Occupant protection device

Abstract

The present invention relates to an occupant protection device, and provides an occupant protection device capable of improving the occupant protection function. The occupant protection device (102) is a device for preventing a vehicle (1) from colliding, and deploys airbags (122a, 122b) on the left side of the occupant (P), deploys airbags (122d, 122e) on the right side, deploys airbags (122f) on the top, and deploys airbags (122c) on the bottom. In addition, the airbags (122a, 122b, 122d, 122e) on both sides are connected by the upper airbag and the lower airbag. Thus, the airbag (122) is deployed in a manner of surrounding the entire periphery of the occupant, and the occupant's side is largely surrounded. The airbag on one side applies tension through the airbag on the other side, thereby preventing a large force from being applied locally to the occupant, and further mitigating the impact itself applied to the occupant, thereby improving the occupant protection function.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an occupant protection device. Background Art

[0002] In order to protect passengers from collisions, etc., vehicles such as automobiles use seat belt devices and air bag devices.

[0003] As such an airbag device, there is a front airbag that deploys from the front side to the rear of the occupant. The front airbag deploys when the vehicle is hit from the front, for example, to block and support the occupant who is about to move forward in a frontal collision (frontal collision), thereby protecting the occupant.

[0004] In addition, there are curtain airbags for preventing collisions from the side of the vehicle. The curtain airbags are deployed in the front-rear direction along the inner side of the vehicle. For example, when a collision occurs from the side of the vehicle, the curtain airbags are deployed to block and support the occupants who are about to move outward in the vehicle width direction in a side collision (side collision) and protect them.

[0005] On the other hand, in the event of a side collision, the occupants of seats on the far side farther from the side contacted by the collision object (near side) will move significantly toward the near side due to inertia, so the far side airbag deployed between the driver's seat and the front passenger seat should also be considered.

[0006] However, unlike a near-side deployed airbag, a typical far-side airbag is not adjacent to a supporting object such as a side door. Therefore, even if it is inflated and deployed, the occupant may fall down due to the impact when the occupant is blocked, and the occupant may not be fully restrained.

[0007] Therefore, a side airbag device is provided which deploys a small airbag on the far side and tightens a seat belt on the outer side thereof to support the airbag (see Patent Document 1).

[0008] Prior art literature

[0009] Patent Literature

[0010] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-012495 Summary of the invention

[0011] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0012] However, in case of collision with a vehicle, it is necessary to consider various collision forms from various directions, such as rolling, deflection and other complex movements. In order to cope with various collision forms, there is a problem of high cost. In addition, if multiple local restraints are performed like the above-mentioned existing airbag device, it is possible to concentrate a large force on a specific part.

[0013] The present invention has been made to solve such conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an occupant protection device that can prevent a large force from being applied locally to an occupant and can mitigate the impact applied to the occupant, thereby improving the occupant protection function.

[0014] Means of solving problems

[0015] The occupant protection device of the present invention is characterized by comprising: an airbag, which is arranged from above the seat along the side to below the seat seat surface; an upper retaining portion, which retains the upper portion of the airbag above the shoulder of the occupant sitting on the seat and on the inner side in the left-right direction; and a tension portion, which applies tension to the lower portion of the airbag in a direction opposite to the side that causes the airbag to deploy when the airbag is deployed.

[0016] Alternatively, the airbags are arranged on both left and right sides of the seat and connected below the seat surface, and when the airbags are deployed, one of the left and right airbags applies tension to the lower portion of the other airbag.

[0017] In addition, optionally, a lower portion of the airbag is deployed forward or downward of the seat.

[0018] In addition, optionally, there is an airbag guide portion for guiding the lower portion of the airbag to deploy forward or downward of the seat when the airbag is deployed.

[0019] In addition, optionally, the airbag protrudes upward from the seat surface when deployed.

[0020] In addition, optionally, among the airbags, an airbag disposed on one of the left and right sides of the seat communicates with an airbag disposed on the other of the left and right sides of the seat at an upper portion.

