pedestrian, a rider of a bicycle, or a rider of a motorcycle (hereinafter generally referred to as “pedestrian”) from directly colliding with a high rigid portion such as a lower portion of the windshield, a rear portion of the front hood, or a pillar of the motor vehicle, thereby protecting the pedestrian in the event of a collision between the motor vehicle and the pedestrian, the bicycle, or the motorcycle during the running of the motor vehicle.

As a motor vehicle collides with a pedestrian, a bicycle, or a motorcycle during the running of the motor vehicle, the pedestrian, a rider of the bicycle, or a rider of the motorcycle, may be hit at his/her lower body with a front body of the motor vehicle so as to bound onto a hood covering the top of the vehicle front body and may secondly collides with a high rigid portion such as a lower portion of the windshield, a rear portion of the front hood, or a pillar.

Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. H06-74533 discloses an exterior airbag device as a pedestrian protective airbag system of which an airbag is deployed from a rear portion of a hood along an outer surface of the windshield, thereby preventing a pedestrian from directly colliding with a windshield of a motor vehicle. Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 21( a )– 21 ( c ), the exterior airbag device of this publication will be described.

FIG. 21( a ) is a perspective view of a front body of the motor vehicle equipped with the exterior airbag device, FIG. 21( b ), 21 ( c ) are sectional views taken along the line B—B of FIG. 21( a ). It should be noted that FIG. 21( b ) shows a normal state (without a collision between the motor vehicle and a pedestrian) of the exterior airbag device, and FIG. 21( c ) shows a state with a deployed airbag of the exterior airbag device.

The exterior airbag device 100 comprises: an airbag 102 , a gas generator (inflator) 104 for inflating the airbag 102 . The gas generator 104 is disposed in a cowl top 108 , having a container shape, located beneath a windshield (front windscreen glass) 106 of the motor vehicle. The airbag 102 is normally folded and accommodated in the cowl top 108 . The cowl top 108 is adjacent to the rear end, as seen in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, of a hood (front hood) 110 covering the top of the vehicle front body.

The cowl top 108 comprises: a cowl top outer panel 112 exposed on the top of the vehicle front body, a cowl top inner panel 114 composing the bottom of the cowl top 108 . The cowl top outer panel 112 is provided with an opening for allowing the airbag 102 to be deployed over the top of the vehicle front body. The opening is positioned above the airbag 102 accommodated in the cowl top 108 . In the normal state, a lid 116 is attached to close the opening.

The front end of the motor vehicle such as a front bumper 118 is provided with a contact/impact detection sensor 120 for sensing a collision between the motor vehicle during running and a pedestrian, a bicycle, or a motorcycle. In the exterior airbag device 100 is structured so that, as the contact/impact detection sensor 120 detects the collision, the gas generator 104 is triggered to generate gas into the airbag 102 , thereby inflating the airbag 102 .

As the motor vehicle equipped with the exterior airbag device 100 collides with a pedestrian, a bicycle, or a motorcycle, the contact/impact detection sensor 120 detects the collision, gas is introduced from the gas generator 104 to the inside of the airbag 102 , thereby inflating the airbag 102 . Then, the airbag 102 pushes to open the lid 116 attached to the opening of the cowl top 108 to expand over the top of the vehicle front body and is deployed from the rear portion of the hood 110 along the outer surface of the windshield 106 as shown in FIG. 21( c ).

Therefore, even if the pedestrian, who is hit onto the hood 110 as a result of the collision with the motor vehicle, is about to plunge into the windshield 106 , the airbag 102 receives the pedestrian and thus prevents the pedestrian from directly colliding with a high rigid portion such as a lower portion of the windshield 106 , a rear portion of the hood 110 , or the pillar.

In the exterior airbag device 100 , the airbag 102 may be caught by a rear edge of the hood or windshield wipers and thus damaged when the airbag 102 is deployed to expand over an area including the rear portion of the hood 110 and the outer surface of the windshield 106 .

It is an object of the present invention to provide an exterior airbag device which can smoothly deploy its airbag without being caught by an edge portion and/or projecting article of a vehicle body such as a rear edge of a hood or windshield wipers.

An exterior airbag device of the present invention comprises: an airbag which is deployable to expand over an area from a rear portion of a hood to an outer surface of a windshield of a motor vehicle; a casing accommodating the airbag; a lid covering the casing; and a gas generator for inflating the airbag, wherein when the airbag is inflated, the lid is pushed up by the airbag to open outside, and is characterized in that the lid which opened outside covers at least one of the rear end of the hood and the windshield wipers.

In the exterior airbag device mentioned above, the lid which opened outside covers the rear edge of the hood and the windshield wipers during the deployment of the airbag, whereby the airbag can be smoothly inflated with being caught by neither the rear edge nor the windshield wipers.

