JP7265181B2 - passenger protection device - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an occupant protection device for protecting an occupant seated on a seat wearing a seatbelt.

Conventional occupant protection devices have a configuration in which an airbag is inflated so as to surround both sides of an occupant seated on a seat, including the top of the head (see Patent Documents 1 and 2, for example). Specifically, in the occupant protection device described in Patent Document 1, the fully inflated airbag is configured to cover the sides of the occupant's upper body. In the occupant protection device described in Patent Document 2, the fully inflated airbag is configured to cover the occupant's upper body and lateral regions of the waist.

U.S. Patent No. 10112570 WO2018/114723

However, the conventional occupant protection system does not mention a seat belt for restraining an occupant seated on the seat.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an occupant protection system capable of smoothly protecting an occupant seated on a seat with a seat belt worn.

An occupant protection device according to the present invention is an occupant protection device for protecting an occupant seated on a seat wearing a seatbelt,
a seat belt, and an airbag that is folded and stored in the seat,
When the seat belt is worn, the shoulder belt is arranged so as to be inclined with respect to the vertical direction to restrain the upper body of the occupant, and the shoulder belt is arranged so as to extend substantially along the horizontal direction from the shoulder belt to restrain the waist of the occupant. configured as a three-point restraint system comprising a lap belt,
The airbag is inflated to protrude forward by introducing inflation gas into the interior, and when the inflation is completed, the airbag moves both lateral sides of the occupant from both sides of the waist restrained by the lap belt. It is characterized by being configured to continuously cover the top of the head and having an inflatable region interposed between the upper end side of the shoulder belt in the worn state and the upper body of the occupant. do.

In the occupant protection system of the present invention, the fully inflated airbag continuously covers both lateral sides of the occupant from both sides of the waist to the top of the head. In the seat belt, the portion is interposed between the upper end side of the shoulder belt worn by the occupant and the upper half of the occupant's body. That is, in the occupant protection system of the present invention, the shoulder belt can press a portion of the outer peripheral surface side of the airbag that has been fully inflated so as to cover the sides of the occupant. Therefore, since the fully inflated airbag can be prevented from slipping with respect to the occupant, for example, when an impact force is applied from the left and right sides, the occupant is protected by the fully inflated airbag. can be constrained precisely. Further, in the occupant protection system of the present invention, the shoulder belt of the seat belt obliquely covers the front of the occupant's upper body so as to be inclined with respect to the vertical direction even when the inflation of the airbag is completed. However, since the occupant's waist is restrained inside the airbag, the occupant can be restrained by the seat belt itself. can be properly restrained by the seat belt.

Therefore, the occupant protection device of the present invention can smoothly protect the occupant seated on the seat while wearing the seatbelt.

Further, in the occupant protection system of the present invention, if the airbag is configured to be folded and stored on the outer edge side of the seat integrated with the headrest, the airbag integrally covers from the waist to the head on the side of the occupant. Since the bag can be stored continuously on the outer edge side of the seat, the airbag can be expanded and inflated so as to project forward from the storage area, and the airbag can be smoothly deployed and inflated. be able to.

Further, in the occupant protection device having the above configuration, the plurality of inflatable portions are arranged side by side in the vertical direction by dividing the airbag substantially along the front-rear direction when the inflation is completed. A gas guide passage connected to the gas supply section and capable of guiding the inflation gas supplied from the gas supply section into the inflatable section is disposed in the area extending laterally from the waist to the top of the head on the edge side. For example, the inflation gas supplied from the gas supply section can flow into each inflation section through the gas guide flow path extending vertically, so that the airbag is vertically wide from the waist to the top of the head of the occupant. Even if it is configured to cover the range, it is possible to quickly inflate the airbag, which is preferable.

Furthermore, in the occupant protection device having the above configuration, one inflatable portion is positioned on the upper end side of the shoulder belt at the completion of inflation, and extends from at least the shoulder to the chest of the occupant on the side closer to the shoulder belt on one of the left and right sides. Covers the sides of the shoulder belt and forms a shoulder protection area interposed between the shoulder belt and the upper body,
The shoulder protection area is formed to extend from the front end when inflation is completed, and is interposed between the shoulder belt and the chest so as to cover the front of the occupant near the clavicle when inflation is completed. It is preferable to employ a configuration in which the inflatable portion is arranged.

If the occupant protection device is configured as described above, the occupant can be more accurately restrained by the seat belt and the extended inflation portion when an impact force acts from the front-rear direction. In addition, by interposing the extended inflation portion between the shoulder belt and the vicinity of the clavicle, for example, when a force that moves the occupant forward is applied, the vicinity of the clavicle is pushed by the shoulder belt. Strong pressure can also be suppressed. Furthermore, since the extension inflation portion inflates to a position that is the lower front side of the occupant's head, the forward bending movement of the head can also be restricted by the extension inflation portion.

Furthermore, in the occupant protection device having the above configuration, the seat belt is configured to have a pretensioner mechanism,
Preferably, the pretensioner mechanism is activated after the airbag is fully inflated to restrain the occupant with the seatbelt having increased tension.