[0021] Effects of the Invention

[0022] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an occupant protection device that can prevent a large force from being applied locally to an occupant, can mitigate the impact itself applied to the occupant, and can improve the occupant protection function. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a vehicle having an occupant protection device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 1 is a diagram showing a stowed state and a deployed state of an airbag according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] 3 (a)-(d) are diagrams showing the state of the airbag during deployment in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 is a diagram showing a stowed state and a deployed state of an airbag in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 5 It is a diagram showing a stowed state and a deployed state of an airbag according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Explanation of symbols

[0029] 1 vehicle; 3 floor; 4 roof; 10 seat; 10A, 10B storage portion; 11 seat cushion; 11a, 11b, 11c storage portion; 12 seat back; 12a, 12b, 12c storage portion; 13 headrest; 101, 102, 103 occupant protection device; 111, 112, 113 gas generator; 121, 122, 123 airbag; 131 guide path; 140 seat protrusion DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] First, the structure of a vehicle having an occupant protection device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 1 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a vehicle having an occupant protection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 3(a) to (d) are diagrams showing the state of the airbag during deployment in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] (Configuration of Vehicle 1)

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown, the passenger compartment of the vehicle 1 is provided with a floor 3 at the lower part and a roof 4 at the upper part. In addition, a seat 10 is arranged on the floor 3.

[0034] The seat 10 is a seat for the passenger P of the vehicle 1. The seat 10 includes a seat cushion 11 (seat portion) for supporting the thighs of the passenger P from the buttocks, a seat back 12 (backrest portion) for being tilted, and a headrest 13 (headrest portion) for supporting the head of the passenger P.

[0035] The seat 10 is provided with a storage portion 10A for storing an airbag 121 described later. The storage portion 10A is composed of storage portions 12a, 12b, 12c of the seat back 12 and storage portions 11a, 11b, 11c of the seat cushion 11.

[0036] The storage portion 12a of the seat back 12 is provided from the upper end to the lower end along the left side portion of the seat back 12. In addition, the storage portion 12b of the seat back 12 is provided from the upper end to the lower end along the right side portion of the seat back 12. In addition, the storage portion 12c of the seat back 12 is provided along the upper portion of the seat back 12. Furthermore, the storage portion 12b of the seat back 12 is connected to the storage portion 12c, and the storage portion 12c is connected to the storage portion 12a.

[0037] The storage portion 11 a , the storage portion 11 b , and the storage portion 11 c of the seat cushion 11 are provided below a seat surface (seat seat surface) of the seat cushion 11 .

[0038] The storage portion 11a of the seat cushion 11 is provided along the left side of the seat cushion 11 from the rear to the front, and extends rearward to the upper end of the seat cushion 11. The storage portion 11b of the seat cushion 11 is provided to cross the interior of the seat cushion 11 from left to right.

[0039] In addition, the storage portion 11 c of the seat cushion 11 is provided along the right side portion of the seat cushion 11 from the rear toward the front, and further, extends rearward to the upper end of the seat cushion 11 .

[0040] Furthermore, the storage portion 11 a of the seat cushion 11 is connected to the storage portion 11 b , and the storage portion 11 b is connected to the storage portion 11 c .

[0041] Furthermore, the storage portion 12 a of the seat back 12 is connected to the storage portion 11 a of the seat cushion 11 , and the storage portion 11 c of the seat cushion 11 is connected to the storage portion 12 b of the seat back 12 .

[0042] Therefore, the storage portion 10A of the seat 10 is connected in order from the storage portion 12a of the seat back 12 to the storage portion 11a, storage portion 11b, storage portion 11c of the seat cushion 11, storage portion 12b, storage portion 12c and storage portion 12a of the seat back 12.

[0043] Furthermore, the seat cushion 11 of the seat 10 is provided with a guide path 131 for guiding the deployment direction of the airbag 121 stored in the storage portion 11 b of the seat cushion 11 when deployed.

[0044] The guide path 131 is a passage extending from the storage portion 11b of the seat cushion 11 toward the lower side and obliquely forward side of the vehicle 1, and is set to have a larger width toward the front end. In addition, the front end portion of the guide path 131 extends to the vicinity of the lower portion of the seat cushion 11. Moreover, at the lower portion of the seat cushion 11, the vicinity of the front end portion of the guide path 131 can be broken when the airbag 121 is deployed, and the airbag 121 can protrude to the outside.