In the exterior airbag device, it is preferable that the lid is located at a level lower than the outer surface of the motor vehicle, and the lid is attached to said casing to allow the upward movement of the lid in the vertical direction relative to the casing, so that when the lid is pushed up by the airbag being inflated, the lid moves upward and then opens.

According to the arrangement mentioned above, the external airbag device is not conspicuous so that the motor vehicle has good appearance for the upper surface of the front body of the motor vehicle. In addition, the lid is hardly exposed to direct sunlight and strong winds and rains, thereby improving the durability of the lid. Moreover, the lid is lifted by the airbag being inflated and, after that, is torn to open, whereby the opening movement of the lid is extremely smooth.

An exterior airbag device of the present invention comprises: an airbag which is deployable to expand over an area from a rear portion of a hood to an outer surface of a windshield of a motor vehicle; a casing accommodating the airbag; a lid covering the casing; and a gas generator for inflating the airbag, wherein when the airbag is inflated, the lid is pushed up by the airbag to open outside, and is characterized in that the lid covers edge portions and projections of the motor vehicle, which exist within the expansion area of the airbag, during the deployment of the airbag.

In the exterior airbag device mentioned above, the lid covers edge portions and projections of the motor vehicle, which exist within the expansion area of the airbag, during the deployment of the airbag, thereby securing the airbag to be smoothly inflated without being caught by such a thing.

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a front body of a motor vehicle equipped with an exterior airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention in the normal state;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of main parts of the exterior airbag device of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the front body of the motor vehicle in a state where an airbag of the exterior airbag device of FIG. 1 is deployed;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of main parts of an exterior airbag device according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of a front body of a motor vehicle equipped with an exterior airbag device according to further another embodiment in a state where an airbag thereof is deployed;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of main parts of an exterior airbag device according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 7( a ), 7 ( b ) are partial sectional views of a lid of the exterior airbag device of FIG. 6 ;

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view of a front body of a motor vehicle equipped with an exterior airbag device according to further another embodiment in the normal state;

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view of the front body of the motor vehicle in a state where an airbag of the exterior airbag device of FIG. 8 is deployed;

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view of a front body of a motor vehicle equipped with an exterior airbag device according to still another embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional view of a front body of a motor vehicle equipped with an exterior airbag device according to a difference embodiment in the normal state;

FIG. 12 is a vertical sectional view of a front body of a motor vehicle equipped with an exterior airbag device according to another difference embodiment in the normal state;

FIG. 13 is a vertical sectional view of the front body of the motor vehicle in a state where an airbag of the exterior airbag device of FIG. 12 is deployed;

FIG. 14 is a vertical sectional view of a front body of a motor vehicle equipped with an exterior airbag device according to the second aspect of the present invention in the normal state;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing a state where an airbag of the exterior airbag device of FIG. 14 is deployed;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the motor vehicle equipped with the exterior airbag device of FIG. 14 as seen from diagonally front thereof;

FIG. 17 is a vertical sectional view of a rear body of a motor vehicle equipped with an exterior airbag device according to further another embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the motor vehicle equipped with the exterior airbag device of FIG. 17 as seen from diagonally behind thereof;

FIG. 19 is a vertical sectional view of a door of a motor vehicle equipped with an exterior airbag device according to still another embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a side view of the motor vehicle equipped with the exterior airbag device of FIG. 19 ; and

FIGS. 21( a )– 21 ( c ) are explanatory views of a conventional exterior airbag device.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a front body of a motor vehicle equipped with an exterior airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention in the normal state, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of main parts of the exterior airbag device, and FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the front body of the motor vehicle in a state where an airbag of the exterior airbag device is deployed. In the following description, the term “vertical direction” means the up and down direction of the motor vehicle, that is, the up and down direction in FIGS. 1 through 3 , the term “longitudinal direction” means the fore and aft direction of the motor vehicle, that is, the left and right direction in FIGS. 1 through 3 , and the term “lateral direction” means the width direction of the motor vehicle, that is, a direction perpendicular to the surfaces of sheets of paper printed with FIGS. 1 through 3 .

The exterior airbag device 1 comprises: a container-line retainer (airbag holding member) 2 which has an open top, and an airbag 4 which is folded and accommodated in the retainer 2 , a gas generator 6 for inflating the airbag 4 , and a lid (cover member) 8 for covering the open top of the retainer 2 .

In this embodiment, the retainer 2 is a container-like member having a configuration like a rectangular parallelepiped which is long in the width direction of the vehicle body and short in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The lid 8 is provided with a tear line 9 composed of a groove which is formed in the back of the lid 8 about the middle in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body to extend in the width direction of the vehicle body. As a pressure exceeding a predetermined value is exerted on the back of the lid 8 because of the deployment pressure of the airbag 4 during the airbag 4 is inflated, the lid 8 is torn along the tear line 9 and opened outwardly.