If the occupant protection device is configured as described above, the shoulder belt is let out when the airbag is deployed and inflated, so that a partial inflation area of the airbag is formed by the upper end side of the shoulder belt, the upper body of the occupant, and the airbag. It can be arranged smoothly between After the inflation of the airbag is completed, the upper end of the shoulder belt whose tensile force is increased by the operation of the pretensioner mechanism further stretches the outer peripheral surface side of a part of the inflation region of the airbag that has completed inflation. The occupant can be stably restrained by the shoulder belt and the lap belt which can be firmly held down and whose tensile force is increased.

Furthermore, in the occupant protection system having the above-described configuration, if the seat belt is mounted on the seat, the seat can be greatly moved with respect to the vehicle by sliding the seat back and forth or rotating the seat itself. Even in this state, the inflated airbag and seat belt can appropriately protect the occupant seated on the seat, which is preferable.

1 is a front view of a seat on which an occupant protection device according to an embodiment of the invention is mounted; FIG. Figure 2 is a side view of the seat of Figure 1; It is a left view of the airbag used in the passenger protection device of the embodiment. 4 is a right side view of the airbag of FIG. 3; FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the airbag of FIG. 3 inflated by itself; FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the airbag of FIG. 3 inflated by itself, showing a portion of a chest protection region; FIG. 2 is a front view of a seat in a state where the airbag has completed inflation in the occupant protection system of the embodiment; FIG. 4 is a side view of the seat in a state in which the airbag has completed inflation in the occupant protection system of the embodiment;

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the occupant protection system S of the embodiment is mounted on a seat 1 of a vehicle. and inflators 25L and 25R as supply units.

A seat 1 on which the occupant protection device S of the embodiment is mounted includes a seat back 2 in which a headrest portion 4 and a backrest portion 3 are integrated, and a seat cushion 6 .

The seat belt 10 is mounted on the seat 1 and is of a three-point restraint type. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the seat belt 10 includes a belt body 11 for restraining an occupant MP seated on the seat 1, a tongue plate 15 attached to the belt body 11, and a tongue plate 15. and a retractor 20 capable of winding up the belt body 11 . As shown in FIG. 2, the retractor 20 is arranged in the vicinity of the lower end of the seat back 2. The retractor 20 includes a winding shaft (not shown) for winding the belt body 11, and a pretensioner mechanism 21. is also provided. One end of the belt body 11 is engaged with the winding shaft of the retractor 20 , the belt body 11 protrudes from an insertion hole 2 b arranged on the left edge side of the upper end of the seat back 2 , and the other end side is attached to the seat cushion 6 of the seat 1 . It is locked by an anchor member 17 (see FIG. 2) arranged on the left side of the rear end. The buckle 16 is arranged on the right side of the rear end of the seat cushion 6 in the seat 1 . When the occupant is seated, the belt body 11 is arranged with the tongue plate 15 connected to the buckle 16 (when worn by the occupant), and is arranged to be inclined with respect to the vertical direction. 12, and a lap belt 13 that extends from the shoulder belt 12 and is arranged substantially along the left-right direction to restrain the lower half of the body MD (lumbar region MW) of the occupant MP. Specifically, the lap belt 13 is arranged between the anchor member 17 and the buckle 16 so as to substantially extend in the left-right direction. The shoulder belt 12 extends from the insertion hole 2b on the left edge side of the upper end of the seat back 2, and is arranged obliquely around the buckle 16 arranged on the right side of the rear end of the seat cushion 6 (on the right edge side of the lower end of the seat back 2). It is a configuration that restrains the upper body MU of the occupant MP (from the shoulders MS to the abdomen MA).

In the embodiment, when the airbag 30 is deployed and inflated, the seat belt 10 is configured such that the portion from the chest protection region 43L to the clavicle protection portion 46 of the inflated airbag 30, which will be described later, is on the side of the upper end 12a of the shoulder belt 12 and the side of the occupant. As the airbag 30 is inflated, the belt body 11 can be extended from the retractor 20 so as to be interposed between the MP's upper body MU (chest MB). In addition, in the embodiment, when the airbag 30 is fully inflated, the lap belt 13 restrains the waist MW of the occupant MP without interposing the airbag 30 therebetween (see FIGS. 7 and 8). The pretensioner mechanism 21 provided in the retractor 20 is electrically connected to a control circuit (not shown) to control its operation. . When the pretensioner mechanism 21 is actuated, the retractor 20 winds up the belt body 11 and restrains the occupant MP by the belt body 11 with increased tensile force.