[0045] (Configuration of Occupant Protection Device 101)

[0046] Next, the configuration of the occupant protection device in the embodiment of the present invention will be described. The occupant protection device in the present embodiment is controlled by an airbag deployment control unit (ACU), a vehicle control unit (ECU), and the like.

[0047] The occupant protection device 101 includes a gas generator 111 and an airbag 121 .

[0048] (Gas generator 111)

[0049] If a collision or collision prediction of the vehicle 1 is detected, the gas generator 111 ignites gunpowder according to a signal sent from the abnormality detection unit or the ECU, generates gas by a chemical reaction caused by combustion, and presses the gas into the airbag 121. That is, the gas generator 111 supplies gas to the airbag 121. In addition, the gas generator 111 is provided inside the rear of the seat cushion 11 of the seat 10. That is, the gas generator 111 is provided below the seat back 12.

[0050] Furthermore, for example, when the seat 10 is a left-side seat, the gas generator 111 is disposed near the storage portion 11a (the storage portion 11c is located at the center side of the vehicle 1) on the vehicle outer side of the seat cushion 11, and gas is injected into the airbag 121 stored in the storage portion 11a. As a result, the vehicle outer side of the airbag 122 is deployed more quickly. Alternatively, the gas generator 111 may be disposed at the lower portion of the seat back 12, etc.

[0051] (Airbag 121)

[0052] The airbag 121 is a bag body into which gas is compressed by the gas generator 111 , and is folded into a small size when not in operation.

[0053] Specifically, the airbag 121 is stored in the storage portion 10A of the seat 10. That is, the airbag 121 is stored in the storage portions 12a, 12b, 12c of the seat back 12 and the storage portions 11a, 11b, 11c of the seat cushion 11. Therefore, the airbag 121 is disposed on both sides of the seat 10 and in the upper and lower parts.

[0054] Thus, the airbag 121 is arranged from the upper part of the seat back 12 along the side wall to the lower part, enters the rear side of the seat cushion 11 from the lower part of the seat back 12, and faces forward at the side of the seat cushion 11. Furthermore, the airbag 121 crosses the inside of the seat cushion 11 to the opposite side, is arranged at the rear from the opposite side, and enters the side of the lower part of the seat back 12. In addition, the airbag 121 passes from the lower part of the seat back 12 through the side toward the upper part, and then connects to the original position along the upper part of the seat back 12, forming a ring shape.

[0055] Therefore, the airbag 121 is arranged from the top of the seat back 12 along the side to the bottom of the seat surface (seat seat surface) of the seat cushion 11. In addition, the airbag portion arranged on one side of the seat 10 communicates with the airbag portion arranged on the other side of the seat 10 at the top and bottom.

[0056] In the present embodiment, the airbag 121 is disposed from above the seat back 12 , but may be disposed from a headrest.

[0057] In addition, the airbag 121 is deployed to surround the occupant P during operation, but has a shape that matches the concave and convex shapes of the occupant P during deployment. That is, the inner circumference of the airbag 121 is formed into a concave portion relative to the convex shape of the occupant P, and the inner circumference of the airbag 121 is formed into a convex portion relative to the concave shape of the occupant P. For example, the inner circumference of the airbag 121 is formed into a shape in which the portion in contact with the waist of the occupant P is deployed more inward than the portion in contact with the shoulder of the occupant P.

[0058] In addition, for the convenience of the following description, the respective parts of the airbag 121 stored in the storage portion 12a of the seat back 12, the storage portions 11a, 11b, 11c of the seat cushion 11, and the storage portions 12b, 12c of the seat back 12 are respectively referred to as airbags 121a, 121b, 121c, 121d, 121e, 121f. In addition, the airbag 121 is continuously connected in a circular ring shape, and these respective parts are provided only for the convenience of description, and do not strictly indicate their positions, but indicate the parts stored in the approximate range of each storage portion.

[0059] In addition, as described above, when the airbag 121 is inflated by the input of gas, the airbag 121c, which is mainly accommodated in the accommodation portion 11b of the seat cushion 11, is guided downward and forward along the guide path 131. That is, the guide path 131 functions as an airbag guide. In addition, the guidance of the airbag 121c is not limited to this, and for example, the airbag 121c may be guided downward and forward using a guiding gas generator, or the airbag 121c may be guided by stretching it using a winding mechanism or the like, or by a hydraulic mechanism.