In this embodiment, the lid 8 has an inverted V-like sectional profile (in section along a vertical plane extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction) in which a portion about the middle in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body is the highest portion and the sides are downslopes toward the front and rear of the vehicle body, respectively. Therefore, stress applied to the back of the lid 8 by the airbag 4 being inflated is concentrated to the middle of the lid 8 in the vehicle longitudinal direction, i.e. to the tear line 9 , so the lid 8 is easily torn along the tear line 9 .

The retainer 2 is provided with a plurality of hooks 10 with downward claw-like ends which are formed on upper portions of the both side walls, facing toward the front of the motor vehicle and toward the rear of the motor vehicle, of the retainer 2 . These hooks 10 are arranged along the respective upper edges of the side walls, facing toward the front of the motor vehicle and toward the rear of the motor vehicle, of the retainer 2 .

A pair of walls 12 , 14 are formed to project from the back of the lid 8 . The walls 12 , 14 are arranged to extend along the side walls, facing toward the front of the motor vehicle and toward the rear of the motor vehicle, of the retainer 2 . Each wall 12 , 14 is provided with apertures 16 in which the hooks 10 of the corresponding side wall of the retainer 2 are inserted. Each aperture has a configuration like a slot which is long in the vertical direction. The hooks 10 are allowed to relatively move in the vertical direction within the apertures 16 . The number of the apertures 16 of each wall 12 , 14 is the same as the number of the hooks 10 formed on the corresponding side wall of the retainer 2 . The apertures 16 are aligned in the width direction of the walls 12 , 14 at the same intervals as the hooks and parallel to the hooks.

The lid 8 is allowed to be displaced relative to the retainer 2 in the vertical direction because the hooks 10 are movable in the vertical direction within the apertures 16 .

In this embodiment, there is an opening for the installation of the airbag device between the rear edge of the hood (front hood) 18 of the motor vehicle and cowl top 22 beneath the windshield 20 . The airbag device 1 is disposed in a space below the opening, wherein the retainer 2 is fixed to a vehicle member (not shown) through a bracket 24 .

In the normal state, the lid 8 is located at its lowest position in the space below the opening. The lowest position of the lid 8 is lower than the rear edge of the hood 18 and the cowl top 22 , i.e. more inner position of the vehicle body than these parts. When the airbag 4 is inflated, the lid 8 is pushed up by the airbag 4 being inflated so as to move upward. The lid 8 can move upward until the hooks 10 comes in contact with the lower edge of the opening 16 .

Windshield wipers 26 are attached to the cowl top 22 . The front end of the motor vehicle such as a front bumper (not shown) of a lower portion of the hood 18 is provided with a contact/impact detection sensor (not shown) for detecting a contact or collision between the motor vehicle during running and a pedestrian, a bicycle, or a motorcycle.

In the exterior airbag device 1 having the aforementioned structure, as the contact/impact detection sensor detects the collision, the gas generator 6 is triggered and the airbag 4 is inflated with gas from the gas generator 6 .

As the inflation of the airbag 4 is started, the lid 8 is pushed up by the inflation pressure of the airbag 4 to a level nearly equal to or higher than the level of the rear edge of the hood 18 or the cowl top 22 .

The lifted lid 8 is then torn along the tear line 9 by the pressing force from the airbag 4 so that the lid 8 is divided about the tear line 9 into two halves. One half on the vehicle front side and the other half on the vehicle rear side pivot outwardly like flaps (numerals 28 , 30 . see FIG. 3 ) toward the front and the rear of the motor vehicle, respectively. The flap 28 pivoted outwardly toward the front of the motor vehicle is laid on a rear edge portion of the hood 18 . The flap 30 pivoted outwardly toward the rear of the motor vehicle is laid on the cowl top 22 so as to cover the windshield wipers 26 . As a result, the airbag 4 can be smoothly deployed with being caught by neither the rear edge of the hood 18 nor the windshield wipers 26 .

In the exterior airbag device 1 , the lid 8 is located at a level lower than the rear edge of the hood 18 and the cowl top 22 in the normal state. Therefore, the airbag device is not conspicuous so that the motor vehicle has good appearance for an area including the rear edge of the hood 18 and portions about the cowl top 22 . In addition, the lid 8 is hardly exposed to direct sunlight and strong winds and rains, thereby improving the durability of the lid 8 .

Moreover, as mentioned above, the lid 8 rises to the level nearly equal to or higher than the rear edge of the hood 18 and the cowl top 22 by the inflation pressure of the airbag 4 being inflated and, after that, is torn to open, whereby the opening movement of the lid 8 is extremely smooth.

Though the lid 8 has an inverted V-like sectional profile in which a portion about the middle in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body is the highest portion and the sides are downslopes toward the front and rear of the vehicle body, respectively, in the above embodiment, the lid of the exterior airbag device of the present invention may have a flat top or another configuration such as configurations shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 .