In this embodiment, two inflators 25L and 25R as gas supply units are provided so as to supply inflation gas to a left cover portion 31L and a right cover portion 31R of the airbag 30, which will be described later. ing. As shown in FIG. 2, each inflator 25L, 25R is of a cylinder type having a substantially cylindrical outer shape, and although not shown in detail, is attached to a seat frame (not shown). Specifically, the respective inflators 25L, 25R are arranged on the outer edge 2a side of the seat back 2, and are positioned on the left and right sides of the abdomen MA of the occupant MP seated on the seat 1, and extend substantially along the vertical direction in the axial direction. It is arranged so that it can be placed (see FIG. 1). The inflators 25L and 25R supply inflation gas into the airbag 30 (the left cover portion 31L and the right cover portion 31R) when activated, and each connection port formed in the left cover portion 31L and the right cover portion 31R. It is configured to be connected to the left cover portion 31L and the right cover portion 31R using clamps 65 that are inserted into the portions 34L and 34R and arranged on the outer peripheral side of the connection port portions 34L and 34R (Figs. 4). Each inflator 25L, 25R is electrically connected to a control circuit (not shown) to control its operation. 31R) to allow the inflation gas to flow out.

The airbag 30 is folded and stored in the seat 1 , and in the case of the embodiment, is folded and stored on the side of the outer edge 2 a of the seat back 2 . Specifically, the folded airbag 30 is continuous over the entire circumference of the outer edge 2a of the seat back 2 so as to continuously surround the left and right sides of the occupant MP seated on the seat 1 to the top of the head HU. are arranged (see FIGS. 1 and 2). More specifically, the folded airbag 30 is housed in the seatback 2 at a position inside the insertion hole 2b from which the belt body 11 of the seatbelt 10 protrudes in the left-right direction ( See Figure 1). The folded airbag 30 is stored in the seatback 2 at a position on the front side (front side along the thickness direction of the seatback 2) of the insertion hole 2b (see FIG. 2). .

When the inflators 25L and 25R are actuated, the airbag 30 is inflated so as to protrude forward from the storage area (seat back 2) by allowing inflation gas to flow therein. Both sides of the direction side are continuously covered from both sides of the waist MW restrained by the lap belt 13 to the top of the head HU (see FIGS. 7 and 8). Specifically, the airbag 30 includes a left cover portion 31L and a right cover portion 31R, which are separate bodies. 3 to 5) to continuously cover the sides of the occupant MP including the top of the head HU. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the left cover portion 31L is a belt-side cover portion arranged on the side of the upper end 12a of the shoulder belt 12, and is configured to cover the left side of the occupant MP from the top of the head HU to the waist MW. , The right side cover portion 31R is a non-belt side cover portion arranged away from the upper end 12a of the shoulder belt 12, and is configured to cover the right side of the occupant MP from the top of the head HU to the waist MW. As described above, the left cover portion 31L and the right cover portion 31R are configured to be inflated by introducing the inflation gas from the inflators 25L and 25R. The left cover portion 31L and the right cover portion 31R have substantially the same outer shape, and the expanded shape is a substantially rectangular plate shape as shown in FIGS. is set to a dimension that can cover the sides of the entire upper body MU of the occupant MP, and the length dimension in the vertical direction is such that the lower end 31b side is positioned below the seat surface 6a of the seat cushion 6. set to the dimensions.

As shown in FIG. 3, the left side cover portion 31L as the belt side cover portion arranged on the side of the upper end 12a of the shoulder belt 12 has a substantially rectangular shape with the longitudinal direction along the vertical direction. In the case of , the woven fabric made of polyamide thread, polyester thread, or the like is sewn at predetermined locations with suture thread to form a bag shape. The left cover portion 31L is inflated by introducing an inflation gas G therein so as to separate the inner wall portion 32a positioned inside (on the side of the occupant MP) from the outer wall portion 32b positioned outside when the inflation is completed. It has an inflow portion 32L and a non-inflow portion 55L (closed portion) formed by coupling the inner wall portion 32a and the outer wall portion 32b to prevent the inflow of inflation gas (see FIGS. 3, 5 and 6).

As shown in FIG. 3, the gas inlet portion 32L includes a gas guide passage 33L arranged to extend substantially along the vertical direction on the side of the rear edge 31d of the left cover portion 31L, and a connection port connected to the inflator 25L. a portion 34L, and a plurality of (five in the case of the embodiment) horizontal expansion portions 37AL, 37BL, 37CL, 37DL, and 37EL serving as expansion portions arranged in parallel in the vertical direction on the front side of the gas guide passage 33L. I have.

The gas guide channel 33L is arranged over substantially the entire upper and lower areas on the rear edge 31d side of the left cover portion 31L. The connection port portion 34L communicates with the gas guide passage 33L at substantially the center of the upper and lower sides of the gas guide passage 33L, and is inclined rearwardly and downwardly with respect to the gas guide passage 33L to extend rearward from the gas guide passage 33L. formed to protrude. The connection opening 34L has an opening on the side of the lower end 34a so that the inflator 25L can be inserted therein. That is, the gas guide flow path 33L is connected to the inflator 25L as a gas supply section through the connection port section 34L. 37CL, 37DL, and 37EL (inflatable portions) are configured so as to be able to be guided. Further, in the embodiment, a protruding region 33a that partially protrudes forward is formed in the vicinity of the vertical center of the gas guide channel 33L. The projecting region 33a is arranged adjacent to the rear side of the lateral inflating portion 37CL (a chest protection region 43L in the torso protection portion 42L, which will be described later), and allows the inflation gas from the gas guide flow path 33L to flow inside. It constitutes an inflatable part that is inflated by inflow. The projecting region 33a constitutes the shoulder protection portion 41L.

