Airbag device and motorcycle with the airbag device

An airbag device is mounted to a motor-bicycle, which is a motorcycle, and includes an airbag which is deployed and inflated while protruding in a direction of a rider protection area that is situated in front of a rider when the motor-bicycle collides at a location that is situated in front of the motor-bicycle. Generally, the airbag device is mounted to a handlebar of the motorcycle. In a preferred form, with a recessed portion of a retainer being fitted to a handlebar body portion, the airbag device is mounted and secured to the handlebar by a body mounting member.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a technology of constructing an airbag device mounted to a motorcycle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hitherto, various technologies of protecting a rider by an airbag device mounted to a motorcycle have been known. For example, a technology used in a motor-bicycle for restraining a rider by deploying and inflating an airbag, accommodated in a case mounted to a vehicle frame, by inflation gas when the motor-bicycle collides at a location that is situated in front of the motor-bicycle is known (refer to, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-137777). In this technology, it is possible to provide a wide area of protection using the airbag. However, there is a strong demand for a technology which is effective in reliably restraining a rider by an airbag when an airbag device is mounted to a vehicle body having an open structure in all directions like the body of a motorcycle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a technology of constructing an airbag which thoroughly protects a rider on a motorcycle in an accident, and technologies related thereto.

To this end, the inventions disclosed in the claims are provided, and may be applied to a structure of an airbag device mounted to various types of motorcycles. In the specification, the term “motorcycle” is used to widely include vehicles in which a rider sits astride a seat. Therefore, for example, a motor-bicycle of a type having a fuel tank disposed in front of a rider's seat and a motor-bicycle of a scooter-type having a space between a rider's seat and a handlebar supporting head tube are defined as motorcycles. In addition, the term “motorcycle” is used to widely include, in addition to motor-bicycles, vehicles having three or more wheels and having a seat that a rider sits astride (such as a three-wheeled motorcycle used to, for example, deliver pizzas to homes, and a three-wheeled or a four-wheeled buggy motorcycle for traveling bad roads completely), and vehicles, such as snowmobiles, which move using a sled or a crawler and which have a seat that a rider sits astride.

In one aspect of the invention disclosed hereinafter, an airbag device mounted to a motorcycle comprises an airbag.

When the motorcycle collides at a location that is situated in front of the motorcycle, inflation gas is supplied into the airbag used in the present invention. In a typical structure of the airbag device, the airbag and means for inflating the airbag, such as an inflator, are accommodated in a retainer, serving as an accommodating member, and the inflation gas is supplied into the airbag by operating the inflator. By this, the airbag is deployed and inflated while protruding in the direction of a rider protection area disposed in front of a rider.

In particular, a distinctive feature of the airbag device of the present invention is that the airbag device comprises an engaging portion which can engage a handlebar section of a motorcycle. In other words, in the present invention, part of or the entire airbag device is engaged with and mounted to the handlebar section. In order to engage the airbag device with the handlebar section, for example, the airbag device is formed with a form that can engage the handlebar section, or the handlebar section is formed with a form that can engage the airbag device.

The term “handlebar section” in the present invention is used to include, not to mention handlebars themselves, various types of members, such as a bracket, mounted to the handlebars, and a structure which is a combination of such various types of members and the handlebars. The term “engage” is mainly used to widely include a mode in which a protruding portion is fitted to a recessed portion, and a mode in which a protruding portion is caught by a recessed portion. In a typical structure, a portion with a form that can engage the handlebar section is disposed at the accommodating member (retainer) for accommodating the airbag, and the accommodating member is engaged with and mounted to the handlebar section. According to such a structure, when the airbag device is to be mounted to the motorcycle, it is possible to use the handlebar section as a location for mounting the airbag device. This structure is an improved structure because the handlebar section can be effectively used for mounting the airbag device.