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of main parts of an exterior airbag device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In the exterior airbag device 1 A shown in FIG. 4 , a lid 8 A has an arc-like sectional profile in which a portion about the middle in the vehicle longitudinal direction (the right and left direction in FIG. 4 ) is the highest portion. The lid 8 A is provided with a tear line 9 A which is formed in the back of the lid 8 about the middle in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body to extend in the width direction of the vehicle body.

The other structure of the lid 8 A is the same as that of the lid 8 shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 . When the airbag 4 is inflated, the lid 8 A is pushed up by the inflation pressure from the airbag 4 and, after that, is torn along the tear line 9 A so that the lid 8 A is divided into two halves like flaps on the vehicle front side and on the vehicle rear side. These halves pivot toward the front of the motor vehicle and the rear of the motor vehicle, respectively.

Besides the lid 8 A, the structure of the exterior airbag device 1 A is the same as that of the aforesaid exterior airbag device 1 shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 3 . In FIG. 4 , the same parts as shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 3 are marked with the same numerals, thus omitting the description about the parts.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of a front body of a motor vehicle in a state where an airbag of the exterior airbag device according to further another embodiment is deployed.

In either of the aforementioned embodiments, two flaps i.e. halves of the lid pivot toward the front of the motor vehicle and the rear of the motor vehicle, respectively, according to the inflation of the airbag. In the exterior airbag device 1 B shown in FIG. 5 , only one flap pivots toward the front or rear of the motor vehicle according to the inflation of the airbag.

In the exterior airbag device 1 B shown in FIG. 5 , a tear line (not shown) is formed along a proximal end portion of the wall 12 on the vehicle front side of the lid 8 B. When the air bag 4 is inflated, the lid 8 B is pushed up by the inflation pressure of the airbag 4 to a level nearly equal to or higher than the level of the rear edge of the hood 18 or the cowl top 22 and, after that, is torn along the tear line so that a portion on the vehicle rear side relative to the tear line pivots like a flap (numeral 32 ) toward the rear of the motor vehicle and is laid on the cowl top 22 .

Then, the airbag 4 is deployed to expand over an area including the rear portion of the hood 18 and the outer surface of the windshield 20 . During this, the airbag 4 is smoothly deployed without being caught by the windshield wipers 26 because the windshield wipers 26 attached to the cowl top 22 is covered by the flap 32 .

Besides the lid 8 B, the structure of the exterior airbag device 1 B is the same as that of the aforesaid exterior airbag device 1 shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 3 . In FIG. 5 , the same parts as shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 3 are marked with the same numerals, thus omitting the description about the parts.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of main parts of an exterior airbag device according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 7( a ), 7 ( b ) are sectional views taken along the extending direction of walls of a lid of the exterior airbag device, wherein FIG. 7( a ) shows a normal state thereof and FIG. 7( b ) shows a state where an airbag of the exterior airbag device is deployed.

In the exterior airbag device 1 C, a retainer 2 A is provided with a plurality of pins 34 which are formed on upper portions of the both side walls, facing toward the front of the motor vehicle and toward the rear of the motor vehicle, of the retainer 2 A for retaining a lid 8 C. The arrangement of the pins 34 and the work of the pins 34 are similar to those of the hooks 10 of the aforementioned retainer 2 .

The lid 8 C has walls 12 , 14 projecting from the back thereof to overlap the side wall facing toward the front of the motor vehicle and the side wall facing toward the rear of the motor vehicle of the retainer 2 A. The pins 34 of the side walls are inserted into slit-like apertures 16 A formed in the corresponding walls 12 , 14 . In this manner, the lid 8 C is retained above the retainer 2 A. The apertures 16 A exhibit the same work as the apertures 16 of the aforementioned retainer 2 . By allowing the movement of the pins 34 in the vertical direction within the apertures 16 A, the lid 8 C is allowed to be displaced relative to the retainer 2 A in the vertical direction.

In this embodiment, one of the apertures 16 A is provided with a partition 36 for retaining the pin 34 inserted therein at an upper portion of the aperture 16 A. By the partition 36 , the pin 34 is retained at the upper portion of the aperture 16 A in the normal state, thereby preventing the upward movement of the lid 8 C.

As the lid 8 C is subjected to the inflation pressure of the airbag 4 so as to intend to move upward, the partition 36 is broken by the pin 34 to allow the downward movement of the pin within the aperture 16 A as shown in FIG. 7( b ). Therefore, the upward movement of the lid 8 C is also allowed.

The other structure of the exterior airbag device 1 C is the same as that of the exterior airbag device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 . In FIG. 6 and FIGS. 7( a ), 7 ( b ), the same parts as shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 3 are marked with the same numerals, thus omitting the description about the parts.

In the exterior airbag device 1 C having the aforementioned structure, the lid 8 C is retained in its lowest position in the normal state and is prevented from moving upward. Therefore, the vertical movement of the lid 8 C due to shaking of the motor vehicle during running can be prevented.