The lateral expansion portions 37AL, 37BL, 37CL, 37DL, and 37EL are partitioned by partition portions 58L, 59L, 60L, and 61L, which will be described later, and arranged side by side in the vertical direction. It is On the side of the front end 37a of the lateral inflated portion 37CL, an extension is provided so as to extend forward while partially protruding from the front edge 31c of the left cover portion 31L when the left cover portion 31L is flatly unfolded. An installation expansion portion 38 is formed. The extension inflation portion 38 is configured such that the width dimension in a flatly unfolded state is approximately the same as that of the lateral inflation portion 37CL. The remaining lateral inflating portions 37AL, 37BL, 37DL, and 37EL are configured such that their length dimensions in the front-rear direction are substantially the same. In addition, the extension inflatable portion 38 measures the amount of protrusion from the front edge 31c of the left cover portion 31, that is, the other lateral inflatable portions 37AL, 37BL, 37DL, and 37EL, when the inflation of the airbag 30 is completed. The dimensions are set so as to cover an area of about the left half of the MB. In the case of the embodiment, the two lateral expansion portions 37AL and 37BL arranged on the upper side constitute a head protection portion 40L that protects the head MH of the occupant MP, and the lateral expansion portion 37EL arranged on the lower end side A waist protector 45L that restrains the waist MW of the passenger MP is configured. In addition, the two lateral inflatable portions 37CL and 37DL arranged in the intermediate portion constitute a torso protection portion 42L that protects the occupant MP from the chest MB to the abdomen MA. More specifically, the lateral expansion portion 37CL arranged on the upper side forms a chest protection region 43L that covers the chest MB of the occupant MP in the trunk protection portion 42L, and the lateral expansion portion 37DL arranged on the lower side forms the chest protection region 43L of the passenger MP. The abdomen protection area 44L that covers the sides of the abdomen MA of the body is constructed. Further, the protruding region 33a, which is disposed adjacent to the rear side of the lateral inflating portion 37CL and configured by partially protruding the gas guide passage 33L, restrains the shoulder MS of the occupant MP as described above. 41 L of shoulder part protection parts to carry out are comprised. In addition, the extended inflation portion 38 disposed on the front end 37a side of the lateral inflation portion 37CL covers the front side of the chest MB of the occupant MP (in front of the vicinity of the clavicle MC) to cover the chest MB (near the clavicle MC) when inflation is completed. ) to protect the front side of the clavicle (see FIGS. 7 and 8). In the airbag 30 of the embodiment, the chest protection region 43L (lateral inflation portion 37CL) of the trunk protection portion 42L is located on the side of the upper end 12a of the shoulder belt 12 (see FIG. 8) when the inflation is completed. In addition to the expansion section 37CL (chest protection area 43L), the shoulder protection section 41L arranged adjacent to the rear side of the lateral expansion section 37CL is positioned close to the upper end 12a side of the shoulder belt 12 at the completion of expansion. A shoulder protection area that covers the side from the shoulder MS to the chest MB on the left side of the occupant MP is constructed. The chest protection region 43L, which constitutes the shoulder protection region, is configured to have a clavicle protection portion 46 (extended inflation portion 38) on the front end side.

The lateral expansion portions 37AL and 37BL constituting the head protection portion 40L are partitioned by a partition portion 58L. are communicated with each other. Specifically, the lateral expansion portion 37AL, which constitutes the upper region of the head protection portion 40L, covers the vicinity of the top of the head HU of the occupant MP when expansion is completed, and covers the lower region of the head protection portion 40L. The configured lateral inflation portion 37BL covers the sides of the head MH of the occupant MP when inflation is completed (see FIGS. 7 and 8). The width dimension in the vertical direction of the lower lateral expansion portion 37BL is set large so as to be able to widely cover the sides of the head MH.

The horizontal inflatable portion 37CL forming the torso portion protecting portion 42L is partitioned from the lateral inflatable portion 37BL forming the head portion protecting portion 40L by a partition portion 59L. The lateral inflatable portion 37DL is partitioned from the waist protection portion 45L (lateral inflatable portion 37EL) by a partition portion 61L. Further, the lateral inflatable portions 37CL and 37CR forming the trunk protection portion 42L are partitioned by a partition portion 60L. Further, the lateral inflatable portions 37CL and 37DL constituting the body portion protection portion 42L are partitioned from the gas guide passage 33L (shoulder portion protection portion 41L) by a vertical partition portion 62L, which will be described later.