Here, specific examples of the “engaging portion” include a recessed portion to which a protruding portion of the handlebar section can be fitted, and a protruding portion which can be fitted to a recessed portion of the handlebar section. When a recessed portion is formed in the airbag device, for example, a groove-like or a hole-like recess is formed in the accommodating member (retainer) for accommodating the airbag, and the recessed portion is fitted to the handlebar section that is long. In contrast, when a recessed portion is to be formed in the handlebar section, for example, a long member, which is the handlebar section, is bent to form a recessed portion (recess space), and the accommodating member is fitted to the recessed portion. When, for example, the handlebar section comprises a hollow tube, a portion of the tube is formed with a recessed form in cross section, and the accommodating member is fitted to the recessed portion. Such structures make it possible to further enhance mountability of the airbag device to the handlebar section.

A motorcycle generally has a structure in which the handlebar section opposes a rider protection area that is situated in front of a rider. According to the present invention in which the airbag device is disposed at the handlebar section opposing the rider protection region in such a motorcycle structure, it is possible to stably and reliably protrude the airbag in the direction of the rider protection area. The structure in which the airbag device is mounted to the handlebar section makes it possible to enhance mountability of the airbag device because the mounting location of the airbag device is easily set.

By mounting the airbag device to the handlebar section by mounting means, such as types of rivets, bolts, or clips, it is possible to prevent the airbag device from being displaced when the airbag that is completely deployed and inflated restrains a rider. In addition, by causing the handlebar section that is rigid to operate as a pressure section of the airbag that is completely deployed and inflated, it is possible for the handlebar section to reliably receive a load that the rider exerts upon the airbag. In general, the handlebar section of the motorcycle may be disposed at a location where it easily hinders the deployment and inflation of the airbag. If the airbag device is mounted to the handlebar section itself, the frequency with which the handlebar section hinders the deployment and inflation of the airbag is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to thoroughly protect the rider in an accident.

It is desirable that the airbag device, typically the accommodating member (retainer) for accommodating the airbag, be formed with a size in correspondence with an area occupied by the handlebar section, so that it does not considerably protrude beyond this area. Such a structure makes it possible to prevent the airbag device from considerably protruding beyond the area occupied by the handlebar section. Accordingly, with the handlebar section being easily operable, it is possible to improve the appearance of an area near the handlebar section.

In the airbag device disclosed in one preferred form, the airbag is disposed in a longitudinal direction of the handlebar section which is long. Typically, the accommodating member (retainer) for accommodating the airbag is disposed in a longitudinal direction of the handlebar section. The long handlebar section is disposed in a wide range opposing (facing) the rider protection area. Therefore, by disposing the airbag over such a wide range in the longitudinal direction of the handlebar section, it is possible to increase directivity regarding protrusion of the airbag, so that this structure is effective in controlling a protruding direction of the airbag.

The invention disclosed in another form refers to a motorcycle having any one of the airbag devices described above mounted thereto. By this, a motorcycle which can thoroughly protect a rider in an accident by stably and reliably protruding the airbag in the direction of the rider protection area is provided.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereunder, a detailed description of an embodiment of the present invention will be given with reference to the drawings.FIG. 1shows a motor-bicycle100(scooter) of an embodiment of the present invention as seen from a rider, with an airbag device120being mounted to the motor-bicycle100.FIG. 2illustrates the structure of the airbag device120shown inFIG. 1.FIG. 3is a sectional view taken along line A—A ofFIG. 2in the direction of arrows.FIG. 4is a partial enlarged view ofFIG. 2. The motor-bicycle100of the embodiment is one example of a motorcycle in the present invention.

As shown inFIG. 1, the motor-bicycle100is a scooter almost exclusively comprising a vehicle-body structural portion101, a seat103, a handlebar104, and a front wheel and a rear wheel (not shown). The vehicle-body structural portion101comprises, for example, an engine and a mainframe. The rider can sit astride the seat103.

An area disposed above the vehicle-body structural portion101of the motor-bicycle100and in front of the rider is defined as a rider protection area130that is used to protect the rider when the motor-bicycle100collides at a location that is situated in front of the motor-bicycle100. In the embodiment, the phrase “the motor-bicycle100collides at a location that is situated in front of the motor-bicycle100” is used widely to include any collision of the motor-bicycle100with an object (not shown for the sake of simplicity) disposed in front of the motor-bicycle100. In addition, in the embodiment, the term “rider protection area130” is defined as a space which extends in a forward movement direction10of the rider and which is used to restrain and protect the rider that is in a state capable of being thrown off in the forward direction of the motor-bicycle100when kinetic energy that is generated when the motor-bicycle100collides at a location that is situated in front of the motor-bicycle100is acting to move the rider in the forward direction of the motor-bicycle100.