[0060] When the airbag 121 is inflated and deployed, the airbags 121a and 121e protrude outward from the side of the seat back 12, and the airbag 121f protrudes upward from the upper portion of the seat back 12. The airbags 121b and 121d protrude outward from the side of the seat cushion 11.

[0061] In the present embodiment, the airbag 121 protrudes outward, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the airbags 121a, 121e, and 121f may protrude forward of the seat back 12, and the airbags 121b and 121d may protrude upward of the seat cushion 11.

[0062] (Operation of the Occupant Protection Device 101)

[0063] Next, the operation of the occupant protection device 101 when the vehicle 1 collides with a collision object will be described.

[0064] In such an occupant protection device 101 , when a collision or a prediction of a collision with the vehicle 1 is detected, the gas generator 111 is operated, and gas is injected into the airbag 121 by the gas generator 111 .

[0065] When the gas generator 111 presses gas into the airbag 121, the gas is firstly pressed into the portion contained in the storage section 11a of the seat cushion 11, the airbag 121b, and further into the portion contained in the storage section 11b that crosses the inside of the seat cushion 11, the airbag 121c. Furthermore, when the airbag 121c expands, it cannot be completely contained in the storage section 11b of the seat cushion 11, but is guided downward and forward along the guide path 131. In addition, among the airbags 121, the airbags 121b and 121d contained in the storage sections 11a and 11c of the seat cushion 11 expand, and jump out to both sides of the seat cushion 11 and deploy.

[0066] Then, gas is injected from the airbags 121b and 121d in the airbag 121 into the airbags 121a and 121e stored in the storage portions 12a and 12b of the seat back 12. As a result, the airbags 121a and 121e also expand and deploy outwardly to both sides of the seat back 12. As described above, the airbag 121a close to the gas generator 111 deploys earlier than the airbag 121e far from the gas generator 111.

[0067] Then, gas is injected from the airbags 121a and 121e in the airbag 121 into the airbag 121f accommodated in the accommodation portion 12c provided in the upper portion of the seat back 12. As a result, the airbag 121f also inflates and jumps out to the upper side of the seat back 12 to be deployed.

[0068] Alternatively, an upper holding portion may be provided above the shoulder of the occupant P and inward in the left-right direction, that is, near the upper center of the seat back 12 to hold the airbag 121f. Thus, the airbag 121 is fixed at the upper portion.

[0069] Here, the process of the airbag 121 guided by the guide path 131 when it is deployed will be described in detail.

[0070] As shown in Fig. 3(a)-(d), when gas is pressed into the airbag 121 by the gas generator 111, the gas is first pressed into the airbag 121b and then into the airbag 121c. Furthermore, if the airbag 121c expands, as shown in Fig. 3(b), it cannot be completely stored in the storage portion 11b of the seat cushion 11, but is guided slightly downward and forward along the guide path 131.

[0071] Furthermore, when the gas is pressed into the airbag 121c, as shown in FIG3(c), the airbag 121c further expands and is further guided downward and forward along the guide path 131. In addition, at this time, the gas is also input into the airbags 121a and 121e, and the airbags 121a and 121e also jump outward from the bottom to the two outer sides of the seat cushion 11 and deploy.

[0072] Then, if the gas is further pressed into the airbag 121 c , the airbag 121 c expands to the maximum extent and is guided to the lowermost and frontmost part of the guide path 131 , as shown in FIG. 3( d ) .

[0073] In this way, the airbag 121 c which has become the lower portion of the airbag 121 is guided by the guide path 131 and deployed forward and downward of the seat 10 .

[0074] Thus, the airbag 121 is deployed in a circular shape surrounding the occupant P, and thus covers the sides of the occupant P as a whole. This prevents a large force from being applied locally, and improves the protection function for the occupant P.

[0075] In the airbag 121, since the lower airbag 121c moves downward and forward, the distance from the upper airbag 121f becomes longer, and tension acts on the airbags 121a, 121b and airbags 121d, 121e, etc., which can apply a reaction force to the lateral movement of the occupant P.