The lateral inflatable portion 37CL disposed on the upper side is closed at the rear end 37b side (shoulder protection portion 41L side) and communicated with the lateral inflatable portion 37BL constituting the head protection portion 40L at the front end 37a side. is. The lateral expansion portion 37CL constitutes a chest protection region 43L that covers the chest MB of the occupant MP when expansion is completed. Inflation is performed by introducing an inflation gas through the protection portion 40L. Further, as described above, the lateral inflatable portion 37CL is configured to have an extended inflatable portion 38 on the front end 37a side. A clavicle protection portion 46 covering the front side is configured. As described above, the chest protection region 43L, together with the shoulder protection portion 41L, is a shoulder protection region capable of protecting the occupant MP positioned on the side of the upper end 12a of the shoulder belt 12 from the shoulder MS to the chest MB when inflation is completed. consists of In the case of the embodiment, the lateral inflation portion 37CL (the chest protection region 43L and the collarbone protection portion 46 that constitute the shoulder protection region) is positioned at the upper end of the shoulder belt 12 in the worn state when the airbag 30 completes inflation. An inflatable region is interposed between the 12a side and the upper body MU of the passenger MP (see FIGS. 7 and 8). Specifically, the lateral inflatable portion 37CL is pressed by the shoulder belt 12 when the inflation of the airbag 30 is completed, and the part of the extended inflatable portion 38 that protrudes partially is bent. As a result, the chest MB of the occupant MP is covered from the side to the front. In the case of the embodiment, the extended inflating portion 38 (clavicle protecting portion 46) is arranged so as to cover an approximately left half area (in front of the left clavicle MC) in front of the chest MB of the occupant MP when inflation is completed. (See FIG. 7).

The lateral expansion portion 37DL disposed on the lower side is configured such that the front end 37a side is closed and the rear end 37b side portion communicates with the upper lateral expansion portion 37CL. The lateral inflation portion 37DL is arranged below the chest protection region 43L and above the waist protection portion 45L, and constitutes an abdomen protection region 44L that covers the sides of the abdomen MA of the occupant MP when inflation is completed. (See FIGS. 7 and 8), the abdomen protection region 44L is configured to allow inflation gas to flow into the interior only from the chest protection region 43L. In addition, in the case of the embodiment, as shown in FIG. The width of the opening is set to be smaller than that of the communicating portion 48L that communicates between the inflatable portion 37CL) and the head protection portion 40L (lateral inflatable portion 37BL). The abdomen protection region 44L is inflated with a delay in the inflow of the inflation gas compared to the head protection portion 40L, the waist protection portion 45L, and the shoulder protection portion 41L. Since the dimensions are set small, in the case of the embodiment, when the shoulder protection section 41L and the waist protection section 45L restrain the shoulder MS and the waist MW of the occupant MP after the inflation of the airbag 30 is completed, It will be inflated by letting inflation gas flow into it.

The lateral inflatable portion 37EL constituting the waist protection portion 45L has a configuration in which the rear end 37b side is communicated with the gas guide passage 33L and the front end 37a side is closed. The lateral inflatable portion 37EL has a large width in the vertical direction so that it can widely cover the sides of the waist MW of the occupant MP when inflation is completed. In the case of the embodiment, the waist protection part 45L widely covers the sides of the waist MW while being restrained by the lap belt 13, and the rear lower end 40a side is positioned below the seat surface 6a of the seat cushion 6. (See FIG. 8).
The non-inflow portion 55L (closed portion) includes a peripheral edge portion 56L forming the outer peripheral edge of the gas inflow portion 32L, partition portions 58L, 59L, 60L, 61L and a vertical partition portion 62L arranged in the region of the gas inflow portion 32L. and have. As shown in FIG. 3, the peripheral edge portion 56L is formed so as to surround the entire circumference of the gas inlet portion 32L except for the lower end 34a side of the connection port portion 34L. Attachment tabs 56a to be attached to a seat frame (not shown) are arranged at a plurality of positions along the vertical direction on the rear edge side of the peripheral edge portion 56L (on the rear edge 31d side of the left cover portion 31L) (see FIG. 3). ).

The partitioning portions 58L, 59L, 60L, 61L are arranged substantially linearly along the front-rear direction so as to partition the lateral expansion portions 37AL, 37BL, 37CL, 37DL, 37EL. The partitioning portion 58L is configured as a line that extends substantially in the front-rear direction and is slightly curved with both ends directed upward, and partitions the lateral expansion portions 37AL and 37BL in the region of the head protection portion 40L. are doing. The partitioning portion 59L extends forward from the upper end of the vertical partitioning portion 62L and is configured in a substantially straight line substantially along the front-rear direction. ) (lateral expansion portions 37BL and 37CL). The partitioning portion 60L is formed in a substantially straight line substantially along the front-rear direction so as to extend rearward from a portion on the front edge side of the peripheral edge portion 56L. section 37CL and 37DL). The partitioning portion 61L has a substantially linear shape extending forward from the lower end of the vertical partitioning portion 62L and extends forward in the front-rear direction. 44L) and the waist protection portion 45L (between the lateral expansion portions 37DL and 37EL). The vertical partition portion 62L is arranged substantially along the vertical direction so as to connect the rear ends of the partition portions 59L and 61L, and partitions the body portion protection portion 42L and the gas guide passage 33L. ing. The vertical partition 62L has a curved portion 62a curved so as to protrude forward at the upper end side portion (the portion on the side of the horizontal inflatable portion 37CL). The curved portion 62a constitutes the peripheral edge of the projecting region 33a (shoulder portion protection portion 41L) in the gas guide passage 33L. In the embodiment, the gap between the dividing portion 59L and the peripheral edge portion 56L forms a communicating portion 48L that communicates the chest protection region 43L (lateral expansion portion 37CL) and the head protection portion 40L (lateral expansion portion 37BL). A gap between the partition portion 60L and the vertical partition portion 62L constitutes a communicating portion 49L that communicates the abdomen protection region 44L (lateral expansion portion 37DL) and the chest protection region 43L (lateral expansion portion 37CL). there is