The handlebar104, the airbag device120, and a panel105having various types of meters, switches, etc., disposed thereat are disposed at the front portion102of the vehicle body among the portions of the vehicle-body structural portion101. The handlebar104corresponds to the “handlebar section” in the present invention, and comprises a handlebar body104aand grips104bmounted to respective ends of the handlebar body104a. The handlebar body104ais formed by bending a hollow member having the form of a tube into the form of a recess. In the embodiment, the handlebar body104acorresponds to the “recessed portion” in the present invention. The handlebar104is mounted to the vehicle body by handlebar mounting members106.

In particular, the airbag device120of the embodiment is mounted to the handlebar104, and faces the rider protection area130. In other words, the airbag device120of the embodiment is disposed so that a protruding (deployment and inflation) direction of an airbag122(described later) is in the forward direction of the rider.

As shown inFIG. 2, the airbag device120almost exclusively comprises, for example, the airbag122, a retainer128for accommodating the airbag122, an inflator129for supplying inflation gas for deploying and inflating the airbag122from the retainer128, body mounting members125, a cover126, and airbag fixing members127.

As shown inFIG. 3, the retainer128has a recessed portion128aextending in the form of a groove towards both ends of the retainer128. The recessed portion128acan be fitted to (that is, can engage) a portion of the handlebar body104aextending in a vertical direction. The retainer128corresponds to the “accommodating member” in the present invention, and the recessed portion128acorresponds to the “engaging portion” in the present invention. With the recessed portion128abeing fitted to the handlebar body104a, the retainer128is mounted and secured to the handlebar104by the body mounting members125. By this, the entire airbag device120is mounted to the handlebar104.

The cover126covers the top portion of the retainer128, and allows the airbag122to protrude when the airbag122that is protruding (being deployed and inflated) is torn along a thin tear line (not shown).

In the retainer128, the airbag122is, for example, as shown inFIG. 4, folded like an accordion and is mounted to the handlebar body104aby the airbag fixing members127.

For example, types of rivets, bolts, or clips may be used as required for the body mounting members125, the airbag fixing members127, and the handlebar mounting members126.

Next, the operation of the airbag device120and the motor-bicycle100of the embodiments having the above-described structures will be described with reference to, for example,FIGS. 5 and 6in addition toFIGS. 1 to 4.FIG. 5is a schematic view showing an initial state of deployment of the airbag device120.FIG. 6is a schematic view showing a state in which the deployment of the airbag device120is completed.

When the motor-bicycle100that the rider is riding collides in a direction of travel in an accident, the rider is in a state capable of being moved (thrown off) in the forward direction (that is, the direction of arrow10inFIG. 1) of the motor-bicycle100. In the embodiment, by detecting the collision of the motor-bicycle100at a location that is situated in front of the motor-bicycle100, the airbag device120operates in order to start the protrusion (deployment) of the airbag122from the airbag device120in the direction of the rider protection area130. In other words, the deployment and inflation of the airbag122are started by starting supply of inflation gas into the airbag122from the inflator129serving as inflation gas supplying means. The initial state of deployment of the airbag device120is shown in, for example,FIG. 5.

As shown inFIG. 5, in the initial state of deployment of the airbag device120, the airbag122splits the cover126while forcibly coming out of the retainer128, and is inflated while being deployed. A mode in which the airbag122is inflated while being deployed corresponds to “deployed and inflated” in the present invention.

The supply of the inflation gas into the airbag122is continued, so that, finally, the airbag device120is completely deployed. This state is shown in, for example,FIG. 6.

As shown inFIG. 6, when the airbag122is completely deployed and inflated, the inflated airbag122fills the rider protection area130in order to, at the rider protection area130, reliably hold and restrain the rider that is in a state capable of being moved in the forward direction of the vehicle body (that is, the direction of arrow10inFIG. 1) by kinetic energy that is produced in a collision, thereby preventing beforehand the rider from being thrown off in the forward direction of the motor-bicycle100.