Though the lid is disposed at the lower position in a space below the opening for the installation of the airbag device in the normal state in any of the aforementioned embodiments, the lid may be arranged to cover the opening for the installation of the airbag device. FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are vertical sectional views of a front body of a motor vehicle equipped with such an exterior airbag device. FIG. 8 shows a normal state of the exterior airbag device and FIG. 9 shows a state where an airbag of the exterior airbag device is deployed. In the following description, the term “longitudinal direction” means the fore and aft direction of the motor vehicle and the term “lateral direction” means the width direction of the motor vehicle.

In this exterior airbag device 1 D, a lid 8 D covering an open top of a container-like retainer 2 D closes an opening for the installation of the airbag device formed between a hood 18 D and a cowl top 22 D.

The lid 8 D mainly comprises a main plate 40 covering the opening for the installation of the airbag device, a standing wall 42 upwardly standing on the front edge of the main plate 40 , a suspended wall 12 D downwardly extending from the front edge of the main plate 40 along a front side wall of a retainer 2 D so that the suspended wall 12 D and the standing wall 42 seem to be one piece, and a suspended wall 14 D downwardly extending from the back of the main plate 40 along the rear side wall of the retainer 2 D so that the suspended wall 14 D is opposed to the suspended wall 12 D.

The rear end of the main plate 40 is in contact with a front portion of the cowl top 22 D and the upper end of the standing wall 42 is in contact with the lower surface (back) of a rear end portion of the hood 18 D. The suspended walls 12 D, 14 D are retained by hooks 10 D formed on the front side wall and the rear side wall of the retainer 2 D, respectively. The main plate 40 is provided with a tear line 9 D. The tear line 9 D is composed of a groove formed in the back of the main plate 40 about the middle in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the main plate 40 to extend in the lateral direction.

The hood 18 D is provided with a step 44 . The step 44 is formed in a back of the rear end portion of the hood 18 D for receiving the upper end of the standing wall 42 . The lid 8 D has a notch-like step 42 a formed in the upper end of the standing wall 42 . The step 42 a is fitted to the step 44 , whereby the lid 8 D is fixed in its proper position in the space below the opening for the installation of the airbag device.

In this embodiment, a gas generator 6 D is disposed along the front edge of the bottom of the retainer 2 D as shown in FIG. 8 . With this gas generator 6 D, an airbag 4 D is secured to the bottom of the retainer 2 D. The retainer 2 D is fixed to a vehicle member (not shown) through a bracket (not shown).

The airbag 4 D is deployable to expand over an area including the outer surface of the rear portion of the hood 18 D and the outer surface of the windshield 20 D. In the normal state, the airbag 4 D is rolled to reduce its volume and is accommodated in the retainer 2 D. As shown in FIG. 9 , the airbag 4 D has a tether (band-like member) 50 which connects a vehicle-side area 46 facing to the hood 18 D and the outer surface of the windshield 22 and a pedestrian-receiving-side area 48 in the deployed state of the airbag 4 D, thereby preventing the pedestrian-receiving side area 48 from excessively rising toward the pedestrian.

The tether 50 is disposed to limit the rising of the pedestrian-receiving-side area 48 near the boundary between the hood 18 D and the windshield 20 D. Therefore, the airbag 4 D can be smoothly deployed according to the profile of the hood 18 D and the outer surface of the windshield 20 D.

In the exterior airbag device 1 D having the aforementioned structure, as the contact/impact detection sensor (not shown), disposed on a front end portion of the motor vehicle such as a front bumper (not shown), detects a collision so as to actuate the gas generator 6 D, the airbag 4 D is inflated with gas from the gas generator 6 D. The main plate 40 of the lid 8 D is thus torn along the tear line 9 D by the inflation pressure of the airbag 4 D so that the main plate 40 is divided about the tear line 9 into two halves. One half on the vehicle front side and the other half on the vehicle rear side pivot like flaps (numerals 52 , 54 . see FIG. 9 ) about the proximal ends of the suspended walls 12 D, 14 D toward the front and the rear of the motor vehicle, respectively.

Then, the flap 52 pivoted outwardly toward the front of the motor vehicle is laid on a rear edge portion of the hood 18 D and the flap 54 pivoted outwardly toward the rear of the motor vehicle is laid on pivots 26 a of the windshield wipers 26 ′ disposed on the front portion of the cowl top 22 D. The airbag 4 D can be smoothly deployed with being caught by neither the rear end portion of the hood 18 D nor the pivots 26 a of the windshield wipers 26 ′.

In the exterior airbag device 1 D of this embodiment, the upper end of the standing wall 42 is fitted to the step 44 formed in the back of the rear end portion of the hood 18 D and the rear end of the main plate 40 is in contact with the front portion of the cowl top 22 D, thereby securely preventing the lid 8 D from rattling. Since the opening for the installation of the airbag device is closed by the lid 8 D, the weatherability of the airbag device 1 D and other instruments inside the motor vehicle is extremely improved.