[0076] Therefore, for example, when a collision occurs from the left side of the occupant P, the occupant P moves to the left and contacts the left side ring portion (airbag 121a) of the airbag 121. At this time, since the airbag 121 is connected in a ring shape, the right side ring portion (airbag 121e) of the airbag 121 hinders the movement of the left side ring portion (airbag 121a) (reacting force from the right side), that is, it acts as a tension portion that applies tension in the opposite direction. In addition, when a collision occurs from the right, the left side ring portion (airbag 121a) of the airbag 121 acts as a tension portion for the right side ring portion (airbag 121e). Therefore, one of the left and right sides of the airbag 121 applies tension to the other side.

[0077] Therefore, the airbag 121 can suppress the occupant P from moving to the left, thereby avoiding contact with vehicle-mounted components, etc. caused by a collision from the left. In addition, even if contact with vehicle-mounted components, etc. cannot be avoided, the momentum of the occupant P and the airbag 121 rushing into the vehicle-mounted components, etc. can be reduced, and the impact applied to the occupant P can be alleviated, thereby improving the protection performance.

[0078] Furthermore, for example, when a collision occurs from the front of the occupant P, the lower airbag 121c moves downward and forward, so that the lower side of the annular airbag of the airbag 121 moves forward of the occupant. Since the ring portions (airbags 121a and 121e) on both sides of the airbag 121 are present in front of the shoulder of the occupant, the forward movement of the occupant and the subsequent actions of the occupant can be reduced, and the impact applied to the occupant P can be mitigated, thereby improving the protection performance.

[0079] Next, an example in which the airbag is deployed further above the head of the occupant P will be described.

[0080] in addition, Figure 4 The figures show the stowed state and the deployed state of the airbag in the present embodiment.

[0081] The seat 10 of this embodiment is also provided with a storage portion 10A for storing the airbag 122 similarly to the above-mentioned embodiment. The storage portion 10A is composed of the storage portions 12a, 12b, 12c of the seat back 12 and the storage portions 11a, 11b, 11c of the seat cushion 11.

[0082] Furthermore, a seat protrusion 140 described later is provided on the upper portion of the seat back 12. In addition, the seat cushion 11 is also provided with a guide path 131 for guiding the airbag 122 when deployed, similarly to the above-described embodiment.

[0083] (Configuration of Occupant Protection Device 102)

[0084] The occupant protection device 102 in the present embodiment includes a gas generator 112 , an airbag 122 , and a seat protrusion 140 .

[0085] (Gas generator 112)

[0086] The gas generator 112 , similar to the gas generator 111 described above, generates gas based on detection of a collision of the vehicle 1 or a prediction of a collision, and presses the gas into the airbag 122 .

[0087] (Airbag 122)

[0088] The airbag 122 is similar to the airbag 121 and is stored in a ring-shaped bag inside the seat 10. Specifically, the airbag 122 is stored in the storage portion 12a of the seat back 12, the storage portions 11a, 11b, 11c of the seat cushion 11, and the storage portions 12b, 12c of the seat back 12.

[0089] In addition, in the present embodiment, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the parts of the airbag 122 accommodated in the storage portion 12a of the seat back 12, the storage portions 11a, 11b, 11c of the seat cushion 11, and the storage portions 12b, 12c of the seat back 12 are also respectively designated as airbags 122a, 122b, 122c, 122d, 122e, 122f.

[0090] (Seat protrusion 140)

[0091] The seat protrusion 140 is provided integrally with the seat back 12 at the upper portion of the seat back 12 of the seat 10. The side cross-sectional shape of the seat protrusion 140 is a concave shape, and a groove for holding the airbag 122 is provided at the upper portion. Thus, a part of the airbag 122f corresponding to the upper portion of the airbag 122 is held from below.

[0092] When a collision or collision prediction is detected for the vehicle 1, the seat protrusion 140 protrudes upward by a protrusion device (not shown). The seat protrusion 140 protrudes upward to a position higher than the head position of the occupant P while maintaining the upper portion of the airbag 122 (a portion of the airbag 122f).

[0093] In addition, since the seat protrusion 140 supports a part of the airbag 122f from below, the expansion of the airbag 122 is not hindered. In addition, in the present embodiment, the seat protrusion 140 always holds a part of the airbag 122f, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and after the airbag 122f protrudes upward, the airbag 122 may also leave the seat protrusion 140. In addition, the seat protrusion 140 may have a through passage inside, and hold the airbag 122 in the through passage.