As shown in FIG. 4, the right side cover portion 31R as a non-belt cover portion arranged on the side away from the upper end 12a of the shoulder belt 12 does not arrange the extended expansion portion in the lateral expansion portion 37CR, The configuration is the same as that of the left cover portion 31L described above, except that the lengths of the lateral expansion portions 37AR, 37BR, 37CR, 37DR, and 37ER in the front-rear direction are substantially the same (the clavicle protection portion is not arranged). be. Therefore, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals with an "R" at the end, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the occupant protection device S of the embodiment, when the vehicle collides with the occupant MP seated in the seat 1 and wearing the seat belt 10, if the inflators 25L and 25R are activated in response to an activation signal from the control circuit, air The left cover portion 31L and the right cover portion 31R of the bag 30 are inflated by introducing the inflation gas G discharged from the inflators 25L and 25R, respectively, and the airbag 30 is expanded as shown in FIGS. , protrudes forward from the seat back 2 and completes inflation so as to cover the sides of the occupant MP.

In the occupant protection system S of the embodiment, the fully inflated airbag 30 continuously covers both lateral sides of the occupant MP from both sides of the waist MW to the top of the head HU. Also, a part of the expansion region (in the case of the embodiment, the chest protection region 43L and the clavicle protection portion 46 of the left cover portion 31L) is positioned on the side of the upper end 12a of the shoulder belt 12 worn by the occupant MP in the seat belt 10. , and the upper body MU of the occupant MP. That is, in the occupant protection system S of the embodiment, the shoulder belt 12 can press a portion of the outer peripheral surface side of the airbag 30 that has been fully inflated so as to cover the sides of the occupant MP. Therefore, the fully inflated airbag 30 can be prevented from being displaced with respect to the occupant MP. The bag 30 allows precise restraint. In the occupant protection system S of the embodiment, the shoulder belt 12 of the seat belt 10 obliquely intersects the front of the upper body MU of the occupant MP so as to be inclined with respect to the vertical direction even when the airbag 30 is fully inflated. Since the lap belt 13 restrains the waist MW of the occupant MP inside the airbag 30, the seat belt 10 itself can also restrain the occupant MP. The occupant MP can be properly restrained by the seat belt 10 when an impact force is applied from the seat belt 10 or the like.

Therefore, the occupant protection system S of the embodiment can smoothly protect the occupant MP seated on the seat 1 while wearing the seat belt 10 .

Further, in the occupant protection system S of the embodiment, the airbag 30 is folded and accommodated on the side of the outer edge 2a of the seat 1 integrated with the headrest (headrest portion 4). The airbag 30 integrally covering from the waist MW to the head MH on the other side can be continuously accommodated on the side of the outer edge 2a of the seat 1, and the airbag 30 is deployed so as to protrude forward from the accommodation area. The airbag 30 can be expanded and inflated smoothly. If such a point is not taken into consideration, the folded airbag may be accommodated in the seat in which the headrest and the seatback are separate.