In the lid 8 D of the exterior airbag device 1 D of this embodiment, the tear line 9 D is formed about the middle in the longitudinal direction of the main plate 40 so as to create two flaps 52 , 54 which pivot outwardly toward the front and the rear of the motor vehicle, respectively, during inflation of the airbag 4 D. However, the tear line may be form in another location. Just like a lid 8 E of an exterior airbag device 1 E shown in FIG. 10 as will be described, a tear line 9 E may be formed along the rear edge of a main plate 40 E so as to create only one flap 52 E which pivots outwardly toward the front of the motor vehicle during inflation of the airbag. Alternatively, just like a lid 8 F of an exterior airbag device 1 F shown in FIG. 11 , a tear line 9 F may be formed along the front edge of a main plate 40 F so as to only one flap 54 F which pivots outwardly toward the rear of the motor vehicle during inflation of the airbag.

In the exterior airbag device 1 E shown in FIG. 10 , a suspended wall 14 E extends from the rear edge of the main plate 40 E of the lid 8 E along the rear side wall of the retainer 2 D. The suspended wall 14 E has a flange 56 projecting from the lower edge thereof to be in contact with the front portion of the cowl top 22 D. The tear line 9 E is formed near the proximal end of the suspended wall 14 E to extend along the rear edge of the main plate 40 E. The other structure of the exterior airbag device 1 E is basically the same as that of the exterior airbag device 1 D shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 . In FIG. 10 , the same parts as shown in FIGS. 8 , 9 are marked with the same numerals, thus omitting the description about the parts.

In the exterior airbag device 1 E, as the airbag 4 D is inflated, the main plate 40 E is torn along the tear line 9 E by the inflation pressure of the airbag 4 D so as to create a flap 52 E as shown by two-dot chain line in FIG. 10 . The flap 52 E outwardly pivots about a portion near the proximal end of the suspended wall 12 D toward the front of the motor vehicle so as to cover the rear end portion of the hood 18 D. The airbag 4 D can be guided by the flap 52 E so that the airbag 4 D can be smoothly deployed.

In the exterior airbag device 1 F shown in FIG. 11 , a suspended wall 12 F extends from the front edge of the main plate 40 F of the lid 8 F along the front side wall of the retainer 2 D. The suspended wall 12 F has a flange 58 projecting from a lower edge portion thereof to be in contact with a step 44 formed in the hood 18 D. The tear line 9 F is formed near the proximal end of the suspended wall 12 F to extend along the front edge of the main plate 40 F. The rear end of the main plate 40 F is in contact with the front portion of the cowl top 22 D. In the exterior airbag device 1 F, a gas generator 6 D is arranged along a rear edge portion of the bottom of the retainer 2 D. The other structure of the exterior airbag device 1 F is basically the same as that of the aforesaid exterior airbag device 1 D shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 . In FIG. 11 , the same parts as shown in FIGS. 8 , 9 are marked with the same numerals, thus omitting the description about the parts.

In the exterior airbag device 1 F, as the airbag 4 D is inflated, the main plate 40 F is torn along the tear line 9 F by the inflation pressure of the airbag 4 D so as to create a flap 54 F as shown by two-dot chain line in FIG. 11 . The flap 54 F outwardly pivots about a portion near the proximal end of the suspended wall 14 D toward the rear of the motor vehicle so as to laid on the pivots 26 a of the windshield wipers 26 ′. The airbag 4 D can be guided by the flap 54 F so that the airbag 4 D can be smoothly deployed.

According to the present invention, just like an exterior airbag device 1 G shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 as will be described, a lid for closing the opening for installation of the airbag device may be provided separately from the lid to be attached to the retainer. Hereinafter, the exterior airbag device 1 G will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13 . FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 are sectional views of a front body of a motor vehicle equipped with the exterior airbag device according to a different embodiment, wherein FIG. 12 shows a normal state of the exterior airbag device and FIG. 13 shows a state where an airbag of the exterior airbag device is deployed.

In the exterior airbag device 1 G, a gas generator 6 G is disposed on the bottom of a container-like retainer 2 G about the middle in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The retainer 2 G has an open top. With the gas generator 6 G, the airbag 4 G is secured to the bottom of the retainer 2 G. The airbag 4 G is deployable along the outer surface of the windshield 20 G as shown in FIG. 13 . In the normal state, the airbag 4 G is accommodated in the retainer 2 G in a state that a windshield-side area 60 and a pedestrian-receiving area 62 of the airbag 4 G are compacted in rolls, respectively. The retainer 2 G is installed through the opening for installation of the airbag device between the hood 18 G and the cowl top 22 G in the state that the lid 8 G is attached to the retainer 2 G to cover the open top of the retainer 2 G. The retainer 2 G is fixed to a vehicle member (not shown) through a bracket (not shown).