As described above, according to the airbag device120of the embodiment, it is possible to effectively use the handlebar104for mounting the airbag device120. In particular, since the recessed portion128aof the retainer128is fitted to the handlebar body104a, the form of the handlebar104itself can be made use of to dispose the airbag device120, so that the mounting structure is improved.

By mounting the airbag device120of the embodiment to the handlebar104, it is possible to reduce the frequency with which the deployment and inflation of the airbag122is hindered when the airbag122gets caught by a protruding portion of, for example, the handlebar104. In general, the handlebar of the motorcycle may be disposed at a location where it easily hinders the deployment and inflation of the airbag. However, the embodiment in which the airbag device120is disposed at the handlebar104itself with each module is particularly effective in overcoming such a problem. Therefore, it is possible to thoroughly protect the rider in an accident.

The structure of the airbag device120of the embodiment makes it is possible to increase directivity regarding protrusion of the airbag122, so that this structure is effective in controlling a protruding direction of the airbag. In other words, although it is necessary to think about, for example, how to fold the airbag so that it protrudes in a proper protruding direction in a related structure in which the entire airbag is accommodated in the accommodating member (retainer), it is possible to stably and reliably protrude the airbag122in the direction of the rider protection area130in the embodiment. It is more effective to, in particular, dispose the airbag122over a wide range in a longitudinal direction of the long handlebar104.

In the embodiment, since the airbag122is secured to the handlebar104by the airbag fixing members127, the airbag122that is completely deployed and inflated does not easily get shifted when it is restraining the rider. In addition, since the handlebar104that is rigid operates as a pressure section of the airbag122, a load that the rider exerts upon the airbag122can be reliably received by the handlebar104.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, so that various other applications and modifications are possible. For example, the following forms to which any of the first to third embodiments are applied are possible.

Instead of the airbag device120of the embodiment, an airbag device220having the structure shown inFIG. 7may be used. Parts shown inFIG. 7that correspond to those shown inFIG. 2are given the same reference numerals, and will not be described in detail below.

In the embodiment shown inFIG. 7, the location where the handlebar body104ais secured to the vehicle body is lower than in the first embodiment. Due to this, a recess space230is formed. The entire airbag device220is disposed in the recess space230with each module. When a handlebar is secured to a location corresponding to the location where it is conventionally secured, a sufficient space may not be available for disposing the entire airbag device220. In the embodiment, by lowering the location where the handlebar is secured from P1to P2, it is possible to provide enough space for disposing the entire airbag device220.

In the embodiment, the recessed portion of the handlebar body104ais large, so that the handlebar body104ahas a structure which allows the entire retainer128to be fitted in the recessed portion. Here, the entire retainer128is an engaging portion which can engage the handlebar body104a. In addition, in the embodiment, the airbag122is accommodated in the retainer128, for example, by being folded in a roll. This is an improved structure because the handlebar104can be effectively used for mounting the airbag device220. The retainer128is disposed in an area occupied by the handlebar body104a. Therefore, with the handlebar104being easily operable, it is possible to improve the appearance of an area near the handlebar104.

Based on the above-described embodiments and various modifications thereof, the following structures may be used in the present invention.

For example, the present invention may provide a motorcycle having an airbag device mounted thereto. In the motorcycle, the airbag device is deployed and inflated in a rider protection area in which an airbag is formed in front of a rider, and an engaging portion which is engageable with part of or the entire airbag device is disposed at a handlebar section. In other words, it is possible to use a structure in which the form of the handlebar section of the motorcycle is in correspondence with the form of the airbag device, typically, the form of the retainer. Such a structure provides the same operational advantages as those of the earlier described forms of the invention.

It is possible to use a structure in which the handlebar body104ais fabricated with the form of a recess in cross section and part of or the entire airbag device120or220is fitted to the recessed portion of the handlebar body104a.

Although the embodiments are described with reference to the motor-bicycle100(scooter), the present invention may be applied to other types of motorcycles.

According to the present invention, a technology of constructing an airbag which thoroughly protects a rider on a motorcycle in an accident, and technologies related thereto are provided.