Furthermore, in the occupant protection device S of the embodiment, the airbag 30 is arranged in the vertical direction by the partition portions 58L, 58R, 59L, 59R, 60L, 60R, 61L, and 61R that are arranged substantially along the front-rear direction when inflation is completed. A plurality of lateral expansion portions 37AL, 37AR, 37BL, 37BR, 37CL, 37CR, 37DL, 37DR, 37EL, and 37ER (expansion portions) are arranged side by side, and the waist MW to the top of the head on the rear edge 31d side when expansion is completed. Inflating gas supplied from the inflators 25L and 25R is supplied to the lateral inflation portions 37AL, 37AR, 37BL, 37BR, 37CL, 37CR and 37DL, which are connected to the lateral inflation portions 37AL, 37AR, 37BL, 37BR, 37CL, 37CR, and 37DL. , 37DR, 37EL, and 37ER are provided with gas guide channels 33L and 33R (see FIGS. 3 and 4). Therefore, the inflation gas G supplied from the inflators 25L, 25R is directed through the vertically extending gas guide passages 33L, 33R to the lateral inflation portions 37AL, 37AR, 37BL, 37BR, 37CL, 37CR, 37DL, 37DR, 37EL. , 37ER, the airbag 30 can be rapidly inflated even if the airbag 30 is configured to cover a wide range vertically from the waist MW to the top of the head HU of the occupant MP. can be done. In particular, in the occupant protection device S of the embodiment, the lateral inflatable portions 37AL, 37AR, 37BL, 37BR, 37CL, 37CR, 37DL, 37DR, 37EL, and 37ER that constitute the airbag 30 are contracted in width in the vertical direction. Therefore, when the inflation is completed, both sides of the occupant MP extend from the waist MW to the head MH (top of the head HU) with the laterally inflated portions 37AL, 37AR, 37BL, 37BR, 37CL, 37CR, 37DL, 37DR, 37EL, and 37ER are closely connected and covered by the airbag 30 (see FIG. 7), and the upper side of the top of the head HU is also covered by the lateral expansion portions 37AL and 37AR. Therefore, the head MH of the occupant MP can be smoothly protected even when the vehicle rolls over. If such a point is not taken into consideration, the airbag may be configured without a gas guide passage, or may have a configuration in which a plurality of inflatable portions are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction. good.

Furthermore, in the occupant protection device S of the embodiment, the lateral inflatable portion 37CL of the airbag 30 is positioned on the side of the upper end 12a of the shoulder belt 12 when inflation is completed, and is located on one of the left and right sides (the left side in the case of the embodiment). ) on the side near the shoulder belt 12 at least on the side of the occupant MP from the shoulder MS to the chest MB (in the case of the embodiment, the side of the chest MB), and between the shoulder belt 12 and the upper body MU Interposed shoulder protection regions (chest protection region 43L and shoulder protection portion 41L) are configured. This shoulder protection region (chest protection region 43L) has an extended inflation portion 38 (clavicle protection portion 46) extending from the front end when inflation is completed. It is configured to be interposed between the shoulder belt 12 and the chest MB so as to cover the front of the MP near the clavicle MC (see FIGS. 7 and 8). Therefore, it is possible to more accurately restrain the occupant MP by the seat belt 10 and the extended inflation portion 38 when an impact force acts from the front-rear direction. In addition, by interposing the extended inflation portion 38 between the shoulder belt 12 and the vicinity of the clavicle MC, for example, when a force acting to move the occupant MP forward is applied, the vicinity of the clavicle MC is However, strong pressure from the shoulder belt 12 can also be suppressed. Furthermore, since the extension inflation portion 38 (clavicle protection portion 46) inflates to a position that is on the front lower side (under the jaw) of the head MH of the occupant MP, the forward bending movement of the head MH is also prevented by the extension. It can be regulated by the expansion part 38 (clavicle protection part 46). If such a point is not taken into consideration, an airbag that does not have an extended inflatable portion and only has a shoulder protection region interposed between the shoulder belt and the upper body should be used. may In the occupant protection device S of the embodiment, the chest protection region 43L and the clavicle protection portion 46 (lateral inflation portion 37CL) of the left cover portion 31L arranged on the side of the upper end 12a of the shoulder belt 12, when the inflation of the airbag 30 is completed, It is configured to be interposed between the shoulder belt 12 and the upper body MU of the occupant MP, and the shoulder protection portion 41L is configured so that the outer peripheral side is not covered by the shoulder belt 12 so as to protect the shoulder MS when inflation is completed. However, of course, the shoulder protection part may also be configured such that the outer peripheral side is covered by the shoulder belt and is interposed between the shoulder belt and the occupant's upper body.

Furthermore, in the occupant protection device S of the embodiment, the seat belt 10 is configured to have a pretensioner mechanism 21, and the pretensioner mechanism 21 operates after the inflation of the airbag 30 is completed to increase the tensile force of the seat. The belt 10 (belt body 11) is configured to restrain the occupant MP. Therefore, when the airbag 30 is deployed and inflated, the shoulder belt 12 (belt body 11) is pulled out from the retractor 20 so that a partial expansion region of the airbag 30 (the chest protection region 43L and the clavicle protection region in the left cover portion 31L) is adjusted. 46) can be smoothly arranged between the upper end 12a side of the shoulder belt 12 and the upper body MU of the occupant MP. After the inflation of the airbag 30 is completed, the upper end 12a side of the shoulder belt 12 whose tensile force is increased by the operation of the pretensioner mechanism 21 operates a part of the inflation region (left side) of the airbag 30 that has completed inflation. The occupant is stabilized by the shoulder belt 12 and the lap belt 13, which are capable of holding down the outer peripheral surface side of the chest protection area 43L and the clavicle protection part 46) in the cover part 31L more firmly and having an increased tensile force. can be constrained by If such a point is not taken into consideration, the pretensioner mechanism may be configured to operate before the completion of inflation of the airbag.