The lid 8 G mainly comprises a main plate 64 covering the open top of the retainer 2 G, and a pair of suspended walls 66 , 68 which extend from the front edge and the rear edge of the main plate 64 along the front side wall and the rear side wall of the retainer 2 G, respectively. A tear line 9 G is formed in the main plate 64 near the proximal end of the suspended wall 66 to extend along the front edge of the main plate 64 . The suspended walls 66 , 68 are retained the front side wall and the rear side wall of the retainer 2 G.

The opening for installation of the airbag device is closed by a lid 70 . The lid 70 comprises a main plate 72 covering the opening for installation of the airbag device, a leg portion 74 which extends from the front edge of the main plate 72 along the back of the rear end portion of the hood 18 G and is fitted in and fixed to a step 44 G formed in the bottom of the rear end portion of the hood 18 G, and a supporting portion 76 which is attached to a front portion of the cowl top 22 G for supporting a rear end portion of the main plate 72 .

In the exterior airbag device 1 G having the aforementioned structure, as a impact detection sensor (not shown), disposed on a front end portion of the motor vehicle such as a front bumper (not shown), detects a collision so as to actuate the gas generator 6 G, the airbag 4 G is inflated with gas from the gas generator 6 G. The main plate 64 is first torn along the tear line 9 G by the inflation pressure of the airbag 4 D to create a flap 78 ( FIG. 13 ). The flap 78 pivots outwardly toward the rear of the motor vehicle about a portion near the proximal end of the suspended wall 68 . Then, the main plate 72 of the lid 70 is pressed by the airbag 4 G being inflated through the flap 78 so that the main plate 72 pivots outwardly toward the front of the motor vehicle about a portion near the proximal end of the suspended wall 74 .

After that, as shown in FIG. 13 , the flap 78 which pivoted toward the rear of the motor vehicle is laid on pivots 26 a ′ of windshield wipers 26 ″ disposed on the front portion of the cowl top 22 G. The main plate 72 of the lid 70 which pivoted toward the front of the motor vehicle is laid on the rear end portion of the hood 18 G. Therefore, the airbag 4 G can be smoothly deployed with being caught by neither the rear edge of the hood 18 G nor the pivots 26 a ′ of the windshield wipers 26 ″.

In this embodiment, as the airbag 4 G is inflated, the flap 78 as a part of the main plate 64 of the lid 8 G pivots outwardly toward the rear of the motor vehicle to cover the pivots 26 a ′ of the windshield wipers 26 ″ while the main plate 72 of the lid 70 pivots outwardly toward the front of the motor vehicle to cover the rear end portion of the hood 18 G. To the contrary, the flap 78 as a part of the main plate 64 of the lid 8 G may pivot outwardly toward the front of the motor vehicle to cover the rear end portion of the hood 18 G while the main plate 72 of the lid 70 may pivot outwardly toward the rear of the motor vehicle to cover the pivots 26 a ′ of the windshield wipers 26 ″.

The exterior airbag device of the present invention may be installed to another place besides the aforementioned place of the vehicle body.

For example, an exterior airbag device 1 H shown in FIG. 14 through FIG. 16 is installed to a place inside a front grille 81 ( FIG. 16 ) arranged above a front bumper 80 . A front edge portion of the hood 18 H overhangs the front grille 81 .

The airbag device 1 H has an airbag 4 H which is deployable from the front grille 81 in all directions to expand over the front end face of the motor vehicle, including the front bumper 80 and the front portion of the hood 18 H, as shown by two-dot chain line in FIG. 16 . Normally, the airbag 4 H is folded in such a manner that its upper half and its lower half in the deployed state are rolled and is accommodated in a retainer 2 H which has an open front side. A lid 8 H is attached to the open front side of the retainer 2 H to cover the folded airbag 4 H. In the normal state, the lid 8 H composes a part of the front grille 81 or the entire front grille 81 . A tear line 9 H is formed in the lid 8 H along the lower edge thereof.

In FIG. 14 through FIG. 16 , a numeral 6 H designates a gas generator for inflating the airbag 4 H and numerals 12 H, 14 H designate leg portions for retaining the lid 8 H to the retainer 2 H. In addition, numerals 20 H, 22 H, and 26 H designate a windshield, a cowl top disposed below the windshield, and windshield wipers of the motor vehicle, respectively.

In the exterior airbag device 1 H of this embodiment, as the airbag 4 H is inflated, the lid 8 H is torn along the tear line 9 H and thus pivots upwardly like a flap about a portion around the proximal end of the leg portion 12 H to cover the front edge of the hood 18 H as shown in FIG. 15 . Therefore, the airbag 4 H can be smoothly deployed over the front end face of the motor vehicle without being caught by a corner of the front edge of the hood 18 H.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 , an opening 85 for allowing the airbag inflation is formed between an upper portion of a rear bumper 82 and a rear end portion of a hood (boot lid) 84 of a trunk room 83 and an airbag installation chamber 86 extending from the opening 85 is defined in the trunk room 83 at a rear side thereof. An exterior airbag device 1 J is installed in this chamber 86 .