[0094] In addition, the protrusion device may include, for example, a gas generator, and when a collision or collision prediction of the vehicle 1 is detected, the gas generator is operated to protrude the seat protrusion 140. In addition, the protrusion device may be a device that is fixed by a stopper in advance by a spring or the like at normal times, and the stopper is released during operation. In addition, the protrusion of the seat protrusion 140 may be performed by a solenoid, or moved by hydraulic pressure.

[0095] In such an occupant protection device 102, when a collision or prediction of a collision with the vehicle 1 is detected, the airbag 122 is deployed around the seat 10, similarly to the airbag 121. In addition, the seat protrusion 140 is protruded upward by the protrusion device, whereby the upper part of the airbag 122 (a part of the airbag 122f) moves above the head of the occupant P, so that the annular airbag 122 completely surrounds the occupant P (including the head).

[0096] Thus, the surroundings of the occupant P including the head of the occupant P are protected by the airbag 122 , so that, for example, even if the vehicle 1 rolls over, the occupant P can be appropriately protected, and the occupant P can be protected regardless of the collision mode of the vehicle 1 .

[0097] Next, an example in which the airbag protrudes and deploys toward the upper portion of the seat cushion 11 of the seat 10 will be described.

[0098] in addition, Figure 5 The figures show the stowed state and the deployed state of the airbag in the present embodiment.

[0099] The seat 10 is provided with a storage portion 10B for storing an airbag 123 described later. The storage portion 10B is composed of storage portions 12a, 12b, 12c of the seat back 12 and storage portions 11d, 11e, 11f of the seat cushion 11.

[0100] The storage portions 12a, 12b, and 12c of the seat back 12 are the same as those in the above embodiment. Also, a seat protrusion 140 similar to that in the above embodiment is provided on the upper portion of the seat back 12.

[0101] The storage portion 11d of the seat cushion 11 is provided along the left side portion of the seat cushion 11 from the rear to the front, and is the same as the storage portion 11a of the above embodiment, but extends to the front of the seat cushion 11 compared with the above storage portion 11a. In addition, the storage portion 11e of the seat cushion 11 is provided to cross the inside of the seat cushion 11 from left to right, which is the same as the storage portion 11b of the above embodiment, but is wider in the front-rear direction than the above storage portion 11b.

[0102] In addition, the storage portion 11f of the seat cushion 11 is provided along the right side portion of the seat cushion 11 from the rear to the front, and is the same as the storage portion 11c of the above embodiment, but like the storage portion 11d, it extends to the front of the seat cushion 11 compared with the above storage portion 11c. Furthermore, the storage portion 11d of the seat cushion 11 is connected to the storage portion 11e, and the storage portion 11e is connected to the storage portion 11f.

[0103] Furthermore, the storage portion 12 a of the seat back 12 is connected to the storage portion 11 d of the seat cushion 11 , and the storage portion 11 f of the seat cushion 11 is connected to the storage portion 12 b of the seat back 12 .

[0104] Therefore, the storage section 10B of the seat 10 is the same as the above-mentioned storage section 10A, and all are connected in order from the storage section 12a of the seat back 12 to the storage section 11d of the seat cushion 11, the storage section 11e, the storage section 11f, the storage section 12b of the seat back 12, the storage section 12c and the storage section 12a.

[0105] In addition, a tear seam is provided in the lateral direction at the upper surface and substantially the center of the seat cushion 11. Thus, when the airbag 123 is deployed, the tear seam is broken and the airbag 123 protrudes above the seat cushion 11, that is, on the seat surface (seat seat surface) of the seat 10.

[0106] In addition, the seat cushion 11 of the present embodiment is not provided with the guide path 131 of the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0107] (Configuration of Occupant Protection Device 103)

[0108] The occupant protection device 103 in the present embodiment includes a gas generator 113 , an airbag 123 , and a seat protrusion 140 .

[0109] (Gas generator 113)

[0110] The gas generator 113 , similar to the gas generator 112 described above, generates gas based on detection of a collision of the vehicle 1 or a prediction of a collision, and presses the gas into the airbag 123 .