Furthermore, in the occupant protection system S of the embodiment, since the seat belt 10 is mounted on the seat 1, for example, the seat belt 10 can be moved by sliding the seat belt 10 back and forth or by rotating the seat 1 itself. is largely moved with respect to the vehicle, the inflated airbag 30 and the seat belt 10 can appropriately protect the occupant MP seated on the seat 1 . The occupant protection system S of the embodiment includes an airbag 30 inflated to widely cover the left and right sides of the occupant MP seated on the seat 1, and a belt body of the seat belt 10 that restrains the occupant MP. 11, it is possible to restrict the lateral movement of the occupant MP with respect to the seat 1 and the forward movement of the occupant MP with respect to the seat 1 . Therefore, the occupant MP seated on the seat 1 is properly protected by the airbag 30 and the seat belt 10 without being affected by the arrangement position and orientation of the seat 1 with respect to the vehicle and the direction of impact force acting on the vehicle. be able to. If such a point is not taken into account, the present invention can be applied to a seat having a structure in which a retractor is provided on the vehicle body side as a seat belt like a seat belt mounted on an ordinary vehicle seat. may apply.

In this embodiment, as the airbag 30, the left cover portion 31L and the right cover portion 31R, which are separated from each other, are integrated by joining the upper edges 31a to each other. Inflator 25L, 25R as a gas supply part is connected to part 31R, respectively. You can use things. In addition, the inflator as a gas supply unit does not have to be arranged on the seat back and directly connected to the connection port of the airbag as in the embodiment, and for example, it may be arranged on the seat cushion portion of the seat and connected to the gas supply pipe. Inflation gas may be supplied to the airbag via, for example.

In the seat 1 of the embodiment, the upper end 12a of the shoulder belt 12 is arranged on the left side of the seat back 2, and the left cover portion 31L of the airbag 30 is arranged on the upper end 12a side of the shoulder belt 12. Although the belt-side cover portion is configured to include the extended inflation portion 38, the present invention can of course be applied to a seat in which the upper end of the shoulder belt is arranged on the right side of the seat back. When the airbag is mounted on a seat having such a configuration, the right side cover portion of the airbag is provided with the extending inflation portion as the belt side cover portion.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Seat, 2... Seat back, 3... Backrest part, 4... Headrest part (headrest), 10... Seat belt, 12... Shoulder belt, 12a... Upper end, 13... Lap belt, 21... Pretensioner mechanism, 25L, 25R ... inflator (gas supply section), 30 ... airbag, 33L, 33R ... gas guide flow path, 37AL, 37AR, 37BL, 37BR, 37CL, 37CR, 37DL, 37DR, 37EL, 37ER ... lateral inflation section (inflation section), 38... Extended expansion part, 41L, 41R... Shoulder protection part (shoulder protection area), 43L, 43R... Chest protection area (shoulder protection area), 58L, 58R, 59L, 59R, 60L, 60R, 61L, 61R... Division, MP... Passenger, MU... Upper body, MH... Head, HU... Top of head, MS... Shoulder, MB... Chest, MC... Clavicle, MD... Lower body, MW... Lumbar, S... Passenger protection device.

Claims (5)

An occupant protection device for protecting an occupant seated on a seat wearing a seat belt,
a configuration comprising the seat belt and an airbag that is folded and stored in the seat;
When the seat belt is worn, the shoulder belt is arranged so as to be inclined with respect to the vertical direction and restrains the upper body of the occupant. configured as a three-point restraint type comprising a lap belt that restrains the waist,
The airbag is inflated so as to protrude forward by introducing an inflation gas thereinto, and when the inflation is completed, the lumbar region restrained by the lap belt on both lateral sides of the occupant. from both sides of the shoulder belt to the top of the head, and has an inflatable region interposed between the upper end side of the shoulder belt in the worn state and the upper body of the occupant. ,
The seat belt is configured to have a pretensioner mechanism,
An occupant protection system according to claim 1, wherein the pretensioner mechanism is configured to operate after the inflation of the airbag is completed, and to restrain the occupant by the seatbelt with increased tensile force. 2. The occupant protection system according to claim 1, wherein the airbag is folded and stored on the outer edge side of the seat integrated with the headrest. When the airbag is fully inflated, a plurality of inflatable parts are arranged side by side in the vertical direction by means of partitions arranged substantially along the front-rear direction. A gas guide channel is provided in a region extending laterally, which is connected to a gas supply section and can guide inflation gas supplied from the gas supply section into the inflatable section. Item 3. An occupant protection device according to item 1 or 2. one of the inflatable portions is positioned on the upper end side of the shoulder belt when inflation is completed, and covers at least one of the left and right sides of the occupant near the shoulder belt from the shoulder to the chest of the occupant; , constituting a shoulder protection area interposed between the shoulder belt and the upper body,
The shoulder protection region is formed to extend from the front end when inflation is completed, and is interposed between the shoulder belt and the chest so as to cover the front of the occupant near the clavicle when inflation is completed. 4. The occupant protection system according to claim 3, further comprising an extended inflation portion. The occupant protection system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the seat belt is mounted on the seat.

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