The airbag device 1 J has an airbag 4 J which is deployable through the opening 85 over the rear end face of the motor vehicle including the rear bumper 82 and the rear portion of the hood 84 . Normally, the airbag 4 J is folded in such a manner that its upper half and its lower half in the deployed state are rolled and is accommodated in a retainer 2 J which has an open rear side. A lid 8 J is attached to the open rear side of the retainer 2 J to cover the folded airbag 4 J.

In the normal state, the lid 8 J closes the opening 85 and composes a part of the rear end face. A tear line 9 J is formed in the lid 8 J along the lower edge thereof.

In FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 , a numeral 6 J designates a gas generator for inflating the airbag 4 J and numerals 12 J, 14 J designate leg portions for retaining the lid 8 J to the retainer 2 J. In addition, numerals 87 and 88 designate a rear window glass and a rear seat of the motor vehicle, respectively.

In the exterior airbag device 1 J of this embodiment, as the airbag 4 J is inflated, the lid 8 J is torn along the tear line 9 J and thus pivots upwardly like a flap about the proximal end of the leg portion 12 J to cover the upper edge of the opening 85 and the rear edge of the hood 84 as shown by two-dot chain line in FIG. 17 . Therefore, the airbag 4 J can be smoothly deployed over the rear end face of the motor vehicle with being caught by neither the upper edge of the opening 85 nor a corner of the rear edge of the hood 84 .

In an embodiment shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 , opening 92 A, 92 B for allowing the airbag inflation are formed in side protection moldings 91 A, 91 B disposed on outer surfaces of a front door 90 A and a rear door 90 B (hereinafter, sometimes simply called as “doors 90 A, 90 B”), respectively, and exterior airbag devices 1 K, 1 L are mounted in inside spaces formed in the doors 90 A, 90 B extending from the openings 92 A, 92 B, respectively.

The airbag device 1 K has an airbag 4 K which is deployable through the opening 92 A to expand over a side face of the vehicle body to cover an area including an upper portion of the door 90 A, an A-pillar 93 A, and a side window glass 94 A as shown by two-dot chain line in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 . Normally, the airbag 4 K is folded into a roll and is accommodated in a retainer 2 K which is open toward the opening 92 A. A lid 8 K is attached to the retainer 2 K to cover the folded airbag 4 K. In the normal state, the lid 8 K closes the opening 92 A and composes a part of the side protection molding 91 A. A tear line 9 K is formed in the lid 8 K along the lower edge thereof.

On the other hand, the airbag device 1 L has an airbag 4 L which is deployable through the opening 92 B to expand over a side face of the vehicle body to cover an area including an upper portion of the door 90 B, a B-pillar 93 B, a C-pillar 93 C, and a side window glass 94 B as shown by two-dot chain line in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 . Normally, the airbag 4 L is folded into a roll and is accommodated in a retainer 2 L which is open toward the opening 92 B. A lid 8 L is attached to the retainer 2 L to cover the folded airbag 4 L. In the normal state, the lid 8 L closes the opening 92 B and composes a part of the side protection molding 91 B. A tear line 9 L is formed in the lid 8 L along the lower edge thereof.

In FIG. 19 , numerals 6 K, 6 L designate gas generators for inflating the airbags 4 K, 4 L, respectively, and numerals 95 A, 95 B designate brackets for fixing the retainers 2 K, 2 L to inner surfaces of the doors 90 A, 90 B, respectively.

In this embodiment, as the airbags 4 K, 4 L are inflated, the lids 8 K, 8 L are torn along the respective tear lines 9 K, 9 L and thus pivot upwardly like flaps to cover the front edges of the openings 92 A, 92 B as shown by two-dot chain line in FIG. 19 . Therefore, the airbags 4 K, 4 L can be smoothly upwardly deployed through the respective openings 92 A, 92 B to expand over the side faces of the vehicle body without being caught by the upper edges of the openings 92 A, 92 B.

Though the openings 92 A, 92 B for allowing airbag inflation are formed in the side protection moldings 91 a , 91 B of the doors 90 A, 90 B for preventing the openings from marring the appearance of the vehicle body in the above embodiment, the locations of the openings 92 A, 92 B are not limited thereto.

The above embodiments are illustrative examples of the present invention. It should be understood that the present invention may have another form different from the examples shown in the attached drawings. For example, a plurality of external airbag devices of the present invention may be installed in other locations of the vehicle body. The exterior airbag device of the present invention may be structured to be deployed not only when the motor vehicle collides with a pedestrian but also when predicts the collision between the motor vehicle and a pedestrian.

As described above, the present invention can provide an exterior airbag device which can smoothly deploy its airbag with being caught by neither a rear edge of a hood nor windshield wipers.