[0111] (Airbag 123)

[0112] The airbag 123 is similar to the airbag 122, and is a donut-shaped bag housed inside the seat 10. However, the airbag 123 is provided further forward inside the seat cushion 11 than the airbag 122, and the width of the lower portion of the airbag 123 is wider.

[0113] In addition, in the present embodiment, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the parts of the airbag 123 accommodated in the storage portion 12a of the seat back 12, the storage portions 11d, 11e, 11f of the seat cushion 11, and the storage portions 12b, 12c of the seat back 12 are also respectively designated as airbags 123a, 123b, 123c, 123d, 123e, 123f.

[0114] (Seat protrusion 140)

[0115] The seat protrusion 140 is the same as the seat protrusion 140 of the above embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the seat protrusion 140 does not always hold a part of the airbag 123f, and preferably supports only a part of the airbag 123f from below. That is, after the airbag 123f is protruded upward, the seat protrusion 140 is preferably able to allow the airbag 122 to move freely from the seat protrusion 140.

[0116] In the occupant protection device 103, when a collision or prediction of a collision with the vehicle 1 is detected, the airbag 123 is deployed around the seat 10, similarly to the airbag 122. The airbag 123 protrudes upward from the seat cushion 11, thereby floating the occupant P.

[0117] Thus, when a side collision occurs to the vehicle 1, the occupant P can easily move in parallel while maintaining a vertical state, so the protection performance of the occupant P is improved. For example, when the occupant P is in a normal seated state, since the friction between the lower limbs or buttocks of the occupant P and the seat cushion 11 is large, the lower body of the occupant P does not move, and only the upper body of the occupant P swings left and right, so the posture of the occupant P becomes tilted. In contrast, by making the airbag 123 protrude upward from the seat cushion 11, the friction between the occupant P and the airbag 123, or the friction between the airbag 123 and the seat cushion 11 is reduced, and the occupant P moves in parallel with respect to the impact, so the protection performance of the occupant P can be improved.

[0118] As described above, the occupant protection devices 101 to 103 in this embodiment deploy the airbags 121 to 123 from top to bottom along the side of the seat 10, and apply tension at the top and bottom in the direction opposite to the side on which the occupant P falls, thereby preventing a large force from being applied locally to the occupant P, and further mitigating the impact applied to the occupant P itself, thereby improving the occupant protection function.

[0119] In the above embodiment, the guide path is provided as a configuration for deploying the airbag in front of and / or below the seat, but the deployment direction may be set by the configuration of the fixing point of the airbag without the guide path. For example, if the seat frame or the like is arranged above the storage position and the fixing point of the airbag and the airbag is deployed, the airbag will deploy downward. In this case, by arranging the gas injection position from the gas generator on the rear side of the vehicle and arranging the fixing point on the rear side relative to the entire bag body of the airbag, the airbag will deploy forward.

[0120] Furthermore, for example, by arranging the tethers connecting the upper and lower inner walls of the air bag body only on the vehicle rear side in the air bag body, the air bag body expands more than the vehicle front side, and the vehicle front side is deployed relatively downward.

Claims

1. An occupant protection device, comprising: An airbag is arranged from above the seat along the side to below the seat surface; an upper holding portion that holds an upper portion of the airbag above a shoulder of an occupant sitting on the seat and on the inner side in the left-right direction; as well as a tensioning portion that applies tension to the lower portion of the airbag in a direction opposite to the side surface that causes the airbag to be deployed when the airbag is deployed, The airbags are arranged on the left and right sides of the seat and are connected below the seat surface. When the airbag is deployed, one of the left and right airbags applies tension to the lower portion of the other airbag.

2. The occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein: The lower portion of the airbag is deployed forward or downward of the seat.

3. The occupant protection device according to claim 2, wherein: An airbag guide portion is provided for guiding a lower portion of the airbag to be deployed forward or downward of the seat when the airbag is deployed.

4. The occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein: The airbag protrudes and deploys upward from the seat surface when deployed.

5. The occupant protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: Of the airbags, an airbag provided on one of the left and right sides of the seat and an airbag provided on the other of the left and right sides of the seat communicate with each other at an upper portion.

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